Pritam Singh calls for closure on decades of political obstruction in access to CIPC funding
Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh has declared that it is “time to draw a line” under long-standing political barriers in the CIPC funding process, calling recent reforms a long-overdue correction to systemic bias against opposition wards.
https://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2025/04...c-funding/
Pritam Singh Calls for Closure on Decades of Political Obstruction in Access to CIPC Funding
Title: Pritam Singh calls for closure on decades of political obstruction in access to CIPC funding
Source: The Online Citizen
Author: Not specified
Publication Date: 2025-04-09 16:00:00
Article Summary:
Theme: The article focuses on the historical and ongoing challenges faced by opposition Town Councils in Singapore in accessing Community Improvement Projects Committee (CIPC) funds.
Core Points:
- Historical Bias: For decades, opposition Town Councils have faced obstacles in obtaining CIPC funding due to a requirement for the support of grassroots advisers affiliated with the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP). This practice created a systemic bias against opposition wards, with projects often delayed or stalled.
- Recent Reforms: The article highlights procedural reforms made in 2021 to the CIPC framework, which now allow opposition Town Councils to nominate projects without needing PAP support.
- Pritam Singh's Stance: Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh calls for a complete end to this politicisation of funding, arguing that it is "time to draw a line" under these long-standing hurdles.
- Ongoing Concerns: While the reforms are seen as a positive step, concerns remain as PAP-aligned Citizens' Consultative Committees (CCCs) can still submit their own proposals in non-PAP wards.
- Transparency and Accountability: The article also explores historical calls for transparency in CIPC allocation and questions about the neutrality of CCCs, which operate under the People’s Association, often staffed by PAP-affiliated individuals.
- Positive Impact: The article concludes with examples of how the revised CIPC rules are enabling direct service to residents without partisan bottlenecks.
- Call for Change: Pritam Singh reiterates his belief that electoral accountability and democratic resilience played a role in bringing about reform, declaring "Singapore and Singaporeans deserve better."