[h=2]Three representatives from each Opposition party were allowed in the meeting, while host National Solidarity Party had five representatives.[/h]
SINGAPORE: Representatives from Opposition parties met on Monday evening (Aug 3) for talks to avoid multi-cornered fights in the upcoming General Election.
National Solidarity Party (NSP) secretary-general Hazel Poa described the three-hour discussion as "amicable", adding that there was "quite a lot of giving way". Her sentiments were echoed by Reform Party chief Kenneth Jeyaratnam, who said the talks were "going well".
“The atmosphere for the meeting was very cordial and everyone had a spirit of give-and-take,” said Singapoeans First (SingFirst) secretary-general Tan Jee Say. “There were no fist-fights”.
However, the representatives declined to elaborate on what they discussed, saying the details will remain "confidential" for now.
All the parties will meet again on Thursday. Mr Tan and Mr Jeyaratnam explained that the parties will bring the issues to their respective Central Executive Committees before their next meeting.
The People's Power Party's (PPP) Goh Meng Seng was “optimistic” that most of the issues would be resolved by Thursday. “The various party leaders are very open and reasonable, and there is nothing we cannot resolve."
The ex-NSP secretary-general also told media that his former party and the PPP are “like brother parties”. “I do not wish to have three-cornered fights, especially with my brothers,” said Mr Goh.
All parties were allowed to send three representatives to the meeting at the NSP headquarters in Jalan Besar, while the host had five representatives.
The Workers’ Party (WP) was represented by Non-constituency Member of Parliament Yee Jenn Jong, Member of Parliament Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap and member Daniel Goh. Mr Yee said the WP will try to avoid multi-cornered fights.
However Socialist Front's secretary-general Chia Ti Lik said the party will not contest the next election, saying there are "more than enough candidates available".
"This time we'll sit out," he told reporters. "We'll come in the next time round."
- By Justin Ong
- POSTED: 03 Aug 2015 20:12
- UPDATED: 04 Aug 2015 00:17
SINGAPORE: Representatives from Opposition parties met on Monday evening (Aug 3) for talks to avoid multi-cornered fights in the upcoming General Election.
National Solidarity Party (NSP) secretary-general Hazel Poa described the three-hour discussion as "amicable", adding that there was "quite a lot of giving way". Her sentiments were echoed by Reform Party chief Kenneth Jeyaratnam, who said the talks were "going well".
“The atmosphere for the meeting was very cordial and everyone had a spirit of give-and-take,” said Singapoeans First (SingFirst) secretary-general Tan Jee Say. “There were no fist-fights”.
However, the representatives declined to elaborate on what they discussed, saying the details will remain "confidential" for now.
All the parties will meet again on Thursday. Mr Tan and Mr Jeyaratnam explained that the parties will bring the issues to their respective Central Executive Committees before their next meeting.
The People's Power Party's (PPP) Goh Meng Seng was “optimistic” that most of the issues would be resolved by Thursday. “The various party leaders are very open and reasonable, and there is nothing we cannot resolve."
The ex-NSP secretary-general also told media that his former party and the PPP are “like brother parties”. “I do not wish to have three-cornered fights, especially with my brothers,” said Mr Goh.
All parties were allowed to send three representatives to the meeting at the NSP headquarters in Jalan Besar, while the host had five representatives.
The Workers’ Party (WP) was represented by Non-constituency Member of Parliament Yee Jenn Jong, Member of Parliament Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap and member Daniel Goh. Mr Yee said the WP will try to avoid multi-cornered fights.
Mr Yee Jenn Jong (left), Mr Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap (right) and Mr Daniel Goh (back) arriving at the NSP headquarters. (Photo: Elizabeth Goh)
Also at the meeting were representatives from Singapore Democratic Alliance. Party leader Desmond Lim told reporters before the meeting that his party will not contest Punggol East SMC “as a matter of principle”, as WP is the incumbent party in there. Mr Lim contested in a by-election for the constituency in 2013, and garnered 0.57 per cent of the votes.
SDA's chief Desmond Lim. (Photo: Elizabeth Goh)
The Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) was represented by secretary-general Benjamin Pwee, founder Seow Khee Leng and chairman Mohamad Hamim Aliyas. Mr Seow said the party is still wants to contest Fengshan SMC, despite WP also expressing interest in the constituency.
DPP's Seow Khee Leng, who says the party is interested in contesting Fengshan SMC. (Photo: Elizabeth Goh)
Representatives from the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), Singapore People's Party (SPP), Singapore National Front and Socialist Front were also present.
However Socialist Front's secretary-general Chia Ti Lik said the party will not contest the next election, saying there are "more than enough candidates available".
"This time we'll sit out," he told reporters. "We'll come in the next time round."
