There is only one MM, and he is unique: PM Lee

There is only one MM, and he is unique: PM Lee
04:46 AM Apr 06, 2011
by Ng Jing Yng
Following his speech at the Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum last night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong fielded more than a dozen questions from the audience. Here are some excerpts:
Will the young slate of candidates ... remain relevant for the older generation ... ?

Mr Lee: ... Do you have somebody in mind? ... You may not have anybody in mind, but I think the audience does.
So, are you asking about Tin Pei Ling? ... we first noticed her … in 2007 … she was one of the speakers … she impressed the audience … her parents ... ran a coffeeshop … she knows what it is to be poor and to work hard ... I think we made the right decision … I am confident she will make a good MP.
The purpose of having the GRC system is to ensure minority representation … if Mr Michael Palmer were to win in his single member constituency (Punggol East), doesn't it debunk the GRC theory?
Mr Lee: ... Does that mean that I can field in any constituency in Singapore ... a minority candidate against a Chinese candidate and ... that a minority will (do) ... as well as a Chinese?
I do not think so ... I don't think it will be for a very long time to come ... the minorities will always be at a disadvantage ... we need the GRC system for a long time.
The fourth-generation PM should be one who starts off his political career by getting into Parliament through contesting in an SMC ...?
Mr Lee: ... You look at Teo Chee Hean … He came in Marine Parade through a by-election in 1992 ... newly retired from the Navy … so, he needed time to find his feet ... The people we are bringing in now are not ready to be PM today, but somebody amongst them ... one day I hope will be the PM.
And by the time he is PM, he must be able to stand up and say I am here ... with the full support of Singapore.
There seems to be a new trend of having new citizens to serve as MPs ... they do not know how I live and they are going to represent me.
Mr Lee: They ... are people who have spent quite some time here, who have struck roots here, who have family here and who we are satisfied ... are committed to Singapore ... Because they have seen the world ... they ... know what is precious here and ... if they have decided that this is their home, they will defend it.
... How do I have the guarantee that they won't leave us ... for better opportunities elsewhere?
Mr Lee: ... I think the core has to be Singaporean ... Around a strong core, I can bring in people who are immigrants ... but who have shown they are committed to Singapore.
How does the position of Minister Mentor contribute to the stability of Singapore? ... do you have the aspirations of being MM?
Mr Lee: There is only one MM ... He is Mr Lee Kuan Yew and he is unique.
And his role and his contributions are also unique ... in terms of his international stature, in terms of his network, in terms of the weight which people give to what he says, I think he is a very precious resource ...
Because they have high respect for him, they have high respect for Singapore ...
But there will not be another MM and I will not be another MM.
Why high salaries and potential leadership positions have failed to attract new candidates from the private sector, compared to the Opposition parties?
Mr Lee: We're looking for a certain type of person, certain job specifications ... but also commitment, integrity, purpose.
When you're going into the Opposition or going into the Government, I'm not sure that the job specifications are the same ...
So, the difficulty bringing in people from the private sector. I would say ... the salary is not the major factor. We can bring the people in, they will do the job. It is a realistic salary, they'll take the sacrifice ...
To come in, change tracks, change system, change thinking - (they) may succeed, may not succeed - (is a) high risk to them, not high risk to us, because we'll be bringing them in, and if it doesn't work, we just throw them back out. But supposing if you're one of those who'll be thrown back out, you might not look at it with such equanimity."
URL http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110406-0000484/There-is-only-one-MM,-and-he-is-unique--PM-Lee

==========
At/ related:
07Apr2011: Huge uproar over PM Lee's comments