Workers' Party leadership transition: Low Thia Khiang - a shrewd, savvy and sensible leader

Today, the Workers' Party will see its first leadership transition since 2001, with party chief Low Thia Khiang having said he will not seek re-election as secretary-general. The Sunday Times looks at his 17 years at the helm of Singapore's most successful opposition party, and the man most likely to become the next WP leader, Mr Pritam Singh.

Mr Low Thia Khiang has been shrewd in picking battles to fight, making him the most successful opposition politician to date.
Mr Low Thia Khiang has been shrewd in picking battles to fight, making him the most successful opposition politician to date. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Low Thia Khiang at his last Meet the People Session as Secretary-General of Workers' Party, at the void deck of Blk 522 Hougang Ave 6, on Apr 4, 2018. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
Residents at Low Thia Khiang's final Meet the People Session. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
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Ever since he became a Member of Parliament close to three decades ago, Workers' Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang has held his Meet-the-People Sessions out in the open at Housing Board void decks.

Many have come to see this practice as a sign of the Teochew-speaking businessman's down-to-earth manner. But he started it more out of necessity than choice.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on April 08, 2018, with the headline Low Thia Khiang - a shrewd, savvy and sensible leader. Subscribe