Andrew Loh
The former chairman of the Reform Party (RP), Mr Ng Teck Siong, called for a press conference this evening at Hong Lim Park to address the recent saga within his ex-party. Mr Ng, a long-time supporter of the late Mr J B Jeyaretnam, resigned as chairman of the RP on Monday, 27 April.
Mr Ng, who was allegedly ousted following a Central Executive Committee (CEC) meeting, said he did not want to harp on the “differences in the party.” Instead he hopes to rally the opposition and foster unity and “delivering a robust challenge to the PAP.”
However, he could not conceal his criticisms of his ex-party colleagues, saying that the new team headed by new secretary-general Kenneth Jeyaretnam – son of Mr J B Jeyaretnam, who founded the RP – was “weak and infirm of purpose.” Mr Ng expressed regret that “a mis-step had arrived”, referring to his alleged ouster, before the party under him could move to “the next stage”. When asked to elaborate, Mr Ng said the party was about to embark on preparations for the elections.
In a press release on 27 April, the Reform Party said that “a vote of no confidence in Ng Teck Siong as Chairperson of the party was passed by a majority vote of the CEC.” However, Mr Ng today repeatedly denied this. “There was no meeting,” Mr Ng told the gathering at Speakers’ Corner. He said he resigned from the party voluntarily and was not ousted.
Later, when contacted on the phone, Mr Ng explained that he had indeed called for an emergency meeting on 26 April and that four items were on the agenda. He did not elaborate what they were but said that at one point, he called the meeting to a close and left with two other CEC members. When queried if that was when the vote of no confidence in him was held, Mr Ng declined to comment.
Asked why he resigned from the party completely and not stayed on in the CEC or as an ordinary member, he said “the purpose behind it was gone.”
He said that the new leadership had deviated from the ideals, such as truth and justice, set out by its founder. Mr Ng also revealed that three other CEC members have also resigned from the party.
Mr Ng nonetheless expressed his best wishes to the new leadership of the party and wished Mr Jeyaretnam “a lot of luck.” He expressed his hope to work together with the Reform Party “in other forms if we cannot work within the same party.” He also said he hopes the new leadership will carry on the legacy of its founder, Mr JB Jeyaretnam.
Going forward, he said he has 3 options – to form a new party, join an existing party or run in the next elections, due in 2012, as an independent candidate. When asked if any of the opposition parties has invited him to join them, Mr Ng said “yes”, but declined to name them.
Asked if he should retire, Mr Ng said, “If it concerns Singapore’s future and I am healthy, why should I retire?”
*TOC is seeking clarification from the Reform Party on the issue of the vote of no confidence in Mr Ng.
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Whatever lah, I believe the opposition is still no fight for the PAP.
As long as the same tired old faces and only one or two new stars with impressive cv.
Already failed badly where numbers are concerned, yet still quarrel and disunited.
How to fight?
Question 1: Indeed there was EGM on 26, what happen that he submitted a
resignation on the 27.
Question 2: 3 CEC member + the ex-chair resigned = 4 ?? why Out of 12
members. Is 8 CEC against ? When did the 3 CEC resigned ?
Question 3: Vote of Confidence took place or not ? Before he left or after he left ?
Question 4: What is “mis-step have arrived” ?
Question 5: Why the need to retire ? Suggest he forms a New Party – Best option.
From the text and the video, the notion of ‘Purpose’ seems to be the most outstanding matter behind the rift. Perhaps this is another situation where a generational and experience gap may have contributed to a polarisation and subsequent parting of ways.
Assuming the technical description of the meeting was true; 1) the meeting was opened and closed with Mr NTS as chairman. 2) there was no vote of no confidence in the agenda or 3) the vote of no confidence did not take place while he was chairing the meeting, then perhaps on technical grounds, even if a meeting was to reconvened to table the motion of no confidence, it could not happen on the same day as reconvening such a formal meeting would require ample notification.
On such technicalities, NTS was proper not to play up on the internal affairs of the Reform Party. This was a noble act as it was more of a service to the party that to himself that the private affairs remain private and hidden affairs remain hidden.
Hopefully, The Reform Party and their new leadership can take a leaf from NTS experience and quash the idea of the vote of no confidence altogether. It could be on technical grounds that the motion was tabled not within the stipulated meeting proper and since NTS has resigned, no further actions is required. NTS has continued to maintain the dignity of the party as how JBJ has envisioned it to be and it is only wise for The Reform Party and the new leadership make allies and not enemies.
It is hoped that the Reform Party would accept NTS gesture to work with the party in other forms in future. ‘Purpose’ is a very important binding tool as it keeps aspiring politicians focused to the bigger political arena outside the small ‘within the party’ politics.
While ideals like truth and justice are important, it is not enough to win elections.
Singaporeans have enjoyed 4+ decades of good economic growth, thus economic competence has established itself as an important indicator for any political party in Singapore. If our Opposition political parties can’t relate themselves to Singaporeans’ bread and butter issues, how to win vote?
Kenneth J said “I want to create an image of economic competency of the opposition, meaning that I can advocate policies for economic prosperity and I can advocate better economic policies than the present government.”
I support him.
What’s the point of being a political party without any parliamentary representation?
I have hear too much opposition party proclaiming that they can advocate better policies then PAP and other opposition party, but too bad to say that till now, they have strong verbal idea but without pratical action. Many oppositions have being too good to criticisum but never think and act out of the box which they are pratically confine by themselve an not even PAP.
As a Singaporean, I strongly hope to see strong alternative party, who is concern about ordinary people views and straggle, acting on it even with many hinders and only limited resource, look wide in prospective and willing to work with people, trust and be trustful. But all I have seen now is only few opposition party is working hard toward this direction. Let us not forget politic is not idolisium or “talentlisium”. Let us not to idol LKY, LSL, JB and his son, Chiam, Steve or even Low T K. That is the only way to attrach true and passionate people to join into that political party.
But let every individual political party work hard and to show the heart and soul for the people. Let all politician learn from mistake and move on with new pratical plan to serve with breakthrough but not self boosting.
I am also looking forward to see opposition breaking through their own set limitation and move to a new level of trusting themselve and others. I am very happy some opposition is working hard and to see them knoting on my door.
I am proud when i see that the RP is having its own Leadership Renewal at a time when the next Election could be around the corner. Reform Party is Walking the Talk. Keep it up.
Regardless, Mr NTS has contributed much to the JBJ legacy and keeping the flame alive for the alternative nation. Now, the batton is taken over by a young and energetic leader who is also , in my view, a great speaker and writer. In fact, the best writer on TOC, with due respect to the rest who are good also and contributed much.
All is not lost for NTS. He and his followers can still share the same objective of Alternativity. In this aspect, all are allies.
I believe we should rally behind the Reform Party and support them in whatever way we can in the coming election. This part is our best hope for challenging the PAP regime and the PAP’s lust for perpetual power and brainwashing of the majority in singapore and its representation for the minority over citizens’ interest. whatever that means.
Bernard Harrison the former CEO of Singapore Zoo have once said – “animal like human do not like to be control”.
Settle whatever differences they have in a professional and discreet ways without having to be seen as disunited opposition … any minor hiccup that exist between them will be fully utilised by the PAP.
Stay strong, united and firm in combating the distractions and challenges that exists …. otherwise the opposition members will fail in their mission.
opposition dis-unity will happen from now till election, you cannot rule out that there is element of back office politics induced by external elements or sources.
What they want to paint is oppositions are infighting and voters get influenced and disappointed.
Politics is dirty…