<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=452><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>Published August 7, 2009
</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>PAP looking for PM No 4: SM Goh
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THE search is still very much on for Singapore's fourth prime minister - ideally someone in their 30s - who can gain enough experience first and be groomed to take over eventually from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong described Mr Lee's ongoing hunt for a suitable successor as a 'difficult' task ahead of the next general election, which must be held by February 2012.
'He is looking for someone to come in at the next election, have some years of experience in government and who can take over (as PM),' Mr Goh told more than 40 visiting senior journalists yesterday at the inaugural Asia-Middle East Media Roundtable. 'He is looking for someone in their early 30s or maybe late 30s. Someone who can rise to be prime minister is not easy to find.'
Regardless, there is a Plan B in place should 'something unfortunate' happen to Mr Lee while he is still in office, Mr Goh said. 'I'm not saying that there is no one in the Cabinet now who can take over. There are a few people, but they are only a few years younger than (Mr Lee).'
Mr Goh also noted how Singapore's three prime ministers so far stepped into the role much older than their predecessors. Lee Kuan Yew was 36 when he became PM, Mr Goh took over when he was 49, and Mr Lee Hsien Loong succeeded him at 51.
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</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>Besides tapping senior civil servants and armed forces personnel to enter politics, the People's Action Party (PAP) is also looking for talent from the private sector to bring 'a different view' to the table, said Mr Goh, as he wrapped up his response to a journalist's question on political succession.
The SM delved into a wide range of topics during the lively 90-minute lunch. One issue he dwelt on at length was the political situation in Myanmar, a country he visited in June.
Mr Goh said detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi should realise she is both a part of the solution and the problem. She should not dwell on the fact that her party's victory in the 1990 elections was not recognised by the junta, and instead focus on the future, he said.
'That was 19 years ago, that's history. If she realises she has to be part of the solution, she has to offer some concessions, such as to publicly say that she would be in favour of the lifting of sanctions.'
Ms Suu Kyi is awaiting the verdict of her trial on charges of having violated the terms of her house arrest when an American man entered her house in early May. She faces up to five years in prison and is widely expected to be convicted. She has been in detention for 14 of the past 20 years.
Mr Goh said Myanmar should carry on with its elections next year and urged the junta to ensure that the polls were 'fair, free and legitimate'.
'The process must involve parties that oppose you as well. Aung San Suu Kyi must be allowed to participate,' he said. 'Myanmar has the potential to boom in the next 10 years, and it can be like Thailand is today in 20 years' time.'
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</TD></TR><TR><TD vAlign=top width=452 colSpan=2>PAP looking for PM No 4: SM Goh
<TABLE class=storyLinks border=0 cellSpacing=4 cellPadding=1 width=136 align=right><TBODY><TR class=font10><TD width=20 align=right>
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</TD><TD>Feedback</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>THE search is still very much on for Singapore's fourth prime minister - ideally someone in their 30s - who can gain enough experience first and be groomed to take over eventually from Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong described Mr Lee's ongoing hunt for a suitable successor as a 'difficult' task ahead of the next general election, which must be held by February 2012.
'He is looking for someone to come in at the next election, have some years of experience in government and who can take over (as PM),' Mr Goh told more than 40 visiting senior journalists yesterday at the inaugural Asia-Middle East Media Roundtable. 'He is looking for someone in their early 30s or maybe late 30s. Someone who can rise to be prime minister is not easy to find.'
Regardless, there is a Plan B in place should 'something unfortunate' happen to Mr Lee while he is still in office, Mr Goh said. 'I'm not saying that there is no one in the Cabinet now who can take over. There are a few people, but they are only a few years younger than (Mr Lee).'
Mr Goh also noted how Singapore's three prime ministers so far stepped into the role much older than their predecessors. Lee Kuan Yew was 36 when he became PM, Mr Goh took over when he was 49, and Mr Lee Hsien Loong succeeded him at 51.
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The SM delved into a wide range of topics during the lively 90-minute lunch. One issue he dwelt on at length was the political situation in Myanmar, a country he visited in June.
Mr Goh said detained opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi should realise she is both a part of the solution and the problem. She should not dwell on the fact that her party's victory in the 1990 elections was not recognised by the junta, and instead focus on the future, he said.
'That was 19 years ago, that's history. If she realises she has to be part of the solution, she has to offer some concessions, such as to publicly say that she would be in favour of the lifting of sanctions.'
Ms Suu Kyi is awaiting the verdict of her trial on charges of having violated the terms of her house arrest when an American man entered her house in early May. She faces up to five years in prison and is widely expected to be convicted. She has been in detention for 14 of the past 20 years.
Mr Goh said Myanmar should carry on with its elections next year and urged the junta to ensure that the polls were 'fair, free and legitimate'.
'The process must involve parties that oppose you as well. Aung San Suu Kyi must be allowed to participate,' he said. 'Myanmar has the potential to boom in the next 10 years, and it can be like Thailand is today in 20 years' time.'
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