(no subject)
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.
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 delegates at an international forum late Wednesday.
He stressed that, unlike many other countries, Singapore did not have natural resources such as oil, gas, forests, timber and aluminium.
"When you are Singapore and your existence depends on performance -- extraordinary performance, better than your competitors -- but that performance disappears because the system on which it is based is eroded, then you've lost everything."
Lee, widely credited for shepherding the underdeveloped port into one of Asia's wealthiest nations in one generation, said younger Singaporeans often tell him he is "playing the same old record" when he delivers his message.
Singapore's small opposition has only two seats in a parliament dominated by the People's Action Party which has been elected since 1959.
Despite its economic success, local and international civil rights groups have criticised the government for cracking down hard on dissenters and political activists.
Street protests are rare and public gatherings of five people or more are banned without a police permit.
Lee has maintained that Western-style liberal democracy is not the right model for Singapore.
He said one ingredient for a country's success is putting able leaders in government. This could be difficult under a more freewheeling US-style democracy in which "you are judged in accordance with your persuasive powers," he said.
Lee holds the cabinet rank of Minister Mentor in the government of his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
My goodness... While I do believe that the US elections is in excess sometimes, I still think we need a stronger opposition. It's ridiculous that our opposition is so weak to the point that majority of Singaporeans have not even voted before.
"When you are Singapore and your existence depends on performance -- extraordinary performance, better than your competitors -- but that performance disappears because the system on which it is based is eroded, then you've lost everything." --- Isn't he contradicting himself? I believe a stronger opposition would push the government to even greater heights, and to evaluate their policies even more. Like how Malaysia's opposition acts as a watch-dog for the ruling party. Because let's face it, ordinary citizens cannot effectively keep an eye on the government when the ruling party has so much power, and when our media is so tightly controlled.
Still, I have to question WHY he is making such a statement at this time. He told this to delegates at an international forum. So, is he trying to justify why he has such a tight grip? From what I know, no elections are around the corner, so there is no reason to say something like this. Unless he plans to put this idea in our minds subtly and when elections roll around it'll be something the average Singaporean subconsciously thinks about... (Yes, brain washing.)
Could it be related to the US elections? The fact that Barack Obama, an "underdog" due to his minority status, (though he seems poised to win this elections) is gaining so much support may cause Singaporeans to start thinking that rooting for the opposition is a viable possibility. Of course, it could also be related to the increase in oil + food, trying to quiet people down, and let us think how much "worse" it would be if the opposition were in power.
In other news, my grandfather got re-admitted to hospital. I went to visit him yesterday, and he seems normal like usual. He had a brain scan yesterday... I wonder when he'll be out again. It sucks that they can't find out what's wrong.
When I am abroad, I always make it a rule never to criticize or attack the government of my own country. I make up for lost time when I come home. - Sir Winston Churchill