The Workers' Party was recently hit by the resignation of two members from the Central Executive Council (CEC), lawyer Chia Ti Lik & businessman Goh Meng Seng. Does it hint of trouble in the party?

Since the end of the 2006 elections in May, the Workers’ Party has not managed to hit the headlines or at least the front page of the Straits Times until today. Lo and behold, the news on the resignation of the two CEC members took up one entire page of the Sunday Times today.

What it goes to highlight is this. From my perspective, it highlights and reminded me once again of the extreme biasness of the government controlled print and broadcast media, essentially, the mass media. We could once again see from this little episode that the tentacles of the ruling government in the mass media are so prevalent and all-consuming.

If one were to read the exclusive 1 page report on the WP today, it gives readers the impression that there is huge differences in opinions among the CEC members and more importantly, an ongoing power struggle within the party; jockeying for position among younger party members for bigger roles in the party’s activities and possibly future election lineups.

The report will inevitably tarnish the image and credibility that the party has painstakingly built up during the course of the 2006 election. I quote from the Sunday Times, “During the election, the opposition party had impressed the public and observers with its discipline and unity”. The growing belief of a strong, honest, credible alternative party to the PAP is slowly emerging. Thus, it is of little wonder that any little issues within the party will be played up by the media.

I see it as an attempt to derail all the positive publicity and political mileage that the Workers’ Party had gained in the aftermath of the 2006 elections.

I would like to pose the following questions to the editors of the Straits Times.

1. Why was a domestic issue within the WP given more attention than national issues? (Ms Sylvia Lim & Mr. Low Thia Khiang’s speech in parliament)

2. From the website of the Workers’ Party, I understand that they are not lazing around after the elections, contrary to what the PAP would like us to believe. Usually there will be a public outreach at least once a week. In this case, why was there no single report on the weekly public outreach of the Workers’ Party?

Surely, the Workers’ Party warrant more positive publicity that negative news?



Surely, the Workers’ Party warrant equal coverage with the PAP, since the Workers’ Party is unofficially recognized as the largest and strongest opposition party in Singapore?

That brings me to the 3rd question that I would like to pose to the editiors of ST. What is the hidden agenda behind this attention grabbing report?

I do believe that Singaporeans like you and me know the answer to all my questions. I rest my case.