PAP parties at awards ceremony
AsiaOne
Sunday, Nov 27, 2011
The National University of Singapore's University Cultural Centre was awash with a sea of white last night, as the People's Action Party (PAP) held its annual party awards ceremony.
The Straits Times reported that about 1,600 activists and politicians, decked in the party colour, danced to a rewritten version of the Black Eyed Peas' hit, "I Gotta Feeling".
They were also treated to a medley of performances, from a hiphop dance to a sing-along version of the 1998 National Day song, "Home".
They include party bigwigs like Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with his wife Ms Ho Ching, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan, and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.
Minister Khaw, who is the PAP chairman, in his speech identified the goals of the party. He said it must find ways to improve the lives of middle-income Singaporeans, not just of the lower-income.
He also said the party must change its style to connect better with voters.
He related that over the last seven months, the party has had extensive consultations with the party activitists at the branch constituencies. The consensus: They have entered a new phase.
Mr Khaw said: 'The key political challenge in the coming years will be one of more intense competition and in a more challenging domestic environment.
'In particular, we must be able to connect with the younger generation, understand their aspirations, engage them, work with them as one Team Singapore, to advance the Singapore cause.'
Meanwhile, 372 received awards yesterday, including Mr Eric Low, who received the highest award, the meritorious service medal. This award, which started in 2006, is given to party members who have made major contributions to the party and to Singapore.
The 62-year-old had lost in the two times that he contested the Hougang constituency, in the 2001 and 2006 elections. After stepping down as branch chairman this year, he has stayed to guide his successor, Desmond Choo.
Mr Khaw also paid tribute to party members like the late Mr Choo Siu Heng, one of the first-generation activists, as well as the father of Marine Parade GRC MP Tin Pei Ling.
The party's internal consultations with party members since the general elections in May will culminate with the PAP convention today.
AsiaOne
Sunday, Nov 27, 2011
The National University of Singapore's University Cultural Centre was awash with a sea of white last night, as the People's Action Party (PAP) held its annual party awards ceremony.
The Straits Times reported that about 1,600 activists and politicians, decked in the party colour, danced to a rewritten version of the Black Eyed Peas' hit, "I Gotta Feeling".
They were also treated to a medley of performances, from a hiphop dance to a sing-along version of the 1998 National Day song, "Home".
They include party bigwigs like Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with his wife Ms Ho Ching, National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan, and Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean.
Minister Khaw, who is the PAP chairman, in his speech identified the goals of the party. He said it must find ways to improve the lives of middle-income Singaporeans, not just of the lower-income.
He also said the party must change its style to connect better with voters.
He related that over the last seven months, the party has had extensive consultations with the party activitists at the branch constituencies. The consensus: They have entered a new phase.
Mr Khaw said: 'The key political challenge in the coming years will be one of more intense competition and in a more challenging domestic environment.
'In particular, we must be able to connect with the younger generation, understand their aspirations, engage them, work with them as one Team Singapore, to advance the Singapore cause.'
Meanwhile, 372 received awards yesterday, including Mr Eric Low, who received the highest award, the meritorious service medal. This award, which started in 2006, is given to party members who have made major contributions to the party and to Singapore.
The 62-year-old had lost in the two times that he contested the Hougang constituency, in the 2001 and 2006 elections. After stepping down as branch chairman this year, he has stayed to guide his successor, Desmond Choo.
Mr Khaw also paid tribute to party members like the late Mr Choo Siu Heng, one of the first-generation activists, as well as the father of Marine Parade GRC MP Tin Pei Ling.
The party's internal consultations with party members since the general elections in May will culminate with the PAP convention today.