Caius Martius is a brilliant Roman general who is honoured with the cognomen (nickname given as a form of distinguishing people who accomplished important feats) of "Coriolanus" after a successful military service. Coriolanus' mother encourages him to run for the office of consul. He effortlessly wins the support of the Roman Senate, and seems to have won over the endorsement of the commoners as well. The Singapore version would have a brigadier general parachuted into parliament, and quickly made full minister. In the Roman version, the people get upset with him for railing about the concept of popular rule. Coriolanus is banished, and he changes camp to the enemy's side, and vows to lead an assault on the city which voted him out.
Senior Minister of State for Home Affairs Masagos Zulkifli assured the House recently that there is no conflict of interest in the appointment of former Cabinet Minister George Yeo to the Hong Kong Economic Development Commission.
In response to Non-Constituency Member of Parliament Lina Chiam's query whether Yeo's appointment jeopardised Singapore's strategic interests, Masagos explained: "Mr Yeo has been appointed by Hong Kong Chief Executive, Leung Chun-ying as non-official member of the newly established Hong Kong Economic Development Commission. The purpose of the Commission as I understand is to provide advice to the Hong Kong government on the overall strategy and policy to broaden Hong Kong's economic base, and to enhance Hong Kong's economic growth and development."
Masagos may not have heard of the the Chinese expression about two tigers being on the same mountain, but he must be aware of the two cities' rivalry to be Asia's top financial center. It is also interesting that Hong Kong's plans to enhance economic growth and development has taken a turn to include mass import of migrants as an option. An option which the Population White Paper was all about. Hmm, wonder where Hong Kong got the idea from? We wish they have the same success as the incumbent party within our own shores is experiencing.