S'pore's leadership not inferior to old guards
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ST latest news
S'pore's leadership not inferior to old guards
that's why we need to pay top $$$ to keep them to "lead" us
By Imelda Saad, Correspondent
Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew does not think that the present leadership team is inferior compared to the old guards.
He was speaking on Monday at the first pioneers lecture series organised jointly by the Economic Development Board and The Straits Times.
Asked to give an assessment of the Singapore third generation leaders, Mr Lee said in fact, standards have gone up.
He added, 'inteligence, administrative capabilities and political sensibilities' have improved over the years.
What's missing, Mr Lee noted, is the 'combat experience' of Singapore's first generation leaders who have gone through the tumultuous indepedendent years.
'There's a vast difference between soldiers trained in actual combat who've seen casualty, blood and horror and soldiers trained in simulation. You can't recreate the same set of circumstances,' he said.
Despite this, Mr Lee said today's team 'is as good as you can get'.
He noted that the present leadership has gone through its own baptism of fire such as SARS and the Asian financial crisis without losing its nerves.
'People think I'm holding their hands but they're in charge,' Mr Lee said. 'From time to time, when I see something that will lead to dicey results, I ask them to think through.'
He said his hope is for the current leadership to find another team in the next one to two elections to replace themselves.
It takes five to 10 years to nurture a team, he said, and to get the public to accept them as leaders.
The concern however, is that it's getting harder to rope in good people.
Mr Lee noted even in the current team, there's going to be attrition.
Hence, there's a need to find younger leaders in their 30s and early 40s.
'The system is working but you need capable men to make it perform,' Mr Lee pointed out.
Turning reflective, the minister mentor closed the hour and a half dialogue session with this message to Singaporeans, 'There's no steady state of growth forever.'
Mr Lee said Singaporeans must be prepared to accept painful measures to ensure Singapore's progress.
He cited examples such as the CPF cuts and GST hikes as 'unpopular' policies.
Had the leadership flinched on such policies, he said, Singapore would not be where it is today.
Other special guests throughout the Pioneers series of seminars - to be held once every two months - include former Cabinet minister S Dhanabalan, and former top civil servants Sim Kee Boon, Ngiam Tong Dow, JY Pillay and Philip Yeo.
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Well, it all depends on the People.
So far so good. The People have spoken.
Let the People decide.
I dun think we need external help right?
Lets hope the People can decide for themselves and need not for externals to help them make up their minds. -
Singapore's so called leaders' million dollars pay not inferior to old guards, integrity wise is doubtful. How can people without moral authority expected to have good leadership?
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My first reaction was "Good Lord, this is the best we can get? Why, I suddenly feel sorry for Singapore."
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There is no smoke without fire.
Obviously there must be some truth from the old man's mouth. -
i dont think they are inferior, just OVERPAID!!!!
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I believe in what the old man said.
These new leaders of ours are very very good. Frnakly, i think they are being underpaid for their effort and we can certainly afford to pay them more.
The people who complain about miniter's pay have a limited and finite view of the world. Thats why they do not beleive in others prospering and think that rich people are taking from the poor. Such mentality shld have died with josie stalin and mao tung tung long time ago. -
If you think they are that good, your expectations are too low.Originally posted by Mat Toro:I believe in what the old man said.
These new leaders of ours are very very good. Frnakly, i think they are being underpaid for their effort and we can certainly afford to pay them more.
The people who complain about miniter's pay have a limited and finite view of the world. Thats why they do not beleive in others prospering and think that rich people are taking from the poor. Such mentality shld have died with josie stalin and mao tung tung long time ago. -
Originally posted by Mat Toro:I believe in what the old man said.
These new leaders of ours are very very good. Frnakly, i think they are being underpaid for their effort and we can certainly afford to pay them more.
The people who complain about miniter's pay have a limited and finite view of the world. Thats why they do not beleive in others prospering and think that rich people are taking from the poor. Such mentality shld have died with josie stalin and mao tung tung long time ago.
Jokes and Humor Forum -
You do have a knack for comedy or clowning.Originally posted by Mat Toro:I believe in what the old man said.
These new leaders of ours are very very good. Frnakly, i think they are being underpaid for their effort and we can certainly afford to pay them more.
The people who complain about miniter's pay have a limited and finite view of the world. Thats why they do not beleive in others prospering and think that rich people are taking from the poor. Such mentality shld have died with josie stalin and mao tung tung long time ago.
Do consider these two positions for your career. -
Hahaha.....twas what I was thinking too.Originally posted by bigmouthjoe: Jokes and Humor Forum -
I wont dare to say they are underpaid here...Originally posted by Mat Toro:I believe in what the old man said.
These new leaders of ours are very very good. Frnakly, i think they are being underpaid for their effort and we can certainly afford to pay them more.
The people who complain about miniter's pay have a limited and finite view of the world. Thats why they do not beleive in others prospering and think that rich people are taking from the poor. Such mentality shld have died with josie stalin and mao tung tung long time ago.
but I would say that they fully deserve what they get for both the effort, results and the sacrifices they have to make in order to be a MIW.
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oh.. so your perception of their reward was for 'all their sacrifices & efforts' in becoming a MIW?Originally posted by Gazelle:I wont dare to say they are underpaid here... but I would say that they fully deserve what they get for both the effort, results and the sacrifices they have to make in order to be a MIW.
and what is being a MIW in your opinion was that really deserving? what do they stand for in your opinion?
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They are very good, much better than you in fact and much better than you will ever be unless you open up your mind.Originally posted by LazerLordz:If you think they are that good, your expectations are too low. -
Did I say I was better than them? No.Originally posted by Mat Toro:They are very good, much better than you in fact and much better than you will ever be unless you open up your mind.
Of course they might have certain aspects that are better than you and I.
My gist is basically that they could be better, and if you think that they are that good, then you are equally guilty of possessing a closed mind.
Try to read more carefully in the future. Knee-jerk responses are for unsalacious "settling" outside the kopitiam. -
Originally posted by LazerLordz:
Sure, anybody can be better, even the best can be better. so whats the point?
Did I say I was better than them? No.
Of course they might have certain aspects that are better than you and I.
My gist is basically that they could be better, and if you think that they are that good, then you are equally guilty of possessing a closed mind.
Try to read more carefully in the future. Knee-jerk responses are for unsalacious "settling" outside the kopitiam.
Why don't you go tell Tiger Woods or mike phelps they can be better? -
The point is not to allow people in positions of responsibility to sit on their asses and to let them know that accountability to their electorate should be of utmost importance in their daily tasks.Originally posted by Mat Toro:Sure, anybody can be better, even the best can be better. so whats the point?
Why don't you go tell Tiger Woods or mike phelps they can be better?
Never sit still. That's complacency. Even champions desire to improve themselves, and the pov of a third party usually throws up a fresh angle on things.
I would never trust a politician to tell me that he can self-regulate and monitor himself. -
they are not just good infact they are awesomely fantastic so much so that i cannot help it butOriginally posted by Mat Toro:They are very good, much better than you in fact and much better than you will ever be unless you open up your mind. -
That sounds a bit more reasonable, but criticism must be constructive, not nonsensical like we see on this forum. don't fall into the rob teh or chee mode. They are so silly.Originally posted by LazerLordz:The point is not to allow people in positions of responsibility to sit on their asses and to let them know that accountability to their electorate should be of utmost importance in their daily tasks.
Never sit still. That's complacency. Even champions desire to improve themselves, and the pov of a third party usually throws up a fresh angle on things.
I would never trust a politician to tell me that he can self-regulate and monitor himself. -
PAP leaders good? Possible... only the top few...
But if you tell me that all 80+ are good? I don't think so. Many are in just because of GRCs, and not because of their own charisma and popularity. -
Gazelle and Mat Taro maybe your boots licking skills can please your master but not in this forum. Go tell your master it won't works here.
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charisma and personality is not in my criteria of good.Originally posted by eagle:PAP leaders good? Possible... only the top few...
But if you tell me that all 80+ are good? I don't think so. Many are in just because of GRCs, and not because of their own charisma and popularity.
why don't you form a ;party to poll made up of superstars and see if you win? -
LKY may or may not think that the present leadership team is inferior compared to the old guards. There is no real benchmark to base on.
But one thing from i can see, they are one bunch of
highly overpaid politicians.
Of course, the new bunch of groupie had the world best excuse to justified their new policies. Examples as of
1) Raise GST(consumption tax) by 2 % (fuel the rate of inflation) to help the poors.
2) Raise their paycheck by est 20% as so that they will not be corrupted
Therefore given a choice, not taking oppositions parties into consideration. I would much prefer the old guards (Mr Lim Kim San, Mr Goh Keng Swee,Mr Ong Teng Cheong, Mr Toh Chin Chye etc) for their socio economical polices to the current bunch.