Letter: A reflection on Singapore’s political decline
Letter writer chimes in, noting that Singapore’s political leadership today seems more focused on self-interest than public good, with rising inequality, lack of transparency, and policies that burden the vulnerable.
by Lawrence Siow
I've lived long enough to know that no one knows everything. That said, I also know a few things for certain. Like those in power tend to do whatever they want, often to their own benefit and at the expense of the weak and underprivileged. They do this because they can. Then they will come up with all sorts of reasons and dumb excuses why it had to be done.
Someone said, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely", for a very good reason. Power is both addictive and intoxicating. Very few can handle it for long and not go bad. This is human nature.
Just look at the world today. It's a big mess because no leader possesses integrity or credibility. They simply can't be trusted. They all have their personal agendas. Or look at Singapore. Even if you argue that we are miles ahead of our neighbouring countries and better than most (which we are), things are going south. The quality and calibre of our political leadership have diminished with each generation. Why?
The reason is simple and clear - unlike our founding fathers, today they are in office more for themselves than for the good of society. It's not that they haven't done anything good or beneficial. Of course they have, but it isn't their priority. They do enough to get by, to show the public they're doing their job but behind the scenes, they and their cronies get rewarded big time.
The lack of transparency and accountability, ownself check ownself, unequal distribution of wealth, perceived gerrymandering, making money out of everything, even public housing or healthcare, raising Godds & Service Tax which then causes a spike in the cost of living and then giving handouts and vouchers for wayang...this really gets my goat.
