Chitchat President Tony Tan and first Lady visits the Holy See

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

By now you must have read about the visit by our President to the Vatican and the meeting with the Pope. He led a delegation that had Cabinet Minister Iswaran, Josephine Yeo and 2 MPs. And we complain about overworked Cabinet Ministers.

And Straits Times sent a Journalist along as well.

I am still wondering why the Vatican. I seriously cannot think of why the Head of State and a delegation needs to visit the Vatican. I am wondering if this is a trip to tick off someone's personal bucket list or a perk for our politicians to have some down time. There is no trade involved, there is nothing of economic value and Singapore certainly did not need the Vatican's help to carry Operation Spectrum. In fact the Archbishop and staff were treated badly and badgered by the Old Man.

My sense is that he has to be most detached President that we have had. He does not seem interested in Singapore and Singaporeans. One possible factor is that he took the 35% mandate personally.

At least Nathan would turn up regularly at East Coast and would chat with Singaporeans as they walked by. Wee Kim Wee was excellent and you always see him in nearly every local event. Even Nair used to visit Singapore schools and hold classes. Ong Teng Cheong famously queried the state assets. Both Sheares and Yusoff Ishak carried themselves well.

Tony on the other hand despite being a former DPM, veteran cabinet minister etc seems so removed and absolutely colourless. I sense that he was pressured into it and his heart was not in it. They should have left him and his wife to enjoy their retirement in London.

Both the President and the delegation would have created some opportunities if they visited the Caribbean and open the doors for our local businessmen. Still scratching my head. I am fully aware of diplomatic protocol and ceremonial routines but this is a period where Singaporeans are losing jobs, the market is not doing well, there is social and cultural tension, the infrastructure is at breaking point etc. Does not reflect well on the establishment for the timing of the visit.

I am wondering if it even makes sense to have a President just to follow international convention of having a Head of State. When Yusof Ishak was made President it sent a powerful message to Singaporeans and our neighbours on how we want to fly our flag. Not sure if we want re-examine and go back to first principles.


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