The list includes 'quite a few' with the potential to be ministers, said Dr Ng Eng Hen, the party's special organising secretary who is coordinating its recruitment efforts for the polls.

But whether Singapore's fourth prime minister is among them is, as yet, a question mark, he told The Straits Times.

'If you bring in a group of people who have ministerial calibre, they will have to choose among themselves who to lead.

'That person must be able to win the confidence of his team,' he said.

The PAP's search for new people to don party whites began in October 2006, less than six months after the polls in May that year.

Today, 18 months later, the list includes 'quite a few who can be potential leaders with the right values', said Dr Ng, who is Education Minister.

Overall, they tend to share several qualities, he added.

They have passion. They are brimming with ideas, and do not necessarily agree with everything the party is doing, believing there are other better ways.

They are also very capable, showing a high aptitude for their field of work, and are successful in their careers.

The group is diverse, representing a cross-section of Singapore society, he stressed.

They are 'quite mixed' - females, males, of different races and backgrounds. This is a result of the PAP casting its net 'very wide', he said.

'We looked at professional bodies, voluntary welfare organisations, not necessarily just economic groups or so-called social political groups,' said Dr Ng.

The need for diverse talents is important, he added.

'Going forward, Singapore has increased wealth, increased reach, increased challenges.Governing will become more complex.'

The search party includes ministers, MPs and PAP offshoots - the Young PAP and the Women's Wing. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong himself also 'talented-spotted from time to time', said Dr Ng.

'Some of them, we'd known them and they had proven themselves on the ground doing this and that. But some are just brief encounters - their talent sparkles and we pull them in.'

However, he was quick to emphasise that nothing is cast in stone - not until the final hours of Nomination Day. At every general election, the PAP inducts about 25 new faces.

Jurong GRC MP Halimah Yacob said that this time round, she had put up five names. Some are women and most are Malays. Their backgrounds are varied - ranging from grassroots leaders to high-profile corporate executives.

Said Madam Halimah: 'We, as MPs, do a first-cut assessment. Some I know. But those that I do not know, I ask around - is he or she capable? What do people say about him or her?'

She then meets them over lunch to know them better. Sometimes, she hands in her choices with a note detailing their areas of competency and their pet issues.

'It is not a scientific process, but we all do our best,' she said.

xueying@sph.com.sg

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