Lee Kuan Yew
Carrying on
Besieged by some of Singapore's worst crises in 38 years, Singaporeans reassured by his continuing presence after son takes over, but some are unhappy about family influence. By Seah Chiang Nee
Sept 22, 2003

SINGAPORE is buzzing with debate about Lee Kuan Yew's decision to remain as senior minister, health permitting, even after his son becomes prime minister.

The first question was why, and the next, what will be the impact.

Announced in a pre-80th birthday newspaper interview, it had come as a surprise to most people who had believed that the ruling People's Action Party was keen to avoid a son-father leadership.

Although his role is advisory, the senior minister exerts strong influence on the Cabinet.

This was shown by the fact that he himself had made the announcement, rather than Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong (who welcomed it) or his would-be successor.

Lee dismissed the idea of retiring when his son assumes power, saying he would serve in the Cabinet as long as he could contribute, and then remain a Member of Parliament while he was "fit and able."

How long will that be? "That depends on my DNA, my doctors and the value of my data bank," Lee said.

Asked if anyone would dare tell him that he was no longer useful, he replied: "You don't have to tell me. I can feel it."

So why is he doing it, knowing it will provoke adverse reaction?

I think the answer lies in the role he assigned himself before he retired as prime minister in 1990.

One was his own defined role as that of a goalkeeper in a football team and a remark that he would rise from his grave if crisis beset Singapore.

The second was his expressed wish to contribute to improving relations with Indonesia and Malaysia.

Well, he need not have to rise up from the grave to confront a crisis. At 80, he is still brain-active although he admits to slowing down; he is travelling much less these days.

"What I miss most is the high levels of physical energy I had up to 10 years ago. I used to dash around, meet people, talk, dictate, get things done," he told the interviewer.

The fact is that crisis is already upon us; actually two of them and both threaten Singapore's future.

The first is, of course, a rapid deterioration of Singapore's economic fundamentals due to globalisation and, the other, bombing threats by Islamic terrorists.

Both are very real and will remain for years to come. There's hardly anyone who feels that despite the tight security, a suicide bombing will not take place in Singapore. It is a matter of when and where, some believe.

Few expect that Singapore's weak economy, which is more worrying than terrorism for now, will turn the corner any time soon.

And relationship with Malaysia is at a stage that could become worse before improving.

With his vast experience, Lee is seen as an important stabilising figure during these troubled times. Singapore's economy is facing one of its most severe challenges since independence 38 years ago.

Unemployment is at a 20-year high and retrenchments are still rising. It is losing trade and investment to cheaper producers in China, Malaysia and India.

As a result, many Singaporeans are suffering from a hectic round of cuts in salary and retirement savings while worried about jobs and their future.

There's a growing sense of hopelessness and gloom among the people. Their trust in the PAP has taken a knock. Lee's presence gives the people a reassuring feeling.

At 80, the senior minister retains widespread popularity for his role as the architect of modern Singapore despite the downturn. Most welcome his sharp mind in the Cabinet in these times.

The opposing view is held by younger, liberal-minded citizens who are unhappy about the influence of the Lee family in politics and economics.

In their comments, foreign correspondents and local observers emphasise the Lee family's strengthening grip on power.

Garry Rodan, professor of politics and director of the Asia Research Centre at Australia's Murdoch University, told the BBC: "Lee Hsien Loong has already had to work hard to disabuse people of the idea that he has benefited from his family connection.

"And now to be prime minister and to have his father still in the influential special minister's post will for many people just underline the tightly overlapping nature of power in Singapore."

BBC's Tim Luard says the situation is further complicated by the fact that Hsien Loong's wife, Ho Ching, is executive director of Temasek Holdings, the powerful government investment arm. "It all looks very cosy," Rodan said.

Even PM Goh said Hsien Loong could face an "awkward" situation if his wife remained as head of Temasek Holdings.

"It was an awkward situation for all of us, not just the DPM," Goh told the Financial Times.

"The DPM himself was very uncomfortable" with the appointment "because he realised the political implications for him as finance minister with his wife reporting to him. If it can be helped, he would rather not have her there."

SM Lee's future role will probably be no different from his current one.

In most times, he will remain a contributor of ideas, providing a helicopter view of things and leaving the specifics and decisions to the younger crop of leaders.

Others, however, see him as the ultimate decision-maker.

Manu Baskaran, a Singapore analyst, commented: "On issues he feels strongly about he will probably carry the day, even if other Cabinet members disagree."

In a tribute birthday gala dinner attended by more than 1,000 people, Lee struck a confident note.

"The present pessimism of the faint-hearted, reflected in the media, that Singapore has seen its best days, that the music has stopped and the party is over, is totally unfounded.

"That is not how I see the future of Singapore. After we have cut costs and made ourselves competitive we shall rise to greater heights. But if we psyche ourselves into gloom, we deserve to be sidelined."

But towards the end, when he recited the Singapore pledge, he was overcome by emotion and his voice broke.

One indication of how far Lee himself has changed was the presence of his 22-year-old granddaughter (Hsien Loong's daughter) in a bare-back dress.
(This was first published in Sunday Star, Sept 21, 2003)