Into the Dustbins

For years; for decades; the People’s Action Party (PAP) has been touting the fact that almost all of its candidates, especially those who are younger, are all degrees holders.

However a week after a former SAF scholar decided to join the new Reform Party led by Kenneth Jeyaretnam, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong now say that Singaporeans must also “look at the person. Not what degrees he has, but what he is able to do for Singapore.”

Technically, he’s right. What degree you have does not matter. I have work with degree-holders who are horrible workers, terrible colleagues, and poor bosses. What’s more important is how well they can work.

Unfortunately, it’s a little rich to hear this now from the PAP. Everyone in Singapore still remember the ‘O’ level results in Potong Pasir. Mr. Chiam See Tong has openly stated that what happened in 1984 was a “below-the-belt” move.

But still I believe this is a good statement from our Prime Minister, so I hope no one talk about their academic qualifications in the coming election. Let's all of us throw our academic papers into the dustbins!