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- Aug 19, 2008
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Let's refocus and look to what's next
AFTER our Republic's watershed General Election, let us refocus and cast our thoughts on what is next.
I applaud Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's political will to transform the Government and welcome his courageous changes to the Cabinet.
PM Lee's promised transformation must be as holistic and comprehensive as possible.
An official mindset change is also needed on the issue of political pluralism - from viewing the opposition as a nuisance and a liability, to one that accepts a constructive parliamentary opposition as an asset to Singapore.
The desire to see a more effective government-people compact requires a government that does not rule but governs - and governs in ways that exhibit care, transparency and accountability.
Here is my wish list:
Reform key institutions that act as implementers and feedback agencies for government policies: the mass media, grassroots organisations, the bureaucracy and trade unions.
Reduce the number and size of group representation constituencies.
Establish an independent election commission to convince voters even more of the fairness of the electoral process.
Reform the present top-down, officially endorsed political leadership of ethnic minority communities, such as the Malay leadership, to make them more genuinely representative and accountable.
Benchmark salaries of ministers and other office-holders to align them with those in the 'First World', without them being cynically perceived as 'out-of-this- world'.
Associate Professor Hussin Mutalib
AFTER our Republic's watershed General Election, let us refocus and cast our thoughts on what is next.
I applaud Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's political will to transform the Government and welcome his courageous changes to the Cabinet.
PM Lee's promised transformation must be as holistic and comprehensive as possible.
An official mindset change is also needed on the issue of political pluralism - from viewing the opposition as a nuisance and a liability, to one that accepts a constructive parliamentary opposition as an asset to Singapore.
The desire to see a more effective government-people compact requires a government that does not rule but governs - and governs in ways that exhibit care, transparency and accountability.
Here is my wish list:
Reform key institutions that act as implementers and feedback agencies for government policies: the mass media, grassroots organisations, the bureaucracy and trade unions.
Reduce the number and size of group representation constituencies.
Establish an independent election commission to convince voters even more of the fairness of the electoral process.
Reform the present top-down, officially endorsed political leadership of ethnic minority communities, such as the Malay leadership, to make them more genuinely representative and accountable.
Benchmark salaries of ministers and other office-holders to align them with those in the 'First World', without them being cynically perceived as 'out-of-this- world'.
Associate Professor Hussin Mutalib
