It seems that the omission of Education Minister Ong Ye Kung within the PAP’s outgoing Central Executive Committee (CEC) has caused quite a stir. Many have also expressed their disappointment that this means Ong is out of the running to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong as the former is not deemed to be a core leader within the ruling party. Former Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) Calvin Cheng was amongst those who disagreed with the ruling.
Cheng took to social media on Monday, November 12, to state that he disagreed with the analysis done.
He also added in a Facebook post that, “Remember Mr. Goh Chok Tong was chosen by the 2G over the objections of LKY”.
He continued saying, “If Min. OYK doesn’t get chosen, it’s not because he doesn’t have the support of the outgoing CEC but the incoming CEC”.
I disagree with this analysis. Remember Mr. Goh Chok Tong was chosen by the 2G over the objections of LKY. If Min….
Posted by Calvin Cheng on Monday, 12 November 2018
Cheng’s analysis could very well be true, as leading up to the biennial internal elections, groups such as the outgoing CEC, branch chairmen and secretaries will nominate up to 20 individuals in total. This year’s elections saw 19 people nominated.
Ong Ye Kung, Chan Chun Sing and Heng Swee Keat were touted as frontrunners to succeed Mr Lee as prime minister.
One of the former MPs told the media: “If you read between the lines, it means he is out of the race, to put it simply. So, it is down to two men — Mr Chan Chun Sing and Mr Heng Swee Keat.”
Many who commented on Cheng’s post were in support of Ong.
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