Low Thia Khiang won't be unofficial leader of opposition

[PhuaTeKor]

Can't blame him for making this decision since Sarah Palin become an unofficial leader of the Tea Party movement in US.

Low Thia Khiang won't be unofficial leader of opposition

Published on Sep 8, 2011

By Elgin Toh
Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang has ruled out accepting the title previously given to the MP heading the largest opposition party in Parliament - 'Unofficial Leader of the Opposition'.
Speaking to The Straits Times one month ahead of the opening of the 12th Parliament, he said: 'Let's not kid ourselves. Either you have a leader of the opposition, or you do not have it. There's no need to have an unofficial leader of the opposition.'

The secretary-general of WP, which now has six seats in Parliament after winning the five-member Aljunied GRC and the Hougang single-seat ward in the May General Election, added that the term sounded 'derogatory' to him, as it suggested that 'you only qualify as unofficial'.
'In Mandarin, we call it jian bu de guang,' he said, referring to the phrase that means something is considered shameful and therefore unmentionable. The 'unofficial' title was given to Mr Chiam See Tong after the 1991 General Election, as he then led the Singapore Democratic Party, which held three out of four opposition seats. He accepted it.

 

[shOUTloud]

I really like Low Thia Khiang. He just refused to play by the crap that the Singapore media tries to foist on him. What Opposition's duties are to oppose lah? What unofficial leader lah? All the non PAP MPs are from WP, it is up to WP to decide who is their leader and that would be their Sec General. Why let the media set the agenda?

 

[Char_Azn]

He doesn't need to accept this kinda stupid title. Next GE if WP can hold onto what they achieve and expand from there, the rest of the opposition automatically kowtow to him or face elimination. Unless the other opposition parties wants to maintain the status quo, it would be really stupid to still be seen fighting with WP

 

[gohsanho]

WP taking another step towards first world parliament

 

[Wang Ye]

Unofficial means nobody listens to you and you have no authority whatsoever. Good fellow more interested in getting the job done than stupid meaningless titles (eg. SM, MM, EM)

 

[Maximilian Chua-Heng]

I applaud Mr. LTK's roadmap for WP towards a first world 2-party parliamentary system as the WP has gone decidedly moderate and centrist, much like the ruling regime.

It will be hard to distinguish the two parties but that's what a first world parliament is all about. Democrats/Republicans, Conservative/Labour and even the KMT/DPP, just to name a few.

WP taking another step towards first world parliament

 

[wikiphile]

No other opposition parties save the WP will take their cues from him, some failed rubbish plan from the ranks of PAP to divide and conquer the opposition landscape.

 

[zeddy]

Good on Mr Low.. A humble man indeed.. A good responsible MP who does things quietly and efficiently..

 

[wwabbit]

This kind of official positionis pretty common in other countries, for example the UK: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leader_of_the_Opposition_(United_Kingdom) and in the US it is called the Majority Leader. The person holding the post is even entitled extra pay!
However, like is said in the wiki article: "For there to be a recognised Leader of the Opposition, it was necessary for there to be a sufficiently cohesive opposition to need a formal leader."

Unfortunately, WP is not there yet. And the name of that position implies that he has influence over all the other opposition parties too. He is right to turn down the title, despite being seen as the de facto opposition leader now. Maybe if/when WP gets 30 seats in parliament would it be right for him to have that title.

 

[steffychun]

He should demand the title Official Leader of the Opposition like in the UK Westminster system. But yes, unofficial is a derogatory term

 

[KuanTi01]

I think Low did the right honourable thing. Forget about PAP excuses on administrative efficiency and giving him the mark of respect, "unofficial" means exactly that! Make it official, if PAP is sincere!

 

[uncleyap]

Smart for LTK to dodge the trick question, which is a trap. LEEgime is trying to look for any opportunities to get opposition to divide and cross fire attacking each other. Any unwise answers given to this sort of questions will stir up unnecessary in-fightings within oppositions. Oppositions are very diversified right now and will be even more diverse as LEEgime falls apart. There is a very strong centrifugal effect at work. This cycle will only end after the LEEgime is completely over and disintegrated into the history, and only some time after that stage there will be something / someone to emerge as the factor of re-integration. Mostly after some great national setbacks, or some external threats emerged to compromise Singapore in the post-LEEgime eras.

Can't blame him for making this decision since Sarah Palin become an unofficial leader of the Tea Party movement in US.

Low Thia Khiang won't be unofficial leader of opposition

Published on Sep 8, 2011

By Elgin Toh
Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang has ruled out accepting the title previously given to the MP heading the largest opposition party in Parliament - 'Unofficial Leader of the Opposition'.
Speaking to The Straits Times one month ahead of the opening of the 12th Parliament, he said: 'Let's not kid ourselves. Either you have a leader of the opposition, or you do not have it. There's no need to have an unofficial leader of the opposition.'

The secretary-general of WP, which now has six seats in Parliament after winning the five-member Aljunied GRC and the Hougang single-seat ward in the May General Election, added that the term sounded 'derogatory' to him, as it suggested that 'you only qualify as unofficial'.
'In Mandarin, we call it jian bu de guang,' he said, referring to the phrase that means something is considered shameful and therefore unmentionable. The 'unofficial' title was given to Mr Chiam See Tong after the 1991 General Election, as he then led the Singapore Democratic Party, which held three out of four opposition seats. He accepted it.

 

[steffychun]

Still he should accept a full title via the Westminster system.

 

[HedgeTrader]

LTK best horse no horse run lah! 2006 he challenged LKY sue me lah! LKY mouth stuck cock.

2011 LKY challenged him good leader must lead GRC team. LTK said here I am and won. LKY mouth stuck cock again LOL

So no need what fuck title, LTK win liao lor

 

[steffychun]

LTK should table a motion to remove the title of ESM to GCT. And end all PMO support for two men.