Veteran opposition politician Goh Meng Seng, formerly a member of the Workers’ Party (WP), and Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party (NSP) before becoming the Secretary-General of the People’s Power Party (PPP), renounced his support for the WP on social media yesterday (October 14).
In a social media post, he explained that just because he votes for a party, does not mean that he is aligned with the political views or policies of the party.
He explained, “Many people ask me the same question over and over again, will you vote for WP? I am always consistent in my reply, I will still vote for WP if it is a straight one to one fight, but that doesn’t mean I “support” them”.
“This vote may just be a “protest vote” against PAP or rather, a vote to lower PAP vote so that they won’t get “big mandate” that will screw their head high. A vote to keep PAP in checks”, he said.
However he added that if he had to choose one of three parties, “then obviously both PAP and WP won’t get my vote”.
Mr Goh Meng Seng joined the WP in 2001, and served as the Organising Secretary for the Workers’ Party from 2004 to 2006, a key position in the party.
His reasons for refusing to support the Workers’ Party are because of their “incompetency and mismanagement in the whole TC saga. All politics boils down to one simple aim, good governance for our country, not just our TC. Good Governance needs both competency as well as proper checks and balances. Both are lacking in WP”.
“I will still vote WP if I have no other choice. But I will definitely not “support” them anymore, definitely will not donate to these people to pay for their own mistakes and incompetency”.
“Simply put, my vote doesn’t equal to my support”, Mr Goh wrote.
When asked about his thoughts on the recent Ang Mo Kio-Hougang Town Council saga, Mr Goh told TISG, “In my opinion, the judgment is FAIR. I see no reason to let CPG (Facilities Management) off without paying penalties for early discharge nor the rush to appoint a new MA (Managing Agent)”.
He opined, that he entered into politics because “I have seen enough of cronyism and profiteering from public monies via various means, be it through town councils or People’s Associations. I wanted to stop such practices and I see such shadows in WP dealings of the town council”.
“How could I continue to support WP if I am to use the same yardstick against PAP? It is a contradiction which I cannot reconcile”, he said. /TISG