Wonderful to learn that Minister Heng is recovering well. That he is fully lucid, communicative and cheerful! Continue the good progress Minister Heng. You are a fighter and will triumph over this unexpected setback!
"Chen Show Mao's challenge to WP chief Low Thia Khiang about "exercising democratic rights” - CNA 30 May 2016
SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC Chen Show Mao has described his contest for the position of secretary-general for the Workers’ Party (WP) as “an exercise of democratic rights”.
His fellow Aljunied MP Low Thia Khiang fended off a stiff challenge from him, retaining his post as party chief with a reported 61-45 vote.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of his Meet the People session on Monday (May 30), Mr Chen said he was "grateful" for the nomination at the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections on Sunday.
Mr Low had told the TODAY newspaper on Sunday that the leadership challenge from Mr Chen was part of a “healthy democratic process” and he dismissed talk of a internal party divisions as “speculation”."
Interesting news from the opposition party, The Workers' Party.
My takes are:
1. it is time to have a leadership changeover as Mr Low may be tired of being the flag bearer for the opposition party for such a long time. This is especially when his respected sparring partner in politics and parliament, late ex-MM/SM/PM Lee Kuan Yew had passed on;
2. no 'secret' is safe given that leaking it for this type of event will not be punishable by death or stoning or any heavier penalty, it is normal exercise of democracy. The question that must be answered by the veterans is really: is this a time for renewal? Or the veterans are still full of fire and fight to want to chart a new course and bring the WP to a new height? If the veterans are, let the show continues. If not, it is a good time to change really given that the next GE will be due in 3 years later?;
3. Is there a split within WP? Mr Low said: No. Mr Chen said: It is democracy in action when he, supposedly challenged Mr Low for the party leadership position. So, there is difference of opinions for sure on the strategic directions and programs to champion to bring WP to the next level. Given this, it does not mean that differences cannot be narrowed, if they cannot be totally eliminated, and there are still plenty of common grounds to bind them together like: be the main opposition political party in Singapore, continue to challenge and push the ruling PAP to do better for the majority of Singaporeans, etc. So, if the WP members are matured and rational, this 'challenge of leadership' thingy should not tear them apart. If it does, then they have failed.
"Chen Show Mao's challenge to WP chief Low Thia Khiang about "exercising democratic rights” - CNA 30 May 2016
SINGAPORE: Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC Chen Show Mao has described his contest for the position of secretary-general for the Workers’ Party (WP) as “an exercise of democratic rights”.
His fellow Aljunied MP Low Thia Khiang fended off a stiff challenge from him, retaining his post as party chief with a reported 61-45 vote.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of his Meet the People session on Monday (May 30), Mr Chen said he was "grateful" for the nomination at the party's Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections on Sunday.
Mr Low had told the TODAY newspaper on Sunday that the leadership challenge from Mr Chen was part of a “healthy democratic process” and he dismissed talk of a internal party divisions as “speculation”."
Interesting news from the opposition party, The Workers' Party.
My takes are:
1. it is time to have a leadership changeover as Mr Low may be tired of being the flag bearer for the opposition party for such a long time. This is especially when his respected sparring partner in politics and parliament, late ex-MM/SM/PM Lee Kuan Yew had passed on;
2. no 'secret' is safe given that leaking it for this type of event will not be punishable by death or stoning or any heavier penalty, it is normal exercise of democracy. The question that must be answered by the veterans is really: is this a time for renewal? Or the veterans are still full of fire and fight to want to chart a new course and bring the WP to a new height? If the veterans are, let the show continues. If not, it is a good time to change really given that the next GE will be due in 3 years later?;
3. Is there a split within WP? Mr Low said: No. Mr Chen said: It is democracy in action when he, supposedly challenged Mr Low for the party leadership position. So, there is difference of opinions for sure on the strategic directions and programs to champion to bring WP to the next level. Given this, it does not mean that differences cannot be narrowed, if they cannot be totally eliminated, and there are still plenty of common grounds to bind them together like: be the main opposition political party in Singapore, continue to challenge and push the ruling PAP to do better for the majority of Singaporeans, etc. So, if the WP members are matured and rational, this 'challenge of leadership' thingy should not tear them apart. If it does, then they have failed.
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