Thoughts on the PAP Manifesto

The thing that struck me most regarding the PAP Manifesto for the coming GE was PM Lee's reminder to PAP members of the need to maintain a sense of service and humility. Given that I personally know several long-time PAP members, I can safely say that the sense of service and humility is definitely there amongst this small group of people.

Having said that, I wonder how much of this sense is imbued into PAP candidates who are 'parachuted' into the political system without having gone through the grind of serving in grassroots organisation from the ground up.

I also wonder the extent to which multi-million dollar salaries help to undermine that sense of service and humility. Looking at it from a Confucianist perspective, I personally would be convinced of the humility of our ministers if they were to follow the example of one of ancient China's legendary minister, 晏婴 (yan ying) of the Qi Kingdom during the Spring and Autumn Period of Chinese history.

Yan Ying was a capable minister who lived a simple and contented material life, always looking out for the interest of ordinary people. As described by Baidu Baike:

廉洁无私，心胸坦荡

晏子辅佐齐国三公，一直勤恳廉洁从政，清白公正做人，主张“廉者，政之本也，德之主也”。他管理国家秉公无私，亲友僚属求他办事，合法者办，不合法者拒。他从不接受礼物，大到赏邑、住房，小到车马、衣服，都被他辞绝。不仅如此，晏子还时常把自己所享的俸禄送给亲戚朋友和劳苦百姓。

Yan Ying assisted 3 rulers of the Qi State as a hardworking official of utmost probity.   He dealt with affairs of the state in an impartial manner, helping friends and family only when their requests were legal.  He never accepted gifts and bribes, and even gave away his salary to help family, friends and those in need. 

生活简朴，清心寡欲

晏子生活十分俭朴，吃的是“脱粟之食”、“苔菜”，可谓“食菲薄”，用现在的话说就是粗茶淡饭素食当家；穿的是“缁布之衣”；上朝坐的是弊车驽骊；住的是“近市湫隘嚣尘，不可以居”的陋仄之室。他不仅如孔子所说的“戒得”，也十分注意“戒色”。景公见晏子妻“老且恶”，欲以爱女嫁他，他坚辞不纳。他说；“去老者，为之乱；纳少者，为之淫，且夫见色而忘义，处富贵而失伦，谓之逆道”。

Yan Ying lived a very frugal life, eating coarse foods for meals and wearing simple clothing.  He lived in a shabby dwelling and rode on an inferior carriage when attending court.  Once, when Lord Jing saw that Yan Ying had an old and ugly wife, he desired to betroth his beloved daughter to the latter, but was politely turned down.

In the old days, such great virtues of simplicity could be found in the likes of our founding fathers like Dr. Goh Keng Swee. Unfortunately, I can't say the same of the current crop of PAP politicians.

If we want to convince others, it is best that we lead by example. For politicians, that means understanding and applying the following words of Confucius:

子曰、苟正其身矣、於从政乎何有、不能正其身、如正人何。

The Master said, 'If a minister make his own conduct correct, what difficulty will he have in assisting in government? If he cannot rectify himself, what has he to do with rectifying others?'

子路问政。子曰、先之、劳之。

Zilu asked about government. The Master said, 'Go before the people with your example, and be laborious in their affairs.' 

Notes: Translations added for those who can't read Chinese.