The Workers’ Party (WP) announced its office-bearers for the Central Executive Council (CEC) after its first CEC meeting on June 7.

This was after the exciting CEC election on May 29, when Aljunied MP Chen Show Mao challenged his fellow MP and party leader Low Thia Khiang to the party’s top spot.

Aljunied MP Pritam Singh was indeed the one to watch, as we predicted, and he was appointed the new Assistant Secretary-General.

But those who first claimed that NCMPs Dennis Tan and Daniel Goh are the front-runners before the CEC election and are now claiming that Pritam is the front-runner really should calm down.

Remember Poh Li Guan and James Gomez? They were the first and second assistant Sec-Gens respectively 10 years ago. And we know that they did not take over Low as the Sec-Gen.

What was missed by the media and most political observers about the first CEC meeting was that the party did not choose to co-opt any new members.

According to WP’s constitution, the CEC may co-opt as many as seven members.

Why did they choose not to do so? Perhaps the WP leadership team does not want to re-open old wounds by having to choose between ex-CEC members and up-and-coming party members.

At the risk of over-analysing the CEC election again, here is our 140-character description of the status of the WP office bearers (2016 to 2018):

Chairman: Sylvia Lim Swee Lian, 51 — no change

Longest-serving WP Chairman. Good Instagram game. Wedding bells with Quah Kim Song soon?

Vice-Chairman: Muhamad Faisal bin Abdul Manap, 40

Aljunied GRC MP who won his GE2015 seat at Kaki Bukit. Took over Mohd Rahizan bin Yaacob as Vice Chair.

Secretary-General: Low Thia Khiang, 59 — no change

Still numero uno. Unchallenged as Sec Gen between 2001-2016. Beat CSM 61-45. Will be the longest serving Opposition MP before next GE.

Assistant Secretary-General: Pritam Singh, 40

Next Sec-Gen, said some analysts in Lianhe Zaobao. Filling up the racial quota, said others. Whatever. The AHTC Chair is one to watch.

Organising Secretary: Png Eng Huat, 54

The new organising secretary is the backbone of the WP. This Hougang MP is a popular rally speaker. Also the AHTC Vice-Chair.

Deputy Organising Secretary: Foo Seck Guan, Kenneth, 39 — no change

Rising star. Face of WP’s YouTube video series. Co-opted last year, elected this year.

Deputy Organising Secretary: Tan Kong Soon, 39

New entry. Another rising star. Youth Wing Vice-President. Helps out at CSM's ward. Can keep Chen company so that he will not be so lonely.

Treasurer: Chen Show Mao, 54 — no change

Not the most popular guy in WP anymore. Second in CEC election after two first-place finishes. Treasurer for two more years.

Deputy Treasurer: Dennis Tan Lip Fong, 45

NCMP. Did well at CEC election. Like Daniel Goh, he is tipped as a successor to Low.

Chair, Media Team: Daniel Goh Pei Siong, 42 — no change

NCMP. Swapped jobs with Media Chair Gerald Giam. Savvy with online media — has among the most popular FB page (More than He Ting Ru!).

Deputy Chair, Media Team, and Webmaster: Leon Perera, 45

NCMP. Popular with team, got 3rd-place finish at CEC election. Soon to be ex-minority shareholder of Independent.sg with 23.5% shares.

Deputy Webmaster: Firuz Khan, 49

Sole representative from GE2015 Marine Parade GRC team.

President, Youth Wing: Gerald Giam Yean Song, 38

Ex-NCMP. Swapped jobs with Daniel Goh. The baby of the CEC but already the elder statesman at East Coast GRC with two GEs fought.

Council Member: Lee Li Lian, 38

Ex-Punggol East MP, but still popular among WP cadres. Former Organising Secretary appears to be taking a back seat for now.

Related articles:

The people who are in & out of the new Workers’ Party leadership

Workers’ Party leadership election: Predicting Low Thia Khiang’s dream team this Sunday

Despite a leadership challenge, Low Thia Khiang was the clear winner in the WP election

Top photo by Lim Weixiang.

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