Intolerance 'drives progress'

[MarrickG]

There is a very low tolerance for imperfection here, but it is this intolerance that will drive the nation to strive and do things better, said Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing.

He was speaking in response to questions about the recent spate of MRT train breakdowns, brought up by residents during a dialogue session at Jurong Spring Community Club yesterday.

Mr Chan said that when Singaporeans see something wrong, they will want to "get it right".

"That is the kind of spirit that defines us as a people and as a nation."

On whether the public-transport system here needs to be changed, Mr Chan said that it is not a matter of the system itself but, rather, the people behind the system that makes it work.

He said that since the Hock Lee bus riots in the 1950s, Singapore's transport system has changed from a privatised system to a nationalised system and eventually to a corporatised one.

"The system helps. But more importantly, the people behind it must know the correct thing to do," he added.

Other hot-button issues that Mr Chan touched on during the session included declining birth rates.

He said the issue is not about married couples not wanting children, as statistics show that, on average, most married couples have about two children per household.

The problem then lies with the younger generation, who are not marrying, or are marrying and conceiving later, said Mr Chan.

He added that while the Government can help to defray the costs of starting a family by making housing, education and health care affordable, it is ultimately a personal issue, which makes the problem "very difficult" to tackle.

However, Mr Chan said that this issue is not unique to Singapore, and other cities face the same problem.

One way to keep the standard of living high despite the falling birth rates is to bring in foreign talent. But he said this will also pose a challenge of how to assimilate foreigners working here.

While noting it may take time for foreign talent to get accepted, Mr Chan urged Singaporeans to not "reject them just because they are foreigners", as some of them will eventually become Singaporeans.

When asked about the proposed ministerial pay cuts and whether it will affect the performance of Singapore's leaders, Mr Chan said he believes that Cabinet ministers did not enter politics because of money, as they could have commanded higher pay elsewhere.

He also revealed that the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports will be releasing findings of a survey last year on gambling next month.

 

[laksaboy]

Other hot-button issues that Mr Chan touched on during the session included declining birth rates.

He said the issue is not about married couples not wanting children, as statistics show that, on average, most married couples have about two children per household.

The problem then lies with the younger generation, who are not marrying, or are marrying and conceiving later, said Mr Chan.

This:

is the reason why population pyramids are of this shape:

instead of this shape:

Please acknowledge the true culprit already. Baby bonus, flexi-work hours, work-life balance for mothers, daycare centres etc. will not address the real issue.

 

[kingrant]

So to him, Saw, the Board and management is the system, and the people are the rank and file. So there is nothing wrong with the "system". It's the "people" who dont know what to do!

KNNB!

There is a very low tolerance for imperfection here, but it is this intolerance that will drive the nation to strive and do things better, said Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Chan Chun Sing.

He was speaking in response to questions about the recent spate of MRT train breakdowns, brought up by residents during a dialogue session at Jurong Spring Community Club yesterday.

Mr Chan said that when Singaporeans see something wrong, they will want to "get it right".

"That is the kind of spirit that defines us as a people and as a nation."

On whether the public-transport system here needs to be changed, Mr Chan said that it is not a matter of the system itself but, rather, the people behind the system that makes it work.

He said that since the Hock Lee bus riots in the 1950s, Singapore's transport system has changed from a privatised system to a nationalised system and eventually to a corporatised one.

"The system helps. But more importantly, the people behind it must know the correct thing to do," he added.

Other hot-button issues that Mr Chan touched on during the session included declining birth rates.

He said the issue is not about married couples not wanting children, as statistics show that, on average, most married couples have about two children per household.

The problem then lies with the younger generation, who are not marrying, or are marrying and conceiving later, said Mr Chan.

He added that while the Government can help to defray the costs of starting a family by making housing, education and health care affordable, it is ultimately a personal issue, which makes the problem "very difficult" to tackle.

However, Mr Chan said that this issue is not unique to Singapore, and other cities face the same problem.

One way to keep the standard of living high despite the falling birth rates is to bring in foreign talent. But he said this will also pose a challenge of how to assimilate foreigners working here.

While noting it may take time for foreign talent to get accepted, Mr Chan urged Singaporeans to not "reject them just because they are foreigners", as some of them will eventually become Singaporeans.

When asked about the proposed ministerial pay cuts and whether it will affect the performance of Singapore's leaders, Mr Chan said he believes that Cabinet ministers did not enter politics because of money, as they could have commanded higher pay elsewhere.

He also revealed that the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports will be releasing findings of a survey last year on gambling next month.