Core of next WP leaders in place, says Low Thia Khiang

Workers' Party secretary-general Low Thia Khiang coming out from the Workers’ Party headquarters after the office-bearers were determined on Tuesday (June 7) night. ST PHOTO: DESMOND WEE

SINGAPORE - The core of the next generation of leaders who can take the Workers' Party (WP) forward is reflected in the line-up of its new central executive council (CEC), party chief Low Thia Khiang said on Wednesday (June 8) night.

But whether these office holders, including new assistant secretary-general Pritam Singh, will actually take over the reins of the party will boil down to two factors: whether they can garner the support and confidence of party members, and of the voting public.

"Whoever succeeds me as secretary-general will have to have the support of the party and of course public opinion counts," Mr Low said.

"Whoever succeeds me as party leader, or for that matter anyone who become a leadership core, will need to have a favourable public opinion so the public will continue to support the WP. We are a political party so that's a reality."

Mr Low, who spoke to reporters before his Meet-the-People session at Bedok Reservoir Road, did not want to be drawn into saying if Mr Singh - appointed to a post which has been vacant since 2006 - will succeed him as party leader.

"Well, that I will leave it to the public to interpret how they want to," he said.

Asked why Mr Singh, 40, was chosen, he cited qualities such as his active grassroots activities and parliamentary work, and his experience as chairman of Aljunied-Hougang Town Council.

"So in terms of the totality, I think Mr Singh is suitable to be the assistant secretary-general," he said.

Mr Singh, who was previously the organising secretary, was appointed to his new post at the CEC meeting on Tuesday.

He has now occupied the two posts that Mr Low also held before he rose to become WP chief in 2001.

Mr Low, 59, said Mr Singh will assist him in decision making and planning of party matters, but did not want to elaborate further.

As for why the post had not been filled for a decade, Mr Low said he did not see the need to do so "because we were still developing, we were still cultivating, moulding the new leadership core".

But he felt the time was right to revive the post as party succession plans are on track and there is now a fresh group of CEC leaders.

He cited how younger members had been appointed as deputies to assist their older counterparts in key party positions.

Mr Singh aside, Aljunied GRC MP Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap, 40, is vice-chairman; Non-Constituency MP Dennis Tan, 45, is now deputy treasurer; and Mr Kenneth Foo and Mr Tan Kong Soon, both 39, are new deputy organising secretaries.

"The line-up has shown that the party has successfully cultivated a younger leadership core which, as I said, will be able to succeed the older leadership when the time comes," he said.

He did not have a timeline nor did he want to engage questions on when he might decide to step down and hand over as secretary-general.

"When the time comes, you will know. I will not be able to tell you much about that because the situation changes," he said.

Mr Low retained his position as secretary-general at the party's biennial election on May 29 despite a challenge from fellow Aljunied GRC MP Chen Show Mao.

Asked if Mr Chen's unprecedented move was discussed at last night's CEC meeting, Mr Low said council deliberations were confidential and should not be divulged.

Mr Low held on to his position winning 61 votes to Mr Chen's 45 votes at the election.

Mr Chen, 54, retained his post as party treasurer.

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