Former RP Chairman forms new opposition party with other former opposition party members
Several members from the Reform Party (RP)’s Central Executive Committee have left to form a new political party, the Singapore United Party (SUP).
The SUP is led by former RP chairman Andy Zhu, as the secretary-general, and currently has 11 members, which includes eight former RP members. The party was registered with the Registry of Societies on 24 December.
In an interview with TODAY, Mr Zhu emphasised that the SUP is not a splinter group from RP, and that they did not want any animosity with RP. “We are just a group of like-minded people coming together to serve residents.” He added: “We wish (RP) all the best and don’t see them as an enemy.”
Mr Zhu was removed from RP’s CEC in August 2020 by “a unanimous vote”, alongside Ms Noraini Yunus. He was replaced by Mr Charles Yeo.
Other former RP members who have joined the SUP include Mr Darren Soh Guan Soon, Mr Mohd Ali Kamal Batcha and Mr Mohammed Affendy Abdul Rahim.
Another notable member of the SUP would be former Singapore Democratic Party member Joyce Tan, who was named SUP’s chairman, and Mr Choo Zin Chye, who is Mr Zhu’s father.
Reform Party chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam launches new charity to relieve poverty in Singapore
Meanwhile, RP’s chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam has launched a new charity — the J B Jeyaretnam Foundation — that aims to relieve poverty in Singapore.
Mr Jeyaretnam said that the foundation was launched in honour of his late father, Joshua Benjamin Jeyaretnam, who was the first opposition politician to be elected in Parliament back in 1965.
“Though he can no longer be with us his legacy lives on to be preserved for future generations,” said Mr Jeyaretnam. He explained that the charity would focus on “the pockets of poverty amongst marginalized groups that were dear to JBJ’s heart”.
JBJ’s protégé, lawyer M Ravi, has also agreed to do the legal work for the charity “at a generously reduced rate”.
Although the charity has not begun accepting donations, interested parties may contact +65 91064376 or send an email to [email protected] for more information.
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