Singapore GE 2015: We predict WP to contest more GRCs for self-survival

Singapore General Election 2015.  When it comes to GE 2015, besides the date of the election, the next question on Singaporean's mind is whether the Worker's Party will be content to remain in Aljunied GRC, or make a bold move to contest another one or even two GRCs.

 

The WP's historic win of the Aljunied GRC in 2011 has certainly swelled its ranks with supporters and in turn a pool of potential candidates. Unfortunately, the Worker's Party is run much like a fiefdom by Low Thia Khiang and Sylvia Lim and even the mighty international corporate lawyer Chen Show Mao has been stifled to the extent that he is non-existent.

 

According to our analysis, the Worker's Party will definitely seek to contest outside Aljunied GRC. In fact, we believe that Low Thia Khiang will be selling a grand vision of denying the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) the two-third majority in Parliament. Unfortunately, this grand vision is not driven in the interest of democracy, but self-survival.

 

While the AHPETC debacle is still pending in the Court, one thing is certain, AHPETC is near bankruptcy and the only way they can avoid it is to win another GRC and co-mingle the funds. This, in our analysis, was the same reason that Low Thia Khiang ventured outside Hougang to contest the Aljunied GRC in 2011. Back then, Low Thia Khiang was lucky. The much talked about freak election result occurred. The PAP would have comfortably retained Aljunied GRC if not for the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew's now infamous statement that residents of Aljunied would live to repent their decision if they voted in the WP.

 

With AHPETC raising questions about government grants being misappropriated, over-payment of contractors and dubious dealings with their managing agent, it makes us wonder whether residents of Aljunied (and Singaporeans as a whole) still believe that the Worker's Party has the moral character and values to "co-drive" Singapore's Parliament. While Singaporeans want an alternative voice in Parliament, it is also important to have the correct alternative voice. Singapore needs an opposition that is honest and of good personal characters. We cannot afford to have an opposition that champions transparency and accountability, but refuses to be open and accountable themselves.

 

In short, we believe that the Singapore General Election 2015 will see the Worker's Party contesting a few GRCs with Low Thia Khiang himself leading the charge. Whether the Worker's Party will be able to win more GRCs, or even keep Aljunied, will depend on whether Singaporeans can see past the rhetoric and vote not only for an opposition, but vote for an opposition that is honest, proven and of good moral character to co-drive Singapore.