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General election likely in Q2 this year: George Yeo
By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 21 January 2011 2128 hrs
SINGAPORE : The next general election is not due till February 2012, but Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo said it could be in the second quarter of this year.
Mr Yeo, who is in Bangkok for the Civil Service Exchange Programme, was speaking at a dinner organised by the Singapore Club and the Singapore-Thailand Chamber of Commerce.
He said he has been advising party members to be prepared after the Budget debate in March.
Mr Yeo, who is also the MP for Aljunied GRC, has ruled out the third quarter because of the Presidential Election which is due by August.
"Pity that you can't vote here, but it is a short distance away from Singapore, maybe some of you will go back. And you, if you live in Aljunied GRC, I hope you will know what to do," Mr Yeo quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
The minister also spoke about developing an ASEAN identity, saying the idea of bidding for the 2030 World Cup could bring the region together.
But there would be many obstacles, he added. "We in ASEAN, 600 million people, can collectively cough up eight to ten world class stadiums. The distances are no worse than, say, soccer stadiums in Brazil, so why can't we make this attempt?"
He also said member countries could work towards fielding a joint team in 20 years' time.
He said: "I told the other foreign ministers - we (should) make our bid before China, because if China says it wants 2030, if it says it before us, I think we will be at a disadvantage.
"But if we say it before China, then China may have to "rang bu", give way, then ASEAN goes first since they want to be good friends with ASEAN."
At a recent retreat for ASEAN foreign ministers in Lombok, Indonesia, member countries also agreed to fly the ASEAN flag alongside their national flags at overseas missions on ASEAN Day, which is August 8. This will take place from this year.
- CNA/al
By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 21 January 2011 2128 hrs
SINGAPORE : The next general election is not due till February 2012, but Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo said it could be in the second quarter of this year.
Mr Yeo, who is in Bangkok for the Civil Service Exchange Programme, was speaking at a dinner organised by the Singapore Club and the Singapore-Thailand Chamber of Commerce.
He said he has been advising party members to be prepared after the Budget debate in March.
Mr Yeo, who is also the MP for Aljunied GRC, has ruled out the third quarter because of the Presidential Election which is due by August.
"Pity that you can't vote here, but it is a short distance away from Singapore, maybe some of you will go back. And you, if you live in Aljunied GRC, I hope you will know what to do," Mr Yeo quipped, drawing laughter from the audience.
The minister also spoke about developing an ASEAN identity, saying the idea of bidding for the 2030 World Cup could bring the region together.
But there would be many obstacles, he added. "We in ASEAN, 600 million people, can collectively cough up eight to ten world class stadiums. The distances are no worse than, say, soccer stadiums in Brazil, so why can't we make this attempt?"
He also said member countries could work towards fielding a joint team in 20 years' time.
He said: "I told the other foreign ministers - we (should) make our bid before China, because if China says it wants 2030, if it says it before us, I think we will be at a disadvantage.
"But if we say it before China, then China may have to "rang bu", give way, then ASEAN goes first since they want to be good friends with ASEAN."
At a recent retreat for ASEAN foreign ministers in Lombok, Indonesia, member countries also agreed to fly the ASEAN flag alongside their national flags at overseas missions on ASEAN Day, which is August 8. This will take place from this year.
- CNA/al
