Lee Bak Lee and Jimmy Wee

Lee Bak Lee:

I started volunteering in Paya Lebar In 1989 (Fun Fact: I was volunteering at Kim Keat previously and I was the one and only counting agent for the first elected president of Singapore the Late Mr. Ong Teng Cheong in GE 1972). I served under the leadership of many Branch Chairmen and Chairlady from Mr. Philip Tan and throughout the years, Dr. Ker Sin Tze, Mdm Cynthia Phua, Mr. Murali Pillai, and Mr. Alex Yeo. I am proud that the party is filled with many people who have the heart to serve the people and this nation.

With more than 30 years of experience, I would like to share some observations as a senior member of the PAP. If our comrades stick by it, we would be able to navigate whatever trials and tribulations that would come our way.

4 things that every comrade should have

1. Good camaraderie within everyone in the branch

2. No class distinction

3. The same heart to serve the community regardless of race language and religion

4. We do our best without aiming for any kinds of rewards

In 2006, I have the most memorable General Election as it is the first time in the history of Singapore since the introduction of the GRC system in 1991 that more than half of the total seats in parliament are being contested. When we heard about it, we felt the pressure. Many Singaporeans assume that as the incumbent party, we had a lot of lead time to do preparations but frankly, we were not informed of anything ahead of time and were as clueless as to opposition whenever new regulations were made. We just had to adapt and make changes as they come.

Our common fighting spirit prevails, volunteers, young and old gathered day and night to prepare for the tough war ahead. I started sharing with the team the knowledge I have learned from my senior about the 1988 election where we fought a tough fight and won by a marginal one thousand votes. Thankfully the opposition was disqualified and we have the final GRC walkover for Aljunied.

The year 2011 was especially memorable. It was the year the PAP lost our first GRC, overnight everything changed. We suddenly find ourselves no longer in control of everything we used to enjoy when serving the residents as the elected MPs are the ones responsible for forming the Town Councils (TC) and the TC are responsible for many common areas like the courts, linkways, and void deck. Our planned community events at the void deck and playground that serve our residents have to be cancelled or delayed, subjected to the TC approval. We have to explain to the beneficiaries of these events that we are unable to serve them via such events anymore as we are not allowed to use these common areas when multiple rejections were made.

Not surprisingly, some comrades left us after the defeat, however many stayed. I am proud that in those that stayed, I saw no change in the camaraderie between them and especially seeing the youths from Young PAP standing very strong, leading the way forward.

To the younger one, my message is to, please always first look after yourself so you have the ability to help others.

Jimmy Wee:

I started volunteering in 2014 when Paya Lebar was already an opposition ward then. I was introduced by my secondary school friend, Hisyam (who later became my branch Young PAP Chairman) since I was already involved in community work within Paya Lebar.

I remember clearly the very first day I walked into the branch after a family dinner for a Meet-The-People Session known as Paya Lebar Cares Session. The entire office was packed with residents and I immediately recognised some of them, which I have helped during my community service. I was ushered in to meet the Branch Secretary where he showed me around to the different areas in charge.

I saw our then Branch Chairman, Mr. Murali Pillai, speaking to every resident who required our help, to understand their needs, and to help our writer better explain their issues to the agency. The same spirit of Paya Lebar is there, young and old, we are all volunteers with the same purpose to serve our community.

I’m extremely heartened that the opinion of youth matters in Paya Lebar. Whenever we presented new suggestions and community events to our senior management, they would always listen and adopt new ideas and events that serve our community needs.

I aspire to continue our Paya Lebar spirit, where there are no class distinctions, good camaraderie within everyone in the branch, the same heart to serve the community, and above all, to do our very best without asking anything in return.