MM Lee's mandarinate system

MM Lee’s “mandarinate” system is the real scourge of multi-party politics in Singapore

At the launch of an alumni complex at the National University of Singapore (NUS) last night, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said he did not believe the country with its small population could sustain a two-party system as the PAP already has ‘to scour the whole country to find the quality we now have’. (read rest of article here)

‘You need character, commitment, drive and (the) ability to connect with people. It’s a very tough job.’ he said.

Mr Lee’s statement is inherently flawed in two aspects:

1. There is no correlation between the population of a country and its political system, be it a one party or two party state. Denmark, Finland, New Zealand and Luxembourg are examples of countries with a small population comparable to Singapore which have two or more political parties in their Parliament.

2. Why does the PAP have to “scour the whole country” to find people to run for public office? In a truly democratic country, citizens with a passion to serve the people will step foward to offer themselves as candidates to stand for elections under the banner of any political parties.

The quandrary which the PAP finds itself in now is largely a creation of its own. Its heavy-handedness in squashing political dissent against its rule through the liberal use of defamation law suits and security apparatus over the years had backfired upon itself.

Singaporeans are generally fearful and adverse to politics. Bright young men and women would rather spend time to advance their careers and to accure material possessions than to dirty their hands in the political arena.

That is why both the opposition and the PAP are finding it increasingly difficult in recent times to recruit qualified people into their ranks in spite Singapore having one of the highest literacy rate in the world.

Though our population is small, over 50% of our citizens have either a degree or diploma. Why are they not keen to join politics?

The main stumbling block to the growth and development of an active citizenry and multi-politics in Singapore lies in the “mandarinate” system being propagated and perpetuated by none other than MM Lee himself.

Under the “mandarinate” system of the feudal Qing dynasty in China, the ultimate seat of power lies with the Emperor who used his court officials or mandarins to govern his dominion.

The PAP itself is one such entity tightly controlled under the thumb of one man. PAP MPs are merely “mandarins” of the system. They are there to serve the interests of the party and to execute the orders of the “Emperor”.

In a real political party which practises democracy, any cadre within its rank will have the opportunity to get a shot at the top post. The PAP has no lack of capable leaders. Why is its top echelon still dominated by members of a particular family even after 50 years in power?

Singapore is full of talented people in all professions be it law, medicine, engineering or finance. Who is willing to join a party only to follow orders blindly from the top and not given the freedom and opportunity to fully display one’s capability and to implement one’s ideas and initiatives?

We do not have to look too far away for answers to our predicament. Just put the performance of the 82 PAP MPs in Parliament under scrutiny. Are they the real “quality” as proclaimed so proudly by MM Lee that Singapore has to offer?

Unless the PAP reform itself and allow its cadres more say in the party’s decision making process, it has to be contented with “second division mediocrity” because first world talents are leaders in their own right. They are born to lead, not to follow and obey.

The selfish ambitions of one man has stymized the emergence of a real, vibrant and rigorous parliamentary democracy in Singapore for decades because he doesn’t like dissenting voices to challenge him. He wants to rule as he pleases without any questioning or resistance. All his colleagues and subordinates are merely musicians in an orchestra to play the tune according to his wishes.

Singapore has enough talent to form not only two, but three or more political parties to ensure adequate representation of the aspirations of all Singaporeans in Parliament.

MM Lee can take the following measures to solve the dilemma he is in:

1. Abolish the GRC system and allow one to one contests in all 84 wards in Singapore.

2. Refrain from using defamation lawsuits to cripple the PAP’s opponents and if there is a need to use them, to limit the damages to less than $10,000.

3. Allow the media complete freedom to report on domestic politics without any interference.

There are many more urgent reforms to undertake to dismantle the PAP’s “mandarinate” system, but for a start, implementing the above three measures will greatly level the playing field and allow for the emergence of a strong alternative party or coalition to give the PAP a run for its money.

Does MM Lee still have the fire in his belly to fight a real political battle at his age? Or is he contented to hide behind the charade of his party to continue ruling Singapore like his personal fiefdom?

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