7/25/2012

When Minister turns ordinary citizen



After the last GE three ministers turned into ordinary citizens. They left politics and live a more carefree life as one among the millions. No more trappings of power and attention. A few ministers have stepped down but either remained in politics or staying in the inner circle of power brokers and still walk the corridor of power. To them, nothing really changes. Even for the ministers that have left politics, not much has changed. The umbrella of political power is still providing the needed shade and comfort wherever they go. What would life be if the umbrella is no longer there?

2016 looks ominously uncertain. Would the umbrella be folded and replace by a new one? The likelihood of the current political umbrella being removed or changed cannot be ruled out no matter how secure things look now. In a worst case scenario, the umbrella could be changed and many ministers would join the men in the street or civvy street. And without the coverage of the old umbrella, life is not going to be the same again. No more invitation, no more attention, no more large entourage, no one listening to what they talk or what they talk no longer matters. And the 30 titles and appointments will be lapsed. No invitation to be chairman or directors here and there.

Sinkies are being exhorted to prepare for retirement, to integrate with foreigners, accept a life with high cost of living and high cost of everything, to prepare to become hawkers as a new opportunity in life. The ministers who would join the civvy street need not bother with such issues. They are all very well prepared financially to live a life rich in abundance. What they would miss would be the attention and the sense of being important, being in the thick of things, being waited wherever they go. No one will be waiting for them when that day comes except their closed ones and friends.

Are the ministers prepared for such a change, when everyone in the street and their neighbours will regard them just as another ordinary citizen, just another Sinkie? This is no small change. Would they need psychiatric counselling to prepare them for the new life of being ordinary citizens? It is not easy to adapt to a situation when people will disagree with them openly without deference or decorum, or even ridicule or vilify them straight in the face. It can be quite dramatic and traumatic in the new situation, without the power halo over their heads.

Reading at some of the snippets in Chok Tong’s facebook, things can be rough down the road without the umbrella. Talking cock and craps would no longer be tolerated. Hope they will be strong and none would morph into lunatics at the fringes should that day becomes a reality.

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

All these PAP MPs and ex MPs ministers are seldom seen in public places and they,if recognized, know they are responded with a frown from the citizens.And if they are acknowledged pleasantly,it is just nonsensical pleasantries

oldhorse42 said...

GCT was the guest of honour at the recent Raffles Charity Golf held at Raffles Country Club.People said that he was accompanied by 4 body guards at the golf game.Even though he is no longer an office holder in the cabinet, he is still considered important enough to be guarded by 4 bodies!

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Hi oldhorse42, welcome to the blog.

Would all these trsppings of power still be there when the umbrella is changed?

Anonymous said...

they shouldn't get bodyguards. pap ministers always argue that s'pore cannot be like welfare states like in the west. but s'pore is a welfare state - only for ministers. since they earn private sector pay, they should be like the private sector ceo's. retired pap ministers have enough money of their own to employ personal bodyguards.

patriot said...

Just dont understand why our politicians, in office or retired, need so many protection officers.

Do they feel threaten by the people they are caring for?

I tried to reason with myself whether they dare to settle down overseas and somehow just feel that they wont. The simple reason I give myself is that they will probably feel less safe abroad. BUT, here in Sin, they dont seem to feel safe too. Just dont understand why, do they feel so hated by the people?

patriot

Anonymous said...

If you stripped them, they look like you - with a small dick or hairy bush.

Totally vulnerable.

And they will die and fade away tomorrow, just like you

We give them too much credit for all of the above.

Anonymous said...

作太多见不人的东西

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Our ministers have contributed to the good of Sinkies. They are very well loved by the people and need not worry about their safety. These are just the trappings of power and importance.

Anonymous said...

On the surface, our ministers have contributed to the good of Sinkies and vastly contributed to their coffers and status in the process. They are very well loved by some people who also loved religious leaders spouting glorious hollow promises and living like decadent rats in Hollywood and also need not worry about their safety. These are just the trappings of power and importance at your expense.

Anonymous said...

He can't be fearing for his life can he?

Anonymous said...

I hope they don't wake up and realized they have been living in the prisons of wealth and power.

Beach bums enjoy greater liberty then those with full of pride.

Anonymous said...

Is it worth it?

Nah

Anonymous said...

There are two ex-ministers who are now chairmen in the Toa Payoh/Braddell vicinity. According to the staff there, the shorter, more affordable one is mostly ignored when he struts around the office.

Anonymous said...

Singaporeans are daft, that's why 60.1% voted for PAP in GE2011. Our PM and ministers are asking us to integrate with foreigners. This is the last straw -- we need to vote them out in 2016...

Anonymous said...

The 60.1% that voted for PAP includes 60.1% of your friends & relatives.

make sure you convert at least one of them into an Opposition voter for GE 2016.

everyone do this.
40% will become 80% in Ge 2016.

Anonymous said...

So these 3 ministers aren't as fortunate as the CryBaby who is inducted into Singapore's "Hollywood walk of fame" which is TH & GIC into position of getting good money without doing anything deserve .

Gintai_昇泰 said...

Datuk RB,
I think the whiter than white umbrella is slowly changing to blue color lah. When the super big white umbrella completely changes to blue color then it's going to be langgar tiang for those MIWs!

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Hi Gintai,

A few months before the last GE, the confidence level of the ruling govt to remain in power for another two elections was quite high. After the GE, it rattled them a bit but still very comfortable. After Hougang, the picture changed completely and it is getting darker and darker.

I too did not believe the down slide can be so fast and getting even faster. It could be a blue umbrella or a rojak colour umbrella, but white umbrella is seriously threatened.

Anonymous said...

Be it white, blue or rojak, or whatever colour, lets celebrate the diversity for a better country.

Anonymous said...

Possible reasons:
A) feel good and important when flank by bodyguards
B) government got surplus budget to provide bodyguards
C) they know their policies are harming the people so need protection from the people
D) all the above

Anonymous said...

May Singaporeans wake up from their slumber. Enough is enough.

Anonymous said...

I think for ex pm like in the USA ex president, they continue to have secret service protection. But other jokers should not

patriot said...

TRE has it that Emeritus Goh Chok Tong had declared that he is retired.

Confirmed?

patriot

Anonymous said...

What if the democracy we thought we were serving no longer exist, and the Republic has become the very evil we've been fighting to destroy? - Padme Amidala

Anonymous said...

The fear of loss is a path to the Dark side. - Yoda

Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

Hi Padme Amidala, welcome to the blog.
What is democracy depends on who is in power and who it serves.