The rejuvenation of the NSP and the rebranding of the SDP: conversations with Singapore's Opposition politicians

Article

James, Kieran, Chia, Roderick, Grant, Bligh and Lee, Dexter. 2011. "The rejuvenation of the NSP and the rebranding of the SDP: conversations with Singapore's Opposition politicians ." Jebat: Malaysian Journal of History, Politics and Strategic Studies. 38 (2), pp. 99-118.
Article Title

The rejuvenation of the NSP and the rebranding of the SDP: conversations with Singapore's Opposition politicians

Article CategoryArticle
AuthorsJames, Kieran (Author), Chia, Roderick (Author), Grant, Bligh (Author) and Lee, Dexter (Author)
EditorsAbdullah, Kamarulnizam
Journal TitleJebat: Malaysian Journal of History, Politics and Strategic Studies
Journal Citation38 (2), pp. 99-118
Number of Pages19
Year2011
Place of PublicationKuala Lumpur
Web Address (URL)http://www.ukm.my/jebat/images/upload/Kieran%20James%2038%20%282%29%20%28December%202011%29.pdf
Abstract

Via detailed personal interviews, this paper canvasses the views of leading Singapore oppositional grassroots activists about the state of play in Singapore politics and likely developments over the next ten to fifteen years. We focus on two activists who are internet-focused and who have recently switched political parties. Although still strong poll performers in 2011, the Workers’ Party of Singapore (WP) has lost three important members from its 2006 campaign – Chia Ti Lik, Goh Meng Seng, and James Gomez. In this paper Goh and Gomez reflect upon their reasons for leaving WP. Goh points to the lack of emphasis placed by the WP upon internet activism which he views as a strategic error. In one key respect Gomez differs significantly in strategy from Goh, arguing that the latter’s Malay Bureau within the National Solidarity Party (NSP) reflects outdated, old-school politics which can be contrasted sharply with Gomez' Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP) post-modern multicultural ethos.

Keywordsactivism, civil society, grassroots activism, internet activism, Opposition parties, rebranding, Singapore politics, Singapore opposition
ANZSRC Field of Research 2020441004. Social change
441013. Sociology of migration, ethnicity and multiculturalism
440807. Government and politics of Asia and the Pacific
441016. Urban sociology and community studies
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Byline AffiliationsSchool of Accounting, Economics and Finance
Independent Researcher, Australia
University of New England
University of Exeter, United Kingdom
Institution of OriginUniversity of Southern Queensland
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