Should opposition MPs be grassroots advisers?

Should opposition MPs be grassroots advisers?

Janice Heng

23 September 2011; The Straits Times (c) 2011 Singapore Press Holdings Limited

The practice of appointing PAP candidates as grassroots advisers in opposition wards has been in the news of late due to disputes in Workers’ Party-held Aljunied GRC and Hougang. Insight digs up the history of this controversial practice.

ON OCT 31, 1981, Mr J.B. Jeyaretnam won a by-election in Anson and became the first opposition Member of Parliament to be elected since 1963.

PM Lee expects more robust debates in the next Parliament

PM Lee expects more robust debates in the next Parliament
by Saifulbahri Ismail; 04:46 AM Sep 11, 2011
SINGAPORE - Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (picture) said he expects to see more robust debates in the next Parliament, which will convene on Oct 10.

Different agencies could liaise with one contractor

Different agencies could liaise with one contractor
04:45 AM Sep 09, 2011
I had wondered some time ago why the landscaping contractors came to my estate so often. A friend familiar with the subject helped to solve the mystery.

ST (2 letters): How PA can show it's non-partisan; and not counterproductive.

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 7, 2011
How PA can show it's non-partisan 
IT WOULD be futile for the People's Association (PA) to continue denying that it is not neutral when it continues the practice of appointing defeated People's Action Party candidates as grassroots advisers in opposition wards ('PA explains rationale for choosing advisers'; last Saturday).

Why opposition MPs should be advisers to grassroots bodies

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 7, 2011
Why opposition MPs should be advisers to grassroots bodies
LAST Saturday's letter by Ms Ooi Hui Mei of the People's Association stated that the PA does not take part in party-political activities ('PA explains rationale for choosing advisers').

Opposition MPs as advisers can be useful

Opposition MPs as advisers can be useful
Letter from Charles Poon 04:46 AM Sep 05, 2011
I REFER to the letter "PA responds on advisers" (Sept 3). It is an incorrect and simplistic view that Opposition Members of Parliament are there just to oppose.

PA to be applauded for sticking to its policy

PA to be applauded for sticking to its policy
Letter from Yee Jun Xian 04:46 AM Sep 05, 2011
I COMMEND the People's Association for assiduously ensuring that the grassroots organisations will continue to work closely with the Government.

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).

President's office should oversee the People's Association

President's office should oversee the People's Association
Letter from Isaac Koh Zhao Jin 04:45 AM Sep 02, 2011
The People's Association (PA), which some members of the public view to be partisan, is a statutory board under the Ministry for Community Development, Youth and Sports.

PA's stance on grassroots advisers under spotlight

PA's stance on grassroots advisers under spotlight
by Ng Jing Yng 04:46 AM Sep 02, 2011
SINGAPORE - Following the recent dispute between the Workers' Party (WP) and the People's Association (PA) over the lease of common sites in the Opposition wards, the role of grassroots advisers - and the exclusion of Opposition Members of Parliament from these positions - has come under the spotlight again.

A worry if PA thinks political rather than people/ respect the ppl's mandate.

A worry if PA thinks political rather than people
04:46 AM Sep 01, 2011
Letter from Chan Chi Yung
THE stand taken by the People's Association (PA) on why opposition Members of Parliament cannot be advisers to grassroots bodies is disturbing because of its implications.

What is the role of grassroots advisers? Do they have authority?

What is the role of grassroots advisers? Do they have authority?
Letter from Tan Si An 04:45 AM Aug 31, 2011
I refer to the article "Hougang grassroots adviser eyes six sites" (Aug 24), which mentioned that the People's Association appoints advisers to its grassroots organisations in each constituency.

Hougang grassroots adviser eyes six sites

Hougang grassroots adviser eyes six sites
by Teo Xuanwei 04:46 AM Aug 24, 2011
SINGAPORE - Hougang SMC grassroots adviser Desmond Choo is eyeing the transfer of the lease for six plots of land - which are currently under the care of the Workers' Party's (WP) Hougang Town Council (HGTC) - to the People's Association (PA).

Explain why opposition MPs won't support policies; reset attitude; Social cohesion/ cooking contests

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 1, 2011
Explain why opposition MPs won't support policies
THE People's Association (PA) should explain why opposition MPs are not expected to support programmes such as anti-dengue and active ageing ('Why opposition MPs can't be advisers to grassroots bodies'; yesterday). Are these not issues that affect all Singaporeans across party lines?
Sng Woei Shyong
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_707995.html

Give voters due respect

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 1, 2011
Give voters due respect
MR MUHAMMAD Yusuf Osman hit the nail on the head ('Advisers to grassroots bodies should be elected MPs'; Tuesday).

PA should give better reasons

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 1, 2011
PA should give better reasons
I READ with great apprehension the hollow response from the People's Association (PA) in yesterday's letter ('Why opposition MPs can't be advisers to grassroots bodies').
PA should give us more convincing reasons to support the accusation before concluding that opposition MPs cannot be expected to support government programmes.

Why are PA's appointed advisers exclusively from the PAP?

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 1, 2011
Why are PA's appointed advisers exclusively from the PAP?
THE People's Association's (PA) reply yesterday ('Why opposition MPs can't be advisers to grassroots bodies') failed to point out that its management board is chaired by the secretary-general of the People's Action Party (PAP), its vice-chairman is the PAP treasurer and the special adviser to the PA chairman is a former PAP chairman.

PAP supporter reminds party to stand firm, rebuts PA critics

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 1, 2011
PAP supporter reminds party to stand firm, rebuts PA critics
I REFER to Mr Muhammad Yusuf Osman's letter on Tuesday ('Advisers to grassroots bodies should be elected MPs') and the People's Association's (PA) reply yesterday ('Why opposition MPs can't be advisers to grassroots bodies').

PA must stay neutral

The Straits Times; Published on Sep 1, 2011
PA must stay neutral 
A CANDIDATE who is elected MP should be considered as part of the Government, regardless of political affiliation ('Why opposition MPs can't be advisers to grassroots bodies', by the People's Association yesterday; in reply to Mr Muhammad Yusuf Osman's letter on Tuesday, 'Advisers to grassroots bodies should be elected MPs').

PA: Why opposition MPs can't be advisers to grassroots bodies

The Straits Times; Published on Aug 31, 2011
Why opposition MPs can't be advisers to grassroots bodies
WE REFER to Mr Muhammad Yusuf Osman's letter yesterday ('Advisers to grassroots bodies should be elected MPs').