Key Ministers as Military Generals
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I heard of this theory years ago. Decided to share with fellow forumnites.
Have it ever occur to you why a few of the key ministers hold the rank of general in the SAF? Quote a few examples:
Prime Minister LHL aka Army Brigadier General
Minister Zhang ZhiXian aka Navy Admiral
There is one theory which goes like this:
When election comes, the parliament will be dissolved and there will be no Minister of Defense. So who can control the armed forces at this time? Only the generals.
If there is any riots or crisis ( especially by the opposition or foreign power), these Ministers with the ranks of General have the legitimate authority to commend the SAF in the absence of government. On the other hand, we can view it as absolute power control by the PAP even in times of election. We cant help but be surprised at the far-sightedness of LKY.
Let us examine something. In other nations, we have Generals who earn their credits through the armies before joining politics(maybe as ministers or something). But rarely(in fact none) do we see full time politicians gain the rank of generals as a ministers. Only Singapore has such a classic government. -
i haven't read up on them but based on memory, they entered politics after attaining their ranks...is that not true ? Else, please enlighten me.
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At what age do you think a person can attain the rank of B.General? At what age did LHL enter politics? I am not sure myself but my gut feeling tells me that it wont be the case mentioned by kramnave.Originally posted by kramnave:i haven't read up on them but based on memory, they entered politics after attaining their ranks...is that not true ? Else, please enlighten me. -
George Yeo.Originally posted by Spartans:At what age do you think a person can attain the rank of B.General? At what age did LHL enter politics? I am not sure myself but my gut feeling tells me that it wont be the case mentioned by kramnave.
http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/CabinetAppointments/Mr+George+Yong-Boon+Yeo.htm
Teo Chee Hean
http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/CabinetAppointments/Minister+for+Defence+Mr+Teo+Chee+Hean.htm
Lee Hsien Loong
http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/CabinetAppointments/Mr+Lee+Hsien+Loong.htm -
They were high flyers. Even the LGs...Ng Yat Chung, Lim Chuan Poh, Desmond Quek all not very old.
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wow u went to do a detailed researches arh.
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type some names in google and voila !
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In Singapore, the BGs become Ministers, while the LGs become Directors.
In times of crisis, Singapore will be the only nation where BGs will dictate LGs in managing the Crisis.
Pseudo-Elitism brought to its ultimate level of practise. -
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Never seen this system in my life. Does Big power like US,Russia, China,EU practise this system
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How I wish Mr Sun Yat Sen is around in this era? He is my idol.
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Why you like him...?
Share abit....
Meat Pao. -
So what?
They may be BG(NS), but they are out of the command structure.
By the time they enter politics, it's only a few more years before they ROD. -
I like his Three Peoples' Principles.Originally posted by Meat Pao:Why you like him...?
Share abit....
Meat Pao.
Democracy
Equalisation
and Nationalism
Does our country uses his principles? -
I am not sure if you are responding to my post that ''BGs are fit to be Ministers, while LGs are only good as Directors..... ''Originally posted by LazerLordz:So what?
They may be BG(NS), but they are out of the command structure.
By the time they enter politics, it's only a few more years before they ROD.
Unfortunately, contrary to your statement, all the 'BGees' that still have a suffix {NS} to their rank - will remain in the Command Structure, and there will be slotted to command some formation in the SAF.
All officers with a suffix {RET} will no longer be in the Command Structure.
The interesting part will be if they still carry the title BG(NS) while also being a Minister, which role will come first in times of 'Crisis' ?
If Rear-Admiral{NS} Liew - presently Minister of State in Education - should remain as Minister and pushed into the Defense Ministry, as the RSN will not be able to accomodate too many returning 'Indian Chiefs', then we will have a scenario of Rear-Admiral {NS} Liew telling LG{NS} Ng - who will be recalled from some GLC - how to strategise his Divisions.
When LHL entered Politics at about 38 years, he had a good 17 years before having the {RET} to his BG rank - this is not a few short years. -
nothing to be surprise ... who set the gaming rules.? will you set something that is not to your advantage?
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all around the world the military have great access to power. In our neighboring countries, the military do move on to take on political office.
I won't call it a 'soft coup'. the population has allowed this to happen.
And the rank of BG(NS), or wadever is just a formality. I do not think, in times of crisis, these men will don on their uniforms to lead the armed forces. we already have 20 odd generals in all 3 services to do that. In fact, the PM, Def Minister and Foreign Minister are no longer called BG(NS) or RADM (NS) since they're over 50. Only the education MOS is still holding the NS title. -
Well, if the MAJORITY accepts . What is there more to say? Democracy, Remember?
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That's if the majority is sufficiently educated in their political and constitutional rights, and have had access to an open form of education that teaches not just one strand of history.Originally posted by reddressman:Well, if the MAJORITY accepts . What is there more to say? Democracy, Remember?
It's easy to make sweeping statements like yours when you don't bother about the complexities of the issue.
Democracy is a tool for abuse when the voting population is not sufficiently educated in the political sphere. -
in our region, there is very little comprehension of political and constitutional rights, we vote for stability... and don't count the costs.Originally posted by LazerLordz:That's if the majority is sufficiently educated in their political and constitutional rights, and have had access to an open form of education that teaches not just one strand of history.
It's easy to make sweeping statements like yours when you don't bother about the complexities of the issue.
Democracy is a tool for abuse when the voting population is not sufficiently educated in the political sphere.
We are far from being a nation where the voting popluation (if any) are sufficently bothered and educated.
I agree with you that it does not help to have such a rote learning education system, where subjects like social studies are taught on the pretext of making children understand our histroy better. Where children are told of the glories of how we move from 3rd world to first. Citing Hitler's education programme in the 1930s would be too extreme and, indeed, a fallacy, but i can draw some parallels.
However, any political party in office would only do things to their betterment, thus it is not surprising that you would comment "democracy is a tool for abuse". The appeal to ignorance is strong, and if you can't prove the opposition is better, should you not vote for the 'defending champions'?
it is precisely of this thinking (coupled with a few scare tactics and carrots) that make every election a mockery.
I still make the stand that the people allowed it to happen. No matter how disadvantaged the people are.