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| New media used at PAP convention |
| 1 Nov 2009 |
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For the first time, the new media was used at the People's Action Party or PAP Convention held today.
Proceedings during the convention were broadcast via the party's website.
Netizens also posted comments using Twitter and party members sent questions via SMS to the panelists during the question and answer session.
Three political films were screened during the Party Awards ceremony last night and at the Convention as well.
Zaqy Mohamad is the advisor of the Young PAP media team.
" I think generally the perception out there is that the PAP has never never really engaged in the new media space and as a party the perception is that we're also behind everyone else. Today's session was a breakthrough, not just we use the new media in a major PAP convention, but also the fact that we've taken it beyond the four walls, which traditionally when you look at how we ran conventions before, it's always been closed door sessions and for the first time we actually had live feeds out."
Party activists made speeches for the first time at the annual party gathering.
A total of six activists took to the stage to present their views, concerns and ideas.
One of them is Siglap branch member Chan Hui Yuh, who spoke of the need to build consensus within the party.
"There were repeated calls for the politics of consensus. Many activists felt strongly about the need to have more consensus or buy-in within the party, be they of policies or other political issues, before we can reach out to the rest of Singapore."
However, Kebun Baru branch chairman, Inderjit Singh felt that consensus building doesn't mean members need to agree to everything.
But that members should participate actively in debates, address the issues and find solutions.
"This issue about 'yes man', many of us have shown that within the party, we are willing to challenge policies, we are willing to challenge Ministers on their policies. Similarly, we have many of our activists who are willing to give their contrary views and still accepted by the party." |