The former prime minister, now senior minister after stepping down in August in favor of his deputy Lee Hsien Loong, told the party's 50th anniversary dinner Saturday that they must remain incorruptible.

"If success gets into our heads and we begin to lose touch with the people, that will be our downfall," Goh said.

"This is why the PAP does not believe in owning an iconic building as its headquarters. And PAP leaders do not plaster their faces all over Singapore except during elections, of course!" he said.

The party, which has been in power since 1959 after Singapore gained self-rule from Britain, must adapt to keep in touch with the new generation of Singaporeans but the party's "core values and beliefs" should not be forgotten in the process, Goh, 63, said.

"It is right that the party changes with the times to reach out to a new generation," Goh said.

"But in changing, we must retain our core values and beliefs -- our whiteness so to speak -- integrity, incorruptibility, fair play, justice, meritocracy and compassion.

"Our party leaders may change... but our values must remain constant," he said.

There is speculation that Lee will soon call for general elections to secure his own mandate -- even if the polls are held as late 2007.

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