Opposition parties gather for public forum

Singapore Democrats
An awkward family reunion
The Online Citizen

Photo credit: TOC

‘I agree with Dr Chee,’ said Chiam See Tong, gesturing to his former protégé who was two seats away to his right. It should have been the kind of sentiment that would sent the hearts of opposition sympathizers to rapture, but after fleeting but pregnant silent pause, Chiam continued: ‘The ISA must go.’

And then, the rousing applause came.

It was not really clear whether the applause was for Chiam’s denunciation of the Internal Security Act, or a belated one celebrating the verbal rapprochement that could perhaps mark the end of close to two decades’ worth of accusations, clarifications and counter-clarifications between the two men.

It was that sort of night when an air of cautious expectation and anxious hope lingered within the room, with an audience rapt in attention, mulling over every particular word that will be further dissected and scrutinized together with their friends over a late-night supper. Read full report here.

 

Ruling PAP a no-show at major political forum
Yahoo! News

Photo credit: Yahoo!News

The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) skipped a major political forum on Thursday evening which was attended by the leaders of Singapore’s political parties.

Organised by socio-political website, The Online Citizen, the event which was held in a packed ballroom at the Quality Hotel in Balestier was attended by over 350 people, made up mostly of the public, party activists  and the media.

Leaders of the various political parties including Kenneth Jeyaretnam of the Reform Party (RP), Chia Ti Lik of the Socialist Front and Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party, Goh Meng Seng (NSP), were guest panellists.

Chee Soon Juan of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), Chiam See Tong of Singapore People’s Party (SPP) and Gerald Giam representing The Workers’ Party (WP) were also present during the 2-and-a-half-hour dialogue. Read full report here.

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