The kneejerk response is as usual, Mainstream media (in this case TODAY) is trying to make the Opposition look bad again - disunity and all.
Fact is, MSM don't have to try too hard. The reality is not very far off.
True, we need to maintain morale, solidarity etc. But these Opposition leaders' ego & if what is reported below is not too far-fetched misquotes, then seriously, one can begin to understand why NSP left SDA & why Ng Teck Siong felt hard done by KJ.
Whether we hypocritically refrain from commenting or not, it is clear Chiam See Tong & Kenneth Jeyaretnam have very distinct leadership & operating styles....
Anyway, all the above are mere conjecture, how SDA respond publicly will determine if MSM is mischievous in this report by presenting untruths about KJ.
( P.S. Highlights in red & comments in blue are mine)
<!--Article Info--> Before they join forces ...
SDA to scrutinise Reform Party's proposal to set up an alliance
by Leong Wee Keat
05:55 AM May 07, 2010
<script type="text/javascript"> var fontIndex = 2; var fontSize = new Array('0.63em', '0.69em', '0.75em', '0.88em', '1em', '1.13em'); </script>
SINGAPORE - Before they can contest the polls as allies on the same ticket - Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC is one area they have done the joint groundwork on - the Reform Party's proposal of an alliance will have to come under scrutiny tonight at the Singapore Democratic Alliance's (SDA) executive council meeting.
Among the 11 points in the proposals is one calling for Reform Party chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam to take over as SDA's chairman or secretary-general, MediaCorp has learnt.
Mr Chiam See Tong and Mr Desmond Lim are the SDA's current chairman and secretary-general, respectively.
But when contacted last night, Mr Jeyaretnam clarified that he was not interested in becoming an office-holder within the SDA.
He said he had communicated this to Mr Lim on Wednesday; the proposal was handed to the SDA last week.
Another Reform Party proposal, MediaCorp understands, is that while it will be able to veto the SDA's electoral candidates, the SDA cannot do likewise for Reform Party candidates. (wah, making KJ look unreasonable & a bully?)
If the SDA's 12-member executive council approves the alliance proposal, then at tomorrow's Reform Party annual meeting, Mr Jeyaretnam would seek in-principle approval from his own party members to begin negotiations with the SDA.
Should its members also give in-principle approval, the party will then invite Mr Chiam to address its members at the same meeting, according to a press release from the Reform Party.
The party will also present "progress reports" and its first batch of candidates for the upcoming General Election, which must be held by February 2012.
In the press release, Mr Jeyaretnam said: "The actual negotiations of the details of the alliance will be conducted by our respective CECs (Central Executive Committees) behind closed doors. (who the fuck is the mole who leaks to Mediacorps?)
"There can be no certainty that final agreement will be reached on terms that are acceptable to both parties. Further announcements will be made when appropriate."
The Reform Party's entry to the SDA would beef up the alliance, which has been weakened in recent years by internal woes and differences.
The National Solidarity Party left the SDA in 2007 citing the need for "more space to develop", while a current member party, the Singapore Malay National Organisation, has a number of its followers embroiled in court cases.
Last month, Mr Jeyaretnam, Mr Chiam and other party members conducted two combined walkabouts in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC to gauge support for the possibility of a joint contest in the constituency.
Fact is, MSM don't have to try too hard. The reality is not very far off.
True, we need to maintain morale, solidarity etc. But these Opposition leaders' ego & if what is reported below is not too far-fetched misquotes, then seriously, one can begin to understand why NSP left SDA & why Ng Teck Siong felt hard done by KJ.
Whether we hypocritically refrain from commenting or not, it is clear Chiam See Tong & Kenneth Jeyaretnam have very distinct leadership & operating styles....
Anyway, all the above are mere conjecture, how SDA respond publicly will determine if MSM is mischievous in this report by presenting untruths about KJ.
( P.S. Highlights in red & comments in blue are mine)
<!--Article Info--> Before they join forces ...
SDA to scrutinise Reform Party's proposal to set up an alliance
by Leong Wee Keat
05:55 AM May 07, 2010
<script type="text/javascript"> var fontIndex = 2; var fontSize = new Array('0.63em', '0.69em', '0.75em', '0.88em', '1em', '1.13em'); </script>
SINGAPORE - Before they can contest the polls as allies on the same ticket - Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC is one area they have done the joint groundwork on - the Reform Party's proposal of an alliance will have to come under scrutiny tonight at the Singapore Democratic Alliance's (SDA) executive council meeting.
Among the 11 points in the proposals is one calling for Reform Party chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam to take over as SDA's chairman or secretary-general, MediaCorp has learnt.
Mr Chiam See Tong and Mr Desmond Lim are the SDA's current chairman and secretary-general, respectively.
But when contacted last night, Mr Jeyaretnam clarified that he was not interested in becoming an office-holder within the SDA.
He said he had communicated this to Mr Lim on Wednesday; the proposal was handed to the SDA last week.
Another Reform Party proposal, MediaCorp understands, is that while it will be able to veto the SDA's electoral candidates, the SDA cannot do likewise for Reform Party candidates. (wah, making KJ look unreasonable & a bully?)
If the SDA's 12-member executive council approves the alliance proposal, then at tomorrow's Reform Party annual meeting, Mr Jeyaretnam would seek in-principle approval from his own party members to begin negotiations with the SDA.
Should its members also give in-principle approval, the party will then invite Mr Chiam to address its members at the same meeting, according to a press release from the Reform Party.
The party will also present "progress reports" and its first batch of candidates for the upcoming General Election, which must be held by February 2012.
In the press release, Mr Jeyaretnam said: "The actual negotiations of the details of the alliance will be conducted by our respective CECs (Central Executive Committees) behind closed doors. (who the fuck is the mole who leaks to Mediacorps?)
"There can be no certainty that final agreement will be reached on terms that are acceptable to both parties. Further announcements will be made when appropriate."
The Reform Party's entry to the SDA would beef up the alliance, which has been weakened in recent years by internal woes and differences.
The National Solidarity Party left the SDA in 2007 citing the need for "more space to develop", while a current member party, the Singapore Malay National Organisation, has a number of its followers embroiled in court cases.
Last month, Mr Jeyaretnam, Mr Chiam and other party members conducted two combined walkabouts in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC to gauge support for the possibility of a joint contest in the constituency.
