- Efficiency
- Rule of Law
- Lack of Corruption
The system of governance is based on circumstances & change
ie. Challenge = Circumstances + Change
Our circumstances, in a way, are situations arises
- Limitations: Lack of size & natural resources and therefore rely on others (from basics to economic growth - ie. investments)
- Multi-racial make-up: Being balance & open - stem undesireable influences that could undermine our social fabric
- How it impact us... we have to look for innovative ways to overcome our constraints & be adaptive to changes quickly.
- How we respond... being reliable and useful to others
- High standards; Pragmatism and no-nonsense
The changes we face...
- Globalisation: Goods & Services
- Shifting socio-demographics within the state (can led to new divisions in society)
- Singapore's role as a service provider, facilitator adn catalyst
- To survive these, we have to (i) Produce new ideas (ii) Preserve our core values (iii) Keep our role relevant
9 Government Imperatives for successful governance in Singapore context
- Good & proactive leadersip: ensure national interest is protected
- High standards of Government: ensure that public trust is maintained
- Optimise our resources & ability: compensate our shortcomings (ie. what we lack)
- Greater Ingenuity: when dealing with challenges
- International space: compensate for our lack of hinterland
- Adapt to stay relevant: especially in this fast changing world
- Safeguard values & identity: to maintain our distinctiveness
- Greater sense of belonging: for rootedness to preserve our core values & identity
- Continuous self-review: re-examine our role to remain relevant
These imperatives determine our principles:
- Leadership is key: Eschew corruption; Do what is right, not what is popular; Be pragmatic; Provide long-term vision (PS21, S21, Remaking Singapore, Top-down Leadership)
- Reward for Work; work for reward: Self-reliance, not welfare; Meritocracy for best use of talent (Education & training)
- A stake for everyone, opportunities for all: Singapore a global city & choice home; Promote collective responsibility; Beyond physcial stakes; Preserve our values & identity (importance & availability of mass education; mixed housing policies (racial quota scheme); tangible assets & heartware)
- Anticipate change, stay relevant: Stay nimble & flexible; Be better organised than our competitors; Exploit opportunities even in adversity; Turn constraints into advantages
As Singapore enters its new phase of development, what is important is our ability to:
- Look at issues from afresh
- Think "out of the box"
- Pursue ideas with vigour
Other points:
People with moral courage and integrity to acknowledge and correct past mistakes, recognise when an existing policy outlived its usefulness and has to be discarded or changed.