4/29/2013

Tharman the untarnished, a possible next PM


Tharman has won praises from many quarters for his press interview last week and the balanced comments he made on several key issues that are hot in town. This has prompted Seah Chiang Nee to devote an article on him and sounded the possibility of Tharman becoming the next PM.

This could really be a reality as Tharman is possibly the only key minister that is relatively unscarred by controversies over govt policies. His eloquence and cool cucumber demeanour has stood him well with the people of all races. And who knows, come 2016, if some of the key ministers were booted out during the GE, Tharman could be a natural choice as there would be no one good enough left on the table.

Tharman could be a good choice for many reasons. He comes across as a fair and decent minister, not racist, very Singaporean and a strong believer of meritocracy. So the other races would not have anything to fear that he would fill the cabinets with ministers based on racial affinity. And even if he does so, it would definitely be based on meritocracy, that he could not find enough good ministerial candidates from the other racial groups and he has no choice but to take the difficult choice. And who can fault him then, even if hypothetically, 50% or 70% of his ministers are Indians but chosen based on meritocracy, the pillar of Singapore’s success formula? And being sensitive to the other racial groups, he would not take such a route if he can avoid it, and a more balance cabinet with some moderate changes is the likely outcome. Or he could fill his cabinet with the dream team in politics, by bringing in the best in America and Europe. We could have Obama, George Bush, Dick Cheney, Donald Rumsfeld, Condolezza Rice, George Brown, and whoever in Europe. Just issue them a pink IC and they would be instant Singaporeans and can become ministers. Then there will be new a meaning to the term PMET, M would stand for Ministers and MPs that were replaced by these FTs. Our unique meritocracy policy is simply the best, the most flexible and practical solution to a borderless world and a progressive Singapore.

So far Tharman’s star is shining bright and providence could have its own way to propel Tharman to be the next PM no matter what people may think that the population is still not ready for an Indian PM.

My read is that 2016 is going to be an interesting year and anything can happen, the PAP losing power or losing its two third majority in Parliament, including Tharman becoming the next PM and a cabinet of newly minted citizens as ministers are not far fetched.

Now you are thinking.

30 comments:

Anonymous said...

The issue is we need a leadership change within pap and he is the best option so far. Having the same for next ten years will not do. I agree with RB 100%.

Let hear from matilar for a good insightful post on this topic.

Anonymous said...

if it really happens, then seelan palay and his kind would probably scream a bit lesser in his blog for so many years that he/indian-descented persons always get diss in SG.

Raymond said...

Don't say I didn't warn you all. Vote carefully come 2016. If Singapore loses the PAP, Singapore loses the world. We might as well pack our bags and surrender. The world is a cruel place and we have neighbours who are just waiting to devour us whole.

I hope and pray that many of you are just tongue-glib in your anti-Government stance. Come 2016, you will vote your conscience. Come 2016, you will vote for the betterment of Singapore, for the security of our next generation.

Anonymous said...

Raymond is working hard this morning for his pay.

oldhorse42 said...

Tharman the untarnished? I thought he was tainted some years back with some flash estimates issue!Sometime ago, Newsweek featured a young PAP leader, who was a Rhodes Scholar and a a minister of state then and proclaimed that he would and could be the next Singapore leader.What happened next? He disappeared from the political scene. No I don't think Tharman would be allowed to be the next PM.He probably would be packed off to UN to hold some significant post.Another Lee would be groomed to be the next PM. Most probably the grandson now studying in USA.

Anonymous said...

@ Raymond the PAPig lover:
"Come 2016, you will vote your conscience."

MY CONSCIENCE TELLS ME TO VOTE OPPOSITION 'SO AS TO ACHIEVE JUSTICE, EQUALITY AND PROGRESS FOR OUR NATION".

@ Raymond the PAPig lover:
"Come 2016, you will vote for the betterment of Singapore, for the security of our next generation."

I AM VOTING OPPOSITION FOR THE BETTERMENT OF SINGAPORE, FOR THE SECURITY OF OUR NEXT GENERATION.

Anonymous said...

actually, the election results in m'sia on 5 May will be of more and immediate concern to everyone who live in the "little red dot".

Anonymous said...

@ Raymond the PAPig lover:
"If Singapore loses the PAP, Singapore loses the world."

We already lost George Yeo and his Aljunied PAPigs.
And Singaporeans suddenly find out about AIM-The $2 company.

Singaporeans lost a $2 company with no employees.
We didn't lose the world.

And George Yeo is maybe working hard to transform PAP from Hong Kong?

Veritas said...

Chinese is the most color blind people. The Chinese in HK actually prefer British over mainland Chinese.

If we talk about meritocracy, Tharman is No 1 in cabinet. Not that he did not talk cock, but compared to idiots like Lim Swee Say, Gan Kim Yong, and bitch such as Grace Fu, Tharman is an angel.

If we do not have the "FT Indians problems", I am quite sure many in SG will support Tharman. But now FT Indians are pest in SG, the dalitization of Singaporeans is causing alarm even among local Indians.

Today, how would Tharman approach the FT Indian problem? It is interesting to see.

Tharman's ancestor hail from Urelu, Jaffna, Sri Lanka, which was bomb like a crater by the Sinhalese during the Tamil and Sinhalese civil war.

Both side are shit racist. Sri Lanka Tamil lost the war and cry baby like a feminist. Chinese Singaporeans treated Tharman good, and elevated him to DPM. That does not prevent nuts Indians like Seelan peelay writing things acussing Singaporeans Chinese of racism while praising racist USA as "no racism". (how about being a muslim in USA today, and about USA Nazi lynching Sikh last year)

I am quite wary about the self-victimization of Indian race, even including the Singaporean Indians.

Despite the outcome whether Tharman be PM or not, the racism against Singapore Chinese will be worse. First LKY is a peranakan always stabbing Singaporean Chinese.

Second, we have FT Indians who hate Chinese.

Third, Malay suffered big time under LKY. I sympathize them and their complain of discriminations is not entirely baseless. Unfortunately, because peranakan take cover under a Chinese surname and identity, Singaporean Chinese got to take shit.

No one cares the real Chinese never have power in SG. LKY learn Chinese only in 35 years old and his chinese still sucks.

No one will blame peranakan for their shit but Chinese will get blame.

Anonymous said...

@ Raymond the PAPig lover:
"We might as well pack our bags and surrender."

By "we", does Raymond mean PAP or Singaporeans; packing bag and surrendering?

George Yeo.
What do you think?

Who has a proven track record for packing bag and surrendering?
Singaporeans or PAP?

Anonymous said...

@ Raymond the PAPig lover:
"The world is a cruel place and we have neighbours who are just waiting to devour us whole."

Really?
And the PAP government is very generous with social services and welfare benefits ah?

Singaporeans are treated very kindly by the PAP government ah?

Anonymous said...

There is no such thing as "untarnished" in this world. Everyone of us is never "untarnished". Each of us has a closet of skeletons waiting to be discovered.

I agree he may be a good PM that is provided he doesn't bring all his fellow villagers into the cabinet. Remember not long ago, a certain international bank had a CEO of indian origin and he brought his whole village to populate the various departments in the bank so much so that it was then known as an Indian Bank with an international facade.

Putting Tharman in charge in the dying days of the PAP is not a bad idea at all.

He could be the guy holding the baby while the others have abandoned ship and in his usual pleasant demeanour, they may just get away with it to a large extent.

jjgg said...

Rb...leaders.are everywhere..dynasties come n go..ya.. Even those who shoot first n talk later..even those with secret police who snoops n sneaks..even those who have complete control of the armed forces, judiciary and lawmakers..what is the catalyst for change..Obama in the White House when segregation was talked about 3 generations ago..don't worry oldhorse42.. There will be changes within the next 10 years and guess what...lots of us will be around to witness it...hehe

patriot said...

Redbean make my day with this article.

Me just wishes that DPM Tharman can be the Prime Minister as soon as possible. Not because that me knows anything about him. Maybe because me feels that we need a change badly. May the change brings what may, good or bad, there is a dire need for change.

It is damn stale to have 50 years of the same thing; moving in one direction under the same kind of leadership. THE REGIME THUS FAR HAS ONLY WANT TO ENTRENCH ITSELF IN POWER AND TO ENRICH THOSE WITH THE PARTY.

How do we, the people live and fare in the Last 25 years? Simply put, most are struggling to cope with rising costs of living. Many have chosen not to marry, those married choose not to procreate and many go seperate way after swearing till death we part. The main reason for such a social phenomenon? Lack of sufficient income, stress and pressure arising from policies implemented by our Rulers over the years.

Is the Leadership not aware of our problems and the situation? They do wiyh their eyes opened wide. BUT why are they not helping the People? One reason is the lack of conscience due to greed and power crazy. Secondly, the poor and weak are easier to control; read manipulate and exploit.

Change the Regime is the Desire, however, when that is not taking place, let there be changes in the Leaders.

Any change; be it changes in Race, gender or system is better than no change. Even a change in style will do.

patriot

Anonymous said...

Matilar can dispense yr wisdom here for us?

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

Tharman shanmu is not "untarnished". He was once very careless when he "dropped his guard" and allowed sensitive economic data to "escape" to the private sector.

He is too good to be in government. If you want a PM, vote in a dumb ass. Then you can do anything you like :)

Anonymous said...

Good advice. Let's vote Matilah as the PM.

Anonymous said...

Do we really need another person to warm up the bench for 10 years before being replaced by another Lee?

I don't like Tharman because he wears a white uniform.
Why not he stand on his own merit ... as an independent, without the white uniform.

The said...

/// oldhorse42 said...
Tharman the untarnished? I thought he was tainted some years back with some flash estimates issue! ///

The law was subsequently amended and now his criminal record is expunged. So, tainted? Yes and no.

Redbean - I think Tharman was on record as saying he does not want the PM job. My take is that he may not even stand in the next election. Wanna bet on this?

Anonymous said...

If Tharman knows that he will just be a seat warmer, it will not be surprising that he does not want to be the next PM.

But then, like the present Istana tua pek kong, he may be ushered in to be the next deity, after another Malay's turn is over, when he will in his sixties. Just the right age and time for the job.

Anonymous said...

Tharman No Hair but Got Heart.

http://feedmetothefish.blogspot.sg/2012/02/is-our-cpf-broke.html?m=1

Anonymous said...

Singapore has no talents. Who say that? Who founded the first three local banks of Singapore viz OCBC ,UOB and OUB? Were they not founded by pure Singaporeans? Who founded DBS? Wasn't it the idea of Doctor Goh Keng Swee who founded DBS? Did not the local bankers set a well organised untainted banking system and laid a very strong foundation which enabled local talents to run the local banks for decades with great honesty and social responsibility and yet enable the banks to reap ever increasing profits every year for decades. Then out of the blue who was the wise guy who said Singaporeans don't have the expertise to run big banks? Who then recruited a retired American banker to be the CEO of DBS? What then happened? Did someone said that DBS had a problem? Was this American CEO of DBS told to take over POSB the ordinary people's bank which was rich in cash with over many billions of dollars? Did people ask , 'How come there was no tender?' What then happened? Did this great CEO close down scores of POSB branches and retrenched hundreds of unfortunate POSB employees? Did subsequently due to the take over of POSB by DBS cause thousands of local depositors including thousands of children to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in their savings account? Didn't the closing of so many POSB branches cause great misery and inconvenience to Singaporeans? What then happened? At the end of the day why was this American CEO rewarded handsomely with about twelve million dollars after three
years in DBS and after causing so much pain and misery to Singaporean depositors?

Does Singapore not learn a lesson? Why does DBS again recruit another foreign retired banker to be the CEO of DBS? Who is this CEO? Does he come from India? Why do people say he is supplanting far too many local DBS bank employees with his kind from India? Is it true that local Singapore Indians are also not happy with his foreign talents from India? Did the government hear anything? What is the government going to do to rectify the situation?

Does the government still claim that Singaporeans don't have the talents to run the banks or IT industry or for that matter any other industry or occupation? What happen to our graduates from our
local universities? Doesn't it reflect badly on the failure of our education system after so many decades involving the cost of hundreds of billions of tax payers' money? Isn't the government to blame? Why did the ministers pay themselves millions to cause such catastrophic result of such great gravity? Wasn't Tony Tan Keng Yam at one time a minister of education? What has he and the government got to say now? Do Singaporeans believe they don't have the talents or is that what the government says? Whatever it is must Singaporeans continue to allow the recruitment of so called foreign talents at the expense of the sons and daughters of the soil? Do Singaporeans want to turn a blind eye or put a stop to this type of hubris?

Southernglory1

Anonymous said...

After becoming PM would he lift the ban on Chinese dialects on the state-media?

Would he do away with propaganda programs in channels 8, 5 , cna suria ,vasantham? Stop forcing artistes to act in propaganda scipts only to award them with medal ?

Would he create a free media with greater participation from all parties not just 'Ask the ministers' from PAP ?

Would he de-politcise the PA and arts as in 'passion arts' ?

Would he or rather can he ?






Virgo 49 said...

NOL also expatriate CEOs How many millions they lose.

Blind, blind go buy overseas assets that they now got to sell their flagship building.

Veritas said...

Singapore has no talents. Who say that?

The first and most prominent Chinese American Scientist is not PRC. It is a Singaporean call Robert Kho Seng Lim. Robert Kho Seng Lim is the father of modern medicine in China, and doctors in both China and Taiwan fight to claim his heritage.

The only place that forget him is Singapore.

Today who know who is Robert Kho Seng Lim? I studied in detail Singapore history. Kuan Yew all these years is trying very hard to erase our collective memories.

And the greatest oversea business in the collective memories of PRC and Taiwan is not Li Kah Shing, but Singaporean Tan Kah Kee.

Singaporeans has talent. But LKY wants to kill it.

Anonymous said...

Veritas
You are wrong.

Tan Kah Kee lives on in our memory as Tan Kah Kee-Lee Kuan Yew.
Shortened name: Lee Kuan Yew.

Just like Sir Stamford Raffles Lee Kuan Yew founded Singapore in 1819.

Robert Kho Seng Lim-Lee Kuan Yew will always be remembered as Lee Kuan Yew ... the father of modern medicine in China.

Anonymous said...


Don't worry , just like DBS Singapore will be fully indianised by foreign Indians from India if this should happen. Nobody would like this to happen for sure including our local Indian brothers and sisters.

Eagles Eyes

Anonymous said...

I used to think Tharman got
intelligence but after his budget announcement. I know he is no difference. There is no plan on how Singaporean can stay competitive and yet he intend to
increase Singaporean's
salary significantly without consider what rest of world is facing now.

If he want to inflate to get
increment then he is sure to fail.

Ⓜatilah $ingapura⚠️ said...

@1139:

>> Matilar can dispense yr wisdom here for us?

Don't be foolish. If you follow my advice, I guarantee you, you will die.

@1159:

>> Let's vote Matilah as the PM.

You are a true traitor and saboteur of your cuntry.

The said...

As his moniker implies, if you vote MS as PM, Singapore will mati lah.