SG has done well over last decade despite challenges: Dr Ng

Fantagf SG

By Satish Cheney, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 22 January 2010 2241 hrs

SINGAPORE: Singapore's Education Minister Ng Eng Hen has said that the country has done well to weather the storms of the past decade, because of its fundamental systems of nation building.

He was speaking at a wide-ranging dialogue session organised by the National University of Singapore Society.

In the past decade, Singapore has grown five per cent on average, despite many challenges such as 9/11, SARS and the global financial crisis.

Moving forward, Dr Ng said the key is in focusing on the fundamentals that got Singapore to where it is today.

"Whoever is in charge must continue to deliver clean, competent leaders across all domains - not only political but civil service, education, security and social domains. And they have to ensure they are coupled with united committed citizenry," said Dr Ng.

He added the country must continue to restructure into an innovation- and knowledge-based economy as well as attract and retain talent, both local and foreign.

However, the minister pointed out the important question being how both can add and build Singapore.

Dr Ng said: "We may not need to keep growing at that level. Slowing down and consolidating is not always bad and at certain growth phase you may want to do that. But that is different from being parochial and being complacent - let's make sure the two are clearly different.

"It makes sense for us to decide if we can't grow with so many people, how do we continue to value add? That is the right question. Because it is not only the absolute number of your population, the characteristics of the population are all important."

The future though looks bright for Singapore as Dr Ng highlighted several key infrastructure developments. These include the upcoming integrated resorts and the expansion of the country's rail system.

- CNA/sc

Fantagf SG

"It makes sense for us to decide if we can't grow with so many people, how do we continue to value add? That is the right question. Because it is not only the absolute number of your population, the characteristics of the population are all important."

Perhaps, Dr Ng should elaborate on the above.

Fcukpap SG

I agree mostly but the characteristics of people cannot be mechanized or dictated - it has to consider reviewing on its socio-psychological aspects and fundamentally before it can grow or even value add in steady direction...

that point is not covered well - the system will need to re-feel the social ground and make it fertile again for greater growth...

it is similar to parents harping or heaping a child (though with good faith in mind) to keep up...but more often than not, this has injured or harm the healthy psychological development to adulthood...

the system will consider whatever is strategically pragmatic..it is like fire fighting areas where problem arises and keep firefight without locating the real source of it so long as teh fire is put out.....but the fire will reignite again if the root source is not tackled...pragmatism alone cannot help to sustain long term psychological development...

leaders are not just made, but nurtured (which implies psychological aspects as well)

Fantagf SG

leaders need to be nurtured in the right direction.

Fcukpap SG

of course, and steadily with good social balance

Fantagf SG

Time to look forward to the current decade. Want to see how the influx of foreigners help to contribute to this country.

Fantagf SG

of course, and steadily with good social balance

Do you think we have good social balance currently?

Fcukpap SG

still lacking...thats why the call and repeated calls for greater leadership

Fantagf SG

still lacking...thats why the call and repeated calls for greater leadership

greater leadership = good social balance?

Fcukpap SG

we may done well economically, thats economic leadership....but there are still many aspects...esp in socio-psychological leadership (not to be mistaken as just EQ)

thats one important aspect that any leadership must to sustain well

Fantagf SG

we may done well economically, thats economic leadership....but there are still many aspects...esp in socio-psychological leadership (not to be mistaken as just EQ)

thats one important aspect that any leadership must to sustain well

I get what you mean, thanks. Depends on the top, they may have a different focus.

Fcukpap SG

thanks for sharing the excerpt

the courage to admit deficiencies is another kind of great psychological leadesrhip

i.e. if the system has invested and lost a great billions, be courageous to admit upfront will gather stronger belief in the system that it is cleaner than just talking about clean leadership...

Fantagf SG

thanks for sharing the excerpt

the courage to admit deficiencies is another kind of great psychological leadesrhip

i.e. if the system has invested and lost a great billions, be courageous to admit upfront will gather stronger belief in the system that it is cleaner than just talking about clean leadership...

I second this.

It is kind of imperative to get to the root problem and solve it. However, the leaders must first of all acknowledge the problem , accept it then think of solutions to it.

angel7030 SG

Objection your honor!!!

TS topic is mend for the Rich and elites, who had done well, wonder why opposition are making hell lot of noises when the rich and elites really did done well,...as you can see increase order of BM, jaguars, ferrari, lamborgini, mercs, expensive properties, branded goods and posh restaurants, it shows a vibrant and well done job by the rich and the elites in making singapore prosperous, peace and harmony. As for the poor, not so bad, at least, they have a free ride at the expense of the RICH and the ELITES.

Your honor, i hereby, state the truth, nothing but the true.

Fantagf SG

Objection your honor!!!

Your honor, i hereby, state the truth, nothing but the true.

Shut up and get lost, you are merely here to satisfy your insatiable appetite for attention. You are not welcome to post in this thread by me.

angel7030 SG

huh! fainted liao...

angel7030 SG

actually i find it very cute when my aunt fantagf get angry, makes me laugh and laugh...on the other hand, so silly of me to tease her, for all those out there, apologise for any inconviences caused, kindly bear with us. With that in mind, i go sleeping first...bye bye

noahnoah SG

Actually Sg has done v well

I just flipped my english papers

my goodness so many properties launches for sale

Everyone just buy and buy

This sold out taht sold out

thats why i reward myself with lotong

for breakfast

Fantagf SG

stop your crap. YOu are making a whore and fool of yourself here by seeking endless attention. Crawl back now to serve your clients.

I challenge you to seek attention in the forum - Election Strategy.

Fantagf SG

Actually Sg has done v well

I just flipped my english papers

my goodness so many properties launches for sale

Everyone just buy and buy

This sold out taht sold out

thats why i reward myself with lotong

for breakfast

You are just looking at it in one aspect, that is property market. Others are struggling to make ends meet. CDC claimed that they have many people in need of financial aid.