Apr 5, 2011 - Straits Times
QUITE a number of the new candidates who will be fielded by the
People's Action Party (PAP) for the coming general elections did
not excel academically but they have other important qualities,
said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday night.
Declaring that the party is 'proud' of the over 20 new
candidates it has picked from the more than 200 people it had met
for tea , Mr Lee said: 'We decided not to field many who had
outstanding qualifications.
'But we are fielding quite a number of who did not excel
academically, but who possess other important qualities.'
If elected, they will be given responsibilities to test their
mettle and ability to solve problems for the people, said PM Lee,
speaking on Leadership Renewal: The 4th Generation and Beyond, to
an audience of 1,200, mostly undergraduates, at the Kent Ridge
ministerial forum at the University Cultural Centre.
Within two terms, the new MPs will have to choose from among
themselves the new leadership team and a new PM.
Mr Lee also spoke of the systematic leadership renewal within
the PAP, which consistently turned over more than a quarter to
one-third of MPs at each general elections, including a change in
Prime Minister and Ministers.
This has kept the party 'vigorous and in touch with successive
new generations, despite many years in power,' he said.
It also ensured that the system delivered high quality
government, which is honest, efficient, competent and creative, add
PM Lee.
