WHY CIVIL SERVANTS AND MILITARY GENERALS
The civil service and armed forces have long been a fertile recruitment ground for political leaders. Former permanent secretaries who subsequently joined the Cabinet include Mr Howe Yoon Chong in the late 1970s, and more recently, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, Mr Heng and Mr Chee Hong Tat. Among the early cohorts of SAF scholars were Mr Lee Hsien Loong, Mr George Yeo and Mr Teo Chee Hean. Many other military officers have since followed in their footsteps.
Of the seven first-time Members of Parliament appointed to political office, six are from the public sector including the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). This raises the question: How useful is prior public sector experience to a political leader? Conversely, could there be disadvantages in drawing political leaders from the public sector?
Civil servants, especially those who have held senior positions, would certainly be au fait with policy design and implementation. They would be familiar with policy principles and considerations, and would know how to work the government machinery necessary for successful policy implementation. They would have also proven themselves in running public agencies or departments and managing public funds.
By the time they reach the senior echelons of the SAF, military commanders would have acquired considerable experience in leading people and organisations, as well as in planning logistics and operations. These are all valuable skillsets for a political leader.
Capability and experience aside, public officers may gain the trust of incumbent political leaders in the course of their work. Political leaders spend much of their time working with public officers, so it is natural for them to turn to trusted officers when identifying fresh talent for politics.
In particular, the role of principal private secretary (PPS) – a senior aide to the prime minister, deputy prime minister or minister mentor – has turned out to be a political apprenticeship for several Cabinet ministers. Mr Wong, Mr Ong and Mr Siow previously served as Mr Lee Hsien Loong’s PPS, while Mr Chee was PPS to Mr Lee Kuan Yew.
