I have been pondering over this statement for several days and trying to make a balance approach to this is piece of rhetoric. Would Singapore be in deep trouble when PAP falls and the opposition parties take over as the new govt? A good way to look at this comment is the recent installation of Jokowi as the new President of Indonesia. Jokowi is in many senses like the opposition parties in Singapore. A man with no scintillating strings of As and MBAs. He rose from the ranks, made his fortune and became the governor of Jakarta. Not the kind of experience at national level, but more relevant experience than our boys and girls who became ministers, and definitely more experienced than our opposition party leaders running their constituencies and town council.
And the best part, the out going President did all he could to ensure that the new President took power in an orderly manner, and no one, no rogue generals would be there to make things difficult, no rogue politicians would be allowed to disrupt the ceremony. Yudhoyono has proven to be a great president, a valiant and honourable gentlemen, and truly deserved to be the Asian of the Year instead of the 6 month old Modi who has done nothing except meeting foreign leaders and rhetoric of great power. The danger of Jokowi being deprived of his presidency and turning Indonesia into turmoil were extremely grave.
What would happen to this first world pretender island if there is a change of political power? Would it be in deep trouble? Maybe the PAP believes that all the talents that can govern this little island are with them and there will be no one good enough to take over and all systems will break down. This is of course rubbish.
The danger of a major crisis can come from a losing ruling party refusing to hand over power gracefully, or a military coup. If this is really a first world country, it can be expected that the outgoing ruling party would do the honour to ensure a proper hand over of power and responsibilities. And this applies to all the ministries and stats boards. All Singaporeans expect it to be that way. It must be that way in a democracy when the change of power is in-built in the system. Theoretically there could be a change of power after every GE. Our one party rule without a change of power is unnatural and would not be for too long or so long. A time must come for a change of power, and an orderly and peaceful one if the men in charge are responsible and honourable, who obey the democratic constitution of this country. Not handing over power or disrupting the handing over of power is against the law. Anyone or political power that lost an election and refused to hand over power could be arrested under the law.
So, can we expect a proper handover of political power when there the PAP falls and Singapore continues to run smoothly and efficiently like before, all things normal, no deep trouble? Any one flirting to ride the tiger of disorder or a military coup must be prepared to be devoured by the tiger should things turn bad. It is a road of no return once embarked on. Yes, if this happens, Singapore will be in deep trouble.
Chua Chin Leng AKA RedBean
*The writer blogs at http://mysingaporenews.blogspot.com