PAP plans to turn 60 with a bang

The People's Action Party (PAP) turns 60 this year and will mark the milestone with several events, including an anniversary dinner and a rally at the year end.

In a media release yesterday, Mr Lawrence Wong, who chairs the PAP60 organising committee, said: "It is important for us to look to the future, to mobilise party members to continue to work hard and move forward together in our service to Singaporeans."

The themes of the diamond jubilee are "forward together" and "a brighter tomorrow".

The party will also return to its roots by holding a separate commemorative event in November in the Victoria Concert Hall, where it was founded on Nov 21, 1954.

A book featuring 60 defining moments in the PAP's history will be launched then as a tribute to its pioneer members.

A mobile exhibition will also highlight the party's key moments and the stories of its activists.

"We have come this far because of the commitment and dedication of our people. So this is a time for us to recognise the hard work and contributions of all our activists," said Mr Wong, who is Minister for Culture, Community and Youth.

More than 6,000 party activists are expected to take part in the celebrations.

They will launch several projects to address specific issues in the community.

"The PAP activists are contributing to the community on a daily basis. It's the very DNA of the party - to be action-oriented, to serve and to get things done on the ground for the benefit of our people," said Mr Wong.

Each of the 87 party branches will also have banners, posters and video clips so that they can organise their own smaller exhibitions.

The party's statement noted that "as the ruling party since Singapore attained self-government, the PAP's history is closely intertwined with that of modern Singapore".

The PAP was founded 11 years before Singapore became independent.

This article was first published on July 12, 2014.
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