Request made for special cadre members' conference, party CEC to follow up: WP

The Workers' Party (WP) confirmed in a Dec. 28 media statement that a request for a special cadre member's conference has been made.

The party's chair, Sylvia Lim, has acknowledged receipt of the request.

The WP Central Executive Committee (CEC) will be following up on the request in accordance with the party constitution.

Over 20 cadres have signed a letter calling for the special conference to be held in February, and WP Secretary-General Pritam Singh's position as party chief could be one of the topics discussed, CNA reported.

WP added in its statement that under the party's constitution, the Chair, CEC, or 10 per cent of the cadre membership or at least 20 cadre members, whichever is higher, may call a special cadre members' conference at any time for specific purposes to be indicated.

The WP constitution also stipulates that only cadre members shall be entitled to be present at cadre members' conferences and vote.

A special conference is separate from an ordinary conference, which is held at least once every two years.

Whether ordinary or special, the party secretary-general will send notices in writing to all cadre members of the party in good standing one month before the day fixed for the conference.

The notice will inform cadre members of the date, time and place fixed for the meeting.

The secretary-general will also inform members of the agenda, including all resolutions tabled for discussion.

The cadre members' conference of the party is the authority of the party empowered to elect the CEC and, by simple majority, deal with all matters of policy, administration, membership and every other "cognate matter" affecting the party, the WP constitution reads.

The special cadre members' conference request comes ahead of January's Parliament sitting, when the outcome of Pritam's conviction in the Raeesah Khan case, as well as its implications on Chair Sylvia Lim and Vice-Chair Faisal Manap, will be discussed.

Leader of the House Indranee Rajah said that it is necessary for parliament to "take notice" of Pritam's actions and the trial outcome and deliberate on an appropriate response.

The WP has said that internal party processes have been initiated, and that it will provide updates in due course.

Top image via Workers' Party / Facebook