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Chapter 2 Governance in Singapore

Chapter 2 Governance in Singapore. Guiding Principles of Governance. Objectives. 1. Understand the four guiding principles of good government: Leadership is key Anticipate change and stay relevant Reward for work and work for reward A stake for everyone, opportunities for all

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Chapter 2 Governance in Singapore

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  1. Chapter 2Governance in Singapore Guiding Principles of Governance

  2. Objectives 1. Understand the four guiding principles of good government: • Leadership is key • Anticipate change and stay relevant • Reward for work and work for reward • A stake for everyone, opportunities for all 2. Understand that good governance determines the growth of nations.

  3. a. LeadershipisKey

  4. Think and Imagine … What do you think are the qualities of a good student leader? How will you feel if your class monitor spend all your class fund by buying himself an MP3 player?

  5. World's Five Most Corrupt Leaders Source: Transparency International Global Corruption Report 2004. http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0921295.html

  6. Mohamed SuhartoPresident of Indonesia (1967–1998) • In 1999, the Suharto family fortune is worth an estimated US$15 billion • The family is said to control nearly 40% of the land in East Timor. • In 2000, Suharto comes under investigation for corruption • He is accused of embezzling US$571 million of government donations to one of a number of foundations under his control and then using the money to finance family investments.

  7. Effects on Indonesia • 17.8% of the population live below the poverty line • High unemployment rate • Deter foreign investment • Instable government • Despite a significant degree of economic stability returning, economic watchers and investors are skeptical about the reform

  8. World's highest Integrity Government Source http://www.thelocal.se/14514/20080923/

  9. Effects on Singapore • Significant number of visits by foreign delegations to Singapore • One of the world’s strongest trade nations • Top location for foreign investors • Stable government

  10. Pause, Reflect & Discuss… Will you prefer living in Indonesia or Singapore? Why?

  11. Caning of Michael Peter Fay (1994) • Convicted of vandalizing cars & stealing road signs • Sentenced to four months in jail, $2,200 fine and 4 strokes of the cane.

  12. Responses • Deemed the punishment of caning to be excessive for a teenager committing a non-violent crime • Pressured Singapore government to grant Fay clemency from caning • the US Trade Representative said that he would try to prevent the WTO's first meeting from taking place in Singapore • Could not apply different standards to persons subjected to the same law • Was not obliged in any way to base its actions on the will of the American public or government

  13. 1st Guiding Principle of Governance Leadership is Key • Leaders must be of good character (Honest, Capable, Moral courage, Integrity) to win confidence and respect of the people • Do what is right and not what is popular • Leaders have talent and ability

  14. b. Anticipate ChangeandStay Relevant

  15. Past: Singapore River and the Waterfront

  16. Past: Singapore River and the Waterfront How do you feel if this is the Singapore you are now living in?

  17. Today: Singapore River and the Waterfront

  18. Future: Singapore River and the Waterfront How do you feel if this is the Singapore you are living in?

  19. What does it mean by ‘anticipate change & stay relevant’? • Government makes decisions that are forward-looking (tackling future challenges)

  20. NEWater

  21. NEWater • Singapore depends on Malaysia for its water supply • Water agreements with Malaysia ending in 2011 and 2061 • Singapore found 2 alternative water supplies: NEWater & desalinated water

  22. People’s Reactions towards NEWater

  23. Government’s Assurance Government communicated with the people to assure them that NEWater is safe for drinking via schools, newspaper and the Internet

  24. 2nd Guiding Principle of Governance Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant What do you think will happen to Singapore if we do not anticipate change and stay relevant? Why is it important for Singapore to be able to anticipate change and stay relevant?

  25. c. Reward for Work and Work for Reward

  26. Imagine… Exam results are out, and you are eagerly awaiting your results for your SS mid year exams. You are confident of getting good results, since you put in a lot of work & effort revising for it.

  27. Imagine… However, upon receiving your results, you are horrified to discover that you only barely passed! You ask around, and realise that only those relatives & parents were teachers got distinctions. You confirm your suspicions when, going through their papers, you discover that most of your answers were similar to theirs, but YOU were not awarded the marks.

  28. Pause, Reflect & Discuss… How did the teacher reward students’ performances? What would happen if the government rewards students’ performances in this manner?

  29. Now analyse these… Court Finds Gandhi Opponent Guilty of Nepotism An Indian court has dealt a severe blow to one of Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi's sharpest political foes, saying that he had misused his office to benefit his relatives. Sourced from: http://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB071EFC3B5A0C768CDDA80894D0484D81&n=Top%2fNews%2fWorld%2fCountries%20and%20Territories%2fIndia

  30. Now analyse these… Scandal may cost World Bank boss his job When Dr. Wolfowitz joined the World Bank as its president, he transferred his girlfriend to the State Department and signed a memo that gave her a tax-free salary of $193,590. Essentially her new boss at the State Department, earned $10,000 less than Wolfowitz’s girlfriend.

  31. Pause, Reflect & Discuss… So how should our government give out jobs & rewards to us? Rewards given out based on how well we do = Meritocracy the 3rd guiding principle of our government is Meritocracy i.e. “Reward for Work, Work for Reward”

  32. Examples of meritocracy • Students who performed well in studies and CCA are awarded (edusave scholarship and merit bursary scheme reward the top 10% and 25& of the students in school and ITE)

  33. Pause, Reflect & Discuss… What are the benefits of being a meritocratic society? • Ensures equal opportunities for everyone regardless of race, religion and socio-economic background. • Encourages everyone to achieve their best.

  34. Pause, Reflect & Discuss… To what extent does our government practice Meritocracy? Can you think of some examples that show Meritocracy being practiced by our government?

  35. d. A Stake for Everyone,Opportunities for ALL

  36. Letters to the Forum May 18, 2007 Bishan Family Park - a plea from the trees We are a group of trees that stand tall and majestic on a little sloped strip of woods just at the junction of Bishan Road and Braddell Road……… … … … Please allow us to continue being a nature park where residents can take a quiet stroll and enjoy nature right at their doorstep. …… ……..We appeal to you, Mr Wong Kan Seng and the other decision-makers, to temper the zeal for urban development with a little mercy for us. Please listen to our plea! Jo Marion Seow (Mrs)

  37. Letters to the Forum May 18, 2007 No mention of singles who take care of parents ...... When one of our MPs, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, suggested that stay-at-home spouses be given the Workfare Bonus, people were quick to highlight mothers who gave up their careers to take care of their young children. But no one mentions the plight of single adults who take care of their elderly parents. Sad to say, I belong to this group of people….. …..Throughout all these years, members of society and even my relatives do not tell me filial piety is a value to be recognised. I am labelled 'unemployed' or 'idle'….. Zym Tay Gek Mui (Miss)

  38. 4th Guiding Principle of Governance A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All • People have a greater sense of belonging to the country if they have a say in decision-making. • More opportunities have been created to involve people in decision-making • During feedback sessions, people voiced their opinions about government’s proposal and policies.

  39. Pause, Reflect & Discuss… How do you think you can contribute to the country by just making suggestions and expressing your opinions? What do you think will happen to Singapore • if people are not given an opportunity to express their views? • if people do not have a stake in the country?

  40. What you have learnt today … Guiding Principles of Governance • Leadership is the key • Anticipate change, and stay relevant • Reward for work, and work for reward = meritocracy • A stake for everyone, opportunities for all

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