GE: RP chief Jeyaretnam backs Wijeysingha amid video buzz
By Satish Cheney | Posted: 25 April 2011 2227 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Reform Party's secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam has said he fully supports Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, after the online buzz of a YouTube allegedly showing the SDP candidate at a forum on gay issues.
Mr Jeyaretnam was speaking on the sidelines of a walkabout at Depot Road on Monday evening.
"Somebody's sexuality is not a part of the qualities to be a politician. At the Reform Party, we're an inclusive, liberal party and we don't believe in discriminating against people on the grounds of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation," said Mr Jeyaretnam.
With regards to the Reform Party contesting Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Ang Mo Kio GRC, Mr Jeyaretnam said he is still in the process of forming a team and did not want to give any further details.
Earlier, Alex Tan, who is on loan from the Singapore People's Party (SPP) told Channel NewsAsia he will likely be part of the Reform Party team contesting Ang Mo Kio GRC.
The 23-year-old said "the PM has been doing a good job but he needs a report card", adding that the percentage of votes Mr Lee gets will be a gauge of his performance in the last five years.
As for the single-seat ward of Radin Mas, Mr Jeyaretnam, who had ruled out taking part in multi-cornered fights, now says he is re-considering sending a candidate there.
He said residents were unhappy when they heard the Reform Party will not contest Radin Mas.
Asked if he will switch from contesting West Coast GRC to Radin Mas, he said: "I am committed to the residents of West Coast."
The party's team for West Coast GRC is also stepping up its walkabouts. The candidates are visiting residents individually in areas they will be in charge of, should they win the coming polls.
- CNA/ir
By Satish Cheney | Posted: 25 April 2011 2227 hrs
SINGAPORE: The Reform Party's secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam has said he fully supports Dr Vincent Wijeysingha, after the online buzz of a YouTube allegedly showing the SDP candidate at a forum on gay issues.
Mr Jeyaretnam was speaking on the sidelines of a walkabout at Depot Road on Monday evening.
"Somebody's sexuality is not a part of the qualities to be a politician. At the Reform Party, we're an inclusive, liberal party and we don't believe in discriminating against people on the grounds of gender, race, religion or sexual orientation," said Mr Jeyaretnam.
With regards to the Reform Party contesting Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Ang Mo Kio GRC, Mr Jeyaretnam said he is still in the process of forming a team and did not want to give any further details.
Earlier, Alex Tan, who is on loan from the Singapore People's Party (SPP) told Channel NewsAsia he will likely be part of the Reform Party team contesting Ang Mo Kio GRC.
The 23-year-old said "the PM has been doing a good job but he needs a report card", adding that the percentage of votes Mr Lee gets will be a gauge of his performance in the last five years.
As for the single-seat ward of Radin Mas, Mr Jeyaretnam, who had ruled out taking part in multi-cornered fights, now says he is re-considering sending a candidate there.
He said residents were unhappy when they heard the Reform Party will not contest Radin Mas.
Asked if he will switch from contesting West Coast GRC to Radin Mas, he said: "I am committed to the residents of West Coast."
The party's team for West Coast GRC is also stepping up its walkabouts. The candidates are visiting residents individually in areas they will be in charge of, should they win the coming polls.
- CNA/ir
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