"One clear lesson which we have picked up from this and previous
GEs is that we have to deploy our candidates as early as possible,
and in a more challenging environment even earlier than before,"
said Prime Minister
Lee Hsien Loong.
Speaking at a thank-you dinner on Friday for MPs who retired after the May GE, he added this would
allow candidates time to get to know residents, learn the ropes,
understand what being a PAP MP means and discover their strengths
and weakness, reported The Straits
Times.
The PAP usually begins its search for about 20 new candidates a
year or so after the last GE.
One clear lesson... is that we have to deploy our candidates as
early as possible, and in a more challenging environment even
earlier than before PM Lee
PM Lee said the party is looking out for candidates who "fit the
standard mould", people who "break the mould but make a special
contribution to the team", and people with a "proven dedication and
skills in working the ground and reaching out to residents".
And while the new team might come from diverse backgrounds, the
should be cohesive and work as a team, he said. "I urge
Singaporeans who have the passion to serve Singapore, and believe
they have a contribution to make, to come forward and join us."
PM Lee also reminded current MPs that getting elected is "only
the first step". New MPs will have to "cultivate the ground pick up
from where their predecessors left off, build up the support and
loyalty that comes only from hard work and patient service."
They will also have to "work closely with the ministers in
Parliament and outside to improve our
policies, explain them to the public, to realise our goals for
Singapore", he was quoted by the paper as saying.
To meet the needs of a new electorate, they will need to consult
and engage more to co-create solutions and build shared ownership,
he added.
Former PAP chairman
Lim Boon Heng also noted
the new phase of Singapore's politics with the PAP's
unprecedented loss of six seats to
the opposition.
The PAP must be more closely knit, he stated.
"Our future depends on how our party and the Workers Party
perform. What posture will each take? Will we have constructive
politics, or negative politics?" he asked.
The paper quoted him as saying, "If negative politics prevail,
and our younger leaders become reluctant to introduce right but
unpopular policies, we will lose a strength of the past - that of
being able to look long-term, to shape our future."
A total of 22 PAP MPs, who retired at the recent polls, were
honoured. They include Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon
and Professor Koo Tsai Kee.
PM Lee also paid tribute to two PAP MPs, Dr Ong
Chit Chung and Dr Balaji Sadasivan,
who died during the previous electoral term, and thanked Hougang
grassroots advisor Eric Low too, saying he had a difficult role in
winning over residents in an opposition ward.
