SINGAPORE: The ruling People's Action Party (PAP)
can expect future general elections to be tougher contests and
should not expect any more clean sweeps and safe
wards.
This was the message from PAP Secretary-General and
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the party's convention on
Sunday.
Mr Lee said in every constituency, the "PAP must
fight, and fight to win".
He urged party activists to prepare early.
He reminded them that preparations must not just start when the
elections are approaching, but continue throughout the five-year
term.
He stressed that whatever the overall strategy and national issues,
ground work in each constituency still makes a great
difference.
This applies to constituencies that the PAP lost, such as Hougang
and Aljunied GRC, as well as wards that it won comfortably or
narrowly.
Mr Lee said one conclusion from the party's review of the general
election is the need to identify and deploy potential candidates
earlier.
He said the PAP must "avoid parachuting people in at the last
minute" and pointed out that it's already looking for potential
candidates for the next round.
- CNA/ck
