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Why is such an “expensive administrative structure” necessary in the People’s Association (PA) when most of its work is carried out by grassroots volunteers and voluntary worker organizations, asked Progress Singapore Party non-constituent member of parliament. (PSP) (NCMP) Leong Mun Wai 梁文辉 in Parliament on Monday (March 8).
Speaking about the role of the Palestinian Authority during the supply committee debate on Monday, Leong questioned the large budget allocated, noting that the Palestinian Authority’s cost per staff appears to be higher than that of GovTech or the Internal Revenue Authority. Singapore (IRAS), both with a high proportion of professional staff.
“To put things in perspective, the Palestinian Authority’s operating spending in fiscal year 2021 is S $ 589 million with 2,565 employees. In comparison, the cost of running IRAS is S $ 432 million with 2,050 employees and GovTech S $ 403 million with 4,610 employees, ”he explained.
Mr. Leong also noted that the Palestinian Authority spent just S $ 199 million or 30 percent of its operating costs on activities and projects in fiscal 2020, while the remaining S $ 441 million, or S $ 70 per one hundred were spent on administration.
“Why is such an expensive administrative structure needed when the main job of the Palestinian Authority is to be a bridge between the government and citizens and much of the work of the Palestinian Authority is carried out by grassroots volunteers and grassroots organizations. volunteer workers? ” I ask.
While expressing “unconditional support” for the work done by Palestinian Authority staff and volunteers to “strengthen the social fabric” in Singapore, Mr. Leong also wondered if more could be done to redefine the role of the Authority. Palestine at a high level and ensuring that the funds it receives are channeled into areas that help those most in need.
In response, the Parliamentary Secretary for Culture, Community and Youth and Social and Family Development, Eric Chua, emphasized that the mission of the Palestinian Authority is to “build the cohesion of our population – a reservoir of social capital and goodwill that is based on trust between the people and the government. “
This social capital accumulated during peacetime would be crucial and useful in times of crisis, such as the current global pandemic, said Mr. Chua.
He went on to reveal that the Palestinian Authority’s $ 796 million budget is comprised of Singapore $ 207 million for development, to build and improve community clubs, and Singapore $ 589 million for operating expenses.
However, Mr. Chua said that it is “not very meaningful” to compare the PA’s staffing and budget ratio with agencies like IRAS like GovTech, as the PA runs a large number of community facilities across the country that they are staffed by full-time staff.
This includes 108 community clubs and 665 resident committee centers that require regular maintenance and operating costs.
“The Palestinian Authority’s budget allows it to continue its peacetime mission of providing our people, thousands, every day, with activities that enrich and enjoy them,” Chua said, adding: “It also enables construction of networks and communities: relationships of trust “.
He went on to say: “The proof of the pudding is in eating and there is no doubt that the Palestinian Authority has proven its worth in the past year.
In his questions, Mr. Leong had also requested the distribution of Palestinian Authority leaders, staff and volunteers who are members of the political parties.
He noted: “If it is so heavily funded by taxpayer money, we want the Palestinian Authority to be a real organization for the people with its leadership and membership not biased towards any political party.”
To this, Mr. Chua said: “As answered earlier in this chamber, the political affiliations of the volunteers are not relevant to our consideration in the participation of the volunteers in the Palestinian Authority, because the mission of the Palestinian Authority is focused fundamentally in the construction of the community “.
Mr. Leong also asked about the Community Development Council (CDC) budget as a percentage of the Palestinian Authority budget, in light of recent discussions on the CDC.
Mr. Chua did not respond to this specific question.
