7 minute read
PAP must adapt to Singapore’s changing politics while keeping its core identity
Ruling party must govern Singapore well, work the ground, stay accessible to voters and lead by example, says Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the PAP Secretary-General
Singapore and its politics are changing, and the People's Action Party must change as well in order to sustain the successful model that has shaped the country over the decades, said Mr Lee Hsien Loong, the PAP Secretary-General.
The PAP must adapt to what Singaporeans want to see in their politics, he told party leaders and activists at the 36th Party Conference on November 8, 2020.
“Singaporeans still want stability and progress, job security and opportunities for themselves and their children,” he said. “But increasingly, Singaporeans want other things too — to participate more actively in shaping our society, re-examine basic assumptions, and look beyond the tried-and-tested way of doing things.”
Mr Lee also cited the electorate’s desire for greater checks and balances, more alternative voices in Parliament, more robust public debates, and closer scrutiny of government policies.
These expectations and desires, he pointed out, will only grow with each generation of Singaporeans, and the PAP “must respond to them.” “At the same time, we have to maintain our core identity and what we stand for. We must continue representing all Singaporeans, and not just a particular sliver or segment of the population,” said Mr Lee, who is also the Prime Minister.
Leading the Party forward
On the important topic of leadership renewal, Mr Lee said he is proud of the latest batch of 24 PAP MPs elected at GE2020 in July, with each having established themselves in their professions and communities. Some of them have already been appointed to the Cabinet or the 4G team and help the PAP to provide Singapore with the leadership it needs, said Mr Lee.
“Leadership renewal remains one of my top priorities,” he said, reiterating his promise to see Singapore through the Covid-19 crisis before he hands it over in good shape to the next team and into safe hands.
“I ask you to support me and my whole holders and backbenchers. We will do time,” he said.
PAP-NTUC symbiotic relationship
The close partnership between the PAP and the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) will be a precious asset as Singapore navigates through an uncertain future, said Mr Lee. And in a time of crisis, it is “especially vital” to strengthen the partnership between the PAP and the Labour Movement.
The unions need the Government on their side, looking after workers’ interests, supporting their families, and protecting jobs and livelihoods, said Mr Lee. This is also when the PAP government needs “strong support” from the Labour Movement, “to keep understand and support the measures and the policies that will help us get out of this black time and get through this
Mr Lee noted that while the PAPNTUC partnership remains “very strong” at the leadership level, the engagement on the ground between party branches and individual unions and union branches “is not so deep.” He urged MPs to go beyond serving as advisors to the unions, by helping with the union ground and engaging workers directly. This would help the PAP MPs and leaders get a solid feel and understand the workers’ concerns and show them that they have a voice in the PAP when they speak in Parliament.
Mr Lee also stressed the need to recruit more union leaders to join the PAP and to have more party activists in the union ranks. This would keep ties warm and close at the working level, and allow both sides to groom new generations of activists.
GE results reflected apprehensive mood due to Covid-19
Although the PAP earned 61.2 per cent of the vote share at GE2020, winning 83 out of 93 seats, Mr Lee said the election results fell short of the party's expectations.
He observed the mood in the buildup to GE2020 was apprehensive, arising from the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. The anxiety was palpable and it cost the PAP votes. “The results Singaporeans feel in this crisis, the loss of income, the anxiety about jobs, the disruption caused by the circuit breaker and the safe distancing restrictions,” said Mr Lee.
This year’s 36th Party Conference was a hybrid event held at several locations due to Covid-19 safe distancing measures. Thanking party members and activists, Mr Lee said an awards ceremony will be held to recognise their contributions when the situation normalises.
He also noted the electorate’s broader desire for more alternative voices and a stronger opposition to check the PAP government.
Mr Lee said the party was disappointed not to have done better in Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC, despite the candidates and activists pouring their heart and soul into it. The loss of Sengkang GRC was “painful” for everyone, but Mr Lee said the party respects the decision of voters there.
“The PAP will not give up in these opposition constituencies. We will maintain our presence, strive to win back the voters there, and one day we will succeed,” he said.
On the same day as the conference, the party also elected its 36th Central Executive Committee (CEC). In all, 12 members were elected and two members co-opted. The CEC subsequently met on Nov 19 at which it co-opted four additional members. It also elected its
PAP IS A BROAD TENT THAT CHAMPIONS THE CONCERNS OF SOCIETY
The People’s Action Party is a “broad tent” that occupies the middle ground in Singapore and as such, the party can better organise itself to champion the concerns of various groups in society, said Mr Heng Swee Keat, the PAP's 1st Assistant Secretary-General.
He noted how, in recent years, the PAP’s MPs and activists have covered more ground to reach out to lowerwage workers, seniors, women and caregivers, among others.
“They are effective voices because they understand the concerns of these groups and our current approach to helping them, and are able to put forth good proposals that can make a difference,” said Mr Heng who is also Deputy Prime Minister.
He said the PAP must make an even more deliberate effort to recruit people with diverse viewpoints and perspectives who share our passion and values to do right by Singapore and Singaporeans. “We must convince them to join the PAP, because this is their best way to make a difference. I am glad that many of our divisions are actively doing so, and finding new ways to connect,” he said at the Party’s 36th Conference on Nov 8, 2020.
Mr Heng highlighted several other ways that the PAP will adapt to the needs of a changing electorate.
He noted that strong ground engagement remains fundamental, which is the PAP’s strength. Singaporeans must not see the PAP as just a capable government, but also as people they can relate to and trust. All divisions have regular Meet-the-People sessions, mobile MPS, walkabouts, and visiting families with needs.
The PAP can also do more to boost its online outreach, said Mr Heng, adding that anecdotally, some voters had responded to how opposition parties portrayed themselves online, more so than what they stood for and what they could do.
Mr Heng said that Comrade Desmond Lee has reached out to activists to do a review of the GE2020 results and gather views. The review has already been completed and the newly-elected Central Executive Committee will discuss the findings, he said.
PAP’s 36th PAP Central Executive Committee (2020-2022)
Chairman: Gan Kim Yong
Vice Chairman: Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad
Secretary-General: Lee Hsien Loong
1st Assistant Secretary-General: Heng Swee Keat
2nd Assistant Secretary-General: Chan Chun Sing
Treasurer: K Shanmugam
Assistant Treasurer: Ong Ye Kung
Organising Secretaries: Desmond Lee and Grace Fu Hai Yien
Members:
Alex Yam Ziming ^
Edwin Tong Chun Fai ^
Tan Chuan-Jin
Victor Lye Thiam Fatt ^
Indranee Thurai Rajah *
Vivian Balakrishnan
Josephine Teo*
Lawrence Wong
Ng Chee Meng ^
Other CEC appointments
HQ Exco Chairman: Chan Chun Sing
Assistant Organising Secretaries: Alex Yam Ziming, Chee Hong Tat, Janil Puthucheary Chair, PAP.SG: Desmond Lee
Chair, Women's Wing: Josephine Teo
Chair, Young: PAP Janil Puthucheary
Advisor, PAP Policy Forum: Lawrence Wong
*Co-opted on Nov 8, 2020
^ Co-opted on Nov 19, 2020
