Singapore must still be meritocracy-based but with wide defintiions of merit: PM Lee

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong says Singapore must continue to be based on meritocracy, but with wide definitions of merit and success. 

Speaking at the PAP's 32nd conference, he said meritocracy is a fundamental principle of the ruling PAP, and that it's for this reason that the party fought for a Malaysian Malaysia and left Malaysia in 1965. 

Mr Lee noted that there has been vigorous debate on meritocracy, with the most recent discussions revolving around the Primary School Leaving Examination and school rankings. 

The prime minister said merit not only refers to academic success. 

He pointed out that while school grades are important, they're not the only measure of ability or determinants of success. 

He described the PSLE as an important examination, saying it is right that students study hard, but it's not the be-all and end-all. 

Mr Lee said for those who did well, there's no free ride to success in life 

But for those who did less well and missed entering their school of choice, Mr Lee said there are more opportunities to develop and succeed later in life.