Principles of Governance - United...
Transcript of Principles of Governance - United...
Singapore At A Glance
Area: 683 sq km
Gross Domestic Product: S$258 billion
Population: 4,987,600
Life expectancy: 81.4 years
Language: English, Mandarin, Malay and Tamil
Literacy: Over 90% of the population above 15 years of age can read and write
Singapore ’s International Rankings
Least corrupt nation in Asia-PacificPolitical and Economic Risk Consultancy business su rvey 2010
Most transparent country in Asia& third in the world
Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index 2009
Easiest place to do businessDoing Business 2010 Report, World Bank
Singapore emerges top in world competitiveness
World Competitiveness Yearbook 2010
Singapore ’s Circumstances
Small & resource
poor
Multi-racial society
Ageing population
Situations
Credible and able leaders
What areour guiding principles?
Principles of Governance
Guiding statements that :
(a) reflect our fundamental philosophy of government; and
(b) form the basis of public policy formulationin the various spheres of government.
Singapore ’s Circumstances
Small & resource
poor
Multi-racial society
Ageing population
Situations
Credible and able leaders
Four Key Principles
Anticipate Change,Stay Relevant
Leadership is Key
Reward for Work, Work for Reward
A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All
Leadership is Key
“The moment key leaders are less than incorruptible, less than stern in demanding high standards, from that moment
the structure of administrative integrity will weaken, and eventually crumble. Singapore can survive only if ministers
and senior officers are incorruptible and efficient.”
Lee Kuan Yew
1. Eschew corruption
2. Do what is right, not what is popular
3. Be pragmatic
4. Provide long-term vision
Leadership is Key
“Will Singapore survive, much less prosper without a capable team in charge? How did we get here? With strong political leadership and effective government. It did not happen automatically or by chance. …It only happens through a deliberate and systematic process to build the team, to build in talent at all levels…To maintain this quality of Government, we need a first-class team.”
1. Attract fair share of nation’s talent
2. Competitive remuneration
3. Develop in a systematic manner
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, 2007
Reward for Work, Work for Reward
“Government’s role is to get everyone to the same starting point, but how far he can run is left to his own ability.”
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong
1. Self-reliance, not welfare
2. Meritocracy for best use of talent
3. Correct incentives to ensure every individual wil l strive
“We cannot build an inclusive society by depending o n government transfers alone . The fundamental way to raise and sustain incomes for our low-wage workers is to help them to boost their skills, add to their confidence and enable them to contribute more in the workplace. Every individual, putting in the effort to improve, can then be worth more on the job and secu re a better income. ”
“Whilst our help must be flexible and adequate, we have to ensurethat in providing assistance we never undermine the culture of self-reliance which remains a key strength of our society. In particular, we must continue to avoid the temptation of providing a permanent and unconditional social safety net .”
Extract from Singapore Budget Speech 2010
Reward for Work, Work for Reward
Workfare Income Supplement (WIS)
• For older (35 years & above) low wage (below S$1,700) workers
Workfare Training Scheme (WTS)
• Covers bulk of training cost and absentee payroll
• Small monetary reward to workers for completion of training milestones
Reward for Work, Work for Reward
Lifetime Entitled Benefits by Income Lifetime Entitled Benefits by Income DecilesDeciles
Assumption: 2007 benefit levels and incomes extrapolated over lifetime, based on household of 1 income earner and 1 child
The Singapore Public Service: Integrity, Service, Excellence
A Stake for Everyone,Opportunities for All
“The end goal of any governance system is not institutional strength, or even economic well-being, but nation-building. It is about creating an inclusive society where citizens not merely enjoy economic wealth, but feel a sense of ownership and belonging. Our goal is to makeSingapore a land of opportunity, a home we love, a community we belong to, and a country where we are proud to call our own.”
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
1. Singapore a global city and choice home
2. Promote collective responsibility
3. Preserve core values & interests
Home Ownership in Singapore
“When HDB was formed in 1960, less than 10% of Singaporeans owned their homes. Housing was basic and functional. Today, 80% live in HDB flats that are of high quality and good design, in well maintained estates all over the island. Most importantly, they own their flats, a valuable asset which appreciates in value along with the long term growth of our country. This is a remarkable achievement, unique to Singapore.”
Minister Mah Bow Tanon public housing
Anticipate Change, Stay Relevant
“If other countries are like big oil tankers, Singapore is just aspeed boat. We are more vulnerable at sea, and so we have to be
more agile and better able to avoid hazards.”
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong
1. Stay nimble and flexible
2. Be better organised than others
3. Exploit opportunities even in adversity
4. Turn constraints into advantage
Culture of constant adaptation and adjustment
Reinvention and innovation is vital
Within the Public Service : PS21 Movement (1995), Scenario PlanningPolicy Examples: CPF system, Healthcare financing
Anticipate Change, Stay Relevant
Importance of Good Governance
“Good governance is a key ingredient for the success of nations, more so than endowments such as natural resources, a large land area or big population. Singapore has, in its own small ways, been able to put in place good governance.
We have been fortunate that we not only have determined and upright political leaders but also a capable, diligent and honest Public Service. We also have a public that is reasonable, even if demanding at times. It is a partnership that has worked well –together, this has allowed Singapore to enjoy good governance.”
Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Ministerand Minister in charge of the Civil Service
Singapore ’s Principles of Governance
Anticipate Change,Stay Relevant
Leadership is Key
Reward for Work, Work for Reward
A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All