SINGAPORE: The ruling People's Action Party (PAP)
has entered a new phase in Singapore's political landscape, where
the key political challenge will be one of more intense competition
in a more challenging domestic environment.
This is the consensus among party members, following
extensive consultations after the General Election (GE) of May
2011.
PAP chairman Khaw Boon Wan, who highlighted this at
the party's awards presentation ceremony on Saturday evening, said
the GE reflected some permanent changes.
He said the party has to find ways to improve the lives of not just
the lower-income but also those in the middle-income group.
This will require significant resources at a time when Singapore's
economy is maturing and when growth will slow.
Mr Khaw stressed that the party has to adjust its approach and
style to strengthen the emotional connection with the people.
In particular, it must be able to connect with the younger
generation, understand their aspirations, as well as engage and
work with them.
Mr Khaw said that to achieve all these, members must continue to
evolve, reinvent and reinvigorate the party.
During the May GE, the PAP was returned to power, winning 81 of the
87 seats in Parliament and regaining Potong Pasir after 27
years.
It lost a Group Representation Constituency (GRC) for the first
time and saw its vote share slip to 60.1 per cent.
Mr Khaw said over the last seven months, the PAP conducted
extensive consultations with party activists at the branch,
constituency and district levels.
Internal consultations will culminate in the PAP Convention on
Sunday.
During Saturday evening's awards presentation ceremony, Mr Khaw
paid tribute to 372 party members for their contributions and
"indomitable fighting spirit".
Mr Eric Low, who failed in two election bids in Hougang, was given
the top Meritorious Services Medal.
Mr Khaw praised Mr Low for keeping up the branch activists' morale
and fighting spirit, as well as guiding and helping out PAP
candidate for Hougang, Desmond Choo, in the election
campaigning.
"Mr Desmond Choo did not win but gained considerable battle
experience. He will be stronger next time, to reap the fruits of
his and Mr Eric Low's labour," said Mr Khaw.
He also paid tribute to the late Choo Siu Heng, a first-generation
PAP activist who died recently from cancer.
Mr Khaw recounted how Mr Choo thought he was still in the midst of
the May election even as he was dying at home.
He said Mr Choo would anxiously ask his visitors about the election
and whether the party had won.
Mr Khaw also lauded another senior party activist, the father of
Marine Parade GRC MP Tin Pei Ling.
He said Ms Tin's father recounted to him that his mother once got
into a fight when a woman bad-mouthed the PAP and former minister
mentor Lee Kuan Yew.
He described her as someone who would not let baseless criticism go
unanswered.
Mr Khaw added that Ms Tin's father ran a busy coffeeshop but his
mother would get him to help in every Meet-the-People Session (MPS)
night even though they were short-handed.
"The MPS was more important than their coffeeshop business," he
said.
- CNA/ir
