For a robust multi-party system, senior statesmen should guide future leaders – regardless of their parties
by Dinesh Senan: Published: TODAY Newspaper, Singapore: 31 May 2006
WHERE should veteran politicians go when they have moved beyond their prime executive leadership years? That is, when they have moved from the “bronze” medal, entry-level sphere of neophyte politicians, and even beyond the “silver” medal level of “seasoned” senior politicians?
Those who have excelled and still have their physical and mental faculties
intact should consider, for the sake of contributing to the highest levels
of nation building, serving within the “gold” medal realm of
supra-partisan politics. That is, in the neutral domain of true
statesmanship, offering their wisdom in the management of public affairs.
Veteran political personalities today – who are largely from the ranks of one political party – have much more to offer to the future of our nation by rising above their partisan roots, to help build what the younger generation wants and deserves to have: An intellectual space for a multiplicity of responsible leadership voices aimed at achieving the best for Singapore and her people.
The recent elections indicate that Singaporeans do want to have alternative views expressed in Parliament, but such alternative views must come from capable people of integrity.
They are hungry for more voices from citizens who may not necessarily
agree with every policy of the dominant party, but who are nevertheless
honest, constructive critics with national interests above partisan or
self interests.
They want this because they know instinctively that having some degree of creative tension in a Parliament house filled with such members will help the long-term process of coming up with the best options for the country and making optimal decisions.
On the economic front, we are now witnessing unprecedented levels of global competition. To stay still is not an option, as those who are not moving upwards will find that decay sets in swiftly.
All who are without intellectual property (IP) ownership of processes will eventually become the production outhouses working for those who own the IP. What this goes to show is that we need to organise ourselves as a nation optimally and put in place the best possible systems that will draw out the best ideas for Singapore.
Thus far, we have had the People’s Action Party scour the land for whom it considers to be the smartest people. Clearly, the party has been successful.
But ought we to continue relying only on this mechanism? Looking ahead, women and men of calibre may well find stronger resonance with credible alternative parties of the future.
My call is, therefore, for our current band of elder politicians to
consider anticipating our country’s political needs, draw upon their store
of pragmatic nation-building wisdom and pitch in now to lay down the
infrastructure for a robust multi-party Parliament in Singapore.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, on a couple of occasions in the last two months, had dished out recipes for a First World opposition. He had also acknowledged that a First World parliament not only needs a First World government, but also a First World opposition.
What elder politicians like him can do is to transcend partisan politics
and step up into a “Council of Elder Statesmen”. Be available to guide the
future process of governance, neutrally. Be readily available to counsel
and groom women and men of conviction and responsibility to build a career
in politics, regardless of party platform.
Their guidance will help fertilise the ground for responsible future leadership in Parliament, whether through one dominant party or a multiplicity of credibly-led parties.
This council could have within its charter an aim to equip incumbent and aspiring political leaders with certain critical attributes. For example, historical perspective and depth vis-a-vis prevailing domestic and foreign issues, long-term planning and fostering national cohesion.
The council should not have the force of law. It could operate ideally and most effectively through the sheer force of respect for the experience and judgment of such elders.
Some parallels could be drawn with the roles that the revered Nelson Mandela and the King of Thailand play in their countries today – they speak from non-partisan positions, yet are devastatingly influential in the realm of nation-building and in fostering cohesion across the ranks.
In short, this is an argument for leveraging on the wisdom of our founding and veteran political leaders to try and create stable systems of governance that ultimately help ensure we have the best and brightest working for the ultimate good of Singapore.
The Pragmatic Idealist 