PAP has enough talent to form next generation leaders

Clivebenss SG

By Imelda Saad | Posted: 28 November 2010 2138 hrs

SINGAPORE : Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said when elected, the People's Action Party (PAP) will have enough talent to form the nucleus of next generation leaders.

At the party's conference on Sunday, six young party members took to the stage to speak on what they wanted for their country.

Party members have been told that they will have to work harder ahead of the next General Election (GE) as more seats are likely to be contested.

It's the clearest indication yet that the party has found itself a good slate of potential candidates.

As PM Lee puts it, it is critical not just for the party but also for Singapore. That's because the country's next prime minister and a core team of leaders should be people in their 30s and 40s.

Speakers approached by Channel NewsAsia were however coy about being flagged as potential candidates.

"It is a serious commitment and everyone of us who's serious about contributing to the society must consider carefully. But right now, I'm working in a constituency. I'm extremely excited going about my branch work, and this is what I joined the party for," said PAP member Desmond Choo.

The 32-year-old deputy director from the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) has been active in grassroots since 2005, but joined the party only in January this year.

He has been helping Tampines residents alongside National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan.

Mr Choo said: "It is about getting as close to the ground as you can get… If there are problems on the ground, you see it. If there are policies that don't work, you see it, and you give that immediate response.

"And for me it's an opportunity to put what I believe in into action. I believe in helping the people, that youths should go beyond just words, to go down to the ground and do it."

Younger party members said they found their calling in the service of the community.

32-year-old lawyer Vikram Nair, who's been helping Law Minister K Shanmugam at the Chong Pang ward in Sembawang, is one.

"In many ways I've enjoyed Singapore at its best - good education, good job. But what I realised is that there are a lot of other people who are struggling to get by day to day. And at the MPS (Meet-the-People Sessions), you meet some of the poorest people in Singapore and those who have the most difficulties, and you realise you can help them. I think it's quite important that just because you are doing well, you can't let others fall behind," said Vikram Nair, PAP member.

For some, it was the belief in core fundamental values that hold Singapore together.

40-year-old cardiologist Dr Abdul Razakjr spoke of how his father rose from a humble background, and that success in Singapore is not about "fate", "birthrights" or "privileges".

He said: "From him, I learnt (a lot). He made the best of what he had and he did not wallow in self-pity. Fundamental values remain unchanged, we need a meritocratic society where real opportunities to excel exists, regardless of race, language and religion."

Dr Abdul Razakjr has been active at the PAP's Jurong Central branch division.

When asked about their reactions to the ruling party's preparations, the opposition parties said they are also recruiting.

Secretary-General of the National Solidarity Party, Goh Meng Seng told Channel NewsAsia that recruitment has been steady. He added the party is in a good position to contest 7 Group Representation Constituencies (GRC).

Mr Goh added younger members in their 20s and 30s have also stepped up to the plate and some will be fielded at the next GE.

"We're now at the final stretch, which is fixing the teams according to the boundaries. Our position all along is to field as many candidates as possible. Singaporeans deserve a chance to vote but there are uncertainties because the boundaries are not out," he said.

Secretary-General of the Reform Party Kenneth Jeyaretnam said his party is prepared for elections.

"We are proud of the small number of candidates that we do have. They are all devoted to the struggle for democracy - a democracy aspiring to security, happiness and prosperity for all Singaporeans. We still need more candidates, time to prepare the candidates currently waiting in the wings, and funds for the campaign," he told Channel NewsAsia.

Observers said the ground may be sweet on the back of good economic growth.

But that may also pose a challenge to the PAP.

"I think when the economy is doing well, Singaporeans may be more willing to give the other parties an opportunity to see how they perform in Parliament. There is also that greater desire for a variety of voices in Parliament," said Eugene Tan, Assistant Professor, School of Law, Singapore Management University (SMU).

The parties are now waiting for the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee to release its report, which will outline the number of GRCs, single-member constituencies (SMCs) and their boundaries based on voter numbers.

The committee was convened in October.

- CNA /ls

I-like-flings(m) SG

based on their QC policy... there's like 4M talent in sg what... of cos enough lah.. if still not enough just import somemore from m'sia or china or india lor...

onźźa SG

Talent , right vote them . Vote them for high value for HDB flats.

Rock^Star SG

Talent is a very misused word here. What talent is there when money is thrown at all the problems that we have?

Raise ERP, retirement age, parents maintenance act, raise GST, give progress package GST rebates etc, raise ministerial salary, open floodgates for foreigners to boost GDP...haha what talent?

Clivebenss SG

talents in squeezing out more money from the people.

Hitman 778 SG

they have plenty of people reduced to slaves n dumb foreigners in spore.

likeyou SG

We need candidates that have compassion and love to serve the pple. Make that one of the must requirements on their resume.

Clivebenss SG

By Li Xueying, Political Correspondent

THE People's Action Party is confident of presenting 'a first-class slate of candidates' at the next general election, which is due by February 2012.

More than 240 potential election candidates have been invited for 'tea', and more than 40 have been interviewed by a committee chaired by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Disclosing the figures during the PAP's biennial party conference yesterday, Mr Lee, who is also PAP secretary-general, said the party 'will have enough talent to form the nucleus of the next generation of leaders' when the new candidates are elected.

He did not say how many of those interviewed would be fielded, adding that he would continue looking for more.

The party has traditionally replaced about a quarter of its MPs at each election, numbering between 20 and 25.

The PAP has put in 'enormous effort' in hunting for promising candidates, not only in Singapore but also among those overseas, he said.

Medicated Oil SG

If you considered the present butch as talent, then expect more surprises and shock in the near future.

Just examine how serious issues are resolved without any real accountability and transparency.

See how queries were explained in the high handed manner.

The word "talent" is in the eye of the beholder.

No one join them for serving others.

All join to get priority in getting flat and parking space.

No one is there to serve others except for themselves.

Serving other cannot be tested or tracked.

mandulumrawks SG

LEAKED LIST OF PAP CANDIDATES FOR UPCOMING GENERAL ELECTIONS

ONG YE KUNG Assistant Secretary-General, NTUC

TAY LIM HENG Deputy CEO, Keppel Integrated Engineering

OON JIN TEIK Outgoing CEO, Singapore Sports Council and Incoming Group Executive Vice President, Hyflux

TAN SU SHAN Managing Director and Head of Private Banking, DBS

DR JANIL PUTHUCHEARY Medical Director, Faculty Development, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School & Senior Consultant, Children's Intensive Care, KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH)

DR TAN WU MENG Department of Medical Oncology, National Cancer Centre

LAM PIN WOON Ex-CEO, Health Promotion Board

TAY PING HUI Actor, Mediacorp

FOO MEE HAR Global Head, Premium Banking, Standard Chartered Bank

MARY YEO Vice President, Supply Chain Operations, South District, UPS

ABDUL RAZAKJR Consultant Cardiologist and Clinical Director of Cardiac Electrophysiology and Pacing, National University Heart Centre

DESMOND CHOO Deputy Director, Youth Development Unit, NTUC

VIKRAM NAIR Associate, Norton Rose Asia

GAN THIAM POH Senior Vice President, Institutional Banking, DBS

Junyang700 SG

LOL... how did u get that....

Askingyouto SG

Saw some of their candidates for the election, some of them look like they will bark," Get out of my elite uncaring face."

likeyou SG

Saw some of their candidates for the election, some of them look like they will bark," Get out of my elite uncaring face."

I dont really know who are they....hopefully not those who only help pap to suck the pple dry and clean.

Clivebenss SG

I dont really know who are they....hopefully not those who only help pap to suck the pple dry and clean.

birds of a feather flock together.

4sg SG

So Tay Ping Hui is on the list.

Quickly got married so that he can be included.

Wonder what he can contribute to politic.

Askingyouto SG

All those people sounded rich to me with their high and mighty titles, what do they know about struggling Sinkaporeans? We need passionate people like him, people who is not afraid of adversities and know the common people well.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lech_Wa%C5%82%C4%99sa

Junyang700 SG

So Tay Ping Hui is on the list.

Quickly got married so that he can be included.

Wonder what he can contribute to politic.

Celebrity votes?

Askingyouto SG

Hope aunties will have a clear mind when voting, please don't vote for Tay Ping Hui just because he appear in a lot of aunties dramas, vote for the sake of their sons and daughters.

Junyang700 SG

Apparantly TPH doesnt seem very popular.... some say he's very cold.

likeyou SG

Apparantly TPH doesnt seem very popular.... some say he's very cold.

Vote for that road bully celeb.