Satpal has always been business minded. That is why he struck out on his own from Inland revenue. If he stayed, he could have retired as the number 1 or number 2 guy there. I think he got it from his father. He ran his father sports store business when he was still in school, that is where the business mindedness came from. U are right in that Dr. Wong was the behind the scenes guy at KW. But he is very very smart. One of the shrewdest persons in the law and property field. Satpal did the networking, he is a very nice and genuine person, people naturally connected with him. Regarding his connection to the PAP establishment, yes he was at one time very close to them. But the declined offers to be an MP on more then one occasion. And for a time, he was actually on the PAP CEC, so he could have made himself a Minister if he wanted. LOL. I think for a while he might have tried to change the PAP culture a little from within, but after he got investigated by CPIB, as a warning, I think he gave up. I was a shocked that some one so high and connected had a complaint filed against him. Really, within the PAP, its a dog eat dog world. After he was cleared, I think he just concentrated more on properties for his own portfolio. When you practice law in singapore, u really have to sell your soul to the devil.
He is a really nice guy and he is one of the elites, although not as close to the PAP as before, that I really admire and respect. He earned every thing he got. Not born with a golden spoon in his mouth, did not rely on marriage or family, and did not become an ex general or some other shit like that to get to where he is.