23
Nov
2008
Have our government lost touch with the ground?
23 Nov 2008, Straits Times headline reads “Tan Kin Lian eyes presidency” - Ex-NTUC Income’s chief will run if he has 100,000 people willing to support him.
Quoting from the news article …
When I joined the PAP, it was the party of the people. It carried out many remarkable projects, such as building HDB flats, and created a transparent economy,’ he said.
‘But as the years go by, I think the party has lost touch with the ground.’
He pointed to the widening income gap in the country and the high salaries of Government leaders. He also finds it unfair how a disproportionate number of the academically successful come from higher-income families.
It is the Government’s job to correct these problems, said Mr Tan, who calls himself an egalitarian.
‘How many of our leaders take the MRT and bus like me? If they do, they will know that the MRT is crowded even at 10pm.
Perhaps as time pass, even the eyes of great people can stray off the road. Who am I to judge? However, this reminds me of the ideals brought up in a Japanese drama “Change” which was aired in Japan this year.
In the show, the candidate for Prime Minister promised …
- I promise, with eyes like yours. I will find the problem in politics and correct it.
- I promise, with ears like yours, I will seriously listen to the tiniest voice of those who are called weak.
- I promise, with legs like yours, I will run without hesitation towards the problem scene.
- I promise, with hands like yours, I will work with sweat stained hands and point towards the path that this country should take.
- My everything will be like yours!
Back to Singapore … Mr. Tan may have brought up a few valid points, but it doesn’t make him any more capable of delivering. He’s been the chief of NTUC Income for so many years, but didn’t voice out any of these until he left them. Does it mean he has just made this observation? Talk about biting the hand that fed you.
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You can read the full Straits Times article at http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_305814.html.
