Lee Hsien Loong has projected himself and Singapore's image well at an interview with CNN during his attendance of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.
The PM of Singapore has shown humility by making the unprecedented move to reduce Ministerial salaries, thought to be an unthinkable concession in the past.
He has treated tricky questions on international relations, income disparty and his personal / family succession issues in a diplomatic and relaxed manner.
It is often said that the best time for a leader to retire is when he is at his best and not to overstay his welcome and become a nuisance. However, at this point in time, it appears that no one has developed the calibre and charisma to win the hearts of Singapore voters to place their confidence in a post-Lee successor.
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Hougang MP Yaw disappears from public view after reported scandalous affair
More setbacks for the Singapore Opposition who had made small gains in the last General Elections.
Since news surfaced last Friday about his alleged extramarital affair with a married woman from his Workers' Party (WP), the 35-year-old MP has been a no-show at his weekly Meet-the-People session (MPS) and his town council office.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_760301.html
Yaw Shin Leong who took over from steadfast Opposition populist veteran Low Thia Kiang has turned out to be a disappointment for the Workers' Party. Entrusted by Hougang electorate in defiance of PAP bid to retake the constituency, this is seen to be a strategic loss given the symbolic importance of the Hougang seat.
The PAP has boasted of thorough screening and imposes high standards of morality and fidelity on its ministers and parliamentarians. While the PAP is not totally immune from sex scandals in the past, they are very rare and discreetly dealt with by disposing or exiling the offender. For a bigger and sturdy vessel that is well entrenched and could survive occasional bad press. Not for the budding opposition parties which are analogous to small boats and hence may not withstand the storms against the backdrop of cut throat competition.
It is another sad chronicle in the eyes of critical Singaporeans who want to see a stronger opposition to challenge and keep the smug PAP on its toes.
Since news surfaced last Friday about his alleged extramarital affair with a married woman from his Workers' Party (WP), the 35-year-old MP has been a no-show at his weekly Meet-the-People session (MPS) and his town council office.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_760301.html
Yaw Shin Leong who took over from steadfast Opposition populist veteran Low Thia Kiang has turned out to be a disappointment for the Workers' Party. Entrusted by Hougang electorate in defiance of PAP bid to retake the constituency, this is seen to be a strategic loss given the symbolic importance of the Hougang seat.
The PAP has boasted of thorough screening and imposes high standards of morality and fidelity on its ministers and parliamentarians. While the PAP is not totally immune from sex scandals in the past, they are very rare and discreetly dealt with by disposing or exiling the offender. For a bigger and sturdy vessel that is well entrenched and could survive occasional bad press. Not for the budding opposition parties which are analogous to small boats and hence may not withstand the storms against the backdrop of cut throat competition.
It is another sad chronicle in the eyes of critical Singaporeans who want to see a stronger opposition to challenge and keep the smug PAP on its toes.
Nina Chiam fails to hold the fort as her husband's successor
Six leaders quit Chiam's Singapore People's Party
The test of a political party's viability.
Chiam is a legend but the disparate state of the party only goes to show that he was running a one-man show. His wife Nina who took over the party reins after the opposition leader was taken ill by a stroke is barely capable of holding the party together after election losses last year. Though a cheerful and personable character, the former housewife lacks depth in political acumen and is suited for the rough tumbles of realpolitik.
Sad to say, the SPP's loss is an indirect gain for the ruling dominant PAP who will be quietly gloating at the disunity and organisational weakness of the opposition.
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_760574.html
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