A good govt serves majority, not sectoral interests

Having worked and lived in Mumbai and Beijing in the late 1990s, I can answer the question in the commentary “Does democracy lead to good governance?” (July 17): Neither democratic India nor autocratic China leads to good governance.

As a Singaporean, I realise that good governance comes from good, incorruptible leadership.

A democracy without a strong leader or one who has a clear mandate cannot govern effectively, while a strong autocratic leader who has a heart of and for the people can be more effective. Singapore enjoyed progress in the past 50 years under strong leadership, as symbolised by Mr Lee Kuan Yew.

The key difference I witnessed in India and China was the degree of corruption in government, at various levels. Humans are vulnerable to pride and greed. And the weakness of autocracy is that most leaders start off with honest intentions to serve their electorate, but power corrupts sooner or later.

When a small number of officials start benefiting themselves at the expense of the majority, they lose the morality to govern.

Seeing a trend towards the corruption of the meaning of democracy among our neighbours, I have my fears for Singapore’s next 50 years.

In Thailand, sectoral interests caused the downfall of a popularly-elected government. In Hong Kong, protests disrupted smooth governance. With modern media’s influence and support, the views of a minority, such as the protestors, can appear to be the majority wish.

There have been other examples lately of active minorities pressing their agenda effectively and advancing their interests.

I cannot believe the majority of Americans are homosexuals or transsexuals, yet the United States legalised same-sex marriage recently. The US has confused human rights with democracy.

My understanding of democracy is that a good government serves the majority, not sectoral interests.

The recent Pink Dot gathering in Hong Lim Park reported an attendance of 28,000. Should Singapore change its laws to accommodate 28,000 or even 280,000?

This may not happen soon, but if our silent majority continues to be passive and take our past 50 years of progress for granted, we may fall from grace like the once great Greek empire and all empires throughout history.