Lee Kuan Yew can preserve his legacy by stepping down

April 11th, 2011

As Singapore gears up for a General Election, believed to be just weeks away, many of the ruling PAP’s veteran campaigners have announced that they will be retiring from politics to make way for younger candidates – who will make up the core of Singapore’s “fourth generation leadership”. PAP Chairman and long-serving Cabinet Minister Lim Boon Heng is the latest to step down in the name of renewal, joining Senior Minister S Jayakumar, Speaker of Parliament Abdullah Tarmugi and former Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong, amongst others.

However, Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew – who is 88 years old – has made no such announcement. He is expected to run for yet another term in Tanjong Pagar, which he has held since 1955. When Lee was first elected to what was then known as the Legislative Assembly, Singapore was still a British colony, and Anthony Eden was the British Prime Minister. The UK has seen 12 Prime Ministers assume office since then.

It is well-known that Lee’s health is starting to become an issue. He had to undergo surgery for a heart condition in 2008, and was admitted to hospital again last year, making him unable to attend the funeral of PAP MP Balaji Sadasivan.

By his own admission, he no longer takes part in the day-to-day running of the country, and his role in the Cabinet has been reduced merely to ‘forecasting’ and ‘giving advice’.

The question is, why does a statesman of Lee’s stature – he was recently called one of Asia’s “legendary figures” by US President Barack Obama – need to remain in the Cabinet in order to do ‘forecasting’ and give advice?

Deng Xiaoping, who was a similarly revered figure in China prior to his death, stepped down from his posts as Chairman of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference and Chairman of the CPC Central Advisory Commission in 1987.

That didn’t stop him from exercising considerable influence in Chinese politics, including playing a key role in ordering the Tiananmen Square crackdown in 1989. He continued to play the role of an advisor and ‘forecaster’ until his death in 1997, even though by then he was merely an ordinary civilian.

Considering that Lee Kuan Yew was Singapore’s first Prime Minister and the founder of the ruling PAP, it is inconceivable that he would not be able to provide guidance and ‘mentorship’ to the Prime Minister and the Cabinet without the need for an official title. Especially when the current Prime Minister is his son.

Lee Hsien Loong recently said that his father was ‘unique’, and he was right. There is only one Lee Kuan Yew, and people recognise that whether they like the man or not. Lee Kuan Yew does not need any official title in order to be Lee Kuan Yew.

The fact that Lee continues to occupy a position in the Cabinet and continues to draw an annual salary of over $3 million despite no longer being active in the day-to-day affairs of Government is ludicrous, and quite frankly, makes a mockery of the institution of Government and the office of Prime Minister.

No other Prime Minister in the world requires a ‘mentor’ to instruct him in the ways of government, especially when he has been Prime Minister for more than six years.

While Lee Kuan Yew is a respected name in international circles, the office of ‘Minister Mentor’ is a laughing stock. Lee could have cemented his legacy by relinquishing all of his official titles and enjoying his retirement, while at the same time providing advice to his son and his Ministers, who would undoubtedly be receptive and even deferential towards the elder statesman regardless.

Instead, he has attracted criticism because perceptions have been formed that Lee is desperate to cling on to power and unwilling to stand aside, even at 88 years of age. The longer he goes on, the greater the risk that he will damage his legacy and come to be remembered as the man who outstayed his welcome.

Lee Kuan Yew should just go back to being Lee Kuan Yew. He does not need any official titles to be Lee Kuan Yew. And there is no reason why he should jeopardise his position in the annals of greatness by insisting that he is anything or anyone but Lee Kuan Yew. .
Dr George Lim
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The author is a Singaporean who has been based in Beijing for the past seven years. He is a lecturer at a reputable university there. He returns to Singapore at least three times a year and writes for The Satay Club.