By Sharon See | Posted: 06 March 2011 1437 hrs
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