Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore would remain open to global investments and talent. (Yahoo!)
By Andrew Loh
In July, Mr Philip Yeo expressed fears that the Singapore government "is terrified of the people" after the General Elections in May. "You cannot have a system where the people are pampered," he said to the media.
Mr Yeo is a well-respected and highly-credentialed individual, particularly known for his previous chairmanship of the Economic Development Board (EDB) and later the Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*Star). After stepping down from A*Star in 2007, he was appointed chairman of Spring Singapore and senior adviser on science and technology to the Minister for Trade and Industry.
Perhaps his most significant role presently is that of special adviser for economic development in the Prime Minister's Office. His role is "in establishing new economic links with foreign governments who value Singapore's development experience, and provide strategic inputs to establish strategic partnerships and open up opportunities with other fast growing economies."
Mr Yeo is also known as someone who speaks his mind, not unlike former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. His latest remarks about the government are thus worth serious consideration.
Changes since the election
Since the parliamentary elections, which saw the ruling People's Action Party (PAP) returned to power by a smaller majority of seats than the previous elections, the PAP government has announced several changes in various areas — notably in public housing, ministerial salaries and how it communicates policy decisions to the people.
The newly-appointed Minister for National Development, Mr Khaw Boon Wan, who took over from the highly unpopular Mr Mah Bow Tan, announced almost immediately after the elections changes to housing practices and policies. These were in response to the public outcry over the insufficient supply of public flats and their high costs.
The Prime Minister, in a move which caught many by surprise, culled several senior and experienced ministers from his cabinet. He also urged his ministers and Members of Parliament (MP) to listen more closely to what the people are saying and the feedback they are giving.
PAP ministers and MPs have taken to other online social media platforms to engage the public, a sign that the government can no longer limit itself to its own channels of engagement such as its web portal, REACH.
But what perhaps has given rise to Mr Yeo's concerns is the opposition victory over Mr George Yeo's team in Aljunied in what has always been thought as the impenetrable Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). The drop in vote share for the PAP is also a blow to the ruling party and particularly to PM Lee Hsien Loong whose leadership in two general elections thus far has seen declining support — from 66.6 percent in 2006, to 60.1 percent in 2011.
Is the PAP government turning soft, populist or that it is "terrified" of the people because of these? One will never know for sure, at least for now.
Assurance on fundamentals
As far as economic policies are concerned, the Prime Minister last week reiterated and assured businesses that "the fundamentals that matters to investors have not changed". (PMO)
"Sound economic policies that promote growth and improve lives will be maintained, as will a 'long-term and rational perspective' on the part of the Government," he was reported to have said.
"If over time they find that we have become not as welcoming as before, or our business environment becomes less favourable... then of course there will be consequences for Singapore," PM Lee said.
While the PM may be assuaging investors' concerns that Singapore's fundamental economic direction will not change despite the political changes from the May General Election, he will nonetheless be cognizant of the potential erosion of support for his party from the electorate in the next elections, due by 2016, if certain policies or problems faced by Singaporeans remain.
It is thus a delicate matter of addressing the disquiet among the people over particular policies and trying not to lose further political support, and maintaining policies which may be painful for the people in the short-term but which are necessary for Singapore's long term well-being.
One of the failures identified by the prime minister is the way his government distils and interprets the feedback it receives, and communicates the rationale behind policy decisions. Moving forward, we can expect the government to be more active and willing to engage the public in more meaningful discourse and discussions. Indeed, new ministers such as Major General Chan Chun Sing and Brigadier General Tan Chuan Jin are already embarking on such initiatives.
These however should not be seen as the government going "soft" or that it is pandering to the whims of the electorate. On the contrary, Singaporeans should welcome a more responsive and open government while at the same time recognise and accept that there are matters which the government needs to take a firm stance on.
Need to strike a balance
Mr Yeo's advice to the government based on media reports is thus timely. "The intentions have always been good but we forget that some people were hurt along the way. We need to work with our heads and our hearts. The key is not to swing totally the other way."
Singaporeans perhaps should keep in mind that while they want their voices to be heard, and indeed this should be so, a populist government — be it a PAP or an opposition one — is not desirable for the nation.
What should be desirable instead is a sensitive and responsive government which at the same time has the courage and integrity to stand its ground when it believes firmly that certain policies are good for the country. This, it is said, is why Singapore's first generation of political leaders is so much respected, even till this day.
PM Lee's job is therefore to strike a balance between being more open to the different voices on the ground, and making rational decisions for the country's long term good.
With the last five years having polarised and stratified the population, many of whom remain unconvinced by some of his government's policies, and with the declining electoral support for his party under his leadership, PM Lee has a tough job ahead.
Andrew is the co-founder of a socio-political website and writes frequently on issues which are close to his heart, particularly those affecting the less fortunate and on Singapore politics.
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