Reporting on the Great Leader is a dangerous business

[SNAblog]

http://us.asiancorrespondent.com/the-asia-file/reporting-on-the-great-leader-is-a-dangerous-business

Asian Correspondent, Jan. 01 2010 - 09:41 pm

Reporting on the Great Leader is a dangerous business - Ben Bland

In Singapore, as in any authoritarian state, the task of reporting the utterances of the Great Leader is a perilous one for any journalist.

You need only look at the case of Val Chua, a former reporter at Singapore freesheet Today, to understand how risky it can be.

Chua innocently reported some negative comments made by Lee Kuan Yew about the NHS when his wife had a stroke in London in 2003. The comments sparked a minor political row between Singapore and the UK and Today and Chua were ultimately made to carry the can (thankfully for Chua, she seems to have bounced back in her new career in PR and she now heads up the communications team at the Marina Bay Sands casino).

It is, therefore, no surprise that when presented with the bountiful journalistic gifts contained in the transcript of Lee’s interview with National Geographic, Channel News Asia, which is 100 percent owned by Singapore sovereign wealth fund Temasek, decided to play it safe.

CNA’s news story, headlined “Social cohesion key to keeping Singapore going: MM Lee”, makes no mention of Lee’s comments about lazy animal-like Singaporeans needing to feel “the spurs in their hide”. (hat-tip to Temasek Review)

While CNA has predictably opted to censor its story, more amusingly, it has also decided to censor Lee Kuan Yew.

Even though the government has released a perfectly-decent transcript of the interview, CNA chose to make its own version, that has been subtly edited.

What they’ve left in is almost as revealing as what they’ve left out.

Lee’s crypto-racist paranoia about Malays/Muslims is obviously considered fit for public consumption as are his comments about the quality of porn on the internet.

But CNA appears to have cut the section where Lee reveals that he won’t go to hawker centres any more for fear that ordinary Singaporeans might dare to shake his mighty hand.

I thought this was one of the more revealing comments in the whole interview as it not only shows his disdain for his own people but casts doubt on his appetite to “fight” for his parliamentary seat at the next election.

For deprived CNA readers, here are the comments in full:

"I can’t go anymore because so many people want to shake my hands and I become a distraction, I can’t really get down to my food. I tend to go to restaurants when I go out and I try restaurants with a quiet corner where I can sneak in and sneak out with my friends and not have a crowd wanting to shake hands with me."

Like all the state-owned media outlets in Singapore, Channel News Asia is routinely asked by government officials to alter/remove stories that are deemed “inaccurate” so it is no wonder that its oft-harangued hacks are trying to stay ahead of the game.

In many ways, they have acted with extreme courage by daring to edit Lee Kuan Yew’s comments. Not many people would risk his wrath by deigning to tell him what he should or shouldn’t say.

 

[scroobal]

Looks like Ben Bland has been dropping quite often. As the vets in this forum would know, the first concise and accurate details of the Val Chua affair came out first in SBF from one forummer associated with the advertising industry and contacts with mediacorp.

The other scoop was the sacking of Mano Sabnani and the for the first time, SBF was receiving blow by blow account from Today's Press Room as Shaun was making the annoucement.

Here is a tip - no journalist foreign or otherwise has ever reported on the People's Association and its main function of keeping the PAP hegemony intact. PA is the closest thing to the "Matrix". Contrary to popular belief PAP membership body is not a cohesive body to act in one direction. It emulates a cell structure and heavily siloed. In fact politics of the day is not permitted within the PAP general body. It essentially is an administrative structure to hold a fan base together. A fan base which has no voting rights to make a change. Th cardinals in the CEC chose the Pope and the Pope chooses the cardinal and the majority of cardinals did not come from PAP. They were invited to be part of the government, party membership was an after-thought. The actual work of putting up and renewing the beams and struts for the regime occur in PA. Old Man is an intellectual snob and has little time and no respect for fawning fans with penchant for giving him 2 eggs but no intellectual nourishment. That work is done by sharp minds paid for by the taxpayers.

Go for the "Matrix" and you will find the answers.

 

[Privpho]

On which basis and criteria are 'cardinals' invited to be part of the government?

 

[scroobal]

These are the leaders who will form the cabinet. Scholars, potential captains of industry, academics. 95% are not PAP members. Once selected at the tea Party, they will be asked to join the PAP to begin grassroots work before the GE. Token cardinal seats are kept for the Cadres and membership.

It was conceived by Toh Chin Chye (to his eternal regret) to fight the communist elements within the PAP. It was modelled on the vatican. The current Pope is an excellent example as he was chosen by cardinals who he recommended as the confidant of the long time ailing previous Pope.

On which basis and criteria are 'cardinals' invited to be part of the government?

 

[elephanto]

People's Association ?

Started under & always belong under Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

LKY unabashedly admit in his memoirs - PA started to

(a) counter Barisan's strong grassroots support

(b) as a vehicle to accomodate prevailing mentality of kampong chiefs then.
They face retaliation from Barisan supporters if they support PAP, but to their colonial thinking, it's alright if they are cooperating with 'authority' - i.e. the Govt. PA, Community Centre, equates with Garment.

As we all know, Garment all these years formed by PAP - so Garmen = PAP = PA = NTUC. It's called 'Symbiosis' mah !

I am not very familiar with Matrix - thought it is some sci-fi hemmed by handsome Keanu Reeves.

 

[Privpho]

These are the leaders who will form the cabinet. Scholars, potential captains of industry, academics. 95% are not PAP members. Once selected at the tea Party, they will be asked to join the PAP to begin grassroots work before the GE. Token cardinal seats are kept for the Cadres and membership.

Interesting. But with so many scholars, potential captains of industry, and academics out there, how do they select and invite candidates for their tea party? And is there an entity responsible for sourcing candidates?

 

[scroobal]

Shortlist is by recommendations from a variety of sources including private individuals. It can even be a single event where the candidate was seen giving a speech, taking part in a discussion and someone realised his potential and put forward the recommendation. Ho Peng Kee gave a speech one day to a group of students and veteran MP Ng Kar Ting happened to be there visiting his daughters. Jayakumar who has the political acumen of a cucumber and the social presence of a beetroot was recommended by Tommy Koh despite deep doubts by old man. Both Ho and Jayakumar were from Law Faculty and from different times but it tells you how an off chance works. Both men had no interest in politics. Interestingly the more politically keen ones in the faculty were not called up

Then you have the entire OMS scholars who are immediately in the box for selection. Their appraisals will start the process of elimination. History again shows that the politically keen ones never make it. This coming elections, one political animal might make it - the ex CJ's daughter.

Lim Kim San was for decades the chief selector or Tea Master. Old Man defers to him on this.

Token seats are based on factional strength. The Chinese Teachers Union is the strongest for its size - payback for their stand against the communist. NTUC are given seats but by itself it has no power, its the government playing wayang and giving the impression that workers have made their choice. The candidate for NTUC is usually picked first and then placed in NTUC. The same wayang when OTC ran for President as NTUC choice. Devan Nair used to boast publicly when he was NTUC Sec Gen that any speech given by him would be front page news and will have precedence over all other politician except old man and he was right. Wayang to give the workers the impression that their union was strong. And SPH followed the directives.

For the 2006GE, the Malay candidate is either selected or endorsed by the leaders of the Malay community as a result of the 2000 AMP vs Govt crisis. It explains why we have a Malay Minister of State who has a wispy beard. Something that old man and anyone would have tolerated as it delves into uncharted waters of religion.

Interesting. But with so many scholars, potential captains of industry, and academics out there, how do they select and invite candidates for their tea party? And is there an entity responsible for sourcing candidates?

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Scro

Several points of note, the tea party is only the first step, but many pre reject themselves by turning down the tea party. or even after passing all the hoops post tea party reject at the last moment.

Chan Heng Chee noted in a piece the prevalence of SAF Mindef Scholars in those selected to be ministers, in particular GY LHL and TCH. That trend continued into the nineties, though somewhat in the late 2000s they started expanding aggressively past the traditional SAF Scholar Pool into the wider civil service scholar pool.

KBW and Tharman were two notable recruits as was Li Yi Shyan. The current CEO of JTC was on the short list and if not for her husband would have I believe made it and HSK whom I believed turn it down flat.

It is interesting that they have not been able to get another guy with substantial private sector experience for the last twenty years who has lasted or who has been another Richard Hsu and promoted to something substantive. Note Private Sector versus GLC or system born and bred.


Locke

 

[elephanto]

Years ago, I remember in the old forum we speculate on people like Koh Boon Hwee, Ho Kwong Ping, Peter Seah, Fock Siew Wah .... people who have made it in the private sector who may actually deserve their tip-top remuneration.

I am sure over the years, these guys have contemplated their navels enough to realise
(1) they are not cut out for public service (or prostitution their soul)
or
(2) Timing not right

so they remain unencumbered maybe until the passing of the Great Banyan Tree.

Along the way, of course they proferred engagement with authority as much as possible as it is in their interest to do so.

On second thoughts, I think once you have passed your spring of idealism, the 'Make A Difference' fire will most likely to doused.

I don't think we will hear more from the above gentlemen.

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Elphanto

To be fair we are looking at private sector private sector and not private sector senior counsel legal



Locke

 

[elephanto]

Dear Elphanto
To be fair we are looking at private sector private sector and not private sector senior counsel legal
Locke

Dear Locke, sorry I lost you here. I thought Koh, ex-HP MD, Peter Seah & Fock ex-OUB & Ho (Banyan) fitted your bill of Elites in non-GLC Private Sector ?

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Elphanto

Being a bit of a lawyer and narrowing my thoughts as K Shamugan would have qualified as private sector :_)) private sector or for that matter Ng Eng Hen, private sector medical :_))



Locke

 

[elephanto]

Shortlist is by recommendations from a variety of sources including private individuals. ...... Interestingly the more politically keen ones in the faculty were not called up

True, probably due to historical baggage, politics as public service is the only acceptable reason - anyone who appear ambitious are suspect & discarded.

I thought once upon a time, A/Prof Augustine Tan (ex-Whampo MP) was once a promising academic who has aspirations - he ultimately become just an eloquent backbencher. And so Woody Goh came on the scene....

Yong I-Ning, the ex-IDA head & the other one, what's-her-name youngest female superscale or something like that, I am sure there are the latest in the line of establishment scholars.

 

[elephanto]

It is interesting that they have not been able to get another guy with substantial private sector experience for the last twenty years who has lasted or who has been another Richard Hsu and promoted to something substantive. Note Private Sector versus GLC or system born and bred.
Locke

There is too much of the talent from public service types - an in-bred concern shared by PAP's top leadership as well.

Richard Hu made an impact for me - his successor Peter Chen, I don't know why, disappeared so fast & exited the political arena quickly. I wonder why.

Genuine private sector vs System Born & Bred - hmmmm......

Alex Au's article http://yawningbread.wordpress.com/2...e-long-run-they-may-not-matter-at-all-part-3/ discusses similar matters.

I agree with his premise that LHL's potential successor must come either from existing colleagues (Teo CH / Ng EH / VB ) or the new faces in the coming GE which would have served 7-8 years by the time LHL retires by age 65 (assuming he does). The new bird - if there can be one natural leader emerging among his peers - may be made DPM while Teo or those close to LHL's age group serve as interim PM for maybe one term - readying the new face to be the genuine 4th Generation Prime Minister.

 

[Charlie9]

Re: CEO of JTC

Dear Scro

Several points of note, the tea party is only the first step, but many pre reject themselves by turning down the tea party. or even after passing all the hoops post tea party reject at the last moment.

Chan Heng Chee noted in a piece the prevalence of SAF Mindef Scholars in those selected to be ministers, in particular GY LHL and TCH. That trend continued into the nineties, though somewhat in the late 2000s they started expanding aggressively past the traditional SAF Scholar Pool into the wider civil service scholar pool.

KBW and Tharman were two notable recruits as was Li Yi Shyan. The current CEO of JTC was on the short list and if not for her husband would have I believe made it and HSK whom I believed turn it down flat.

It is interesting that they have not been able to get another guy with substantial private sector experience for the last twenty years who has lasted or who has been another Richard Hsu and promoted to something substantive. Note Private Sector versus GLC or system born and bred.

Locke

Mr Manohar Khiatani was appointed Chief Executive Officer of JTC Corporation (JTC) on 1 October 2009. JTC is the Government's lead agency to plan, promote and develop key industrial infrastructure and facilities, in support of the nation's economic development.

Prior to joining JTC, Mr Khiatani was the Deputy Managing Director at the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB). Mr Khiatani joined the EDB in 1986 where he played an instrumental role in the development and transformation of important sectors in Singapore's economy such as electronics, transport engineering, precision engineering, logistics, infocomms and media, and clean technology. He was also in charge of EDB's operations in the Americas and Europe.

Between 1994 and 1999, Mr Khiatani worked in the private sector when he was the Managing Director of Preussag SEA, a diversified German conglomerate.

Mr Khiatani, a Singapore Government Scholar, holds a Masters Degree (Naval Architecture) from the University of Hamburg, Germany. He also attended the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School in 2006.

 

[Charlie9]

Re: CEO of JTC

New CEO for JTC Corporation

Tue, Sep 08, 2009
AsiaOne

Mr Manohar Khiatani will be appointed as Chief Executive Officer of JTC Corporation (JTC) from October 1 this year.

Mr Khiatani is currently the Deputy Managing Director of the Economic Development Board (EDB). He will take over from Mrs Ow Foong Pheng, who will be appointed as Second Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Trade and Industry on the same date.

Mrs Ow has been CEO of JTC Corporation since August 2006. She spearheaded the divestment of JTC's high-rise ready-built properties to Mapletree Investments Pte Ltd.


Under her charge, a number of large scale and specialised projects to support the growth of new industry clusters were started. These included the construction of Jurong Rock Cavern; master planning and development of Seletar Aero+sPace; development of Fusionopolis Phase 2A at one-north; and master planning of Mediapolis at one-north.

Mr Manohar Khiatani, 50, a Singapore Government Scholar, holds a Masters Degree (Naval Architecture) from the University of Hamburg, Germany. He also attended the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School in 2006.

He joined EDB in 1986 and held several posts before being promoted to Regional Director, Europe in 1993. He left EDB in 1994 for the private sector when he became Managing Director of Preussag SEA, a diversified German conglomerate. In 1999, he re-joined EDB where he has held several posts such as Director, Europe; Director, Logistics & Transport Engineering; before being appointed as Assistant Managing Director, Industry Development in Feb 2007. He assumed his current position of Deputy Managing Director in Feb 2009.

Please refer to:
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_427150.html
http://app.psd.gov.sg/data/Press Release 8 Sep 09 New Appointments.pdf
http://www.pmo.gov.sg/NR/rdonlyres/...2F4/0/NATIONALDAYAWARDS2003overcomingSARS.pdf {Public Admin Medal - Gold}

 

[scroobal]

Bro, there is a series of tea parties (which many have mistaken for "the tea party" )and a person like Irene Ng would not attend the final one. All screening including agreement from candidate's family is done well before. Never before heard of someone rejecting after the tea party. SIA vets of old will understand what the tea party is about. Its called collective accountability, similar to the wedding ritual where you say your objections or forever keep your silence - it is indeed the final act in the company of a select few. Nobody gets to the final tea party until the gods give the ok.

I have come across over the years that claimed that they attended the tea party not knowing that many go thru the process and they probably attended the first gathering. In the old days it was Kim San, old man and few others.

Dear Scro

Several points of note, the tea party is only the first step, but many pre reject themselves by turning down the tea party. or even after passing all the hoops post tea party reject at the last moment.

In the early days, GKS and old man had this theory of leaders going thru a baptism of fire test and its was the SAF. In fact the early shorlisted candidates had to go to the States for year to acquire higher military craft such as LHL in Fort Levenworth. Not anymore. It was put rest in circa 1985 when they realised that wrangler scheme narrowed down their choice and it was opened to all OMS. Ong Kian Min was the first from outside SAF followed by Leo Yip, Swee Kiat and Chee How. Only Chee How agreed, followed later by Kian Min.

Chan Heng Chee noted in a piece the prevalence of SAF Mindef Scholars in those selected to be ministers, in particular GY LHL and TCH. That trend continued into the nineties, though somewhat in the late 2000s they started expanding aggressively past the traditional SAF Scholar Pool into the wider civil service scholar pool.

Tharman was never in any shortlist. He screwed himself by meeting up with Wah Piow on a regular basis. His luck changed because of the Official Secrets Act when a Perm Sec who was targeting the previous chief statistician, ended up hitting Tharman. To make matters worse, Richard Magnus thought it was his moment for the reach to the high court bench and framed a charge and convicted him after the original had no leg to stand on. To safe embarrasment to the Govt, they were asked not appeal and were promised to be looked after. Tharman shortly after was absorbed in the Admin Scheme and the rest is history.

Agree on KBW. Did not hear anything about the Lady PM.

KBW and Tharman were two notable recruits as was Li Yi Shyan. The current CEO of JTC was on the short list and if not for her husband would have I believe made it and HSK whom I believed turn it down flat.

Recruitment of Peter Chen to replace Richard Hu was an unmitigated disaster. The mid 1990 scheme to recruit top talent at mid career into the Admin Service ended up with 2 characters who subsequently left back for the private sector and used the Admin Service scheme as a spring board. That scheme failed as well.

It is interesting that they have not been able to get another guy with substantial private sector experience for the last twenty years who has lasted or who has been another Richard Hsu and promoted to something substantive. Note Private Sector versus GLC or system born and bred.


Locke

 

[scroobal]

The chaps who named below are designated as talents for another purpose - not political office. As govt sponsors for industry. Stephen Lee originally from HK was a pioneer of sorts for this. Its also includes Robert Kwan who previously held the MacDonald's franchise. Their role is to be appointed as chairman to various government owned entities.

Years ago, I remember in the old forum we speculate on people like Koh Boon Hwee, Ho Kwong Ping, Peter Seah, Fock Siew Wah .... people who have made it in the private sector who may actually deserve their tip-top remuneration.

.

 

[scroobal]

Augustine Tan whilst a minister of state, gave a sermon to an Arab Govt delegation and was promptly sent back to NUS to continue as a lecturer. He and Tay Eng Soon were the pioneer evangelist in the govt which is now commonplace.

Its likely Yong jr is going make a greater impact than her father did and gain for all the wrong reasons.

I thought once upon a time, A/Prof Augustine Tan (ex-Whampo MP) was once a promising academic who has aspirations - he ultimately become just an eloquent backbencher. And so Woody Goh came on the scene....

Yong I-Ning, the ex-IDA head & the other one, what's-her-name youngest female superscale or something like that, I am sure there are the latest in the line of establishment scholars.

 

[lockeliberal]

Dear Scroo

ok thanks for clarification



Locke