K Shanmugam's direct promotion from backbencher to law minister is an interesting political development for Singapore. This is certainly unprecedented.
Having said that it is expected by many that Shanmugam has the aptitude and legal experience to discharge his ministerial duties effectively.
The person that came to my mind immediately was Associate Professor Ho Peng Kee, Nee Soon East Single Member Constituency Member of Parliament and Senior Minister of State For Law.
I recalled that during the elections, the PAP urged Nee Soon East constituents not to vote for WP's Dr Poh Lee Guan. The reason the PAP gave was because Ho Peng Kee had ministerial potential and therefore they cannot afford to lose him.
In view of Shanmugam's promotion, has the PAP leadership changed their assessment about Peng Kee's ministerial potential?
I believe many constituents who voted for Ho Peng Kee in view of PAP's reasonings would like to find out more:
Specifically, despite Ho Peng Kee's experience in the law ministry, why was he bypassed for promotion?
News:
PM Lee unveils cabinet changes (CNA 29th March 2008)
Sunday, March 30, 2008
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8 comments:
Have we not learnt by now that it as a move just to ensure victory for this chap? One who totall mis-handled the Burma issue? If Singaporeans don't wake up to taking the Right Risk of voting for more Check and Balance in Parliament, they can only blame themselves.
This is indeed a very smart move by Yaw, he's trying to drive a wedge between Prof Ho and K Shanmugam so as to increase WP chances @ the polls.
George says:
Truth be told. If what Yaw said is true, it is a valid observation, partisan or not!
There are more than enough evidence in the way MHA handles things from the harrassment of Chee and his sister to the infamous Mas Selamat Escape 'saga' to show us the sort of ministerial leadership in the MHA.
We must all learn to call a spade a spade when this is clearly the case. Afterall, ministerial incumbents cost us an atomic bomb each year.
Dr poh is a better candidate, ho cant do much for the constituentcy
Hi Shin Leong,
I didn't notice that until you mentioned it.
Prof Ho is, in my opinion, not of ministerial calibre - let alone FULL ministerial calibre.
In 2001, if we all remember, MM Lee had to step in during the elections and help Prof Ho with the temple dispute at Nee Soon South.
That says a lot about Ho's ability to deal with grassroots problems.
In more recent times, his twisted and lame excuse for denying the WP a permit to hold a cycling event in East Coast Park comes to mind as well.
Of course, as MOS for Home Affairs, he also takes the blame for the Mas Selamat escape.
Together with Vivian Balakrishnan, Ho seems to be another one who has run out of favour.
But this time, I don't think LKY would even want to step in and bail him out.
That's the kind of ministers we have - ministers who despite being hailed as "extraordinary" and paid world-busting salaries, still need a mnetor to bail them out in times of trouble.
I would vote for Dr Poh any day.
Poh L G is a dangerous man, he played the religious card, wht he's trying to show is he can hold joss sticks (Poh is a buddhist/taoist) whereas Prof Ho cant hence swaying votes in his direction. We must be v careful with this man he will stoop to nothing in order to win hence it was rite for LKY to step in
I don't believe Dr Poh is a dangerous man. He was telling the truth that Ho had refused to enter the temples when invited by grass-root people. (Otherwise, MM did not have to step in to help him out, and he could have lost in that election).
He was not playing the religion card. You are playing the religion card by telling us that he is a Buddhist/Taoist, trying to discredit Dr Poh.
I hope Dr Poh will stand again in Nee Soon, he stands a better chance now, Ho I think will run away to hide in GRC. My vote will definitely go to oppositions because: 1)Pap ppl are arrogant, 2)They can't accept criticism,3)They take highest salary giving lame excuse, 4) They intimidate voters, 5)They play cheat introducing GRC, 6)They scare of malay votes,thus scatter the malays in HDB etc....
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