Swinging Reform Party to the Center - Kenneth Jeyaratnam enters the political fray

Swinging Reform Party to the Center - Kenneth Jeyaratnam enters the political fray

The surprised entrance of Kenneth Jeyaratnam into Singapore’s rather bleak opposition scene represents a fresh air into Singapore’s political landscape. A note of caution would be that KJ should be considered on his own terms rather than on the terms of being the son of the late JBJ.

KJ graduated with a double first class honors from Cambridge University in the UK in Economics. If we believe PAP’s rhetoric about the need for a individual to become highly educated so as to become an MP, KJ’s educational credentials places him higher than most of the new PAP MPs in the last election. In terms of political experience, one could argue that he does not have much grassroots experience. Yet, his relationship with his father, which is best dissected by later historians, is in itself a form of education for him in all forms of politics - from grassroots to parliamentary electioneering. His economic experiences shores up the weak front of the opposition in convincing the electorate of the economic viability of a non PAP government (even that is particularly remote given most of the election’s outcome), even though hedge fund managers are certainly not seen as the good guys neccessarily in this economic climate. Some over exuberant Singaporeans might even called KJ the obama of Singapore given his age, credentials and public speaking skills, but generally having star powers may attract firestorm from opponents.

More importantly, while ST journalists predicted earlier that Reform Party (RP) would swing towards the SDP’s side, KJ’s entrance might swing RP more towards the political center (aka the WP). In doing so, it is likely that RP and WP might find common grounds in the next election, which means KJ could contest under a WP’s banner in a GRC. Alternatively, RP might ally with Chiam’s weakening SDA or the stoic NSP. If KJ would to run in a GRC with RP’s members under RP banner, one wonders if the results would be at best a NCMP seat for KJ given the weak brand name of RP. SDP will continue to reach out to RP under KJ, but it is unlikely that KJ would risk his maiden foray into the battle with a party with a huge target on its back constantly.

What about the PAP’s reaction?

A wait and see is always the preferred strategy for the PAP. The entrance of KJ into the political sphere would please the liberals within the PAP, who might be able to make the case for increased politicial liberalization given the percieved higher quality candidates for the opposition. The hardliners within the PAP might try to dig up JBJ’s past and mistakes to counter KJ, which can backfire on the party given that attacking a man who is not alive is simply underhanded to many electorates.Yet, such actions might provoke KJ to do something politically problematic, which will neutered the initial negative effects of any such attempts. Given that the PAP is increasingly populated with moderates, the wait and see atttitude would be the preferred outcome for the PAP in the short run.

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