MM Lee upbeat
about Singapore’s growth prospect
Date: 11 July 2008
The coming
decade could be the most promising for Singapore, says Minister
Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. But to achieve progress, Singapore must have a
top-class government.
Mr Lee shared his views about Singapore's growth and challenges
during a dialogue session hosted by the Monetary Authority of
Singapore (MAS) and the Economics Society of Singapore (ESS) on
Friday 11 July 2008.
Barring any serious global recession, Mr Lee said Singapore could
achieve growth of up to 7 or 8 per cent over the next 10
years.
The optimism sprang from the evolving economic landscape as
Singapore adjusts itself to stay competitive. However, in order to
make progress, Singapore must have a first-class government.
Mr Lee said the current team will last for two terms, within which
they will have to seek and groom talent with energy and
integrity.
He said: "The system is there, but the system cannot run with
inadequate, mediocre men; you need top men, able men to choose able
people to join you, to make sure that at every level you have the
most able, the most meritocratic (people) in charge.
"So what is it (that) we are trying to do for the opposition? We
are not trying to block them, we are trying to force them to
collect a group of MPs or candidates that will equal us in
integrity and competence, so that when the time comes, if we fail,
they have a team that is equal to us, who can take over."
On whether liberal democracy is needed to bring about economic
success, Mr Lee said different people seek different solutions to
problems. What Singapore is doing is to create a system which will
have the strongest team in place to lead.
Minister Mentor Lee said: "We are not stupid people, they give us
all these advice... International Bar Association, human rights,
whatever it is. Who are they, what are they? Have you run a
country? Have you ever done a community and created jobs for them,
gave them a life? We have, and we know what it requires."
One requirement is to continue to attract foreign talent, integrate
them and build up Singapore's labour force.
On the whole, Mr Lee said Singapore has not done too badly. But he
said he would always be worried about Singapore's long-term future,
because there is little room for mistakes, given Singapore's
population and resources.
We are really lucky to have a
great and selfess leader like MM Lee. He is still fighting for us
Singaporean despite the fact that age is catching up with him.
KUDOS to MM LEE!! We will vote for you still!!