PAP turns to 'ice cream tactics' to garner support ahead of General Election
In a bizarre move, PAP Ministers and MPs have been handing out ice creams to residents ahead of upcoming GE in bid to connect with the community. While some may argue that creativity in politics is valuable, Steve Jobs' quote comes to mind: "If you want to make everyone happy, don't be a leader, sell ice cream!"
SINGAPORE: Ahead of the upcoming general election, Singapore’s ruling People's Action Party (PAP) has ramped up its community outreach with a new and inventive approach that has left many Singaporeans perplexed.
PAP Ministers and MPs have taken to the streets as 'ice cream distributors,' engaging with the community by handing out ice cream to children and the elderly.
Social media observations reveal that this ‘ice cream distribution’ initiative has been ongoing since May, and many netizens have criticized it as an election gimmick.
In addition to distributing ice cream, the PAP team uses these opportunities to update the public on the party's latest projects and policies.
In May, Low Yen Ling, PAP MP for Chua Chu Kang GRC and Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, as well as the Ministry of Trade and Industry, shared on Facebook that she enjoyed serving over 300 residents at Guilin Estate with ice cream.
Separately, Tan Kiat How, MP for East Coast GRC and Senior Minister of State for the Ministry of Digital Development and Information, as well as the Ministry of National Development, shared in a TikTok post on June 22 that his team distributed ice cream at Bedok Town Centre.
He noted that this provided a valuable opportunity for his team to gather direct feedback from residents on how to improve the constituency.
https://www.tiktok.com/@tankiathow/video/7383298655886904592?amp%3Bt=1723187287456&q=pap%20giving%20ice%20cream
Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Sustainability and the Environment, Baey Yam Keng, who is also MP for Tampines GRC, chose to distribute ice cream before National Day.
A video he shared showed a long queue of people waiting for ice cream.
Other MPs and PAP members, including Josephine Teo, Minister for Digital Development and Information and Second Minister for Home Affairs; Vikram Nair, PAP MP for Sembawang GRC; and the PAP Sengkang team led by Marcus Loh, have also showcased their 'ice cream tactics' on social media as a means to engage residents.
https://www.tiktok.com/@dr_elmienekmat/video/7386175539070979336?q=pap%20ice%20cream&t=1723194548445
