Daily Lessons from Life 12 October 2013 - Ngiam Tong Dow clarifies recent statements about ministers

"Ngiam Tong Dow clarifies recent statements about ministers - CNA 12 October 2013 SINGAPORE: Former top civil servant Ngiam Tong Dow has said he realises that he had not been fair in what he said about ministers and discussions in Cabinet in an interview published in the September 2013 issue of the Singapore Medical Association's newsletter. In a letter addressed to the editor of the newsletter, Mr Ngiam said his statement that ministers will not speak their minds before Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is "unfair". Mr Ngiam had retired from the civil service in 1999 and had not attended any Cabinet meetings chaired by Mr Lee. Mr Ngiam said the statement was made without knowing what actually happens at Cabinet meetings today. He said he had been told by civil servant colleagues that Cabinet discussions were robust. Mr Ngiam also described his claim that ministers may not speak up because they earn high salaries as "illogical". He said he knows that some ministers have given up high-flying and well-paid careers in the private sector in order to serve the public at a fraction of their original or potential income. He added that others could have gone to the private sector to make more money but have chosen to be in the public service. Another claim Mr Ngiam made was that the current crop of leaders is elitist. He clarified that he had spoken without realising that many had in fact come from humble backgrounds. In a statement, PM Lee said he is glad that Mr Ngiam has clarified the statements, especially the comments about his ministers. Mr Lee said he hopes that in retirement, Mr Ngiam will continue to support the institutions and systems that he helped build during his long and illustrious career." Mr Ngiam has on a few previous occasions voiced his concerns about the functioning of the current civil services and the government. Those views were, after I read them, expressed in the love for the nation and to remind the ruling class to do the right things even if the views expressed were, sometimes, unflattering. So, it is interesting to read of his clarification of his comments in the September 2013 issue of the Singapore Medical Association's newsletter. Lessons for me are: 1. the editors and publishers of the Singapore Medical Association would need to, if they had not already done so, apologised for not vetting the views expressed by Mr Ngiam given that they could be viewed as casting 'doubts' on the proper function of the government; 2. based on the reasons provided for the clarification, some are reasonable and acceptable while some are perhaps still not totally 'black and white' to some citizens and readers. e.g. those that are reasonable and acceptable are: some of the ministers come from humble background, he was NOT in the cabinet meetings Chairman by PM Lee HL and hence he cannot say that the ministers do not speak their minds freely. Those that are controversial and unclear are: that some ministers are paid a lot more than their previous last jobs before being 'promoted' to million dollar salaried ministerial post. Albeit there were some who took a pay cut to be in the politics and a cabinet minister. As for SOME could have gone to high paying jobs in the private sector, it really depends IF they can produce results or not. And if they can produce results of not DO NOT depend on if they are ministerial materials or not. :-); 3. it is interesting to read of PM Lee HL's wishes that Mr Ngiam continue to support the institutions and systems that he helped to build in his retirement. It is important for Mr Ngiam to continue to SUPPORT as well as to voice critical feedback to the institutions and systems that he helped to build as he is more qualified than most, perhaps, to see WHAT COULD BE WRONG with the baby that he had a hand in creating. :-) So, Mr Ngiam, I do not see this clarification as a 'climb down' or anything humiliating, as some may see it. I see it as you must continue to voice your concerns about what is wrong with the system and institutions so that they can continue to serve Singaporeans well - as they were MEANT to be!! You have clarified on these particular issues. You can move on to other vexing issues. Thank you for doing that as many retired senior civil servants do not care to do so!