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People's Association

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People's Association

Current headquarters located in Lavender, Singapore
Agency overview
Formed1 July 1960; 64 years ago (1960-07-01)
JurisdictionGovernment of Singapore
Headquarters9 King George's Avenue, Singapore 208581
Employees2,784 (2018)
Annual budgetS$588 million (2019)
Agency executives
Parent agencyMinistry of Culture, Community and Youth
Websitewww.pa.gov.sg
Agency IDT08GB0041E

The People's Association (PA) is a statutory board under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) of the Government of Singapore that oversees neighbourhood communities and social organisations.[1] Established in 1960, it was part of a nation-building programme to promote social cohesion and multiracialism.

The former headquarters of the People's Association at the Old Kallang Airport.

According to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), the People's Association (PA) had its origins as a national building programme 'designed to wean pro-Communist voters away from the opposition'. Besides serving as a communication channel between the government and governing party at the top and the people below, it was also intended for the PA to blur the boundaries between the government and the party, such that 'the people tended to praise the party for activities undertaken by the government'.[2]

History

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To counter racial and political tensions in Singapore during the 1950s and 1960s, and foster closer ties among different ethnic groups through centralised control,[3] the Government of Singapore established the People's Association (PA) through an Act of Parliament, the People's Association Act 1960 and the statutory board came into being on 1 July 1960.[4]

Initial activities by the PA were to gain for grassroots support among citizens and to compete with activities by left-wing unions and associations.[5] Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Andrew Fong said that the residents' committees are "our democratic united front against the communist united front".[6]

PA has also actively sought cooperation with other organisations and companies to expand its outreach. It introduced the PAssion mastercard in collaboration with DBS in 2014.[7]

Management

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According to the People's Association Act, the Association consists of:[8]

  1. the Prime Minister, who is Chairman of the Association;
  2. a Minister (typically a member of the Cabinet of Singapore) who is to be appointed by the Chairman as Deputy Chairman;
  3. eight other members to be appointed by the Chairman; and
  4. one member to be appointed by the Chairman in consultation with each of the organisations mentioned in the First Schedule to the Act. More than 80 civic organisations are listed in the First Schedule, ranging from the Football Association of Singapore, to the National University of Singapore Society, to the Singapore Stamp Club.[9]

The powers of the PA and the management and control of the Association and its property and affairs are vested in the Board of Management.[10] The Board consists of the persons mentioned in the first three categories listed above, and four members who are elected from among themselves by the persons mentioned in the fourth category at a general meeting of the Association. The Secretary-Treasurer of the Association is also the Secretary-Treasurer of the Board.[11]

Concerns on partisanship

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Concerns have been raised as to whether the management of the PA, a statutory board, should be less politicised.[12] The governing People's Action Party (PAP) has traditionally fielded candidates who are leaders and advisors active in PA grassroots organisations before each general election,[13][14][15][16][17] and Residents' Committees and Community Clubs have encouraged the public to support PAP candidates at rallies and electoral events.[18][19]

Opposition MPs were not allowed to be advisors to government-run grassroots bodies. A spokesperson for the People's Association clarified on a newspaper forum in 2011 that grassroots advisers are appointed by the government; advisors are expected to support and execute its programmes, and the opposition members were not expected to do so.[20][21]

In 2011, after the Aljunied GRC was won by the Workers Party (WP) in the general elections, WP chairman Sylvia Lim noted that the Housing and Development Board (HDB) had informed the incoming Aljunied–Hougang Town Council (won by the WP) that it had leased 26 public sites, including fields and hard courts, to the People's Association, and that the PA has informed them that "booking by WP will not be allowed". She argued that the move is a move to curtail the "ground presence" of the elected Members of Parliament (MP) in the opposition-held wards.[22] Opposition leader Low Thia Khiang added that temples were allowed to hold activities in his constituency only if they have supporting letters from the grassroots organisations, and not from him as the elected MP.[12]

Non-PAP endorsed politicians such as Chen Show Mao and Tan Cheng Bock (for the presidential elections) were uninvited to PA events.[23][24]

In response to allegations of partisanship of the association, the minister in the Prime Minister's Office and deputy chairman of the PA Chan Chun Sing stated in 2016 that the PA "executes the directions for the Government of the day, as per any statutory board. The PA does not allow any political activity or canvassing on our premises or in our activities. And we certainly do not mobilise anyone for any political party."[25]

Lapses in governance

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On 15 July 2015, the Auditor-General's Office (AGO) annual audit report flagged lapses in governance. It highlighted that 35 of 91 Community Club/Centre Management Committees (CCMCs) had awarded $17.78 million worth of tenancy contracts without proper approval. In another case, Admiralty CCC's Chairman had approved $114,767 worth of claims to himself and two contracts worth $32,000 of which he had a conflict of interest; he has resigned voluntarily. PA deputy chairman Lim Swee Say told Parliament that most of the non-compliance flagged shows no systemic irregularity. He explained many of the cases while accepting that processes can be reviewed.[26][27]

Grassroots organisations

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Starting with 28 community centres,[3] the PA has over 1,800 grassroots organisations (GROs) with more than 25,000 volunteer grassroots leaders as of 2017.[28] Grassroots volunteers visit residents to encourage community involvement, raise awareness about community issues, explain government policies and gather feedback, as well as help those in need. It has since grew to 109 Community Centres islandwide as of 2020.

Grassroots volunteers and leaders who have volunteered for more than two years qualify for various benefits, such as priority for their children's primary school placement, priority in the application for flats, special parking label at government housing estates (for grassroots work related), and free courses paid by the government (under NACLI, this is to impart knowledge of what they have learnt to the ground, and to re-enforce their required skills in times of crisis).[29][30][31]

Prior to each general election, prospective candidates of the People's Action Party are sometimes attached to the member of parliament for each constituency to do grassroots work at various GROs,[32] if they were not PAP branch activists, or had not worked with the National Trade Union Congress and government-linked grassroots previously.[33][34]

Citizens' Consultative Committees

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The Citizens' Consultative Committee (CCC) is the umbrella grassroots organisation in a constituency in Singapore. CCCs plan and lead grassroots activities in a constituency, they oversee community and welfare programmes and they also act as a feedback channel between the government and the people.[35] The first CCC was established in January 1965.

The CCC's objective is to keep the government informed on the needs of the people, and the people informed of government action and policy in these matters. It is also to promote good citizenship amongst the people.[36] Following the 1964 race riots in Singapore, village and clan leaders in the CCCs were mobilised to help maintain racial harmony.[37]

The committee helps to execute government campaigns such those for as dengue prevention, cleanliness and recycling, racial and communal cohesion. They also organise community forums and administer welfare assistance.[38]

Members in the CCC are volunteers appointed by the chairman once every two years and this appointment has to be approved by the adviser, which is the member of parliament for each constituency. In the case of an opposition-held ward, where the sitting MP is prohibited from being an adviser to the PA, the governing party candidate for the next general election will be made the adviser to the GRO.[39][40] Members usually have a background in politics, or are significant contributors in the Singapore political scene.

In 2015, the Singapore Auditor-General's Office flagged several financial irregularities in procurement and payment in multiple CCCs.[41] The Admiralty CCC chairman had approved his own monetary claims of S$114,767, three of which had no supporting documents. He was also involved in approving of two contracts to a company where he held a senior management position. Another CCC member who was in charge of approval process was both a director and a shareholder of the company.[42] PA deputy chairman and cabinet minister Lim Swee Say defended the financial non-compliance by these grassroots leaders and said these irregularities were borne out of "good intentions".[43]

Community Club Management Committees

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Community Club Management Committees provide recreational activities and learning opportunities. Each CC serves about 15,000 households or an average of 50,000 people. The CCMCs manage and oversees all the CCs. CCMCs are made up of volunteers who work with full-time staff to manage the CCs.

Residents' Network

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Residents' Committees (RCs) were first established in 1978 in two constituencies in Singapore (Tanjong Pagar and Marine Parade) with the aim of promoting neighbourly interaction, good communal relations and overall cohesion.[44][45] RCs also serve as channels of communication between residents and the Government. RCs, like CCCs, initially came under the Prime Minister's Office, and later, the Ministry of Community Development. In 1993, RCs and CCCs came under the purview of the PA. Currently, there are over 650 RCs. Each RC has an RC Centre to conduct meetings and programmes and activities for residents. RCs organise residents' parties, conduct house visits and other neighbourhood activities to reach out to residents. They also work closely with the government agencies to improve the living environment, safety and security of their estates. The Residents' Committee are run by volunteers. The committee has since changed its name to Residents Network (RN). Existing Residents Committee may continue to use its current name.

PA Talents

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PA Talents is an umbrella group for more than 300 part-time musicians and dancers performing traditional, ethnic art forms. In 2006, Cultural Medallion recipient Dick Lee was appointed its creative director.[46][47]

Formerly known as the PA Cultural Talents, it was set up in 1965 as a performing unit with full-time performers to bring arts and cultural performances to the masses by performing in community centres. It was one of the first groups in Singapore to create multi-ethnic performances in the early 1980s. In 1997, following a strategic review, the group ceased having full-time performers due to limited resources and now relies on a pool of part-timers.[46]

PA Talents consists of ten groups: five orchestras (Orkestra Melayu Singapura, the PA Youth Chinese Orchestra, the Singapore Indian Orchestra and Choir, the Singapore Pipe Band and the Singapore Pop Orchestra), and five dance groups (the Chinese, Indian, Malay and Modern Dance Groups, and a hip-hop club). About a hundred performances are staged each year in national and grassroots shows such as the National Day Parade and Chingay Parade, in commercial shows for corporations, and in cultural and diplomatic events in Singapore and abroad.[46]

Controversy

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Radin Mas Controversy

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On 28 May 2021, a Singapore citizen, made a post on Instagram stating that People's Association permitted the use of her and her husband's wedding photo for a Hari Raya decoration without their knowledge. An external vendor was responsible for its design while the Radin Mas Constituency Office installed the work at its Tiong Bahru Orchid estate.[48] The office, vendor, and deputy chairperson later apologised. The citizen claimed that the use of her and her husband's likeness was culturally superficial.[49]

References

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  1. ^ "人民じんみん协会". www.languagecouncils.sg.
  2. ^ Kimball, Walter B. "Singapore's People's Association", CIA Historical Review Programme, 22 September 1993, accessed 16 May 2011.
  3. ^ a b "History of PA". People's Association. 5 August 2006. Archived from the original on 7 June 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2007.
  4. ^ People's Association Act 1960 (Ordinance No. 35 of 1960), now the People's Association Act (Cap. 227, 2000 Rev. Ed.)
  5. ^ Lee, Kuan Yew (1998). The Singapore story : memoirs of Lee Kuan Yew. Singapore: Singapore Press Holdings. ISBN 981-204-983-5. OCLC 40199944.
  6. ^ "'RCs are set up as democratic united front against Reds'". Singapore Monitor. 6 October 1984. Retrieved 15 December 2022.
  7. ^ "PAssion Card". www.pa.gov.sg. Retrieved 10 October 2024.
  8. ^ People's Association Act, above, ss. 4(1)(a)–(d).
  9. ^ These organisations are also listed on the PA's website: see "PA Corporate Members". People's Association. 26 August 2007. Archived from the original on 12 June 2007. Retrieved 26 August 2007.
  10. ^ People's Association Act, above, s. 3.
  11. ^ People's Association Act, above, s. 5(1).
  12. ^ a b "Grassroots groups 'meant to serve Govt of the day'". TODAYonline. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  13. ^ "Lead up to GE2015: Key developments, Aug 20". The Straits Times. 20 August 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2017. former People's Association director Joan Pereira are the PAP's new faces in Tanjong Pagar GRC
  14. ^ Chong, Zi Liang (22 May 2016). "Masagos: PAP team remains focused on delivering services to Aljunied residents". The Straits Times. Retrieved 20 September 2017. Accompanying Mr Masagos on his visit were Aljunied GRC grassroots advisers Chua Eng Leong, Victor Lye, and Shamsul Kahar - who contested Aljunied GRC in last year's general election alongside Mr Murali and former MP Yeo Guat Kwang.
  15. ^ "Desmond Choo, Ong Ye Kung leave Aljunied, Hougang wards". TODAYonline. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  16. ^ "Grassroots leader Lee Hong Chuang unveiled as PAP's Hougang SMC candidate". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  17. ^ "Potential new PAP candidates hit the ground at community events". TODAYonline. Retrieved 20 September 2017. Ms Cheng [Li Hui] is also vice-chairman of the Citizen Consultative Committee in Tampines East.
  18. ^ theonlinecitizen toc (29 April 2011), TOC speaks to a member of the audience at PAP rally who was ferried from the Community Centre, retrieved 20 September 2017[dead YouTube link]
  19. ^ theonlinecitizen toc (29 April 2011), Elderly audience at PAP rally leaving on chartered buses, retrieved 20 September 2017[dead YouTube link]
  20. ^ "Why opposition MPs can't be advisers to grassroots bodies". The Straits Times. 31 August 2011. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Hence, the Government has to appoint grassroots advisers who support its programmes and can play this role well. Opposition MPs cannot be expected to do this and thus cannot become advisers to GROs.
  21. ^ "PA stands firm over selection of grassroots advisers". Yahoo News Singapore. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  22. ^ Oorjitham, Santha (30 August 2011). "Singapore voters still bristling at policies". New Straits Times.
  23. ^ Chan, Robin (7 February 2014). "Tan Cheng Bock uninvited from Istana Chinese New Year garden party". The Straits Times. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  24. ^ Tan, Wei Zhen (25 August 2011). "Workers' Party hits back as grassroots advisers stick to their guns". Today. The dispute was sparked last week by a Facebook posting by Aljunied GRC MP Chen Show Mao, where he recounted how an invitation to him was withdrawn by organisers of a Hungry Ghost Festival dinner.
  25. ^ "People's Association is not partisan: Chan Chun Sing". Channel NewsAsia. Retrieved 20 September 2017.
  26. ^ "'Good intentions, not dishonesty' at root of PA, grassroots lapses". TODAYonline. 17 August 2015.
  27. ^ "PA investigates lapses at grassroots organisations flagged by Auditor-General". Straits Times. 15 July 2015.
  28. ^ "Grassroots Organisations-Data.gov.sg". Data.gov.sg.
  29. ^ "Fewer than 0.1% of all grassroots leaders benefit from priority housing scheme: Chan Chun Sing". Channel NewsAsia. 7 November 2016.
  30. ^ Guan, Zhen Tan. "Door hanger lists all the benefits of being a Residents' Committee volunteer". Mothership.sg.
  31. ^ Lee, Pearl (12 June 2014). "Stricter Primary 1 priority rules for grassroots workers". The Straits Times.
  32. ^ "Potential new PAP candidates hit the ground at community events". www.todayonline.com. 26 July 2015.
  33. ^ "PAP 2021 MP hopefuls look like PAP candidates of 2011 & 2015". Mothership.sg.
  34. ^ "PAP identifies 200 hopefuls for next GE". The Straits Times. 3 December 2017. Closer to the election, they will typically be attached to MPs to do constituency work, if they were not party activists previously.
  35. ^ Bilveer Singh, Politics and Governance in Singapore (Singapore, 2007), p. 68.
  36. ^ The Citizens' Consultative Committee Rules (Singapore, Government Printers, 1974), quoted in Bilveer Singh, Politics and Governance in Singapore (Singapore, 2007), p. 68.
  37. ^ Hussin Mutalib, Parties and Politics: A Study of Opposition Parties and the PAP in Singapore (Second Edition) (Singapore, 2004), p. 287.
  38. ^ "Citizens' Consultative Committees". Archived from the original on 26 November 2010.
  39. ^ Au-yong, Rachel (15 July 2014). "PAP team for Aljunied GRC 'getting into place'". AsiaOne.
  40. ^ "People's Association names new grassroots advisers in Hougang, Kaki Bukit, Tampines East". The Straits Times. 18 September 2014.
  41. ^ "Auditor-General's Report: People's Association cited for multiple lapses". Channel NewsAsia. 15 July 2015.
  42. ^ "PA investigates lapses at grassroots organisations flagged by Auditor-General". The Straits Times. 15 July 2015.
  43. ^ "'Good intentions, not dishonesty' at root of PA, grassroots lapses". www.todayonline.com.
  44. ^ "Residents' Committees are formed - Singapore History". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 5 July 2016.
  45. ^ Kenneth Paul Andrew Sze-Sian Tan, 'Democracy and the Grassroots Sector in Singapore', Space and Polity 7 (1) (2003), p. 3.
  46. ^ a b c Chia, Adeline (23 August 2007). "How PA Talents Came to Be". The Straits Times (Life!). p. 2.
  47. ^ Chia, Adeline (23 August 2007). "PA Swings to Pop". The Straits Times (Life!). p. 2.
  48. ^ "People's Association apologises after wedding photo of couple used as Hari Raya standee without their permission". CNA. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
  49. ^ hermesauto (14 June 2021). "People's Association withdraws offer to meet couple over wedding photo incident". The Straits Times. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
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