People's Action Party's (PAP) first assistant secretary-general Heng Swee Keat told the party that the new 4G leaders must evolve their style of leadership with the times, and "forge a renewed bond of trust with the electorate".

It was Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) and Finance Minister Heng's first speech to the party activists since his appointment as the most senior 4G leader in the PAP Central Executive Committee (CEC), the party's top decision-making body.

Ministers Lawrence Wong and Grace Fu were among the 4G leaders present at the 15th anniversary dinner of the PAP Policy Forum

During his speech, Heng spoke about the need:

i) for PAP to grow its reservoir of trust with Singaporeans;

ii) to uphold the spirit of constructive problem-solving through the concept of the democracy of deeds and;

iii) for the PAP activists to go a step further beyond the discussion of policy issues.

4G leadership to grow trust

Heng voiced that trust "cannot be inherited" between people and their leaders, and the 4G team will have to continue growing Singaporeans' trust for the next generation of nation-building.

To do so, however, Heng noted that their style of leadership will have to evolve with the times.

This is especially so as the diverse, aging population expects their needs to be met.

As a result of such maturity and diversity, Heng expects "robust debates" in the years to come. He added that staying united is critical, given the challenges that lies ahead of Singapore.

Heng cited U.S. - China tensions, the rapid advancement of technology, as well as longer-term issues such as climate change, an ageing population, and urban rejuvenation among the challenges.

To combat these changes, Heng said that the PAP must grow the people's trust with policies that have longer-term interests of Singaporeans at heart.

This translates into making difficult, rather than populist or convenient decisions.

Another way, Heng adds, is to hold themselves to "the highest levels of integrity".

Democracy of deeds

For his second point, Heng referenced the late S Rajaratnam's speech on August 14, 1971, where the term "democracy of deeds" was used.

Heng encourages citizens to take action for the betterment of Singapore.

Such partnership will also strengthen the trust between the people and their leaders, Heng believed.

In 1971, Heng said, when PAP was the ruling party and the only party in parliament, some took to opposing the government for the sake of doing so.

Then, Singapore's first foreign minister Rajaratnam urged the parties to focus on action and problem-solving, rather than on words and slogans.

The "democracy of deeds" can be contributed though a citizen's daily actions that make lives better for their fellow Singaporeans -- a constructive, problem-solving spirit that must be uphold even 50 years later.

PAP activists to go one step further

Lastly, Heng noted that while the PAP Policy Forum has served as a useful platform for party leaders and activists to engage and discuss policy issues, the PAP activists "will need to go one step further" in future.

Heng suggested three things the activists can do, using the word ACT as an acronym.

Heng urged the activists to take Action; Communicate; and Team Up.

Heng concluded that by taking action to give back to society, better communicating the government's policies, and encouraging Singaporeans to work as a team, the activists can help to build trust.

Top photos by Mandy How and Angela Lim.