Sunday, November 14, 2010

Mr. Lee Kuan Yew

With a general election (GE) expected soon, an unwanted question has been bugging Singaporeans; how will Singapore cope without Lee Kuan Yew? The 87-year-old Lee is considered a sage in Asia and a large part of Singapore’s success is due to the man’s vision and determination.

However Mr. Lee is now 87, in poor health and rumored to be in grief over the recent passing of his wife. So the question is being asked if Mr. Lee should stand for elections in the next GE.

The question came up again yesterday when the Mr. Lee himself said that he will only stand if he is physically capable and if the Prime Minister wants him. Since the Prime Minister is his son, there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that he and the People’s Action Party (PAP) would want Mr. Lee in the next GE (you have to be an idiot not to). So the question is down strictly to Mr. Lee’s health.

If that’s the case, then I say Mr. Lee Kuan Yew should not stand in the next GE. Mr. Lee has been in politics for over 50 years and with his poor health, there’s no need to risk it to stand in the next GE. Fact of the matter is; although the opposition would probably gain some seats in the next GE, there is no way they are going to stop the PAP from forming the next government. They just don’t have the numbers.

In short, the PAP will form the next government without or without Mr. Lee Kuan Yew. There is no urgent need for him to stand in the next GE, and even if there is a need, his health should be of paramount importance. The man has done more than enough for Singapore, his place in Singapore’s history is secured and he should look after his health. The man deserved his rest.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

As a layman Singaporean, me says Lee Kuan Yew must contest in the coming election.

Politic is like music to LKY, me personally believes that without politics, living will not be challeging to LKY anymore. Now that Mrs Lee has left him, he should have more time to pursue his pet interest, perhaps with a little less mentoring from his late Mrs.

Can anyone imagine Lee Kuan Yew retiring from politics? If he cannot stop himself from rising from the grave because of political development, why should he deprives himself of the remunerations that come from holding political office? At least we know that he wants political leaders to be well paid.

Well, whether Singaporeans like it or not, Lee Kuan Yew certainly knows what he wants.

patriot

Ghost said...

The question I think should not be what he (or the PAP) wants, but whether he should stand for re-election. Mr. Lee's health is failing and in my view, that more than anything must come first.

Alan Wong said...

I suppose they must have plan out the whole election campaign just to suit him just like how they have the whole team of Ministers catered to babysit his son.

All they need is just show his caring face at the right moment, say a few nice words and have the rest taken care by the Shitty Times.

Maybe to save him the walking, what they need further is a wheelchair for him. This way can gain some sympathy votes. Why not when they can kill 2 birds with one stone ?

sgcynic said...

If Lee Kuan Yew runs for elections, I certainly would be very interested to hear what reasons his son gives to put an 87/88 year old on the line.

Anonymous said...

LKY's son will say, "the father and son combination has been good for Singapore, so it's best to stick with it. One can also call it the Lee and Lee team, God's gift to Singapore."

I for one do not believe the Lee and Lee team will end with LKY's departure, not when there are many grandsons around. They just need to find another seat warmer to replace Goh CT...for another seamless transition.

Anonymous said...

Can they afford to remove the main pillar supporting the premiership ?

LKY shall be needed at least for the nxt five years, after that if he still last, he should be awarded an honorary cabinet post for his great contribution to Sin.

Ghost said...

Most comments thus far seem to indicate that Mr. Lee will stand for re-election because the PAP (and his son) will lose power without him. Sorry but that is just not the case.
PAP will win the next GE with or without Mr. Lee. You guys are giving the Singapore opposition parties too much credit. They didn’t even dare contest all the seats in the last 3 GE, so I wouldn’t be sweating too much if I’m a member of the PAP.