CST's Move to GRC Strategic!

[makapaaa]

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Chiam's gutsy move
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<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->I REFER to the letters by Mr Thomas Lee on Wednesday, 'Chiam's GRC move good for the opposition', and by Mr Thomas Teo on Tuesday, 'Don't take Potong Pasir for granted, SPP'.
The opposition has always been perceived by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) and others as lacking in credibility and capable leadership to win a group representation constituency (GRC). Also, opposition MPs are cradled in their comfort zones; they dare not move out from their fortresses.
Hence, it is great to learn that Mr Chiam See Tong has the guts to accept the challenge of competing in a GRC.
Of course, Potong Pasir Town Council cannot compete with the PAP's financial carrot in the form of an $80 million upgrading programme, on the condition that the PAP wins the ward. Hence, it is not fair or relevant to compare the financial strength of the PAP and the Singapore People's Party.
However, I think most residents of Potong Pasir appreciate the unreserved efforts, sincerity and passion of the opposition town council and the MP in serving residents in past years.
I believe Mr Chiam has mixed feelings and experienced pain about leaving his loyal supporters and constituency residents, as he has established strong mutual trust and respect with his Potong Pasir electorate.
Teo Kueh Liang

 

[cheekenpie]

Everyone loves mr Chiam. Even the PAP

http://www.news.gov.sg/public/sgpc/en/media_releases/agencies/pmo/press_release/P-20091111-1
Experiences of Other Opposition Politicians aside from Dr Chee

60. The Paper states that the government has engaged in a systematic campaign to co-opt Singapore’s legal system as a tool of control and repression to prevent the opposition and the people of Singapore from speaking. This is again false.

61. Mr Chiam See Tong is a clear example of how even opposition politicians value their reputation. When he first stood for election, two PAP ministers made defamatory remarks about Mr Chiam’s law firm and his abilities as a lawyer. Mr Chiam threatened to sue, and after taking legal advice, the two ministers paid damages. Mr Chiam and Mr Low Thia Khiang (the leader of the Workers’ Party) have between them served as MPs for 42 years in Parliament. Neither has ever been sued. They continue to campaign freely, speak freely, both in Parliament and outside it.