Huang Shoou Chyuan inST Forum

[steffychun]

A true agent of political change

MAY 2011 will be remembered not only for the GRC breakthrough of the Workers' Party in GE 2011, but also, more significantly, for the actions of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

History is replete with examples of world leaders who made key decisions that altered forever the direction of their peoples' histories. They include Taiwan's president Chiang Ching- kuo, who in 1987 allowed multi-party politics, and South African presidents Nelson Mandela and F.W. de Klerk, who together negotiated for an end to apartheid, and helped heal a deeply divided nation in the 1990s.

PM Lee surprised many by making public apologies for his government's shortcomings. Some were understandably sceptical about his sincerity as these were made during the campaign period.

However, post-election, surprises came thick and fast as he presided over the departures of Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Goh Chok Tong from the Cabinet and made 'seismic' ministerial changes by retiring those associated with hot-button issues.

The latest 'welcome' surprise is the news that the controversial high ministerial salaries would be reviewed. We now also expect significant changes to the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system.

Is PM Lee a true agent of change or has he acted out of necessity with an eye on GE 2016, as sceptics are bound to say? Looking back on our short electoral history, when the opposition won a then unprecedented four seats in 1991, the then Prime Minister responded by implementing what some considered to be an unconscionable policy, where opposition wards were placed last in the estate upgrading queue, and GRC size was upsized.

PM Lee could have responded likewise and introduced measures to solidify his grip on power. However, he chose to listen to the ground - and his heart. For that, we should give him credit.

In my eyes, he has earned much goodwill and many will be willing to give him a chance to see if these changes work and whether they go far enough.

Dr Huang Shoou Chyuan

 

[Narong Wongwan]

Looking back on our short electoral history, when the opposition won a then unprecedented four seats in 1991, the then Prime Minister responded by implementing what some considered to be an unconscionable policy, where opposition wards were placed last in the estate upgrading queue, and GRC size was upsized.

PM Lee could have responded likewise and introduced measures to solidify his grip on power. However, he chose to listen to the ground - and his heart. For that, we should give him credit.


Dr Huang Shoou Chyuan

Tactics of old will not work anymore and could well backfire. Got to modify tactics with the times.

Do not compare what he did with great men like Nelson Mandela.

 

[longbow]

This guy is good. In another words lets not wayang.

 

[Kid278]

PM Lee could have responded likewise and introduced measures to solidify his grip on power. However, he chose to listen to the ground - and his heart.

I guess 'jasmine revolutions' that's happening in the north african continent gave him knee jerks. I dont think he wants to go down in history in such a way. Local resentments are building up, people are looking at civil activism in a way never seen before.

He knows tolerance has its limits, a great risk to write it off. What happens elsewhere may or may not happen here but it should not be assumed it will not happen or it will never happen. Choosing to listen is one thing while to act upon is quite another altogether.

 

[Einfield]

PM was shock to know,
That 40% of the population did not buy his wayang and crap policies,
That a GRC can actually fall and people don't give a shit about his star ministers.
That his father's threat can actually back fire
That a proven method to bring kaki in via GRC can drag votes down in Marine Parade.
That he and his cronies are actually over paid.
That 40% of the people are no longer afraid of PAP
That Nicole can over take his Father in FB 50K Likes within weeks
That his grasslooters are feeding him crap so they can continue to milk the system.
That it is possible to fix 2 oppositions but not 6+3
That by 2016, it will get uglier for PAP

The only hope for him, is to implement real reform, anything less will bring his party down like a house of cards.

I guess 'jasmine revolutions' that's happening in the north african continent gave him knee jerks. I dont think he wants to go down in history in such a way. Local resentments are building up, people are looking at civil activism in a way never seen before.

He knows tolerance has its limits, a great risk to write it off. What happens elsewhere may or may not happen here but it should not be assumed it will not happen or it will never happen. Choosing to listen is one thing while to act upon is quite another altogether.

 

[hairylee]

PM was shock to know,
That 40% of the population did not buy his wayang and crap policies,
That a GRC can actually fall and people don't give a shit about his star ministers.
That his father's threat can actually back fire
That a proven method to bring kaki in via GRC can drag votes down in Marine Parade.
That he and his cronies are actually over paid.
That 40% of the people are no longer afraid of PAP
That Nicole can over take his Father in FB 50K Likes within weeks
That his grasslooters are feeding him crap so they can continue to milk the system.
That it is possible to fix 2 oppositions but not 6+3
That by 2016, it will get uglier for PAP

The only hope for him, is to implement real reform, anything less will bring his party down like a house of cards.

Without his old Ministers and the climate of fear, LKY is nothing but hot air.

 

[Rogue Trader]

Dr Huang Shoou Chyuan

Is Dr Huang a PRC FT or another Taiwanese immigrant made good?

 

[RoyMcFarland]

The one and only reason the PAP "leadership", and I use that word loosely, have come out with all this is plain political survival. Nothing to do with being agents of change.

It makes me nauseous to see minister after minister coming out with the new book of hymns. The same clowns who sang from the old book all these years. The same clowns who said that they were right all the time and now say that sometimes they were wrong. Actually not them. But, whoever was in charge of the respective ministries in the previous government. So you get the ridiculous scenario of the previous Health Minister saying that National Development needs improvement, Present Heath Minister saying previous Health ministry could have done better. Vivian saying flooding can be handled better while the MG clown saying that MCYS should be more responsive. What the !$%!

One institution I would change is the PA and its vast infestation of grassroots maggots. Dismantle it and replace with real residents groups who work for the benefit of their neighbours, not their MPs, whether PAP or opposition.

But, at the end of the day, whatever their motives, if these policies really change, it can only be better for us, the citizens of Singapore.

One last point, comparing PM Lee to Mandela is mind boggling. Mandela came to power and changed things immediately. PM Lee came to "power", and I also use that word loosely, in 2003, and saw the light in 2011...

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

ironically this freudian slip of sorts actually appeared on the sunday times' front page when lky n gct had announced that they were both stepping down fm the cabinet...

all the signals coming out of the istana now r jolly confusing...n i even include nathan in this equation...but then again if this is truly substantive structural change for the better than i say carry on wif the accompanying wayang...

i am prepared to give lhl 1 yr to get things going on the ground...then review the situation...i dont know abt u guys but i am getting abit sick n tired of reading all abt this change n that transform propaganda...enuff talk just get on wif it n remember the people r watching every move wif great interest...

PM Lee came to "power", and I also use that word loosely, in 2003, and saw the light in 2011...

 

[borom]

Is Dr Huang a PRC FT or another Taiwanese immigrant made good?

A local who has served NS.
Seems siblings all medical specialist.
Not sure of political inclination but a competent ENT specialist.

http://www.entsurgery.com.sg/COnsultant.asp