In an interview on his appointment as the first S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore, Chairman of the SMU Board of Trustees Mr Ho Kwon Ping said that he was surprised to be chosen as the fellowship should cover public policy and governance. On the essence of leadership, Mr Ho said that the key attribute is the ability to ask questions and not accept the status quo. He felt that the challenge in Singapore’s next 50 years would be in the creation of civil society and a sustainable participatory democracy, as well as rethinking the fundamental institutions and pillars of Singapore. Mr Ho also shared his concern about Singapore’s identity, whether it is shaped more by a shared sense of who we are not, as opposed to who we are.