An Alternative PAP Government

[jw5]

I'm just wondering whether the pap government would be better or perhaps more importantly, seen by people to be better, if they had different people.

Let's say for example that they did not have "superbrains" like Zorro and Keechiu, but instead they had Walter Woon and Tommy Koh in the cabinet. Possibly as Ministar for Law and Ministar for Foreign Affairs.
Mr Shan, if u reading this, dun angry hor, not picking on u specially, just hypothetical example only.

My understanding is that Walter and Tommy while not pap members, are pro pap government. Walter has been known to say that our system may not be suitable for others, but it's best for us. Tommy has been ambassador for years and helping the government. Yet my perception is that they are both good chaps with a strong sense of right and wrong, fairness and public service.

Walter in particular, is well remembered for the organ sale case while he was AG. He probably stood up for what he believed. The case that I remember better was the one involving the woman who conspired with her teenage lover to murder her husband. The ruling was several years jail, if I recall correctly, it was nine. Walter as AG pressed for a longer sentence, but the judgement stood on appeal. Perhaps there were mitigating factors like spousal abuse or other factors which led to the relatively short sentence, but this case is quite similar to the Anthony Ler case, if u guys can recall. The judgement for this case was death sentence.

The issue could be that these 2 chaps Walter and Tommy may not want to be headon involved in political hustings.
My question is whether the pap government and Singapore would be better if we had people like these making policies and running operations.

 

[brocoli]

the comprain against pap is because they are too technocratic... and you wan even more technocratic technocrats in cabinet...
technocrats should be in civil service...

on the other hand... all the WP candidates are not technocrats ... all grassroot kind....or politicians

 

[scroobal]

Both Tommy and Walter are of similar ilk.

They are both are issues driven and thus have ruled themselves out of politics. In essence they are not prepared to follow the whip which is fundamental to party politics and a recognised and important instrument of the democratic process to ensure the ability to govern. Here is an example. During the referendum over the merger with Malaysia, Tommy was advising Barisan as he felt that Goh Keng Swee was interpreting the proposed agreement and laws erronerously and also mischieveiously.

Tommy is also very close confidant and personal friend of Raja. Interestingly Tommy is the one that recommended Jayakumar to cabinet despite old man having reservations.

Walter stands alone as the only person to successfully put thru a bill who was not part of the Government. This was despite the Govt coaxing him not to. Chiam should actually have held the honour when he proposed complusory eduation for all Singaporeans, but the Govt realised their negligence and gazumped him.

It was Tommy who stepped in and crushed SPH's balls when they tried to smear the Necessary Stage as pro marxists. Suddenly everyone has amnesia. There a many like Walter and Tommy. Interestingly these chaps are extensively consulted by old man to ensure that the govt does not fall off the cliff. Marshall by the way was a hopeless politician but had the same blood as Walter and Tommy. It was no surprise that all 3 were approached by Raja to give the country a softer touch.

 

[freedalas]

Walter Woon's tenure as the AG was the shortest ever in S'pore. Imagine, he announced his departure even before his term was up and said that many people would be happy with his decision. What led to this was the skirmishes between Walter and LKY's daughter. Following the conviction of Tang Wee Sung (Chairman of Tang's Dept Store) for buying a kidney illegally, LKY's daughter had sharply criticised the courts judgement and penalty meted through the Straits Times. Now for ordinary citizens, they can be charged for contempt of court. Walter knew he can't do that but he had no choice not to respond to the daughter's criticisms else people's views of the justice system would be colored to say the least. So he did his rebuttal also through the Straits Times. This ruffled LKY's feathers (or some said squeezed his balls) so much that he demanded for Walter's exit.

 

[steffychun]

I'm just wondering whether the pap government would be better or perhaps more importantly, seen by people to be better, if they had different people.

Let's say for example that they did not have "superbrains" like Zorro and Keechiu, but instead they had Walter Woon and Tommy Koh in the cabinet. Possibly as Ministar for Law and Ministar for Foreign Affairs.
Mr Shan, if u reading this, dun angry hor, not picking on u specially, just hypothetical example only.

My understanding is that Walter and Tommy while not pap members, are pro pap government. Walter has been known to say that our system may not be suitable for others, but it's best for us. Tommy has been ambassador for years and helping the government. Yet my perception is that they are both good chaps with a strong sense of right and wrong, fairness and public service.

Walter in particular, is well remembered for the organ sale case while he was AG. He probably stood up for what he believed. The case that I remember better was the one involving the woman who conspired with her teenage lover to murder her husband. The ruling was several years jail, if I recall correctly, it was nine. Walter as AG pressed for a longer sentence, but the judgement stood on appeal. Perhaps there were mitigating factors like spousal abuse or other factors which led to the relatively short sentence, but this case is quite similar to the Anthony Ler case, if u guys can recall. The judgement for this case was death sentence.

The issue could be that these 2 chaps Walter and Tommy may not want to be headon involved in political hustings.
My question is whether the pap government and Singapore would be better if we had people like these making policies and running operations.

Tommy Koh not PAP? You've got to be kidding. He was part of the Marxist Conspiracy and blaming the CIA and the American First Secretary.

 

[jw5]

Thanks Scroobal and Freedalas for the additional information.
It appears that these 2 chaps because of their principles and focus, stay away from politics and government.
And perhaps because of that, it's our loss.


Brocoli, technocrats doesn't mean that they won't run the country better. Look at what we have now.

Steffy, please read carefully. I did say my perception is that Tommy is pro pap government. Have no idea whether he is a party member.

 

[zhihau]

My question is whether the pap government and Singapore would be better if we had people like these making policies and running operations.

taking out the sycophants alone can make PAP great and mighty all over again

 

[jw5]

taking out the sycophants alone can make PAP great and mighty all over again

But who would be left?
I am getting this strange feeling of deejavu, as if we had this exact discussion recently. :o

 

[zhihau]

But who would be left?
I am getting this strange feeling of deejavu, as if we had this exact discussion recently. :o

lol... still got a couple of good fellas in there mah :p:p:p
i do understand your point from your perspective, we just have to let PAP run its course.
the incumbent and the opponents have to understand that the next GE is basically a battle of ideals, and we can only see which set the populace would choose to adopt.