More intense competition as PAP enters new phase
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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.
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ask not what the country can do for you, ask what you (and your kopi tiams) can do for your country...
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Mr Eric Low, who failed in two election bids in Hougang, was given the top Meritorious Services Medal.
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.
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.
Wow, medals for losers.
And some girl cannot run an MPS on her own. Shame!
If anyone knows which coffee shop this is, please tell me. I will never eat there again.
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Why the new PAP candidates all don't dare to contest in SMC?
Last time where got GRC, all SMC. Everyone needed his own skills and ability to win the seats.
These new PAP people are pampered.
PARLIAMENTARY GENERAL ELECTION 1984 -
Originally posted by alize:
Mr Eric Low, who failed in two election bids in Hougang, was given the top Meritorious Services Medal.
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.
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.
Wow, medals for losers.
And some girl cannot run an MPS on her own. Shame!
If anyone knows which coffee shop this is, please tell me. I will never eat there again.
Then why not oppositions gives medals for all losers?anyway TPL got 2nd highest votes for the GRC so it's ''suprising'' indeed....and till now i always thought that she got the lowest vote for the GRC..
PAP HWAITING~JJANG!
