Disrespectful or being professional?

Categories: Singapore

There has been much debate about the conduct of the 10 post-1965 adults who had the privilege to a question-and-answer session with Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. The main charge is that one of disrespect.

I pitied these 10 people many of whom are journalists. They were tasked to ask MM Lee any questions. This were apparently reinforced during the pre-recording tea reception by MM Lee himself. Imagine this: 'ordinary' young adults having to question a somebody, the Minister Mentor, on national TV. Most of us would have been over-awed to even ask the most irrelevant questions. The fact that they are able to ask relevant intelligent questions, questions that are supposed to matter to their generation shows how professional they are. If they were to ask superficial questions, wouldn't it be a waste of MM's time?

The question of disrespect comes about because one of the participant asked why MM at 82 years old had not considered retirement. I feel that he is not being respectful. He is merely asking a pertinent question as so much had been said about self-renewal and yet the most senior member in the PAP had chosen to stay on. Rather than speculating on the reasons behind this decision why not let the man himself clarify? I am sure this question had been on everyone's mind including those who cited disrespect regarding this question.

Observers had been quick to conclude that there is a gap in the thinking between the older and younger generation. I think this is too simplistic. Firstly the way the dialogue session was conducted is artificial. The participant are entrusted with a task - to ask questions. The scope of interaction is thus limited. They cannot clarify much as to why the questions were asked. I am sure most of the questions will not be repeated to MM outside of the show. There is also a question of time. To make the session successful a certain number of questions need to be asked. Therefore there is not much room to dwell more into a question.

Statisticians will tell you that 10 people cannot be representative of the nearly 2 million adults of their generations. Majority of the participants are journalists, people trained to ask difficult questions - questions not necessarily reflecting the views of the majority.

Whatever the outcome from this dialogue, I must commend the MM for being able to put 10 'ordinary' young adults so much at ease that they are able to ask difficult questions and enthuasistic enough to interrupt the MM. And to the 10 participants, you had done what the majority dare not.