DPM Wong's message to civil servants
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 28 March 2011 2122 hrs
SINGAPORE : Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng has urged Singapore's top civil servants to stay on top of the latest global trends, but listen to the ground and engage the public.
Speaking at the annual Administrative Service Dinner and Promotion ceremony on Monday evening, he said this would help the public service to develop sound policies that can better serve the needs of Singaporeans.
Mr Wong said: "While we bring in new immigrants, we must continue to retain what is distinct and unique about Singapore and ensure that Singaporeans will truly believe this is home.
"This means that we must preserve a strong Singaporean core, even as we seek diverse talents to support economic growth - the right balance must be struck."
He added that Singapore has been able to achieve so much with little resources because of the meticulous and systematic approach to bring in the best talent to serve in political leadership and public service.
He said this needs to continue, so that Singapore can move to the next level.
Mr Wong also presented certificates to 63 public service officers who were promoted this year.
Another 28 received their Certificates of Appointments to the Administrative Service.
Mr Wong also paid tribute to two recently-retired Permanent Secretaries who have made significant contributions to the Public Service.
Mr Liew Heng San retired in January after 31 years in the public service. As the Permanent Secretary for Law in the early 2000s, Mr Liew did much to develop Singapore's legal industry, said Mr Wong.
Mr Liew also introduced guidelines and legislation to strengthen Singapore's intellectual property framework.
The other special mention went to Mr Peter Ho, who retired after serving in the public service for 34 years.
Mr Ho had strongly advocated taking strategic, whole of government approaches to thinking about issues and executing ideas.
Mr Ho is now serving as a senior fellow of the Civil Service College and as a senior advisor to the Centre for Strategic Futures.
- CNA/al
By Hetty Musfirah | Posted: 28 March 2011 2122 hrs
SINGAPORE : Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng has urged Singapore's top civil servants to stay on top of the latest global trends, but listen to the ground and engage the public.
Speaking at the annual Administrative Service Dinner and Promotion ceremony on Monday evening, he said this would help the public service to develop sound policies that can better serve the needs of Singaporeans.
Mr Wong said: "While we bring in new immigrants, we must continue to retain what is distinct and unique about Singapore and ensure that Singaporeans will truly believe this is home.
"This means that we must preserve a strong Singaporean core, even as we seek diverse talents to support economic growth - the right balance must be struck."
He added that Singapore has been able to achieve so much with little resources because of the meticulous and systematic approach to bring in the best talent to serve in political leadership and public service.
He said this needs to continue, so that Singapore can move to the next level.
Mr Wong also presented certificates to 63 public service officers who were promoted this year.
Another 28 received their Certificates of Appointments to the Administrative Service.
Mr Wong also paid tribute to two recently-retired Permanent Secretaries who have made significant contributions to the Public Service.
Mr Liew Heng San retired in January after 31 years in the public service. As the Permanent Secretary for Law in the early 2000s, Mr Liew did much to develop Singapore's legal industry, said Mr Wong.
Mr Liew also introduced guidelines and legislation to strengthen Singapore's intellectual property framework.
The other special mention went to Mr Peter Ho, who retired after serving in the public service for 34 years.
Mr Ho had strongly advocated taking strategic, whole of government approaches to thinking about issues and executing ideas.
Mr Ho is now serving as a senior fellow of the Civil Service College and as a senior advisor to the Centre for Strategic Futures.
- CNA/al
