Young PAP to have more stringent checks on members

QX179R SG

SINGAPORE: The youth wing of the People's Action Party (PAP) said it has learnt a lesson from the recent saga, involving a member who posted a racially offensive caption to a photograph on Facebook. The party said it will have more stringent checks of members, including their online behaviour.

This picture with the caption "Bus filled with young terrorist trainees?" was posted on Facebook in February. It recently went viral and sparked accusations of racism.

The posting was made by Young PAP member, Jason Neo, and drew strong criticism.

When news broke of Mr Neo's posting, he was asked to resign from the party immediately. Young PAP said it needed to take swift action to send a strong message that it will not tolerate racist behaviour from its members.

Young PAP chairman Teo Ser Luck, said: "It's really about sending the right signal to the rest of the party members. I think it's important to let them know that our party actually does respect each other's race, religion, and different cultures."

"Whether it's his moment of folly or it's just something that's unintended, it's already been done. I think it's important for us as YP, or PAP, to take action very quickly, to show that we have no space for such things."

Young PAP said it will have to improve its selection process. Previously, it relied on character references to screen potential members. But with the increasing popularity of social media, a new layer of checks may need to be added.

Zaqy Mohamad, vice chairman of Young PAP, said: "It's a lesson learnt for us, that we have to perhaps do a thorough background check on members. But at the same, you would have to do it at different layers because we have thousands of members. So it's impossible, it would not be wise to do a 100% check on everyone. But as they take up appointments, as they hold senior appointments in the PAP, I think we have to be more stringent as they get up higher."

Mr Zaqy said the induction of new members has mostly been left to branch activists. But moving forward, the headquarters will need to be more involved.

He said: "I think it's worthwhile now to ensure that we have a central messaging mechanism to continuous update our members, not just remind them. It's about updating them on new norms or if there are new developments out there that they need to be aware of."

Police said reports have been lodged against Mr Neo, and investigations are ongoing. Mr Zaqy added that the investigations should be allowed to run its course.

-CNA/ac

Dalforce 25 SG

A former Young People's Action Party (YPAP) member who posted a picture of kindergarten pupils with an offensive caption has written an apology to the school.

Mr Jason Neo, 30, has also asked permission to visit the school, Huda Kindergarten, so that he can apologise in person.

A copy of the letter was sent to The Straits Times yesterday.

Mr Neo is currently being investigated by the police for posting on Facebook a photo of Huda Kindergarten pupils in a school bus.

In the caption, Mr Neo wrote: "Bus filled with young terrorist trainees?"

The incident caused online furore and resulted in several police reports lodged against him. He has since resigned from YP last week.

In the apology letter, Mr Neo said: "I wish to offer Huda Kindergarten, its students and their parents or guardians my utmost sincere and unreserved apology. I had no intention whatsoever to cause any hurt or offence to your school, or to the members of any race or religion."

He explained that he had uploaded the photo in a 'moment of folly' and deleted it from his Facebook wall when he realised how offensive it could be.

"I humbly seek Huda Kindergarten's forgiveness for my insensitive action. I will also be honoured if you permit me to visit Huda Kindergarten to apologise in person for the hurt I have caused," he said.

YP's chairman and vice-chairman, Mr Teo Ser Luck and Mr Zaqy Mohamad, visited Huda Kindergarten yesterday morning to apologise in person.

They met with the principal and owner of the kindergarten, Mr Syed Abdul Rahman Al Tahir, toured the kindergarten and met some of the parents, who were there for a parent-teacher conference.

Mr Zaqy said the reaction they got was 'warm'.

He told The Straits Times that they conveyed their apoligies and regrets over the incident, and assured that they would help with the concerns of the parents.

Mr Syed said the school appreciated the visit and will forward Mr Neo's letter to parents as well as convey the apology from Mr Teo and Mr Zaqy.

The school will also consider Mr Neo's request to visit and will issue an official statement in the next few days.

[email protected]

http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne%2BNews/Singapore/Story/A1Story20111120-311559.html

Huda hell would do such a thing?

Dalforce 25 SG

I reject Jason Neo's remarks.

He is buying into western propaganda.

Might as well say people who study in english schools are western dogs like Harry Lee.

This reminds me of that anglophile fucking bastard Harry Lee Kuan Yew's anti-Islam remarks in the wikileaks cable.

Fcukpap SG

how will be our next young generation of leaders helming this country?

Medicated Oil SG

Another honest mistake for an oversight so let accept their apology and move on.

Dalforce 25 SG

Another honest mistake for an oversight so let accept their apology and move on.

They are taking things for granted. Somehow I feel these PAP members are clueless about political affairs.

This is what repression and depoliticisation has done to our society. All due to that anglophile bastard.

laurence82 SG

if this come from WP u see PAP glossing over it for many days

Rooney_07 SG

he got shit for brains

charlize SG

So the YPAP whip has to be friends in fb in order to check the members' postings?

troublemaker2005 SG

don;t know how to type - better don;t log in anf post at forum, better still get a life outside and don;t use teh computer

charlize SG

don;t know how to type - better don;t log in anf post at forum, better still get a life outside and don;t use teh computer

Next time can blame Siri.