PAP NSP RP Parties Members Walkabout in the Estates - 06Mar2011

GE: Fourth generation leadership in the making
By Sharon See | Posted: 06 March 2011 1437 hrs
Khaw Boon Wan (right) talking to a resident




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Khaw Boon Wan (right) talking to a resident




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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/wk/ms

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News & Politics

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• Singapore
• general
• election
• ge2011
• GE
• 2011

[singaporeanspeaks]

To Health Minister Khaw,

Rising cost of living is neither local or global issue. It is a COVETOUS ISSUE!

It is a covetous issue because almost every ruling Politician in the world has vested interest in their country's businesses such as health companies like hospitals, transport companies, power companies, housing & etc.

As these Politicians employ CEOs to run these companies and expect them to make good profit every year, they dangle golden carrots of high salaries and big bonuses.

[singaporeanspeaks]

Hence it resulted in raising the cost of living as these CEOs begin increasing the pricing of their products every year to project good yearly financial report!

Covetous politicians should read this story of "The Rich Man and Lazarus - The Beggar" [Luke C16 - 19 to 31 from the Holy Bible].to find out how they lack compassion for the poor that they are depressing & HOW GOD JUDGED THE RICH MAN TO HAVE LACKED THE COMPASSION FOR THE POOR LIKE THE BEGGAR WHO HAD NOT ENOUGH HELP[

[nazryn81]

electing not selecting