Sunday April 22, 10:17 PM
Singapore must remain cosmopolitan to
survive: MM Lee
SINGAPORE: Singapore has to be as cosmopolitan as other world class
cities like New York and London, for its own survival and
success.
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew told a gathering of Young PAP members,
Singapore society will continue to synthesise, as more immigrants
and foreigners settle in the Republic.
During the dialogue, Mr Lee also defended the government's position
on increasing the salary of ministers.
It was standing room only - but some did not mind being on their
feet for more than two hours, just to hear what Minister Mentor Lee
Kuan Yew had to say.
Questions centred on Singapore's future as a society in a
globalised world.
With more foreigners calling Singapore home, what is the impact on
politics, community and culture?
Mr Lee said Singapore is part of a globalised world and the country
is exposed to and inter-connected to other cities.
And Singaporeans have to take advantage of that world stage.
"If we are dynamic, we will attract talent, we will grow because we
have more talent. When I say talent, it means people who add to the
dynamism of that society. Singaporeans, if I can chose an analogy,
we are the hard disk of a computer, the foreign talent are the
megabytes you add to your storage capacity. So your
computer never hangs because you got enormous storage
capacity," said Mr Lee.
But Mr Lee said Singapore can also lose its top talent to other
countries, and finding good leaders among the best to stay here is
another challenge for the government.
On the recent debate about the ministerial pay increases, Mr Lee
was asked of there should be more scrutiny on the ministers
themselves, like how private sector CEOs are accountable to their
shareholders.
In response, Mr Lee said an MP is closely watched the moment he's
elected into office.
And he had no qualms about paying ministers a good salary to look
after a multi-billion dollar economy.
But more importantly, a bad minister mismanaging Singapore will
ruin the lives of four million people.
"If you have a dud minister he cannot hold his ground, you know in
Singapore, you've got to meet your constituents, you've got to meet
the press, you are in Parliament right? You are not just making a
speech at a mass rally Â…and for this generation, if you don't pay
them adequately and their families suffer, they will not stay in
the job long. They will be forced to pack up and go back to their
private life. And you've lost experience and expertise, it's as
simple as that," said Mr Lee.
It was also mentioned that Singapore's formula for success has also
been well documented by international scholars like Richard Vietor,
who praised Singapore as "the best example of government that
works."
On censorship Mr Lee said he is not able to predict where the
boundaries will be in the years ahead, because of a changing world
that is open to all influences.
He cited the debate on Crazy Horse as an example, and said there
were strong objections from cabinet ministers.
But Mr Lee argued Singaporeans are well-travelled and would be
exposed to such cabaret shows in other countries.
He said Singapore should be part of a new world, but if it
disallowed Crazy Horse, Singapore would be left behind and become a
quaint, quixotic, esoteric appendage of the world.
On the taboo subject of homosexuality, he said Singapore needs a
practical and pragmatic approach and adjust without upsetting
segments of society and their sense of propriety of what is right
and wrong.
One example of this forward thinking government Mr Lee said is how
it has studied the impact of global warming.
To counter the rising sea level from melting polar ice caps,
Singapore has approached the Dutch and is learning about building
dykes here in the warmer climate of South East Asia.
The dialogue, held in celebration of the 21st anniversary of the
Young PAP, attracted about 400 members.
It is believed to be the organisation's first official event with
Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew as the main speaker.
And to help relate to the younger generation, the event was held at
a trendy club at the St James Power Station. - CNA/yy
