"Singapore must avoid deep divisions as seen in UK, US: PM Lee - CNA 21 Nov 2016
LIMA, Peru: A sense of identity and togetherness must be developed in Singapore to avoid deep social divides, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday (Nov 21), who pointed to recent global developments like the UK’s Brexit referendum and the US presidential election.
Such divides should not be allowed to widen and split the society, as rebuilding those bridges would be “very difficult”, Mr Lee told reporters as he wrapped up a visit to Lima, Peru to attend the APEC summit.
“The changes induced by globalisation, the Rust Belt problems, the uncertainty of jobs - these are real problems which people feel. You have to address them, you have to make people not only deal with the problems but make people feel that their concerns have been heard and are being attended to,” said Mr Lee.
What is also important is for leaders to get people to understand that there are certain issues, such as technological and economic changes, that are "not avoidable and are not something which the Government can wish away or which are a result of the wrong set of policies”, he continued.
Mr Lee pointed out that in Singapore, the Government has invested in empowering its citizens with skills to do well in the new economy. At the same time, those who are not doing well also receive assistance from the Government, through schemes such as the Pioneer Generation package as well as the Housing and Development Board's home ownership programme.
“If you compare to where we were just 10 years ago, the schemes which we have introduced and the amount which we are doing and spending, it's gone up considerably,” said Mr Lee. “If you’re in Singapore, not everybody is equally well-off. But even if you’re not well-off, you’re not badly off,” he added."
Pre-GE2011, the PAP government lost its way. Or rather, insisted in its way as it always do: 'That they KNOW BEST about how to govern this country, which they did pretty well for a good 3/4 of our 1st 50 years of nationhood one must say, and DISREGARDED the MANY sincere and desperate cries for HELP by the badly-affected Singaporeans from the opening of floodgate for foreigners - all talent the PAP government assured.' till they LOST the Aljunied GRC along with 2 full ministers and 1 potential Speaker of the House and 1 potential minister material (Minister Ong Ya Kun now).
In GE2015, PAP won or clawed back the popular votes to 67% on the coattail of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, our 1st PM/SM/MM passing, and the CONCRETE evidence of the PAP government implementing MANY policies that RESPONDED to the CRIES of the voters in GE2011 like: slow down the floodgate of foreigners, introduce the Pioneer Generation Package, seriously de-coupled the resale price of old HDB from the newly built HDB flat, pushed for MedishieldLife to cover the most vulnerable Singaporeans from crushing high health care and medical hospitalisation costs, etc. THOSE actions, for me, are the MAIN reasons WHY PAP won back the popular votes and almost throw the WP-Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC out!
The PM was credited with all these WINs. Rightly so as the Chief of PAP. Since then, I am NOT sure IF the PM and the PAP have again lapsed into complacency and the much detested 'we know best' despite the many rounds of Singapore Conversations and consultations with the PEOPLE.
e.g. The reserved for minority EP change - still unconvincing for some that we need this. Worst, what started out as a 'plan for the future' discussion ended up with 'the next EP will immediately be the one reserved for the Malay candidate or candidates' one! For those who had provided input sincerely, they can't help but wonder: 'if it had already been decided, why bothered to ask for our opinions'. Much I hate to use the word: 'wayang'. It does flash across many minds!
Anyway, the main role of a government in a democracy is to provide a peaceful and stable environment through establishing a fair, open and just system; strict and good laws; strong defence; reasonable and affordable medical care; practical educational system that produce thinking people that are capable and compassionate; an affordable public housing policy so that people can create their own progress and prosperity knowing that if they fail, they got nobody to blame except themselves! NO ONE can expect more from such a government!
Will enabling our people to have the 'right skills' work to keep them employed? It depends on how OUR COMPETITORS are at the SAME 'RIGHT SKILLS'! Like PM says: Globalization has broadened the competitions and level of playing fields. Do we have citizens that realised that NOT everyone can achieve the Singapore Dream though we can rely on our national reserve for now, until it runs out!
LIMA, Peru: A sense of identity and togetherness must be developed in Singapore to avoid deep social divides, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Monday (Nov 21), who pointed to recent global developments like the UK’s Brexit referendum and the US presidential election.
Such divides should not be allowed to widen and split the society, as rebuilding those bridges would be “very difficult”, Mr Lee told reporters as he wrapped up a visit to Lima, Peru to attend the APEC summit.
“The changes induced by globalisation, the Rust Belt problems, the uncertainty of jobs - these are real problems which people feel. You have to address them, you have to make people not only deal with the problems but make people feel that their concerns have been heard and are being attended to,” said Mr Lee.
What is also important is for leaders to get people to understand that there are certain issues, such as technological and economic changes, that are "not avoidable and are not something which the Government can wish away or which are a result of the wrong set of policies”, he continued.
Mr Lee pointed out that in Singapore, the Government has invested in empowering its citizens with skills to do well in the new economy. At the same time, those who are not doing well also receive assistance from the Government, through schemes such as the Pioneer Generation package as well as the Housing and Development Board's home ownership programme.
“If you compare to where we were just 10 years ago, the schemes which we have introduced and the amount which we are doing and spending, it's gone up considerably,” said Mr Lee. “If you’re in Singapore, not everybody is equally well-off. But even if you’re not well-off, you’re not badly off,” he added."
Pre-GE2011, the PAP government lost its way. Or rather, insisted in its way as it always do: 'That they KNOW BEST about how to govern this country, which they did pretty well for a good 3/4 of our 1st 50 years of nationhood one must say, and DISREGARDED the MANY sincere and desperate cries for HELP by the badly-affected Singaporeans from the opening of floodgate for foreigners - all talent the PAP government assured.' till they LOST the Aljunied GRC along with 2 full ministers and 1 potential Speaker of the House and 1 potential minister material (Minister Ong Ya Kun now).
In GE2015, PAP won or clawed back the popular votes to 67% on the coattail of Mr Lee Kuan Yew, our 1st PM/SM/MM passing, and the CONCRETE evidence of the PAP government implementing MANY policies that RESPONDED to the CRIES of the voters in GE2011 like: slow down the floodgate of foreigners, introduce the Pioneer Generation Package, seriously de-coupled the resale price of old HDB from the newly built HDB flat, pushed for MedishieldLife to cover the most vulnerable Singaporeans from crushing high health care and medical hospitalisation costs, etc. THOSE actions, for me, are the MAIN reasons WHY PAP won back the popular votes and almost throw the WP-Aljunied GRC and Hougang SMC out!
The PM was credited with all these WINs. Rightly so as the Chief of PAP. Since then, I am NOT sure IF the PM and the PAP have again lapsed into complacency and the much detested 'we know best' despite the many rounds of Singapore Conversations and consultations with the PEOPLE.
e.g. The reserved for minority EP change - still unconvincing for some that we need this. Worst, what started out as a 'plan for the future' discussion ended up with 'the next EP will immediately be the one reserved for the Malay candidate or candidates' one! For those who had provided input sincerely, they can't help but wonder: 'if it had already been decided, why bothered to ask for our opinions'. Much I hate to use the word: 'wayang'. It does flash across many minds!
Anyway, the main role of a government in a democracy is to provide a peaceful and stable environment through establishing a fair, open and just system; strict and good laws; strong defence; reasonable and affordable medical care; practical educational system that produce thinking people that are capable and compassionate; an affordable public housing policy so that people can create their own progress and prosperity knowing that if they fail, they got nobody to blame except themselves! NO ONE can expect more from such a government!
Will enabling our people to have the 'right skills' work to keep them employed? It depends on how OUR COMPETITORS are at the SAME 'RIGHT SKILLS'! Like PM says: Globalization has broadened the competitions and level of playing fields. Do we have citizens that realised that NOT everyone can achieve the Singapore Dream though we can rely on our national reserve for now, until it runs out!
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