EXTRA!
Who’s who in the new Central Executive Committee & 2019 Calendar
DECEMBER 2018
OUR NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM
Give and Take spirit in Keat Hong Branch pg19
MPs who squeeze in time to run pg22
INSIDE: HONOURING OUR DEDICATED PAP ACTIVISTS WHO GIVE PAP A HUMAN FACE
Senior Minister of State Edwin Tong: From Senior Counsel to public office holder pg16
Contents PUBLICITY AND PUBLICATIONS COMMITTEE Lawrence Wong (Chairman) Desmond Lee Chee Hong Tat Seah Kian Peng Lim Wee Kiak Baey Yam Keng Zaqy Mohamad Janil Puthucheary Chiang Heng Liang Diana Pang Dexter Chan Benjamin Tay Teo Lin Lee Adrian Liew EDITOR Chung Sang Pok EDITORIAL AND DESIGN Focus Publishing Limited (Tel: 6319-2392) PRINTER KHL Printing Co. Pte Ltd PHOTOS Singapore Press Holdings, istockphoto.com
MCI (P) 169/03/2018 Petir is published by the People’s Action Party Central Executive Committee. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior consent of the publisher. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the PAP or the Government. All rights reserved.
PAP Headquarters Block 57B, New Upper Changi Road, #01-1402, PCF Building, Singapore 463057 Telephone: 6244-4600 Telefax: 6243-0114 Internet: www.pap.org.sg Please send feedback, suggestions and comments to paphq@pap.org.sg.
2
DEC 2018
03
GROUNDWORK COVER STORY
4G leaders to the fore in new CEC A new slate of office holders have been elected to the PAP’s Central Executive Committee.
06
COVER STORY
Four things the PAP must achieve to win general elections convincingly PAP Secretary-General Lee Hsien Loong assures Singaporeans that the PAP government will work with them to tackle their concerns.
13
COVER STORY
Honouring our dedicated members A total of 368 comrades were recognised for their contributions at this year’s PAP Conference and Awards Ceremony.
16
DEC 2018
CONVERSATION
Heart on the ground
Senior Minister of State for Law and Health Mr Edwin Tong and his team are studying the possibility of providing more support for caregivers, to encourage more family members to care for their loved ones at home.
19
BRANCHING OUT
Pre-loved items bring joy in Keat Hong The Give and Take Corner carries used items such as electrical appliances, books and toys which are a boon for Keat Hong residents.
22
PURSUITS
Making a run for it
Our office holders find time to run to stay fit and unwind.
25
PAP POLICY FORUM
Developing unity through empathy Immediate past chairman Benjamin Tay reflects on the importance of developing unity through empathy.
26
YOUNG PAP - PAP POLICY FORUM
Stepping into MPs’ shoes
Members of the two PAP wings and Young NTUC sparred with each other when they role-played government and opposition benches in a model parliament sitting.
28
PAP POLICY FORUM
New office bearers for PPF Council A new team of office holders, led by Ms Theodora Lai Xi Yi as chairperson, takes office in January 2019.
COVER STORY
Comrades-in-arms: Mr Heng Swee Keat (right) as 1st Assistant Secretary-General and Mr Chan Chun Sing as 2nd Assistant Secretary-General will lead the 4G team.
4G leaders to the fore in new CEC New Central Executive Committee will work together to serve the people and lead Singapore forward
T
he PAP's newly elected Central Executive Committee (CEC) held its first meeting on November 23, 2018, and in line with the Party's efforts to renew its leadership ranks, key members of the 4G leadership were appointed in its latest slate of office-bearers. Comrade Heng Swee Keat was elected 1st Assistant Secretary-General while Comrade Chan Chun Sing is 2nd Assistant Secretary-General. The new party Chairman is Comrade Gan Kim Yong, with Comrade Masagos Zulkifli as Vice Chairman. Comrade Lee Hsien Loong remains Secretary-General and will lead the PAP at the next General Election, which is due by April 2021. Comrade K Shanmugam is the new Treasurer, with Comrade Ong Ye Kung as Assistant Treasurer. Comrades Grace Fu and
Desmond Lee were appointed Organising Secretaries. After discussions among themselves, the 4G leaders came to a consensus that Mr Heng will be their new leader. Mr Heng in turn chose Mr Chan to be his deputy, a decision that the younger leaders supported as well. The CEC also co-opted four additional members – Comrades Lawrence Wong, Desmond Lee, Sitoh Yih Pin and Christopher de Souza on November 23. They are in addition to Comrades Ng Eng Hen and Josephine Teo, who were coopted on November 11. The new CEC, which is the party’s 35th, has a two-year term starting from 2019. It is the party’s highest decision-making body. Mr Heng said he is “deeply conscious” DEC 2018
3
COVER STORY
of the heavy responsibility that he is taking on, as leading the PAP and governing Singapore are “massive and complex tasks”. “No one person can do it alone. Not even Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who had the help of able, stout-hearted colleagues. I am heartened that I have the backing of a strong team,’’ he said in opening remarks at the press conference.
United in serving Singaporeans A group of 30 younger office-holders also issued a statement, that they endorsed Mr Heng as their leader and Mr Chan as his second-in-command. The group said: “We have a diverse team, comprising members with different experiences, as well as complementary skills and strengths. "We will continue to work cohesively as a team, and forge a strong partnership with all Singaporeans. We are united in our purpose of serving Singaporeans to the best of our abilities." said the group. Prime Minister Lee said he supported the decision of the younger team and described Mr Heng and Mr Chan as a ”strong pairing”. He said the election of the new CEC for the 2019-2020 term is a "major step forward" in the Party's political renewal. Mr Lee is confident that the younger team will continue to grow in experience and touch, and steadily win the confidence and trust of Singaporeans. "Leadership transition is always a complex and delicate matter," said the PM. "A smooth transition to the new team to lead us beyond the next elections is important not only for the PAP, but also for Singapore's future.” He added that the older ministers will do their best to help the new team succeed. Calling for the entire party to give their whole-hearted support, he added: "All of us in the new CEC, older or younger, will work together to build a strong and united party that will continue to serve the people and lead Singapore forward." 4
DEC 2018
"What distinguishes the Singapore team from other countries, is the fact that we have a very cohesive team and that is the hallmark of our leadership style." -- Mr Chan Chun Sing, 2nd Assistant Party Secretary-General
"We will work hard to earn the trust and confidence of Singaporeans, just as PM and his team did before. This is a very important task that has already begun and will gather pace." -- Mr Heng Swee Keat, 1st Assistant Party Secretary-General
DEC 2018
5
COVER STORY
Secretary-General:
Four things the PAP must achieve to win general elections convincingly Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong urges PAP to stay on course, improve people’s lives and keep Singaporeans united
G
ood policies and good politics reinforce each other, said People’s Action Party (PAP) Secretary-General Lee Hsien Loong as he assured Singaporeans that the PAP government understands their concerns and will work together with them to tackle these issues. Speaking at its biennial Party Conference and Awards Ceremony on November 11, 2018, Mr Lee noted that the Party’s core responsibility is to maintain good politics in Singapore. This, in turn, enables the party to “do the right things and keep on improving people’s lives.” “That is the sacred responsibility of the PAP, and the reason why we exist,” he said in a 50-minute speech in English and Mandarin at the conference held at the Singapore Expo. Mr Lee listed four objectives for the Party to achieve in order to gain the people’s trust and confidence.
PAP CONFERENCE AND AWARDS 2018
PAP Secretary-General Lee Hsien Loong said the PAP works with Singaporeans to give them and their children, opportunities for progress and a better life.
6
DEC 2018
Give people hope for the future
PAP MPs, branch committees, activists and volunteers will work the ground and continue to give the PAP a human face.
Understand and address people’s concerns
While the Government can roll out numerous policies to solve people’s problems, there is a need to “connect the dots” to paint the overall picture for Singaporeans so that they get the broader message, that the Government understands their concerns, said Mr Lee. “That we are working with you to tackle problems together. Whatever your difficulties, in Singapore, you will never walk alone,” he said. To do that, he called on MPs, branch committees, activists and volunteers to complement good policies with a human touch, to give the PAP a human face. “By showing voters that you personally care, it convinces them that the PAP cares, and the Government cares. I know your work is not easy. It will be tiring, and sometimes even discouraging,” he said. “But we are all here today because we count it a privilege to serve. Every person we succeed in helping, and whose life we make better, even by a little bit, makes it all worthwhile.”
1
2
Singapore may no longer enjoy the same economic growth rates of the past, but it is still possible to achieve steady and sustained growth that can translate into good jobs and better standards of living for the people. Mr Lee stressed the need to keep the economy growing and to press on with economic transformation. Companies are restructuring, embracing technology and retraining their staff. The start-up scene is beginning to thrive such as in fintech, where local firms are doing well, he pointed out. Social mobility is crucial too, as citizens must believe they have every chance to improve their own lives, and those of their children’s as well. This is why the Government invests heavily in education and learning for children, and SkillsFuture and workforce upgrading for adults. “We must also think and plan ahead for the long term, so that Singaporeans know we can look forward to a better future. We live in an increasingly troubled world, but all the more we must plan ahead, so that come what may, we are prepared the best we can, and we have options and solutions that we can deploy,” said the PM.
Keeping Singaporeans united
Singapore must encourage inclusive politics, said Mr Lee as he noted that the PAP represents all citizens, regardless of race, religion, income and even their ideas and preferences. “Our supporters must accept our party’s core values: honesty, multiracialism, meritocracy and self-reliance. Those are fundamental and will not change,” he said. “Party members must embrace our goal of building a fair and just society, where the benefits of progress are spread widely to all.” The Secretary-General said it is important that the PAP is able to bring different groups and opinions together, even though it may not be realistic to reach a consensus on all issues all the time. The PAP aims to be a broad tent. “We must maintain a common space where the different views can be aired constructively, where we can engage in a way that does not erode trust and social cohesion,” he said. Should Singapore fail to expand this common ground, he warned that society would gradually become polarised.
DEC 2018
7
COVER STORY
Provide capable and good leadership
“This may be the last Party Conference before the next GE. The PAP must win the GE convincingly. We will do so, as we have always done, by uniting Singaporeans, not dividing them; by bringing people together, not by deepening the fault lines and pulling people apart.” -- PAP Secretary-General Lee Hsien Loong
None of the above objectives would be possible if the PAP did not have good leadership for Singapore. Mr Lee said Singaporeans must have the confidence that the party has good men and women who can take the country forward, and that they are not here for themselves but to serve Singapore. Singapore has witnessed two leadership transitions in its history, and Mr Lee has said he will hand over the reins to a new Prime Minister after the next General Elections (GE). Mr Lee said the fourth-generation of leaders have been in the Cabinet for several years already and are tested in different portfolios. They are working with one another and learning to complement each other’s strengths and weaknesses. “It is a team of able men and women, with a good combination of skills among them,” he said. “They are gaining experience, willing to serve, and most importantly, with their hearts in the right place. “I can see them gelling as a team, and am confident that they have what it takes to lead Singapore. I hope that you will join me in giving your whole-hearted support to the new Central Executive Committee and our 4G leaders.”
Sec-Gen pays tribute to five CEC stalwarts who stepped down
F
ive senior Central Executive Committee members have stepped down as part of the PAP’s leadership renewal. They are: Comrades Khaw Boon Wan, Teo Chee Hean, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Yaacob Ibrahim and Lim Swee Say. They did not stand for election in the new CEC, which takes office for a two-year period from 2019. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, who is the PAP’s Secretary-General, paid tribute to the quintet at the PAP Conference and Awards Ceremony on November 11, 2018. He praised Mr Khaw for taking on many tough challenges, be it in healthcare, housing or transport. As party chairman, he helped ensure the PAP delivered on its promises in order to do well at elections. Mr Teo was hailed for tackling spiky issues and taking political flak on behalf of the team, especially at critical moments and during elections. “I rely on his independent judgement and steady support on many matters,’’ said the PM.
8
DEC 2018
Mr Tharman was credited with playing a major role in shaping Singapore's new economic and social policies. Mr Lee praised him for always coming up with unique ways to explain policies to the public, from trampolines to escalators. On Dr Yaacob, the PM said he strengthened the PAP's support from the Malay community and he assured Malay/ Muslims that they are treated fairly in a multi-racial society. Mr Lim will always be remembered for his ability to relate to ordinary Singaporeans, and his amazing persuasive skills on the most difficult of issues, which he explained face-to-face
(From right, front row) Former minister Yaacob Ibrahim, Deputy Prime Ministers Teo Chee Hean and Tharman Shanmugaratnam, former PAP chairman Lim Boon Heng, and outgoing party treasurer Lim Swee Say were among the party stalwarts commended for their service at the party conference.
with residents. Said Mr Lee: "I cannot do justice to the contributions of these five retiring CEC members. All five have served the party with loyalty and distinction, and for that, we all owe them a big thank you." Dr Yaacob and Mr Lim stepped down from their cabinet positions in the reshuffle announced in April 2018. Mr Khaw remains in the Cabinet as Coordinating Minister for Infrastructure and Minister for Transport, and Mr Tharman and Mr Teo are Deputy Prime Ministers.
The 35th PAP Central Executive Committee (2019-2020) Chairman
Gan Kim Yong
Secretary-General
Lee Hsien Loong
Treasurer
Assistant Treasurer
K Shanmugam
Ong Ye Kung
Vice Chairman
Masagos Zulkifli Bin Masagos Mohamad
1st Assistant 2nd Assistant Secretary-General Secretary-General
Heng Swee Keat
Chan Chun Sing
Organising Secretaries
Grace Fu
Desmond Lee#
Members
Christopher de Souza#
Indranee Thurai Rajah
Ng Chee Meng
Ng Eng Hen*
Tan Chuan-Jin
Other CEC Appointments
Sitoh Yih Pin# * Co-opted on Nov 11, 2018 # Co-opted on Nov 23, 2018
Vivian Balakrishnan
Lawrence Wong#
HQ Exco Chairman: Assistant Organising Secretaries: Chair, PAP.SG: Chair, Women's Wing: Chair, Young PAP: Advisor, PAP Policy Forum:
Josephine Teo*
Chan Chun Sing Chee Hong Tat Janil Puthucheary Alex Yam Ziming Tan Chuan-Jin Josephine Teo Janil Puthucheary Lawrence Wong
DEC 2018
9
COVER STORY
赢得民心和大选 行动党必须做好四件事 行动党秘书长李显
可以推出多项政策来解
机会和提高生活水平。
上指出，良好的政策和
必要把这些“接触点”连
增长并继续推动经济转
完整的信息，以宏观视
等的机会让每个人都可
龙在今年的党干部大会 良好的政治相辅相成 。 他强调，行动党政府了
解并体会民众关切的议 题，与国人携手面对挑 战。
他在2018年11月11
决人们的问题，同时有 接起来，让人民得到更 野来看待问题，了解政
府有能力处理他们的顾 虑。
“政府会和国人一
日党干部大会和服务奖
起面对挑战 。无论遇到
调，党的核心责任是确
必担心需要独自面对并
颁奖典礼上发言时强
保新加坡良好的政治可 以延续 。在这个前提之
因 此 ，他 在 大 会 上
员和志愿者以更贴近民 策，让人民行动党更具 人情味。
书长说，新加坡人必须
诚实、多元种族、唯才是
有杰出的男女人才，带
我们党的核心价值观： 用和自力更生 。这些根 本价值观不会改变。”他 强调。
“行动党员必须竭
职位上接受了考验 。他
计划未来，为国人勾画
尽管大环境日渐复杂和 艰难，我们可以通过周 详的规划，竭力做好准 备，出现转变的时候，也
有可行的选项和解决方 案。 ”
进步的成果。 ”
人民行动党将致
力成为一个包容性强
的政党，发挥“大屋檐”
不削弱互信和社会凝聚 力的前提下，让不同观
点的人以有建设性的方
种族、宗教、收入，甚至
良好的领导能力，上述
荣誉国务资政吴作栋（右四） 与五名自我引退党中委之一 的林瑞生（左四）在干部大会 上与职总工运代表们（穿着 不同色彩上衣）亲切地交谈。
10
DEC 2018
观点与偏好。
互补。
秘书长在总结的时
有力的团队，有能力和
定和持续的经济增长， 为国人提供良好的就业
配，以发挥长处并形成
个互相尊重的空间，在
解释： “我们必须建立一
关注人们的顾虑
党代表所有公民，不分
们会相互合作，学习搭
候表示： “我可以看到他
以才德领导国家
新加坡的政治必须
了好几年，并在不同的
tent）作用。 他
（broad
鼓励更大包容性：行动
秘 书 长 表 示 ，政 府
他 表 示 ，第 四 代 领
的人都能够分享新加坡
正义社会的目标，所有
也许无法继续复制，但
新加坡仍有可能实现稳
家贡献心力。
秘书长进一步解
一代的生活。
须达成以下四大目标：
过去的高经济增长
是为了私己，而是为国 导团队已经在内阁工作
促进国人团结
信心和信赖，行动党必
领新加坡前进，他们不
心认同我们建设公平与
赋予人们希望
他说，要赢得人民的
对行动党有信心；党内
让人民能改善自身和下
值得期待的美好愿景 。
心的方式来推动惠民政
在的理由”
有信心国家会提供机会
承担难题。 ”
善人们的生活”。
的神圣任务，也是党存
以自我提升 。国人必须
释： “我们必须着眼和
呼吁议员、支部委员、党
“这是人民行动党
型，新加坡必须提供均
什么困难，新加坡人不
下，行动党便能够“推行
良好的政策，并不断改
他强调，要维持经济
“支持者必须接受
式提出看法，相互切磋。 如果行动党不具备
目标都不可能实现 。秘
们正在凝聚成为一支强 决心领导团队，我也同
时呼吁国人和我一起给 予新的中委成员和第四 代领导团队全心全意的 鼎力支持。 ”
Setiausaha Agung: Empat perkara PAP mesti capai untuk menang besar dalam pilihan raya umum Dasar yang baik dan politik yang baik saling mengukuhkan satu sama lain, kata Setiausaha Agung Parti Tindakan Rakyat (PAP) Lee Hsien Loong, yang memberi jaminan kepada rakyat Singapura bahawa pemerintah PAP memahami keprihatinan mereka dan akan bekerja bersama-sama mereka untuk menangani isu-isu ini. Berucap di Persidangan Dwitahunan Parti dan Majlis Penganugerahan pada 11 November 2018, Encik Lee akur bahawa tanggungjawab utama Parti adalah untuk mengekalkan politik yang baik di Singapura. Ini kemudiannya akan membolehkan parti melakukan “perkara yang betul dan terus meningkatkan mutu kehidupan rakyatnya.” “Ini adalah tanggungjawab mulia PAP, dan sebab kami wujud,” katanya. Encik Lee menyenaraikan empat matlamat untuk Parti capai bagi meraih kepercayaan dan keyakinan rakyat.
Memahami dan menangani keprihatinan rakyat Sedang Pemerintah berupaya membentangkan pelbagai dasar bagi menghuraikan masalah rakyat, terdapat keperluan untuk “mencantumkan titik” bagi mendapatkan gambaran keseluruhan untuk warga Singapura agar mereka mendapat perutusan yang lebih jelas, bahawa Pemerintah
memahami keprihatinan mereka, kata Encik Lee. “Bahawasanya kami bekerja bersama anda untuk bersamasama menangani masalah yang dihadapi. Apa jua kesukaran anda, di Singapura, anda tidak akan berjalan keseorangan,” ujarnya. Untuk melakukannya, beliau menggesa para AP, jawatankuasa cabang, penggiat dan sukarelawan untuk melengkapi dasar-dasar baik pemerintah dengan sentuhan jiwa, dan menjadikan PAP sebuah parti yang berjiwa rakyat.
Memberi rakyat harapan untuk masa depan Singapura tidak lagi mungkin menikmati kadar pertumbuhan ekonomi yang sama seperti masa lalu tetapi ia masih berupaya mencapai pertumbuhan yang baik dan tekal yang boleh menawarkan peluang pekerjaan yang baik dan mutu kehidupan yang lebih baik untuk warganya. Encik Lee menekankan perlunya meningkatkan pertumbuhan ekonomi dan meneruskan pembentukan semula ekonomi. Keupayaan mandiri juga penting, kerana rakyat mesti percaya mereka punya peluang untuk meningkatkan kehidupan mereka sendiri, dan juga anakanak mereka. “Kita mesti fikir dan merancang untuk jangka
masa panjang, supaya warga Singapura tahu mereka boleh memandang ke hadapan untuk masa depan yang lebih baik. Kita hidup dalam dunia yang semakin sukar, dan kerana itu kita mesti merancang untuk masa depan, agar apa jua yang datang, kita sentiasa dalam persiapan yang terbaik, dan kita punya pilihan dan huraian yang boleh kita gunakan,” kata Encik Lee.
Mengekalkan kesatuan rakyat Singapura Singapura mesti menggalak politik yang menyatukan, kata Encik Lee sedang beliau mengulangi prinsip parti bahawa ia mewakili setiap warga, tanpa mengira perbezaan kaum, agama, pendapatan dan juga idea dan pilihan mereka. “Penyokong kami mesti menerima nilai utama parti: Kejujuran, kepelbagaian kaum, meritokrasi dan mandiri. Ini adalah asas dan tidak akan berubah,” jelasnya. “Ahli parti mesti mendakapi matlamat kami dalam membangunkan sebuah masyarakat yang adil dan saksama, di mana hasil daripada kemajuan yang dikecapi diagihkan seluasnya kepada semua.” PAP bermatlamat menjadi sebuah khemah yang besar. “Kita mesti mengekalkan sebuah ruang umum di mana perbezaan pandangan boleh
diutarakan secara membina, di mana kita boleh berbincang dengan cara yang tidak menjejas kepercayaan dan kesepaduan masyarakat,” tambahnya.
Menyediakan kepimpinan yang baik dan berupaya Tiada satu pun matlamat yang dinyatakan boleh dicapai jika PAP tidak mempunyai kepimpinan yang baik untuk Singapura. Encik Lee berkata, rakyat Singapura mesti berkeyakinan bahawa parti punya pemimpin lelaki dan wanita yang baik untuk memacu negara, dan mereka tidak mementingkan diri sendiri tetapi untuk berkhidmat kepada negara. Encik Lee menambah, kepimpinan generasi keempat telah berada dalam Kabinet untuk beberapa tahun lamanya dan telah diuji dalam pelbagai bidang kerja berbeza. Mereka bekerja bersamasama dan belajar untuk saling melengkapi kekuatan dan kelemahan satu sama lain. “Saya melihat mereka semakin serasi sebagai sebuah pasukan, dan saya yakin mereka punya apa yang diperlukan untuk memimpin Singapura. Saya harap, anda boleh bersama-sama saya dalam memberikan sokongan sepenuh hati kepada Jawatankuasa Eksekutif Pusat dan pemimpin 4G kita yang baru.”
DEC 2018
11
COVER STORY
12
DEC 2018
BY CHARMAINE CHOO
Honouring our dedicated members
LIM BOON HENG: ALWAYS AT PAP’S SERVICE
The values of service, dedication and tenacity Distinguished are embodied in Mr Lim Service Medal Boon Heng, who has served the Party and Singapore loyally for more than 40 years. The citation for his Distinguished Service Medal said: “Comrade Lim never hesitated to answer the Party’s call to duty. He served each of the different constituencies in his humble way and defended them tenaciously. In all, Comrade Lim contested seven General Elections between 1980 and 2006.” The National Trades Union Congress was another area where he spent a significant 26 years, with the last 13 years as its SecretaryGeneral during which he strengthened the symbiotic relationship between the PAP and the NTUC. Back in 1980, he was invited by Comrade Goh Chok Tong to stand as a PAP candidate in Kebun Karu. The citation said: “In his maiden contest, Comrade Lim won 83 per cent of the votes in a three-cornered contest. Comrade Lim worked patiently with many ground organisations to systematically address the many resettlement challenges in the area. “In the 1991 General Election, Comrade Lim was redeployed to contest in Ulu Pandan, and won a tough fight against the Singapore
Our comrades play an important role. Day in, day out, at branches and constituencies, they work the ground to give the PAP a human face and explain how Government policies benefit them. A total of 368 of them were recognised for their contributions at this year’s PAP Conference and Awards ceremony held on November 11, 2018. The highest honour, the Distinguished Service Medal, was conferred on Comrade Lim Boon Heng while the oldest recipient was Mrs J Thanabalasingam nee Rajah J who is 90 years old. The Distinguished Service Medal has only been awarded twice, and to four Party stalwarts: Comrades Lim Kim San and S Rajaratnam in 1990 and Comrades Yeo Ning Hong and Ch’ng Jit Koon in 2001.
Democratic Party’s Ashleigh Seow. “In the 2001 General Election, Comrade Lim was again redeployed to contest Jurong GRC against a SDP team led by Chee Soon Juan. Comrade Lim and his team again prevailed.” Even after he officially retired from political office in 2011, he never retired from party work. He chaired the party’s Candidate Review Committee, and “his shrewd assessments and untiring efforts to reach out to capable and
committed candidates contributed much to our party’s efforts to identify and field good people to serve Singapore and Singaporeans.” He mentored the PAP team in Hougang and Aljunied. “His wise counsel and extensive ground experience helped to rally the team in a tough environment and contributed to the good result in the 2015 elections, when the PAP team in Aljunied won 49 per cent of the votes.” He actively helped Comrade Murali Pillai to achieve a hardfought victory in the 2016 Bukit Batok by-election. Mr Lim was Treasurer of the PAP Central Executive Committee in 1996. From 2004 to 2011, he was the party Chairman, and always encouraged the PAP Branches to systematically renew the ranks while recognising the senior members’ contributions.
Comrade Lim Boon Heng, an exemplary role model for all party members, receiving his Distinguished Service Medal from PAP Secretary-General Lee Hsien Loong.
DEC 2018
13
Together with our activists, the PAP is able to reach out and serve Singaporeans from all walks of life. See how the activists give the Party a human face.
COVER STORY
J Thanabalasingam Nee Rajah J, 90
Long Service, Gold Medal Branch: Siglap Length of Service: 25 years Role in Branch: Assist the MP by writing letters of appeal for residents and channelling them to the relevant government agencies and departments.
“YOU CAN NEVER SAY THAT YOU HAVE LEARNT EVERYTHING”
For the last 25 years, Mrs J Thanabalasingam Nee Rajah J has spent two-and-a-half hours every Monday night lending a listening ear to residents and writing letters to channel their cases to the relevant government agencies and departments. All said, she is estimated to have handled over 6,000 cases. At 90 years old, it is no mean feat for the former school principal,ß who retired in 1985 when she was 57. However, she sees her Branch work as a learning opportunity for herself. She appreciates being able to listen to the different problems faced by her fellow residents in Siglap. One particular case that she was proud to have assisted was to find a solution to a disagreement between a mother and daughter. “The daughter was very determined about wearing home clothes to junior college and wouldn’t listen to her mother. I wrote to the Ministry of Education and counselled the girl, and thankfully she was able to accept my advice.” Mrs Bala advised the student to fall in line with the Ministry’s requirement. Mrs Bala, as she is also known as, initially got involved with the PAP by volunteering during elections after she completed her studies. She helped with administrative work. Her experience during the elections eventually led to her serving at a branch, something she has been doing ever since. Despite her wealth of experience, she said: “I’m learning all the time. You can never say that you have learnt everything.”
PLEASE SCAN THIS QR CODE
Long Service, Gold Medal
George Tan Chong Hai, PBM, 70
PAP.SG Medal Branch: Yio Chu Kang Length of Service: 45 years Role in Branch: He formerly served as Branch Secretary, Branch Vice Chairman and is currently a Branch member.
Dahlan Bin Hussin, PBM, 49
Long Service, Silver Medal Branch: Cashew Length of Service: 15 years Role in Branch: Provide translation services
SERVICE WITH PASSION
Mr Tan Chong Hai’s 45 years as a Party activist have been eventful. He first started in the Kampong Kapor ward under then MP, Mr Yeo Toon Chia in 1973, and later became Branch Secretary during which he helped Mr Yeo build up Ang Mo Kio when it was a new town. With Mr Yeo, he helped residents settle into their new flats, secure taxi and hawker licences for them to make a living, and even requested for more frequent bus services and better amenities for the new town. Recently, Mr Tan was called upon to serve as ’Lead” in the PAP Seniors Group in the Yio Chu Kang Chapter. For his contributions to the well-being of senior citizens, Mr Tan has been awarded the PAP.SG Medal. This award recognises the role of the activists in creating awareness and support of elderly-related issues. Despite his age, Mr Tan continues to serve tirelessly and with passion the residents of Ang Mo Kio, making him a model for social commitment for young people.
PAP.SG Medal
14
DEC 2018
PAYING IT FORWARD
Since his school days, Mr Dahlan Bin Hussin has been deeply involved in his community’s events and activities. So it was a natural progression when he started volunteering at PAP’s Cashew Branch 15 years ago. However, it was when he received help from his MP, who is also the Foreign Minister, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, to get subsidised medical care six years ago, that he was able to put himself in the shoes of residents he had helped at the Branch.
PASSING THE BATON
After having been on the receiving end of assistance, Mr Dahlan is extra appreciative of the gratitude he gets from those residents he has helped. He is especially gratified that he is able to meet people of all demographics and render the same level of assistance that he had received. Mr Dahlan takes his role seriously, as he feels that volunteers play an important role. “They are the front line who engage with residents before handing the residents’ cases over to the advisers.” He added that volunteers have to be professional when dealing with residents who have issues. Thus, it is not easy to have the sincerity and commitment needed to serve as a volunteer for a long period. So infectious is his dedication to the PAP that he has influenced his wife to work with the PAP Community Foundation, where she has been enriching the lives of students at Sparkletots for the past 10 years as a kindergarten teacher.
Long Service, Silver Medal
Long Service, Bronze Medal
Lim Kexin, 36
Long Service, Bronze Medal Branch: Tampines Central Length of Service: 12 years Role in Branch: Help at the Meet-thePeople Sessions, participate in partyrelated activities, and is now helping to mentor younger branch volunteers.
Growing up, Ms Lim Kexin had memories of her father and his friends serving tirelessly in Tampines GRC. Inspired, she started volunteering widely from the age of 17 and has not stopped while juggling her career as a tax director. Twelve years ago, after a chance encounter with former Minister Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Ms Lim was introduced to the PAP. That started her involvement at the branch, regional and national levels, where she used to be the Organising Secretary of the Young PAP. “With our hectic schedules, we often focus too much on 'me' and not enough on ‘us’. I am grateful for the constant humbling reminders and precious friendships made while serving, that Singapore is built on each of us supporting one another through good and challenging times. These cannot, and should never, be taken for granted,” said Ms Lim. She vividly recalled how a young resident and his sobbing mother came forward years ago for assistance. The son was about to be dropped from the polytechnic due to his poor grades, and for falling asleep in class. His exhaustion was from late nights working to help the struggling family’s finances. Fortunately, the polytechnic agreed to the Branch’s appeal and gave him a chance to complete his studies. “Today, seeing updates about his life on social media still puts a smile on my face,” Ms Lim added.
VOLUNTEERING INSTILS PATIENCE AND POSITIVE OUTLOOK
“As a volunteer, we come across all kinds of cases during the Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS), but every once in a while, we encounter cases that are potentially life-changing,” said Mr Tan Han Sen. And he should know, because as a teenager, he had a setback in his education that almost made him want to give up on his studies. However, he sought assistance of his former MP, the late Dr Ong Chit Chung, and believed the help he received changed the course of his life. Juggling family, career, studies and volunteering has not been easy for the 35-year-old in the past five years. However, Mr Tan feels a responsibility to the Branch where he has lived for the last 30 years. Interaction with his neighbours also gives him something different to look forward to, apart from his full-time job as an accountant. Mr Tan is thankful to the senior volunteers who have guided him through his journey, and believes that being a volunteer has not just taught him patience and to be a good listener, but has also given him a positive outlook on his own life. “A simple life is a good life,” he said. “Having to deal with mainly small issues during the MPS is a good thing because it means that the people in your constituency are doing well. However, do bear in mind that for some of the cases we encounter, we are possibly helping people to have a better life in the future.” Like his case years ago.
Tan Han Sen, 35
Youth Medal Branch: Bukit Batok Length of Service: 5 years Role in Branch: Handle Meet-thePeople Sessions, organise bonding activities for volunteers.
Youth Medal
DEC 2018
15
CONVERSATION
Senior Counsel turned full-time politician Edwin Tong revels in now being able to listen to people on the ground and translate that into useful policies.
H
e was a Senior Counsel in a top law firm whose day used to revolve around strategising and acting for mostly high net-worth clients and moneyed corporations to achieve their legal goals. These days, Edwin Tong, 49, focuses on talking to people on the ground to hone policies which meet their needs and, leaning on his decades of legal experience, takes up cases for his residents whom he feels have been disadvantaged by the system. He enjoys it. “Being out there and becoming closer to stakeholders who either benefit from or are affected by policies, and using that knowledge to shape what we do with Government policies is meaningful,” said Mr Tong, who left his high-flying career as a partner in Allen and Gledhill law firm in July 2018 to become a full-time politician. During the interview, the Senior Minister of State for Law and Health spent some time recounting his recent experiences in talking to caregivers as part of his Health portfolio, as he is trying to strengthen support for them. Said Mr Tong: “I had perhaps somewhat naively thought that there was adequate support for caregivers when I first came into the Health Ministry. But when I talked to caregivers from various diverse backgrounds, I realised that their journey is a really tough one, and often long and lonely. We could do more to help them care for their loved ones.” For instance, he was moved when he talked to caregivers, mostly women in their 50s, who might have to spend 45 minutes or more just struggling to help their handicapped parents to the toilet and back, if they did not have the proper
16
DEC 2018
Heart on the Ground EDWIN TONG
Senior Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Law; MP for Joo Chiat Division in Marine Parade GRC Age: 49 Family: Homemaker wife and three daughters aged 17, 14 and 12 Interests: Football, cycling
equipment. The Ministry of Health is looking at enhancing holistic support for caregivers. For instance, Mr Tong explained that currently, patients in nursing homes enjoy more financial subsidies than patients who are cared for at home. “We don’t want to end up driving patients to nursing homes. We want family members to care for their loved ones themselves as much as possible, and we need to design policies to encourage that.”
Care for the caregivers His team at the Ministry of Health (MoH) is also looking at respite care so that caregivers can get some time off if they are sick or need a break, providing better navigation services so that caregivers know where to find help, creating peer support networks, and working with employers to provide schemes for flexi hours for their employment. “And it’s not just about financial assistance. We want to be very targeted in meeting caregivers’ specific needs. Ultimately, we want to help them to help their care recipients, so that our seniors can remain with their families, and age in place, in an environment they are used to, and comfortable in,” he pointed out. Between his two portfolios, Mr Tong — who was persuaded to become a fulltime politician by Law and Home Affairs Minister, Mr K Shanmugam who was also a former lawyer — is clearly more familiar with the Law portfolio, having spent 25 years in active legal practice. At the Law Ministry, Mr Tong is kept busy with legal reforms and engagement with various stakeholders, including lawyers, the Courts and other agencies. One key task is to continue to elevate Singapore’s position as a legal services hub, to support and advance the rule of law so that businesses and industries have the confidence to locate here.
challenges to plain packaging, and we have to be careful how this is being rolled out. This is one example of how the two ministries’ work dovetail,” he said. Aside from busying himself with his new work scope over the last six months,
“And it’s not just about financial assistance. We want to be very targeted in meeting caregivers’ specific needs. Ultimately, we want to help them to help their care recipients, so that our seniors can remain with their families, and age in place, in an environment they are used to, and comfortable in.”
he notes that the feel of his working day has also changed. “In private legal practice, the peaks could be very intense when preparing for a hearing. Judges can give you a lot of stress! But after that, you can get a bit of downtime. In the ministries, the work intensity is kept high at a constant level most of the time and, perhaps because I am in a new environment at the moment, I find that I have less control of my own time,” he said. But he does miss the cut-and-thrust of being in court. “It is a challenging environment in court — dealing with opposing counsel, questions from the bench and trying to manage the witnesses, all at the same time. But there is a single-minded objective that you want to achieve. It may be a different case, different client, different argument, but always one objective. I enjoyed that, and I enjoyed the camaraderie of working with my team in practice.”
Health matters At the MoH, he is also carrying on from what his predecessor, Senior Minister of State, Mr Chee Hong Tat had been working on. Amongst them is CareShield Life, a national long-term care insurance scheme which will be launched in 2020, to provide long-term disability care for Singaporeans, and also alleviate the care burden on their family members. As part of efforts to stamp out smoking in Singapore, Mr Tong is currently busy with efforts to mandate that all tobacco products sold in Singapore are in plain packaging, with graphic health warnings covering at least 75 per cent of the packet. “In a way, this straddles both law and health, because there have been legal
Becoming closer to the people and translating their feedback into useful government policies give Senior Minister of State Mr Tong a sense of satisfaction.
DEC 2018
17
CONVERSATION
CYCLING AROUND JOO CHIAT In the boot of his car, Edwin Tong stows a foldable bicycle. Whenever he has an hour or two free in the evenings, he drives to random places in the Joo Chiat constituency, whips out his bike, changes into his cycling gear and cycles around the estate. “I get to exercise and I can also look at the estate while I’m doing it,” said Mr Tong. “It’s the best use of my time.” He has been MP for Joo Chiat constituency, which is part of Marine Parade GRC, since 2015. He used to be an MP of the nowdissolved Moulmein-Kallang GRC.
Unlike all his other MP colleagues, his Meet-the-People Sessions are not conducted in HDB premises but are instead held in an old landed property
BEYOND WORK
What did your family say about your becoming a full-time politician? They were most concerned about what it would mean for me, to give up legal practice and step into public service. In turn, my wife and I were concerned about the loss of privacy, especially on our children. My wife, who was a lawyer from the same firm as myself previously, had given up her practice to look after our family. Our daughters are aged 17, 14, 12, still in school. Growing up, they and their friends do read about me online, the work that we do in Government on the Internet and some are less kind. That’s the trade-off, that’s part of my job. But my wife and I were anxious to make sure that our children would not be adversely affected. How do you like to spend time with them? My family and I like the outdoors, at places like Punggol Park, Bukit Timah Hill and most recently, we walked around Coney Island. My wife enjoys trekking and just got back from her second trip to Nepal. I wish I could join her but I was not able to spare the time.
18
DEC 2018
in Telok Kurau. Joo Chiat is the only constituency in Singapore which comprises only private properties. His experience there has underscored his long-held belief in the need for more granular means testing – which goes beyond the first question of “what is your address?” into criteria like disposable income of the applicants, the number of dependents and whether there are any acute financial pressure points. “If you live in a private estate, you automatically do not qualify
for many help programmes. But in reality, not all private housing dwellers are well-off, and not all public housing dwellers need financial help,” he pointed out. On his estate visits, he comes across many old, single-storey terrace houses in Joo Chiat in which old couples live, possibility with little income. He has made the case for private property owners several times, in Parliament. He said: “These people, even though living in a private property, might need help. We need to make a case for this, and I haven’t given up.”
Can you tell us about your recent trek to Hong Kong? That was a three-day trek in June 2018 organised by my team back in the old firm I was working with, as part of my farewell. We went to Dragon’s Back Trail in Hong Kong, which is an urban hiking trail. I really enjoyed the trip as we are a tight-knit team. I do enjoy the outdoors a lot. An outdoors lover, Mr Tong enjoys time with his family by exploring nature. He shares his favourite family outing photos during the interview.
BRANCHING OUT
BY JANE NG
Pre-loved items bring joy in Keat Hong It began as a small flea market in 2003 to help Keat Hong residents during the Sars epidemic but has now become a valuable source of household items for them
Give and Take Corner Where: Block 341,Choa Chu Kang Loop, diagonally opposite Chua Chu Kang MRT station. Items: Electrical appliances, household items and baby essentials such as cots. Operating hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 8pm to 9pm.
ABOVE Mr Jefferson Neo, founder of the Give and Take project in Keat Hong. RIGHT The Give and Take Corner, at Blk 341,Choa Chu Kang Loop, with its neatly arranged books and toys donated by residents.
K
ampong spirit is well and alive in Keat Hong Branch as residents help one another through their “Give and Take Corner�. The three-year-old project encourages residents to contribute preloved items which volunteers then clean and organise neatly so that those in need can pick what they want.
The range of items at the 100-sqm space in Choa Chu Kang includes electrical appliances like rice cookers, television sets and fans. There are also essential items for young families such as baby cots, prams, strollers and car seats. Families with older children can help themselves to items like books, toys, clothes, bicycles, cutlery and
musical instruments. The Give and Take Corner is run by about 30 volunteers. Initially, the project targeted only needy families but has since expanded to include anyone who wants to donate or pick up items that they need. For free. It had its origins in the 2003 Sars epidemic which hit Singapore. DEC 2018
19
BRANCHING OUT
“It is satisfying for us volunteers when our objective is met and residents buy into the whole idea of give and take.” The Give and Take project team: (from left) vice-chairman Mr Tan Kim Song, chairman Mr Bong Tet Hin, founder Mr Jefferson Neo and volunteer Ms Joey Hoo have formed firm friendships from managing the corner together.
Keat Hong Branch’s vicechairman, Jefferson Neo, 56, who came up with the idea of a thrift shop, said he first noticed a spike in jobless residents seeking financial help during the Sars period. He mooted the weekly “residents-help-residents” flea market at the void deck of Block 473, Choa Chu Kang Avenue 3, so that residents could sell things they no longer needed to earn some spare cash, while others could buy them at a cheaper price. Mr Neo said of that difficult period: “It was very heartwarming to see residents helping one another.”
Spin-offs from Give and Take Corner The initiative was so successful that it continued for 20
DEC 2018
10 years before it evolved into a thrift shop, the Give and Take Corner at Keat Hong Shopping Centre, where residents donated items which needy families picked up. In 2015, the thrift store moved to its current bigger and more centralised location in Choa Chu Kang Loop. Mr Tan Kim Song, 56, vicechairman of the Give and Take project, said it has helped to reduce waste and encouraged recycling. The items enjoy a new lease of life when a needy family picks it up. “It is satisfying for us volunteers when our objective is met and residents buy into the whole idea of give and take,” he added. In addition, the project has had several spin-offs. Every quarter, families who
receive ComCare assistance gather for breakfast during which they get to pick items from the Give and Take Corner. Not only does the breakfast, encourage bonding as a family, it also gives family members who do shift work to have access to the Corner, as they would not be able to turn up during the Corner’s regular opening hours, which are at Mr Bong hopes the Corner's message of love, care and share will be spread islandwide so that more such projects will sprout up in future.
night. Give and Take Corner’s success has prompted other PAP branches to come by to get ideas on how to implement it in their wards. Concord Primary School, the only primary school in Keat Hong, has also joined by encouraging its students to donate to the Corner. In return, the teachers select suitable
items from it for their needy pupils by hosting their own “Give Corner” at the school. Said Mr Neo: “By encouraging the students to donate their own usable things, we hope it will nurture the spirit of giving among them, and they will grow up and learn to help the underprivileged.” Last year, the Keat Hong volunteers decided to grant needy pupils from Concord a wish under the “One Simple Wish” project. The schoolchildren wrote down an item that they wanted: Some asked for a storybook,
Thank you notes pasted outside the Corner, from pupils of Concord Primary School, who received gifts from the One Simple Wish project.
others a school bag or toy. The volunteers tried their best to fulfill these wishes with matching items from the Corner and surprised the children before Children’s Day (which falls on the first Friday of October) with the gifts.
Infectious kampong spirit There have been many other heart-warming stories, recounted volunteer Ms Joey Hoo, 49. A businessman who decided to close his stationery business donated his remaining merchandise to the Corner instead of selling them. So there were brand new books, notebooks, stationery and toys, to the joy of the recipients. Another volunteer’s husband, who is an electrician, chips in by repairing malfunctioning electrical items-for free.
Then there’s the case of a generous resident, who is a supplier of nanobrick toys. At last year’s quarterly free flea market, which takes place next to the Corner, he came with the toys to give away, delighting the neighbourhood children. Residents like Mr Mohamed Azahar Mohamed Abdullah, 40, a driver with four children aged five to 18, has picked up useful items like school bags, a TV set and speakers from the Corner and found them invaluable. “It has been more than one year and the TV set is still working well. The Corner has helped me to save money,” said Mr Azahar, whose wife is a school canteen vendor. It is not only the needy who have benefited from the Corner. Some residents who have taken a book from the Corner to read, bring it back when they are done, together with even more books, said Ms Hoo. Others drop by when the Corner is open just to say Hi. “Our initial idea was to help needy residents. But it has become an even bigger and better project because it has helped to inculcate a kampong spirit and kampong-sharing among residents,” she added.
CARE ON WHEELS Since 2015, volunteers have been helping to drive neighbours who need to go to hospital for their check-ups. There are about a dozen volunteer drivers in Keat Hong Branch. If and when their service is needed, a message will be sent via the instant messaging app, Whatsapp. They use their own vehicles to pick and drop off residents, who are mostly elderly or wheelchair-bound patients from needy families. More than 300 trips have been made in the three years since Care on Wheels began. Some are weekly medical appointments, while others are on an ad-hoc basis.
DEC 2018
21
PURSUITS
When you are a public office holder, everybody wants a bit of your time. Besides their fulltime jobs, spending time with constituents is at the top of their schedules. So it is little wonder that many MPs have very little “me time” to pursue their own hobbies or interests. Here, Petir speaks with five MPs who make the effort to go for a run regularly in between their packed schedules.
Making A Run For It What is your favourite time of the day to have a jog and why? I don’t have a preferred time although it’s usually not early in the morning! I run when I can, whenever I have some time. I try to squeeze in something, if possible. What do you enjoy most about jogging? Jogging provides me with some “me” time and when you work up a sweat, it’s a good way to de-stress and relax. How often do you jog? I jog about three to four times a week, although distances vary, based on how much time I have. What type of runner are you? In the gym or outdoors? Definitely an outdoor runner. I work out against my own bodyweight and equipment at the local park. But when
I do get to use the gym, I’d use the elliptical and step trainer instead of the treadmill. One tip for someone who is just starting to jog? Just start! Run at a comfortable pace and build up from there. It’s not a race nor a competition. Listen to your body and give it time to condition itself. Describe your pre-jog routine? Light stretching and start jogging slowly to warm up. Do you have a music playlist for your runs? What type of music is on that playlist? I have several playlists and no fixed routine. It depends on what I feel like at the moment.
>>> Mr Tan Chuan-Jin
22
DEC 2018
∙ Speaker of Parliament ∙ MP for Marine Parade GRC
ABOVE Ms Fu running along Nicoll Highway while taking part in the Great Eastern Women's Run in October 2018. BELOW Mr Tan walked and ran from 1 am to 4 am to raise funds during the Singapore Cancer Society – Relay for Life event in March 2018.
<<< Ms Grace Fu
∙ Minister for Culture, Community and Youth ∙ MP for Yuhua
What is your favourite time of the day to have a jog and why? I often go for a run along Marina Bay after work and before my evening engagements. The scenery around the Bay is beautiful and it is conveniently located near the major art and cultural institutions where many of my activities are being held. What do you enjoy most about jogging? It’s a great way to de-stress and log in my 10,000 daily steps. It’s an exercise that I can do easily even when I travel. Some of the more memorable places I have ran are the Red Square in Moscow, the ancient city of Khiva in Uzbekistan and forests in Japan. How often do you jog? I log in about two to three times a week, about five to six km each time.
What type of runner are you? In the gym or outdoors? Definitely an outdoor, trail runner, as I get bored running on the treadmill. I will run on the treadmill if the weather is bad or if I’m overseas and it’s not conducive to run outdoors. One tip for someone who is just starting to jog? Start at a comfortable pace and distance and build up from there. No distance is too short - even 400m is a good start. It is important to build up the muscles around the legs to support longer distances and avoid injury. Describe your pre-jog routine? Hydrate and warm up by doing simple stretching and remember to apply sunblock. Do you have a music playlist for your runs? What type of music is on that playlist? I don’t listen to music when I run. I enjoy looking at the people who pass by as well as the scenery.
<<<
Mr Baey Yam Keng
∙ Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth and Ministry of Transport ∙ MP for Tampines GRC
When is your favourite time of the day to have a jog and why? In the morning, after I send my kids to school and before I go to the office. What do you enjoy most about jogging? It keeps me fit and helps clear my mind. How often do you jog? About twice a week. What type of runner are you? In the gym or outdoors? Outdoors, usually around the Marina Bay area so that I can enjoy fresh air and a beautiful skyline as I jog. One tip for someone who is just starting to jog? Find a convenient time to jog so that it becomes part of your routine. Describe your pre-jog routine? I just do simple stretching. Do you have a music playlist for your runs? What type of music is on that playlist? Mainly Mandarin pop music such as songs by JJ Lin, Stefanie Sun and A-Mei.
Mr Baey during one of his morning runs in the Marina Bay area before work.
DEC 2018
23
PURSUITS
<<< Dr Lim Wee Kiak
∙ MP for Sembawang GRC
When is your favourite time of the day to have a jog and why? In the evenings after I close my clinic and before Meetthe-People Sessions, block visits or other grassroots activities. What do you enjoy most about jogging? Having the freedom to jog anywhere. How often do you jog? Three times a week. What type of runner are you? In the gym or outdoors? Definitely outdoors – I like to explore new areas. One tip for someone who is just starting to jog? Set a routine and target. Start slow and gradually scale up the distance. Describe your pre-jog routine? Check my smart watch and phone to ensure there’s enough battery. Do you have a music playlist for your runs? What type of music is on that playlist? No, I do not run with music.
Dr Lim running with his Canberra residents who are active runners.
>>> Mr Teo Ser Luck
∙ MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC
When is your favourite time of the day to have a jog and why? When most people are asleep, so no one will stop me from indulging in a run. What do you enjoy most about jogging? Getting the “runner’s high”. How often do you jog? As often as I need the “high”. What type of runner are you? In the gym or outdoors? I am the “look-see, look-see” type. I run both indoors and outdoors and both have lots to “look-see” – the scenery outdoors and YouTube at the gym. One tip for someone who is just starting to jog? Reserve some energy to run the next day. Describe your pre-jog routine? Deciding what to eat after my run. Do you have a music playlist for your runs? What type of music is on that playlist? Yes, it’s mandatory. Songs from Post Malone, Calvin Harris, Kendrick Lamar, Bazzi, Imagine Dragons, Gentle Bones, Sam Willows, NYK, Jay Chou, Eason Chan and so on.
24
DEC 2018
Mr Teo taking part in a marathon in China's Jilin province, where it was raining hail and snow during the race.
PAP POLICY FORUM
BY BENJAMIN TAY
Developing unity through empathy
I
t started with a question. “Daddy, what’s a country?” That question from my young son formed the basis of my speech when I first successfully stood for election into the PPF Council in late 2012. It’s been a wonderful learning journey, including four years when I had the privilege of leading the
council as Chairman. A key memory was representing the PPF at the 2013 Party Convention. I spoke of how, despite working overseas at the time, when my wife became pregnant, it was clear that we would return to Singapore. It was, to me, the best place to raise my children, with exceptional outcomes for its citizens despite the challenges and limited resources that Singapore faced. My hope is that Singapore continues to be a beacon of exceptionalism and my children and fellow Singaporeans would never have to look back and say, “Those were the good days, the days of Singapore’s Camelot.” To me, those exceptional outcomes come from Singaporean unity, and that
My hope is that Singapore continues to be a beacon of exceptionalism and my children and fellow Singaporeans would never have to look back and say, “Those were the good days, the days of Singapore’s Camelot.”
unity has been developed through empathy over the decades. It is empathy that allows us to understand and share the feelings of another. It is also empathy that allows us to see things from another’s perspective and attribute value to those alternative views. This is where PPF has been very important as it has helped to develop empathy by promoting dialogue, thus allowing policymakers and the ground to see issues from each other’s position. This ongoing communication helps to create and strengthen a bridge of trust so as to develop good policies for all Singaporeans. Highlights from my journey with the PPF have been many, and include the issue of a policy paper on enhancing Singaporean employability in 2017; drafting parliamentary questions to further ideas generated by party activists at PPF dialogues over the years; helping to organise the Party Conventions in 2015 and 2017; launch of the PPF logo in 2015 at PPF’s 10th anniversary celebrations; as well as appearing before a Parliamentary Select Committee in 2018 to speak on deliberate online falsehoods, one of the greatest threats to
Singaporean unity. The journey was undertaken together with PPF Advisors, Comrades Heng Swee Keat, Lawrence Wong and Amrin Amin, fellow PPF council members and PPF members, other party activists as well as in cooperation with other party wings and our brothers and sisters in NTUC. The aim of that journey was how to better amplify voices from the ground and promote dialogue and empathy. To close, if you are curious about how I responded to my son’s question, my answer was: “A country is a group of people, sharing a common space, who have leaders, where the people work together and fight for one another.” My hope is that Singaporeans remain empathetic, stay united and continue to fight for one another. If we do so, and with the right leadership in place, I am confident that Singapore will continue to produce exceptional positive outcomes for all Singaporeans for years to come.
The writer served two consecutive two-year terms as PPF Council Chairman from 2015 to 2018.
DEC 2018
25
YOUNG PAP - PAP POLICY FORUM
Stepping into MPs’ shoes
BY KHUSHWANT SINGH PHOTOS: PAN ZHENGXIANG, JEDI & EDMUND SIM
YP, PPF and Young NTUC members experience Parliament’s inner workings at model parliament
T
hey may not be cabinet ministers and MPs. Nor were they in Parliament But the 70 participants from Young PAP (YP), PAP Policy Forum (PPF) and Young NTUC conducted themselves in true parliamentary style. The activists, who were role-playing a model parliament, experienced a simulation exercise that was not any less rigorous than an actual debate in parliament. Both teams, who role-played the government and opposition benches, were almost evenly represented. Although it was a simulation, the participants observed parliamentary rules and went through the cut-and-thrust of parliamentary debates. The first model parliament was conducted by Young PAP and organised by Ms Cynthia Mark, YP organising secretary back in June 2012. To prepare for this year's model parliament sitting, both teams spent two weeks preparing their respective party’s manifestos, position papers and speaking points. They also attended a half-day workshop to prepare. The sitting, which took place on September 15, 2018 at the NTUC Centre, was jointly organised by YP, PPF and YNTUC. Keeping the proceedings in order were YP Exco members and PPF Council members Benjamin Tan and Kenneth Yeo, who acted as Speaker in the morning and afternoon sessions respectively. On the agenda were two issues: the use of personal mobility devices (PMDs) and growing inequality in Singapore. As PMDs have been under the spotlight of late, the debate on them, which took place in the morning, was fast and furious between MPs from the governing Singapore Action Party (SAP) and the opposition Singapore Heart Party (SHP). Apart from roles on the government and opposition benches, the participants took on other key roles such as Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) and the media to add diverse perspectives to the views discussed. Within the media ranks, the participants played various roles such as reporters and online netizens. They conducted rigorous door-stop interviews and a tough Q&A session at the mock press conference, which wrapped up the sitting. The team also led a “live” closed door Facebook group discussion feed, which featured real time updates of the entire parliamentary proceedings.
26
DEC 2018
In his opening address, YP Chairman and Senior Minister of State for Transport, and Communications and Information, Dr Janil Puthucheary, highlighted that in Singapore, political parties are expected to deliver on their promises and statements and this shapes the politics of the country and the expectations of the electorate.
Dr Janil Puthucheary
Participant Cho Ming Xiu set out the mock government’s stand that PMDs are essential for the gig economy, especially for food and other delivery services. He represented the front bench role for the Ministry of Home Affairs during the sitting on PMDs. He announced an integrated plan to educate PMD users and to restrict the speed of these devices to 10 kmh. Penalties for errant users will also be increased.
Cho Ming Xiu (Young NTUC)
Participant KD Rooban Manogaren, who played a front bench role in the Ministry of Transport, pointed out that the Safe Riding Programme had attracted more than 9,000 participants.
KD Rooban Manogaren (Admiralty Branch)
Four motions pertaining to PMDs were passed. The team which played the role of the majority government proposed the introduction of third party insurance for PMD users and to regulate standards for their batteries. The Ministry of National Development was also empowered to upgrade charging ports for PMDs. The opposing team’s contentious motion that only PMD users who are 18 years and above be given PMD licences was also approved, thanks to support from NMPs.
“How do users monitor speed then?”
Parliament sitting resumed in the afternoon Several participants, who role-played NMPs, questioned the enforcement of the speed limit as PMDs have no speedometers.
“Let’s impose a demerit point system for PMDs -- same as for cars and motorcycles.”
Kenneth Yeo, who played the role of deputy speaker in the afternoon sitting, opened the session, which addressed the issue of growing inequality in Singapore.
Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs)
Kenneth Yeo
(Nee Soon Central Branch) Samantha Lau from the government bench said her team (Ministry of Social and Family Development) had worked with the Ministry of Education to help students make a smooth transition from education to working life so that they could realise their career aspirations.
Samantha Lau
(Kembangan Chai Chee Branch)
Ghina Natasha, from the mock opposition bench, said that PMDs are a menace that should not be allowed on footpaths.
Participant Ng Tian Jie pointed out there are schemes such as SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme, and Work-Learn Bootcamp to help fresh graduates and mid-career professionals secure good jobs. Both Ms Lau and Mr Ng represented front bench roles in the government team.
Ghina Natasha (Keat Hong Branch)
“You are adopting the same old positions, implementing small changes in tackling a problem that just grows bigger.” Jonathan Tan, who had the role of leader of the mock opposition team, criticised the government’s lack of foresight in dealing with the proliferation of PMDs which has resulted in three to five accidents a week and numerous battery fires.
Jonathan Tan
(Bukit Panjang Branch)
Participant Ow Yew Wah, who took on a front bench role in the Ministry of National Development, said that PMDs can help ease traffic congestion.
Ow Yew Wah
(Bedok Reservoir Branch)
Ng Tian Jie
(Radin Mas Branch) Participant Daniel Liu, who played the role of the opposing team’s party whip, said a person’s class background greatly influences academic opportunity and social mobility, resulting in greater social stratification.
Daniel Liu
(Nee Soon East Branch)
After intense debate, the motion proposed by the opposing team to remove minimum educational qualifications for jobs in government departments, and the motion raised by the majority government bench to increase SkillsFuture funding were passed.
Mr Benjamin Tan, PPF Council member and YP Deputy Region Chairman of HollandBukit Timah, told Petir: “I feel that every participant did well as everyone gave their best for the intensive two-week preparation period, and I look forward to future instalments of this exercise.”
Benjamin Tan (Zhenghua Branch)
DEC 2018
27
PAP POLICY FORUM
New office bearers for PPF Council
(Back row, from left): See Chak Fei Edward, Leong Yixing, Melvin Ang Ming Jun, Seow Chun Yann Steven, Yeo Peng Keng Steven, Larry Charles Medina, Jack Wong Yu Lin, Leong Nicole Peta, Clare Yeo, Pan Zhengxiang Jedi, Chua Wei-Shan, Tan Tien Fen Melissa, Satwant Singh, Edmund Sim Hsien Zheng (Assistant Treasurer). (Front row, from left): Justina Lee Xin Yi (Assistant Secretary), Kenneth Yeo Yaoren (Secretary), Chay Yiowmin (Vice Chairman), Benjamin Tay (immediate past Chairman), Theodora Lai Xi Yi (incoming Chairperson), Jude Tan Kim Chooi (Vice Chairman), Benjamin Tan Wen An (Treasurer), Ghina Natasha Bte Abd (Assistant Secretary). (Not in picture): Juliana Lake, Kawal Pal Singh, Sujatha Selvakumar.
T
he 8th PPF Council election was held on October 20, 2018. Twenty-four council members were elected and began their term on January 1, 2019 for a two-year period. Ms Theodora Lai of Punggol North Branch, Pasir-Ris Punggol GRC succeeded Mr Benjamin Tay as chairperson. Immediate past chairperson Mr Tay served two consecutive terms, from 2015 to 2018. An economist by training, Ms Lai currently works with a pan-Asian private equity firm. She wants to promote in-depth dialogues across more languages and age groups, and cultivate constructive conversations with greater empathy. She believes
28
DEC 2018
that the more curious and inclusive we are, the greater the chances of success. Here, the PAP Policy Forum (PPF) has a role to play in the Singapore conversation. The PPF serves as a platform to strengthen the openness and trust between the party members and its leaders. Through dialogues, it enables the Partyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s rank-and-file members to engage government leaders on policy issues. To ensure wide representation, party members can self-nominate or PAP branches can nominate their members to join the PPF. Below are the incoming key office bearers of the 8th PPF Council.
Appointment
Name
Branch
CHAIRPERSON
Theodora Lai Xi Yi
Punggol North
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Jude Tan Kim Chooi
Chua Chu Kang
VICE CHAIRPERSON
Chay Yiowmin
Kebun Baru
SECRETARY
Kenneth Yeo Yaoren
Nee Soon Central
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Justina Lee Xin Yi
Yew Tee
ASSISTANT SECRETARY
Ghina Natasha Bte Abd
Keat Hong
TREASURER
Benjamin Tan Wen An
Zhenghua
ASSISTANT TREASURER
Edmund Sim Hsien Zheng
Joo Chiat
