The issue of Ex-SAF hotshots sitting pretty in GLCs

last SG · 2006-01-05T08:47:20+00:00

How can they not be smart and hardworking and be a schorlar in the first place? Do you think they get promoted solely on their degrees?

SilverPal SG

Shocked

I didn't know that... That's terrible.

I had the impression that there is a stringent screening process since many scholars would be groomed for politics...

Oh well, perhaps those in charge found it unnecessary or too impractical. Rolling Eyes

LazerLordz SG

Ever wondered why top officials do not stay long within one organisation?Why the CDF changes every few years?

And look at the turnover rate of each officer once he reaches the rank of BG.They are moved out for a reason, and not everyone will become co-opted into the party machinery Wink

robertteh SG

The reason why no heads of any major organizations like SAF, etc will stay long is because by allowing such heads to stay long, they will eventually build their own spheres of influnce of power base.

Shrewd politicians want to build their own power bases and loyality. They cannot allow any heads of major organizations to build their own power bases. To them such accumulation of powers will be dangerous to their own power bases especially at the SAF. So they long ago have set up a system where the heads will be rotated after a few years and broken up from their bases. At the end only one person will be powerful in such a system.

Atobe SG

There were a few Colonels and Lieutenant Colonels - who retired - becoming Swimming Pool Managers and / or Club Managers.

LazerLordz SG

Well, you know, I know.But not many others know.. Confused

MobyDog SG

In ancient China was balls less amn, in 19th century was Heshen, in modern US is Cheney.

Atobe SG

The Military Organisation work on the basis of 'follow the order' and 'no questions asked'.

Can the Military Management System be followed in any commercial or industrial organisation ?

One would expect a CEO to appreciate some sound Financial Management in running a corporation - whether it is a GLC or otherwise.

Can a Military Person operate in the commercial world and in a Senior Position that require some understanding of Financial Management ?

For example, if LKY were to run SIA, he would no doubt be able to lead it very capably, even if he has few experience in the aviation sector.

Firstly, Singapore is already too small for his talent', will not SIA be even smaller ?

If LKY was to run SIA, emigration will certain happen, as already evidence by the 'brain drain' over the last few decades.

Can SIA ever take off ?

For me, the real issue is whether ex-scholars who underperform continue to lead GLCs. Can anybody raise an example? When a GLC is managed poorly, they get knocked by private companies in the market. If the ex-Chief of Air Force can't perform, why would SIA want to keep him. Afterall, Chairman SIA has to answer to the Government as well. Sure, the ex-scholar has more openings for him in GLC vis-a-vis a peer from the private sector. However, it is performance in the long term that determines success, whether in a GLC or not.

Is Singapore Telecoms performing as well as its peers in the Telecoms Industry ?

If not, the CEO is a President's Scholar and would be a fine example of the bungles that has occurred in their financial adventures overseas.

The PM's wife, Ho Ching's decision - as Head of Temasek - to invest in the Hard Disk Drive industry resulted in a loss of over US$500 Million.

Was she fired ?

No, but the then Minister of Finance, Dr Richard Hu made a strong defense to excuse her for the heavy loss as tuition fee to learn about the HDD business.

Is it performance over the long term, or will political connections protect those who face failures.

archon1234 SG

A man decision making process is always influence by his past experience and behaviours. It is undeniable that army top brass has been proven to be good decision makers in the past.

But are they capable of switching the mentalities and working culture when they are leading our city state economy in the globalisation age - every product and concept has a very limited lifespan.

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