Posted: 17 April 2011 1402 hr
SINGAPORE: Singapore's ruling People's Action Party
has released its manifesto for the coming general election and it
is entitled "Securing Our Future Together".
The document in the four official languages was unveiled by the
Party's Secretary-General, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the
25th anniversary celebrations of the Young PAP, the official youth
wing of the People's Action Party.
In its manifesto, the PAP said Singaporeans can count on the Party
to do the best for the people from all walks of life, and to keep
the people united through good and bad times.
The PAP said together, the ruling Party will make Singapore a
vibrant and inclusive society with opportunities for a better life
for each and every citizen.
To achieve this vision, the PAP said it seeks the electorate's
mandate to realise six key objectives.
These are to create opportunities for higher incomes for all,
improve the lives of lower-income Singaporeans, bring out the best
in every child, develop a vibrant city and an endearing home, help
seniors stay active, healthy and engaged and involve all
Singaporeans in shaping the country's future.
In his message to Singaporeans in the manifesto document, PMr Lee
said the world has changed dramatically since the last general
election.
Mr Lee said nobody predicted the global economic crisis and
Singapore can't tell what uncertainties and surprises the coming
years would bring.
He however stressed that so long as Singaporeans are united,
working closely with good leaders, the country can overcome the
challenges and keep improving the people's lives.
And that is how Singapore steered through the global economic
crisis safely, said Mr Lee, who notes that in most households,
incomes have risen significantly over the last five years and
Singapore has done better than most countries.
Mr Lee said Singapore must keep looking forward and adapting to new
developments in the world, and that the government will manage the
pace of change to help Singaporeans retain their sense of belonging
and values.
In particular, the country is managing the flow of new immigrants
and helping them integrate into society so that their children grow
up just like other young Singaporeans.
Above all, Mr Lee said it is important to uphold the Singapore
Spirit that enables the country to compete in the world, constantly
improve and take the nation to the next level.
The Prime Minister said the People's Action Party has an
experienced and proven team.
It also has many new candidates who are young, energetic and
committed to serve.
Mr Lee added that the PAP's line-up also contains the core of a new
team, able in time to succeed him and his present colleagues.
The Prime Minister said Singapore's best years are ahead and so he
is calling on the electorate to vote for the team that they can
trust and for the party that will secure a better future for them
and their children.
The Manifesto
The wide-ranging manifesto has spelt out several plans to achieve
the key objective of ensuring that growth benefits all
citizens.
To achieve higher incomes for all, the PAP said it will create
fulfilling jobs and opportunities for everyone to progress,
including the lower and middle income groups. This, through a
diverse and innovative economy that will enable Singapore to
overcome the competitive challenges ahead.
It will also work with unions and firms to raise productivity and
upgrade jobs in every line of work so that all workers can raise
their skills and earn more.
Improving the lives of lower-income Singaporeans is another key
objective of the PAP.
It said every citizen will share in the country's progress and the
government is doing more to help lower-income Singaporeans to
uplift themselves and to encourage their children to discover their
strengths and do well. That is where bringing out the best in every
child is key, said the PAP.
For this, it will create one of the best education systems in the
world, giving Singaporeans of diverse abilities and interests, the
paths to develop themselves to the fullest.
The PAP also wants to involve all Singaporeans in shaping the
future. So it will enhance channels for public participation and
feedback to encourage fresh and diverse ideas and to build a broad
based consensus on key national issues.
The Party will also strive to deepen the trust among the different
races and religions and strengthen the common identity with each
new generation of Singaporeans.
-CNA/
