PAP activists step up presence in opposition wards

Observers say consultation sessions show that ruling party wants to be more engaged

- Chin Soo Fang

Activists from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) are stepping up meet-the-resident engagements in wards held by the opposition Workers' Party (WP), following a hiatus after the 2020 General Election.

On April 4, PAP's point man for Hougang Jackson Lam announced on Facebook that he had started his regular chit-chat sessions with residents every first and third Wednesday of each month from 7.30pm at a block in Hougang Avenue 5.

He took over as chairman of PAP's Hougang branch in October 2023 from Mr Lee Hong Chuang. The latter contested in the WP stronghold in the 2015 and 2020 general elections.

PAP activists in Aljunied GRC have also resumed similar engagements with residents, which were suspended after the last general election.

Grassroots adviser Shamsul Kamar said in a Facebook post on March 28 that he is back to meeting residents in Kaki Bukit. Fellow Aljunied grassroots adviser Victor Lye has also been meeting residents through "weekly coffee shop sessions" in Bedok Reservoir and Hougang.

Both Mr Shamsul and Mr Lye were PAP candidates for Aljunied GRC in the 2015 and 2020 polls.

When contacted by The Straits Times on April 4, Mr Shamsul said he has not resumed his Meet-thePeople sessions (MPS) in Aljunied.

"On my part, however, I do meet residents from time to time to assist with requests for advice and applying for financial assistance," he said. "These are not the regular weekly MPS."

In response to queries, the PAP said: "Our PAP branch chairs have constantly been looking at different ways to connect with the residents across Singapore."

ST also contacted Mr Lam and Mr Lye, as well as the WP, for comment.