shanfan

23 Jul 11, 15:43

PAP begins search for 2016 GE candidates

The People's Action Party (PAP) is starting its search for new candidates to be fielded at the next General Election due by 2016.

"One clear lesson which we have picked up from this and previous GEs is that we have to deploy our candidates as early as possible, and in a more challenging environment even earlier than before," said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

Speaking at a thank-you dinner on Friday for MPs who retired after the May GE, he added this would allow candidates time to get to know residents, learn the ropes, understand what being a PAP MP means and discover their strengths and weakness, reported The Straits Times.

The PAP usually begins its search for about 20 new candidates a year or so after the last GE.

One clear lesson... is that we have to deploy our candidates as early as possible, and in a more challenging environment even earlier than before PM Lee

PM Lee said the party is looking out for candidates who "fit the standard mould", people who "break the mould but make a special contribution to the team", and people with a "proven dedication and skills in working the ground and reaching out to residents".

And while the new team might come from diverse backgrounds, the should be cohesive and work as a team, he said. "I urge Singaporeans who have the passion to serve Singapore, and believe they have a contribution to make, to come forward and join us."

PM Lee also reminded current MPs that getting elected is "only the first step". New MPs will have to "cultivate the ground pick up from where their predecessors left off, build up the support and loyalty that comes only from hard work and patient service."

They will also have to "work closely with the ministers in Parliament and outside to improve our policies, explain them to the public, to realise our goals for Singapore", he was quoted by the paper as saying.

To meet the needs of a new electorate, they will need to consult and engage more to co-create solutions and build shared ownership, he added.

Former PAP chairman Lim Boon Heng also noted the new phase of Singapore's politics with the PAP's unprecedented loss of six seats to the opposition.

The PAP must be more closely knit, he stated.

"Our future depends on how our party and the Workers Party perform. What posture will each take? Will we have constructive politics, or negative politics?" he asked.

The paper quoted him as saying, "If negative politics prevail, and our younger leaders become reluctant to introduce right but unpopular policies, we will lose a strength of the past - that of being able to look long-term, to shape our future."

A total of 22 PAP MPs, who retired at the recent polls, were honoured. They include Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon and Professor Koo Tsai Kee.

PM Lee also paid tribute to two PAP MPs, Dr Ong Chit Chung and Dr Balaji Sadasivan, who died during the previous electoral term, and thanked Hougang grassroots advisor Eric Low too, saying he had a difficult role in winning over residents in an opposition ward.

shanfan

23 Jul 11, 15:46

Deploy candidates as early as possible to train them well to suck to the maximum from the Singapore citizens. And let them make proposals the new ways and come out with new policies to suck more .

Anyone voting this leegime is asking for trouble.

charlize

23 Jul 11, 15:47

You know times are bad when they don't focus on solving your problems but looking for candidates for the next election.

shanfan

23 Jul 11, 15:50

Personal selfish party and LKY's interests above the nation.

To Singaporeans, you die your business, don't cry father, cry mother, that is PAP's way of treating locals.

All blame goes to the 60.14% voters.

Yui Hirasawa

23 Jul 11, 16:02

I think opp should try to win new citizens votes. Next GE surely gt more new citizens. Not an easy task for opp. Next 2016 GE also gt more post 65 Generation and more young ppl. opp must try to win over young voters. maybe next GE got more emphasis on new media than 2011 GE. 2011 GE is more on TV, newspaper and radio.

Yui Hirasawa

23 Jul 11, 16:03

Originally posted by charlize:

You know times are bad when they don't focus on solving your problems but looking for candidates for the next election.

as long as FTs continue to come at same rate or even higher rates, overcrowding in MRT and buses cannot be solved. Housing prices also not much can be done.

shanfan

23 Jul 11, 16:07

Originally posted by Yui Hirasawa:

I think opp should try to win new citizens votes. Next GE surely gt more new citizens.

Not an easy task for opp.

Next 2016 GE also gt more post 65 Generation and more young ppl. opp must try to win over young voters.

maybe next GE got more emphasis on new media than 2011 GE. 2011 GE is more on TV, newspaper and radio.

Please help to tell the new citizens or citizens wannabe that they will be treated the same as the original citizens.

charlize

23 Jul 11, 16:11

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/singaporescene/pap-begins-search-2016-ge-candidates-032434824.html;_ylt=AnyrUy7jtOXeNgVprHJ.CAECV8d_;_ylu=X3oDMTM5aGY2NTI3BHBrZwM3YmU4M2Q5Yy00Zjg5LTMwZmYtOTU5YS1jMWViNDIyZDIyZjcEcG9zAzIEc2VjA01lZGlhVG9wU3RvcnkEdmVyAzMzNjVkZjg4LWI0ZWEtMTFlMC04NzMyLTc4ZTdkMWY1MzlkMA--;_ylg=X3oDMTFuZGgwbmp1BGludGwDc2cEbGFuZwNlbi1zZwRwc3RhaWQDBHBzdGNhdANzaW5nYXBvcmUEcHQDc2VjdGlvbnM-;_ylv=3

I always like to read the comments from various Singaporeans on issues.

Very interesting.

Edd1

23 Jul 11, 17:18

so kan chiong for what...Hoping that LKY faster hor can retire and spend his last time with his grandsons...

Edd1

23 Jul 11, 17:19

Aiya idw GE 2016 leh..I want GE2017 D: GE 2017 then i can vote uhh... :(

tranquilice

24 Jul 11, 00:49

Originally posted by Edd1:

Aiya idw GE 2016 leh..I want GE2017 D: GE 2017 then i can vote uhh... :(

In 2017 you can vote in the president election.

charlize

24 Jul 11, 13:37

Originally posted by tranquilice:

In 2017 you can vote in the president election.

Maybe after this year's "watershed" PE, they might just scrap it next time.

charlize

26 Jul 11, 17:56

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/07/statements-like-these-do-not-help/

Yui Hirasawa

26 Jul 11, 20:16

PAP kiasu now looking for candidates liao.