Life after Lee Kuan Yew
GENERATIONS of Singaporeans have with little demur regarded Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Singapore as one. They set the country's methodical rise and then their personal circumstances by the labours of this extraordinary man, who was supported in the foundation years by like-minded acolytes. Now, nearly six decades later, the Minister Mentor has chosen to preserve a tenuous link with his creation by keeping only his seat in Parliament. He and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said in a surprise statement on Saturday that they will be leaving the Cabinet. What would life be like after Lee Kuan Yew?
His departure from Cabinet after an extraordinary innings was perhaps inevitable given the evolution of Singapore's politics from the strong rule of the foundation years to a collegial style with citizens demanding to be engaged in the decisions affecting their lives. But Mr Lee's departure, and that of Mr Goh, would still be disconcerting for many Singaporeans, especially the older ones, who believe their steadying influence could be beneficial to the country for a while more.
The people will be proud, however, to know that such sacrifice can happen only in Singapore. Here, public office has come to be defined by the ruling party as not a career but as the discharge of the public trust. Mr Lee and Mr Goh, by willingly resigning their offices, have shown they place country above self.
They suggest in their resignation statement that their understanding of governance has become increasingly at variance with a new Singapore that is no longer content with being told by the Government: 'Trust us - this is for your good.' They are honourable men: they have done their part and do not wish to hinder the new leadership in its complex task of taking Singapore to the next level. They accept there is a need to clear the decks for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong to forge a change in the style and substance of governance to fit the new electorate. Singaporeans can appreciate this.
True to his life-long principles, MM Lee warned in replies to questions posed by this newspaper that he wanted to avert a situation where people voted opposition for its own sake. But this too would be subject to change. The hope is that the opposition parties will prove to be constructive and will support the Government in making a better nation. If they are obstructionist, the comeback will be swift.
The years ahead will be exhilarating. At each of the most recent elections, voters had been primed for a 'new phase', a new engagement. The 2011 General Election will definitely mark such a shift, now that Mr Lee Kuan Yew has withdrawn from active battle.
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