I’ve done what I set out to do, says Low Thia Khiang who does not rule out standing in next GE
Workers’ Party (WP) chief Low Thia Khiang speaking to the media on Wednesday (Nov 8). Photo: Kelly Ng/TODAY
SINGAPORE — Speaking to the media for the first time after he announced that he was stepping down as Workers’ Party (WP) chief, Mr Low Thia Khiang said on Wednesday (Nov 8) that he has achieved what he set out to do, and it was time for younger leaders to chart the party’s future.
However, he was non-committal on whether he would stand in the next General Election (GE), which is due by January 2021. “I think it is too early. There is still some time to go (till the next election). Things can change. This world is changing very fast,” said Mr Low, who was speaking to reporters before his Meet-the-People session at Bedok Reservoir Road.
Recalling how he had pledged for electoral progress and party renewal during the opposition party’s 50th anniversary a decade ago, Mr Low said: “I have done my part... I have believed in building an organisation all this while. That has been one of my missions when I took over... So I am making good what I had said.”
Nevertheless, he has one regret: He had wanted to have a successor in place this year. “I had hoped that we should have a new secretary-general by the party’s 60th anniversary, which did not happen. But I think... it is time for me to step aside for the younger generation of leaders to take the steering wheel, and move the party forward. So, something (fell) short, but not too far,” said Mr Low.
Last Friday, Mr Low announced at the WP’s 60th anniversary dinner that he will not contest the post of secretary-general in the party’s Central Executive Council election next year. He has held the post since 2001, when he took over from the late Mr J B Jeyaretnam.
Mr Low first entered Parliament in 1991, and has won six straight GEs. In 2011, he left his Hougang stronghold and led the WP to a historic victory in Aljunied Group Representation Constituency (GRC) - becoming the first opposition party to win a GRC. The WP successfully retained the constituency in the 2015 GE, albeit with a narrower winning margin.
Mr Low’s decision to step down comes at a time when he and two other WP leaders - chairman Sylvia Lim and assistant secretary-general Pritam Singh - are embroiled in civil lawsuits filed against them by Pasir Ris-Punggol Town Council and independent auditors appointed by Aljunied-Hougang Town Council (AHTC) for financial management lapses.
Some observers have noted that the lawsuits could have been a factor, but Mr Low said: “They can say whatever they like. The fact is that I know what I am doing, I have been doing what I set out to do. And I have reached a point where I think I have done what I could have done, and it is time for me to (step down).”
Without alluding to the AHTC saga, Mr Low said the WP had experienced “many challenges” after 2011, which hindered efforts to have a new party leader in place. “The ship (was) under turbulence so we (had) to stabilise it. And now I think we are sailing (well enough) for me to hand over,” he said.
As to who would be his likely successor, the 61-year-old was tight-lipped. “The party will have to decide,” he said.
Mr Low said he has not thought about what role he would play after he steps down as secretary-general, and whether he would still be involved in the party’s key decisions. “Of course it depends on the situation and what needs the party has, what are the needs of the younger generation,” he said.
On the party’s future, Mr Low played down the impact of his decision to hand over the baton. “Singapore has come thus far, I am sure people won’t, just because I step down, think there is no need (for) check and balance... (The residents) have seen that the younger leadership is in place. They are also on the ground, (the residents) can see that,” he said.
