PA explains rationale for choosing advisers (ST, 'TODAY'; both versions)

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 3, 2011
PA explains rationale for choosing advisers
I REFER to Thursday's letters ('PA must stay neutral' by Mr Chong Yew Mun; and 'Why are PA's appointed advisers exclusively from the PAP?' by Mr Tan Si An), as well as recent letters relating to the issue of neutrality of the People's Association (PA).
The Government appreciates the public's interest in the role of the PA and the considerations in appointing advisers.
Our priority is to fulfil the PA's mission of building social capital. PA connects people to people as well as people and government. As a statutory board, it performs its duties in accordance with the policies of the elected government of the day. Like other public sector organisations, the PA is not involved in party-political activities.
To fulfil its mission, the PA and the grassroots organisations gather public feedback to help improve policies and initiatives, and explain government policies and programmes to citizens, so that they can benefit from them. The PA and the grassroots organisations also help to implement government social programmes for social cohesion and social safety nets.
Advisers to grassroots organisations guide them in carrying out these functions. It is not possible to appoint opposition MPs as advisers, because we cannot ask opposition MPs to help the Government to connect better with the people.
Nor can we reasonably expect them to help the Government explain, implement or improve its policies. This is especially true of policies which they oppose, such as restructuring our tax system when we introduced the goods and services tax, and relying on ComCare instead of unconditional welfare.
However, the Government does involve the MP, whether People's Action Party or opposition, when he has a role to play, such as on town council matters and HDB upgrading projects, where the MP has substantial and important responsibilities.
Ministries also keep all elected MPs informed of developments which are relevant to their work, such as change of bus routes or payment of U-Save rebates.
This way, even if the adviser is not the MP, the two will complement each other in serving residents and the community, despite any differences in their political views, principles and philosophy.
Ooi Hui Mei (Ms)
Director, Corporate Communications
On behalf of Deputy Chairman
People's Association
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_708883.html
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PA responds on advisers
Govt does involve MP, whether PAP or Opposition, when he has a role to play
Letter from Ooi Hui Mei Director, Corporate Communications On behalf of Deputy Chairman People’s Association 04:46 AM Sep 03, 2011
I refer to the letter "A worry if PA thinks political rather than people" (Sept 1), and recent letters and article relating to the issue of neutrality of the PA.
The Government appreciates the public's interest in the role of the PA and the considerations in appointing advisers.
Our priority is to fulfil the PA's mission of building social capital. The PA connects people-to-people as well as people-and-Government. As a statutory board, it performs its duties in accordance with the policies of the elected Government of the day. Just like other public sector organisations, the PA is not involved in party political activities.
To fulfil its mission, the PA and the grassroots organisations (GROs) gather feedback from the public to help improve policies and initiatives, and explain government policies and programmes to citizens, so that they can benefit from them.
The PA and the GROs also help to implement government social programmes for social cohesion and social safety nets.
Advisers to the GROs guide the GROs in carrying out these functions. It is not possible to appoint Opposition MPs as advisers, because we cannot ask Opposition MPs to help the Government to connect better with the people. Nor can we reasonably expect them to help the Government explain, implement or improve its policies. This is especially true of policies which they oppose, such as restructuring our tax system when we introduced the GST, and relying on ComCare instead of unconditional welfare.
However, the Government does involve the MP, whether PAP or Opposition, when he has a role to play, such as on town council matters and HDB upgrading projects, where the MP has substantial and important responsibilities.
Ministries also keep all elected MPs informed of developments which are relevant to their work, such as change of bus routes or payment of U-save rebates.
This way, even if the adviser is not the MP, the two will complement each other in serving residents and the community, despite any differences in their political views, principles and philosophy.
http://www.todayonline.com/Voices/EDC110903-0000306/PA-responds-on-advisers

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