Chapter 2Chapter 2Governance in SingaporeGovernance in Singapore

Guiding Principles of Guiding Principles of GovernanceGovernance

ObjectivesObjectives1. Understand the four guiding 1. Understand the four guiding

principles of good government:principles of good government: Leadership is keyLeadership is key Anticipate change and stay relevantAnticipate change and stay relevant Reward for work and work for rewardReward for work and work for reward A stake for everyone, opportunities for A stake for everyone, opportunities for

allall

2. Understand that good governance 2. Understand that good governance determines the growth of nations.determines the growth of nations.

a. Leadershipa. Leadership isis KeyKey

Think and Imagine …Think and Imagine …

What do you think are the qualities of What do you think are the qualities of a good student leader? a good student leader?

How will you feel if your class How will you feel if your class monitor spend all your class fund by monitor spend all your class fund by buying himself an MP3 player? buying himself an MP3 player?

World's Five Most World's Five Most Corrupt LeadersCorrupt Leaders

Source:Source: Transparency International Global Corruption Report 2004. Transparency International Global Corruption Report 2004. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0921295.htmlhttp://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0921295.html

NameName PositionPositionFunds Funds embezzledembezzled

  1. Mohamed 1. Mohamed SuhartoSuharto President of Indonesia (1967–1998)President of Indonesia (1967–1998) $15–35 $15–35

billionbillion  2. Ferdinand 2. Ferdinand

MarcosMarcosPresident of the Philippines (1972–President of the Philippines (1972–1986)1986) 5–10 billion5–10 billion

  3. Mobutu Sese 3. Mobutu Sese SekoSeko President of Zaire (1965–1997)President of Zaire (1965–1997) 5 billion5 billion

  4. Sani Abacha4. Sani Abacha President of Nigeria (1993–1998)President of Nigeria (1993–1998) 2–5 billion2–5 billion

  5. Slobodan 5. Slobodan MilosevicMilosevic

President of Serbia/Yugoslavia President of Serbia/Yugoslavia (1989–2000)(1989–2000) 1 billion1 billion

Mohamed SuhartoMohamed SuhartoPresident of Indonesia President of Indonesia (1967–1998)(1967–1998)

In 1999, the Suharto family fortune is worth an In 1999, the Suharto family fortune is worth an estimated US$15 billion estimated US$15 billion

The family is said to control nearly 40% of the land in The family is said to control nearly 40% of the land in East Timor. East Timor.

In 2000, Suharto comes under investigation for In 2000, Suharto comes under investigation for corruptioncorruption

He is accused of embezzling US$571 million of He is accused of embezzling US$571 million of government donations to one of a number of government donations to one of a number of foundations under his control and then using the foundations under his control and then using the money to finance family investments. money to finance family investments.

Effects on IndonesiaEffects on Indonesia

17.8% of the population live below the 17.8% of the population live below the poverty line poverty line

High unemployment rateHigh unemployment rateDeter foreign investmentDeter foreign investment Instable governmentInstable governmentDespite a significant degree of economic Despite a significant degree of economic

stability returning, economic watchers stability returning, economic watchers and investors are skeptical about the and investors are skeptical about the reformreform

World's highest Integrity World's highest Integrity GovernmentGovernment

CountryCountry Level of Corruption Level of Corruption (10 = no corruption, (10 = no corruption, 0 = high levels of corruption)0 = high levels of corruption)

New Zealand New Zealand SwedenSwedenDenmarkDenmark

9.39.3

SingaporeSingapore 9.29.2FinlandFinlandSwitzerlandSwitzerland

9.09.0

IcelandIceland 8.98.9

Source http://www.thelocal.se/14514/20080923/

Effects on SingaporeEffects on Singapore

Significant number of visits by foreign Significant number of visits by foreign delegations to Singaporedelegations to Singapore

One of the world’s strongest trade One of the world’s strongest trade nations nations

Top location for foreign investors Top location for foreign investors Stable governmentStable government

Pause, Reflect & Discuss…Pause, Reflect & Discuss…

Will you prefer living in Indonesia Will you prefer living in Indonesia or Singapore?or Singapore?

Why?Why?

Caning of Caning of Michael Peter Fay Michael Peter Fay (1994)(1994)

Convicted of vandalizing cars & Convicted of vandalizing cars & stealing road signs stealing road signs

Sentenced to four months in jail, Sentenced to four months in jail, $2,200 fine and 4 strokes of the $2,200 fine and 4 strokes of the cane. cane.

ResponsesResponses

Deemed the punishment of caning to be excessive for a teenager committing a non-violent crime

Pressured Singapore government to grant Fay clemency from caning

the US Trade Representative said that he would try to prevent the WTO's first meeting from taking place in Singapore

• Could not apply different standards to persons subjected to the same law

• Was not obliged in any way to base its actions on the will of the American public or government

11stst Guiding Principle of Guiding Principle of GovernanceGovernance

Leaders must be of good character Leaders must be of good character ((Honest, Capable, Moral courage, Integrity) to win confidence and ) to win confidence and respect of the peoplerespect of the people

Do what is right and not what is Do what is right and not what is popularpopular

Leaders have talent and ability Leaders have talent and ability

Leadership is Key

b. Anticipate b. Anticipate ChangeChange andand

Stay RelevantStay Relevant

Past: Past: Singapore River and the Singapore River and the

WaterfrontWaterfront

Past: Past: Singapore River and the Singapore River and the

WaterfrontWaterfront

How do you feel if How do you feel if this is the Singapore you are now living this is the Singapore you are now living

in? in?

Today: Today: Singapore River and the Singapore River and the

WaterfrontWaterfront

Future: Future: Singapore River and the Singapore River and the

WaterfrontWaterfront

How do you feel if How do you feel if this is the Singapore you are living in?this is the Singapore you are living in?

What does it mean by ‘anticipate What does it mean by ‘anticipate change & stay relevant’?change & stay relevant’?

Government makes decisions that Government makes decisions that are forward-looking are forward-looking (tackling future challenges)(tackling future challenges)

NEWater NEWater

NEWaterNEWater

Singapore depends on Malaysia for Singapore depends on Malaysia for its water supplyits water supply

Water agreements with Malaysia Water agreements with Malaysia ending in 2011 and 2061ending in 2011 and 2061

Singapore found 2 alternative water Singapore found 2 alternative water supplies: NEWater & desalinated supplies: NEWater & desalinated waterwater

People’s People’s Reactions Reactions towards towards NEWaterNEWater

Government’s AssuranceGovernment’s Assurance

Government communicated with the Government communicated with the people to assure them that NEWater is people to assure them that NEWater is safe for drinking via schools, safe for drinking via schools, newspaper and the Internetnewspaper and the Internet

Anticipate Change Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant and Stay Relevant

What do you think will happen to What do you think will happen to Singapore if we do not anticipate Singapore if we do not anticipate change and stay relevant? change and stay relevant?

Why is it important for Singapore to Why is it important for Singapore to be able to anticipate change and stay be able to anticipate change and stay relevant?relevant?

22ndnd Guiding Principle of Guiding Principle of GovernanceGovernance

c. Reward for c. Reward for Work Work andand Work for Work for RewardReward

Imagine…Imagine…

Exam results are out, and you are Exam results are out, and you are eagerly awaiting your results for your eagerly awaiting your results for your SS mid year exams. You are SS mid year exams. You are confident of getting good results, confident of getting good results, since you put in a lot of work & effort since you put in a lot of work & effort revising for it.revising for it.

Imagine…Imagine…However, upon receiving your results, However, upon receiving your results, you are horrified to discover that you you are horrified to discover that you only barely passed! You ask around, only barely passed! You ask around, and realise that and realise that only those relatives & only those relatives & parents were teachersparents were teachers got got distinctions. You confirm your distinctions. You confirm your suspicions when, going through their suspicions when, going through their papers, you discover that most of papers, you discover that most of your answers were similar to theirs, your answers were similar to theirs, but YOU were not awarded the marks.but YOU were not awarded the marks.

Pause, Reflect & Discuss…Pause, Reflect & Discuss…

How did the teacher reward How did the teacher reward students’ performances?students’ performances?

What would happen if the What would happen if the government rewards students’ government rewards students’ performances in this manner?performances in this manner?

Now analyse these…Now analyse these…

Court Finds Gandhi Opponent Guilty of NepotismCourt Finds Gandhi Opponent Guilty of Nepotism

An Indian court has dealt a severe blow to one of Prime Minister An Indian court has dealt a severe blow to one of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's sharpest political foes, saying that Rajiv Gandhi's sharpest political foes, saying that he had misused his office to benefit his relatives. he had misused his office to benefit his relatives.

Sourced from: Sourced from: http://http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?resselect.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB071EFC3B5A0C768CDDA80894D0484D81&n=Top%2fNews%2fWorld%2fCountries%20and%20Terri=FB071EFC3B5A0C768CDDA80894D0484D81&n=Top%2fNews%2fWorld%2fCountries%20and%20Territories%2fIndiatories%2fIndia

Now analyse these…Now analyse these…Scandal may cost World Bank boss his jobScandal may cost World Bank boss his job

When Dr. Wolfowitz joined the World Bank as its president, When Dr. Wolfowitz joined the World Bank as its president, he transferred his girlfriend to the State Department and he transferred his girlfriend to the State Department and signed a memo that gave her a tax-free salary of $193,590. signed a memo that gave her a tax-free salary of $193,590. Essentially her new boss at the State Department, earned Essentially her new boss at the State Department, earned $10,000 less than Wolfowitz’s girlfriend.$10,000 less than Wolfowitz’s girlfriend.

Pause, Reflect & Discuss…Pause, Reflect & Discuss…So how should our government give out So how should our government give out jobs & rewards to us?jobs & rewards to us?

Rewards given out based on how well we Rewards given out based on how well we dodo= Meritocracy= Meritocracy

the 3rd guiding principle of our government the 3rd guiding principle of our government isisMeritocracy

i.e. “Reward for Work, Work for Reward”

Examples of meritocracy Examples of meritocracy Students who performed well in studies Students who performed well in studies

and CCA are awarded and CCA are awarded (edusave scholarship and merit bursary (edusave scholarship and merit bursary scheme reward the top 10% and 25& scheme reward the top 10% and 25& of the students in school and ITE)of the students in school and ITE)

Pause, Reflect & Discuss…Pause, Reflect & Discuss…

What are the benefits of being a What are the benefits of being a meritocratic society?meritocratic society?

Ensures equal opportunities for Ensures equal opportunities for everyone regardless of race, religion everyone regardless of race, religion and socio-economic background.and socio-economic background.

Encourages everyone to achieve Encourages everyone to achieve their best.their best.

Pause, Reflect & Discuss…Pause, Reflect & Discuss…To what extent does our government To what extent does our government practice Meritocracy?practice Meritocracy?

Can you think of some examples that Can you think of some examples that show Meritocracy being practiced by show Meritocracy being practiced by our government?our government?

d. A Stake for d. A Stake for Everyone,Everyone,

Opportunities for Opportunities for ALLALL

Letters to the ForumLetters to the Forum

May 18, 2007May 18, 2007

Bishan Family Park - a plea from the treesBishan Family Park - a plea from the treesWe are a group of trees that stand tall and majestic on a little We are a group of trees that stand tall and majestic on a little

sloped strip of woods just at the junction of Bishan Road and sloped strip of woods just at the junction of Bishan Road and Braddell Road………Braddell Road………

… … … … … … Please allow us to continue being a nature park Please allow us to continue being a nature park where residents can take a quiet stroll and enjoy nature right at where residents can take a quiet stroll and enjoy nature right at their doorstep. ……their doorstep. ……

…………..We appeal to you, Mr Wong Kan Seng and the other ..We appeal to you, Mr Wong Kan Seng and the other decision-makers, to temper the zeal for urban development with a decision-makers, to temper the zeal for urban development with a little mercy for us. Please listen to our plea! little mercy for us. Please listen to our plea!

Jo Marion Seow (Mrs)Jo Marion Seow (Mrs)

Letters to the ForumLetters to the ForumMay 18, 2007May 18, 2007

No mention of singles who take care of parentsNo mention of singles who take care of parents

...... When one of our MPs, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, suggested ...... When one of our MPs, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, suggested that stay-at-home spouses be given the Workfare Bonus, that stay-at-home spouses be given the Workfare Bonus, people were quick to highlight mothers who gave up their people were quick to highlight mothers who gave up their careers to take care of their young children. But no one careers to take care of their young children. But no one mentions the plight of single adults who take care of their mentions the plight of single adults who take care of their elderly parents. Sad to say, I belong to this group of elderly parents. Sad to say, I belong to this group of people….. people…..

……..Throughout all these years, members of society and ..Throughout all these years, members of society and even my relatives do not tell me filial piety is a value to be even my relatives do not tell me filial piety is a value to be recognised. I am labelled 'unemployed' or 'idle'…..recognised. I am labelled 'unemployed' or 'idle'…..

Zym Tay Gek Mui (Miss)Zym Tay Gek Mui (Miss)

People have a greater sense of belonging to the People have a greater sense of belonging to the country if they have a say in decision-making.country if they have a say in decision-making.

More opportunities have been created to More opportunities have been created to involve people in decision-makinginvolve people in decision-making

During feedback sessions, people voiced their During feedback sessions, people voiced their opinions about government’s proposal and opinions about government’s proposal and policies.policies.

A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All

44thth Guiding Principle of Guiding Principle of GovernanceGovernance

Pause, Reflect & Discuss…Pause, Reflect & Discuss…How do you think you can contribute to How do you think you can contribute to the country by just making suggestions the country by just making suggestions and expressing your opinions?and expressing your opinions?

What do you think will happen to What do you think will happen to Singapore Singapore

if people are not given an opportunity if people are not given an opportunity to express their views?to express their views?if people do not have a stake in the if people do not have a stake in the country?country?

What you have learnt today What you have learnt today ……

Guiding Principles of GovernanceGuiding Principles of GovernanceLeadership is the keyLeadership is the keyAnticipate change, and stay relevantAnticipate change, and stay relevantReward for work, and work for Reward for work, and work for

reward = meritocracyreward = meritocracyA stake for everyone, opportunities A stake for everyone, opportunities

for allfor all