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Tharman’s past PAP Stance on non-Chinese PM Draws netizens’ scrutiny over his new positive outlook

Netizens question Tharman’s shift in stance on a non-Chinese PM after his resignation from People’s Action Party to stand in the Presidential Election 2023.

While previously hinting Singapore wasn’t ready, he now suggests the nation is prepared amid his presidential campaign . This change in perspective, following his PAP departure and Presidential bid, has sparked online debate.

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1 year ago

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SINGAPORE: Last Friday (25 Aug), Tharman Shanmugaratnam, a former senior minister of the People’s Action Party (PAP) and a current contestant in Singapore’s Presidential Election, addressed the topic of Singapore’s readiness for a non-Chinese prime minister.

He affirmed: “Singapore is ready any time for a non-Chinese prime minister.”

Mr Tharman shared his thoughts during an election meeting held at Pasir Panjang Power Station, where approximately 650 registered guests from the public were present to hear his vision for the presidency, the Straits Times reported.

In response to a question from the audience about when Singapore would be prepared for a non-Chinese prime minister, Mr Tharman highlighted the significance of race in politics, drawing attention to former United States president Barack Obama’s discussions on the matter.

“They look at people in totality… Singapore’s ready any time. If someone comes up who’s a superior candidate for prime minister, the person can be made the prime minister. I believe they can,” he said.

He added that Singaporeans today, compared with 40 or 50 years ago, look at all factors, not just race.

The 66-year-old noted that this shift in perspective is indicative of Singapore’s societal advancement over the past few decades.

Speaking at SG50+ Conference on what lies ahead for Singapore, organised by the Institute of Policy Studies and the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in 2015, Mr Tharman then said it is a matter of time before Singapore gets a non-Chinese prime minister.

“It seems to me inevitable that at some point, a minority prime minister – Indian, Malay, Eurasian, or some mixture – is going to be a feature of the political landscape.

“We’ve got a meritocracy, it is an open system,” he said yesterday, noting that people share experiences like national service and are educated largely in English, and that the common space is expanding.

But he does not see himself taking on the job, he said when replying to Washington Post columnist Fareed Zakaria, who had asked whether Singapore could see an Indian prime minister.

Netizens express bewilderment over Mr Tharman’s change in position

The alteration in Mr Tharman’s stance, subsequent to his departure from the PAP and entry into the Presidential race, has elicited a diverse range of responses from netizens.

When commenting on mainstream media platforms such as The Straits Times, Mothership, and CNA’s Facebook posts, numerous netizens have highlighted that the readiness of ordinary Singaporeans has been apparent for quite some time, despite assertions to the contrary by leaders of the ruling party.

Some have raised the question of why Mr Tharman did not engage in these arguments with his former colleagues while he was still a member of the PAP.

A netizen underscored that, in reality, Singaporeans were prepared for Mr Tharman to assume the role of Prime Minister years ago.

Echoing the same sentiment, another netizen asserted that Singaporeans have consistently supported the “most capable person”, “regardless of race or gender, who has the best interest of Singapore and Singaporeans at heart”.

A comment expressed his confusion by pointing out that when Singaporeans previously urged Mr Tharman to assume the role of PM, he declined and pursued the Presidency instead.

The comment then highlighted Mr Tharman’s recent statement about people being prepared for a non-Chinese Prime Minister, which led them to question the consistency of Mr Tharman’s position.

Netizens want Tharman to “return to cabinet”

Expressing their strong belief in Mr. Tharman’s leadership prowess, certain netizens have called for his reentry into the cabinet.

These individuals view his capabilities as highly valuable in formulating policies that directly address the needs of Singaporeans and enabling him to sustain his impactful contributions.

Netizens question why did Mr Tharman not address non-Chinese PM issue with PAP colleagues earlier?

Concurrently, several comments have raised questions about Mr Tharman’s approach regarding his PAP colleagues’ sentiments regarding Singapore’s readiness for a non-Chinese Prime Minister.

In parallel discussions, certain comments have recollected instances where Mr. Tharman’s previous colleagues, including Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat, have expressed the viewpoint that a segment of Singaporeans might still be unprepared for a Prime Minister from a minority racial background.

Certain netizens have engaged in contemplation regarding whether the ruling party, PAP, might be hesitant about a non-Chinese PM.

This has prompted them to question why, during that period, Mr Tharman did not voice his perspective in opposition to his PAP colleagues.

Prominent Singaporean activist and independent journalist Kirsten Han has drawn attention to the alteration in the narrative.

She has raised the question of Mr Tharman’s stance when his PAP colleagues were asserting that Singapore wasn’t prepared for a non-Chinese Prime Minister.

“Where was he when they amended the Constitution the last time to create a reserved presidential election because supposedly Singaporeans don’t vote for minority candidates otherwise?”

“Suddenly we are all perfectly capable of voting for a minority candidate, we’re ready for a non-Chinese PM, and Tharman has always been independent-minded.”

Singaporeans prefer Tharman as the next PM

It’s noteworthy that a considerable number of Singaporeans hold the view that Mr Tharman’s outstanding qualifications and extensive experience not only qualify him, but even potentially position him as “overqualified” for the role of President.

They see him as a superior and preferred choice to become the next Prime Minister of Singapore, who can effectively guide the country through the current period of uncertainty and challenges it is facing.

A survey by market research consultancy Blackbox in 2016 showed that 69 per cent of respondents would support Mr Tharman as a candidate to be prime minister.

Regrettably, Mr Tharman has ruled out the possibility of assuming the role of PM at that time.

In a recent exclusive interview with CNA, Mr Tharman once again refuted the perspective that he is “overqualified” for the position of President.

“All the experience that I’ve built up in government, in politics on the ground and internationally is going to be absolutely useful,” he said.

“This is not just going to be a ceremonial responsibility, it’s going to be an active responsibility, domestically, supporting initiatives on the ground.”

The ruling party’s stance on non-Chinese PM

The leaders at PAP have always taken the position that Singapore is not ready for a non-Chinese PM.

In 2008, Mr Lee Hsien Loong was asked at a grassroots event, in the light of Mr Barack Obama’s electoral win as US President, if Singapore was ready for a PM of a minority race, and specifically from the Malay-Muslim community.

Mr Lee said in reply: ‘It’s possible. It depends on how people vote, on who has the confidence of the population.’

“Will it happen soon? I don’t think so, because you have to win votes. And these sentiments – who votes for whom, and what makes him identify with that person – these are sentiments which will not disappear completely for a long time, even if people do not talk about it, even if people wish they did not feel it.”

Speaking at a ministerial forum organised by the Nanyang Technological University Students’ Union in 2019, Mr Heng Swee Keat in response to a question about the poll, said that while many among the 700 students who attended the forum were happy to have a prime minister who is not Chinese, this was not the case for all of Singapore.

“My own experience in walking the ground, in working with different people from all walks of life, is that the views — if you go by age and by life experience — would be very different,” Mr Heng said.

Nevertheless, Mr Heng said: “I do think that at the right time, when enough people think that we may have a minority leader, a minority who becomes the leader of the country, that is something that we can all hope for.”

Mr Heng at the age of 57, was appointed Deputy Secretary General of PAP in November 2018 and was touted to be the successor to Mr Lee Hsien Loong.

Soon after the pandemic general election in 2020 where PAP saw its votes plummet to 61.24% — down from 69.86% in the last election in 2015, Mr Heng threw in the towel as the would-be PM as he claims that he has too short a runway to take over from Mr Lee Hsien Loong.

As Mr Tharman, who was then 64, had been omitted from consideration by the PAP leaders and the press, the choice was limited to the fourth-generation ministers with top choices being Mr Lawrence Wong, Mr Ong Ye Kung and Mr Chan Chun Sing.

A point to take note of is Mr Tharman’s constituency scored 74.16 per cent during GE2020 — higher than any other PAP constituency. Mr Wong’s constituency scored 63.18 per cent.

Mr Wong was later revealed a year later, at a press conference as the leader of the fourth-generation team and successor to Mr Lee Hsien Loong.

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Redditors question support for PAP over perceived arrogance and authoritarian attitude

Despite Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s warning that slimmer electoral margins would limit the government’s political space “to do the right things”, many Redditors questioned their support for the ruling PAP, criticising its perceived arrogance. They argued that SM Lee’s remarks show the party has ‘lost its ways’ and acts as if it alone can determine what is right. Others noted that the PAP’s supermajority allows for the passage of unfavourable policies without adequate scrutiny.

Published

19 hours ago

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19 September 2024

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In a recent speech, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong warned that “if electoral margins get slimmer, the government will have less political space to do the right things.”

Mr Lee, who served as Prime Minister for 20 years, highlighted the risks associated with increasingly competitive politics.

“It will become harder to disregard short-term considerations in decision-making. The political dynamics will become very different,” he stated during his speech at the Annual Public Service Leadership Ceremony 2024 on 17 September.

“Singaporeans must understand the dangers this creates, and so must the public service,” SM Lee stressed.

SM Lee pointed out that Singapore faces formidable internal and external challenges in the years ahead, with rising expectations and demands from citizens.

As growth becomes harder to achieve and politics becomes more fiercely contested, he warned, “Things can go wrong for Singapore too.”

He urged vigilance in preparing for an uncertain future, noting, “As the world changes, and as the generations change, we must do our best to renew our system – to ensure that it continues to work well for us, even as things change.”

Critique of PAP’s Arrogance and Disconnect from Singaporeans

The People’s Action Party (PAP) experienced a notable decline in its vote share during the 2020 General Election, securing 61.24% of the votes and winning 83 out of 93 seats, a drop from 69.9% in 2015.

A significant loss was in Sengkang GRC, where the PAP team, led by former Minister Ng Chee Meng, was defeated by the Workers’ Party (WP).

In discussions on Reddit, some users questioned why they should support the ruling PAP, criticising the party’s perceived arrogance.

They pointed out that SM Lee’s recent remarks illustrate that the party has strayed from effectively serving Singaporeans and seems to believe it has the sole authority to decide what is right.

Others highlighted that the PAP’s super-majority in Parliament enables the passage of unfavourable policies without sufficient scrutiny.

One comment acknowledged that while many older Singaporeans remain loyal to the PAP due to its past achievements, younger generations feel the party has failed to deliver similar results.

There is significant frustration that essentials like housing and the cost of living have become less affordable compared to previous generations.

The comment emphasised the importance of the 2011 election results, which they believe compelled the PAP to reassess its policies, especially concerning foreign labor and job security.

He suggested that to retain voter support, the PAP must continue to ensure a good material standard of living.

“Then, I ask you, vote PAP for what? They deserve to lose a supermajority. Or else why would they continue to deliver the same promises they delivered to our parents? What else would get a bunch of clueless bureaucrats to recognise their problems?”

Emphasising Government Accountability to the Public

Another Redditor argued that it is the government’s responsibility to be accountable to the people.

He further challenged SM Lee’s assertion about having less political space to do the right things, questioning his authority to define what is “right” for Singapore.

The comment criticised initiatives like the Founder’s Memorial and the NS Square, suggesting they may serve to boost the egos of a few rather than benefit the broader population. The Redditor also questioned the justification for GST hikes amid rising living costs.

“Policies should always be enacted to the benefit of the people, and it should always be the people who decide what is the best course of action for our country. No one should decide that other than us.”

The comment called for an end to narratives that present the PAP as the only party capable of rescuing Singapore from crises, stating that the country has moved past the existential challenges of its founding era and that innovative ideas can come from beyond a single political party.

Another comment echoed this sentiment, noting that by stating this, SM Lee seemingly expects Singaporeans to accept the PAP’s assumption that they—and by extension, the government and public service—will generally do the “right things.”

“What is conveniently overlooked is that the point of having elections is to have us examine for ourselves if we accept that very premise, and vote accordingly.”

A comment further argued that simply losing a supermajority does not equate to a lack of political space for the government to make the right decisions.

The Redditor express frustration with SM Lee’s rhetoric, suggesting that he is manipulating public perception to justify arbitrary changes to the constitution.

Concerns Over PAP’s Supermajority in Parliament

Another comment pointed out that the PAP’s supermajority in Parliament enables the passage of questionable and controversial policies, bypassing robust debate and discussion.

The comment highlighted the contentious constitutional amendments made in late 2016, which reserved the elected presidency for candidates from a specific racial group if no president from that group had served in the previous five terms.

A comment highlighted the contrast: in the past, the PAP enjoyed a wide electoral margin because citizens believed they governed effectively. Now, the PAP claims that without a substantial electoral margin, they cannot govern well.

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Tan Kiat How: Police called after resident ‘became aggressive’ at meet-the-people session

Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How shared on TikTok that police were called to his meet-the-people session (MPS) in Bedok on Monday (17 Sept) evening after a resident ‘became a little more aggressive’, reportedly over a job issue. While the PAP MP emphasized the efforts made to assist residents, some netizens questioned the volunteers’ handling of the situation and urged more proactive measures from the MP.

Published

2 days ago

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18 September 2024

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SINGAPORE: Police were called to a meet-the-people session (MPS) in Bedok after a resident became aggressive, causing a disturbance, according to Member of Parliament (MP) for East Coast GRC Tan Kiat How.

Mr Tan, who represents the Kampong Chai Chee ward, addressed the incident in a TikTok video posted on Monday (17 September).

In the video, Mr Tan, who is also Senior Minister of State for National Development, emphasised the need for mutual respect at these sessions, which are intended to be safe spaces for both residents and volunteers.

“It was unfortunate that the police had to be called to MPS today when a resident became a little more aggressive,” Mr Tan said, acknowledging the incident that occurred during the Monday MPS session at Block 408 Bedok North Avenue 2.

Mr Tan expressed empathy for the challenges faced by residents but urged individuals attending MPS to remain respectful towards volunteers.

“Sometimes you see such cases at MPS, where one of the residents get more aggressive and can be a little bit more violent,” he noted.

He added that while efforts are made to assist residents, certain matters are beyond their control.

“For example, we can’t write to a government agency to demand the agency to offer a job to a person … but we can facilitate and make sure that opportunities are available for our residents,” he explained.

@tankiathow

It was unfortunate that the police had to be called to #MPS today when a resident became a little more aggressive. We always do our best to help #KampongChaiChee residents, but some things are beyond our control. Let’s work towards mutual respect and ensure MPS remains a safe space for both residents and volunteers. #caringeastcoast

♬ Future – Official Sound Studio

Netizens Question Volunteers’ Handling of Situation and Call for Greater Action from MP

The incident drew numerous responses on TikTok, with some expressing support for Mr Tan and others sympathising with the unnamed resident.

One comment suggested that the individual may have been “desperate” for a solution to their issue, while another urged patience, noting that not all cases can be resolved immediately.

Separately, Mr Tan responded to one user by confirming that he had previously helped the resident’s parents.

Some questioned whether the issue arose from a lack of tact by certain volunteers in handling the situation, suggesting that they receive proper training to address residents’ concerns effectively.

In response, Mr Tan emphasized that his volunteers always do their best and that empathy is crucial in such situations.

Another user noted that empathy should be mutual, suggesting that while residents are trying their best, they may feel they have no other solutions, urging Mr Tan to show greater understanding.

One comment pointed out that something significant might have affected the resident, possibly leading them to drastic actions, and called for more proactive measures from the MP rather than just expressing empathy.

This is not the first time an MPS has been marked by aggression.

In 2018, Jurong GRC MP Tan Wu Meng was assaulted by a 32-year-old man, leaving him with injuries.

The assailant was arrested after rushing into the MPS area and attacking Dr Tan.

Similarly, in 2009, Ang Mo Kio GRC MP Seng Han Thong was attacked when a resident doused him with paint thinner and set him on fire. Mr Seng survived but required extensive medical treatment.

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