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Latest : Stoke Heng relinquishing PM post
- Thread starter Balls2U
- Start date
Obviously the party leaderships think he is unsuitable (due to his performance lately ) or they found someone better or more likely both
His performance during GE20 could also dent his standings amongst party cadres as his presences didn't in anyway help PAP EC team.
Not many Singaporeans desire to work in India.
If the SG negotiators do not realize that, they should first ask themselves, will they go to work in India?
One of my Indian Singaporean friends told me that he tried to work there, but he does enjoy working there, and he does not trust those individuals and professionals.
So, based on what I heard, CECA should not have been negotiated, and should not have been signed.
One other major issue is that SG is about 5 million whereas India is close to one billion
If the SG negotiators do not realize that, they should first ask themselves, will they go to work in India?
One of my Indian Singaporean friends told me that he tried to work there, but he does enjoy working there, and he does not trust those individuals and professionals.
So, based on what I heard, CECA should not have been negotiated, and should not have been signed.
One other major issue is that SG is about 5 million whereas India is close to one billion
The directory-like list of ministers and MPs who support the delay in announcing the next leader
simply reflects that there is NO leader. Real leaders step up to the plate, and "demand" for the
job. Look at the way that leaders in UK stepped up when David Cameron, Theresa May stepped
down. There were enough passionate members in the party to fight to lead.
Here in Sinkie land, the "leaders" want the prestige, the pay, and the glory - but not to take the
lead. Pathetic.
simply reflects that there is NO leader. Real leaders step up to the plate, and "demand" for the
job. Look at the way that leaders in UK stepped up when David Cameron, Theresa May stepped
down. There were enough passionate members in the party to fight to lead.
Here in Sinkie land, the "leaders" want the prestige, the pay, and the glory - but not to take the
lead. Pathetic.
I think his performance at GE20 is a red herring. granted he was given a poisoned chalice in the ECPlan, he managed to pull off a credible win given the drastic decline in PAP overall vote share. Look at how close West Coast was, and they were probably expecting similar at East Coast.
There is probably truth to his claim of a short runway after becoming PM. It wouldn't be good for our stability to have a one term PM. An easily avoidable issue if LHL just stepped aside within a year.
So seems like the cards were deliberately stacked against Heng, and he did the unexpected which was to fold his hand.
Bra-fucking-Vo. Good job Sweat, you did the right thing. Proud of you.
LHL could have handed over to Heng, within one year of the last General Elections.
Unfortunately, there was COVID.
But for Heng's personal goals and health, I believe that he made the right decision to step aside, and I hope that he retired just before the next GE.
He should not have accepted the appointment as First Assistant Sec Gen.
Unfortunately, there was COVID.
But for Heng's personal goals and health, I believe that he made the right decision to step aside, and I hope that he retired just before the next GE.
He should not have accepted the appointment as First Assistant Sec Gen.
that would be ideal if we were indeed a mature, functioning westminster parliamentary democracy. but we are not. there are levers of power beyond the realm of the electorate that interfere in the work of government.
the seat of PM goes to the most obedient, not the most capable.
PAP's failed succession plan; Is there more that meets the eye? - The Online Citizen Asia
by Joseph Nathan
It must be hard for Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat to announce that he is not going to be Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s successor.
At GE2020, Singaporeans were as surprised as Heng on Nomination Day when he was moved from Tampines GRC to East Coast GRC.
By then, it was clear to him that his days in People’s Action Party (PAP) were numbered.
Heng is a typical public servant, one who will work diligently and stay out of trouble type. He was simply too honest and competent to be just another “soulless” politician for the 4G (4th Generation) PAP.
On matters of economic, finance and public policy, it is clear that Heng is competent, unlike many of his 4G PAP politicians, who are outright incompetent and arrogant. Nobody in their right mind will argue otherwise.
As such, Singaporeans were generally not sold when Heng tried using his age as an excuse to justify why he is stepping down.
This and other justifications by the PAP can be seen as a “managed” public relation exercise at best and begets the question, why?
Did he simply get tired of waiting for Lee to step down or has he lost faith in his 4G peers and their politicking?
A Divided PAP:
Until Lee step down and hand over his premiership, there will be some degree of power struggle within the PAP, and with unlimited access of money, internal politicking within the current 4G PAP is to be expected.
Using a broad stroke, the 4G PAP can be divided between the ex-generals at one end and those from the private and public sectors at the other end, with a few strays in the middle.
Heng is obviously at the opposite end to the ex-generals.
If competent politicians like Heng are busy working to earn their keeps, one does wonder what will be the main preoccupation of those incompetent politicians.
Concerned Singaporeans have already initiated petitions against Chan Chun Sing, an ex-general, as they do not see him fit to be the replacement for Heng.
Chan is looking like he may just be the most hated politician of the 4G PAP, and based on the endless comments online, there are several valid reasons raised that Lee ought to consider seriously if he values honest feedbacks from concerned Singaporeans.
More Than Meets The Eye?
When Heng claimed that he will not take on any job if he cannot do it well, it opens up the probability that there may be some “undue” constraints than meet the eye, and his stepping down may be his way of adverting any failure on his part to do what is right and good for Singapore.
Is that why Heng is relinquishing his portfolio as Finance Minister because he think his recent budget could be more pro-Singaporean rather than pro-GLCs?
Successor Of Successor:
In itself, such a scenario has low traction but when the sudden talk of a need to have a longer runway, and his excuse of age is to be reinterpreted, then these statements collectively may be a hint that Lee may be already grooming someone much younger to be the successor of his successor.
If so, then the immediate successor to Lee may just be an interim maneuver to prepare the stage for someone who Lee thinks is going to lead Singapore into greater greatness, just like his father, the late Lee Kuan Yew.
Is this even remotely possible?
If so, then this “successor of successor” must be someone with exceptional intelligence and must have greatly impressed Lee.
If there is indeed such a great talent concealed within the PAP, then this person is most probably in his thirties or near forty.
I use “his” as PAP is too conservative a party to be pushing for a female prime minister now or in the foreseeable future.
That means none of the hopefuls currently in waiting to succeed Heng, could be this highly prized successor of Lee.
So who could this be?
If the stage is indeed being set for the possibility of such a “successor of successor”, then Lee is likely to pick a weak immediate successor for obvious reasons.
If this remote possibility should come true, then Lee may just ignore the petitions of concerned Singaporeans and pick Chan instead as his immediate successor so that this future successor will have a much easier time when he finally takes over from Chan.
But if all these were to be even remotely possible, then Lee must be applauded for being shrewd enough to be strategising such an elaborate plan that literally kills two birds with one stone.
If true, then it is obvious that Lee has been pretty busy putting together a new game plan for the next General Election and is confident about winning big.
Otherwise, all such painstaking efforts of his may just go to waste if he falters at the next GE.
Reality Check – More Pressing Matters At Hand:
Whatever the reason that prompted Heng to resign or however great a succession plan Lee may have, l hope he and the many hopeful “premier-in-waiting” have not forgotten that Singapore is still caught in a precarious economic crisis.
Singapore and Singaporeans are too hard-pressed socially and economically to be overly concerned about PAP’s failed succession plan or who is going to succeed Heng as ultimately, only Lee, and Lee alone, gets to decide on that.
As such, Lee and his 4G politicians should set aside any grand plan for now and dedicate all of their efforts and resources to help Singapore forward if they still believe that Singaporeans deserve better…
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by Joseph Nathan
It must be hard for Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat to announce that he is not going to be Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s successor.
At GE2020, Singaporeans were as surprised as Heng on Nomination Day when he was moved from Tampines GRC to East Coast GRC.
By then, it was clear to him that his days in People’s Action Party (PAP) were numbered.
Heng is a typical public servant, one who will work diligently and stay out of trouble type. He was simply too honest and competent to be just another “soulless” politician for the 4G (4th Generation) PAP.
On matters of economic, finance and public policy, it is clear that Heng is competent, unlike many of his 4G PAP politicians, who are outright incompetent and arrogant. Nobody in their right mind will argue otherwise.
As such, Singaporeans were generally not sold when Heng tried using his age as an excuse to justify why he is stepping down.
This and other justifications by the PAP can be seen as a “managed” public relation exercise at best and begets the question, why?
Did he simply get tired of waiting for Lee to step down or has he lost faith in his 4G peers and their politicking?
A Divided PAP:
Until Lee step down and hand over his premiership, there will be some degree of power struggle within the PAP, and with unlimited access of money, internal politicking within the current 4G PAP is to be expected.
Using a broad stroke, the 4G PAP can be divided between the ex-generals at one end and those from the private and public sectors at the other end, with a few strays in the middle.
Heng is obviously at the opposite end to the ex-generals.
If competent politicians like Heng are busy working to earn their keeps, one does wonder what will be the main preoccupation of those incompetent politicians.
Concerned Singaporeans have already initiated petitions against Chan Chun Sing, an ex-general, as they do not see him fit to be the replacement for Heng.
Chan is looking like he may just be the most hated politician of the 4G PAP, and based on the endless comments online, there are several valid reasons raised that Lee ought to consider seriously if he values honest feedbacks from concerned Singaporeans.
More Than Meets The Eye?
When Heng claimed that he will not take on any job if he cannot do it well, it opens up the probability that there may be some “undue” constraints than meet the eye, and his stepping down may be his way of adverting any failure on his part to do what is right and good for Singapore.
Is that why Heng is relinquishing his portfolio as Finance Minister because he think his recent budget could be more pro-Singaporean rather than pro-GLCs?
Successor Of Successor:
In itself, such a scenario has low traction but when the sudden talk of a need to have a longer runway, and his excuse of age is to be reinterpreted, then these statements collectively may be a hint that Lee may be already grooming someone much younger to be the successor of his successor.
If so, then the immediate successor to Lee may just be an interim maneuver to prepare the stage for someone who Lee thinks is going to lead Singapore into greater greatness, just like his father, the late Lee Kuan Yew.
Is this even remotely possible?
If so, then this “successor of successor” must be someone with exceptional intelligence and must have greatly impressed Lee.
If there is indeed such a great talent concealed within the PAP, then this person is most probably in his thirties or near forty.
I use “his” as PAP is too conservative a party to be pushing for a female prime minister now or in the foreseeable future.
That means none of the hopefuls currently in waiting to succeed Heng, could be this highly prized successor of Lee.
So who could this be?
If the stage is indeed being set for the possibility of such a “successor of successor”, then Lee is likely to pick a weak immediate successor for obvious reasons.
If this remote possibility should come true, then Lee may just ignore the petitions of concerned Singaporeans and pick Chan instead as his immediate successor so that this future successor will have a much easier time when he finally takes over from Chan.
But if all these were to be even remotely possible, then Lee must be applauded for being shrewd enough to be strategising such an elaborate plan that literally kills two birds with one stone.
If true, then it is obvious that Lee has been pretty busy putting together a new game plan for the next General Election and is confident about winning big.
Otherwise, all such painstaking efforts of his may just go to waste if he falters at the next GE.
Reality Check – More Pressing Matters At Hand:
Whatever the reason that prompted Heng to resign or however great a succession plan Lee may have, l hope he and the many hopeful “premier-in-waiting” have not forgotten that Singapore is still caught in a precarious economic crisis.
Singapore and Singaporeans are too hard-pressed socially and economically to be overly concerned about PAP’s failed succession plan or who is going to succeed Heng as ultimately, only Lee, and Lee alone, gets to decide on that.
As such, Lee and his 4G politicians should set aside any grand plan for now and dedicate all of their efforts and resources to help Singapore forward if they still believe that Singaporeans deserve better…
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Theindependent
He isn't surprised Heng is no longer in the running
Composite Image: YouTube screengrabs - Lee Hsien Yang, Heng Swee Keat
Author
- Advertisement -
Singapore — Mr Lee Hsien Yang is not surprised Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has ruled himself out of the running to be the next Prime Minister by stepping aside as the leader of the fourth-generation People’s Action Party (PAP) leadership team.
In an exclusive interview with TISG, Mr Lee, the younger brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said: “I am not at all surprised that Heng Swee Keat is no longer in the running though his stepping back now is shocking”.
His comments come after an announcement by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng on Thursday (Apr 8) evening to step aside “so that a younger leader who will have a longer runway can take over”. Mr Heng, who will be turning 60 this year, will remain as Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies but will step down as Minister of Finance at the next Cabinet reshuffle, which will take place in about two weeks.
Meanwhile, speculation was rife on Friday (Apr 9) on who would replace PM Lee as Prime Minister. The Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Education Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing and even Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam were among the leaders mentioned.
There were many online polls asking Singaporeans who they thought would be PM Lee’s successor. We showed them to the younger Mr Lee and asked for his opinion on who the next Prime Minister should be, and who it would likely be.
He said: “Who the next PM will be is unfortunately going to be decided by a few party insiders, and not by the people of Singapore”.
- Advertisement -
It was announced on Thursday (Apr 8) that the Acting Prime Minister in PM Lee’s absence will be Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. /TISG
He isn't surprised Heng is no longer in the running
Composite Image: YouTube screengrabs - Lee Hsien Yang, Heng Swee Keat
Author
- Advertisement -
Singapore — Mr Lee Hsien Yang is not surprised Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat has ruled himself out of the running to be the next Prime Minister by stepping aside as the leader of the fourth-generation People’s Action Party (PAP) leadership team.
In an exclusive interview with TISG, Mr Lee, the younger brother of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, said: “I am not at all surprised that Heng Swee Keat is no longer in the running though his stepping back now is shocking”.
His comments come after an announcement by Deputy Prime Minister (DPM) Heng on Thursday (Apr 8) evening to step aside “so that a younger leader who will have a longer runway can take over”. Mr Heng, who will be turning 60 this year, will remain as Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies but will step down as Minister of Finance at the next Cabinet reshuffle, which will take place in about two weeks.
Meanwhile, speculation was rife on Friday (Apr 9) on who would replace PM Lee as Prime Minister. The Speaker of Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin, Minister for Education Lawrence Wong, Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, Minister for Transport Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing and even Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam were among the leaders mentioned.
There were many online polls asking Singaporeans who they thought would be PM Lee’s successor. We showed them to the younger Mr Lee and asked for his opinion on who the next Prime Minister should be, and who it would likely be.
He said: “Who the next PM will be is unfortunately going to be decided by a few party insiders, and not by the people of Singapore”.
- Advertisement -
It was announced on Thursday (Apr 8) that the Acting Prime Minister in PM Lee’s absence will be Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean. /TISG
Madhatter is no angel himself, he was kick out of his Premiership.
KNN needless the say KNN when hk triad Hong Heng shuin chor goon is also leecided by the sok fu KNN
There's a kind of weird situation here. PAP leaders can force CCS down the throat of sinkies.
But they cannot be forced to swallow him - they can choose to vote him out in whatever his
constituency may be. HSK is generally seen to be a nice decent politician, albeit a fumbling one.
He got through narrowly in East Coast. Will CCS be repulsive enough to "teach" him a lesson?
They did it to George Yeo.
But they cannot be forced to swallow him - they can choose to vote him out in whatever his
constituency may be. HSK is generally seen to be a nice decent politician, albeit a fumbling one.
He got through narrowly in East Coast. Will CCS be repulsive enough to "teach" him a lesson?
They did it to George Yeo.
Heng Swee Keat too old at 60 to be PM but PM Lee, pushing 70 is not too old to stay on indefinitely? - The Online Citizen Asia
by Ghui
10/04/2021
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Deputy Prime Minister and touted successor for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (PM Lee), Heng Swee Keat (Mr Heng) has announced on Thursday (8 Apr) that he would not be running for the role of Prime Minister. He also said that he would be relinquishing his role as Finance Minister due to his age and fear that he cannot fulfil the exceptional demand of the job.
In a letter to PM Lee, Mr Heng, who turns 60 this year, noted that he would have “too short of a runway” to become the next Prime Minister as he would be in his mid-60s when the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
Given that PM Lee who is pushing 70 has recently indicated that he would not be retiring as planned because of the Covid-19 pandemic, how does Mr Heng’s reasoning stack up?
If Mr Heng is too old to be Prime Minister at 60, isn’t PM Lee way too old not to retire as Prime Minister? After all, why is Mr Heng too old when PM Lee, who is a decade older not deemed too old? It doesn’t make for logical reading.
Mr Heng went on to say that the Government had requested for PM Lee to “stay on as Prime Minister until such time when a new successor is chosen by the team and is ready to take over” and is “grateful that PM Lee has agreed” to the request.
Again, this does not make sense. Singapore has long groomed future successors of power for years. Now that there appears to be a succession lacuna, how many more years will it take before we have a clear successor? Does it mean that PM Lee will continue to be Prime Minister for an indefinite period of time? How old will he then be when he finally decides to retire?
Speaking at the same press conference, Mr Heng said: “Singapore politics is not about self but what is good for Singapore, and I have been constantly thinking of what is in the best interest of Singapore and Singaporeans.”
In other words, Mr Heng is saying that he is resigning for the best interests of Singapore because he is too old. But if his age is not for the benefit of Singapore, how is asking PM Lee, who is 10 years older to stay on indefinitely going to benefit Singapore? The mind boggles!
Mr Heng’s reasoning is that he would have been happy to take on the Prime Ministerialship but for the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This year, I am 60. As the crisis will be prolonged, I would be close to the mid-60s when the crisis is over. The 60s are still a very productive time of life. But when I consider the ages at which our first three prime ministers took on the job, I would have too short a runway should I become the next prime minister then. We need a leader who will not only rebuild Singapore post-Covid-19 but also lead the next phase of our nation-building effort.”
However, how does he know how long the Covid-19 pandemic would last?
Besides, isn’t experience learnt during a time of great global upheaval rich learning ground that will help him as Prime Minister? It just doesn’t add up that he is quitting because he feels he will be too old as a result of when the pandemic would end.
In addition, what is the point of letting PM Lee (who is supposed to be an ongoing Prime Minister) continue in the reins as Prime Minister when another could well benefit from the rigorous training that the pandemic brings?
In the first place, why was PM Lee’s retirement even postponed? While the pandemic was cited as a reason, it still doesn’t make sense. It is not as if any of our past Prime Ministers ever faded into the sunset after they stopped being Prime Minister.
The late Mr Lee Kuan Yew took on the role of Emeritus Senior and then Minister Mentor while former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong became Emeritus Senior Minister after he stopped being Prime Minister. Each of these roles meant that they were still in Government and able to offer advice and guidance. Why couldn’t PM Lee hand over the reins and offer advice, support and guidance in the same way Goh Chok Tong and Lee Kuan Yew did?
At the same press conference, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said that clear succession planning, policy coherence and consistency have been the hallmarks of Singapore’s system, and have also put the country in good stead to attract long-term investments.
However, where is the clarity and consistency here with Mr Heng’s sudden resignation and on such flimsy reasons?
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by Ghui
10/04/2021
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Deputy Prime Minister and touted successor for Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong (PM Lee), Heng Swee Keat (Mr Heng) has announced on Thursday (8 Apr) that he would not be running for the role of Prime Minister. He also said that he would be relinquishing his role as Finance Minister due to his age and fear that he cannot fulfil the exceptional demand of the job.
In a letter to PM Lee, Mr Heng, who turns 60 this year, noted that he would have “too short of a runway” to become the next Prime Minister as he would be in his mid-60s when the COVID-19 pandemic is over.
Given that PM Lee who is pushing 70 has recently indicated that he would not be retiring as planned because of the Covid-19 pandemic, how does Mr Heng’s reasoning stack up?
If Mr Heng is too old to be Prime Minister at 60, isn’t PM Lee way too old not to retire as Prime Minister? After all, why is Mr Heng too old when PM Lee, who is a decade older not deemed too old? It doesn’t make for logical reading.
Mr Heng went on to say that the Government had requested for PM Lee to “stay on as Prime Minister until such time when a new successor is chosen by the team and is ready to take over” and is “grateful that PM Lee has agreed” to the request.
Again, this does not make sense. Singapore has long groomed future successors of power for years. Now that there appears to be a succession lacuna, how many more years will it take before we have a clear successor? Does it mean that PM Lee will continue to be Prime Minister for an indefinite period of time? How old will he then be when he finally decides to retire?
Speaking at the same press conference, Mr Heng said: “Singapore politics is not about self but what is good for Singapore, and I have been constantly thinking of what is in the best interest of Singapore and Singaporeans.”
In other words, Mr Heng is saying that he is resigning for the best interests of Singapore because he is too old. But if his age is not for the benefit of Singapore, how is asking PM Lee, who is 10 years older to stay on indefinitely going to benefit Singapore? The mind boggles!
Mr Heng’s reasoning is that he would have been happy to take on the Prime Ministerialship but for the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This year, I am 60. As the crisis will be prolonged, I would be close to the mid-60s when the crisis is over. The 60s are still a very productive time of life. But when I consider the ages at which our first three prime ministers took on the job, I would have too short a runway should I become the next prime minister then. We need a leader who will not only rebuild Singapore post-Covid-19 but also lead the next phase of our nation-building effort.”
However, how does he know how long the Covid-19 pandemic would last?
Besides, isn’t experience learnt during a time of great global upheaval rich learning ground that will help him as Prime Minister? It just doesn’t add up that he is quitting because he feels he will be too old as a result of when the pandemic would end.
In addition, what is the point of letting PM Lee (who is supposed to be an ongoing Prime Minister) continue in the reins as Prime Minister when another could well benefit from the rigorous training that the pandemic brings?
In the first place, why was PM Lee’s retirement even postponed? While the pandemic was cited as a reason, it still doesn’t make sense. It is not as if any of our past Prime Ministers ever faded into the sunset after they stopped being Prime Minister.
The late Mr Lee Kuan Yew took on the role of Emeritus Senior and then Minister Mentor while former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong became Emeritus Senior Minister after he stopped being Prime Minister. Each of these roles meant that they were still in Government and able to offer advice and guidance. Why couldn’t PM Lee hand over the reins and offer advice, support and guidance in the same way Goh Chok Tong and Lee Kuan Yew did?
At the same press conference, Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing said that clear succession planning, policy coherence and consistency have been the hallmarks of Singapore’s system, and have also put the country in good stead to attract long-term investments.
However, where is the clarity and consistency here with Mr Heng’s sudden resignation and on such flimsy reasons?
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LHL is no better. Quite frankly, Sinkies have been accustomed to a crappy PM since 2004, not sure why there's a fuss over HSK or CCS now.
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