Singapore Democrats
SDP Secretary-General Dr Chee Soon Juan has sent a congratulatory message to the UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg whose party, the Liberal Democrats of which Mr Clegg is leader, is in a coalition government with Prime Minister David Cameron of the Conservative Party.
The SDP also wrote to Mr Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III, son of the slain Benigno Aquino and late Corazon Aquino, who is almost certain to win the Philippines’ presidential elections although the final announcement has not been made. Mr Aquino heads the Liberal Party (LP) there.
Both the UK’s LibDems and LP of the Philippines are the Singapore Democrats’ fellow member parties of Liberal International (LI).
The SDP has been invited to attend the Liberal Democrats annual conference to be held in September this year in Liverpool. Dr Chee had previously attended the UK party’s conference in Blackpool and met with one of Mr Clegg’s predecessors, Mr Charles Kennedy.
The Singapore Democrats will also travel to the Philippines next month with the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) to commemorate the election of Mr Aquino as President of the Philippines. The LP, like the SDP, are members of CALD and LI.
12 May 2010
Nick Clegg
Deputy Prime Minister
United KingdomDear Mr Deputy Prime Minister,
On this historic occasion of your becoming Britain’s Deputy Prime Minister, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) warmly congratulates you on your success and the success of the Liberal Democrats in forming a government with the Conservative Party.
Although we struggle under a one-party state in Singapore, the SDP takes great encouragement from your victory and that what may seem an insurmountable task can become reality with dedication and commitment.
As a fellow member of the Liberal International, we in the SDP are proud of your achievement and we look forward to working with the Liberal Democrats to bring about a more democratic and freer world.
I had the honour of meeting your predecessor, Mr Charles Kennedy, at the LibDems annual conference in Blackpool in 2002. The party has certainly come far since then and has achieved a milestone in becoming part of the UK government.
Again, on behalf of the SDP, please accept my heartiest congratulations. I wish you every success and I am certain you will govern with wisdom and compassion.
Sincerely,
Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party
12 May 2010
Benigno Aquino III
Leader
Liberal Party
Republic of the PhilippinesDear Mr Aquino,
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) rejoices with you and your party on your election as President of the Philippines even though the final announcement has yet to be made. The certainty of your victory, by the fact that you lead your competitors by a wide margin, signals the resounding confidence the Philippine electorate has placed in you.
As members of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), I hope that our parties can work more closely together to bring about a more democratic, and hence stable, Southeast Asia.
In particular, I look forward to your leadership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to make the Human Rights Mechanism an effective tool for freedom and justice rather than an ornament as it currently is.
Your responsibilities are great and your task enormous. But I have no doubt that you will lead your country honourably. Again my best wishes and heartiest congratulations to you and the Liberal Party.
Chee Soon Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party