Selene Cheng
Cast off the slumber into which you have been led into for the last 10 years. Wake up to your rights as a human being, to your proper role as citizens of this country.
- Mr JB Jeyaretnam, at the inaugural dinner of the Reform Party.
About 500 people attended the inaugural dinner of the Reform Party at Fortunate Restaurant in Toa Payoh yesterday. The dinner saw the presence of the more prominent opposition political parties in Singapore such as the Workers’ Party (WP), the Singapore People’s Party (SPP), the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and the National Solidarity Party (NSP).
The dinner was kicked off by Mr Ng Teck Siong, chairman of the Reform Party, who gave a short introductory speech on the importance of democracy, and the need for political participation. In an elaboration on the same topic, Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam, 82, Secretary General of the new party, gave a speech on why political change was needed in Singapore. He emphasised that Singaporeans were unable to voice out their opinions on issues concerning them, such as the rising cost of living, ministerial salaries and Singapore‘s foreign labour policy, amongst others.
The respective leaders of the opposition parties were then invited onto the stage to receive garlands. It was a rare sight to see five of the leaders of the opposition parties in Singapore on the same stage, standing next to each other. Emcee for the night, Organising Secretary of the Reform Party, Mr Edmund Ng, said that “tonight is the defining moment in Singapore’s history because things are going to be changed”.
The dinner party’s atmosphere was almost akin to that at a wedding dinner, with free mingling and high spirits among the guests. Spotted amongst the crowd was Mr Jeyaretnam’s son, Philip Jeyaretnam. Notably absent was the People’s Action Party, whose chairman, Mr Lim Boon Heng, and secretary-general, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, had been invited.
When asked about his thoughts at this occasion commemorating the launch of the Reform Party, SDP Secretary General Dr Chee Soon Juan said he felt “very encouraged that JB still had it”, in reference to Mr Jeyaretnam’s passion and stamina for political reform at his advanced age.
He also said that he didn’t think it was the number of political parties that counted, but what the existing parties, including the Reform Party, did.
“Without reform, with everything going the way it’s been going for the past decade, nothing’s going to change,” he said.
“I’m very glad to be here this evening. We’ll do what we can to work with the Reform Party,” he said.
In a reply to the same questions, WP Secretary General Mr Low Thia Khiang said he wished the Reform Party well and congratulated Mr Jeyaretnam for gathering enough people and forming the party successfully.
Mr Low felt that any change in the political landscape depended not on how many parties there were, but on “how the people vote, and how the PAP [will redraw electoral boundaries]”.
For Mr Jeyaretnam himself, he said he hoped to “educate, energise and empower” the people, and “liberate them from their captivity” so they realised their “powers and responsibilities”. He said he felt encouraged that there were more people “coming forward [to participate in politics]”.
In response to a query on what activities his new party has lined up, Mr Jeyaretnam said that any updates would be done via the party’s blog. He, however, mentioned that the party is open to “march…in procession, [and form] assemblies”.
“We want to take that on very seriously,” he said, adding that he was aware about having to apply for permits for such events but that they still “had to fight it”.
“If we apply for a permit, and it’s not given, then we’ll have to challenge it. We can’t give up the fight.”
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For the videos of the event, please click here.
For more pictures, visit our Facebook group here and read also “JBJ – A phoenix from the ashes?” by Andrew Loh.
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50) Oscar Choy.
Look upon JB Jeyaretnam just like a catalyst to attract a new cohort to start all over again.
He is still an old man, will not lvie forever.
Look behidn him as to his members and supporters; and not just look at JB Jeyaretnam, perhaps a frontman for all those “pwoer broekrs” behind the scene?
Like SDB Chee Soon Juan, I put on my rosy-tinted galsses and see the likes of Chia Ti Lik and E-Jay and Co…
All these “wisemen” in all these Parties are “washout”. They go on “hunger strike” but drunk glucose in the toilet/study hoping that nobody sees them, Ah Ha! there are “insider trading” spies reporting their hideous workout in the toilet/study!! These “wisemen” are not TOUGH men. They are not BOLD men. Neither are they SMART. They are classified as “cheats” by some Parties.
If one decides to go into politics, by all means go “all out” for it. And if one decides and make up one’s mind to go on “hunger strike” and “fight” to the finish like “fighting fish” then please die as one. Do not behave like what was depicted in the “70s Taiwanese fighting movies, pulling out the sword to fight but after a long conversation, then putting the sword back into the sheath and then said we will fight again the next opportunity when we meet. This is not Taiwanese movies!! This is politics. This is serious business. One can live and can die from, and by it!
Again, who are these “insider trading” spies that they surrounded with? Have they been identified and removed. But then oh! NO, one can vote for the other Parties and yet can hold and clung dearly onto official post of the “wisemen” Parties! This is a classical anti-claimax! A joke, if you can call this as one.
really on July 15th, 2008 7.39 pm. Can I say the protests that you see and know of are shown on our wonderful nation building MSM? How many protests have you seen on the telly and newspapers of peaceful ones? For example, in 2006, 500,000 HongKongers came out to protest the proposed GST and the HK government decided not to impose that. Oh, Goh Meng Seng of NSP participated in this ‘safe’ protest. Asian countries such as HK, Taiwan, S. Korea and Japan permit protests. Have their economies collapsed, this according to our learned MM Lee if Singapore permits it.
No more LKY thank you!
welcome JBJ and all your supporters, go for it now, we are with you and enough of all these family run biz at the expense of the sufering citizens, enough is enough. . . .
from a disillusioned supporter..who is eagerly anticipating sincere efforts from the Reform Party..
Reform Party….. We shall (see….. and not We must……) liberate the people. What liberation are they talking about? Are they talking and reminding the people that they themselves are in the process of being in liberation…. or already liberated. And look carefully retrospectively at not too distant past actions, they had all the time not able to take care of themselves and now they are talking of taking care of us…… since when this “battle cry” started….. remembered the previous “battle cry”……”It’s Time” but deep in our minds now….. “What’s was “the time” are they talking about 15 years ago?” It was all “RUBBISH!!!”now.
Any NSmen will tell you this… all these rally cries are TKNA …… Talk Cock No Action.
Oscar Choy,
Time for you to sober up from indulging on the past. The past cannot be the future and the future is what really matters. PAP is not the same party that we identified with from 1965 to 1990. The problem lies in someone perpetuating a dynastic system and who has an unyielding lust for power. He will be the one who will bring down the party as well. General Cao Cao is representative of him.
Singaporeans have been led to believe PAP unintelligently through manipulation of the main newspapers and the unions. The Internet has exposed some of the heinous crimes of criminals and politicians around the world. Singapore will not be cushioned from this.
Opposition parties will be made stronger through the aid of the Internet which has made citizens’ journalism possible. This union will break the political chain that has been dangling from Singaporeans’ ankle for the past decades.
If you’re seeing only old men in the opposition party, it’s because you’re rather myopic in not looking beyond the picture.
Dear Harrison,
As long as the Opposition “as was” in the past as well as “will probably” be in the future cannot and unable to bring to the surface outstanding issues that really and truely affects the “rice bowl”of the general population in Singapore, I am most afraid that they cannot do much to improve its perception. If the Opposition only persists in “pot shots” and nothing else, then what is “new”? What improvements can they advised on? Can they increase the “rice” and put more “meat” on top of it?
Remember our Opposition on the cheap “pot shot’ about the “Howe family” operating a medicine shop in SGH? Everyone in Singapore was confused as there was suspicion cast – the Health Minister at that time was Howe Yoon Chong. Worst, the “Howe family” cannot sued. They are the different “Howe” unrelated to HYC. Ordinary and law forbidding Singapore citizens are used as pawns by our Opposition for their own ends. I want to bring this up to remind Singaporeans to be careful and do not treat politics as “wayang, wayang” as admitted by one Opposition member. Politics is life and death, just look at events happening around South East Asia countries. If one decides to go for “hunger strike” and not prepare to fight to the “finish” one can be as well “finished by itself” – close shop, pack up and go home! as there is nothing to “fight” anymore.
Dear Oscar,
What makes you so sure that ‘the Opposition” cannot do “anything better” for the people? and what is new that the present ones are and still doing to the people? Looking at the rate of those local Singaporean leaving the country for good and the ever increasing no. of foreigners arriving and settling down here each year, what possibility could there be happening to “our Singaporean” in the next few years to come? Mtw, are you a local or PR here?
I personally do not think this time round it is just “rice bowl” issues. People are getting tired of the same old propaganda year on year by the PAPrazzis. Their old tricks no longer work. You will probably see a lot of enticing messaging on the net by year 2010 or as early as late 2009. The bigger issue for the Opposition is how to combat the ever changing election rule. If it is on a one on one basis, I think the Opposition (any Opp. party) chances of winning are higher come 2011. However, we all know that the game isn’t that easy.
I do think the Opposition will manage to win seats but the bigger question is, is that enough to do the check and balance? The real change will come may be two elections later if the Opposition keep up its pace and momentum. Just make sure they play it smart.
One thing will probably stop the advancement of Opposition. If the economy somehow recovered with a strong growth and the lower-income wage earners get their worth and tighter rules are enforced on FT so that local professionals are given a fair play, as well as a sudden change of their mindset to further improve human rights issues. Then it will become an issue to Oppositions. We the voters will then have to think whether it is a non-reversal change or it is just a temporary lift. Another factor that will not work well for the Opposition is, as long as the voting majority cannot rid of their psychological fear factor, it is indeed a tall battle.
The present grp of people representing the Opposition is the same old “drab” and they can be put onto the shelf for good. They are classified as “poor failures”and “hopelessly inadequate” for the job. They are not bold, strong and smart. They did not display grit, tenacity and integrity. Heh! look at them performed in Parliament. They asked “safe” questions eg.”How many Singaporeans migrate? Our friend confidently answered, “about a thousand averaged over 3 yrs”.
Our Dear Opposition members have not seize up current issue on Singapore to their advantage. May be they are unfit to do so. Better to bet and touch only on safe areas like as above. My question is, why the Opposition members are dead quiet on the current issue on organ transplant, legalisation of organs – buy and sell, etc.? Why do they allow the “government bench” to swing “left” and “right” wavering over this issue? Why do they allow the “government bench” to control the debate? What and Where are the Opposition stands? Come on “open” all your mouths, Dear Opposition members. Do not just “protest” and anyway protest for What? march for What? They are just “playing” or ” main wayang”. I remind all Singaporean not to be easily “fell” and “taken” by their battle cries. Do not get yourself “main buntak” just like what was happening now in a northern country.
We want smart Opposition to come out openly to stand for elections and be a leader for the next generation. The present grp are ‘has been”. We should send strong signals that they should retire for good. They should sit back and advise. If they continue to behave like “has been” then we should give them a hard flick and kick onto their “buntaks”. They are to be blamed for the state of the Opposition in Singapore today and in the future as they do not want the Opposition to learn and grow.
Many years ago I was walking along Orchard Road near Centrepoint and I saw Mr.JBJ selling his books. I without hesitation bought one not out of pity for him because he is make a bankrupt but for the great sacrifice he has make for the many Singaporeans who hated the PAP government. Come what may, he always gave the PAP a good fight.