Did Low Thia Khiang backstab his mentor JBJ? (Revisited)
By Richard Tang
Once again the government controlled “local media” is dredging out how Dr Chee Soon Juan staged a coup in the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to oust Mr Chiam See Tong in 1992 when the latter was the party’s Secretary General.
Since the event took place almost 2 decades ago, enough had been written by Chee and others on the events leading to Chiam’s removal from SDP.
One thing that has emerged from all these exchanges was that almost the entire SDP Central Executive Committee (CEC) was unanimous in taking disciplinary action against Chiam to expel him. This fact has not been disputed by Chiam himself.
Furthermore, it would be simply impossible for a newcomer like Chee who had joined SDP only in that year to engineer the ouster of Chiam. Chee could not have hatched such a scheme without the support of the rest of the SDP leadership.
In all this controversy which is being repeated ad nauseam, one thing that the so-called local media seems to have forgotten or continued to be in denial is the way in which the late J B Jeyaretnam (JBJ) was made to “leave” the Workers’ Party (WP) in 2001.
This bizarre event surrounding the “departure” of JBJ only happened 9 years ago, compared to the so-called feud between Chee and Chiam which is almost 20 years old.
When JBJ announced the formation of his new Reform Party (RP) in 2007, he had a lot of unpleasant things to say about his protégé Low Thia Khiang.
Unlike Chee, Low, an unknown WP member then, was able to get elected as MP for Hougang in 1991 with the tremendous help of relentless campaigning by JBJ who had remained ineligible to contest elections at the time.
JBJ was the leader of WP for 30 years since 1971. What made Low turn against his mentor JBJ in 2000?
I am saying this because the WP as a political party faced the daunting prospect of being wound up after it was found guilty, together with its entire CEC members for defaming some PAP MPs and ministers in an article in its publication the Hammer.
In the event the creditors had gone ahead to demand payment, WP would have gone into receivership and wound-up. Under the law its sole MP Low would have to vacate his seat in parliament, thus losing all the perks and privileges associated with the office.
I’m sure the late JBJ would have explained the circumstances that led to his abrupt departure from WP to his first son, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, who has inherited the mantle of Secretary General of the Reform Party.
It is a well known fact that JBJ was bitter about the way his “ouster” was staged. Any prominent CEC member of WP and even other opposition figures who were closer to JBJ would be more than able to throw some light on this sordid methods.
My question again is: Why are the so-called local media not doing some investigative reporting to enlighten their readers on this controversial issue which is as much or even more important than the Chee vs Chiam saga?
The bitter episode between Low Thia Khiang and JBJ is all the more important because Low as an MP had lot to lose whereas Chee was just a CEC member in 1992 when Chiam left the party.
Why was JBJ eased out from his leadership of WP when in fact the entire CEC and the party was jointly libel for damages that the PAP were seeking.
Why did the PAP only go after JBJ and eventually bankrupted him over the damage issue that involved the party and its entire leadership – including its MP Low Thia Khiang.
Is there any truth to JBJ’s repeated allegation that Low was getting cozy with PAP leaders, in particular Goh Chok Tong, at the members’ lounge in parliament?
No wonder Goh Chok Tong had subsequently endorsed in a public statement that he saw Low Thia Khiang as the opposition figure to eventually replace JBJ in WP and play the role of Chiam See Tong as the harmless opposition leader in parliament who is of no threat to the PAP.
Goh had even said that Chiam is “good” for the PAP because “without him, it would have been more difficult to destroy Chee Soon Juan”.
And yet, the media seems to be avoiding such controversial topics that would certainly boost their declining sales. I for one would buy 20 copies of each newspaper carrying such “juicy” stories.
I hope that the local reporters and journalists would take this write-up of mine seriously and do their respective follow-ups.
JBJ’s bitterness with Low Thia Khiang was amply demonstrated on the day when the former announced the registration of the RP. He had gone on record to expose both Low Thia Khiang and Chiam See Tong as being “approved opposition”.
JBJ had openly said that “if any Singaporean was happy with the system in Singapore at the moment, shouldn’t come to us (RP). Go and see Mr Chiam See Tong or Low Thia Khiang, who are happy with the system.” (Watch the video below)
Before WP’s 50th Anniversary dinner in 2007, Low gave the PAP a “passing grade” in governance, and even called certain opposition leaders “mad dogs”, a remark that was reported by the Straits Times.
No wonder Low Thia Khiang continues to remain an MP, getting a monthly salary of $14,000, plus lifelong pension and maintaining stony silence when asked point-blank by prime minister Lee Hsien Loong whether the Hougang member wanted Wong Kan Seng to resign over the Mas Selamat debacle.
I too wouldn’t mind staying neutered for a $14,000 part-time job and a lifelong pension as an MP.
About the Author:
Richard Tang is a 37 year old Singaporean currently living in Canada. His father was a supporter of JBJ and used to follow him on his election campaign trails back in the 80s. Richard hopes that JBJ’s struggle and sacrifice will not be in vain, and from this article will continue writing on hypocrites in Singapore.
EDITORS’ NOTE:
Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends
DISCLAIMER:
The views espoused in this article belongs solely to the writer and are not supported or endorsed by The Temasek Review.
By Richard Tang
Once again the government controlled “local media” is dredging out how Dr Chee Soon Juan staged a coup in the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) to oust Mr Chiam See Tong in 1992 when the latter was the party’s Secretary General.
Since the event took place almost 2 decades ago, enough had been written by Chee and others on the events leading to Chiam’s removal from SDP.
One thing that has emerged from all these exchanges was that almost the entire SDP Central Executive Committee (CEC) was unanimous in taking disciplinary action against Chiam to expel him. This fact has not been disputed by Chiam himself.
Furthermore, it would be simply impossible for a newcomer like Chee who had joined SDP only in that year to engineer the ouster of Chiam. Chee could not have hatched such a scheme without the support of the rest of the SDP leadership.
In all this controversy which is being repeated ad nauseam, one thing that the so-called local media seems to have forgotten or continued to be in denial is the way in which the late J B Jeyaretnam (JBJ) was made to “leave” the Workers’ Party (WP) in 2001.
This bizarre event surrounding the “departure” of JBJ only happened 9 years ago, compared to the so-called feud between Chee and Chiam which is almost 20 years old.
When JBJ announced the formation of his new Reform Party (RP) in 2007, he had a lot of unpleasant things to say about his protégé Low Thia Khiang.
Unlike Chee, Low, an unknown WP member then, was able to get elected as MP for Hougang in 1991 with the tremendous help of relentless campaigning by JBJ who had remained ineligible to contest elections at the time.
JBJ was the leader of WP for 30 years since 1971. What made Low turn against his mentor JBJ in 2000?
I am saying this because the WP as a political party faced the daunting prospect of being wound up after it was found guilty, together with its entire CEC members for defaming some PAP MPs and ministers in an article in its publication the Hammer.
In the event the creditors had gone ahead to demand payment, WP would have gone into receivership and wound-up. Under the law its sole MP Low would have to vacate his seat in parliament, thus losing all the perks and privileges associated with the office.
I’m sure the late JBJ would have explained the circumstances that led to his abrupt departure from WP to his first son, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, who has inherited the mantle of Secretary General of the Reform Party.
It is a well known fact that JBJ was bitter about the way his “ouster” was staged. Any prominent CEC member of WP and even other opposition figures who were closer to JBJ would be more than able to throw some light on this sordid methods.
My question again is: Why are the so-called local media not doing some investigative reporting to enlighten their readers on this controversial issue which is as much or even more important than the Chee vs Chiam saga?
The bitter episode between Low Thia Khiang and JBJ is all the more important because Low as an MP had lot to lose whereas Chee was just a CEC member in 1992 when Chiam left the party.
Why was JBJ eased out from his leadership of WP when in fact the entire CEC and the party was jointly libel for damages that the PAP were seeking.
Why did the PAP only go after JBJ and eventually bankrupted him over the damage issue that involved the party and its entire leadership – including its MP Low Thia Khiang.
Is there any truth to JBJ’s repeated allegation that Low was getting cozy with PAP leaders, in particular Goh Chok Tong, at the members’ lounge in parliament?
No wonder Goh Chok Tong had subsequently endorsed in a public statement that he saw Low Thia Khiang as the opposition figure to eventually replace JBJ in WP and play the role of Chiam See Tong as the harmless opposition leader in parliament who is of no threat to the PAP.
Goh had even said that Chiam is “good” for the PAP because “without him, it would have been more difficult to destroy Chee Soon Juan”.
And yet, the media seems to be avoiding such controversial topics that would certainly boost their declining sales. I for one would buy 20 copies of each newspaper carrying such “juicy” stories.
I hope that the local reporters and journalists would take this write-up of mine seriously and do their respective follow-ups.
JBJ’s bitterness with Low Thia Khiang was amply demonstrated on the day when the former announced the registration of the RP. He had gone on record to expose both Low Thia Khiang and Chiam See Tong as being “approved opposition”.
JBJ had openly said that “if any Singaporean was happy with the system in Singapore at the moment, shouldn’t come to us (RP). Go and see Mr Chiam See Tong or Low Thia Khiang, who are happy with the system.” (Watch the video below)
Before WP’s 50th Anniversary dinner in 2007, Low gave the PAP a “passing grade” in governance, and even called certain opposition leaders “mad dogs”, a remark that was reported by the Straits Times.
No wonder Low Thia Khiang continues to remain an MP, getting a monthly salary of $14,000, plus lifelong pension and maintaining stony silence when asked point-blank by prime minister Lee Hsien Loong whether the Hougang member wanted Wong Kan Seng to resign over the Mas Selamat debacle.
I too wouldn’t mind staying neutered for a $14,000 part-time job and a lifelong pension as an MP.
About the Author:
Richard Tang is a 37 year old Singaporean currently living in Canada. His father was a supporter of JBJ and used to follow him on his election campaign trails back in the 80s. Richard hopes that JBJ’s struggle and sacrifice will not be in vain, and from this article will continue writing on hypocrites in Singapore.
EDITORS’ NOTE:
Please join our Facebook page here and invite your friends
DISCLAIMER:
The views espoused in this article belongs solely to the writer and are not supported or endorsed by The Temasek Review.
