Goh wants to be a ‘resource person’

A DAY after offering to lift the party whip for the People’s Action Party’s (PAP) men in opposition wards, Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has downplayed the suggestion. 

Instead, he has another suggestion: for him to be a special “resource person” in Cabinet for Potong Pasir voters. 

On Sunday, in Hougang, he suggested lifting the party whip for PAP candidates Eric Low and Sitoh Yih Pin if they managed to unseat opposition MPs Low Thia Khiang of Hougang and Chiam See Tong of Potong Pasir, respectively. 

Lifting the whip would allow Eric Low and Sitoh to speak and vote in Parliament without being constrained by party directives. It would, said Goh, allow voters to enjoy upgrading, which is given to PAP wards, and still have an opposition voice in the House. 

However, he appeared to back off on this suggestion when speaking to reporters during a visit to Potong Pasir, his first since being charged with the responsibility of winning back the constituency.  

“Let’s be clear. They are PAP MPs, they are not quite the same as opposition MPs. But what I hope Eric Low and Sitoh will do, regardless of whether the whip is lifted or not, is to speak their minds.” 

Goh is now offering to be Potong Pasir voters’ special “resource person” in Cabinet if they oust Chiam in favour of Sitoh at the coming polls. 

So, if Sitoh has plans for Potong Pasir that Goh agrees with, Goh will push for them in Cabinet. – The Straits Times / Asia News Network