Home > Speaker's Corner

Government is also doing a good job.

banzie
14 May 06, 03:47

Dispite the fact of election the recent news of building a Aerospace hub and bilateral relationship with China as I see it is a very far sighted view by the government. In years to come the rising of China would only eliminate us of our low and middle end industry. An aerospace hub would make our county competitive in the niche industry. A good move I must admit by the PAP. It is this reasons which the PAP are still in power. In year to come after the building of the hub... people will be retrenched due to the economical change. But nevertheless I predict they will find job although lower paid but nevertheless a job. And as usual Singaporean you gotta upgrade to suit the new face of industry. Smart move government.

Singapore will probably be known for a few things.

Port and frieght related industry.
Areospace
Medical Research
Regional Tourism

Many people will soon be incline towards the above few industry. Changing job will be a inevitable. We are heading for the niche.
reyes
14 May 06, 11:13

i have no qualms with making good progress with china both politically and economically. but why it need to be SM lee and not minister of trade nor foreign minister? i think he should relinguish his power and be really behind the screen as advisor for the minister in respective ministry. otherwise singapore would stillbe regards as one man country" special one".

yes we are making progress in our economy but he problem is the growth are not felt by all ranks in singapore. and govt are not addressing this seriously.
cost has to be curbs. we have to relook the privatisation of GLC company. does it hinder the growth of local enterprise.
why the need to privatise impt dept like power, water,transportation, HDB why it would be much better to be in govt control.
do we need to explain more on the motive??
BillyBong
14 May 06, 11:54

As with a recent poll taken of 100 people by the straits times, all of the 100 polled did not want the govt out of office, but merely censured for certain acts that have not gone down well with the people.

The handling of the IRs was highlighted as a decision that went ahead despite a significantly high negative response from the people.

Another irk was the manner in which the RC and incumbent PAP MPs managed residents during elections. Yusof from the hotly contested Aljunied GRC described his visit from his MP whom 'he didn't know' as cold and 'dissatisfactory'. The MP (who is not named) gave him a quick handshake, thrust a bottle of newater into his hands, and left. It was all very well rehearsed and executed.

Sylvia Lim on the other hand, spent several minutes talking to Yusof, not just 'shaking his hands' but was 'sincere'. Hence the WP got his vote.

Top of the polls was:

1. a desire to have alternative voices in parliament to act as a check on the govt

2. disapproval of ruling party tactics such as votes-for-upgrading strategy

3. the view that ruling party candidates were unapproachable.

Most of the people even concurred that the majority of Ruling party candidates were seen as 'stand-offish' and 'out of touch' with ordinary people.

Judging by the rate this goes, people may one day yearn to have a 50-50 coalition govt, PAP-opposition run, with PAP running the national issues while the opposition handling the affairs of the people.
oxford mushroom
14 May 06, 15:59

The fact is, despite the widespread unhappiness over certain government policies and its high-handed management of the opposition parties, Singaporeans still support a PAP-led government.
liang1972
15 May 06, 15:40

At least Singapore is fairly stable and peaceful. thanks to the far-sightedness of MM. PM seems to pale beside MM but it is not a fair comparison because it is very difficult to govern Singapore now with so many intellects and street-wise people and the rapid globalisation of Singapore. MM faced different challenges in his era.
sylveron
15 May 06, 16:21

It is actually a new challenge to everyone, not only the MM. Besides, who is the head of our state? Isn't it the PM? The title of MM is more like an honour to him. His contribution now should more for advisory and guidance, it shouldn't be one who should hold much power, is it not? I am not cursing him, but how many more ten years can he serve our nation? It should be time for him to really hand over whatever he is still holding and be an adviser or guidance for the minister and the potential office holder. Is better to let them learn this way, isn't it...
ubuntu
16 May 06, 01:01

Originally posted by banzie:
Dispite the fact of election the recent news of building a Aerospace hub and bilateral relationship with China as I see it is a very far sighted view by the government. In years to come the rising of China would only eliminate us of our low and middle end industry. An aerospace hub would make our county competitive in the niche industry. A good move I must admit by the PAP. It is this reasons which the PAP are still in power. In year to come after the building of the hub... people will be retrenched due to the economical change. But nevertheless I predict they will find job although lower paid but nevertheless a job. And as usual Singaporean you gotta upgrade to suit the new face of industry. Smart move government.

Singapore will probably be known for a few things.

Port and frieght related industry.
Areospace
Medical Research
Regional Tourism

Many people will soon be incline towards the above few industry. Changing job will be a inevitable. We are heading for the niche.
The EDB has indeed done a fabulous job, but let me ask why the EDB should be linked, or continue to be linked, to a particular political party in the first place?

You mean that if an opposition comes in, there will be a mass exodus from the EDB?

I thought the point of PSC's taking the brightest and best from the land and then shoving them into a civil service career is to ensure that good decisions are made.

Before one starts to congratulate ourselves, there are many other areas that should be examined; here are a couple

- back business (not just GLC's) to take an ownership position in NIC's like Vietnam; i.e. own part of the hinterland.

- go seriously into energy industries like solar so that we can reduce our energy; look at New Zealand with about the same amount of people, they have gone into areas like stirling engines

- develop a widespread recreational industry within Singapore, not just IR's but operations like Magic Mountain or Epcott, game fishing parks, or whatever, these will increase the service industry here which can be a partial replacement for manufacturing.

- how about waste management - making Singapore an expert nation on generating power from waste