Straits Times: Workers' Party, SDA to roll out candidates over next few days

PEH SHING HUEI

NO COMPLAINTS about a rushed election. No real sign of activity. No sweat.

Unlike in the past, the opposition camp reacted coolly to the announcement of key election dates yesterday, reflecting a higher state of readiness than it has ever had, despite entering the polls in larger numbers.

And in a break from the opposition's tradition of announcing candidates only on Nomination Day, the two biggest parties have said they will do so in the next couple of days.

Workers' Party (WP) secretary-general Low Thia Khiang told The Straits Times that his party's slate of candidates, numbering about 20, will be introduced from today.

The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) said its 20 candidates will be made known at a press conference tomorrow.

The opposition camp is gunning for an expected total of 47 seats, which will deny the People's Action Party a parliamentary majority on Nomination Day next Thursday. Back in 2001, only 29 seats were contested.

Opposition politicians appear to appreciate the longer lead time they have had to prepare for this GE. In 2001, only a day separated the release of the Electoral Boundaries Report and the announcement of the election. This time, almost 50 days have passed since the boundaries report was made public on March 3.

Mr Low, who will be defending his Hougang seat, described the longer breathing space as "an improvement".

Mr Steve Chia, who will be contesting under the SDA banner, said the Government has been "a lot fairer" to the opposition this time.

With the exception of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), none of the other opposition parties held meetings last night.

It appears that the wards have been carved out, with no three-cornered fights expected. The exception is the single-seat constituency of Nee Soon Central, now coveted by both the WP and SDP.

The two parties have up till Thursday to iron out their differences if they want to stick to their plan to avoid three-cornered fights.

Channel NewsAsia: Workers' Party to introduce 20 candidates in run-up to Nomination Day

SINGAPORE VOTES 2006

By Farah Abdul Rahim


Sylvia Lim, Chairman, Workers' Party

SINGAPORE : The Workers' Party will roll out some 20 candidates over the next 5 days - in the run-up to Nomination Day.

It plans to contest three GRCs including Ang Mo Kio and four Single Member Constituencies.

The Workers' Party was the first opposition party to unveil its election manifesto earlier this year.

Sylvia Lim, Chairman, Workers' Party, said: "We started preparing for this election really early this time and many of our potential candidates have been walking the ground from 3 to 4 years ago. We are glad it's finally here, it gives some finality to the whole thing and we want to get on with it and get the show on the road."

When the People's Action Party introduced their new candidates, it called on the opposition to do likewise as the PAP believed Singaporeans should know who candidates are to make an informed choice.

But the Workers' Party said it would wait till elections were called.

Out of the 20 candidates to be introduced by the Workers' Party over the next few days, 15 will be first timers like its chairman Sylvia Lim while another 5 would have had some experience in at least one election campaign before.

The Workers' Party plans to contest Ang Mo Kio, Aljunied and East Coast GRCs and 4 single seats - Hougang, Joo Chiat, Nee Soon East and Nee Soon Central.

The Workers' Party made way for the SDP to contest Sembawang GRC so as to avoid a 3-cornered fight.

And in return, it wants to contest the single ward of Nee Soon Central, which the SDP had staked previously.

But will there be a three-cornered fight in Nee Soon Central?

Sylvia Lim said: "If a three-cornered fight is not resolved, we still have plans to go there."

All eyes will be on whether a deal between the two opposition parties to avoid that scenario will be worked out before Nomination Day. - CNA/ch

Straits Times: WP new face: From Normal stream to top grad

ELECTION 06

BY SUE-ANN CHIA


QUITTING HIS JOB
"Something's got to give. The people need to be represented."
MR TONG, who declined to confirm his candidacy, said that, if elected, he would quit his $100,000-a-year job and be a full-time MP. He is a management consultant who advises chief financial officers on how to optimise their company's funds.

POTENTIAL Workers' Party (WP) candidate Perry Tong, 35, is what some would call a Comeback Kid.

He took five years to get his O-levels and scraped through with three passes - in English, geography, and combined physics and chemistry.

Following his national service, he took another five years, working as a bartender, to save for a tertiary education in the United States.

Eventually, he got a political science degree from the University of California in Berkeley, graduating among the top 10 per cent of those who received a degree in 1998.

Yesterday, in relating his struggle to be a graduate, Mr Tong shrugged off talk that the opposition finds it difficult to attract talented people.

"No, it's not true. You're talking now to possibly one (talent)," he said with a wry smile during an interview with The Straits Times.

But ask him if he had considered joining the People's Action Party, he replies matter-of-factly: "No. With my academic track record, I didn't think I'd qualify for the PAP."

Mr Tong spent his first 10 years of school in St Andrews, where he was in the Normal stream in secondary schools.

For his O-levels, he switched to Ping Yi Secondary, which was nearer his home - a three-room HDB flat in Marine Parade. His family could not afford the bus fare to St Andrews in Potong Pasir.

His father, now retired, was then a small-time businessman and his mother, a housewife.

The older of two sons, Mr Tong said he worked as a waiter for a year before his national service. He then became a bartender, and at one point held two jobs, working from 9am to 5am, to save for his studies.

In 1996, he left for Santa Barbara City College where he studied for 18 months before moving to the University of California in Berkeley. To help pay for his tuition fees, he said he worked 12-hour shifts daily as a bartender.

His interest in politics was piqued when the late President Ong Teng Cheong had an exchange with the Government on the state of its reserves.

However, he joined the WP only three years ago when his career was on a firmer footing, after he was laid off by a dotcom company.

He chose the WP as "it has a long tradition of being consistent in seeking to improve the welfare of Singaporeans".

But it was only last November that he stepped forward as election talk became rife. "I believe that moral support is not enough, you have to active," he said.

He is likely to be a WP candidate at East Coast GRC, where he was seen for the first time on Sunday, when potential WP candidates went for a walkabout at Bedok Central Market.

He declined to confirm his candidacy but said that, if elected, he would quit his $100,000-a-year job with United States-based company Hackett Group and be a full-time MP.

"Something's got to give. The people need to be represented," said Mr Tong, a management consultant who advises chief financial officers on how to optimise their company's funds.

The man who stands at over 1.9 metres and has a deep bass voice shrugged his broad shoulders and said his work, which requires him to travel about 80 per cent of the time, would clash with his job as MP.

If elected, he would focus initially on local issues, such as alleviating the flash flood problems in Bedok.

"I would like to begin with municipal issues, and work my way up to national issues," he said.

Straits Times: Berkeley grad joins WP's East Coast GRC team

By T. Rajan


"I joined the WP because it has a long-standing tradition of being consistent in the positions it has taken as an opposition party." - Mr Perry Tong.


MEET AND GREET: Mr Raymond Lim, Second Minister for Finance and Foreign Affairs, and Workers' Party's Mr Eric Tan exchange greetings during their walkabout at East Coast GRC. - LIM SIN THAI

HE IS a political science graduate from the University of California at Berkeley and now completes the Workers' Party line-up of likely candidates to stand in East Coast GRC.

Mr Perry Tong, 35, joined the party three years ago at the invitation of executive council member Melvin Tan, whom he met in 2003.

That was when both were volunteers at the Think Centre, a civil rights group founded by fellow WP member James Gomez.

"I joined the WP because it has a long-standing tradition of being consistent in the positions it has taken as an opposition party," said Mr Tong, who was seen for the first time with WP members on a morning walkabout yesterday at Bedok Central market.

The others were WP second vice-chairman Abdul Rahim Abdul Rahman, 66; lawyer Chia Ti Lik, 33; Mr Eric Tan, 50, general manager of RBC Dexia Investor Services Global, a venture between the Royal Bank of Canada and Dexia Banque Internationale a Luxembourg; and Mr Brandon Siow, 31, an account manager with Singapore Airlines Cargo.

WP members have been active in East Coast GRC for some time now, conducting house-to-house visits and meeting residents at coffee shops and markets.

But the induction of Mr Tong, a management consultant with the United States-based Hackett Group, suggests the team can now focus on election preparations.

However, Mr Chia, who led the team yesterday, declined to confirm the East Coast GRC line-up and said it is a decision for the party to make.

Mr Tong, who has been married for two years to a 28-year-old financial analyst, graduated among the top 10 per cent of his cohort in October 1998.

Team member Eric Tan has an MBA from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor; while Mr Chia and Mr Siow are graduates of the National University of Singapore. Mr Abdul Rahim, the only non-graduate, would only say he had his early education in Malay.

While on their walkabout, the WP team met their rivals from the People's Action Party, led by Deputy Prime Minister S. Jayakumar. With him were new PAP candidates Jessica Tan, 39, and Mr Lee Yi Shyan, 44, as well as outgoing MP Tan Soo Khoon.

Both teams greeted each other and continued their walkabout - and the WP members then bumped into Second Minister for Finance and Foreign Affairs Raymond Lim.

The WP team mingled with the early morning market crowd, distributing party fliers and cards which carried brief profiles of each candidate and their contact numbers.

In response to a question that more could be done for the estate, Mr Tong said: "The state of the infrastructure in the GRC needs improvement. I witnessed two floods in Bedok in the past month alone. Matters like this should be addressed."

These were some of the municipal issues he and the team will address during their election campaign, he said, declining to elaborate further on other issues they will raise.

Mr Chia, on his part, said his desire to become an MP stemmed from his wish to speak up for Singaporeans, especially those he feels are not heard:

"As an ordinary citizen, my voice is just a squeak. As a possible candidate, my voice becomes more of a shout. As an elected MP, my voice becomes a roar. The PAP will hear what I have to say and act on it."

New Paper on Sunday: Who's that CHIC chick?

Eye on election

She mixes a mean drink, but minces no words. Workers' Party's Glenda Han answers our questions - straight

SylviaTohPaikChoo
paikchoo@sph.com.sg




pictures | alvin toh, choo chwee hua

Party people: Caption: Ms Han (far right) with fellow WP Youth Wing exco members (from left) Melvin Tan, Chia Ti Lik, Tan Wui Hua, Goh Meng Seng and Ng Swee Bee.

POLITICS is a tough number.

Once you decide to stand, there is no way to run, ever, from legitimately probing questions, among which are: What is your mother's maiden name? Do you have a pet? Where do you cut your hair? And, of late, tell us something about yourself that no one else knows.

Miss Glenda Han is 30 and single, and pretty cool in the way some men would describe as "hot".

If one of the Dove shampoo ad girls ran for election, she'd be Glenda Han.

The deputy secretary of the youth wing of the Workers' Party is No 2 of four sisters. One sells cars, another is in the garment industry and the youngest is entering NUS.

Miss Han used to have a stake in Ig's Heaven, a shop stocked with quirky lifestyle objects.

She cashed in her quirky chips, took off to see the world (except South America), went to roost in Montmartre, the artists' colony in Paris, loved it and stayed two years.

"My arty-farty side," she said, with a flick of her lustrous black hair. No, she was not a Dove shampoo girl...

"I like to paint. Still life, portraits mostly, in oils."

When she is not flaring.

Flaring is what double-jointed bartenders do with liquor orders when they have an audience, you know, make a Cirque du Soleil juggle just to serve a Bloody Mary.

"Sure I can do flaring," said Miss Han, a shareholder in Les Chameaux, a cocktail bar in Robertson Quay. But she does stop at bartop dancing.

Les Chameaux is "camels" in French for her sojourn in France, and camels because she wanted "something Middle Eastern". She said: "We have shisha." (Scented smokes.)

Miss Han can mix 30 cocktails, and her favourite drink is the Cosmopolitan; but of course, it's Carrie Bradshaw's (Sex and the City) preferred tipple.

If you had to concoct a WP cocktail what would be the mix?

"Vodka base with citron for zest," she said without a comma, exuding confidence.

Why am I not suprised that the slim urbanely dressed Miss Han shares an apartment with three single girls, but has no love life to speak of.

Her day job is in money brokerage, nights at the bar counter, and all the in-between time is given over to family and her pet cat.

"At first they were apprehensive, at the idea of my going into politics," she said. "But they did not dissuade me. Now they are supportive."

CHILD OF THE REVOLUTION?

It was her years in the French capital that fired her political sensibilities. Home of the Revolution, the Rights of Man, the 1968 student riots heard around the world.

"In France, they debate over every single thing. The culture of politics is strong. Here, all people care about is the pursuit of wealth, bigger house, bigger car. They forget the small things."

Like taking time out to chill rather than climb the corporate ladder? Like having the passion and the energy not to be apathetic?

"Many people don't dare (to take risks), because they think of what they have to lose. I follow my gut."

And when her gut feels bloated - from one Cosmopolitan too many, she heads to the gym.

And the one thing no one knows...?

"Well, I bought a violin when I was in Europe. I should learn to play it."

Straits Times: Give me GRC with both opposition wards

WORKERS' Party chief Low Thia Khiang issued his own challenge in response to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's dare that he contest a GRC: Give him one that includes his ward and Potong Pasir as well.

It would not be difficult for Mr Lee to ask the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee to draw a GRC that would include the two opposition-held constituencies, the Hougang MP said.

"They are not as far as Serangoon and Marine Parade," Mr Low said, referring to the Serangoon ward which was previously part of the Marine Parade GRC. It is now part of Aljunied GRC. He was responding to comments by Mr Lee who, during a forum with young Singaporeans, said that Mr Low and Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong should move out of single-seat wards and helm GRCs.

Mr Low said he was not adverse to contesting in a GRC, but it will not be at the coming general election. Also, any such decision on a GRC was for his party to make. Still, he offered a challenge to the PAP for single wards and GRCs. The PAP appeared to be concerned about their new candidates not facing a contest at the polls. His solution: have them contest in single-seat constituencies.

"I would also advise the new Prime Minister to test especially those of ministerial quality to lead a GRC to see if they can carry the ground," he said. "That would provide fairer competition. Then it's candidate to candidate - not Opposition to Minister."

T. RAJAN

TODAY: WP leaves Sembawang GRC battle to SDP

General Election 2006

Instead it will contest Nee Soon Central

JASMINE YIN
jasmine.yin@newstoday.com.sg

A POSSIBLE three-cornered fight at Sembawang Group Representation Constituency (GRC) has been averted after the two Opposition parties eyeing the six-member ward met on Tuesday to iron things out.

The Workers' Party (WP) has agreed to swap Sembawang GRC, which it had staked a claim on during last month's key meeting between the Opposition parties, with the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) Nee Soon Central single ward.

In its media statement released yesterday, WP chairman Sylvia Lim said this decision was triggered by the SDP's intention to make the National Kidney Foundation debacle an "election issue" and face off with the People's Action Party's (PAP) team led by Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan.

"With these insights, WP ... has decided to scale back its election targets and give up Sembawang GRC to the SDP," the statement read.

While the WP has not officially stated who it will be fielding for this single ward, signs point to its youth action committee chairman Yaw Shin Leong, 30, as a likely candidate.

An information technology consultant who has been working the ground in Sembawang, Mr Yaw told TODAY: "Being a staunch believer in political development in Singapore, I do not believe in three-cornered fights among the alternative parties. I see this as a positive outcome. We must move in synergy in strategy and direction. It's always party above self."

SDP party leader Dr Chee Soon Juan declined to comment.

Standing in the WP's way at Nee Soon Central is PAP incumbent Ong Ah Heng, 62, who said he is still unsure if he will be fielded for this upcoming general election.

"As far as the ward is concerned, I welcome any Opposition candidate. Let the voters have a choice and make a decision," he said.

TODAY: AMK a 'massive' task for WP

RESIDENTS and shopkeepers of Teck Ghee constituency watched on in interest yesterday as a big group donning whites led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong bumped into a bunch of Workers' Party (WP) members clad in blue at a hawker centre. Both parties were on walkabouts around Teck Ghee.

Shaking hands with the Opposition members, Mr Lee asked, "Are you planning to stand here? Are you going to contest here?"

To this, WP member Yaw Shin Leong replied: "Ang Mo Kio GRC is one of our targets."

"A big target or a small target?" asked Mr Lee.

"A massive one," said Mr Yaw, who later explained to reporters that Ang Mo Kio was a "massive" target to the WP because it was a tough one.

"Well, good luck, and I look forward to seeing you people here," said Mr Lee.

WP had said it might contest in Ang Mo Kio to provide voters there with a chance to vote.

The Opposition party had visited Teck Ghee about five or six times this year, said Mr Yaw, a 30-year-old IT consultant.

With him yesterday were other WP members, including businesswoman Glenda Han, 30; sales coordinator Abdul Salim, 24; translation company editorial executive Lee Wai Leng, 26; sales executive Melvin Tan, 31; and property executive Gopal Krishnan, 54. - LEE CHING WERN

Straits Times: PM runs into WP group in ward

ELECTION 06

BY SUE-ANN CHIA


PHOTO: LAU FOOK KONG
PM'S HOME TURF: On a walkabout in his Teck Ghee ward of Ang Mo Kio GRC, Mr Lee ran into Mr Yaw Shin Leong (centre), a Workers' Party Youth Wing executive committee member, who was there with other WP members. Asked by the PM if he would be a contender in Ang Mo Kio, Mr Yaw jokingly replied that the target was "massive".

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong was in his Teck Ghee ward of Ang Mo Kio GRC yesterday when he and his team bumped into Workers' Party members on a walkabout too.

Shaking hands, Mr Lee asked WP Youth Wing executive committee member Yaw Shin Leong if he is contesting in Ang Mo Kio GRC.

Mr Yaw replied that it is for his party leadership to decide.

When Mr Lee asked if this was a big or small target, Mr Yaw replied: "Massive target."

The 30-year-old business analyst told reporters afterwards: "It's not easy to contest in Ang Mo Kio. The logistics itself are...wow."

Still, he felt that Ang Mo Kio residents are familiar with the Workers' Party as part of the GRC was once in the now-defunct Cheng San GRC, where the WP put up a strong showing in the 1997 elections.

He said WP members had visited Ang Mo Kio GRC more than 10 times in recent weeks, including five visits to Teck Ghee.

Mr Yaw said it was the first time he had met Mr Lee in person and found him to be "a nice gentleman".

Mr Yaw, who was part of the disqualified WP team for Aljunied GRC in the 2001 General Election, was accompanied by a youthful group of over a dozen. They included businesswoman Glenda Han, 30; sales coordinator Abdul Salim, 24; translation company executive Lee Wai Leng, 26; sales executive Melvin Tan, 31; and property executive Gopal Krishnan, 54.

They were distributing leaflets and brochures to hawkers and stall patrons about half an hour before the PAP team arrived at the same food centre.

A 65-year-old resident, who wanted to be known only as Mr Ong, said of the WP team: "Their chances are slim, but some fight is better than no fight at all."

sueann@sph.com.sg

Straits Times: Hougang rivals rope in women colleagues

ELECTION 06

Minister Lim Hwee Hwa and Workers' Party chairman Sylvia Lim show up at temple event

BY KEN KWEK


ALL SMILES: Mr Low Thia Khiang (left) with Mr Eric Low at the temple event. In the background is Mrs Lim Hwee Hua. Miss Sylvia Lim, who was also present, is hidden from the camera.

HOUGANG MP Low Thia Khiang and his People's Action Party (PAP) rival Eric Low both attended an annual Buddhist celebration in Hougang last night, as they have done in the past few years. But there was one difference: both men showed up with women colleagues from their respective political parties.

At 8.30pm, Mr Low Thia Khiang arrived with Workers' Party (WP) chairman Sylvia Lim and other party colleagues. Ten minutes later, Mr Eric Low turned up with an unexpected guest, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, his PAP colleague and MP from Marine Parade GRC.

Mrs Lim, who is Minister of State for Finance and Transport, has been active in neighbouring Aljunied GRC since last month when the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee moved her ward of Serangoon from Marine Parade GRC to become part of Aljunied. Her presence at the temple event last night lent credence to talk that the PAP intends to harness the combined resources of Hougang and Aljunied GRC to boost Mr Eric Low's chances in the single-seat ward.

When the PAP politicians arrived in the tentage near the Hougang Community Club, the WP members were visibly surprised at Mrs Lim's appearance. Mr Low Thia Khiang rose from his seat and, to applause from the more than 1,000 guests, greeted Mrs Lim. He then introduced her to his party colleagues, including Mr Yaw Shin Leong and Ms Ng Swee Bee, and even ribbed Mr Eric Low for showing up late.

Mr Low Thia Khiang, the Workers' Party's secretary-general, said with a laugh: "I did not expect Hwee Hua to be here tonight!" Miss Sylvia Lim guessed that the minister was probably there to lend support to Mr Eric Low's election bid. Mrs Lim herself confirmed this later, saying she was there to show "moral support" for Mr Eric Low.

Tomorrow, Mr Low will get reinforcements, as Aljunied GRC MPs Ong Seh Hong and Yeo Guat Kwang are due to tour the ward with him. Mr Low told The Straits Times: "I thought it was a good opportunity to introduce Mrs Lim to residents here."

Mr Eric Low went against Mr Low Thia Khiang in the last election and lost. When the boundary changes were announced earlier this year, the PAP MP in Yio Chu Kang Seng Han Thong announced that he would receive help during the election from his neighbouring Ang Mo Kio GRC colleagues. The same strategy now appears to be taking shape in Hougang and Aljunied GRC as well.

kenkwek@sph.com.sg