Tan Chuan-Jin

It is interesting to read BG(NS) Tan Chuan Jin’s parliamentary speech on the Ministerial Salary; it is the best I had heard so far.  In 3 simple points, he objectively point out the idealistic in the realistic world without being partisan about the issue.  Why serve? Pricing service and rhetoric and reality of service.

“Who do we serve? We serve our people, our country, for today and for tomorrow. As the honourable Mr. Yee Jenn Jong states, Singapore is not a company nor a business. It cannot be run as such. All of us agree. It is far more than that. But should we not be prudent? Should we not put in place systems and processes to keep things going well? Should we look at numbers? Should we look at details? Should we make those difficult decisions that are sometimes necessary but painful for some?”

“Mr. Chen states that political service is not a discount factor. I agree. It is not. I have talked about why we serve….So in the same spirit, would it be correct to say that in WP’s reckoning, that Political Service is a “mark-up factor?”…I don’t think so. That would be a cheap political shot. Because that is not what you mean.”

“I admire those who proudly proclaim that there is no sacrifice in stepping forward to political service. It took me a long time to decide even though I had been serving in our Army. Political service is public service but somewhat different. Does this make me a less committed Singaporean?..I am pained by the knowledge that I will miss the many moments when my children are growing up and time with family. My parents are not getting any younger. Those moments missed do not return. Ever. In time, I will look back, and there will be gaps. But that’s life….I’m not sure how one considers it a privilege to miss these precious moments. It trivializes all of us who do cherish these….Does that make all of us lesser beings?”