Firdaus' Appointment Draws Backlash Amid Questions Over Grassroots, Elected Roles

The appointment of Ahmad Firdaus Daud as second grassroots adviser in Kembangan has drawn criticism online, largely over the fact that he was not elected by residents.

The appointment follows the sudden resignation of former Kembangan-Chai Chee MP Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, who also relinquished his grassroots role.

Firdaus, a PAP reserve candidate at GE2025, will take over Faishal's grassroots responsibilities from Sept 1.

The reactions come amid a longstanding overlap in how Singapore's electoral and grassroots systems are perceived.

While they are separate roles, MPs often also serve as advisers to PA grassroots organisations in the same areas they are elected. On the other hand, opposition wards are often also served by advisers affiliated with the PAP.

The arrangement has previously faced scrutiny, including during GE2025 when WP chief Pritam Singh criticised unelected grassroots advisers in opposition wards receiving information and carrying out community functions not extended to elected opposition MPs.

The issue also surfaced in Sengkang, where PAP's Lam Pin Min addressed the notion that residents could elect the opposition while still having PAP representatives serving through the grassroots network.

This close relationship has contributed to grassroots advisers being associated with electoral representation, despite the positions being separate.

Grassroots advisers are appointed by the PA, and their terms are not tied to Parliament.

A parliamentary response in April 2026 also clarified that grassroots advisers who are not MPs are not Public Service officers and receive no remuneration, allowance or other benefits for the role.