SINGAPORE: Lam Pin Min, the branch chairman of the Sengkang West branch of the People’s Action Party (PAP), showcased a unique twist on local politics by presenting a Labubu doll dressed in a full PAP uniform.
The doll, humorously referred to as his team’s “latest and cutest volunteer,” is catching the attention of netizens and toy collectors alike.
The Labubu doll, which has gained immense popularity among collectors, is known for its versatility as a keychain plush that can be dressed up like a traditional doll.
This particular version is outfitted in a t-shirt emblazoned with the PAP logo, matching pants, and sneakers, complete with a stylish pair of black-framed glasses.
A TikTok video featuring Lam alongside fellow PAP members Elmie Nekmat, Marcus Loh, and Theodora Lai, further popularized the doll.
They were seen passing the Labubu down the line at an HDB void deck before Elmie placed it in front of blue and red NTUC Fairprice tote bags.
The video aimed to highlight a grocery distribution welfare project aimed at assisting senior citizens in Compassvale Crescent.
@vpmlam Groceries distribution to Sengkang senior citizens at Compassvale Crescent #TeamSengkang #SengkangGRC #PAP4SG #everyvotecounts #TogetherWeCan
Netizens Advise PAP to Prioritize Policies Over Using Soft Toys to Win Votes
Mixed reactions emerged among TikTok users in the comments section of TikTok and Mothership’s Facebook post.
Some humorously wondered if Labubu had agreed to join the party, while another quipped, “I want the Labubu but without the clothes, can?”
Several comments suggested that the Labubu was a strategic move to attract the Gen Z audience, with one user noting, “Labubu to attract the Gen Z, good move.”
However, A comment cautioned against politicising cartoon characters like Labubu in Singapore’s political landscape.
He questioned whether the PAP team had secured the necessary copyright authorisation to use the cartoon character.
In a more critical tone, some users sarcastically accused the PAP Sengkang team of resorting to desperate measures to win votes ahead of the upcoming General Election in a Workers’ Party ward, while others scrutinised the funding behind the doll’s production.
Additional comments urged the PAP team to focus their campaign on the strength of their policies and their ability to serve residents effectively.
One comment remarked that most seniors would prefer a meal over a doll, questioning the wisdom of spending money on such initiatives for the election. 
The Labubu character, an elf with sharp teeth, a mischievous grin, and long bunny-like ears, was created by Hong Kong-born, Belgium-based artist Kasing Lung.
Initially introduced in children’s books in 2015, Labubu has since transformed into a designer toy after Lung secured a licensing agreement with the billion-dollar Chinese toy company, Pop Mart.
Labubu’s popularity skyrocketed earlier this year, particularly in Southeast Asia, following its association with Blackpink’s Lisa, leading to sell-outs in countries like Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore.
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