In a state media interview with Straits Times earlier this week, Minister of Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing refused to endorse any of his colleagues to be Prime Minister:
“I don’t judge myself, and I think it is too early… Times are fluid. What we need is a team with quite diverse skill sets so that you can have that certain resilience to the leadership team and also for the sake of the country. All of us have our strengths and weaknesses, so depending on the circumstances, depending on situations, we all play different roles. I don’t publicly comment on my peers nor my own strengths or weaknesses. I am not from that generation. Do you believe what you are doing is good for the country in the long haul”
The PAP Minister who is notorious for making motherhood statements, told Straits Times that he is a “political leader” and not a “politician”:
“What kind of people would you like to see leading the country? Would you like a bunch of politicians to be leading the country? A political leader is prepared to set aside his own agenda to put the country’s interests first, take the necessary difficult decisions, and mobilise Singaporeans to overcome challenges together. Whereas a politician, by conventional definition, is probably just someone who is looking for the expedient option, perhaps for himself. I always hope that our country will be led by political leaders and not just politicians. There is a difference.”
In his addenda speech to the President’s address today (May 10), Minister Chan Chun Sing said that more foreigners would be needed to “complement” locals. Also without explanation, the former army general who has only worked in the military in his 20-year career claimed that foreign labour can create GDP growth in new sectors:
“Singapore also needs to remain open to talent from around the world that complements the local workforce and raises Singapore’s competitiveness, especially in new growth areas. As a small city-state with no direct hinterland, Singapore needs to have deep connections with the rest of the world.”
When questioned by the state media reporter whether if the ruling party PAP would continue to win support for the next election, Minister Chan Chun Sing went into rhetoric mode to dodge the simple question:
“Do you believe what you are doing is good for the country in the long haul? If you have enough conviction to say that this is good for the country, this is necessary for the country, then as leaders it is our job to go out and convince people, as many as we can.”