The recent general election showed much of what is good about Singapore. The ruling party won a strong mandate that will ensure political stability and create conditions for sound policy-
making. Both the ruling party as well as the opposition were able to recruit talented candidates who have appealed to Singaporeans. The winning party agreed to designate the position of Leader of the Opposition in a gracious recognition of the advances made by the opposition.
As Singapore commemorates its 55th National Day, it is not the most auspicious of times. The nation confronts multiple challenges outside its control such as the pandemic and geo-political tensions. And, it has to face up to these forces when there are also big domestic issues to tackle: It has to manage a political transition to a fourth generation of leaders while also attending to growing internal challenges that have created a degree of angst that was not there before. Getting to grips with these internal issues could involve difficult policy choices which could create pain in the short term but which Singapore cannot avoid.
Why the angst?
