Tag: Yusof Ishak

Harasha Bafana: Government’s ‘Calibrated Meritocracy’ Approach Should Be Applauded

Our Prime Minister announced in Parliament yesterday that the next presidential election, due next year, will be reserved for candidates from the Malay community: “That means if a qualified Malay candidate steps up to run, Singapore will have a Malay president again… this would be our first after more than 46 years, since our first president Encik Yusof Ishak. I look forward to this.”

He also said that: “Every citizen, Chinese, Malay, Indian or some other race, should know that someone of his community can become President, and in fact from time to time, does become President.”

I applaud this move.

It’s a unique approach to a sensitive issue. I call this a ‘Calibrated Meritocracy’ approach, Singapore-style. The Malay candidate(s), after all, must still be qualified to enter the race (no pun intended) – but assuming that there is a primordial urge to vote for one’s own ethnic group, there is little hope that the Malay candidate will garner enough voter support. Hence the need for this provision.

PM said in his speech that he’s doing this now “because it would be irresponsible of me to kick this can down the road and leave the problem to my successors.”

I pray that this will not open a can of worms.

After all, beyond the racial stereotype that had emerged over the decades, there ARE many successful Malays (& Muslims) in our midst. We just need a better way to bring them into the National Consciousness – an emerging trend over the last few years that I am pleased to note in various fields such as mass media, the military & other national leadership positions.

Majulah Singapura.
Regardless of Race, Language or Religion.
Let’s all be one inclusive Singapore where our beautiful diversity is acknowledged & appreciated – even as we work hard to succeed in a merit-based playing field.

… & One day soon, I hope that we will be mature enough as a society to remove the CMIO (Chinese/Malay/Indian/Others) organising principle. When that day arrives, we will no longer need special provisions such as this.

****************

“Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown.”
~ William Shakespeare

Source: Harasha Bafana

November 9, 2016
Cherian George: Elected Presidency Missed Opportunity For Multiculturalism, Halimah Yaacob Would’ve Won With No Help

What do you make of the proposed changes to Singapore’s elected presidency?

The impression I get is that it has been framed as a debate between the need for minority representation and an open system that would allow Tan Cheng Bock to possibly become President. And people are lined up on either side. But I do want to see a minority President. I think it is a very important symbol. But, precisely because I understand the importance of having a minority president, I’m disappointed in the way the government has gone about it.

The assumption seems to be that we don’t now have a minority candidate on the radar capable of winning the presidency in open competition. I think that is wrong. Halimah Yacob can win with no help or handicap. If they picked Halimah Yacob as a candidate, I don’t think they need to block Chinese candidates against her. She is enormously respected, she has extremely strong trade union labour credentials. She is respected by Malays as well as Chinese. This is one of those cases where the PAP as well as some other Singaporeans have a very dim view of Singaporeans, and that view is unrealistically dim. Yes, there might be some prejudice against Halimah on account of her gender, religion and race. But this prejudice probably does not amount to some kind of total trump card that will ensure her defeat. Those backing her might have to fight a little harder. But whatever kind of handicap she carries would just quantitatively amount to a tiny disadvantage. And I don’t see how that can compromise her track record. And I also cannot believe that the PAP with all its machinery and the union movement as well as many Singaporeans wouldn’t go all out to bat for her. After all, how wonderful would it be for Singapore to have a female, Malay, Muslim president?

I have total faith that there are enough male, Chinese, non-Muslim Singaporeans who will campaign for her. Unfortunately, many others do not have such faith. And I see it as a huge moment of opportunity for Singapore’s multiracialism. This is an opportunity to signal to the world, and ourselves, that after fifty years of nation building, we are ready to embrace a President who is not from the conventional mainstream.

Instead, what are we heading for? We’re heading for a situation where the PAP has decided to give a Malay candidate a walkover, which will taint the presidency forever. Whoever becomes the president next year will be a token president. Why taint it with the label of tokenism? It’s so unnecessary. I believe that if it were a straight fight between Halimah Yacob and Tan Cheng Bock, Halimah would win hands down.
Source: www.mackerel.life

November 9, 2016
REACH Cancels Public Forum, Wrongly Informs That Dr Tan Cheng Bock Did Not Register

Government agency, REACH, was to organise an public forum on the Presidential Election. Presidential hopeful, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, successfully registered to participate in the forum.

I was looking forward to attending a REACH public forum on the Presidential Election set for today. Minister Shanmugam was due to speak and I wanted to hear what he had to say. I registered my attendance last week and was happy to receive a confirmation for my attendance. I was planning to attend with a few friends and family.

So Dr Tan was understandably disappointed when the forum was eventually cancelled. REACH explained that the cancellation was due to poor response. The agency also indicated that there was no registration under the name of Dr Tan Cheng Bock.

But why would someone of Dr Tan Cheng Bock’s stature lie online about registering for the event?

Turns out, he Dr Tan wasn’t. He had in fact registered under the alias ‘Adrian Tan’, which is recorded in his NRIC. He also provided all his personal details during the registration.

In response to REACH that I did not register?

I did register under my alias Adrian Tan which is in my NRIC, the registration also asked for my NRIC number, mobile, address, and occupation which I supplied. My acceptance letter is attached, as well as my alias in my NRIC.

So what really was the reason for the cancellation of the forum? Your guess is as good as mine.

Dr Who

[Reader Contribution]

September 30, 2016
Ismail L.A. : Polemik, Jenaka Dan Mati Pucok Presiden Pilihan

?? ALMARHUM YUSOFF ISHAK & SINGAPURA

Semasa saya kecil saya selalu terdengar dan suka memerhatikan perbualan orang2 tua dengan arwah bapa saya berborak2 perihal politik Singapura dan selalu nama Presiden Singapura yang pertama iaitu Almarhum Yusoff Bin Ishak disebut.

Waktu itu saya kurang mengerti soal politik semasa tetapi saya selalu dengar mereka menyebut Almarhum sebagai patung bernyawa, Presiden tidak guna, batang pisang dan lain2 lagi yang kurang enak, tidak pernah ada pujian dari lidah mereka.

Sekarang baharu saya faham dan mengerti situasi pada masa itu dan apa yang selalu Pemerintah war-warkan sikap Almarhum sebagai Presiden yang berjiwa raayat sebenarnya banyak juga raayat yang tidak menyukai, mempersenda diri dan jawatan nya.

Suatu tugas yang besar yang tidak mungkin dapat menyenangkan hati kepada semua lapisan masyarakat Singapura pada waktu itu.

Jika polemik pemilihan Presiden untuk dibahaskan tahun ini supaya orang Melayu kita dapat sekali lagi menjawat jawatan itu dengan ehsan Pemerintah maka saya ingat kerendahan Presiden dimata masyarakat akan lebih lagi, bukan sahaja dikalangan Melayu sendiri malahan daripada masyarakat yang lain2 juga.

Ini kerana hampir semua orang Melayu sedar yang Pemerintah hanya menpergunakan diri mereka dengan permainan politik kerana takut menerima kenyataan dimana Presiden pemilihan Pemerintah dalam pilihanraya Presiden kali ini akan kalah.

Jika Pemerintah benar2 ikhlas mahukan bangsa minoriti Melayu memegang jawatan yang tertinggi itu kenapa Pemerintah menukar skim pemilihan langsung oleh konsensus Parlimen kepada pengundian raayat dimana umum semua tahu yang masyarakat kita belum lagi setara dengan kebolehan masyarakat bangsa2 lain.

Hairan Pemerintah hanya mulai sedar bila mereka tersepit dan kini segala alasan tidak akan dapat memenangi lagi hati nurani masyarakat Melayu walaupun dihadiahkan jawatan Presiden itu.

Presiden Melayu kita kali ini jika ianya terpilih akan dipersendakan dan kali ini akan lebih gelak dan memalukan lagi daripada yang dahulu dan puisi ‘Mati Pucok’ dari saudara Damanhuri Bin Abas politikus dari SDP sangat jelas kebenaran nya.

Poetry by Mr Damanhuri Abas

Mati Pucuk – Sempena Bulan Bahasa

Maruah bangsa tidak berharga.
Bila pemimpin dipilih sesuka.
Mati pucuk pimpinan bangsa.
Tinggal boneka bahan jenaka.

Diangkat mahkota dibilang Raja.
Mulut terbuka tanpa suara.
Disuruh senyum Raja gembira.
Kuasa konon ditipu bangsa.

Dimata semua pembodek Kuasa.
Melayu layu tidak semua.
Akan ku tuntut Maha Kuasa
Biar ku papa Maruahku Ada.

Mati pucuk pimpinan bangsa.

✏️ Ismail L. A.

Source: Mohamed Ismail Ismail

September 9, 2016
Andrew Loh: Forget Presidency, Why Has There Never Been Malay DPM?

With the government expressing concerns that we may not have a minority-race Elected President if the current election laws are not tweaked, here is another similar concern – but this time regarding the position of deputy prime minister.

In post-Independence Singapore, we have had 11 DPMs.

And here is the interesting thing, the 11 have been:

8 Chinese.
3 Indians.
0 Malay.
0 Eurasian.

Lee Kuan Yew’s Cabinet had one Indian DPM – S Rajaratnam.

Goh Chok Tong’s Cabinet had no minority-race DPM.

Lee Hsien Loong’s Cabinet has had 2 Indian DPMs – S Jayakumar and Tharman Shanmugaratnam.

But all have not had any Malay as DPM.

Is it a concern? Should it be a concern?

In this era, it seems race and religion have taken on more prominence, and perhaps also more importance.

While the PAP itself may rationalise its way out of why Singapore is not ready for a non-Chinese Prime Minister, how about a Malay DPM?

Or has there never been a Malay minister deemed capable enough to be DPM – in all of our 51 years?

Maybe something to think about?

Source: Andrew Loh

August 31, 2016