Singapore's success depends on 'next next generation of leaders', says Chan Chun Sing

Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing said on Saturday (Oct 21) that he likes it when young people complain and are not too contented as this means they want to make Singapore better. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/CHAN CHUN SING

SINGAPORE - How successful Singapore will be by SG100 is not just up to the next generation of leaders, but the following generation - in other words, the young people of today, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Office Chan Chun Sing on Saturday (Oct 21).

That is why he likes it when young people complain and are not too contented, he told a group of them at a networking event, as this means they want to make Singapore better.

"If you are actually quite zen sitting down there like everything in Singapore is okay then I'm actually quite worried," he said, addressing some 700 volunteers and representatives from educational institutions and youth groups at Our Tampines Hub.

"Each generation must build upon the foundations of the last, each generation must add something to it. Otherwise Singapore will plateau, and anything that plateaus and stops moving will soon degenerate," he added, telling them that Singapore is a "constant work-in-progress".

Speaking at the event organised by the People's Association Youth Movement (PAYM), Mr Chan encouraged volunteers to seek out partners to collaborate with, so that they can share information and leverage on existing work to further help the community.

The dialogue was part of the PAYM's first large-scale networking session for members of its Youth Executive Committees and youth groups such as school clubs and young professional groups.

PAYM signed new agreements with nine partners, including the Junior Chambers International (Singapore), National University of Singapore (NUS) Medical Society and Young Sikh Association.

Junior Chambers International (Singapore) national president Lim Hui Jie, 30, said: "We hope to provide more exposure for our youth and link them up with opportunities for more projects and partners."

His organisation focuses on encouraging young people to be active citizens.

Kolam Ayer Community Club Youth Executive Committee chairman Chee Yi Long, 28, said forming partnerships can help link groups to the people in need, among other things.

After he gave a presentation on Saturday about a series of projects providing haircuts and breakfasts to needy people, he was approached by the NUS Medical Society about adding health screenings to the list, he said.

"We can be the bridge to ensure necessary services can reach our residents," he said.

Reminding the young people that they can make a difference, Mr Chan said while there are many things in Singapore that people admire, "there are many more things that we can do better, together".

"The trick lies with you all today. It is your generation, your partnerships within your generation and across generations that will take Singapore to the next lap," he added.

Noting that Singaporeans are often described as "complain kings and queens", he said this was something to cheer as it shows a desire for improvement.

"But having complained, who is going to solve the complaint? It is not some amorphous government out there. It is nobody but us. We owe it to ourselves, 3.5 million Singaporeans...we will make it work," he said.

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