The People’s Action Party (PAP) commemorates its 70th anniversary this year. Over the decades, the Party has evolved to meet Singaporeans’ changing aspirations and needs, striving to be an inclusive party for all.
This November, Petir highlights dedicated party activists. These are the unsung heroes of our Party, who tirelessly engage and serve the people of Singapore. We spoke to seven activists aged 20 to 80 to gain insights into their experience serving in the Party.
In the first part of this seven-part series, Petir spoke to octogenarian party activist Fu Chuan San about her motivation to continue serving.
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An elderly woman once approached 83-year-old Fu Chuan San, BBM(L), with an unusual request – she wanted Madam Fu to arrange her funeral after she passed away.
Mdm Fu, an activist with PAP Geylang Serai branch, recounted this story to Petir from years ago. The woman, in her seventies, lived alone in a rental flat. She had often sought help at former Member of Parliament for Marine Parade GRC Fatimah Lateef’s Meet the People sessions. As Mdm Fu was conversant in Hainanese, the woman’s dialect, the woman confided in her.
“I would visit her occasionally and ask about her wellbeing,” Mdm Fu said. “I guess she trusted me, which is why she asked me to help.”
While relatives eventually helped the resident with funeral planning, it was the trust that the resident had for Mdm Fu that left a strong impression.
Fu Chuan San: ‘Volunteering keeps the mind active and engaged.’
In 1971, Mdm Fu, who was then a warehouse executive, began volunteering with the grassroots organisations. In 1987, she joined the Party at the suggestion of Chin Harn Tong, the then-MP for Aljunied SMC, to help recruit more women activists into the branch.
“I like the PAP government because it is honest and cares for Singaporeans,” she said. “When I first joined the Party, there were only one or two active women activists out of a group of 20 in my branch. After I joined, the numbers grew, with about five women activists out of 20. When the Party established the Women’s Wing in 1989, I became the Wing’s Chair of my branch and helped recruit more women volunteers.”
Mdm Fu was also the vice-chair of Aljunied branch. She said that she was actively involved in branch activities, taking leave to help her MP campaign whenever the General Elections were held.
When former MP Lim Hwee Hua joined politics, Mdm Fu transferred to the Serangoon branch to assist Mrs Lim for three years. Subsequently, she volunteered at the Braddell Heights branch, assisting then-MP Goh Choon Kang for a few years. Mdm Fu later served at the Geylang Serai branch under the then MPs Othman Haron Eusofe and Fatimah Lateef.
“I help with translation for residents who cannot speak English, reflecting their concerns to the MP. I also explain policies to residents,” she said. “The biggest difference for volunteers nowadays is the convenience of using laptops for case writing during MPS.”
For her unwavering dedication and service to the Party, Mdm Fu has been recognised with several accolades over the years. In 2012, she received a Gold Medal, followed by a special letter of appreciation during the 2015 General Election. In 2017, she was awarded the PAPSG (PAP Seniors Group) Medal. This year, she was honoured with the Dedicated Service Award at the party awards.
On what motivates her to continue volunteering, Mdm Fu said: “Volunteering has nothing to do with age; it keeps the mind active and engaged. I take every opportunity to educate people, especially young adults, about government’s policies and their benefits.”
