The People’s Action Party takes governance and governing Singapore very seriously and has always worked hard to improve the lives of Singaporeans, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat. 

Responding to Progress Singapore Party (PSP) leader Tan Cheng Bock’s assertion that the ruling party had lost its way, Mr Heng, who is also PAP’s 1st Assistant Secretary-General said: “We fundamentally disagree with Dr Tan. But of course, he’s entitled to his opinions just as all Singaporeans are entitled to opinions.” 

The test, Mr Heng said, is which party and group of candidates has better ideas and ability to deliver results for Singaporeans. Mr Heng noted that Singaporeans have placed their trust in the PAP over the years. 

He made these comments after a joint visit to East Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC) with Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing on 27 July 2019. They were hosted by former minister Lim Swee Say who is a Member of Parliament (MP) of the constituency.

Both DPM Heng and Mr Chan questioned whether Dr Tan had better alternative policies to bring Singapore forward. They added that Singaporeans would be fair-minded and would know who to place their trust in. “The trust that Singaporeans have placed in the PAP Government over the years is because (it) has delivered a better life for Singaporeans.” 

Adding on, he said: “We would need to focus on what are the major challenges ahead. Our ability to think long term and address issues early will be key,” citing ongoing efforts to transform the economy, create better jobs, and better care for an ageing population.

“He said that there’s no transparency but at the same time he attacked the fact that the issue of Oxley Road was raised in Parliament,” he added. “Now that is transparency, 

As to Dr Tan’s comment on PAP’s lack of transparency and his subsequent statement that the issue of Oxley Road – Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew’s house – was raised in Parliament shows transparency, said Mr Heng. “The fact that (the) Prime Minister was prepared to have this issue debated in Parliament, clarified in Parliament, is a very important aspect of our governance,” he remarked.

Separately, Mr Chan said Singapore’s fourth-generation political leaders – who were on their 40th community visit since it was reformatted in July last year – are focused not just on helping Singaporeans overcome the current economic challenges, but on strengthening the foundation for the economy in the next five to 10 years.

“The world is changing very fast. Technology is changing, supply chains are being reorganised, and we have to ask ourselves: In the next five to 10 years, how do we (put) Singapore in the best possible position to create those new jobs, to create those opportunities for younger Singaporeans?” said Mr Chan.

In his Facebook post, he added, “We are committed to build a leadership team that can take Singapore forward, working in partnership with all Singaporeans. Our commitment to them is that we will continue to work our hardest with them to enable Singapore to stand out from the competition.”

Image Credit: DPM Heng Swee Keat’s Facebook