Wooden is one of the archetypal Singaporean who does well academically but is basically stupid. LKY's public dismissal of him as "wooden" - "kayu" in Malay, a label given to a person who is stupid, a buffoon - was not just about his stiffness but his stupidity. LKY, being a Peranakan who was well versed in Malay, made it very clear how he felt about Wooden.
LKY knew that anyone competent or charismatic who succeeded him could well thwart his plan for his effeminate son's accession to the PMship. Or worse, like Ong Teng Cheong, would have the charisma, intelligence and potential to set up alternative power centres in the country. And so Wooden became LKY's useful idiot, an idiot he could make use of to warm the seat for his son.
Wooden, being the dud that he was, deluded himself that his ascension to the PMship was because of his intelligence, performance and competence. He got carried way, particularly as the gullible electorate initially welcomed and celebrated his ascension to the PMship as they thought that he would usher in a "kinder and gentler" society.
The 2015 election where Wooden, as ex-PM and "anchor" could muster only 64.1%, was particularly telling, embarrassing and disgraceful. To use a language this dud is very familiar with, it was si beh lau kui. It was the lowest PAP win for a 5-member GRC. It was even lower than minority-led GRCs: Shanmugam, Nee Soon GRC - 66.8%; Tharman, Jurong GRC - 79.3%; Yaacob, Jalan Besar GRC- 67.7% and Halimah, Marsiling-YT GRC - 68.7%. The game was up for Wooden. The electorate was able to finally see him for the fool and dud that he was, and which he continues to be.
Wooden tries to keep himself relevant by spouting inane nonsense, the latest being this "mediocre" rubbish. This useful idiot to LKY is too dense to realise that his "medicore" label is a perfect description of himself and suits him to a T. He will now get his five minutes worth of fame, being in the news and spotlight but will otherwise, matter very little to the country. Those in his party and the senior echelons of the civil service are fully aware that this once useful idiot is no longer useful nor does he matter to the country, nor in the larger scheme of things.
Source: https://www.sammyboy.com/threads/goh-chok-tong-being-wooden-and-being-the-useful-idiot.257754/
Is this what Mediocrity looks like?
Dear friends,
The recent debate about Minister’s pay and mediocrity
has made me realise that our present social political system, if not tweaked, could have drastic consequences.
1. About National Day songs We have not had any new songs for our National Day celebrations for the longest time. The songs of old like Dick Lee’s “Home” or Hugh Harrison's “Stand up for Singapore" were memorable and iconic but why are new songs from new songwriters deemed not deserving of an airing on the national stage on our National Days? Is there a defeatist attitude by the organising committee who is afraid that any new songs will not stand up to public scrutiny. When will this change?
2. About Microsoft and competition Does anyone remember when Microsoft was a near monopoly and regulators were trying to make the playing field fairer? I was amongst many who were saying that “Microsoft Office Suite” was already so good and affordable, why should we not it monopoly power? But after the regulators had done their jobs we were pleasantly surprised with a plethora of applications and software eg Linux Open Office / Google etc, which were more innovative providing better communications for all.
3. About Grab and free market If our regulators eg LTA was short sighted and disallowed “Grab” from entering the market, we would still be complaining about misbehaving taxi drivers instead of enjoying benefits of private rental cars . Of course, not everything is easy to control eg bicycle rental schemes. Frequent tweakings are often needed.
4. About Salaries and motivation Has high salaries of public officials ( including politicians) ring fenced and allowed them to innovate, avoiding short term criticisms or has it ironically make such remuneration. an “iron rice bowl” so coveted that these talented officials will ( perhaps subconsciously) do what is safe to avoid perceptions of failure ?
Is this what Mediocrity looks like?
Cheers,
Dr Huang Shoou Chyuan
http://nofearsingapore.blogspot.com/2018/08/is-this-what-mediocrity-looks-like_18.html
Ministerial salaries: Monetising sacrifices does not seem right, serving country is a privilege
The topic on ministerial salaries has always been contentious, especially when Singaporeans have to brace themselves for higher costs and rising public expenditure for healthcare, education, transport and public infrastructure in the future.
I read the recent reports on ministerial salaries and have a differing view from writer Patrick Liew ("Cabinet ministers ought to be paid well"; Aug 14).
I believe Singaporeans understand that our Cabinet ministers should be recognised for their hard work, but this form of recognition should not be confined to just monetary payment.
When Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong was responding to a question from a member of the public, Mr Abdul Aziz, on reducing ministerial salaries, Mr Abdul was concerned that Singaporeans have to bear the bulk of the cost to address rising expenditure in Singapore's public infrastructure. Mr Abdul was not wrong in his view in suggesting cost-cutting measures, as this is the expected practice in private sector organisations.
Successful companies reduce cost and increase quality concurrently, so that their customers do not need to pay more and, in turn, able to demand more of these companies' products and services.
There are a number of reports and surveys done with Singaporeans showing that pay is not the only deciding factor for job fulfilment or the reason for them to stay on in a challenging but dignified job. It has always been about passion and our work contribution that is valued by our peers, organisations and industries.
Ministerial salaries should be a special class on its own as Singaporeans will be concerned if the potential minister has opted to serve Singapore and her people based on the pay offered.
The idea of monetising sacrifices does not seem right as it should be foremost a privilege to be chosen to serve Singapore and her people.
Full letter at https://www.todayonline.com/voices/ministerial-salaries-monetising-sacrifices-does-not-seem-right-serving-country-privilege
One Chinese phrase best describes Peanut Goh: 满口福建腔烂英语