Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

Trust electorate to make mature, rational choice

I agree with Associate Professor Eugene Tan that our previous Presidents, including President Yusof Ishak, were not symbols of our multiracialism simply because they were minorities (“After historic process, participants take stock of EP panel’s proposals”; Sept 17).

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp
Jason Lee

I agree with Associate Professor Eugene Tan that our previous Presidents, including President Yusof Ishak, were not symbols of our multiracialism simply because they were minorities (“After historic process, participants take stock of EP panel’s proposals”; Sept 17).

The success of a ceremonial head of state in unifying the country depends to a large extent on how he reaches out to the masses.

This was why Presidents Wee Kim Wee, Ong Teng Cheong and S R Nathan were loved by Singaporeans from all walks of life.

Ironically, we are moving towards a form of affirmative action to ensure that members of the minority groups have the opportunity to become head of state.

Should we worry that a non-Chinese candidate would lose to a Chinese candidate? Was this a concern for anyone, including the Government, when Mr Nathan sought to contest in 1999 and 2005?

The recent wins for minority candidates in parliamentary elections, including Mr Michael Palmer and Mr Murali Pillai, should have strengthened our confidence in the electorate to largely vote responsibly.

That more than 20,000 people, from all racial groups, paid their respects to Mr Nathan at Parliament House in a day, while others shared their stories of how he had touched or changed their lives, indicates his success as President.

Likewise, Presidents Wee and Ong are still remembered fondly not because of their race but their actions in office.

They had demonstrated genuine concern for the masses and actively participated in or launched key events that would bring the nation together for various causes, including fund-raisers.

We are no doubt a young nation and will remain a little red dot. But we should trust that the electorate is mature and will make rational decisions.

In any case, our Members of Parliament should speak freely during the debate and vote according to their conscience.

This subject may have an impact on Singaporeans beyond how we elect our head of state to how we continue to instil the principles of meritocracy and multiracialism in our young.

Should the proposed amendments be passed, time will tell whether this is the best move. Or will it be a case of taking one step forward and two steps back?

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.