Those aspiring to be political leaders should be 'first to take responsibility, last to take credit': Chan Chun Sing

GE candidates who aspire to be political leaders should be the "first to take responsibility, last to take credit", said Minister for Education Chan Chun Sing at a media doorstop at Tanjong Pagar Plaza Market and Food Centre on Apr. 30.

Giving examples of Singapore's response to the Covid-19 pandemic and, more recently, the country's measures against the global tariff increases, Chan said, "We have people claiming that this is my credit because I did not do anything to object."

However, he noted that when it comes to other ideas, such as the Progressive Wage Model and Jobseeker Support Scheme, some would take credit for them, claiming that they're essentially minimum wage and unemployment insurance.

"But actually, if we understand this, the ideas and the rationale behind are quite different."

Emphasising that there's a role for constructive opposition in a healthy democracy, the minister advised all to "be humble and try not to claim more than what is due".

He added, "When some people propose something and [the PAP] don't do it, and the outcome turns out to be good for Singapore, people conveniently forget that they have proposed what they have proposed".

When asked if Chan was referring to any specific opposition parties in mind when making the statement, the minister said he was speaking in general.

The People's Action Party (PAP) anchor minister for Tanjong Pagar GRC was doing a walkabout with his "team of seven", consisting of Rachel Ong, Joan Pereira, Alvin Tan, and new face Foo Cexiang, as well as PAP's candidates for Queenstown SMC and Radin Mas SMCs, Eric Chua and Melvin Yong respectively.

Top image via Huisi/Mothership