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Integrity a must for PAP candidates: DPM Teo

SINGAPORE — The Republic needs honest and competent leaders to take the country forward in the next phase of nation building, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who added that the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) is looking at fielding candidates with integrity and the interests of residents at heart.

Dr Ng Eng Hen with a decorative panel made of Lego bricks at a block party at Block 171 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 yesterday. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

Dr Ng Eng Hen with a decorative panel made of Lego bricks at a block party at Block 171 Toa Payoh Lorong 1 yesterday. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

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SINGAPORE — The Republic needs honest and competent leaders to take the country forward in the next phase of nation building, said Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, who added that the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) is looking at fielding candidates with integrity and the interests of residents at heart.

“Where there is wrongdoing, one must be upfront, admit one’s mistakes and take the appropriate actions to put things right,” said Mr Teo.

“This is how we ensure that our system remains clean and we continue to have good competent leaders to serve Singapore. And this is a critical factor for Singapore to succeed.

Mr Teo, who is also Home Affairs Minister and Member of Parliament (MP) for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, was speaking at a National Day dinner last night at Bedok Reservoir Road, which is part of Aljunied GRC, currently helmed by the Workers’ Party (WP).

Mr Teo told reporters during the event that the PAP is looking for candidates with financial and legal backgrounds to contest in the opposition-held GRC.

“We want a team who can look after the town council and make sure its financials are in good order, payments are made and that there are no chronic deficits accumulating,” he said.

“I think it’s important that this particular, very basic aspect is being looked after. We want to look for candidates who have some financial background, so that they can scrutinise accounts properly, and people with legal training who understand what they need to do,” he said.

“Then again, you can have many lawyers, but you need to do what you are supposed to do (as MPs). Most importantly, we want people who have integrity and have the interests of residents at heart.”

The task of managing the Aljunied-Hougang-Punggol East Town Council (AHPETC) has seen the WP flagged for major lapses in “governance and compliance” by the Auditor-General, with poor internal controls and inadequate oversight of related party transactions among the issues raised.

The town council was also 10 months late in filing its financial statements for FY2013 with the Ministry of National Development (MND).

The hearing for the MND’s appeal against a High Court decision not to appoint independent accountants for AHPETC will be heard in court today.

Joining Mr Teo at the dinner last night were 1,500 residents of Aljunied GRC, as well as the PAP’s likely candidates to be fielded against the WP. They included Mr Chua Eng Leong and Mr Victor Lye, who are branch chairmen for Eunos and Bedok Reservoir-Punggol, respectively, as well as Mr Shamsul Kamar, the next likely chairman for the Kaki Bukit branch.

Mr Teo’s point on fielding candidates who have residents’ interests at heart was echoed earlier yesterday by PAP organising secretary, Dr Ng Eng Hen. “That is a quality that cannot be negotiable. If you cannot take care of your residents’ needs as a potential minister, we’re not going to field you. It’s as simple as that,” said Dr Ng, who was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the National Day Parade funpack distribution in Toa Payoh.

“So our first priority is, and should always be, that the people whom we put up for election can take care of their residents’ needs, help bond the community, identify with residents and empathise with them.”

Dr Ng reiterated the party would announce its new candidates for the election after National Day on Aug 9 so that the nation can enjoy the Jubilee Weekend without the heat of political contestation. “In the run up to the Jubilee Weekend, SG50 and the National Day Parade, we don’t want to further increase that temperature and tempo,” he said.

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