Lee's inevitability
One of our closest neighbors undergoes an historic transition today. Lee Hsien Loong this evening fulfills his destiny as he assumes the leadership of Singapore's government, when he replaces Goh Chok Tong.
In typical and orderly Singapore fashion, the transition had been long planned. Mr Lee had been groomed to carry on his father's legacy, the great Asian statesman, Lee Kwan Yew. After a 14-year apprenticeship, the younger Lee becomes the third prime minister of the region's most technologically and economically developed country.
Some things do run in the family. Singapore, or more specifically Lee Kwan Yew, looks to have anointed the right man for the job. Not only does he have the right aptitude with credentials from Cambridge and Harvard Universities to prove it, but he has also developed a strong personal character, overcoming personal tragedy -- the death of his first wife and a battle with cancer himself -- that would have crushed other men.
Hence, there is no reason to even question Lee Hsien Loong's qualities. When other nations nearly crumbled under the impact of the financial crisis of the late 1990s, Singapore under Lee's direction as finance minister and the central bank chairman, succeeded in further spurring on an economy that became even more robust.
We are also glad to see that the 52-year-old recognizes his, and Singapore's role, within the neighborhood of southeast Asian nations.
Lee arrived in Indonesia earlier this year in what was a precursor visit to his impending prime ministership, and in recent years has shown an adroitness in discussing bilateral and regional issues within the context of ASEAN.
In other words, he is a man that Indonesia should be able to get along with. With the wise counsel of Goh, who will be a Minister Mentor, the close ties between southeast Asia's two giants should continue to prosper.
We look forward to Lee's official introductory visit to Indonesia sometime in the near future to solidify the relationship under the new stewardship.
Lee may be considered a second generation leader for Singapore, but he certainly has first generation qualities.
To the outgoing prime minister, we bid a fond adieu.
Goh has served his country well. Domestically, he has led his people to greater heights of economic prosperity. Regionally, he has helped forge a strong ASEAN.
In good and rough times with Indonesia, Goh has, at most times, put the relative interest of the bilateral relationship first, even at the risk of ignoring his own senior minister's often inappropriate remarks about Indonesia.
Goh's self-effacing style, which has warmed many towards him, is something the new prime minister could well learn from.
Many here feel some form of connection to the island-state which has become somewhat of a middle-class oasis for Indonesian holidaymakers, shoppers, intellectuals, businesspeople and white- collar asylum seekers.
Indonesians can look with some envy at the precision in which this change is occurring. And certainly there is much we can learn in terms of structuring a professional cabinet and developing economically.
However, in spite of its successes in creating a developed and modern society, Lee himself can take a few lessons from Indonesia in developing a more politically open system. Fate will intervene, and at some juncture Singapore will have to undergo its own transformation whether billed as reform or revolution.
That is the new Singaporean leader's biggest challenge. Either preparing for or perhaps overseeing himself the inevitable social changes.
Though Indonesia is no model on how to conduct that transformation, at the very least Lee should look at his neighbor to avoid making similar mistakes.