The People's Action Party (PAP) has defended a viral video released by its youth wing, thanking its activists for their "tireless work on the ground over the years".
In a Facebook post on Wednesday, the party said it "did not expect that our humble (raw and unpolished) in-house production would go viral like this."
The video was meant to be viewed internally at a party convention, but after it was uploaded to Youtube late April, it garnered unwanted traction on social and alternative media sites.
The video, which features Young PAP activists from the various constituencies, has been lambasted for its poor editing and its subjects' stiff narration of a prepared script.
The PAP's post defending the young activists who have come under attack, said: "We are proud of our YP folks, and what they have been doing on the ground; working hard to serve the people. Their effort was genuine and sincere. It reflects their spirit of activism - to serve our nation and to care for our fellow Singaporeans."
The post was accompanied by a screenshot of several politicians' online encouragements.
Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said: "Video may be raw and unpolished, but your service to our people is real and sincere. Many of us see that week-in, week-out, and in-between weeks as well. Keep it up!"
Minister of State for Trade and Industry Teo Ser Luck, as well as Tampines GRC MP Baey Yam Keng, weighed in as well.
Mr Teo acknowledged that "the video may be raw but you stepped forward (to) be counted... helping the residents with your heart."
Mr Baey said when he first saw the video last year, "it was clearly an in-house production." "It wasn't meant to be a slick corporate video. It was raw but the commitment was very real," he said.
In the PAP's latest Facebook post, Mr Baey chimed in once again, this time with anecdotes about his own Tampines North youth activists.
"Many of them work behind the scene and prefer to keep a low profile. The criticism on how some of them appear in front of the camera is unnecessary and unfair," he said.
The Young PAP recruits those aged 17 to 40 years old, and is chaired by Social and Family Development Minister Chan Chun Sing.
