\n<\/p>\n
He then recalled a conversation with then-Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in 2006, when he was Mr Lee\u2019s principal private secretary.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe GE was just over, a little bit like now, and I said to him, we can finally take a breather, we can relax,\u201d said the PAP secretary-general.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n But Mr Lee had said that there was still urgent work to do, especially in renewing the party.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI was thinking to myself: \u2018why the rush? You have just secured your first election as Prime Minister. Surely you have time\u2019,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cNow it\u2019s my turn. Now I understand the urgency.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n This is because the next generation needs time to learn, prepare and earn the confidence and trust of Singaporeans, said Mr Wong.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cIf you miss one cycle, you lose five years,\u201d he said.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He said that \u201cgood progress\u201d has been made in this GE, with 27 new and first-term MPs in parliament.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cWithin just a few months, they have made their presence felt, built strong relationships on the ground, and made tangible improvements for their residents,\u201d he added.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n He gave a few examples: West Coast-Jurong West\u00a0<\/span>Group Representation Constituency MPs Hamid Razak and Cassandra Lee, and East Coast\u00a0<\/span>GRC\u00a0MP Hazlina Halim.<\/span><\/p>\n Steps have also been taken to renew the Cabinet team<\/span>, said Mr Wong, noting that he was the youngest member of Cabinet in the previous term of government.<\/p>\n He then named six new political officeholders in the latest Cabinet reshuffle. They are:<\/p>\n\n