Chiam See Tong leaving Potong Pasir- Why, Where and Who
November 12th, 2009 | 
Author: By Bhaskaran Kunju
Last week, on November 3, Singapore People’s Party chairman Sin Kek Tong announced that the Potong Pasir ward would most likely be contested by ‘someone new’ though no specific names were hinted at.
The Potong Pasir ward, a single member constituency, has been held by MP Chiam See Tong since 1984.
With 25 consecutive years under his belt as Member of Parliament, Mr Chiam is Singapore’s longest serving opposition MP having outlasted even J.B. Jeyaratnam (JBJ). JBJ being Singapore’s first opposition MP, having won the Anson by-elections just 3 years earlier.
Mr Chiam, not unlike JBJ, has also faced a tumult of challenges in his years in politics but has never shown signs of wavering from his seat of power.
While JBJ found his political career in tatters, Mr Chiam non-confrontational approach has repeatedly won over the people for 6 consecutive General Elections, a huge feat when taking into account the problems he had faced in his political career as well as the stifling political climate present in Singapore.
Mr Chiam initially contested under the Singapore Democratic Party banner, a party that he had founded in 1980 but found himself on the wrong side of party members in 1995 due to the polarising effect of the newly recruited Mr Chee Soon Juan.
The incidents resulting from it nearly threatened his political career, but Mr Chiam went on to accept membership and the chairmanship at the Singapore People’s Party and has carried on his good work unhindered.
As of 2001 he leads the Singapore Democratic Alliance, a political alliance between Singapore Malay National Organisation and the Singapore People’s Party.
The news of Mr Chiam’s decision to not contest as an incumbent came, as a surprise to many political observers but it is not entirely without practical thought. He had suffered a stroke just last year, which led to some initial disruption with his weekly meet-the-people sessions.
Mr Chiam however will not be stepping away from politics as he has stated his interest to contest in a Group Representative Constituency (GRC) for the next elections.
This will inevitably lead to three questions, ‘Which constituency would Mr Chiam be contesting in?’, ‘Why contest a GRC?’ and ‘Who would succeed Mr Chiam in his Potong Pasir constituency?’
Logically it would be about time for Mr Chiam to pass on the mantle to a younger successor. Mr Chiam turns 75 next March and as mentioned before has shown signs of wavering health.
Some political observers have pointed to Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam, the eldest son of JBJ and Secretary-General of the Reform Party, carrying on his legacy at Potong Pasir. However I believe there is likelihood that Mr Chiam’s successor could be someone a lot closer to his lineage.
Mr Chiam’s daughter, Camilla 33, has been involved in her father’s political career though she has kept a low profile in the media. However she should be of familiarity to residence of Potong Pasir, having done a lot of legwork in her father’s past campaigns and having most recently filled in for him at the meet-the-people sessions, after his hospitalisation due to a stroke.
Familiarity is obviously not the only reason, one should also take into account Mr Chiam’s oft-repeated and well proven statement that his constituents are bought over by their trust in him.
Lofty promises of upgrading and charm offences backfired tremendously for the PAP candidate Mr Sitoh Yih Pin.
Speaking to reporters right after the 2006 General Elections, Ms Camilla Chiam had this to say about her father’s victory, “We worked hard and managed to beat abalone porridge and that $80-million carrot,” the latter being a reference to the upgrading projects and the former a reference to the abalone porridge nights arranged by Mr Sitoh Yih Pin for Potong Pasir constituents. While the porridges were a success it didn’t necessarily translate into votes.
Mr Chiam’s biggest advantage over his PAP rivals has been his decades long familiarity with the residents but with nearly a generation having passed since his initial win, there is a possibility that he could be losing his core supporters. However in the last elections he retained his seat in parliament with a 55.82% majority, which in itself is a small yet significant improvement of nearly 3.5% from the previous elections of 2001.
Contrary to popular belief, Mr Chiam’s appeal has not faded and a family member such as his daughter would make a logical successor if she could bank on his well-entrenched reputation among the constituents. Ideally it 
would be less of a risk than to field in a new candidate, like Mr Jeyaretnam, an unknown to the constituents and a new entrant to the political sphere.
There has already been speculation that Mr Chiam may field himself as part of a ‘super group’ in the Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. The Bishan GRC is relatively new and has been uncontested since 1997.
The highly developed constituency is a PAP strong hold and is one of the toughest GRCs to get a foothold of. However the high level of development could work in favour of the opposition since the PAP’s main tactic in winning over voters has been with promises of upgradings.
The assumption in favour of PAP will be voter gratitude for the development and upgrading of the area. The failure to capture the two opposition wards despite the promises of upgrading has had a sobering effect on the PAP, with promises to change their tactic.
But the issues of political contentment stretch further than upgrading needs. It will not be impossible for a GRC to be won by an opposition. In the 2006 elections the Aljunied GRC was hotly contested by the Worker’s Party team led by Ms Sylvia Lim and garnered 43.91% of the vote. A significant amount
for a GRC and even more so when taking into account it was the best performance by a losing opposition in any constituency in the 2006 elections.
Similarly the PM Lee led PAP team for the Ang Mo Kio GRC lost 33.86% of the votes to a very inexperienced and young Worker’s Party team. It wouldn’t be too off the mark to suggest that a GRC would be there for the taking at the next elections with so much of the gap having been closed in the last elections.
It must also be noted that earlier this year there were amendments made to the GRC and Single Member Constituency (SMC) criteria. In the same parliamentary sitting when PM Lee announced changes in the NMP and NCMP seats he also stated that the number of SMCs would be increased from 8 to 12 and the average number of members in a GRC would be reduced to no more than an average of 5. Meaning, there will be fewer 6 member GRCs and more smaller GRCs.
In addition to that, he also stated that with this changes there would be inevitable adjustments made to electoral boundaries. Hence, in his own words, “the new configurations should be made known and justified many months in advance of the elections.”
Given such a scenario, it would be easy to see why opposition candidates may seem the time might be right for the capture of a GRC. With Mr Chiam having taken his Potong Pasir Constituency as far as he possibly could, it could make sense that he needs to take up a new challenge.
It is very likely that Mr Chiam may contest in a GRC with Mr Jeyaretnam as part of a opposition ‘super group’ to maximise their appeal to the voters. But unlike talks of a Bishan-Toa Payoh contest, I think it would be more likely that he could contest the Jalan Besar GRC which was previously contested by his SDA party and lost despite garnering 31.30% of the votes.
Jalan Besar GRC also comprises a relatively older enclave of Singaporeans who might be able to identify with the political stature of Mr Chiam and the legacy of the Jeyaretnams. However with election dates still a year away and election boundaries likely to be altered it is unlikely that Mr Chiam or his party would make an announcement as yet. But I would like to stress that the elections would most likely be held next year before 2011.
For some reason the press keeps speculating on the actual year, with some claiming it could be held as early as end of the year. Anyone paying attention to Parliamentary sessions this year would have picked up on PM Lee referring to the elections as the ‘2010 General Elections’. It is possible that he could be using a generic term, but it is highly unlikely for the PM to be throwing around generic terms in Parliament without much basis to it.
Related articles:
>> Chiam See Tong rapped for taking Potong Pasir residents for granted
>> Chiam See Tong leaving Potong Pasir: a political suicide?
>> PM Lee: PAP will not be taken advantage of again in Potong Pasir
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About the Author:
Bhaskaran Kunju is a Political Science and Communications and New Media undergraduate at the National University of Singapore. He is a regular contributor to the Straits Times Forum and TODAY Voices. He also writes for NLB and FAS and hopes to be a full-time journalist upon graduation.
Posted in 42 Responses to “Chiam See Tong leaving Potong Pasir- Why, Where and Who”
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Mr Chiam is a champion.
I admire his strong conviction and commitment to Potong Pasir and Singapore. I worry though, because I saw him a few months back and he looked very frail and unwell. Hopefully his health has improved since then. If not, while it is a big loss to the opposition, maybe he should step out of the race and think of his own wellbeing.
A man of conviction huh?
A commitment to keep his MP paycheck perhaps?
@ tookie on Thu, 12th Nov 2009 9:22 am
Who is the oldest politician around?
@Tookie: I have observed Chiam… He’s not really suitable to be in politics. He’s naive with human resource management, and now he’s a paranoidal manager on this. He’s committed, but people need clear-cut leadership who knows what to do. Over the years, I have observed SPP’s policy inclination… not really satisfactory.
But the point is, he’s still a respectable folk. But it’s a pity if he is respectable only when the others are playing the devils to allow him to persevere.
As MM would be, I doubt I’d recommend an early retirement for him. He’s still a very prominent opposition leader, made possibly prominent because of those devils. He’s still have a good use on this stage, to create history by taking a GRC. See?
That’s the beauty of politics. And then PAP will hopefully put up its best for us to see. If he retires, he’s probably gonna die an useless old man watching the ceiling at home. I say go for it, else no show to watch. Hahahahahahahahaha…
I agree that Kenneth Jeyaratnam won’t hold the same appeal for PP people as Mr Chiam does – and there is definitely word on the street that his daughter may be successful in taking over his mantle. I’m proud to be renting a place in this constituency – the home of people who put loyalty above succulent carrots! I hope Mr Chiam and Camilla recognise this and keep the faith on their part.
It is better for Chiam’s wife or daughter to succeed him due to familiarity of the ward and also voters may not accept outsider
u noe .. if mr chiam reall push for his wife or daughter, then it’ll be huge irony. it’ll be like ..he expects people to support him keeping the power in his family ..from the people who often raised issues on LHL getting PM-ship.
Come come. Even Old Fart had to make a show of ‘no dynastic succession’ by appointing a regent.
Shouldn’t the village chief too least there be accusations?
Lee Hsien Tau,
If Chiam just wanna keep his MP paycheck, isnt it best for him to remain in Potong Pasir?
Chiam’s conviction is for all to see… fighting solitarily in a futile attempt to add some balance to our system.
Despite the hopeless situation, did he ever give up?
Nope. For 25 years, he has been trying his best to uphold the image and status of oppositions in Singapore with his actions.
He is the man, an epitome of conviction and perseverance.
He has done himself, and his supportors proud.
Go for it Mr Chiam… You have my support!
No.SPP CEC will make the decision to appoint the successor , and not Chiam, so there won’t be any nepotism. Moreover pap also practices nepotism, why worry?
So Singapore political arena happen to have
“PaPa Anak Party”(PAP) and Famileee Party (Husband, Daughter & Wife)Brother & Sister Party (Chee & Chee)
If PAP’s father and son can be in the same Party and same Cabinet, I don’t see anything wrong with Chiam and Daughter being voted into the same setup.
The PAP govt has already set the precedence. So, what is there to complain or grumble or argue against?
First Singapore must have some decent democracy. If Mr. Chiam and his proposed team get to win a GRC, at least we are beginning to see some decency.
The PAP will sure to rule Singapore after the next election, nobody in the right mind would doubt that. However in a democratic country, we must distribute the administrative power to the hand of multi party instead of just one party trying to find diversity within itself. The diversity should come from different political parties, each having a different viewpoint. For example, if a segment of the citizen would prefer the government to be pro native Singapore’s workers then at least they can rely on the party which best represent that interest to speak up for them. Another party which thinks that compassion should exist in government, they offer that platform.
The evolution of that a system is not by words but by deeds.
As citizen, we will be the watcher and we should allow multi parties to flourish within our democracy. This is the basic survival technique for the citizenry.
If the center of power goes to PAP, it is bad, so it’s the same if it goes to WP or any other party. As responsible citizens we must build level playing fields and encourage multi parties’ participation in politics. We must shift the power to an acceptable proportion so that we can enjoy true beneficial representation.
It is wrong to be pro PAP; it is also wrong to pro Opp parties. The best thing to do is to be pro Citizenry. The current need of the citizens is to get more opposition into government.
many countries also have politicians’ children taking over their parents mantle. no problem with that so long they compete under a level playing field. let ppl judge for themselves.
anyway, i welcome CST to compete in jalan besar GRC(where i am living)
PAP, the ruling party for so many years, has already set the precedence of nepotism, why can’t other political parties follow suit?
PAP even has both Father and Son in the same Cabinet. Father-in-Law and Daughter-in-Law in the same GIC-Temasek. Nephew-in-Law, Uncle, Cousin in the same Cabinet.
Why pick it on opposition parties? Look into the mirror first and point the other fingers back at them.
I fully support Chiam and Daughter to be in politics and win against the PAP for the good of the future generations of Singapore, instead of the elitist elites.
I like to suggest Chiam’s wife take over P.P and daughter joins him in a GRC, eg Jln Besar or Toa Payoh-Bishan.I guess they can get at least 40% in GRC fight, if they can’t win.
So If U and the common people accepted this nepotism style, so no use of having General Election. So let it be,Only Stupid and Goondu guy like U don’t know how to see a bigger picture.
SINGAPOREANS WAKE UP, IT IS TIME FOR CHANGE, VOTE FOR CHANGE, VOTE OPPOSITION
any opposition MP is better than a pappie lackey
Malboro,
Your logic baffles me.
Chiam passes Potong Pasir to wifey or daughter.
Keep paycheck in famiLee.
What’s the difference?
SPP CEC decide meh? Who has veto powers?
Political SalesMaN,
Even UK abolished Lordship by right of birth.
Must ask why?
actually both his daughter and wife are good candidates. so far the public push has been on the wife. but his wife is not that young and camilla does not seem too interested in taking over. so huge question marks. but most likely it will be either one. i think if it is his wife they might lose out but his daughter might have an advantage since she is young and will be popular. PAP wont dare attack someone young that openly. if it is the wife, she can expect a lot of potshots. it also looks bad on the party to be honest, to have a the wife contest after you. children still not so bad i.e. Lee style succession.
UK is one type of English people by birth. U got mix up.
Singapore is mixture of race from the early migration.
Go back to your politics lesson again.Only Asian mind like U never change.Kapala Batu!U have pledge our Flag like a Fool.
U got NKF
This coming election is going to be a deciding factor for everyone. It is no longer about upgrading matters. It affects the whole of Singapore demographic structure, the influx of foreigners and the lost of thousands of jobs due to this. We have seen betrayers:- MIW calling Singaporean lesser mortals, and swore not to bow to Singaporeans. We witnessed the lost of billions of dollars in our reserves and our town council funds were lost by millions too. We have MIW planning to transport old folks into Johor & Batam to die there alone and mean-testing came as a shock. Upping GST to pay obscene MIW salaries were approved immediately after the last election and true color of greed was slapped onto the voters’ faces. The list goes on and on since the last election. Either we vote PAP and die in their hands or vote them out for better future, you guys decided.
Lee Hsien Tau, can you do us all a favor and remove your head from your ass before you comment? By itself, there is nothing wrong with a child taking over as a candidate in the parent’s stronghold as long as the party CEC approved the final decision. What is wrong with PM Lee is that either he is so securely cloistered up in his ivory tower that doesn’t realize the degree of anger that his policies have brought about, or that he is aware of it and simply doesn’t care.
What is at issue here is not whether Lina or Camilla Chiam takes over from CST, what is at issue here is the sincerity and willingness to serve. Camilla Chiam had covered for her father while he was convalescing from his stroke, which at least proved the Chiam family’s willingness to serve the people of Potong Pasir.
Can the same be said of Wee Siew Khim, whose daughter infamously told working class people to “get out of (her) elite, uncaring face” and who even more infamously told protesting constituents that they “just cannot handle the truth”? Exactly what truth is he referring to that the protesters cannot handle? That he has absolutely no desire to serve them at all despite being elected to do so, which is exactly what his daughter’s infamous rant implied? And why didn’t PM Lee rebuke him for this, since WSK’s response to the complaints implied that he agreed with his daughter’s statement, which in turn implied that he exerted a strong influence in bringing her up that way?
Who does everyone else here say is a better MP, Chiam See Tong, who got his daughter to cover for him during his illness, or Wee Siew Khim, who clearly never raised his daughter to respect others?
@citizenofSG on Thu, 12th Nov 2009 1:08 pm
I agree with you mostly. However, in order to achieve the balance that you mentioned, we have to all be pro-opposition first. Once we see about 40% to 50% opposition MPs in parliament, then we can talk about quality and scrutinising the candidates.
You can prune a bonsai when the bonsai is just twigs and no leaves.
Political SalesMaN
Which cuntry isn’t a mixture of race from early migration, conquest and colonisation?
UK come from a mix of Irish, Celts, Saxons, Normans, Angels, Gauls, Romans, Vikings, Franks etc.
Problem is the prick would do any hole they get, and then boomz, we have a mixture.
Darth Vader,
My head was never in my ass. It’s physically impossible.
If Chiam See Tong ever respects CEC final decision, no need for him to split from SDP liao.
And don’t use Anwar as an excuse. Anwar’s wife took over because Anwar was in Sungei Buloh. After he qualified, she made way. Anwar’s daughter took on her own different ward. Next time should Anwar’s wife have a calling, she gets her own seat in Parliament. That’s not like Father pass to son, son pass to grandson.
You know what is a dynastic succession or not?
So all, hear me.
When you see my name, respect.
Don’t any-o-how say things like my head in my ass.
When I am in my element (to Darth Vader it means ‘the force is with me’
), Old Fart also not my equal.
Want to argue, must do so with clear and present logic, understand.
lee hsien tau”
Do U know now SPP stand for what?
“Sick People Party”
I think U got a sick mind, just like LKY.
U’re not travelling in a Road to Democarcy.
U’re just another Tartars.
I’m all for democracy.
That’s why I’m 100% against dynastic succession.
If it happens with Potong Pasir, then people like Darth Vader and all who are ‘pro’ in this thread can shut their mouth forever.
Because the Old Fart got excuse to make his grandson next in line (without even the pretense of a ‘regent’).
Why? Chiam See Tong can! Why I cannot?
Even communist China don’t dare.
So Camilla Chiam took over when her father kenna stroke.
Big deal.
A lot of the PAP MP’s all use volunteers, then reward them with durians. (That, by the way, I saw with my own eyes, this ex-MP Loh Meng See, later replaced by the even worse Denise Phua).
So many willing to ’serve’. All after the easy money.
Like that 82 wards not enough you know.
“That’s why I’m 100% against dynastic succession.”
Then why do you support the Lee family? PM Lee has already proven that he is not the best person to run the country going by all the blunders the government made since he became PM. Okay, I take back what I said about your head being in your ass. I was wrong about that; instead, you have proven that your rectum empties into your cranial cavity.
Darth Vader
“Your rectum empties into your cranial cavity.”
Well, at least that sounds better. It puts me in recycling mode.
I’m against dynastic succession in Potong Pasir as much as for the island as a whole. How does that make me an Old Fart supporter?
How does Chiam See Tong stuttering like a parrot compare to Pinky? How much better?
I think I should bless you with a little more intelligence in your argument (maybe your rectum should empty into your cranial cavity too?) May the force be with you.
lee hsien tau: why are U so angry with the PAP? I know Y!
2001 Election U vote for PAP.If I’m not wrong U are the first time voter during that Election.Because some one from the opposition party Shouted At GCT and made the vote swing back to the PAP. U are now awake. Never mind a lesson has been taught. Keep going to vote again PaP.
You all seem to missing the point.
If an opposition wishes his child, sibling or spouse to take over, at the end of the day, the voters will still have to vote for them to take over. This is similar to George Bush Jr being the president even though his dad was the president before. It is not as if his dad appointed him. The people appointed him.
However, for PAP’s case, LKY appointed his son to be the PM via proxy. Was this even the choice of the people?
There are actually only 2 camp of people i see here in TR. One who raise point, fact and debate problem/solution. and the other type who call others name, insult and abusive and repeat.
Even if you are saying the holy truth about PAP/Anti-PAP, no one will listen or agree with you if you belong to type 2.
Oh btw, ADMIN,
can we see more APEC related articles in TR? And no i am not referring to anything related to CSJ
Political SalesMaN
Were you born without a brain?
I know. You are actually a dog.
Look. This person says it’s SPP’s CEC that decides who replaces Chiam See Tong in Potong Pasir, and it’s fair should they choose Lina Loh or Camilla Chiam …. committed, and willing to serve etc etc.
Chiam See Tong is no different from the Old Farter.
His old CEC at SDP disagreed with him. He resigned, set up a new party, installed a CEC that’s no more than a rubber stamp, and life goes on.
He’s now just a village chief. You are suggesting replacing one dictator with another?
So who and which party we now have and konw is and are the better ones for OUR SAKES?…
I do know why Singapore as in Actual Fact is A MINISCULE Island Not (”Tiny Red Dot”) and has to showcase itself to the world for VISIBILTY… BUT…
It IS quite another thing… when in that process… Sinagpore BORn SINGAPOREANS get COMPROMISED… ESPECIALLY In OLD AGE!!!… And GET TOLD-OFF TOO!!!…
So… what choice or choices AND Options does CST have AT THIS JUNCTURE???… As…
What you either OF YOU DO… If YOUR ARE In His shoes???…
Kindly enlighten us all… Instead of fightint your own private battle… As…
We ARE all here to learn from each other… AS MUCH AS THE PAP DEFINITELY… “Listening” to “Learn” too… Whatever the latter is and how they ARE LEARNING… IS Quite another matter!!!…
SO… with JBJ gone… How shall CST “BEAT HIS DRUMS” to make us all Rock for him and also the oppo camp???… Please shared with us and try refraining from MAKING TR… YOUR FUROM!!!…
And us all… lose focus for the next GE!!!… Thank you both!!!
Nepotism or simply… internal dispute?
If SPP decides Mr Chiam to be leading, if Chiam decides he has no one better than his wife, of cos… those who are unhappy can try to be Chee Soon Juan II.
You know Ghandi? We talked about Democracy, so after Ghandi mati, who took over? Nepotism?
Hahahahahahahahahahaha…
Hahahahahahahahahahaha…
Well well well, we have people championing democracy and freedom of speech and against censorship, then we have sites moderating Elfred’s comments for forever…
And people are talking about nepotism over such minor issue.
If Chiam made the decision, just let him be.
Or go ahead, be Chee Soon Juan II. Period.
Well, there’s unlikely to be a Chee Soon Juan II showing up in SPP or I’m a eunuch tomorrow.
The reason is the village chief learnt from his first lesson.
What I’m pointing out here is that you can discount any claims that the choice of who takes over in Potong Pasir (Lina Loh or Camilla Chiam – and there won’t be any other choices
) has the concurrence of the party’s CEC! The CEC is just a rubber stamp, like the one in PAP, Cuba, North Korea, Zimbabwe, the Old Soviet Union etc. And the umbrella the SPP is part of is also a worthless and useless organisation.
In North Korea, they had a great leader in Kim Il Sung, and then a dear leader in Kim Jong Il. Here we have our own great leader and also a dear leader when the great leader is still around.
In Haiti too, they had a great leader in François “Papa Doc” Duvalier, and then a dear leader in Jean-Claude “Baby Doc” Duvalier. Jean-Bertrand Aristide led a revolution leading to his election in 1990. He had to be picked up by a US helicopter (like Marcos) by 2004.
I had a very bad personal experience with Chiam See Tong. You can read all about it if you like:
http://chiam-see-tong.blogspot.com/
The thing is, if there is any potential leader that is worth our trust in, he is of threat to the Old Fart, and the Old Fart won’t waste any time to bankrupt, disable, discredit or otherwise bribe into submission.
Actually, Ong Teng Cheong surprised me with what he did.
Sadly, no one gave support to JBJ. Now we only have CSJ. But nobody wants any part of him?
You want my advise? Start hoarding kitchen knives and flammable fluids.
Just don’t keep any high hopes on the ones you have! You will only be disappointed.