Lee Kuan Yew
The generation gap widens
His old theme that Singapore could be ruined if opposition gains power is greeted with cynicism by the young. By Seah Chiang Nee
Jun 27, 2008

The story (excerpts): The Singapore opposition would ruin the wealthy city-state's achievements in five years if they ever gained power, the country's founding father Lee Kuan Yew said.

Speaking late Wednesday, Lee, 84, warned Singapore voters against putting the opposition at the helm of government "in a moment of fickleness or just sheer madness" when they get "bored" at some point in the future.

Should this happen, "I think all bets are off because in five years they (opposition) can ruin this place," he told hundreds of delegates…( AFP)

Read full story in
http://afp.google.com/article/ALeqM5hO5GOaqrgGNspmaeLjs7LFRH6Fsw

The following are excerpts from weblogs and forums:-

Posted by Hard-hitting-nobs
As much as I respect Mr. Lee, if Singapore is ruined by the opposition in just 5 years, I’m afraid the PAP will have to take some of the blame as well. Think about it, the PAP had been in power since independence. Over 40 years in power but we will be ruined after just 5 years of opposition rule...
Now some Singaporeans might think that Mr. Lee is "playing the same old record" when he delivers his warning, but I think he truly believe in what he was saying.
If I am right and that is the case, I think Mr. Lee should concentrate on helping his son’s government to make Singapore stronger.
After all, no one wants to see Singapore “ruined”.
http://hardhitting-nobs.blogspot.com/2008/06/singapore-is-weak.html

Forums
soc.culture.singapore
Zai Zai
LKY is a very selfish and greedy person, in his 40+ years he refuses to transfer his skills nor groom a potential successor beside his son to take over.
In other words, any potential candidate (or pilot) that comes along he will feel that person has a threat. That is the reason why the plane will dive without him nor any member of his family on board.
If the plane crashes, whose fault is it? It is similar to Adolf Hilter's last hour of command, execute and destroy everything in Berlin including its citizens, his excuse was because it is the people of Germany that had given him the mandate to rule and the fault lies with them not him, and Hilter's last words were "by tomorrow millions will learn to hate me."

baldeagle
I have a slightly different take.
LKY and his team have reached the level of incompetence (Peter's principle).
Having them around would mean more problems for Singapore.
There is ample evidence of their incompetence... blotched billion dollar investments, MS escape, the inability to solve the problems and low wages of 300,000 poor Singaporeans and soaring costs.
It is time to vote them out of office and replace them with new blood.
It is a fallacy that LKY wants simple minded Singaporeans to believe that he and PAP are indispensible. What nonsense!

hslaw maj
He is right. No others can rule Singapore like LKY. With his respected dictatorial rule and instilling fear on Singaporean, he was able to control Singapore for more than 50 years. I respect him as a man and politician.
He effectively bankrupted most of his political opponents, jailing some hardcore communist politicians for decades without trials.
This is the modern way to rule a country. Make the country into a police state. Public assemblies of more than 5 persons are illegal. Rigging the national savings or sovereign funds. Manipulating money from the CPF and using it for long term investment and getting to know the results ever 10 to 20 years opaqued to the public.
Ruling Singapore by members of his conies and families.
Indeed, Singapore will sink like a ship and crash like a plane without my well respected LKY. It is true.

baldeagle
It is not important whether or not LKY has groomed any one to take over. The whole bunch of PAP MPs, including LKY are no longer effective to lead Singapore. They have reached their level of incompetence as proven by their recent very poor performance.
Time for Singaporeans to try out new blood, new ideas, new ways of running Singapore in the changing globalised world.

SammyBoy
From 4stooges1
...Maybe it's about time we vote in some opposition candidates to prove him wrong.
The PAP has always stressed on open-mindedness. It's about time they accept some opposition candidates into Parliament as alternative think tanks, opinions and suggestions.
Being an all-homogenous party, their ideas or ideals maybe just too restricted.

Denzuko1
If you read between the lines, he sees the PAP is losing its popularity big-time and his son in deep (trouble). It is a desperate attempt to make sure Singaporeans still comply with PAP rules. Otherwise, why the threat?
The fact is that Malaysia is giving people here a live demonstration of a country converting to a two-party rule and the result is obvious: problems as a result of past ineffective governance have surfaced and the ruling party is forced to be accountable. If the opposition there succeeds in improving Malaysia's status by the time of Singapore's election, PAP will powerless to stop its people to vote for opposition.

tarzan100
If it just takes 5 years to ruin Singapore, then something must be wrong with the government and the more reason to have the opposition to provide necessary checks and balances.

jimmyfallon2
5 years to ruin? Temasek can manage that in five days. PAP, don’t give yourself too much credit!

4stooges1
I have this feeling that Lee wants the throne to be passed to his 3rd generation heir, Li Hong Yi (PM Lee Hsien Loong’s son), maybe.

johnboy_sg
Every despotic government has claimed that it is "for the good of the nation." But ultimately, if the people have voted in someone else, then no politician should place himself above this process.
Such thoughts by Lee show ultimately that he is a mere politician and not a statesman, which many claim he is.
A politician only believes in making sure he wins the next election but a statesman will speak wisely and submit himself to the voice of the people.

singabagus
I agree with our wise MM Lee for his insightful speech at the forum. Singaporeans must always be grateful to this great man who have sacrificed his life for Singapore making it the best place under the sun.
His duty to the country comes first despite the fact that he has very urgent and pressing problems at home. This I must salute him as a great man, a great statesman and a great man of honesty, integrity and responsibility.
I wish him well. I wish his family well.

red_amoeba
The key is to have the sound policies and right person helming the key positions. All great leaders know that. Persuasion will always be an essential part of politics because you need to persuade your voters to support your policies.
He is basically saying, "Oh if PAP lose the elections, Singapore will be doomed." This is one of his well-used "scare tactics".

BabaEro11
The man is fighting for his political life...

Frankiestine
They are now running scared; they know that their unpopular policies are stirring much discontentment and dissatisfaction against the party.

headgansta
Looks Like the old man is totally out of phase to 21st Century Singaporeans. He will be history soon.

Streetman6
Old Lee is diverting the attention away from inflationary issues and Wong Kan Seng’s oversight to take pressures away from his son.
Jun 27, 2008