Benjamin Pwee joins DPP leadership as Acting Secretary-General

Opposition politician Benjamin Pwee has joined the leadership of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) - as Acting Secretary-General. 

He was co-opted into the Central Executive Committee (CEC) at a closed-door meeting on Sunday, while six other independents were officially accepted as party members and cadres. 

The DPP's Secretary-General, Mr Seow Khee Leng, went on leave from the party from Sunday (13 Jan) and handed over the leadership reins to Mr Pwee. 

The DPP said in a statement that Mr Pwee and his new team will prepare for the party's congress in March, where Mr Pwee will officially take over as Secretary-General.

The new team also intends to reach out to other opposition parties through a joint Chinese New Year walkabout, as well as collaboration in various areas. 

Mr Pwee is also discussing the possibility of an alliance leadership role to rally the opposition parties to jointly strategise and plan for the next General Election, due in 2016. 

The new DPP leadership team will launch several activities, including a day-trip to Pulai and Batu Pahat for residents, monthly "happy hour" at a pub at Clarke Quay and monthly Meet-the-People sessions in selected constituencies. 

Also in the CEC are Mr John Chiam (Chairman), Mr Mohamad Hamim Aliyas (Vice-Chairman), Mr Wilfred Leung (Assistant Secretary-General), Mr Winston Lim (Treasurer), Ms Juliana Juwahir (Assistant Treasurer) Mr Ting Tze Jiang (Organising Secretary) and Mr Sa'aban Ali (Assistant Organising Secretary). 

All, except Mr Lim, are ex-members of the Singapore People's Party.