REACH 219 - Views on newly reshuffle Cabinet by PM Lee (SK)

24 Apr 2021 (11am - 7pm)

 

REACH

[11:05 am, 24/04/2021] +REACH: Dear contributors,

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[11:08 am, 24/04/2021] +REACH: �� Topic ��

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Friday (April 23) announced a reshuffle of his Cabinet, in the first change to political appointments since the general election last year.

This comes two weeks after Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat stepped aside as leader of the People's Action Party's (PAP) fourth-generation (4G) team and paved the way for a younger person with a longer runway to lead the country when PM Lee retires. Although he remains DPM and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies, he will relinquish his role as Finance Minister to Mr Lawrence Wong.

�� What are your views on the latest Cabinet reshuffle by Prime Minister Lee?

�� PM Lee unveils Singapore's new Cabinet line-up: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapores-cabinet-reshuffle-5-things-to-know

�� Reshuffle an opportunity for 4G leaders to work together https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/reshuffle-an-opportunity-for-4g-ministers-to-work-together-in-new-capacities-pm

�� 4G leaders set out aspirations for new roles https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/4g-leaders-set-out-aspirations-for-new-roles-after-cabinet-reshuffle

�� Race for Prime Minister’s post remains open, analysts say https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/cabinet-reshuffle-prime-minister-post-remains-open-analysts-14680524

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[11:16 am, 24/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: Round of applause for the new appointees and appointments. Feedback from friends and missus is positive so far. Looking forward for these Ministers to perform well in their roles. My 2.14 cents.

[11:43 am, 24/04/2021] +Rama: Let's get cracking! All the best to our new team !

[11:47 am, 24/04/2021] +Ken: To me it takes a lot of courage to step down... seriously everyone is expecting you to take over then you say no ��

[11:49 am, 24/04/2021] +Caleb: Very good. No Heng and Chan

[0:28 pm, 24/04/2021] +Valli: Good choices

Salute to Mr Heng for his dedication and decision

All credible selected for their roles.

To bring Singapore forward to next era of digitalisation & smart nation but not forgetting the past generation & elderlies to be taken care of well.

[0:36 pm, 24/04/2021] +Boon: I think the recent period has allowed the public to see the hits, attitude and misses by some in the line up. This transparency has been beneficial to give insights to our next gen leaders, since such insights tend to be hidden during good times - “when even cows could fly”.

[0:36 pm, 24/04/2021] +jimmy chew: Well thought out and good explanation

[0:39 pm, 24/04/2021] +Caleb: https://twitter.com/dansiddiqui/status/1385791387233251330?s=08

A push factor to get vaccinated

[0:48 pm, 24/04/2021] +Boon: However, other than these insights from media, it is difficult to find policies and tangible achievements  to tag to many of our 4G leaders. It is difficult to articulate what each have  stood for, that have made a difference in our society. E.g. Health costs has steadily increased that people are increasingly concerned about falling ill, public transport has not improved, housing prices is inflated, Sg has not build discernible sustainable world class industries after EDB/Phillip Yeo’s time, and without govt support Sg workers would have faced higher risks of unemployment despite “world class education”, etc. Given the relatively short duration that many of the ministers have put in their previous roles, how would they have time to make a diff; or show that they can’t? The reshuffle looks more like a job rotation without the chance for our 4G leaders to develop their achievements to show to Sg and to the rest of the world.

[0:51 pm, 24/04/2021] +YT: Too early to reshuffle. Many of the ministers have been in their roles for less than a year! And Tan See Leng was newly elected but has become minister straightaway. I wonder whether this is a good idea. It's like hiring someone and then straightaway appoint him or her CEO even though not proven and no track record. Tan See Leng has no governing experience.

[0:53 pm, 24/04/2021] +Boon: ��

[1:00 pm, 24/04/2021] +Anne: I think the current vaccines don’t work on the double mutant strain. They need masks and social distancing more.

[1:03 pm, 24/04/2021] +Anne: I hope to see great achievements from our 4G leaders. May they lead Singapore to greater success and resilience.

[1:05 pm, 24/04/2021] +YT: Why must be there a distinction between 4G and 3G? Is the distinction that clear? How is it determined? By age? Or by when the person entered politics?

[1:08 pm, 24/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: Age from what I can tell. 4G leaders are in their late 40s or early 50s now

[1:09 pm, 24/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: Hence 5G likely leaders would be those mid to late 30s and early 40s

[1:13 pm, 24/04/2021] +YT: Using age is not a good indicator of a person's ability to contribute. There are those in their 30s who are running multi-billion dollar companies and then there are those in their 50s who are struggling to make a living. If age is an indicator of ability and performance, then I fear for the future of the country.

[1:33 pm, 24/04/2021] +Rama: Performance in handling the current issues helps determine the outcome. Each term of government has its own challenges at that time.

[1:36 pm, 24/04/2021] +jimmy chew: haha. if they can't lead, the PM Lee HL will be there for a long time.. haha

[1:40 pm, 24/04/2021] +Rama: my sentiments exactly!

 

[2:21 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

1. Should not have issues with the functional Ministries with the appointment of the respective Ministers.

2. However, the next incoming PM is still open according to the various analyst reports - even though there are some indication with the new appointment.

 

[2:22 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/cabinet-reshuffle-prime-minister-post-remains-open-analysts-14680524

 

[2:22 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

Next PM still not decided yet.

 

[2:24 pm, 24/04/2021] +jimmy chew: The 4G team can't decide or don't want to decide until issues are settled..just my thoughts ��

[2:26 pm, 24/04/2021] +jimmy chew: Or no one wants to be like LKY says the others ministers, the old guards are smarter than me but they don't want their lives to be scrutinized and they don't like the attention ��

[2:35 pm, 24/04/2021] +Boon: Agreed!

[2:35 pm, 24/04/2021] +Boon: There’s no continuity

 

[2:45 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

1. High performing teams usually have group dynamics - and team members will not so easily accept a leadership by appointment.

2. Leader among the team members usually need to show his/her mettle worth before other members of the team are willing to accept him/her as their leaders.

 

[2:47 pm, 24/04/2021] +jimmy chew: I thought the 4G have been working together for a long time?

[2:47 pm, 24/04/2021] +65 9740 5395: Its a pity that Ng Chee Meng is not in this. He is a covering alot of groundwork when he was heading MOE.

 

[2:48 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

Unless the Ministers work in many cross Ministries projects.

Ministers in silo will have less such opportunities to work across Ministries.

 

[2:57 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

A PM quality must have domain knowledge across Ministries, able to see the big picture - by connecting the dots and  stitch everything together - and present himself/herself as a natural leader to be able to forward the Nation agenda.

 

[3:00 pm, 24/04/2021] +jimmy chew: LKY doesn't know everything but he has a good lieutenants who would work with him. They have the same vision and mission

 

[3:01 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

A PM will have the qualities of knowing domestic needs, win over the domestic citizens - as well as understanding of the geopolitical big pictures unfolding - and how to secure and safeguard Singapore interest.

The leader will be pit and put to test 360 degrees - by the whole government machinery - before the leader is born.

Practically he/she will have to go through 18 Luohan trial and tribulations before emerging as the natural leader.

 

[3:03 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

He don't need to know every bolt and nut.

But he must be able to see and connect the dots - and see the whole picture and provide vision to lead us forward.

 

[3:04 pm, 24/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: Huh? Bro both of them still around and CCS is now Minister of Education leh

 

[3:20 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

1. Up and coming CEO will root out his competition and bring his kaki into his management team.

2. PM is a different management philosophy.

PM must be able to win over his cabinet colleagues, his party members, the civil servants and the public at large - who are either his kaki, neutral party, and even adversaries, antagonists or oppositions - to emerge as a natural leader.

 

[3:20 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

Because the PM will be their leader. Be it his supporters or his antagonists.

 

[3:29 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

A leader who knows how to please domestic citizens but fail to understand the geopolitical big pictures unfolding - will still pose problem to our future.

Eg Trump is super "America first" - and totally ignore or disregard foreign affairs.

The whole world work against him - and it didn't help his re-election or the country Economy and security.

So the PM must not only be good in domestic affairs but also foreign affairs.

 

[4:04 pm, 24/04/2021] +Rama: There never is as the incoming doesn't follow the incumbent.

[4:06 pm, 24/04/2021] +Rama: understand he is in the party exco, why��‍♂️

[4:06 pm, 24/04/2021] +Rama: agree

[4:24 pm, 24/04/2021] +Boon: ��

[4:25 pm, 24/04/2021] +Caleb: https://www.todayonline.com/world/us-adds-116-countries-do-not-travel-advisory-list

Israel is in the list ��

[4:33 pm, 24/04/2021] +Boon: To me, a PM quality is someone who understands the world’s dynamics, grassroots needs and can lead different interest groups towards common goals that are important for today and for the future. It’s not about populism although populism needs considerations. It’s about a vision, a passion and love for the country and a belief that we can and must do better. A computer can connect the dots too.

[4:35 pm, 24/04/2021] +Caleb: We are level 2

[4:47 pm, 24/04/2021] +Boon: That’s why a good team is extremely important too

 

[4:57 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

1. Being populist by adopting populist policies that have a detrimental long term effects - is not a measure of good PM. (Trump populist policies didn't win him re-election).

 

2. Able to put forward policies that can be unpopular or popular - but for the long term good of the nation - and able to convince and sell the policies to the citizens including unpopular ones - are the hallmark of a good PM.

 

3. Ability to connect dot, stitch everything together and formulate policies to seize the opportunities or to pre-empt challenges must be a conscious effort.

 

[4:59 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

Mr LKY can project a vision 10 years ahead of him by connecting dots that is not fully apparent - at that time our land is a marshland into a vibrant advanced city.

 

[5:13 pm, 24/04/2021] +CQ: Lol! Funny that they should be pointing fingers at others because US is on my do-not-travel list for so many other reasons, not just covid. There's also Asian hate, random shootings, and rape culture.

[5:20 pm, 24/04/2021] +REACH: 5 new community Covid-19 cases in Singapore; 18 imported

There were five new cases of locally transmitted Covid-19 infection confirmed on Saturday afternoon (April 24).

The Ministry of Health (MOH) said that based on its investigations, all are in the community and none are from the dormitories.

MOH said all five cases had already been placed under quarantine earlier.

More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/5-cases-of-locally-transmitted-covid-19-infection-18-imported-cases

[5:23 pm, 24/04/2021] +Ben: Thailand just announced a record day for infections, and they are level 2.

[5:24 pm, 24/04/2021] +Ben: So, the new cases of people infected were vaccinated in Indonesia. What vaccine was that and can we now trust overseas vaccinations?

[5:24 pm, 24/04/2021] +Ben: How will our gov regulate? Politically very sensitive!

[5:25 pm, 24/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: I was right about single digit for community/dorm cases

[5:26 pm, 24/04/2021] +Alvin Lim: Actually more detected better

 

[5:44 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

1. The challenges ahead of us - virus pandemic mutations will have a significant impact to the global opening up to travel.

This will continue to impact our air travel, air hub, mice industry, tourism, hospitality, f&b, our transport.

 

2. Geopolitical tussle that will lead to :-

a. Technology bifurcation (that will split our tech talent into 2 tech standards)

b. Financial bifurcation - that will split our financial hub into swift financial system and dcep.

c. Economic bifurcation - that will split our Economy focus into China dual circulation track and US economic circle.

 

3. US oecd policy of global minimum corporate taxes - that will impact our tax haven status and affect how we keep and attract foreign investment in Singapore and grow jobs for our people.

This is connecting the dots that will significantly affect us in the medium term and long term on our economic and financial policies.

 

[5:57 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

1. This will also affect how we train our talents and manpower.

a. We need to train talents in different 5G standard, Android, iOS and harmony etc.

2. We need to maintain our Swift system and at the same time develop expertise in blockchain dcep.

3. We need to focus our trade in the US global supply chain and now into China dual circulation track.

With lower population growth and yet need to split our talents into so many tracks is not an easy feat.

 

[6:32 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

4. What happen if US and oecd countries impose global corporate taxes on their MNCs in Singapore - and these MNC find no incentive to stay here and pull back to their home where their market is.

Our workers will lose their jobs.

What will be our strategy to keep them here?

 

[6:42 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心: https://www.scmp.com/news/world/europe/article/3130874/uk-cyber-spy-chief-warns-chinas-tech-power-could-allow-it-control                                                                                                            Note the tech bifurcation.

 

[6:47 pm, 24/04/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat.

Goodnight!

Megan

[6:51 pm, 24/04/2021] +Bobby Tan: Good night Megan

 

[6:55 pm, 24/04/2021] ☸️  Danny 心:

The new PM will have to come up with solutions to tackle all these challenges.

 

[6:59 pm, 24/04/2021] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan

 

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