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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/lawrence-wong-takes-on/1420778.html
Lawrence Wong takes on some of Lee Kuan Yew's 'Big Ideas' :oIo:
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong took on "The Big Ideas" of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew during a speech at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy 10th Anniversary Conference.
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong. (Photo: MCCY)
<!-- /tab-gallery-area --> SINGAPORE: Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong has said that opposition for its sake will not promote or strengthen democracy. He said this in a speech which touched on the "The Big Ideas" of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Mr Wong was speaking at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy 10th Anniversary Conference on Friday (Oct 17).
'NEED FOR AN ORDERLY SOCIETY'
One big idea was "the need for an orderly society that functions in the best interests of the community". However, this is being challenged by the onslaught of globalisation, the ease in which radical propaganda and inflammatory remarks can circulate online, as well as the new wave of migrants into the country.
Mr Wong cited how during the population debate, some groups had called for "zero foreign worker growth". He said that "it made for a good slogan, never mind the consequences it would have on the economy, local businesses and more importantly, Singaporean jobs".
He added that such challenges are not unique to Singapore. Other countries have also seen the rise of populist movements, tapping on widespread social discontent as well as nationalist and xenophobic sentiments to mobilise the masses.
"Opposition for the sake of opposition will not promote or strengthen our democracy," said Mr Wong. "Mr Rajaratnam once noted that it is easy to win attention by disagreeing with the Government. If the Government says 'white', and you write letters or articles in the newspapers advocating 'black', then your column will be read and you will be hailed at the next cocktail reception as an original and bold thinker. But how does this sort of discourse help us in solving the real and vital problems affecting our nation?"
"This goes beyond partisan politics. It is about the kind of democracy we want to be, and that I hope we can be - a democracy of integrity, and a democracy of deeds, made up of an active citizenry who get involved in developing solutions for a better society," he added.
SMALL STATES ARE 'INHERENTLY VULNERABLE'
Another "Big Idea" of Mr Lee is that small states are inherently vulnerable and require a strategy to survive. Mr Wong noted how the world now is in a flux and borders are more porous than ever. Events and conflicts far away can also affect Singapore, as seen in events unfolding in the Middle East and the expansion of the ISIL threat.
He said: "Even if Singapore is not a direct target, foreign interests may be targeted. And we know that a handful of Singaporeans have journeyed to Syria to join the conflict there. So while the events and conflicts abroad may seem far removed from the daily lives of Singaporeans, they can easily fray the fabric of our society and pose domestic threats to our national security.
"As a small country, we must always stay vigilant and keep looking outwards, because the changes in the external environment can have a big impact on us."
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development was the third "Big Idea" - to survive as a small state, Mr Wong said Singapore needs to be exceptional, with courage and fresh ideas to stay ahead of the curve.
He said that Singapore has not reached its full potential. He stressed that while there is new ground to conquer for Singapore, it must be done while maintaining a fair and just society. In view of that, he noted that the Government is already committed to increasing its social transfers and safety nets. He said the issue is how best to spend the revenue from taxes in a "fair and sustained manner".
"In that sense, it is not so useful to think of the Government as a separate entity from the people, with its own separate source of funds, as we sometimes tend to do", said Mr Wong. "Rather, Government is about the things we decide to do together as a people. Through fiscal policy, we contribute money into a central pot through taxes and we spend that money to give expression to the shared values we wish to promote."
He cited the values of "hard work" and "personal responsibility" as the way forward for the Republic. "Singaporeans must always have this motivation to try for themselves, with the promise of a better life, and with trust in a system that recognises the necessity and dignity of work and personal responsibility. This is the only sustainable and responsible way forward for Singapore," he said.
The event also saw the launch of the school's anniversary book, which gives insight into Mr Lee and his ideas. Mr Wong said it was timely to look at some of these important ideas as Singapore prepares to usher in 50 years of independence.
- CNA/ac
Lawrence Wong takes on some of Lee Kuan Yew's 'Big Ideas' :oIo:
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong took on "The Big Ideas" of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew during a speech at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy 10th Anniversary Conference.
<!-- /tab-gallery-area --> SINGAPORE: Culture, Community and Youth Minister Lawrence Wong has said that opposition for its sake will not promote or strengthen democracy. He said this in a speech which touched on the "The Big Ideas" of Singapore's founding Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew.
Mr Wong was speaking at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy 10th Anniversary Conference on Friday (Oct 17).
'NEED FOR AN ORDERLY SOCIETY'
One big idea was "the need for an orderly society that functions in the best interests of the community". However, this is being challenged by the onslaught of globalisation, the ease in which radical propaganda and inflammatory remarks can circulate online, as well as the new wave of migrants into the country.
Mr Wong cited how during the population debate, some groups had called for "zero foreign worker growth". He said that "it made for a good slogan, never mind the consequences it would have on the economy, local businesses and more importantly, Singaporean jobs".
He added that such challenges are not unique to Singapore. Other countries have also seen the rise of populist movements, tapping on widespread social discontent as well as nationalist and xenophobic sentiments to mobilise the masses.
"Opposition for the sake of opposition will not promote or strengthen our democracy," said Mr Wong. "Mr Rajaratnam once noted that it is easy to win attention by disagreeing with the Government. If the Government says 'white', and you write letters or articles in the newspapers advocating 'black', then your column will be read and you will be hailed at the next cocktail reception as an original and bold thinker. But how does this sort of discourse help us in solving the real and vital problems affecting our nation?"
"This goes beyond partisan politics. It is about the kind of democracy we want to be, and that I hope we can be - a democracy of integrity, and a democracy of deeds, made up of an active citizenry who get involved in developing solutions for a better society," he added.
SMALL STATES ARE 'INHERENTLY VULNERABLE'
Another "Big Idea" of Mr Lee is that small states are inherently vulnerable and require a strategy to survive. Mr Wong noted how the world now is in a flux and borders are more porous than ever. Events and conflicts far away can also affect Singapore, as seen in events unfolding in the Middle East and the expansion of the ISIL threat.
He said: "Even if Singapore is not a direct target, foreign interests may be targeted. And we know that a handful of Singaporeans have journeyed to Syria to join the conflict there. So while the events and conflicts abroad may seem far removed from the daily lives of Singaporeans, they can easily fray the fabric of our society and pose domestic threats to our national security.
"As a small country, we must always stay vigilant and keep looking outwards, because the changes in the external environment can have a big impact on us."
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Sustainable development was the third "Big Idea" - to survive as a small state, Mr Wong said Singapore needs to be exceptional, with courage and fresh ideas to stay ahead of the curve.
He said that Singapore has not reached its full potential. He stressed that while there is new ground to conquer for Singapore, it must be done while maintaining a fair and just society. In view of that, he noted that the Government is already committed to increasing its social transfers and safety nets. He said the issue is how best to spend the revenue from taxes in a "fair and sustained manner".
"In that sense, it is not so useful to think of the Government as a separate entity from the people, with its own separate source of funds, as we sometimes tend to do", said Mr Wong. "Rather, Government is about the things we decide to do together as a people. Through fiscal policy, we contribute money into a central pot through taxes and we spend that money to give expression to the shared values we wish to promote."
He cited the values of "hard work" and "personal responsibility" as the way forward for the Republic. "Singaporeans must always have this motivation to try for themselves, with the promise of a better life, and with trust in a system that recognises the necessity and dignity of work and personal responsibility. This is the only sustainable and responsible way forward for Singapore," he said.
The event also saw the launch of the school's anniversary book, which gives insight into Mr Lee and his ideas. Mr Wong said it was timely to look at some of these important ideas as Singapore prepares to usher in 50 years of independence.
- CNA/ac
