IN an address to nearly 1000 cadre members, Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong Dec 3 called for a new vision for the People's Action Party (PAP).

Mr Goh was addressing a closed-door session of the party's ordinary conference, where cadre members were gathered to elect the party's 2001 Central Executive Committee (CEC), the PAP's highest policy-making body. Mr Goh also spoke on the regional political situation and domestic issues.

Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in his speech, analysed the economic challenges facing Asean and Singapore. He also outlined the steps that had to be taken to meet the challenges.

In its report released yesterday, the outgoing CEC also touched on the challenges ahead for Singapore. It said the party must provide strong and good leadership as international and domestic problems can erupt very quickly.

Policy choices, too, are growing increasingly complex. Ministers and Members of Parliament, it said, must be able to anticipate trends, form accurate judgements and make sound decisions.

The party will therefore continue to look for able Singaporeans to be ministers and MPs.

The third generation of PAP leaders, it said, will have to assume greater responsibilities and the party will need a few more ministers to complete the team.

The report added that Singapore's progress and prosperity will depend not just on its own efforts but also on the political stability and growth of its neighbours.

The CEC noted that in contrast to the political and economic uncertainties faced by South-east Asia, North-east Asia had rebounded well from the regional financial crisis and was poised to grow strongly. It said that the South-east Asian political landscape had become fluid, with governments of some countries facing grave challenges.

The ensuing instability could reduce the region's attractiveness for investments and erode business confidence, ultimately affecting Singapore's prospects, it said.

"Developments in Indonesia and Malaysia, and to a lesser extent Thailand and the Philippines, will affect the unity and strength of Asean, and the prospects for Singapore," the report said.

"Analysts have commented that while Singapore seems to do most things right, it is 'in the wrong place at the wrong time'."

In contrast, the CEC noted, North-east Asia had recovered strongly from the Asian financial crisis.

"Moreover, Japan, China and Korea are exploring cooperation amongst themselves," it said. "They are also better placed to do well in the New Economy. Their workers are better educated and their population more IT-literate. The income gap between North-east Asia and South-east Asia will widen."

At yesterday's ballot, the 12 members elected to next year's CEC were Tony Tan, Shunmugam Jayakumar, Goh Chok Tong, Lee Hsien Loong, Lee Kuan Yew, Lim Boon Heng, Abdullah Tarmugi, Wong Kan Seng, Lim Hng Kiang, Lim Swee Say, Teo Chee Hean and George Yeo.

Yeo Cheow Tong and Aline Wong were co-opted into the new CEC. This is the first time Mr Yeo is on the committee. The CEC can co-opt up to six members.