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THE Workers' Party's (WP) recent record of leadership does not appear to match its lofty ideals such as a First World Parliament, which it trumpeted in last year's General Election.
Such ideals should not be merely aimed at vote-getting, but must be proven in its parliamentary performance and work on the ground.
Thus far, the WP leadership has been less than gracious, with every party mis-step being explained away because of political expediency.
For instance, the Yaw Shin Leong saga, which triggered the need for Saturday's by-election, saw the WP offering various reasons for sacking Mr Yaw: It was his indiscretion, his refusal to come clean on his alleged extramarital affairs, and the need to ensure that Parliament is represented by honourable MPs.
It would have been better if the WP leaders had taken the honest route of admitting they were wrong to pick Mr Yaw, and apologised.
Now, leaked internal party leadership minutes raise more questions about the WP's honesty and transparency involving Mr Yaw's replacement and current candidate for Hougang, Mr Png Eng Huat (''WP hasn't been upfront or honest''; yesterday).
Prior to the leaked document, Mr Png claimed he did not want the Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) nomination when, in fact, he was not chosen (''I meant voting process, not voting slip''; yesterday).
The WP's actions following the leaked minutes raise more critical questions about leadership.
How could the minutes of a highly confidential central executive council meeting find its way to the media? Where are the party's internal controls?
Its serial refusal to accept responsibility and placing the blame for its shortcomings on others are amazing.
Instead of acknowledging its weaknesses, the party calls the leaked minutes an attempt to weaken it ('Executive council decides on NCMP'; yesterday).
If Mr Png had refused the NCMP nomination, the party should have respected his decision, or risk sending a reluctant participant to Parliament, which would then raise the question of the WP's sincerity in wanting to create a First World Parliament.
Stephen Chia Keow Chin
Such ideals should not be merely aimed at vote-getting, but must be proven in its parliamentary performance and work on the ground.
Thus far, the WP leadership has been less than gracious, with every party mis-step being explained away because of political expediency.
For instance, the Yaw Shin Leong saga, which triggered the need for Saturday's by-election, saw the WP offering various reasons for sacking Mr Yaw: It was his indiscretion, his refusal to come clean on his alleged extramarital affairs, and the need to ensure that Parliament is represented by honourable MPs.
It would have been better if the WP leaders had taken the honest route of admitting they were wrong to pick Mr Yaw, and apologised.
Now, leaked internal party leadership minutes raise more questions about the WP's honesty and transparency involving Mr Yaw's replacement and current candidate for Hougang, Mr Png Eng Huat (''WP hasn't been upfront or honest''; yesterday).
Prior to the leaked document, Mr Png claimed he did not want the Non-Constituency MP (NCMP) nomination when, in fact, he was not chosen (''I meant voting process, not voting slip''; yesterday).
The WP's actions following the leaked minutes raise more critical questions about leadership.
How could the minutes of a highly confidential central executive council meeting find its way to the media? Where are the party's internal controls?
Its serial refusal to accept responsibility and placing the blame for its shortcomings on others are amazing.
Instead of acknowledging its weaknesses, the party calls the leaked minutes an attempt to weaken it ('Executive council decides on NCMP'; yesterday).
If Mr Png had refused the NCMP nomination, the party should have respected his decision, or risk sending a reluctant participant to Parliament, which would then raise the question of the WP's sincerity in wanting to create a First World Parliament.
Stephen Chia Keow Chin
After 50 years people have seen the best & worse of the PAP. Actually the party should be renamed Lee & Sons & daughter.
