First things first. I'd like to say that I have immense respect for LKY and what he has done to make Singapore what it is currently.
The Singapore dollar is strong, the economy is strong, the system is working (for now), the infrastructure is good, healthcare, technology, many many things.
A lot of things are better in Singapore, than in France or the US or in many other places in the world.
Singapore with the leadership of LKY and the PAP, has grown to become one of the most modern countries in the world.
That... is history.
That was 50 years ago. Where LKY's style of leadership was still accepted by people.
He was a strong father figure. Strong, focused and bulldozed his way to develop Singapore.
He knew better than anyone else. And he did.
Now. I accept and appreciate a strong father figure like that and that style of leadership.
I was brought up by someone like that. Firm, focused, disciplined. "I know better, so shut up and listen"
However, I highly doubt that this style of politics or leadership will fly with the current generation.
This current environment/generation appreciates discussion. Everyone has a view, and want to be heard, even though they might know nothing about the topic. When I was younger, experts were heard, people without the education for a subject or experience in the subject didn't get to talk.
People should earn their badges before being able to voice their views. Else you waste a lot of time discussing things and trying to "educate" these so called "experts" to bring them up to speed with reality. Not to mention spreading of false ideas due to such people spreading ideas which were formulated from incomplete knowledge.
Nowadays, every Tom Dick Harry has a view. Social media has helped to propagate nonsense and lifted up people who are influencers. They might not have any expertise, but they are influential cos that's how the social media world works.
So we have a whole range of new "views" and political mentalities from all kinds of people. Some smart, some not, mostly not, etc...
So the thing is, IF we put LKY as a young chap into Singapore politics NOW, and make him run a campaign, I wonder how he would fare. He might be able to get elected as an MP, but will he be able to rally the other MPs and become the next Prime Minister?
Would they accept him and his style of "I know better"?
I do wonder.
Cos I highly doubt that his style would suit the current political environment.
Would he be able to lead Singapore into the next phase? From 2020 til 2050? Seriously, I doubt it.
Not cos he's weak, or any less intelligent, but rather cos the new age of people will likely not be as receptive of his leadership style.
The thing is... Singapore isn't what it was 50 years ago. The country has developed, the country has changed, the people have changed, the world has changed, views, knowledge, styles, everything has changed.
LKY... he was great, in the right time and place.
And I suppose that's what's important.
There's no point talking about the timeline that didn't happen. An alternate universe where things might have been different.
Cos the reality is, he was born in the right place at the right time and he provided a service very much needed to Singapore.
And Singapore is all the more better because of him.
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The Singapore dollar is strong, the economy is strong, the system is working (for now), the infrastructure is good, healthcare, technology, many many things.
A lot of things are better in Singapore, than in France or the US or in many other places in the world.
Singapore with the leadership of LKY and the PAP, has grown to become one of the most modern countries in the world.
That... is history.
That was 50 years ago. Where LKY's style of leadership was still accepted by people.
He was a strong father figure. Strong, focused and bulldozed his way to develop Singapore.
He knew better than anyone else. And he did.
Now. I accept and appreciate a strong father figure like that and that style of leadership.
I was brought up by someone like that. Firm, focused, disciplined. "I know better, so shut up and listen"
However, I highly doubt that this style of politics or leadership will fly with the current generation.
This current environment/generation appreciates discussion. Everyone has a view, and want to be heard, even though they might know nothing about the topic. When I was younger, experts were heard, people without the education for a subject or experience in the subject didn't get to talk.
People should earn their badges before being able to voice their views. Else you waste a lot of time discussing things and trying to "educate" these so called "experts" to bring them up to speed with reality. Not to mention spreading of false ideas due to such people spreading ideas which were formulated from incomplete knowledge.
Nowadays, every Tom Dick Harry has a view. Social media has helped to propagate nonsense and lifted up people who are influencers. They might not have any expertise, but they are influential cos that's how the social media world works.
So we have a whole range of new "views" and political mentalities from all kinds of people. Some smart, some not, mostly not, etc...
So the thing is, IF we put LKY as a young chap into Singapore politics NOW, and make him run a campaign, I wonder how he would fare. He might be able to get elected as an MP, but will he be able to rally the other MPs and become the next Prime Minister?
Would they accept him and his style of "I know better"?
I do wonder.
Cos I highly doubt that his style would suit the current political environment.
Would he be able to lead Singapore into the next phase? From 2020 til 2050? Seriously, I doubt it.
Not cos he's weak, or any less intelligent, but rather cos the new age of people will likely not be as receptive of his leadership style.
The thing is... Singapore isn't what it was 50 years ago. The country has developed, the country has changed, the people have changed, the world has changed, views, knowledge, styles, everything has changed.
LKY... he was great, in the right time and place.
And I suppose that's what's important.
There's no point talking about the timeline that didn't happen. An alternate universe where things might have been different.
Cos the reality is, he was born in the right place at the right time and he provided a service very much needed to Singapore.
And Singapore is all the more better because of him.
<<PREVIOUS POST // NEXT POST>>
Did you like this post? If so, could you "blanjah" me 1/4 cup of my morning coffee pls.
You may also consider subscribing to receive the articles in your email, link in the column on the right.
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