The Workers Party leader Pritam Singh hosted a luncheon at their party headquarters on Sunday afternoon, for more than 20 of their party stalwarts who have stood the test of time and remained loyal to the opposition cause for several decades.
Present at the thank you lunch were also their members of parliament for Hougang SMC Dennis Tan, MPs from Sengkang GRC Louis Chua, He Ting Ru, and Jamus Lim, and MPs from Aljunied GRC Faisal Manap, Sylvia Lim, Leon Perera, and Gerald Giam.
Posting on his official Facebook page, Pritam paid tribute to the long-time members who have been with the Workers Party since the time of their late leader J.B Jeyaretnam, or JBJ as he is affectionately known, with some members even joining the party way before that. JBJ broke the People’s Action Party dominance in parliament when he won the Anson by-election in 1981, defeating Pang Kim Hin (PAP) in a three-corner fight.
“A really meaningful afternoon spent at WP HQ this afternoon with some of the oldest members of the party. It was a little more special considering the Workers’ Party’s 65th anniversary a couple of days ago,” said Pritam.
“Many of these senior members joined the Workers Party in the 70s and 80s when the consciousness of voting opposition for a more democratic society begun gaining greater momentum. At times, it was touching. There were tears shed amongst some, with one thinking another of his fellow members had already passed away!”
Also present is former vice-chairman Rahizan Yaacob who contested Aljunied GRC in the 2006 Singapore General Election alongside Sylvia Lim, Goh Meng Seng, Dr James Gomez, and Tan Wui-Hua, and garnered 43.91% of the votes. In the 2011 election, Rahizan contested Moulmein-Kallang GRC.
Another prominent party activist is Lim Ee Ping who was a crowd favourite during election rallies with his fiery and entertaining Hokkien speeches at Hougang and Serangoon Stadium.
After his appointment as the Leader of the Opposition, Pritam graciously invited Uncle Lim to his office in parliament.
“It was the 1980s. Mr Low and Mr Lim Ee Ping would be out selling the party newsletter, The Hammer. Mrs Low would also join in, with a stack in her hand. But no one would buy a copy. Or if they did, it would be with a peek over their shoulder or with furtive glances,” wrote Pritam back in April 2021.
“Fast forward close to more than 30 years later. It was cool to have all of them in the LO’s office looking back and reflecting on their experiences with the Workers’ Party. Barbara, Uncle Ee Ping’s daughter, joined us and I was delighted to host them. Uncle Ee Ping joined the party in 1959 and after the last elections he gifted me a hammer which is displayed prominently on a bookshelf in the office!”
Uncle Lim joined the Workers Party the year during which their leader David Marshall lost his seat at the 1959 Legislative Assembly Election. Marshall failed to defend his Cairnhil seat in a four-corner fight, losing out to former Chief Minister Lim Yew Hock.
“I joined WP in 1959. Then I was only 20 years old. Because of [David] Marshall’s honesty, I made the decision to be a part of WP. The post-Marshall years were difficult. WP was essentially an ’empty city’. I rode around on my bicycle so as to rally and organise the members,” said Uncle Lim in an interview with the Workers Party.
“The WP of today has made some headway, in no small part due to the hard work of many involved. Just as it was the case in 1959, there is a need for checks and balances in our politics. WP continues to play such a role.”
The “thank you” lunch was organised by the Workers Party senior members’ committee headed by former Hougang SMC MP Png Eng Huat. Since the ease of social distancing rules, Png has been making house calls and visiting the party’s senior members to inform them of this event.