Lawrence Wong riding the tiger 骑虎难下

When Lawrence Wong came onto the political scene as a fresh face minister there was so much promise in this young man. After 4 years in the job he is still looking fine until the live debate on TV with leaders of the opposition party. His boyish charm soon disappeared and he revealed a side of him that many viewers were taken aback. He came prepared to dig into Chee Soon Juan’s past and demanding an apology that he thought Chee should make in 1996.

This attempt shows a dark side in him that many have not known. His posture and indignant expression were shocking to the viewers in that what appeared on the TV screen was a totally different man, a man carrying a knuckle duster taking on another man that he hardly knew and a past that had nothing to do with him. The aggressiveness and hostility were abrasive and many viewers took a dislike to them. Their views of this man have changed. Mine too.

The politics of the last few decades must not be allowed to overflow to affect the new generation of leaders and politics of today. We had a rough start when life was nasty and short. Politics then was a different ball game. It was a game of survival of the fitness. In the wrong camp, or ending as losers could be a life and death situation, could be put behind bars for life. Informers that were exposed could be taken down.  Today when the cover was blown, nothing happens. Politics was vicious, rough and not much difference from gangsterism then.

Do we want that kind of politics to continue today and into the future? Our young politicians have no reason to adopt that kind of politics and style. And they must not forget that this is a democracy, not a monarchy or dictatorship. Today one is in office, in power, with all the trappings of power and calling the shot. Tomorrow one may have to come down to earth and walk the streets like any ordinary people.  Politicians should not think they will be there forever and could act and behave like they are nobles and aristocrats, 公子 or皇亲, above the common people.  To behave as thus is like riding the proverbial tiger and dismounting means to be eaten by the tiger, 骑虎难下.  Not many politicians could survive under the protection of power and depart in one piece. Many politicians, dictators, would have to face their abuses of position and power when they fell from grace. It is good to behave a bit normal, to give one a way out when one is no longer in power.

The days of knuckle duster politics, of putting political enemies in the dungeon are over, or should be over. The politics of today must be given a fresh start, be cleaner and less vicious, less personal and less vindictive. A politician that thinks it is ok to continue with the knuckle duster style must be up to it, believing that he can be in power till death do us part, and better be that way. The knuckle duster way can lead to a very unpleasant and humiliating end if one cannot stay in power all his life.

Young politicians are well advised to take note that this is a democracy, a republic and political power can change hand like the weather, and every 4 or 5 years one can be brought down to earth to face the harsh reality of being an ordinary person.

Fear is dead and should be consigned to history. We need a more congenial political climate, more human and humane, for the good of everyone. This is the way forward.  Live by the sword die by the sword. There are very few exceptions. A little humility is good for the soul. What is past is past. Leave the past to the past. We have to progress and be more civilized.

PS. Do not underestimate the power of social media. No one is infallible or flawless.