PM Lee sends lawyer's letter to editors of TR Emeritus

[WeiHan]

ST Engineering only has a market cap of $10 billions.

Temasek Holding has a market cap of 200 billions.

HC was "promoted" straight away from a position as a CEO in STE to the CEO of TH. Think about it. STE and TH are a very different companies, not only in nature of business but in term of market cap of an entirely different league. People who can manage a 10 billion company, don’t necessarily mean thathe/she can manage a 200 billions company. Not to even say that STE is a technology company while TH is an investment firm.

I think to appoint people to such position as CEO of TH, the appointing body owe Singapore justifications of his/her qualifications. Every investment fund in the world has a transparent track record including warren Buffett’s Bekshire Hathaway. So why can’t we get a list of achievements in investment and management of all potential appointees?

[3Boys]

WeiHan:

You know the judge is appointed by who in Singapore?

I'll suggest that for our judiciary arm to be independent, it should be appointed differently in future. Presently, the chief justice is appointed by the President but from candidates recommended by the prime minister.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_system_of_Singapore

Even US Supreme Court judges are nominated by the sitting President, who unashamedly uses them to prosecute political agenda. What system would you propose that is superior to the present one and immune to all political manipulation?

[mum_sugoku]

If I read the lawyer’s letter correctly, they were saying that TRE’s "cronysim" allegation was untrue because


1. Mdm Ho was appointed head of Temasek because of Dhanabalan’s recommendation (and not because of her husband’s recommendation),
2. her husband and (then PM) GCT had turned it down initially and had subsequently appointed Mdm Ho only upon Dhanabalan’s insistence,
3. Mdm Ho’s appointment was approved by the (then) President.

Therefore Mdm Ho’s appointment was "on merit" and through proper process…

So does it mean that it was based on merit because the ex-Cabinet Ministers appointed to chair Temasek’s board of director, Dhanabalan, thought so?

[raysusan]

What kind of merit are they talking about ?

[WeiHan]

3Boys:

WeiHan:

You know the judge is appointed by who in Singapore?

I'll suggest that for our judiciary arm to be independent, it should be appointed differently in future. Presently, the chief justice is appointed by the President but from candidates recommended by the prime minister.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_system_of_Singapore

Even US Supreme Court judges are nominated by the sitting President, who unashamedly uses them to prosecute political agenda. What system would you propose that is superior to the present one and immune to all political manipulation?

The key point is separation of powers and an independent executive/legislature and judiciary.Nothing is perfect but we will try as much as possible to separate the legislature and judiciary power as much as we can. The american governmental system is unique such that they have independent power assigned to the legislative, executive and judiciary branch. Even the president does not have an absolute power in the executive branch of the government. But this not the case in Singapore. I will say the american system isn't perfect but they have better check of power and no branches or individual will have total power control.

[3Boys]

WeiHan:

I will say the american system isn't perfect but they have better check of power and no branches or individual will have total power control.

And given what you see of the political gridlock in the USA, would you say that is a good thing for Singapore? A small country should make use of a small's country's advantages no? Speed of decision-making? Agility? Things for which Singapore is lauded for? We are not a country with 300 million people and 7.7 million km2, and I do not propose we should try to behave like one.

And apart from the appointment of judges (which is analogous to the US), which part of the judicial system is not separate from the executive in Singapore? The Westminster parliamentary system in Singapore is based on western democratic origins, and allows for division of power like the US system, are you proposing we change that?

[WeiHan]

3Boys:

WeiHan:

I will say the american system isn't perfect but they have better check of power and no branches or individual will have total power control.

And given what you see of the political gridlock in the USA, would you say that is a good thing for Singapore? A small country should make use of a small's country's advantages no? Speed of decision-making? Agility? Things for which Singapore is lauded for? We are not a country with 300 million people and 7.7 million km2, and I do not propose we should try to behave like one.

And apart from the appointment of judges (which is analogous to the US), which part of the judicial system is not separate from the executive in Singapore? The Westminster parliamentary system in Singapore is based on western democratic origins, and allows for division of power like the US system, are you proposing we change that?

3boys,

How does a separate executive and judiciary branch lead to political gridlock? Only a weak government in the parliament that does not command the majority leads to political gridlock which is not the case in Singapore yet. This may happen to Singapore post LKY when PAP may still win majority of the seats but is fractioned.

[3Boys]

WeiHan:

3boys,

How does a separate executive and judiciary branch lead to political gridlock? Only a weak government in the parliament that does not command the majority leads to political gridlock which is not the case in Singapore yet. This may happen to Singapore post LKY when PAP may still win majority of the seats but is fractioned.

If indeed we were in totalitarian governmental system, how does a written separation of judiciary and executive ensure the independence of the judiciary? Can it not be easily circumvented? You are speaking theoretically.

[WeiHan]

3Boys:

WeiHan:

3boys,

How does a separate executive and judiciary branch lead to political gridlock? Only a weak government in the parliament that does not command the majority leads to political gridlock which is not the case in Singapore yet. This may happen to Singapore post LKY when PAP may still win majority of the seats but is fractioned.

If indeed we were in totalitarian governmental system, how does a written separation of judiciary and executive ensure the independence of the judiciary? Can it not be easily circumvented? You are speaking theoretically.

A written separation of judiciary and executive will at least make it more difficult for future totalitarian government to emerge (only slightly). Well...even Hitler emerged from a democratic system...

[limlim]

3Boys:

WeiHan:

You know the judge is appointed by who in Singapore?

I'll suggest that for our judiciary arm to be independent, it should be appointed differently in future. Presently, the chief justice is appointed by the President but from candidates recommended by the prime minister.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_system_of_Singapore

Even US Supreme Court judges are nominated by the sitting President, who unashamedly uses them to prosecute political agenda. What system would you propose that is superior to the present one and immune to all political manipulation?

Elected chief Justice. Same term as GE. takes place 2 years after a GE.