The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) did not make any formal agreements with the Reform Party (RP) over which constituencies the parties would be contesting, according to the PSP's Leong Mun Wai.
Leong surprised at RP's statement, no formal agreement made
The party's assistant secretary-general was responding to a question at a June 26 press conference about RP's claims that the PSP had not honoured a "gentlemen's agreement".
Leong, who had been in "direct contact" with RP chief Kenneth Jeyaretnam, said that the pair had engaged in "very fruitful and frank discussions", despite the lack of a consensus.
"Unfortunately we didn't actually arrive — agree — to a formal agreement. There was no agreement between the two parties but there were a lot of ideas and principles that were discussed. So we were very surprised that they came out to say that there's an agreement and we are breaking the agreement."
On June 24, RP announced its withdrawal from West Coast GRC — after "long talks" — in order to allow the PSP a clear run at the incumbent People's Action Party.
At the time Jeyaretnam had said the "greater cause" was opposition unity, to contest where parties had the "greatest chance of winning seats", and that he wished to avoid three-cornered fights.
He added that PSP had agreed to withdraw from various contests they were reportedly "eyeing", in exchange for RP ceding West Coast.
Last night, a PSP spokesperson also responded to RP's Facebook post, saying that it is "unfortunate" that RP has to "launch a vicious attack on the integrity of Dr Tan Cheng Bock" at this point in time.
Apology for the misunderstanding
At a press conference for his unveiling as a candidate, Leong called Jeyaretnam a "very honourable man" but indicated that the ideas the pair had discussed would need approval from the PSP's Central Executive Committee before a formal agreement between the two parties could be reached.
"Nevertheless, if there's a misunderstanding, then I would like to apologise to Ken and RP for the misunderstanding."
He urged the RP to stop their accusations and attacks on PSP chief Tan Cheng Bock — "especially the honesty of Dr. Tan."
"There's no doubt, in anybody's heart. Dr Tan is a man of integrity."
"Let us all concentrate on the general election," he concluded.
Top image from PSP and Kenneth Jeyaretnam's Facebook page