7/22/2008

Signs of decline or complacency?

In one of my earlier posts I did mentioned about the unusually high standards set by the first generation leaders and their intolerance for mistakes. Basically the message coming down from them was that 'Don't fool around and no slipshod work.' No mistake was tolerable. Zero defects was the standard. What we are hearing from Parliament yesterday would make our first generation leaders cringe or turn in their graves. We are not perfect. So mistakes must happened. Fatigue, too much work, different facts, different circumstances, so mistakes happened. We are only humans! Yes we are only humans. We all made mistakes every now and then. But to use such arguments as justifications is simply bad. A mistake is a mistake, is a mistake. Period. Deal with it. No amount of excuses is good enough and the more one tries to explain them away, the more ludicrous it will sound. Just simply said, yes, it is a mistake and unacceptable and inexcusable. How to react to all the finger pointings? Just listen quietly and show some shame and remorse. Nod the head in acknowledgement that the criticisms and unhappiness are justified and deserving. Eat the humble pie.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

How many ministers and MPs were there in the old generation cabinet? Compared to then, we have many more ministers who are assisted by several ministers-of-state. So how does that equate to having to do more? You figure it out.

Mockingbird said...

If a security lapse like Mas Selamat's escape had happened when LKY is still the PM, the Home Affairs Minister would probably have to step down.

Anonymous said...

'A mistake is a mistake'

You can explain it away by calling it an 'honest mistake'. Some people are incapable of making 'dishonest mistakes', only 'honest mistakes'. So, who needs to eat humble pie?

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

the japanese have an honourable way out of such situations. the person involved, no not hara kiri, will stand in front of parliament, take a 90 degree bow and let everyone do the criticising. then say sorry and thank you.

no need for excuses as excuses will only make things worst.

Mockingbird said...

The Japanese are not very honorable in covering up their World War II atrocities in the history lessons taught to their school kids.

Mockingbird said...

When people think they have not done anything wrong, they will not admit to their wrongdoing and they will certainly not apologise for it.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

to be fair, the minister has not done anything wrong. his call is not that he has done wrong but an issue of responsibility.

in the army we were taught that you can delegate your tasks, your jobs, but you cannot delegate your responsibility. the responsibility stays with you for being the top man with all the authority, perks and pay.

Mockingbird said...

WKS did accept responsibility for the security lapses that happened under his watch. He's just not getting punished in any way for it.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

the people are angry because of the supertalent title attached to them and the super talent pay they are getting. otherwise they will be more forgiving.

things cut both ways or many ways. they have to live with the accolades they attached to themselves.