After 60 years of continuous PAP rule, the thought of a coup in Singapore is furthest from the minds of Singaporeans. Thinking of a coup in Singapore is a non starter, never a second needs to be wasted on such an idea. The transition of political power has gone through 4 PMs without a hitch, something of an envy to countries in Asean.
The closest moment to a coup in Singapore, if it could be called a coup, was the attempt to oust Lim Chee Onn as the Trade Union Chief, an appointee of then PM Lee Kuan Yew. Most Singaporeans would have no recollection of what happened then. The young would not have a clue. Only the seniors may still have a fleeting memory of events that happened, actually over a week, that shocked the Singapore political system.
If I could recollect, it was front page news. Singaporeans woke up staring at the Straits Times, Lim Chee Onn, the Trade Union Chief, was corrupt. Chee Onn was not only a Trade Union Chief, but also carried a ministerial rank and was a key contender to be the next PM. The allegation of Chee Onn being involved in corruption was a challenge to the PAP, a challenge to the govt, and a challenge to LKY's leadership.
The smear on Chee Onn was carried over all the main media for a few days with clockwork precision. Chee Onn was as good as guilty without trial. No one spoke out on his behalf. He was all alone, voiceless and defenceless. He was done. LKY did not say a word. The political career of Chee Onn was as good as history, faced with a barrage of accusation in the media. The ousting of Chee Onn, a favourite of LKY and handpicked by him to head the Trade Union was a slap in LKY's face. It was audacious!
LKY then was still very much in control, young and full of fighting spirit. LKY was not a pushover. Bringing down Chee Onn could only be the beginning of something bigger. Strange things happened a few days later. The narrative of the main media changed, completely about turn. Chee Onn was innocent. Chee Onn was not corrupt. Chee Onn was a good man. Wow, what a dramatic change of tune. Who was calling the shot over the past few days against Chee Onn, and who was in defence of Chee Onn that shut down all the accusations?
LKY was briefed and presented with all the facts on what Chee Onn did in the transferring of funds within NTUC corporations and there was nothing personal, not a cent went into his pocket. It was restructuring of NTUC's finances. This disclosure fell like a bomb shell. All his critics went mum. Not another word was heard from them. Chee Onn was cleansed from all the accusations and returned to office untarnished as NTUC Chief and retained his minister post. The perpetrators of this plot faded away in silence, into oblivion. It was a close call.
Though the system remained intact, untainted by the allegation, Chee Onn was hurt. He was angry by the charges made against him by dunno who. No one knew, not reported. He subsequently quit politics. It was good fortune then that LKY was strong enough to rectify the wrong thrown at Chee Onn, and the spark of a potential coup was killed before it turned into a wildfire and likely to bring down the system with it. The aftermath, no one dares to play with fire again, not when LKY was around. LKY was angry, and this was enough to stop any adventurer to be mischievous in his watch.
Lawrence Wong is still new and not tested. Would any pretenders dare to test him? Good that he has Hsien Loong watching his back for now. Would there be an attempt to do a Chee Onn on him? The future is not for us to see. Politics is politics.
