Interview Assoc. Prof Ho Peng Kee
Assoc. Prof. Ho Peng Kee (Class of 1972), former Senior Minister of State for Law and Home Affairs, Singapore, is an alumnus of NJC (Class of 1972). He has published a book, My Journey in Politics: Practical Lessons in Leadership, which is available at major bookstores.
The publisher is also happy to offer NJC students, faculty and alumni a special discount on Prof Ho’s title at S$20 for the paperback & S$35 for the hardcover if ordered directly through World Scientific.
A few of our current JH4 students from Editorial is excited to ask Prof Ho some questions on the publication of his book.
Was the calling to be a leader always very prominent in your life?
I will not call it a "calling". I am grateful for the many opportunities throughout my life to exercise leadership. The first was when I was appointed class monitor in Primary 4 in ACPS (1964). Since that time, in various fora such as school prefectorial board, student council, football teams, Law Faculty Student Law Society, NUS Law Faculty Vice-Dean etc. I was able to hone my leadership ability. I believe that everyone has an opportunity to lead in one form or another, either formally or informally, in ways big or small. The thing is to recognise these opportunities and take them well.
How did your time in NJC help you improve on your leadership skills and build up on your portfolio?
I enjoyed my two years at NJC (1971-72) immensely. I was in the third batch and there was a great spirit amongst the students as we all strove to do our best for the College. I was in the Student Council as a member of the Social Committee that organised activities to bring the students together. Whether it was "Hush, Hunt, Hootenanny" or College Day or Orientation Program for the first years, we stretched ourselves and matured along the way. We imbibed precious lessons of teamwork, give and take and maintaining focus and discipline in balancing studies and ECA. I also captained the College football captain which nurtured another skill-set, especially in rallying the boys both on and off the field of play! Acting in the College Drama Festival and debating for the College also helped to build up my confidence, sensitivity and oratorical skills.
How has the political landscape evolved over the years in terms of the style of leadership required?
Our political culture is much more open now compared to the time when I entered politics in 26 years ago in 1991. I did so then mainly in response to newly-installed PM Goh Chok Tong's call for a "kinder, gentler Singapore". We have come a long way since then on this score. Government consults and taps the views and expertise of Singaporeans much more nowadays. Our Singapore Conversation set the pace post-GE 2011, followed by platforms such as the SG50 Celebration Fund, SGFuture Dialogue series and SGCares, all of which encourage Singaporeans to step forward to shape Singapore's future together. Civil society is now more vibrant, making an impact on our society on many fronts. Our Ministers and MPs are more personable now when they appear in public eg. they speak off the cuff, mix around more easily and admit to mistakes more readily. I am happy for all these developments.
In your book, you mentioned that one should not be discouraged if their bosses do not take up their suggestions or causes. Can you share with us what actions you took when you found yourself in such a situation?
Bosses have the prerogative to decide what they think best for the organisation. They have their imperatives and decision-paradigms. For subordinates whose suggestions and ideas may not be adopted, we should keep the passion alive and promote these suggestions/ideas as the opportunities present themselves. We can also tailor, adjust or re-package these ideas or suggestions and implement them in "bite-sizes" first. In time, others after us will "take the ball" and further develop on these ideas and suggestions as evolving conditions permit. I give examples of these in my book regarding catering to the special education needs of pre-school children and reaching out to children in danger of dropping out of our "normal" school system.
You also mentioned in your book the importance of a good balance of IQ, EQ and SQ to ensure successful leadership. Do you have any advice on how we can develop and achieve a balance of all three?
Strive to develop all three faculties, symbolised by our head (think), heart (feel) and hands (reach out). Maintain an active, healthy interest in things happening in the world, in Singapore, in your neighbourhood and all around you. Read widely. Be sensitive to the needs of others. Be helpful and proactive to make things better. Be a team-player, participating and contributing positively to the discussion and action. Be affirming of others, especially those who work under and with you. Give credit and praise in good measure. Being an "all-rounder" has helped me tremendously in handling the many tasks I had undertaken.
What were the early influences on your writing and how do they manifest in your work?
My father died when he was a few days short of 50 years. That was in 1973 when I was right in the midst of my OCT course as a NSman. Even though I did not spend much time with him (he was a self-made businessman who started from scratch and ended up owning a watch/camera shop in North Bridge Road, then the Orchard Road of Singapore), I know that the values that pushed him to succeed and to provide so well for his family are deeply embedded in me. Through my different phases of life after 1973, sub-consciously, this image of my father gave me the impetus to press on. I was always interested in world affairs. A world leader who made an early impression on me was President J F Kennedy. I quoted him in my maiden speech in Parliament in Jan 1992 ie to ask not what your country can do for you, but to ask what you can do for your country. That, in a nutshell, has been my life philosophy. That is why "Service With Honour" really resonated with me as a 18-19 year old!
What were your goals and intentions in crafting this book, and how well do you feel you have achieved them?
I was privileged to have worked with so many good-hearted men and women across many inter-ministry and inter-agency committees in my 18 years as office-holder in the Ministry of Law and Ministry of Home Affairs. This book is a salute to them. It underscores the importance of teamwork, a value we need to gear up in Singapore as we move towards SG80 and beyond. To me, Singapore is a big family. Other than my close-knit family (wife and 3 daughters), this sense of family was also very real in the various settings and communities that I was a part of throughout my life - ACS,NJC, NS, NUS Law Faculty, Kent Ridge Hall, Nee Soon East constituency, MHA, MinLaw etc. I want to encourage my readers, especially the younger ones, to embrace a rounded approach to life and learning. Read widely; travel widely, especially free and easy; volunteer in worthy causes; be a "kaypoh" by taking an interest in things outside your sphere of work/studies etc. This book also seeks to show that whilst we can retire from a "job" or "vocation", we never retire from life itself.
Video of AP Ho's book launch event
Official Video for AP Ho's book
Student Interviewers - Tan Xiang Ning, Kasiraj Kala Nandhini, Or Shao Ning, Shannon, Daphne Chu Zhiying, Anabelle Wong hui Xian, Herosha d/o Shanmugam
