I have encountered personally this issue, that my women in past decades have various objections against my political position, and activities or style. At least 2 of my ex had broken relations with me in the past when politic was part of the reasons.
In my encounters w other activists, I know that many candidates, nominators, polling agents etc have identical difficulties. WP's Watson Chong now became a news about Candidacy Divorce Crisis.
Pse share your experience, had anyone encountered <<You Vote Oppo I Break Up with you>> Cases?:(
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapor...85/If-you-join-Opposition,-I-will-divorce-you
'If you join Opposition, I will divorce you'
Watson Chong cries while recounting family's reaction to his decision to join the Workers' Party
by Christopher Toh
Updated 03:35 AM Apr 25, 2011
SINGAPORE - It was not how a new political candidate is usually introduced to dozens of reporters, but Workers' Party's (WP) Watson Chong Cham Weng probably could not control himself.
The 51-year-old broke down after being asked if he was nervous being a first-time candidate, and what obstacles he had faced becoming a political contender.
In an emotionally-charged press session, where the WP also unveiled four other candidates - Ms Frieda Chan Sio Phing, 35; Mr Sajeev Kamalasanan, 41; Mr Png Eng Huat, 49 and Mr Mohamed Fazli Bin Talip, 29 - Mr Chong teared up while recalling his family members' reactions after he told them he had joined an opposition political party.
"I went to tell my father-in-law. His first reaction was: 'If it's not for the people, don't join'," said Mr Chong before pausing. "A week or two later ... He said: 'Watson, you're married ... with a family with young children ... why don't you ..." The father of two only got that far before tears began to stream down his face.
"'If you join, I'll divorce you' - that's what (my wife) said at the very beginning," the managing director of an aviation consultancy added later, his voice quivering, as he described his wife's response to him joining the WP.
When asked why he was so emotional, Mr Chong said: "(They feel) if I fall, I will drag them down. I'm emotional not because of (my own) fear. If I had fear I wouldn't have joined ... but seeing my family go down with me makes me cry, you know? It's not about me, but my loved ones and how they would suffer."
When it was suggested that his breakdown would be compared to a recent tearful incident involving Minister Lim Boon Heng of the People's Action Party - and that it would be perceived as emotional politicking - Mr Chong replied: "I'm in full public view now. You judge for yourself then."
Still, he added that his family have since changed their minds. "Otherwise I wouldn't be here."
He was not alone in facing resistance joining an opposition political party.
Ms Chan, a social worker, said she could identify a little with that fear factor. Her family was very pro-PAP: Her maternal grandfather "helped take care of logistics for the PAP" back when it was still a fledgling political party, and her father was a treasurer with the Residents' Committee.
"My family responded when I joined the National University of Singapore's Democratic Socialist Club," she said. "There was some reaction but it took time (for them to come round)."
Thankfully, when she joined the WP, there was less of a reaction because "they realised nothing (would) happen to the family".
Emotional reactions aside, all the candidates reiterated that they wanted to help fix the "disconnect" between the ruling party and the average Singaporean. "After I joined the WP ... I witnessed how disconnected the Government was - and still is - with the ground," said Mr Png, a businessman.
"Today, our Government uses the GDP (gross domestic product) as a key performance indicator," said Mr Chong. "It means very little to the man on the street because they do not feel the growth nor benefit from the growth ... The Government of the day must refocus itself on the people."
In my encounters w other activists, I know that many candidates, nominators, polling agents etc have identical difficulties. WP's Watson Chong now became a news about Candidacy Divorce Crisis.
Pse share your experience, had anyone encountered <<You Vote Oppo I Break Up with you>> Cases?:(
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapor...85/If-you-join-Opposition,-I-will-divorce-you
'If you join Opposition, I will divorce you'
Watson Chong cries while recounting family's reaction to his decision to join the Workers' Party
by Christopher Toh
Updated 03:35 AM Apr 25, 2011
SINGAPORE - It was not how a new political candidate is usually introduced to dozens of reporters, but Workers' Party's (WP) Watson Chong Cham Weng probably could not control himself.
The 51-year-old broke down after being asked if he was nervous being a first-time candidate, and what obstacles he had faced becoming a political contender.
In an emotionally-charged press session, where the WP also unveiled four other candidates - Ms Frieda Chan Sio Phing, 35; Mr Sajeev Kamalasanan, 41; Mr Png Eng Huat, 49 and Mr Mohamed Fazli Bin Talip, 29 - Mr Chong teared up while recalling his family members' reactions after he told them he had joined an opposition political party.
"I went to tell my father-in-law. His first reaction was: 'If it's not for the people, don't join'," said Mr Chong before pausing. "A week or two later ... He said: 'Watson, you're married ... with a family with young children ... why don't you ..." The father of two only got that far before tears began to stream down his face.
"'If you join, I'll divorce you' - that's what (my wife) said at the very beginning," the managing director of an aviation consultancy added later, his voice quivering, as he described his wife's response to him joining the WP.
When asked why he was so emotional, Mr Chong said: "(They feel) if I fall, I will drag them down. I'm emotional not because of (my own) fear. If I had fear I wouldn't have joined ... but seeing my family go down with me makes me cry, you know? It's not about me, but my loved ones and how they would suffer."
When it was suggested that his breakdown would be compared to a recent tearful incident involving Minister Lim Boon Heng of the People's Action Party - and that it would be perceived as emotional politicking - Mr Chong replied: "I'm in full public view now. You judge for yourself then."
Still, he added that his family have since changed their minds. "Otherwise I wouldn't be here."
He was not alone in facing resistance joining an opposition political party.
Ms Chan, a social worker, said she could identify a little with that fear factor. Her family was very pro-PAP: Her maternal grandfather "helped take care of logistics for the PAP" back when it was still a fledgling political party, and her father was a treasurer with the Residents' Committee.
"My family responded when I joined the National University of Singapore's Democratic Socialist Club," she said. "There was some reaction but it took time (for them to come round)."
Thankfully, when she joined the WP, there was less of a reaction because "they realised nothing (would) happen to the family".
Emotional reactions aside, all the candidates reiterated that they wanted to help fix the "disconnect" between the ruling party and the average Singaporean. "After I joined the WP ... I witnessed how disconnected the Government was - and still is - with the ground," said Mr Png, a businessman.
"Today, our Government uses the GDP (gross domestic product) as a key performance indicator," said Mr Chong. "It means very little to the man on the street because they do not feel the growth nor benefit from the growth ... The Government of the day must refocus itself on the people."
