Good
governance requires collective action, leadership: Chan Chun
Sing
SINGAPORE: A good government is one that can help Singaporeans
better their lives and livelihoods and achieve a better future for
Singapore, labour chief and Minister in the Prime Minister’s office
Chan Chun Sing said.
This requires collective action, responsibility and leadership,
which can only be achieved through trust, respect and humility, he
added.
Mr Chan made these comments at Singapore Perspectives 2016, an
annual conference organised by the Institute of Policy Studies.
Themed “We” - after the first word in the National Pledge - this
year’s edition of the conference sought to gather views on
rethinking what it means to be Singaporean, as the Republic strives
towards SG100.
CONCERN IS WHETHER SINGAPORE, NOT PAP, WILL LAST:
CHAN
Addressing an audience of around 800 people, Mr Chan discussed
how Singapore could continue to practice good governance as its
citizens become more socially diverse, educated and politically
savvy.
He said that policies must lead to outcomes that better the
lives of Singaporeans and their future generations, while processes
should engage the collective wisdom, power and energies of the
people for collective action.
Mr Chan also noted that policies had to adjust, and political
parties had to evolve “in order to make sure the higher goal of
sustaining the country is achieved”.
A good system of governance is one that continuously brings
forth even better people for the future - those with the right
values and abilities, and who work for the country rather than
themselves, he said.
Whoever can better align to the people’s objectives, act
decisively and swiftly, manage consequences and adjust resolutely
is the better model of governance, the labour chief
added.
“Our concern is not whether the People's Action Party will last
forever; our concern is whether Singapore will last forever."
- CNA/mz