George Yeo's Message

Just came back from ISORG exam. Finally one paper down.

Just watched a video of Minister George Yeo's personal message to youth. General message is that he'll learn to better listen to the opinions, in particular that of the younger generations in future, regardless of whether votes goes to him or not for the coming election. And he appears sincere, to add. There's no more of those threats like "Singapore's progress will definitely be handicapped if you don't vote for PAP", or "You need to examine the oppositions' claims carefully.".

To be fair with him, his performance as a minister is reasonably good enough. Perhaps due to the fact that he's in-charge of managing foreign relationship, and therefore he doesn't have much opportunity to incur the wrath of citizens, unlike the other ministers who needs to tinker with domestic policies.

However, why now? Why is it that suddenly he is willing to listen to our opinions only when election draw close and there's a high likelihood that he'll lose his area's GRC (Aljunied) due to LTK personally leaving Hougang and leading candidates to contest his area? What was happening during the 10 years time that the current leaders were in office?

Here's how I see it: PAP is no longer capable of self-regulating and balancing the needs of the people to nation's objective. And it cannot revitalise itself via the efforts of a few truly sincere mps or ministers. As such, it is necessary to introduce oppositions to the parliament, which does listen to our voice and provide feedback, if not fresh ideas on how to run the state. This will forces PAP to get serious, which is in the nation's interest. I believe PAP is still likely to be the ruling party anyway, until the aging supporters of the PAP gradually decline. The supporters of the oppositions are mainly the working classes who have been impacted by the side effects of the policies, the younger generations who research (i hope) about the parties to vote, and international observers (albeit their influence is not a direct one since they don't have voting rights). Besisdes, I would also like to believe that it is not the end of the world even if the voters vote of undeserving oppositions in the coming election, since if they do not perform, similarly they would be given the boot, albeit 5 years later.

So in short, it's really nothing personally, even if George Yeo loses his area. But how will his colleagues see him, and what will become of him, will be a mystery. If he's good, hopefully he stays in the parliament, perhaps by running for the presidency? There's still chance to serve anyway, unless PAP decides to give him a boot.

Just to digress abit. I've been thinking about what the oppositions suggested, and I could understand the strategy that LTK is trying to play, by not revealing their plans too early. Underpromise, overdeliver and that's how to keep people happy. Besides, they can't do anything if the govt doesn't give them money to deliver what they promised. Anyway, people are also more ready to trust the oppositions anyway, even if their plans were vague, esp for WP and SPP with proven records, because people already angry with PAP. But at the end of the day, if PAP really does clean out its act, i doubt most people actually care who's the ruling party anyway. All voters have the same desire for good governance, regardless of who they support. (Unless we look at conspiracy theory).

With regards to the ministers' salary, frankly speaking, it doesn't bother me, IF they are able to achieve perfect governance and control the cost of living to the extend that NOBODY in the country has to starve or worry about their liability or shelter, and EVERYONE is able to enjoy a Switz-standard of living, as long as they are willing to work. All is well, as long as the quality of life is not affected. However, since it appears that it is impossible (i doubt any country achieved that yet) and also that the govt kept preaching the doctrine of self-reliance, it appears that the salary of the ministers need to be brought down, so that they do not enjoy stability of income for minimal efforts. In my opinion, any gain in total revenue to the nations treasury from the nation's growth, should 1st and foremost be distributed to help the lowest income group in the nation. This is especially since some of these families are permanently incapable of working, perhaps due to extreme old age, or physically/mentally handicapped. Then, another portion should be distributed to help local SMEs grow. A third portion should be saved, and finally the fourth portion to be given to ministers and mps as bonus for their contribution for the year.

Last thing that is completely irrelevant. I saw a PRC lady giving up her seat to an elderly. That's a nice sight for once. =)