新加坡：政治多极化中显现出的优雅 Singapore: Graciousness Amid Political Plurality

Koh Poh Tiong

‘新加坡日行一善理事会’主席郭伯炯在新加坡总统大选过后写信给海峡时报，为新加坡在政治多极化中所显示的优雅行为而受到鼓舞。以下是九月二日刊登于海峡时报的信件的中文翻译：
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和许多的新加坡人一样，我密切的关注这次总统大选的竞选活动，我们的兴趣浓厚。所有的候选人都体现文质彬彬的君子风度，相互尊敬。

虽然他们在传达他们的观点时，激烈而强劲，他们谨慎地对事不对人。

上个星期，我们熬夜等待选举的结果。当陈钦亮先生承认输了竞选时，他时那末的大方磊落。

接下来是陈如斯先生。他虽然并没有立刻承认输选，当时他还是很大方的表示他的胜算不大。

当陈清木医生与陈庆炎博士之间的票数很明显的十分接近的时候，陈清木医生只是平静地表示可能需要重新计票，而不是一种‘要求’的语气，虽然他是完全有这个权利的。

在星期一，我读到了三位候选人承认输选的声明，我对他们的君子风度感到鼓舞。

陈钦亮先生毫无保留地承认他犯了技术性的错误。

陈如斯先生以清晰的个人理念与责任来为他的竞选活动辩护，那就是为选民提供了‘真正的选择’。

陈清木医生还是保留了他的幽默感，虽然他所承受的应该是一个非常痛苦的失败。

当他誓言他要继续扮演团结新加坡人的角色时，他显示出了巨大的勇气。

陈庆炎博士在胜利中展示了他的宽宏大量。承认他的对手的智慧，感谢他们激烈而强劲的选举活动，陈庆炎博士为多极观点之下协同合作新纪元的政治过程发出了新讯号。

在总统大选选前与选后，我所观察到令我对我们共同迈向一个优雅的新加坡社会的路程有了极大的希望。

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The chairman of Singapore Kindness Movement Council Mr Koh Poh Tiong was encouraged by what he saw as graciousness amid political plurality before and after the Singapore’s presidential election 2011. He wrote to The Straits Times and the letter was published on 2 September 2011. Here is his letter.

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Like many Singaporeans, I watched the campaigning for the presidency closely and with great interest. All four candidates maintained a high standard of courtesy and respect for each other.

While they were vigorous and robust in conveying their views, they were careful to focus on the issues and not on the personalities.

I stayed up to watch the results of the election last weekend. When Mr Tan Kin Lian conceded, he did so graciously.

Then came Mr Tan Jee Say. While he did not immediately concede the election, he was gracious in acknowledging that he was not a front runner at that point in time.

When it was obvious to Dr Tan Cheng Bock that the final count was going to be razor-thin between him and Dr Tony Tan, the former gently conveyed the need for a recount. It did not sound at all like a demand to which he was fully entitled.

Reading the concession statements of the candidates on Monday, I am encouraged by the gentlemanly way each of the three candidates accepted defeat.

Mr Tan Kin Lian freely admitted his tactical mistakes.

Mr Tan Jee Say defended his campaign with a clear sense of personal belief and responsibility in offering voters 'a real choice'.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock maintained his sense of humour in spite of what must have been a painful defeat.

He showed remarkable gumption by pledging to continue his personal mission to be a unifying figure for Singaporeans.

Dr Tony Tan was magnanimous in victory. In recognising the talents of his rivals and thanking them for their 'robust and spirited campaigns', he set the standard for collegiality in the high-stakes contest for the highest elected public office.

By publicly soliciting and welcoming Dr Tan Cheng Bock's input, President Tan is signalling a new era of collaboration in the wake of the plurality of views in the political process.

What I observed during and after the presidential election gives me great hope in our collective journey towards a more gracious Singapore.