The view from singapore with British High Commissioner to ... - NUSS

HIgHlIgHts
NUss - geNeral DIsCUssIoN
Date: 22 August 2012
Venue: Kent Ridge Guild House
Dr Lim began by making
a statement that “since
the General Election (GE)
last year, things have
changed, and today it
is okay for Singaporeans to speak
freely and openly (but civilly and
respectfully, of course) on any issue
of national interest and concern”.
She added that in her commentaries
and talks for nearly 20 years
on various aspects of the Singapore
political situation, “all of them, without
exception, have been underlain
by one common, unquestioned assumption
— the powerful influence
of Mr Lee Kuan Yew”.
During her talk she added that
although many people cannot disassociate
the ruling People’s Action Party
(PAP) and its policies from Mr Lee
Kuan Yew, it remains to be seen what
the future will be like now with
Mr Lee no longer in government.
In what she termed a “post-Lee
Kuan Yew era”, Dr Lim believed
that future PAP proposals that are
reminiscent of the old era will be
strenuously scrutinised, debated and
resisted, not only in Parliament but
in the social media. However, she
also noted that no evaluation of
Mr Lee will be complete without due
acknowledgement of his very real
achievements.
“Indeed, his brilliant success in
making Singapore what it is today is
unreservedly acknowledged by both
his admirers and detractors, and is
extensively documented,” Dr Lim said.
Looking ahead, Dr Lim noted
the geopolitical development in a
group of five countries called BRICS
(comprising Brazil, Russia, India,
China and South Africa) and that
their model of governance is closely
followed by the world.
“Although an economic grouping,
BRICS is said to have the potential to
be a political model that might even
replace the Western model of liberal
democracy which is now undergoing
much stress and strain,” commented
Dr Lim. “Although still a model in
16 THE GRADUATE JAN-MAR 2013
Dr Lim was candid with the appreciative audience.
living in exciting &
interesting times
True to her maverick personality and reputation,
Dr Catherine lim did not pull any punches and mused
aloud about the political climate in Singapore and what
the General Elections of 2011 meant for Singapore.
the making, it is being watched with
great interest by emerging economies
in the developing world.”
During the Q&A segment,
Dr Lim was equally open and frank
as she was during her address. She
answered many issues ranging from
the future of politics in Singapore,
to freedom of speech and the trends
that would affect the nation. She
drew laughter, applause and even
disagreement from the appreciative
audience with her candid and
straightforward answers.
Dr Lim in summary remarked
that we are living in one of the most
exciting and interesting times in
Singapore. She ended the evening
with an advice to the audience with
regard to freedom of speech
in Singapore, “There
is still a climate of fear
around in Singapore …
Think through, speak
up, stand up and try not
to be too afraid.”
“There is still
a climate of
fear around in
Singapore …
Think through,
speak up,
stand up and
try not to be
too afraid.”
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