I think the whole fiasco about Workers' Party, Yaw Shin Leong, Hougang and the prospective by-election is pretty much like a comedy.
After news broke out that Workers' Party have sacked Yaw, various opposition parties have indicated their decision over whether to participate in the potential by-election. Singapore Democratic Party, Singapore People's Party and Singapore Democratic Alliance have all confirmed that they are not contesting.
Workers' Party and the ruling People's Action Party will definitely field a candidate but nobody knows who would it be. There are two obvious choices from the white team. Either Desmond Choo, the man in white who lost to Yaw in GE 2011, or Ong Ye Kung, another loser who contested in Aljunied GRC, would be PAP's choice.
Knowing that his chances of winning might not be big, Desmond Choo might choose not to represent his party this time. This means that Ong, who is also assistant secretary general of NTUC, might be fielded instead.
However, putting Ong Ye Kung might somehow backfire PAP's chances of conquering Hougang GRC. Hougang residents would be reminded of his infamous defeat to their ex-MP, Low Thia Kiang, in Aljunied GRC last year. Bearing that in mind, the more they would choose to keep their constituency as a non-PAP ward.
Many people, be it politicians or commoners, have urged other parties not to put an oar into this PAP-WP war. However, Tan Jee Say, the man whom I supported in the 2011 presidential election, has indicated that he doesn't rule out contesting there.
TJS, if elected, would be a very outstanding opposition MP (much better than as a president). But I sincerely hope that he will not participate and make it a three-cornered fight. If he does that and PAP ends up winning, I am going loathe him like Manchester United for the rest of my life.
Back to WP, so who should they field? Eric Tan the veteran has left them, Gerard Giam is already an NCMP, so is Yee Jen Jong. Maybe John Yam would be the preferred candidate but he doesn't look formiable enough on his own.
An alternative solution which I propose to this problem is to have WP to step down and allow National Solidarity Party to take on PAP. WP already have five seats in parliament and that is excluding their two NCMPs.
NSP possesses a pool of talents that are capable of giving PAP a tough fight. Secretary-general, Hazel Poa, Hazel's husband Tony Tan, Steve Chia, Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss and not forgetting Nicole Seah are all established names with electoral experience.
Unless they can field a strong candidate, WP should be gracious and let another alternative party contest in Hougang SMC.
After news broke out that Workers' Party have sacked Yaw, various opposition parties have indicated their decision over whether to participate in the potential by-election. Singapore Democratic Party, Singapore People's Party and Singapore Democratic Alliance have all confirmed that they are not contesting.
Workers' Party and the ruling People's Action Party will definitely field a candidate but nobody knows who would it be. There are two obvious choices from the white team. Either Desmond Choo, the man in white who lost to Yaw in GE 2011, or Ong Ye Kung, another loser who contested in Aljunied GRC, would be PAP's choice.
Knowing that his chances of winning might not be big, Desmond Choo might choose not to represent his party this time. This means that Ong, who is also assistant secretary general of NTUC, might be fielded instead.
However, putting Ong Ye Kung might somehow backfire PAP's chances of conquering Hougang GRC. Hougang residents would be reminded of his infamous defeat to their ex-MP, Low Thia Kiang, in Aljunied GRC last year. Bearing that in mind, the more they would choose to keep their constituency as a non-PAP ward.
Many people, be it politicians or commoners, have urged other parties not to put an oar into this PAP-WP war. However, Tan Jee Say, the man whom I supported in the 2011 presidential election, has indicated that he doesn't rule out contesting there.
TJS, if elected, would be a very outstanding opposition MP (much better than as a president). But I sincerely hope that he will not participate and make it a three-cornered fight. If he does that and PAP ends up winning, I am going loathe him like Manchester United for the rest of my life.
Back to WP, so who should they field? Eric Tan the veteran has left them, Gerard Giam is already an NCMP, so is Yee Jen Jong. Maybe John Yam would be the preferred candidate but he doesn't look formiable enough on his own.
An alternative solution which I propose to this problem is to have WP to step down and allow National Solidarity Party to take on PAP. WP already have five seats in parliament and that is excluding their two NCMPs.
NSP possesses a pool of talents that are capable of giving PAP a tough fight. Secretary-general, Hazel Poa, Hazel's husband Tony Tan, Steve Chia, Jeanette Chong-Aruldoss and not forgetting Nicole Seah are all established names with electoral experience.
Unless they can field a strong candidate, WP should be gracious and let another alternative party contest in Hougang SMC.
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