They just luv giving such fantastic speeches...our
gahmen.....you hear em all at rallies, concerts, opening ceremonies
blah blah blah......honestly what does it all translate to the
Muthus, Ah Kows & Alis on the ground whose POSB bank balances
is always $1 left jus days before pay days. 
MM Lee upbeat about Singapore's growth
prospect
By S Ramesh/Wong Siew Ying,
Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 11 July 2008 2227
hrs
*cleaners complaining over sudden spate of
vomitting...so pic deleted in public's interest*
SINGAPORE: 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.
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.
The dialogue was held with over 800 guests at the 7th MAS-ESS Essay
Competition Awards presentation ceremony. They included economists,
industry players from the financial sector and government
officials.
The competition focused on growing income disparities in Singapore,
and 146 entries were received, which was more than double last
year's submissions.
Organisers said this reflects growing interest among students to
analyse and debate socio-economic issues. - CNA/ir