Singapore
Internet comments on leaders
On Aug 12, Mr Lee Hsien Loong will become Prime Minister, PM Goh Chok Tong will be his No 2t and SM Lee Kuan Yew 2ill retain strong cabinet role. Following are selected Singaporean views online.
Aug 2, 2004

HardwareZone
shann
What will Singapore be like under Lee Hsien Loong
Hmm... most likely spore will continue the current trend.
1. HDB flats getting smaller and smaller (like HK) but prices getting higher & higher.
2. Still no strong opposition... 80% of the GE will get walkover.
3. Cars will still be expensive.
4. ERP will increase.
5. Bus and MRT fares will still continue to climb.
6. GST increase.. But of coz, you will get a few hundreds $$$ to "offset" the effects...
7. Lastly, yr wages will never be able to follow the inflation rate....

jf
Signal Decoded: Singaporeans To Become Mere Witnesses Of Policies Making
Singaporeans are expected to become mere spectators with ceremonial involvement, needing only to extend FINAL congratulatory praises and approvals of government policies.
Far from being "a new beginning in Singapore's history" as uttered by a certain Minister, it will essentially be old wine in new bottle.
Singaporeans can expect to experience a strong manifestation of déjà vu, and an unavoidable socio-political retrogression. The "challenges ahead" to advance the country is expected to become even more arduous under the mindset of the new leadership.

DanielsaN8
Guess life will be more tough under his rule. Not forgetting he's the incoming prime minister and also the finance minister, overall controlling the finances in Sg.

izzx
More money for the garmen? Higher civil wages? Higher taxes? Higher cost of living? Higher medical costs? Higher dying costs
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NewPaper
Smart assassin
I read that Goh Chok Tong will be Sr. Minister come the new cabinet soon.
But it was reassuring to hear that Lee Kuan Yew will remain in cabinet. It is not important what position LKY holds he will always be our No.1 deep in our hearts!

Takla
With all due respect I think its time he (LKY) reconsiders his position in Parliament and slowly departs totally from it. Our young ministers should be given an opportunity to go through the trials and tribulations of a political career and managing a country as I'm sure LKY did in his heydays.
Yet the added benefit of reflecting on his enormous wealth of experience and knowledge should not be deprived of. It would be more pragmatic for them to do this in an informal manner. His exit would also reinforce citizens confidence that Singapore will not collapse when he passes on.
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Soc.culture.singapore
Soothsayer
Come Aug 12 2004 Lee H. Loong will be the next PM for Singapore PM Goh will be so called the #2 man and SM Lee be consultant.
Why can't the 2 Ex-PMs just retire from the political arena? Let Lee H. Loong run the show with his hand-picked team. If the 2 Ex-PMs still on the job (but less important) they still need to be paid and they (do) not come cheap. The Government is not trying to save cost at all. Why preach to companies to save/cut costs, they themselves did not do what they reached?

Kling kling
We are indeed lucky to have the services of 2 ex-PMs to serve us. Every cent spent on them is worth it as they help to keep us World champion. We are the Best, the First, and have the Biggest, Longest, Tallest, Fastest, Highest, Cleverest, Business, Cleanest, and XXXXXest of everything in the WORLD.
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Kantian
Jul 28, 2004
No. 2 No. 1 what is the difference? He (LKY) is still pulling the strings and (calling) the calls.
How true is this statement? "In government matters, I do not talk as his father."
Then why so many Lee members in some ways or another, directly or indirectly, working or dealing with government, businesses, ventures and investments locally and abroad?

Stocklion
I have high expectation of the new PM. I think he will try his best to make all of us a millionaire, eating shark's fin and abalone everyday sure one. - happy ah pek
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Our PM needs many nannies! Goh is SM, old-man is consultant. I think LSL is not qualify for the job of PM because he needs many nannies! - We have World Class Nannies!

ShareInvestor
McCool
To be honest, I wasn't even aware that SM (LKY) was No. 2 in the GCT cabinet. I had assumed that the joint No. 2s were Tony Tan and Lee Hsien Loong

SgForums
Drawer
Mr Goh will still be around, I am glad to hear that.
Although I don't like him, but at least he is better than the rest of the PAP members who is (sic) in power. I think he is a bit more open to criticism, although I think he can improve much more in this area, especially to opposition party members.

Robertteh
A country needs good leaders who can only be groomed or thrown up through open political processes from the masses.
Such leaders could only be tested out through involvement in community activities, grass-roots organizations, trades and industries. The masses will support and nominate people with ideas, ideals and idealism as well as a sense of pragmatism to come forward for election to build a strong and properous country in the context of new world order.
At present, this selection process may be too narrow. Selection is confined to a small group many of whom have got into parliament due to allegiance and party loyalty. They were co-opted to join politics in a play-safe screening process to suit party's ideas of leadership.
Many may be technocrats as they did not go through any contest or baptism by fire in open arena. They may be good in managing existing order and conventionalism not having the extra qualities and charisma needed to solve the bigger problems and issues we may be facing.
So far none of our 2nd and 3rd tier leadership did not seem to have succeeded in eradicating entrenched unworkable policies. They did not come across as people daring to put up their own visions to fit new challenges.
It is not too late to search from among leaders of trade and industry and professional bodies etc courageous and able persons to come forward to serve Singapore. Open up and be accountable in leadership selection.
The present de-politisation, machinery and co-coption scheme will only hamper our progress in this direction as it is a containment process. We need leadership renewal for Singapore survival and well-being by removing all constraints and opening up political process and welcome all to come forward to contribute the nation building. Appointing leaders from the masses to fill the new cabinet should be done for the future prime minister and top ministers.

Sammyboy
AhBengSons
Proof that LKY is calling the shots all the time, from GCT to LHL and beyond.

Lockeliberal
Actually a careful analysis of the situation and the politics behind the decision leads me to the following thoughts. So please feel free to comment or disagree.
1. Its interesting that PM Goh after having annointed DPM Lee as the successor he was not shoved out of the cabinet and put out to grass. I could name two or three posts such as Chairman of GIC.... Senior Minister or for that matter even President Goh.
Nice Retirement jobs.. play Golf.. cushy chairmanships etc etc etc
2. So PM goes back to being DPM and SM remains SM. Why didn't SM quit as SM as widely expected so that GCT could become SM? And if SM wanted to remain SM why retain GCT within the cabinet with all its inherent contradictions. He was PM and now becomes DPM? If he was old enough to retire as PM then why should he remain DPM?
3. The answer is I suspect twofold. The PAP though a monolith on the inside is split within from what I have read (Ross Worthington)
4. Goh though annointed by SM previously has built up his own popularity with the electorate and his own core of supporters amongst the MPs. This has made him in a sense a Kingmaker and also though respectful of SM a competing power centre
5. DPM Lee is not well-liked nor popular despite his political predigree from "within" the elites (Ross Worthington) and by the electorate. I am sure that polls have been commissioned by the PAP to find out how popular or well recieved a leader DPM is as compared to PM
6. DPM Lee or soon to be PM Lee needs to win a general election and he needs the support and personal popularity of PM or soon to be DPM Goh for that to happen. Otherwise GCT would have been retired into the sunset a long time ago

Lambaste2
As I said earlier you may be correct that he has some support. BUT this sort of switch around immediate one term after another today I am PM and you are my no 2, tomorrow you are PM and I am your no 2...only happens here. Like musical chairs .... now my turn next your turn......
Moreover this DOES not help LHL in terms of consolidating his role. IT is as if he still needs GOH's help to harness his position.
Frankly if I were LHL I would not want it. Might as well change a new slate once and for all and if any others wanna follow to leave - then so be it. it really doesn't help the situation.
When Goh earlier decided not to change the cabinet until the new PM took over ....well there seems to be some clue there....

Temasek Junior College
duh41
PM Goh is going to be number 2 in the new Government. They definitely need to clarify what number 2 means.

Challenger
Maybe being number 2 means being the senior minister or something like that? hmm, I can't put any bet on who is to be the deputy prime minister though. None of the ministers seem to fit the bill/image on my mind right now..

YoungPap
Commonman
It is very embarassing to see that a small country like Singapore needs so many highly paid ministers and in addition now, all ex PMs as SMs at the expense of tax payer's money!
In my opinion it is a bit odd to see that all Ex PMs are still clinging to power in the name of giving valuable advices, and not at free cost.
If the political/leadership nurturing system is workable, why next generation of leadership still need buddies for such a long time with such fabulous salaried SMs?
I have high esteem and admiration for our past PMs for their high dedication and good works they have done to make our country, one of the greatest places worth living on this planet. There is no dispute about it at all. All Singaporeans will never forget their contributions to our great nation and it will be written in golden letters in the history of Singapore.
But the question is that whether we should induce them in cabinet? Why these leaders cannot continue to contribute by giving their valuable advices and share the treasures of experience voluntarily, without eyeing any financial gains? They are the one who should set good example for nation service.
After all they were not underpaid during their glorious career. I think we all are talking about remaking Singapore in every aspect, but why not think about this?

Vincent
By the way, since the PM already has 2 DPMs, why are there more Ministers of PM's Office. What do they actually do? Deputies to deputy PMs? About 700km², 3m citizens and 1m others, need so many ministers in PM's office? Disproportionately labour intensive and astronomically expensive, in my humble and honest opinion. Throw in the SMs... Singaporeans better work harder to produce more plates of fried noodles with extra cockles...

Lai CF
Actually, Vincent, we can save more money by reducing the number of MPs, who are also much sought after for directorships.
Why not let them keep their directorships and let them relinquishes the MP post.
Especially all those directorships were earned by these MP on their own merits.
Well, the People is already well-served by Mayors and Grassroots leaders,.. why do we need another useless "management layer called MP".
RADM Teo, please start Dinosaur culling asap.
(earlier posting)
..DPM Goh Chok Tong...sorry for taking you for granted for 14 years.
I missed your steady hand as the Great Consolidator when you announced your retirement.
At least should LHL encounters "health problem", there is stability at the top. Similarly, a deft touch is required to untie this Chinese knot….

kongct
Grand councillor post for Old Boy Uncle Lee. yeah! Maybe send Uncle Lee out to spread the good news about Singapore model of development.
Or just to be another great role model - Uncle Lee forms a CONSULTANT COMPANY helping out poor IndoChina countries while still getting a stipend via chairmanship in several GIC or Temasek companies.
Yup! do a little good since Singapore must be in the good hands of well trained talented bureaucracy!
Come on Lee Jr, and Senior Minister Goh, let the old man spread his good news to IndoChina!!

Merlin03
Soon one day we have to live without him.
Aug 2, 2004