Criteria for Elected Members of Parliament to be Invited to Residents Network-organised Events

87 Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Culture, Community and Youth (a) what specific criteria does the People's Association use to determine whether an elected Member of Parliament (MP) can be invited to a Residents Network-organised event in their constituency; and (b) what policies are in place to ensure that all elected MPs, regardless of party affiliation, have equal opportunities to attend these publicly-funded events within their constituencies.

Mr Edwin Tong Chun Fai: The People’s Association (PA) is a Statutory Board under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth. Its mission includes fostering social cohesion and racial harmony, building a strong and resilient community as well as good people-to-people and people-to-Government ties. This is the core purpose of PA’s activities and programmes, which are open to everyone to attend, regardless of their background and political affiliation.

We have explained previously, in past Parliamentary Questions, that PA does not conduct any activity with any political party, nor does it allow its events or venues to be used for partisan purposes by any political party. In line with these principles, PA does not invite persons in their capacity as politicians to events that it organises or co-organises.