To:tspg,
If government is accountable and transparent, and more willing as
demonstrated by the way Khaw Boon Wan did a turn-about on past high
cost policy of the MOH, it will do well in the future.
I agree with your clarity of thought on this matter. It is hoped
that there will be changes including setting up of work processes
to incorporate such quality-time-cost parameters as posted in "HOW
TO DO IT". This is a more proactive and hands-on approach which
will no doubt bring more improvements in the next phase after
GCT.
If government continues to persist in the past assumptions
insisting that people must not keep mentioning old problems, and
continue to rely on presumptuous abilities of scholars to take care
of all problems or major problems, then it will be mistaken again
for the next 14 years.
Mr. Khaw Boon Wan went on TV recently to assure that MOH will study
the Toyota Production System to see how to cut down costs and
wastages which were identified as the main features of success of
Toyota. This is a good approach.
However, locally, many people have given suggestions to the
government to apply hands-on results-oriented doable work processes
to improve implentation efficiency. If government is prepared to
use some of its people's own ideas instead of relying on ISO or
other world renown gurus, may be we will be out of the wood sooner.
After all, SPRING has admitted that its past 20 years of training
schemes did not quite produce a more productive economy. For now,
with China and India competing strongly, we just need to have our
loss of competitiveness recognized with new ministers getting the
acts together without the constant past justifications for past
policies. People must have a view if not at the end, they
themselves are the ones to blame of loss of competitiveness and
high costs 
