5 Chaps who tried and failed to take on the Establishment.

[scroobal]

I always found it interesting that people tend to think that the PAP is a body that works on consensus and feedback. Here are 5 jokers who found out the hardway over 20 years. 4 of them thought they can change the PAP from within and one even stated that publicly after become an MP.

Davinder Singh
After becoming an MP in 1989 and in his first term , Davinder passed a remark in parliament about quality of journalism and in particular mentioned the New Paper. Balji then the Editor of New Paper challenged him,and Davinder then decided he was wasting his time. From that day onwards he served as the quietest MP over 4 terms, never raising an issue or taking part in debates. He of course made a fortune with a litigation skills in representing SPH and the old man and his son.

Shanmugam
Shanmugam too became an MP in 1989 but he completed one term before having the courage of questioning the lopsided educational systems and Superschools in particular and marginalisation of other races. LHL came out strongly and challenged (you will hear this word very often in the PAP world) Shanmugam to prove that it was detrimental to Singapore. Shanmugam too went quietly and kept his peace. It took 3 terms to decide that it was better to join the devil if you can't beat it. He now soend his time try to convince the world that Singapore Jorunalsistic and Legal standards are up to scrutiny when he could not convince a lightweight LHL of his views on education.

Cherian George
Dear Cherian thought that he would change SPH from within and the PAP from afar. His penship took him past the OB marker and Wong Kan Seng demanded an apology to be made to parliament or a contempt of Parliament charge would be raised. The first SPH journalist to fight (and lose) Ken Kwek was the second but unfortunately there was no provision in law that allowed disgracing the MM an offence.

Viv Balakrisnan
Came on the scene in 2002, made a rousing maiden speech in parliament, offending the Malaysians and stating publicly that he found it more effective to change the PAP from within. PAP took the oldest trick in ensuring loyalty within the brotherhood by appointing him Minister of State for Finance and making him the pointman for the Casino initiative. (akin to asking a vegan to demonstrate how to make roast beef sandwiches). He of course outdid and surprised himself by hinting publicly that Casino was a done deal before the Cabinet met. With the figurative "blood on his hand" he now reigns no different in approach and rhetoric to old man. The chap who in attmpting to remove the ritual of the blood oath fell into a pool of chicken blood.

Viswa Sadasivan
Initially shorlisted for MP, sent to Harvard on state expenses and then placed in one of the most important PAP MP nursery - SPH Research Dept. He stumbled while holding the tea cup but went on to serve as Feedback Chairman. He was appointed this year as an NMP and finally he realised that Mary Poppins was not a virgin after delivering his maiden speech. Old man went on to tear Viswa as well as the Pledge to shreds.

3 of them went on to milk the system, one thinks the he is fighting a guerilla warefare covert style only that it parallels with Talking Cock in terms of barbs with not bite and a very small selective audience.

And the ball in his court for the last one.

 

[Perspective]

Coincidentally, all the 5 you named are Indians.

 

[scroobal]

Yes, I too noticed it to and after much thought it cannot be a coincidence. Here are some interesting points

Davinder is a Sikh married to a Christian Malayalee,
Cherian is a christian Malayalee married to a Malay muslim
Viswa is a hindu malayalee married to a christian Malayleee
Shanmugam is Tamil who used to be married to a Sri Lankan, followed by a Chinese girlfriend followed by new Tamil bride who studied in the states
Viv Balakrisnan is of Sri Lankan / Chinese parentage and married to a Chinese

Clearly not a single one of them is of a homogenous background and probably in a better position to understand the view of minorities better than most. Interestingly JBJ is a Sri Lankan married to an English lady and his son who is expected to contest the elections is also married to an English lady.

All coincidence??

Maybe the homogenous Han Chinese despite the dialects can better work the better opportunity cost rather than philosophy or humanitity angle of asscoiation. Note that Low's prominence and his ward is very parochial.

Clearly tells you that nationhood was finally put to rest in the same grave as the founding father by the name of Rajaratnam, a Sri Lankan who was married to a Hungarian and who was noted for his fight for equality of mankind.

Coincidentally, all the 5 you named are Indians.

 

[Hawkeye1819]

Err... Viswa I think has lost the ball...

And the ball in his court for the last one.

 

[Perspective]

Yes, I too noticed it to and after much thought it cannot be a coincidence. Here are some interesting points

Davinder is a Sikh married to a Christian Malayalee,
Cherian is a christian Malayalee married to a Malay muslim
Viswa is a hindu malayalee married to a christian Malayleee
Shanmugam is Tamil who used to be married to a Sri Lankan, followed by a Chinese girlfriend followed by new Tamil bride who studied in the states
Viv Balakrisnan is of Sri Lankan / Chinese parentage and married to a Chinese

Clearly not a single one of them is of a homogenous background and probably in a better position to understand the view of minorities better than most. Interestingly JBJ is a Sri Lankan married to an English lady and his son who is expected to contest the elections is also married to an English lady.

All coincidence??

Maybe the homogenous Han Chinese despite the dialects can better work the better opportunity cost rather than philosophy or humanitity angle of asscoiation. Note that Low's prominence and his ward is very parochial.

Clearly tells you that nationhood was finally put to rest in the same grave as the founding father by the name of Rajaratnam, a Sri Lankan who was married to a Hungarian and who was noted for his fight for equality of mankind.

It could be because the Chinese are the majority race, hence act differently and unlike minorities who feel less secured and hang around the incumbent? Not very sure.

Or perhaps because the Indians tend to be less promissary to their ideals? I know this may sound racist but a joke that an Indian friend himself told me was that 3 Indians would start 5 political parties. I also know the Chinese or Chinks tend to be in the 'money trap' and Malays in the 'laurels trap'.

 

[jw5]

The term "take on" should only be reserved for those who put their heads on the chopping block.
It should not be used to describe those who wander about the periphery shadow boxing.

 

[Perspective]

Actually even Ong Teng Cheong went into the PAP with that mindset. It was known that he tried to change the PAP from within. In the end, he did achieve that, to a small extent.

 

[po2wq]

Err... Viswa I think has lost the ball...

mayb ... oso his own 1's ... :p

 

[scroobal]

I think Viswa was dreaming for over 20 years and really had no idea about the PAP or its politics. In his varsity days, he was into drama and art and was apolitical as the lampshade in the library. When he became host of current affairs, you could see that he was a naturally neutral and I suspect that he was clueless of the guile that one needs in politics. He was therefore a good choice as feedback chairman because he was clueless.

I think in his exchange with TOC and some of the readers, it certainly dawned on him and he did state that he needed to protect himself.

Err... Viswa I think has lost the ball...

 

[scroobal]

Have to disagree. OTC became a Robin Hood after events did not go his way. His current equivalent is Teo Chee Hean. Bear in mind OTC was DPM and I bet you, that you can't cite one incident where he showed any form of dissent not matter how mild before was dumped as DPM and into the presidency.

By the way, the issue that created the animosity between OTC and his mates were not political, philosophical or issue of state matter. It had to do with the unceremonious intended eviction from Istana to Command house and there was series of silly incidents created by his family including a playboy son at the Istana.

He then attempted to grab the moral hide ground and demanded a valuation of all state assets including streets, canals etc.

Actually even Ong Teng Cheong went into the PAP with that mindset. It was known that he tried to change the PAP from within. In the end, he did achieve that, to a small extent.

 

[Perspective]

Have to disagree. OTC became a Robin Hood after events did not go his way. His current equivalent is Teo Chee Hean. Bear in mind OTC was DPM and I bet you, that you can't cite one incident where he showed any form of dissent not matter how mild before was dumped as DPM and into the presidency.

By the way, the issue that created the animosity between OTC and his mates were not political, philosophical or issue of state matter. It had to do with the unceremonious intended eviction from Istana to Command house and there was series of silly incidents created by his family including a playboy son at the Istana.

He then attempted to grab the moral hide ground and demanded a valuation of all state assets including streets, canals etc.

Interesting.

 

[scroobal]

It cannot be denied that they seem to have a command of the language and quite predisposed to politics.

One should be mindful that all these chaps are actually minorities within minorities - Sri Lankans, Malayalees, Sikh etc who had to find their way in life and did not get handouts like the other major races. Alex Au is also a minority as he represents a small segment of society attempting to find a voice and a place in society. We all as a society benefit from these chaps.

I know this may sound racist but a joke that an Indian friend himself told me was that 3 Indians would start 5 political parties. I also know the Chinese or Chinks tend to be in the 'money trap' and Malays in the 'laurels trap'.

 

[Perspective]

I just thought of one more, but also an Indian. Balaji?

All I knew is he was critical and was close to the 1987 detainees.

 

[Charlie9]

I always found it interesting that people tend to think that the PAP is a body that works on consensus and feedback. Here are 5 jokers who found out the hardway over 20 years. 4 of them thought they can change the PAP from within and one even stated that publicly after become an MP.

Davinder Singh
After becoming an MP in 1989 and in his first term , Davinder passed a remark in parliament about quality of journalism and in particular mentioned the New Paper. Balji then the Editor of New Paper challenged him,and Davinder then decided he was wasting his time. From that day onwards he served as the quietest MP over 4 terms, never raising an issue or taking part in debates. He of course made a fortune with a litigation skills in representing SPH and the old man and his son.

Shanmugam
Shanmugam too became an MP in 1989 but he completed one term before having the courage of questioning the lopsided educational systems and Superschools in particular and marginalisation of other races. LHL came out strongly and challenged (you will hear this word very often in the PAP world) Shanmugam to prove that it was detrimental to Singapore. Shanmugam too went quietly and kept his peace. It took 3 terms to decide that it was better to join the devil if you can't beat it. He now soend his time try to convince the world that Singapore Jorunalsistic and Legal standards are up to scrutiny when he could not convince a lightweight LHL of his views on education.

Cherian George
Dear Cherian thought that he would change SPH from within and the PAP from afar. His penship took him past the OB marker and Wong Kan Seng demanded an apology to be made to parliament or a contempt of Parliament charge would be raised. The first SPH journalist to fight (and lose) Ken Kwek was the second but unfortunately there was no provision in law that allowed disgracing the MM an offence.

Viv Balakrisnan
Came on the scene in 2002, made a rousing maiden speech in parliament, offending the Malaysians and stating publicly that he found it more effective to change the PAP from within. PAP took the oldest trick in ensuring loyalty within the brotherhood by appointing him Minister of State for Finance and making him the pointman for the Casino initiative. (akin to asking a vegan to demonstrate how to make roast beef sandwiches). He of course outdid and surprised himself by hinting publicly that Casino was a done deal before the Cabinet met. With the figurative "blood on his hand" he now reigns no different in approach and rhetoric to old man. The chap who in attmpting to remove the ritual of the blood oath fell into a pool of chicken blood.

Viswa Sadasivan
Initially shorlisted for MP, sent to Harvard on state expenses and then placed in one of the most important PAP MP nursery - SPH Research Dept. He stumbled while holding the tea cup but went on to serve as Feedback Chairman. He was appointed this year as an NMP and finally he realised that Mary Poppins was not a virgin after delivering his maiden speech. Old man went on to tear Viswa as well as the Pledge to shreds.

3 of them went on to milk the system, one thinks the he is fighting a guerilla warefare covert style only that it parallels with Talking Cock in terms of barbs with not bite and a very small selective audience.

And the ball in his court for the last one.

Hello [scroobal],

Thank you for the write up.

About 15 years ago, during one of my visits to SG, I had an encounter with one of the top few litigators in SG.

At one of the housing estates, my brother could not drive through a lane or driveway to the car park, as it was blocked by a Mercedes Benz. I got out of the motor vehicle, and soon discovered that there was a function or event. I asked one of the gentlemen regarding the owner of the Mercedes Benz in order to ask him to move it so that others may drive to the car park. I was told that the owner of the Mercedes Benz is a very important person.

As the litigator (St. Michael's, SJI, NJC, NUS Law Schhol) approached his polished Mercedes Benz, I said: You may be driving an expensive motor vehicle, but you cannot park. Before he could respond, I had a golden opportunity to say a few words. I said something like: I believe that there should be one set of laws for all the people here regardless of position and status. You may not know me, but I know you re: you went to SJI, NJC, supposed to reside at Raffles Hall (SU at that time prior to the change to NUS), but at RH, you chickened out and did not go through orientation for freshmen (I was at RH at that time). Please move your motor vehicle and park it at an appropriate place so that others may drive through to the car park. Thank you.

 

[Ramseth]

Coincidentally, all the 5 you named are Indians.

Look what happened to the Chinese...Lim Ching Siong, Chia Thye Poh, Tan Wah Piow, Francis Seow, Tang Liang Hong... It's possible that Tan Kin Lian, at the highwire mounting platform to be next, decided to climb down after studying the illustrious list.

 

[kingrant]

Look what happened to the Chinese...Lim Ching Siong, Chia Thye Poh, Tan Wah Piow, Francis Seow, Tang Liang Hong... It's possible that Tan Kin Lian, at the highwire mounting platform to be next, decided to climb down after studying the illustrious list.

Now is not the time to fight the Old Man. Singaporeans have given him so much leeway (pardon the expression) and latitude over the past 50 years to consolidate so much power in his hands that the lines between Executive, Legislative and Judiciary branches just don't exist anymore. There is so much God-like fear of his invisible hand. More powerful than God, he can move yr private life into hell without lifting a finger. His henchmen have to nod and do what has to be done. Management by expectation and fear.

 

[scroobal]

Balaji is a sembawang boy. And like all Sembawang boys they come from humble backgrounds. These people tend to do the sums and know the opportunity cost. He always knew which side of the bread is buttered. Don't be fooled by his articles of late. Nothing has changed. He was never close to the 1987 detainees. Balji after his first retirement was engaged by Durai and enjoyed the good life, the great airfares etc.

When the previous Editor who was not prepared to toe the line of "Today", Balaji was called back. The previous editor owns a string of landed properties and does not need the money. The overthrow and the goings on in the office was captured in this forum by one of Today's journalist who was not happy.

I just thought of one more, but also an Indian. Balaji?

All I knew is he was critical and was close to the 1987 detainees.

 

[scroobal]

Anytime bro. By the way, he was not the only PAP MP to chicken out from orientation. Viv Balakrishnan did the same only to realise that he would be an outcast which in the medical fraternity can be extreme. He tried to shortcircuit the system by bolding approaching Rajaratnam at his house. It did not work though Raja received him. He eventually had to kowtow to Arthur Lim and get back into the good graces of the medical fraternity.

Hello [scroobal],

but at RH, you chickened out and did not go through orientation for freshmen (I was at RH at that time). Please move your motor vehicle and park it at an appropriate place so that others may drive through to the car park. Thank you.

 

[scroobal]

The 5 named chaps are part of the establishment and took on the establishment and conceded defeat. The ones you named were never part of the establishment except for one and he only took on the establishment long after he left.

Look what happened to the Chinese...Lim Ching Siong, Chia Thye Poh, Tan Wah Piow, Francis Seow, Tang Liang Hong... It's possible that Tan Kin Lian, at the highwire mounting platform to be next, decided to climb down after studying the illustrious list.

 

[Hakka Tiow]

Hello [scroobal],

Thank you for the write up.

About 15 years ago, during one of my visits to SG, I had an encounter with one of the top few litigators in SG.

At one of the housing estates, my brother could not drive through a lane or driveway to the car park, as it was blocked by a Mercedes Benz. I got out of the motor vehicle, and soon discovered that there was a function or event. I asked one of the gentlemen regarding the owner of the Mercedes Benz in order to ask him to move it so that others may drive to the car park. I was told that the owner of the Mercedes Benz is a very important person.

As the litigator (St. Michael's, SJI, NJC, NUS Law Schhol) approached his polished Mercedes Benz, I said: You may be driving an expensive motor vehicle, but you cannot park. Before he could respond, I had a golden opportunity to say a few words. I said something like: I believe that there should be one set of laws for all the people here regardless of position and status. You may not know me, but I know you re: you went to SJI, NJC, supposed to reside at Raffles Hall (SU at that time prior to the change to NUS), but at RH, you chickened out and did not go through orientation for freshmen (I was at RH at that time). Please move your motor vehicle and park it at an appropriate place so that others may drive through to the car park. Thank you.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davinder_Singh