Andrew Loh
In a Straits Times report on 10 July, five out of the nine new Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) list Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew as their favourite politician. United States president, Barack Obama, is second with two votes of confidence, with one each for former South African president, Nelson Mandela and another US president, Benjamin Franklin.
New NMP, Associate Professor Paulin Tay Straughan, who is also vice dean of NUS’s Arts and Social Sciences faculty, gushes as she says, “I never envisaged that I would enter politics, but I had hoped that I would get to meet Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew and tell him how much I admire him,” she told the Straits Times. “I hope to do that soon.”
To Mr Terry Lee Kok Hua, a veteran unionist, MM Lee is the “Father of Singapore”. “He has transformed Singapore from a Third World to First World nation that now provides Singaporeans with better jobs, better pay and a better life.”
MM Lee is admired for his “wisdom, vision and foresight” by Mr Teo Siong Seng, managing director of shipping company Pacific International Lines, for “transforming this tiny city with virtually no natural resources into one of the most developed countries in the world today.”
Indeed, MM Lee seems to be admired by the oldest and the youngest of the new NMPs. Mr Laurence Wee, 63, related how he had watched the debate between Mr Lee and Singapore’s first chief minister, Mr David Marshall, in the 1950s and went away awed by Mr Lee. “I was impressed with MM Lee’s calmness and composure during the debate,” says Mr Wee, who is Executive director of Presbyterian Community Services. “I thought to myself then that Mr Lee held the future of Singapore.”
To Ms Jocelyn Yeo, 30, winner of numerous medals for swimming for Singapore, MM Lee “epitomizes leadership”. “His wisdom, strength and courage in making decisions that shaped Singapore are greatly admired,” she says. “He was and is truly a leader among leaders.”
Nominated Members of Parliament are said to be selected because they can provide alternative views. Hopefully, their seemingly deep admiration for the Minister Mentor will not prevent them from doing so.
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the current female NMPs are good.
On a second thought… If only 5 out of 9 Singaporeans are PAP supporter for the next general election. Oh wait! 33% of our populations are foreigners because PAP allow them in!
Terence (#49),
I agree with you. I believe that many of us are making conclusions when we have no idea what he actually thinks. His policies may be outdated, but perhaps he does still really think of benefitting the country.
Of course, he should still adjust his mindset for the 21st Century. Although, he is old so well…
I agree with 49) Terence that we need to be more measured in our criticism. In some ways, I believe the press is trying to show that not every NMP is falling head over heels over Lee Senior and that there is a modicum of diversity and independent thinking among them.
Let’s wait and see the quality and quantity of speeches the NMPs make during their term before we pass quick judgment of their character and calibre.
Cheers.
TooLang, as you are a foreigner, naturally you must like it here to want to come here. You get more pay here, you get treated better here, of course you like it. Do you know it is so much easier for a China person to come and become a citizen here than for a Singaporean to become a Chinese citizen? You can get to live here and play here easily but for Singaporeans it is not as easy to settle in another country, even in China, India, Indonesia etc. So it is not true that so many foreigners trying every means to come and live in Singapore but Singapore trying every means to get foreigners to come to Singapore. Now do you understand what I am trying to say to you: TooLang foreign Talent!
Third world to first? Please donT kid yourself! Look around you, the old and infirm collecting cardboards and selling tissues for a living while the young are cramped in a one bedroom flat with no prospect of independence and self discovery. The older generations are the pillar and builder of the so called affluent country thru their belief and self sacrifice and their reward for it is abject poverty and no reward for their trust in a govt which promise them plenty but deliver nothing but more hardship. How anyone can adore such a man whose only concern is to hold onto power at any cost, regardless of its people beggars belief.
Character assassination belongs to the game of politics, especially character assassination of politicians and other public figures. There is a place for morality and ethics and politics is clearly an arena where morality and ethics do not belong. This is true for religious motivation too.
@49) Terence on July 10th, 2009 11.59 pm
I think at least Terence is using brains and not emotions here. It’s like a target out there, own time-own target, and first thing everyone shoots the referee! Ok, maybe ref. kelong one, but still…
Remember what happened to our previous president. Ask uncomfortable Q’s about reserves, and got shot down. So next guy sure Yes-Yes man, what. Same-same with the current batch of NMPs; not enough Yes, maybe sometimes a No. What U think next batch will be like? They stupid to say NO from the startline?
We should ask things like why nobody voted for the incumbent. After all, LHL has being in political arena for 20+ years, while Obama is less than a year. It’s like in the jungle and everyone is definitely concerned who the guide/compassman is. Everyone only thinks about yesterday’s compassman, who may or may not have best PR skills, but hey he sure can get evryone from pt.A to Pt.B. Now, nobody gives a shit about today’s compassman. WHY?
5 out of 9 is not an admirable number and I believe these 5 bootlickers have already gained an auto admission to become NMPs even before the decision was made.
@58) theforgottongeneration on July 11th, 2009 8.05 am
Errata: “…After all, LHL has being in political arena for 20+ years, while Obama is less than a year…”
More accurately, should be: “…. After all, LHL has held top post for about 5 years, while Obama is less than a year…”
5 friggin decades of Yada-yada-yada… and we’re still at Suare One.
WT?? Sure they have given the people “help” – such as ‘a glass of water to put out a forest fire’ kind of ‘help’…
Token Acts people… Token Acts.
8) Daniel, you’re so right! Look at that photo, touch your heart & say that doesn’t look like Ah Meng. & I’ll ask you if you can sleep at night. & you’re right about the part of him ruling the animal kingdom with an iron fist & shutting any animal up who dares dissent openly.
If the choice of favorite politicians isn’t limited to Singapore, why would anyone wanna pick one from this poor excuse for a country? It’s a poor excuse for a country for the way it’s run.
I’d pick Sitting Bull of the native Americans for defending his land & people bravely & lived with the new conquerors of the New World peacefully, at least before he was assassinated. I suppose Sitting Bull can be a candidate for favorite politician eh. I just don’t understand. Why Ah Meng?
Yep, take off the statute of Stamford Raffles and put one of the Great Leader, Dear Leader Lee Kuan Yew in place of it.
#48 Terence,
‘Despite whatever shortcoming he has, the reality is that he has brought Singapore economic success. As much as I am displeased with his human rights record, I’m not complaining about the fact that I have food on my table everyday.’
singapore is also blessed with a strategic geographical location. If it were located in such a great location, what happens? oh, the people’s hardwork too.
you work, so you have food on your table. Even a toilet cleaner can have food on his table when he works.
correction : If it were NOT located in such a great location, what happens?
Hi Score Point #64,
Excellent points there. Former WP Candidate Tang Liang Hong once said, “If the Cock don’t crow, will the sun not rise?”
The people who select and the selected NMPs are all part of the PAP system. Seriously, can Singaporeans expect anything out of the norm from this chronic illness of preferred self-appointments?
If the majority of Singaporeans remain pathetic with blind faith, it’ll be most unfortunate for the others. All will be processed into “lamb-chop” for being lame sheep.
The next election is a time for self-awakening!
I have 3 words for this; CRONIES, CRONIES AND CRONIES.
I admire MM, without him there is no NMP
I’ve always been skeptical of “independent” individuals or councils.
One fine example would be the “independent” council for the reviewing of political films.
Looks like I’ve found myself another example.
Talk about having alternative views.
Why is this old man still around calling shorts from behind and drawing big pay. I think he should step down ASAP. Let the next Generation run the show. Don’t involved and get scolded.
if he’s not their favourite politician, think they can get to be nmp, meh? time for the old man to retire and fade into the background. he gives more trouble to singapore now than contribution!
bye bye mr. lee. just fade away and give up your millions back to society, then i can respect you again!
This NMP scheme is yet another tactic to ensure that PAP rules forever. PAP wants to voters to believe that we can do without opposition part MPs. The reality is these NMPs are selected by PAP…..so they will not threaten PAP’s continued dominance.
You can tell that one of the NMPs (Calvin) is so desperately to gain political prominence!!
Nothing suprising as birds of the same feather flock together. They are what I would say.. kaki nang..and members indeed do have its privileges.
Hi sycophant,
I share your sentiments on Associate Professor Paulin Tay Straughan.
A brief review of her sociology publication reveals her conservative leanings.
The last representative from the academic circle was also conservative.
(the worst of conservatives – religious conservative)
Here are some excerpts from 2005 TV interview with A/Prof Paulin Tay Straughan:
I think we also have to understand the role of the state. When we deal with issues like homosexuality, while on one hand, we expect the Government to, you know, to appreciate and embrace every single member of society, right? And that is the right thing, right?
Just because you’re homosexual doesn’t make you a lesser member, right? But at the same time, the Government is also mindful that everything it does is read as an initiative, right?
And there are members of the society who will expect the Government to be…they look towards the Government as some kind of, you know, moral authority, right?, you know, on what should be and what shouldn’t be encouraged. So acceptance is one thing. Promoting is another thing. And these two need not be the same.
What a gross misconception! Despite her PhD, does she not know that secular government has no role in exerting moral leadership?
Lee Kuan Yew has outlived his usefulness. He has exceeded his used by dates
by a wide margin. That is why he keep on making stupid mistakes like proclaiming Singapore to be in a golden era. We are now in the worst depression ever. It will be negative growth in the double digit for this year and
it will be a long while before we climb out of this shit-hole the pap has led us into.
sycophant @46
Thanks for the interesting info. Was her Professorship as well as Thio’s Doctorate awarded in SG? If this does not give SG’s education or higher ed a bad name, it at least will NOT elevate the status of SG’s education. What world class education is this when we have profs & post docs do not have independent thinking? How to produce any ground breaking papers? To give review of a person, we need to consider the good as well as the bad, not just the good and blank out the rest.
Yes we have food to eat (many other countries citizens also do), but do people think that if the British had continued ruling, we don’t? Look at Hongkong!
To those who advise remembering the source of the water when drinking it, what about Mao or Sadam’s people? I mean if not for their leadership they won’t have a country to live in or food to eat? So should they praise and uphold them without reservation
These 5 NMPs sure got vision and foresight for voting MM Lee as their favourite, if not they will not be re-elected the next round. Get it ?
>>What ? only 5 out of 9 NMPs got it right ! What’s wrong with the other 4 NMPs ?
They probably “joined” out of curiosity :)
7) monopoLee
///If not for MM Lee, S’pore would not have the services of his daughter-in-law Ho Ching to run ////
Her service to the nation will be remembered by a road in Taman Jurong bearing her name, by coincidence
47) Terence
/////I see nothing wrong with admiring LKY. Despite whatever shortcoming he has, the reality is that he has brought Singapore economic success. As much as I am displeased with his human rights record, I’m not complaining about the fact that I have food on my table everyday.
But while I respect the man, but I disagree with many of the things he does. We need to be more measured in our criticisms, and I honestly find characterisations of LKY = Satan / evil monster just plain ridiculous. Such a title is only reserved for hitler./////
I am with you on this, Terence.
The opposition members that some disrespectfully labelled as , i quote, ‘clowns’ are actually what we have. Yes, it is possible even more capable opposition potentials exist and are like-minded with existing opposition nationals.The fact remains, these simply would not step forward due to A-Z reasons.
We cannot demand people step forward to sacrifice or serve the rest.
But this also speaks a lot about the people we have.
When one is fed with luxury, they would not bite the hand……….
human nature for mere mortals.
What is LACKing is a few good men and women.
Sad situation. Sure to Change but may take another 50 years.
The world is full of history and examples that CHANGE is INEVITABLE.
Some may be naive enough to actually believe that there will be no change as they base their thinking on the present. If we look at history and forward into the future, we can see all the possibilities.
Man is Mortal. This is our only chance.
PAP creates NMPs is like telling us that their MPs are not good enough.
Please allow me to add and clarify my 1st sentence above:
“The opposition members that some disrespectfully labelled as , i quote, ‘clowns’ are actually what we have. ”
==> The opposition members that some disrespectfully labelled as , i quote, ‘clowns’ are actually what we have. But I dun mean they are clowns. They are the ones who stepped forward to offer us a Choice. Yes, no one is perfect. But these stood forward and sacrificed on more ways than 1. And instead of thanking them or respecting their guts and righteous mindedness, people , who may have ulterior motive like score point, are trying desperate ways to smear their name. This is a loser’s behavior. Losers have no confidence of winning fairly and on leveled playing field.
In addition, comparing our opposition and anywhere else in the world, these are considered very well mannered, tamed and well behaved and credible and regarded (at least for Mr Low , Chiam and Sylvia and our late JBJ as well as several others).
While many singaporeans, may not be united , in my view, nor righteous minded or daring nor willing to sacrifice for the community, the fact remains that many feel that something better is what we can aim for.
82) ZL on July 11th, 2009 10.32 pm
“PAP creates NMPs is like telling us that their MPs are not good enough.”
You raised an interesting point.
I wonder why need more nmp’s when his team should be the best already enough to serve the whole country based on justice and equality without bias and with transparency?
Why not let the people decide and make changes only after the election?
I liken the rule of Singaporeans by the PAP to this scenario:
A mother had a baby bird and showered it with a lot of care. Soon the baby bird grew big enough to want to fly on its own. Mother bird says “NO! You need not learn how to fly because I can carry you around.” Baby bird protested but Mother bird retorted: “You never realise how lucky you are to have such a caring mother like me. Learn how to appreciate the good things that I ave given to you!”
This went on for years until one day Mother bird discovered that she is no longer the strong mother that she used to be and could no longer carry the baby bird any longer. But until then, baby bird still cannot fly. Mother bird then starts blaming baby bird for being too dependent on her….
It seems that many singaporeans hold grudges against LKY, I guess for valid reasons. Yes, the Ho Ching thing is an embarrassment, but I kinda like the man and I think he did Singapore great (I say Singapore, not Singaporean). But then again, I am a foreigner.
Love has done more harm then hate…..
This man alone did not build Singapore…there were so many others…who got neglected selectivly…
LKY used to love Singapore….now…i guess he loves his son, his family and his legacy too much……
It is time for us to see….and time for him to reflect…..and his family too….
The day I saw the son take over…I felt he carried an enormous burden….but after a few years of LHL’s administrations……..i realise the son
CANNOT DO IT….
Things have changed….PAP cannot adopt…the leadership is weak…..LKY for all the admiration wants to fail……
What am I to say…you can see it and will see it…..
How Time Tricks Us and Our Eyes Plays Tricks To Reassure The Time…..
“PAP creates NMPs is like telling us that their MPs are not good enough.”
Isn’t we know all along that the MPs are there to entrench the kangaroo party in power because to ensure that all policies by the kangaroo will all just go through due to majority vote in parliament. Isn’t GST pass this way ?
What nonsense about view when it is just view ? Reminds me of company manager who says he appreciates views but ultimately only his view is value and implement accordingly. The view is just view to show that there is divesity of view, nothing more. Get it ?
Quote :
#48 Terence,
‘Despite whatever shortcoming he has, the reality is that he has brought Singapore economic success. As much as I am displeased with his human rights record, I’m not complaining about the fact that I have food on my table everyday.’
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHA!! Please grow up! That man is not God as he is made up by the state controlled sycophantic media to be. This negative aspect of subservient, head-to-floor banging Confucian mentality should not be allowed to pervert the mind. This is not to say all aspects of “confucian-ism” are bad.
How dare you all give bad critics of LKY ?
If without LKY, there will be no Singapore !
Correct ?
公鸡不叫，难道太阳不起吗？
“How dare you all give bad critics of LKY ?
If without LKY, there will be no Singapore !”
If without Singapore, there is no LKY.
“公鸡不叫，难道太阳不起吗？”
Haha,… that is so true. We can do without LKY and his expensive clowns and sissy son and still we will delve and survive.
at his age, he is still controlling ISD and key government agencies. i wonder what is the reason? why… can someone tell me?
92) Daniel on July 12th, 2009 8.28 am
If without Singapore, there is no LKY.
=======================================
I think you mean, also, without Sang Nila Utama, there is no Singapura which implies no Singapore and none of us.
Technically, I dun think anyone can say you are wrong.
Impressed!
Lets not forget our other founder Sir Stanford Raffles !
without him ….
The founder(s) of Singapore are the SINGAPOREAN people.
These soon-to-be Parliament Critters sure know who butters their toast.
One of the selected NMP, Calvin Cheng was an active member of the Young PAP before he was selected. At the time of the selection process, he was stil a YPAP member. This has contravened the stated objective of the scheme which is to “nominated candidates as NMPs to reflect independent and non-partisan views in Parliament as far as possible.”
We already have too many PAP MPs in Parliament. Do we need an additional voice to add more weight to the ruling party? Was the scheme not introduced to allow alternative voices to be heard to satisfy the public demand for more different views to be expressed in the Parliament?
All applicants for the NMP position have to state clearly their past and present memberships in societies, including political parties. There is no reason for the Special Select Committee to overlook this. If it is a deliberate decision, then it has totally defeated the purpose of setting up such a scheme. It may even call into question the sincerity and conviction of the recently-announced changes in our political system by the government.
What happens if the candidate is a Workers Party member? Wil the Special Select Committee approve his application? The Committee has to be fair and be seen to be fair!
The government must convince the public that it has a genuine desire to make our electoral system more acceptable to the electorates.
Koochi Poochie Koo,
you are right.
Everything start from the root. Remember what Issac Newtons says that he stand in the Standing on the shoulders of giants (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Standing_on_the_shoulders_of_giants), and that he merely built what is done by his predecessor, and he never claim all credits to himself.
OUr clowns are so different claiming all credit to themselves, and all blames to others. Just look at the old fart who preaches that investment take 30 years only to see the investment sell off in less than 30 years, and then disappear and shut up and prepare to admonish those under him who dare to raise the question of his dubious foresight. Just look at Sissy Lee who hold the torch in major event even though he contribute nothing and when crisis happen, he just disappear.
And what most appalling to us is that we have Singapore clown supporters who believe they standing in the Shoulders of the Lees and attribute everything good to the Lees, and everything bad to the world.