There is a very poorly written article in The Independent - Singapore about the re-election of Mr Chiam See Tong and Mrs Lina Chiam as the Secretary-General and Chairman of Singapore People's Party respectively. I shall not dignify the article by posting the link to it here.
The article suggests that the Chiams do not have the stamina to lead a political party and so, are not serious about contesting the next general election. That if they were to contest the next election, they'd only get the anti-PAP votes.
That article must have been written by someone who do not know the Chiams personally. I mean, how did the writer come to the conclusion that Mr Chiam did not have the stamina to continue leading a political party? Is it because of his age? Or perhaps his frailness? if either were the reasons, then the writer is being unfairly discriminating.
I know the Chiams personally. I remember a conversation we were having in SPP's HQ about a-year-and-a-half ago on the topic of Internal Security Act. Party members and friends of the Party were discussing if opposition political parties should support the abolition of the Internal Security Act, - if there was any mileage in openly doing so.
Mr Chiam who was listening to the conversation weighed-in after most had given their opinion on the topic. He explained very clearly why it was important for political parties to support the abolition of ISA. I still remember his words clearly.
"It is a sword of Damocles and is hanging above our heads. It can be used at anytime against political opponents. It has to go!", Mr Chiam said.
No one could disagree with his reasoning.
SPP is fortunate to have leaders like the Chiams who have such foresight and decisiveness. Mr Chiam especially is very well-liked by Singaporeans of all walks of life.
I only wish the best for Mr and Mrs Chiam, as well as the newly elected CEC.
Ravi Philemon
*Article first appeared on his FB page here.