Ng Eng Hen
The author is the 2nd Organising Secretary of the People’s Action Party and the Minister of Defence. This is a press release by the People’s Action Party.
Former Foreign Minister George Yeo is only 2 years younger than Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
At today’s meeting, the PAP CEC accepted the resignation of six of its members who proposed to step down to facilitate leadership renewal in the party. They are:
- Mr Lee Kuan Yew
- Mr Goh Chok Tong
- Mr Lim Boon Heng
- Mr Wong Kan Seng
- Mr George Yeo
- Mrs Lim Hwee Hua
The CEC also decided to confer upon Comrades Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong the title of Honorary Past Secretary-General, in recognition of their outstanding service and seminal contributions to the PAP and Singapore.
The CEC will appoint new members to fill these six vacancies. The new members will be chosen through a poll of PAP Branch Chairmen, and cadres representing PAP branches, district committees, the Women’s Wing and Young PAP. This process is expected to be completed by the Party’s Convention this November.
Secretary General Lee Hsien Loong said: “On behalf of the CEC and the Party, I thank the retiring comrades for their selfless dedication and sterling service. They have played key roles in the Party over many years, especially Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Goh Chok Tong who led Singapore’s progress and transformation through four decades.
Leadership renewal in the Party goes hand-in-hand with self-renewal among MPs and Ministers. The Party has much work ahead of it to strengthen its roots, extend its outreach, and convince a new generation of voters to support its ideals, vision, and programmes.
This CEC change will enable the Party to induct younger members into the CEC, and form a team which can lead and prepare the PAP for the next General Elections by 2016.”
