Channel NewsAsia: Workers' Party says more time needed to build up first-class opposition

SINGAPORE VOTES 2006

By Farah Abdul Rahim


Sylvia Lim, Chairman, Workers' Party

The Workers' Party (WP) says it agrees with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew that Singapore needs a First World opposition.

But party chairman Sylvia Lim admits the WP has a long road ahead before achieving this.

She made these remarks on Sunday as she introduced the party's third batch of election candidates - bringing the total so far to 12.

The WP says it wants to field candidates of a First World standard.

But the party admits it will take time to meet this challenge thrown down to the opposition by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew.

Ms Lim said: "We have no quarrel with what Minister Mentor says - we are aware we are still in a building up process. This election, we have made some progress and we hope the people agree with us on this, but there is still a long road ahead and we will work towards that."

Working towards this goal, she added, also means that WP members must be careful about what they say and write.

Ms Lim was referring to the Singapore Democratic Party's legal troubles over the National Kidney Foundation scandal.

She said: "We have little money so we steer clear of legal battles. It could kill us - it is unfortunate what has happened to the SDP, but we will continue with what we are doing, be careful with what we say and print during the campaign period."

As part of their gearing up, Ms Lim introduced the third batch of WP candidates - a mix of veterans and new faces.

One of the new candidates introduced was 26-year-old arts graduate Lee Wai Leng, who is an editorial and translation executive.

She is a member of the party's central executive committee and also serves on the Hougang Constituency Committee.

Ms Lee is the youngest new opposition face to be introduced so far.

She said: "I don't think age is exactly a barrier. It's not the only determinant of how well you are able to serve your residents. Compared to many party veterans who have walked the ground for decades, and I have plenty to learn."

Another new face is 34-year-old Perry Tong, who is a management consultant with the Hackett Group.

The political science graduate from Berkeley is expected to be part of the five-man team to contest East Coast GRC.

Mr Tong said: "We realise there are a lot of issues on the ground that people have raised - these issues are probably not just addressed to an opposition party, but probably to any political party that cares to walk the ground."

Asked what these issues were, Mr Tong said they would be revealed during the hustings.

52-year-old Gopal Krishnan, a maintenance inspector with Hougang Town Council, is the oldest of the new faces.

He is married with four children and has a Diploma in Building Management.

A veteran trade unionist, he wants to focus on employment issues.

He said: "The minority groups are facing a lot of problems in employment, finding it hard to get jobs in many sectors. Perhaps we can address this to find out why and where."

The WP also introduced 44-year-old Dr Poh Lee Guan, who contested Nee Soon East in 2001 - and will probably stand in the same constituency this time, and 49-year-old Rahizan Yaacob, a former Singapore Democratic Alliance candidate, who is likely to stand in Aljunied GRC. - CNA/ch