Time to appoint macro-thinker-doer like GKS to steer econom

robertteh SG

Economy is now at a cross-road. Other than attracting foreign investments, what can be done to build a sustainable long-term competitive economy based on building technology start-ups motivated by practical knowledge applications in all fields.

Just look into one aspect alone like converting the current high-cost oil-fired power plants to alternative power sources will require good practical macro thinkers and doers in all ministries.

Do we have highly effective implementors and motivators at ministerial level who could lead such moves.

For example, solar, wave and nuclear power are said to be technologically viable and are our resource because we are well located in a tropical region to take utmost benefits of it.

Whenver we discuss this topic there will be all kinds of confusions created saying loosely such energy are still expensive and countries which turn to it have not made much headway.

Why no decisions or planning because of such confused talks? If we don't plan we will be left technologically backward. We need to have macro-thinkers in this area who know all the viability and feasibility and practicality to take charge of our future needs and set such pilot plans and projects to take us there within a certain time frame even if there are constraints now. If we don't plan and prepare and only wait indefinitely with fingers crossed we will lose out when others are way ahead and our economy goes down again and again in deep constant recessions. People should not be blamed all the time for lack of skills. Government leaders must be macro planners, thinkers and doers of the GKS type if we are to restructure our economy to greater height. It is not enough to wait for foreign talents to come here to do all these.

To begin with we can set up set policy like targeting to reach a 10% solar energy by year 2018 so that a pilot project can be started to have a smaller power plant generating small KW to be connected to small network to supply certain power needs in order that by 2018 we could fully take advantage of our stronger sunlight in tropical location to supply up to 10% of our needs.

All night lighting and small electricity needs from fans to public lighting and small pumps for occasional pumping of basement sewage to watering of plants and agro-based farming can turn to such electricity supply of below 20 KW.

China has a widespread usage of alternative energy source including wind power and incineration power at various locations. Circumstances will be forcing China and US to convert power stations as hinted by its leaders recently to supplement the current oil-based station due to high cost of oil. It cannot keep using oil to power their economy especially after the recent severe crisis happening to their economy. It will take a macro thinker of calibre to convert to nuclear energy full scale.

If US and China turn to such source of energy the world will shift again and we will be the sucker to all of them again because of our lack of a macro economic planner at the very top to plan and oversee such energy conversion which may be even more important than having another finance minister knowing how to count monies and tax people to no end. Back to top

lionnoisy SG

1.GKS could complete a Budget speech in a afternoon alone.But Dunt say current ministers are damn bad.

2.If not,how come SG use natural gas to generate power now.

Take a good look of SG petrol chem industries.

Manufacturing output will be in 2018.

http://www.edb.gov.sg/edb/sg/en_uk/index/news_room/news/20060/chemical_conference.html

www.sedb.com/

ObiterDicta SG

Robert,

Much as you dislike the government, at least get your facts right.

We are no longer using oil-fired plants to generate electricity.