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In a luncheon address to think tanks and business leaders at the fifth Asia Economic Summit about what makes good governance and strong leadership today, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said that leaders may have to find the platform and momentum to drive difficult reforms in a crisis.
Mr Wong did not quote any specific examples of the possible crises faced by Asian countries nor the reforms to undertake.
“Leaders must have the conviction to do what is right and not what is popular, even if taking that path may not win them political points.” he said.
Mr Wong, who is also the Home Affairs minister acknowledged that businesses and employees would be reluctant to see the withdrawal of temporary support measures put in place during the downturn in a probable reference to the Jobs Credits Scheme introduced at the beginning of the year to help Singapore companies tide over the recession.
“In such a situation, leaders must have the conviction to push through what needs to be done, rather than what is politically expedient or populist,” Mr Wong added.
Due to the lack of an opposition in parliament to check on the ruling party to which Mr Wong belongs, Singapore’s leaders are able to implement unpopular policies with little or no resistance from the citizenry such as its liberal immigration and pro-foreigner policies.
It is unlikely that other Asian leaders who have to face a demanding and critical electorate will be able to emulate the governing style of Singapore leaders who have no qualms ramming down unpopular policies down the throats of Singaporeans.
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-Jeou’s approval dropped to 33 per cent following Taiwan’s elections for county mayors and magistrates which saw his ruling Kuomintang lost a large number of votes compared to the previous election.
44 percent of the interviewees cited the pushing of an economic cooperation agreement framework with the Chinese mainland as a reason for disapproving his performance so far.
Unlike Taiwan and other Asian democracies, Singapore does not conduct any opinion polls for its leaders. Public show of dissent against the government is outlawed. The media sings only the praises of the ruling party and there is no opposition to challenge it in parliament.
Though Singapore conducts elections regularly since independence, it is a shoo-in for the incumbent as the opposition is the perenially weak and divided opposition is no match for the ruling party which controls all institutions of the state.
Under such “unique” circumstances, it is no surprise that Mr Wong can say it so confidently that leaders must have the “conviction” to do what is right rather than popular.
Mr Wong’s track record in government has been blotched by the sensational escape of famed terrorist Mas Selamat Kasteri who managed to evade his captors for four days in Singapore before swimming undetected across international waters to Malaysia.
In any other democracies, the minister in charge will probably be forced to apologize to the public and even resign. Not only does Mr Wong need not do so, he remains as secure in his position as ever.
With Singapore’s brand of “non-confrontational” politics which is not seen elsewhere, it is little wonder that Singapore leaders will never have experience political pressure of any sort from a subservient people.
Mr Wong did not quote any specific examples of the possible crises faced by Asian countries nor the reforms to undertake.
“Leaders must have the conviction to do what is right and not what is popular, even if taking that path may not win them political points.” he said.
Mr Wong, who is also the Home Affairs minister acknowledged that businesses and employees would be reluctant to see the withdrawal of temporary support measures put in place during the downturn in a probable reference to the Jobs Credits Scheme introduced at the beginning of the year to help Singapore companies tide over the recession.
“In such a situation, leaders must have the conviction to push through what needs to be done, rather than what is politically expedient or populist,” Mr Wong added.
Due to the lack of an opposition in parliament to check on the ruling party to which Mr Wong belongs, Singapore’s leaders are able to implement unpopular policies with little or no resistance from the citizenry such as its liberal immigration and pro-foreigner policies.
It is unlikely that other Asian leaders who have to face a demanding and critical electorate will be able to emulate the governing style of Singapore leaders who have no qualms ramming down unpopular policies down the throats of Singaporeans.
Taiwanese President Ma Ying-Jeou’s approval dropped to 33 per cent following Taiwan’s elections for county mayors and magistrates which saw his ruling Kuomintang lost a large number of votes compared to the previous election.
44 percent of the interviewees cited the pushing of an economic cooperation agreement framework with the Chinese mainland as a reason for disapproving his performance so far.
Unlike Taiwan and other Asian democracies, Singapore does not conduct any opinion polls for its leaders. Public show of dissent against the government is outlawed. The media sings only the praises of the ruling party and there is no opposition to challenge it in parliament.
Though Singapore conducts elections regularly since independence, it is a shoo-in for the incumbent as the opposition is the perenially weak and divided opposition is no match for the ruling party which controls all institutions of the state.
Under such “unique” circumstances, it is no surprise that Mr Wong can say it so confidently that leaders must have the “conviction” to do what is right rather than popular.
Mr Wong’s track record in government has been blotched by the sensational escape of famed terrorist Mas Selamat Kasteri who managed to evade his captors for four days in Singapore before swimming undetected across international waters to Malaysia.
In any other democracies, the minister in charge will probably be forced to apologize to the public and even resign. Not only does Mr Wong need not do so, he remains as secure in his position as ever.
With Singapore’s brand of “non-confrontational” politics which is not seen elsewhere, it is little wonder that Singapore leaders will never have experience political pressure of any sort from a subservient people.
