The MP will then write letters to the relevant ministry, statutory board or any concerned parties to appeal on behalf of the constituent.
These letters are usually accorded a higher priority by the Civil Service as they come from elected Members of Parliament, regardless even from elected opposition MPs as the Singapore Civil Service is ought to accord MPs equally and democratic as based and sworn by the Singapore National Pledge.
The list is not exhaustive such as family financial problems (e.g. health-cost issues, jobs seeking, financial assistance), CPF matters, various licenses, HDB-related problems (e.g. subsidised rental housing, obtaining a subsidised HDB flat), immigration issues, and appeals for school admissions and school fee subsidy,[1] neighbor and any other relational disputes.
Almost all Meet-the-People Sessions start after 7pm and can routinely last past midnight based on queue, and are staffed by partisan volunteers.
Criticisms include the use of standard templates for many of the appeal letters which are repetitive, an inability to accommodate constituents with disabilities and a lack of empathy towards fellow Singaporeans.