What I learnt from One Man's View of the World - Lee Kuan Yew's Book

[@CunningHamster123]

I read this book in 2015, at that point of time my mind was blown at how accurate his view was even up till today. Just look at how he talks about china and us tension back in 2013. How he explains china's goals, values and intention is what many western politician do not understand. Many of his views still hold true up till today.

[@RichardCoward]

Yes it is amazing. Are there any of his other books you recommend? or any other good books you recommend?

[@mattongbp]

@@RichardCoward Sorry to heard...You READ POISON. A mere man so hubris educated(miseducated) by the british colonial master to be a pawn pupper here in the far east. The rest of Asian are not like him and plenty of good people are aware of his plenty sins. Group Representation Constituency(GRC): Ang Mo Kio. Just like US gerrymandering. That is how they dictated. Google about Tang Liang Hong, Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and the poisoning Chee Soon Juan.

[@audreygiamlayhoon]

​@@RichardCoward From 3rd world to 1st. His 2 volume biography

[@michaelzeng7096]

Mr Lee Kuen Yew our senior Minister n father of Singapore is patriotic intelligent n had great foresights help to build n established the infrastructures institutions of Singapore till today. We own him a great deals for our future societies. Full of honour n highly respects for this gentleman. Without him as a leader Singapore may not had survived. Full of gratitude for this gentleman Senior Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for sharing Michael

[@Jojo-oi3iz]

Without Mr Lee Kuan Yew's vision and leadership qualities, Singapore would not be what it is today. Singaporeans are very fortunate to have a leader like him.

[@RichardCoward]

Thank you, it's true

[@maytan1622]

I totally agree

[@RichardCoward]

@@maytan1622 thanks for the comment

[@maytan1622]

@@RichardCoward Hi Richard not at all especially when its a true fact

[@RichardCoward]

@@maytan1622 sure! nice facts

[@MelvinSimKH]

Singapore’s National language IS Malay. English is one of the 4 official languages alongside Malay, Mandarin and Tamil. Due to the mix of ethnicities in Singapore, English is the common working language cutting across cultures. The genius of Lee Kuan Yew is that as a member of the majority ethnic Chinese group (75%), he did not impose nor let the majority group impose their language on the rest of the minority groups. He withstood a lot of flak for that and still is disliked by many elderly Chinese in Singapore.

[@RichardCoward]

Yes, having English as the working language is so important for international trade and creating balance. So interesting what he said about thinking that Europe needs to adopt English as the common working language in order to succeed as a union.

[@adamlai8281]

@@RichardCoward He also said something similar to India.

[@RichardCoward]

@@adamlai8281 Yes, I didn't realise it was so divided linguistically

[@IA100KPDT]

He's using English because using any other languages will be offensive to other races since 60s is a turbulent times with lot of race riots.

[@RichardCoward]

@@IA100KPDT thanks for sharing

[@clementihammock7572]

He had a capable team, Dr. Goh Keng Swee, S. Rajaratnam, Howe Yoon Chong and a few World Class Well Educated Civil Servants. And they always tough it out and finished their lifelong goals.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks I will do some research into those guys

[@RichardCoward]

Having a great team is always so important - a great leader builds a great team

[@lijing6804]

​@@RichardCoward find the book Lee's Lieutenants - Singapore's Old Guards for starter. Later try getting Goh Keng Swee's - A Legacy of Public Service.

[@RichardCoward]

@@lijing6804 thank you, I will have a look

[@bensgoodeats1493]

@@RichardCoward It was a team effort

[@bobguard]

For your information, LKY and the PAP did not start off having high salaries, and it is not because of that that corruption in the country was largely eliminated, as many assumed. In fact, LKY had clamped down hard on corruption from the very start. However, in later years, it become increasingly difficult to attract top talent to join the government; and you do want competent people to lead. Recruiting top caliber public spirit leaders from the private sector into the public office is no easy task; especially if it means a huge sacrifice of their personal privacy and sharp decline in personal income. I, for one, would not begrudge a reasonable higher salary for our top leaders that commensurate with their capabilities and responsibilities, as long as they do a good job in leading the country. Surely, the job of a national leader is far more important than that of a corporate CEO when so many citizens lives are concern?

[@RichardCoward]

I agree. It's a shame that there is no appetite for this in UK, Europe and USA. If you are looking to attract the best people it's a good idea to pay more. The impact they can have is huge.

[@robot-2704]

I agree. Also, let's be frank: a $1+ million annual salary might seem a lot for most people but it is far below the salary scale of top execs these days (especially the ones who can deliver results). Furthermore, one has to consider the total compensation package. Elsewhere, the considerably lower base salary is often compensated in other ways, for e.g., book deals, pension schemes, appearance fees for corporate events etc. This attracts a certain breed of politician -- demagogues/idealists (depending on how charitable you are) -- who package themselves as selfless individuals wholly committed to public service but who in reality is really out to gain clout from which other benefits naturally follows.

[@RichardCoward]

@@robot-2704 thanks for shaing

[@richardwaters8900]

Yes. The high salary part is not entirely correct. The 1st, 2nd gen leaders were not paid so highly. It was only last 2 decades that they started paying the ministers extremely high, and infact, it backfired. Since then, things had been gotten worse, esp in terms of living cost, and the arrogance of the ministers. High salary attracts the wrong type of people. The high salary was an issue and around 2008, they lost significant votes, and they had to reduce the salaries of the ministers to current level.

[@richardwaters8900]

Even now, it is still way too high. Even junior ministers, parliamentary secretaries are overpaid. They competencies and pay dont match at all. The high pay is for buying 'their' souls, and loyalty to the party, rather than the people.

[@tkyap2524]

Speaking English doesn't necessarily make a person an Englishman. Knowing how to effectively use the language is the ability to communicate.

[@RichardCoward]

Yes that’s true

[@1517the_year]

Spot on. From an Irishman ❤️

[@ADLfb]

As a Singaporean, borned before Singapore's Independence in 1965, you did a pretty good review of Mr Lee Kuan Yew in about 10 minutes.

[@RichardCoward]

Thank you, I’ll try to make another one that’s a bit better with more info - really interesting topic

[@RichardCoward]

It’s mainly things I learnt by reading his book so I appreciate your comments and real experiences

[@remyazharyyosef1811]

As a Malay Singaporean, I'm not offended when people said that English is a national language. When it's actually Malay is the national language but English is the transactional language in terms of business and other things. Yet when people think English being the national language just because it's widely spoken here, like I said, I'm not a bit offended. I'm just amused at how ignorant and misinformed people.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for the correction. I should say that English is the main, most widely spoken. Malay is the national language

[@kimchiba4570]

Could you explain the derivation n principles of Laplace Transform to me ? Just because some people aren't cognizant of certain facts and figures dun make them ignorant, nor does it grant you the right to be 'amused'... Get off your your high horse

[@RichardCoward]

@@kimchiba4570 thanks for sharing your thoughts, but it is important - to get the national language correct and understand the history behind it.

[@patricktan6456]

We must be very clear that there 4 national languages in Singapore. Malay, Chinese, Tamil and English. English is also used as a working language. LKY was also very in step with the population and the region. Eg the national anthem is in Malay and in the uniformed organisations (police and army) the commands are also in Malay.

[@RichardCoward]

@@patricktan6456 Thanks for sharing and the clarification Patrick.

[@appreciate_moment]

Hi, just like everyone's comment, the national language is Malay. The national song is in malay. Due to economic and history, the official language is English. Well the purpose is clearly to be globally connected. I'm one of the generations that only speaks English and Malay. I'm Chinese but my mother tongue is hokkien and shamelessly I can't speak Chinese. LKY is one and very rare leader. And statement is correct he'll just do what works and improve it along the way. My mother told me in the early days, many people in those days don't really like him bcos of his strict policies esp forces people to move out from the squatters or shop houses in Chinatown, impose force savings and etc. I guess people at the time was unable to appreciate his vision. The pioneer generation now are able to see the changing days before and after independence. They will be able to affirm it. My mum used to live in the shop houses in Chinatown. It's a very communal living where you share living spaces with many families. On the minister's salary, the other purpose is to avoid corruption. Do come and visit Singapore. I don't mind to meet and tell you about Singapore best secrets.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for your comment, I plan to!

[@andrewlee1275]

Charlie Munger sees past race and was so humble and gracious to praise others where credit is due. Really Respect.

[@RichardCoward]

Why would race have anything to do with it?

[@kimchiba4570]

True genius are never racist nor suremacist

[@RichardCoward]

@@kimchiba4570 It shouldn't be a sign of genius to not be racist!

[@mangocat7255]

Not forgetting other pioneering father that made Singapore possible as a team. Singapore succeeded as a team not just because of lee kuan yew. That's the secret that Singapore will never tell the world. They move as one united. They know that only peace will there be properties.

[@RichardCoward]

thank you Mango Cat, it's always the case that the leader gets most of the credit but the team carries out most of the work.

[@tanchye1720]

1. When a country have a leader & one can vote him out the world cannot says he/she is a dictator. 2. In Singapore most of the minister are ‘selected’ and ‘invited’ into the team base on their talents & abilities. Not just ‘Dick, Tom or Harry’. Professionally, talented well paid members of parliament are less likely to be corrupted. 3. The NEXT important language now for business, especially for SEA is Mandarin (just like English). Singapore have the advantage especially when negotiating deals with China as both languages as well spoken here.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for sharing Tan

[@RichardCoward]

我同意

[@franciscody9622]

1. Wrong. You vote based on what you know. A dictator can control what you know so he can control who you vote for. 2. Right. The "talent and ability" to "toe the line" and "not rock the boat" to be "yes men". 3. Knowing Mandarin is not enough. Most Singapreans have poor analytical and communication skills.

[@RichardCoward]

​@@franciscody9622 thanks for sharing your thoughts. That doesn't match with the Singaporeans I've met!

[@LovePeaceAntiFanatic]

Every Singaporean has saving account from the moment they were born. I wish I have that too, now I don't even know if my canada gov pension has enough to cover my retirement life!

[@buckrogers5331]

English is the functional language of Sg. If you read Wikipedia, Malay is listed as the National Language and indeed Sg's national anthem is in Malay, which is quite unusual given that Sg has a population of 75% Chinese. Why is this so? It is all down to Respect. Respect for one's history and heritage. Sg was a Malay village and ship refueling/provisions tax outpost before Raffles came. Plus, if Sg had ignored its Malay heritage, that might have made the local Malays unhappy. This in turn would stir up trouble in next door neighbor Malaysia. The Malays there would think the local Malays in Sg were being "bullied". So in some sense, LKY was aware of the racial tensions that existed in the day. By doing what he did, he appeased the local Malays and gave them a past in order to look to the future. Now, that's recognising reality and respecting history at no cost really, rather than the alternative which is to shaft English and other Western ideas down throats of people. Also note that LKY never painted a "glorified future" of modernity to his citizens. It was always about what needed to be done to get somewhere, e.g. desperate mass housing, hygiene, education, reliable utilities, and mass employment. The best thing about LKY is he meant what he said and said what he meant. And a lot of his wisdom was actually getting the truth from the ground amongst fellow Sgrens, not through layers of often self-serving civil servants, which is the downfall of the Qing Dynasty with its nasty network of eunuchs and intermediaries. And Sg has a LKY School of Public Policy to help train Next Generation public leaders from around the world. A master's level public service course. The study of Political Will is often ignored or understated. The clean-up of the once-dirty Sg River is one such example. No buts. Get it done. It took 10 years. Sometimes, things take longer to get done. You just have to press at it. And LKY was not afraid to ask for development advice from others. A United Nations unit played a key role. LKY is a nation-builder par none and a person with great introspection (not holding power forever). And one can say China's modernity is due in much credit to Sg's exemplary nation-building model. An authoritative govt that gets people to where they should be, not what an ideology dictated. It's very simple really. People need jobs to earn $$$ to take care of things/and self growth; they need a sense of stake-holding to belong (i.e. owning homes, grow a family, etc., putting down roots); and thirdly, a nice, clean environment to live work and play. And Sg's modern and peaceful growth is no bluff. Take a look at its National Pledge. Every citizen grew up reciting it in the morning from primary school onwards. Seriously, no racial discrimination, true social equality and justice. And no gender bias. Being a career woman in Sg is probably the best thing in the world.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for sharing Buck

[@ymhktravel]

As a Singaporean myself, I think you have almost described SG as too perfect. NO country is free of discrimination, even in a homogeneous country, let alone a multiracial country. It's just that first, discrimination is often not-in-your-face aggressive violent type but it does exist. 2nd, we've laws that deal with overt discrimination of all forms but they can't eradicate it. Where there are differences in terms of education, ages, gender, sexual orientations, ethnicities, wealth levels etc, there will be some form of discrimination.

[@RichardCoward]

@@ymhktravel thank you for sharing. I am an outside observer after reading some of Lee Kuan Yew's books.

[@salbenrosli707]

Actually Singapore isnt a malarial swamp. We were already a thriving port in 1965, but our industry was still in manufacturing and most of our people were doing menial jobs. However, Singapore is now an economic hub, a flight hub, a business hub, a transportation hub, an information hub and our Singapore Dollars are comparable to the USD. The thing is, LKY ruled with an iron fist during the first 30 years of his ruling, and that what made Singapore into one of the top thriving nations in 53 years.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for sharing, it's amazing how things have grown since then

[@lq9734]

Back then thriving for the Ang Moh Towkays only lah, our forefathers were still living in kampungs and carrying sacks on the docks.. The English colonisers never invested in manufacturing in Singapore, they did try to grow opium though.

[@woiace]

Much of Singapore in the 1960s was still underdeveloped and there was plenty of uncleared jungle in those days. And there were still plantations as well. The ‘malarial swamp’ was a bit sweeping but not totally wrong.

[@leewn2319]

The takes 2 to twine. Sg is very blessed to have a wise, bold and visionary founder & leader PM Lee Kuan Yew with him a great team of talented ministers and a supportive citizens to who understand the stakes to build a nation and are willing to make personal sacrifices so that his vision and ideas could materialize for the betterment of the country and future generations.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for sharing Lee that is interesting and true

[@ckokloong]

I admire LKY but I think many people did not give enough credit to average Singaporean who helped to build the country. LKY shared a story: his MPs make house visit to understand living condition of the people. One dorm they visit house with 10 person living in a room. One of the person was under the blanket. The MP asked why he is under the blanket? That person say he is not wearing any pants because his is sharing his pants with his room mate who is working outside at the moment. LKY can only do so much without the citizen working hard and sacrifice for a better country.

[@RichardCoward]

thanks for sharing that story, it's so important to understand the people.

[@vincentxiao601]

❤

[@zhen86]

Well, today pap mp will have RC going your house and say xxx mp is coming for house visit. They come announced, and is a grand affair. Some got their time wasted, as the selected house from RC need to get ready for the MP visit and as the MP only go to a few that was selected, they need to waste time waiting.

[@RichardCoward]

@@zhen86 thanks Zhen for your comment. Did you have a house visit? What is it like?

[@cancanjaker1620]

@@zhen86 most people don't wait because they don't care. So those who do wanted to see the MP and didn't waste their time.

[@uwet.8826]

English itself does not make Singapore successful. The Philippines also speaks English but is it successful? Singaporeans studying in public schools (unlike many countries, in Singapore, there is no prestige going to private schools) need to take 2 languages. It is the bilingualism that affords us to understand our neighbours, tap into the potential of 2 most populous countries and play useful interlocutor roles in geopolitics and business, between the global South and global North. The work ethics certainly plays a bigger part. Most Japanese and Koreans don't speak English but it is their work ethics that brought them into the Global North league.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for your comment, it's a great advantage

[@davidwong7283]

Bill Clinton asked Lee not to cane Micheal Fay for vandalism in singapore . we still caned him . At Lee kuan yew funeral , clinton Bill was here to attend . i am of the view , he respects what we are doing .

[@RichardCoward]

thanks for sharing that is interesting

[@wendyshoowaiching4161]

An awesome man, a great leader. A no nonsense man

[@RichardCoward]

Yes true!

[@cristianmontenegro9954]

Hay publicación en español?

[@RichardCoward]

I don't know if there is spanish version, you can try to google it

[@tiongloo3473]

When LKY speak, the world leaders stop to listen.

[@RichardCoward]

Yes he is well respected by so many leaders

[@truthalonetriumphs6572]

Yeah, right :) it's a city, not a country ... he's like a mayor. What's the fuss? Of course, people want to be diplomatic and not offend anyone.

[@RichardCoward]

@@truthalonetriumphs6572 thanks for the insight

[@RichardCoward]

@@truthalonetriumphs6572 Singapore is today (beside Monaco) the most densely populated independent country in the world.

[@ngshervin9270]

@@truthalonetriumphs6572 it’s a country..

[@angeluscorpius]

It is said that Singapore has no natural resources, except for its people. And so the govt/PAP (ruling party) talent scouts the best people and bring them into the civil service and the govt, in order to run and regulate Singapore efficiently. In contrast, in the US for example, the best and brightest are head hunted by Wall Street and large conglomerates like Goldman Sachs, and Merrill Lynch. And these geniuses find ways and means to make money better and faster. And they come up with complex financial products (like derivatives), and they package risks and sell them. And the regulators, who did not get head hunted by Wall Street have to regulate these geniuses and their complex products? Tbey could barely understand how these complex products work, let alone the dangers of these products. And so when the sub-prime mortgage market failed and the Great Recession happened, Lehman Brothers was a casualty, and AIG would have been one if the govt had not saved them. And this was a result of "A" grade graduates being regulated by "B" grade graduates in govt. This does not (or at least is less likely to) happen in Singapore. The govt grabs the "A" student when he graduates and puts him to work to regulate banks, financial institutions, etc. The "A-" graduates get to go into businesses and banks, and they can't pull any wool over the regulators, because, they are smarter. Which is good no? Well, Singapore had a different problem. If all the smart ones are in govt preventing the not-as-smart from dreaming up schemes to make more money faster, how do we innovate? So while our system is good, it is TOO good at keeping the smart ones from innovating in the private sector... which is also seen in the govt sector coming up with more innovations... But govt are not very conducive for innovations... this is something that Singapore needs to change.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for sharing that is a very interesting thought. Is it one or the other? Can we find a balance?

[@NEAAFFAIRS]

@@RichardCoward I used to think like the OP, but change as my experience/exposure widen. Maybe it used to be that way. But I don't think anymore. Strategic interest/business to Singapore and many other countries are regulated/controlled by the government. E.g national carrier, telco. Banks. Others have found success like Breadtalk, Razer, SecretLab, Osim, Creative to name a few. It's easy to say the government rob innovation when one fails. Sheng Siong Supermarket compete with NTUC the 'govt' Supermarket. They are relatively successful. Any thoughts?

[@RichardCoward]

@@NEAAFFAIRS Thanks for your thoughts. Singapore seems to be one of the most attractive places to be located in and to do business in Asia, and the world. Creating such a great environment should be enough to lead to growth, opportunities, talent.

[@johnchua9387]

I disagree with your analyses. If Singapore failed to innovate we won't be in the top 10 GII index year after year. You have to also understand that Singapore local population is only 3.4 million out of the 5.6 million residents residing in Singapore. To have invented products that had an impact on this world ( think creative technology, the infamous thumb drive controversy, thermal scanner during sars and many more. Just google) is no small feat albeit we do not have the Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Elon Musk or China's Ma Yun...etc. They, the unknown heroes are still hard at work to create or invent products that can make an I.pact to the world. Its a never work in progress. So do not discount us as far innovation is concerned.

[@angeluscorpius]

@@johnchua9387 I don't think you get my point. Let me try again. And I'll start from one of your points. We have a small population 3.4million Citizens. Of this 3.4 million the really creative are maybe 5%? 10%? 1%? Whatever. Let's agree that not everyone is equally creative or innovative or capable of innovation. That the innovation spirit/ intelligence is a rarity in the population. And these brilliant people/innovators are needed to help run Singapore. And our govt (or the PAP, if you prefer) head hunts these "A" students to get them to run out statutory boards, and civil service. The pay is good, and the career path is desirable. Of course, some brilliant people would not be attracted by civil service or govt work. Some people are more free spirit and would rather starve than work for the govt. And some may be brilliant, but may have a rebellious streak that means they are not head hunted. And these "rebels" or independent-spirits will be the "Sim Wong Hoo's" of Singapore (tho it is telling that there is only one example of Sim Wong Hoo). Others may be Jack Neo's or Hossan Leongs or Gurmit Singhs, or Emma Yongs, or Ovidia Yu or Olivia Lum, or any other Singapore Innovators (sorry, my examples are mostly from theatre - you may have your heroes). The point is NOT that Singapore has no innovators or no innovation. The point is our system, with our limited pool of possible talent, has systematically co-opted many "talents" into the establishment, for the purpose of ensuring that Singapore succeeds (your definition may differ), and successfully maintains the "Singapore System". The question is not how can we be more innovative. The question is how many potential innovators has Singapore co-opted into the govt and the statutory boards? But yes, you can continue to assert that Singapore is Innovative, cos we are top 10. Why not top 5? Or Top 3?

[@nsng1298]

One of the strengths of the Singapore government is the long term planning. The government plan 5 years or 10 years ahead. In the U.S. or many Western countries, the politicians who are voted into power plan for the next election.

[@RichardCoward]

Yes that is a big advantage to be able to look to the long term

[@ylein6508]

In Australia, they don’t even plan much. Because they are in term for only 5 years, they usually give handouts freely to make the people happy without thinking how the future generations are going to pay for it

[@SweetAsCupcake]

Singapore or SG for us Locals plans 20 - 50 years ahead, not 5-10 years ahead. Every town/train station (already built or otherwise)/housing estates/some govt bldgs (including older airports - yes SG though a small country has other airports other than Changi Airport)/etc are already planned for the next few decades to come, and the master plan for decades in advance just keeps evolving. Some plans laid decades ago can actually be seen here in KZbin about SG’s water/power sources/etc, and some future already-in-the-works govt plans can also be seen here in KZbin = probably the reason why many call SG the “Future City”. By the way, some of Singapore’s known tourist landmarks have a dual purpose (meaning they are not just there as a tourist destination). Not many know about this, FYI.

[@PrograError]

@@SweetAsCupcake wait... what the merlion has to do with that? barrage sure but merlion is just a water pump literally

[@SweetAsCupcake]

@@PrograError I never said anything about the Merlion. Kindly read back. I simply elaborated how SG plans decades ahead to the future and how many tourist attractions have a dual purpose, but I did not specify the Merlion.

[@mypandabear50344]

He did not takeover a malarial swarm. Singapore was already a bustling crown colony by 1940s. Go look for Videos from British Archives.

[@RichardCoward]

thanks any that you recommend? kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5XWi6Vvq659jNk&ab_channel=BritishPath%C3%A9 It's amazing how the whole world has developed since then

[@ML-yu5ij]

You must be a dropout

[@RichardCoward]

@@ML-yu5ij ​ thanks for the comment

[@AvengeBasketball]

Malay is the “National” language but most non Malays Singaporeans don’t speak that language with Malays making up only 13%. I think English should be called our first language since that’s what we learn in School, 2nd language usually would be chosen by our ethnicity.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for your thoughts

[@maskmanfive3774]

Eh it really depends on the beholder .... Someone may benefit from the words and views ... Others will be disadvantaged. The world will have to be rid of all life for everyone to be equal.

[@RichardCoward]

Hello thanks for your comment

[@CrossbredmiMiyang]

Obviously you did your homework and I fully agrees with most of your point but cannot agree with you, “labelling” Mr Lee as a dictator whom run Singapore with “brutality” … before and shortly after the birth of Singapore, we are under threat with racism, gangsters , religion issues and especially the forever dangerous communists not to mention foreign threats example Indonesia. Without Lee’s roughy and firm action , you probably will not witness the success Singapore of today but a poor , highly corrupted and disorganized Singapore . Nevertheless kudos to your brilliant work of doing your research on Singapore my home my motherland , wish you safe and healthy.

[@RichardCoward]

Thank you, I understand

[@limbehh8494]

Well say my fellow Singaporean... without Mr. Lee n his team firm action n policy. We will not be what we are today.

[@CrossbredmiMiyang]

@@limbehh8494 yes 👍 my fellow country mate , like him Mr Lee or not no one could take away his and his colleagues’s credit of show casing what Singapore are today . Despite I do not vote for PAP i approve most of their policy and decisions also not to mention their sacrifices and determination, it’s just that I do not want to see they are so use to receiving high votes and becoming arrogant , a big bully and one day they have so much power that no one could challenge them anymore is a spell of danger . Good example, look at PRC today and it’s people. I know because I live and work in China for 22 years before coming back on 2019 .

[@CrossbredmiMiyang]

@@RichardCoward no offense I hope , I’m just sharing my thoughts as a typical native Singaporean 3rd generation. Nevertheless I would like to extend my best wishes to you and family an early merry Christmas and happy new year. Cheers 🥂

[@RichardCoward]

@@CrossbredmiMiyang thank you, you too!

[@amelaamelajiang493]

Is not he to rule.. .far to finesse yea.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for sharing

[@tomeu9872]

Japan is a good match.

[@RichardCoward]

Good match?

[@temasek65]

So what have you learnt from the book “No man is an island”?

[@RichardCoward]

I’ll check it out

[@mkang666]

English is an official language not national language. Malay is Singapore national language.

[@RichardCoward]

Yes, thanks for the comment

[@bowlampar]

Singaporean continue to elect a 'dictator' and his PAP political party to lead their nation somehow had make this 'little red dot' seen rather strange in the eye and compounded confusion in mind of many foreign leaders. 🤣😁

[@RichardCoward]

thanks Lam for sharing your thoughts

[@richardwaters8900]

The high pay part is not entirely correct. The 1st, 2nd gen leaders were not paid so highly. It was only last 2 decades that they started paying the ministers extremely high, and infact, it backfired. Since then, things had been gotten worse, esp in terms of living cost, and the arrogance of the ministers. High salary attracts the wrong type of people. The high salary was an issue and around 2008, they lost significant votes, and they had to reduce the salaries of the ministers to current level.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks, yes: mothership.sg/2018/05/ministerial-salaries-history-singapore/

[@ML-yu5ij]

You had to repost this in a pathetic attempt to garner attention?

[@RichardCoward]

​@@ML-yu5ij thanks for the comment

[@insertname1841]

I agree with most points though the example (Trump) provided to prove that monetary incentives for politicians works is an erroneous one. Trump was an anomaly because ultra rich politicians are a rarity. In fact, he would need to lose money and power over politics when he became a politician. The example provided should be rich lifetime politicians who siphon off money from donors (who have the real power) and keeping politics a business instead of incentivising people with good career backgrounds to run the country.

[@RichardCoward]

Yes, let’s see what happens in future

[@ivancen5020]

Actually I don't think Trump is an anomaly here. He does siphon off money from donars and contrarary to what you mentioned, he doesn't lose money at all despite not collecting the meaningless salary. He benefits from it in indirect ways like most politicians, which is why ours are paid much more because of the restrictions from making such money elsewhere.

[@kakkay898]

National language is Malay. Common language is English.

[@RichardCoward]

Yes

[@tkhaw]

The video misses the point.

[@RichardCoward]

Thanks for the feedback TK what do you think it’s missing

[@musico3415]

Wrong info. Lee Kuan Yew is Not the founder of Singapore, Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles is. Lee Kuan Yew is the first PM of Singapore and with his then many good ministers helped to make Singapore a first world nation.

[@RichardCoward]

Thank you for your comment, I said that Lee Kuan Yew, is recognised as the founder of modern singapore. Sir Thomas Stamford was the founder of the port city of Singapore, he was born in 5 July 1781 and died in 5 July 1826.

[@musico3415]

@@RichardCoward who recognized Lee Kuan Yew as the founder of modern Singapore? Surely not Singaporeans who know Singapore history.

[@RichardCoward]

@@musico3415 www.npr.org/sections/parallels/2015/03/22/393824362/founding-father-of-modern-singapore-lee-kuan-yew-dies-at-91 it depends on how you define modern - I would say that modern has to be in the last 100 years. Modern is relating to the present or recent times as opposed to the remote past.

[@musico3415]

@@RichardCoward He is NOT the founder of modern Singapore. Period.

[@RichardCoward]

@@musico3415 OK thanks for your comments

[@truthalonetriumphs6572]

It's just a city. What's the huge fuss? LKY and his government are like a mayor and city council members.

[@RichardCoward]

It's a pretty successful city

[@KatJade269]

Hahaha

[@ek6522]

It's a country. Don't be so disrespectful calling my country "just a city" We may be small but we are a nation

[@RichardCoward]

@@ek6522 its a troll...

[@nasil9044]

You are right. It’s just a city. Just stay in USA as it is your ‘first world country’. Nothing is a fuss to Americans.

[@kaikailele]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salaries_of_members_of_the_United_Kingdom_Parliament Check out the perks of UK parliamentarians.

[@RichardCoward]

www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/U.K.-have-prime-ministers-ever-been-well-paid/article16242532.ece

[@khtay8731]

@@RichardCoward The Singapore government has also coopted Highly Successful Career Professionals to be elected as Members of Parliament and then Maybe be developed to become Cabinet Ministers. The easiest example for your research is Senior Counsel, current Law Minister Mr K Shanmugam. He had to take a sizeable pay cut to become a Govt Minister. It was reported that his annual personal intax paid was greater than his Ministers Salary! That's National Service again.

[@RichardCoward]

@@khtay8731 Thats interesting. Sounds like a good strategy.

[@thesci6803]

post office speech and lobbying pay is also big

[@RichardCoward]

@@thesci6803 thanks for sharing