The lesser mortal’s guide to meeting your PAP MP without....
-
The lesser mortal’s guide to meeting your PAP MP without ending up in jail
OPINION
Since a 52 year old relief cabby was charged in court two weeks ago for offending his ”higher mortal” holier-than-thou and whiter-than-white PAP MP Lee Yi-Shyan during his Meet-the-People session at Bedok, we have received a deluge of letters from concerned readers expressing their worries and fears that they may end up in the same predicament if they had an unfortunate slip of tongue when meeting their PAP MPs.
For the welfare of our readers, we have compiled a simple guide for you to follow if you need to meet your PAP MP at his/her Meet-the-People sessions in the future.
1. Prepare yourself mentally: Have ZERO expectations
Before you meet your PAP MP, you should prepare yourself mentally that whatever request you asked for is unlikely to be granted. Contrary to popular belief, your PAP MP is not there to “serve” you at all. He/she is only the “Tua Pek Kong” of your constituency. In other words, he/she is just there for the purpose of formality only and is NOT obliged to help you in anything. Do not expect any help from your PAP MP. You are just there to try your luck, get it?
2. Jot down your requests on a piece of paper
Please do not overwhelm your PAP MP with endless questions, complaints and requests for assistance. Jot them down in point form one by one so that you will know exactly what to say when you meet him/her. Please share some thought for your poor PAP MP who still have to meet countless lesser mortals like you after a long day work. He/she is probably too tired to remember the details of your complaints, so keep whatever you have to say short and sweet.
3. Bring along your NRIC and a book:
Registration for most Meet-the-People sessions begin at 7pm. Please bring your NRIC along for registration and any other relevant documents. Your PAP MP will usually arrive only one to two hours later and so bring along a book or newspaper to spend the time there when waiting. Patience is not a virtue of many Singaporeans, but please bear in mind that you are there because you are in need of your PAP MP’s help and not the other way round.
4. Do not expect to meet your PAP MP
Do not be surprised or angry if your PAP MP is not on duty or he/she is unable to make it for the session in the last minute and is replaced by a senior grassroots leader. If you die-die have to meet the MP, then return another day or otherwise you can reflect your concerns to the grassroots leader. After all, the typing of the letters and liaison with other government agencies are usually done by the grassroots leaders. All the PAP MP does it to sign his/her name on the paper.
5. Basic etiquette when you meet the MP
Do not kowtow to your ultra-sensitive PAP MP in case he/she thinks you are up to something funny. On entering the room, give a deep bow and greet him/her before taking your seat.
Try to avoid eye contact when in front of the MP. Some people have a fierce gaze and the MP may mistake that as a sign of intimidation.
Your PAP MP may sound curt, rude or even downright callous in his/her tone. Regardless of what he/she says, you should nod your head in agreement and not respond.
The session will usually end in a few minutes and you should stand up and bow to your MP again before taking your leave.
Remember: don’t open your mouth unless it is really necessary or your MP may misinterpret your intention and feel threatened.
Lastly, please keep in mind (print it out if you have to) the three PAP mantras before you decide to jeopardize your livelihood by meeting your PAP MP:
1. Singaporeans are champion grumblers.
2. You die your business!
3. We are deaf to all criticisms!
Source: Temasek Review
-
It was said that at some point in times, someone is going to go mad when things dun work their way...I think temasek review authors are facing the problem now...that is why end up writing rubbish with rocks.
-
Eerily, the above is quite true.
June 14th, 2010 | 
Author: