Gomez, who founded the Think Centre and was also a driving force behind the establishment of Singapore's Speakers' Corner, said he was relinquishing his role as executive director, as part of a directors' agreement to rotate the leadership. He is also leaving Singapore.

"It would give the centre a chance to gain from fresh ideas," the political scientist and author told AFP.

Although he is moving to Bangkok to take up a research post dealing in Southeast Asian politics, Gomez said he will continue to be involved in the Think Centre.

The organisation was set up as an independent political research initiative in 1999 with the stated aim of "critically examining issues related to political development, democracy, rule of law, human rights and civil society."

Last month the government declared it a political organisation.