S'poreans should vote for new party if PAP is no longer capable
By Ng Wei Keng & Wong Siew Ying, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 01 August 2008 2132 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Singaporeans should support a new political party if the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) is no longer the best vehicle to take the country forward, said Foreign Affairs Minister George Yeo.

Mr Yeo was speaking to students at a dialogue session at the Singapore Polytechnic on Friday.

They discussed issues such as inducting talent into politics and how the ruling party aims to win the votes of younger Singaporeans.

On that, Mr Yeo said the people must be clear about what they hope to see in the future, before they decide on which party to support.

The foreign minister was also asked if the PAP is confident of winning back the opposition-held ward of Hougang in the next election.

Mr Yeo answered: "We should be quietly confident, but never take the voters for granted, and to work hard to serve them.

"The PAP must always have that spirit to want to serve the people of Hougang, believing that we can do better for them if we are in charge. That must always be our spirit, but of course, it's for the people there to decide."


- CNA/so