Singapore needs new identity to stay ahead says SM Goh
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S'pore needs to be one of most liveable cities globally: SM Goh
One that goes beyond being its current clean, green and safe image.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said as other new cities erode the island's competitive advantages, Singapore needs a new identity.
As a vibrant place with soul that embraces both talents and ideas.
"Singapore must, therefore project a new identity, one that captivates the eyes, moves the heart, stirs the soul and inspires the mind."
He was painting a 25 year vision of Singapore as a "Distinctive City".
Mr Goh sees Singapore as both a convenient, compact city as well as an aesthetically-pleasing city with gardens and water spaces.
Moving on, he also saw the country as one big on economic ideas but small in its environmental footprint.
"But let me add a caveat here.Those who come to drink from the oasis must add to our ability to replenish the water and not just consume and deplete the stock. By this I mean that we must manage the inflow of talent and new immigrants to ensure that Singaporeans do not lose out and in fact benefit from their presence. Only then, can we create a harmonious, cosmopolitan city."
Still, the quality of its people, Mr Goh said was more important now than at any other time in the past 50 years.
On any given day, some 100 thousand tourists are in Singapore.
More than half a million foreigners live and work here.
And this means each must go the extra mile - if all are to live without conflict.
However, there can be no harmony if Singapore prices itself out and the city is no longer affordable.
Either in terms of rentals for businesses or homes for people.
"For those who are worried over the recent price increases, MND tells me that there is adequate supply of homes in the pipeline both in the central region as well as outside it. The government is also committed to releasing more land through the Government Land Sales Programme to ensure that property prices do not fall out of sync with economic fundamentals."
Mr Goh was speaking at the 50th anniversary of the Real Estate Developers Association of Singapore.--938Live
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Good!
We shall adopt a PRC identity since our major composition will be PRCs.
Our national past time will be hankering for money.
Wu xian shen nin hao!
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Rename Singapore to Lee Dynasty
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Originally posted by deepak.c:
Good!
We shall adopt a PRC identity since our major composition will be PRCs.
Our national past time will be hankering for money.
Wu xian shen nin hao!
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City of oppression and bastardized system. How's that? Singapore won't be anything unless it becomes a free country. How can one expect to be appreciated living in a city which curb freedom of expression and differing view? Dream on. The rulers of Singapore must realize that it is they who are the very obstacles to Singapore potential. Without these people going Singapore will only be a place of mediocrity as other cities vie to compete. Even if Singapore is thought of as being one of the more developed city in the region there will not be anything but mediocrity if the regime still oppresses the people and control everything.
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Or City of control freak sounds just right!