3/13/2012

The changing fortunes of LKY

1970, I was a young man in the land of our past colonial masters. I was in a pub one evening and the bartender told me that they would all be watching the TV later that night. I was curious. What was so important on the TV and why must he said that to me. I asked. His reply was that our Lee Kuan Yew would be speaking on their TV live that night. And probably the whole of England would be watching and listening to his wise words.

Those were the prime years of LKY. He was highly regarded, highly admired and highly listened to all over the world. He still does. The local citizens too were captivated by his oratory skills for decades too. Over time this following has gradually shifted, from great admiration to cautious and guarded reticence, to private criticism. This morning I read Feedmetothefish. He quoted an article by a Judy Zhou who openly criticized LKY, his policies and the way he demolished his political opponents. And she is not alone.

Criticism of LKY is getting more prevalent and more fortright today. Some could be very nasty. It is something that was unspeakable in his heydays. The foreigners are still holding him in high regards for his achievements and for the shining little jewel called Singapore. They did not have to live with his policies and his knuckle duster. Those who have and those who are living in the little jewel and disagreeing with or hurt by many of his policies are having different thoughts.

The changing perception of LKY is mirrored in the changing perception of his party, his ministers and MPs. From a time of high regards, deference and acceptance, it is now open criticism, questioning and opposition to ideas and policies that are no longer accepted with reluctance. The awe is gone and skepticism has crept in, and unstoppable when nothing seems right and everything seems wrong. It is a strange development, but it is happening. No amount of propaganda can remove the new perception of both LKY and his party and his chosen political leaders.

They still have 60% of the votes in the last GE and 35% of the vote for their sponsored President. How would these numbers changed come the next GE? A good indicator will be the coming Hougang by election, if there is one. It will be the harbinger of the PAP’s fortune in the next GE.

20 comments:

Anonymous said...

Did you read the ST today? One reporter wrote...Cash for character sends the wrong signal.

Goodness, is she out of her mind? The foundation of this city is build on that.

Hope she won't lose her job lol

Anonymous said...

TBT is a CASH JUSTICE.
He received CASH. He dispensed JUSTICE to the giver

Anonymous said...

In some professions, you have to have a certain amount of sickness in the mind or be a hypocrite to hold on to the job.

Being a reporter or working for papers is one of those jobs.

Anonymous said...

why do trained lawyers quit their job and some become hawkers or do jobs completely unrelated to their earned degree?

yup, they are sick of it

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

We all have our time to shine, the opportunity to cum all over the face of humanity -- to give humanity a "taste" of our "individuality".

After our bukkake on the world, there comes a time to take our deflated balls and sit quietly on the sidelines to cheer others who might step up to the plate and shoot their load, and make their cum-stain in the book of human history.

The man had his time, and will be well regarded in history. Now it's time to retire.

Gintai_昇泰 said...

Redbean,
I consider this as one of your best masterpieces! It's succinctly and simply enunciated by you narration of a once great man turned foul against the current backdrop of weather most foul!
You quoted your experience in 70s in UK and also Fish's blog to support your arguments.
I could feel in your tone a tinge of sadness. You are indeed a true son of Singspore.
Yes you are right. The mother of all elections is coming to HG.
Keep writing Redbean. Cheers.

PS: I like the way Maltilah put it. I hope to spread my cum on the face of humanity too! Lol!

Anonymous said...

His Dick is Niagara fall cum.....matilah, your cum which goreng pisang longkang?

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

With lawyers, doctors and politicians thinking of money first, the situation is getting very slippery.

In the case of lawyers, there will be good judges to stop them from abusing the legal system for the sake of money. For doctors, there is a medical board that may have some indirect authority over them.

For politicians, the real power is the people but most people fear to use it and one gets confused between who is master and who is servant. In such a case, the false assumption could become real and be perpetuated for a very long time.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Hi Gintai,

Just a political assessment of the situation as seen from my perspective. Nothing about masterpiece. That would be my Art of RAR in photography.

Gintai_昇泰 said...

OK.. Pls read my latest post. You are quoted. Thks.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Ok got it.

Anonymous said...

"You either die a hero, or you live long enough to see yourself become the villain."

Harvey Dent,
in the Batman movie "The Dark Knight"

http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight

Anonymous said...

PAP has created their very root of the problems - influx of foreigners. It is going to take decade or even forever for Singaporeans to be appeased with what PAP has done to the people. I doubt PAP can save itself except to walk with their toe than their feet now.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

Many years form now you'll be grateful that your cuntree opened its borders to the influx of foreigners.

Anonymous said...

You mean like two child policy or high property prices?

Chaozhouzi said...

Come HG, let's emulate the Brit. Serve a plate of cold shoulder.

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Hi Chaozhouzi, welcome to the blog.

Cold shoulder can be nice.

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