All good leaders are tall leaders.

Singaporeans from all walks of life, who know that a good leader is a tall leader, are saying they are not ready for a short prime minister.

This after potential prime minister Heng Swee Keat said older Singaporeans are not ready for a non-Chinese prime minister, even though Tharman Shanmugaratnam is prime ministerial material for the longest time.

One Singaporean, Kah Tek Kia, said: “Singaporeans are ready for an Indian prime minister.”

“Singaporeans are ready for a non-elite school prime minister.”

“Singaporeans are ready for a female prime minister.”

“The only prime minister that Singaporeans are not ready for is a short one.”

“Because people who are small tend to have a chip off their shoulder.”

However, other locals said being short might present opportunities.

Another local, Wei Kia, said: “You can change the constitution to accommodate a Malay president in the interest of racial harmony.”

“You can institutionalise safeguards to protect the finances of the country from being raided by the government of the day.”

“But what can you do to make sure a short leader can command the respect of his peers and people without emphasising height doesn’t matter?”

“Nothing.”

“Singapore is going to be in for a fun ride.”