In the 1960s, Singapore had struggled and achieved
independence.
People supported its government for its ability to create jobs and
provide affordable housing and essential services.
By 1970s, talents and pro-foreign investment policies became the
bywords of governance which were auto-piloted into 1980s and 1990s.
Are MNCs still attracted to set up their businesses here ? Did
anyone ask whether these pro-foreign policies might stifle our own
domestic growth? How to overcome disadvantages or make policies
really work?
The fact remains that many old policies are deeply entrenched in
our system and none among our 2nd tier leaders are able to change
them. We might still remember the great pains suffered by many as
foreigners pulled out in large numbers during the Asian Financial
Crisis and recent recessions. Unworkable past policies should be
re-examined in today environment because:-
(1) The general population is more educated. It is more important
to nurture in-house talents or practical knowledge application to
create resilience and self-reliance.
(2) Numerous government Talents were found incapable at solving our
high cost and unemployment problems.
(3) Foreign investments are no longer attracted by tax incentives
or S-passes alone. We need to target at our own domestic growth and
self-reliance. Yet at every budget we have only limited solutions
based on past policy approach.
On the other hand, China has become competitive with an emerging
educated workforce prepared to work harder at a lower reward. India
had re-made its economy to into one offering job-searching export
services, Singapore must ask : HOW TO DO IT AGAIN.
While other Asian economies are forging ahead, ours in Singapore
appeared to persist in flogging the dead horse of pro-talent policy
at the expense of our domestic sector. At the rate we are going, we
may end up protecting the existing vested interests and create a
narrow and elitist society. Ordinary people, the true talents are
marginalized and constrained by high costs. There is a lack of
entrepreneurship in re-vitalizing the lack-lustre economy.
HOW TO DO IT AGAIN. On the eve of national day, (8/8/2004) Home
Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng was reported on TV as saying: "The
new leadership will look into getting more younger people to go
into politics as 58% of the population are young. Unless the young
are interested in politics, Singapore may run short of people of
right calibre...The young should not be afraid that politics are
dirty and shy away of taking part."
This is not the first time ministers are talking about getting the
young to join politics. Why such calls were not getting the right
response. If there is no actions taken to address fundamental
issues, such calls will remain empty talks. Try to promote in-house
talents and practical knowledge application instead of constant
re-training or getting more foreigners and foreign companies.
Existing knowledge acquired by citizens are vast and should be
turned to use and application in the first instance. Justifications
and presentations will not work and the young will surely know
better than what were proposed so far.
Truly open up and liberalize to show that forthright and honest
letters written to the press about high costs and unemployment will
be published. Match words with action in promoting entrepreneurial
ideas from the masses. Involvement of young should not merely be
justifications or presentations gimmick. Let's do it for real then
the young will really see true change.
Establish a two-way (feedback presently is only one-way)
communication for genuine interaction with the masses to prevent
elites from indulging in self-justifications and
presentations.
Lower costs of living or doing business, and prevent massive
worksite accidents and power failures. The only way to match words
with actions is to establish core activities to be carried out
ministry by ministry in accountable and doable work processes to
facilitate mass participation and practical knowledge application
as stated in HOW TO DO IT. Just do it. 
