Political developments across both sides of the Causeway cant be more different.
One side is filled with drama like the game of thrones. The other side is so predictable and civil that you can even hear a pin drop during parliament sessions.
But lately, there are some surprising twists to Singapore' succession plan for the PM post, which on it's own, is historic news in the city state.
The PM-to-be Heng Swee Keat has withdrawn his candidacy on grounds of age (59), short runway (a cryptic metaphor?) and the Covid challenges (which he presumes wont fade away until 2025).
So while there is an ongoing nail biting rivalry among Malaysian politicians to be the next PM, in Singapore, it is the opposite: they appear to be competing not to take the hot seat.
Why? Nobody wishes to be compared with Lee Kuan Yew (LKY), much less his sharp foresight and problem-solving skills.
In fact, Heng himself, although known to be the blue eyed boy of LKY, is, on the same token, said to be just an excellent foot soldier. But not PM material.
Lee Hsien Loong (LSL) himself is but a shadow of his legendary father. Yet, he has not being scrutinised as much as the 4th generation leaders for two reasons: his predictable succession as the son of LKY and the new economic challenges that Singapore faces are unprecedented.
Expectations are high for a redesign of Singapore's branding in the new global landscape of the pandemic, deglobalisation and intense geopolitics.
Former trade minister Chan Chun Sing (recently appointed to take over the education portfolio) seems to be most likely next in line. His boyish demeanour doesnt reflect the toughness or spartan roughness of LKY. Neither does his local accent and occasional speech slip-ups burnish his image in the cosmopolitan city state.
Will Singaporeans accept his leadership? Or the other potential candidates Lawrence Wong (new Finance minister) or Ong Ye Kung (Health minister), who, incidentally, is the most well regarded by the public, second to Tharman.
Whoever is the next to take the hot seat, the public will eventually be persuaded to accept with the full cooperation of the state-run media.
But foreign leaders and global agencies may still compare the new PM, fairly or unfairly, to the founding father of the city state.
Even at this crucial selection stage, the scrutiny of the public and the world on any future PM candidate will be intense especially leading to the next General Election in August 2025.
