by: Ghui/
George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua were both politicians who have made contributions to Singapore. George Yeo especially, was an outstanding Minister for foreign affairs. However, both have resigned from active politics after failing to win in Aljunied GRC in GE 2011.
I am disappointed by their respective decisions because it signals a lack of willpower and commitment. Every politician suffers setbacks in his or her career. All politicians the world over have lost elections and many have come back to fight another day. Most, were victorious eventually. Each failed election campaign is a learning experience after all. Singapore is unique in this because the PAP has been the ruling party for over 50 years with little or no competition, leaving us with a generation of politicians who seem ill adept to fight.
This begs the question; do our PAP candidates lack qualities which real politicians should possess? Are they in fact, true politicians?
In an article entitled “The PAP and the idealism of Nuns”, the writer quotes Laurel Teo, a Straits Times journalist who once wrote “Being an MP is still about helping people, but it is also about wielding political power. One is not asking for scheming Machiavellian types, but those who enter politics must know this. Know why they want that power, and how they intend to exercise it.”
How true! In that one statement, she has identified the difference between a “do gooder” and a real politician. While not undermining the importance of altruistic commitment, politicians must possess additional qualities such as foresight, leadership, charisma and most importantly, tireless persistence coupled with the ability to conquer setbacks. He or she must also possess a certain degree political awareness and realism.
Perhaps there is an inherent problem in PAP’s selection process. New candidates do not appear to take up the challenge of standing for elections (or walk overs) by their own volition. In recent years, it would seem that the candidates are handpicked by senior PAP cadres and invited to serve. Candidates would be selected from a pool of “elites” who have a track record of community service and volunteer work. This therefore rules out home grown politicians within the PAP and creates the “packaged” politician. Most of these individuals may never have had political aspirations had they not been “invited” to “join the club”.
The negative impact of “packaged” politicians is the creation of a “super volunteer”, ill suited to the challenges of the political stage. Someone willing to serve but without an “individual” opinion. In fact, some have no opinions at all! Take Tin Pei Ling as an example. When asked what policies she would change if elected, she replied that she would alter nothing as all existing policies work! This disturbing lack of thought on policies signals an administrator, an able one perhaps, but not a person with the political acumen and skills to qualify as a genuine politician. This lack of awareness for what true politics entail impedes a candidate’s ability to engage the voters. After all, if a particular candidate is unable to effectively articulate what he or she believes in or what policies he or she represents, how can such candidate convince voters of what they are voting for?
As Laurel Teo states “These may be do-gooders, but by appearing not to have given much prior thought to a topical issue, they make themselves look as politically apathetic as the worst of the Singaporeans”. In its selection process, the PAP has unwittingly created a breed of politicians who are politically apathetic!
In an article entitled “The 4Cs which leaders need”. Teo Ser Luck described himself as “not a natural politician”. If candidates had not been “manufactured” would someone like Mr Teo have ventured into the political arena?
Not all “created” politicians have been dismal failures of course. In the history of Singapore, a fair few have made genuine and significant contributions to Singapore. However, the drawback of such candidates is complacency and an inability or unwillingness to challenge the status quo. After all, why bite the hand that feeds you?
Juxtapose these “produced” politicians with those who have willingly stepped up to the plate. They have joined opposition parties and contested in GE 2011 without having to be “invited” to participate. You could not have a starker contrast. Take Nicole Seah for instance. She was quick witted at interviews as opposed to Tin Pei Ling’s scripted responses.
There are also other shining examples of enduring and persistent commitment.
Chiam See Tong is one such steadfast figure. Chiam entered politics in 1976 but only won his first election in 1984. At each failed election campaign, he increased his vote share, finally beating Mah Bow Tan with 60.3 % of the votes. In GE 2011, he lost in the Bishan Toa Payoh GRC. Despite this defeat, his age and his ill health, he has said that he will try again. This tenacity and strength of character is truly inspirational and is what defines a genuine politician. Chiam is willing to work hard, possesses a heart for service, realises the importance of engaging his voters and above all, has a “never say die” attitude. Someone who is willing to soldier on no matter the odds. His ability to be “one with the voters” earned him the ongoing loyalty of Singaporeans.
Another familiar figure is JBJ. Despite all his setbacks, he always picked up the pieces to try again. He never gave up till the day he died. He will go down in the annals of Singapore history as the man who was never daunted by defeat, a true hero among heros.
Much as I admire George Yeo for his contributions, he seems to lack this perseverance, announcing his retirement from active politics days after losing the election. While he gave a gracious speech, I was frustrated by his seeming lack of determination. I do not know George Yeo personally so perhaps he had his reasons. But the message sent by this prompt resignation is an unwillingness to fight the good fight. There was talk that Yeo could run for president but he remained undecided, disengaged and finally announced that he would not be running after all.
Perhaps, George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua, while being able administrators and civil servants were never put in a position whereby they had to really fight for votes. Be that as it may, wanting to fight for every vote is an essential quality every real politician should possess. Chaim is much older than both Yeo and Lim but his love for Singapore is such that he refuses to give up. JBJ was well into his 80s! To these old political veterans, I salute you. You are the real deal. To George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua, I feel somewhat let down.
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GY had done enuf for Singapore. Perhaps, he is now into pastorical arena to atone for all sins committed, esp the caSINo advocacy that churns pious gamblers and burnt families. It’s truly casinogenic and cancerous.
There is no peace in politics.
Time to seek solace and convert greed into charitable deeds in full repentence and redemption.
True politicians REPENT.
By asking people to repent is an act above God.
And it has immediate severe repercussions like the loss of AJGRC. It’s a tell tale sign and more to come.
..by asking people to repent to a him is an act above Him…
the Xtian idea of repentance is to circumcise your short prick. goodness, no wonder some of our national leaders have a funny way of walking the walk.
Without religion the words: sin, repent and retribution never exist in humans mind. Man never knows who he really is.
@dezwan gaudde
“Without religion the words: sin, repent and retribution never exist in humans mind. Man never knows who he really is.”
Correction!!! It should read:
Now THE Man believes himself to be GOD and is above religion.
Maybe George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua resigned for PAP 4G Leader self renewal to give younger comrades a chance. Or perhaps PAP seems resigned to lose Aljunied and cede territory and not fight back anymore.
They have no strategy to take it back from the WP team. Although they stand by so many President scholar to take up immediate MP positions.
LKY have given up Aljunied to repent because PM Lee probably won’t be sacrificing anyone to take back Aljunied. The is the beginning of PAP decline in MP competence and PM Leadership. Our DPMs are also weak. They don’t have strong political will like LKY. They are incorporating no brainers in PAP.
Aljunied will most probably be given miss as she too will disappear like Cheng San. And all sands cut like Potong Pasir when the time comes round in 4.75 years. Do a countdown from now a make a wishlist for all you know what.
In some lands, the figurehead and the ruling politicians are birds that cahoot-hoot and kaboom equifeatherly.
Mr/Ms Ghui,
You said, “George Yeo especially, was an outstanding Minister for foreign affairs.”
Please tell me what he had achieved outstanding? I only know that during his stint, we have lost half of the territorial waters around “Middle Rock” in the Pedra Branca case. We are not at all closer with Indonesia, China.
The only achievement, if that could be considered as one, is he is making Singapore more and more a colony of USA in terms of foreign and military relations.
Awaiting your response.
Hi – I am not Ghui but I was impressed by a few of GY’s deeds in his time in office.
He negotiated many trade treaties that have benefited Singapore.
As for relations with the US, Singapore is a small country so strategic links with stronger countries is a necessary evil. Whether it should be the US or China or some other country is open to debate but at that point when such treaties and arrangements were made, the US may have been the only country interested…..
He also had a significant role in ASEAN.
I was especially impressed when he led the condemnation against the crackdown of the Saffron Revolution. This is despite the fact that we had trade relations with Myanmar. That delicate balance was hard to tread and he did it tactfully and well.
Of course he has had failings but Pedra Branca I would not consider a failing. Territory was ceded, yes, but it was the best result that we could possibly get. Taking national pride aside with a huge dose of reality.
As for us being no closer to Indonesia and China, I beg to differ. Singapore has a love hate relationship with Indonesia but if you look at the amount of Indonesian money sitting in Singapore, it is a staggering sum. As for China, well that is a dicey one. China is now the strongest up and coming economy in the world. Everyone is wooing them so a “special” relationship with them may be hard to achieve for anyone really. For the fact that we are just a small dot in the world map, I think we have done well vis a vis world relations. GY certainly contributed to that.
I am no supporter of PAP but there are individuals that I feel have done pretty well and GY is one of them. But as the writer said, he was more of an administrator than a politician I guess.
@Libran
I think the reserves are there, if not capital investments would have long fled Singapore and our currency would have weaken.
I am also not sure about what you mean by public debt being 110% of GDP, perhaps you can explain further. Our GDP is around 300 billion. So you mean we have 330billion in debt to somebody?
Last time I checked Budget 2011 is expected to break even. 2010 has a small deficit. http://www.singaporebudget.gov.sg
I however think you are right to state that the availability of credit led to the bubble forming. That isn’t the problem though; back in 2008 if MAS had not slashed interest rates the costs of borrowing would have been unmanageable.
The problem instead lies with HDB’s inability to keep pace with the changes in the economy. I think more than one poster has pointed that out on the TOC blog.
The inflow of hot money and low rates led to the bubble forming in the private hosuing sector. Prospective buyers fled to HDB properties to avoid that bubble. This led to another bubble for HDB properties which was magnified by MBT’s decision to introduce BTO flats in 2006.
So high demand and low supply equals the current bubble in public housing. But I do not think MBT deliberately set about to create a property bubble so that LHL have to say sorry to the nation and kick him out of parliament.
George Yeo and Lim Hwee Hua are like well fed cats and dogs then they become obedient dogs and yes men. But when the government feed them too much they become fat, lazy, complacent. lost their hunger and fighting spirit. When they are thrown in the wild they will get eaten up. When they are faced with a crisis or property bubble expect them to run away first and leaving the average Singaporean behind the crisis. Its PAP’s flawed thinking that they paid millions to attract talents but instead attracting people who milk the system to their advantage and for their own self interest? Can we trust the weak 4th generation MPs to lead us through turbulent waters?
Mr/Ms Toxlandjy,
“He negotiated many trade treaties that have benefited Singapore.” How? Please illustrate. How does that benefit Singaporeans.
“”As for relations with the US, Singapore is a small country so strategic links with stronger countries is a necessary evil. Whether it should be the US or China or some other country is open to debate but at that point when such treaties and arrangements were made, the US may have been the only country interested…..”" Unless you are like South Korea or Japan which is used by US to contain China. What are the usefulness to link up with US?? Just ask yourself where is the South Vietnam now? As for Philippines and Indonesia, US had very strong ties with the dictators like Marcos and Suhartos. Have it brought any good to the Indonesians and Filipinos. The nearer examples is Iraq and Afghanistan. U do not need me to tell you more about the suffering of the Iraqis and Afghans.
“”He also had a significant role in ASEAN.”" Ha ha.. Please tell me, how significant… Do not forget to substantiate..
“”I was especially impressed when he led the condemnation against the crackdown of the Saffron Revolution. This is despite the fact that we had trade relations with Myanmar. That delicate balance was hard to tread and he did it tactfully and well.”" This is the worst example you have cited. His strong support to Burmese dictators need no elaboration from me…
“”Of course he has had failings but Pedra Branca I would not consider a failing. Territory was ceded, yes, but it was the best result that we could possibly get. Taking national pride aside with a huge dose of reality.”" Best result?? Don’t you know that both Pedra Branca and Little Rocks have been under our control and now he gave up 50% of what we used to have.
“”As for us being no closer to Indonesia and China, I beg to differ. Singapore has a love hate relationship with Indonesia but if you look at the amount of Indonesian money sitting in Singapore, it is a staggering sum. As for China, well that is a dicey one. China is now the strongest up and coming economy in the world. Everyone is wooing them so a “special” relationship with them may be hard to achieve for anyone really. For the fact that we are just a small dot in the world map, I think we have done well vis a vis world relations. GY certainly contributed to that.”" That means he failed.
“”I am no supporter of PAP but there are individuals that I feel have done pretty well and GY is one of them. But as the writer said, he was more of an administrator than a politician I guess.”" You can continue to hold on to your belief. I do not think that I could change you if you chose hold on to your belief. I just want other readers to know the truth.
Hi, you make valid points. But at the end of the day, what is the truth? I think in a job like that of foreign minister, there are shades of the truth and many areas that are neither black nor white and in fact in various shades of grey.
I do not at all doubt that GY has had his shares of failures but I am judging him for his overall contributions. In light of where Singapore is today in terms of economic status, a lot of has to be said about the trade treaties that we have signed.
As a small country, we are dependant on foreign trade. ASEAN was/is a good building block for that. I know it falls short of the EU but it is a start and I hope it will go further although of course, that remains to be seen.
U say he has failed because he had to cede territory etc (I won’t repeat the above) but are you not being a little unrealistic? Singapore is a small country. It is not exactly China or the US where it can call all the shots. It has no natural resources that the whole world wants. For us to get to where we are, we had to have trade offs and this will continue to be the case no matter who the FM is.
I can see where you are coming from but I prefer to be a realist and I think when one is in politics, that is the only way to be.
I respect your opinion though and I hope you can respect mine.
Cheers
Hi, I realise I did not address one point. You said that GY was a supporter of the Myanmese/Burmese dictators. I disagree. The Singapore government has links with the Myanmese/Burmese junta. We may disagree with this but ultimately and whether rightly or wrongly, that is government policy. It is not up to GY to defy that. As a member of the government, he has to show outward solidarity to prevent instability so all he can do is work within his confines to strike a balance, which he did.
As for support for the junta, I am no more a supporter than u. It is repulsive. But surely it is then up to us as voters to put in place a government that would not have links with the junta. It is not a GY job in my opinion.
How many countries in the world have had governments who have dealt with dictators? The UK and France with Libya and Syria for a start. So what we should be against is government policy and not an individual who has to work within his remit and does his best. One man cannot change the government. It is the voters who wield such power. What GY has done was to strike the best possible balance between prevailing government policy, political reality and personal belief.
Black Hei 30 June 2011
@Libran
I think the reserves are there, if not capital investments would have long fled Singapore and our currency would have weaken.
I am also not sure about what you mean by public debt being 110% of GDP, perhaps you can explain further. Our GDP is around 300 billion. So you mean we have 330billion in debt to somebody?
Last time I checked Budget 2011 is expected to break even. 2010 has a small deficit. http://www.singaporebudget.gov.sg
I however think you are right to state that the availability of credit led to the bubble forming. That isn’t the problem though; back in 2008 if MAS had not slashed interest rates the costs of borrowing would have been unmanageable.
The problem instead lies with HDB’s inability to keep pace with the changes in the economy. I think more than one poster has pointed that out on the TOC blog.
The inflow of hot money and low rates led to the bubble forming in the private hosuing sector. Prospective buyers fled to HDB properties to avoid that bubble. This led to another bubble for HDB properties which was magnified by MBT’s decision to introduce BTO flats in 2006.
So high demand and low supply equals the current bubble in public housing. But I do not think MBT deliberately set about to create a property bubble so that LHL have to say sorry to the nation and kick him out of parliament.
—————————————–
Please go to the following link to get the figure for Singapore’s public debt:-
http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/01/07/cia-factbook-singapore-has-8th-highest-public-debt-in-the-world-after-bankrupt-greece/
As for whether MBT deliberately caused the bubble in our property market, I leave it to readers to interpret. But any minister worth his salt would know that:
1. Increasing demand and reducing supply would lead to rising prices.
2. Pegging public housing prices to private housing prices would in turn result in higher private housing prices, which in turn would lead to higher public housing prices, and so on, causing an upward spiral in prices all round.
3. Raising public housing prices and then providing “grants” and “subsidies” to help buyers in fact provided fuel to the housing bubble. Otherwise those buyers would not be able to buy, and therefore prices would have to come down to more affordable levels to entice buyers.
4. HDB providing 90 pct financing to buyers is like providing rocket fuel to the property market.
5. Allowing foreigners unfettered access to our private property market also pumped in hot air to the bubble. It is common knowledge that rich foreigners each buy a few condos and sit on them to appreciate in price before taking profit. It is also common knowledge that most of them are left vacant (if they can’t be rented out) in the meantime.
The factors mentioned above are Economics 101. If our multi-million dollar ministers do not understand them, then they are not worth their salt.
Mr/Ms Toxlandjy,
Thank you for your enthusiastic response.
I went through your replies and have nothing that you have not substantiated any “outstanding” works that Mr Yeo has achieved.
wat makes a good politician?well foe once have guts to speak up for the people you serve,when policies are not right speak up,stand by your principles,have honesty and integrity,loved by the people,fight for the people,care for the people where your heart is,stand up to your beliefs and thats dignity not how much you are paid,thats what makes a good politician,but there is none in the current crop,all are yes men yet they are men with brains who knows how to think and act,just pity them,what a waste for these talents to be in this mould,only in their vocab yes sir yes sir yes sir!!!!!!!!!!!sigh!!!!!!!!!
S’pore was in a “dangerous” neighbourhood when just independant in the early days, fast forward today, its still a dangerous neighbourhood? if its such a dangerous neighbourhood how come everytime they smile at each other? shake hands at regional get-togethers like ASEAN summit?
did GY as FM make any strides to make this neighbourhood safer? or did S’pore’s push to modernise our military lead to an “arms race” cos it made our neighbours uneasy if they din play catch-up?
Dear xlandjy,
Rereading our correspondence, I realised one thing. We simply have different views. You asked for a specific example. I gave you a couple. For instance, I think he did well in the Saffron Revolution handling but you did not agree. so what specific examples do you want. What will happen is that I will name one and you will disagree that that is a good enough or specific enough example. So what I will say is this, whether GY was a good FM is open for debate and subjective. I think he did pretty ok, you do not. So matter what I say, you will not agree. So let’s agree to disagree. I do not wish for this to escalate into a meaningless online exchange with no resolution. Thank you for taking the time to write and respond to me. I appreciate that.
Dear xlandjy,
Rereading our correspondence, I realised one thing. We simply have different views. You asked for a specific example. I gave you a couple. For instance, I think he did well in the Saffron Revolution handling but you did not agree. So what specific examples do you want? What will happen is that I will name one and you will disagree that that is a good enough or specific enough example. So what I will say is this, whether GY was a good FM is open for debate and subjective. I think he did pretty ok, you do not. So no matter what I say, you will not agree. So let’s agree to disagree. I do not wish for this to escalate into a meaningless online exchange with no resolution. Thank you for taking the time to write and respond to me. I appreciate that.
Mr/Ms Toxlandjy,
No, U did not substantiate your claim at all. You just commit the same error, you said “I think he did well in the Saffron Revolution”. But, you did not cite the actual thing that he did well??
Whilst when I said he did badly on the Pedra Branca issue, I told you specifically that he did badly because be had lost the Middle Rock, which made up half of the territorial water in the Pedra Branca water. Do you know that if you sailed into the Straits of Malacca, previously you will pass by STW (Singapore Territorial Water). U know happened now?
Now, as soon as you pass by the Rock at Pedra Branca, you will come across a huge MALAYSIA Flag flying into your face; where it was not there before.
This is what I said GY has done badly, VERY BADLY. He caused our country to lose its territory since independence. Thanks to Yeo.
What define a successful politicians and taking a step further what differentiate politicians from Statesmen?
Pondering on these criteria leads one to the recent unresolved issue of alleged violation of the cooling day ruling in GE2011.
Singaporeans have yet to hear of the progress of the investigation. It would be enlightening to hear from ESM Goh on the issue since it involves one of his Marine Parade GRC team members. Being the most senior member in the team, one does expect to hear his views and action on the issue including perhaps facilitating and expediting the investigation on the alleged.
Very well-written article.
Agreed 100%…being a good administrator or top general does not mean he can be a good politician.
Hi Andrew Leung
How did you upload your own customized photo next to your posting. I like to upload my own photo too but d’ont know how.
Dear Cool Dude,
You must open an account with http://www.wordpress.com then upload your personal photo there : )