I

refer to your editorial “Singapore’s Secrecy” dated Feb. 9, 2018 on the issue of leadership succession in Singapore. The article alleges that leadership succession is shrouded in secrecy because Singaporeans will face “legal consequences” for expressing their thoughts about it in public. This is baseless.

Leadership succession is far from being an unmentionable topic in Singapore. There are numerous articles online and in print covering the issue. A quick internet scan will show the open discussion by the public and media. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has also talked about it on multiple occasions, including in open dialogue sessions and interviews with the Singapore and international media.

The article further claims that public participation in leadership change is lacking in Singapore. Under our Westminster-style parliamentary democracy, the prime minister is the person who enjoys the confidence of the majority of the members of parliament. Members of parliament are in turn elected by voters through free and fair elections. Thus the prime minister and Cabinet ministers have to win the votes and trust of the people, and be elected before they can take office.

It is different from Indonesia’s system of direct elections for the president, but Singapore’s system is followed in many countries, and works for Singapore.

Anil Kumar Nayar
Ambassador of the Republic of Singapore to Indonesia
Jakarta