Co-opting Philip Jeyaretnam: A PAP masterstroke to counter the Jeyaretnams’ lingering appeal
November 26th, 2009 | 
Author: OPINION
The recent appointment of Mr Philip Jeyaretnam as a member of the Public Service Commission was announced amid much fanfare by the state media with the Straits Times highlighting the fact that he is the “son of the late opposition leader Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam” in its opening paragraph.
It was not revealed who the other members of the Commission are and neither have these routine appointments receive such extensive publicity in the press before.
As a member of the PSC, Mr Jeyaretnam will be involved in its task of appointing and promoting top civil servants and in picking students for its scholarships, the most prestigious of which is the President’s Scholarship.
What makes the appointment of Mr Jeyaretnam special is that he is the son of a nemesis of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew whose acquiescence is probably necessary for the appointment to go ahead.
Lee himself has come to blows with several times with the late JBJ, as he was fondly known by. He once remarked to former President Devan Nair that he would make JBJ “beg for mercy on bended knees.”
With the demise of the Barisan Sosialist as an effective opposition in the 1970s, JBJ had emerged as the sole opposition figure who dared to take on the PAP juggernaut which he had paid a dear price for.
The appointment of JBJ’s son as a member of the PSC is tantamount to “co-opting” him into the establishment which will go a long way towards softening Lee’s image as a dictatorial and ruthless leader with little tolerance for political opposition or dissent and demonstrate his “generosity” towards a son of an erstwhile adversary.
The intended mistake is unmistakable: the ruling party treasures talents and are willing to co-opt former critics and dissenters into its ranks so long they do not oppose them openly in public as exemplified by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan and Raymond Lim who are now cabinet ministers.
Though the PSC is not a political organization, it is closely linked to the ruling party and Philip’s appointment may pave the way for him to assume more prominent roles in the near future.
Nobody who is deemed a potential threat to the regime will ever be appointed to fill such an important position in the PSC.
It will interesting to see if Philip will be persuaded to stand for the elections on a PAP ticket which will see him at odds with his elder brother, Kenneth, who is currently the Secretary-General of the Reform Party.
The name “Jeyaretnam” is a brand name in Singapore politics. Despite the best efforts of the regime and the state media to demonize JBJ, his unflinching dedication to his cause have won him widespread admiration and respect from Singaporeans even among the young who do not know him well.
When he passed away in October last year from heart failure, hundreds of Singaporeans from all walks of life turned up at his funeral to mourn his passing.
A candle-light vigil was held at Hong Lim Park a week later, attended mostly by Singaporeans in their 20s and 30s.
In contrast, there was no public outpouring of sorrow for PAP MP Ong Chit Chung who died a few months earlier or sympathy for MP Seng Han Tong who was torched by a disgruntled resident of his constituency.
The Jeyaretnams will be a potent political force to reckon with if the two brothers had joined hands together to take on the PAP, especially with Philip’s manifold connections in the legal fraternity.
Being founded by a lawyer, the PAP is well aware that the greatest danger posed to their rule comes from the legal profession which explains why that a bill was passed in the 1980s to prevent lawyers from speaking up on matters pertaining to legislation unless their opinion is specifically sought after by the government.
JBJ was a lawyer as is Potong Pasir MP Chiam See Tong. The two greatest adversaries of Lee in recent years barring Chee Soon Juan are lawyers too – Francis Seow and Tang Liang Hong.
The appointment of Philip Jeyaretnam as a member of the PSC is a masterstroke to neuter any lingering influence of the Jeyaretnams on the electorate.
While Kenneth will still be able to draw in considerable support on his own, his appeal as the inheritor of JBJ’s legacy will inevitably be demolished by his brother’s rendezvous with the “Men in White”.
Such “divide and conquer” tactics are commonly employed by the PAP to weaken and split potential opposition to its rule.
The Barisan Sosialist is decimated as a political force when some of its leaders succumbed under pressure from their captors to renounce politics like Lim Chin Siong, Sydney Woodhull and James Puthucheary while the rest like Chia Thye Poh and Poh Soo Kai continued to be detained without trial.
The two opposition MPs Chiam See Tong and Low Thia Kiang are praised as “moderates” and “credible” opposition leaders to drive a wedge between those who favors a more radical approach and those who chooses to play according to the rules set by the PAP within the opposition camp.
As a result of the divide between the two groups, the opposition remains impotent to mount a credible challenge to the regime.
With his brother now “crossing” over to the other side, Kenneth Jeyaretnam will encounter difficulties in galvanizing the former supporters of his father.
Being a small and new political party, the Reform Party faces an uphill task to stay relevant in Singapore’s tough and unforgiving political landscape.
The name “Jeyaretnam” is fast losing its appeal and it is a masterstroke of the PAP to neutralize it once and for all by winning over Philip Jeyaretnam to its side.
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I am sorry.
I don’t agree with the article.
Honestly, I don’t think the lawyer is so lack of bone… he knew how badly his father was being treated and he probably know it was way way excessive.
Why would he join knowingly it will obstruct the natural course of things?
Speculations….speculations.
We see work done first…then we talk about the results. There ain’t nothing out of this incident. Let Philip do his job, and we’ll judge him when it’s all good and done.
Criticizing even before anything has happened is just as good as telling me yer a fortune teller. You might want Yaacob to be one since he has such high salary, but what’s Philip done to deserve so much negative attention? Heck he might be able to even give his brother there some legal advice for free if needed, unless, of course, the two of them fall out with each other, which I honestly doubt so.
IF you have done so many bad things in your whole life, then you better do some good ones b4 leaving this world.
10 years to take your revenge its never too late.
It is precisely that PAP is playing a divide-and-conquer rule in the opposition camp that all opposition voters and supporters must not fall prey to such a dirty tricks by supporting one camp of opposition but not the other.
Much as I hate to use this term, you are either supporting (ALL) opposition, or you are against (ALL) of them. There is no picking-and-choosing, simply because of our electoral system favouring PAP that the moment you pick-and-choose, the opposition loses. It’s that simple.
This is why anyone who curse-and-swear at a particular opposition party but seemed to support other opposition parties, are simply falling into the traps of PAP or really a hidden PAP supporter.
He is just a member of the psc board out of how many members? Is he the chairman? How much roles or to be more specific–influences can kenneth play in selecting and awarding the scholarship to potential candidates?
This is just another wanyang show to show to the critics of miw, especially those from the Great Britain, that miw embrace talents in “”total meritocracy”" disregard/regardless of their backgrounds!
I opine that Philip should have some connections and supports from the UK, since he has worked and lived there for numerous years!
By the way, singtel’s ceo csk is also one of the board members out of the 12 “monkeys/donkeys” appointed to the board, if I am not wrong!
I agree with randomnessinmind. Give Philip a break! Give him the chance to show us what he can/will actually do for Singapore, then only can all you ten-cent prophets see for yourselves whether your predictions are true or not! Long live the Jeyaretnams!
how sure are you that both the brothers are not in on it together?
how sure are you that Keneth isnt joining opposition politics after getting a ‘green light’ from the PAP through his brother Phillip?
how sure are you that the taking over of the RP by departure of the past chairman is not a ploy to further create ‘approved opposition’ parties to distract the people?
When a Chequer drop to the ground, even the blind can see!
David Marshall from Worker Party also work for the PAP.
Will PJ be at liberty to run for election within the next 5 years with the acceptance?
@ALL
it’s not about revenging for one’s father or friend.
this is all about upholding an ideal or ideals like a GANDHI or a Luther did,nothing of self-serving interests like revenge or high cosy salaries?!
but i believe this should have been a good time for the bros
to band together with the others for a big “concert” as the ground is somewhat drumming that way…make hay while the sun shines,they say.
if it is for personal interest,save your precious time and money and go on a LONG HOLIDAY with your family…don’t waste your time and ours.
if philip chose to serve the gahmen,it’s his business…that’s alright with us as long as the committed oppositions band together this coming election.
let people decide for themselves,they bear the consequences,not us although i feel that it would be nice for the brothers to stand up together…well,that’s life.
Like some commentators here, I agree that we should not pass judgement on Philip Jeyaratnam too hastily.
Afterall Philip did act as the lawyer for FEER in its defamation suit recently, so he could be the voice of conscience in PSC.
Thus far, he has not been inducted into the PAP, so it is too early to judge him.
A grammar error spotted in the 2nd paragraph is “… and neither have these routine appointments RECEIVE such extensive publicity in the press before.”
“Receive” should be written in the past tense.
Yes, Poy – how can you assume Philip and Kenneth and Balldav Naidu (Reform Party founder, being extradited to the US), and Haniffa Osman (released from US federal prison on June 4, 2009) are not in it together? Naidu and bin Osman are in the arms trade – great company for Philip Jeyaretnam.
Politics in Singapore is just One Big Wayang.
read the first 2 links in my blog.
“If we had considered them serious political figures, we would not have kept them politically alive for so long. We could have bankrupt them earlier.”
- Lee Kuan Yew on political opposition, Straits Times, Sept 14 2003
Yes U’re Right Tan Yeong Hong! If the wayang can be seem, it is not a “Political Wayang”.Like in 2001 Election sombody wayang shouting at Goh Choke Tong just to made a vote swing back to the PaP.Like one opposition party in Hougang always bring up issuse like Bah Chik Ku, Rambutan and Papaya, lately his comrade bring up Tennis Table issue, It is a Bread & Butter issue.Trying to cheat Singpaorean are senile people.
John Harding:The two Brother has never support the father (JBJ) to form a Reform Party.Now the true picture has suface up.One is totally a Cover Agent fully Associate with Naidu (Arm Terrorist) One is totally Associate with the FamiLEE. So each one has occupy one Conner of Singapore. Very Dangerous Man !
Oh I get it! The wayang gonna play out in a very unexpected way. PJ gonna run on PAP ticket against his brother KJ, with all the blessings of LKY.
And hey, surprise! surprise! One minute to polling station openm PJ withdraws ! KJ then gets a walkover and Jeyeretnam returns to Parliament. The ghost of JBJ coming back to haunt LKY.
The photo TR posted for Philip J looks like Mr Bean.
Cute and funny.
What other surprises gonna come up and catch everyone off-guard?
Are opposition sitting ducks as goal posts are shifted at their mercy?
It may be too early to read too much of PJ’a appt into PSC.
While it may be a badge for PSC to give the public the impression of a catch in the form of PJ. It may also be a case where they are slowly being pressured to co-opt candidates from a much wider audience, however with the key power lever very much unaffected and prolonged as long as possible.
As for PJ, he should be one of the few to know JBJ best and how the latter has been treated.
Are Singaporeans going to be conned again by parties following the route of WP?
This comes after btan’s comments below. Please note that this posting is not to prejudge PJ as we should not for now as poited out by…
Quote
“randomnessinmind on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 9:59 am
Speculations….speculations.
We see work done first…then we talk about the results. There ain’t nothing out of this incident. Let Philip do his job, and we’ll judge him when it’s all good and done.
Unquote
Then you decide however what you DO Want to Or Do NOT Want to believe for now…
Quote
“btan on Thu, 26th Nov 2009 11:12 am
It is precisely that PAP is playing a divide-and-conquer rule in the opposition camp that all opposition voters and supporters must not fall prey to such a dirty tricks by supporting one camp of opposition but not the other.”
Unquote
QUOTE – Note: Sorry I am not sure how to change KEYWORDS into BOLD, Underline or RED etc colours to highlight important Words AND Phrases which reveal the mind and psychic of LKY. So word/words.word phrases are segregated as shown for effect as in reading with emphasist for maximum understanding. Paragraphs are introduct to further enhance type of points raised.
“Repression, Sir is a habit that grows. I am told it is like making love – it is always easier the second time! The first time there may be pangs of conscience, a sense of guilt. But once embarked on this course with constant repetition you get more and more brazen in the attack.
All you have to do… is to dissolve organizations and societies… and… banish… and… detain… the… key political workers… in these societies. Then… miraculously… everything is tranquil… on the surface.
Then… an intimidated press… and… the government-controlled radio… together… can regularly… sing… your… praises, and… slowly… and… steadily… the people… are made… to forget… the… evil… things that… have… already been done, or… if these things… are referred to again… they’re… conveniently distorted… and distorted with… impunity, because… there will be no… opposition to… contradict.” – Lee Kuan Yew as an opposition PAP member speaking to David Marshall, Singapore Legislative Assembly, Debates, 4 October 1956″
UNQUOTE
CORRECTIONS…
Sorry for the Heading errors whch should be as above now. It replaces the wrong one below. Sorry!!!…
“Let;s Quote again what the MM said before he was ans WAS an Opposition in 1996 before he won his 1st GE in GE… on Fri, 27th Nov 2009 6:43 pm”
Aiyah you people. If they don’t take others in, you condemn them and say they only want govt mouthpiece sorts. If they take critics in, you also condemn them and say they’re co-opting these people blah blah. Whatever they do you’re keen to demonise them – it means that your view is a blinkered one.
Have got the brain to absorb and understand FULLY what lky said as an oppo in 1956???… And yet Singaporeans gave him a resounding victory in 1959… shy of only 3 years later!!!…
The WAY you put it… WHO IS “The REAL Blinker”???…
As you are obviously very superficial… look not backwards for leaders’ minds, heartrs and psychics???… Perhaps you are too contented as smart enough to not want to bother with the Pros & Cons of things like this… Or just too young and inexperienced to be able to “look beyond the veil” in speak and so too naive to fathom depths???… as it is people like you that are EASY To fool!!!…
Try responding and telling us more and deeper!!!
The Barisan Socialis was eliminated as a political force when it foolishly boycotted Parliament in 1968 and took its battle to the streets. If it had not taken that decision, there would be a thriving opposition in Parliament today.
We can only speculate.
The real intentions behind PAP, Philip, Kenneth and Reform is as good as anybody’s guess.
Like some of you already pointed out – It’s too early to tell.
The only thing I’m clear about is who to cast my vote for come election time.
JBJ deserves the Public Service Star, join the campaign now!
http://campaignjbj.wordpress.com/
Temasek Review should interview Reform Party’s Ex-Chairman Ng Teck Siong to give Singaporeans the TRUTH!
Please vote for JBJ, even if it is posthumusly:
http://campaignjbj.wordpress.com/2009/11/29/hello-world/#comment-5
It is ashame that thee are so few votes for him. Please keep an open mind to watch and listen to the 2nd video from the top too.
Listen too, to what Chee Soon Juan had to say for JBJ’s 1st anniversary of his passing. Please keep as I was surprised that it’s something one can never expect from their famous advesary!!!
I am sure it will remind you or perk you up about what the opposites of… dah dah dah really ARE!!!… Here goes once again Vasoo and thank A Billion…
http://campaignjbj.wordpress.com/
WILL NOT BETRAY THEIR FATHER POSTHUMOUSLY!!!…
If you see it in a positive light as the change for the better has come… then you will write encouraging things here for them. Smart as they are, we all need encourage. Only demons or mamon don’t need it as they have only one aim.
The comment just before this one says he chooses to believe whatever etc etc. But I repeat that the only way to find out the truth and expose it to Singaporeans is for Temasek Review to interview Reform Party’s Ex-Chairman Ng Teck Siong.
Let’s not let certain people’s blind hope mislead everyone.