SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the People's Action Party (PAP) has already identified some promising candidates and potential office-holders – mainly in their thirties and forties – for the next general election.
Mr Lee, who is also the secretary general of the ruling party, made the point at the party's convention on Sunday morning.
By 2011 or 2012, he added, Singapore will have a full slate of leaders who can form a strong, clean and able government to take the nation forward for the next 20 years. This would instil confidence in the nation's future among investors and Singaporeans.
Mr Lee also said that the next general election, which is due by February 2012, will be crucial as it must produce a line-up of leaders who can, in time, take over from him and his senior Cabinet colleagues.
The prime minister noted that the last general election had brought in 24 new Members of Parliament and that was a major step in self-renewal. He added that the new MPs have done well and have established themselves with voters.
Mr Lee told his audience of party activists that the new office-holders have made significant contributions as well, and have gained confidence in presenting and defending policies in Parliament and on the ground.
Mr Lee, who is also the secretary general of the ruling party, made the point at the party's convention on Sunday morning.
By 2011 or 2012, he added, Singapore will have a full slate of leaders who can form a strong, clean and able government to take the nation forward for the next 20 years. This would instil confidence in the nation's future among investors and Singaporeans.
Mr Lee also said that the next general election, which is due by February 2012, will be crucial as it must produce a line-up of leaders who can, in time, take over from him and his senior Cabinet colleagues.
The prime minister noted that the last general election had brought in 24 new Members of Parliament and that was a major step in self-renewal. He added that the new MPs have done well and have established themselves with voters.
Mr Lee told his audience of party activists that the new office-holders have made significant contributions as well, and have gained confidence in presenting and defending policies in Parliament and on the ground.
