So many generals, are we seeing stars?

Former chief of defence force Neo Kian Hong stepped down from the military's top post about three months ago. I attended the change of command parade at SAFTI Military Institute then where I got to see him in his uniform for the first and last time. Three months later, news has it that he will be appointed Permanent Secretary (Education Development) at the start of next month.

The ex-guardsman, who holds a masters degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, is the latest addition to a growing list of former SAF generals who hold/held important leadership roles in the country. Needless to say, prime minister Lee Hsien Loong, the youngest general in SAF's history, is part of this list.

Other politicians who were from the military include home affairs minister Teo Chee Hean, transport minister Lui Tuck Yew, acting community development minister Chan Chun Sing and acting manpower minister Tan Chuan Jin. If George Yeo did not lose Aljunied GRC in 2011, the current cabinet would probably have 6 former generals.

But that's not the end of the story. SMRT's CEO is Desmond Kuek, General Neo's predecessor while Temasek Holdings' portfolio managing director is Ng Yat Chung, the predecessor of Kuek. A*STAR's chairman Lim Chuan Poh is the predecessor of Ng and the list goes on.

So why are so many of the military's top brass taking up big roles within the civil service? It is an open secret that becoming a top civil servant after relinquishing their appointments in SAF is part of reciprocating the government for "taking care" of them through the years

But the question is, are these generals and admirals really the right man for their jobs? Lui Tuck Yew is under pressure from never-ending overcrowding issue on public transport and COE prices. The economy still relies heavily on cheap foreign labour with Tan Chuan Jin heading the manpower ministry. And what has Chan Chun Sing really done since entering politics?

In a country like Singapore, where everything including the internet has to be controlled by its rulers, it is fair to say that important positions ought to be occupied by those who have a strong association with the military. Only then can things be commanded, regimented and disciplined, if necessary.