LHL's PS 'Slaps' ST's Lynn Lee!

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Political system must improve our lives

MS LYNN Lee's commentary last Friday, 'Quality debate v democratic ideals', sadly illustrated exactly what Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong cautioned against in the debate on Professor Thio Li-Ann's by-election motion in Parliament: craving 'ideals' regardless of our experience of what works in Singapore.
The acid test of any change to our political system is whether it improves the lives of Singaporeans, and not whether it conforms to some abstract notion of 'democratic ideals' for ideals' sake.

Ms Lee rehashed old objections to the Nominated MP scheme, which the elected MPs in Parliament had debated and rejected many years ago. The scheme aims to widen the range of non-partisan views represented in Parliament, and to improve the quality of debates. Although Ms Lee acknowledges that it has achieved these objectives, she still opposes it, to 'stay true to the principles of a parliamentary democracy'.

There is nothing sacrosanct about having every Member of Parliament directly elected by voters. There are many forms of parliamentary democracy, variously adapted to the specific needs of the countries, which select members of their parliaments in different ways. Even the British Parliament has an upper house consisting entirely of non-elected Lords, with powers to examine and delay legislation.

In many countries, political systems fulfil high ideals like those Ms Lee listed in form, but in practice fail miserably to provide what good political systems should - a just and fair society giving citizens a stake and a voice; a safe and secure environment for all to earn a decent living; full and equal opportunities for children to get a sound education and be their best; and harmony among different races and religions to live peacefully together.

As the Prime Minister emphasised, Singapore has evolved its own political system. It may not conform to every liberal ideal, but it has delivered stability and progress to this nation for over four decades.

By any measure, this is a considerable achievement for our system. We should not lightly change it without understanding how and why it works.

Chen Hwai Liang
Press Secretary to the Prime Minister

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

Besides the predictable self serving arguments put forward by LHL's PS what I can't stand is LHL and PAP continuing to appear to use and politicise the civil service to forward their own political agendas. If Ho Peng Kee could have written to ST to rebut Cherian George's recent article in his capacity as a PAP CEC member, why can't LHL do likewise and reply in his capcity as sec gen of PAP?

 

[DrPanacea]

Civil servants are simple paid to defend the system that serves their masters best. I don't expect a different view and answer.

 

[Porfirio Rubirosa]

When it comes to political issues express or implied, the civil service should NOT be involved. LHL should have replied in his capacity as PAP sec general just like the way Ho Peng Kee did.

Civil servants are simple paid to defend the system that serves their masters best. I don't expect a different view and answer.

 

[The_Latest_H]

When it comes to political issues express or implied, the civil service should NOT be involved. LHL should have replied in his capacity as PAP sec general just like the way Ho Peng Kee did.

I agree. The civil service should remain a depoliticized department. To use them in such a partisan political manner raises questions of the level of moral ethnics in the PAP government.

 

[Alu862]

The House of Lords is more concern about the citizens and more democratic than the PAP

 

[chinkangkor]

The acid test of any change to our political system is whether it improves the lives of Singaporeans, and not whether it conforms to some abstract notion of 'democratic ideals' for ideals' sake.

In many countries, political systems fulfil high ideals like those Ms Lee listed in form, but in practice fail miserably to provide what good political systems should - a just and fair society giving citizens a stake and a voice; a safe and secure environment for all to earn a decent living; full and equal opportunities for children to get a sound education and be their best; and harmony among different races and religions to live peacefully together.

It appears to me that political systems and public policies have been mixed up. Good policies come from competent govt while political systems provide the ways a govt can be elected.

A political system where the incumbent ruling party cannot be booted out even if it has become incompetent and corrupted would be disastrous for a nation.

 

[Alu862]

It appears to me that political systems and public policies have been mixed up. Good policies come from competent govt while political systems provide the ways a govt can be elected.

A political system where the incumbent ruling party cannot be booted out even if it has become incompetent and corrupted would be disastrous for a nation.

Likewise dumb politicians wannabes who protest whole day but do not try to form policies that appeal to the electorate make a mockery of the system

 

[chinkangkor]

Likewise dumb politicians wannabes who protest whole day but do not try to form policies that appeal to the electorate make a mockery of the system

Policy intents are in manifestoes.

 

[Alu862]

Policy intents are in manifestoes.

Still insufficient.

 

[chinkangkor]

Still insufficient.

All political parties present their manifestoes during elections.

 

[Alu862]

All political parties present their manifestoes during elections.

I know that you idiot. I'm talking about policies that can attract supporters and are viable, not just simply protesting and hoping change comes

 

[chinkangkor]

I know that you idiot. I'm talking about policies that can attract supporters and are viable, not just simply protesting and hoping change comes

Those are the policies which the political party will adopt if it forms the next govt.

 

[Alu862]

Those are the policies which the political party will adopt if it forms the next govt.

Hardly in depth enough.

Also too many political parties in SG. Look at America, Uk-how many major political parties are there?

 

[chinkangkor]

Hardly in depth enough.

These policy intents will be fleshed out by the civil service, which is tasked with formulating and executing policies of the ruling party.

 

[Alu862]

These policy intents will be fleshed out by the civil service, which is tasked with formulating and executing policies of the ruling party.

Policies can be created and advetised by anyone

 

[zack123]

These policy intents will be fleshed out by the civil service, which is tasked with formulating and executing policies of the ruling party.

The civil service executes directions from the politicians. If the ruling party adopts a bad policy, similarly will be executed by the civil service.

As such clear policies need to be rollled out to make the people understand what a party aims for not generalized statements.

 

[chinkangkor]

The civil service executes directions from the politicians. If the ruling party adopts a bad policy, similarly will be executed by the civil service.

As such clear policies need to be rollled out to make the people understand what a party aims for not generalized statements.

You get the type of government you vote for.