More and more people are getting frustrated and calling for the resignations of LKY and LHL. The ruling party is fighting hard (more wayangs), giving all kinds of excuses to their bad decisions and policies.
I like to give my take on why LKY stays on till today.
His first overstay
His original intention of power transfer was 1988, why? Remember the elected president – he was shot at by the oppositions. To save face he denied his intention.
In 1990, he took a swipe at GCT before hand over (more of a block head). LKY never thought highly of him. Remember LKY said his first choice was Tony Tan?
Well, GCT thought that he was good enough – promising 5Cs, more good years and Swiss standard. You know the result…
In 1984, GCT mentored LHL at the very start; he even boasted to the AFP that LHL was his first choice. He never wanted to admit that he was just a ‘seat warmer’.
LKY stayed on to keep an eye on GCT and to ensure that GCT would not overstay.
N.B. Toh CC was against LHL inclusion into politics. But the good Dr Toh was ousted from the cabinet in 1981 (clearly a political move).
In 2004, the economic crisis took a toll on GCT, he finally passed the seat to LHL.
His second overstay
The baton was now in LHL’s hand. Without hesitation, LHL announced Saturdays off for all civil servants. His desire to outshine the 2 ex-PMs proved to be a no-brainer. Till this day, he had been struggling with his oversize hat.
The 2006 general election was LHL’s first GE as PM. PAP being a “kiasu” party, wanted to ensure its winning. In those days, social media just started. Also, Singaporeans were generally apathetic to politics because life was still good then. LKY and GCT knew that their 2 GRCs would be a walkover as, at the time, opposition still had no confidence of competing head-on with especially 2 former PMs who used to get 70-80% of votes. Their participation would easily give LHL 12 “free” seats (6 for each GRC). And so, LKY and GCT continued to contest in 2006.
LKY could have opted out of joining the cabinet but likely, GCT wanted to also have a chance to become a “senior minister”. So GCT stayed on and if GCT stayed on, LKY would continue to stay on for the reason given above.
Then came 2011 general election. GCT and LKY contested again, thinking that it would be a nice walkover. But by 2011, Singaporeans were getting angry with the PAP government. PAP essentially screwed themselves with their open door immigration policy. Like what NMP Eugene Tan said, this is the “mother of all issues” in Singapore now.
Driven by anger, more people join opposition parties. For the first time, all seats were contested in Singapore, including LKY’s Tanjong Pagar GRC and GCT’s Marine Parade GRC. It was a pity that the opposition team for Tanjong Pagar GRC was disqualified due to technical reason. But in Marine Parade GRC, GCT for the first time, got less than 60%. It was a shock to everyone in PAP.
LKY and GCT had no choice but to resign from the cabinet after the 2011 election. Why? It was to protect his son as PAP got the worst % votes. They needed to ensure the future survival of PAP. If LKY stayed on in cabinet, more Singaporeans would get angry. As for GCT, he knew that his days were over when he got less than 60% despite himself being popular with Singaporean voters before.
Here is an extract from ST (18 Nov 1985):
Then, PM LKY’s interview with Asahi Shimbun:
Q: Mr Prime Minister, we think that you are still going to be in your position. But when do you think you will retire?
A: As soon as there is somebody who competent to take the job, I should not be here. It’s better for Singapore. If I hang on indefinitely, it will become more complicated.
GCT – competent? LKY stayed on.
LHL – competent? LKY also stayed on.
So, who is making things more complicated for everyone?
Singapore history is currently in the making – very dramatic!
Edmund