In a heated exchange, the People’s Action Party (PAP) and the Progress Singapore Party (PSP) have accused each other of harassment during a recent walkabout in Bukit Gombak. The incident, which took place on 6 January 2024, has raised significant concerns about conduct during political engagements.
Allegations by PSP
According to PSP volunteer S. Nallakaruppan, members of his party were conducting outreach efforts in Goodview Gardens when they encountered PAP volunteers. Nallakaruppan described how PAP members allegedly followed and harassed them, asserting that the area was “their territory.”
- PSP volunteers reported taking photos and videos of their interactions.
- They claimed that despite attempts to ask PAP volunteers to engage elsewhere, the harassment continued.
PAP’s Response
Low Yen Ling, the Member of Parliament for Chua Chu Kang GRC, responded to these allegations, stating that the PSP had “twisted the truth.” In her account, she recounted that:
- A PAP volunteer was physically restrained by PSP members in a lift.
- Insults were hurled at PAP volunteers, and derogatory terms were used.
Low also noted incidents where female PAP volunteers felt threatened by being recorded without consent, leading to instances of online harassment, known as doxxing — a serious concern in current digital interactions.
Calls for Investigation
Both parties have indicated that they welcome a thorough police investigation to uncover the truth behind these events. Low mentioned that while there was consideration of filing a police report, they opted against it at the time but are keen for transparency.
Political Implications
This incident isn’t a first for PSP, as Nallakaruppan reminded followers about a similar occurrence in November 2023. The increasing tensions between political groups during outreach activities call for a reassessment of engagement strategies among Singapore’s political bodies.
Dr Tan Cheng Bock, PSP’s Chairman, has expressed strong condemnation of what he described as bullying behaviour, emphasising that civil discourse should prevail in political engagements.
As both parties await further developments, the public remains attentive to the findings of this unfolding situation, which reflects the challenging landscape of Singapore’s political climate.