MM Lee upbeat about Singapore’s growth prospect
Date: 11 July 2008
The
coming decade could be the most promising for Singapore, says Minister
Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. But to achieve progress, Singapore must have a
top-class government.
Mr Lee shared his views about
Singapore's growth and challenges during a dialogue session hosted by
the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Economics Society of
Singapore (ESS) on Friday 11 July 2008.
Barring any serious
global recession, Mr Lee said Singapore could achieve growth of up to 7
or 8 per cent over the next 10 years.
The optimism sprang from
the evolving economic landscape as Singapore adjusts itself to stay
competitive. However, in order to make progress, Singapore must have a
first-class government.
Mr Lee said the current team will last
for two terms, within which they will have to seek and groom talent
with energy and integrity.
He said: "The system is there, but
the system cannot run with inadequate, mediocre men; you need top men,
able men to choose able people to join you, to make sure that at every
level you have the most able, the most meritocratic (people) in charge.
"So what is it (that) we are trying to do for the opposition?
We are not trying to block them, we are trying to force them to collect
a group of MPs or candidates that will equal us in integrity and
competence, so that when the time comes, if we fail, they have a team
that is equal to us, who can take over."
On whether liberal
democracy is needed to bring about economic success, Mr Lee said
different people seek different solutions to problems. What Singapore
is doing is to create a system which will have the strongest team in
place to lead.
Minister Mentor Lee said: "We are not stupid
people, they give us all these advice... International Bar Association,
human rights, whatever it is. Who are they, what are they? Have you run
a country? Have you ever done a community and created jobs for them,
gave them a life? We have, and we know what it requires."
One requirement is to continue to attract foreign talent, integrate them and build up Singapore's labour force.
On
the whole, Mr Lee said Singapore has not done too badly. But he said he
would always be worried about Singapore's long-term future, because
there is little room for mistakes, given Singapore's population and
resources.
We are really lucky to have a great and selfess leader like MM Lee. He is still fighting for us Singaporean despite the fact that age is catching up with him. KUDOS to MM LEE!! We will vote for you still!!
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