Speaking at the annual public service leadership dinner at Shangri-La hotel on Friday (17 Jan), Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the the public service needs to work with a first-class political leadership for Singapore to succeed. “Leadership does matter, and political leaders play a specific, vital role in… our system of government” PM Lee explained that if the country is politically divided, or if the political leaders are well-meaning but mediocre, then a competent civil service would only be able to keep the country going on “autopilot” for some time. “The civil service, under these circumstances, cannot launch major policy initiatives, set new directions, or mobilise the population to mount a national response to major challenges”. Additionally, if the political leaders are not quite up to the mark, the public service then could not function well. “I hope these values will endure beyond the next political generation and continue to be upheld by successive generations of political leaders in Singapore” he concluded. Netizens disagree Nontheless, netizens on social media appear to disagree with PM Lee. One netizen Yeo said: The decline of our civil service under his incompetent watch is all too clear to see. When I was growing up, I often heard of legendary names like George Bogaars, Sim Kee Boon, Ngiam Tong Dow, Philip Yeo … These are men who dared to speak their minds because they were valued for their views even if they differed from the political bosses. But now, name just one prominent civil servant. I cannot even name one. Which Perm Sec dares to speak up in contradiction to their ministers now? Now civil servants spend their time second guessing the ministers – out of fear for their careers. So do you think they have first class political leaders to work with? Another netizen Alderweireld echoed this view: Absolutely spot on PM Lee, we need first class political leaders, not third world leaders who are always absent, or sleeping and being yes men in parliament and are more interested in their private sector life than the people. We need those who are genuinely devoted to serving the people rather than those who can't even empathize with ordinary working folks but think they are entitled to be paid millions year after year. Another netizen Ho felt that his speech was disconnected with reality: Look at how Heng made a fool out of himself in Parliament when taking on Sylvia. Look at how Dr. Lam handled the PMD issue. Look at how Ong responded on the PSLE certificate saga – are these examples of first class leadership? http://www.tremeritus.net/2020/01/18/netizens-wonder-if-pap-can-deliver-a-first-class-political-leadership-in-future/

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Incumbent’s success marks dramatic comeback for party that campaigned against unification with China Tsai Ing-Wen waves to supporters after voting in Taipei, Taiwan, on 11 January. Photograph: How Hwee Young/EPA Taiwanese voters have re-elected incumbent president Tsai Ing-Wen in a landslide election that serves as a sharp rebuke to Beijing and its attempts to intimidate and cajole Taiwan into China’s fold. Winning more than 8m votes, the most any presidential candidate has garnered since Taiwan began holding direct elections for the position in 1996, Tsai easily defeated her opponent Han Kuo-yu, whose Kuomintang party promotes closer ties with China . “This election is about whether or not we choose freedom and democracy,” Tsai said, delivering her victory speech in Taipei. “We must work to keep our country safe and defend our sovereignty.” More than 14 million citizens travelled to their hometowns to vote in the presidential and legislative election on Saturday, casting ballots in schools, temples, parking lots and community centres. Tsai’s party also maintained its majority of seats in the legislature. Tsai’s win, coming after major losses for her Democratic Progressive party (DPP) in the 2018 midterm elections, marks a dramatic comeback helped by a slowly improving economy, missteps by the opposition and mass protests in Hong Kong that exposed what coming under Beijing’s authority might look like to many young Taiwanese. Increased intimidation from China appears to have helped Tsai, who opposes unification with the mainland. In the run-up to the election, China twice sailed its new aircraft carrier through the Taiwan strait. In a speech addressed to Taiwan last year, Chinese leader Xi Jinping said Beijing would not rule out the use of force to bring Taiwan under its authority. During Tsai’s first term, Beijing cut off dialogue with Taiwan, persuaded several of its few remaining allies to drop recognition of it and halted independent travel of Chinese tourists. “This election result carries an added significance. They have shown that when our sovereignty and democracy are threatened the Taiwanese will shout our determination even more loudly back,” Tsai said. “With each presidential election, Taiwan is showing how much we cherish our free democratic way of life and how much we cherish our nation,” she said. Taiwan came under military rule by the Kuomintang (KMT), formerly the governing power of China, after its leaders fled the country in 1949 ahead of advancing communists. Since martial law was lifted in 1987, it has gradually evolved into one of the most vibrant democracies in Asia. Although Taiwan enjoys de facto independence, it is recognised as a state by only 15 other countries. Han, Beijing’s preferred candidate, conceded the election by saying he had not “worked hard enough”. “No matter what happens, I still hope to see a united Taiwan … I urge president Tsai Ing-wen to focus on giving people a life where they can live safely and happily,” he said. Full story at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/11/taiwan-re-elects-tsai-ing-wen-as-president-in-clear-message-to-china