Breaking News: James Gomez Quits From The Workers' Party

[sgnewsalte]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1028716/1/.html

Opposition candidate for Aljunied GRC James Gomez quits Workers' Party
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 05 January 2010 2107 hrs

SINGAPORE: An opposition candidate, who caused a stir with his application forms at the Election Department during the last General Election in 2006, has quit the Workers' Party (WP).

James Gomez, who stood on the WP ticket in the Aljunied GRC team, announced on Tuesday his decision not to renew his Workers' Party membership, which lapsed on December 31 last year.

He was speaking at a Speakers' Corner event in memory of the late opposition figure JB Jeyaretnam.

Mr Gomez was in the spotlight during the previous general election when he claimed he had submitted his form for the minority certificate to the Elections Department.

Investigations and CCTV footage later showed he had not done so. Mr Gomez was then taken to task by leaders of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

Among them was First Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng who, during the 2006 hustings, warned the electorate that Mr Gomez had attempted to create the impression that the Elections Department was at fault.

As Polling Day neared, Mr Gomez admitted he did not file the application, contrary to his earlier claims.

The WP's Secretary General Low Thia Khiang said the incident was merely an unintentional omission and a mistake made as Mr Gomez was busy. Mr Low declared that Mr Gomez was "not trying to be funny", and did not do it on purpose.

The Workers' Party team lost narrowly to the PAP team at the Aljunied GRC polls in 2006.

 

[sgnewsalte]

I am betting on him joining the Reform Party.

 

[scroobal]

I just feel sorry for the next party he joins. He must be committed and serious about the elections and not approach such matters in a tardy and careless manner.

He has been associating with SDP members for sometime but the legal suit has created a big unknown where the party is going.

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1028716/1/.html

Opposition candidate for Aljunied GRC James Gomez quits Workers' Party
By S Ramesh, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 05 January 2010 2107 hrs

SINGAPORE: An opposition candidate, who caused a stir with his application forms at the Election Department during the last General Election in 2006, has quit the Workers' Party (WP).

James Gomez, who stood on the WP ticket in the Aljunied GRC team, announced on Tuesday his decision not to renew his Workers' Party membership, which lapsed on December 31 last year.

He was speaking at a Speakers' Corner event in memory of the late opposition figure JB Jeyaretnam.

Mr Gomez was in the spotlight during the previous general election when he claimed he had submitted his form for the minority certificate to the Elections Department.

Investigations and CCTV footage later showed he had not done so. Mr Gomez was then taken to task by leaders of the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).

Among them was First Assistant Secretary General and Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng who, during the 2006 hustings, warned the electorate that Mr Gomez had attempted to create the impression that the Elections Department was at fault.

As Polling Day neared, Mr Gomez admitted he did not file the application, contrary to his earlier claims.

The WP's Secretary General Low Thia Khiang said the incident was merely an unintentional omission and a mistake made as Mr Gomez was busy. Mr Low declared that Mr Gomez was "not trying to be funny", and did not do it on purpose.

The Workers' Party team lost narrowly to the PAP team at the Aljunied GRC polls in 2006.

 

[sgnewsalte]

I just feel sorry for the next party he joins. He must be committed and serious about the elections and not approach such matters in a tardy and careless manner.

I totally agree. The 2006 incident was his second. The first one got him disqualified.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

The CNA and most probably all other MSM will take opportunity to hantum WP and him, while missing the second part of his announcement.

He has submitted application for a new NGO Singaporeans for Democracy NINE MONTHS ago and it is still not approved yet by the authority! This is the kind of WORLD CLASS GOVERNMENT that we have here in Singapore!

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

I totally agree. The 2006 incident was his second. The first one got him disqualified.

As I have explained many times here already, the first one is not his fault at all. It was somebody else fault.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[sgnewsalte]

As I have explained many times here already, the first one is not his fault at all. It was somebody else fault.

Even if it is not his fault in the first incident, there is no excuse for his tardiness in the second. On the Workers' Party, I have lost my confidence in him and Yaw.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Even if it is not his fault in the first incident, there is no excuse for his tardiness in the second. On the Workers' Party, I have lost my confidence in him and Yaw.

I would have to respect your view here. Yes, no excuse on his part but the media didn't put up the full story either. He was having jet-let and distracted by CNA reporter then. Never mind, its over. You have your right to your feelings and views.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[scroobal]

I believe you explained that to me once before. My position is that you and you alone are responsible for your own nomination papers even if it is a GRC. Its no different to a lawyer or a doctor applying to renew his practising license. You can't blame it on the secretary nor the spouse - people will laugh at you. I do that and even my friends will tell me to my face that it my fault. Someone else can countercheck.

After the 2001 incident, one would have thought that James would be more careful. It was not to be. If there were no cameras in 2006, we would still be guessing and probably conspiracy theories would be pouring forth. By the way, he did accuse the election dept of screwing it up. What do you say to that - "too busy", envelope disappeared.

Lets face it, NGO business is alot more profitable. There are no restrictions on funding, invitations are aplenty and certainly there is T&E. Looks like he got the publicity whether he planned it or not. Might as well milk it.

As I have explained many times here already, the first one is not his fault at all. It was somebody else fault.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Charlie9]

I would have to respect your view here. Yes, no excuse on his part but the media didn't put up the full story either. He was having jet-let and distracted by CNA reporter then. Never mind, its over. You have your right to your feelings and views.

Goh Meng Seng

I believe it is jet lag, as in lag behind or lagging behind.

 

[Sideswipe]

James Gomez need minority forms to prove what?

You see him, know already - confirm, guarantee + chop 100% Ah Neh...

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Hi Scroobal,

Ideally, that should be the case. But in WP, candidacy and the forms are being centralized. Well, the mistake was on the code for the constituency I guess. It is not an easy mistake to be spotted off hand, unlike name or personal NRIC number.

Well, you are right in this case that one would be more cautious after the first incident. But shit just happens.

I wouldn't speculate on why James wanted to start a new political NGO since I only knew about it this morning. Money is definitely not his concerns as he has a well paid job as a lecturer in University of Monash.

Goh Meng Seng

I believe you explained that to me once before. My position is that you and you alone are responsible for your own nomination papers even if it is a GRC. Its no different to a lawyer or a doctor applying to renew his practising license. You can't blame it on the secretary nor the spouse - people will laugh at you. I do that and even my friends will tell me to my face that it my fault. Someone else can countercheck.

After the 2001 incident, one would have thought that James would be more careful. It was not to be. If there were no cameras in 2006, we would still be guessing and probably conspiracy theories would be pouring forth. By the way, he did accuse the election dept of screwing it up. What do you say to that - "too busy", envelope disappeared.

Lets face it, NGO business is alot more profitable. There are no restrictions on funding, invitations are aplenty and certainly there is T&E. Looks like he got the publicity whether he planned it or not. Might as well milk it.

 

[fengshuisifu]

Bad Image...seems they like to hop about..Good for PAP!!!

 

[scroobal]

We all speculate, make assessment, form opinions as we do with the PAP and the tyrannical old man.

James is probably the only non elected singapore politician that earns his income from the field of politics. The field that he is in very much participatory politics and not some academic writing objective articles. I am well aware of his Monash Appt.

By the way, EDB has identified NGO as a viable market in view of huge amounts of funding that they receive about 2 years ago. Various concessions have been offered and a number have set up shop in Singapore. Its the fastest growing industry.

I wouldn't speculate on why James wanted to start a new political NGO since I only knew about it this morning. Money is definitely not his concerns as he has a well paid job as a lecturer in University of Monash.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

We all speculate, make assessment, form opinions as we do with the PAP and the tyrannical old man.

James is probably the only non elected singapore politician that earns his income from the field of politics. The field that he is in very much participatory politics and not some academic writing objective articles. I am well aware of his Monash Appt.

By the way, EDB has identified NGO as a viable market in view of huge amounts of funding that they receive about 2 years ago. Various concessions have been offered and a number have set up shop in Singapore. Its the fastest growing industry.

Haha! Then I should start up my own NGO as well! LOL!

Anyway, talking about NGO, I may really get involved in one NGO overseas. But alas, no money leh!

Goh Meng Seng

 

[methink]

Bad Image...seems they like to hop about..Good for PAP!!!

It's not a matter of hopping but one of not associating and identifying yourself with a party gone soft. When one does not share the same platform and ideology of a party, it's only right and time to move on.

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

SINGAPORE: An opposition candidate, who caused a stir with his application forms at the Election Department during the last General Election in 2006, has quit the Workers' Party (WP).

James Gomez, who stood on the WP ticket in the Aljunied GRC team, announced on Tuesday his decision not to renew his Workers' Party membership, which lapsed on December 31 last year.

I congratulate Mr James Gomez for leaving the worker's party in search of greener pastures. As the Chinese say: "QI AN TOU MING", which means leaving the dark to join the brightness of justice.

Mr Gomez is a talented candidate who should not allow the mainstream media to tar his image by repeatedly mentioning the 2006 saga. That being said, I also hope he does not allow such incidences to arise again.

Mr Gomez should now ask himself which political party suits him best. He should join according to which party best reflects his own values.

Is it the NSP, with its message of creating a more caring society, more attention to the poor and underpriveleged, and its focus on government policies and challenging ministerial portfolios?

Is it the SDP, with its sound international presence, its steadfast aherence to democracy principles, its consistent message of placing Singaporeans first?

Is it the Reform Party, which its message of reform, and its attention to the economic challenges?

Mr Gomez must decide which of these parties best reflects his own political ideals and join accordingly.

 

[FuckSamLeong]

Haha! Then I should start up my own NGO as well! LOL!

Anyway, talking about NGO, I may really get involved in one NGO overseas. But alas, no money leh!

Goh Meng Seng

Toto quick pick is only $3.50 for seven numbers per draw. "Insha Allah!" IF THE PAP IS MEANT TO BE CHALLENGED ALL THE WAY!:p

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

Toto quick pick is only $3.50 for seven numbers per draw. "Insha Allah!" IF THE PAP IS MEANT TO BE CHALLENGED ALL THE WAY!:p

Haha! As a good statistic student, that probability is nearly zero! I have calculated my eight characters, not likely to win lucky draws or lottery.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

It's not a matter of hopping but one of not associating and identifying yourself with a party gone soft. When one does not share the same platform and ideology of a party, it's only right and time to move on.

You may have hit right on the spot.

Goh Meng Seng