Is Mr Mah the next PM of Singapore?

[aurvandil]

Recently，much has been said about my intention to contest in Tampines GRC. As stated in my comments to the mainstream media, I do not have anything personally against Mr Mah Bow Tan. I have the greatest respect for him. He is one of the most senior Cabinet Ministers in Singapore. He has won 3 general elections and is on the fast track to become Deputy Prime Minister. When PM Lee retires, Mr Mah is a leading contender to become the next Prime Minister of Singapore.

Mr Mah’s high and mighty status does not however mean that he is always right and that ordinary citizens should not speak up when they see him pursuing polices which have caused great hardship to many Singaporeans.

Thought that this deserved a thread of its own.

In his latest blog posting on how MBT's HDB policy is causing Singaporeans to become homeless (http://singaporealternatives.blogspot.com/), Goh Meng Seng observed that MBT might be one of those shortlisted to become the next PM of Singapore.

Since the news broke that Tampines might be contested, MM Lee,PM Lee and SM Goh have all come forward to defend him. If you look at his resume (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mah_Bow_Tan), he has served in all of the key government ministies that a future prime minister must serve.

If he has a big win in Tampines, I think Goh Meng Seng is correct and he will become PM Mah.

 

[scroobal]

DPM yes, the most senior will usually take on this role/s. I think GMS is being polite on the PM role. I am sure he will be in the shortlist but Mah himself might not think that he will be suitable for the role. The fact that Mah has never being on any of PAP campaign strategy team is indicative.

Thought that this deserved a thread of its own.

In his latest blog posting on how MBT's HDB policy is causing Singaporeans to become homeless (http://singaporealternatives.blogspot.com/), Goh Meng Seng observed that MBT might be one of those shortlisted to become the next PM of Singapore.

 

[Goh Meng Seng]

DPM yes, the most senior will usually take on this role/s. I think GMS is being polite on the PM role. I am sure he will be in the shortlist but Mah himself might not think that he will be suitable for the role. The fact that Mah has never being on any of PAP campaign strategy team is indicative.

Dear Scroobal,

Yes, Mah is as senior as PM Lee and he could be made DPM.

Mah is the brain behind many schemes that help the PAP government in maintaining healthy surpluses. Surprisingly, a seasoned politician among PAP like him was not roped in to be the member of PAP campaign strategy team. Strange that those who might not have even fought a single electoral battle in their lives are assigned such role! But I am definitely happy with that.

Goh Meng Seng

 

[Highfalutin]

Goh Meng Seng was just being sardonic. The possibility of Mah Bow Tan becoming the Prime Minister of Singapore is about as far removed from reality as a horse can do the hip hop.

 

[aurvandil]

I am sure he will be in the shortlist but Mah himself might not think that he will be suitable for the role. The fact that Mah has never being on any of PAP campaign strategy team is indicative.

This is based on the current political dynamic.
That political dynamic will change significantly if Mr Mah wins big in Tampines.

Firstly, the high profile of the contest will significantly raise the political capital of Mr Mah.

Secondly, the contest will prove that Mr Mah has got the "right stuff" to take on pesky bloggers like GMS who have been causing so much trouble lately.

If the voters give Mr Mah a strong mandate, it would be extremely unfair to Mr Mah's supporters if he was not given a fair chance to become PM. In choosing who should be PM, the PAP should not discriminate against Mr Mah just because he is not as handsome or charasmatic as the other front runners.

Wish the well known members of the PAP brigade would come in here and give thier views on whether Mr Mah should or shouldn't become PM.

 

[Highfalutin]

Now he rears his arse!

 

[jw5]

Dear Scroobal,

Yes, Mah is as senior as PM Lee and he could be made DPM.

Mah is the brain behind many schemes that help the PAP government in maintaining healthy surpluses. Surprisingly, a seasoned politician among PAP like him was not roped in to be the member of PAP campaign strategy team. Strange that those who might not have even fought a single electoral battle in their lives are assigned such role! But I am definitely happy with that.

Goh Meng Seng

It's precisely because he is as senior as the PM that he should not be the DPM.

 

[kingrant]

I didnt realise there are handsome and charismatic front runners.

Who are they? Certainly not Ho Ching? All of them look like the back of an SBS bus.

In choosing who should be PM, the PAP should not discriminate against Mr Mah just because he is not as handsome or charasmatic as the other front runners.

 

[scroobal]

One election cannot make a summer. Mah is a vet and his style is very much embedded in people's psyche. Mah is an achiever in the mold of an experienced senior civil servant and a reluctant politician at best. There is little politics in his vein. Unfortunately its not Mah that is the issue but the portfolio that he holds - its certainly one of the politically charged portfolios. Mah is just collateral damage. A house is the central to many people's being.

Frankly Mah was never in the running and like Jayakumar will be given the
cursory role of DPM.

This is based on the current political dynamic.
That political dynamic will change significantly if Mr Mah wins big in Tampines.

Firstly, the high profile of the contest will significantly raise the political capital of Mr Mah.

Secondly, the contest will prove that Mr Mah has got the "right stuff" to take on pesky bloggers like GMS who have been causing so much trouble lately.

If the voters give Mr Mah a strong mandate, it would be extremely unfair to Mr Mah's supporters if he was not given a fair chance to become PM. In choosing who should be PM, the PAP should not discriminate against Mr Mah just because he is not as handsome or charasmatic as the other front runners.

Wish the well known members of the PAP brigade would come in here and give thier views on whether Mr Mah should or shouldn't become PM.

 

[aurvandil]

Mah is a vet and his style is very much embedded in people's psyche. Mah is an achiever in the mold of an experienced senior civil servant and a reluctant politician at best. There is little politics in his vein.

SM Goh is also not a natural politician. He was described as wooden by MM Lee. He was also not the front runner. I believe MM Lee gave his assessment that there were 2 or 3 people he would have prefer to be his sucessor. In the end, SM Goh got the job despite being the underdog.

Frankly Mah was never in the running and like Jayakumar will be given the
cursory role of DPM.

Actually I think Jayakumar would have made a good prime minister. In terms of relating to his constituients, he is much more approachable than PM Lee who is often perceived as being aloof (although say people say he is a nice guy once you know him). Unfortunately the racial politics within PAP prevented him for being a serious canidate. Fortunately Mr Mah is Chinese and does not suffer from this handicap.

 

[scroobal]

Actually Goh was the most ambitious of the 2nd generation and he was also arrogant then . He wanted to lead and thus given the opportunity to lead the campaign for the Anson By Elections. His speeches were full of arrogant and overly confident statements including daring the electorate to pick JBJ. The residents did pick JBJ. Old man blamed GCT and he has been humble ever seen. He nevertheless got his ambition of becoming PM. It was not easy. He worked the PAP Cadres, built loyalty and made a name.

Ask any PAP cadre about Mah becoming PM and they will shake their head. He is certainly a nice guy.

In the current slate, NEH, Viv, Teo are the front runners. The 3 most ambitious are NEH,Viv and Raymond.

In Singapore, you need to gain the support of your own community before you can think of PMship. Jaya has this issue.

SM Goh is also not a natural politician. He was described as wooden by MM Lee. He was also not the front runner. I believe MM Lee gave his assessment that there were 2 or 3 people he would have prefer to be his sucessor. In the end, SM Goh got the job despite being the underdog.

Actually I think Jayakumar would have made a good prime minister. In terms of relating to his constituients, he is much more approachable than PM Lee who is often perceived as being aloof (although say people say he is a nice guy once you know him). Unfortunately the racial politics within PAP prevented him for being a serious canidate. Fortunately Mr Mah is Chinese and does not suffer from this handicap.

 

[IR123]

Thought that this deserved a thread of its own.

In his latest blog posting on how MBT's HDB policy is causing Singaporeans to become homeless (http://singaporealternatives.blogspot.com/), Goh Meng Seng observed that MBT might be one of those shortlisted to become the next PM of Singapore.

Since the news broke that Tampines might be contested, MM Lee,PM Lee and SM Goh have all come forward to defend him. If you look at his resume (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mah_Bow_Tan), he has served in all of the key government ministies that a future prime minister must serve.

If he has a big win in Tampines, I think Goh Meng Seng is correct and he will become PM Mah.

What GMS was engaging in is called 'insincere flattery'

It also carries a few implications.

Strange that none of you catch it.

 

[aurvandil]

Actually Goh was the most ambitious of the 2nd generation and he was also arrogant then . He wanted to lead and thus given the opportunity to lead the campaign for the Anson By Elections. His speeches were full of arrogant and overly confident statements including daring the electorate to pick JBJ. The residents did pick JBJ. Old man blamed GCT and he has been humble ever seen. He nevertheless got his ambition of becoming PM. It was not easy. He worked the PAP Cadres, built loyalty and made a name.

Ask any PAP cadre about Mah becoming PM and they will shake their head. He is certainly a nice guy.

In the current slate, NEH, Viv, Teo are the front runners. The 3 most ambitious are NEH,Viv and Raymond.

In Singapore, you need to gain the support of your own community before you can think of PMship. Jaya has this issue.

Nice bit of analysis.

I concur that at this point, Teo is probably the front runner. NEH and Viv are ambitious but they do not yet have the experience or exposure (IMHO) to be serious contenders. Depending on how they perform, that might of course change after the upcoming election.

Singapore has come to the point where you cannot have a PM who is simply appointed by the PAP party elders. That person needs to demonstrate that he (sorry , no women contenders at this point) is able to connect and carry the ground.

For this reason, Ministers that rise to the challenge and decisively defeat a serious opposition challenge will see their political capital increase tremendously.

Conversely if you come in via the backdoor (ie. uncontested GRC), then you are most likely to lose influence.

Assuming that they beat back their opposition challengers decisively, the front runners for PM Lee's hot seat would be

1) KBW
2) MBT
3) Teo (likely to be unchallenged)

 

[aurvandil]

What GMS was engaging in is called 'insincere flattery'

It also carries a few implications.

What implications are you talking about? Can you please share?

I think GMS was just trying to be polite and respectful to his opponent. This is so as to set the stage for a gentlemanly contest of policies and ideas which would benefit all Singaporeans.

It would be a testament to Mr Mah's abilities and fitness to become the future PM of Singapore if he can win this contest on his own without having to resort to some of the heavy handed tactics that the PAP has used in the past for election hotspots.

 

[scroobal]

Agree. Good points.

Nice bit of analysis.

I concur that at this point, Teo is probably the front runner. NEH and Viv are ambitious but they do not yet have the experience or exposure (IMHO) to be serious contenders. Depending on how they perform, that might of course change after the upcoming election.

Singapore has come to the point where you cannot have a PM who is simply appointed by the PAP party elders. That person needs to demonstrate that he (sorry , no women contenders at this point) is able to connect and carry the ground.

For this reason, Ministers that rise to the challenge and decisively defeat a serious opposition challenge will see their political capital increase tremendously.

Conversely if you come in via the backdoor (ie. uncontested GRC), then you are most likely to lose influence.

Assuming that they beat back their opposition challengers decisively, the front runners for PM Lee's hot seat would be

1) KBW
2) MBT
3) Teo (likely to be unchallenged)

 

[kingrant]

My view is that other than seniority, MBT does not have the gravitas to take on the PM post. He'll only draw more flak to the PAP after debacles in transport and HDB issues. He might even undermine PAP's standing for future elections. Don't think Singaporeans have forgotten abt that O and A levels comparison. People have long memory and will spite Mah to get back at the PAP. Nope, not PM material. Somehow I dont think he has got the DNA.

Nice bit of analysis.

I concur that at this point, Teo is probably the front runner. NEH and Viv are ambitious but they do not yet have the experience or exposure (IMHO) to be serious contenders. Depending on how they perform, that might of course change after the upcoming election.

Singapore has come to the point where you cannot have a PM who is simply appointed by the PAP party elders. That person needs to demonstrate that he (sorry , no women contenders at this point) is able to connect and carry the ground.

For this reason, Ministers that rise to the challenge and decisively defeat a serious opposition challenge will see their political capital increase tremendously.

Conversely if you come in via the backdoor (ie. uncontested GRC), then you are most likely to lose influence.

Assuming that they beat back their opposition challengers decisively, the front runners for PM Lee's hot seat would be

1) KBW
2) MBT
3) Teo (likely to be unchallenged)

 

[Sideswipe]

Nice bit of analysis.

Singapore has come to the point where you cannot have a PM who is simply appointed by the PAP party elders. That person needs to demonstrate that he (sorry , no women contenders at this point) is able to connect and carry the ground.

For this reason, Ministers that rise to the challenge and decisively defeat a serious opposition challenge will see their political capital increase tremendously.

Conversely if you come in via the backdoor (ie. uncontested GRC), then you are most likely to lose influence.

Singapore is parliamentary cabinet system. The PM is elected by the party, not the majority of Singaporeans.

The PM could be the most popular MP in the party, otherwise the most scheming that can manipulate the party, form alliances among the different power factions to get himself elected as PM.

The best person whom we think might not want or get to be PM.

 

[commoner]

after lky, the next in line was tony tan,,,,

in a yahoo polls sometime back, george yeo garner more votes than the pinkie ass

 

[aurvandil]

after lky, the next in line was tony tan,,,,

in a yahoo polls sometime back, george yeo garner more votes than the pinkie ass

George Yeo as you will recall fought in the election hotspot of Aljunied. He took on the WP team of Sylvia Lim, Goh Meng Seng and James Gomez. There were very heavy handed tactics used including a bizzare form filling incident that somehow became a key campaign issue.

The rise of George Yeo shows how a hotly contested election will raise the political capital of a PAP Minister. From a relative lightweight, George Yeo leapfrogged over many of his peers. George Yeo's rise was hampered by those heavy handed tactics used in the ALjunied campaign. I believe that if it had been gentlemanly contest and George Yeo was able to carry the ground by himself, his political capital within the PAP structure would make him the number 1 pre-election contender for PM Lee's job.

How George Yeo will do post election will depend on whether he gets to fight a credible election opponent this time round. After two scares, there is strong speculation that Aljunied will be redrawn and merged with other "safer" consituiencies. If this happens, George Yeo will probably fade back to become just another obscure PAP Minister with no serious chance to become PM.