The People’s Action Party (PAP) commemorates its 70th anniversary this year. In the fourth instalment of a seven-part series, Sa’adiah Binte Abdul shared her experience serving in Kaki Bukit, an Opposition-held constituency.
Sa’adiah Binte Abdul, BBM, believes her role as an activist serving in an Opposition-held constituency, is to be there for all residents, regardless of their political affiliations.
“We serve because there are always those who believe in the PAP and trust the Party. We cannot tell them: hey, we have lost so we cannot do anything for you. They are there for us, so we must be there for them,” she told Petir.
56-year-old Madam Sa’adiah, who works in the social service sector, has been volunteering with the People’s Action Party’s Kaki Bukit division for the past 17 years. Despite the PAP losing Aljunied GRC in the 2011 General Election, she continues to serve residents.
Under the leadership of Branch Chair Shamsul Kamar, PBM, the PAP Kaki Bukit team has continued organising local programmes to assist residents in need. The team also conducts regular house visits and monthly walkabouts.
Mdm Sa’adiah’s volunteering journey started with the grassroots organisation in Kaki Bukit in 1999. A year later, she volunteered at the PAP Kaki Bukit branch. She said that as a grassroots leader, she had accompanied residents to Meet-the-People sessions where they sought assistance. To better understand the issues faced by residents, Madam Sa’adiah decided to volunteer at these sessions directly.
In 2007, Mdm Sa’adiah joined the Party after Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim became the MP overseeing Kaki Bukit.
“Associate Prof Faishal encouraged me that joining would deepen my understanding of policies,” she said. “There would also be training for activists to learn more about policies and schemes. His guidance opened my heart to this path, and I have trust in the Party.”
Sa’adiah remains hopeful that the Party will regain residents’ trust
Mdm Sa’adiah currently holds the positions of Women’s Wing Chair at the Kaki Bukit Branch and Executive Committee member of the WW.
Over the years, Mdm Sa’adiah has assisted many residents, including a woman in her thirties who was struggling to care for her family. She had three sons, and a daughter aged two to seven. The eldest daughter had autism, and the husband had lost his job. They also had to care for their elderly parents.
“It wasn’t easy for her,” Mdm Sa’adiah said. “So, I helped her get financial aid from the Social Service Office and the Community Development Council to find her husband a job.”
Eventually, the family’s lives improved. The woman supplemented her income by baking cookies. In 2019, the couple bought a three-room flat and moved out of her parents’ home.
“She appreciated my help,” Mdm Sa’adiah said. “I told her: I can only journey with you. You and your family made the changes. I was very happy for her.”
Mdm Sa’adiah said that the satisfaction she gets from helping others motivates her to continue to serve. She received a Silver Medal in this year’s Party Awards for her contribution to the Party.
“I’m grateful to my Branch Chairman for the recognition. While there’s always room to improve as a Party activist, the team’s unwavering support motivates me to continue serving in Aljunied GRC. The residents’ trust in the Party is what keeps me going.”
Undeterred by the challenges activists face in an Opposition-held constituency, Mdm Sa’adiah remains hopeful they will regain residents’ trust.
“When we trust the party, our team grows stronger,” she said. “We are proud to go out there in white-on-white attire. We want residents to know we’re here for them, not just during general elections but always.”
ICYMI, read other stories under this series:
Freddy Ang: ‘LKY always reminded us that residents’ welfare is most important.’
Fu Chuan San: ‘A resident trusted me with her funeral after her passing.’
Clarence Ching: ‘Empathy and patience is powerful, even when people shout at you.’
