NUS professor among possible WP candidates working East Coast ground

SINGAPORE — Five possible Workers’ Party candidates have been spotted walking the ground where the party had its second-strongest showing in a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) in the last General Election (GE).

Non-Constituency Member of Parliament (NCMP) Gerald Giam, 37, who was in the WP’s team in East Coast GRC in 2011, was back today (Aug 2), this time with National University of Singapore sociologist Daniel Goh, 42, business consultancy owner Leon Perera, 44, National Library Board associate librarian Mohamed Fairoz Shariff, 37, and lawyer Dennis Tan, 44.

They were seen greeting members of the public at Block 216, Bedok North Street 1, during the WP’s regular Sunday sale of its Hammer publication.

Analysts whom TODAY spoke to said it was very probable that the WP would field its next strongest line-up, after its Aljunied GRC team, in four-member East Coast GRC and Fengshan, which has been carved out of the GRC.

Opinions were divided, however, on whether members of the WP seen today could be that team.

NUS sociologist Tan Ern Ser said Associate Professor Goh was “one of its star catches”.

“He was also introduced and given a high profile in the last (by-election),” he added. “So they (Mr Giam and Assoc Prof Goh) could anchor a strong team.”

However, Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan said it was “still early days” to pick out the WP’s slate of candidates.

“If they are, questions will be asked as to whether there could be more heft, if Gerald Giam is to lead a team with three first-time candidates for the GRC,” he added.

After today’s walkabout, WP chairman Sylvia Lim said her party had “looked at the indications so far” and identified three probable three-cornered fights: In Fengshan, MacPherson and Marine Parade GRC.

For example, the WP noted that the Democratic Progressive Party’s (DPP) Seow Khee Leng had indicated interest in Fengshan Single Member Constituency. Ms Lim said she and WP chief Low Thia Khiang intend to meet Mr Seow, a former WP candidate, “to resolve the issue”.

Nevertheless, it has been reported that the DPP may no longer intend to stand in Fengshan.

As for the other two constituencies, Ms Lim said the WP recognised that the National Solidarity Party (NSP) contested there in the 2011 GE and contacted the NSP “to sort out
this issue”.

Speaking to TODAY, NSP president Sebastian Teo confirmed that he met Ms Lim last week for an informal chat. “We (the NSP and WP) have still got to talk. After Monday’s meeting (among opposition parties), we’ll know if there is any further development.”

His party is still keen to contest in Marine Parade GRC and MacPherson, while the WP has, besides its existing constituencies, named Nee Soon GRC, Jalan Besar GRC, Marine Parade GRC, East Coast GRC, Fengshan, Sengkang West and MacPherson.

On the issue of who it would field, Ms Lim said the WP had shortlisted the candidates for the 28 seats it plans to contest, but is keeping its options open. The party is not expected to unveil candidates before National Day.

When asked about its decision to contest that number of seats, Ms Lim replied: “Basically, we have to look at the boundaries first of all. And secondly, also the candidates we have and the permutations in terms of teams.

“I’d say we pick the constituencies rather than actually focus on the actual number.”