The chairman of the People's Action Party (PAP) branch at Paya Lebar, Alex Yeo, wants to apply the "ABCD Potong Pasir Spirit" towards Worker's Party (WP) -held Aljunied GRC.

Speaking at the PAP65 Awards and Convention on Sunday, Nov. 10, Yeo defined the "Potong Pasir Spirit" as Acting Beyond the Call of Duty, a lesson he learnt during his time as a volunteer at Potong Pasir.

Yeo stated that such a work ethic form the core of the PAP's work in Aljunied and Hougang.

And it was through such a work ethic that the PAP aspired to regain the trust of residents so as to represent them in Parliament, he added.

Yeo said:

"We hope that over time, we will increase the barometer of trust with our Aljunied and Hougang Residents, regain and rebuild the relationship with them and they will give us the chance to represent and serve them again."

Serving in opposition wards means having to work with a lower level of trust

Yeo further explained that working in opposition wards meant working with lower levels of trust.

As such, this meant that the PAP had to work to convince residents that they remained sincere and steadfast in their desire to serve.

He added:

"This can only be done through consistent actions, by listening, understanding and working hard over a long, sustained period of time. Trust is not only about winning minds, but also about winning hearts."

PAP has multiple social assistance programmes in Paya Lebar

Yeo then highlighted that the PAP had multiple social assistance programmes in Paya Lebar such as groceries for less privileged families, meal vouchers and education subsidies, and that such initiatives could be found across all constituencies in Singapore.

Additionally, the PAP also raised its own money for such programmes so that they could be better tailored for the needs of the residents.

As Yeo stated, citing the example of groceries for less privileged families:

"But we raised the money on our own for the Programme because we want to ensure that we can buy fresh groceries monthly that are chosen to suit the needs of our residents based on feedback from them."

Over 420 LPAs executed in Paya Lebar

Yeo further pointed to the execution of over 420 Lasting Power of Attorneys (LPAs) in the estate since March 2017, and added that this also symbolised the "ABCD Potong Pasir Spirit" approach.

He elaborated that it was a "privilege" to have the families put their trust and confidence in the PAP's team of doctors and lawyers, and that it was something which volunteers "hold dear to our hearts".

Sessions for executing an LPA were conducted as such:

"We insist that each donor, who wishes to execute an LPA, brings his or her family and the designated donees to see one of our volunteer lawyers or doctors together. We sit down with each family, for as long as it takes, to explain the legal terms of the LPA and also the intricate issues that each family could face in the future, based on their individual unique circumstances."

He added that this made the sessions reflective of how the "ABCD Potong Pasir Spirit" also means "being on the ground consistently, listening, paying attention to details, going the extra mile, caring for each other."

Who is Alex Yeo?

Yeo, 40, is a lawyer who has served as the Chairman of PAP's Paya Lebar branch in Aljunied GRC since April 2017.

Yeo previously volunteered as the PAP branch secretary in Potong Pasir SMC, and the vice-chairman of the constituency's Citizens Consultative Committee (CCC).

The constituency switched hands in the 2011 General Election, when then PAP candidate Sitoh Yih Pin succeeded in winning the seat from Lina Chiam, the wife of Singapore People's Party (SPP) chief Chiam See Tong, by 114 votes.

Sitoh retained his Potong Pasir seat four years later in the 2015 GE with a higher vote share.

Mr Yeo, an associate director in law firm Niru & Co LLC, has been a grassroots leader since the first half of 2015.

According to The Straits Times, Yeo, a graduate from National University of Singapore and the University of Sydney, is married with two children.

What is the significance of his role?

Yeo's position as branch chairman in Aljunied GRC means that he is also the leading grassroots member in an opposition ward.

And the role that grassroots organisations play in opposition-held constituencies has been the subject of strong words by WP's Secretary-General Pritam Singh.

On Oct. 15, Pritam put up a post highlighting the seven years it took to build a Barrier-Free-Access ramp in his estate, at Block 108 Bedok Reservoir Road.

He noted that in opposition wards such as Aljunied and Hougang, losing PAP candidates are made grassroots advisors, which means that all upgrading projects must be raised to them for their consideration.

What's more, the losing PAP candidates have the capacity to appoint grassroots leaders in opposition wards.

Pritam has since criticised such measures as an instance of the PAP's "divisive approach to politics" and "political double standards."

Top image from Alex Yeo Facebook