Selection of PAP candidates ‘intensifying’ for next GE: Heng Swee Keat

SINGAPORE — The selection of candidates for the next General Election (GE) is intensifying at the People’s Action Party (PAP), said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.

And while there is still “some time” before the polls, the ruling party has already found some very good candidates, said Mr Heng, who is also the PAP’s first assistant secretary-general — a post he has held since the party's internal elections in November last year. 

Mr Heng became Singapore's sole Deputy Prime Minister on May 1 and is widely expected to succeed Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong if the PAP prevails at the next GE. He kept his role as Finance Minister.

He was asked last Friday (May 3) about the party’s preparations for the polls, which must be held by April 2021, and its areas of focus for the rest of this Government’s term. It was his first media interview since becoming Singapore’s second-in-command.

Mr Heng said that he was working with Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing — the PAP’s second assistant secretary-general — to prepare for the next GE.

For one thing, the party is in the midst of selecting its candidates, as its policy is to renew its ranks at every GE.

“The work is intensifying. We have had some very good candidates already,” he said, without elaborating.

“The work is continuing because we still have… some time.”

Mr Heng said that the party was looking at a range of candidates from various backgrounds.

As Singapore becomes more diverse, the Deputy Prime Minister said that it was important that the party continue to represent that diversity.

It is also important for it to encompass the views of different segments of society and achieve a consensus to turn “diversity into a strength and not let diversity divide us”, he said.

Mr Heng was asked if he was confident that fourth-generation leaders can continue to draw candidates and Members of Parliament to represent the growing social diversity.

He replied that it was a more challenging task now, since Singapore’s economy has grown and the global economy is doing well — and this presents many opportunities for Singaporeans.

During his visits to China and Silicon Valley in the United States, Mr Heng has met many able Singaporeans who have had opportunities to take on a range of assignments here and abroad.

“What we have to do is convince them that politics is a very meaningful and impactful thing to do and… persuade them that, if you want to take Singapore forward, one important way is for you to join us, so that we can continue to gain the trust and confidence of fellow Singaporeans,” Mr Heng said.

He added that the party welcomes many more good candidates, whether to be fielded in elections or to help in the party.

Aside from assembling its slate of candidates, Mr Heng said that the party was working on its manifesto to take Singapore forward in the next five years and beyond.

The party is also exploring outreach to different segments of Singaporeans, to “make sure that we are able to understand their concerns and look at how we can work with all Singaporeans for a brighter future”.

Political analysts have told TODAY that they expect the next GE to be held by the end of this year or early next year.