by Teo Soh Lung
It was interesting to hear and read Minister K Shanmugam’s speech at the launch of his book, Policy, Fairness and Compassion and reported interviews he gave to the press. (ST: My views on laws such as detention without trial have evolved: K. Shanmugam at his book launch).
I was particularly intrigued by the candid revelation of his idealism when he was a fresh member of parliament and later, his hardened attitude towards indefinite detention without trial and the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act. The Straits Times reported:
“As a fresh-faced MP elected to the Chong Pang seat of Sembawang GRC in 1988, the 29-year-old private sector lawyer had said that laws such as the Criminal Law (Temporary Provisions) Act (CLTPA), the Internal Security Act and the Maintenance of Religious Harmony Act (MRHA) “(nagged) our conscience”.
But as a minister, he has tightened the MRHA, and increased its penalties. He has also gone back to Parliament once every five years to seek the extension of the CLTPA.”
He went on:
“It’s an old adage – in your 20s, if you’re not idealistic, you don’t have a heart. In your 40s, if you’re still idealistic, you don’t have a head. I mean, you should have both,” he quipped.”
I wonder if he was ever idealistic? Can idealism disappear so swiftly as one ages and become one of the most powerful minister in government? Contrast what he said as a minister with what Dr Lim Hock Siew said at the age of 78 when The Fajar Generation was launched. He had spent 20 years in prison, without trial under the the PAP government. Dr Lim said:
“Now some of you may have heard that when you are young you are idealistic, when you’re old, you are realistic. Now this is the kind of rubbish that is used by those who have either lost their ideals or have sold their ideals for self-interest. Age should not wither one’s ideals or convictions.
If anything, it should only consolidate and make it more resolute. If age has anything to do with it, it is only by way of expression and application of these ideals and convictions, having the benefit of a youthful experience. And a life without convictions, without idealism, is a mere meaningless existence, and I’m sure most of you will agree that as human beings, we are worthy of a life much more meaningful than just that.” (Remembering Dr Lim Hock Siew OUR FREEDOM FIGHTER p. 37).
Detention without trial nagged at the conscience of the member of parliament when he was 29. But when he became a minister, he tightened these unjust laws and increased the penalties. Did he lose his youthful idealism or did he trade it for self-interest.? Was he following the precedent of Lee Kuan Yew who spoke passionately against detention without trial but swiftly amended all laws to the detriment of the people when he came to power?
(Readers can download for free the booklet below at our blog.)
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