NATIONAL 
EXPRESS

Singapore – For three decades, Singaporean corporate lawyer Gerald Yeo* chased the so-called Singapore Dream. He climbed the ranks to become general counsel, managing a team of lawyers on a six-figure monthly salary. Sometimes he would rack up 20 hours at work handling calls with clients and colleagues in Asia, Europe and Latin America. When COVID-19 forced employees to start working from home, Yeo put in even more face-time online – until he suffered burnout and swapped the rat race for retirement in early 2021. These days, Yeo volunteers with the elderly, dabbles in photography and indulges his love of travel, with jaunts that have taken him to the North Pole and Africa to spot gorillas. “In Singapore, it’s drilled into our minds to pursue excellence, and you can’t slack off …We are always ‘on’. You have the mindset that you’re serving the corporation but without knowing, you slip into doing too much,” Yeo, who is in his 50s. Yeo is among a growing cohort of Singaporeans who are seeking to reimagine the Singapore Dream as being less about achieving material success and more about finding meaning and fulfilment. Singapore’s prime minister-in-waiting, Lawrence Wong, is among those who argue the time has come for the city-state’s residents to look beyond money and work. After the launch of a report on residents’ views on the future of the social compact in October, Wong said Singaporeans today “no longer talk so much about the five Cs” – referring to a condominium, car, cash, credit card and country club membership. “From our engagements, it is also clear the Singapore Dream is more than just material success,” Wong, who is deputy prime minister and finance minister, said at the launch of a festival based on the findings of a 16-month consultation involving more than 200,000 Singaporeans. “It is also about fulfilment, meaning and purpose in what we do. This is not a top-down government agenda. This is very much a shared consensus, a co-created road map for our next round of nation building.” Singapore, whose government tightly controls displays of dissent and political activism by the population, is on the cusp of a major political transition. Current Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 72 — the eldest son of Singapore’s founding leader Lee Kuan Yew — is this month stepping down from the helm of the tiny city-state after two decades in office. On May 15, Wong will be sworn in as Singapore’s fourth prime minister. Under Lee Kuan Yew’s leadership, Singapore transitioned from poverty to prosperity within a generation of gaining its independence from Malaysia in 1965. Today, Singapore has a higher gross domestic product (GDP) per capita than the United States and its residents enjoy some of the highest living standards on earth. While Singapore’s success has been credited to a culture of competition and hard work, the city-state has also gained a notorious reputation as one of the most overworked, stressed-out and strait-laced societies in the world. But there are signs that priorities are beginning to shift. In a survey carried out in October by the Institute of Policy Studies, more than half of Singaporeans said they would accept lower pay or a less senior role to benefit their family or personal life. Wong, who gained plaudits for his handling of the country’s pandemic response, has been seen as Lee’s successor since April 2022, when the long-dominant People’s Action Party (PAP) chose him as head of its team of “4G”, or fourth generation, leaders. A former technocrat, Wong emerged as a dark horse for the premiership after the PAP’s first choice, Heng Swee Keat, a former central bank chief and education minister, stepped aside in 2021 citing age and health issues. Wong, a self-professed fan of playing the guitar and listening to rock, blues and soul, has admitted to not harbouring any grand political ambitions and has been portrayed in international media as being more relatable than as is typical of Singapore’s governing elites. A spokesperson for Wong declined a request for comment, citing his busy schedule. Donald Low, a professor at Hong Kong University of Science and Technology who studies Singaporean governance, said that Singapore cannot simply prioritise GDP growth or emulate other more advanced societies or economies going forward. “This is not because Singapore has nothing to learn from other countries. Rather, it’s because Singapore is now at the leading edge of development and it’d have to chart its own future…The country must harness the creativity and ingenuity of its people – to a far greater degree than the PAP government has been used to,” Low. Low said that while he hopes Wong can oversee “small but much-needed changes” in Singapore’s political culture, it is unlikely he will do much to satisfy Singaporeans’ desire for the government to embrace greater diversity and representation – or better tolerate dissent and criticism. “Because the party leadership is not emotionally convinced that there is much merit in what the critics or dissenters have to say – a consequence of its elitism and high-handedness – I don’t see any significant shifts in the way the PAP conducts politics,” he said. Chong Ja Ian, a political analyst at the National University of Singapore, said that more Singaporeans are expressing interest in issues beyond monetary and material success – including the environment, meaningful political participation and diversity – which may shape their career plans and how they devote their money, time and energy. Chong said that while the PAP has been trying to soften its image and engage more with younger people, it is “less clear when and whether such contact and image management have translated into concrete changes in policy”. Chong pointed out that Wong has largely stressed continuity. “Whether and how he intends to move in a clearer and bolder direction on these issues – especially how he transforms general principles and ideas into specific and concrete policies – remains to be seen,” he said. Eugene Tan, a law professor at Singapore Management University, said the Forward SG initiative to rejuvenate the social compact should be seen as an “attempt to strike the balance between material and post-material concerns”. “Going beyond material concerns to balancing that with post-material aspirations – fairness, social justice, egalitarianism, national identity – is not just about putting in place and financing measures that support the policy shifts identified in the Forward SG report. “It is a fundamental mindset shift requiring tangible behavioural changes and committed action that will take years before the outcomes would be evident. The question is will Singaporeans be prepared to wait patiently.” Tan said that announcements in the 2024 Budget, such as financial incentives for graduates of the Institute of Technical Education, which provides vocational training to post-secondary students, are an important first and necessary step. Still, Tan acknowledged that shifting the perception that growth is necessary at all costs has been difficult. “The vulnerability of Singapore means that material concerns are always writ large but Singaporeans do not want that to be all that is to life in Singapore,” he said. “Forward SG seeks to nudge and mould societal understanding of success and if the PAP under Wong is unable to do that successfully, then its political grip on power will weaken further and faster.” While Singapore’s economic transformation was a vote-winner for Singaporeans born before and shortly after independence, millennials and members of Gen Z who have only ever known prosperity are in many cases itching for change, as demonstrated by the rising vote share for the opposition Workers’ Party. Jayee, a student at Nanyang Technological University, said he acknowledged that the PAP has gradually allowed greater space for discourse on issues like LGBTQ rights and income inequality, but wished for more sufficient checks. “Real leadership and fresh ideas are lacking,” Ang said he is unconvinced that Singaporeans who aspire to a more egalitarian society are prepared for the necessary trade-offs. “The future state of the economy is quite worrisome. I am a bit concerned that we have put ourselves on a slippery slope, that we are moving towards a high-income Scandinavian model. But we are wired very differently in psyche from the Nordics,” he said. SMU’s Tan said that Singaporeans increasingly expect a government that “talks with – rather than talks to or, worse, talks down to – the average citizen”. “They want Singapore to remain exceptional but also a place that they can call home even as others make the country their hotel and playground,” he said. “While the PAP has done wonders for the country, it is often done with a heavy-handed approach…There is a real need for more watchmen in parliament to scrutinise the PAP and question their policies and conduct,” he told Al Jazeera. Toby Ang*, a former civil servant in his 30s, said he is more worried about structural issues in the economy, such as stagnating wage growth, that cast a cloud over the city-state’s future trajectory. “Ultimately, they want their views to matter and they want to be courted for their votes.” As for Yeo, the former corporate lawyer, he is determined to make up for the time he lost working himself to the bone. “I wonder what life would have been like if I’d lived differently in the past, if I’d set more boundaries and prioritised my well-being instead,” he said.

Frank Bainimarama, who was Fiji’s prime minister for some 15 years until losing power in 2022, has been jailed for a year after he was found guilty of using his position to shut down a corruption investigation into a prominent university. Once armed forces chief, Bainimarama seized power in a 2006 coup and later won democratic elections in 2014 and 2018. The 70-year-old narrowly lost the December 2022 election to a coalition of parties led by the current prime minister, Sitiveni Rabuka, but remains a popular figure. Outside the court in Suva on Thursday, a crowd of supporters gathered ahead of the sentencing. Bainimarama’s wife Maria sobbed as acting Chief Justice Salesi Temo announced his decision, and the former prime minister was led away in handcuffs. Bainimarama was found guilty earlier this month of perverting the course of justice by telling then-police commissioner and longtime ally Sitiveni Qiliho not to investigate allegations of corruption at the University of the South Pacific. Qiliho was jailed for two years in the case, which relates to a July 2020 police investigation into alleged corruption over a web of bonus payments, promotions and pay rises within the institution. The court found the two men used their influence to sideline the investigation. Both men denied the charges. Bainimarama’s legal woes have mounted since Rabuka, a former military commander, who himself led two power grabs in the late 1980s, became prime minister. In February 2023, parliament suspended him until 2026 after a speech in which he criticised his successor. A year later, he was hit with two separate charges for abuse of office. One count related to the allegedly unlawful firing of two police officers in 2021. The other was over his alleged waiving of a tender bid “without lawful justification” when he was finance minister in 2011.

Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar will visit Ayodhya tomorrow. On his one-day visit to Ayodhya, the Vice President will visit Shri Ram Lala Temple, Hanumangarhi Temple and Kuber Tila in Ayodhya and he will also participate in the Aarti at Saryu Ghat.

In Punjab, the wheat harvesting is going on at a rapid pace. The incidents of burning wheat residue left after harvesting are also increasing day by day in various districts. Due to which, the environment is being affected.

Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan will chair a two-day conference, ‘Parivartan Chintan-2’ on the jointness and integration of the Armed Forces in New Delhi, beginning today. Parivartan Chintan, a pioneering conference for the heads of all Tri-Services Institutes and aims at generating novel reformative ideas and initiatives. Members from all the subcommittees of the apex Chiefs of Staff Committee; the CDS as its permanent chairman, and the three Service Chiefs, shall review the progress made in multiple domains, and ideate on the necessary reforms to achieve the desired end state towards transformation through jointness and integration.

In boxing, the Indian contingent wrapped up their electrifying journey at the ASBC Asian U-22 and Youth Boxing Championships with a remarkable haul of 43 medals in Astana, Kazakhstan. This includes 12 gold, 14 silver, and 17 bronze medals from both categories. The Indian U-22 team finished with 21 medals, including seven gold, five silver, and nine bronze medals, yesterday, while the youth section bagged 22 medals, including five gold, nine silver, and eight bronze medals, on Monday. India finished with the second-highest medal count, only behind the hosts, Kazakhstan, who have won 48 medals.

The Indian Navy delegation led by Rear Admiral Rajesh Dhankar visited Information Fusion Singapore yesterday. The visit aims to enhance maritime security cooperation and strengthen bridges of friendship between India and Singapore. During the visit, the delegation held deliberations on the current maritime security landscape in the region and ways to mitigate emergent threats. They also discussed the cross-pollination of ideas between IFC Singapore and the Indian Navy-hosted IFC_IOR, fostering a collaborative approach to maritime challenges.

In Kerala, several flights of Air India Express were cancelled following a lightning strike by employees of the Air India Engineering Services last night. Passengers were caught unawares and many came to know about the strike only after reaching the airport. Air India Express flights bound for Sharjah, Bahrain, Dammam and Muscat were cancelled from the Cochin International Airport. At Kannur International airport, over 400 passengers were stranded as the flights to Sharjah, Muscat and Abu Dhabi were cancelled.

Prashant Bunde, hailing from Maharashtra State, boasts an impressive 25 years of experience in the field of education. Throughout this extensive period, he has assumed various roles within the educational sector, showcasing his versatility and dedication. His journey commenced in 1999 when he embarked on his educational career as an assistant teacher at a middle school. As he honed his skills and expertise, he ascended to the position of principal at a diploma college of education. Currently, Prashant Bunde serves as a junior college lecturer at the English high school and junior college near Yavatmal, Maharashtra. One of Prashant Bunde's notable contributions lies in his commitment to instilling social responsibility in his students. He firmly believes that education is not solely about academic knowledge but also about fostering a sense of duty towards society. This philosophy has earned him numerous accolades and recognition as an exceptional educator. Moreover, Prashant Bunde actively supports underprivileged children in their pursuit of higher education. By providing guidance and assistance, he ensures that these students have equal opportunities to succeed. In terms of his teaching responsibilities, Prashant Bunde has covered a wide range of subjects and grade levels. He has taught mathematics and science to students in grades 8, 9, and 10, while also instructing D.Ed students in mathematics, science, and psychology. Additionally, he imparts his knowledge of physics to students in grades 11 and 12. Beyond the classroom, Prashant Bunde goes above and beyond to support his students in their preparation for competitive exams such as MH CET, JEE, and NEET. Remarkably, he offers his guidance and mentorship to underprivileged and needy students free of charge. Furthermore, Prashant Bunde takes on the responsibility of supporting five students each year by providing them with educational resources, including books, and offering financial assistance. Over the course of his illustrious 25-year career, he has had the privilege of teaching and guiding more than 5000 students. His dedication and commitment have not gone unnoticed, as evidenced by the prestigious prize of 21 lakh that his college received in a competition organized by the state government of Maharashtra under his guidance. Prashant Bunde's impact on the educational landscape is truly commendable, and his contributions continue to shape the lives of countless students.

A voter turnout of 64.58 per cent was recorded in the third phase of the Lok Sabha election. In this phase, which concluded yesterday, 93 Lok Sabha seats from ten states and one Union Territory went to the polls. Polling remained largely peaceful, with voters from all walks of life participating enthusiastically despite the heat wave conditions in several parts of the country. According to the Election Commission, Assam recorded approximately 81.61 per cent of voting. While Bihar witnessed a voting percentage of 58.18 per cent, 71.06 per cent was recorded in Chhattisgarh, 69.87 per cent in Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Daman and Diu. Goa recorded 75.20 per cent voting, Gujarat 58.98 per cent, Karnataka 70.41 per cent, Madhya Pradesh 66.05 per cent, Maharashtra 61.44 per cent, Uttar Pradesh 57.34 per cent, and West Bengal 75.79 per cent. With the conclusion of the third phase, polling is now over in 20 states, UTs, and 283 parliamentary constituencies for the 2024 general elections. A total of 1331 candidates were in the electoral fray in this phase. In the third phase, the fate of prominent candidates, including senior BJP leaders Amit Shah, Mansukh Mandaviya, Jyotiraditya Scindia, Pralhad Joshi, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, and Basavaraj Bommai, Congress leader Digvijay Singh, Samajwadi party leader Dimple Yadav, and NCP (Sharad Pawar faction) leader Supriya Sule, was sealed in the EVMs. Polling was held smoothly and peacefully in all states and UTs across the three phases, which covered the entire north-eastern part of the country. Left-wing extremism affected vulnerable areas in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, and Madhya Pradesh.

BJP President J P Nadda chaired a meeting of the party’s national general secretaries at the party headquarters in New Delhi yesterday. During the meeting, BJP’s General Secretaries Vinod Tawde, Arun Singh, B L Santosh, and senior party leader Ashwini Vaishnaw were present.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge has expressed concern over the alleged doctoring of voter turnout results. In a letter to the I.N.D.I. Alliance leaders, Mr. Kharge said that the inordinate delay in the release of the final voting percentages for the First and Second phases by the Election Commission of India (ECI) raises serious doubts on the quality of data. He said that to alleviate the doubts raised in the public domain, the Commission should have not only released the data per Parliamentary Constituency but it should have also released the voter turnout data in each polling station. Mr. Kharge alleged that BJP is concerned about the receding electoral fortunes in the first two phases. He urged all the I.N.D.I. Alliance to safeguard democracy and protect the independent functioning of the ECI.