He was all alone in facing the press. The image was initially a little forlorn looking. Is that what it means when a final decision is made to call it quits?
Somehow it brought back all those feelings when I first announced about my desire to give up my portfolio and ask for a transfer as well as a 6-month extended leave break. The sense of alienation immediately permeates the air around and formed an indelible barrier between me and the colleagues, peers and boss whom I have worked very hard with for almost 14 years.
GY put on a brave front and made a very short but personal speech. Sincere, genuine and personal. One gets the sense that he is saying goodbye to his friends. I could sense his immense disappointment and thought I saw his efforts to squash that deeply abiding sense of "betrayal" (I can't find a better word to describe) from emerging during the press conference. After all, despite his hectic overseas travel and larger national and international priorities and concerns, he has spent the last 23 years working in the same constituency while moving to so many different ministries and taking on so many different projects. It must have hit home really hard that the past 23 years of personal efforts, friendship and hard work somehow could not overturn the strong political tide that swept through Aljunied GRC, even in his very own ward in Bedok Reservoir.
There were a few things that he said that were etched very deeply in my mind:
- The occasional need to "shake the box" - the present structure, system, processes and mechanisms of feedback in order to reach and engage the ground more accurately and closely
- His wistful expression when he uttered "I wish I had a mandate from the people of Aljunied to be a strong advocate on such transformation, but I don't..."
- His deftness in deflecting questions about his wish to be a "voice of reform" (which he changed to "transform" during the media conference) within PAP and when asked to identify the key factors that he would bring up in order to push for such transformation. Somehow, I wonder if he has that sense of regret of not trying hard enough during the past 23 years to be the stronger unorthodox voice and free spirit that he is within the party. I am sure being caught up with the daily and more pressing national and international issues for the government meant that something has to give and that is ignoring the nagging sense of growing disquiet and cry from the heart of the people and the need to get the political party to take action to address
- Lastly, he was so spot on in identifying the undeniable shift in the political landscape - both in Singapore and globally - that transcends beyond geographical boundaries. He recognized the need to engage with special interest groups with causes that go beyond the GRCs that people live in. I was so happy when he said that cos that's why I felt that the way the PAP government has been so dependent on the PA with its elaborate structure of CCC, CC, RCs and its huge network of GROs somehow has aggravated the political party's alienation from the ground. I believe that are so many other ways to engage and align with the present day Singapore generation (and it's not only the Gen Y but also the Gen X and Baby Boomers).
I am also excited by the fact that GY will be embarking on a new phase of his life and that he is looking forward to planning it along with his family. Singapore has to learn to deal and live with our decision and choice. We have "told" him in no uncertain terms that he is dispensable especially in the over-riding national need to have an elected voice of opposition in the parliament. We must therefore live with the fact that we have lost a man of rare distinction who could have continued another 5 years of precious service and contribution to our beloved country.
I am so glad that he is not running for elected presidency...it will be too limiting and I totally agree that he is (LOL) definitely not "temperamentally suited" for such a role!
I cannot forget the last image of him both on Razor TV and as well as in the Straits Times today on page A6 - clearing and stacking his papers before taking his leave. I couldn't help but shed tears in seeing such a good man go...
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