Read on to find out why from someone who has seen and done it all.

Think Centre [TC]: You have been involved in Singapore politics for more than 20 years now. What is the motivation behind your activism and why did you choose opposition politics?

Goh Yew Chye [GYC]: For a start, let me say that I came from humble beginnings and grew up in the working class communes of Kampong Bugis. I never had much education and literally grew up in the school of street-fights. From those formative years, I witnessed the poverty, hardships and injustices that the working class suffered. I was struck by their helplessness to seek recourse for their sufferings. Then on, I was determined to help these people suffering in silence as well as to help those who fought for the rights and benefits of the working class.

Also, I am doing all this not for personal gain, but for the sake of my children, my grandchildren, my great grandchildren. I see my activism as shaping a better environment for the younger generation of Singaporeans to live in. Opposition was a natural choice because it was more committed to helping those who had not caught up with the rest of well-off Singaporeans. I realised this from the time JBJ helped me out in Bukit Merah in 1980. It struck me then that PAP-style politics would never suit my beliefs.

[TC]: You grew up in the days of Independence. You experienced the racial riots and watched the rise and fall of opposition in this country. So what is your impression of local politics?

[GYC]: Since olden days, politics has been a fixture in any regime, any system, any dynasty, any era. To me, politics is just like prostitution, a game that will never die! Local politics has been dominated too much and too long by the PAP. Singaporeans do not have the chance to translate their desire for political competition into reality. Because the PAP has an unfair system that keeps themselves in power and difficult for opposition to break through. Opposition parties must also self-reflect on what they are doing. Sad to say, there are opposition candidates who are opportunists and spoil the quality of the Opposition camp. They are not all at credible and yet they are fielded, so how to convince the people to vote for you?

Also, Singaporeans are selfish and unwilling to step out to support the opposition. They must understand that the Opposition has no means to takeover the PAP government. PAP is undoubtedly doing a good job, but you need an Opposition to check on them and ensure that they remain efficient and responsible to the people. Singapore politics is unlike America, where the opposition is credible enough to replace the ruling party anytime.

[TC]: What is your assessment of the major opposition parties in Singapore and what strategies do you propose to improve the situation?

[GYC]: They are hopeless! Opposition parties are still so hopeless after all these years. First, many opposition parties field as many number of candidates as they can throw up. So they take in any Ah Beng, Ah Seng and all sorts of fly-by-night people in order to fill up the seats. These people are not your genuine politicians who want to do good for the people. They come out to contest just to satisfy their ego and make a name for themselves. We need sincere, committed and determined opposition candidates, not them.

Second, many opposition parties criticize and attack the policies of the PAP without providing any good solutions or alternative suggestions. What is the point? The voters are getting educated and they want to see practical suggestions and sensible ideas from opposition candidates. Opposition must learn not to criticize for the sake of criticizing or to oppose for the sake of opposing. Instead, do your homework and present intelligent arguments to convince the voters that you are capable of improving the system.

Third, opposition parties are too greedy and try to 'chope' too many constituencies for their respective parties. Instead of working with fellow opposition parties to share the pie and attack the PAP on a strategic front, they want 'face' by contesting in as many constituencies as possible, even if it was beyond their resources. Such 'kiasu' mindsets must change, else you lose the confidence of the voters. Try to work in one or two constituencies only, walk the grounds thoroughly. Adopt a focused but hard impact.

[TC]: You have a wealth of experience in running election campaigns and assisting candidates chalk up over 40% of votes. What is the secret to your success and have you ever though of standing as a candidate yourself?

[GYC]: In past GEs, I remember being asked by journalists whether I will be contesting. My reply every time was the same - NO. Being not educated much, I can't see myself anywhere near candidate calibre. But I strongly believe in my capabilities as Election Agent or campaign manager, where I back up my candidate with all the resources that he needs. He only needs to walk the ground, speak at rallies, go house-to-house etc., to pull votes. I will settle all the logistics and materials that he requires.

I usually keep a record of news clippings over the years, make use of such materials for newsletters, publicity leaflets or even rally speeches of my candidate. I also take care of the election helpers, making sure they have transport, food, drinks and even cigarettes so that they work harder. I am unafraid to take on authorities if I find that opposition is discriminated against, for example in application of permits. Through all these years of hardball politics, I think I must have quite a bad name with Police and Election Department!

[TC]: Now that you are gradually stepping out of politics, why have you joined Think Centre? Are you giving up party politics to try your hand at civil society politics?

[GYC]: Even though I have resigned from a party, I must admit it is hard to step out from politics so easily. You can't help it because it is in your blood. My longtime friends and I have spent so many years together in politics, we went through so many GEs together. So the attachment is there, we just cannot give up party politics even though we have left the party. That was why I was around to help Chris(topher Neo) and his SDA (Singapore Democratic Alliance) team in 2001.

I got to know Think Centre better through Chris when I was helping him. Having met and worked with the other young people in Think Centre, I came to realize their interest in politics and potential for growth. Being a young group, Think Centre to my surprise has the passion, brains and determination in politics that many political parties lack. I see Think Centre as a constructive organisation that can create the political awakening among the next generation.

Youngsters nowadays are not interested in politics and find political parties unattractive. Therefore few will join. Think Centre can provide a different entry to politics, through civil society. Hopefully, Think Centre will grow to become big enough and when that day comes, it might even be able to field a team and contest the GE. I entered party politics for the sake of my grandchildren and the future generation of Singaporeans. I am now in civil society politics also for the same reason, to continue from where I left off in opposition politics.

[TC]: If according to you, Think Centre really grows big enough to be able to contest an election, what advice would you give to the candidates? Should Think Centre evolve then into a political party or should it remain as a civil society outfit?

[GYC]: Before the elections, Think Centre should have a core group of potential candidates. They must be well-educated, have a heart to serve the people and not afraid to work hard. There must also be a second group of Think Centre members who are equally willing to serve the people and able to work at ground level. They will form the pool of Election Agents and election helpers during the campaign period. Next, a potential constituency must be identified for groundwork to start way before the election year. You need to walk the constituency chosen, do door-to-door visits, mingle at the markets and coffeeshops, help those residents in need of any form of assistance. Be well-dressed and go on walkabouts in a big group to create a visual impact. Once you win a seat, more people will join you and Think Centre's membership will boom!

Whether Think Centre will become a party or not, is not up to me to say. It is up to personalities of future Think Centre leadership to decide. For all the good work Think Centre has done in civil society, it is not the same as doing things the party way. If you are set on serving the people and helping them, party politics is the most effective way. Civil society can only do so much to serve and help peoples' interests, and it may be a very long process.

But I tell you, no matter what form Think Centre is, it has an important role to play in local politics and definitely has a place in the future Singapore. Mark my words, Think Centre has the potential to be better than most of the opposition parties here!