MM: System must evolve
By Lee Siew Hua, Senior Political Correspondent - 9 September
2008
MINISTER Mentor Lee Kuan Yew, who is turning 85, says he will
fortify Singapore's future as long as he can.
In an e-mail response to questions from The Straits Times ahead
of his birthday on Tuesday, he adhered to his lifelong focus on
Singapore's well-being when asked what ranked as most important
items at his age.
'As long as I am fit and alert, I will help consolidate
Singapore's future,' he replied.
In that light, he spoke of two imperatives: Singapore's
political system must evolve. And the country must stand up to
external stresses.
'Our political system has to evolve to be in sync with the
changes in the world, and in our society,' he said.
This, too, has been a principal concern of Prime Minister Lee
Hsien Loong. In his National Day Rally speech on Aug 17, he
discussed moves to 'liberalise our society' more.
The PM hinted that the ban on political films and outdoor
demonstrations would be eased.
Subsequently, groups were allowed to demonstrate at Speakers'
Corner from Sept 1. Issues of race and religion, however, remain
out of bounds.
MM Lee, in his birthday interview, was similarly mindful of
these sensitivities. 'Our people are better educated, but they need
to be aware that the fault lines in our multi-racial society are
unlikely to ever fuse,' he pointed out.
As he had done since independence, he kept his eye on social
cohesion, saying Singapore has to avoid courses of action that
could endanger such cohesion.
From political evolution at home, he turned to Singapore's
vulnerable position in the world. 'Our size and location make us
vulnerable to external pressure,' he said. 'Hence we have to be
strong enough to quietly stand our ground.'
What Singapore must also do: Re-position itself to ride East
Asia's transformation.
Read the full story in Wednesday's edition of The
Straits Times.
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'As long as I am fit and alert, I
will help consolidate Singapore's future,' -- Good and
bad news to the people of sg. Die die
must control Singapore, control singaporeans.