Nothing's sacrosanct in Government review of policies, says PM
SINGAPORE - On Wednesday, he rolled out a new-look Cabinet - with nine Ministers stepping down from the previous team. Three days later, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong declared that "nothing should be sacrosanct" as he revealed that the formula for ministerial salaries will be reviewed.
In his speech at the Cabinet swearing-in ceremony held at the Istana on Saturday, Mr Lee acknowledged that Singaporeans have "genuine concerns" over the remuneration for political leaders.
Said Mr Lee: "Hence I am appointing a committee to review the basis and level of political salaries."
The committee will be headed by Mr Gerard Ee, chairman of Changi General Hospital and the National Kidney Foundation. While he did not give details such as how long the review would take, Mr Lee stressed "politics is not a job or a career promotion".
"It is a calling to serve the larger good of Singapore. But ministers should also be paid properly in order that Singapore can have honest and competent leadership over the long term," he added.
Pledging that his Government would take "a totally fresh look at our problems and policies", Mr Lee also said that it will address other issues preoccupying Singaporeans, such as healthcare, housing and immigration. "We will review both the policies and their implementation, as well as our broader approach to tackling these issues. We must move quickly to address pockets of urgent need, even as we think through the more difficult long-term challenges."
Apart from reviewing existing policies, Mr Lee promised that the formulation of new ones will also involve greater inputs from Singaporeans.
The Government will engage Singaporeans "in an inclusive dialogue on making policies and governing Singapore", said the Prime Minister.
"We will reach out online and in the real world. We will listen carefully to different voices, understand the day-to-day difficulties and strains facing Singaporeans, address their concerns and be open to inputs on what Government can do better."
Still, he noted that "realistically", the Government cannot fulfil every request or accept every suggestion. "But by engaging Singaporeans... we can solve our problems better, and shape our new Singapore together, and this is vital," Mr Lee added.
In policy implementation, the Prime Minister said the Government's approach "must be more flexible, thoughtful and compassionate" - always doing what is right for Singaporeans and Singapore. "When they (policies) have unintended consequences, we should put things right promptly. When we make mistakes, we must admit and correct them," said Mr Lee.
Saturday's swearing in ceremony saw Singaporeans from all walks of life in attendance - from students, to grassroots leaders and business leaders. Before the solemn ceremony, newly-elected Members of Parliament - both from the ruling People's Action Party and the Workers' Party - mingled in the Istana State Room exchanging congratulations and pleasantries Members of the People's Action Party team, which lost in Aljunied GRC, were also present to say their goodbyes.
While Singapore's 12th Parliament will now have "more diverse voices", Mr Lee reiterated in his speech that politics here "should not become confrontational or worse divide" the society, like in other countries.
Earlier, President S R Nathan noted in his speech that the recent General Election saw a full airing of views on a wide range of issues. But he added, "Now is the time for everyone, whether from the Government or Opposition, to work together to serve the nation, and do their best for the good of all Singaporeans."
Both Mr Lee and Mr Nathan paid tribute to former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong for their nation-building efforts in "improving the lives of millions of Singaporeans". Mr Nathan said he hoped the pair can "continue to contribute to Singapore's growth and development in their own ways for many more years to come".
Calling on all Singaporeans to jointly create a better country, the Prime Minister also outlined the Government's vision: To create a "just and fair society" which gives all citizens the best start in life and leaves no one behind.
"A Singapore which is open to the world yet puts Singaporeans first. A Singapore which excites our young and respects our old. A society that nurtures and inspires the human spirit, beyond material success," he said. "Rich or poor, young or old, men or women, Singapore is our home. Here we all belong. Here we can work together for the common good, and share our pride in being Singaporeans."
SINGAPORE - On Wednesday, he rolled out a new-look Cabinet - with nine Ministers stepping down from the previous team. Three days later, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong declared that "nothing should be sacrosanct" as he revealed that the formula for ministerial salaries will be reviewed.
In his speech at the Cabinet swearing-in ceremony held at the Istana on Saturday, Mr Lee acknowledged that Singaporeans have "genuine concerns" over the remuneration for political leaders.
Said Mr Lee: "Hence I am appointing a committee to review the basis and level of political salaries."
The committee will be headed by Mr Gerard Ee, chairman of Changi General Hospital and the National Kidney Foundation. While he did not give details such as how long the review would take, Mr Lee stressed "politics is not a job or a career promotion".
"It is a calling to serve the larger good of Singapore. But ministers should also be paid properly in order that Singapore can have honest and competent leadership over the long term," he added.
Pledging that his Government would take "a totally fresh look at our problems and policies", Mr Lee also said that it will address other issues preoccupying Singaporeans, such as healthcare, housing and immigration. "We will review both the policies and their implementation, as well as our broader approach to tackling these issues. We must move quickly to address pockets of urgent need, even as we think through the more difficult long-term challenges."
Apart from reviewing existing policies, Mr Lee promised that the formulation of new ones will also involve greater inputs from Singaporeans.
The Government will engage Singaporeans "in an inclusive dialogue on making policies and governing Singapore", said the Prime Minister.
"We will reach out online and in the real world. We will listen carefully to different voices, understand the day-to-day difficulties and strains facing Singaporeans, address their concerns and be open to inputs on what Government can do better."
Still, he noted that "realistically", the Government cannot fulfil every request or accept every suggestion. "But by engaging Singaporeans... we can solve our problems better, and shape our new Singapore together, and this is vital," Mr Lee added.
In policy implementation, the Prime Minister said the Government's approach "must be more flexible, thoughtful and compassionate" - always doing what is right for Singaporeans and Singapore. "When they (policies) have unintended consequences, we should put things right promptly. When we make mistakes, we must admit and correct them," said Mr Lee.
Saturday's swearing in ceremony saw Singaporeans from all walks of life in attendance - from students, to grassroots leaders and business leaders. Before the solemn ceremony, newly-elected Members of Parliament - both from the ruling People's Action Party and the Workers' Party - mingled in the Istana State Room exchanging congratulations and pleasantries Members of the People's Action Party team, which lost in Aljunied GRC, were also present to say their goodbyes.
While Singapore's 12th Parliament will now have "more diverse voices", Mr Lee reiterated in his speech that politics here "should not become confrontational or worse divide" the society, like in other countries.
Earlier, President S R Nathan noted in his speech that the recent General Election saw a full airing of views on a wide range of issues. But he added, "Now is the time for everyone, whether from the Government or Opposition, to work together to serve the nation, and do their best for the good of all Singaporeans."
Both Mr Lee and Mr Nathan paid tribute to former Prime Ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong for their nation-building efforts in "improving the lives of millions of Singaporeans". Mr Nathan said he hoped the pair can "continue to contribute to Singapore's growth and development in their own ways for many more years to come".
Calling on all Singaporeans to jointly create a better country, the Prime Minister also outlined the Government's vision: To create a "just and fair society" which gives all citizens the best start in life and leaves no one behind.
"A Singapore which is open to the world yet puts Singaporeans first. A Singapore which excites our young and respects our old. A society that nurtures and inspires the human spirit, beyond material success," he said. "Rich or poor, young or old, men or women, Singapore is our home. Here we all belong. Here we can work together for the common good, and share our pride in being Singaporeans."
