Despite the diplomatic tone, Yaw's bitterness clearly shows. Seems like WP has already marked their territories, and Chiam's intention is not going to go down well with them. Previously when SDP decide to contest in Sembawang, WP members were up in arms as they see it as an invasion on their turf. It degenerated into some serious mudslinging in cyberspace, and even till today, many WP members are still sore over that incident. Will the same thing happen with SPP now?
http://yawshinleong.blogspot.com/2009/02/cards-are-revealed.html
Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Cards Are Revealed
I refer to the article ‘Chiam’s Still Standing’ (TODAY, 28th Feb 2009)
Uncle Chiam’s decision to reveal his cards at this stage is not a surprise to me. After all he was the master tactician who engineered the 1991 By-Election effect, which was effective enough, to see 4 members of the opposition camp entered Parliament, the largest ever, since the historical walkout by 13 Barisan Socialists’ MPs.
As the Chairman of WP’s Central Area Committee, tasked by WP’s leadership at the end of GE2006 to oversee cultivation of alternative grassroots mechanisms in Ang Mo Kio GRC, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC & Yio Chu Kang SMC, (Especially in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, which has never been contested since the inception of GRC politics) naturally I read Uncle Chiam’s revelation with mixed-feelings.
Personally, Uncle Chiam is unquestionably my hero. He is someone whom I respect deeply. From May 1999 to April 2000, when I was an active member of Potong Pasir grassroots, Uncle Chiam was a fatherly figure to me, who mentored and imparted in me political values, ideals and principles. Few months back, both Uncle Chiam & his wife even took time off to grace my traditional wedding banquet celebrations.
Organizationally, I’m slightly disappointed. This is because quiet grassroots cultivation efforts have been put in by dedicated members of WP Central Area Committee over the past 20 months. Refer to some photos of our activism here. Recently, we even convened a WP Central Area Committee GE Task Force to plan for the possibility of snap elections.
Strategically, this is certainly a deliberately calculated move by SPP/ SDA. There are obvious strategic advantages in signaling their intentions early. Political watchers could easily point out the increased level of political activities over the last 20 months by several opposition parties within Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. As such this revelation by SPP/ SDA will certainly result in opposition parties re-thinking about our strategic deployments.
Politically, I can understand where Uncle Chiam is coming from. I will do whatever within my ability to ensure that a three-Corner fight with SPP/ SDA is avoided in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. However in politics, there must a form of give-&-take. Between the SPP/ SDA & WP leadership level, we must commence informal negotiations soon.
Perhaps a gentlemanly switch between SPP/ SDA’s last contested Pasir Ris - Ponggol GRC and Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC would be ideal? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…
News Link:
Chiam’s Still Standing (TODAY, 28th Feb 2009)
http://yawshinleong.blogspot.com/2009/02/cards-are-revealed.html
Saturday, February 28, 2009
The Cards Are Revealed
I refer to the article ‘Chiam’s Still Standing’ (TODAY, 28th Feb 2009)
Uncle Chiam’s decision to reveal his cards at this stage is not a surprise to me. After all he was the master tactician who engineered the 1991 By-Election effect, which was effective enough, to see 4 members of the opposition camp entered Parliament, the largest ever, since the historical walkout by 13 Barisan Socialists’ MPs.
As the Chairman of WP’s Central Area Committee, tasked by WP’s leadership at the end of GE2006 to oversee cultivation of alternative grassroots mechanisms in Ang Mo Kio GRC, Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC & Yio Chu Kang SMC, (Especially in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, which has never been contested since the inception of GRC politics) naturally I read Uncle Chiam’s revelation with mixed-feelings.
Personally, Uncle Chiam is unquestionably my hero. He is someone whom I respect deeply. From May 1999 to April 2000, when I was an active member of Potong Pasir grassroots, Uncle Chiam was a fatherly figure to me, who mentored and imparted in me political values, ideals and principles. Few months back, both Uncle Chiam & his wife even took time off to grace my traditional wedding banquet celebrations.
Organizationally, I’m slightly disappointed. This is because quiet grassroots cultivation efforts have been put in by dedicated members of WP Central Area Committee over the past 20 months. Refer to some photos of our activism here. Recently, we even convened a WP Central Area Committee GE Task Force to plan for the possibility of snap elections.
Strategically, this is certainly a deliberately calculated move by SPP/ SDA. There are obvious strategic advantages in signaling their intentions early. Political watchers could easily point out the increased level of political activities over the last 20 months by several opposition parties within Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. As such this revelation by SPP/ SDA will certainly result in opposition parties re-thinking about our strategic deployments.
Politically, I can understand where Uncle Chiam is coming from. I will do whatever within my ability to ensure that a three-Corner fight with SPP/ SDA is avoided in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. However in politics, there must a form of give-&-take. Between the SPP/ SDA & WP leadership level, we must commence informal negotiations soon.
Perhaps a gentlemanly switch between SPP/ SDA’s last contested Pasir Ris - Ponggol GRC and Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC would be ideal? Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps…
News Link:
Chiam’s Still Standing (TODAY, 28th Feb 2009)
