The people behind the "Ask The PM" charade (a website created 3 weeks ago, coincidentally at the same time the government launched its “National Conversation” project) have also been busy with the preparation of questions which will be submitted to the prime minister. Whether they will go the whole hog and supply the politically correct answers as well remains to be seen. The editors say they have shortlisted 25 questions, and only the top 10 will actually be presented.
One of the curious shortlisted (No. 15) asks:
"Are you grooming your son for politics?"
Whatever the answer to be provided, the feeding frenzy that follows will make the protest over the Bacile film look like a picnic. It's the classic situation of do and be damned, do not and still be damned.
On the other hand, Lee Kuan Yew did have his printed version of the answer in "Hard Truths" (page 752):
"He (Goh Chok Tong) discussed it with Choo (Mrs Lee) and me. I told him that if he missed the coming elections he would have to wait for four or five years before he had another chance. With every passing year he would find it more difficult to change and adjust to political life, especially learning to work with people in the constituencies and the unions. Most of all he had to feel deeply for the people, be able to communicate his feeling for them and move them to go with him.
I appointed Loong a junior minister in the ministry of trade and industry. His minister immediately put him in charge of a private sector committee to review the economy just as we entered a severe recession in 1985.
In November 1990, when I resigned as prime minister, Loong was appointed deputy prime minister by Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong."
Long term planning is this guy's forte. Did you ever imagine him leaving anything to chance?
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I wonder if he foresees what's in store for him in the next 10 years?
ReplyDeleteU mean in hell?
DeleteThe old fart is a maestro when it comes to manipulating everything around him to protect his own ass, to pull the strings of those in power. It can also be said that our institutions have been rendered subservient to him.
DeleteIf you doubt the above, then think about this, the Japs would not have hired old fart in WW2 unless they were damn sure he was useful to their cause...probably even if it meant fixing unarmed civilians.
The model answer should be :
ReplyDelete"Of course I want my son to go into politics and become the Prime Minister. No need to pretend and be a hypocrite."
We should all vote for that question so it can make it to Top 10 to be answered, hopefully without "technical glitch. "
ReplyDeleteHow about asking this more pertinent question about LKY and his role. Let his son answer before his time runs out. History needs to record this, or rumors will invent it.
Deletehttp://kementah.blogspot.sg/2012/09/national-conversation-two-defence.html
"Long term planning is this guy's forte."
ReplyDeleteMore like long term stay. He was the world's longest serving Prime Minister (31 years from 1959 - 1990), and is the longest-serving government minister in the world (53 years). He ruled Singapore with an "iron hand". Just turned 89, has he passed his sell-by date?
Reminds me of these words from Oliver Cromwell, Old Ironside, a 17th century English dictator:
"You have sat too long for any good you have been doing lately... Depart, I say; and let us have done with you. In the name of God, go!"
Correction: the longest-serving government minister in the world (52 years), retiring as Minister Mentor in 2011.
DeleteWithout a doubt he holds the world record collecting the most money from tax payers and it should be noted for the past 2 decades mentoring nitwits and misreading fortunes for ordinary sporeans.
DeleteIf this grandson is going to come in on a coat-tail like that Ting Tong, all hell will break loose I can tell you! The people have enough of the Leeders, period!
ReplyDelete