SDP ventures out into community service with visit to nursing home
September 10th, 2009 | 
Author: From our Correspondent
Last weekend, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) visited a nursing home as part of its effort to “perform community service.”
This is the first time SDP has done volunteer work. It is not known which nursing home they visited.
From the photo posted on its blog, there appeared to be at least a dozen volunteers including its Chairman Gandhi Ambalan and CEC members Chee Siok Chin and John Tan, all donned in the red color of their party.
SDP used to be vilified by the public due to its frequent altercations with the government, especially its Secretary-General Dr Chee Soon Juan and his sister.
Dr Chee was convicted last Friday by a district court judge for speaking without a permit. He was fined $10,000 and will have to go to jail if he cannot pay the fine.
Despite attempts by the state media to demolish SDP, it appeared to be given a fresh lease of life in recent years with the entry of younger recruits.
As expected, the visit was not reported by journalists from the mainstream media. The only time SDP appears in the news is when Dr Chee is arrested or questioned in court.
It is not sure if the latest move by SDP is a mere publicity gimmick or part of a well-thought plan to give itself an image makeover.
While doing community service is a good way of winning goodwill from Singaporeans, it may backfire due to the party’s already embattled image which is deeply etched in the minds of Singaporeans.
Besides, the main purpose of a political party is to partake in the political life of the nation such as participating in elections, policy-making and raising public awareness of national issues and not social work.
Given the limitations in resources and time, SDP may consider spending more time and energy on grassroots work.
Without a strong grassroots machinery and support base, they will be staring down at defeat again in the next election.
Nevertheless, it is commendable that SDP has been active on the ground. Its website is updated frequently almost once every two days.
The Reform Party is also busy of late in preparation for its first dinner anniversary.
On the contrary, nothing is heard from the Workers’ Party or the Singapore People’s Party which provide the only 2 opposition MPs in Parliament.
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10 Responses to “SDP ventures out into community service with visit to nursing home”
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What SDP has done is correct. What “grassroot” work can they do? If they step on the turf of the current PAP incumbents, like what PAP did to Potong Pasir and Hougang, and unlike PAP which has the backing of the entire government machinery, you can be assured SDP will get into trouble again, somehow.
SDP visiting the old folks is putting their money where their mouth is. After all, they did say they would want to take care of the older people in Singapore if voted to power.
And you do not need a lot of money to bake cakes and drive to an old folks home and spent time with the old folks. After all, that is what they are desiring the most, visits by the young and have someone to listen to them, not big expensive gifts.
I hope SDP can keep this up.
Must wayang, wayang also wat.
“Last weekend, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) visited a nursing home as part of its effort to “perform community service.”"
I think that should be change to read “Last weekend, the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) visited a nursing home to enlighten and bring joy to the lives of the elderly and ageing population in our society.”
Sounds better, don’t you think?
Anyway, keep up the good work, SDP!
lol @ at the SDP
i think its a little too late. All you need is more news of CSJ or whoever from SDP screwing things up and getting tried in court and they are once again discredited.
Kudos though for their actions. If they can maintain this for a year perhaps the people might reconsider even thinking about voting for SDP
This is a good move by SDP, I can only hope they continue with it.
I always find it a pity that TR is the one organizing Project Kasih and TKL is the one lobbying for minibonds. These are perfect opportunities for opposition parties to increase their public profile and show that unlike the incumbents, they are truly interested in helping average Singaporeans.
@reader
Not being in an opposition, we do not know what hardship they goes through t. SDA and WP has constituency to run and PAP is not making it any easier on them. So I would not fault them for not doing community services. I am very sure they already have their hands full with jobless constituents asking for help in the MTP sessions.
THAT said, they do have their own activites.
For example, SPP held a resident’s day event last year, so maybe this year they are planning one (or maybe it is a once every two year’s thing…shrug)
http://www.spp.org.sg/photos/20080913.php
WP also walked the streets as late as last month.
http://www.wp.sg/wordpress/2009/08/coming-together-to-reach-out-and-reach-up-to-singaporeans/
In short, we should be glad ALL opposition parties are doing something, given their very limited budget and resources.
And NSP also had one outreach in Jan this year.
http://www.nsp.sg/events.php
So kudos to all the opposition parties.
(now imagine what would it like if they combined strength, they would be able to do these things maybe once per quarter…sigh)
With the recession, many people hope to oust the PAP and become MPs (at least get 5-year MP’s pay) to “serve” the constituients.
How interesting.
Now that’s rather interesting. And the state-controlled media couldn’t be bothered to cover this at all. Still running their publicity over the “balanced” and “must-read” Men In White. The ST editorial on the 10th of September was the most ridiculous I had ever seen. It was practically singing unhindered praises about the book as a must-have “tutorial for young people” and whatnot.
When was the last time PAP did something like that?