TODAYonline

SDP papers over Ling-Chee cracks

Derrick A Paulo
derrick@newstoday.com.sg

THE Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) will have its logo on the Sembawang and Bukit Panjang tickets come May 6, but party unity between its two sets of candidates appears unlikely to extend further than that.

SDP chairman Ling How Doong, who is contesting Bukit Panjang, was conspicuously absent when the party introduced its six candidates for Sembawang GRC at a press conference yesterday afternoon.

Earlier, he had separately raised the possibility of getting SDP secretary-general Dr Chee Soon Juan removed from the party's central executive committee (CEC).

Accompanied by SDP assistant secretary-general Wong Hong Toy at the Fajar Secondary School Nomination Centre, Mr Ling told the media that he and Mr Wong are considering an ouster of Dr Chee.

Meanwhile, Dr Chee was at Admiralty Secondary School, as SDP's team of Francis Yong, Chee Siok Chin, Gerald Sng, Monica Kumar, Mohd Isa and Christopher Neo filed their nomination papers.

At the SDP press conference later Dr Chee said he could not believe the local press, who told him of Mr Ling's ouster plan.

When told that what Mr Ling said was recorded on camera, Dr Chee then said: "Let me sort this out first, and we'll take it as it comes."

Today spoke a few hours later with a party insider, who said that Dr Chee had more supporters and would not lose grip of the party.

Only the CEC can oust Dr Chee and Mr Ling acknowledged this, saying: "I'm only one in the CEC. The CEC must operate with a majority. I feel that we (I and Mr Wong) don't have enough support in the CEC."

Mr Ling may have to campaign without the backing of much of his party's resources. Said the party insider: "Logistically, it is not possible. Even if we want to cooperate, it's not possible."

According to Dr Chee, the lawsuit against the SDP for an allegedly defamatory article in its newspaper is already affecting its Sembawang campaign "in a very serious manner — logistical, organisational".

"Lawyers for Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Lee Hsien Loong have gone as far as to sue the printer, so much so that he is so frightened he dares not publish our election material," he said, suggesting that the People's Action Party was "very fearful" about the SDP standing in Sembawang and its campaign issues.

The party wants to quiz Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan about the National Kidney Foundation, and it wants speak about the cost of living and the growing income disparity — which includes touching on ministerial salaries — until Polling Day. According to Ms Chee, voters will get a chance to hear SDP's Sembawang team take up these issues at its rallies.

On why the SDP unveiled its team only on Nomination Day, she said, "Nothing is confirmed until Nomination Day when we've filed our papers and the papers have been accepted."

As to how the SDP intends to conduct its campaign and take on its opponents, she said: "We met the Sembawang GRC team from the PAP at the Nomination Centre this morning. All was amiable. All was amicable. We're very civil. Let's make it very clear — it's not personal, it's the issues that we're taking on. So, if you are expecting fistfights to break out, don't hold your breath."

Late in the evening, the SDP website carried a release bearing Mr Ling's and Dr Chee's names, which said it was "completely untrue" the former wanted Dr Chee sacked. The statement blamed the media for waging a campaign against the SDP.