In finding the successor to Mr Lee, the 4G leaders must get it right this time — choosing someone who will be able to serve about a decade as PM and stepping down in his mid-60s, which the first two prime ministers did.
Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Goh Chok Tong was PM for 31 years (1959-1990) and 14 years (1990-2004) respectively.
Mr Lee was 67 and Mr Goh was 63 when they resigned as PM. Mr Lee is now in his 17th year as PM.
Mr Heng had in 2018 chosen Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing as his deputy. But with Mr Heng stepping aside, the 4G leaders will select afresh.
They will probably be looking not so much at one individual this time but also at the pair who would make for the best combination for the 4G PM and Deputy PM.
The pandemic has wrought significant changes to many facets of life, including politics and governance. Singaporeans’ demands and expectations of the Government and governance have and will change, accelerated by the pandemic.
It is of utmost importance to have a clear successor to Mr Lee within the next 12-18 months. Singapore has thrived by having clear and strong leadership that is able to inspire trust and confidence and to deal with immediate concerns and plan long term.
The lack of clarity on who the next premier is can easily be misconstrued as uncertainty and potential instability in the future. Furthermore, it will take time for the new successor to connect with the ground.
Fundamental attributes such as the leader being someone who can not only hold the team together but also bring out the individual and collective best are critical.
It is not merely about keeping Singapore on the well-traversed path of success because that may no longer be relevant or feasible given technological advancements, the geopolitical rivalries and tensions in East and Southeast Asia.
Transformational leadership in this context is vital. The leader who can see beyond the horizon of what a post-Covid world portends and is able to keep Singapore relevant, thriving, and cohesive is what Singapore needs in a 4G prime minister.
The search for Mr Heng’s successor presents a new test for Singapore’s leaders.
While haste is not desirable, the Government must avoid the triple whammy of inordinate delays: The naming of Mr Lee’s new successor; Mr Lee handing over power to his successor; and the transition from the 4G to 5G leadership.
Moreover, what is different this time from the 2018 selection is that we are in the midst of a global pandemic, which can provide a real crucible to test the mettle and integrity of the 4G leaders and how transformational they are.
The leadership renewal amid the pandemic requires the 4G leaders, individually and collectively, to remain focused on the utmost priority of keeping the country safe and to prepare Singapore and Singaporeans for what promises to be a radically different post-Covid world.
They will also have to ensure team unity and cohesion despite some expected “jostling” in the quest to be the first among equals.
The 3G and 4G leaders will have to ensure that the competition and rivalry among the front-runners is healthy, productive, and clarifying. Any division will not augur well for Singapore.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Eugene K B Tan is associate professor of law at the Singapore Management University and a former Nominated Member of Parliament.
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/comment...LtvlqzjH48pEBmgn9Q3667nKAXvlPwAaSlFDpXFvNFOvg
Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Goh Chok Tong was PM for 31 years (1959-1990) and 14 years (1990-2004) respectively.
Mr Lee was 67 and Mr Goh was 63 when they resigned as PM. Mr Lee is now in his 17th year as PM.
Mr Heng had in 2018 chosen Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing as his deputy. But with Mr Heng stepping aside, the 4G leaders will select afresh.
They will probably be looking not so much at one individual this time but also at the pair who would make for the best combination for the 4G PM and Deputy PM.
The pandemic has wrought significant changes to many facets of life, including politics and governance. Singaporeans’ demands and expectations of the Government and governance have and will change, accelerated by the pandemic.
It is of utmost importance to have a clear successor to Mr Lee within the next 12-18 months. Singapore has thrived by having clear and strong leadership that is able to inspire trust and confidence and to deal with immediate concerns and plan long term.
The lack of clarity on who the next premier is can easily be misconstrued as uncertainty and potential instability in the future. Furthermore, it will take time for the new successor to connect with the ground.
Fundamental attributes such as the leader being someone who can not only hold the team together but also bring out the individual and collective best are critical.
It is not merely about keeping Singapore on the well-traversed path of success because that may no longer be relevant or feasible given technological advancements, the geopolitical rivalries and tensions in East and Southeast Asia.
Transformational leadership in this context is vital. The leader who can see beyond the horizon of what a post-Covid world portends and is able to keep Singapore relevant, thriving, and cohesive is what Singapore needs in a 4G prime minister.
The search for Mr Heng’s successor presents a new test for Singapore’s leaders.
While haste is not desirable, the Government must avoid the triple whammy of inordinate delays: The naming of Mr Lee’s new successor; Mr Lee handing over power to his successor; and the transition from the 4G to 5G leadership.
Moreover, what is different this time from the 2018 selection is that we are in the midst of a global pandemic, which can provide a real crucible to test the mettle and integrity of the 4G leaders and how transformational they are.
The leadership renewal amid the pandemic requires the 4G leaders, individually and collectively, to remain focused on the utmost priority of keeping the country safe and to prepare Singapore and Singaporeans for what promises to be a radically different post-Covid world.
They will also have to ensure team unity and cohesion despite some expected “jostling” in the quest to be the first among equals.
The 3G and 4G leaders will have to ensure that the competition and rivalry among the front-runners is healthy, productive, and clarifying. Any division will not augur well for Singapore.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Eugene K B Tan is associate professor of law at the Singapore Management University and a former Nominated Member of Parliament.
Read more at https://www.todayonline.com/comment...LtvlqzjH48pEBmgn9Q3667nKAXvlPwAaSlFDpXFvNFOvg
