Ng E-Jay /
On Monday, during a 90-minute press conference to introduce three new PAP candidates, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Mr Lim Boon Heng broke down when addressing a question about groupthink in the PAP. During the same press conference, Mr Lim had earlier announced his decision to retire from politics.
A reporter had directed a question at the new PAP candidates, asking them if they had a counter argument to the worry about the potential for groupthink amongst policymakers, and also their opinion on younger Singaporeans wanting more diverse and robust debate in Parliament.
Mr Lim was quick to speak up on behalf of the candidates. At first, he appeared jovial, emphasizing that he was not standing for elections but wanted to give a quick response. Then he became serious, saying that there was no groupthink on the casino issue, and that the cabinet had been quite divided on the issue. He said that it had been a difficult process for him accepting casinos, and that he almost could not make his speech in Parliament.
That was when Mr Lim became overwhelmed with emotion. He had to pause for around 15 seconds while cameras snapped away. Then he said, “So if you think there is groupthink, that is one example you can quote – there is no groupthink.”
It is not clear whether the casino issue had been earlier raised in the same press conference, but given Mr Lim’s sudden tears, it is obvious that issue meant a lot to him both then and now. It is also clear that the speculation of groupthink within the PAP roused in him very strong feelings, even though the question had originally been posed to the candidates rather than to him.
Then Mr Lim went on to give another example, about the concern the trade union had for the lower income, and the impact of globalization on them, with wages stagnating and even falling. Mr Lim broke down a second time, before finally stating that the trade union pressured the government to do something for the working poor, the end result of which was the implementation of the Workface Income Supplement scheme.
In between tears, Mr Lim then repeated emphatically, “So, there is no groupthink.”
Mr Lim’s strong emotional reaction to the question of groupthink and his raising of the examples of the casinos and the poor is significant because it provides hints that there are deep rifts within the ruling party concerning key policies. It is probably not too far off the mark to imagine that Mr Lim had disagreed strongly on certain policies such as the opening of casinos in Singapore, but had the painful and unenviable task of having to toe the party line when the final decision was made.
Besides Mr Lim, Dr Lily Neo has also been known to actively champion the needs of the poor, only to frequently find her pleas falling on deaf and uncaring ears. Once, Dr Neo was so frustrated with the lack of progress in Parliament concerning assistance for the poor and underprivileged that she felt compelled to raise her voice in Parliament.
Is such a state of affairs good for Singapore? What benefit is there to citizens if supposedly independent minded PAP MPs find that they have to toe the party line even concerning issues on which they have strong objection? If absolute power resides in the cabinet and there are no voices to credibly challenge the cabinet and hold it accountable to Singaporeans, is this healthy for our nation?
Mr Lim’s tears are like a canary in the coal mine, pointing to cracks that might be forming in the PAP leadership. In recent memory, no PAP minister or MP has resigned in protest or proceeded to openly challenge the PAP soon after stepping down. The PAP party discipline is still very strong. But if this party discipline only serves to mask growing discontent within the PAP ranks, the PAP could be in for a period of volatility in the years ahead.
This takes us back to the question of whether a one party system or multi-party system is better for Singapore.
When Mr Lim tearfully emphasized that there is no groupthink in the PAP, he most likely meant it as a positive for the PAP, indicating that PAP members are capable of exercising independent judgment and are not bound by dogma.
On the other hand, would there be a need to defend the PAP from speculation of groupthink if there is multi-party democracy in Singapore, where diverse voices can be heard without fear of persecution, and where there is active political participation from every corner of society?
The interest of Singaporeans would be better served if the ruling party constantly has to earn its mandate through free and fair elections, if Singapore’s political leaders have their feet constantly put to the fire through robust multi-party debate and activism, if there is a credible opposition in Parliament to challenge bad policies and devise good alternatives.
Mr Lim’s emotional reaction during the press conference is the sign of fatigue and strain that a one-party system imposes on itself. The party whip can hold Mr Lim’s tongue, but it cannot stop his tears. A one-party state creates the illusion of consensus and stability, but it serves Singaporeans less and less.
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what man is it ??? ” Cry mother cry father!!!’
maybe that day dia girlfriend jilted him..
or dia piles acted up..
nobody knows the exact reasons la..
but if crocodile shed tears, it’s something rarely people got chance to see.. see la..
but maybe real one ley?
Dear mice is nice,
point noted : )
This man could have suggested something to his bosses that really got them agitated .I wonder what it was!It could have been really BIG to the extend that he has to leave and not participate in this crucial General Election.So,Mr Lim ,Why not join the opposition if you REALLY have the workers behind you!!Who knows maybe the workers in Singapore will make you Our New Prime Minister,thenY&ou will have the last laugh!!
noped all of you salaed…
ahheng assumed that he is the chief tongfangbubai enuch from the east gate river in sengkang when he handballs leekingyou aroun..
last few weeks ago..he received the red letter of terminations from the PM pffice
the pm press secretary wrote something liked this…
dear ahheng..for over a decade your hand lift my papa golden balls liked a golden gooseeggs..unfortunately me papa bout to stand 1 foot in the bucket..so your services is no longer required
please find enclosed are your OWNED 2 balls which you removed in order to be enunch class 1 division beta version 1.1b
unfortunately dr hen is good in enlargin naynays..not reattached useless dead balls
hav a nice day
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When I was a voter at Bukit Timah Holland GRC, I have never seen him for the past ten years. Too bad. It’s the 1965 classic. LKY cried for ‘letting down his people’. Goh Keng Swee had good vision because he only trusted himself, therefore no Brits and no Malaya chief to tell him what to do. Both Sir Stamford Raffles and him were great pioneer and engineer. LKY just piggyback on their success and he gets the windfall. How much is the TOTO money ? And much are they all getting ? And bullshits about getting people to volunteer themselves to good works. Buh ! Try me lah.
ppl accepted authoritarian rule becos the extraordinary circumstances in those days called for it.
Mr LYK continued the authoritarian rule by drawing down on the capital (which is the goodwill of the ppl shown to him for being one of the founders of the nation) he had.
can Mr LHL continue with authoritarian rule when non of the above factors apply to him?
iworkhardsometimes, 15 April 2011
heng ah, i was worried that as as more posts are exchanged, the further words obscure what i trying to say.
thankfully not.
cheers. ^.^
Why cry? If he is sincere, he is young
enough to help a lot of poor people and
problem gamblers. Or it easier to just
quietly fade away and smell the roses.
What a pathetic display. Pui
Epitome of drama. MPs can compare with Jesus. Talk about casino can talk until cry. Have you become senile after doing nothing for 20 odd years being a eng eng cheng cheng minister?
Why is he crying?
If he is being Highly-paid to do his job, why is he crying? He is not doing his work for free. He is not only being paid, but very Highly-paid. If he draws a mediocre or modest salary, and displays a genuine sense of social- mindedness to serve the people and country , then we will be touched and moved by this emotional moment; but yet it is not so.
We question the motive behind this .
He will be awarded the best actor in Media Corp Star Search Award…
Or may be his wife left him on the same day..hehe
LBH – Keep up your good acting.. pls continue to cry every day
God blast you !!!!
Just wondering what are other important issues that ministers have to group think.
What about defence, support for the poor, assistance for the elderly, etc.
In the pursuit of excellence, the less capable or the mentally challenged are left behind or simply ignored.
Opposition must also address government expenditure on defence. Is it really necessary to spend so much money on acquiring the most advanced weaponry?
I’m sure many of you would’ve have heard rumours in the past about towing the party line… For example, the famous slapping incident involving an ex finance minister. And for some ministers who have stepped down in the past… for example, S Danabalan and Goh Keng Swee. All of them were very capable ministers… So why step down so early when they could continue to contribute? The official reasons are always politically neutral. But one has to always read between the lines… And they are many more who have faded away without much scrutiny. Like sweeping stuff under the carpet. There are truth in rumours…. so many murmurs over the years that I’ve come to know and realise… Truth always wants to surface. there’s only so long ppl can keep skeletons in the closet… eventually it will fall out.
This tow the line bullcrap is prevailent everywhere. For you to rise so high in public service there will be a time where idealogies diverge. That’s when the old man starts to get rid of people. And this system is perpetuated by the so called scholarship schemes of stat boards n ministries. People are set aside as different so early in their lives. But can academic results determine how well they will develop in the real world?
The Men/Women in white have been in power for way too long. Singaporeans must realise that the candidates currently are riding too much on the successes of past ministers… I firmly believe that the current ministers calibres fall way short of the old guard.
You need political challenge to bring out better candidates! If Singaporeans continue to serve our country on a silver platter and allow them to continue to “serve” us…(I laughed so hard when Teo Chee Hien said that) We are actually doing a disservice to ourselves. GRCs are meant to protect the minority voice…(So they say) but its so obvious they are using it to funnel in lightweights among the “heavyweights” (that probably isn’t so much true anymore cos I feel they are mostly morons) All of them are living in their predeccesors shadows… None of them I feel have stepped up to the plate. A true leader takes responsibility, not shrugging it off and making a scapegoat of a subordinate.
There are sooo many issues to contest about. I hope the opposition brings out the all poignant ones to joggle the singaporean psychie … And reduce the elections to pork barrel politics. 9 days is the minimum…. so why not have it longer?!!!!! So damn irritating. There is no law saying it can be longer so why not? why must it always be the minimum?! 9 days is insufficient for all ideas and ideals to be brought across.
Talk about education / foreign policy / defence / pension / social welfare / foreign talent / tax. / freedom of speech and political expression! / GIC / Temasek / reserves / CPF / Presidential Office / Insurance / Medical / Quality of Life / True Meritocracy / PUBLIC HOUSING…. just to name a few.
I plead with everyone to just get out of their comfort zone and hear what the opposition has to say. In the end it is you that chooses the future of singapore.
Build a country that cares…. support a gov that cares… there are some that care in gov but unfortunately they r not having the say in most matters.
Gazzetting this online portal also pisses me off so much more. What happen to freedom to information n ideas?
pssft. I’m 29 and seriously concerned where this country is heading.
Oh n I forgot to mention the ole man is getting senile… Pushing one too many sensitive buttons in recent months. Time to step down before he further damages his precious image. And all of them are living under his shadow
Lim is one of the best guys from PAP. People here shouldn’t just shoot him just because he wears white.
That said, division between the conservative and liberal segments of the PAP might allow Singapore to see a two-party (WP?) or even a multi-party democracy in the near future
A friend said that 16 MPs left PAP recently, either resigned or was told to leave. Can anyone confirm this?
Sure or Not
http://www.youtube.com/user/project2O11#p/a/u/0/p1tzIRkIFs0
It ALL about you n family