<![CDATA[Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea]]>SPP, Reform Party, NSP open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea


By Tessa Wong & Kor Kian Beng



Three opposition parties are open to the idea of teaming up to form a coalition to contest in the next general election, a suggestion made over the weekend by former presidential candidate Tan Jee Say.

They are the Singapore People's Party (SPP), National Solidarity Party (NSP) and Reform Party.

Mr Benjamin Pwee, second assistant secretary-general and spokesman for SPP, said his party is 'not averse to being part of a coalition government', and that it has supported the idea of an opposition coalition for many years.

NSP will consider the proposed coalition while Reform Party said it will be discussing the idea with Mr Tan later next month.

The Workers' Party, the only opposition party in Parliament with elected MPs, is however non-committal.

It said in a statement that it 'remains open to working with other political parties and organisations to further the interests of Singaporeans and Singapore'.

'However, with just six elected seats in Parliament, forming a coalition government is not currently on the cards for us,' it said.

Elaborating later, chairman Sylvia Lim said the WP's focus is to build up the party. Speaking to The Straits Times at her Meet-the-People Session on Monday night, she also said there was not enough details in Mr Tan's proposal, noting that in cooperating with other parties, 'the question is at what level'.

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) could not be reached for comment.

Mr Tan, 57, entered politics this year and was unsuccessful when he stood as an SDP candidate in the May General Election. In July, he quit the party to contest - again unsuccessfully - in the August presidential election.

Over the weekend, he made his proposal in which he said the coalition could be based on a common policy platform.

An alliance of opposition parties already exists.

The Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) was formed in 2001 by SPP's secretary-general Chiam See Tong, who teamed up with three parties: NSP, Singapore Justice Party and Singapore Malay National Organisation.

It was plagued by disputes and in 2007, NSP pulled out. SPP withdrew earlier this year.

But Mr Pwee stressed that a coalition can work if there is 'camaraderie and common motivations' among the leaders of member parties.

NSP secretary-general Hazel Poa believes a crucial factor is for member parties to feel they are on 'an equal footing and there is mutual respect'.

'There should be no special privileges for any party or person,' she said, noting that the previous SDA chairman, Mr Chiam, held special veto powers.

The opposition leaders also stressed that all member parties must agree on the chosen leader. Asked if Mr Tan could be the leader, Mr Pwee said: 'He could be the catalyst but need not necessarily be the leader. It would depend on the consultative process.'

SDA's chief Desmond Lim called Mr Tan's idea a 'good effort' and said the SDA would be discussing it.

But Mr Tan's lack of success in the two elections this year has led political observers like former Nominated MP Zulkifli Baharudin to wonder if his coalition idea would work.

'While it may be convenient for someone to form a coalition to take advantage of the popular sentiments, my view is that voters may view it as an opportunistic attempt, something that may not go down well with them,' said Mr Zulkifli.

But Ms Poa expressed the hope that 'people will be open-minded' to work with Mr Tan although he is short on political experience.

Political commentator Derek da Cunha feels it will be an uphill task to bring the coalition idea to fruition.

The fact that there is at least six opposition parties despite their similar policies show 'personalities in the opposition are not able to get along with each other', said Dr da Cunha.

But the biggest problem for the proposed coalition is in attracting the WP. Mr Zulkifli and Dr da Cunha do not foresee it happening.

Mr Zulkifli said the WP, after the May polls, is seen 'as a real alternative to the PAP (People's Action Party)'.

Dr da Cunha noted that some PAP supporters switched to the WP in the May elections because of its credible track record. But they may not do so for a new entity without a track record.

'The WP has an easily recognisable brand name that stands out from the pack. That brand would probably be diminished if it were to be part of a broad opposition coalition,' he said.

http://forums.asiaone.com/showthread.php?p=672356

Will it work? Uphill task, I think. So his hidden agenda during PE2011 is to create greater awareness (since some people already know him during GE2011) and show that he is qualified to lead an alternative government.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/26342/opposition-parties-open-to-tan-jee-say-s-coalition-ideaRSS for NodeFri, 24 Apr 2026 11:45:27 GMTTue, 27 Sep 2011 09:15:12 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:47:47 GMT]]>

Angelight:
Errm...how did the thread on TJS become about handsome MPs? :scratchhead: TJS is neither handsome nor an MP leh. :razz:

:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :goodpost: πŸ˜† πŸ˜†

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/599027https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/599027Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:47:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:39:50 GMT]]>Errm...how did the thread on TJS become about handsome MPs? :scratchhead: TJS is neither handsome nor an MP leh. :razz:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/599021https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/599021Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:39:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:32:19 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:
verykiasu2010:



No Good!

VKS2010, you're so terrible that you're good!! :rotflmao:

Hi chenonceau, sshhhh... tell you a secret... Goatee's kid is currently schooling at catholic high primary.. so you know where to hang out at, if you hope to catch a glimpse of your super idol, haha! :love: :love:

don't say i never share share, hor... πŸ˜‰ πŸ˜‰

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/599012https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/599012Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:32:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:39:05 GMT]]>

verykiasu2010:


No Good!
VKS2010, you're so terrible that you're good!! :rotflmao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/598454https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/598454Fri, 30 Sep 2011 04:39:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Fri, 30 Sep 2011 03:19:36 GMT]]>

LOLMum:
[quote=\"verykiasu2010]


the one who stirred the hornets' nest by saying reducing weightage for MT in PSLE scores

huh................that's the one with a 2 letters surname right ? tall and a bit long and skinny face right? sorry but kinda lost track as to who was minister of what dept.. πŸ˜“[/quote][/quote]

No Good!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/598356https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/598356Fri, 30 Sep 2011 03:19:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:38:48 GMT]]>[quote=\"verykiasu2010]


the one who stirred the hornets' nest by saying reducing weightage for MT in PSLE scores[/quote]


huh................that's the one with a 2 letters surname right ? tall and a bit long and skinny face right? sorry but kinda lost track as to who was minister of what dept.. πŸ˜“

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/598036https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/598036Thu, 29 Sep 2011 16:38:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:36:25 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:
MMM:

[quote=\"Fat Mama\"]Ex-beauty queen bro has aged a lot as compared GE 2006.


What to do???? Just take a look at those in their 50's and 60's especially the one in charge of protecting Spore??? They used to look much better but have since aged alot after joining politics.

That one used to be in charge of MOE right? He made a lot of parents hair (and some kids) turn white too!!!!!! He deserves his white hair because he gave me some. And I am NOT even gonna tell you about my crow's feet.[/quote]the one who stirred the hornets' nest by saying reducing weightage for MT in PSLE scores

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/598001https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/598001Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:36:25 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:34:12 GMT]]>

MMM:
concern2:

:rotflmao: But got no wife photo leh.


Hey, the one who is in charge of water???? now and got bombarded during GE for being stingy to the needy also got boyish looks. His wife is very pretty huh.

she very popular during JC days

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597999https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597999Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:34:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:31:34 GMT]]>

LOLMum:
yes, the ex-beauty queen's brother is cute. one that i would like dd to bring home. πŸ˜‰ (just based on looks :evil: ).

and cheer leading for your tribe ? :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597995https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597995Thu, 29 Sep 2011 15:31:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:16:47 GMT]]>

MMM:

Oh is it :? So it's karma then πŸ˜‰
U betcha!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597768https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597768Thu, 29 Sep 2011 11:16:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:46:01 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:
MMM:

[quote=\"Fat Mama\"]Ex-beauty queen bro has aged a lot as compared GE 2006.


What to do???? Just take a look at those in their 50's and 60's especially the one in charge of protecting Spore??? They used to look much better but have since aged alot after joining politics.

That one used to be in charge of MOE right? He made a lot of parents hair (and some kids) turn white too!!!!!! He deserves his white hair because he gave me some. And I am NOT even gonna tell you about my crow's feet.[/quote]Oh is it :? So it's karma then πŸ˜‰

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597739https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597739Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:46:01 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:40:24 GMT]]>the wives are really under radar. dont remember seeing them on papers except goatee’s dw.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597733https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597733Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:40:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:36:29 GMT]]>

MMM:
Fat Mama:

Ex-beauty queen bro has aged a lot as compared GE 2006.


What to do???? Just take a look at those in their 50's and 60's especially the one in charge of protecting Spore??? They used to look much better but have since aged alot after joining politics.

That one used to be in charge of MOE right? He made a lot of parents hair (and some kids) turn white too!!!!!! He deserves his white hair because he gave me some. And I am NOT even gonna tell you about my crow's feet.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597729https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597729Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:36:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:30:45 GMT]]>

Fat Mama:
Ex-beauty queen bro has aged a lot as compared GE 2006.

Once in Singapore politics, age catches up almost overnight. See all the black hair turn to grey then to totally white...

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597727https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597727Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:30:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:29:46 GMT]]>

Fat Mama:
Ex-beauty queen bro has aged a lot as compared GE 2006.

What to do???? Just take a look at those in their 50's and 60's especially the one in charge of protecting Spore??? They used to look much better but have since aged alot after joining politics.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597726https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597726Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:29:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:25:04 GMT]]>Yah he quite boyish looking for his age. But kinda lost all respect for him during the recent GE after he pulled that stunt about Dr Vincent Wijeysingha.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597720https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597720Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:25:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:21:03 GMT]]>

concern2:
:rotflmao: But got no wife photo leh.

Hey, the one who is in charge of water???? now and got bombarded during GE for being stingy to the needy also got boyish looks. His wife is very pretty huh.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597713https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597713Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:21:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:19:50 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:
Funz:

http://www.parliament.gov.sg/sites/default/files/Prof-Baey.gif


Here

Dun like.

No goatee! No t-shirt with an attitude!! He looks like an MP!!

Oic, he must have been overshadowed by the controversial MBT...

Here's an article on him - with pix and goatee..
:
http://www.straitstimes.com/GeneralElection/News/Story/STIStory_661684.html

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597711https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597711Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:19:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:13:34 GMT]]>

Funz:
http://www.parliament.gov.sg/sites/default/files/Prof-Baey.gif


Here
Dun like.

No goatee! No t-shirt with an attitude!! He looks like an MP!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597702https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597702Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:13:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:12:04 GMT]]>http://www.parliament.gov.sg/sites/default/files/Prof-Baey.gif


Here

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597700https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597700Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:12:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:08:52 GMT]]>

Funz:
Chenonceau:

This one a bit thin... the face... kinda girlie. I like the goatee one... Look a bit like that Jap filmstar whazzisname.


Admit it, you just have a soft spot for guys with a bit of bad boy looks.

The other one too much of a mummy's boy looks for you. πŸ˜†

See if you like goatee's profile pic.

:skeptical: Think I really bored out of my skull today. Can actually bother to google our MP's pics. :siao:

Yeah babe! And proud of it!

What profile pic... where?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597696https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597696Thu, 29 Sep 2011 10:08:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:52:14 GMT]]>

Funz:
Chubby chubby.


Goat or ironman more appeal.
:rotflmao: chubby chubby... :rotflmao: Ya hor, some pix look quite chubby.

BTW, goaty is from which GRC again?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597674https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597674Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:52:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:47:24 GMT]]>Ex-beauty queen bro has aged a lot as compared GE 2006.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597664https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597664Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:47:24 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Opposition parties open to Tan Jee Say's coalition idea on Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:47:21 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:
This one a bit thin... the face... kinda girlie. I like the goatee one... Look a bit like that Jap filmstar whazzisname.

Admit it, you just have a soft spot for guys with a bit of bad boy looks.

The other one too much of a mummy's boy looks for you. πŸ˜†

See if you like goatee's profile pic.

:skeptical: Think I really bored out of my skull today. Can actually bother to google our MP's pics. :siao:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597662https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/597662Thu, 29 Sep 2011 09:47:21 GMT