Back from the latest gossip with the usual Sunday suspects at the prata joint.
You have heard about PAP MP's Foo Mee Har and Baey Yam Keng suddenly becoming charitable about serving the peasants on a near full time basis. So what is going on?
Well it is not exactly a new strategy but an expansion of an old strategy that was first used after Barisan walked. For convenience I am going to call it the "Ang Hin Kee" strategy who is the PAP MP for the Prime Minister's GRC at Ang Mo Kio and new.
The "Ang Hin Kee" strategy first came into being in the late 60s and 70s where basically potential and existing PAP MPs were given jobs to in PAP controlled or influenced entities to raise their income level but more importantly to motivate them to serve their constituencies on a near full time basis. The usual suspects are NTUC, NUS, later SPH especially the Research Unit and GLCs. This new MP is a classic example. All you have to do is look at his CV and if this guy has a career of any sense of the word, call me Charlie.
In the late 80s, these job schemes fell out of favour except for a few who really could not get any decent employment such as Irene Ng, Seng Han Tong etc. At that time, the focus switched to technocrats, scholars and the children of former MPs who due to links and connections have scaled the social ladder. Unfortunately these people have become detached from the heartland. Their kids are also in the different zone. The bad showing in 2011 has also made it clear that being connected to the ground is important as WP has demonstrated.
So the emergence of the "Ang Hin Kee" strategy which I am told will help recover the lost ground. MPs are being asked to consider more full time engagement with ground. It appeals to those whose career have plateaued or not going anywhere. Their employers are either friends of the PAP or are connected to the PAP and give token roles roles but the income is likely to come from appointments to Govt roles and board appointments in GLCs and friendly companies.
Note Baey is covering Tampines which is on shaky ground. Now West Coast GRC where Foo Mee Har is is considered PAP territory to the core having had walk-overs in the past and with poor showing by RP and KJ in the last GE. Does the Govt know something about West Coast. Have their listening posts picked up signals of a new opposition party perhaps with credible professionals. As this is Tan Cheng Bock's hunting ground after Ayer Rajah was dismantled as an SMc, is the man behind something. Remember when he was MP for Ayer Rajah, his winning margin was impressive . Did he retire recently to do something more full time.
Interesting times.
ps. Look at PAP MP Low Yen Ling's occupation in her CV. Imagine collects MP pay yet can put down that description as an occupation. If anyone gave that kind of description in their CV and applied for a job, it will certainly go in the bin. No manners.
You have heard about PAP MP's Foo Mee Har and Baey Yam Keng suddenly becoming charitable about serving the peasants on a near full time basis. So what is going on?
Well it is not exactly a new strategy but an expansion of an old strategy that was first used after Barisan walked. For convenience I am going to call it the "Ang Hin Kee" strategy who is the PAP MP for the Prime Minister's GRC at Ang Mo Kio and new.
The "Ang Hin Kee" strategy first came into being in the late 60s and 70s where basically potential and existing PAP MPs were given jobs to in PAP controlled or influenced entities to raise their income level but more importantly to motivate them to serve their constituencies on a near full time basis. The usual suspects are NTUC, NUS, later SPH especially the Research Unit and GLCs. This new MP is a classic example. All you have to do is look at his CV and if this guy has a career of any sense of the word, call me Charlie.
In the late 80s, these job schemes fell out of favour except for a few who really could not get any decent employment such as Irene Ng, Seng Han Tong etc. At that time, the focus switched to technocrats, scholars and the children of former MPs who due to links and connections have scaled the social ladder. Unfortunately these people have become detached from the heartland. Their kids are also in the different zone. The bad showing in 2011 has also made it clear that being connected to the ground is important as WP has demonstrated.
So the emergence of the "Ang Hin Kee" strategy which I am told will help recover the lost ground. MPs are being asked to consider more full time engagement with ground. It appeals to those whose career have plateaued or not going anywhere. Their employers are either friends of the PAP or are connected to the PAP and give token roles roles but the income is likely to come from appointments to Govt roles and board appointments in GLCs and friendly companies.
Note Baey is covering Tampines which is on shaky ground. Now West Coast GRC where Foo Mee Har is is considered PAP territory to the core having had walk-overs in the past and with poor showing by RP and KJ in the last GE. Does the Govt know something about West Coast. Have their listening posts picked up signals of a new opposition party perhaps with credible professionals. As this is Tan Cheng Bock's hunting ground after Ayer Rajah was dismantled as an SMc, is the man behind something. Remember when he was MP for Ayer Rajah, his winning margin was impressive . Did he retire recently to do something more full time.
Interesting times.
ps. Look at PAP MP Low Yen Ling's occupation in her CV. Imagine collects MP pay yet can put down that description as an occupation. If anyone gave that kind of description in their CV and applied for a job, it will certainly go in the bin. No manners.
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