S'pore must remain cohesive, helmed by first-rate
leaders: ESM Goh
Posted: 16 October 2012 1315 hrs
SINGAPORE: Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong
says Singapore has to stay exceptional by remaining cohesive as a
nation, with first-rate leaders to navigate the choppy seas of the
changing world order.
As a small state with its own changing domestic landscape, it will
have its work cut out, he said.
Mr Goh shared his views, experiences and hard truths on how
Singapore navigates, survives and even thrives in a challenging
world -- at a public lecture, "Navigating A Changing World:
Perspectives of a Small State", at Harvard University Asia Center
in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on Monday.
Mr Goh, who was invited to speak as an Ezra F. Vogel Distinguished
Visitor said the perennial challenge for small states is to
preserve their independence and remain relevant and
competitive.
He said they will have a long and bumpy journey with recurring
political, economic and financial crises, and even regional
conflicts, along the way.
Stressing the need for domestic consensus, Mr Goh said Singapore's
experience has shown that small states can overcome the odds and
play a meaningful role in the international arena if they can
succeed as a country -- with a vibrant economy, effective and
forward-looking national institutions, as well a progressive and
prosperous society.
He said governance must be outstanding and there must be a national
consensus on where the country is heading and how problems are to
be solved.
"Unless we are respected as a successful country, we cannot expect
to exercise any international influence. Why should others listen
to us or deal with us if our house is in disarray and we cannot
even solve our own problems?" he asked.
Mr Goh said Singapore has been able to navigate changes in the
international environment because it has had far-sighted, competent
and decisive leaders since independence and has succeeded in
building a prosperous society.
But there is no guarantee that it can continue to do so
successfully in future; and it has to continue to strive to stay
ahead of the curve, adjust its policies in a rational and pragmatic
manner and stay united as a people.
Mr Goh said: "We must see the world as it is -- an ocean of big
fish, small fish and shrimps -- and not what we wish it to
be.
"And therein lies the challenging task of having to forge a
consensus with greater political diversity and citizen involvement,
while retaining our agility to respond decisively and quickly to
challenges and opportunities."
Mr Goh, who was prime minister from 1990 to 2004, said in his 14
years at the helm, his singular mission was to "Keep Singapore
Going".
By this, he meant safeguarding the country's independence, securing
its future, growing the economy, improving the livelihood of
Singaporeans, preserving social harmony and expanding Singapore's
international space.
"These changes and the global environment are not always benign.
They include not just geopolitical shifts, but also economic
competition and the impact of technological advancements. One wrong
turn, and the consequences may be disastrous," he said.
Mr Goh said this does not mean that small states are destined to be
the vassals or chameleons of the world.
Instead, Singapore takes a realistic and strategic view of the
world, makes itself relevant to others in vital areas, plays a
positive international role and contributes constructively to
global issues.
To prosper in the fluid international environment, small states
must keep enlarging their diplomatic, economic and strategic
space.
And one way Singapore has done so is by building strong
relationships, especially against the backdrop of a key
relationship -- that of the United States and China.
A constructive relationship between the two giants, said Mr Goh, is
good for both parties and vital for the rest of the world,
especially for small states like Singapore.
As China grows, some degree of competition with the US is
inevitable but there is no reason why competition cannot take place
within a stable framework, with both countries exercising their
responsibilities as international stakeholders.
Unlike US-Soviet relations, there is no ideological divide between
the US and China, as both sides want essentially the same things --
stability in their relations and in the international system to
pursue economic growth and a better life for their people.
He cited an African proverb "When elephants fight, the grass gets
hurt" to make the point that small people are sacrificed by warring
chiefs and small countries suffer collateral damage from conflict
amongst big powers.
Countries such as Singapore have a vested interest to ensure
elephants do not fight, said Mr Goh.
- CNA/al
