LOW THIA KHIANG: IS THIS THE KIND OF POLITICS THAT S'POREANS WANT?

Workers’ Party (WP) secretary-general Low Thia Khiang responded to Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean’s accusations today, saying that "if DPM wants to comment that way, let Singaporeans judge and see this is the standard of the PAP in politics."

On Friday, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said: "I think it's very characteristic of Mr Low to squeeze the most political mileage out of anything, Mr Low was about to field a team to contest Mr Lui, and I'm sure if his party has contested where Mr Lui stood, he wouldn't be saying nice things about him. I'm sure they're crocodile tears."

Speaking at a walkabout at Chong Pang, Low Thia Khiang spoke to reporters who asked for his response to DPM Teo's comments. At the same walkabout, Sylvia Lim revealed that the party's existing MPs would defend their seats in Aljunied Group Representative Constituency, as well as Hougang and Punggol Eat Single Member Constituencies.

“Is this the kind of politics we want in the future? What do we want the future of Singapore to be? Do we want to be more civilized in our political engagement? We are not a Third World country. I think voters will have to decide what they want Singapore to be,” Mr Low added.

Last week, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and other senior members of the Cabinet had tried to persuade Mr Lui to change his mind on his decision not to contest the coming General Election, but Mr Lui stuck firm to his decision.

Mr Low later expressed disappointment over the loss of Mr Lui, whom he called “a hardworking minister” and questioned the move, saying: “I thought the standard ethos of the PAP is that resignation doesn't solve the problem."

On Sunday, Mr Low again praised Mr Lui and reiterated that him stepping down would be a loss to the Cabinet. “I've known him for a number of years in Parliament. He's down-to-earth and answers questions matter-of-factly and in detail, and it shows he's hands-on … (and) prepared to work the ground. Neither does he attack or bully or intimidate the Opposition. I find him responsible and accountable. I appreciate that.”