Mentors...

There seems to be a push towards mentorism in the current political regime in Singapore. Mr Lee Kuan Yew retired from the political limelight (sort of) in 1990 and became Senior Minister taking on a more "consultancy" role with Mr Goh Chok Tong at the helm of the People's Action Party. After his retirement in 2004, he took on the post of Senior Minister and our dear SM Lee become Minister Mentor (a post specially created for him).

It looks as though the older generation still feels the need to "tutor" our new leaders. It's almost as if the entire cabinet is still tied to "mommy's apron strings". I mean, they're so unwilling to let the children grow up and move on. When is this going to stop? Really.

Now, Dr Tony Tan, has made a similar announcement in that he's going to retire from politics but continue to "play a mentor role" (Straits Times, March 26 2006). I'm sure that our younger generation of politicans are more than capable of running the country but I guess it's really hard to let go. Kinda like parenting. It's not easy when a parent finds that the child has grown and is ready to move out. No matter how old you get, parents will still and always treat the child as one. It's the bond that makes us special and different from other animals.

Of course not everybody would agree with all the policies of the current government but seriously, do we actually have an opposition that's worthy of taking the seat of power? Singaporeans are always outwardly complaining about the government but inwardly, they don't do anything. Most are ready to criticize without thought but honestly speaking, without the PAP, would Singapore truely be where it is today?

I'm not pro-PAP but until such a time where there's a better political party that can run our country putting the nation's interests first and not political agenda, I'd stick with the PAP for now.