The author spent his previous weekend - a bright cheerful Sunday morning - with one of Singapore's favorite sons, Mr. Chiam See Tong of the Singapore People's Party in his weekly party walkabout. Here are some of the author's comments and observations about the man himself.
It was clear to me that Mr. Chiam See Tong is a clear champion in the eyes of the ordinary people of Singapore. Everywhere he goes during his walkabout, I could hear excited whispers of, "Hey! That is Chiam See Tong!" This is but an acknowledgement of the good and credible work over the years he has done, via his municipal management skills, servicing the people of Potong Pasir and his vastly improved parliamentary performances, serving the people of Singapore. These alone secure him this love, admiration and support from the people.
Another thing that really strikes me is that Chiam See Tong carries no pretension. He is someone who is frank and direct in his opinions and speech. He uses simple illustrations to explain to the people about unbalance in the state of political affairs in Singapore. I noted particularly one incident whereby a resident conveying his skepticism about the state of oppositional politics in Singapore. Chiam See Tong replied with his halting but improved Mandarin, together with a most simple yet effective analogy, folded horizontally twice a paper, mimicking a grossly unbalanced "see-saw". That particular resident was visibly won over!
The Hokkien people always comment, "Chiam See Tong" as in "Temporarily Clinging On". However 16 years and 4 elections later, he is still here! The magic is still very much in him and I am sure he will definitely win again this time round. I asked Chiam, does he anticipate the possibility of PAP purposely trying to make Chiam feel secure by pulling out Andy Gan but with the intention of playing extremist hardball politics by abolishing Potong Pasir Single Seat Ward, combining it instead into a Ministerial led GRC? (At this juncture, it is interesting to note that Bishan-Toa Payoh & Marine Parade GRCs are both sharing common boundaries with Potong Pasir). Chiam replied, "Knowing the PAP... any thing is possible..."
Chiam is also a master tactician. He is remembered best for his "By-Election Effect" strategy during the 1991 election, of which Chiam was declared as the unofficial leader of the opposition. However due to unforeseen circumstances, eventually it resulted into SDP's party split and subsequently losing whatever advantages gained in 1991. However, this coming election, this veteran will be back in force, in possibly one of his parting gifts to Singaporeans prior to his retirement - in the format of a relatively united opposition alliance and hopefully winning at least a GRC constituency, therefore entrenching a system of check and balances in Singapore's democracy. Till then, we can just hope and pray.
Also, Chiam is currently 60-plus, my next concern is – what will happen after he retires? Will the opposition alliance/his party, survive without his leadership, charisma and his appeal? For this we must hope more and pray even harder...
