12/12/2013

Our New Way Forward, A Call to Action

PAP adopts 8-point resolution to build better nation for all

Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) adopted an eight-point resolution at its party convention on Sunday to build a better Singapore for all

With the theme, "Our New Way Forward, A Call to Action", the resolution emphasises that it will govern the country with integrity and never tolerate corruption

Under the resolution, party members will dedicate themselves to serving the nation and advancing the well-being and interests of Singaporeans

The party also resolved to strengthen the Singaporean identity, where people of different races, religions and backgrounds live harmoniously together for a better Singapore.

read more

Little India riot and the PAP Convention


The riot in Little India is a reminder that not all is well in the Republic of Singapore. The comments made at the PAP convention by Minister Chan Chun Sing about learning from the 1960s generation of PAP pioneers is not helpful and exposes a lack of vision, imagination and new ideas. I recall that in the 1980s the second generation PAP leaders tried to prove their mettle by deploying the Internal Security Act on a group of Church workers. The riot and the minister’s comments show that there is social tension on the one hand and an inflexible, unyielding government on the other. That is a real worry.

The biggest mistake the PAP has made and continues to make is its failure to respect Singaporeans as ethically-free agents.

But the PAP is sensitive to electoral losses. This is evident in their responses to losses in the percentage of popular votes since the eighties and in its consequent attempts to open up channels of communications. The Singapore Conversation, for instance is the most unprecedented degree of consultation in the process of policy-making.


OPINION: Is Singapore turning back the clock? - Seah Chiang Nee

The Star Online, 21 Dec 2013
An ex-general who is touted as a front runner to succeed as Prime Minister has delivered a hard-line speech to party members.

The occasion was the People’s Action Party (PAP) convention on Dec 8, the day Singapore’s first riot in 44 years broke out.

What fighting message former Major-General Chan Chun Sing uttered to 1,000 members at the time was overshadowed by the violence at Little India.

But as people digested it later, the reaction was one of shock.

“We will have to do battle everywhere as necessary,” said Chan, who is Social and Family Development Minister and PAP organising secretary.

“We will have to learn from the 1960 generation of PAP pioneers – to fight to get our message across at every corner – every street corner, every cyberspace corner, be it in the mass media or social media.

“If we do not stand up for what we believe, others will occupy that space and cast us into irrelevance. We must not concede the space – physical or cyber.”

Chan had also touched on other softer matters but, because it was a political speech, many Singaporeans zeroed in on his fighting tone. Full story

read more

PAP adopts new resolution to update its goals for 21st century


The People's Action Party (PAP) on Sunday resolved to uphold an open and compassionate meritocracy, and build a fair and just society in Singapore, as it adopted a significant resolution that will define its cause in a new phase of Singapore's development. -- ST FILE PHOTO: SEAH KWANG PENG

Explaining the reason for this move, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, the PAP's secretary-general, said that while the fundamental goals of the PAP remain the same, and have been set out in its constitution and pledge, it is time to interpret and update them for a new generation

These goals are to build a multi-racial, fair and just society with opportunities for all

"I think we can all agree these are the right things to do... But what do these ideals mean tangibly, concretely, in this day and age? We must interpret these goals in a new phase and with a new generation," he said at the party's convention at Kallang Theatre.

read more

PAP must fight for what it believes in: PM Lee



As Singapore forges a new way forward in nation building, the ruling People's Action Party's leadership has to play the important role of managing policy changes, said party chairman Khaw Boon Wan. -- ST FILE PHOTO: JOYCE FANG

"Singaporeans look to us, the PAP, to ensure that their welfare is protected," Mr Khaw, who is National Development Minister, told activists at a party awards ceremony on Saturday.

And while changes are made, the party's purpose and values have stayed constant.

The PAP continues to act for Singaporeans, build a fair and just society and maintain high standards of integrity, he said.

read more

PAP must fight to get its message across: Chan Chun Sing


The PAP must deliver, enable and communicate said Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing, highlighting three priorities for the ruling party at the PAP Convention. - ST FILE PHOTO: KEVIN LIM

The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) must continuosly and strenuously defend the common space for people to speak up, because if it does not, then others will occupy the space and make them irrelvelant, said Minister for Social and Family Development Chan Chun Sing as he highlighted three national priorities for the party at its convention on Sunday

“We must not concede the space - physical or cyber. We will have to learn from the 1960 generation of PAP pioneers - to fight to get our message across at every corner - every street corner, every cyberspace corner, be it in the mass media or social media. We will have to do battle everywhere as necessary,” he said

That is why improving communication is one of three priorities on the national level for the PAP, said Mr Chan, who is the PAP’s organising secretary. It must also deliver and enable

related: PAP adopts new resolution to update its goals for 21st century

read more

PAP will make sure S'poreans can say their lives have improved by next GE


related:
PAP must continue to offer leadership to take country forward: PM Lee
PAP Chairman Khaw urges party activists to unite to build brighter future
PAP must fight at every corner to get its message across: Chan Chun Sing
Pioneer generation to be recognised in special package
PAP Seniors Group formed to champion elderly causes
PAP to put forward Resolution Statement at biennial convention
Pioneer generation to be recognised in special package
PAP Seniors Group formed to champion elderly causes

CHAN CHUN SING: THE PAP IS READY TO BATTLE AGAINST OPPOSING VIEWS ON CYBERSPACE



Chan Chun Sing has highlighted the need for the PAP to constantly fight for and defend the common spaces for discussion

He justified that if the PAP does not do its part to control the space where people engage in discussion, others will dominate the spaces and make them ‘irrelevant’

It appears that Chan Chun Sing was referring to cyber space and social media as that is where a majority of discussion takes place these days however, it is unknown what exactly he meant by ‘irrelevant’. It certainly sounds like he believes discussions not well controlled by the government are irrelevant

read more

KHAW BOON WAN: SINGAPOREANS LOOK TO THE PAP FOR WELFARE



The PAP chairman Khaw Boon Wan said yesterday at the biennial party meeting that Singaporeans look to the PAP to ensure that their welfare is protected. 

It is unknown what kind of welfare he was referring to. He also said that the PAP’s leadership plays and important role in managing Singapore’s way forward.

Khaw also said that the party’s purpose and values have stayed constant throughout, despite changes that are made to adapt to the changing environment

read more

Reading The Riot Act

What we don't need in a high tension environment is loose talk by bigoted individuals reading the riot act indiscriminately.

Chiam See Tong spoke for all of us when he challenged Chan's war cry, “do battle everywhere as necessary” and not concede physical and cyber space to get their message across.

Chiam calmly asked, "Will the Minister similarly apologise for stating his intention to do battle against the voices of the people?"

read more

Chiam See Tong speaks

He has been quiet for quite some time probably due to his senior years. I think after listening to the PAP’s convention war cry, he really ‘buay song’ and has to say something. And this is a bit of what he said and posted in TRE

‘Today, Minister Chan Chun Sing said that the PAP will “do battle everywhere as necessary” and not concede physical and cyber space to get their message across. I’m not sure if I’m the only one who thinks this sounds like government propaganda. We live in a democratic nation, and I hope the government knows and respects that. Already, our press standards and rankings are among the lowest globally

I do not understand why the PAP wants to fight dissenting voices, since the voices come from the voters….’ 

read more

What A Riot Looks Like



When the People's Action Party gathered the troops last weekend to "forge the way forward", few would imagine they had intended to reflect on their party Secretary General's last minute promise at General Election 2011, the part that said "we didn’t quite get it right, I’m sorry, but we will try and do better the next time". Not when the real guy in charge still thinks like this:
Q: There was talk during and after the general election about how the PAP has to transform itself.
A: No, who's talk was it?
Q: George Yeo was one of those making the comment.
A: No, no. George Yeo lost. And every defeat must be accompanied by a thorough rethink. But it does not mean a change in your basic values and policies.
("One Man's View of the World", page 214, 215)
Instead of reflection and repentance, Major General "keechiu" Chan Chun Sing tuned up his rabble rousing rhetoric. Making mockery of Winston Churchill's famous war cry, Chan inveighed against the unconverted and unconvinced, "We will have to learn from the 1960 generation of PAP pioneers - to fight to get our message across at every corner - every street corner, every cyberspace corner, be it in the mass media or in the social media"

read more

PM Lee spells out 'new way forward'

PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the ruling party is determined to keep Singapore an open and compassionate meritocracy, and a fair and just society, as the People's Action Party (PAP) updated its goals for the 21st century at a party convention

Addressing 1,400 PAP members at the Kallang Theatre yesterday, PM Lee said the party's new resolution was aimed at re-interpreting its goals as the PAP forges a new way forward amid a changing Singapore. "We are at an inflection point. Our society is more diverse. Our economy is more mature. Our political landscape is more contested," he said

The PAP was responding to this through its renewal and transformation at the mid-term of the Government formed after a watershed general election in 2011

related:
Party Convention 2013: Speech by Chan Chun Sing
We must forge a new way forward together: Khaw Boon Wan

read more

Can ruling PAP have its cake and eat it too?


We must fight to get our message across at every corner: Chan Chun Sing

Chan Chun Sing came out fighting at the People’s Action Party convention at the Kallang Theatre on Sunday. Standing before an audience of fellow party members and supporters, the Minister for Social and Family Development said:
"We must not concede the space - physical or cyber. We will have to learn from the 1960 generation of PAP pioneers - to fight to get our message across at every corner - every street corner, every cyberspace corner, be it in the mass media or social media. We will have to do battle everywhere as necessary.”
One could be forgiven for getting the impression that the minister misses his military days.

Mr Chan, also the PAP's organising secretary, appears to be arguing for a return to a tougher style of governance, harking back to the 1960s when dissenters were arrested and detained without trial.

read more

Why do battle against voices of the people?

Today, Minister Chan Chun Sing said that the PAP will “do battle everywhere as necessary” and not concede physical and cyber space to get their message across

I’m not sure if I’m the only one who thinks this sounds like government propaganda. We live in a democratic nation, and I hope the government knows and respects that. Already, our press standards and rankings are among the lowest globally.

I do not understand why the PAP wants to fight dissenting voices, since the voices come from the voters. It doesn’t make sense for the PAP to fight those who have put them in power. The government’s policies have created much unhappiness. The Opposition spends much of its time helping the people and listening to their needs.

read more

Will he stepdown, if voters say their lives didn't improve?



read more