- Joined
- Feb 12, 2009
- Messages
- 2,401
- Points
- 48
I wonder why are there're still people who think there's double or triple pay for two or three portfolios or public office positions? It has been only the one highest positioned pay all along since time immemorial. Otherwise, some of the multi-ministry Ministers or even MOS are paid more than the PM or even the President. When we oppose PAP, oppose with commonsense or even better, with facts.
I agree totally with the above statement by Forvendet as regards the pay. If one does not know the facts, then one should not make wild claims. Come on folks, let us write responsibly and not in a manner that we risk being labelled as a "people with shallow minds". We ought to make fruitful suggestions and reccommendations for a change for the better rather then behaving like people who don't know anything and just write for the sake of writing or oppose for the sake of opposing. Remember many people are reading this Forum page. If we continue to behave irresponsibly like this, then be prepared for a day that will dawn when people will will view this forum peices as nothing but the "Funny Bones" department of a certain magazine long long time ago.
Infact we should be thankful to the Prime Minister for resorting to such a move in appointing Ministers heading different ministries at the same time, as it means much savings for the State in terms of salaries paid to individual ministers heading each and every ministry. Such multi-tasking is the right approach, as the ministers, ministers of state and permanent secretaries concerned will have to work harder for their high salaries. These office-holders will have to be sacrifice a lot of their time directing the various ministries, ministers of states, perm secs, heads of departments besides looking after their own areas of responsibility - be it meet the people session or some other important task at home or abroad.
I agree with Papsmearer, that the Prime Minister should also NOT have too many ministers or ministers of state in the PMO. I feel that these leaders should be ministerial portfolios to lead a ministry or two to. It would them exposure and certainly make economic sense.
As for PAPsmearer's respected opinion, that an ex-military person and a medical doctor should run the Defence and Health Ministries, respectively begs my humble deference, for I feel that one DON'T have to be a professional to do certain things, as one would have under his/her command, many brilliant civil servants to do that job effectively.
Now just take the PAP as an opposition party that was swept into power during the recent elections! They have to appoint their own Cabinet, don't they? The same would go with the WP, SPP, SDP, RP, NSP and SDA if they were to have swept into power.
The removal from the cabinet of the former Home Affairs Minister, National Development Minister and Transport Minister are decisions made in the right direction and certainly for the good of Singapore. We need leaders who are humble and not the "arrogant-type" who feels that he or she can shout down on Singaporeans or push unpopular policies through. This is an era of a Consultative-type of governance not the "I know better type of leadership" which does not work anymore.
In conclusion, I honestly feel that retaining Dr Vivian Balakrishnan is a big mistake. He should himself step down and make way for a newer candidate.
But since the PM has said that within 2 years they will re-look at the appointments, let's wait and see.
At the end of the day, this is our beloved Nation and we all have every right to be concerned.