Minister Shanmugan forced to eat his words
Last Friday at a seminar organized by IPS, Minister Shanmugam tried to intimidate some of the candidates running for President. He made the following speech:
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110806-293038.html
According to Minister Shanmugam,
These astonishing remarks come from someone who is supposed to be Minister of Law for Singapore !
The remarks naturally provoked a firestorm in cyberspace. So much so that Minister Shanmugan was forced to issue a “clarification”. If you watch local politics, you will know what this really means is that over the weekend, Minister Shanmugan was probably
Minister Shanmugam’s new view is that:
You can watch the live footage of Minister Shanmugam eating humble pie here. Of note is 0:41 when his voice breaks and he becomes nervous and uncomfortable. In his mind, he was probably reliving the tongue lashing.
Unless you are a supporter of Dr Tony Tan and the PAP, this is a victory. A small victory but victory nevertheless.
Last Friday at a seminar organized by IPS, Minister Shanmugam tried to intimidate some of the candidates running for President. He made the following speech:
http://news.asiaone.com/News/AsiaOne+News/Singapore/Story/A1Story20110806-293038.html
According to Minister Shanmugam,
- The President can only speak and act as advised by the PAP Cabinet
- The influence and respect of the President depends on whether he is PAP endorsed or not PAP endorsed. Hence if it is Dr Tony Tan, the President would have great influence and respect from PM Lee. If it is Dr Tan Cheng Bock, Mr Tan Kin Lian or Mr Tan Jee Say, the President would have little or no influence and respect from PM Lee.
These astonishing remarks come from someone who is supposed to be Minister of Law for Singapore !
The remarks naturally provoked a firestorm in cyberspace. So much so that Minister Shanmugan was forced to issue a “clarification”. If you watch local politics, you will know what this really means is that over the weekend, Minister Shanmugan was probably
- Hauled up for what he had said;
- Scolded by one of three people in Singapore who dare scold him; and
- Forced to make an embarrassing u-turn to limit the damage
Minister Shanmugam’s new view is that:
- The President may speak his views freely in public
- PM Lee will accord whoever is elected by Singaporeans as President the same level of influence and respect.
You can watch the live footage of Minister Shanmugam eating humble pie here. Of note is 0:41 when his voice breaks and he becomes nervous and uncomfortable. In his mind, he was probably reliving the tongue lashing.
Unless you are a supporter of Dr Tony Tan and the PAP, this is a victory. A small victory but victory nevertheless.
