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8/22/2007
Celebrating Singaporean - Howe Yoon Chong
He was not suave, charismatic, nor did he look like a TV star. Maybe more like Deng Xiao Ping. He was the unglamorous man that got things done. This is another pioneering leader that helped to build what Singapore is today.
Would anyone put up a statue of him beside the foreign worker to honour his contribution?
He was famous in Mindef. Heard stories that when he called up officers into his office, they trembled in their pants. And when he was scolding them, you could hear his voice at the other end of the corridor. Did I get my stories right?
He was something like Goh Keng Swee, a doer that got things done with no nonsense. I did not know him as a man of humour. But he did joke. 'My hobby is getting some rest.'
He used to make officers tremble in their pants. That is but history. His end is the same, as those he once made tremble, in the bowels of the earth. Death is the great leveller, as they say. In the end, no man is better than another, for we all will end up dead some time.
ReplyDeletePeople who used to make others tremble in their pants will one day be trampled in their graves by others. Ironic isn't it.
ReplyDeletehowe is a good man. he was a tough task master but nothing personal or vindictive.
ReplyDeletei don't think anyone will do that to him.
rip.
Unless you knew him in a personal or professional capacity, you are in no poition to say what he is or isn't. The fact that the most poignant memory of someone is that he used to make his subordinates tremble already speaks volumes of what a b@st@rd someone like that is. If you have to make people fear you in order for you to make them do what you want them to do, then you are not worthy to be a leader.
ReplyDeleteIf there's one thing about the PAP's Old Guard, is that they were a bunch of fellas who go the fucking job done, even thought they had to scold, threaten and assert their power and will to "conquer"...
ReplyDeleteI unashamedly admit when asked, that I manipulate peoples' consciousness for a living. I will also be the first to tell you that the FACT is that no one can manipulate you unless you first give them permission—consciously or unconsciously. In other words, you choose, and therefore you are responsible.
However, in many instances, because many people are emotionally weak, INTIMIDATION works very effectively. ;)
Don't underestimate power and force and its application focused by HUMAN WILL :-)
In the days before NKF was investigated, some people also say Durai was a good man, but now we know otherwise. Even if you know him personally, the private side of that person is still unknown to you.
ReplyDeletenot many people know a person inside out. neither does one understand every aspect of a situation. the cpf and annuity scheme is a good example.
ReplyDeletewe make our comments and views based on the limited info that we have. thus one must not insist that one is absolutely right unless one has all the info to make a balance judgement.
that does not mean that one with limited info cannot have any view on a matter.
my comment on howe yoon chong is based on what i know. it is better than taking a position without knowing anything. worst is to make vicious comment about others with no basis.
there are many aspects of a person and we all look at that person from our own perspective. the worst crook can have his best side. an angel can have a hideous side.
Fair enough, let Mr. Howe rest in peace. Let's not talk about the dead.
ReplyDeleteHow do you know he is resting in peace ?
ReplyDelete