I am not hopeful of any gradual or drastic changes for the better in Singapore politics or politicians, whether PAP or opposition.
I base it on the experience of other countries which are much bigger than us in all areas. You will observe that the alternatives are no better or even worse than the incumbents. It is also even difficult to dislodge the incumbents, no matter how bad their performance.
In Singapore, because of our small size and population, a credible alternative can barely even emerge, let alone grow and be strong. This has been true for past 40 over years. So why should the next 10 or 20 years be any different? Have the conditions for them to emerge become better? I don't think so. It has become worse due to immigration and emigration.
It is sad that in singapore the motivation now to go into politics is only money or power. What happened to the burning desire to want to do something good for the country?
KL, when people like Mahbubani talks about institutionalising (in the NTU semianr on Possible Singapores - Beyond Lee Kuan Yew) the legacy of LKY and entrenching his elders in place to ensure this, what motivation is there for aspiring young people to join? especially if they are expected, if not then force-fed to remember LKY's legacy?
"Perhaps it is to restrain factionalism, arbitrate disagreements, groom and assess future leaders, that the positions of senior minister and minister mentor have been institutionalised," said Mr Ho, who feels the PAP’s "extraordinary cohesion" over five decades has owed much to "the forceful personality of Lee Kuan Yew".
"What makes Ho or Mahbubani think that most Singaporeans are for an institutionalisation of the elders to keep the legacy of LKY?"
Would be interesting if you could do a survey on what Singaporeans think on this, and as Ho exclaims
"Perhaps it is to restrain factionalism, arbitrate disagreements, groom and assess future leaders, that the positions of senior minister and minister mentor have been institutionalised," said Mr Ho, who feels the PAP’s "extraordinary cohesion" over five decades has owed much to "the forceful personality of Lee Kuan Yew"."
Are you sure MM said that "young people are not interested to go into politics. He quoted the example of his grandson, who is now on a scholarship."? I thought many musicians choose to be musicians because they were inspired by the passion of thier parents! I think that is really inspiring parenting!
I am not hopeful of any gradual or drastic changes for the better in Singapore politics or politicians, whether PAP or opposition.
ReplyDeleteI base it on the experience of other countries which are much bigger than us in all areas. You will observe that the alternatives are no better or even worse than the incumbents. It is also even difficult to dislodge the incumbents, no matter how bad their performance.
In Singapore, because of our small size and population, a credible alternative can barely even emerge, let alone grow and be strong. This has been true for past 40 over years. So why should the next 10 or 20 years be any different? Have the conditions for them to emerge become better? I don't think so. It has become worse due to immigration and emigration.
I'm 28. And honestly, if there are any people in my age group saying they are going into politics, I am very sure they are insane, mentally insane.
ReplyDeleteWhat's the motivation for people going into politics anyway? I can't say I see any.
The motivation is the money!!!..
ReplyDeleteHow many of us can earn million of dollers..
It is sad that in singapore the motivation now to go into politics is only money or power. What happened to the burning desire to want to do something good for the country?
ReplyDeleteMy idea of doing something good is to start a business. Give people jobs, pay them so they can buy stuff for their families.
ReplyDeleteKL, when people like Mahbubani talks about institutionalising (in the NTU semianr on Possible Singapores - Beyond Lee Kuan Yew) the legacy of LKY and entrenching his elders in place to ensure this, what motivation is there for aspiring young people to join? especially if they are expected, if not then force-fed to remember LKY's legacy?
ReplyDelete"Perhaps it is to restrain factionalism, arbitrate disagreements, groom and assess future leaders, that the positions of senior minister and minister mentor have been institutionalised," said Mr Ho, who feels the PAP’s "extraordinary cohesion" over five decades has owed much to "the forceful personality of Lee Kuan Yew".
http://soojenn.blogspot.com/2009/04/possible-singapores-beyond-lee-kuan-yew.html
"What makes Ho or Mahbubani think that most Singaporeans are for an institutionalisation of the elders to keep the legacy of LKY?"
ReplyDeleteWould be interesting if you could do a survey on what Singaporeans think on this, and as Ho exclaims
"Perhaps it is to restrain factionalism, arbitrate disagreements, groom and assess future leaders, that the positions of senior minister and minister mentor have been institutionalised," said Mr Ho, who feels the PAP’s "extraordinary cohesion" over five decades has owed much to "the forceful personality of Lee Kuan Yew"."
Are you sure MM said that "young people are not interested to go into politics. He quoted the example of his grandson, who is now on a scholarship."?
ReplyDeleteI thought many musicians choose to be musicians because they were inspired by the passion of thier parents! I think that is really inspiring parenting!