TODAYonline | Singapore | Rules of Prudence for PAP MPs

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC110527-0000143/Rules-of-Prudence-for-PAP-MPs
Rules of Prudence for PAP MPs
08:05 PM May 27, 2011
This letter was issued by the Prime Minister's Office to all PAP MPs, a copy of which was made available to the media:



RULES OF PRUDENCE

1. Our Party has won 81 out of 87 seats in the just concluded General Election. The opposition contested 82 seats, of which the PAP won 76, with 60.1% of the votes.



SERVING IN A NEW ERA

2. The people have given us a clear mandate to carry out our programmes. We must fulfil what we have promised to do in our manifesto. We must never break faith with the people, but always carry out our duties to them responsibly, address their worries and advance their interests.

3. The elections have shown that voters have concerns which need to be addressed. The Government will have to significantly improve our outreach to voters, our approach to formulating policies, and our policies themselves. As MPs, you play key roles in all these areas. You have to listen hard to voter concerns, help them to tackle pressing needs, reflect their worries and aspirations to the Government and persuade them to support policies which are in their own long term benefit.

4. Singapore is in a new phase of its political development. The PAP government has to operate and govern in a different way than before. But two things should not change. First, we must always hold fast to the spirit of service to the people, and work hard on their behalf. Second, we must never compromise the high standards of honesty and integrity, which have enabled the PAP to keep trust with the people all these decades.



UPHOLDING OUR REPUTATION AND INTEGRITY

5. The PAP's reputation for clean, incorruptible government is one of our most precious assets. As PAP MPs, your standing in society reflects this high standing of the Party as a whole. I cannot stress strongly enough that every MP must uphold the rigorous standards that we have set for ourselves, and do nothing to compromise them. Never give cause for accusations that you are misusing your position, especially your access to Ministers. This would discredit both you and the Party.

6. As MPs, you will come across many different sorts of people. Some will be altruistic, public spirited people who will help you without wanting anything in return, spending their time and money to get community projects going and to serve your residents. But a few will cultivate you in order to obtain benefits for themselves or their companies, to gain respectability by association with you, or to get you to influence ministries and statutory boards to make decisions in their favour. Gift hampers on festive occasions, entertainment, and personal favours big and small are just a few of countless social lubricants which such people use to ingratiate themselves to MPs and make you obligated to them.

7. You must be able to distinguish between these two groups of people, and be shrewd in assessing the motives of those who seek to get close to you. At all times you must be seen to be beyond the influence of gifts or favours.

8. You should be scrupulously proper in your contacts with government departments or public officers. Do not lobby any ministry or statutory board on behalf of anyone who is not your constituent or grassroots activist. Do not raise matters with public officers on behalf of friends, clients, contractors, employers, or financiers to advance their business interests. To be above board, conduct business with public officers in writing and avoid making telephone requests. If you have to speak, follow up in writing to put your requests on record.

9. MPs are often approached by friends, grassroots leaders or proprietors of shops and businessmen to officiate at the openings of their new shops or other business events. They usually offer a gesture, such as a donation to a charity or constituency welfare fund. Though you may find it awkward to refuse such requests, once you accept one, you will be hard-pressed to draw a line. As a rule, you should decline invitations to such business events unless you have obtained prior approval from the Whip. The Whip will grant approval only if the business is one that will add much value to the economy.



SEPARATING BUSINESS AND POLITICS

10. You must separate your public political position from your private business or professional interests. MPs who are in business, who occupy senior management positions in companies, or who sit on company boards should be especially vigilant. You must not exploit your public position as Government MPs, your close contacts with the Ministers, or your access to government departments and civil servants, for your personal business interest or the benefit of your employers. Your conduct must always be above board.

11. MPs who are employed by companies or industry associations may at times have to make public statements on behalf of their company or industry association. If you have to do so, make it clear that you are not speaking as an MP, but in your private, professional or business capacity.

12. When you raise questions in Parliament related to your own businesses, you should first declare your pecuniary interest in the issue. Do not use Parliamentary questions as a means to lobby the Government on behalf of your businesses.

13. You may, however, speak freely to Cabinet Ministers, who are your Parliamentary colleagues. Ministers will listen carefully to arguments on principles, especially when they relate to the general policy of their Ministries. But Ministers will not change individual acts of discretion, unless they have very good reasons which they can justify publicly. Parliamentary Secretaries and Ministers of State who intervene in their Ministries to reverse or alter decisions should promptly report the matter to their Ministers to protect themselves against possible accusations of misconduct. The Government must always base decisions on the merits of the issues, and cannot yield to pressure from interested parties.



DIRECTORSHIPS

14. MPs are often invited to serve on the Boards of private and publicly listed companies. This is a sign that private sector values PAP MPs' integrity and service, and reflects the high standing of the Party and of PAP MPs in general. The Party permits MPs to serve as directors, provided you keep your private and public responsibilities rigorously separate.

15. The public will closely scrutinise your involvement in companies, because you are a PAP MP. You should conduct your business activities so as to bring credit to yourself and to the Party. Adverse publicity on your performance as a director, or lapses in the companies you are associated with, will tarnish your reputation as an MP and lower the public's regard for the Party.

16. You should not solicit for Directorships in any companies, lest you appear to be exploiting your political position to benefit yourself.

17. You should not accept directorships where the company just wants to dress up the board with a PAP MP or two, in order to look more respectable.

18. Some grassroots leaders are businessmen who own or manage companies. You should not sit on any boards of companies owned or chaired by grassroots leaders appointed by you, so as to avoid the perception that you are obligated to them or advancing their business interests.

19. If you are offered a Directorship, you have to decide for yourself whether to accept. The Party is not in a position to vet or approve such decisions.

20. Before accepting, consider the possible impact of the Directorship on your political life. Ensure that the company understands that you are doing so strictly in your private capacity, and will not use your public position to champion the interests of the company, or lobby the government on its behalf.

21. Make every effort to familiarise yourself with the business, track record and background of the key promoters of the company. Satisfy yourself that the company is reputable, and that you are able to make a meaningful contribution. Specifically, just like anyone else contemplating a Directorship, you should ask yourself:

a. How well do you know the company, its business strategy, financial status, shareholding structure and the underlying industry?

b. Do you know your fellow directors, the way the Board and its committees fulfil their responsibilities, the reporting structure between Board and Management and the relationship between shareholders and the company?

c. Do you have sufficient industry, financial or professional expertise to fulfil your expected role and responsibilities as a Director? Do you understand your obligations under the law and the Code of Corporate Governance? Will you be able to discharge your fiduciary duties properly and without fear or favour?

d. Will you face any conflicts of interest, and if so can you manage them?

If you are in any doubt, you should decline.

22. Once you have decided to accept an offer of a Directorship, please inform the Whip. Detailed reporting requirements can be found in the Annex.



PARLIAMENT

23. MPs are expected to attend all sittings of Parliament. If you have to be absent from any sitting, seek the prior permission of the Government Whip. Please inform the Whip if you have to leave the Parliament premises while a sitting is on.

24. If you travel abroad, or need to be absent from Parliament for any reason, you must apply to the Speaker for leave, with copies to the Leader of the House and the Government Whip. You should also inform the Whip where you can be reached while away from Singapore.

25. I will ask the Speaker to give all MPs, particularly new MPs, ample opportunity and latitude to speak in Parliament. Your first opportunity will be during the debate following the President's Address at the opening of Parliament. At the Budget Debate, all MPs should speak up. Script your speeches or put your key points in note form to organise your ideas, and help the media.

26. The public expects PAP MPs to express their views frankly, whether for or against Government policies. In debates, speak freely and with conviction.Press your points vigorously, and do not shy away from robust debate. However, please exercise judgement when putting your points across.

27. Bring out grapevine talk for the Government to rebut, but do not unwittingly lend credence to baseless gossip. By doing so, you help ministers to put across the facts, explain the reasons for policies and decisions, and hence maintain public confidence in the openness and integrity of our actions.

28. Your honest, informed views are an important political input which Ministers will consider in formulating and calibrating policies. Ministers will accept valid, constructive suggestions, but they have to correct inaccurate or mistaken impressions. Over time, the public will see that PAP backbenchers are as effective as opposition MPs, if not better, at holding ministers to account, debating issues fully, and influencing policies for the better.



IMPORTANT PUBLIC OCCASIONS

29. On certain occasions, like the National Day Parade and the Investiture Ceremony for National Day Awards, the whole Establishment, i.e. the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary, will be there. Those who cannot attend must have very good reasons. Those who have accepted the invitation must attend, otherwise they leave empty seats, which does no credit to them or to the Party.

30. At all public functions and constituency events, punctuality is of paramount importance.



GIFTS

31. You should not accept gifts which might place you under an obligation which conflicts with your public duties. If you receive any gifts other than from close personal friends or relatives, you must declare them to the Clerk of Parliament who will have the gifts valued. If you wish to keep the gifts, you must pay the Government for them at the valuation price.



FUND-RAISING

32. Party Branches should not raise funds on their own without permission, for example by soliciting advertisements for a souvenir magazine or a carnival. If you intend to raise funds, please clear it beforehand with the Organising Secretary. When your branch embarks on a collective fund-raising activity, e.g. a Family Day or Walk-A-Jog, you must follow the rules strictly.



FINANCIAL PRUDENCE

33. As MPs, you should manage your personal financial affairs prudently. Do not over-extend yourself, or become financially embarrassed. This would be not only a potential source of personal embarrassment, but also a weakness which may expose you to pressure or blackmail.

34. In particular, you should not make major financial commitments assuming that you will continue to receive your MP's allowance. While MPs typically serve several terms, you cannot assume that you will automatically be fielded in future General Elections, or that if fielded you will definitely be re-elected. There is no tenure or job security in politics.



DECLARATION OF INCOME

35. For your own protection, every MP should disclose to me, in confidence, your business and professional interests, your present employment and monthly pay, all retainers and fees that you are receiving, and whether your job requires you to get in touch with officers of Government Ministries or statutory boards on behalf of employers or clients. Office holders need not do so because you will be subject to the reporting requirements of the Code of Conduct for ministers. This should be done by 30 June 2011.



GENERAL BEHAVIOUR

36. We have held our position in successive elections because our integrity has never been in doubt, and because we are sensitive to the views and attitudes of the people we represent. MPs must always uphold the high standards of the Party and not have lifestyles or personal conduct which will embarrass themselves and the Party. Any slackening of standards, or show of arrogance or indifference by any MP will erode confidence in him, and ultimately in the Party and Government. New MPs can pick up the dos and don'ts from older MPs, so that they conduct themselves always with modesty, decorum and dignity. You must win respect, not popularity, to stay the course.



MEDIA PUBLICITY

37. I am releasing a copy of this letter to the media so that the public knows the high standards we demand of our MPs.



DIRECTORSHIP DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENTS TO THE WHIP

1. Please inform the Whip of all the Directorships that you hold, and of the director's fees or benefits in kind e.g. stock options, which you receive. Include the name of the company, the position(s) held, the date of first appointment and the current Chairman of the Board (if he is someone other than yourself) by end January for the preceding calendar year, using the Schedule attached

2. There is no need to report Directorships of subsidiary companies that you hold by virtue of your employment in the main or holding company.

3. Please update the Whip whenever you have relinquished a Directorship or accepted a new appointment, within two weeks.

周杰倫 - 髮如雪 Fa Ru Xue - Jay Chou by Transition 前進樂團

髮如雪

作詞：方文山
作曲：周杰倫

狼牙月 伊人憔悴
我舉杯 飲盡了風雪
是誰打翻前世櫃 惹塵埃是非
緣字訣 幾番輪迴
妳鎖眉 哭紅顏喚不回
縱然青史已經成灰 我愛不滅
繁華如三千東流水 我只取一瓢愛了解
只戀妳化身的蝶

妳髮如雪 淒美了離別
我焚香感動了誰
邀明月 讓回憶皎潔
愛在月光下完美
妳髮如雪 紛飛了眼淚
我等待蒼老了誰
紅塵醉 微醺的歲月

我用無悔 刻永世愛妳的碑

Rap:
你髮如雪 淒美了離別
我焚香感動了誰
邀明月 讓回憶皎潔
愛在月光下完美
你髮如雪 紛飛了眼淚
我等待蒼老了誰
紅塵醉 微醺的歲月

啦兒啦 啦兒啦 啦兒啦兒啦
啦兒啦 啦兒啦 啦兒啦兒啦
銅鏡映無邪 紮馬尾
妳若撒野 今生我把酒奉陪

Transition, not to be confused with a disbanded Pittsburgh punk group of the same name, is an English rock indie band hailing from Bristol. They lend their style to the influence of U2, Radiohead and Jeff Buckley, and were voted amongst the Top Ten Bands in the UK on Channel 4's Slash Music Showcase. Formed in 2007, Transition is made up of the brothers Jesse Edbrooke (guitarist) and Josh Edbrooke (drummer) together with Niall Dunne (guitarist). They said that they like Taiwan and Taiwanese people, they can speak Chinese.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transition_(band)

新加坡的政治空间，从一张桌子改起……

http://www.zaobao.com.sg/yl/yl110528_001.shtml
游润恬：从一张桌子改起……
（2011-05-28）
● 游润恬

　　“哇塞，有人在组屋楼下开赌盘？！”

　　一名居民经过勿洛水池路第713座组屋楼下时，意外地发现那里人头攒动，有人围着几张桌子嘀嘀咕咕不知说些什么，有看起来像在做事的人手里拿着几张活页纸游走于不同桌子之间，有人低头忙着在电脑输入资料。这名居民难以相信自己的眼睛，在挨着繁忙大路和巴士站的组屋楼下，百余人竟公然聚赌。

　　但这名居民看错了。他们不是在聚赌，而是在见议员。而这里的阿裕尼集选区居民投选出来的议员，是工人党秘书长刘程强。

　　刘程强接见选民的折叠式桌子，就摆在组屋底层的一个角落，前面是两张红色塑料椅子，头顶是一盏条形荧光棒。桌子的两旁是停车位，一边伸手可触到的是脚踏车停车架，另一边则是露天停车场。

　　这里没有门或四壁、没有风扇或冷气、没有打印机或复印机、没有厕所或茶水间。工人党所有六名当选议员都是在类似这样的组屋底层，举行每周一次的接见选民活动。

　　相比之下，行动党议员多数是在行动党社区基金会的冷气房里接见选民。对议员、居民和党工来说，那都是一个相对舒适、设施完善的空间。

　　朝野议员接见选民的环境与条件一个天一个地，令不少国人咋舌。我本周四去刘程强当选后的第一场接见选民活动。一名等候见刘程强的居民说，国家发展部不应歧视在野议员及在野党管理选区的居民，而应该提供一个像样的地方给所有议员。

　　另一名居民则关注议员被迫在组屋底层见居民似乎有损新加坡的国际形象，并认为在冷气房办活动比较有组织，另外也能比较好的照顾到选民的隐私。

　　一名妇女则为刘程强感到心疼。她说：“这里灯不够亮，议员‘看纸’很辛苦，灯不够亮蚊子也多。没有厕所，我们不要紧，急的话可以上楼回家用，议员就很不方便。”

　　在野党议员不是一直都来在组屋楼下接见选民的。在刘程强1991年当选之前，不少执政和在野党议员都是在组屋楼下或社区大厅里设办公室，以进行党支部活动和接见选民。1991年8月的大选，在野党一举拿下四个议席，这是自行动党执政以来及本届大选之前的最高纪录。建屋发展局在大选落幕后的两个月后，宣布了普遍被视为是出于政治考量的新条例——所有政党从来年的9月起，不准在组屋楼下设办公室。

　　当时的国家发展部长丹那巴南说，理由是，组屋底层应保持空旷，并留作居民的社交及休闲的空间，不应被政党所建的隔间或设施占去。

　　这项条例自然受到在野议员的猛烈抨击。自1985年以来便在组屋楼下设办公室的当时的新加坡民主党秘书长詹时中一语道破：政府是因为国会里在野党议员多了，而改变条例。

　　第一次进入国会的在野党议员刘程强、蒋才正和林孝谆，抗议条例让行动党议员占尽不公平的优势。

　　这是因为建屋局允许议员租用设于组屋底层的教育基金会的部分空间，并以部分时间的方式，在那里进行政治活动。这显然为行动党议员留了一条方便之门，让他们继续使用行动党社区基金会已在全岛各区设的幼稚园。

　　建屋局允许基层组织、福利团体或教育基金会继续以象征性租金租用组屋底层场地，而私人经营的托儿所须付的租金则是市价。

　　行动党当年反驳新条例不公平的说法时指出，在野党大可设立教育基金会，或以市价租用供商业用途空间。对资金与资源有限的在野党来说，这种故意刁难的话听了刺耳。

　　选民心里也不是滋味。政府美其名说不让政党设办公室是为了要保留空间给居民使用，但却为了满足执政党的利益而不惜把以小孩子为服务对象的幼稚园政治化。况且接见选民活动已是国人对任何当选议员的基本期待，不尊重议员在正当空间展开接见选民活动的必要，就是不尊重选民的意愿。

　　所以当国家发展部昨天下午宣布，建屋局即日起废弃延续了20年的禁令时，互联网上一片欢声四起。

　　在新条例下，建屋局今后允许当选议员，以教育基金会等非盈利组织所享用的优惠租金，租用组屋底层的空间以建设办公室。

许文远上任后的漂亮一步

　　这是原卫生部长许文远，接替因房屋政策而伤痕累累的马宝山，走马上任当国家发展部长后的第一个重要宣布。这第一步，不只走得漂亮大方，也反映出许文远顺应民意的高度敏感。国人是在工人党议员本周一展开接见选民活动时才开始发出政策不公平的呼声，本报星期三电邮建屋局询问是否考虑放宽禁令，刘程强在同一天的晚上发表“是否放宽政策就看政府的良知了”的言论。两天后，有关当局就宣布放宽条例了。

　　从行动党不再以组屋翻新为诱饵的迹象，相信它已经意识到一个受教育水平更高、除了关心口袋也关心社会公平的价值的选民，不再轻易苟同政府过度偏袒执政党的作风。

　　其实不少行动党议员也很卖力地付出时间和精力来接见选民，但选民看到工人党议员在条件较差的环境里接见选民，就难免会认为工人党议员的牺牲比较伟大，并对行动党和对政府产生反感。这无助于行动党赢取人心。许文远应该是明白这点，所以作出了识时务的决定。

　　行动党议员在冷气幼稚园里接见选民，在野党议员则在人来人往的组屋楼下接见选民。我在起草这篇评论时，本来要用的开头是，“如果说‘冷气国度’是人民行动党治理新加坡的最佳象征，那么‘组屋楼下开桌’，是在野党议员在本地政治生态的夹缝中生存的最明显体现。”不过随着国家发展部修改条例，这个比喻今后不再成立，我也欣然改掉这个评论的开头。

　　原内阁资政李光耀办事时保持头脑灵活的先决条件是必须有冷气。政治观察家契连·乔治（Cherian George）因此以“冷气国度”（Air-conditioned Nation），来比喻行动党治理新加坡时确保一切细节尽在调控之中，就如李光耀用冷气来确保房间一定是某个温度。随着李光耀的淡出，以及行动党3.0领导人新思维新作风的抬头，希望各种政策将有更多伸缩的空间。希望行动党领导人也能履行承诺，更频密地为民意探温，发现人民太冷时就把冷气关小一点，发现人民太闷时就打开窗户让空气流通。

　　随着行动党采取更包容及更公平的态度，在野党也必须作出适当的调整，减少发出“我们受不公平对待”之类的申诉，因为将更难博取选民的同情。毕竟，马绍尔当选首席部长后只被分配到楼梯口的一张桌子，直到他恫言把桌椅搬到政府大厦草场中央后才有正式办公处的时代，已经终结了。

转载自联合早报网

新寶島康樂隊-鼓聲若響

鼓聲若響

作詞：陳昇
作曲：陳昇

心愛的你甘也有塊聽　聽到阮用心唱的歌聲
嘸管落雨天　或是風颱天　阮是跑江湖的藝人
阿娘你甘也有知影　阮置咧外頭真正打拼
嘸敢來耽誤　當時的詛咒　袂乎你親戚頭前嚥氣
若聽到鼓聲　阮的心情較快活　攀過了一山又一嶺　演唱阮甜蜜的歌聲
若聽到鼓聲　阮的心情會快活　沒疑誤環境的拖磨　唱出阮悲情的歌聲
心愛的你甘也會諒解　阮會來離開是不得已
三餐著要吃　嘸通來畏寒　想到你嘸敢來哭出聲
若聽到鼓聲　阮的心情會快活　攀過了一山又一嶺　演唱阮甜蜜的歌聲
若有聽到鼓聲　阮的心情會沉重　跳著嘸情願的舞步　全為你風流的人客兄
若聽到鼓聲　阮的心情就快活　拿出阮俐落的本領　演唱阮哀怨的歌聲
若有聽到鼓聲　阮的心情就快活　嘸要當做阮風度輕浮　全望你熱情的人客兄
歌聲真迷人　阮的心情是暗淡　日日夜夜塊作夢　返來去　我溫暖的故鄉

李光耀：风流总被雨打风吹去

http://roll.sohu.com/20110525/n308436373.shtml
李光耀：风流总被雨打风吹去
来源：北国网-辽宁日报 2011年05月25日05:41

　　在全球享有很高声望的李光耀，与他的继任者吴作栋双双宣布退出政府内阁，不再担任资政，只保留国会议员的身份。

　　这个消息来得非常突然，出乎各方意料之外。但连日来绝大多数人的反应都是支持和赞成。这也证明了一个时代的终结。

　　据《新民周刊》报道，新加坡人对大选结果的热议尚未退烧，一个爆炸性新闻就接踵而至。

　　李、吴隐退的直接导火索是5月7日的国会选举结果，执政人民行动党在反对党的强攻下，虽然得票率有60%，但丢失一个集选区，外长杨荣文和另一名部长陈惠华因而丢官，同区还有一名马来族外交部高级政务部长再诺也被迫离职。

　　这样的结果对人民行动党而言不啻是巨大的震撼。执政党从未输过集选区，更没经历过部长打败仗的情况。然而新加坡选举前后出现在网络上的民意，一面倒地炮轰执政党，已经令人预感到山雨欲来。

　　选民不满的问题，包括执政上的缺失，如头号恐怖分子从看守所脱逃，执掌内政部的副总理黄根成却没有被问责；雨季期间商业中心乌节路连番淹水，也没有部长因此受处分；同时，还伴随着房价节节攀高、物价上涨、外来移民带来的各种问题等。

　　但是归结到底，选民最不满意的还是政府高官的薪水。

　　新加坡部长薪金世界最高，初级部长约200万新币，资深部长三四百万，这种标准是西方若干发达国家最高行政首长的总和。

　　大量选民认为，拿这么高的薪水就不该犯错，既然犯错还不认错，当然要下台。因此这次大选中民情汹涌，总理李显龙两度道歉，选民却仍不依不饶地追着问：既然错了为啥没人问责？在网络上呈现的民意与主流媒体大相径庭，新加坡执政党的形象也是一片尴尬。

　　“四面楚歌”的背后

　　本来在选举提名前夕，当地舆论还私下议论今年88岁的李光耀会不会继续参选，而结果显示他还想留任，这才导致最终选举结果令人诧异。因为如果他不想留任资政，根本就不必参选，难道他还想当个议员去干服务社区选民的事儿？

　　直接造成这一结果的原因，可以这么分析：党内与他儿子同一代的成员反应前所未见，令他产生大江东去之慨。而网络民意出现的反弹与揭露，也太令他感到震撼。

　　李光耀在选举期间，一如既往地对选民提出“威吓”，以强烈字眼表示选反对党的人要“忏悔”5年。选举结果却显示选民对他这一套已经不买账了。

　　最令他脸上挂不住的，应该是儿子李显龙第二天马上对选民表示道歉，并且与他进行切割。而杨荣文也公开表示老人家的讲话影响了选票，更糟的是，马来部长再诺选后也公开指出，李光耀先前对马来族国民忠诚度的质疑，也影响了选票。

　　“国父”接二连三被晚辈批评，这在过去的新加坡是不可想象的。甚至连政治保守的主流华文报章《联合早报》也刊登了这样的读者来信：“李资政对现在政党政治的评语是很片面和过于单元的，甚至是一种偏见”、“李资政应该借此次政治良机，鞭策党内的同志，自我提升，而非在反对党取得突破成绩时，还在固执地非议反对党，这样会使党内的更新难持客观的态度自省。 ”

　　这种在过去“大逆不道”的文字出现在选后，让李光耀大有四面楚歌之感。

　　新加坡网络和主流媒体连日来对杨荣文丢官表达了不舍和同情，甚至还出现了转向指责李显龙的趋势。

　　大选之后，网络上开始流传“阴谋论”，指称李显龙和李光耀都不喜欢独立思考的杨荣文，虽然早知阿裕尼选情不利，却仍然要拿他当祭品。李光耀除了在杨荣文选区“恫吓”选民，更表示“输掉阿裕尼并非世界末日”。该“阴谋论”说，挺杨的吴作栋先不满杨被推入险地，后气愤老李“并非世界末日”的话，也随即公开表示选民可以拉其他犯过错的部长下马，但杨并没有犯错。

　　诸如此类“同党相残”的话在选举期间冒出，真是令一向以为行动党高度团结的选民看傻了眼，也加剧了外界对行动党即将分裂的猜测。

　　网络流言尽管不可信，也没有证据，却已经置两位老先生（前总理吴作栋也已70岁）于难堪的境地，吴作栋以前总理和资政之尊，在总理任内领军全国选举屡创佳绩，这次相隔20年又在自己的选区被挑战，却因团队中一名女新人的形象不佳，差点被选民抛弃，得票率只有56%，不可谓不惊险！

　　尽管流言不可靠也不可考，但从网络舆论和当地民众的反应来看，执政党内因本次大选而出现比较激烈的内部争辩应该是有的。

　　接下来，李显龙将宣布新内阁名单，各界都在关注他如何对应选举结果所展现的民意。

　　如果要像网民一样浮想联翩，也可以从李光耀和吴作栋双双引退所发表的联合声明中看出蹊跷之处。令人奇怪的是，又不是两国缔约，竟然要出动联合声明，这让人联想到是不是两大佬彼此妥协，免得各自发表的内容出现“叫阵”或隐含不满的意思，又在党内产生嫌隙呢？

　　两人的共同说法是要放手让李显龙完全主导内阁人事和未来的工作，其实也说明他们过去的确有影响力，李显龙并没有能够自主执政。

　　原来设立资政的用意，是在辅佐总理，但选举结果却证明了另一个副作用，即两位老人家并没有在基层支持度上给总理加分，反而因为超级高的薪水，使得人民行动党长期被炮轰。

　　这里顺便谈点轶事。早期有个印度裔元老退位之后，被赋予类似的顾问职位，当时按照英文叫做高级部长，到李光耀出任这职位时，当地中文界人士觉得“高级部长”庸俗了点，为了表示分外尊崇，特地学了台湾地区国民党那套，把他给“资政”了。

　　强人的信仰

　　李光耀干了20年资政，尽管在两任总理继承人期间，多次对外表示只充当顾问，而不过问日常决策，然而党内党外几乎都知道他长期以来一言九鼎的分量。

　　年长的新加坡人都记得，在过去的选战中，执政党多次以人身攻击手段对付突出的反对党人，很可能都出自李光耀的意志。这些现象在本次大选全然不见，也说明李显龙政府更愿意光明磊落地从事民主竞争。

　　至截稿为止，笔者尚不清楚李显龙的新政府名单，但从两名资政迅速退位的举动推测，这次人事布局应该更能大刀阔斧地摆脱父权意志的形象，更接近新时代的选民。

　　其实公平地说，李光耀从一开始不打算退，到迅速做出退位的决定，可以反证一点，即人民行动党内部还是具有相对高的道德共识，在判断民意走向之余，能够快速做出反应。

　　当然批评者还是可以说他这是为了让儿子坐稳江山，才拖着吴作栋一块儿退。也可以说新加坡太小，他又是最高领导，当然来去自如。

　　不过话说回来，放开一手打下来的江山裸退，对父权思想深刻的李光耀及其他东方政治人物来说，真那么容易能在七天内做出决定吗？

　　新加坡传统媒体连日来大炒李光耀的丰功伟绩，虽然人还在，但这把年纪了，离了权，大家仿佛都知道，是回不来了。

　　李光耀三十几岁就从政，为底层工友百姓打官司、争福利，迅速得到支持。将近半个世纪以来，他把英国殖民时代已经相当繁荣的新加坡，建设成井井有条的花园城市，经济和外交政策的正确，使得小小岛国左右逢源，欣欣向荣。他自己也在国际社会累积了深厚的政治能量，在岛内叱咤风云，在海外风云叱咤，一生备享尊荣。

　　然而他在政治上结合司法的霹雳手段，却使得新加坡在野势力几乎没有生存空间，政治改革停滞不前，所谓政坛甚至弥漫着白色恐怖。

　　这是他作为强人的信仰，却明显与追求民主和更多发言权的新时代新加坡人脱节，更不能保证政策符合人们预期，最终连自己的儿子也受不了了。这何尝又不是老人家的悲哀！

　　李光耀的成功，在很大程度上仰仗他绝顶聪明的妻子柯玉枝，妻子昏迷直到两年前去世后，大家都关注他会不会被击倒。

　　他没有被击倒。因为能击倒他的，只有他自己。
(责任编辑：Newshoo)

文字图片转载自搜狐滚动频道
http://roll.sohu.com/20110525/n308436373.shtml

人民行动党前立法议员、新加坡总理公署前政务次长、马共成员陈新嵘：对李光耀先生放手让李显龙总理面对国家难题的随想

http://www.zaobao.com.sg/yl/yl110525_001.shtml
陈新嵘：对李光耀先生放手让李显龙总理面对国家难题的随想
（2011-05-25）
热点话题
陈新嵘

　　5月7日，新加坡经历了一场深受世人瞩目的第12届国会大选。 5月14日，被誉为“开国元老”和“建国之父”的内阁资政李光耀先生和国务资政吴作栋，一起宣布不再进入内阁。据报道，两位资政在联合声明中说，他们已经慎重研究了岛国新的政治局面，也思考了如何影响新加坡前途。他们已经为国家的发展作出自己的贡献，现在是让李显龙总理和他的年轻一代领导团队有个全新阵容的时候了。

　　李光耀先生决定放手让长子李显龙“独自领导人民行动党面对国家未来”的消息，被舆论界形容是“政治分水岭”，是“后李光耀时代的开始”。

　　5月18日，李显龙总理宣布了新内阁名单。他不再让多位向来最受中下层民众非议的人民行动党重量级成员继续留在内阁当部长， 以此作为他面对新一代选民诉求的积极回应。

　　不少远方学长和好友要我发表点对新加坡时局动向的观感，一再催我快点回答那本几年前由新加坡报业控股出版的《白衣人—新加坡执政党背后的故事》有关我和李光耀相处共事的描述。他们说，切不可等到将来讲历史故事的时候，“没有人可以对证”、以免“为时太晚”。

　　事实上，十多年前有一位从北京来泰南观光访友、已经退休的中共中央对外联络部挚友和我相聚叙旧。我告诉他，我想写封信给李光耀先生，说说我对新加坡前途和对他的为人的一些看法。他立刻提醒说：“要千万慎重呀！你现在生活得安安稳稳，何必招惹麻烦？难道你还不清楚李先生的气量吗？你不考虑后果吗？”于是，我就打消了写信给李的念头。眼下，我还在思考是不是合适把那位参与编写《白衣人》的记者2003年来合艾对我做访谈的录音记录，加以整理发表。

　　随着这次国会大选结果，新加坡的历史进程已经翻开新的一页。我和绝大多数渴望国会里有代表中下层老百姓呼喊的新加坡人民一样，感到非常兴奋。我为年轻一代选民高度的政治觉醒感到高兴。他们不愿做笼中鸟！他们是视野开阔的一代，他们是敢于冲破笼牢的一代。他们继承了上个世纪50年代、60年代和70年代勇于为新加坡人民争取社会公平和正义、不畏惧面对铁拳者的精神。他们朝气蓬勃、更加富有创造理念！尽管我既庆幸又无奈地已经成了泰国公民，但是，我对生于斯长于斯的祖国新加坡的前途仍然牵肠挂肚。　

相信李总理会有独立见解　　

　　新加坡是个没有天然资源的小岛，之所以并入然后脱离马来西亚成了独立国，稍微知道些新马关系及其历史进程的人们尤其是老一辈大都清楚。正如我敬佩的已故挚友方壮璧曾经在北京钓鱼台国宾馆和李光耀伉俪见面交换意见时，直率地对李先生说，他个人认为新加坡共和国“是个怪胎”。他接着又说：“虽然聪明得出奇，令人担心的是怪胎一般容易夭折！”

　　然而，人们现在看到的事实是，这个位置处于两大洋交界、最初由英国人发展起来的、早已成为国际航运中枢的小岛，毕竟生存下来了，而且被誉为经济发展的亚太地区“小龙”之一。不少有见识的人认为，在当今的国际形势下，基于具有优越的地理位置和历代各族人民的努力，新加坡国的继续存在，凭借和迎合当今世界强权的需求便有保障。在英国受教育、获得英国人支持、讲求实用主义的李光耀先生聪明机智过人。他较有先见之明，特别是他总有办法以各种手段运用国家机器打压或排挤被他怀疑是比自己强的竞争对手。

　　主流舆论总是把岛国的经济成就归功给某某个人，却尽量避免提及被管治下的人民所付出的沉重代价，例如：各族人民逐渐没有了本民族的根；个人物欲高于社会责任的风气弥漫；靠赌博税维持经济繁荣，让赌场取代了“社会主义”；在强制性的优生政策下，新加坡成了需要大量外劳的老人国；等等，等等……。总之，需要李显龙总理解决的难题真不少。不着重解决这一大堆难题，能算是开创新时代么？

　　我不知道李显龙总理在哪些方面受到他父亲的教导和影响。但愿他不会只求自己表现出众，不容许他人做好事，把挑战者描述为必须打压的魔鬼。

　　记得很多年前，我曾经对来访的新加坡《新明日报》记者冯仲汉说；就像是试验室的试管，新加坡执政当局推行的一切，在客观上对许多发展中国家都有参考借鉴的意义，无论其主观用意如何。至今我还是这一看法。

　　相信李显龙总理有自己的独立见解，顺从民意，不致让人们的期望破灭。

@@　作者现年77岁，在自治邦时期，曾是代表人民行动党的立法议员，并担任新加坡总理公署政务次长，之后加入社会主义阵线阵营。马共成员，曾在马来亚革命之声广播电台服务。目前是泰国公民。

我为年轻一代选民高度的政治觉醒感到高兴。他们不愿做笼中鸟！他们是视野开阔的一代，他们是敢于冲破笼牢的一代。他们继承了上个世纪50年代、60年代和70年代勇于为新加坡人民争取社会公平和正义、不畏惧面对铁拳者的精神。

转载自新加坡联合早报网
http://www.zaobao.com.sg/yl/yl110525_001.shtml
=======================================

陈新嵘曾任总理公署政务次长，1963年潜逃到廖内群岛。他以亲共分子的身份匿居印尼，并在70年代在泰国和马来西亚边境成为游击队员。

　　1989年，当马来亚共产党接受马来西亚和泰国政府的和平协议后，陈新嵘就与超过1000名游击队员，放弃武装斗争，恢复平民生活。

转载自新加坡文献馆网站
http://www.sginsight.com/xjp/index.php?id=3394

Ethical implications of charitable giving by Slavoj Zizek 《慈善的伦理问题》斯拉沃熱·齊澤克

First as Tragedy, Then as Farce－《先是悲劇，然後變成鬧劇》中文字幕版

This is a talk by Slavoj Žižek, one of the worlds most influential living philosophers, visits the Royal Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) to investigates the surprising ethical implications of charitable giving. It is animate for interesting and easy understanding.

Wiki page for Slavoj Žižek
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slavoj_%C5%BDi%C5%BEek


这是当代哲学家斯拉沃熱·齊澤克在英国皇家艺术、制造和商业促进学会（RSA）的一场演讲，探讨慈善的伦理问题。RSA加入动画，使到这演讲比较“平易近人“。本片中文字幕由『 齊澤克學會 』翻譯，陳顯龍、唐健譯、方川明後期製作，

斯拉沃熱·齊澤克简介
http://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E6%96%AF%E6%8B%89%E6%B2%83%E7%86%B1%C2%B7%E9%BD%8A%E6%BE%A4%E5%85%8B