PAP leaders call on activists to ‘fight for what it believes in’

SINGAPORE — About halfway through the electoral cycle and with the next General Election not too far away, People’s Action Party (PAP) leaders yesterday issued a rallying cry for activists to get their messages across in a more contested political environment.

Speaking at the PAP annual convention, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the party’s Secretary-General, urged more than 1,000 activists who attended the event at the Kallang Theatre to “fight for what we believe in and make sure the right result prevails”.

“We have to make sure that we state clearly what we stand for ... We have to convince Singaporeans that our cause is right and we have to rebut untruths and correct half-truths, especially online,” said Mr Lee, adding that this is the responsibility of party activists, as well as Members of Parliament (MPs) and ministers.

In his speech, the Prime Minister praised the 22 first-term PAP MPs who are learning how to “defend themselves and score points”.

“We don’t always have to charge, but you must know how to take a needle, pop, make sure you establish you’re not No 2. I think by the next General Election, they will be completely ready to defend their seats,” he said.

First-term officeholders have also had to deal with critics and opposition in Parliament, on the ground and in cyberspace, he noted.

Mr Lee said the PAP team would be reinforced with “more good men and women” in the next elections and called for those seeking change to join his party.

Joo Chiat PAP activist Khartini Abdul Khalid had commented that Singaporeans “kao peh kao bu” (“complain” in Hokkien) because it shows they ultimately have faith that the PAP Government can solve problems and is trusted to do so responsibly. Referring to this, Mr Lee said: “By all means, let off steam … but don’t stop there. Join the PAP, fight for what you believe in, change what is not good and help the zeng hu (‘government’ in Hokkien) so there’s less need for other people to ‘kao peh kao bu’.”

PAP Organising Secretary Chan Chun Sing urged the activists to learn from the PAP pioneers and “fight to get our message across at every corner” — on the streets, in the mass media and on social media. “We will have to do battle everywhere, as necessary,” said Mr Chan, who is also Minister for Social and Family Development.

He reiterated the need for the PAP to continue improving communications as it continues to deliver opportunities and quality social assistance to enable Singaporeans to develop solutions for themselves and the community.

The Government will simplify and customise messages to diverse target audiences, but the endeavour must also allow people from diverse backgrounds to understand different perspectives and seek consensus. “This is why we must continuously and strenuously defend the common space for people to speak up,” said Mr Chan. “If we do not stand up for what we believe (in), others will occupy that space and cast us into irrelevance.”

His comments drew criticism from veteran opposition politician Chiam See Tong, who pointed out that government policies were the source of unhappiness for some people. “I do not understand why the PAP wants to fight dissenting voices, since the voices come from the voters,” the Singapore People’s Party Secretary-General said in a press statement.