Reform Party candidate Alec Tok quits

[Forvendet]

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msgleft rowSpan=4 width="1%"></TD><TD class=wintiny noWrap align=right>65.1 </TD></TR><TR><TD height=8></TD></TR><TR><TD id=msgtxt_1 class=msgtxt>http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_654448.html
Reform Party candidate Alec Tok quits

<!-- by line -->By Tessa Wong
IN the latest of a string of resignations from the Reform Party (RP), election candidate Alec Tok on Friday announced that he has quit the party.
The 46-year-old is one of two election candidates that the party has announced so far, the other being secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam.
Speaking to the press at a Queenstown hawker centre on Friday afternoon, Mr Tok said he decided to quit when he was asked to comply with a list of party protocols drawn up by Mr Jeyaretnam.
The list applies to members of the party's central executive committee (CEC), which Mr Tok was elected into last month. Mr Jeyaretnam allegedly e-mailed CEC members last week saying they would be expected to sign declarations agreeing with the protocols.
Mr Tok took issue with two clauses in particular. One allegedly states that CEC members are subject to a three-month probation period, during which they can be kicked out of the party without any notice or reason needed.
Another clause allegedly states that any CEC member who resigns will have a three month "gardening leave" period, during which he or she cannot speak to the press.
Mr Tok said that such clauses went against the party ideals of openness and transparency. He also objected to the fact that he was not told about these conditions before he was asked to join the CEC.

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[dankos]

this KJ ah neh like very hard to get along with.

 

[Char_Azn]

I wonder if this is the reason why all the opposition party doesn't seem interested in announcing their candidates. They keep jumping ship

 

[patrickv]

I wonder if this is the reason why all the opposition party doesn't seem interested in announcing their candidates. They keep jumping ship

i wonder what is the reason that make you work as a pap cocksucker?

 

[wikiphile]

i think ah neh really got problems, KJ is not JBJ afterall, he is his privilieged son and lets try to remember that

 

[aangsc]

how come it becoming like mudland politic now, sigh !
Coming to critical period then drawn protocol ?
Like tat very bad for RP...will soon be RIP.

 

[Forvendet]

I heard all resignees from RP who still wish to be in politics, including the latest Alec Tok, are joining or have joined NSP. WP doors are closed to last minute recruits at so close to election time. GMS is having a bumper harvest. These defectors come with their own money and manpower. NSP may be fielding the largest opposition contingent in the coming election.

 

[aangsc]

I heard all resignees from RP who still wish to be in politics, including the latest Alec Tok, are joining or have joined NSP. WP doors are closed to last minute recruits at so close to election time. GMS is having a bumper harvest. These defectors come with their own money and manpower. NSP may be fielding the largest opposition contingent in the coming election.

You mean any tom dick and harry welcome in NSP. like tat also no good.
Anyway, only few tok kong candidates, w/o these individual the party is not complete. It is unfortunate to see such dis-organise activities now. Only faith left for WP.

 

[jw5]

Hopefully Alec Tok will be recruited by one of the other parties soon.
Those conditions really sound draconion. You might as well not have the CEC if you have such rules.
It would be a waste if Alec doesn't get to stand in the coming elections. He would be good in a GRC with old timers.

 

[jw5]

I heard all resignees from RP who still wish to be in politics, including the latest Alec Tok, are joining or have joined NSP. WP doors are closed to last minute recruits at so close to election time. GMS is having a bumper harvest. These defectors come with their own money and manpower. NSP may be fielding the largest opposition contingent in the coming election.

That's not a bad thing for NSP or the opposition as a whole.
Alec would be a good addition to their team.
I've seen some footage of Tony meeting residents and pap mps, and have a rather good impression of him.
He seems to be quite a humble and sincere person and willng to engage people.
Would have to reserve comments about Hazel, she seems more reserved and quiet.

 

[ray_of_hope]

The "gardening leave" clause is of course absurd. That is from the field of banking and finance where Jeyaretnam came from. To impose it to a political party is not reasonable.

Seems like all focus will be on the WP and a few pockets of contests by NSP and SPP.

 

[glockman]

I don't really care which OP Alec Tok joins, just as long as he remains active and vocal in the opposition camp. Being a Yale University alumni, I am sure he will be snapped up soon.

 

[denzuko1]

i think ah neh really got problems, KJ is not JBJ afterall, he is his privilieged son and lets try to remember that

its nothing to do with a neh thing but more the lawyer thing.

 

[glockman]

its nothing to do with a neh thing but more the lawyer thing.

KJ is not a lawyer.

 

[jw5]

The "gardening leave" clause is of course absurd. That is from the field of banking and finance where Jeyaretnam came from. To impose it to a political party is not reasonable.

Seems like all focus will be on the WP and a few pockets of contests by NSP and SPP.

"Gardening leave" is also quite common in the Barclays Premier League.
It's to prevent the manager or party member or banker leaving to join a competitor or opposing organization.
Another name for it would be "Dog In The Manger" leave.

 

[Cestbon]

this KJ ah neh like very hard to get along with.

Quite agree. He have his own ideas will not accept others. How to get along same as LHL.
To be a leader must not show power when meeting/discussion. If show power/threaten of course people will angry, some will not dare to voice up, some may just give up/leave and some just don't care.
A leader must show respect to all people who give ideas, if bad give comment and detail why no good let the person concede defeat.Then will gain more respect.

 

[peterpan777]

Support his decision.

It is also a good thing as it show that opposition candidate knows how to say "No".

Not a "YES' man.

 

[silverfox@]

Hopefully Alec Tok will be recruited by one of the other parties soon.
Those conditions really sound draconion. You might as well not have the CEC if you have such rules.
It would be a waste if Alec doesn't get to stand in the coming elections. He would be good in a GRC with old timers.

The resignation from Alec at this point of time and reasons given for leaving really do not put RP in good light. Alec is a very articulate speaker and this news comes as a shock when I saw the news just now. What a waste if he's going out just like this.

I hope he does join a new party fast. Probably NSP. I always think if GMS can channel his efforts in real life rather than in SBF, he will be doing very well for his party. That is what GMS is doing now. Not seeing GMS posting and replying here is a good thing. I wish GMS all the best with all his new recruits and hopefully he can attract Alec into his party and wish that NSP can gun a few seats down during this GE.

 

[dysentry]

Alec should join GMS to strengthen Tampines team, take a few percentage points off Mah.

 

[seebaysong]

this KJ ah neh like very hard to get along with.

Hv u guys noticed tt KJ looks like Mr. Bean :P
Anyways, Mr. Tok shld consider joining WP to strengthen the ranks.