Key Ministers as Military Generals

Spartans SG · 2007-10-21T19:36:07+00:00

in our region, there is very little comprehension of political and constitutional rights, we vote for stability... and don't count the costs. We are far fro...

Spartans SG

I heard of this theory years ago. Decided to share with fellow forumnites.

Have it ever occur to you why a few of the key ministers hold the rank of general in the SAF? Quote a few examples:

Prime Minister LHL aka Army Brigadier General
Minister Zhang ZhiXian aka Navy Admiral

There is one theory which goes like this:

When election comes, the parliament will be dissolved and there will be no Minister of Defense. So who can control the armed forces at this time? Only the generals.

If there is any riots or crisis ( especially by the opposition or foreign power), these Ministers with the ranks of General have the legitimate authority to commend the SAF in the absence of government. On the other hand, we can view it as absolute power control by the PAP even in times of election. We cant help but be surprised at the far-sightedness of LKY.

Let us examine something. In other nations, we have Generals who earn their credits through the armies before joining politics(maybe as ministers or something). But rarely(in fact none) do we see full time politicians gain the rank of generals as a ministers. Only Singapore has such a classic government.

kramnave SG

i haven’t read up on them but based on memory, they entered politics after attaining their ranks…is that not true ? Else, please enlighten me.

Spartans SG

At what age do you think a person can attain the rank of B.General? At what age did LHL enter politics? I am not sure myself but my gut feeling tells me that it wont be the case mentioned by kramnave.

kramnave SG

George Yeo.

http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/CabinetAppointments/Mr+George+Yong-Boon+Yeo.htm

Teo Chee Hean

http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/CabinetAppointments/Minister+for+Defence+Mr+Teo+Chee+Hean.htm

Lee Hsien Loong

http://www.cabinet.gov.sg/CabinetAppointments/Mr+Lee+Hsien+Loong.htm

kramnave SG

They were high flyers. Even the LGs…Ng Yat Chung, Lim Chuan Poh, Desmond Quek all not very old.

Spartans SG

wow u went to do a detailed researches arh.

kramnave SG

type some names in google and voila !

Atobe SG

In Singapore, the BGs become Ministers, while the LGs become Directors.

In times of crisis, Singapore will be the only nation where BGs will dictate LGs in managing the Crisis.

Pseudo-Elitism brought to its ultimate level of practise.

Meilin86 SG

Crying or Very sad

Meilin86 SG

Never seen this system in my life. Does Big power like US,Russia, China,EU practise this system
? Question

Meilin86 SG

How I wish Mr Sun Yat Sen is around in this era? He is my idol.

Meat Pao SG

Why you like him...?

Share abit....

Meat Pao.

LazerLordz SG

So what?

They may be BG(NS), but they are out of the command structure.

By the time they enter politics, it's only a few more years before they ROD.

Meilin86 SG

I like his Three Peoples' Principles.

Democracy

Equalisation

and Nationalism

Does our country uses his principles?

Atobe SG

I am not sure if you are responding to my post that ''BGs are fit to be Ministers, while LGs are only good as Directors..... ''

Unfortunately, contrary to your statement, all the 'BGees' that still have a suffix {NS} to their rank - will remain in the Command Structure, and there will be slotted to command some formation in the SAF.

All officers with a suffix {RET} will no longer be in the Command Structure.

The interesting part will be if they still carry the title BG(NS) while also being a Minister, which role will come first in times of 'Crisis' ?

If Rear-Admiral{NS} Liew - presently Minister of State in Education - should remain as Minister and pushed into the Defense Ministry, as the RSN will not be able to accomodate too many returning 'Indian Chiefs', then we will have a scenario of Rear-Admiral {NS} Liew telling LG{NS} Ng - who will be recalled from some GLC - how to strategise his Divisions.

When LHL entered Politics at about 38 years, he had a good 17 years before having the {RET} to his BG rank - this is not a few short years.

soild79 SG

nothing to be surprise … who set the gaming rules.? will you set something that is not to your advantage?

qpicanto SG

sir sickolot II SG

all around the world the military have great access to power. In our neighboring countries, the military do move on to take on political office.

I won't call it a 'soft coup'. the population has allowed this to happen.

And the rank of BG(NS), or wadever is just a formality. I do not think, in times of crisis, these men will don on their uniforms to lead the armed forces. we already have 20 odd generals in all 3 services to do that. In fact, the PM, Def Minister and Foreign Minister are no longer called BG(NS) or RADM (NS) since they're over 50. Only the education MOS is still holding the NS title.

reddressman SG

Well, if the MAJORITY accepts . What is there more to say? Democracy, Remember?

LazerLordz SG

That's if the majority is sufficiently educated in their political and constitutional rights, and have had access to an open form of education that teaches not just one strand of history.

It's easy to make sweeping statements like yours when you don't bother about the complexities of the issue.

Democracy is a tool for abuse when the voting population is not sufficiently educated in the political sphere.