Singapore’s policies not set in stone: MM Lee
Lee Kuan Yew opines on why Singapore needs strong government with hand-picked leaders like himself. Channel News Asia, with video:
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew has said Singapore’s policies are not set in stone.
He said the ability to improve on what has been done and basic values like meritocracy have led to Singapore’s success.
Addressing his constituents at the Tanjong Pagar National Day dinner on Sunday evening, Mr Lee also spoke of the crucial need for succession. …
“We defied the odds and got to where we are. However, we must never forget our hard and harsh beginnings. If our national solidarity is splintered by communal hostility, and our social cohesion is weakened, we will regress. Then we will have a weak economy that cannot afford a strong SAF. That will again make us vulnerable.”
Mr Lee said the resources the SAF needs to mount such a superb performance require a strong and vibrant economy.
And to build such a Singapore, the nation needs an exceptionally strong government with the ablest, the toughest and the most dedicated leaders.
Mr Lee said: “We headhunt for them, test them out in heavy responsibilities. Only such leaders can keep the economy growing and create good jobs and generate the revenue to pay for the equipment and training of our 3-G SAF.
“This 3-G SAF provides the security and confidence of our people and of foreign investors, assured that we can more than defend ourselves. If there is insecurity, there will be fewer investments. That means a poorer people and instability.”
Mr Lee added that Singapore’s basic values – of ensuring leaders of high integrity; meritocracy; a level playing field for all citizens; and English as the working language – have laid the foundation of Singapore’s success.
He said: “People get to where they are on merit – not nepotism, not corruption. Hence, all are capable and competent. No policy is skewed as a result of personal benefit or profits. We have been rated as the cleanest government in Asia, and amongst the first three cleanest in the world.
“Third, we have a level playing field for all citizens. No one is disadvantaged by our national policies whatever their race, language or religion.
“Fourth, English is our working language. We did not choose Chinese, the language of the majority. English gives everyone an equal chance to master the language. It is a language of the world of trade and individuals, the Internet and new knowledge. It has made us the hub we now are for businesses, industries, banking and financial services, and communications.”
Filed under: Event, Interview, Quotes, Video | 5 Comments
Tags: english, integrity, leadership, lee kuan yew, meritocracy, national day, saf, strong government, succession
I had always admire such a great stateman like Lee Kuan Yew. Looking back in history, there isn’t much regret after these years. maintaining English was the right choice and had made what Singpore is today.I would say that Mr. Lee Kuan Yew is a veryintelligent and a man with a long sighted vision. This not mere word but action and results had proved it through test of time. I saw a video clip that what Mr. Lee Kuan Yew says: ” I’m not here to play somebody’s else game” and ” Singapore will survive” . This strong word had made Singpore succeed economically.On the other hand, the neighbouring country, Malaysia is more of making slogans but will never achieve anything. The sdministration is weak and too race -baised to the extend that it had cause the country to fall backward. Emphasizing on Malay language just to ensure that it will be convenient for the Malay to obtain an entry into the Goverment Civil services. The Vision 2020 will not succeed if Malaysia’s NEP is on the way and the marginalizing had to stop if Malaysia wants to leap forward like Singapore. So wake up Malaysia and UMNO.
Dear MM Lee,
Having toured our local schools, hospital, HDB estates and reservoir recently, it should be time to tour the motor vehicle industry to feel the pulse. It is about “capable leaders” and “policies not set in stone” that we need to apply to our transportation policies.
With reference to 3rd December Straits Times article on COE Supply, one can’t help but agree that it’s a “scary prospect”. In another ST article a few days earlier, it was reported that there were more used car sales transaction than for new cars.
Indeed we shall have more old cars on the road that needs more maintenance and pollutes more, leading to higher cost of doing business or just living. Owners will be tempted to stretch service interval which increases risk of break down, even accident, leading to higher cost. Eventually burdened consumers will have to pay for the increased cost.
Please help look into “policies not set in stone”.
Dear Transport Minister Lui, it’s comforting to know that you believe in engaging people and “feel the ground” of your responsibility. I hope you can hasten improvement with the following.
Although the GE is over, our coffee shops are still abuzz with topics raised during GE. The following are some of the issues brought up.
While we are very happy that future MRT plans will include stations in Johor, Malaysia, the number of taxi companies and their cars pose several problems. There appear to be little consideration the way authorities grant licenses, not thinking how it will affect the cost of Cat: A COE which caters mainly to lower and lower-middle income group.
Should some big taxi companies be encouraged to put thousands more taxis on the road? It is known that taxi companies still need to bid thousands of Cat A COE for their allotted licenses. Is the authority aware that taxi companies will need more than half of the COE available?
These companies have deep pockets therefore they can afford to bid high price for COE which in turn drive up cost. And does anyone remember some of the money used to buy taxis is actually profit made from citizens taking over-congested MRT/ bus rides.
The higher cost of COE also drives up the cost of taxi rental where the cost is eventually passed on to the hirer and consumers. It is also common for many who cannot earn a decent living resort to be a taxi driver, only to face equally tough competition with the sheer number of taxis on the road.
It is time to control the number of taxi on the road by setting up a separate COE category for taxi and revamp how licenses are granted. Please check out the following website for COE Statistics, and you will have a better idea of its rollercoaster trend while you ponder over its effect on ordinary citizens and motor traders.
http://www.lta.gov.sg/corp_info/corp_private_vehicles.htm
COE Bidding Results, Quota Premium and Prevailing Quota Premium
– [ 1990 - 1999 ] [ 2000 - 2004 ] [ 2005 - 2009 ] [ 2010 - 2011 ]
After rare feedback session with Mr C, nothing much seemed to have taken place. Are the authorities aware that their actions thus far have adversely affected thousands of livelihoods? It has been suggested perhaps we should bring back Mr Yam to sort things out at LTA.
And perhaps policy makers are out of touch with common folks struggling to build a family and a decent life. While these policy makers dress well, eat well and are well travelled, we the common folks will choose a bar of soap that is 5 cents cheaper. High cost of COE will invariably raise the cost of living throughout all aspects of our lives, from school bus fee to the bowl of “bak chok mee”, from high business cost to profit lost. Eventually it will be high cost of distrust and vote swings.
Singapore is our home first and playground for tourists secondly, while cost of living have shot up so high and fast that too many of us are suffering for it.
The article on COE supply as reported in Straits Times on 16th July 2011 has again opened up old wounds. The fact that COE price can fluctuate wildly from $7,000 to $70,000 its purpose is not met. The trend may even push the prices close to $100,000! Moreover it jeopardise many a financial plan for those bought at peak prices and face bottom COE prices when it’s time for a change of car.
Let us look at just Cat A COE for now, although it’s quota will increase (marginally) it’s price set to increase as well due to spill over effect from Cat B COE quota reduction. The situation is made worse by Taxi companies who also compete for Cat A COE. Taxi companies have the confidence in bidding which drive up COE prices because the companies will pass on the extra cost to hirers and onto consumers eventually.
And one of the main reasons for more taxis: cater to increase tourist arrival. Another is the liberal issuance of taxi licenses, which is evident by the confounding myriad of corporate colours we see on the road.
We have to set a quota for the number of taxi companies and taxis on the road. There is no way an individual whose Singapore dream is to own a budget family car can compete against taxi companies for Cat A COE. And down the drain goes the effort of the hard pressed Singaporean who tried to bring home some form of family lifestyle.
Please refer to December 2011 Straits Times and Yahoo! News articles on Taxi Fare.
The proposed new fare structure is first and foremost confusing and unnecessary. One cannot help but to imagine the increment is a prelude for taxi companies to increase rental fees down the road, citing higher cost of ownership and maintenance. This is because they have been aggressively bidding for COE, which in turn drove up its prices, resulting in higher cost of ownership.
The ambitions and actions of these taxi companies are irresponsible and hurt the quality of life of the citizens. Being some of the largest “Public Transport” corporations, they have access to funds which ordinary citizens can only dream of; their primary objective would be market domination and profits. These company executives have no concern over the higher cost of living to the citizens other than their fat pay checks and out-of-proportion bonuses.
Do the policy makers know that many citizens are living from hand to mouth, surviving on past savings? That too many citizens have no job security nor can they visualise a brighter future?