“PA appoints new advisers to Sengkang Central and East grassroots organisations” (ST, Apr 6)
Comment:
How does the PA decide who to appoint as grassroots advisers, and when to change them, by removing the existing ones?
In this connection, “People’s Association is not politicised: Chan Chun Sing”
“Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Chan Chun Sing on Thursday (April 14) refuted allegations that the People’s Association (PA) was involved in political campaigning for the ruling party, saying that the association does not mobilise individuals for any political party.
On Wednesday in Parliament, Workers’ Party chairman Sylvia Lim had questioned if the association had deviated from its mandate. She had alleged that some quarters of the PA saw its role to include the political advancement of the ruling party. She cited the mobilisation of PA activists to campaign for the People’s Action Party’s candidates during elections as an example.
In his response, Mr Chan, who is also the PA’s deputy chairman, said the association is an apolitical organisation that “executes the directions for the government of the day as per any statutory board”.
“The People’s Association does not allow any political activity or canvassing on our premises or in our activities and we certainly do not mobilise anyone for any political party,” he said on the second day of the debate on the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth’s budget.
Participants of the PA’s activities, Mr Chan added, come from all walks of life and the association does not check on their political allegiance.
“Nor do I or anyone know their voting preferences; it is not relevant to our work,” said Mr Chan, who is also the head of the labour movement.
Mr Chan said he had personally witnessed participants supporting both the ruling party and the Opposition during elections.
“I will be the last person to ever allow the People’s Association to be politicised,” he added.”
