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Many must be shell shocked by National Solidarity Party’s Secretary-General (SG) Mr Goh Meng Seng’s recent decision to step down from politics to take a 2-year political sabbatical break.
He was the NSP’s SG for fifteen months and led the party in the recent 2011 General Election.
He is most likely seeking a executive director’s position in Hong Kong’s NGO so that he can spend more time with his family there.
Hazel Poa will take over the position of SG with immediate effect.
When news broke out that he quitted, many friends and NSP supporters asked me why Meng Seng made that decision – especially when he did so well at Tampines GRC as the team managed to garner 43% of the votes during the recent general election. Many also rumoured that the good result toppled Mr Mah Bow Tan from his position as Minister for National Development.
Was he taking responsibility for the collective poor showing at the polls as no one in NSP managed to win any Member of Parliament (MP) seat – not even a Non Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) position.
Not many SG in opposition politics took responsibility for their party’s poor showing at the polls and Meng Seng must be given credit for been the first one to do so.
Nevertheless, many people have also speculated that Meng Seng could be ousted as he is a straight talking guy and sometimes tend to step on too many toes while he discharged his duties perhaps abit too stringently.
I will not want to touch on this topic too much here as I am still a NSP Congress member and it is also a sensitive issue.
Humble Yet Proud Guy?
I first met Meng Seng three years ago – after a TOC event at Hong Lim Park. We just finished our speeches and he approached me asking whether I want to meet him for a chat on another day.
He had a ever ready smile and never seem to lose that sparkle in his eyes when he talked. It is difficult not to like this guy.
Knowing that he belonged to a political party and been rather non-partisan then, I turned him down. However, deep down inside me, I knew that I won’t be seeing this guy for the last time…
We didn’t cross path much during these past few years as I was abroad for a long while.
I heard that he left Workers’ Party and later joined NSP – becoming their SG shortly.
It was not surprising that he took up such a high-profiled position in opposition politics as he has a deep seated conviction about such matter.
He told me during our campaigning in Tampines GRC that his dad was in politics and it ran in his family.
He was proud to mention that he introduced opposition politics to his eldest brother, David, who later became his Principal Election Party in Tampines GRC. Unfortunately, he passed away due to a heart attack on the first day of campaigning.
While still living in Sydney last year, he emailed me asking if I am keen to join politics. I took up the challenge later when I decided to stand in the recent General Election.
When I came back to Singapore early this year, I met him up in Bishan J8 Toastbox and was surprised at his attire.
He was dressed in a kaki-coloured Bermuda and his tummy showed when he tucked in his round necked tee underneath it. His sandals seemed to complete the image of a hawker working in the coffee shop.
Though I am not expecting him to wear a tie to meet me, I was completely overwhelmed by his casual approach when he went to talk to potential election candidates.
He was relaxed, humble and easy to talk to. Compared to Kenneth Jeyeretnam whom I would be talking to in a few days’ time, Meng Seng came across as someone who is approachable and open.
I felt very comfortable around him but were still bothered by his extremely casual attire.
He didn’t really push me to join his party like Kenneth did and there was no contact from him after we spoke. Kenneth, on the other hand, did his best to bring me into the party and even asked someone from Australia – Irene, to email me daily and persuaded me to join RP.
Of course, all of you knew what happened next and I don’t want to repeat myself here.
Meng Seng would termed it my first political mistake…
Though many people saw that, on the exterior, Meng Seng seems humble and easy going, deep down he is rather obstinate and hold to his principles very well. Sometimes, it works well for him but on numerous occasions, his stubborn streak didn’t serve him well.
Perhaps, as a party leader, you can’t seem to be regularly switching stance or else people will think that you are fickle minded and inconsistent so you want to be seen as unbendable and steady.
Some have even commented that he could come across as rather proud and insisted on having his own way. He also self-praised quite a fair bit and this adds on to the notion that he may come across as being rather self-conceited.
Nevertheless, on a personal level, I felt that he is not too open to criticism and tend to hold on to his own thinking even though it could be flawed.
For example, Meng Seng always felt that the success of the election campaigning boiled down to how much exposure we have gained through the media.
Many people knew by now that there was a news black-out on Tampines GRC for NSP during the 9 days of campaigning and except for the slight reporting on David’s death, we didn’t gain any fair media coverage through the mainstream media (MSM).
We knew that was deliberate as Tampines GRC was seen as a possible upset win for the opposition party due to the Mah Bow Tan’s factor.
Sticking to his media-theme gun, Meng Seng didn’t really have a Plan B when that didn’t work and we simply campaigned without any strategy at all after that.
I could see though that his plan to use the media to his advantage eventually backfired on him badly.
Too Casual As Secretary General?
On the other hand, many have also commented that he is seen as been too casual and approachable as a secretary general.
He can be out having coffee with his volunteers laughing away heartily and many may have taken his casualness as a weakness.
It was perhaps his difficult time at the Workers’ Party that made him want to be seen as approachable and open in his leadership style.
At Workers’ Party, many members have left as they could not stand the SG Low Thian Kiang’s autocratic leadership style.
Nevertheless, on a personal level, I felt that his casual manner may have appeal to some – especially those who dislike leaders who are too dogmatic.
His consultative manner also invite people to also criticize him openly – sometimes in front of other people and slowly, people may have lose the respect for him.
Well Read
I was actually floored at how well-read Meng Seng is.
I remembered we had dinner with someone at a posh restaurant in Hotel Hyatt just after the election.
We were talking about ancient China politics in comparison with the European ones and his exposition literally made my jaw dropped.
Moreover, he is not even a political science student as he did economics in varsity. He gained a second upper honours degree and that made him quite an intelligent guy.
I learned quite a lot that day from him and he is eight years younger than me…
“Many people have told me that I am not intellectual enough in my conversation,” he later confided in me on our many trips back in his beaten-up van.
I have never felt that he is not intellectual enough but perhaps he lacks the clout to make people sit up and take notice when he speaks.
It is not something we all have and perhaps that is why some leaders are literally born and not make.
I always see Meng Seng more as an activist than a politician and I am sure that he can be a damn good one.
As an activist, you are also impacting lives as much as politicians do and more importantly you escape from all the dirt that politics bring.
It is also more rewarding as you touch lives without the sick feeling that there is an ultimate aim of winning their votes when you try to help them.
This has also being my constant struggle with opposition politics as people tend to perceive that you help them with a motive – to garner their votes to win the next election.
Conclusion
As Meng Seng faded into political seclusion for the next two years, let us hope that he will not take this as a set back but try to plough his massive energy into an NGO or even set up one on his own.
Many people have said that politics is always in one’s blood and when you have tasted it before , you can never leave it out completely from your life.
I am sure that there are many Meng Seng’s fans out there hoping that he will make a come back after his sabbatical.
Though we don’t really see eye to eye on some matters, we have always reserved that mutual respect for one other.
I am also gratified that you took me in after the short RP nightmarish stint and even made me a member of the Tampines GRC team. Many other candidates were eyeing for a spot within the GRC team…
I wish you all the best Meng Seng and sometimes what don’t kill us makes us stronger! After all, politics is already running in your blood and do make a comeback but in a sterner fashion…
http://www.transitioning.org/2011/06/28/the-truth-behind-goh-meng-sengs-political-step-down/
He was the NSP’s SG for fifteen months and led the party in the recent 2011 General Election.
He is most likely seeking a executive director’s position in Hong Kong’s NGO so that he can spend more time with his family there.
Hazel Poa will take over the position of SG with immediate effect.
When news broke out that he quitted, many friends and NSP supporters asked me why Meng Seng made that decision – especially when he did so well at Tampines GRC as the team managed to garner 43% of the votes during the recent general election. Many also rumoured that the good result toppled Mr Mah Bow Tan from his position as Minister for National Development.
Was he taking responsibility for the collective poor showing at the polls as no one in NSP managed to win any Member of Parliament (MP) seat – not even a Non Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) position.
Not many SG in opposition politics took responsibility for their party’s poor showing at the polls and Meng Seng must be given credit for been the first one to do so.
Nevertheless, many people have also speculated that Meng Seng could be ousted as he is a straight talking guy and sometimes tend to step on too many toes while he discharged his duties perhaps abit too stringently.
I will not want to touch on this topic too much here as I am still a NSP Congress member and it is also a sensitive issue.
Humble Yet Proud Guy?
I first met Meng Seng three years ago – after a TOC event at Hong Lim Park. We just finished our speeches and he approached me asking whether I want to meet him for a chat on another day.
He had a ever ready smile and never seem to lose that sparkle in his eyes when he talked. It is difficult not to like this guy.
Knowing that he belonged to a political party and been rather non-partisan then, I turned him down. However, deep down inside me, I knew that I won’t be seeing this guy for the last time…
We didn’t cross path much during these past few years as I was abroad for a long while.
I heard that he left Workers’ Party and later joined NSP – becoming their SG shortly.
It was not surprising that he took up such a high-profiled position in opposition politics as he has a deep seated conviction about such matter.
He told me during our campaigning in Tampines GRC that his dad was in politics and it ran in his family.
He was proud to mention that he introduced opposition politics to his eldest brother, David, who later became his Principal Election Party in Tampines GRC. Unfortunately, he passed away due to a heart attack on the first day of campaigning.
While still living in Sydney last year, he emailed me asking if I am keen to join politics. I took up the challenge later when I decided to stand in the recent General Election.
When I came back to Singapore early this year, I met him up in Bishan J8 Toastbox and was surprised at his attire.
He was dressed in a kaki-coloured Bermuda and his tummy showed when he tucked in his round necked tee underneath it. His sandals seemed to complete the image of a hawker working in the coffee shop.
Though I am not expecting him to wear a tie to meet me, I was completely overwhelmed by his casual approach when he went to talk to potential election candidates.
He was relaxed, humble and easy to talk to. Compared to Kenneth Jeyeretnam whom I would be talking to in a few days’ time, Meng Seng came across as someone who is approachable and open.
I felt very comfortable around him but were still bothered by his extremely casual attire.
He didn’t really push me to join his party like Kenneth did and there was no contact from him after we spoke. Kenneth, on the other hand, did his best to bring me into the party and even asked someone from Australia – Irene, to email me daily and persuaded me to join RP.
Of course, all of you knew what happened next and I don’t want to repeat myself here.
Meng Seng would termed it my first political mistake…
Though many people saw that, on the exterior, Meng Seng seems humble and easy going, deep down he is rather obstinate and hold to his principles very well. Sometimes, it works well for him but on numerous occasions, his stubborn streak didn’t serve him well.
Perhaps, as a party leader, you can’t seem to be regularly switching stance or else people will think that you are fickle minded and inconsistent so you want to be seen as unbendable and steady.
Some have even commented that he could come across as rather proud and insisted on having his own way. He also self-praised quite a fair bit and this adds on to the notion that he may come across as being rather self-conceited.
Nevertheless, on a personal level, I felt that he is not too open to criticism and tend to hold on to his own thinking even though it could be flawed.
For example, Meng Seng always felt that the success of the election campaigning boiled down to how much exposure we have gained through the media.
Many people knew by now that there was a news black-out on Tampines GRC for NSP during the 9 days of campaigning and except for the slight reporting on David’s death, we didn’t gain any fair media coverage through the mainstream media (MSM).
We knew that was deliberate as Tampines GRC was seen as a possible upset win for the opposition party due to the Mah Bow Tan’s factor.
Sticking to his media-theme gun, Meng Seng didn’t really have a Plan B when that didn’t work and we simply campaigned without any strategy at all after that.
I could see though that his plan to use the media to his advantage eventually backfired on him badly.
Too Casual As Secretary General?
On the other hand, many have also commented that he is seen as been too casual and approachable as a secretary general.
He can be out having coffee with his volunteers laughing away heartily and many may have taken his casualness as a weakness.
It was perhaps his difficult time at the Workers’ Party that made him want to be seen as approachable and open in his leadership style.
At Workers’ Party, many members have left as they could not stand the SG Low Thian Kiang’s autocratic leadership style.
Nevertheless, on a personal level, I felt that his casual manner may have appeal to some – especially those who dislike leaders who are too dogmatic.
His consultative manner also invite people to also criticize him openly – sometimes in front of other people and slowly, people may have lose the respect for him.
Well Read
I was actually floored at how well-read Meng Seng is.
I remembered we had dinner with someone at a posh restaurant in Hotel Hyatt just after the election.
We were talking about ancient China politics in comparison with the European ones and his exposition literally made my jaw dropped.
Moreover, he is not even a political science student as he did economics in varsity. He gained a second upper honours degree and that made him quite an intelligent guy.
I learned quite a lot that day from him and he is eight years younger than me…
“Many people have told me that I am not intellectual enough in my conversation,” he later confided in me on our many trips back in his beaten-up van.
I have never felt that he is not intellectual enough but perhaps he lacks the clout to make people sit up and take notice when he speaks.
It is not something we all have and perhaps that is why some leaders are literally born and not make.
I always see Meng Seng more as an activist than a politician and I am sure that he can be a damn good one.
As an activist, you are also impacting lives as much as politicians do and more importantly you escape from all the dirt that politics bring.
It is also more rewarding as you touch lives without the sick feeling that there is an ultimate aim of winning their votes when you try to help them.
This has also being my constant struggle with opposition politics as people tend to perceive that you help them with a motive – to garner their votes to win the next election.
Conclusion
As Meng Seng faded into political seclusion for the next two years, let us hope that he will not take this as a set back but try to plough his massive energy into an NGO or even set up one on his own.
Many people have said that politics is always in one’s blood and when you have tasted it before , you can never leave it out completely from your life.
I am sure that there are many Meng Seng’s fans out there hoping that he will make a come back after his sabbatical.
Though we don’t really see eye to eye on some matters, we have always reserved that mutual respect for one other.
I am also gratified that you took me in after the short RP nightmarish stint and even made me a member of the Tampines GRC team. Many other candidates were eyeing for a spot within the GRC team…
I wish you all the best Meng Seng and sometimes what don’t kill us makes us stronger! After all, politics is already running in your blood and do make a comeback but in a sterner fashion…
http://www.transitioning.org/2011/06/28/the-truth-behind-goh-meng-sengs-political-step-down/
