Singapore's ruling People's Action Party (PAP) is being encouraged to take a more proactive role in engaging citizens, going beyond traditional grassroots efforts. Political observers suggest the party should focus on explaining policies and rallying support for its ideas, rather than just relying on government outcomes.
SINGAPORE - Bringing the People's Action Party “out in front” means getting party activists to go beyond grassroots work and step up efforts to explain policies, said political observers. It also means the ruling party needs to rally Singapore ans behind its ideas, rather than just government policies and their outcomes, they added. On Nov 24. He called on them to be front and centre working the ground for the next general election, which must be held by November 2025.
This seems to be a fresh perspective, said Dr Gillian Koh, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Policy Studies. She noted that the incoming secretary-general’s message could see PAP activists being more upfront in engaging citizens, explaining policies and soliciting feedback and ideas. To do this, they would need a clear grasp of the party manifesto and how it translates to government policies, beyond the usual grassroots connections, she said. Dr Koh added that this could also be a signal that party members will get more leeway to talk about the pros and cons of policy positions across the spectrum. Echoing the sentiment, Singapore Management University law don Eugene Tan said it is significant that PM Wong made clear the distinction between party and government in rallying for the party to be “out in front”. This means the PAP must contest not just as the incumbent government but more as the political party that has governed Singapore since 1959, he said. Campaigning from the position of the incumbent government places a stronger focus on policies and outcomes, but a potential downside is that this does not necessarily lead to strong bonds with the people. On the other hand, campaigning as a political power can help rally Singaporeans behind the party’s cause, values and ideals, he said., stating that while the PAP government is doing its best to shield citizens from inflation, opposition parties have tried to exploit the concerns to turn sentiments against the ruling part
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