By Li Xueying

IT HAS been two years and 10 months since the two dozen men and women, decked out in spanking new virginal whites, took their places in front of the cameras for their first official public appearance.

Uncertain smiles in place, the rookie candidates from the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) replied to questions from the media with varying degrees of articulation and confidence.

Expectations of them were high.

An unprecedented number - half of them - were born after 1965.

The move, as PAP second assistant secretary-general Teo Chee Hean said then, was aimed at keeping the party in step with younger Singaporeans' aspirations.

Beyond that was a bigger consideration: Can they become Singapore's future leaders? After all, the next generation of leaders must come from those born in post-independence Singapore, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong had said in his inauguration speech in 2004.

Now, 1,050 days after they were elected on May 6, 2006, the 24 politicians have grown into their roles - again, with varying degrees of ease.

Some have distinguished themselves with thoughtful speeches in Parliament. Others have become known as "grassroots" MPs, popular with constituents.

A few appear to be heading towards the high-flying route as office-holders. Yet, there were others who have had more mixed reviews.

Insight spoke to about 25 politicians, political observers, grassroots activists and residents - excluding the 24 MPs themselves - who gave their impressions to form the following report card of the class of 2006. A caveat must be added: It is by no means meant to be a scientific survey of the entire population.

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This article was first published in The Straits Times.

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