Why Don't Indonesia Naturalize Singapore's George Yeo?

Many people say that Singapore is run by meritocracy system which is: “let the best manage the rest”. However, despite People’s Action Party (PAP)’s landslide victory in recent election, we can dispute that dictum now. George Yeo, one of the best Singaporean minds lost, his seat in parliament and accordingly – following the rule of parliamentary system – he soon becomes “former” Singapore’s foreign minister.

George Yeo underwent extensive career both in military and civil service. This Cambrige-trained engineer, Brigadier General in Singapore Air Force (SAF), Harvard Business School Graduate had served in various portfolio namely the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Trade and Industry and at last Ministry of Foreign Affairs.                                                                                                                      

Do the Singaporeans, particularly in Aljuneid district, dislike this talented person much by voting against him?
According to some pundits, the voters ousted George Yeo not because of his performance, but merely because Singaporeans don’t want Workers’ Party has no seat in PAP-dominated parliament. Unfortunately, Worker’s Party put its best team in Aljuneid district where PAP’s George Yeo contested. It must be the delicate choice for the voters.

As Indonesia citizen, sometimes I am jealous with the Singapore’s achievement. This natural resource–starved nation has succeeded to use only its citizens’ brains to make headway through innovations. Indonesia should learn much how these Chinese coolies stocks can transform itself from the Third World to the First.

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Few months ago, the much-criticized PSSI chairman, Nurdin Khalid had launched naturalization program to boost national team’s performance. His initiative proved right. Christian Gonzales and Irfan Bachdim instilled new spirit in national team, even if they failed to present the trophy.

I wonder if naturalization can take place in sports, why it cannot in politics or government.

Singapore’s defeated George Yeo is worth naturalization. I compare him to much-praised Irfan Bachdim. Despite, he first honed his skills in Ajax, Irfan Bachdim has never joined the top clubs in Europe. And to me, as yet he is only a player with standard skills, not bad but also not good. While George Yeo worked for decades at the top-notch country in terms of … everything.

By recruiting George Yeo, Indonesia can learn how to make the effective, efficient and corruption-free government from the first hand. As if Indonesia has Lionel Messi in the national team.

George Yeo looked devastated on his defeat. He soon pronounced his resignation in political arena. When asked he could be the president of Singapore, George Yeo said he was a free spirit. I don’t know whether it includes helping other country to develop itself.

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