Since news broke that the Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh and MP Faisal Manap may face criminal charges, there has been a flurry of activity online. Some expressed despair, while others exuded a steely resilience. Some even found solace last year’s national day song to say – “We did it before, We’ll do it again.”
We’ve been here before, haven’t we?
That song reference is on point because, if you think about it. We did face this before, and we will overcome it again. As WP’s response notes, since its “its founding in 1957, The Workers’ Party has been through many trials and tribulations.” The most recent one occurred just 10 weeks ago.
The spectrum of sentiments on display reminds us of what happened late into the night of 3 December 2021. If you remember, Raeesah’s explosive “evidence” was released to the public just before midnight. Within minutes, we issued a quick cautionary note to everyone assessing the evidence.
To no one’s surprise, for that entire weekend, the mainstream media had a field day whacking WPs from every possible angle. The rumour mill ran amok, especially in light of what many perceived to be “WP’s defeating silence”. Many were quick to write WP off, but these same folks were nowehere to be found after Pritam finished giving evidence.
@wakeupsingapore#workersparty #pritamsingh #leaderofopposition #edwintong #COP #wp #singaporetiktok #singaporepolitics #singapore #singaporetrending #pritam♬ original sound – wakeupsingapore – wakeupsingapore
The WP did not see a need to engage in a tit-for-tat response. Instead, it bid its time, and waited for the opportunity to give their side of the story during the COP hearings. When it was their turn to take the stand chair, they were calm, composed and candid. They won over the hearts and minds of many Singaporeans across the Island. Even those who aren’t naturally opposition supporters conceded that the WP MPs performed well under immense pressure and scrutiny.
A dear friend I spoke to earlier today shared this meme, which I thought was brilliant and, as most good memes are, true:
It will be a repeat of last time:
1) News comes out
2) Everyone saying siao liao wtf sia?!?!
3) WP responds
4) Everyone fucking impressed
@wakeupsingapore#pritamsingh #workersparty #COP #edwintong #leaderofopposition #pritam #wp♬ original sound – wakeupsingapore – wakeupsingapore
Well, in times like these, the best place to seek guidance is from the ones who have walked down this path before, and who will continue to walk down this path. In the past 24 hours, many WP leaders, both past and present, have penned their thoughts on the latest developments. These statements are worthy of closer examination.
Pritam Singh
First, we start off with the man of the hour, Pritam Singh. His statement was issued within an hour of the press release. He acknowledged the worst case scenario where Faisal and him may lose their Parliamentary seats, but ended of on a note of quiet confidence about how the cause, and the work, will remain undisturbed.
I have looked at the COP report and its recommendation to refer Faisal Manap and I for prosecution. I will speak more extensively on the COP report in Parliament when it is tabled for debate, expected to be sometime next week.
Assuming Parliament adopts the Committee’s recommendations, there remain a number of unknowns. These include the eventual decision of the Public Prosecutor to prosecute, the intervening time before the matter goes to trial, the eventual verdict and any sentence meted out, and the prospect of both Faisal and I losing our parliamentary seats and stepping down as Members of Parliament if either of us is fined $2000 or more.
Until there is some resolution to these matters which may take some time yet, Faisal and I will continue our work – including but not limited to MPS, estate walks, house visits and other parliamentary commitments – as per normal. The same goes for Team The Workers’ Party and its activities, including our outreach efforts in previously contested constituencies.
As always, Sylvia, Faisal and I are grateful to the public for their support of the Workers’ Party, and all three of us, like our party colleagues will continue to serve to the best of our abilities. Finally, we thank the public for your encouragement and support towards the efforts of The Workers’ Party in building a more democratic Singapore, one that all Singaporeans can be proud of. That work will continue.
Reference was also made to the time taken for a sentenced to be meted out. This timing is important as it will not only affect Pritam and Faisal’s status as an MP now, but it would also disqualify them from contesting in elections for the 5 years that follow. So, if Pritam and Faisal are indeed charged, convicted and fined $2,000 or more, they may not only lose their seats, but also be barred from contesting the next 1 or 2 elections (assuming 2 elections are held within a 5 year period – it has happened before). But until such time, if it even happens at all, it will be business as usual for the duo, and the party at large.
He also shared a sweet postcard he received from a well-wisher, who pledged their support for the party.
Workers’ Party
The WP published a statement just after 11.00am on 11 February 2022. In its statement, it expressed grave concerned and spelt out the difference sentences proposed by the COP for Raeesah, and for the WP MPs. To maintain professionalism, it could not go so far as to say “How can liddat?”, but we can all read between the lines.
What we found interesting was how WP’s statements situate the current situation amongst historical struggles, trials ,and tribulations. Reference was also made to their 2nd Secretary General, the late JB Jeyaretnam’s criminal proceedings in the 1980s. The message was a simple, yet powerful, one – We’ve been here before, we came out stronger. We can, and will, do so again.
Chua Kheng Wee
Chua, WP’s MP for Sengkang, took a more sombre tone in his posts. On Instagram and Facebook, he posted a black and white photo with a one-liner.
Considering how Chua is the only Sengkang GRC MP who has spoken up, it appears that his pithy message is directed squarely at the residents of Sengkang. No glitz and glamour, just good old-fashioned groundwork. This post echoed the sentiments in the note to Sengkang residents dated 3 December 2021. In essence, it is to let residents know that, at a constituency level, they will continue to be served and represented to the best of WP’s abilities.
Lee Li Lian
Lee Li Lian, who many credited for helping WP make inroads in North-East Singapore, was MP for Punggol East from 2013 to 2015. At the Punggol East By-Elections in 2013, she beat the Doctor who would eventually go on to become Minister of State for Health (through another constituency, of course).
Many a times, she helped stepped in for Raeesah to help out with constituency work. She is a town councilor for Sengkang GRC too. Earlier today, after a social media hiatus, she came forward to speak up about her newfound fear that people might think twice before serving in an opposition party.
One thing is clear – Lee Li Lian’s post was a heartfelt and genuine. This was not entirely aligned with the usual tone in the preceding posts we have read, and that is fine. In recounting her reasons for first taking the plunge, she shared about how she firmly believes that there was nothing to fear about. She still believes that there is nothing to fear, but her worry is about how potential fresh faces may take a different view.
If anything, we think Li Lian can take comfort in the fact that many of these fresh faces would also be exposed to alternative viewpoints and perspectives by way of social media. The state narrative is not the only one they are exposed to. These same young men and women are a hardy people, who aren’t too easily swayed or deterred.
It is a shot in the dark here, but we dare say that WP will emerge from this episode stronger, even if the worst case scenario happens. Each time one Pritam is barred from running for elections, 5 more will rise and take its place.
People simply do not like unfairness. People also do not like bullies. And there is nothing people love more than an underdog.
Yee Jenn Jong
We end with the views of the former NCMP Yee Jenn Jong. Yee, a party stalwart, has fought in 3 elections for WP. Most famously in 2011, in his first political outing, he lost Joo Chiat SMC to a PAP MP by just 388 votes. Unsurprisingly, in the next GE, Joo Chiat SMC ceased to exist.
In a Facebook post, he shared a personal anecdote from his best-selling book, Journey in Blue. He echoed Li Lian’s sentiments about how some may be “turned off” by the PAP’s antics. Such a situation, Yee avers, would not be in Singapore’s best interests as the political arena may not attract the best people.
Yee also quipped that, if the PAP had their way, the number of elected opposition members may soon drop below 9. He also shared an article from 2006 where PM Lee apologised in respect of a speech about “fixing the opposition”.
If you don’t know what Yee is referring to, you can watch PM Lee’s infamous speech on “fixing the opposition” below.
https://www.tiktok.com/@wakeupsingapore/video/7063356744159792386?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id7021322548915062273