Who will be the next Prime Minister?
In view of Singapore's traditionally orderly and non-contentious political succession process, it is interesting to note that the contenders Mr Heng Swee Keat, Mr Chan Chun Sing and Mr Ong Ye Kung have been introduced early to the public this time, as if PAP is trying to gauge the public's response to each of the candidates.
Mr Ong Ye Kung
Already, there had been early endorsements from respected voices. Popular public intellectual, Professor Tommy Koh described Mr Ong: "I would describe him as intellectually brilliant, capable of thinking out of the box and coming up with creative solutions to seemingly intractable problems. He has both high IQ and EQ. He is charismatic and an eloquent speaker. He has good leadership qualities and is very likeable. He is a man of integrity." With such glowing praises, Mr Ong seems to have qualities to tick every box. Another commented: "Our next PM, hopefully."
Mr Ong is also my favoured candidate for the same reasons as eloquently listed by Professor Koh. Some say that he is too inexperienced, having in Parliament for only 3 years. Also, he lost in his maiden election in 2011 as part of the PAP's GRC team in Aljunied GRC and he could only enter Parliament by being switched to Sembawang GRC in 2015. To me, paradoxically, that is further endorsement of his qualities. It means that he is able to overcome such early handicaps and rise in his political fortunes so startlingly fast. If we believe that a leader is born, not made, then Mr Ong is definitely "The One"! It's also about time that we have a leader with fresh ideas and fresh approaches to meet the challenges of modern times.
Mr Heng Swee Keat
Former Senior Minister of State For Foreign Affairs Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed seems to favour Mr Heng Swee Keat. He even publicly asked Mr Heng in a public dialogue session whether he was "ready to be Singapore's fourth Prime Minister" and voiced his disappointment when Mr Heng sidestepped the question.
To me, Mr Heng is a safe candidate as he gives the impression that he is a team player, a moderate voice, a rational person without any controversy and a competent minister with good experience in public office even before entering politics. Unfortunately, he collapsed in May 2016 during a cabinet meeting and was later found to have suffered a haemorrhagic stroke needing immediate neurosurgery caused by a ruptured aneurysm. He could only return to work in December 2016 and he had to be assisted by National Development Minister Mr Lawrence Wong who had to be given the additional responsibility of Second Minister of Finance. Now, does anyone have any lingering doubts about the completeness of Mr Heng's mental, intellectual and physical recovery?
Mr Chan Chun Sing
So far, no prominent figure has praised Mr Chan Chun Sing in public, but one would recall that he was labelled as a future Prime Minister when he first entered Parliament. Interestingly, Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed spoke cryptically when he said: "I trust the PAP will not choose its leader based on popularity alone, but choose a leader who is the best man who can bring progress and unite people, not necessarily someone who is likeable." Does he already know PAP's choice and is not telling? But, how can a disliked politician unite Singaporeans and how does that make him the best man?
Unfortunately for Mr Chan, after six years as an MP, one is hard-pressed to remember anything remarkable about him except for his early habit of playfully asking his listeners to "Ki Chiu" (a hokkien phrase for putting up your hand to respond or ask a question), and his gaffe of a "Freudian slip" of referring to Mdm Halimah Yacob twice in Parliament as "Madam President" when she was still the Speaker of the House in February 2017, seven months before her inauguration as President in September 2017 after a walkover. He therefore suffers the disadvantage of being remembered as associated with public dissatisfaction about the conduct and result of the Presidential Election. Nevertheless, Mr Zainul's hint seems to indicate that Mr Chan is the establishment choice for some reason.
Mr Ong Ye Kung - serious, upright, confident and has the looks of a leader.
Mr Heng Swee Keat - friendly, moderate, trustworthy and acceptable to all.
Mr Chan Chun Sing - earnest, intelligent, predictable and ready to take the post.
May Singapore make the right choice!
