Nov 2, 2009
PAP CONVENTION
Activists give voice to concerns from ground
Fielding of outsiders for polls, toeing party line among issues raised
By Rachel Chang
THE PAP rank-and-file engaged their leaders directly at yesterday's party convention, and activists did not hold back.
Several of those who posed questions to the central executive committee gave voice to grievances from the ground.
One wondered why PAP candidates for the general election were often outsiders rather than long-term party activists. Another voiced the worry that the party was seen by Singaporeans as 'in an ivory tower'.
Also flagged by activists in a report on dialogues held prior to the convention were ministerial pay, and transparency in managing Singapore's sovereign wealth funds.
Party leaders addressed these sentiments by pointing to the need to be open to fresh ideas and alternative voices.
Early in the session, a question sent in by SMS asked why the party 'airbornes new candidates to the branch just before each general election and expects branch activists to support new candidates' rather than selecting them from the ground.
Applause and murmurs of assent came from the thousand-strong crowd.
But Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, the second assistant secretary-general, said candidates came from within and outside the PAP, and that contributed to the party's strength. Looking elsewhere helps stave off stagnation in the party, he added.
Citing the example of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) in Malaysia, he said the grassroots was closed to outsiders. So people with good ideas cannot find a place and go to the opposition.
'We must be open to new people and new ideas, as long as they subscribe to our party ideals,' he said.
Another question was how party members could express alternative views without worrying about toeing the party line.
The PAP Policy Forum was an ideal outlet for these views, said its chairman, Mr Satwant Singh, 44.
'There was a misconception that all of us are yes-people. Whatever the government says, we will follow.'
He said that, in fact, forum members criticise and engage ministers on policy issues, without fear of any consequences.
'We are passionate, we speak our minds, we want to change policy,' he said. 'Nobody has pulled me aside and said, 'Oh, Satwant, you speak like that, that's it'.'
He added later: 'If we do not come forward to speak, who else will?'
As for a PAP that is divorced from the concerns of everyday Singaporeans, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng disputed that this was the case.
MPs and grassroots leaders were on the ground 'week after week'. He said that a congressional delegation from China which attended a Meet-the-People Session in Bishan East some time ago was taken aback by the level of interaction between residents and MPs.
'They were amazed. 'You mean MPs write letters on behalf of residents dealing with traffic summons? Lack of carpark? Neighbourly disputes?' They couldn't believe it,' said Mr Wong, who is first assistant secretary-general.
PAP CONVENTION
Activists give voice to concerns from ground
Fielding of outsiders for polls, toeing party line among issues raised
By Rachel Chang
THE PAP rank-and-file engaged their leaders directly at yesterday's party convention, and activists did not hold back.
Several of those who posed questions to the central executive committee gave voice to grievances from the ground.
One wondered why PAP candidates for the general election were often outsiders rather than long-term party activists. Another voiced the worry that the party was seen by Singaporeans as 'in an ivory tower'.
Also flagged by activists in a report on dialogues held prior to the convention were ministerial pay, and transparency in managing Singapore's sovereign wealth funds.
Party leaders addressed these sentiments by pointing to the need to be open to fresh ideas and alternative voices.
Early in the session, a question sent in by SMS asked why the party 'airbornes new candidates to the branch just before each general election and expects branch activists to support new candidates' rather than selecting them from the ground.
Applause and murmurs of assent came from the thousand-strong crowd.
But Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, the second assistant secretary-general, said candidates came from within and outside the PAP, and that contributed to the party's strength. Looking elsewhere helps stave off stagnation in the party, he added.
Citing the example of the United Malays National Organisation (Umno) in Malaysia, he said the grassroots was closed to outsiders. So people with good ideas cannot find a place and go to the opposition.
'We must be open to new people and new ideas, as long as they subscribe to our party ideals,' he said.
Another question was how party members could express alternative views without worrying about toeing the party line.
The PAP Policy Forum was an ideal outlet for these views, said its chairman, Mr Satwant Singh, 44.
'There was a misconception that all of us are yes-people. Whatever the government says, we will follow.'
He said that, in fact, forum members criticise and engage ministers on policy issues, without fear of any consequences.
'We are passionate, we speak our minds, we want to change policy,' he said. 'Nobody has pulled me aside and said, 'Oh, Satwant, you speak like that, that's it'.'
He added later: 'If we do not come forward to speak, who else will?'
As for a PAP that is divorced from the concerns of everyday Singaporeans, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng disputed that this was the case.
MPs and grassroots leaders were on the ground 'week after week'. He said that a congressional delegation from China which attended a Meet-the-People Session in Bishan East some time ago was taken aback by the level of interaction between residents and MPs.
'They were amazed. 'You mean MPs write letters on behalf of residents dealing with traffic summons? Lack of carpark? Neighbourly disputes?' They couldn't believe it,' said Mr Wong, who is first assistant secretary-general.
