Vivian : Whether PAP stays in power depends on talent pool
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Whether PAP stays in power depends on talent pool: Dr Balakrishnan
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid | Posted: 28 August 2010 2002 hrsSINGAPORE : Community Development, Youth and Sports Minister Vivian Balakrishnan has said whether the ruling People's Action Party stays in power depends on which party can attract, nurture and grow its talent pool.
This was one key point Dr Balakrishnan highlighted at a dialogue session with students.
About 250 students attended the inaugural Singaporeans in Conversation 2010. The theme was "The Singaporean Dream versus The Singapore Reality".
Some shared their concerns about the education system such as the chase for top grades. But issues on the political arena dominated the two-hour session.
One student said: "Many people think the civil service is not independent of the governing party which should not be the case, because in the future, should the PAP no longer be in power, what is going to happen to the civil service?"
Others also wanted to know if the government has monopolised talent.
Dr Balakrishnan said he does not believe that the future of Singapore purely depends on political leaders but the talented people from the different components of society.
He said: "I make no apology for trying to grab all talent available. Ultimately, whether the PAP stays in power or not depends on which party can attract, nurture and grow that talent pool and offer that talent pool to the people of Singapore to decide.
"We are trying to run an honest political system that is based on integrity and talent and that will reflect the will of the people and that will do long-term good for the people."
Prior to the event, the organising committee set up a Facebook page. And discussion boards there also sparked lively debates over issues like whether the job expectations of youths today are reasonable and how Singapore preserves her heritage.
The topic of voicing opinions and criticisms through online platforms was also raised.
A participant said: "The internet has started to be dominated by one kind of very very vocal minority, but is increasingly very influential."
Dr Balakrishnan said the approach is to encourage more genuine participation.
He said: "It is not which channels - it is what is your motivation. Motivation is so important. When I listen to someone, it is not just what he or she says, but at the back of my mind, I am always asking why is he or she saying that or why is he or she so angry or so happy. That is the more important question and I always try to operate with that question at the back of my mind."
Dr Balakrishnan said what is important are sensible, logical and reasonable discussions of the issues and points of disagreement.
Dr Balakrishnan also shared with the students that after nine years as a politician, he feels that politics is not about a debating society, but one where the livelihood, security and long-term future of its people remain key fundamentals of any political system.
He said: We are not perfect and we are still evolving, but understand that we are now at the point of actually considerable success and it would be silly of us to dismiss all that, and to ignore all the considerable achievements we Singaporeans have made as a democratic society, as encapsulated in our pledge.
"So I do not say that as a matter of arrogance but as a plea for a realistic assessment of what we are at." - CNA/ms -
Dr Balakrishnan also shared with the students that after nine years as a politician,
he feels that politics is not about a debating society,
but one where the livelihood, security and long-term future of its people remain key fundamentals of any political system.
Politics in Singapore is about following PAP dictates.
This PAP is really autocratic to the core.
They have no respect for opinions of citizens at all.
Arrogance of this party is disgusting.
But although dogs may bark, the caravan must move on.
Although it is clear that PAP will never allow real political debate to happen in media, will never allow indepedent media to exist, we on the net must increase our political activity and debate on political issues.
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So was he happy with YOG?
Since you don't give a flying fuck to opinions of public, don't blame the public for switching off.
They also won't give a flying fuck to your YOG, Vivian Balakrishnan.
You don't even give a fuck to my views, expect me to support your fucking political projects?
Fuck off.
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Worse thing about this bastard Vivian Balakrishnan is that he never faced any sort of opposition during elections.
All walkovers and they suka suka anyhow change the GRCs.
Still want to call himself "politician"?
HOLLAND-BUKIT PANJANG GRC 
• Bukit Panjang • Buona Vista • Cashew • Ulu Pandan • Zhenghua Voters: 118,834 
LIM Swee Say
47 | M | Acting Cabinet MinisterDavid LIM Tik En
46 | M | Minister of State
TEO Ho Pin
41 | M | Managing directorGAN Kim Yong
42 | M | Executive vice-presidentVIVIAN Balakrishnan
40 | M | Chief executive officer
HOLLAND-BUKIT TIMAH GRC • Bukit Timah • Buona Vista • Cashew • Ulu Pandan • Zhenghua Voters: 118,155 
LIM Swee Say
51 | M | Cabinet MinisterVIVIAN Balakrishnan
45 | M | Cabinet Minister
YU-FOO Yee Shoon
56 | F | Minister of StateChristopher James DE SOUZA
30 | M | LawyerLIANG Eng Hwa
42 | M | Managing director -
This type of person, I would call a manager, administrator, bureaucrat, technician.
What he is clearly not, is that he is not a political leader.
This is the sort of person that Lee Kuan Yew would approve.
Doesn't pose a threat.
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talent is not enough....
emotional intelligence is urgently needed to bridge the huge gap between elitists and commoners
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the wisdom of the masses is the real power but it has been trapped....
but this will come to pass in 10 to 20 years time...
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Originally posted by Fcukpap:
talent is not enough....
emotional intelligence is urgently needed to bridge the huge gap between elitists and commoners
He has no experience in electoral politics.
No people support him.
His political support is from the inner clique of the PAP, not from the electorate, that is why he doesn't really care about public opinion.
How long this type of democratic facade can last after Lee Kuan Yew is dead, I am also not sure.
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Originally posted by Vote PAP OUT to Save SG:
He has no experience in electoral politics.
No people support him.
His political support is from the inner clique of the PAP, not from the electorate, that is why he doesn't really care about public opinion.
How long this type of democratic facade can last after Lee Kuan Yew is dead, I am also not sure.
REMF
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as i have mentioned before...whoever the future ruling party...he must continue to protect the sovereignty of our country...never let external parties to take advantage of any internal dissensions of our country.....
the motives of our neighbouring countries are what i am really concerned....i care for the bigger picture....thats why i am insistent on the importance of national service...
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double post
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We have groomed a bunch of "self-righteous" people who think that they are the only one that made the right decision and ignored all critics as negative reactions.
These people have never experienced failure or opposition in their career as all the obstacles are smoothen out.
What happened recently have further sadden the most of the people as in the true democracy of the place we lived.
They can paint a grand picture about the future and their importance in winning.
But, why would any one vote and paid another one with their hard earned money if paid servant do not render any service at all ?
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i predict many in-fighting and sectional politics after 10 or 20 years....this may well be managed for now but its the external parties i m really dead worried for our dotty country then....
i will be a soul that guard the coasts of our motherland....u can fight internally
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Originally posted by Fcukpap:
i will be a soul that guard the coasts of our motherland....u can fight internally
Don't be a coward.
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the bravery comes with protecting the unpredictable from without and not within...
i agree with your discontents....but however our discontents....its my personal belief that our motherland comes first....and not any peer pressure...
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this brings me to the historical conflict between the then communist china and kuomingtang...after much delay and deliberation, china comes first during japanese invasion...if they had been united....millions would have been saved....
likewise for any internal conflicts...we must guard our sovereignty above any domestic issues
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Originally posted by Fcukpap:
likewise for any internal conflicts...we must guard our sovereignty above any domestic issues
I don't see any external threat to Singapore for now.
I do see internal threat due to flooding of aliens by PAP regime.
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Originally posted by Fcukpap:
this brings me to the historical conflict between the then communist china and kuomingtang...after much delay and deliberation, china comes first during japanese invasion...if they had been united....millions would have been saved....
likewise for any internal conflicts...we must guard our sovereignty above any domestic issues
with such heavy influx of foreigners we are indeed in danger of foreign influences taking root eroding our sovereignty.
