Chiam's wife...

[Perspective]

Chiam's wife joins SPP's executive body

Party says move is to provide greater help to husband who is recovering from a stroke

By Kor Kian Beng

THE wife of veteran opposition leader and Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong was voted into the central executive committee (CEC) of the Singapore People's Party (SPP) at a party meeting last month.

Party leaders said Mrs Lina Chiam, 59, joined an expanded 12-member CEC to provide greater help to her 73-year-old husband, who is recovering from a minor stroke he suffered in February.

Mrs Chiam - one of the two new faces in the CEC line-up and listed by her maiden name Lina Loh Woon Lee on the party website - gave another reason for her appointment.

She said the party 'wanted to expand the CEC so it could improve on handling matters'. But she did not specify what these matters were, or the specific role she would take on.

It is a return to familiar ground for Mrs Chiam, who last served in the CEC from 2002 to 2004. Then, she was in charge of Potong Pasir Town Council's estate management and the SPP women's wing.

SPP chairman Sin Kek Tong, 62, said on Monday that while the CEC's two-year term runs out in May next year, the party Constitution allows it to call a meeting any time to appoint new members.

He said the party co-opted Mrs Chiam so that she can provide greater help to Mr Chiam, the party's secretary-general.

Asked why such a move was necessary, given that Mrs Chiam is the Potong Pasir Town Council vice-chairman and is Mr Chiam's closest political confidante, Mr Sin responded: 'It's better this way. If she's not in the CEC, we will have to relay messages back and forth for Mr Chiam.'

The other new face in the CEC is senior product designer Wilfred Leung, who joined the SPP in 2005 and was the party's campaign manager for the May 2006 General Election.

Mr Sin said the party felt that Mr Leung, 33, would be able to contribute more effectively in his new role, having previously been involved in party and town council matters.

There were no other changes to the CEC line-up.

Assistant secretary-general Desmond Lim Bak Chuan told The Straits Times he hopes the new CEC members will 'bring excitement and new life to the party'.

The timing of Mrs Chiam's move into the CEC has heightened speculation about Mr Chiam's electoral plans for Potong Pasir, where he is serving his sixth term as MP since 1984.

Mrs Chiam, when asked, shrugged off the question of whether the move opens the possibility of her contesting in Potong Pasir in place of Mr Chiam, should the need arise.

'One doesn't have to be in the CEC to contest there,' she replied.

As for her husband's health, she said that he is 'doing well'.

But she added that the SPP has several people in mind to take over from Mr Chiam, as the party is mulling over plans for him to contest in a group representation constituency (GRC) at the next polls.

'If Mr Chiam's health continues to improve, he might contest in a GRC. His aim is to bring in a GRC before he retires,' said Mrs Chiam.

'It's not that he doesn't love Potong Pasir, but he feels that somebody has to make the sacrifice, come out of the comfort zone and give more people the chance to vote.'

She declined to comment on those who would make up a GRC team or the specific GRC that the party has in mind.

There has also been talk in the party that Mrs Chiam and Mr Leung were added to the CEC to push for a merger or alliance with the opposition National Solidarity Party (NSP).

At last month's party meeting, the SPP appointed a working group to hold talks with the NSP - which was an SPP coalition partner under the banner of the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA).

The working group comprises Mr Leung, SPP vice-chairman Thompson Chua, organising secretary Lee Hock Huat and committee member Abdul Malik, said Mrs Chiam.

The NSP quit the SDA, which Mr Chiam chairs, in January last year. NSP president Sebastian Teo said at the time that his party wanted 'more space to develop and stand on our own feet'.

But in July this year, it approached the SPP with several merger options - including dissolving both the SPP and NSP and then reforming under a new name. But talks stalled as a result of resistance from several SPP members.

Mr Teo said he welcomed news of the SPP's new working group and looked forward to hearing from them.

He also supported Mr Chiam's plans to contest in a GRC, saying that if a proposed merger takes place, both parties would be able to assemble a better team.

[email protected]


CONTESTING A GRC

'If Mr Chiam's health continues to improve, he might contest in a GRC. His aim is to bring in a GRC before he retires. It's not that he doesn't love Potong Pasir, but he feels that somebody has to make the sacrifice, come out of the comfort zone and give more people the chance to vote.'
Mrs Lina Chiam, on her husband's aim to contest in and win a GRC

 

[Perspective]

I feel Chiam's wife is the biggest possible replacement for the ailing Chiam in Potong Pasir come the next election.

 

[sta1100]

She is the best person for next eletion, she know her job well, better than PAP only know how to serve breakfast in the morning and suck the people dry

 

[Adidas]

this is another of those passing of baton thing.
he just do not want his legacy to end just like LKY.
actually not very good for the party and political's scene.

 

[kakowi]

article:...

Mrs Chiam is the Potong Pasir Town Council vice-chairman...

First of all, let me say that the move to get Mrs Chiam into the CEC is an excellent move.




There appears to be a tendency to family members holding powerful posts in their own political party and should it gain some measure of power, the extension into other positions.

Thus in SPP's case, Chiam's wife involvement in Potong Pasir Town Council (a position paid by fees from the residents? - uncertain) and now back into the CEC.

But it need not be family members. It can also be close friends or relatives.

In all these, the major factor is that these people can be trusted. And 'trust' is a rare commodity in the political world.

So from their perspective, there are indeed compelling reasons why this should be the case. "Trust", "Known capabilities", "Shared vision", "Proven and tested", etc.

 

[kakowi]

...
'If Mr Chiam's health continues to improve, he might contest in a GRC. His aim is to bring in a GRC before he retires,' said Mrs Chiam.


...


At last month's party meeting, the SPP appointed a working group to hold talks with the NSP - which was an SPP coalition partner under the banner of the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA).

...

Mr Teo (NSP) said he welcomed news of the SPP's new working group and looked forward to hearing from them.

He also supported Mr Chiam's plans to contest in a GRC, saying that if a proposed merger takes place, both parties would be able to assemble a better team...

TKL, GMS, CST, ST to compete in a GRC?

A good combination, likely to appeal to the public.

This is an example of a good pro-active strategy and co-operation amongst non-ruling political parties.

Also, TKL can convert his 900+ petitioners into campaign managers, thus solving the lack of manpower issue that the non-ruling political parties face at this time.

Once again, a good combination.

 

[Perspective]

this is another of those passing of baton thing.
he just do not want his legacy to end just like LKY.
actually not very good for the party and political's scene.

I feel there is nothing wrong with "passing the baton". Chiam needs a successor and unfortunately, he doesn't have many choices.

I am not against relations within politics, although I have more reservations when it happens within a ruling party, more so when the ruling party isn't a very accountable one.

In this sense, Chiam and wife are alright, just as CSJ and sister are alright. They are small opposition parties with hardly any power. The "Lee family", on the other hand, are put in charge of our money everywhere - and not very forthcoming at times.

 

[kakowi]

The concept of benefiting your own family members and friends is independent of any specific political party.

When you have little power, you already practise such behaviour, then when you have full power, it is likely you will continue to practice such behaviour.

 

[Perspective]

The concept of benefiting your own family members and friends is independent of any specific political party.

When you have little power, you already practise such behaviour, then when you have full power, it is likely you will continue to practice such behaviour.

There is no indicator of how an opposition party will behave when it becomes ruling party. It can be different, the total opposite or stick to its principles (most are the first). Staying clear of "family connections" as an opposition does not mean it cannot immediately do so when it comes to power.

This is the reason why there must be checks and balances, and I support the idea of having two or three strong parties.

I cut slack on an opposition party, especially a weak one, but expect it to trim down such "family" practices as they get closer to power.

A ruling party should be seen as different from an opposition party. The former needs to avoid such "family" practices but not necessarily the latter, although this should not be excessive as well.

There are pros and cons in being governance and opposition. A ruling party has an incumbent advantage and the PAP has acknowledged this before. Therefore, they are expected to meet standards that the opposition need not. It is a fact in life that often, one can't have their cake and eat it.

 

[kakowi]

Yes, I was about to lead to a similar point - the best safeguard is the checks-and-balances - processes, laws, alternatives and especially an enlightened voter population - that do not take sides.

In general,

(1) if you are scrupulous in small things, it is likely that you will be scrupulous when big things come your way;

(2) if you are already flexible in small things, it is unlikely that you will have sudden morals when bigger pies come your way;

(3) it does not mean that when you are honest when poor, you will also be honest when rich.
​

Therefore it is always good not to idolize any party or hate any party, but to promote a system of checks-and-balances.

Therefore i would disagree with your argument that a ruling party should not extend benefits to their own party whilst a non-ruling party can.

 

[Perspective]

(1) if you are scrupulous in small things, it is likely that you will be scrupulous when big things come your way;
(2) if you are already flexible in small things, it is unlikely that you will have sudden morals when bigger pies come your way;
(3) it does not mean that when you are honest when poor, you will also be honest when rich.

Not necessary true, especially not in politics. LKY is perhaps an example. We will agree to disagree here.

Therefore i would disagree with your argument that a ruling party should not extend benefits to their own party whilst a non-ruling party can.

No, I did not say that. What I said was a ruling party has more power and that often comes with the temptation for perks, while an opposition party has no such "benefits" in the first place, so it matters as much as how much power it gradually gains.

 

[sally]

wow, husband and wife tag team now

 

[Zeitgeist]

The concept of benefiting your own family members and friends is independent of any specific political party.

When you have little power, you already practise such behaviour, then when you have full power, it is likely you will continue to practice such behaviour.

Nothing cuts closer to the truth than this! It had been proven over and over again that ' power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely.'

You turn the opposition's town council upside down to uncover shit which is the privilege of the incumbent government to use, the MPs of these will lose their jobs at the very least!

 

[kakowi]

...
No, I did not say that. What I said was a ruling party has more power and that often comes with the temptation for perks, while an opposition party has no such "benefits" in the first place, so it matters as much as how much power it gradually gains.

A ruling party has more power which leads to temptation for perks.

An opposition has no such benefits in the first place.
​

Then how did Chiam's wife get to be the Potong Pasir Town Council Vice-Chairman?

There must be some element of power there, and the exercise of this power results in the position.

Even with so little power, it has resulted in a favoured post. Then if it gains power, will it not result in more positions?

Thus it is the presence of power - regardless of how much or little - that creates the temptation.

And this temptation applies to both ruling party and non-ruling parties who are voted into parliament. Because the moment you are voted in, you have the power.


Caveat: This is examining only one aspect. There may be other aspects which justify the appointment.

 

[cleareyes]

I feel Chiam's wife is the biggest possible replacement for the ailing Chiam in Potong Pasir come the next election.

Its either Chiam's wife or daughtor. In any case, Both are out to protect Chiam's legacy and really, I felt sad for Chiam as he is unable to find a suitable successor as yet.

Its indeed a sad state of affair for SPP and SDA

 

[myfoot123]

Goh Chok Tong and the pappy can give up eyeing the unbreakable town. They think they can capture PP when CST dissappear. Now their hope is gone for good and LKY may not get to see Singapore fully in white.

I hope to see next election, opposition can win at least half of Singapore territory.

 

[Perspective]

A ruling party has more power which leads to temptation for perks.

An opposition has no such benefits in the first place.
​

Then how did Chiam's wife get to be the Potong Pasir Town Council Vice-Chairman?

There must be some element of power there, and the exercise of this power results in the position.

Even with so little power, it has resulted in a favoured post. Then if it gains power, will it not result in more positions?

Thus it is the presence of power - regardless of how much or little - that creates the temptation.

And this temptation applies to both ruling party and non-ruling parties who are voted into parliament. Because the moment you are voted in, you have the power.


Caveat: This is examining only one aspect. There may be other aspects which justify the appointment.

You have a point. At first I was referring to party positions.

I expect Mrs Chiam to be out of the picture (in the PPTC) when the SPP has more seats (not necessarily out of the CEC which is voluntarily).

 

[The_Latest_H]

I wish her all the best..although to be honest, I prefer an internal primary election.

Having said that, not all parties are that well big enough to afford a primary election. But I hope we can all commit to the goal that we will able to professionalise the selection process within the parties. It'd be a welcome sign of development when it happens.

 

[Perspective]

I wish her all the best..although to be honest, I prefer an internal primary election.

Having said that, not all parties are that well big enough to afford a primary election. But I hope we can all commit to the goal that we will able to professionalise the selection process within the parties. It'd be a welcome sign of development when it happens.

A primary election is a party election for national election candidates and hence, usually applies to electing a candidate for a post or two, like the President.

Do congress or parliamentary candidates go through primary elections? I do not recall any, probably because there are like hundreds to thousands of them. If there are, it would be cases like US or China, where the country is not only big in population but nearly every man on the street is at least a member of a party.

In China's case, the whole CCP system operates somewhat like a primary election system without national elections, yet no one sees them as a democratic country.

In SPP's case, it would be odd for it to hold a primary election only because it has one seat and abolish such a practice when it has more seats in future.

I would think an internal election is suffice. You are right in the sense that if Mrs Chiam is going to take over PP, she cannot afford to have no assurance of party support. After all, the party provides resources for the stage-setters, book-sellers and ground-walkers.

For this, it could be helpful by having her run for and win the post of assistant secretary-general - or first assistant secretary-general (with the current one, Desmond Lim, as second assistant SG). That can be taken as an endorsement of the candidate for PP.

 

[locky2ky]

i wonder why some people tend to demand very high standard from opposition but not from the ruling party. Didn't the ruling party have sons, daughter-in-law and nephew in all the financial and critical positions in singapore?