Caius Martius is a brilliant Roman general who is honoured with the cognomen (nickname given as a form of distinguishing people who accomplished important feats) of "Coriolanus" after a successful military service. Coriolanus' mother encourages him to run for the office of consul. He effortlessly wins the support of the Roman Senate, and seems to have won over the endorsement of the commoners as well. The Singapore version would have a brigadier general parachuted into parliament, and quickly made full minister. In the Roman version, the people get upset with him for railing about the concept of popular rule. Coriolanus is banished, and he changes camp to the enemy's side, and vows to lead an assault on the city which voted him out.
Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli assured the House recently that there is no conflict of interest in the appointment of former Cabinet Minister George Yeo to the Hong Kong Economic Development Commission.
In response to Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Lina Chiam's query whether Yeo's appointment jeopardised Singapore's strategic interests, Masagos explained: "Mr Yeo has been appointed by Hong Kong Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying as non-official member of the newly established Hong Kong Economic Development Commission. The purpose of the Commission as I understand is to provide advice to the Hong Kong government on the overall strategy and policy to broaden Hong Kong's economic base, and to enhance Hong Kong's economic growth and development."
Masagos may not have heard of the the Chinese expression about two tigers being on the same mountain, but he must be aware of the two cities' rivalry to be Asia's top financial center. It is also interesting that Hong Kong's plans to enhance economic growth and development has taken a turn to include mass import of migrants as an option. An option which the Population White Paper was all about. Hmm, wonder where Hong Kong got the idea from? We wish they have the same success as the incumbent party within our own shores is experiencing.
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Are you sure he does not reveal Singapore's strategic plans to HK? Please lah. Who wants to employ him unless he has value to their interest.
ReplyDeleteThe problem seems always with the formalities. Did he reveal Singapore`s strategic plans to HK you ask. Of course he would not be so stupid as to do that. He would simply advise them a course of action which could be against our interest but beneficial to HK. This is an endemic problem in Singapore - too many people at the top wearing too many hats. Let me give you a specific example. President Tony Tan is supposed to loook after our reserves. Having been Chairman of GIC or otherwise in it for so many years how would you expect him to fault them? Or the PM to remove his wife if she failed in her duties in Temasek?
DeleteHK already has Casino galore in Macau. Minimal wage in HK and world class transportation at low/fair cost plus a thriving art/cultural/civil rights scenes. What can George Yeo bring to the table, other than perhaps selling the HDB public housing blueprint to them, and keep poaching all their banking expats and family to SG by giving them more landspace and international schools which HK couldn't.
ReplyDeletePrevious CEs had tradition of bringing in working groups from external, so CY is no different. Success or not, is another matter. In fact, the ex-finance minister of Taiwan is also on the advisory board.
He can bring the defamation and libel art of oppression to HK.
DeleteGood luck to him lah.
Singapore doesn't need own Gangnam, they export their own version of Gangster style to China and now HK.
Must spare a thought for MIW post career moves. Many waiting-in-line turncoats would be watching closely to replicate his success, by 2016.
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1145491/leung-unlikely-win-say-experts
How about introducing ISA to Hong Kong?
ReplyDeleteHK has its own Article 23 to contend with. Can you get 500,000 people to march on the street here in sg like hong kongers did passionately, to protect their rights?
DeleteHe is probably there to bring in more filthy rich Mainlanders and Hongkies to Sin lah.
ReplyDeleteDon't write Georgie off yet.
ReplyDeleteHe could just be the Team B that may spin off from Team A, just in time for 2016 salvages. Do you see him any less active on the political scene judging by his Facebook?
Poetic Tattler!
ReplyDeleteInterestingly, Dylan has a magpie song called "Sweetheart like You" which throws in the Samuel Johnson quote along with quotes from a Bogart movie and the bible. It's a bit of an enigmatic mash, but it works. And also, didn't TS Elliot write something about Corionalus in the Wasteland piece?
They say that patriotism is the last refuge
To which a scoundrel clings
Steal a little and they throw you in jail
Steal a lot and they make you king
There’s only one step down from here, baby
It’s called the land of permanent bliss
What’s a sweetheart like you doin’ in a dump like this?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpRKstHl7Y0
Easy for mainstream to draw comparison between SG and HK, but each faces a totally different set of problems. GY contribution to any organization must be his rolodex first, opinions second.
ReplyDeletePlease lah.
ReplyDeleteHong Kong is supported by China.
Singapore is supported by overworked Sinkies.
How to compare?
errrmm. you just compared. hahaha..
Delete"Masagos Zulkfili assured the house recently that there is no conflict of interest in the appointment of former Minister George Yeo to the Hong Kong Economic Development Commission"
ReplyDeleteIsn't that the same thing as what they also told us about ex-PAP members in AIM? The saying, never trust Union Chief must now also apply to PAP members.
Reality is never bite all the hands that feed you, instead just go with the flow and do some waggling.
ReplyDelete