PAP deserves to be voted out if it becomes incompetent :
PM Lee
The People's Action Party deserves to be voted out, if ever it
becomes incompetent, corrupt and lets the people down, says Prime
Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
He indicated this in a written interview with the Japanese media -
a curtain raiser to his visit to Japan starting
tomorrow.
The Japanese media had asked if PAP would be voted out, just as it
happened in Japan last month, when the long-governing Liberal
Democratic party lost the general election.
Mr Lee said politics in Singapore is always evolving.
The country has progressively updated its political system in
response to changes in society and the aspirations of
Singaporeans.
The government is also making changes to encourage a wider range of
views in Parliament, both from opposition and the
government.
Mr Lee pointed out that the PAP must continue to serve the people
well.
If it doesn't, the people can choose an alternative
government.
But Mr Lee added PAP would do its utmost to ensure this doesn't
happen.
On Japan, PM Lee said it's important for Singapore to understand
the profound changes taking place in Japan.
He stressed both countries must continue to find new areas to
cooperate for mutual benefit.
Mr Lee suggested that one area could be APEC.
Singapore is chairing APEC this year, and Japan the
next.
He said this conjunction offers a unique opportunity for both
countries to promote trade and finance flows as well as growth for
the Asia-Pacific region.
On a question of how Singapore and Japan can work together to boost
each other's economy, Mr Lee stressed that in the current global
economic downturn, both countries must reiterate their commitment
to free trade.
Singapore and Japan-based companies can also cooperate in promising
markets such as China and India, as well as those emerging in Asean
and Middle East.
Beyond economics, Mr Lee said Japan should play a political role,
and hopes it will conitnue to strengthen cooperation with Asian
countries , while nurturing close relationship with the United
States.
Prime Minister Lee will be in Japan from 5th to 8th
October.
He will be meeting Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and other Japanese
political and business leaders.
--938Live
