GE 2011 : News Regarding Opposition Parties

[globalcookie]

GE: Opposition parties meet to avoid three—cornered fights


Members of the opposition parties meet.
SINGAPORE: Singapore’s opposition parties said they have agreed on about 80 to 90 percent of seats to contest in the coming General Election.

This comes after an inter—party meeting on Wednesday night to avoid three—cornered fights.

The parties also came to some resolution on what will happen in Potong Pasir after MP Chiam See Tong sent in a notice to withdraw his party from the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA).

The alliance is made up of the Singapore Malay National Organisation (PKMS), Singapore Justice Party, and Mr Chiam’s Singapore People’s Party which is the group’s founding member. Mr Chiam is also the Chairman of the SDA.

Singapore’s opposition parties were all represented in Wednesday’s negotiations.

All eyes were on whether Mr Chiam would attend. But he was a no—show.

In his place was SPP’s Central Executive Committee member Hamim Aliyas.

He confirmed that Mr Chiam’s wife, Lina Chiam, would contest Potong Pasir under the SPP banner.

Mr Mohd Nazem Suki, Assistant Secretary—General of SDA, said: "We have settled that. We don’t say that we are giving but it’s an honour. It’s the honour to Mr Chiam itself. But then names are not mentioned."

Mr Chiam had won the Potong Pasir seat under the banner of the SDA.

In the latest turn of events, Mr Chiam has pulled his party out of the alliance. The rift started after an abortive bid by Mr Chiam to bring The Reform Party into the alliance.

Despite earlier talk of of no shows by some political parties, all major opposition parties were present. The aim is to avoid three—cornered fights because such an event would dilute the chances of the opposition winning a seat.

The parties gave little away — only to say the meeting was friendly and cordial.

But some hard bargaining took place.

Wards like Bishan—Toa Payoh Group Representation Constituency (GRC) saw five parties expressing interest to contest it.

Mr Goh Meng Seng, Secretary—General of the National Solidarity party, said: "No comments. This is consensus of the council of the meeting that we will not reveal which are the ones not resolved."

Mr Nazem added: "We managed to settle most of the constituencies and we managed to get out of the three—cornered fight."

Mr Chia Ti Lik, Secretary—General of the Socialist Front, said: "Certainly this round there’s a lot more interest in contesting a lot of seats then in the past. It’s going to make for a vibrant election."

One thing’s for sure — all 12 single member constituencies will be contested, and most of the 15 GRCs.

The parties will meet again on Saturday to finalise their battle plans.

— CNA/de
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I thought a thread to discuss on news regarding Opposition parties would be good. There's another thread "Electorial Boundaries Review Committee report accepted" which can focus on the seats contested.

Mods if this thread is not necessary, do go ahead and merge.

[satan_gal]

Was reading over someone's shoulder... Mr chiam see tong like abit tong buay diao...

His team under him Machiam split opinions on his leadership?

Somehow, the phrase 食碗面反碗底 pop into mind

[jwhtan]

anything can oppose they oppose ..... I oppose you, U oppose me

they are not known as Opposition Parties for nothing

Until the day a true leader emerge, opposition in Singapore will not achieve anything .....

They dun even understand this simple philosophy called " UNITY IS STRENGTH "

[globalcookie]

But for once, they are sitting down to discuss and try avoid a 3 corner fight. To me, that's a good start.

[Robson]

Opposition is also good for "I agree with you, you agree with me", any parties also can as long as not PAP.

That explain why so many of them have switched parties during their "political career" and u-turn also can and welcome.

[jwhtan]

Originally Posted by globalcookie

But for once, they are sitting down to discuss and try avoid a 3 corner fight. To me, that's a good start.

aiya ..... all these are bullshit ....... they can't compete in so many wards ..... so they beforehand this I want that also I want ..... and then start horse trading ...... every election they also lidat ...... from the days of Harbans Singh it has been lidat

[DinOBeeR]

i once long to see the tack-team of KJ & CCT contesting for one GRC...but i think quite difficult now liao.

now each of them hv their own party's issue (RP & SDA), i hope they will stay focus on the election issue and quickly get over with an amicable resolution on their parties' issues.

cheers

[tankw]

chiam is getting too old lah. i see him have difficulty standing upright

[DinOBeeR]

Originally Posted by tankw

chiam is getting too old lah. i see him have difficulty standing upright

yalo, but it's good that he is still willing to continue his political career despite of his current state.

i bring my kids for Macdonald meal, quite often i will choose the outlet at Potong Pasir. 1st for him, 2nd for the residents there who voted for him instead of MIW's upgrading 'baits'. respect.

cheers

[Heuer]

is that Chee Soon Juan standing for election this year?