Reform Party starts visits to Punggol East

[Extremist]

Reform Party (RP) chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam visited Punggol East last weekend, becoming the first opposition party known to have conducted activities in the ward since the exit of former MP Michael Palmer.

Mr Jeyaretnam had dinner in Rivervale Mall on Saturday night, and later visited Rivervale Plaza, a shopping complex whose upgrading works has been stalled because the contractor had gone bust.

RP had earlier said it is "strongly considering" a bid for the single seat in the event of a by-election. The visit on the weekend reinforces their intention to contest.

Mr Michael Palmer resigned suddenly from the People's Action Party for having an extra-marital affair last week. His resignation opened the door for a possible by-election in Punggol East, which several opposition parties including RP have called for.

Mr Jeyaretnam confirmed that he would most likely be RP's candidate in Punggol East, should there be a by-election.

"The central executive committee feel that I would be the most effective in making the Government accountable," he said.

He added that RP is talking to other political parties in the hope that a consensus can be reached.

The Workers' Party has also staked its claim on the ward, saying that it is ready to "offer a choice" again to Punggol East voters. Its candidate Lee Li Lian won 41 per cent in last year's general elections.

And though some online have criticised RP for being a potential "spoiler" in the ward, Mr Jeyaretnam said: "In a first-world democracy, multi-cornered fights are normal. It is up to the people to decide who they want to represent them in Parliament."

He said the party would be returning on a regular basis to the ward, particularly to Rivervale Plaza. On Saturday he tweeted a picture of him having dinner in Rivervale Mall and later described Rivervale Plaza as looking like "a bomb site".

Mr Jeyaretnam said he spoke to shopkeepers there and residents, who he said were "highly concerned" as the works were meant to be completed in May.

On Sunday, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said that he and Mr Teo Ser Luck, MPs for the neighbouring Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, would be discussing with HDB how to resolve the issue.

 

[eErotica69]

Good start for RP. Go for it!!

But they have a mountain to climb.

 

[tonychat]

Is this JBJ son? This guy is a total wash out , unlike his dad.

pls lah, dun think of a 3 sides fight lah...

 

[watchman8]

GMS: sir mission accomplished.
LHL: hosay! can call by election liao!

 

[zeddy]

KJ is goin for personal glory..

KJ will follow the same route as Desmond Lim.. He better be prepared to see his election deposit go down the drain..

 

[SgParent]

As I've been saying, it's a case between ego and self awareness. And self awareness is a very, very rare trait in politicians

Unless WP back out, KJ has zero chance of winning. So since WP seems keen to contest, then what is he trying to achieve?

He added that RP is talking to other political parties in the hope that a consensus can be reached.

... Mr Jeyaretnam said: "In a first-world democracy, multi-cornered fights are normal. It is up to the people to decide who they want to represent them in Parliament."

Something doesn't sound right.

While KJ/RP claimed he is still talking to other Oppo about a consensus (assuming he mean avoiding 3CF), he himself then went on to say multi-cornered fights are normal.

So which is which?

 

[The_Hypocrite]

All these 3rd rate oppos should just give way to WP,,,if they contest they just fuck it up for the rest of singaporeans,,,and give pap a bigger chance of winning...KJ should know his appeal is very limited,,,he should just move aside,,we need more oppos in parleement,,not clowns

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

KJ is goin for personal glory..

KJ will follow the same route as Desmond Lim.. He better be prepared to see his election deposit go down the drain..

His is a strange story. Lived a life of total obscurity until his father died, then suddenly want to become a politician. Like Desmond LIm you never see him do any groundwork or target any ward until there is an election, then he will show up. A write off lah!

 

[watchman8]

His is a strange story. Lived a life of total obscurity until his father died, then suddenly want to become a politician. Like Desmond LIm you never see him do any groundwork or target any ward until there is an election, then he will show up. A write off lah!

He made enough money to retire, and LHL came along in 2009 to rub salt in when JB jeyaratnam died in 2009. Probably the insulting letter from LHL pissed him off sufficiently to want to fight in the political arena against the spiteful PM.

 

[applejuice]

Are they really going for a 3 corner fight?

 

[ray_of_hope]

SDP and CSJ never confirm their own intentions yet. So, maybe 4CF.
Then, again, suddenly never heard from TJS for a long while. Could it then be a 5CF?

 

[zhihau]

Probably the insulting letter from LHL pissed him off sufficiently to want to fight in the political arena against the spiteful PM.

imagine a multi-cornered fight: PAP vs WP vs DL vs KJ, then results become 35%, 50%, 7.5%, 7.5% HUAT AH!!! :p:p:p

 

[nato33]

He will never make it. His twang alone puts people off. He just can't connect with the population. JBJ was a giant.....too bad he is spoiling his father's legacy. Best he continues with his economics dissertations. As a Politician, he is simply not cut out for it

 

[Thick Face Black Heart]

imagine a multi-cornered fight: PAP vs WP vs DL vs KJ, then results become 35%, 50%, 7.5%, 7.5% HUAT AH!!! :p:p:p

I think KJ will become another "fatso 5%"

 

[ray_of_hope]

...too bad he is spoiling his father's legacy.

It seems that he does not care about this at all.
The name will be forever tarnished. So be it!

 

[watchman8]

He will never make it. His twang alone puts people off. He just can't connect with the population. JBJ was a giant.....too bad he is spoiling his father's legacy. Best he continues with his economics dissertations. As a Politician, he is simply not cut out for it

He can't make it as politician, but he can do real damage with his pen. Someone should advice him to concentrate on hitting LHL using words. When old man dies, Kenneth can write an equally nasty letter to LHL, plus collate a book on the past crimes of old man. That would be a sweeter revenge.

 

[zeddy]

His is a strange story. Lived a life of total obscurity until his father died, then suddenly want to become a politician. Like Desmond LIm you never see him do any groundwork or target any ward until there is an election, then he will show up. A write off lah!

I was at the WP's Hougang BE Rally when I saw KJ there.. The crowd was not at all bothered with his presence there.. I don't think many recognised him at all even though he is the son the late great JBJ..
IMO, he better stick to his former job as a hedge fund manager's.. He just can't make it as a politican..

 

[zeddy]

SDP and CSJ never confirm their own intentions yet. So, maybe 4CF.
Then, again, suddenly never heard from TJS for a long while. Could it then be a 5CF?

Wait for Captain GMS to enter the ring too.. Then there'll also be loonies like Zeng Gou Yan bringing his parrot along to the Nomination Centre..

 

[laksaboy]

He made enough money to retire, and LHL came along in 2009 to rub salt in when JB jeyaratnam died in 2009. Probably the insulting letter from LHL pissed him off sufficiently to want to fight in the political arena against the spiteful PM.

LHL is an asshole and just comes across as a nasty human being. I wouldn't be surprised if there were a modicum of truth in him having slapped Dhanabalan.

 

[MBSSL0TS]

kenneth the Clown