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speaking up for nature in singapore
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on youths of singapore to speak up PM's call on youths | list of all articles speak up for nature: why bother? | what others have spoken | feedback channels Today, 21 Aug 04 Youth with a rare passion for Singapore Who, why and how some young people join a political party by Tor Ching Li SO the People's Action Party (PAP) tea sessions are being held, unabated, in the continual process of political self-renewal. But what about those who heed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's call and "do not wait to be invited to tea, but step forward to make a difference" to the community and country? Contrary to popular belief that Singaporean youth are politically apathetic and socially unaware, there is — and has always been — a group who step forward and want to be part of a political party. Currently, there are some 5,000 Young PAP (YP) members for Singapore's incumbent party to draw upon. This "youth wing" of the PAP was set up in 1986 by Mr Lee, in a bid to involve young people in both grassroots and party activities. All cadres below 40 years of age are automatically YP members, of which around 38 per cent of the present cohort are females and 62 per cent males. 42 per cent have had tertiary education, 51 per cent of them secondary education and 7 per cent primary education. What do they have in common and how did they get to be involved politically? According to Ms Linda Lim, 29, YP executive committee assistant secretary and public affairs coordinator: "I just went to my MP's Meet-The-People's session (MPS) one evening and offered my help." That was in 2001, when Dr Ong Seh Hong (Aljunied GRC) was a branch chairman and the YP exco public affairs coordinator. Since then, Ms Lim has taken on the public affairs portfolio, being a communications consultant by profession. What got her involved initially was a desire to "help fellow Singaporeans at MPS". Previously, Ms Lim had also volunteered at old folks' homes and children's homes. Indeed, it seems a keen interest in social work was a common starting point for many YP members. . "I was serving as a volunteer police officer and a YP member thought that since I was interested in community service, perhaps I would like to help out with the MPS," said Mr Edwin Pang, 35, a senior corporate trainer. Having helped heartlanders pen petition letters since 1996, Mr Pang is now the YP Kampong Ubi branch chairman and general branch vice-chairman. For Mr Seah Hwee Kia, 39, party involvement came as a natural progression from serving in his constituency's Citizens Consultative Committee (CCC) in 1999. Said Mr Seah: "I started as an observer at the CCC when I was invited by the CCC chairman who was a friend of mine and a veteran grassroots leader. Consequently, I was invited to be an observer at the PAP branch before being inducted." Today, the vice-president for marketing and business development in a local bank is YP Southwest District chairman and also chairs the YP School Committee. "Prior to joining the party, I was already socially aware and politically conscious since my student days, often discussing issues with friends. Despite some unpopular policies, the PAP has always been the natural choice as the policy decisions are consistently based on growth and stability objectives that share the fruits of growth among all segments of society," he said of his choice to join the party. Some, like 33-year-old Mr Donald Aw, are second generation party members. "I was introduced to grassroots activities since Primary Three through my parents, who were both grassroots and party members," said Mr Aw, a lecturer at Temasek Polytechnic. "After I completed my university education in 1997, my mother encouraged me to be more involved in YP as they deal with issues which are relevant to young Singaporeans," he added. Incidentally, while his parents had served with Major Fong Sip Chee at Kampong Chai Chee, Mr Aw helped Major Fong's son — Mr Arthur Fong — in his election campaign at West Coast GRC (Clementi division) at the last general elections and is now YP Clementi branch chairman. So, what's in it for all of them? . Mr Pang said: "There are some residents who help at MPS thinking the party can pull strings for them and that the MP can grant them anything they want. But that is not how we work in the PAP because one of our core values is integrity.""There are no special privileges for being a PAP member," stressed Mr Seah. "In fact, it is more of a sacrifice. Weeknights and weekends are spent doing work that we believe will benefit our party, community and country. . "Some people who join for various reasons quickly discover the party culture and will either naturally blend in or fade away." Hence, PAP membership entry is carefully scrutinised. Members observe and vouch for candidates they recommend for membership, which has to be accepted and confirmed by an MP. At the same time, however, there is the problem of getting youth to step forward in the first place. The average age of the current YP executive committee is 35 years. Earlier this year, YP chairman and now Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, had said that the YP's "main mission" is to find people below 35 who will form the next team of leaders under Mr Lee. Said Mr Pang: "I think it's the stigma of not wanting to be associated with politics. This comes from a lack of understanding of what it means to be involved with the PAP." This could extend to the workplace and employers who "are not ready for volunteerism and PAP membership", said Mr Seah. "Some workplaces may believe employees should be focused solely on salaried work. However, this is really a matter of personal commitment, judgement and choice for the volunteer," he opined. . Moreover, political parties now have a plethora of organisations and interest groups to compete with for the attention of youth. "With academic, leisure, entrepreneurial, religious and social pursuits, politics is not at the top of many people's agenda. They do not follow current affairs and issues," said Mr Seah. The exco members generally agreed that cynicism, complacency or contentment with the current situation could also be a cause for political inertia among the young. "As young leaders of YP, we must re-orientate ourselves to understand their needs and wants. At the same time, we have to try and pass on knowledge of past events to give them a sense of perspective," said Mr Aw. "If we can do this, we will have a greater chance of attracting them." For the exco members interviewed, the best thing about being involved in YP is "being part of a group of like-minded youths who share a passion for Singapore", and being able to "understand all issues first hand and initiate progressive change". Said Ms Lim: "Joining the party is the best way to change it. As a member, I have a stronger voice because of vested interest. Speak and act sensibly and you'll be listened to and respected." And some "major milestones" have been achieved within the party, in terms of the PAP central executive committee's decision to allow the YP to hold its first exco elections in March this year — instead of the usual "top-down" appointments, the recent introduction of public policy forums and the YP school which held its first leadership training course for 72 party members this month. Indeed, some people have taken party membership to change the PAP — albeit from the opposing side. Mr Yaw Shin Leong, 28, chairman of The Workers' Party (WP) Youth Action Committee (YAC) and Hougang Constituency Committee secretary, said: "I'm a firm believer in political balance and equilibrium, so I joined the WP. After all, political development is part of national development." . Opposition parties face all of the above recruitment challenges — and more."It's very different from our side. We lack the resources that the incumbent party enjoys. It is much easier for them to have welfare outreach programmes," said Mr Yaw, who is not a Hougang resident but hails from Yew Tee. "In fact, it's a uniquely Singapore situation where the Community Centres and Residents' Committee in Hougang is still under the purview of the PAP second advisor for the constituency, not Hougang MP Low Thia Khiang," said Mr Yaw. Mr Yaw volunteered his help to the WP in June 2001 just prior to the general elections because he felt "it was time to do something". In early 2002, he helped launch WP's Youth Action Committee and his exco averages 30 years of age. "I always tell people it's fantastic to vote for the opposition. You get a two-for-one deal: An opposition party working for you and a PAP second adviser working equally hard to win the constituency back!" he quipped. |
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