By Deborah
Choo | Yahoo!
Newsroom – 4 hours ago
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on
Sunday said it was important to calibrate on fundamental strategies
but warned about the dangers of turning things “upside down”.
Defending Singapore’s meritocracy system, he said, “I ask myself if
we’re not going on merit, what are you going to look
at?”
Cutting to the chase in a speech addressed to more than 1,600
People’s Action Party (PAP) activists, Lee noted, “You have a
choice. You can look at wealth – they got money, you give them. You
want that? You have another choice. You have connections, you give
them. Some countries do that. I don’t think that’s the Singapore
you want.”
Some had previously questioned the value of meritocracy in the
city-state, especially in the academic system of the Primary School Leaving Examinations
(PSLE).
Lee reminded Singaporeans that it is the same meritocracy system
that allowed students with disadvantages and disabilities to
progress.
While a balance is required between meritocracy and economic
growth, Lee said that he does not believe less growth is
better.
He warned that it is the low pay workers and the young people that
would stand to suffer first should the economy slow
down.
Lee also took the opportunity to remind the party to take the lead
in convincing Singaporeans that the party’s policies will benefit
them amid increased foreigner influx.
“We want a Singapore where citizens belong and feel as one, as well
as an open, cosmopolitan city that welcomes foreigners with skills
and talents to help us succeed,” Lee emphasised.
