May 2, 2009
New Reform chief rapped
By Kor Kian Beng
A MAN in a hurry for power - that was how Reform Party's ousted chairman Ng Teck Siong described Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, who took over as the party's secretary-general on Monday.
'He's in a hurry for power, so I'll just leave it to him. He has been saying he wants to be the secretary-general. What can I say? Let time prove it,' Mr Ng said last night.
Last Monday, the Reform Party announced the appointment of Mr Jeyaretnam as secretary-general, Mr Edmund Ng as interim chairman and Mr James Teo Kian Chye as interim treasurer.
In a statement, it also said that Mr Ng, 68, resigned as chairman after a no-confidence vote against him at a central executive committee (CEC) meeting on Sunday.
Opposition sources said that Mr Ng - a long-time ally of Mr Jeyaretnam's late father and Reform Party founder J.B. Jeyaretnam - fell out with the new leaders as he was slow in appointing a new secretary-general.
The post was held by the elder Mr Jeyaretnam before he died of heart failure last September aged 82.
Asked if he was ousted because of his slowness in growing the party membership, Mr Ng said: 'In seven months, the party had been getting new people. So how could I not be doing things right?'
But he confirmed that he quit the party due to differences with its new leaders. He said that three other CEC members had also quit. And at least one other party member - blogger Ng E-Jay, 32, who joined just last month - has also resigned.
On his immediate plans, Mr Ng said he may join another party, form a new one, or stand as an independent candidate at the next elections due by 2012. He has also been invited to join other parties, he said, but declined to name them.
Mr Jeyaretnam, 50, a hedge fund manager, could not be reached yesterday. But when contacted on Monday about leadership changes, he said the CEC 'just felt that they needed somebody of higher profile to take the party forward'.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28275.1
Showing posts with label Kenneth Jeyaretnam. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kenneth Jeyaretnam. Show all posts
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Interesting prospects ahead for the opposition
Interesting prospects ahead for the opposition
SINGAPORE - Following the latest development of events, Mr Kenneth Jeyaratnam has taken on the role of Secretary-General in the Reform Party, which is set up by his father, the late Mr Joshua Benjamin Jeyaratnam (JBJ). A Cambridge-trained economist, he joins the ranks of one of the rare father-son legacies in Singapore politics.
The late Mr Devan Nair made the following observations of the senior JBJ:
“For one thing, despite Jeya’s courage, he displayed a woeful lack of economics. He clearly never knew at any point of time how Singapore clicked economically. And it was as plain as a pikestaff to me that in five years of free performance in ‘parliament against the likes of Dr Goh Keng Swee, Mr Lim Kim San et al, he would stand exposed in public for his abysmal ignorance of economics.”
It turned out that JBJ proved Mr Nair wrong to a certain extent. As highlighted by Mr Ng E-Jay in an earlier report, JBJ argued against the introduction of the Goods Services Tax (GST) by the government, citing that it is an inefficient form of taxation for a small economy like ours. And companies, firms or a consortium involving the latter which dominate or monopolize the market may put arbitrary price-setting mechanisms in place. The losers will be the poor in the end. JBJ’s arguement has largely proven true down the years. Now, with Kenneth taking over the mantle, any detractors would have to think twice regarding making the same assertion about the lack of economic expertise that was targeted at his father.
Kenneth Jeyaratnam
Economics expertise aside, Kenneth is also tech-savvy in the sense that he understands the usefulness of an online media platform in supplanting his campaign. As a contributor to a prominent citizen journalist platform such The Online Citizen, he has articulated on certain changes that he has enivisioned such as 1) A minimum wage for old and young workers to prevent companies from importing cheap labor from other countries 2) Higher tax credits for lower income households 3) A reduction or suspension of GST that affects the lower income groups 4) Reduction in fee services and charges (school fees for instance) 5) Reductions in employee CPF 6) Massive investment in education and infrastructure (developing green technologies for instance).
It appears that Kenneth has not shown all the cards in his sleeve as yet, and what he has articulated on TheOnlineCitizen is a mere harbinger for things to come.
Kenneth’s presence would be an interesting addition to political debates between the opposition and the ruling party. Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the current Prime Minister served in Singapore’s economic hotseat as the Minister for Finance and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Both Mr Lee and Kenneth are Cambridge alumni too.
Prospects appear promising. Not only will he enjoy the support of his father’s supporters, but his economics expertise will allow him to address pertinent topics regarding our economy, which translates to bread and butter issues on the ground level. In order to build on existing support, the candidates’ ability to address bread and butter issues can prove crucial. This can win over the ‘what can you do to put food on my table’ type of voters.
Possible Election Strategy
Another interesting aspect of Kenneth’s ascendency will be his election strategy. Will he contest in a Single Member Constituency(SMC), or a larger Group Representation Constituency (GRC)? If more candidates join the Reform Prty, Kenneth would have enough numbers to spearhead a GRC challenge. Or he can choose to target an SMC. Possibilities abound, and at the moment, Kenneth is holding his cards close to his chest. We will definitely hear more from him in the future.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28135.1
SINGAPORE - Following the latest development of events, Mr Kenneth Jeyaratnam has taken on the role of Secretary-General in the Reform Party, which is set up by his father, the late Mr Joshua Benjamin Jeyaratnam (JBJ). A Cambridge-trained economist, he joins the ranks of one of the rare father-son legacies in Singapore politics.
The late Mr Devan Nair made the following observations of the senior JBJ:
“For one thing, despite Jeya’s courage, he displayed a woeful lack of economics. He clearly never knew at any point of time how Singapore clicked economically. And it was as plain as a pikestaff to me that in five years of free performance in ‘parliament against the likes of Dr Goh Keng Swee, Mr Lim Kim San et al, he would stand exposed in public for his abysmal ignorance of economics.”
It turned out that JBJ proved Mr Nair wrong to a certain extent. As highlighted by Mr Ng E-Jay in an earlier report, JBJ argued against the introduction of the Goods Services Tax (GST) by the government, citing that it is an inefficient form of taxation for a small economy like ours. And companies, firms or a consortium involving the latter which dominate or monopolize the market may put arbitrary price-setting mechanisms in place. The losers will be the poor in the end. JBJ’s arguement has largely proven true down the years. Now, with Kenneth taking over the mantle, any detractors would have to think twice regarding making the same assertion about the lack of economic expertise that was targeted at his father.
Kenneth Jeyaratnam
Economics expertise aside, Kenneth is also tech-savvy in the sense that he understands the usefulness of an online media platform in supplanting his campaign. As a contributor to a prominent citizen journalist platform such The Online Citizen, he has articulated on certain changes that he has enivisioned such as 1) A minimum wage for old and young workers to prevent companies from importing cheap labor from other countries 2) Higher tax credits for lower income households 3) A reduction or suspension of GST that affects the lower income groups 4) Reduction in fee services and charges (school fees for instance) 5) Reductions in employee CPF 6) Massive investment in education and infrastructure (developing green technologies for instance).
It appears that Kenneth has not shown all the cards in his sleeve as yet, and what he has articulated on TheOnlineCitizen is a mere harbinger for things to come.
Kenneth’s presence would be an interesting addition to political debates between the opposition and the ruling party. Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the current Prime Minister served in Singapore’s economic hotseat as the Minister for Finance and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Both Mr Lee and Kenneth are Cambridge alumni too.
Prospects appear promising. Not only will he enjoy the support of his father’s supporters, but his economics expertise will allow him to address pertinent topics regarding our economy, which translates to bread and butter issues on the ground level. In order to build on existing support, the candidates’ ability to address bread and butter issues can prove crucial. This can win over the ‘what can you do to put food on my table’ type of voters.
Possible Election Strategy
Another interesting aspect of Kenneth’s ascendency will be his election strategy. Will he contest in a Single Member Constituency(SMC), or a larger Group Representation Constituency (GRC)? If more candidates join the Reform Prty, Kenneth would have enough numbers to spearhead a GRC challenge. Or he can choose to target an SMC. Possibilities abound, and at the moment, Kenneth is holding his cards close to his chest. We will definitely hear more from him in the future.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=28135.1
Interesting prospects ahead for the opposition
Interesting prospects ahead for the opposition
SINGAPORE - Following the latest development of events, Mr Kenneth Jeyaratnam has taken on the role of Secretary-General in the Reform Party set up by his father, the late Mr Joshua Benjamin Jeyaratnam (JBJ). A Cambridge-trained economist, he joins the ranks of one of the rare father-son legacies in Singapore politics.
The late Mr Devan Nair made the following observations of the senior JBJ:
“For one thing, despite Jeya’s courage, he displayed a woeful lack of economics. He clearly never knew at any point of time how Singapore clicked economically. And it was as plain as a pikestaff to me that in five years of free performance in ‘parliament against the likes of Dr Goh Keng Swee, Mr Lim Kim San et al, he would stand exposed in public for his abysmal ignorance of economics.”
It turned out that JBJ proved Mr Nair wrong to a certain extent. As highlighted by Mr Ng E-Jay in an earlier report, JBJ argued against the introduction of the Goods Services Tax (GST) by the government, citing that it is an inefficient form of taxation for a small economy like ours. And companies, firms or a consortium involving the latter which dominate or monopolize the market may put arbitrary price-setting mechanisms in place. The losers will be the poor in the end. JBJ’s arguement has largely proven true down the years. Now, with Kenneth taking over the mantle, any detractor would have to think twice with regards to making the same assertion on a lack of economics expertise that was targeted at his father.
Kenneth Jeyaratnam
Economics expertise aside, Kenneth is also tech-savvy in the sense that he understands the usefulness of an online media platform in supplanting his campaign. As a contributor to a prominent citizen journalist platform such The Online Citizen, he has articulated on certain changes that he has enivisioned such as 1) A minimum wage for old and young workers to prevent companies from importing cheap labor from other countries 2) Higher tax credits for lower income households 3) A reduction or suspension of GST that affects the lower income groups 4) Reduction in fee services and charges (school fees for instance) 5) Reductions in employee CPF 6) Massive investment in education and infrastructure (developing green technologies for instance).
It appears that Kenneth has not shown all the cards in his sleeve as yet, and what he has articulated on TheOnlineCitizen is a mere harbinger for things to come.
Kenneth’s presence would be an interesting addition to political debates between the opposition and the ruling party. Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the current Prime Minister served in Singapore’s economic hotseat as the Minister for Finance and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Both Mr Lee and Kenneth are Cambridge alumni too.
Prospects appear promising. Not only will he enjoy the support of his father’s supporters, but his economics expertise will allow him to address pertinent topics regarding our economy, which translates to bread and butter issues on the ground level. In order to build on existing support, the candidates’ ability to address bread and butter issues can prove crucial. This can win over the ‘what can you do to put food on my table’ type of voters.
Possible Election Strategy
Another interesting aspect of Kenneth’s ascendency will be his election strategy. Will he contest in a Single Member Constituency(SMC), or a larger Group Representation Constituency (GRC)? If more candidates join the Reform Party, Kenneth would have enough numbers to spearhead a GRC challenge. Or he can choose to target an SMC. Possibilities abound, and at the moment, Kenneth is holding his cards close to his chest. We will definitely hear more from him in the future.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.15
SINGAPORE - Following the latest development of events, Mr Kenneth Jeyaratnam has taken on the role of Secretary-General in the Reform Party set up by his father, the late Mr Joshua Benjamin Jeyaratnam (JBJ). A Cambridge-trained economist, he joins the ranks of one of the rare father-son legacies in Singapore politics.
The late Mr Devan Nair made the following observations of the senior JBJ:
“For one thing, despite Jeya’s courage, he displayed a woeful lack of economics. He clearly never knew at any point of time how Singapore clicked economically. And it was as plain as a pikestaff to me that in five years of free performance in ‘parliament against the likes of Dr Goh Keng Swee, Mr Lim Kim San et al, he would stand exposed in public for his abysmal ignorance of economics.”
It turned out that JBJ proved Mr Nair wrong to a certain extent. As highlighted by Mr Ng E-Jay in an earlier report, JBJ argued against the introduction of the Goods Services Tax (GST) by the government, citing that it is an inefficient form of taxation for a small economy like ours. And companies, firms or a consortium involving the latter which dominate or monopolize the market may put arbitrary price-setting mechanisms in place. The losers will be the poor in the end. JBJ’s arguement has largely proven true down the years. Now, with Kenneth taking over the mantle, any detractor would have to think twice with regards to making the same assertion on a lack of economics expertise that was targeted at his father.
Kenneth Jeyaratnam
Economics expertise aside, Kenneth is also tech-savvy in the sense that he understands the usefulness of an online media platform in supplanting his campaign. As a contributor to a prominent citizen journalist platform such The Online Citizen, he has articulated on certain changes that he has enivisioned such as 1) A minimum wage for old and young workers to prevent companies from importing cheap labor from other countries 2) Higher tax credits for lower income households 3) A reduction or suspension of GST that affects the lower income groups 4) Reduction in fee services and charges (school fees for instance) 5) Reductions in employee CPF 6) Massive investment in education and infrastructure (developing green technologies for instance).
It appears that Kenneth has not shown all the cards in his sleeve as yet, and what he has articulated on TheOnlineCitizen is a mere harbinger for things to come.
Kenneth’s presence would be an interesting addition to political debates between the opposition and the ruling party. Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the current Prime Minister served in Singapore’s economic hotseat as the Minister for Finance and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Both Mr Lee and Kenneth are Cambridge alumni too.
Prospects appear promising. Not only will he enjoy the support of his father’s supporters, but his economics expertise will allow him to address pertinent topics regarding our economy, which translates to bread and butter issues on the ground level. In order to build on existing support, the candidates’ ability to address bread and butter issues can prove crucial. This can win over the ‘what can you do to put food on my table’ type of voters.
Possible Election Strategy
Another interesting aspect of Kenneth’s ascendency will be his election strategy. Will he contest in a Single Member Constituency(SMC), or a larger Group Representation Constituency (GRC)? If more candidates join the Reform Party, Kenneth would have enough numbers to spearhead a GRC challenge. Or he can choose to target an SMC. Possibilities abound, and at the moment, Kenneth is holding his cards close to his chest. We will definitely hear more from him in the future.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.15
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
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.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.12
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.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.12
Reform Party's sec-gen
April 28, 2009
Reform Party's sec-gen
| By Kor Kian Beng & Jeremy Au Yong | ||
 |  | Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam (above) now holds the same post that his father held before he died last September. -- AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE |
A MONTH after joining the fledgling Reform Party founded by his father, hedge fund manager Kenneth Jeyaretnam is now 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 has quit after falling out with the younger Jeyaretnam.
The party issued a statement on Monday announcing the appointment of Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam as secretary-general, Mr Edmund Ng as interim chairman and Mr James Teo Kian Chye as interim treasurer.
The statement also announced the resignation of Mr Ng Teck Siong as chairman following a vote of no-confidence against him.
Mr Ng Teck Siong, a long-time ally of the senior Jeyaretnam, told The Straits Times he had quit the party completely.
Opposition sources say he fell out of favour because he was slow in appointing a new secretary-general, the post held by the senior Jeyaretnam before he died of heart failure last September, two months after setting up the party.
Contacted by telephone, the younger Jeyaretnam declined to elaborate on Mr Ng Teck Siong's ouster.
'I think the CEC (central executive committee) just felt that they needed somebody of higher profile to take the party forward,' he said.
As for his plans for the party, he said: 'Obviously our plan is to take the party forward and to contest the next election, to build on what has been achieved before.'
Mr Jeyaretnam is married and has a 12-year-old son. He worked in London's financial sector for many years before returning with his family to Singapore last April.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.10
Monday, April 27, 2009
The rising son
The rising son
Monday, 27 April 2009
Andrew Loh
The longest period that any political party in Singapore had gone without a secretary general was from 1963, when The Barisan Socialis’ secretary general, Lim Chin Siong, was incarcerated for “subversive” activities and eventually left politics altogether, and 1988, when the Barisan Socialis’ members joined the Workers’ Party. (Source)
25 years.
While nowhere near that length of time, the relatively new Reform Party (RP), founded by the late opposition veteran JB Jeyaretnam (JBJ), had also been without a secretary general – for the last seven months. JBJ passed away in September 2008 and the position had been vacant.
On 26 April 2009, however, after a vote of no-confidence in its chairman was successfully carried by a majority of the CEC, the Reform Party appointed JBJ’s son, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, as its new secretary general. James Teo, a long- time supporter and friend of the late JBJ and who was responsible for persuading Kenneth to join the RP, was appointed treasurer and Edmund Ng is the new party chairman.
Mr Ng Teck Siong told TOC he had also tendered his resignation from the party “completely”.
Before the vote of no confidence on 26 April, questions were already being asked about why no one was appointed secretary general since September of last year.
When Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, 50, joined the RP in March of this year, it was expected that he would assume the position. But things have not worked out that way, and this latest resignation of its chairman is fueling speculation that more is happening in the Reform Party than meets the eye.
The Online Citizen asked the RP’s chairman, Ng Teck Siong, for a comment but he told TOC he would rather not speak on it for the moment and that he would be holding a press conference later. Kenneth Jeyaretnam too referred us to the press statement released by his party.
A check with the party’s website shows no listing of the Central Executive Committee.
So what is the road ahead for the party?
For a start, the party now has a secretary general and a chairman who will need to set the direction for the party. It is also believed that this will be a period of “house-cleaning” and healing of any rifts within the party. It is unclear who else might resign along with the chairman.
With Kenneth Jeyaretnam at the helm, the party looks set to chart a course leading to the next general elections. The party is expected to focus on bread and butter issues and the economy, as Jeyaretnam told the Associated Press on 10 April: “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,” he said.
When he joined the RP, Jeyaretnam said he wanted to honour what his father stood for but that he will be his own man.
Now that he has assumed the role which his father previously held, Jeyaretnam has the opportunity to shape the party according to his beliefs in a way which will indeed honour his father.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.4
Monday, 27 April 2009
Andrew Loh
The longest period that any political party in Singapore had gone without a secretary general was from 1963, when The Barisan Socialis’ secretary general, Lim Chin Siong, was incarcerated for “subversive” activities and eventually left politics altogether, and 1988, when the Barisan Socialis’ members joined the Workers’ Party. (Source)
25 years.
While nowhere near that length of time, the relatively new Reform Party (RP), founded by the late opposition veteran JB Jeyaretnam (JBJ), had also been without a secretary general – for the last seven months. JBJ passed away in September 2008 and the position had been vacant.
On 26 April 2009, however, after a vote of no-confidence in its chairman was successfully carried by a majority of the CEC, the Reform Party appointed JBJ’s son, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, as its new secretary general. James Teo, a long- time supporter and friend of the late JBJ and who was responsible for persuading Kenneth to join the RP, was appointed treasurer and Edmund Ng is the new party chairman.
Mr Ng Teck Siong told TOC he had also tendered his resignation from the party “completely”.
Before the vote of no confidence on 26 April, questions were already being asked about why no one was appointed secretary general since September of last year.
When Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, 50, joined the RP in March of this year, it was expected that he would assume the position. But things have not worked out that way, and this latest resignation of its chairman is fueling speculation that more is happening in the Reform Party than meets the eye.
The Online Citizen asked the RP’s chairman, Ng Teck Siong, for a comment but he told TOC he would rather not speak on it for the moment and that he would be holding a press conference later. Kenneth Jeyaretnam too referred us to the press statement released by his party.
A check with the party’s website shows no listing of the Central Executive Committee.
So what is the road ahead for the party?
For a start, the party now has a secretary general and a chairman who will need to set the direction for the party. It is also believed that this will be a period of “house-cleaning” and healing of any rifts within the party. It is unclear who else might resign along with the chairman.
With Kenneth Jeyaretnam at the helm, the party looks set to chart a course leading to the next general elections. The party is expected to focus on bread and butter issues and the economy, as Jeyaretnam told the Associated Press on 10 April: “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,” he said.
When he joined the RP, Jeyaretnam said he wanted to honour what his father stood for but that he will be his own man.
Now that he has assumed the role which his father previously held, Jeyaretnam has the opportunity to shape the party according to his beliefs in a way which will indeed honour his father.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.4
Kenneth Jeyaretnam voted in as secretary-general of Reform Party
Kenneth Jeyaretnam voted in as secretary-general of Reform Party
Posted: 27 April 2009 1845 hrs
 | ||||||
 JB Jeyaretnam | ||||||
| |
SINGAPORE: Kenneth Jeyaretnam has been voted in as secretary-general of the Reform Party by its central executive committee.
The post was left vacant by his late father, veteran opposition politician JB Jeyaretnam, after his death in September last year.
The Reform Party was set up by Mr Jeyaretnam after he was discharged from bankruptcy in 2007, and it was registered in July 2008.
A statement from the Reform Party said the central executive committee also voted in Edmund Ng as chairman, and Teo Kian Chye as treasurer.
Former chairman Ng Teck Siong, in a separate statement, said he is stepping aside to allow for renewal within the party leadership.
- CNA/yt
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.3
Reform Party's new head
April 27, 2009
Reform Party's new head
By Kor Kian Beng & Jeremy Au Yong
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.
The party issued a statement on Monday announcing the appointment of Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam as secretary-general, Mr Edmund Ng as interim chairman, and Mr James Teo Kian Chye as interim treasurer.
The statement also announced the resignation of Mr Ng Teck Siong as chairman following a vote of no confidence against him.
The latter, a long-time ally of the senior Jeyaretnam, told The Straits Times separately that he had quit the party completely.
Opposition sources say Mr Ng fell out of favour because he was slow in appointing a new secretary-general, the post held by Mr J B Jeyaretnam before he died of heart failure last September, two months after setting up the party.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.2
Reform Party's new head
By Kor Kian Beng & Jeremy Au Yong
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.
The party issued a statement on Monday announcing the appointment of Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam as secretary-general, Mr Edmund Ng as interim chairman, and Mr James Teo Kian Chye as interim treasurer.
The statement also announced the resignation of Mr Ng Teck Siong as chairman following a vote of no confidence against him.
The latter, a long-time ally of the senior Jeyaretnam, told The Straits Times separately that he had quit the party completely.
Opposition sources say Mr Ng fell out of favour because he was slow in appointing a new secretary-general, the post held by Mr J B Jeyaretnam before he died of heart failure last September, two months after setting up the party.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.2
Chairman of Reform Party resigns, Kenneth Jeyaretnam is new Sec Gen
Chairman of Reform Party resigns, Kenneth Jeyaretnam is new Sec Gen
Monday, 27 April 2009
TOC understands that Mr Ng Teck Siong called an emergency meeting yesterday at 11.30am at the Reform Party’s office, where a vote of no confidence in the chairman was tabled. TOC understands the vote was passed by a majority of the CEC.
Mr Ng tendered his resignation this morning.
Speaking to TOC, Mr Ng said he has also tendered to resign from the party completely.
Below is the press release from the party:
The Reform Party
18A Smith Street Singapore 058932 Tel: 6534 9641
The Reform Party is delighted to announce that following a meeting of its Central Executive Committee on Sunday April 26th the following resolutions were passed.
- A vote of no confidence in Ng Teck Siong as Chairperson of the party was passed by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam was appointed to the position of Secretary General of The Reform Party by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Edmund Ng was appointed to the post of chairperson of the Reform Party (interim) by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Teo Kian Chye was appointed to the post of Treasurer of the Reform Party ( interim) by a majority vote of the CEC
Edmund Ng, formerly Organising Secretary of the Reform Party said, “I’m honoured to have been selected for this role and to be working with the new senior officers of the CEC. Our new SG brings a breath of fresh air to politics in Singapore and a balanced and qualified voice to the opposition. Since joining the RP Kenneth has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Party bringing energy, direction and cohesion. His professional background, his academic qualifications and his immersion in the political issues of Singapore from a very young age enable him to bring to the Party a depth of knowledge and experience not often seen in opposition in Singapore. “
Teo Kian Chye, also stated that he felt honoured in the trust shown in him by the CEC on appointing him to the role of Treasurer. About his new SG he said, “We must remember that Kenneth has rejected a potentially lucrative career path in order to serve the people of Singapore. He had many options and we are delighted that he chose to join the Reform Party. He has been an example to all of us and I hope that many others will follow the path he has chosen.”
Kenneth Jeyaretnam said how pleased he was to have been appointed to the role of SG. “After choosing to go into politics various offers were put to me but the stated philosophy of the Reform Party,( ‘ that every member of the society is born with fundamental rights and that it is the paramount duty of the society to promote the human dignity of every single member’ ) most closely matched my own philosophy. I was touched by the public response to the announcement in the Press when I joined the Reform Party and the outpouring of support shown to me since. We have a lot of work going forward and it is humbling that so many people have demonstrated this level of confidence in me. I look forward to serving them. “
On Monday April 27th 2009 Mr Ng Teck Siong tendered his resignation as Chairperson to the new SG, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam. Under Article 5 (vii) of the Party constitution this resignation will only become effective upon the acknowledgement in writing of the resignation by the Secretary-General of the Party.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.1
Monday, 27 April 2009
TOC understands that Mr Ng Teck Siong called an emergency meeting yesterday at 11.30am at the Reform Party’s office, where a vote of no confidence in the chairman was tabled. TOC understands the vote was passed by a majority of the CEC.
Mr Ng tendered his resignation this morning.
Speaking to TOC, Mr Ng said he has also tendered to resign from the party completely.
Below is the press release from the party:
The Reform Party
18A Smith Street Singapore 058932 Tel: 6534 9641
The Reform Party is delighted to announce that following a meeting of its Central Executive Committee on Sunday April 26th the following resolutions were passed.
- A vote of no confidence in Ng Teck Siong as Chairperson of the party was passed by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam was appointed to the position of Secretary General of The Reform Party by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Edmund Ng was appointed to the post of chairperson of the Reform Party (interim) by a majority vote of the CEC
- Mr Teo Kian Chye was appointed to the post of Treasurer of the Reform Party ( interim) by a majority vote of the CEC
Edmund Ng, formerly Organising Secretary of the Reform Party said, “I’m honoured to have been selected for this role and to be working with the new senior officers of the CEC. Our new SG brings a breath of fresh air to politics in Singapore and a balanced and qualified voice to the opposition. Since joining the RP Kenneth has worked tirelessly on behalf of the Party bringing energy, direction and cohesion. His professional background, his academic qualifications and his immersion in the political issues of Singapore from a very young age enable him to bring to the Party a depth of knowledge and experience not often seen in opposition in Singapore. “
Teo Kian Chye, also stated that he felt honoured in the trust shown in him by the CEC on appointing him to the role of Treasurer. About his new SG he said, “We must remember that Kenneth has rejected a potentially lucrative career path in order to serve the people of Singapore. He had many options and we are delighted that he chose to join the Reform Party. He has been an example to all of us and I hope that many others will follow the path he has chosen.”
Kenneth Jeyaretnam said how pleased he was to have been appointed to the role of SG. “After choosing to go into politics various offers were put to me but the stated philosophy of the Reform Party,( ‘ that every member of the society is born with fundamental rights and that it is the paramount duty of the society to promote the human dignity of every single member’ ) most closely matched my own philosophy. I was touched by the public response to the announcement in the Press when I joined the Reform Party and the outpouring of support shown to me since. We have a lot of work going forward and it is humbling that so many people have demonstrated this level of confidence in me. I look forward to serving them. “
On Monday April 27th 2009 Mr Ng Teck Siong tendered his resignation as Chairperson to the new SG, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam. Under Article 5 (vii) of the Party constitution this resignation will only become effective upon the acknowledgement in writing of the resignation by the Secretary-General of the Party.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27990.1
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Will this be Singapore’s Lost Decade?
Will this be Singapore’s Lost Decade?
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Kenneth Jeyaretnam
Recently there have been quite a few articles in the international press speculating that the recent financial crisis and ensuing severe recession may lead to a lost decade of growth for countries such as Germany, (which have relied on exports rather than domestic demand for growth). The German economy is characterised by high net exports, a high savings rate and low domestic consumption.
But this is also true of the high-growth Asian economies, such as China, Korea and in a particularly exaggerated fashion, Singapore. The Singapore government has long relied on exports and on the U.S. to be the ultimate driver of demand to provide the stimulus for Singapore’s growth. Domestic saving has been increased through the forced saving mechanism of the CPF, government budget surpluses and curtailing domestic wage growth through the import of low-cost labour from overseas. This model is no longer viable.
In 2008 net exports were 19% of Singapore’s GDP (however this was down from 32% in 2007 due to the collapse in external demand)**, the current account surplus was close to 15% of GDP (down from 23% in 2007), while domestic saving was 47% of GNP. Personal consumption expenditure was about 41% of GDP in comparison with countries like the US where personal consumption expenditure is around 70% of GDP.
The U.S. Administration has stated that the US cannot continue indefinitely to be the world’s consumer of last resort. President Obama recently called for America to consume less and export more. Here, despite a fall in first quarter GDP of close to 20% at annualised rate, the government’s policies mainly consist of waiting for a revival of U.S. growth whilst announcing limited measures to cut business costs. Whilst a package of S$20 billion may appear large, the actual budget deficit was much smaller and after taking account of the income from overseas investments smaller still.
It must be remembered that Singapore lacks many of the automatic stabilisers, such as unemployment benefits, which increase spending in a recession and mitigate the multiplier effects from declining exports and falling demand. Cutting costs through wage reductions and other domestic income-reducing measures may work for one country but cannot work for the world economy in aggregate; a point which I thought was conclusively settled with the publication of Keynes’ General Theory. Lower wage costs (which are in any case likely to be a relatively small proportion of the costs of production) are unlikely to stop firms here from laying-off workers when their export sales have fallen off a cliff.
In my view, the government should be much more aggressive in taking steps to boost domestic demand to offset the contractionary impact arising from the export sector. It is completely unnecessary for Singapore to be saving 47% of GNP when the returns from our foreign investments have been so low. I would like to see the following steps (the list is not meant to be exhaustive) to boost domestic demand adopted as a matter of urgency:
· A minimum wage with exemptions for both old and young workers. This will also have the effect of discouraging employers from just importing cheap labour from poorer Asian countries which has depressed wages and led to declining productivity
· A reduction or suspension of the GST which disproportionately impacts lower-income households
· Higher tax credits for lower income households which will be clawed back as income rises
· Reductions in fees and service charges, including total elimination of school fees at the primary and secondary level
· Reductions in Employee CPF
· Massively increased investment in education and infrastructure, particularly aimed at increasing energy efficiency and developing new “green” technologies along the lines of the recent US stimulus package
Given the magnitude of the falls in GDP year-on-year we need a total stimulus (tax reductions plus additional spending) of the order of 8-10% of GDP, instead of 3.5% of GDP which is what was projected as the Overall Budget Balance in the Government’s 2009 Budget. It should be pointed out that whereas the Budget says S$5.8 billion will be spent by the government on stimulating bank lending this is not actual spending but is in the form of loans or loan guarantees. There will only be spending and losses to the taxpayer if the loans have to be written off. Therefore the actual stimulus arising from this scheme will only be a small fraction of the headline number. This is much less than the other central banks, such as the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, are doing on a massive scale already.
All this can be done without raising taxes on the higher earners and without raising the low marginal tax rates that make Singapore an attractive place to invest and do business in.
To conclude, Singapore risks a lost decade of economic growth akin to that suffered by Japan in the 1990s or even worse unless the Government recognises that the old model is broken and that we must reorientate the economy away from exports and saving towards higher domestic consumption and investment.
—–
* ‘Germany’s Policy of Containment’, Financial Times, 6th April 2009
**Economic Survey of Singapore 2008
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27882.1
Saturday, 25 April 2009
Kenneth Jeyaretnam
Recently there have been quite a few articles in the international press speculating that the recent financial crisis and ensuing severe recession may lead to a lost decade of growth for countries such as Germany, (which have relied on exports rather than domestic demand for growth). The German economy is characterised by high net exports, a high savings rate and low domestic consumption.
But this is also true of the high-growth Asian economies, such as China, Korea and in a particularly exaggerated fashion, Singapore. The Singapore government has long relied on exports and on the U.S. to be the ultimate driver of demand to provide the stimulus for Singapore’s growth. Domestic saving has been increased through the forced saving mechanism of the CPF, government budget surpluses and curtailing domestic wage growth through the import of low-cost labour from overseas. This model is no longer viable.
In 2008 net exports were 19% of Singapore’s GDP (however this was down from 32% in 2007 due to the collapse in external demand)**, the current account surplus was close to 15% of GDP (down from 23% in 2007), while domestic saving was 47% of GNP. Personal consumption expenditure was about 41% of GDP in comparison with countries like the US where personal consumption expenditure is around 70% of GDP.
The U.S. Administration has stated that the US cannot continue indefinitely to be the world’s consumer of last resort. President Obama recently called for America to consume less and export more. Here, despite a fall in first quarter GDP of close to 20% at annualised rate, the government’s policies mainly consist of waiting for a revival of U.S. growth whilst announcing limited measures to cut business costs. Whilst a package of S$20 billion may appear large, the actual budget deficit was much smaller and after taking account of the income from overseas investments smaller still.
It must be remembered that Singapore lacks many of the automatic stabilisers, such as unemployment benefits, which increase spending in a recession and mitigate the multiplier effects from declining exports and falling demand. Cutting costs through wage reductions and other domestic income-reducing measures may work for one country but cannot work for the world economy in aggregate; a point which I thought was conclusively settled with the publication of Keynes’ General Theory. Lower wage costs (which are in any case likely to be a relatively small proportion of the costs of production) are unlikely to stop firms here from laying-off workers when their export sales have fallen off a cliff.
In my view, the government should be much more aggressive in taking steps to boost domestic demand to offset the contractionary impact arising from the export sector. It is completely unnecessary for Singapore to be saving 47% of GNP when the returns from our foreign investments have been so low. I would like to see the following steps (the list is not meant to be exhaustive) to boost domestic demand adopted as a matter of urgency:
· A minimum wage with exemptions for both old and young workers. This will also have the effect of discouraging employers from just importing cheap labour from poorer Asian countries which has depressed wages and led to declining productivity
· A reduction or suspension of the GST which disproportionately impacts lower-income households
· Higher tax credits for lower income households which will be clawed back as income rises
· Reductions in fees and service charges, including total elimination of school fees at the primary and secondary level
· Reductions in Employee CPF
· Massively increased investment in education and infrastructure, particularly aimed at increasing energy efficiency and developing new “green” technologies along the lines of the recent US stimulus package
Given the magnitude of the falls in GDP year-on-year we need a total stimulus (tax reductions plus additional spending) of the order of 8-10% of GDP, instead of 3.5% of GDP which is what was projected as the Overall Budget Balance in the Government’s 2009 Budget. It should be pointed out that whereas the Budget says S$5.8 billion will be spent by the government on stimulating bank lending this is not actual spending but is in the form of loans or loan guarantees. There will only be spending and losses to the taxpayer if the loans have to be written off. Therefore the actual stimulus arising from this scheme will only be a small fraction of the headline number. This is much less than the other central banks, such as the US Federal Reserve and the Bank of England, are doing on a massive scale already.
All this can be done without raising taxes on the higher earners and without raising the low marginal tax rates that make Singapore an attractive place to invest and do business in.
To conclude, Singapore risks a lost decade of economic growth akin to that suffered by Japan in the 1990s or even worse unless the Government recognises that the old model is broken and that we must reorientate the economy away from exports and saving towards higher domestic consumption and investment.
—–
* ‘Germany’s Policy of Containment’, Financial Times, 6th April 2009
**Economic Survey of Singapore 2008
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27882.1
Saturday, April 18, 2009
JBJ’s son steps up to do battle
Saturday April 18, 2009
JB’s son steps up to do battle
Insight: Down South
By SEAH CHIANG NEE
More young professionals with good credentials are trickling towards the opposition camp, auguring well for the growth of democracy in Singapore.
SINGAPOREANS have long had an insipid sense of political apathy aggravated by many years of top-down government, but a small breeze may be blowing.
Even among activists, few are ready to take the plunge of challenging the government in elections like in most other countries.
Even the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) has to offer rich incentives to attract them.
But in these times of crisis, when the political life-span of the 85-year-old Lee Kuan Yew nears its sunset years, the ground may be starting to shift. With talk of a snap election by the year-end, more Singaporeans with good credentials are trickling towards the fledgling opposition camp.
Their entry into politics augurs well for the growth of democracy in Singapore.
The latest is a big catch for the opposition. He is the 50-year-old son of the late opposition icon JB Jeyaretnam, Lee’s erstwhile foe for decades.
Kenneth has announced he has joined the new Reform Party, has been co-opted into its leadership and seeks to stand in the next election.
The Reform Party was set up by Jeyaretnam before he died of heart failure, aged 82, seven months ago.
Kenneth said the decision was to honour his father’s long struggle for a freer society, and he would inject his own economic ideas for Singapore’s future. He will not be the only opposition recruit. When an election date becomes clearer, more candidates may rise to the surface.
Lee had predicted such a trend many years ago.
He believes that after he leaves, a new breed of bright, well-educated youths – who hitherto shun politics – will emerge to challenge the PAP.
These would be graduates from top foreign and local universities who would join opposition parties to contest in elections.
Secondly, Lee has also expressed confidence that the PAP will remain in power but only for two more elections (10 years); after that, anything goes.
Thirdly, Lee doesn’t rule out a future PAP leadership splitting into two factions after he has left, perhaps along ideological lines.
Well, the Minister Mentor is still around, relatively healthy (he’s now visiting Vietnam) and revealing no sign of wanting to go.
However, his prophesy of an infusion of youthful talent in the opposition may be coming true, even while he is still in office.
Kenneth’s arrival on the scene is a case in point. He seems to have some political acumen despite his lack of experience.
“Like the Prime Minister, I also have a double first (in Economics) from Cambridge,” he said. PM Lee Hsien Loong’s is in Mathematics.
Academic qualifications rank very high among the Singaporean voter’s preferences in a candidate.
When Hsien Loong entered politics, his Double First was a strong appeal among heartlanders, a card Kenneth is now using to good effect.
Jeyaretnam’s son is married and has a 12-year-old boy. He worked in London’s financial sector for several years before returning with his family to Singapore last April.
It has immediately raised a “Son versus Son” buzz among old-timers who still remember the old verbal battles between their respective fathers, Jeyaretnam and Lee.
Most people, however, dismiss it as unlikely. Both men are very different from their fathers, possessing none of dad’s confrontational stances or propensity for heated debate.
Even if Kenneth gets elected – a big if – the two men may face each other in Parliament in a more sombre, logical manner. At any rate, modern House rules will probably forbid any heated arguments. Both Lee and Jeyaretnam were lawyers and master debaters, while their sons are less aggressive by nature.
In these days, when Singapore needs a new strategy for its future survival, Kenneth’s discipline as a trained economist (something Jeyaretnam lacked) may be more important.
He is an important catalyst for the recruitment of professionals by his party and the opposition in general.
It comes at a time when the government is facing its strongest public pressure in many years because of a number of unpopular policies and the severe economic downturn.
Another potential candidate is Tan Kin Lian, former PAP elite and ex-CEO of NTUC Income (insurance giant of the National Trades Union Congress).
Tan became a folk-hero of sorts when he organised weekly rallies to help Singaporeans recover their losses from being “misled” into investing in the defunct Lehmans structured notes sold by the local DBS Bank.
An active blogger, he has not shown his hand yet, but says he may possibly contest as a candidate for an established opposition party.
Meanwhile, the main opposition parties have reported an increase in their recruitment of younger potential candidates.
The long surviving SPP leader, Chiam See Tong, who has recovered from a stroke, hopes to battle in a bigger pond, fighting in a group constituency, and to let his wife defend his strong turf at Potong Pasir.
“I already have a team. We have one doctor, one accountant, two lawyers,” he told a reporter.
The opposition Workers Party was recently hit by resignations of four cadre members, including two past candidates.
Officials, however, say the loss is more than made up for by new recruits. “The process of renewal is on track,” said its leader and MP Low Thia Khiang.
Its team is getting younger, with nine of 15 CEC members below the age of 40. For the PAP, however, the worry is voter reaction, rather than the opposition moves. That will decide its fortunes.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27200.1
JB’s son steps up to do battle
Insight: Down South
By SEAH CHIANG NEE
More young professionals with good credentials are trickling towards the opposition camp, auguring well for the growth of democracy in Singapore.
SINGAPOREANS have long had an insipid sense of political apathy aggravated by many years of top-down government, but a small breeze may be blowing.
Even among activists, few are ready to take the plunge of challenging the government in elections like in most other countries.
Even the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) has to offer rich incentives to attract them.
But in these times of crisis, when the political life-span of the 85-year-old Lee Kuan Yew nears its sunset years, the ground may be starting to shift. With talk of a snap election by the year-end, more Singaporeans with good credentials are trickling towards the fledgling opposition camp.
Their entry into politics augurs well for the growth of democracy in Singapore.
The latest is a big catch for the opposition. He is the 50-year-old son of the late opposition icon JB Jeyaretnam, Lee’s erstwhile foe for decades.
Kenneth has announced he has joined the new Reform Party, has been co-opted into its leadership and seeks to stand in the next election.
The Reform Party was set up by Jeyaretnam before he died of heart failure, aged 82, seven months ago.
Kenneth said the decision was to honour his father’s long struggle for a freer society, and he would inject his own economic ideas for Singapore’s future. He will not be the only opposition recruit. When an election date becomes clearer, more candidates may rise to the surface.
Lee had predicted such a trend many years ago.
He believes that after he leaves, a new breed of bright, well-educated youths – who hitherto shun politics – will emerge to challenge the PAP.
These would be graduates from top foreign and local universities who would join opposition parties to contest in elections.
Secondly, Lee has also expressed confidence that the PAP will remain in power but only for two more elections (10 years); after that, anything goes.
Thirdly, Lee doesn’t rule out a future PAP leadership splitting into two factions after he has left, perhaps along ideological lines.
Well, the Minister Mentor is still around, relatively healthy (he’s now visiting Vietnam) and revealing no sign of wanting to go.
However, his prophesy of an infusion of youthful talent in the opposition may be coming true, even while he is still in office.
Kenneth’s arrival on the scene is a case in point. He seems to have some political acumen despite his lack of experience.
“Like the Prime Minister, I also have a double first (in Economics) from Cambridge,” he said. PM Lee Hsien Loong’s is in Mathematics.
Academic qualifications rank very high among the Singaporean voter’s preferences in a candidate.
When Hsien Loong entered politics, his Double First was a strong appeal among heartlanders, a card Kenneth is now using to good effect.
Jeyaretnam’s son is married and has a 12-year-old boy. He worked in London’s financial sector for several years before returning with his family to Singapore last April.
It has immediately raised a “Son versus Son” buzz among old-timers who still remember the old verbal battles between their respective fathers, Jeyaretnam and Lee.
Most people, however, dismiss it as unlikely. Both men are very different from their fathers, possessing none of dad’s confrontational stances or propensity for heated debate.
Even if Kenneth gets elected – a big if – the two men may face each other in Parliament in a more sombre, logical manner. At any rate, modern House rules will probably forbid any heated arguments. Both Lee and Jeyaretnam were lawyers and master debaters, while their sons are less aggressive by nature.
In these days, when Singapore needs a new strategy for its future survival, Kenneth’s discipline as a trained economist (something Jeyaretnam lacked) may be more important.
He is an important catalyst for the recruitment of professionals by his party and the opposition in general.
It comes at a time when the government is facing its strongest public pressure in many years because of a number of unpopular policies and the severe economic downturn.
Another potential candidate is Tan Kin Lian, former PAP elite and ex-CEO of NTUC Income (insurance giant of the National Trades Union Congress).
Tan became a folk-hero of sorts when he organised weekly rallies to help Singaporeans recover their losses from being “misled” into investing in the defunct Lehmans structured notes sold by the local DBS Bank.
An active blogger, he has not shown his hand yet, but says he may possibly contest as a candidate for an established opposition party.
Meanwhile, the main opposition parties have reported an increase in their recruitment of younger potential candidates.
The long surviving SPP leader, Chiam See Tong, who has recovered from a stroke, hopes to battle in a bigger pond, fighting in a group constituency, and to let his wife defend his strong turf at Potong Pasir.
“I already have a team. We have one doctor, one accountant, two lawyers,” he told a reporter.
The opposition Workers Party was recently hit by resignations of four cadre members, including two past candidates.
Officials, however, say the loss is more than made up for by new recruits. “The process of renewal is on track,” said its leader and MP Low Thia Khiang.
Its team is getting younger, with nine of 15 CEC members below the age of 40. For the PAP, however, the worry is voter reaction, rather than the opposition moves. That will decide its fortunes.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=27200.1
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Obama and Eric Hobsbawm
Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Obama and Eric Hobsbawm
I was surprised to learn Singapore does not have a minimum wage for workers.
The late Singapore opposition politician JB Jeyaretnam's son, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, a British-educated hedge fund manager who has joined his father's Reform Party, made an important point to The Online Citizen.
“Generally I think that the government focuses too much on GDP growth for its own sake where it should be focussing on things like GDP growth per capita and the incomes of ordinary Singaporeans,” he told the Singapore blog.
Whether the government focuses too much on GDP per se is open to question.
But it's true GDP growth is not an accurate measure of people's wellbeing.
It's possible for a country to have high GDP and a large low-income group at the same time. China is the most obvious example, the third largest economy in the world, but with a per capita GDP of less than $6,000 in terms of purchasing power parity. Singapore's per capita GDP is nearly nine times more.
However, the income gap is increasing in Singapore, according to the official Statistics Singapore:
"The Gini coefficient, which is a summary measure of income inequality, increased from 0.472 in 2006 to 0.485 in 2007."
That means Singapore has a greater income gap than Britain and America, which have Gini coefficients of 0.35 and 0.45 respectively, leave alone Scandinavia, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria and the Netherlands – countries with Gini coefficients ranging between 0.25 and 0.3, according to a UN-Habitat report.
The Singapore government is trying to help the people cope with the recession. So are governments in other countries – and for a very good reason. A country's economy depends on all its people.
It's interesting what Kenneth Jeyaretnam had to say about "GDP growth per capita and the incomes of ordinary Singaporeans".
He may sound a bit like his father.
But President Barack Obama also expressed a similar view in his inaugural address:
The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As did the British historian Eric Hobsbawm in the Guardian two days ago:
Look at London. Of course it matters to all of us that London's economy flourishes. But the test of the enormous wealth generated in patches of the capital is not that it contributed 20%-30% to Britain's GDP but how it affects the lives of the millions who live and work there. What kind of lives are available to them? Can they afford to live there? If they can't, it is not compensation that London is also a paradise for the ultra-rich. Can they get decently paid jobs or jobs at all? If they can't, don't brag about all those Michelin-starred restaurants and their self-dramatising chefs. Or schooling for children? Inadequate schools are not offset by the fact that London universities could field a football team of Nobel prize winners.
The test of a progressive policy is not private but public, not just rising income and consumption for individuals, but widening the opportunities and what Amartya Sen calls the "capabilities" of all through collective action.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26619.1
I was surprised to learn Singapore does not have a minimum wage for workers.
The late Singapore opposition politician JB Jeyaretnam's son, Kenneth Jeyaretnam, a British-educated hedge fund manager who has joined his father's Reform Party, made an important point to The Online Citizen.
“Generally I think that the government focuses too much on GDP growth for its own sake where it should be focussing on things like GDP growth per capita and the incomes of ordinary Singaporeans,” he told the Singapore blog.
Whether the government focuses too much on GDP per se is open to question.
But it's true GDP growth is not an accurate measure of people's wellbeing.
It's possible for a country to have high GDP and a large low-income group at the same time. China is the most obvious example, the third largest economy in the world, but with a per capita GDP of less than $6,000 in terms of purchasing power parity. Singapore's per capita GDP is nearly nine times more.
However, the income gap is increasing in Singapore, according to the official Statistics Singapore:
"The Gini coefficient, which is a summary measure of income inequality, increased from 0.472 in 2006 to 0.485 in 2007."
That means Singapore has a greater income gap than Britain and America, which have Gini coefficients of 0.35 and 0.45 respectively, leave alone Scandinavia, France, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium and Austria and the Netherlands – countries with Gini coefficients ranging between 0.25 and 0.3, according to a UN-Habitat report.
The Singapore government is trying to help the people cope with the recession. So are governments in other countries – and for a very good reason. A country's economy depends on all its people.
It's interesting what Kenneth Jeyaretnam had to say about "GDP growth per capita and the incomes of ordinary Singaporeans".
He may sound a bit like his father.
But President Barack Obama also expressed a similar view in his inaugural address:
The success of our economy has always depended not just on the size of our gross domestic product, but on the reach of our prosperity; on the ability to extend opportunity to every willing heart -- not out of charity, but because it is the surest route to our common good.
As did the British historian Eric Hobsbawm in the Guardian two days ago:
Look at London. Of course it matters to all of us that London's economy flourishes. But the test of the enormous wealth generated in patches of the capital is not that it contributed 20%-30% to Britain's GDP but how it affects the lives of the millions who live and work there. What kind of lives are available to them? Can they afford to live there? If they can't, it is not compensation that London is also a paradise for the ultra-rich. Can they get decently paid jobs or jobs at all? If they can't, don't brag about all those Michelin-starred restaurants and their self-dramatising chefs. Or schooling for children? Inadequate schools are not offset by the fact that London universities could field a football team of Nobel prize winners.
The test of a progressive policy is not private but public, not just rising income and consumption for individuals, but widening the opportunities and what Amartya Sen calls the "capabilities" of all through collective action.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26619.1
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Interview: Kenneth Jeyaretnam’s debut
Interview: Kenneth Jeyaretnam’s debut
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Darren Boon
Same goals as JBJ but “I’m my own man”
Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, the scion of the late politician J.B. Jeyaretnam, has joined and been co-opted into the CEC of the Reform Party. In an interview with The Online Citizen (TOC), the younger Mr Jeyaretnam, an economist by training, expressed his wish that the Reform Party would field him as a candidate in the next general elections.
In the interview, Mr Jeyaretnam appeared hesitant to discuss his policies concretely: “It’s too early to advocate specific policies…I don’t really want to talk about those at the moment.”
However, he tells TOC: “Generally I think that the government focuses too much on GDP growth for its own sake where it should be focussing on things like GDP growth per capita and the incomes of ordinary Singaporeans.”
“I think that the country as a whole has too high a savings rate. And we need to increase domestic consumption. Excess savings…this is a global problem but I think Singapore is a particularly acute case because personal consumption is 40 per cent of GDP whereas I think in the U.S, it’s about 70 per cent,” he added.
Mr Jeyaretnam also sees a problem for the ‘less-well educated’ and the ‘less-skilled sections’ of the workforce. He highlights the problem of the non-existence of a minimum wage and the few or no restrictions on the mobility of labour coming from abroad. As such, he states that “wages are always under pressure for the less well-off sections of the population”.
He remained coy when asked to divulge further details although he signalled his intention to address these issues in the coming weeks. He said, “We’re still in the process of drafting a manifesto for the Reform Party.”
Politics and the family
Mr Jeyaretnam admits to his reluctance in pursuing a career in politics despite his late father’s urging over the last 10 to 15 years, and when he initially returned to Singapore.
The catalyst for his change of heart was the passing of his father, and on the requests of many people asking him to stand to “fill the void”. He feels that joining the Reform Party is the “most honourable thing to do” since his father set it up, but more so because he agrees with the “concept of reform”.
“I like the name of the party,” he said. “It’s a new party so it’s still at a formative stage…and I think the idea of reform, the idea of a political party promoting reform in Singapore is good.”
As for his political aspirations, Mr Jeyaretnam hopes that his entry into politics would be able “show that economic prosperity and human rights and individual freedom are not incompatible” with one another. He also hopes to dismiss the fear in the hearts of people of what might happen in joining the opposition. Not looking towards reaping huge financial rewards in joining politics, he hopes to contribute to improving the welfare of ordinary Singaporeans.
He credits his father for breaking the monopoly of the PAP when he stood and won in the Anson constituency twice, and for raising awareness amongst the people on their rights as citizens.
In perhaps what is a preview of the younger Mr Jeyaretnam’s challenge to craft his own political persona, one could sense he was trying to strike a delicate balance between carrying on his father’s legacy and staking out his own positions.
Mr Jeyaretnam made a distinction between him and his late father’s policies: “That was 25 years ago, and even then I disagreed with many of his…I suppose…my father wasn’t an economist so you know…I’m my own man…and obviously I’ll have policies that I would advocate.”
“But obviously I have the same goals with regards to individual freedom and human rights and with regards to economic issues, I probably would see things differently from him…to some extent.”
Mr Jeyaretnam, who is married and has a 12-year old son, said that his wife and family are supportive of his decision to enter politics. He would not comment on what his brother, Philip Jeyaretnam, thought of his decision to join The Reform Party, though.
“You know my brother is his own man. When we meet, we normally discuss family things. I never discuss politics with him or his career, so you know I wouldn’t discuss mine,” he said.
“I love my brother. He is my little brother and I love him, and I’m proud of his achievements,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Jeyaretnam says there’s a lot of work for him to do, going forward. “I must be humble,” he said.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26567.1
Saturday, 11 April 2009
Darren Boon
Same goals as JBJ but “I’m my own man”
Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, the scion of the late politician J.B. Jeyaretnam, has joined and been co-opted into the CEC of the Reform Party. In an interview with The Online Citizen (TOC), the younger Mr Jeyaretnam, an economist by training, expressed his wish that the Reform Party would field him as a candidate in the next general elections.
In the interview, Mr Jeyaretnam appeared hesitant to discuss his policies concretely: “It’s too early to advocate specific policies…I don’t really want to talk about those at the moment.”
However, he tells TOC: “Generally I think that the government focuses too much on GDP growth for its own sake where it should be focussing on things like GDP growth per capita and the incomes of ordinary Singaporeans.”
“I think that the country as a whole has too high a savings rate. And we need to increase domestic consumption. Excess savings…this is a global problem but I think Singapore is a particularly acute case because personal consumption is 40 per cent of GDP whereas I think in the U.S, it’s about 70 per cent,” he added.
Mr Jeyaretnam also sees a problem for the ‘less-well educated’ and the ‘less-skilled sections’ of the workforce. He highlights the problem of the non-existence of a minimum wage and the few or no restrictions on the mobility of labour coming from abroad. As such, he states that “wages are always under pressure for the less well-off sections of the population”.
He remained coy when asked to divulge further details although he signalled his intention to address these issues in the coming weeks. He said, “We’re still in the process of drafting a manifesto for the Reform Party.”
Politics and the family
Mr Jeyaretnam admits to his reluctance in pursuing a career in politics despite his late father’s urging over the last 10 to 15 years, and when he initially returned to Singapore.
The catalyst for his change of heart was the passing of his father, and on the requests of many people asking him to stand to “fill the void”. He feels that joining the Reform Party is the “most honourable thing to do” since his father set it up, but more so because he agrees with the “concept of reform”.
“I like the name of the party,” he said. “It’s a new party so it’s still at a formative stage…and I think the idea of reform, the idea of a political party promoting reform in Singapore is good.”
As for his political aspirations, Mr Jeyaretnam hopes that his entry into politics would be able “show that economic prosperity and human rights and individual freedom are not incompatible” with one another. He also hopes to dismiss the fear in the hearts of people of what might happen in joining the opposition. Not looking towards reaping huge financial rewards in joining politics, he hopes to contribute to improving the welfare of ordinary Singaporeans.
He credits his father for breaking the monopoly of the PAP when he stood and won in the Anson constituency twice, and for raising awareness amongst the people on their rights as citizens.
In perhaps what is a preview of the younger Mr Jeyaretnam’s challenge to craft his own political persona, one could sense he was trying to strike a delicate balance between carrying on his father’s legacy and staking out his own positions.
Mr Jeyaretnam made a distinction between him and his late father’s policies: “That was 25 years ago, and even then I disagreed with many of his…I suppose…my father wasn’t an economist so you know…I’m my own man…and obviously I’ll have policies that I would advocate.”
“But obviously I have the same goals with regards to individual freedom and human rights and with regards to economic issues, I probably would see things differently from him…to some extent.”
Mr Jeyaretnam, who is married and has a 12-year old son, said that his wife and family are supportive of his decision to enter politics. He would not comment on what his brother, Philip Jeyaretnam, thought of his decision to join The Reform Party, though.
“You know my brother is his own man. When we meet, we normally discuss family things. I never discuss politics with him or his career, so you know I wouldn’t discuss mine,” he said.
“I love my brother. He is my little brother and I love him, and I’m proud of his achievements,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr Jeyaretnam says there’s a lot of work for him to do, going forward. “I must be humble,” he said.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26567.1
Friday, April 10, 2009
JBJ's son in Reform Party
April 10, 2009
JBJ's son in Reform Party
Opposition party member open to contesting next GE
| By Kor Kian Beng & Jeremy Au Yong | ||
 | | Mr Jeyaretnam, a fund manager, sees a need for a 'real economist' on the political scene. -- TNP FILE PHOTO |
MR KENNETH Jeyaretnam, the elder son of late opposition leader J.B. Jeyaretnam, has joined the opposition ranks and is not ruling out contesting the next general election.
Three weeks ago, he joined the Reform Party, which was set up by his father a few months before he died last September.
The 50-year-old hedge fund manager was co-opted into the party's 13-man central executive committee (CEC) a week later.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.6
Kenneth Jeyaretnam co-opted into Reform Party CEC
Kenneth Jeyaretnam co-opted into Reform Party CEC
Friday, 10 April 2009
Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, the elder son of the late opposition leader Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam, joined the opposition Reform Party three weeks ago and has been co-opted into the party’s Central Executive Committee, according to the Straits Times.
The Reform Party (RP) was set up by the late Mr JB Jeyaretnam a few months before he died last September.
“The 50-year-old hedge fund manager was co-opted into the party’s 13-man central executive committee (CEC) a week later,” the Straits Times says.
Mr Jeyaretnam, who graduated from Cambridge with a double-first class honours degree in economics, had been working in London for several years. He returned to Singapore last year when his father took ill.
When contacted by The Online Citizen, the Reform Party’s chairman, Mr Ng Teck Siong, said Mr Jeyaretnam’s membership “will raise some interest among [the] public… that one of the sons of JBJ is joining us.” Mr Ng also hopes that with Mr Jeyaretnam’s presence in the RP, the legacy of Mr JBJ will carry on. “It will be alive,” Mr Ng said and added that the party’s aim is to carry on the legacy of Mr JBJ to “improve life in Singapore – politically and socially.”
“We have other people joining us,” Mr Ng says. “We hope more and more will join RP.” Asked about the next general election, he says the party will put up candidates to participate and that the party will work hard to get a good result.
Mr Jeyaretnam is married and has a 12-year old son.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.3
Friday, 10 April 2009
Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, the elder son of the late opposition leader Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam, joined the opposition Reform Party three weeks ago and has been co-opted into the party’s Central Executive Committee, according to the Straits Times.
The Reform Party (RP) was set up by the late Mr JB Jeyaretnam a few months before he died last September.
“The 50-year-old hedge fund manager was co-opted into the party’s 13-man central executive committee (CEC) a week later,” the Straits Times says.
Mr Jeyaretnam, who graduated from Cambridge with a double-first class honours degree in economics, had been working in London for several years. He returned to Singapore last year when his father took ill.
When contacted by The Online Citizen, the Reform Party’s chairman, Mr Ng Teck Siong, said Mr Jeyaretnam’s membership “will raise some interest among [the] public… that one of the sons of JBJ is joining us.” Mr Ng also hopes that with Mr Jeyaretnam’s presence in the RP, the legacy of Mr JBJ will carry on. “It will be alive,” Mr Ng said and added that the party’s aim is to carry on the legacy of Mr JBJ to “improve life in Singapore – politically and socially.”
“We have other people joining us,” Mr Ng says. “We hope more and more will join RP.” Asked about the next general election, he says the party will put up candidates to participate and that the party will work hard to get a good result.
Mr Jeyaretnam is married and has a 12-year old son.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.3
JBJ’s son Kenneth joins Reform Party to keep his legacy alive
JBJ’s son Kenneth joins Reform Party to keep his legacy alive
The Reform Party, which has been rudderless since the passing of opposition scion Mr Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam was given a big boost when JBJ’s son Kenneth joined the party and was co-opted into the party’s CEC 2 weeks ago. (read article here)
Mr Jeyaretnam said the timing was right and joining the party is one way to honor his father and to continue his legacy.
We applaud Kenneth’s move to join the Reform Party and hope that he will serve as a nidus to attract more qualified Singaporeans to join it.
In a way, the Reform Party was a farewell gift left to us by JBJ. Throughout his political career, he had fought consistently to overhaul and reform the obsolete PAP system to one which is based on the rule of law, democratic principles and power to the people.
The late JBJ never feared to speak up for the people even if it had led him to financial ruins brought upon him by the countless defamation suits launched by his opponents.
JBJ is one deserving opposition MP we should have put in Parliament to represent us. The PAP feared him and tried ways and means to bar him from Parliament.
Our parents’ generation have let JBJ down. Let us make up for the tribulations he has gone through for us by giving our whole-hearted support to his son, Kenneth and the Reform Party.
The Reform Party is not set up by JBJ just to make up the numbers. It is not a party which is contented to manage a HDB estate and willing to wait 50 more years to be in a position to challenge the incumbent.
Why “Reform” Party? Because without reforming the entire system, it is pointless to have elections after elections to give legitimacy to the PAP to masquerade Singapore as a vibrant democracy when it is nothing more than a totalitarian fascist state.
JBJ had called for reform of the political system, the judiciary, the media and many other flaws in the system put in place by the PAP to keep them perpetually in power.
The younger generation of Singaporeans desire more political competition and a level playing field. We must not allow ourselves to be fooled and misled by these shenigans again.
The time has come for change and we hope that Kenneth’s arrival into the polical scene will be a catalyst to galvanize and united the entire opposition camp to press on with its mission to demand for greater accountability and transparency from the PAP which is seriously lacking now.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.2
The Reform Party, which has been rudderless since the passing of opposition scion Mr Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam was given a big boost when JBJ’s son Kenneth joined the party and was co-opted into the party’s CEC 2 weeks ago. (read article here)
Mr Jeyaretnam said the timing was right and joining the party is one way to honor his father and to continue his legacy.
We applaud Kenneth’s move to join the Reform Party and hope that he will serve as a nidus to attract more qualified Singaporeans to join it.
In a way, the Reform Party was a farewell gift left to us by JBJ. Throughout his political career, he had fought consistently to overhaul and reform the obsolete PAP system to one which is based on the rule of law, democratic principles and power to the people.
The late JBJ never feared to speak up for the people even if it had led him to financial ruins brought upon him by the countless defamation suits launched by his opponents.
JBJ is one deserving opposition MP we should have put in Parliament to represent us. The PAP feared him and tried ways and means to bar him from Parliament.
Our parents’ generation have let JBJ down. Let us make up for the tribulations he has gone through for us by giving our whole-hearted support to his son, Kenneth and the Reform Party.
The Reform Party is not set up by JBJ just to make up the numbers. It is not a party which is contented to manage a HDB estate and willing to wait 50 more years to be in a position to challenge the incumbent.
Why “Reform” Party? Because without reforming the entire system, it is pointless to have elections after elections to give legitimacy to the PAP to masquerade Singapore as a vibrant democracy when it is nothing more than a totalitarian fascist state.
JBJ had called for reform of the political system, the judiciary, the media and many other flaws in the system put in place by the PAP to keep them perpetually in power.
The younger generation of Singaporeans desire more political competition and a level playing field. We must not allow ourselves to be fooled and misled by these shenigans again.
The time has come for change and we hope that Kenneth’s arrival into the polical scene will be a catalyst to galvanize and united the entire opposition camp to press on with its mission to demand for greater accountability and transparency from the PAP which is seriously lacking now.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.2
JBJ’s son Kenneth joins Reform Party to keep his legacy alive
JBJ’s son Kenneth joins Reform Party to keep his legacy alive
April 10, 2009
The Reform Party, which has been rudderless since the passing of opposition scion Mr Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam was given a big boost when JBJ’s son Kenneth joined the party and was co-opted into the party’s CEC 2 weeks ago. (read article here)
Mr Jeyaretnam said the timing was right and joining the party is one way to honor his father and to continue his legacy.
We applaud Kenneth’s move to join the Reform Party and hope that he will serve as a nidus to attract more qualified Singaporeans to join it.
In a way, the Reform Party was a farewell gift left to us by JBJ. Throughout his political career, he had fought consistently to overhaul and reform the obsolete PAP system to one which is based on the rule of law, democratic principles and power to the people.
The late JBJ never feared to speak up for the people even if it had led him to financial ruins brought upon him by the countless defamation suits launched by his opponents.
JBJ is one deserving opposition MP we should have put in Parliament to represent us. The PAP feared him and tried ways and means to bar him from Parliament.
Our parents’ generation have let JBJ down. Let us make up for the tribulations he has gone through for us by giving our whole-hearted support to his son, Kenneth and the Reform Party.
The Reform Party is not set up by JBJ just to make up the numbers. It is not a party which is contented to manage a HDB estate and willing to wait 50 more years to be in a position to challenge the incumbent.
Why “Reform” Party? Because without reforming the entire system, it is pointless to have elections after elections to give legitimacy to the PAP to masquerade Singapore as a vibrant democracy when it is nothing more than a totalitarian fascist state.
JBJ had called for reform of the political system, the judiciary, the media and many other flaws in the system put in place by the PAP to keep them perpetually in power.
The younger generation of Singaporeans desire more political competition and a level playing field. We must not allow ourselves to be fooled and misled by these shenigans again.
The time has come for change and we hope that Kenneth’s arrival into the polical scene will be a catalyst to galvanize and united the entire opposition camp to press on with its mission to demand for greater accountability and transparency from the PAP which is seriously lacking now.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.1
April 10, 2009
The Reform Party, which has been rudderless since the passing of opposition scion Mr Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam was given a big boost when JBJ’s son Kenneth joined the party and was co-opted into the party’s CEC 2 weeks ago. (read article here)
Mr Jeyaretnam said the timing was right and joining the party is one way to honor his father and to continue his legacy.
We applaud Kenneth’s move to join the Reform Party and hope that he will serve as a nidus to attract more qualified Singaporeans to join it.
In a way, the Reform Party was a farewell gift left to us by JBJ. Throughout his political career, he had fought consistently to overhaul and reform the obsolete PAP system to one which is based on the rule of law, democratic principles and power to the people.
The late JBJ never feared to speak up for the people even if it had led him to financial ruins brought upon him by the countless defamation suits launched by his opponents.
JBJ is one deserving opposition MP we should have put in Parliament to represent us. The PAP feared him and tried ways and means to bar him from Parliament.
Our parents’ generation have let JBJ down. Let us make up for the tribulations he has gone through for us by giving our whole-hearted support to his son, Kenneth and the Reform Party.
The Reform Party is not set up by JBJ just to make up the numbers. It is not a party which is contented to manage a HDB estate and willing to wait 50 more years to be in a position to challenge the incumbent.
Why “Reform” Party? Because without reforming the entire system, it is pointless to have elections after elections to give legitimacy to the PAP to masquerade Singapore as a vibrant democracy when it is nothing more than a totalitarian fascist state.
JBJ had called for reform of the political system, the judiciary, the media and many other flaws in the system put in place by the PAP to keep them perpetually in power.
The younger generation of Singaporeans desire more political competition and a level playing field. We must not allow ourselves to be fooled and misled by these shenigans again.
The time has come for change and we hope that Kenneth’s arrival into the polical scene will be a catalyst to galvanize and united the entire opposition camp to press on with its mission to demand for greater accountability and transparency from the PAP which is seriously lacking now.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.1
Son of Singapore's late opposition icon enters politics
Son of Singapore's late opposition icon enters politics
A son of Singapore's late opposition icon J.B. Jeyaretnam said Friday he had joined his father's pro-democracy party and may run for parliament in the next general elections.
British-trained economist Kenneth Jeyaretnam, 50, told AFP he had been approached to join other parties but decided going with the Reform Party was the right thing to do.
"This is examining my conscience... I should go with the Reform Party because it was set up by my father," Jeyaretnam said.
"I want to honour what he stood for, everything that he said, but I will be my own man," he said.
Jeyaretnam's father, who died in September last year from a heart attack aged 82, suffered jail stints and libel suits in his lonely battle for greater political freedom in the wealthy city-state.
"My message to Singaporeans out there is don't be afraid," said Jeyaretnam.
"I want to show that competition is vital in politics as it is in business, so it's not to be feared but to be embraced," he said.
Jeyaretnam, who worked in the financial sector in London after earning a double first-class honours degree from the University of Cambridge and returned to Singapore last year, says he can offer alternative economic policies to those espoused by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
"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," he said.
Jeyaretnam joined the Reform Party three weeks ago and said he was ready to go out and meet Singaporeans just like his father, a fiery orator who peddled anti-PAP books in the waning years of his political career.
"There is a lot of work to be done... I have a lot to do and go out to meet people," said Jeyaretnam.
"My father was always a firm believer that you have to go out and meet with the ordinary people," he said.
Asked if he was prepared to run for office, he replied: "Absolutely ready."
The late Jeyaretnam was a bitter foe of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, whose son Lee Hsien Loong became prime minister in 2004 after Goh Chok Tong stepped down. The younger Lee led the PAP to victory in the 2006 general elections.
J.B. Jeyaretnam founded the Reform Party a few months before his sudden death and was hoping to run for office again despite his age.
He was one of the few Singaporeans who spoke out consistently against the PAP, espousing causes such as human rights and greater political freedoms in the city-state, and made history by breaking the PAP's total grip on parliament in 1981.
His younger son Philip, 45, also educated at Cambridge, is an author and senior lawyer who has served as president of the Law Society of Singapore.
The PAP, which has been in power since 1959, says its tough laws against dissent are necessary to ensure the stability which has helped Singapore progress economically to become among the wealthiest in Asia.
It controls all but two of the 84 seats in parliament.
General elections are not due until 2011 but there is speculation that the PAP will seek a mandate earlier, hoping Singaporeans would support its record of economic progress and stability instead of voting for untested opposition leaders during an economic recession.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.7
A son of Singapore's late opposition icon J.B. Jeyaretnam said Friday he had joined his father's pro-democracy party and may run for parliament in the next general elections.
British-trained economist Kenneth Jeyaretnam, 50, told AFP he had been approached to join other parties but decided going with the Reform Party was the right thing to do.
"This is examining my conscience... I should go with the Reform Party because it was set up by my father," Jeyaretnam said.
"I want to honour what he stood for, everything that he said, but I will be my own man," he said.
Jeyaretnam's father, who died in September last year from a heart attack aged 82, suffered jail stints and libel suits in his lonely battle for greater political freedom in the wealthy city-state.
"My message to Singaporeans out there is don't be afraid," said Jeyaretnam.
"I want to show that competition is vital in politics as it is in business, so it's not to be feared but to be embraced," he said.
Jeyaretnam, who worked in the financial sector in London after earning a double first-class honours degree from the University of Cambridge and returned to Singapore last year, says he can offer alternative economic policies to those espoused by the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
"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," he said.
Jeyaretnam joined the Reform Party three weeks ago and said he was ready to go out and meet Singaporeans just like his father, a fiery orator who peddled anti-PAP books in the waning years of his political career.
"There is a lot of work to be done... I have a lot to do and go out to meet people," said Jeyaretnam.
"My father was always a firm believer that you have to go out and meet with the ordinary people," he said.
Asked if he was prepared to run for office, he replied: "Absolutely ready."
The late Jeyaretnam was a bitter foe of Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew, whose son Lee Hsien Loong became prime minister in 2004 after Goh Chok Tong stepped down. The younger Lee led the PAP to victory in the 2006 general elections.
J.B. Jeyaretnam founded the Reform Party a few months before his sudden death and was hoping to run for office again despite his age.
He was one of the few Singaporeans who spoke out consistently against the PAP, espousing causes such as human rights and greater political freedoms in the city-state, and made history by breaking the PAP's total grip on parliament in 1981.
His younger son Philip, 45, also educated at Cambridge, is an author and senior lawyer who has served as president of the Law Society of Singapore.
The PAP, which has been in power since 1959, says its tough laws against dissent are necessary to ensure the stability which has helped Singapore progress economically to become among the wealthiest in Asia.
It controls all but two of the 84 seats in parliament.
General elections are not due until 2011 but there is speculation that the PAP will seek a mandate earlier, hoping Singaporeans would support its record of economic progress and stability instead of voting for untested opposition leaders during an economic recession.
http://forums.delphiforums.com/sunkopitiam/messages?msg=26489.7
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