By Sharon See | Posted: 06
March 2011 1437 hrs
SINGAPORE : Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has said
Singapore will be selecting its fourth generation leaders in the
coming General Election.
He said succession planning is one of the strategies of the ruling
People's Action Party (PAP).
Mr Khaw said a party that is able to keep reforming and relating to
the needs of a new generation of voters is one that can sustain for
a long time.
Mr Khaw was speaking during a visit to Sembawang GRC on Sunday
morning.
While some Sembawang residents were taking part in an Emergency
Preparedness programme, grassroots leaders were making their rounds
in preparation for the coming General Election.
Sembawang GRC will now have five MPs, instead of six, after
Singapore's electoral map was redrawn.
Two divisions - Chong Pang, led by Law Minister K Shanmugam, and
Canberra, led by Dr Lim Wee Kiak - have been carved out to form Nee
Soon GRC.
Mr Khaw said the changes were not unexpected and would not affect
their election strategy.
He said: "The changes are within our expectations, so in fact, in
our planning, even two months ago, we have already formulated such
a scenario, and then we have restructured our committee, assuming
such a change.
"We already miss them, but if both constituencies, on contest, we
win back, that will allow us, as a team again, to work together,
even though we are in two separate GRCs. So combining the resources
of 10 very strong MPs, I think we will be able to work even better
for the residents in the north."
Mr Khaw said the redrawn boundaries would also cut down waiting
time for residents attending the weekly Meet-the-People sessions.
He said MPs in Sembawang GRC currently see up to 90 people on
average each at their weekly Meet-the-People Sessions, while MPs at
other wards typically attend to up to 50 residents each time.
Two potential candidates also made their appearance - 32-year-old
lawyer from Norton Rose, Vikram Nair; and 34-year-old commodities
trader from American financial services firm Morgan Stanley, Ong
Teng Koon, who is the son of MP for Nee Soon Central, Ong Ah
Heng.
They have been involved in grassroots activities for the past few
years.
Mr Khaw said he hopes to stay on in Sembawang GRC and gave a hint
that the neighbouring Nee Soon GRC would be led by Mr Shanmugam,
who is in charge of Chong Pang ward.
Mr Khaw said: "Incumbents will always want and hope to be able to
stay on where they are because we have spent now - at least for
some of us - at least five years bonding with the people, and it is
always very unsettling to move to another place.
"I am quite sure Mr Shanmugam will want to stay on in Chong Pang
too, just as myself in Sembawang. The team to be led by Mr
Shanmugam - if the party decides to field him there 0 will be a
very strong team."
Mr Khaw revealed some of his plans for Sembawang, which include the
Home Improve Programme and more cycling tracks that would give
residents the convenience of cycling to work.
Mr Khaw also said he has not seen much opposition activity in
Sembawang GRC, but added that Chong Pang is a popular place for
parties to meet people.
It has been some 10 months after Mr Khaw had a bypass surgery and
he said he has recovered and is ready for the General
Election.
He said: "I exercise at least four times a week, usually five
times. Each time, I run 4.5 kilometres...So we are ready for
action."
He also said he fully expects every seat to be contested, adding
that this would be good for everyone.
- CNA