Leading S'pore into the future

His body language was telling. Those who saw Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong giving his speech at the 2013 People's Action Party (PAP) Convention on Sunday noticed a difference in his delivery.

He used forceful hand gestures to emphasise the importance of his message: Singapore and the PAP are at a critical crossroads.

Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli told The New Paper later: "I'm not a body language expert but you can feel the energy in his speech... After the last GE (general election), the party is beginning to gain traction to address the concerns and bigger issues facing Singaporeans."

The new challenges facing the country today have arisen from its diverse society, mature economy and contested political landscape.

The way forward was outlined in the party's Resolution 2013, which was shared among 1,000 party members at the Kallang Theatre on Sunday.

The resolution, with the theme "Our New Way Forward, A Call to Action", articulated the need for the PAP to strengthen the Singapore identity, build a just society, create opportunities for Singaporeans and uphold an "open and compassionate meritocracy", among other ideals.

The resolution was the result of numerous engagement sessions that took into account PAP members' views on issues close to their hearts.

A BETTER TOMORROW

Some of the issues raised were the ageing population, upward social mobility and ethnic community needs.

Referring to social mobility, Mr Lee said: "People are more uncertain and anxious about the future because they see changes in the world. They see the winds blowing and they ask, 'Will the typhoon come to Singapore?' And if so, do I have a shelter?"

Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Liang Eng Hwa also found the new buzz in the air a revelation.

In addressing the uncertainties, Mr Lee seemed to be rallying and preparing his troops, Mr Liang felt. The message he got from Mr Lee's speech was that the party needs to adjust to the changing times to create a better tomorrow for Singaporeans.

"It's going to be tough on the party, but if we put our hearts and minds (to it), the outcome can be good for Singapore," Mr Liang said.

"It's very easy to get carried away with populist ideas. But the moment you do that, everything will fall apart."

Mr Liang cited the example of the MediShield Life initiative.

Some may be unhappy that the premiums will have to go up. But the initiative's objectives are ramped up benefits such as universal and lifetime coverages and protection against large medical bills.

In his speech, Mr Lee assured the people that the Government would help the elderly and needy to keep their premiums affordable.

Added Mr Liang: "It (MediShield Life) may not be popular, but PAP thinks beyond the five years and takes a long-term approach."

FAIR SYSTEM

One speaker at the Party Convention, Ms Khartini Khalid, 37, believes that she was the product of a fair system that "uses education as a means to social mobility".

She later told TNP: "This may sound like a cliche, but truly that is why many lower- and middle- income families, including mine, have made a leap in just one generation, where a family can go from having blue-collar jobs to children who become PMETs (professionals, managers, executives and technicians)."

Ms Khartini, whose father works as a driver and her mother in security, said: "The PAP is one party that believes in what it's doing. It may not be perfect, but it has done a lot of things right."

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