Activist group 'targeting and disrupting' PAP Meet-The-People Sessions

SINGAPORE: A group of people has been going to People’s Action Party (PAP) Meet-The-People Sessions (MPS) to be “deliberately confrontational, create incidents, try and provoke”, said Mr K Shanmugam, who posted on Thursday (Mar 13) footage of one such disruption that took place the day before at his ward in Chong Pang.

“They then put out a version of what happened, to put the MP and his team in as negative light as possible,” said the Home Affairs and Law Minister in a Facebook post.

He posted a seven-minute video of the incident, which showed him speaking with two female activists wearing face masks and shirts that said “press”.

At one point, they made hand gestures towards another person who was recording the incident, including showing the middle finger.

As Mr Shanmugam and his team headed back into their office, the group, now joined by a third member, shouted “coward” at him. He came back and told them that the residents there were seeking help for issues, and that they were being disruptive.

The group continued speaking over him, and Mr Shanmugam firmly requested that they stop interrupting him. “Please don’t shout here, and please behave with respect,” he said.

He told them he was aware that they had also gone to other Meet-The-People Sessions around the island.

The episode ended with Mr Shanmugam telling them to wait outside if they wished to speak to him after he had finished meeting residents.

While Mr Shanmugam did not identify the group in his Facebook post, a PAP spokesperson said in response to CNA’s queries that the group calls itself Monday of Palestine Solidarity.

The group has disrupted more than 10 Meet-The-People Sessions in the past few months, the spokesperson said.

In his post, Mr Shanmugam said two sisters, who lived in Punggol, approached him on Wednesday evening to talk about the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA). He told them he had to prioritise his residents, to which they accused him of lying.

“Their accusation, that I was lying, was typical of the way the engagement proceeded, through the night,” said Mr Shanmugam, who heads the PAP Chong Pang branch in Nee Soon GRC. 

“The antagonistic way in which they spoke, behaved, interrupted, threw accusations of lying, suggested that they wanted to make a scene, get some material to put out, rather than engage in a genuine discussion.”

Mr Shanmugam said that after the two women and the third individual shouted “coward” at him, he “went back to them to tell them off” for their behaviour.

“I was quite unhappy with the disruption they were causing. I pointed to them to behave. I also pointed out to them that they were disrupting the MPS,” he said.

“They can’t, as non-residents, come to MPS and insist that their political discussion take priority over the needs of the waiting residents.”

He added that the group showed their middle finger – with a photo showing so – and caused a scene which drew the attention of waiting residents.

“I understand that people may feel strongly about some issues. But MPS is not a protest venue. It is where residents go to their MPs to seek help. Many have acute concerns — housing, jobs, medical needs, family issues, and would wait patiently, often for hours, to speak with their MP,” he said, adding that hijacking these sessions is unfair to them. 

He eventually spent about 30 to 45 minutes speaking with them inside the office, to “see if we find some common ground”.

DISRUPTING ACROSS THE ISLAND

According to PAP, the activist group has turned up in wards helmed by Cabinet ministers, like National Development Minister Desmond Lee’s Boon Lay branch in West Coast GRC, and Minister for Digital Development and Information Josephine Teo’s Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng division in Jalan Besar GRC.

They have also shown up at branches under PAP parliament backbenchers, including Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Edward Chia’s Zhenghua division and Mr Sharael Taha’s Pasir Ris East division in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC.

“They created a ruckus in the waiting area to disrupt the queue system we have in place, they filmed and raised their voices at MPS which affected other residents who hoped to have the privacy to speak with our MPs and volunteers,” said a PAP spokesperson.

CNA has reached out to Monday of Palestine Solidarity for comment. 

The group’s members would also raise their voices and lobby accusations at party volunteers, and are often not residents in the area they target, the spokesperson added.

“Our volunteers have stepped forward because they care about fellow Singaporeans and want to do their part to support those in need. It is not right that our volunteers are subject to taunts and accusations about their motives and character,” she said.

The weekly MPS is “one of the most direct lines of assistance for many Singaporeans in need”, with residents seeking help for pressing concerns, the spokesperson said.

“We try our best to create a safe space for these residents to share their concerns, and to meet as many residents as possible in each session,” she added.

AVENUES OF SUPPORT

“We empathise that many feel frustrated and helpless at the situation in Gaza and appreciate that they can turn to our MPs as an avenue for support,” said the spokesperson.

The party’s MPs and volunteers have always taken the time to hear the views of residents on this issue, which they then relay to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on their behalf, she said.

Many residents who feel strongly about the issue have also taken action with the party to raise funds for those in Gaza, channeling them directly to displaced Palestinians through its partner, the Rahmatan Lil Alamin Foundation (RLAF).

“We continue to consult closely with RLAF on the aid that Palestinians need, and we encourage more residents to join us in this effort,” said the PAP spokesperson.
 
“Regardless of political views, everyone deserves to be treated with respect. For those who have been organising efforts to disrupt our MPS, we will not allow any intimidation antics towards our residents and volunteers.”