Leaders - out of the limelight

Out of a top job ... and out of sight
TODAY Weekend • August 4, 2007 Loh Chee Kong cheekong@mediacorp.com.sg

ONCE they were everywhere in the Singapore landscape, leaders of opinion, men of action. But why is it that powerful political figures here all but fade away after leaving the political stage when they still have so much to offer to society?

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has taken on the task of trying to bring peace to the Middle East, while former United States Vice-President Al Gore is championing climate change. Former ex-Soviet Union chief Mikhail Gorbachev and former US Presidents Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton have started foundations and are also spearheading humanitarian work. Okay, so there aren't too many of those in the world. Case in point: Whatever happened to French President Jacques Chirac, who retired this year?But if the global stage is too great a calling, what about social activism closer to home? It is common for ex-politicians in many countries to take on social causes that could benefit from their profile and network. Former Philippine President Cory Aquino, for example, continues to be involved in humanitarian causes. And ex-Malaysia Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, before becoming a self-appointed critic of the current government, was also active in the public lecture circuit, both at home and overseas, to promote issues close to his heart, such as the need for developing countries to hold their own against the West.

Instead, the more common route for high-flying Singapore ex-politicians is almost always a — presumably guided — position on a reputable board. And even that involves just a select few.Two former Deputy Prime Ministers took on governmental portfolios for the first few years after their retirement. Dr Goh Keng Swee became deputy chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, while Dr Tony Tan chaired the National Research Foundation.But after a few years, these politicians often join their peers in near obscurity, usually on the directors' board of government-linked or private companies.Dr Tan — the latest ex-minister to join the pension club — and his successor as Finance Minister, Dr Richard Hu, are serving as chairmen of Singapore Press Holdings (SPH) and Capitaland, respectively.Mr S Dhanabalan, who headed five ministries at various times, is the chairman of Temasek Holdings and DBS Bank. Like Dr Tan, he is also a director at the Government Investment Corporation of Singapore.Dr Yeo Ning Hong, former Defence and Communications Minister, initially joined PSA, then chaired the Singapore Totalisator Board before ending up a director with SPH.All these are either easy to explain — or very hard.

Easy if you point to Singapore's political culture and say the country doesn't have a tradition of high-flying past politicians keeping a high public profile.A bit more difficult, if you choose to look at other possible factors.

One argument is that Asian leaders tend to view themselves as public servants rather than personalities in their own right. In other words, they cede all moral and explicit duties to their successors. Of course, there are exceptions, such as Dr Mahathir and former Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid.Perhaps, another explanation is that, having devoted a large part of their lives to public service, Singapore's past leaders relish their new-found privacy and time to indulge in family and personal life. A common refrain among our politicians clamouring for retirement is that they had missed their children's growing-up years and hope to make up for lost time.Of course, cynics would also say that the politicians are so jaded by the time they step down that they see little point in continuing to render public service in other forms. Or, that they find it hard to mobilise resources for whatever causes without government mechanisms.

And our foremost talents have never left the Cabinet. Singapore is the only country to retain its former Prime Ministers within the Cabinet or the inner circle of political power.Upon stepping down, former Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong was made Senior Minister, following the path of his predecessor, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who became Minister Mentor.

Besides ensuring the Government can still tap their intellect and wisdom, such a system — in sync with the People's Action Party's strict emphasis on closed ranks — also means that Singapore's subsequent Prime Ministers do not have to contemplate the possible scenario which incumbent Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi is facing in his country.There is room for leaders who have steered the ranks to continue their contributions in the social service of the land after they leave the Government. They don't need to start foundations. But they could help balance the primacy of economic growth, which makes social work an unglamorous option.

If people who enjoy a high profile — and the influence to get things moving — do not come forward, the image of social work would never be lifted.Just look at the exception, Dr Chiang Hai Ding, who became a strong advocate for active ageing. A former Member of Parliament and ambassador, he recently relinquished his role as the executive director of Sage Counselling Centre and is now a consultant at the newly-formed Centre for Seniors.On why he felt it was right for former MPs to move away from "the political limelight", Dr Chiang had said in a recent letter to the press: "They have done their best and it's the turn of others to put their shoulders to the wheel."Former Social Affairs Minister Othman Wok, who was recently made a director of the Council for Third Age, could see former ministers taking up a social cause in the future — "if they are appointed". But surely, ex-ministers and MPs do not have to wait to be appointed before they start contributing to society after retiring from the Government.Singapore's past political leaders have more to offer, in their retirement, besides overseeing the growth of government-linked or private companies and ensuring they rake in the profits.