The Reform Party, founded by the late Mr JB Jeyaretnam, will be holding a public forum this Saturday, 28 February, on the recently-announced Budget 2009. Touting it as “a public forum to discuss, debate and put forth alternatives” to the Budget, the forum will be the first of its kind for the party.
Besides its chairman, Mr Ng Teck Siong, there will be five other speakers for the forum, including well-known financial experts, Mr Tan Kin Lian and Mr Leong Sze Hian.
The forum, titiled “Singapore Budget 2009 – The Alternative Policies”, is open to all and admission is free.
Date: 28 February, 2009
Time: 2 – 5.30pm
Venue: Allson Hotel, Victoria Street, Victoria Room (level 2)
Visit the Reform Party’s website here for more details.
HELP keep the voice of TOC alive!
If you like this article, please consider a small donation to help theonlinecitizen.com stay alive. Please note that we can only accept donations from Singaporeans. Thank you for your assistance.Do you have a flair for writing? Volunteer with us. Email us your full name and contact details to theonlinecitizen@gmail.com
Reform is not a dirty word, in my view.
As JBJ has left , he is still with us forever in our hearts.
Leadership is sometimes measured by how popular / credible or wellknown he is with the followers. As TKL and LSH are credible and more well known, I propose and urge and encourage them to join the Reform Party. Its appropriate timing : its just officially registered not long ago and there is a vacancy for leadership. I mean both can complement mr NTS.
Is it just me or is it affecting all readers?
I cannot see the bottom sections of the blog and the main stories column on the right.
as guessed, weird thingies are continuing to strike TOC.
I hope the Reform Party would be the last opposition party to be formed. Already the opposition parties are weak and their proliferation do not auger well for the development of democracy here. During the last century we have witnessed the collapse of many authoritarian one-party countries. Of course, the PAP welcomes more of such parties as it is similar to our colonial master’s strategy of ‘divide and rule’.
Also, remember how the PAP was able to psycho a WP candidate to vote for a PAP candidate instead of showing his solidarity with a fellow opposition party candidate during the 2006 GE.
There are too many prima donnas who jump ship over minor differences with their party leaders. Opposition parties need selfless members and supporters who are united and dedicated because unlike the ruling party they are unlikely to get material and monetary rewards.
Well, at least it is good that the Reform Party is finally taking some action, if only very minor steps. I almost thought that it was dead before it was even born!
If we take a visit to the hotel at around 2 pm onwards I feel that we can see for ourselves how many singaporeans are interested in political issues.
I hope to be proven wrong that singaporeans, in general, are not Apathetic.
But the odds are against me.
There could be many reasons why people attend or not attend :
ATTEND : interested in social/political issues.
Not Attend:
1. due to some unspeakable reasons, they do not attend although like to.
2. no time.
3. got appointment.
4. tired.
#5,
NOT ATTEND – Reason? Scared of being taken photo by ISA
is there any draft of the alternative policies the reform party is proposing for discussion?
Err
Kinda late? Budget details annced in late Jan.
Edward @ #6: There seems to be a good case for other opposition parties (with faces of the new generation) to be formed as some of the existing ones have either gone into dormancy, are viewed as being similar is style to the PAP, too confrontational or out of touch with the ground.
9) Ravi Philemon on February 27th, 2009 10.16 am
Ha ha, you made good case on forming new opposition party, and shoot down the silly opposition unity call in another recent forum. Those call for opposition unity were jokers.
Hahahahahaha……no I’m not going because it’s a hassle. I’m interested….but it’s still a hassle to my daily life.
And I hope this Reform Party makes the cut. I’ll keep my eyes out for news for sure, definitely not the mainstream media, bu yea I’ll lookout for the things they put up. As long as Singapore benefits from them. This Forum is a great way to get views from the citizens….but it’s still a Hassle, I’m sorry I can’t go. Good luck with everything!
OH yea, almost forgot, will there be video or audio records of the entire thing? I’ll get my hands on those and listen/see if they’re available. It could help people understand more about everything else.
6) isa on February 27th, 2009 2.07 am
For alternative to have any hope of surviving or have any future,
i like to know what are they doing about whatever may be the obstacle?
let it be? hope for the best?
9) Ravi Philemon on February 27th, 2009 10.16 am
if alternatives cannot progress given the surcumstances,
i am afraid and regret to say, they only have themselves to blame – inability. This is of course IF they unable to make progress. If alternatives are serious about their career, i hope they tackle the roots instead of getting ahead of themselves.
imagine what would it be like overseas.
can we handle the truth?
To: #9) Ravi Philemon
Look at all the democratic countries around the world. They don’t keep on forming new parties every now and then. Opposition parties must renew themselves by recruiting new blood like the PAP. You mentioned that ‘ there seems to be a good case for other opposition parties with faces of the new generation’ . Unfortunately, those who formed the Reform Party are not faces of the new generation.
All those who wish to attend, please do wear wear masks and go.
#15.. haha that would be funny..
maybe wear those american president’s mask out there… but it’s available in US ..very real .. made of latex..