MM Lee, speaking at a conference on Friday, made the statement that “If in this two elections, you don’t see the silhouette of a fourth generation A team, then you have reasons to worry.”
So, where is this “A team”? Who does he refer to as people who can form this “A team”? As we know, Singapore is losing its top talent abroad, drawn by big financial and legal institutions overseas, and is drawing in foreign talent to increase Singapore’s population. However, as leaders who will lead Singapore, he is looking towards a smaller group of people. This pool of Singaporean, are those who are born and bred here. He said “They are the guarantors of the values, the continuity, the sense of commitment that cannot waver in any crisis… Not so much the attraction of talent coming in, but the loss of talent attracted out.”
- He has provided the minimum criteria for the selection of leaders, but what are the kind of leaders that he envision?
- Do we have the kind of leaders he envisioned, with so many who are born and bred here being politically and/or socially apathy.
- What is causing this political and/or social apathy?
- Is the political environment discouraging views that differs?
- How do we get a large enough pool of citizens to be involved and to articulate their views for the selection of new leaders?
At the moment, we have the young PAP, a number of young opposition leaders, and a small number of social and/or political bloggers. But, is this enough? If it is not, what can be done?
[...] Posted by The Singapore Daily on 4 February 2008 Not that we love Caesar less… – BothSidesOfTheJohorStraits: MM Lee: Singapore’s population is too small for political diversity – The Daily Backtrack: Ombudsman, what a queer little word – Alice in Wonderland: Where is Singapore’s fourth generation of leaders? [...]
Hello Alice,
“At the moment, we have the young PAP, a number of young opposition leaders, and a small number of social and/or political bloggers. But, is this enough? If it is not, what can be done?”
I don’t think that’s true any more. If you notice, the really good ones who have the skills and experience to make a real difference have gone to greener pastures, because the system here doesnt seem to support people who are creative and innovative.
They are gone. And they will never return, I am afraid.
This will happen as long as a country does not know how to value and nourish its wealth. People that is.
And by 4th generation, We really mean the children of our rep now who choose to stay in other countries like England and study there too. Don’t forget they studied there using scholarship funded by our GST and income tax
While all who goes overseas seeking for a better life are called Quitters.
not quitters 
.
Remember a certain Melvin(pianist ) who returned to Singapore for his parent but kena fine for avoiding NS. Well he would not be as accomplished if he stayed here.Oh by the way those children are called cosmopolitan
Such is the arrogance of the meritocracy system that split the fabric of the people in three and make no apologies for their arrogance.
Whatever that follows this generation of “leaders” are followers. The current leadership (the family kind) can only find academically smart “administrators” who will “lead” by following instructions from the (very) top leaders.
Those who truly can lead are smarter than these “adminstrators”, they rather be in positions that they really lead and not just to follow orders.
Those who could make a difference, have left or will not stay. Climate makes a man, it also determines whether he will thrive or wilt.
If the climate doesn’t change, and the temperature control is forever stuck, don’t expect man to adapt to this room when he can just walk out for fresh air.
The airconditioned nation still has an exit and entry door, there’s always a choice of climate.
Or they could try to meddle with the aircon switch.
Suddenly it feels to me as if… Baby Lee is getting a relapse and dying soon.. LOL
[...] diversity – The Daily Backtrack: Ombudsman, what a queer little word – Alice in Wonderland: Where is Singapore’s fourth generation of leaders? – The Wayang Party Club of Singapore: Why MM is wrong that there’s not enough top talent for a [...]
@lim kum kee: True. Once the really good ones are gone, usually they never returns. The country’s policy gives the sense that they are unvalued, and so they left.
However, occasionally, they may return due to emotional ties to their family and friends, such as if their parents are still in Singapore.
@Onlooker: The meritocracy system is by no means perfect. And by spiltting the people into categories without any apologies, it erodes the loyalty and belonging-ness.
@camper: It will be a sad day, if the trend follows, and the next generation “leaders” are followers. A country will only properous if the governing party is able to govern in a self-lessly spirit and with priority to both the people and country.
@CelluloidReality: I hope the aircon switch is not hack-proof.
@xizor2000: Hmm… I am not sure.