WP AJCC website is indeed directly linked to the WP official website. The difference is WP AJCC uses WP resources and funds. PA uses national coffers to serve the interests of PAP.
ST: Sniffing out the grassroots divide in Aljunied
by Sear Hock Rong on Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 3:01pm
Newly elected Member of Parliament for Aljunied GRC (Eunos Division), Mr Pritam Singh from the Workers' Party (WP) wrote a note in response to a Straits Times article yesterday. He highlighted the perception of an unhealthy connection between People's Association (PA) grassroots organisations and the ruling People's Action Party (PAP).
While there were PA volunteers who felt sad when the PAP team lost in Aljunied GRC, there were also PA volunteers who celebrated for the WP. During the General Elections, some PA volunteers openly wrote in Facebook to show their support for the opposition and some distanced themselves from the PAP. It is not true to say PA equals PAP.
Mr Pritam Singh mentioned one RC chairman who was crying uncontrollably when the PAP team lost in Aljunied GRC. It is not true. I was at Bedok Stadium with the RC Chairmen when the results were announced on 7 May 2011. We were disappointed, but none of us cried uncontrollably. We were disappointed because the Advisers we worked with for many years had lost in the General Elections. Having worked together for so long, we developed strong friendships. It is natural to feel sad.
As a PA grassroots leader for more than 5 years, I am very clear about my objectives when it comes to serving the community, in a place I lived in for 25 years. I know every corner of the "kampong" and friends are everywhere. I want to promote a cohesive and vibrant community, and make Eunos a better place for everyone to live in. Month after month, my friends and I work hard to organise meaningful activities for residents to promote social cohesion and racial harmony. We don't ask anyone to support the PAP, neither do we hand out PAP membership forms. We don't wear the PAP logo and PA volunteers don't wear white. We work with all Singaporeans and PRs.
In contrast, the WP Aljunied Constituency Committee (AJCC)'s logo is the Hammer. Their volunteers wear the trademark blue polo tee. Participants of their one-day tours paste a sticker with the Hammer logo on their clothes. The PA website (http://www.pa.gov.sg/) is an independent platform. However, the WP AJCC website is directly linked to the WP official website. I think it is quite clear now who is politicising the grassroots network.
PA grassroots leaders in Aljunied GRC and Eunos Division want to continue to serve our residents, help neighbours get to know one another and provide needy families/individuals with the necessary assistance. We also want to help residents channel their feedback to the relevant government agencies/organisations.
We do not serve the PAP nor WP. We are volunteers who serve the people of Singapore. I hope that Singaporeans don't just listen to one side of the story and be misled to think that all PA grassroots leaders are from the PAP and they join the PA for job opportunities/free parking/priority for Primary One registration. These privileges combined are not enough to make up for the time, effort and sometimes, money PA grassroots leaders have spent to give back to the society. We have sacrificed our family and friends for the community. For these privileges, how many Singaporeans are willing to come forward and serve?
The next time you meet a PA grassroots leader, wave hello and thank him/her for volunteering to serve the community :)
Sear Hock Rong
Lived in Eunos, Aljunied GRC for 25 years
Chairman, Eunos Community Club Youth Executive Committee
People's Association Board of Management
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