Report on PAP Convention 2007

choongyong.koh — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 02:10:47 -0000

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Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (R)

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S'pore can tackle ageing population, income gap: PM Lee

SINGAPORE: An ageing population and the growing income gap are challenges that are confronting not just Singapore but other countries as well, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

But Singapore can tackle and solve these issues better than other countries because the ruling party has been 'doing the right things'.

Speaking at a dialogue at the annual People's Action Party Convention on Sunday, Mr Lee, who is also the party's secretary-general, cited the country's focus on education for all Singaporeans as a key policy which has helped tackle the growing income gap.

The theme for this year's PAP convention was "New Challenges, New Perspectives".

And party members spoke frankly at the dialogue, offering refreshing and, at times, radical views.

One said since Singapore is not having babies, women should be allowed to have babies out of wedlock.

Another member suggested giving Singaporeans land ownership so as to root them to the country.

National issues such as the ageing population, falling fertility rate and widening income gap were discussed under the two sub-themes of "Young and Old" and "High and Low".

But discussions soon returned to party agenda, such as winning the next general election.

One grassroots leader was upset with the narrow winning margin garnered by the PAP team at Aljunied GRC, in spite of being anchored by Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo.

His point, which was also taken up by other members, is that the ruling party needs to appeal not only to people's heads with its sound policies, but also their hearts.

Agreeing, the party's leaders said they are keeping up the presence on the ground, and they are all geared up to face off the Opposition in 2011.

Mr Lee said: "Our five MPs are going all out. But the five Opposition candidates have gone missing. One went to Sweden, one left the Workers' Party. They called themselves the 'A' team. I'd say 'A' for AWOL – Absence Without Official Leave. So if you're thinking of toying with the option of having an Opposition, think again! If they go AWOL, it'll be a tricky problem. That's why people say the vote is sacred. It indeed is. This is a vote that determines the future of Singapore. Don't underestimate it!"

Lim Boon Heng, chairman of the People's Action Party, said: "The next election is being fought now. Our comrades in the Aljunied GRC are all working very hard. I get regular PA reports. I think the results will show and people will know that the MPs care for them. But I'm not concerned about the next election in Aljunied. Maybe for those who think they're safe, (they) better work harder!"

During the dialogue, the issue of the image of PAP and Singapore came under discussion.

Some members said the party comes across as too level-headed and clinical. Another member took issue with Singaporeans' reputation of being 'kiasu' or scared to lose, and he wanted more to be done to make people feel proud of being Singaporeans.

In response, PM Lee said Singapore's image counts, but its reality counts even more.

He said: "In travel magazines or in the serious newspapers in America or Britain, they had an article on how we're doing and how we're tackling the income gap. I think they know that Singapore is changing and is keeping abreast of the times. So it's not bad. But I think it's also not bad to be 'kiasu' because if you're 'yaya' (proud or overconfident), you'll get into serious trouble!

"'Young and Old', 'High and Low' are big issues that we have to deal with. You're wearing white not because you're just following. You're wearing white because it's a symbol that you care and you're going to participate and not just sit there and let somebody else take charge of the train. So thank you for your support, thank you for your contribution. Keep up the work!"

Earlier, Mr Lee also unveiled a new look for the PAP party newsletter, PETIR.

- CNA/so

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Report on PAP Convention 2007