What you said would not go away

‘Mr Prime Minister, we think that you are still going to be in your position. But when do you think you will retire?
 
A: As soon as there is somebody who is competent to take the job, I should not be here. It’s better for Singapore. If I hang on indefinitely, it will become more complicated.’
 
The above is quoted from an interview with LKY reported in the Asahi Shimbun in 1985. A blogger, Edmund, lifted the article and quoted it in his post ‘Why LKY continues to stay on till today’ in the TRE. Edmund made some interesting commentaries on the reasons for LKY to be still in parliament. What is interesting also is the above quote.
 
As early as 1985, the continued role of LKY as the PM was being questioned, and his departure from politics was a big issue. It was like the media asking LKY when was he going to let someone take over as he had been in politics for an unprecedented period of time. LKY’s reason or excuse to stay on in politics, as the PM, was the lack of an able person to take over the premiership. And he was like the guardian angel, to be there until the next guy was good enough, in his view, to go solo.
 
And, based on what he said above, when he is still around, it means that the incumbent PM is not good enough. When he has no confidence in the incumbent, he just has to keep an eye on him, like a goal keeper, just in case he needs to catch the ball from scoring. Another interpretation is that he had let go the moment he appointed someone else as PM, ie, since Chok Tong became the PM, he had found someone competent for the job of PM. This view will definitely invite alternative views.
 
Since 1985, we have two PMs, and LKY is still around. What does that mean? He is still needed to be safe as the two PMs were not good enough?.
 
There is another contradictory development to his staying in politics. There were comments that his presence in parliament would do more harm than good to the incumbent PM. People who shared this view are saying that he has overstayed and no longer welcomed. If this is true, his self assigned role as the goal keeper or guardian angel is going to be more negative than positive though his intention to guard the goal posts was admirable.
 
What if he has to step down due to old age in the next GE? Does it mean that there is someone ready and good enough that he is confident to leave the scene? Or would he die die want to stay on another term if the incumbent is still not good enough to him?
 
It is really pathetic that after two PMs, nearly 20 years of mentoring, no one is good enough. What is the reason? Poor judgement of the ability of the candidates or simply no talent available that is good enough? Or simply no one is going to fit that pair of big shoes? Maybe this time he would step down completely to affirm that he has found someone good enough to fill his shoes.
 
When God is concerned there can only be one God. No one else can be good enough.

Kopi Level - Green