Low Thia Khiang
刘程强
Leader of the Opposition
In office
2 November 2006 – 8 April 2018
Prime MinisterLee Hsien Loong
Preceded byJ.B. Jeyaretnam
Succeeded byPritam Singh
Secretary-General of the Workers' Party
In office
27 May 2001 – 8 April 2018
ChairwomanSylvia Lim
(since 2003)
Vice ChairmanMuhamad Faisal Manap
(since 2016)
Preceded byJ. B. Jeyaretnam
Succeeded byPritam Singh
Member of Parliament
for Aljunied GRC
(Bedok Reservoir–Punggol)
In office
7 May 2011 – 23 June 2020
Preceded byGeorge Yeo
Succeeded byGerald Giam
Member of Parliament
for Hougang SMC
In office
31 August 1991 – 6 May 2011
Preceded byTang Guan Seng
Succeeded byYaw Shin Leong
Personal details
Born
Low Thia Khiang

5 September 1956 (1956-09-05) (age 67)
Colony of Singapore
Political partyWorker's Party
(from 1982 )
Spouse
Han Mui Keow
​
(m. 1982)​
Children3
Alma materNanyang University
National University of Singapore (BA)
Profession
  • Politician
  • Businessman
  • Teacher
Low Thia Khiang
Traditional Chinese劉程強
Simplified Chinese刘程强

Low Thia Khiang (simplified Chinese: 刘程强; traditional Chinese: 劉程強; pinyin: Liú Chéngqiáng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: Lâu Thiâⁿ-kiâng; born 5 September 1956) is a Singaporean former politician. A member of the opposition Workers' Party (WP), Low was one of the two opposition MPs in Parliament between 1997 and 2011 and served as Secretary-General of the WP between 2001 and 2018. He served as a Member of Parliament (MP) for Hougang SMC between 1991 and 2011, and also Aljunied GRC representing Bedok Reservoir — Punggol division between 2011 and 2020.

Low made his political debut in the 1991 general election where he contested in Hougang SMC as a WP candidate. He was appointed Secretary-General of the Workers' Party since 27 May 2001.[1][2]

During the 2011 general election, Low decided not to seek re-election in Hougang SMC and instead contested in Aljunied GRC and led the party into a historic breakthrough when his team won the first group representation constituency (GRC) from the governing People's Action Party (PAP). Low became one of five elected opposition MPs for Aljunied GRC in the 13th Parliament and represented the Bedok Reservoir–Punggol division between 2011 and 2020. He was the de facto Leader of the Opposition after the 2015 general election after his team won Aljunied GRC and retained back Hougang SMC. He served as the de facto Leader of the Opposition between 2006 and 2018.

As part of a leadership renewal, Low was succeeded by Pritam Singh as Secretary-General in 2018, and also stepped down as the MP for Aljunied GRC prior to the 2020 general election, making him Singapore's longest-serving opposition Member of Parliament with 29 years in service.[3] He has indicated his desire to remain active in politics.[4]

Early life

Low studied at Lik Teck Primary School and Chung Cheng High School before he attended Nanyang University, where he majored in Chinese language and literature, and government and public administration. In 1981, he completed a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Chinese studies at the National University of Singapore. In 1982, he completed a diploma in education. He worked as a teacher for a few years before starting his own business.[5]

Political career

Low joined the Workers' Party (WP) in 1982, and was subsequently appointed as its Organising Secretary. At the 1984 general election, he was the election agent for the party's secretary-general, J. B. Jeyaretnam, in his successful campaign to win Anson constituency.

Low is well known for giving speeches in Teochew,[6] which have won him much support from a large number of Teochew-speaking residents in Hougang SMC.[7]

In the 2016 Workers' Party Central Executive Committee (CEC) elections, Low's position of secretary-general was contended by fellow Aljunied MP Chen Show Mao. This was the first time Low was challenged for the post since he took it up in 2001. Low retained his seat with 61 votes, to Chen's 45. Chen remains in the CEC as a member.[8]

Low announced at his party's 60th anniversary dinner that he would not be contesting for the post of secretary-general for the 2018 party elections and would step down to renew leadership in WP after being at its helm for 17 years.[9] Low formally stepped down as WP chief on 8 April 2018. Chan Chun Sing, the Minister for Trade and Industry, subsequently praised Low at a Parliament sitting on 15 May 2018 for the role he played in Parliament, acknowledging him as "a fellow Singaporean and very much part of Team Singapore", and that while the PAP may not always agree with Low's perspectives or methods, the PAP nevertheless appreciate(d) his efforts to work together to build a better Singapore.[10]

1988 General Election

In 1988, Low represented the WP in a televised debate with the PAP government on proposals to create an elected Presidency for Singapore, during which he engaged Ong Teng Cheong and Lee Hsien Loong, who later became the President and Prime Minister of Singapore respectively. In the general election later that year, Low, together with Gopalan Nair and Lim Lye Soon, contested Tiong Bahru GRC against the PAP and won 42.2% of the vote while the PAP won 57.8% of the vote. [11]

1991 General Election

In 1991, Low, as the Workers' Party's assistant secretary-general, won the single-member constituency (SMC) of Hougang in the 1991 general election and entered Parliament. In 1992, Low was appointed by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong as a member of the Cost Review Committee. After a year of intensive study, Low decided to produce his own independent report as he had a different perspective from the other members of the committee.[12]

1997 General Election

Low with a constituent

Low was re-elected as the MP for Hougang SMC at the 1997 general election, his second election victory in Hougang.[13]

2001 General Election

On 27 May 2001, Low became the secretary-general of the Workers' Party, replacing J. B. Jeyaretnam. He was re-elected again as the MP for Hougang at the 2001 general election.[14]

2006 General Election

At the 2006 general elections, Low won his fourth straight term for the Hougang constituency. He received 13,987 of the votes cast, a 62.74 per cent victory margin which was an increase of 7.74% from the last general election in November 2001. His opponent from the People's Action Party, Eric Low, received 8,306 votes.[15]

2011 General Election

Between 1997 and 2011, Low from WP and Chiam See Tong from the Singapore People's Party (SPP) were the only elected opposition Members of Parliament (MP) in Parliament.

During the 2011 general election, Low and Chiam left their respective strongholds in Hougang and Potong Pasir SMC to challenge the ruling PAP in Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). Low would challenge the ruling PAP in Aljunied GRC, while Chiam would contest the Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC. In so doing, Low and Chiam risked a situation where there would be no elected opposition MPs in Parliament had they lost.[16]

Low Thia Khiang at a Workers' Party general election rally, Bedok Stadium, Singapore.

Low's gambit paid off as he led the Workers' Party to a historic breakthrough in the election, with a victory in Aljunied GRC but Chiam lost in Bishan–Toa Payoh GRC.[17] The win marked the first time that an opposition party won a GRC. As a result of the victory, the Workers' Party had a total of six elected MPs in Parliament, including the seat in Hougang SMC (which was retained by Low's party member, Yaw Shin Leong).[18][19]

2015 General Election

At the 2015 general election, Low and his team won and retained their seats in Aljunied GRC. However, the team's votes share decreased to 50.96%, a drop of 3.76%, with a narrow margin of 1.9% (2,626 votes). As the margin was within the 2% range, there was a recount. This was Low's sixth continuous win as an elected opposition MP (four in Hougang SMC and two in Aljunied GRC). He is one of few elected opposition MPs to successfully defend a GRC as an incumbent; he also tied with Chiam for electing the most number of times for an opposition candidate, with six terms.[20]

2020: Post-political career

On 30 April 2020, Low was hospitalised at an intensive care unit in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital as a result of a head injury.[21] While still recuperating, Workers' Party announced that Low would not contest in the 2020 general election in a move to "broaden its leadership base and also remain in touch with the ground as Singapore's population changes".[22]

In interviews following the decision not to contest, Low stated that it is unlikely he would make a political comeback in the future.[23] Low felt that he had achieved his goals of securing a group representation constituency, which he did with the 2011 general election, and to renew the party leadership. Pritam Singh succeeded Low as the secretary-general.[24] Low would remain involved with the party in a mentoring role, advising the present leadership when asked.[23]

Personal life

Low first met Han Mui Keow while they were students at Chung Cheng High School in 1973. They were married in 1982 and had two sons and a daughter. He is a Buddhist.

On 30 April 2020, Low was hospitalised at an intensive care unit in Khoo Teck Puat Hospital as a result of a head injury.[21] On 4 May, Low was transferred to the general ward,[25] and remained until he was discharged on 21 May.[26][27] The fall affected his olfactory nerve centre, robbing him his sense of smell.[28]

References

  1. ↑ "Low Thia Khiang: From teacher to opposition icon". www.todayonline.com. Archived from the original on 12 November 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  2. ↑ "Lee family feud is a serious matter, not a 'Korean drama show': Low Thia Khiang". Archived from the original on 1 December 2017. Retrieved 26 November 2017.
  3. ↑ "A man whose 'heart is with Singapore': A look back at Low Thia Khiang's political career with Workers' Party". TODAY. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  4. ↑ "Low, Chen and Png stepping down". The Straits Times. 25 June 2020. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  5. ↑ "Curriculum Vitae". Parliament of Singapore. Archived from the original on 20 March 2012. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  6. ↑ Tan, Audrey (9 July 2020). "Singapore GE2020: WP's Low Thia Khiang delivers trademark Teochew speech in video". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 14 August 2020.
  7. ↑ Ong, Tanya (26 June 2020). "Why Hougang SMC, the longest-held opposition ward in S'pore, is significant in GE2020". mothership.sg. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  8. ↑ "Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang retains post after challenge by Chen Show Mao at party's internal election". The Straits Times. 29 May 2016. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  9. ↑ "Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang to step down as secretary-general by next party election". CNA. Archived from the original on 17 November 2017. Retrieved 16 September 2019.
  10. ↑ Seow, Bei Yi (15 May 2018). "Minister thanks opposition veteran Low Thia Khiang". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 25 May 2018. Retrieved 5 June 2018.
  11. ↑ "Singapore Parliamentary General Election 1988 > Tiong Bahru GRC". www.singapore-elections.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  12. ↑ "Singapore Parliamentary General Election 1991 > Hougang". www.singapore-elections.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  13. ↑ "Singapore Parliamentary General Election 1997 > Hougang". www.singapore-elections.com. Archived from the original on 4 March 2019. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  14. ↑ "Singapore Parliamentary General Election 2001". www.singapore-elections.com. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  15. ↑ "WP chief Low Thia Khiang wins fourth term as Hougang MP". AsiaOne. 6 May 2006. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  16. ↑ "Stakes and risk very high for opposition: WP chief". 1 May 2011. Archived from the original on 1 May 2011. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  17. ↑ "PAP wins General Election, loses Aljunied GRC". www.asiaone.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 23 June 2020.
  18. ↑ Lim, Kenneth. "2011: PAP loses Aljunied GRC to WP". The Business Times. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  19. ↑ "WP wins Aljunied GRC, makes key breakthrough". Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  20. ↑ hermesauto (12 September 2015). "GE2O15: Workers' Party retains Aljunied GRC with 50.95 per cent of the vote". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 13 December 2017. Retrieved 13 December 2017.
  21. 1 2 "Former WP chief Low Thia Khiang conscious and recovering in ICU after fall at home". Straits Times. 24 June 2020. Archived from the original on 3 May 2020. Retrieved 3 May 2020.
  22. ↑ "Singapore GE2020: Workers' Party's Low Thia Khiang, Chen Show Mao and Png Eng Huat step down, will not contest next GE". Straits Times. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 25 June 2020.
  23. 1 2 "GE2020: Political comeback unlikely, says former Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang". CNA. Archived from the original on 27 June 2020. Retrieved 27 June 2020.
  24. ↑ hermesauto (25 June 2020). "Singapore GE2020: 'I felt my work was done', says former WP chief Low Thia Khiang who will not stand in election". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  25. ↑ hermesauto (5 May 2020). "Former WP chief Low Thia Khiang out of ICU after 5 days following fall, now in general ward". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 28 June 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
  26. ↑ Koh, Fabian (22 May 2020). "Workers' Party MP Low Thia Khiang discharged from hospital following fall at home". The Straits Times. OCLC 8572659. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 23 May 2020.
  27. ↑ "Workers' Party MP Low Thia Khiang discharged from hospital following fall at home". Straits Times. 22 May 2020. Archived from the original on 22 May 2020. Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  28. ↑ hermesauto (25 June 2020). "Singapore GE2020: 'I felt my work was done', says former WP chief Low Thia Khiang who will not stand in election". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 26 June 2020. Retrieved 12 July 2020.
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