Raising this
racial issue of protecting minority representation, and the likely outcome of
race being enshrined in the Constitution, is a very dangerous precedent to set.
All the works of LKY and the first generation of leaders to make this a multi
racial society where everyone is equal regardless of race or religion would go
kaput. Race would become a national
issue and be institutionalized and embedded in the Constitution that the
pioneer leaders fear to tread and did all they could to keep it out of national
politics.
Some may see
this as the opening of the Pandora box. Some would see it as the opening of a
can of worms. The big question in
everyone’s mind is why now when the PAP had all the time and opportunity to put
in a Malay President in the last 50 years after Yusof Ishak? After Yusof Ishak
there were Sheares, Nair, Wee, all appointed by the PAP and PAP could appoint
any Malay leaders if it wanted to. It was so simple!
Then the
next 3 elected presidents with Nathan taking two 6 year terms, why didn’t the
PAP deem it fit all these years not to put up a Malay president candidate? Never
think of it, it only happened yesterday and now they are thinking how important
and urgent this is that it must be done today like a do or die matter? Is it just an after thought or there is more
to it than just a minority president, specifically a Malay president?
The biggest
worm crawling out from the can is the argument and the call for a Malay PM. This has never been talk about before. Why not
a Malay PM? And the newspaper’s list of 6 Chinese candidates as the possible PM
after Hsien Loong makes the story more uncomfortable and out of sync at this
moment. Tokenism or seriousness to want the Malay to play a vital role in the
country’s leadership? If the role of Malay is so important in political
leadership, to be the EP, why not the premiership? There are voices asking for
his PM seat now. More shit is being stirred up in the process. Here is a
comment from TRE.
‘PM Lee has
hinted that next Elected President will be a Malay.
So why don’t he insist that next Prime Minister be a Malay.
Possible candidates – Yacoub Ibrahim, Zulkifli Masagos, Halimah Yacoob.’ (Spelling error inherent in the quote)
So why don’t he insist that next Prime Minister be a Malay.
Possible candidates – Yacoub Ibrahim, Zulkifli Masagos, Halimah Yacoob.’ (Spelling error inherent in the quote)
This call
for a Malay PM is becoming very uncomfortable and growing louder. This is
something the PAP did not expect. It is only heard in the social media but not
the main media. What is the excuse of not putting up a Malay PM or a minority
PM? Meritocracy? Is meritocracy the issue or should race also
be an issue? Would it not be better to have a Malay PM in charge to make it
really representative?
The more
this EP is being discussed and kicked around using race as the raison d’tre,
more worms would start to crawl out from the can. And like the Pandora box,
there is no way to close the box or seal the can again. Heed the old wisdom, do not open the Pandora
box, or the can of worms. The founding fathers with all their wisdom have
worked diligently to seal the can of worms for good. No race politics!
What is
happening today would make them turn in their graves.
What would
happen when it is the turn of a Malay President? Would he be rolled out as the
best Malay candidate for the Presidency? Or would he be rolled out as the best
Singaporean for the Presidency? Next, this is the best Malay President to
represent all races? This is the most meritorious candidate, chosen and elected
based on merit, or based on race? Meritocracy is not compromised?
What do you
think?