"Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang to step down as secretary-general by next party election
SINGAPORE: Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang will not be contesting the post of secretary-general at the next party election to make way for new blood, he said at the party's 60th anniversary dinner.
Mr Low said he has achieved what he set out to do - renewal of the Workers' Party and making "political progress towards democracy" in Singapore. WP now has a new breed of young politicians, he said.
Speaking to more than 1,000 guests and Party members on Friday (Nov 3), Mr Low said it was time for the younger leaders to "take over" the party.
"It is time for these younger leaders to step up to the steering wheel ... ready to drive the party forward to continue this walk with Singapore," said Mr Low.
"I shall therefore not be contesting the post of secretary-general at the next party election to enable the younger generation of party leaders to take over the party completely."
Channel NewsAsia understands that the next party election is due to be held next year. Mr Low has been the secretary-general of WP for 17 years, since 2001."
The end was near n somewhat visibly written on the wall when Mr Low's most fierce n formidable opponent, X-MM/SM/PM Lee Kuan Yew passed away more than 2 years ago!!
I m sure he must hv lamented on the passing of Mr LKY. Sure nobody, except perhaps JBJ, could weather the onslaught of Mr LKY, n Mr Low was no exception. Yet, there were times where both of them had a good go at each other with pretty even split of "winning" arguments.
That aside, Mr Low stood tall in the eyes of most of his loyal, faithful, n some would called "blind loyalty", voters in Hougang SMC n then the surprised 2011 Aljunied GRC. That victory though must also thanked PAP for ignoring the voices of the voters that some "good for you" policies r truly UNACCEPTABLE n the infamous "rare mistake" quote of late Mr LKY: "You will repent if u put the WP candidates into parliament"!!
He has broken new grounds n shaken the almighty ruling PAP into taking the voices of the voters seriously! As it should Be!!
It was unfortunate that the team DID NOT, sure there were plenty of unfairness been created against them e.g. town council software were taken away, clean up the "carried forward mess fr the last town council" in the subsequent 5 years. This led to the WP team almost losing the 5-member Aljunied GRC in 2015.
Still his work is done. He can ride into the sunset with some sense of pride n achievements.
What next WP? What next the opposition in Sgp politics?
Will n interesting to see as 2018 swings around.
Tks u Mr Low. U had done much. N much still need to be done for a strong credible opposition that will keep the dominant government more responsive n responsible to the well being of the majority of Sgp voters.
Rest well n keep fighting as MP for your ideals.
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