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Lee Hsien Loong is becoming to modern Malaysian society, much in the way that Plato became to ancient thinkers of Rome and modern thinkers today, a prince, a philosophical prince. His intelligence has never been questioned. His father was the previous Singapore Prime Minister, so from an early age he was groomed to take over that position. And one anonymous Singaporean shopkeeper stated that what was once the father’s ambition, the son has now achieved. The story reads as a Shakespearean play. Educated at Harvard and Cambridge, he follows much of the Confucian philosophies that so guided his father during his term as prime minister. What the country is expecting is a radical shift in governmental leadership, born out of a system of traditional beliefs.

The director of Asia Economic Forecasting, David Cohen, remarked that while many find the succession a bit…questionable…no one would ever doubt his competency to lead this country. Citizens of Singapore are well aware of the cultural restrictions they live within, and are also aware that while Lee is modern and forward thinking, his is still a man that has been involved for years, in the oppressive governmental control, as first a cabinet minister and then the Deputy Prime Minister. Singapore has had the reputation in many foreign countries over the years as, quite frankly, a somewhat intense place to visit. Gum chewing was outlawed until very recently. A more congenial and welcoming manner would benefit all aspects of business for this country, from the corner Singapore boutique hotel, to the petrol stations to the opera.

Many aspects of Singapore are censored. In the past, the media kept hidden certain circumstances while exposing those issues that were permitted in being exposed. One such set of stories showed the softer side of Lee. One that his advisers have insisted upon, not just for the cameras, but in reality. Lee insists on taken the changes slowly. He is meanwhile supporting moves forward in technology,logistics and matters of social change.

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