The People’s Action Party (PAP) in Singapore has committed to a broader engagement with citizens, announced Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on June 8. During a thank-you event for party activists and partners attended by around 400 individuals, Wong outlined the party’s strategy to foster two-way communication and tackle pressing issues such as mental health and climate change through the establishment of two new internal groups.

Wong emphasized that PAP Members of Parliament (MPs) aim to extend their outreach beyond party lines to engage with community groups and stakeholders effectively. He stated that this initiative is part of a larger effort to refresh and strengthen the PAP’s approach over the past six months.

The newly formed mental health group will be led by Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information and for Health, Janil Puthucheary. In parallel, a climate action group will be headed by Senior Minister of State for Manpower and Sustainability and the Environment, Koh Poh Koon. Wong pointed out that these areas are significant national priorities and will benefit from enhanced participation from activists, healthcare professionals, environmental advocates, community organizations, and citizens at large.

Wong encouraged individuals with an interest in mental health and climate change to join these groups, stating that participation is not limited to party activists. “You may not be an activist. You may be just a citizen with an interest in these issues. Join the groups too,” he urged, reinforcing the idea of inclusivity in discussions.

Additionally, the PAP plans to strengthen the role of its government parliamentary committees (GPCs), which are organized along ministry lines, to ensure that they act as effective proxies for Singaporeans in Parliament. The GPCs will provide feedback on legislation and programs, and ministries can choose to consult them for input.

This initiative reflects the PAP’s recognition of the necessity to address challenges that increasingly cross traditional demographic lines, aiming to create a more inclusive environment for discussions and policymaking in Singapore.