TOC wishes MM Lee Kuan Yew a happy 86th birthday and thanks him for his nation-building endeavour.
Netina Tan
A public conference was held recently to discuss the country’s prospects in the event of MM Lee Kuan Yew’s death (ST 21 Apr 2009). Lee Kuan Yew has had two heart operations in 1996 to clear a blocked heart artery. He was hospitalised again in Sep 2008 for abnormal heart rhythm and has since implanted a cardiac pacemaker (ST 1 Dec 2008). More recently, he was also seen to be slow in his speech in Parliament.
With the global economic downturn, export-dependent Singapore faces its worst crisis since independence. And as Lee Kuan Yew turns 86 years old, questions are raised on the prospects of the hegemonic PAP’s rule. Will Singapore survive his death?
Leadership Succession
In most Asian democracies, the question of leadership succession is perilous as it raises expectations and changes that could de-stabilise the balance of power. For example, when Taiwan was under the Kuomintang’s rule in the 1980s, speculations or publications on the prospective successors of Chiang Ching-Kuo were banned. Usually, strong leaders strive to hold on to power for as long as possible or show little interest in developing a means of providing a successor. But this is not a case in Singapore.
Over the last five decades, the PAP has engineered two party leadership successions without public infighting or power struggles. In Singapore’s short history, two Prime Ministers have stepped aside for a younger successor. While the fourth Prime Minister successor has not been identified, the precedence of Prime Ministers stepping down is expected to continue.
As Goh Chok Tong once said, he stepped down voluntary “because Mr Lee had set the example” (Goh’s speech at PAP 50th Anniversary Dinner, 2004). Singapore’s leadership succession is unique as Lee Kuan Yew had made leadership succession a priority and PMs retire voluntary – not an easy feat, considering how often coups and protests are the main mechanisms for leadership change.
A Closer Look at the Mechanism
The PAP is an odd party as it avoids vertical integration of its cadres and does not appear to overtly reward party loyalists. This is perhaps another of Lee’s legacy as he said: “We have resisted the temptation, and the pressure, to fill up the Parliament with party loyalists. We have to field the best that Singapore has” (Petir 30th Anniversary Issue 1984, 22).
Since 1984, the PAP has “talent spotted” widely and adopted the Civil Service recruitment process of tea sessions, interviews and psychological tests to select its candidates. As discussed, the PAP “talent spots” from within the state structures and integrates them horizontally into the Party. The PAP’s incumbency advantage and access to state institutions such as the Public Service Commission that administers 13 prestigious government scholarships helps to channel highly qualified scholars into its party (see Chen and Neo 2007; Barr 2006).
Another feature of Singapore’s leadership succession system is that retired PMs and senior Cabinet Ministers do not leave the political scene, but remain in office to lend expertise as Senior Ministers (SM) or Minister Mentor (MM). Currently, the Cabinet has two SMs and one MM. The expansion of the Cabinet is an ingenious innovation as it mitigates possible power struggles that come with leadership transition.
The new cabinet positions encourage intra-party elite cohesion as it compensates the outgoing leader with a prestigious position and high salary; and allows the new leader to tap his predecessors for knowledge and expertise. While the specific job scopes are unclear, the current MM and SMs are seen to act as consultants and ambassadors by travelling overseas to improve Singapore’s international standing.
Observation and Criticism
Most observers contend that the PAP’s cohesion over last 40 years owed much to Lee Kuan Yew’s forceful personality. Yet, it is more than charisma or ideological commitments that sustain the party. Lee and his successors have institutionalised a process by which the PAP as an organization has incorporated the founder’s values and aims. As Lee Kuan Yew once said: “My colleagues and I have institutionalised honesty, integrity and meritocracy into the systems we have created. Each generation of leaders has the duty to recruit the people of integrity, ability and commitment as their successors” (cited in Rodan 2009, 192).
Critics argue that the PAP’s “meritocratic” based recruitment and candidate selection process are “ruthless winnowing process” that promotes elitism and “politics of envy” (Barr 2006; Tan 2008). Much has been written about the elite-selection process may result in the ruling class renewing itself with the people of same mindset, promoting in-breeding of ideas. But, despite complaints of elitism, Singapore voters also rarely vote for candidates who are not well educated or qualified professionally (Mauzy 2002, 64).
Lee’s birthday reminds us of his relentless dedication to institutionalise a structure of governance that will survive beyond him. The institutionalised elitist-based leadership selection process is one such example. With the injection of “right” people and concerted attempt to address the gap between ordinary party members and its elite leadership, the PAP appears poised to survive the passing of its founding leader for some years to come
Bibliography
- “Singapore After Lee Kuan Yew.” ST 21 Apr 2009.
- “MML Lee gets pacemaker.” ST 1 Dec 2008.
- “Retain Our Core Values And Beliefs.” Speech By Secretary-General Goh Chok Tong, at The PAP 50th Anniversary Dinner, Suntec International Convention & Exhibition Centre. 2004.
- People’s Action Party. People’s Action Party, 1954-1984 : Petir, 30th Anniversary Issue. Singapore: Central Executive Committee, People’s Action Party, 1984.
- Neo, B. S., and G. Chen. Dynamic Governance: Embedding Culture, Capabilities and Change in Singapore. World Scientific Pub Co Inc, 2007.
- Barr, M. “Beyond Technocracy: The Culture of Elite Governance in Lee
- Hsien Loong’s Singapore.” Asian Studies Review 30.1 (2006): 1-18.
- Rodan, G. “Accountability and Authoritarianism: Human Rights in
- Malaysia and Singapore.” Journal of Contemporary Asia 39.2 (2009): 180-203.
- Tan, Kenneth P. “Meritocracy and Elitism in a Global City: Ideological Shifts in Singapore.” International Political Science Review 29.1 (2008): 7.
- Mauzy, Diane K., and R. S. Milne. Singapore Politics Under the People’s Action Party. London ; New York: Routledge, 2002.
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Sorry but this article seems to fly in the face of what seems to me to be common sense–shouldn’t the best preparation for leadership transition involve Lee exiting the political arena? In other words, is he doing the PAP itself any favours by throwing such a long and dominant shadow over the party, thus stunting the growth of PAP shrublings?
His refusal to let go has meant that none of his successor PM’s have been able to establish themselves as independent, autonomous agents, and this goes for the rest of the PAP MP’s too. Once papa isn’t around anymore to deliver his edicts, who will they take instructions from?I’m afraid Lee’s legacy will be a debilitating one–he has cultivated this cult of dependency, effectively infantilising the PAP, and an adolescent growth spurt will be rather painful and bewildering.
Interesting look at how power within a technocracy can be shared to prevent infighting and how party can be renewed year after year. However I’m sure no Singaporean aspires to live in a technocracy. Besides, what you call the perfect system to ensure that the PAP is “poised to survive the passing of its founding leader for some years to come” is what I would call nepotism and corruption.
“With the injection of “right” people and concerted attempt to address the gap between ordinary party members and its elite leadership, the PAP appears poised to survive the passing of its founding leader for some years to come”
Unfortunately having an “elite leadership” or being able to ensure that your party members contribute isn’t the criteria for keeping the party in power – being able to win the elections is. This I doubt they will if they continue to lose touch with the people on the ground.
“We have resisted the temptation, and the pressure, to fill up the Parliament with party loyalists. We have to field the best that Singapore has”
I can totally agree with you man. I mean like, yesterday, I was sitting in the observer’s gallery and hey I saw the MP for my constituency take the microphone, and he was totally awesome.
“The expansion of the Cabinet is an ingenious innovation as it mitigates possible power struggles that come with leadership transition.”
There’s another ingenious innovation called elections. Oh wait, there’s only room for one ingenious innovation.
“The PAP is an odd party as it avoids vertical integration of its cadres and does not appear to overtly reward party loyalists.”
There’s another way to look at this – only the Cabinet ministers are relied on to formulate public policy, all the other “cadres” are just there for show.
Nonetheless, great article on the inner workings of the PAP.
“I’m afraid Lee’s legacy will be a debilitating one–he has cultivated this cult of dependency, effectively infantilising the PAP, and an adolescent growth spurt will be rather painful and bewildering.”
The old Lee is just behaving like Emperor Qin who become suspicious of those close to him, paranoid that he may get betrayed and outcast by his own kins and close friends, and therefore cripple and castrated those of authority to run the show, so that he can micro-manage them and ensure his own survival. Excuse of his tyranny is always “no one is better than me to run the show”. But when screw-up, no one among his closet will dare to tell him he is wrong for fear of retaliation and demotion.
i worry for the future.
The only change in PAP is the leadership. However, the ppl wants a new party!!
This is a man who believes in three core things: elites running society, elites emerging from the practice of eugenics and the triumph of Asian (chinese) values in the success of Singapore society.
The PAP also deeply embodies the core values of Lee Kuan Yew. I doubt they will change any of that, whether Lee Kuan Yew is alive or dead. It has long been built like a cadre party (since 1958) where the top brass are co-opted rather than promotion through the ranks of the party, compiled a comprehensive list of every single government scholar, conducts tea parties for potential Members of Parliament or Ministers. The list goes on and on, but very clearly the idea of leadership succession in Singapore is one where top elites within the PAP run society, manage their affairs etc.
In any case almost all the Opposition Parties have borrowed some aspect of the PAP system for their own use. So good luck to all of us in future.
No problem on political succession, it is nicely fixed…so are a host of other things…judiciary, media, unions, elections system, voting pattern in parliament, population growth, CPF, HDB affordability, medical affordability, etc,etc.
Didn’t the sage claim he has been planning for something like 15 years to fix things for us ? …..to benefit us or to benefit the famiLee and stooges ?
A replacement party is possible technically speaking since its the people’s talents that form a party. So, i mean as long as talents who want change synergise in a new party, technically, it is possible to have a strong alternative team.
Imagine : IBM talents all jumpship to competitor company.
End of story.
to clarify, ‘IBM’ is used just as a representation of a strong successful company and the ‘imagine’ is purely hypothetical.
The solid foundation is laid by his insight of succession. His recuitment of the elites from the various government-linked Dept. and scholars gave LKY an added edge. Meritocracy plays second fiddle to elitism of the brightest brain. But unfortunately, the younger generation of ministers though many are highly qualified but lack the compassion of empathy to fellow citizens, Many are born with a silver spoon in the mouth. They do not know what is poverty.
Take for example when LHL was first introduced into the political arena, He showed airs of snobbishness. Very high-handed and arrogant in his past speeches.
LKY’s legacy will live on after he is not around. He has consolidated the PAP system into one of impregnable fortress, at least for another one or two terms.
His foresight and strategy and political manipulation of the voters with sweeteners proved effective.
And 50 years of PAP, makes it hard for even a rational mind to slander their achievements. Though these few years, the power of control brings forth the authoritarian and despotic nature of his well-planned succession.
But nothing is permanent. With LKY legacy fading, it is a matter of time, the rise of another titan is on the horizon. Bearing in mind most of the young ministers just jump on the bandwagon and live it up with PAP’s system.
In numerlogy 86= 8+6=14, In chinese Geomacy reading nos 14 is sar say mean
sure to die……………..Ha…………………Ha……………………Ha.
Because U have do too much evil thing when U are alive. Ah——————Ah————Ah. Nantah Past Ghost
The opposition should be gearing up their efforts and mentor others too.
Seriously after yrs of BS about nation building..I’ll rather align myself to the founding father of china than lee…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Principles_of_the_People
PAP have really missed a major opportunity to show that it isn’t merely a one-man show – but then again, has it been capable to do so? change should happen whilst the old man is around, endorsing it, not after he has gone. It will weaken the PAP considerably.
“to institutionalise a structure of governance that will survive beyond him.”
Sorry, but even if our dear LKY manage to institutionalise that structure, when a crisis hit, they won’t be able to survive depending on it…in fact, depending on it may invite more trouble. just look at organization that depends on the same old formula in the past. what’s more, after his passing, what he knows up till that date may have no relevance after that…
Or perhaps it will be like Nostradamus. People attribute world events to his so-called prediction on hindsight…
i have been wondering about the recent slew of LKY’s prominence in history being featured almost every other day. frm his struggle in PAP to his ‘reconciliation’ with old enemies, it seems like a concerted effort to bring him to the fore again and shine the limelight on him once again/
i have this strange feeling that this is done because an elections might be coming and PAP have to resort to the one and only trump card they still have some confidence of using to win votes – the LKY factor.
it feels as though they know that the policies and abilities of the current batch do not instil confidence in the people so the only way they can still garner the confidence of the people is to bandy the LKY trump card to remind everyone that they still have a LKY whom they believe would remind everyone that Singapore’s survival would depend on him. other than that, they have nothing reliable to fall back on anymore.
my thoughts are if a country’s leaders cannot instil a population with a vision for the future but can only lead by hanging onto past successes and old heroes, then the party must be in a serious confidence crisis – more serious than they will let on.
I dont think LKY is right that PAP will last for 10 more years before losing power. it seems that PAP will only last as long as they have the trump card LKY. In this case, succession is moot. Singapore should have a system that is larger than PAP and opposition should start preparing plans for a bigger role in politics because they may need it sooner than they think.
My father and the Big Lee have a lot in common in how they run their ‘family business’.
1) They have been in charge since the beginning so this is ‘their baby’. They will always think they know ‘what is best’.
2) Even when there is an opportunity for their sires to show some leadership and intelligence, the dads they have to come out and ’show how it’s done’ one more time.
3) Unable to let go, they give the excuse that they’re hand holding us till we’re ready.
One big difference I’m grateful for. My dad has not surrounded himself with talented yes-men. Instead he’s got me and my brother always pushing and teasing him into allowing us to try new things, make mistakes and learn from them. Sure, some employees in our firm will not be happy (change always leads to some frustration) but I’d rather be moving our whole firm forward while maintaining satisfied customers and staff than slowly have us waste away while our better clients and staff leave us for our competitors…it’s all about the relationship we’re able to maintain.
Similarly, I’m curious what a social contract between our country and our citizens is currently like and what it should be like, seeing that we are ever reliant on people power…perhaps I should start a new party – the People’s Party. It could have a sun shining through a dark cloud. :)
Hi Netina,
I find it interesting that what is in effect an article about the PAP’s renewal strategies becomes fused into whether Singapore will ’survive’ LKY’s death. The tendency to equate party with the country seems common – it may be deliberate on the part of the ruling party – but I find it unfortunate.
It might be true that PAP leaders are unlike other Asian strongmen – that LKY and GCT have not clung on to power and have instead stepped aside for their successors. But I think this argument misses the bigger picture. Unlike other Asian democracies (your basis of comparison), PAP leaders have gone for the bigger prey of controlling the entire country, rather than merely wrangling over power at the party level. Paying incommensurately high salaries can breed (blind) loyalty and discourage dissent and departure. And even without adopting strict/literal definition of leadership, the amount of power LKY holds above all else is obvious. The true test of PAP’s renewal strategies can only be known when LKY relinquishes his numerous reins on power, and when Singapore is a well-functioning democracy.
The PAP’s strategy of inducting bureaucrats into politics is in urgent need of critique. Its exploiting of incumbency advantage veers close to being an abuse of power. The wider implications are: 1. a stifled democratization process; 2. a depoliticized state and citizenry; and 3. a drastically unlevel field for the Opposition. On that third point – the Opposition in effect pits itself against the ruling party and the Civil Service during political contestations. I find all three detrimental to Singapore’s interests.
It is simplistic to argue that voters rarely support less-educated/-professionally-qualified candidates. Beyond a basic denominator, what counts as being ‘educated/qualified-enough’ becomes quite irrelevant. Nonetheless, there are Opposition members who are doctors, lawyers. Many of them are university graduates. I find the heuristic explanation to be more useful – the cachet of the PAP is such that even PhD-qualified Chee Soon Juan might find it hard to compete against MP Charles Chong who only has A-levels and a Diploma. Then, throw in the GRC system, assorted pork barrel tactics, a predilection for filing defamation suits within a suspect judiciary, and a mass media ready to glorify some and character-assassinate others, and any Opposition candidate no matter how educated/professionally-qualified will find it hard to win a PAP one. (On this note, I’d also argue against the PAP’s unhealthy obsession with ‘elites’ narrowly defined and identified via paper qualifications.)
And that is if such highly-qualified individuals would want enter Opposition politics to contest against cachet accompanied by a ruthless political machine. Which brings me to my original point – the conflation of the ruling party with the state and nation is deliberate, but it is unfortunate. There is high chance that a PAP institutionalised this way will survive beyond LKY. What is more crucial, but doubtful, is whether Singapore will survive beyond the PAP. And for this, Singapore’s future seems the more precarious.
happy birthday lky.
hope the government will be as strong and as smart as you.
if not hope a new government can take over.
In a true democracy, it is the will of the people that decide who rule them. It is time PAP let the people decide. There was no true election in Singapore for many years as most of the opposition members were disqualified, bankcurupted through the judicial system. The opposition party ( the alternative voice of the people) was silented. It started in 1959 and had continued ever since.If PAP had allowed the opposition party member to contest fairly then I would agree with the above article. Sadly the truth is there is no effective opposition party because they were bankcurupted and disqualified using the judicial system which sadly its reputation had suffered as a result.
I wonder last night, what would happen to PAP without LKY?
I think and thinked. Eureka!
No problem would happen since PAP so solid.
LKY is the living soul of the party for the past 50 years, when the soul leaves the party, it becomes an empty shell that is subject to cracks and deterioration especially so when his right hand and left hand, right leg and left leg sugar-coated ministers will be fighting over the worlds’ highest paid jobs in the cabinet.
When he goes, PAP goes with him. It is going to be momentous like the changing map of Europe and the USSR in end 80s and early 90s.
“Lee’s birthday reminds us of his relentless dedication to institutionalise a structure of governance that will survive beyond him. The institutionalised elitist-based leadership selection process is one such example.”
Dear Netina Tan, are you implying that
LKY death = Singapore survival in question
thus
a LKY-sanctioned institutionalised succession system = elitist based leadership selection process = Singapore will survive
As someone pointed out, any ruling party should be planning for leadership succession within the party and not publicly plan for the next PM as if it is a given that they will remain in power indefinitely. Such attitude not only makes a mockery of a democratic system but indicates a total disregard for the people’s right to select a leader of their choice. Perhaps when a party has been in power for too long and has control of all institution that were to act as guardians of the democractic process, election becomes a farce. We have been brainwashed for so many years that we are questioning ourselves if we can survive the demise of an old man. Well its about time that we realise that without our own contribution, our country will not be what it is today and yes, no man is indispensable. If it was then we as a society are a utter failure.
The real question is who will be there to take over?
of course many humans exist but who is an on-par replacement?
That iron fist attitude, that no-nonsense attitude, that ability to command such respect, that is as well known around the world and respected?
maybe there are and somehow he does not come to mind at the moment. So, readers, let me know.
Of course there is !
May I present to you my choice for leadership renewal :
the honorable, Elected President Mr SR NATHAN!
hip hip hooray!
but maybe not so easy due to his role as the 2nd key holder.
“May I present to you my choice for leadership renewal :
the honorable, Elected President Mr SR NATHAN!”
Huh ? This is worst than Mas Selamat’s escape ! Who Let the Dog out ?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=He82NBjJqf8
A new LKY full school will be built next to the 50 storey HDB flats, make sure you can’t get rid of him even he vanishes and atomized ! :(
Dear MM,
You were once my idol till 1980. but no more.
Still, I personally wish you good health and happiness in life.
some wishes from my fellow Singaporeans
1) Please treat us as adults, some of us are even older than your PM son
2) Don’t cramp on our CPF and dont tell us that we dont know how to manage our OWN $$
Your daughter-in-law and her troops did noyt manage the citizen’s money in getting into BUY HIGH SELL LOW strategy, chalked up HUGE losses that may only recouped in 20, 30 or 40 years later, by then you dont see it, many of us dont see it and who knows it will happen at all ?
3) Don’t frighten us that without PAP Singapore will fall…
I think, a 15 to 20 seats for opposition will make PAP a better govt, may help to extend the PAP rule till 2109 !
4) Dont use tax payers ‘ money to blackmail tax payers by with-holding basic housing upgarding and facilities. Didn’t we say we are all Singaporean ?
5) Stop the political narrow mindset of ” IF You are NOT with me, then you are AGAINST me”. George W Bush did badly in that .. that also deter real leaders from joining your party.
6) Don’t let the PAP inner circle and their extended family grow rich and amass too much power uncontrollably.
Do remmeber thatSingapore is ALL SINGAPOREAN’s Singapore
7) Do some sanity checks
a) How many of your ministers can really do a CEO job in PRIVATE sector ( GIC dont count, please ), not even your second son can get a CEP job in private sector !
b) Can a 80+years lawyer still earns $3.78M a year ?
c) How many of the PAP back-door MP can stand and defendpolicy when facing criticism from voters, face to face, ( of cos, hire body guards so no more acid attacks )
d) Do your MP really have the rapport with Singaporean ?
By putting up their photo portrait and posters at every traffic junctions in heartland, does not remedize the lack of rapport connecting with people.
The 1st generation PAP MP, though some were less educated could do a lot better than those Ivory Tower “talents” in your Party !
8) Do sympathize people about your age, and help them with more gracious aid… $243 a month govt aid is not a crime, but it is a joke, a shame and a sin, that is one hour salary of the big gun of govt big shots, sipping coffee.
9) Please be gracious, treat your opponents with respect,
There are no more Marxists ( whom u deal them a deadly blow though you redeemed your cruelty by taking pics with old rivals in old Parliament house ), They are no more communists ( whom we are making friends with in middle kingdom ) and [ by the way, don't you see the communist China infiltrate Singapore by disguising as foreign talents ?]
Please dont repeat the childish saga of training all guns towards a little James Gomez in future GE, it was disgusting and disgraceful political low-end tactics.
Singaporean are forced to over-paid your team, so be couargeous to win our votes by debating ideas, prep your young PAP to convince us with conviction but not the parental , authoritative tones.
With the above 9 wishes, we wish you have a long life , 9999 !
Why the inset picture black and white wan? so pale looking wor. colorise it cans or nots?
Let’s be fair, MM Lee is the pivotal figure in creating modern Singapore. He lead the team that built up the structure from scratch and much as we may grumble about his rather “Gangster” ways of getting things done – life in Singapore is pretty darn good – even when compared to Western nations.
And yes, his “stepping aside” in 1990 was a stroke of genius, unlike his buddy Suharto who was actually forced to resign by a bunch of protesting students. But let’s remember, he has “Stepped ASIDE,” and not “Stepped DOWN.”
LKY will always be an influential character in Singapore and rightly so but why does he need to be in a cabinate position? We take it for granted that every government needs him to be in the background, “Guiding” the government of the day. Yes, he’s not actually “responsible” for anything but he actually has a larger influence than when he was “in-charge.” Whether he intends it or not, nobody actually believes the PM of the day runs the show without his nod of approval and this cannot be good for Singapore.
Yes, LKY is still sharp and pugnacious and he’s usually got a point. But he’s failed miserably in the area of succession planning – he obviously has no faith in the people who have succeeded him – hence it’s always important to keep him in a position of executive influence. Sad to say, Mr Lee is at the age where dropping dead is something we expect of people.
Singapore should actually look to Malaysia as a good example. Mahathir resigned and did not take up his cabinate post. Yes, he made life very difficult for his chosen successor but it was not from a position of executive power. When challenged to by the press, he actually resigned from UMNO. People sided with Mahthir against Badawi because they thought he was correct not because he held political influence. We in Singapore may laugh at the noise across the Causeway but hey – they’re system still works and it works for a country many times our size.
LKY really should look across the causeway for an example of how to step DOWN.
LKY has laid out his empire and ensured that his family has control in key positions – son: PM, daughter-in-law: CEO (still) of the country’s biggest GIC.
Thus, even with his passing, he has ensured that control would still lie within his familee.
As to whether there will be any internal struggle within the party, well, we cannot say for sure yes or no. But perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad to have that situation cos only then will real change take place.
It also depends too who will be the successor and be the new PM – but thn, there will still be an SM post (Mr Lee Hsien Loong) and of thn again will SM Goh be allowed to be the MM thn? Or will it be conveniently demolished on the pretext that the MM post was created only for LKY?
The nitemare would be tt even with his passing, things will be status quo in terms of how the party if being run and how the policies are being implemented and of cos hw our finances are being managed.
LKY’s leadership succession may well bankrupt S’pore further.
to LKY, “think big (S’pore’s future) not small (beyond your immediate family)!!”
does LKY know what serving the country means anymore? or does he think the country should serve his inner circle of MIWs?
Let’s not kid ourselves that we’re living in an egalitarian and equitable society. Singaporeans have no “choice” and it will inevitably end up with the voters choosing the better of the two evils.
Bets are open for anyone who can tell me that all contributions on this site and on others too, especially those that do not “toe the line’ are NOT being monitored.
SEQUESTRATION does not exist in their vocabulary. Trust me!
Hi valkyrie #37,
Fear is never a good reason to conform.
Nepotism, dictitorial and corrupt come to mind easily when one read the history of PAP. All they are doing is just to keep the PAP in power. Sinkapore is the private property of LKY and the PAP party. What few Sinkaporean are aware of is the extend of control the state had on all its citizens. Secret files are kept on citizens that spent long period away from Sinkapore either as students or businesemen. It is a communist state dressed as a democracy with freedom to make money, set up businese but no political freedom. We are all aware that great dynasty rise and fall and Sinkapore PAP will be no exception. Anyone could claim that he or she will rise from the death and we are all yet to be convinced. Country that had long history e.g China had records of many such instances when strong leader died, the dynasty he or she founded die with him soon after. We shall see especially for the young Sinkaporean.
老而不去 …..是为贼也
Found your website on the internet (google). Needed some info on Lee kuan Yew for school project. Wasted 10 mins of my time. Everything here can be found on wikipedia and more, but still not enough for my project…so sad :-(
The Singaporean should considered themselves lucky to be born a SIngapore for those think otherwise. I am a Singaporean and I am very glad I AM ONE. Everyone should read the MAN IN WHITE for those are born a Singaporean to the know the history of their own country… I love reading the book – MAN IN WHITE, I am glad I have decided to get one for my library.
Conclusion – I hope and wish whatever happens and whoever might be replaced WE WILL BE ABLE TO LIVE SO HARMONIOUSLY AND COMFORTABLY with or without comparison to other countries not mentioning the 3rd world country.
GOD BLESS SINGAPORE AND HER CITIZENS…..
forgot to mention that WE SINGAPOREAN IN WHICHEVER PERSPECTIVE ONE LOOKS AT… WE ARE VERY VERY LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO LIVE FOR SO MANY YEARS UNDER THE OUR MM AND PRESENT GOVERNING PARTIES HAVING SUCH COMFORT & PEACEFUL COUNTRY, EVERYONE (IRREGARDLESS OF RACE, RELIGION & ETC) IS SELF SUFFICIENT IN ONE WAY OR ANOTHER….. OUR PLEDGE IS BEING ACTION NOT ONLY PREACHED.
Thank MM and all those ministers & etc for their fairness and hardwork….. We wish for many many years of peace, harmony & comfort….
from your patriotic citizen!!!
@ 41) Study gal
What was your school project on? Was it ‘How Lee Kuan Yew will rise out of his grave if LHL cocks up again?’ or was it “Name 10 people from the PAP Old Guards who were clearly LKY’s peers but are now sidelined as his followers/advisors?” Please do share.
If you’re looking for ways to score marks, please refer to MIW (aka How I Won’t Let Go!) as well as PAP.org.sg & youngpap.org.sg.
If you’re looking for alternative views that you will not find in the Straits Times, our many SPH magazines or in any forum bearing the label, “Ministerial feedback session”, this would be one of the growing list of sites you should look at.
Mind you, like all internet sites, you cannot simply reference the opinions here. Only a fool would try to Ctrl C, Ctrl V into a little book report. This is merely a starting point for alternative threads of truth that have been censored & subjugated to the whims of political tyranny. If you’re any kind of scholar, you should do your due diligence rather than settling for the first convenient thing that could look like the truth…after all, there are always 3 perspectives. Yours, mine and the Truth.
PS – History is the story written by the victor/survivor.
@ 42) peony2009 on October 20th, 2009 3.04 pm
wow…where did this opinion come from? I guess you’re probably still reeling from that vigorous discourse held at NUS. I can’t discount your views because we can only see what we choose to see. A horse wearing blinkers cannot see the flowers and death to either side unless it’s willing to bear the pain of the bit & bridle and turn its head. We’ve been conditioned to look straight down the narrow path. No deviation. No distractions. Just pull the cart. Occasionally, your rider may whip you but it’s only because you’re a lazy horse and not because you may be getting old & tired.
Since I’m talking about animals, I suppose I’ll end with this reference from Animal Farm (G. Orwell, 1945)
Squealer consoles the animals, saying, “Do not imagine, comrades, that leadership is a pleasure. On the contrary, it is a deep and heavy responsibility. No one believes more firmly than Comrade Napoleon that all animals are equal. He would be only too happy to let you make your decisions for yourselves. But sometimes you might make the wrong decisions, comrades, and then where should we be?” The classic hypocrisy seen here is too hard to miss.
I was just thinking. With Rajaratnam’s National Pledge being sidelined as a highfalutin ideal that we should keep in mind but never actually strive to achieve, the following bit from Animal Farm stood out – it was about ‘Beasts of England’, an anthem for the animals after they’d overthrown Farmer Jones:
So Napoleon, with the help of his dogs, slaughters anyone who is said to be disloyal. “…the tale of confessions and executions went on, until there was a pile of corpses lying before Napoleon’s feet and the air was heavy with the smell of blood, which had been unknown there since the expulsion of Jones.” To top it off, Napoleon outlaws Beasts of England, which had served as one of the only remaining ties between Animal Farm and old Major.
…makes me wonder.
@ 45) Online Shmonline on October 20th, 2009 4.53 pm..
Everyone has their own point of view — I am just speaking my mind ALOUD only …. Maybe I am too simple a thinking person and has been living out from Singapore quite many decades except back home – SIngapore once or twice a year…… & with comparison some other countries. Thus this is how I see SINGAPORE is still great country to live in……..though I hope that the government could at least improve in whatever especially for us Singaporean CITIZEN – always put us priority than the PRs (sori PRs no discriminations)… such as one of them is: where hdb ownership for the single male/femal is concerned – there is NO restriction i.e. should be allowed to buy either NEW & RESALE HDB apartment in any location so long as one could afford to buy one – at least a 2 b/rooms … & many others cons ….. everyone has their say?????
thank you….. the above is just only MY view …..
Point taken. :)
Let’s agree to disagree (hmm, I think a government staff actually used that to reply to a properly elected Opposition MP).
I’m aware when good is done. I’m also aware when good is not being done, i.e., inaction…and everyone should definitely notice when good is being undone. This last stage has already started. Rather than blaming the Opposition for the decay already starting during the PAP term, I’d like to vote in more patriots who think they may have ideas that can work too. Sure, it may not be as effective as the ERP gantries and maid levies but we’ll never hit any target if we don’t even try to aim.
After all, how many more billions can they throw away compared to GIC and Temasek. Btw, I’d like to look forward to the day when I can actually use MY CPF without having to owe anything to the govt (ie, the PAP).
@: 5) loop on September 16th, 2009 3.02 pm The only change in PAP is the leadership. However, the ppl wants a new party!!
Well… in my opinion whoever rules – NEW or same Party is the same more importantly the country and citizens are happy:)…
@: 17) OnlineShmonline on September 16th, 2009 8.18 pm
It is always the case “difficult to letting go of one’s ‘baby’” maybe it is sentimentla after ‘taking care’ of one’s baby for so long but eventually one has to as ‘they have grown up”….
4) Juntaris Hordini on September 16th, 2009 2.43 pm
Mutual thinking… hopefully whoever rules GOD is up there taking care of us too like HE HAS BEEN DOING FOR ALL THESE DECADES…. thank you GOD!
Maybe this is not the correct site nevertheless need to express one of the few minuses which I think is not quite fair to us CITIZENS ….. I wish the Singles (Citizens) should have the RIGHTS to purchase NEW as well AS RESALE flats (from studio to 2 bedrooms) in any area so long as one can afford :)… I thought Citizens should have more rights/privilege than the PRs and must not be treated the same – otherwise the non-citizens will not be so keen to become one respective country citizen?