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PAP set to unveil new faces 'quickly'
Party sources say up to 3 batches likely to be introduced this week
By Jeremy Au Yong, Political Correspondent
DPM Teo Chee Hean using a fire extinguisher to put out flames in an emergency preparedness event in Serangoon yesterday. He said the new PAP line-up was representative of Singapore. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
View more photos
THE new candidates of the People's Action Party (PAP) for the upcoming general election are likely to be introduced in 'quick succession' and probably with up to three batches unveiled this week, said party sources yesterday.
At this rate, the schedule could match that of the 2006 election when 24 candidates were unveiled over the course of 22 days.
The speed of the introductions is regarded by some as a possible indicator of when Polling Day may be. The faster the PAP introduces candidates, the sooner the polls.
Five years ago, the first batch of PAP candidates was introduced on March 23, six weeks before the election.
Ahead of the impending announcements, PAP ministers yesterday weighed in on the party's new slate.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said yesterday the new line-up was representative of Singapore, adding the newcomers have lived the Singapore story.
'We've got a good slate with different ages, many of them are younger ones. Also a variety of backgrounds, from the private sector, public service, people sector,' he told reporters at the sidelines of a community event in Serangoon.
With their diverse backgrounds, he added, 'they will be able to represent people of all walks of life in Parliament, and make sure their concerns are looked after'.
The new slate of PAP candidates is being closely watched as it is expected to contain the core of the next generation of leaders. The party has traditionally replaced about a quarter of its MPs at each election, numbering between 20 and 25.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan indicated that the election was round the corner.
'I think the process has already started, the unveiling of the candidates can be expected very soon, and I guess the button has already been pressed,' he told reporters at a community event in Tampines.
Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam is impressed by the quality of the new candidates.
He told reporters in Jurong: 'Frankly speaking, as someone who's been in politics for 10 years, I'm quite inspired by the cast of new candidates. You wait and see, the diversity, the spirit and the desire to serve will be quite apparent.'
Education Minister Ng Eng Hen, at a community event in Toa Payoh, added that the party has taken its selection process very seriously.
'We have taken substantial time over the last four-and-a-half years since the last general election to go through the broad spread of society for people we feel have the commitment as well as the aptitude that can empathise with the day-to-day problems and aspirations of Singaporeans,' he said.
In Nee Soon, one new candidate appears to have already received approval: unionist Patrick Tay, 39.
Yesterday, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said residents have been very welcoming of the newcomer: 'We've gone round the Nee Soon East area, Patrick gets a very warm reaction, so it's a very good feeling.'
When asked when the election would be held, most of the ministers pointed out that its timing was up to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
All DPM Teo would say is: 'Every day brings it one day closer.'
The ministers all said they were ready and welcomed any contest.
Said Mr Tharman: 'The opposition is taking the election more seriously than before, which is to their credit.'
He also said his team is 'hoping for a contest because this is a very important decision people have to make every five years'.
'But we have been working very hard and it's not just a few months before the election,' he added.
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Party sources say up to 3 batches likely to be introduced this week
By Jeremy Au Yong, Political Correspondent
DPM Teo Chee Hean using a fire extinguisher to put out flames in an emergency preparedness event in Serangoon yesterday. He said the new PAP line-up was representative of Singapore. -- ST PHOTO: JOYCE FANG
View more photos
THE new candidates of the People's Action Party (PAP) for the upcoming general election are likely to be introduced in 'quick succession' and probably with up to three batches unveiled this week, said party sources yesterday.
At this rate, the schedule could match that of the 2006 election when 24 candidates were unveiled over the course of 22 days.
The speed of the introductions is regarded by some as a possible indicator of when Polling Day may be. The faster the PAP introduces candidates, the sooner the polls.
Five years ago, the first batch of PAP candidates was introduced on March 23, six weeks before the election.
Ahead of the impending announcements, PAP ministers yesterday weighed in on the party's new slate.
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said yesterday the new line-up was representative of Singapore, adding the newcomers have lived the Singapore story.
'We've got a good slate with different ages, many of them are younger ones. Also a variety of backgrounds, from the private sector, public service, people sector,' he told reporters at the sidelines of a community event in Serangoon.
With their diverse backgrounds, he added, 'they will be able to represent people of all walks of life in Parliament, and make sure their concerns are looked after'.
The new slate of PAP candidates is being closely watched as it is expected to contain the core of the next generation of leaders. The party has traditionally replaced about a quarter of its MPs at each election, numbering between 20 and 25.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan indicated that the election was round the corner.
'I think the process has already started, the unveiling of the candidates can be expected very soon, and I guess the button has already been pressed,' he told reporters at a community event in Tampines.
Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam is impressed by the quality of the new candidates.
He told reporters in Jurong: 'Frankly speaking, as someone who's been in politics for 10 years, I'm quite inspired by the cast of new candidates. You wait and see, the diversity, the spirit and the desire to serve will be quite apparent.'
Education Minister Ng Eng Hen, at a community event in Toa Payoh, added that the party has taken its selection process very seriously.
'We have taken substantial time over the last four-and-a-half years since the last general election to go through the broad spread of society for people we feel have the commitment as well as the aptitude that can empathise with the day-to-day problems and aspirations of Singaporeans,' he said.
In Nee Soon, one new candidate appears to have already received approval: unionist Patrick Tay, 39.
Yesterday, Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam said residents have been very welcoming of the newcomer: 'We've gone round the Nee Soon East area, Patrick gets a very warm reaction, so it's a very good feeling.'
When asked when the election would be held, most of the ministers pointed out that its timing was up to Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
All DPM Teo would say is: 'Every day brings it one day closer.'
The ministers all said they were ready and welcomed any contest.
Said Mr Tharman: 'The opposition is taking the election more seriously than before, which is to their credit.'
He also said his team is 'hoping for a contest because this is a very important decision people have to make every five years'.
'But we have been working very hard and it's not just a few months before the election,' he added.
[email protected]
