JBJ has stepped down as the secretary-general of the Workers' Party. This paves the way for Low Thia Khiang to press his claim for the position. However, this is not a foregone conclusion but the odds truly favour the Member for Parliament for Hougang to be the next chief of the Workers' Party. Yet the question that everybody is asking is whether the "Lion" has retired into his den.
JBJ has been in politics for 31 years. His struggle for an opposition voice has made him into a political icon and he is synonymous with the insignia of the hammer. However, what is interesting is that he has not made any mention of retiring from politics and he has not issued a statement of not contesting the next general elections. This means that he harbours hopes of raising the money to pay off his debts so that he would be eligible for the next general elections. He has not lost his political drive or passion. Withstanding the pain of the wounds, he is still roaring defiantly hoping to have an impact in the coming elections.
At the same time, one is not too sure about his relationship with the party, especially with Mr. Low Thia Khiang. JBJ has brought a civil suit against Mr. Low to pay off some money owed. Things are not that healthy in the party and one is not too sure the status of JBJ in the Workers' Party. Whether he will be an ordinary member providing advice and support for the younger generation or resign from the party continuing his struggle as an independent without the auspices of the party remains to be seen. Another possibility is that he could be part of the Workers' Party but be supported by one faction of the party. Nevertheless, these are all speculation and nothing would be concrete until the party meeting on the 27th of May.
It seems that twists and turns happen only in the opposition ranks. Once again Singapore is cursed of a weakened and fractured opposition just before a General Election. All this serves the PAP well; they can concentrate on setting the agenda without worrying too much about how the opposition will attack their policies. The opposition is too busy attacking themselves. Nevertheless, the JBJ saga has not ended with him stepping down as the secretary-general of the party. In fact, it continues.
