Lee Kuan Yew: Singapore will ’spiral downward’ with a two-party system
July 27th, 2011 | Author: Temasek Review
http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/07/27/lee-kuan-yew-singapore-will-spiral-downward-with-a-two-party-system/
With Singaporeans, especially the youth clamoring for more effective checks on the
repressive PAP regime, PAP supreme leader Lee Kuan Yew found it timely to send
another veiled threat to his ’subjects’ that a two-party system will ‘weaken’ Singapore.
In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) last month, Lee claimed that the
progress made by the country since independence is not cast in stone and would
’spiral downwards’ with poor governance.
In an implicit reference to arguments made during the May General Election, he noted
that many Singaporeans now desire a ‘First World Parliament’ and a two-party system.
‘Their argument is simple. A First World country must have a First World Parliament.
A First World Parliament must have a First World opposition. Then you can change dice.
I think if ever we go down that road, I’ll be very sorry for Singapore,’ he said.
According to the PAP’s definition, a ’strong’ government’ is one which enjoys an absolute
majority in parliament and controls all institutions of the state including the police, media,
bureaucracy and grassroots organization.
Even with 6 elected ‘opposition’ MPs in parliament now, the PAP still rules with impunity as
it continues to have a two-third majority in parliament to pass any bills and legislation as
it wishes without any checks and balances.
‘I believe once you have weak, ineffective government, the whole progress you have
made will spiral downwards. But the majority of people believe it is secure for them,
so now they have ideas about the West, two-party system,’ Lee added.
Contrary to what Lee believes, the thirty most developed countries in the world are
all multi-functioning democracies with the exception of Singapore.
As history has shown us, an autocratic ’strong’ government may govern a nation
effectively so long there are capable and clean leaders at its helm, but it will soon
become corrupted when the founders pass on.
July 27th, 2011 | Author: Temasek Review
http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/07/27/lee-kuan-yew-singapore-will-spiral-downward-with-a-two-party-system/
With Singaporeans, especially the youth clamoring for more effective checks on the
repressive PAP regime, PAP supreme leader Lee Kuan Yew found it timely to send
another veiled threat to his ’subjects’ that a two-party system will ‘weaken’ Singapore.
In an interview with China Central Television (CCTV) last month, Lee claimed that the
progress made by the country since independence is not cast in stone and would
’spiral downwards’ with poor governance.
In an implicit reference to arguments made during the May General Election, he noted
that many Singaporeans now desire a ‘First World Parliament’ and a two-party system.
‘Their argument is simple. A First World country must have a First World Parliament.
A First World Parliament must have a First World opposition. Then you can change dice.
I think if ever we go down that road, I’ll be very sorry for Singapore,’ he said.
According to the PAP’s definition, a ’strong’ government’ is one which enjoys an absolute
majority in parliament and controls all institutions of the state including the police, media,
bureaucracy and grassroots organization.
Even with 6 elected ‘opposition’ MPs in parliament now, the PAP still rules with impunity as
it continues to have a two-third majority in parliament to pass any bills and legislation as
it wishes without any checks and balances.
‘I believe once you have weak, ineffective government, the whole progress you have
made will spiral downwards. But the majority of people believe it is secure for them,
so now they have ideas about the West, two-party system,’ Lee added.
Contrary to what Lee believes, the thirty most developed countries in the world are
all multi-functioning democracies with the exception of Singapore.
As history has shown us, an autocratic ’strong’ government may govern a nation
effectively so long there are capable and clean leaders at its helm, but it will soon
become corrupted when the founders pass on.
