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http://yawshinleong.blogspot.com/2007/12/certain-type-for-singapore-part-2-4.html
A Certain Type For Singapore (Part 2/ 4)
For close to a year, from 1999 - 2000, i joined Chiam See Tong. Together with fellow Singapore People's Party's members, we gathered weekly, on Thursdays assisting with the MPS administration. SPP had very few members in the organization. My membership card number was printed No.49. I supposed that probably meant that there were really less than 50 members then.
It was quite an eye opener for me, to be actively involved in oppositional grassroots. For the first time I noted the humble environment of the Meet The People's Session environment operated by an Opposition Member of Parliament. It was open air (it is still) and constituents' privacy were maintained via a hospital-roller-like make shift curtain.
I made many friends within SPP. However there were instances of intra-SPP suspicions over my political participation. One senior member actually asked me, 'You are a university graduate, why would you want to join the opposition?' As expected I was rather disappointed with the mindset of that particular member.
During this time, I put forward several proposals. For instance, the formation of a SPP youth wing, the conceptualization of an alternative grassroots mechanism, the creation of a SPP website, the necessity of political forums, opposition unity and even the suggestion that Mr Chiam should helm a GRC team team. However most of my ideas were received with caution and lukewarmly by SPP's leadership.
When my mother came to know about my involvement in SPP. She was really worried for me. Time over time she will persuade me saying, 'Son, mum don't mind your participation in Singapore's politics, but why not you join the PAP instead?'. I listened patiently but consistently ignoring the second part of her advise
It was only when a close relative brought to my attention that my Christian mum had been fasting partially (& perhaps in faint protest) for a few months over my decision to join the opposition that in May 2000, I weighed my options and submitted to Mr Chiam See Tong my resignation letter. My mum stopped fasting from that moment as if her prayers were answered.
During the same period (1999 - 2000) I met Dr Wong Wee Nam, (Vice President of 2nd Central Working Committee, NUS Democratic Socialist Club) at a DSC Alumnus function. Subsequently Dr Wong introduced me to a group of professionals that included future WP members Poh Lee Guan and Eric Tan. The discussions this group held were largely social-political in nature. Through Dr Wong, I also came to know NSP's Steve Chia & Dr Patrick Kee. Dr Wong also linked me up socially with WP's Low Thia Khiang.
Just months before my resignation from SPP, I got acquainted to James Gomez during one of SPP's Public Forums. I found James Gomez to be an intelligent, energetic and charismatic person. At that juncture, I had already read his book on 'Self Censorship – Singapore's Shame' and found myself agreeable to several of his ideas. When James found out about my resignation from SPP, he suggested that I joined him to co-register his sole proprietorship - The Think Centre as a business partnership. I agreed.
From June 2000, I assumed the role of Think Center's Partner/ Project Director. This period marks the more 'militant' phase of my political activism. Within that short period of few months, Think Center's organized several forums, published a magazine 'Shame', played host to visiting delegations, went overseas for conferences, picketed in an 'anti ISA demonstration', made several speeches at Hong Lim Park and even played an April Fool's day joke on the PAP. The irony was my mum became more alarmed with my political activities outside the framework of a political party then when I was within one.
On my career front, I was facing tremendous pressures from my respective bosses. One boss demanded my answer to a rhetorical question, '时势造英雄还是英雄造时势?' (Loose translation: Does the circumstances create the hero or the hero creates the circumstances?). I replied that, 'Of course it is the circumstances that create the hero.' However that boss, rejected my answer, saying that, 'In the line of politics, it is only heroes that create the circumstances, I am so sorry, this place is too small for you.' Not to trouble him further, I resigned from the job. Another boss gave me three options. 1) To quit politics in totality and I will receive a pay rise 2) To quit the job immediately 3) To quit the job at the end of the month. Given such options, I chose to quit the job immediately. Subsequently I taught in a tuition center for over six months with no problems as that particular boss was politically indifferent.
From January to March 2001, heeling an appeal from Mr JBJ, after The Think Centre organized the 'Save JBJ Rally', in my personal capacity I continued to assist JBJ, selling his book 'Make It Right For Singapore' on a fairly regular basis. My mum was getting more worried than before about my direct association with Mr JBJ himself. Interestingly she made the comment that 'I was operating politically without the protective cover of a political party(!)'
In May 2001, Mr Low Thia Khiang took over the Secretary Generalship of The Workers' Party. I wrote a fax congratulating him on his new appointment and expressed my willingness to serve Singapore via The Workers' Party. Many people asked me 'Why the Workers' Party?' To put it simply, The Workers' Party embodies the idealism and values system of my left-of-center political orientation. More importantly I feel very comfortable with Low Thia Khiang's shrewd rationalism and political pragmatism.
On 2nd June 2001 (on my 25th Birthday) my mum miraculously came to me and said,'Son, I know that you have a calling in life. Go forth to do what you need to do and may God's blessings go with you.' I was (still am) pretty amazed with my mum's deep understanding of her son's political convictions. As a matter of respect, I also sought out the blessings of Mr JBJ, who eventually gave me the blessings 'to do what I must do.'
On June 24th 2001, I was invited by Mr Low Thia Khiang to visit him at his office. After a brief discussion with him, I joined The Workers' Party.
A Certain Type For Singapore (Part 2/ 4)
For close to a year, from 1999 - 2000, i joined Chiam See Tong. Together with fellow Singapore People's Party's members, we gathered weekly, on Thursdays assisting with the MPS administration. SPP had very few members in the organization. My membership card number was printed No.49. I supposed that probably meant that there were really less than 50 members then.
It was quite an eye opener for me, to be actively involved in oppositional grassroots. For the first time I noted the humble environment of the Meet The People's Session environment operated by an Opposition Member of Parliament. It was open air (it is still) and constituents' privacy were maintained via a hospital-roller-like make shift curtain.
I made many friends within SPP. However there were instances of intra-SPP suspicions over my political participation. One senior member actually asked me, 'You are a university graduate, why would you want to join the opposition?' As expected I was rather disappointed with the mindset of that particular member.
During this time, I put forward several proposals. For instance, the formation of a SPP youth wing, the conceptualization of an alternative grassroots mechanism, the creation of a SPP website, the necessity of political forums, opposition unity and even the suggestion that Mr Chiam should helm a GRC team team. However most of my ideas were received with caution and lukewarmly by SPP's leadership.
When my mother came to know about my involvement in SPP. She was really worried for me. Time over time she will persuade me saying, 'Son, mum don't mind your participation in Singapore's politics, but why not you join the PAP instead?'. I listened patiently but consistently ignoring the second part of her advise
It was only when a close relative brought to my attention that my Christian mum had been fasting partially (& perhaps in faint protest) for a few months over my decision to join the opposition that in May 2000, I weighed my options and submitted to Mr Chiam See Tong my resignation letter. My mum stopped fasting from that moment as if her prayers were answered.
During the same period (1999 - 2000) I met Dr Wong Wee Nam, (Vice President of 2nd Central Working Committee, NUS Democratic Socialist Club) at a DSC Alumnus function. Subsequently Dr Wong introduced me to a group of professionals that included future WP members Poh Lee Guan and Eric Tan. The discussions this group held were largely social-political in nature. Through Dr Wong, I also came to know NSP's Steve Chia & Dr Patrick Kee. Dr Wong also linked me up socially with WP's Low Thia Khiang.
Just months before my resignation from SPP, I got acquainted to James Gomez during one of SPP's Public Forums. I found James Gomez to be an intelligent, energetic and charismatic person. At that juncture, I had already read his book on 'Self Censorship – Singapore's Shame' and found myself agreeable to several of his ideas. When James found out about my resignation from SPP, he suggested that I joined him to co-register his sole proprietorship - The Think Centre as a business partnership. I agreed.
From June 2000, I assumed the role of Think Center's Partner/ Project Director. This period marks the more 'militant' phase of my political activism. Within that short period of few months, Think Center's organized several forums, published a magazine 'Shame', played host to visiting delegations, went overseas for conferences, picketed in an 'anti ISA demonstration', made several speeches at Hong Lim Park and even played an April Fool's day joke on the PAP. The irony was my mum became more alarmed with my political activities outside the framework of a political party then when I was within one.
On my career front, I was facing tremendous pressures from my respective bosses. One boss demanded my answer to a rhetorical question, '时势造英雄还是英雄造时势?' (Loose translation: Does the circumstances create the hero or the hero creates the circumstances?). I replied that, 'Of course it is the circumstances that create the hero.' However that boss, rejected my answer, saying that, 'In the line of politics, it is only heroes that create the circumstances, I am so sorry, this place is too small for you.' Not to trouble him further, I resigned from the job. Another boss gave me three options. 1) To quit politics in totality and I will receive a pay rise 2) To quit the job immediately 3) To quit the job at the end of the month. Given such options, I chose to quit the job immediately. Subsequently I taught in a tuition center for over six months with no problems as that particular boss was politically indifferent.
From January to March 2001, heeling an appeal from Mr JBJ, after The Think Centre organized the 'Save JBJ Rally', in my personal capacity I continued to assist JBJ, selling his book 'Make It Right For Singapore' on a fairly regular basis. My mum was getting more worried than before about my direct association with Mr JBJ himself. Interestingly she made the comment that 'I was operating politically without the protective cover of a political party(!)'
In May 2001, Mr Low Thia Khiang took over the Secretary Generalship of The Workers' Party. I wrote a fax congratulating him on his new appointment and expressed my willingness to serve Singapore via The Workers' Party. Many people asked me 'Why the Workers' Party?' To put it simply, The Workers' Party embodies the idealism and values system of my left-of-center political orientation. More importantly I feel very comfortable with Low Thia Khiang's shrewd rationalism and political pragmatism.
On 2nd June 2001 (on my 25th Birthday) my mum miraculously came to me and said,'Son, I know that you have a calling in life. Go forth to do what you need to do and may God's blessings go with you.' I was (still am) pretty amazed with my mum's deep understanding of her son's political convictions. As a matter of respect, I also sought out the blessings of Mr JBJ, who eventually gave me the blessings 'to do what I must do.'
On June 24th 2001, I was invited by Mr Low Thia Khiang to visit him at his office. After a brief discussion with him, I joined The Workers' Party.
