The People’s Action Party (PAP) commemorates its 70th anniversary this year. In the second installment of a seven-part series, Petir interviewed Freddy Ang, Vice-Chairman and former Branch Secretary of the PAP Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru division. Mr Ang recounted his experiences working alongside the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who served as the Member of Parliament for that constituency.
When serving under Mr Lee Kuan Yew, the late founding Secretary-General of the People’s Action Party, Freddy Ang Ngoh Ho, Vice-Chairman of the PAP Tanjong Pagar-Tiong Bahru Branch, was always reminded to prioritise residents’ welfare and exercise fiscal responsibility.
Mr Ang served as the branch’s assistant secretary and later secretary from 1998 until after the 2020 General Election when he stepped down. During Mr Lee’s tenure as Member of Parliament for Tanjong Pagar GRC, Mr Ang accompanied him to party and grassroots events, assisting the former Prime Minister in constituency work.
“He would remind us to be responsible. He placed great importance on the welfare of residents,” Mr Ang said. “He also cautioned the need for prudence, advising us not to spend carelessly but to be thrifty. Whenever he attended events, he would be like a ‘satellite’, observing the surroundings and ensuring everything was in order.”
Mr Ang told Petir that his journey as a volunteer began during the 1988 General Election when he and his friends joined the Tanjong Pagar branch to help distribute pamphlets to other branches.
Driven by a passion to serve the community, he joined the Party in 1991. After leaving his regional sales job, he regularly assisted at Mr Lee’s Meet-the-People’s sessions, working alongside former MPs, the late Ch’ng Jit Koon and Associate Professor Koo Tsai Kee, as well as current MP Indranee Rajah, who oversaw the sessions. His team also organised regular house visits to ensure the residents’ well-being.
Among the cases he assisted, a retired Indian woman in her seventies left a deep impression on Mr Ang. His team met the woman through a house visit. She had lived with her mother, who was in her nineties, in a rental flat.
Mr Ang shared: “She left a deep impression because, like other older Singaporeans, she typically resolved issues on her own and sought help only when necessary. Over the years, she often visited our Meet-the-People sessions, not necessarily for assistance but to connect. We became friends.”
As the advisor to several trade associations, Mr Ang regularly visits Tanjong Pagar constituency several times a week to have coffee with fellow activists. He also meets activists and residents at Tiong Bahru market every Sunday for breakfast and coffee.
Freddy Ang: It is important to connect with and build trust among the community
Mr Ang noted that being a good party activist means doing your best to help residents, even if some of them have very high expectations. “[Some] are more demanding and expect immediate service from the government. We try to adapt to these changing expectations.”
He added: “Even when an appeal seems unlikely to succeed, we do not turn away residents. They know we have tried our best to assist them. When issues arise, they turn to us for help.”
With a dedication spanning over three decades, Mr Ang emphasised the importance of connecting with and building trust among the community. He has found the most rewarding aspect of volunteering to be the enduring relationships built with residents over the years.
Mr Ang pointed out that our party’s track record in serving consistently across decades is a direct rebuttal to hackneyed accusations that help is only given when general elections are due.
“Residents greet us warmly, and their willingness to seek our help makes volunteering truly rewarding,” he said. “These connections are crucial as they enable us to continue serving them, irrespective of whether General Elections take place. ”
As the Party celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, Mr Ang looks forward to its centennial celebration.
“Our Party’s commitment to Singapore’s growth has been truly inspiring. I hope to witness the 100th anniversary if I’m still around. With our current team of leaders, I believe we can make it happen.”
ICYMI, read other stories under this series: Fu Chuan San: ‘A resident trusted me with her funeral after her passing.’
