GE2015: PM Lee's speech at PAP Fullerton Rally

PAP lunchtime Fullerton Rally, 8 Sep 2015

Singapore must get politics right to succeed, says PM Lee Hsien Loong

PM Lee recalls how pioneer generation worked with Govt to build the country

By Zakir Hussain, Deputy Political Editor, The Straits Times, 9 Sep 2015

With two days to go before ballots are cast, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday (Sept 8) told voters that Singapore has to get its politics right if the country is to continue to succeed for the next 50 years.

At a lunchtime rally near the historic Fullerton Square, he spoke of how the pioneer generation had worked with the People's Action Party (PAP) to transform the country and uplift the lot of its people so that Singaporeans could celebrate SG50 proudly as one people.

For this little red dot to continue to move forward, younger generations would need the same pioneering spirit. "The world is changing. Singapore is changing. Our politics will have to change... But we have to work together even if we have to work harder to have a national consensus," he said.

"So when we move forward, we move as one people and we get there as one united people."

He identified three elements of politics in Singapore that should be retained even as it evolves.

Politics must stay clean and honest
Politics must stay clean and honest says PM Lee Hsien Loong. "You may be running the Government, you may be running a ministry, you can be in a stat board, you can be in a town council ... Whatever level you are, uphold high standards. Keep it clean. And don't say 'I didn't go to jail, I'm okay!" #GE2015 http://bit.ly/paprallysep8
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Monday, September 7, 2015

One, it had to be honest and clean. "These are the PAP's standards and these also have to be the opposition's standards," he said, adding that whatever colours a party might wear, it also had to be white, or clean.

Two, the Government has to take care of its people today and also for tomorrow. "You cannot write cheques for your children to pay," he said of promises by opposition parties, from free healthcare to handouts and a minimum wage.

Three, good people have to be in government for politics to work. And Singapore had to continue voting in the right people who can put the country on the right path. The country could go down the wrong road with the wrong people in charge, he said.

All 89 seats in the next Parliament are being contested at the Sept 11 General Election, with opposition parties seeking to tap a desire among voters for greater opposition representation.

The Workers' Party (WP) has called on voters to back it as insurance for Singapore, a point party chief Low Thia Khiang repeated at a rally in Aljunied GRC last night.

On this, PM Lee said: "We don't need an opposition who says, 'I'm not ready to form the Government, never mind, just vote for me, you're buying insurance'. Insurance is good but you must buy the right insurance from the right company."

Voters would find themselves in trouble if they bought insurance from companies without a track record, or which "do not know how to handle money", he said.

He also described as "perverse" the call by opposition candidates to elect more of them so the PAP Government would work harder.

Instead, Mr Lee said the opposition is "not working hard enough. They are not talking much sense. Vote PAP, make the opposition work harder".

Stressing the need for leadership renewal, he outlined how he had been assembling the core of a new team, and adding more people to form the best possible team.

"It's starting to come together but I need more, you need more, Singapore needs more."

He called on voters in all constituencies to back PAP candidates if they believed in him and his team.

"Whichever constituency it is, whether it's West Coast or East Coast, whether it's Fengshan or Aljunied, whether it's MacPherson or Bukit Panjang, the PAP candidate standing there is standing on behalf of the PAP," he said.

"By voting for him, you're voting for me, you're voting for my team, you're voting for my programme and you're voting for my promise.

"The promise is: We will work with you to make Singapore better for you and your children," he said.

HIGHLIGHTS of the Fullerton Lunchtime Rally
"... because THAT's the Singapore spirit!" - Lee Hsien LoongWATCH this 2:52min short clip for the Highlight-Reel of our GE2015 Lunchtime Rally! For more related videos, check out our YouTube Page >> https://www.youtube.com/user/PeopleActionPartyHQ
Posted by People's Action Party on Wednesday, September 9, 2015

The nine-day campaign ends tonight, with 15 rallies islandwide, including six by the PAP. East Coast GRC, tipped to be a close fight, will see two rallies, one by the PAP in Simei and one by WP at Bedok Stadium. Tomorrow (Thursday) is Cooling-off Day, a day of campaign silence meant to give voters time to reflect on their choice before voting on Friday.

PM Lee on SG50
I've called elections to seek a new mandate at this key turning point of our history to take Singapore forward, beyond SG50: PM Lee Hsien Loong #GE2015LIVE UPDATES: http://bit.ly/paprallysep8 WATCH LIVE: http://sgvotes.sg
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Monday, September 7, 2015

More future leaders needed for Singapore, says PM Lee
Core team is taking shape, with more to be added in this election
By Charissa Yong, The Straits Times, 9 Sep 2015

The core of the next generation of leaders who can move Singapore forward is taking shape, but more leaders are needed, said People's Action Party (PAP) secretary-general and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.

This election, the PAP is fielding capable, committed individuals to join this core team of leaders, he said at a lunchtime rally in the business district. As the current Cabinet is not getting any younger, it must make sure it has a team from its ranks ready to take over, he said.

"We have a nucleus of that group. We've been assembling it over the years. Last election, I brought in some more people," Mr Lee said.

He cited four ministers elected in 2011: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong, labour chief Chan Chun Sing and Social and Family Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin.

Office-holders, such as senior ministers of state Josephine Teo and Indranee Rajah and parliamentary secretary Faishal Ibrahim, were also promoted from the backbench.

Said Mr Lee: "It's starting to come together but I need more, you need more, Singapore needs more.

"So this election I'm adding more. When people say jia you (Mandarin for 'fight on'), here is jia liao - add more substance."

The potential leaders from this round include new candidates Ng Chee Meng, Ong Ye Kung, Chee Hong Tat and others like Amrin Amin, he said.

Mr Ong, Mr Chee and Mr Amrin were among the 10 speakers at the rally whose topics ranged from politics to the economy and opportunities for minorities in Singapore.

These leaders can contribute, have potential and will show their commitment and form a bond with Singaporeans and their children in due course, Mr Lee said.

PM Lee on WP
If ever the Workers' Party becomes the Government - as they aspire to - Singapore is finished: PM Lee Hsien Loong #GE2015 http://bit.ly/1g6MztN
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Tuesday, September 8, 2015

He made the case that good leaders in government are needed for Singapore to succeed, adding: "We need a deep bench, we need the best possible team for Singapore."

Mr Lee also rebutted a claim Mr Png Eng Huat of the Workers' Party made last Friday, that life would go on as usual if the PAP were not in power because the civil service would keep things going.

Mr Png had recounted a Thai friend's remark that Thailand continued to function after last year's military coup because of its civil service.

Mr Lee said: "I read in the newspapers, Png Eng Huat saying, don't worry... you look at Thailand, they have military coups. Still okay what. No need for government. Civil service very good. Will look after you, everything would carry on. No government, you can go home, still take bath, hot water still running.

"If that is the Workers' Party measure of good politics and success, if ever the Workers' Party becomes the government of Singapore, I say liao. Finished!"

Singapore must have good leaders who can help the country stay successful, Mr Lee said.

A strong team is needed alongside these leaders to support them, give them ideas and guide them in the right direction in producing policies that voters want, he added.

This teamwork was how Singapore succeeded under founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew.

"He didn't do it by himself. He did it with a strong team," Mr Lee said, citing Dr Goh Keng Swee, Mr S. Rajaratnam, Mr Lim Kim San, Mr Hon Sui Sen and Mr Othman Wok.

They "made Singapore go from 1965 to 2015".

Likewise, when Mr Goh Chok Tong was prime minister, he added. Mr Goh was backed by a strong team that included Dr Tony Tan, Mr S. Dhanabalan, Mr Ong Teng Cheong and Mr Ahmad Mattar.

The team worked hard and took the country another step forward.

Mr Lee said: "Ten years ago, I and my team took over. We did our best to take Singapore further forward. I think that is the way to make Singapore work."

Singapore succeeds by staying united: PM
By Nur Asyiqin Mohamad Salleh, The Straits Times, 9 Sep 2015

On a day when the Pollutant Standards Index (PSI) hit 100, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told the lunchtime crowd braving the haze at a rally downtown that Singapore can handle the challenges in its neighbourhood because the people and Government are united.

Life is never easy for a small country, he said, pointing to terrorist threats, tension in Malaysia and persistent views in Indonesia that Singapore needs to know its place relative to its big neighbour. Those quarters in Indonesia do not take kindly to Singapore registering unhappiness over the haze.

"Today, PSI 100. Where does it come from? You know where it comes from. Why does it come here? They are burning forests, it's blowing here. What can we do about it? Well, we're helping, working with them, offering to help them but, basically, they have to solve the problem. The government is cooperative, attitudes amongst the community, something different.



"Whenever there is a haze blowing over to us or to Malaysia, somebody in Indonesia will say these people are so ungrateful. Eleven months, we supply them fresh air, never charge for oxygen. One month haze, already so unhappy," Mr Lee said.

The attitude of those Indonesians is that, as a little red dot, Singapore should know its place in the world. "Small country versus big country, better tabik (salute) a little bit," Mr Lee said as he saluted to match his words.



Turning to Malaysia, Mr Lee said its currency is down, its economy is weak and there is tension over the recent large, anti-government Bersih demonstration and an anti- Bersih protest slated for Sept 16, which, by coincidence, is the birthday of founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, who died in March.

"Just think of the contrast. For us, it's the founder's birthday. For Malaysia, it's a time of tension and unease. And there's a strong racial undertone to this because Bersih was non-Malay and anti-Bersih is many Malay groups. So these are things we worry about," Mr Lee said.

That is the way the world is for a small country, but Singapore can handle it, he added.

"We have dealt with it for 50 years, even when we had two infantry battalions. We managed to see (it) through and get here. Today, with the SAF, with our Home Team, with all of your support, with a good government, I think whatever the haze, whatever the Bersih or non-Bersih, I think we make Singapore succeed.

"How do we do that? We do that by staying one united people. It's been our formula... our mantra. Actually, it's our secret recipe. Why is it secret? Not that people don't know it, but people cannot do it. We can do it. We keep faith with one another, the Government works with the people, the people support the Government. Together, we got to SG50. Together, we will get to SG100," he said.

PM on secret recipe
Singapore succeeds by staying as one united people - its "secret recipe" says PM Lee Hsien Loong. "Why is it secret? Not that people don't know it, but people cannot do it." #GE2015RECAP: http://bit.ly/paprallysep8
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Monday, September 7, 2015

Singapore must also be on guard against terrorism. The terrorist group thought to be behind the bombing at a shrine in central Bangkok last month is suspected of being linked to groups in Poso, Indonesia, some of which are thinking of setting off bombs in Singapore. The Government will do its best to stop them, but there is no guarantee nothing will ever happen here.

"And Polling Day, it so happens, is 9/11, just to remind ourselves," he said, referring to the anniversary of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre in New York City.

WELL-TRAVELLED CITIZENS

When I travel overseas, I meet Singaporeans everywhere. Recently, I was in Hokkaido on holiday with my family. I met dozens of Singaporeans from the first stop to the last stop...

Last week, I went to Serangoon Gardens market. The hawker selling Hokkien noodles was so happy to see me: "Hi, Mr Lee. Good to see you again."

"When did we last meet?"

"In Hokkaido."

We took a picture together. Actually, I put his picture on Facebook. So he showed me a copy to sign. I signed. His son gave me a copy to sign. I said: "You also went to Hokkaido?" He says: "Yes, three-generation family. All of us went."

I think that family is voting for the PAP.

- PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG, on meeting Singaporeans everywhere he goes, including in Hokkaido, Japan

CHASE THAT RAINBOW

On Youth Day in July... I spoke to the young people, I told them: "The future is yours to make. We've given you all that we can - resources, education, guidance, support - it's up to you, make the most of it. Chase that rainbow. Go for it."

It's just a speech, right?

But I think it struck a chord.

Recently, somebody sent me a beautiful picture - Gardens by the Bay, two domes and one beautiful rainbow arching over the two domes in the Bay - and she told me it was taken on Youth Day, the day I happened to make that speech.

So last week, I took that picture and posted it on my social media... On Facebook, I got 55,000 likes, on Instagram 10,000 likes. Not bad.

One photo, two sentences, better than a rally speech. Why? It struck a chord.

I ask for your trust and your mandate: PM Lee
I ask for your trust and your mandate: PM Lee Hsien Loong to Singaporeans #GE2015 http://bit.ly/1g6MztN
Posted by Channel NewsAsia Singapore on Tuesday, September 8, 2015

People want to go for the rainbow in the sky. People want to achieve. They have confidence they are going into a bright future. So that's what we must encourage. That's what we must strive for.

That's how we must be. Go ahead with confidence. Worries, uncertainties, yes, there will be...

But you are young, you've got energy, you've got drive. You have tomorrow. Ming tian hui geng hao (Mandarin for "tomorrow will be even better").

Chase that rainbow. It will be exciting. It will be exhilarating. You put in the hard work, the dedication, mix in some talent and a little bit of luck, you will get success, fulfilment and you will bring Singapore forward.

- PRIME MINISTER LEE HSIEN LOONG, spurring on young Singaporeans

Opposition ‘writing cheques it does not have to pay for’
By Joy Fang, TODAY, 9 Sep 2015

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday (Sept 8) hit out at the Opposition for its approach to politics and for coming up with seemingly attractive solutions without working out how to pay for them.

Likening the Opposition promises to writing a cheque that it does not have to pay for, Mr Lee, who is the secretary-general of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), pointed out that the parties propose solutions to citizens knowing that they do not have to fulfil them, and the Government can.

“You just look at the list of things which have come up, if you attend Opposition rallies, soon you’ll have a long list of things to ask the Government for,” he said. These include free healthcare, S$300 cash payouts for young and old people, minimum wage and money for the unemployed, Mr Lee noted. But when asked who will foot the bill, the parties simply suggest raising taxes on big corporations and rich people, or making use of the “hundreds of billions” of dollars in the reserves, he pointed out.



“If it was really so simple, why do you think the PAP is not doing all these things? (Do you think) we’re so stupid? We are quite slow, but not so slow as all that,” he said. Should the PAP Government adopt these policies, it would make the party more popular and the Opposition would have fewer things to talk about, Mr Lee said. “But would we have built this Singapore? Would we be standing here, surrounded by these buildings, this prosperity, this success? Would we have that toughness to continue to fight as Singaporeans for our future and our children’s future?”

He also dismissed the Opposition’s suggestion that the Government has done a good job only because people voted for the Opposition. This “doesn’t make sense”, he said. “They say vote for me, the PAP will produce miracles. Don’t worry I don’t have to do anything, the PAP will do everything you need to do,” he said. “It’s perverse, it’s upside down, you confuse yourself, you mess things up, you weaken your team and you end up with an outcome which you don’t want — an Opposition which is strengthened but incapable.”

The argument should be the other way round, he said, as Opposition parties are not working hard enough and are not active enough in Parliament. “So the argument is like this ... vote PAP! Make the Opposition work harder,” he said.

Mr Lee also took aim at Singapore Democratic Party chief Chee Soon Juan, who previously had several run-ins with the PAP.

Noting that Dr Chee had said at his party’s lunchtime rally on Monday that “reputation is temporary, but character is permanent”, Mr Lee said: “I agree, and I think Dr Chee has every reason to know that character is permanent, doesn’t change.”

Voters urged to beware of using opposition as insurance
By Janice Heng, The Straits Times, 9 Sep 2015

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday dismissed the Workers' Party's (WP) argument that a strong opposition provides insurance against the ruling party's failure.

"Insurance is good but you must buy the right insurance from the right company," he said at the People's Action Party's (PAP) lunchtime rally in the city.

At a WP rally on Sunday, party chairman Sylvia Lim said that to protect against future PAP leaders being corrupt, Singaporeans must "buy an insurance policy - build up another party who can take over if the PAP fails".

Yesterday, Mr Lee quipped that buying insurance from NTUC Income was okay, and that MediShield Life comes with the Singapore Government's backing.

But if your insurance company is an opposition party, it might have no track record, not know "how to handle money" - a dig at the WP's town council finances - or be sold by a salesman who is "not interested in you, only wants his commission".

Mr Lee also rubbished another argument: that the Government has done a good job only because voters voted for the opposition and hence, more votes for the opposition will make the Government work harder. Calling this argument "perverse" and "upside down", Mr Lee said it would lead to an opposition which is strengthened but incapable. Noting that the argument has been circulating on Whatsapp, he proposed a different message, telling the crowd: "Send it to your friends on Whatsapp."

His message: "Opposition not working hard enough, they make a mess of things, they are not active enough in Parliament, they are really talking not much sense. Vote PAP, make the opposition work harder."

Mr Lee also criticised proposals from opposition parties, such as free healthcare and a minimum wage. Opposition parties intend to fund them via higher taxes or tapping the reserves, he noted. "If it was really so simple, why do you think the PAP is not doing all these things?"

Such policies would have made the party more popular. "But would we have built this Singapore?"

"Would we be standing here, surrounded by these buildings, this prosperity, this success?" Mr Lee asked, in the midst of the Central Business District's skyscrapers.

Mr Lee also stressed the importance of clean politics, recounting an anecdote about founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew's 90th birthday celebration in Parliament.

After the cake and candles, the older Mr Lee made a speech about one thing: keeping the system clean. Noting that the opposition MPs were at the same celebration, PM Lee said he hoped they also took note of what the late Mr Lee said.

He also got in a dig at the Singapore Democratic Party's (SDP) Chee Soon Juan, saying he was very surprised when Dr Chee said "Reputation is temporary but character is permanent" at the SDP's lunchtime rally on Monday.

"I agree. I think Dr Chee has every reason to know that character is permanent. Doesn't change," he said.

PAP politicians such as Ms Sim Ann and Mr Lawrence Wong have cast doubt on Dr Chee's character, bringing up his ousting of Mr

Chiam See Tong from the SDP in 1983 and his lying to a parliamentary select committee in 1996.

MAKE OPPOSITION WORK HARDER

Opposition not working hard enough, they make a mess of things, they are not active enough in Parliament, they are really talking not much sense. Vote PAP, make the opposition work harder.

- PM LEE

'We are not the bosses of Singapore... we are the trustees'
By Janice Heng, The Straits Times, 9 Sep 2015

Singapore's leaders are driven by a sense of duty to improve citizens' lives, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said at the People's Action Party's lunchtime rally yesterday.

Noting he had been in politics for over 30 years, he harked back to his first speech in the city in 1984.

"Every election since then I've been back to Fullerton Square, now to UOB Plaza," he told the crowd.

Why did he do this? Why was Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong, who stepped down as prime minister more than 10 years ago, "still here with us supporting us, rooting for Singapore"?

Secretary General Lee Hsien Loong: "We are the trustees and the stewards of Singapore. Our job - to take care of this, it is given to us in trust, to improve, to take good care of it and hand over to the next generation."Get breaking news, live updates, and exclusive content, on the go, please click: http://bit.ly/pap_link_up
Posted by People's Action Party on Tuesday, September 8, 2015

Because they feel a sense of duty, said Mr Lee. "A duty to improve life for Singaporeans, to make this a safe, secure, successful Singapore, to help Singaporeans improve their lives year by year and enable our children to have better futures and brighter opportunities."

That is what drives the PAP leadership to tackle hard issues and work with the people to solve problems, he added. "We are not the bosses of Singapore, we are not the commanders or the owners of Singapore, we are the trustees and the stewards of Singapore, we are like the jaga."

Likening his team to a jaga, or guard, he said their job was to take care of the country that had been given to them "in trust", and carefully hand it on to a new generation.

Secretary General Lee Hsien Loong recounted what late Mr Lee said at the past Fullerton rallies. He added: "So long as PAP is around, no one can knock it down."Get breaking news, live updates, and exclusive content, on the go, please click: http://bit.ly/pap_link_up
Posted by People's Action Party on Monday, September 7, 2015

He invoked founding prime minister Lee Kuan Yew's words at a rally in Fullerton Square in 1980.

In the pouring rain, the late Mr Lee had said: "Whoever governs Singapore must have that iron in him or give it up. This is not a game of cards, this is your life and mine.

"I spent my whole life building this, and as long as I'm in charge, nobody is knocking it down."

Though Mr Lee is gone, that spirit must live on, said the PM. "That iron must be inside our hearts, and as long as the PAP is in charge, nobody should be knocking this down. And that's why I'm in politics."

Having set out what drives him, he made a personal appeal: "If you believe in me and my team, if you believe that together we can make tomorrow better than today, please support me and my PAP team."

"That Iron Must be Inside Our Heart. As long as PAP is in charge, nobody is knocking it down."
Like father. Like son. PM Lee at Fullerton today: "That Iron Must be Inside Our Heart. As long as PAP is in charge, nobody is knocking it down."
Posted by Fabrications About The PAP on Tuesday, September 8, 2015

GE 2015: The PAP's urgent succession dilemma
By Chua Mui Hoong, Opinion Editor, The Straits Times, 9 Sep 2015

There was a moment during Mr Lee Hsien Loong's rally speech at UOB Plaza yesterday (Sept 8) when it hit home to me why the People's Action Party (PAP) has been hammering away at the message about the need for renewal.

Craning my neck, looking over the shoulders of those in front, I caught a glimpse of Mr Lee's head crowned with grey. He was talking about entering politics in 1984, and speaking at the traditional general election rally in the financial district since. The rally used to be at Fullerton Square but moved in 1996 to UOB Plaza.

Mr Lee drew laughs and applause often as he spoke. He told stories of a hawker he had met in Hokkaido in Japan and then at Serangoon Gardens market, and of a rainbow photo he shared that drew 55,000 Facebook likes - "better than a rally speech", he noted wryly.

He was in good form.

But stripped of the stories and political comebacks, his message was a dead serious one: Singapore needs good people to be in politics.

And he needs the support of voters at this election, to vote in a team of people who can then take time to forge a bond with people and work together towards a better future. It takes time for political leaders to find their own voice and way, and longer still to forge a bond with the people.

Listening to him, I thought Mr Lee could have been speaking about himself. It has taken him three decades to get to where he is today and, at 63, it is time to groom a successor. No wonder he is in a mighty hurry to get in place a team from which a successor might emerge. Where he is today, is a political leader at ease with himself and his people. He has come a long way from the geeky son of then Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who became Teck Ghee MP in 1984. He took over from Mr Goh Chok Tong as PM in 2004 amid talk of an "image problem" as someone stern and forbidding. In 2006, at UOB Plaza, in the heat of the hustings, he spoke about "fixing" the opposition. In 2011, at the same venue, he shocked many - in a good way - by apologising for his government's mistakes.

This General Election 2015 rally speech might be remembered in the future as the one where Mr Lee turned the opposition's argument on its head. To the opposition claim that it made sense to vote for them to make the PAP work harder, he said this was "perverse" and the correct argument was this: "Opposition not working hard enough, they make a mess of things, they are not active enough in Parliament, they are really talking not much sense - vote PAP, make the opposition work harder."

Mr Lee spoke passionately in English, with dialects and Singlish thrown into the mix. When he speaks of the Government's commitment to keeping Singapore safe, and rallying them to work together so the country can succeed, one senses his personal determination to the cause.

The worry in his mind is whether there will be a successor team to take over. He named current leaders in Cabinet: Heng Swee Keat, Lawrence Wong, Chan Chun Sing, Tan Chuan-Jin. He named new candidates Ng Chee Meng, Ong Ye Kung and Chee Hong Tat.

He described them as "people with potential" who he hopes to see get elected and asked for voters' support. And if elected, these men need to "show their commitment and prove themselves". And in due course, they "will be able to form that bond with you, with your children", he said.

The key words are: in due course.

Relationships take time to build, and politics is about the relationship between politicians and voters. This explains Mr Lee's sense of urgency to get a team in place to choose Cabinet leaders from. But while political parties can do their best to recruit candidates, it is up to voters to endorse their choices. And if they do not, then Mr Lee's succession plans for the PAP - and Singapore - go awry.

The situation this year is more difficult for the PAP than in past elections. This is because the PAP can no longer claim a monopoly on political talent. The new candidates joining opposition parties have strong credentials. Some have made personal or professional sacrifices to enter politics. Most of all, a good number have passion and zeal.

On the other hand, the PAP argues that a dominant yet caring PAP is Singapore's best bet for success. It has been able to attract qualified people to step up to stand for election. But will they be able to win voters over with their passion and commitment? Or will voters see some as candidates simply moving up from their public sector posts to take up political office?

For decades, the PAP's succession plan became the country's succession plan. The leaders it picked went on to lead the country.

But that is no longer guaranteed.

The succession dilemma today is that even the PAP cannot know, and only history will reveal, whether the team to lead Singapore into the future will come from it or from another party.

So while Mr Lee is understandably concerned about electing the PAP slate into Parliament, I think it is equally important that voters raise the bar for the opposition.

The quality of opposition candidates will soon matter as much as the quality of the PAP candidates: Because in all likelihood, one of them, if not in this general election, then perhaps the next, or the next, could become Singapore's future PM.