GE2015: WP's Low: This is dirty politics

GE2015: WP's Low: This is dirty politics

In a stark contrast to Wednesday's first Workers' Party (WP) rally at Hougang, many speakers at last night's rally in Jalan Besar moved away from the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) issue.

Only secretary-general Low Thia Khiang devoted a Mandarin speech for a fiery retort to claims that AHPETC was in financial crisis.

"When Hougang Town Council was under WP's management, it was not in crisis," he said in Mandarin.

There was no deficit when Hougang TC combined with Aljunied Town Council in May 2011.

Instead, it actually had an $80,000 gain, he added.

But the People's Action Party ministers have been alarming and misleading voters by suggesting otherwise, he said.

"(With) this kind of party, what kind of sincerity is there to speak of?" he asked.

Mr Low alleged that the ruling party's mindset was so narrow that it could not tolerate anyone with different political views: "I want to ask Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong - this is what you call the character of the PAP?"

Then Mr Low reminded rally-goers that "not agreeing with government policies does not mean (you) don't love the country".

In a democratic country, elections should not be a battleground all the time, he said. Rather, an election should be about building a constructive society with constructive ideas.

Dirty politics

Urging Singaporeans to speak with their vote and "tell the PAP" they reject such tactics of smearing opponents, he added: "This is dirty politics."

In a later speech, delivered in English, Mr Low said the people should not let the ruling party dictate the narrative.

He added: "You must have a say in how Singapore is run by having people of your choice representing your voice in Parliament... We must remind the PAP there is a distinction between what is of national interest and what is of party interest."

Calling this "a landmark election", Mr Low told the crowd they can collectively decide on the future direction of Singapore.


This article was first published on September 4, 2015.
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