Kenneth Jeyaretnam needs to reply to damaging Straits Times report

Kenneth Jeyaretnam needs to reply to damaging Straits Times report

As expected, the state media has embarked on its smear campaign against Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam even before the next election.

The Reform Party founded by Kenneth’s father, the late Josua Jeyaretnam had a CEC meeting on 26 April 2009 during which Kenneth was appointed as its Secretary-General by a majority vote.

The Reform Party has issued a press release here which documents clearly the resolutions passed.

However, the Straits Times report ignore its content completely and chose instead to focus on an alleged rift between Kenneth and his father’s closest ally, the affable Mr Ng Teck Siong:

“A month after joining the fledgling Reform Party founded by his father, hedge fund manager Kenneth Jeyaretnam has taken over as its secretary-general. At the same time, a long-time ally of the late Mr J B Jeyaretnam and a co-founder of the party, quit after falling out with the younger Jeyaretnam.”

(read full article here)

To be fair to Jeremy, he did contact Kenneth who declined to comment on the matter. Nevertheless, I am still disappointed with the main thrust of his article which appeared more keen to play up on petty politicking within the party than the matter proper.

Regardless of its authenticity, this statement is damaging to Kenneth’s image as a budding politician and a response is warranted immediately.

Singapore is a conservative Asian society where the young are expected to show respect to seniors, teachers and mentors. Politicians who are perceived to lack these quintessential virtues will almost always be rejected by the electorate.

Mr Ng Teck Siong is a good friend and comrade of the late Jeyaretnam and was instrumental in setting up the Reform Party together with him.

After his passing last year, Teck Siong held the fort as the Chairman of Reform Party till the last CEC meeting after which he resigned from his position following a vote of no confidence against him.

Jeremy Au seemed to insinuate in his article that Kenneth had a personal dispute with Teck Siong which led eventually to his quitting from Reform Party while the reality may not be as such.

Some readers may be misled to perceive Kenneth as an arrogant and ungrateful upstart who has failed to show proper respect to his late friend’s close friend.

I propose that Kenneth and Teck Siong hold a press conference together to debunk any rumors of discord and ill-will between the two for the sake of the former’s political career.

Kenneth may like to take the opportunity to express his appreciation and gratitude to Teck Siong’s unwavering faith in JBJ in the past while Teck Siong should throw his full support behind Kenneth as the leader to bring Reform Party forward.

Politics is all about “wayang” and public opinion is of utmost importance. The mainstream media is an expert at manipulating public perceptions to cast aspersions on the character or capability of opposition politicians.

Once a politician is stuck with a “label” by the media, it will probably stay with him forever with no hope of redemption.

Dr Chee Soon Juan, James Gomez and Tan Lead Shake are examples of opposition politicians who have been “fixed” by the state media and never quite salvaged their embattled reputation in the eyes of the Singaporeans.

Even till today, many Singaporeans believe that Dr Chee has plotted the ouster of his mentor, the respected Mr Chiam See Tong from the Singapore Democratic Party.

I hope Kenneth can get a good start in his fledging political career and get acknowledged in due course as a credible and respected opposition leader in the mould of Mr Chiam See Tong and Mr Low Thia Kiang.

With Mr Chiam entering into the twilight of his political career, Singaporeans desperately need to get another opposition MP into Parliament and Kenneth represents our best hope.

Kenneth’s undisputed pedigree as the son of JBJ, academic qualifications and professional background as an economist will pose a formidable threat to the PAP which may already be hatching a plan to throw him off course.

Let us stay vigilant always and be alerted to any reports in the state media which may tarnish the image of Kenneth.

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