By Hetty Musfirah | Posted:
28 March 2011 2122 hrs
SINGAPORE : Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng has
urged Singapore's top civil servants to stay on top of the latest
global trends, but listen to the ground and engage the
public.
Speaking at the annual Administrative Service Dinner and Promotion
ceremony on Monday evening, he said this would help the public
service to develop sound policies that can better serve the needs
of Singaporeans.
Mr Wong said: "While we bring in new immigrants, we must continue
to retain what is distinct and unique about Singapore and ensure
that Singaporeans will truly believe this is home.
"This means that we must preserve a strong Singaporean core, even
as we seek diverse talents to support economic growth - the right
balance must be struck."
He added that Singapore has been able to achieve so much with
little resources because of the meticulous and systematic approach
to bring in the best talent to serve in political leadership and
public service.
He said this needs to continue, so that Singapore can move to the
next level.
Mr Wong also presented certificates to 63 public service officers
who were promoted this year.
Another 28 received their Certificates of Appointments to the
Administrative Service.
Mr Wong also paid tribute to two recently-retired Permanent
Secretaries who have made significant contributions to the Public
Service.
Mr Liew Heng San retired in January after 31 years in the public
service. As the Permanent Secretary for Law in the early 2000s, Mr
Liew did much to develop Singapore's legal industry, said Mr
Wong.
Mr Liew also introduced guidelines and legislation to strengthen
Singapore's intellectual property framework.
The other special mention went to Mr Peter Ho, who retired after
serving in the public service for 34 years.
Mr Ho had strongly advocated taking strategic, whole of government
approaches to thinking about issues and executing ideas.
Mr Ho is now serving as a senior fellow of the Civil Service
College and as a senior advisor to the Centre for Strategic
Futures.
- CNA
