Benjamin Cheah
The Singapore People’s Party (SPP) has consistently remained silent about its plans for the upcoming general elections. The only known candidates are Secretary-General Chiam See Tong and his wife Lina, contesting Bishan-Toa Payoh Group Representative Constituency (GRC) and Potong Pasir Single Member Constituency (SMC) respectively.
The SPP has surrounded itself with a blank wall of silence. But this silence is revealing in itself.
Chiam See Tong’s strategy – the SPP’s strategy?
The SPP, and Mr Chiam in particular, has historically been linked with Potong Pasir. Mr Chiam first contested in Potong Pasir in the 1979 by-election. He lost to the PAP’s Howe Yoon Chong, and lost again in the 1980 General Election. The third time was the charm, though: he was elected in 1984 and has held on to his post since.
Mr Chiam is currently the only other elected opposition Member of Parliament, besides the Workers’ Party’s Mr Low Thia Khiang. The residents of Potong Pasir have consistently returned Mr Chiam to Parliament despite enticements from the ruling People’s Action Party, such as promises to upgrade facilities should the people vote for the PAP. Clearly, he enjoys tremendous ground support.
Mr Chiam’s personal strategy in past elections is centred on establishing and maintaining personal relationships with his voters. He spent five years establishing himself in Potong Pasir before winning the seat.
Mr Chiam’s winning strategy seems to be the SPP’s upcoming electoral strategy.
SPP: Vote for the Chiams!
During his walkabouts, residents greeted Mr Chiam warmly, with a fair number openly pledging to vote for him. Mr Chiam is banking on his reputation in Potong Pasir spilling over to Bishan-Toa Payoh.
Mrs Chiam is the de facto shadow Potong Pasir Member of Parliament. Since 1976, she has been helping Mr Chiam in his political duties. She has helpedtp address residents’ concerns, served on the Potong Pasir Town Council, and helped Mr Chiam in his political campaigns and preparations for parliamentary sessions. Over the past 35 years, Mrs Chiam has apparently developed her own brand of politics – “motherly” and “approachable”, in her own words – based on Mr Chiam’s strategy of establishing personal rapport with residents.
With Mr Chiam being the most well-known SPP member, it seems that the party is banking on his personal popularity, rather than the SPP brand name.
SPP – Strictly Potong Pasir?
The main criticisms levelled at the SPP following the forum were Mrs Chiam’s poor showing and the party’s lack of national vision. While Mrs Chiam raised certain issues, such as Singapore’s open immigration policy and care for the elderly, they came across as a wish list instead of components of an integrated national strategy. While this appears scattershot, it might be possible that Mrs Chiam was reflecting the concerns of Potong Pasir and Bishan-Toa Payoh residents, as the party is concentrating on both constituencies instead of Singapore as a whole.
However, without a national vision, it cannot compete with the PAP, or even the WP or other opposition parties with national ambitions. Mrs Chiam’s inability to articulate a national vision on live television would hurt both her and the party’s image – voters whose interests include national and international concerns demand an opposition with a national vision.
But is it fair to demand that the SPP articulate a national vision? The SPP left the Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) in February. It has been an independent party for just two months, having lost the resources and personnel it used to share with the SDA. Currently, the SPP is in no shape to follow through with any ambitions beyond Potong Pasir and maybe Bishan-Toa Payoh – but it cannot afford to be overshadowed by everyone else. The SPP’s current strategy seems to address both concerns, by making the most out of its two most important members: the Chiams.
The SPP is doing the only thing it can realistically do for the elections: establishing a long-term presence in Bishan-Toa Payoh and Potong Pasir, and winning over the residents. That is all it can do until and unless the party expands considerably.
What if the Chiams win? The answer would depend on what they win.
If Mrs Chiam secures Potong Pasir, the SPP’s traditional stronghold would be secured. However, Mr Chiam would be forced out of the political arena, at least for a while. This could be a devastating blow to the SPP. Mr Chiam is still the face of the party, and failure to return to Parliament could cast doubts on the relevance of the SPP. Mrs Chiam would have to take over her husband’s mantle in relatively short order, and would face an uphill struggle in winning future support for the party. She may be the shadow Potong Pasir MP, but until she is acknowledged as Mr Chiam’s rightful successor by the rest of Singapore, the SPP would not able to attract a lot of talent in the immediate future – especially given Mrs Chiam’s poor showing in the forum.
Suppose the reverse happens: Mr Chiam wins Bishan-Toa Payoh, but Mrs Chiam loses Potong Pasir. The SPP would make its mark on local politics by ejecting Wong Kan Seng, the Deputy Prime Minister, from Parliament, and it would have a greater political presence. Mr Chiam’s political legacy would be secured, but it would be tarnished by the loss of his old stronghold. The SPP would appear attractive to aspiring opposition candidates, but it would also appear that the SPP has just one talented politician. Should Mr Chiam suddenly exit politics for whatever reason, the future of the SPP would be uncertain. The SPP would only be able to attract members who are willing to accept that risk.
The best case scenario, of course, is if the Chiams win both Potong Pasir and Bishan-Toa Payoh. The SPP would establish itself as a capable opposition party, having made history by winning a GRC and placing a husband-and-wife team in Parliament. The SPP would have less trouble attracting members and support. However, the SPP would need to transition to a national-level party to capitalize on this victory. This would require a paradigm shift, with the SPP moving away from municipal interests and grappling with national issues.
But the long term can wait. For now, the Chiams must win their two-fold gamble on Potong Pasir and Bishan-Toa Payoh. Failure risks political irrelevance. This is not a failure the SPP, and the Chiams, can afford.
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April 7, 2011 at 11:56 am
I have no love for my MPs at Bishan-Toa Payoh…I’m surrounded daily by examples of ineffiency and poor planning in my neighbourhood…going to their website, I dun even know which of the MPs is in charge of my neck of the woods!
However, seeing Mrs Chiam’s performance on TV was really cringe-worthy..she was like Paula Abdul in American Idol…zoned out! I pity the residents of PP if they have to decide between her and another candidate.
I welcome Mr Chiam to contest Bishan-Toa Payoh, but a remark from my mother does leave me wondering…is Mr Chiam trying to leave his own politcal dynasty? I’m afraid never living in PP, i’ve not seen how he works his wards…but i am wary if he is trying to build his own dynasty.
April 8, 2011 at 5:44 pm
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/03/that-makeshift-cubicle-at-the-void-deck/
if you have not, i urge u to read this. the dedication this guy puts in is unquestionable. over and over again, he has been at a disadvantage compared to others
even after being elected into parliament,
even after his medical condition worsen at one point in time,
even after he faces the sure fact that he will not live to see the tipping point if the opposition ever wins a majority…
surely u are kidding when u think he is going to succeed in living a dynasty like some famiLEE..
April 8, 2011 at 7:24 pm
You should have moved to Tg Pagar or Marine Parade as you are most unlikely to worry about making a decision on whom to vote for, just enjoy the polling day as an additional Public Holiday, with the walkovers.
April 7, 2011 at 12:10 pm
I don’t fault Lina Chiam for her poor showing on the CNA forum. There is a place for all kinds of politicians and parties in Singapore’s political landscape. There are people like Sylvia Lim who make good speeches in Parliament. And then there are people like the Chiams who serve their particular constituency well, but aren’t super articulate.
If you see the PAP’s recruitment strategy, the same pattern holds true as well. Not all PAP MPs talk sense – some are obviously recruited not for their brains, but because they connect well with heartlanders.
April 7, 2011 at 12:16 pm
The article fails to home in on CST’s main failure, in my view. He has been a MP since 1984, yet has failed to groom any obvious successors, other than his wife.
I think it is a great pity he has not been able to leave a greater legacy after over a quarter-century in public life. Does the SPP have a future after CST?
April 7, 2011 at 1:17 pm
speaking from the alternative viewpoint, my fear is that potong pasir is at risk this GE 2011
1) first impression of Lina Chiam’s national tv debut is yes, cringe worthy. she’s not prepared for the subjects to be discussed, what more with melissa hyak’s drilling. She comes across as uncertain and light weight.
2) In all cultures/societies, eastern or western, female candidates are generally disadvantaged, just like in the work place. Even Hillary Clinton, an experienced and qualified candidate lost to Barack Obama whose CV is so much thinner. It’ll be a very different outcome if Hillary Clinton is a guy.
3) PP residents’ support for Mr Chiam may not migrate to Lina Chiam unless she is a very strong and capable candidate, better than PAP’s Sito but is she?
April 7, 2011 at 3:14 pm
yes i agree that Lina’s performance in the forum was bad. I couldnt take it myself. but it wasnt her playing field. ive seen her on walkabouts and town events. she really connects well with the people and i may say thru observation that she stands pretty strong. she wouldnt necessarily need to worry much about her forum showing, since much of the residents in Potong Pasir are old, and the young voters arent much. as a PP resident, Sitoh has very little chance of winning, if PAP is gonna use the same of tactic of Upgrading carrot. i dnt really see any point in those upgrade, as most of us living here enjoy the kampong setting. upgrading will only promise to spoil it.
April 7, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Mrs Chiam may not be articulate, but she comes across as sincere and most of all, GENUINE. At grassroots level, we want MPs who are always present and not appear only during election time.
April 7, 2011 at 7:11 pm
Can feel that Mrs Chiam has a heart for the heartlanders. This differentiates her from the PAPs who may be brainy but live in their ivory tower and lack empathy.
April 7, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Clumsy as she was, don’t write off mdm Lina yet. Mdm Aquino was thrown into the limelight relunctantly after her husband was assassinated, and she went onto win the presidency race beating marcos ! There’s a good documentary by natgeo or history channel she could learn from it!
April 7, 2011 at 9:40 pm
Yes indeed……chin up LinaChiam,.. if Corazon can beat Marcos, so can you beat Sitoh or whoever else they switch to on nomination day!
Being articulate is not the only trait of a good MP. Your other traits like being assertive and having excellent PR with residents are more important.The majority of the PAP MPs are not that articulate either.
My family and I will definitely vote for you on 7May2011!
April 7, 2011 at 10:58 pm
I believe Mrs.Lina Chiam will win big this time at PP as PM Lee has done some BOO BOO towards opposition wards and as for BT GRC there is a possible win for CST as voters now are more aware of their right as voters and what they have gone through the last few walk overs by the pappies.
April 8, 2011 at 1:23 am
Agree that Lina’s performance on TV ain’t good, but again there are many capable and mature people who do not do well in public speaking… I believed Lina’s a genuine and helpful person and indeed, at grassroot level, I do not need one MP who can only do well at public speaking, I need one who serve with his/her heart and I can see that in Lina! Plus, at least when she doesnt know what to say, she doesnt start stomping her feet! Oops!
A pity that I do not live in the particular parts of Singapore where I would have a chance to vote, however, I do hope that this GE would be something different.
April 9, 2011 at 3:44 pm
It is really puzzling why the Senior Peoples Party (SPP) has no other candidates, members and spoke persons for the party until today. All we see and hear are the 2 husband-and-wife Chiams and senior citizen members. Singapore cabinbet cannot be formed by only a husband-and-wife Chiam team and the senior citizens alone.
April 13, 2011 at 10:07 am
Dun tink husband+wife aspire to be in cabinet. Dey just want to represent the silent majority (trust me, it is getting BIGGER!) in parliament. Dey seem decent enough candidates to do so… no need for gd communication skill or persona, but must hv gd hearts n gd intent. When our mind-set is broadened, we ought to give worthy Oppn candidates a chance (Hey! We got nothing to lose these days but the future for the generations to come…) to change the political landscape tat ensures a decent parliament for decent people in us. Enough of candidates w/ excellent credentials for ministerialship. Let’s bring in down-to-earth candidates tat ought to bring Hope… candidates tat would MAKE A DIFFERENCE. To start a bon-fire, we need some sparks just like the Chiams and the other “little” people. We need gd people as check-n-balance in parliament on ALL issues which concern u n me. We need enough voice of conviction in the parliament to put issues on a Referendum. Referendum? And when was the last time parliament had one? Ministerial pay… Casinos… ? This is it! Make no mistake abt it! Don’t spoilt your vote in protest if u r still sitting on a fence (otherwise, stop whining). Go Vote for once with a sense of knowing tat ur one vote would matter. Voting is more than a Right… it is more than a Privilege… Voting is certainly a Gift.
April 10, 2011 at 1:04 pm
I met Mrs Chiam today at the SPP Bishan-Toa payoh walkabout. She is extremely down to earth, genuine, honest and sincere. I will feel extremely assured and safe if Mrs Chiam were MP for Potong Pasir, if I were staying there.
Not sure if the same assurance wld be felt of Mr Sito were the MP, even though he might be more eloquent.
April 10, 2011 at 4:46 pm
Mrs Chiam, Singaporeans need true leaders with heart for people not hard-hearted, eloquent, arrogant and know-it-all people.
April 10, 2011 at 7:20 pm
MM has been very quiet. Rumour has it that the party have told him to keep his head down lest he open his gob and again has to say..I STAND CORRECTED..which will be another headache for the party.
MM won’t retire just yet…for two reasons… I think.
#He loves the adrenalin that comes with POWER.
# He does not believe the present crop in Cabinet are capable of fulfilling all his ambitions and wishes and so he needs to keep a finger on it.
VOTE OPPOSITION.
April 12, 2011 at 11:05 am
My main concern for the SPP is the question of life from CST. The successor issue. I felt that the WP and NSP are much better in that area. I respect CST for all that he has done but one person can only do so much. He needs to start thinking about succession issues for the longer term.
CST has a dream of uniting all opposition under one banner and once the set up of the SDA. The alliance turned out to be shaky at best with the NSP and CST’s own SPP announced their leave.
Having said that. my vote will still be for CST. Look at what he has achieved in Potong Pasir without a single cent from the government. PAP town councils should be real ashamed.
April 13, 2011 at 10:28 am
Never mind abt succession plan for SPP for now. Not enough time to mull over tis. The Oppn is more than just CST, and he knows it. We need to look at a bigger picture. Fielding and sending as many credible (there are plenty!) Oppn candidates into parliament is the MAIN FOCUS for the disquiet lot of the common people like u n me. Dun blame LTK, CST, SL, n their predecessors who ar/wr minorities in the parliament. Not IF, but WHEN we hv enough representation, there will b loud enough voice to bring ALL issues on the table. Dey will NOT displace the PAP for sure, but their numbers will be enough to show as conscience for all MPs. I do believe there r still certain MPs with a sense of gd moral who hv/hd been struggling deep inside. When the occasion arise in the day of reckoning, who knows we may see the daylight of some MPs from the other side who may be objective enough to cross over on issues (not personal or party interest) tat ought to serve the people’s interest n place premium ovr the party whip.
April 30, 2011 at 2:38 pm
what has he acheived in potong pasir, pls?
April 30, 2011 at 2:36 pm
I would have respected Mr Chiam more if he has left behind in Potong Pasir a stronger or at least an equal calibre successor to him. This would have done justice for all the support PP voters have given him in the past. Mrs Chiam would leading hand in SPP but definitely not a MP. SPP is very weak. If the candidate is weak, at least his party must be strong. From my perspective, Chiam had many years to strengthen his party and attract strong candidates. He failed to do so. In one article, he said that it is not his style to woo talents. I am indeed suprised with this comment. Survival of any organisation lies in succession planining . When the party is so weak ( looking at the past history), should he dream or even aim for GRC? SPP is running on his popularity. With his health not so good, is he doing justice to Bishan/Toa payoh and Potong Pasir. Wouldnt it be wise for him to stay in potong pasir and continue to strengthen his party at least he leave a strong party to continue for more decades. Look at WP Low. He strengthen his party with good candidates and then move to GRC- this is a good leadership. I cant blame some of them stating that he is only interested in building his dynasty or history for himself.
May 1, 2011 at 1:39 pm
The SPP’S offer of 7-in-1 if Potong Pasir votes in Mrs Chiam is a fairy tale reminiscent of Snow White and the 7 dwarfs. But is there going to be fairy tale ending if that happens?