Mar 24, 2011
GE 2011
DPM Wong questions opposition's GRC motives
By Li Xueying, Political Correspondent
THE next general election is about Singapore's future, and voters should examine carefully the opposition's intentions in wanting to win group representation constituencies (GRCs), said Mr Wong Kan Seng.
The People's Action Party's first assistant secretary-general yesterday fired this salvo at the opposition, questioning its agenda when opposition veterans declared that they were making a concerted push to win GRCs this time around.
'Some say, well, we want to do that for renewal, and there are others who say, well, they want to be the first one to break through into a GRC and win a GRC,' said Mr Wong.
But this should not be what the election is about, he said.
'Is it about the interest and missions of political parties or an individual's interest to create a legacy or to make history?' he asked. 'I believe that this election is really about the future.'
Thus, Singaporeans 'should back the stronger team that will serve them better, and not vote for a party simply for the sake of having more opposition', he said.
Mr Wong, who is also Deputy Prime Minister, was speaking at the introduction of the second batch of three new PAP faces.
Among them was the first woman candidate to be introduced - Ms Foo Mee Har, 45, global head of premium banking for Standard Chartered Bank. The other two were Mr Desmond Lee, 34, legal counsel for Temasek Holdings and son of former Cabinet minister Lee Yock Suan; and Mr Steve Tan, 37, executive secretary of Young NTUC.
The first three PAP candidates were introduced on Monday.
Outside the PAP headquarters in Bedok, where the press conference took place, Mr Wong's take on the opposition agenda led to swift rebuttals.
Opposition leaders accused the ruling party of practising double standards and asked why they should be chastised for seeking renewal when the PAP is doing so as well.
Workers' Party chief Low Thia Khiang said: 'Renewal is not only for the PAP.'
Speaking to the media after the introductions yesterday, Mr Wong was asked about the PAP's own interest in winning GRCs. Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong had previously said that GRCs help the PAP recruit younger candidates with ministerial potential.
PAP new faces for 'evolution, not revolution'
Mr Wong replied that 'while we say that we want to renew our own party, it's with the objective of serving Singapore's interest'.
'It's not really about serving the PAP's interest,' he said.
'If there's a better team some day than the PAP, and the people want to elect them, then that's the people's choice.'
Thus, when the PAP sets out to win, it does so 'not to make sure that you have a legacy or you want to create history'.
'It's about you wanting to have ideas, plans, policies,' he said.
The essence of this would be in the PAP election manifesto.
When asked when that might be unveiled, Mr Wong said: 'Well, I don't know, maybe I hope, next month. If not, then maybe later.'
Asked if April 17 was a possible date - Young PAP is holding its 25th anniversary celebration that day, and the 2006 manifesto was unveiled at its 20th anniversary event - he said, laughing: 'I think we can always find a reason to do something. So it doesn't need to be on April 17.'
As the PAP's introductions continue apace, Mr Wong also threw down the gauntlet and said opposition parties should do the same, 'so that all Singaporeans can know them and find out what they stand for, and what they can do for the people'.
'Otherwise, Singaporeans will feel short-changed by the opposition parties' reluctance to reveal more of their candidates and their motivation,' he said.
The PAP's own 'structured and systematic' process of renewal brings in younger members 'with new ideas and energy', he added.
This set the stage for the dominant theme running through the media questions yesterday: What fresh ideas the new faces would bring to the table, and why Singaporeans should vote for them.
Mr Lee, who described himself as a 'details kind of man', said that he would cast 'a critical eye' over legislation. He is also keen to explore ways to strengthen community and social mediation.
The self-effacing Mr Tan, who told of how he failed all his four subjects in his first year in junior college and continues to take the MRT today, wants to see what more can be done for low-paid workers and underprivileged children.
He also believes that Singapore 'has a lot of potential' to introduce clean energy initiatives such as electric vehicles and better diesel policies.
Ms Foo, as the first woman introduced and a high-flier in the banking sector, found herself in the hot seat, fielding more questions than the other two. These ran the gamut from how she could relate to Singaporeans in the street, to whether she would give up her career for political office.
Demurring, she said on a political appointment: 'I'm new to politics. I think what we are most focused on now is to earn the trust, the mandate of the people to be elected...
'So I think that's the most immediate kind of priority for me.'
The need to know the ground now - and well - was also on Mr Lee's mind.
Tackling the perception that PAP new candidates are 'more of the same' without new ideas, he said: 'As a new candidate, I think it's important to keep your feet on the ground, to remain grounded.
'We have big dreams, but I think it's not for us to talk big. We need to work the ground and to be humble and understand residents and understand fully the spectrum of views from all walks of life.'
It led Mr Wong to remark that the PAP brings in new people to 'improve on what we have done'.
'We don't bring new people here to conduct a revolution,' he said.
'They are here to take part in an evolution of the system, of the policies, and to be part of the team to ensure that Singapore still has a future.'
WONG KAN SENG ON...
The possibility of the PAP losing a GRC in the next general election
'I think if it comes to that, and if that's the voters' choice, then we'll have to respect that.'
The need for voters to grill their candidates
'If they were to compare the candidates of the two sides, I hope that they will closely scrutinise all the candidates. If they are new candidates, then make use of this occasion to grill them, to understand them, to know more about them, and to ask them, 'Why should I vote for you?' I think that is the main thing for the voters to think about when they cast their vote.'
The possibility of a contest in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC
'I have been looking forward to this for a while. At every round since 1991, when I went to Bishan, they did not turn up. I think residents see the great changes that have taken place in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, and I hope the opposition will come, give our voters a chance, and also help us understand what else we need to do (so as) to do better in the constituency.'
http://www.straitstimes.com/PrimeNews/Story/STIStory_648463.html
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At/ related:
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26Mar2011: DPM Wong questions opposition’s GRC motives
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24Mar2011: Wong Kan Seng - vote for me, I am the FUTURE
CNA:
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