Foreign Talent At Ministerial Level

eze SG

I would like to suggest the benefits of expanding our wealth of local expertise in government, to include foreign talent at the Ministerial level. This is so that we can ensure we get the best brains from global markets who will be competitive and experienced enough to represent Singapore in the economic and social policy processes. This way, in times of economic policy making, we will ensure that we are making strict decisions based on the criteria with which we suggest our workforce should be-- i.e. meritocracy, capability, IQ, highly trained, experience, and willing to work for market driven salaries. If, we agree that foreign talent will help our industries and sectors gain competitiveness and vibrancy. Why should it not help the process of government? How do we know now that we have the best brains in Government in a globally competitive way? How do we know the decisions are best, when it is not a gobally open environment? Inasmuch, I feel we should reach out to communities and news environments overseas to appoint the best educated and most experienced for government. The process should be as globally open as possible.

oldbreadstinks SG

i dun think we should do that, foreigners might not give the best for spore

eze SG

Thanks for your response. Good point.

I am curious what makes you think they won't do a good job?!! I believe there are lots of people in key positions in MNCs etc who are not nationals. And most of us are barely recent nationals ourselves! How do you know we are getting the best now, if we have a closed door policy? Should it not be a competitive process....criteria which is practiced coherently across the board.

00126666 SG

I can choose which gahmen i want.

If I like the Aussie gahmen, I go Oz

If I like Bush, I go US

If I like Ah Bian, I go Taiwan

If I like Wen Jia Bao, I go China.

See, so easy to chose gahmen, no need to invite them here, I just go there Mr. Green

oldbreadstinks SG

by nature everyone would support their own
countries first, by allowing other nationalities
to serve in the spore govt we are putting our
nation at risk, with the high chance of allowing
spies and double agents to create havoc in
the govt
we should open the govt to our own people first

eze SG

How do you know you dont have spies and double agents now? Its the law that prevents people acting in this way. Under the OSA the Ministers, whether local or foreign are bound to do their jobs. Thus, I feel it does not make any difference.

Besides if we cant find enough "quality" PAP and opposition in Singapore, we could look for talent overseas. If this is the criteria, it should be applied throughout. If there's a policy, it should be consistent.

As for the third comment about choosing government, and going there etc by 00126666, I can tell him/her that although he/she dreams to go everywhere, UK, US, etc these places DO NOT always want him/her.

But I think the question is not answered as yet. What are the reasons you think we should not have foreigners in Parliament and at the Ministry levels. If economic rationale is key, and the law protects in terms of the problems about national interests. What then is holding us back from making this good move?

eze

the Bear SG

if they came and looted our local big companies, what makes you think they would not loot our country?

damz83 SG

You know… come to think of it, if they can import foreign “talents” in the sporting arena, why can’t they do so at the ministerial level…

oldbreadstinks SG

i prefer to keep things especially politics "homegrown"
unless its ez link which they should have just brought the system

Atobe SG

If a migrant foreigner is prepared to give up his Citizenship from his country of origin, and take up an oath of Singapore Citizenship, he is as much a Singaporean as any Singaporean whose ancestors are immigrants as well.

If a foreigner has the talent, training, qualification and experience to contribute to the success of Singapore, and has renounced his original Citizen from his country of origin, and has taken up Singapore Citizenship, he has as much right to be a minister as any other qualified Singaporean born or bred overseas or locally.

After reading the book ' proudly singaporean - my passport to a challenging future' - written by a Belgian who renounced his Belgian Citizenship, and pledge his oath of Singaporean Citizenship - it is amazing how enthusiastic this ex-Belgian national is of becoming a True Blue Singaporean and his beliefs in the potential of what Singapore has to offer.

'proudly singaporean' - My Passport to a Challenging Future
- by Alain VanDeBorre

Published by SNP Editions. 2003

boy in blues SG

Mr. Green which is the more probable reason why ministers are interested in their jobs? to give back to their country and serve her people? or surely, it can't be because of the high pay and authority right?

Atobe SG

Could the same talented personalities have the interest of the Country to form their OWN POLITICAL PARTY, or contribute positively in an Opposition Party, if they had NOT been chosen by the Ruling Party ?

Doubtfully.

If they had the interest of the Country in their heart, why have they remained on the side-lines, and not got themselves prominently involve in the political process for the GOOD of Singapore ?

Would these 'talented' personalities enter politics If not for the prestige, the security of being on the 'RIGHT SIDE' of the Political Fence, and the benefits from the 'POLITICAL PROTECTION' and 'POLITICAL WEIGHT' of an established 'GOD-FATHER' in Singapore Politics ?

Definitely.

The 'Money Issue' is probably the least of their concern, as it already comes with the Ministerial Job, but definitely the Prestige, Security, POWER and INFLUENCE will be major factors in their decision to take on such a High Profile in Public Life.

relevation SG

please read my views on this topic in "Singapore vs foreigners" & "should foreign reports stay out of our politics"

Lets remember first and foremost we are Singaporeans and as Singaporeans we have to learn to have "backbones".

Somehing so fundamental as the parliament and the government MUST NEVER INCLUDE foreigners. Otherwise we will be re-colonised again. There is a huge distinction between inclusive (ie information) and exclusive (participation eg being a Minister or in our government). Things that represent our soverignty must be retained by Singaporeans!!!

As much as we like to be open to views and criticism from foreigners or even literary interference, it is a different thing altogether for foreigners have to have decision making powers or participation in direct actionable involvement.

If we allow this we would have to declare Singapore an OPEN STATE and no longer a sovereign state.

Singaporeans YOU NEED TO WAKE UP!!!

eze SG

I would think that living in a sovereign state one would feel in control of his/her individual destiny, and also you would experience participatory processes in government. When was the last time you felt this?

I like better the idea about foreigners giving up citizenship (by Atobe) This way, we keep up the world class talent we need in government service.

oldbreadstinks SG

i agree with Atobe too
if someone can give up his\her previous Citizenship then i dun mind them in our govt coz like that they also consider sporean already but if not its a no no
NO NO NO

[email protected]_arms SG

Sort of like the powerful class or American Jews. But here they would be a minority,.

danialnoordin SG

God damn it. When some Singaporeans are out of job, we want to bring in more blokes?Hell no. Anyway what do they have to contribute? They ain’t pure Singaporeans.

eze SG

This proposal could be a "checks and balance system" so that we are consistent in our FT policy, and that SIngaporeans are not unduly required to step aside for foreigners all the time.

Lots of interesting discussions here:

http://www.youngpap.org.sg/phpbb/viewtopic.php?t=1398