Jayakumar: Ong Teng Cheong's presidency proved an establishment figure could act independently

Former Senior Minister S Jayakumar said the late Ong Teng Cheong's presidency "stress-tested" Singapore's elected presidency scheme, demonstrating that an establishment figure could act independently of the government. Jayakumar recounted disagreements between Ong and the government, including a 1994 dispute over Article 22H, which was resolved through a constitutional tribunal. He also detailed how younger ministers, including himself, pushed back against Lee Kuan Yew's original "wicket-keeper model" proposal, which they felt granted the president excessive powers. Jayakumar said Lee was willing to listen and modify his proposal, and he hopes his account dispels the myth that Lee was a dictatorial leader who brooked no dissent.