Debate on President’s Address: Sitoh Yih Pin on People’s Association's role in engaging Singaporeans on ‘hard truths’ and building harmonious society

The People’s Association (PA) does important work for the good of Singapore and Singaporeans, said MP Sitoh Yih Pin. It also handles the work of engaging the public on the “hard truths” involved in making Singapore's society harmonious, peaceful and sustainable, he added. He raised this point in response to comments by MPs Leon Perera and Muhamad Faisal Abdul Manap. Mr Sitoh said PA and its members “are here to serve fellow Singaporeans and not to advance the interests of any political party”. He said PA is strict about its activities, roles and objectives. He said Mr Perera and Mr Faisal Manap's statements “do not do justice” to the contributions of grassroots leaders, staff and volunteers in serving the community and fellow residents and building a better Singapore. He also said Mr Faisal Manap had asked to only do the “nice things”, such as giving out awards and taking photographs, when he asked to have resources like the PA network. “If Mr Faisal Manap is going to be honest about this issue, he needs to admit that he cannot fulfil the role of grassroots adviser on behalf of the Government when he disagrees with so many of the Government’s policies and with how the Government raises money to fund its programmes,” he said. Mr Sitoh also stressed the need for constructive and respectful discourse as it can lead to a deeper reflection about values and what it means to be Singaporean. He added that being able to discuss freely and constructively on sensitive matters speaks volumes on how far Singapore has come since independence.