SINGAPORE : The motivation to serve was a key theme in speeches by MPs on the third day of debate on civil service and ministerial pay revisions.
MP for Hong Kah GRC Zaqy Mohamed said the need to raise the civil service and ministerial salaries raised questions on Singapore society.
His concern was over the kind of values that were inculcated among the people if Singapore cannot find 25 good men and women to serve as Ministers and Permanent Secretaries out of a population of 4.5 million.
"By making it too comfortable for our leaders - political and civil service officers - will we erode our work ethics, heart for servitude and compassion for our people? Much the same way, we fear that increasing financial assistance for the poor will erode the work ethics of the working population. How many lives and livelihoods are at stake if our policy-makers become too comfortable and disconnected from the realities of ordinary Singaporeans," asked the Hong Kah GRC MP.
The first-time MP who entered politics when he contested the 2006 General Election calls himself a post-65 idealist.
He said he would like to see leaders coming forward with a heart to serve honestly and compassionately, "put aside their personal interests for the interests for Singapore, and not just chase their GDP and performance bonuses."
You always see her hanging out with old people one, after all, they're the ones supplying the votes to keep her where she is.Originally posted by mhcampboy:one more fella who wanna donate...
Originally posted by mhcampboy:Irene is damned right !
S'pore governed by extraordinary men willing to make sacrifices: MP
SINGAPORE: Singapore is governed by extraordinary men willing to make personal sacrifices, said MP for Tampines GRC Irene Ng in Parliament.
The example set by the Prime Minister was also brought up.
In 1992, Mr Lee Hsien Loong, as then-Deputy Prime Minister, had held a media conference just after undergoing chemotherapy for lymphoma.
[b]"I don't think he allowed the media to interview him for his own sake or because he liked the publicity. For sure it was not. It was for public interest. It was to assure the public that life and business in Singapore was going on as usual. I think if you talk to any cancer patient going through chemotherapy, I think their instinct is, 'Please let me recover quietly, let me focus on my health'. But he (Lee Hsien Loong) was thinking of Singapore even in his time of need," said Ms Ng. - CNA/ir
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is he doing a good job? or just ok?Originally posted by BillyBong:At the end of the day, i personally do not think PM Lee is doing a bad job. Only time will tell whether this infurating move by our govt will cause casualty rates for the MIW at the next elections.
Then again, some Singaporeans are sheep with the shortest of memories.
Wouldn't that be amusingOriginally posted by soul_rage:I also question where he is donating to, NKF?
That's a fair point...before we confuse ministers and senior staff of the minister's office with the average CIVIL SERVANT, who must be disappointed that the masses are now labelling them as sycophants.Originally posted by the Bear:will people stop bloody equating the POLITICIANS like the ministers with CIVIL SERVANTS?
they are NOT the same!
civil servants are working hacks... the politicians are.. politicians...
Her husband is a rich Indonesian doctor, drives a Ferrari. She don't need the money. Anyway good of her to donate- giving to charity, God will bless her & her family.Originally posted by ditzy:You always see her hanging out with old people one, after all, they're the ones supplying the votes to keep her where she is.![]()