PERTH, AUSTRALIA: Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong has said that Parliament is a place for serious discussion
and not just criticism.
Mr Lee added that Parliament is not just a place to
hold either the government or opposition to
account.
Instead both sides should participate in solving
problems together, or Singapore would be worse off for it.
He was speaking to the Singapore media at the end of the three-day
Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Perth on
Sunday.
Earlier this month, Singapore's Parliament sat for the first time
since the May General Election, and members shared their thoughts
on the measures needed for the country to prosper.
Mr Lee said that while the opposition had put a lot of effort into
their parliamentary speeches, it remains to be seen if they will
participate in helping to solve problems.
"This is not just a show, it's not just theatre. This (Parliament)
is a place where we are discussing very serious business and where
we have to make very difficult choices for Singaporeans on behalf
of our voters," he said.
"And I think as government, it's our responsibility to speak the
truth to Singaporeans and I think it's the opposition's
responsibility also to acknowledge the truth and to speak it,
whether or not it's politically advantageous to them," added Mr
Lee.
On Singapore's economy, Mr Lee said that there are dark clouds on
the horizon, referring to the latest report from the Monetary
Authority of Singapore (MAS).
The MAS report said that Singapore's economic growth will stall
over the next few quarters before seeing a modest recovery late
next year because the long-term structural problems in Europe will
not disappear soon.
Prime Minister Lee added that Singapore is also facing slowing
growth because the economy is more mature.
"For a developed economy, 3, 4% (growth) is not bad. Of course,
we've been used to 5,6,7 (percent), or even more in the past, but
it's a different phase. When you're an adolescent, you grow and
shoot up inches every year. When you're mature you hope to grow,
not necessarily taller but wiser and better," said Mr Lee.
On the government's move to raise the minimum qualifying salaries
for foreign professionals and skilled workers, Mr Lee said that the
government knows it has been painful for employers.
He added that accepting a lower growth rate is the price to pay for
managing the population size in Singapore.
Even with these challenges, Mr Lee said Singapore should not be too
downbeat. He said Singapore hopes to have quality growth - improved
productivity for better wages.
Mr Lee also pointed out that he had met various leaders at CHOGM,
all of whom expressed admiration for Singapore and said the country
has done very well.
Referring to his meeting with Western Australia's Premier Colin
Barnett, Mr Lee said it is keen to develop links with
Singapore.
Mr Lee concluded that Singapore is "not doing badly", but can do
better.
On CHOGM which had focused on reforms, Mr Lee said it would not be
easy to transform the Commonwealth.
Calling the Commonwealth an "old boys' club" brought together by a
shared history, he said members work together where they can but
they also have disagreements.
On the failed proposal to appoint a watchdog for human rights, Mr
Lee said Singapore's support will depend very much on whether such
a commissioner will be productive.
The proposal for an independent commissioner on human rights,
democracy and the rule of law was one of the reforms called for by
an "Eminent Persons Group" that CHOGM itself commissioned two years
ago to help it maintain relevancy.
- CNA/ir
