PM Lee mocks Li Lian's qualifications, just like LKY mocked Chiam's, then both got slapped

In a disguised attempt to mock Lee Li Lian's academic qualifications vis-a-vis Dr Koh's, PM Lee Hsien Loong mentioned Singapore's meritocracy system.

PM rebuts WP's Low, says 'PAP is on your side'

In proving a point that Singaporeans from all walks of lives and starting points can go far if they work hard in Singapore, Lee cited Workers’ Party candidate Lee Li Lian as one of the Singapore success stories.

“She went to N levels, she did her O levels, and went to Ngee Ann Polytechnic and did well, and later on got a degree on her own and now she is a candidate. So I say she shows that the Singapore system built by the PAP is a good one!” he said to a roaring crowd.

This is like reminiscing what happened nearly 30 years ago, when PM Lee's dad, Lee Kuan Yew who was also PM then, mocked Chiam See Tong in the same disguised fashion, comparing his qualification vis-a-vis Mah Bow Tan's.

MM Lee on grades of candidates

Mah Bow Tan, age 16, took his O levels -- six distinctions, two credits. Mr Chiam (See Tong), age 18 -- 1953, I think -- six credits, one pass. He passed his English language, not bad. The next year, in 1954, he worked harder, he got a credit for English. So you see, it's not because he doesn't know English that he found difficulty expressing himself. It's what's inside here [tapping his head]. And you better search your inside before you cast your votes.

Chiam defeated Mah Bow Tan soundly, the way Lee Li Lian defeated Dr Koh nearly thirty years later.


Like father like son -

Lee Hsien Loong in a way is like his dad. When he entered politics in 1988, he was as arrogant as his dad. He mimics and apes after his dad in almost everything. You could say he's a chimp of the old block. Oook, oook, oook, muaahahaaaa....

Here are some similarities between father chimp and baby chimp. Very cheem, no?

1. Both were PM and tried to lend the PAP candidate a hand by weighing in.

2. Both disguised their mocking against the opposition candidate with pretended praise for the candidate's intellect.

3. Both felt that the electorate favoured a candidate who has better academic qualification.

4. Both PAP candidates were handpicked by the PM.

5. Both PMs said that their handpicked candidate was able to do more than be an MP.

6. Both PMs got slapped in the face when the elections results were announced.


Here's the election results of by Election 2011. Yep, Ah Lian who had to go through a long way to get her degree, compared to Dr Ass-piring colo-rectal surgeon Koh Poh Koon. By election 2011 Punggol East.

Lee Li Lian 54.5%
Koh Poh Koon 43.7%

Here's the results for GE 1984 Potong Pasir. Yep, Chiam with "only" 6 credits and 1 (sub) pass, compared with Mah's impressive 6 distinctions. (Wah lao eh, don't pray, pray. Last time 6 distinkson very rare, OK?)

Chiam See Tong 60.3%
Mah Bow Tan 39.7%


My comments and conclusion -

Lee Kuan Yew was (and still is) living in a delusional world. He believed (and still believes) that the electorate prefers MPs with high academic qualification. That was his mistake when he over-rated Mah Bow Tan and under-rated Chiam See Tong, who eventually was only the second opposition MP to break the PAP armour after JBJ. Chiam continued to serve as opposition MP till 2011.

PM Lee now blindly follows his dad's footsteps. He still thinks that the electorate is more impressed with candidates with better academic qualification.

PM Lee is no leader. He simply mimics his dad. Mistakes included. Baad baby chimp.