SINGAPORE: A People’s Action Party (PAP) split by
internal schisms. Future leaders bereft of the "huge political
legitimacy" that could be gained from endorsement by the man with
unmatched moral and historical authority. These are some of the
leadership fates that could befall a post—Lee Kuan Yew Singapore,
as hotelier Ho Kwon Ping sees it.
And such "imponderable" scenarios could help explain why a
"system of elders" is now taking shape in the political
landscape.
"Perhaps it is to restrain factionalism, arbitrate
disagreements, groom and assess future leaders, that the positions
of senior minister and minister mentor have been
institutionalised," said Mr Ho, who feels the PAP’s "extraordinary
cohesion" over five decades has owed much to "the forceful
personality of Lee Kuan Yew".
Mr Ho, who is also MediaCorp chairman, was speaking on Monday
alongside Professor Kishore Mahbubani at a seminar organised by
Nanyang Technological University’s Asian Journalism Fellowship
programme. The topic? "Singapore Beyond Lee Kuan Yew:
Institutionalising the Singapore Way".
Of this future, Prof Mahbubani, who Dean of the Lee Kuan Yew
School of Public Policy, would not rule out a "significant
reversal" of Mr Lee’s legacy, or the rise of a stronger Opposition
usurping the one dominant party system — though he gave each
scenario only a "one—sixth probability".
While a "smooth and seamless transition" was a two—thirds
likelihood, Prof Mahbubani harked back to the words of former
Deputy Prime Minister Goh Keng Swee, after the PAP’s long monopoly
of parliament was broken in 1981. "As (Dr Goh) has wisely told us,
failure happens when we fail to consider the possibility of
failure."
So, for instance in the unlikely event of a strong opposition
arising, would Mr Lee’s legacy be weakened? In fact, the "sharper
political debates" arising could make Singaporeans more aware of
the "precious political legacy they have enjoyed", said Prof
Mahbabuni.
On the other hand, as has happened in South Korea and Taiwan, it
could also lead to the old legacies being quickly lost and
forgotten by the new generation. "I am frequently shocked when I
meet younger Singaporeans who have never heard of Dr Goh," he
said.
Both speakers were not alone in expressing uncertainty over how
Singapore’s future, sans Mr Lee, would play out. During the Q&A
session, which was off—the—record, the audience raised concerns
such as how the country would be deprived of its most astute and
influential critic — and whether Mr Lee’s legacy, or indeed
Singapore, could unravel.
While Mr Lee’s retirement would "create a huge political
vacuum", Prof Mahbubani believes Singapore has "done a lot" to
protect his legacy, such as instilling a deep culture of
meritocracy and incorruptibility.
And Mr Ho had no doubts Singaporeans could "muddle their way
through", even if the PAP’s leadership renewal "fails to deliver
what it has done for the past 50 years".
Mr Lee’s greatest legacy, he said, "is that the Singapore which
he so passionately shaped will outlive not only him, but even his
own party, should that ever come to pass".
The reason: In his single most critical imperative — nation
building — Mr Lee has largely succeeded, said Mr Ho, who has found
young Singaporeans to own a strong sense of involvement and
ownership in the country, contrary to stereotype.
"Equally contrary to some people’s wishful thinking, there is
not likely to be dramatic, broad—brush social or political
liberalisation," said Mr Ho. "This is not a pent up society waiting
for the demise of the strongman in order to overturn highly
unpopular laws."
Rather, the government has the support of the politically—vital
heartland in its pragmatic, incremental approach to change, even as
it responds to tomorrow’s generation, he said.
Source: http://sg.news.yahoo.com/cna/20090420/tap-769-possible-singapores-lee-kuan-yew-231650b.html
Hmm.... Preparing for LKY's departure?
