There was something a bit unusual about Lee Kuan Yew's annual Chinese New Year speech this year. The words of Lee, Singapore's former Prime Minister and founding father, are heeded by the public, because they provide a road map for the city-state's economic development. Hewing to custom, Lee spoke dryly of free-trade agreements and strengthening economic ties with the region. But then he started talking about art exhibitions, jazz bands, museums and alfresco dining. In fact, eating outdoors was mentioned no fewer than three times as Lee laid out the government's vision for a multibillion-dollar residential and commercial real estate project located near the downtown core. The Marina Bay development would transform the way people live and work in Singapore, the Minister Mentor said. Electric golf buggies will whiz by diners as they gaze from the water's edge upon the "sailing, boating, windsurfing and fishing." Singapore aspires to be "a tropical version" of New York, Paris and London all in one, Lee said, adding "the Marina will be like the St. Mark's Piazza in Venice."Say what? It was hard to tell if the architect of Singapore's rise from third world to first was charting an economic course or making a sales pitch for a master-planned leisure community—because he was, in a way, doing both. Marina Bay is just one part of a government-orchestrated effort to change the face of Singapore. This is no Botox job. Work is underway on an epic facelift, one that could within a few years render Singapore nearly unrecognizable: the financial district will have a striking new skyline while casinos and other amusements will dot the city. Even sleepy Sentosa Island, a 500-hectare tourist hangout located 15 minutes from the city center, is slated for overhaul via a 10-year, $5 billion plan to turn it into a world-class playground for the wealthy, with multimillion-dollar seafront homes, a megayacht marina and a Universal Studios theme park. The point of this real estate renaissance: change Singapore's image as a prosperous but rather dull commercial hub into that of a vibrant, fun destination—a place people will want to live in or at least visit on holiday, not merely transit on their way to more exotic Southeast Asian locales such as Bangkok and Bali. "Our entire nation is focused on a self-transformation," says Lim Neo Chian, CEO of the Singapore Tourism Board. "Singapore is changing its image in the eyes of the world."Change it must. Faced with challenging long-term economic prospects and a flagging birth rate, Singapore's leaders have determined that the future of its 4.4 million citizens depends upon attracting multinational corporations along with hundreds of thousands of ambitious, educated (and preferably wealthy) foreigners to work and live there. Like other Asian tigers such as Taiwan, Singapore is losing high-tech manufacturing jobs—once crucial to economic growth—to lower-cost countries such as China. Manufacturing now provides work for just 20% of the island's 2.5 million workforce, down from 33% a decade ago, a decline reflected in people's paychecks. The poorest 30% of Singaporeans have seen their wages drop consistently for the past five years, according to United Nations data. This economic predicament is complicated by flagging demographics. Younger Singaporeans—the most productive workers—are increasingly seeking employment overseas, while the ones who remain are having fewer children. At the current birth rate, the population will begin to shrink in 2020. And that portends stagnating economic growth and a declining standard of living.The antidote: open the gates to immigration. The city aims to boost its population by 25% to 6.5 million over the next few decades. Due to the flagging birth rate, that goal can be reached only by admitting up to 1 million foreigners, more than doubling the current expat population of 875,400. Drawing in so many worker bees will require a lot of honey, in the form of good jobs, recreational opportunities, decent housing—the myriad elements that factor into a city's lifestyle. It will also require a certain amount of buzz—and Singapore is not currently thought of as an exciting city. Not that it isn't a model in many ways. It's admired for its efficient government, first-world infrastructure, solid educational system—a real plus if it is to attract high-income talent from overseas—and clean, crime-free streets. Singapore is regularly named in regional surveys as one of the best places in Asia for expats to live. Per capita income last year was $30,900, equal to that of Japan, and the economy is popping; GDP grew 7.9% last year.But detractors have long complained about Singapore's paternalistic politics and its straitlaced social environment that can be as stuffy as its equatorial climate. "I tell people Singapore is the Lexus of countries," says David Martin, a U.K. citizen who moved to Singapore three years ago and now is general manager of the Marina Bay Financial Centre, a $2 billion office-and-residential project that is under construction in downtown Singapore. "Lexus could be the most well-made car out there, but it will never be as attractive as a Mercedes or BMW." This ambivalence is perhaps heightened by Singapore's unprepossessing cityscape. Many great metropolises have icons and landmarks like Big Ben or the Chrysler Building. The only physical attributes associated with Singapore are its statues of "merlions," a chimera with a lion's head and fish's body that was invented by the tourism board for a 1964 marketing campaign. ....................................
The principles of the government in Singapore lies in the notion that everything must be the best and therefore, there will never be anything but the best.This notion is highly demonstrated in all areas of governance found in the various government agencies and statutory boards in Singapore.The question here is, who decides what and what is the best?Singapore has come a long way since its independence in 1965. With no natural resources and a largely illiterate population then, Singapore has evolved into a country that boasts one of the highest literacy rate per capita and one of the richest country around the region in terms of financial reserves.Present system needs to changeWell, all this can be attributed to Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who conscientiously and diligently drove the nation forward with his policies and apt visionary skills.Now, this was a long time time ago when the people of Singapore looked upon the leaders and powers that be, to lead them and in a perverse way, to control them. This has worked then but, it seems to be losing its effectiveness.The Singapore today is not the Singapore then. The development of the country has also consequently led to the evolution of the demographical and psychological structure.In the increasingly competitive global climate, the notion of survival are of utmost importance to the citizenry at large. Consumption issues also raise the degree of thought given to this. The mentality of the people in Singapore has evolved and the citizenry now wants to further participate in the promulgation of policies that affects the way they live - and even die.The system that brought Singapore to where it is today has to change. Adapting to changes both domestically and globally will serve to benefit the continued growth of the country. This growth will then inevitably be sustainable.Old ways losing its effectivenessWhat the present government is doing now is to employ the very same method that was used about 40 years ago: top-down, autocratic policy-making process that are based on a “WE know what is good for you” manner.That stance have proved to be indeed successful in the past. However, with prosperity comes affluence. With that, literacy and education, culminating in the development of new ways of thoughts and perceptions.The people can differentiate what is good and what is bad. Of course, the leaders in Government may have better ways and methods of furthering the good of Singapore but all the people want is to be heard. To be included in the process, so to speak.Issues of contentionUnpopular policies such as tax increases and such will always be criticised, no matter how noble or necessary it may be. The point of contention in the increase of the GST (Goods and Services Tax), from 5% to 7% was that the increase was necessary for the good of the nation. With the increase, the Government has also pledged to do more for the poor and needy.How much more, remains to be seen. For the record, there are no social welfare programs like those found in truly developed First World Countries. Hell, even China gives more to the poor in terms of aid and assistance to the needy, albeit dubiously claimed.Anyway the Singapore government does dish out some dough to the really and desperately poor an amount of approximately SGD$290 per month presently. In your opinion, do you sincerely think that this enough? Especially when you include rental, utilities and food/medicine in the equation?By the way, Singapore ranks highly for being one of the places that has a high cost of living. Essentials aren’t really that cheap here.A dependency mindset?Debates on the increase of the amount to be given to the poor were held in Parliament. Several members in the Parliament vehemently opposed the proposal, insisting that doing so may increase the dependency of the poor on the Government to “feed” them.I’ll agree that in some way, dependency will indeed be detrimental to the country. However, it is not easy to be placed under this “sacred” welfare scheme of the Singapore Government.In a population of 4.5 million or so, there are only less than 2000 recipients for this assistance program. Wow, you may say. So little? Everybody else is comfortable then? Not so! Many have slipped through the cracks and are now either buried six feet down or stored in an urn somewhere; desperation sent them to their deaths.Jumping off MRT stations onto the tracks to face an oncoming train were pretty popular just a few months back.The increase of $30 in the public assistance scheme was vehemently opposed by some in Parliament who wanted more. But the government stuck to the $30. This was in fact a prelude to something sinister and totally inhumane.A burning issueNow, a big surprise to all echelons of Singapore society: a 50% increase in salary for Ministers. Even before this increase, they were already drawing an obscene amount as compared to the great nations’ government ministers and even Presidents.Mind you, the amount that we are talking about is in the realms of at least a few hundred thousand dollars per person per annum. To think that they were fighting over an increase of a paltry $30 for the poor just a few days earlier, this is really an insult to the people who voted them in.This announcement drew an unprecedented backlash from the general public, who were largely dormant on matters pertaining to politics. The first warning has come from the people!Do not take Singaporeans for grantedIn spite of the opposing tone as displayed in this article of the Singapore Government at present, I still think that in some areas, they have done well and the people of Singapore appreciates that in a way.My point is this, do not take the people of Singapore for granted. We are nobody’s fool. All we want is to be heard and have a hand in creating our destiny. Hear us, and we’ll reciprocate.This is our country and home too.About the author:Jason describes himself as “just an ordinary fellow who went through extreme ups and downs at a young age. Someone who is empathetic because I can relate.”He also has a blog here: Just A Singaporean’s Thoughts
sg is not a true developed countryour economy is tied to global marketin a way we are a true global economyeconomical are we growing? yes and noyes bec obviously at the moment we are not contractingbut no bec we are globalized we are dependent on the trade windsif wind dies we die along immediatelytrue growth must be sustainable
Quote:Originally Posted by watergtGrowth in the first half of this year was 7.6 per cent.Does that mean our pay going to increase by the same percentage or CPF contribution will go back to where its supposed to be?The only thing that really affects the average citizen is nothing more than fare hikes, utility hikes, inflation........ Few have seen any pay increase that reflect the growth....The ministers all have experience GDP related growth! Big Pay rise, big bonus! They did say if GDP reach certain target, their Bonus can go up to 7 months!! You commoners must have experience the same benefit too! You must be wrong. If the ministers are experiencing such good pay rise and such, it surely must mean the average commoners have the same benefits.MOVING TOGETHER, remember that?PAP is the best! Singapore is clean and not corrupted!!Some countries have ministers who got very rich by corruption illegally! They ignore the voice of the people, making their people suffer more and moreSingapore's Ministers, everyone of them, got very rich Legally and cleanly! They take care of the people and listen to people's opinions and voices, implementing sound and good policies! Praise the PAP, they are ranked one of the most uncorrupted Gov in the world.If we have corrupted corrupted Rich ministers, we will all suffer, We would have suffer more and more, slowly day by day, because they are disconnected from the commoners sufferings, thinking of only themselves. Luckily for the PAP, we have a good and uncorrupted gov. Praise the PAP!
No political films please, we're SingaporeansBlog of artist formerly known as "Singaporean filmmaker under police investigation"
Speakers Corneredhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY1ilenkPaM
QuoteNo political films please, we're SingaporeansBlog of artist formerly known as "Singaporean filmmaker under police investigation"QuoteSpeakers Corneredhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aY1ilenkPaMhttp://singaporerebel.blogspot.com/
"Submit your boldest work to the censors." - Martyn SeePosted by theonlinecitizen on April 18, 2008TOC speaks to filmmaker Martyn See about the Media Development Authority (MDA) granting a NC16 rating for his film "Speakers Cornered".Martyn gives his views in this email interview with theonlinecitizen (TOC).
New mediaPAP’s losing warInternet and control can’t co-exist, which explains why the sophisticated ruling party is conceding the high ground in the blogosphere. By Seah Chiang Nee.Apr 19, 2008INTERNET-SAVVY Singaporeans, who make up the growing force of voters, are waiting to see how their government will respond to the web’s newly revealed power as a political tool.A mood of anticipation has settled in among the people, who have watched with amazement the sweeping impact of the worldwide web in shaping public opinion in Malaysia.For the Singapore government, which relies on newspapers and television to do the job, it is bad news.So the question here is: To what extent will the erosion of government control on information and its grip on power quicken the process of loosening up?How will the young leaders of the People’s Action Party (PAP) adapt to the new challenge?Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong hinted last week that laws would be relaxed to cope with the “rapidly changing” new media, but only carefully, an obviously cautious response.“We will study if we should relax parts of the regulations but we will look at this issue very carefully, to prevent any adverse effect,” he said.This had raised a few initial cheers until people started reading his cautionary remarks that followed.His ‘loosening up’ interview with a newspaper was punctuated by concern that freely-run blogs during elections – the type that Malaysians were allowed to do – could lead to corruption.He offered no details. Some observers believe he was referring to the possibility that bloggers might be financed or bribed by interested parties.For me, it simply means that a Malaysia-style digital coup is out – period.But the saga in Kuala Lumpur – and Singaporeans’ growing resort to the Internet for information – is far from lost. Instead it has raised a wider picture beyond just changing laws.It calls into question the whole top-down way the country is being governed at a time when a new generation of educated, demanding voters is taking over.Actually the PAP had embraced the Internet earlier than most others when it built a fast-speed cable network to promote commerce and acquire skills.But in politics, it is a different matter. The party, despite its sophistication, is years behind others in using it to pursue its political goals.From the top down – PAP ministers to Members of Parliament to grassroots workers – the party is ill prepared to use the Internet to gain public support.“This is surprising given its sophistication and vast resources,” said a media consultant. The problem, he added, lies in control, not lack of know-how.A recent example of web reticence: A web-blog (http://www.p65.sg/) run by young PAP Parliamentarians to connect with Singaporeans has fallen into neglect.Twelve MPS who were born after independence launched it 18 months ago declaring this “it’s where we talk” objective – but they haven’t been talking much.It wasn’t regularly updated, said a news report, and it is languishing, with 80% of Singaporeans saying they didn’t even know of its existence.I read several pages and found them too boring and cautious, apparently phrased to support policies rather than give frank, independent views on problems facing Singapore.“These are capable people, so why is their writing so mundane? The answer is probably fear of speaking out of line,” said an online writer.No PAP leader runs his or her own website, although Foreign Minister George Yeo blogs regularly – through a friend’s site.Surprisingly the opposition, which has the most to gain from it, is faring even worse. Apart from the official sites, few leaders operate personal blogs.The main opposition Workers Party is so fearful of defamation suits that it has forbidden its younger ‘gung-ho’ committee members from taking part in chat-sites under their names.The immediate future is a little hazy, but the longer-term trend is clear.The Internet is exerting more influence on the way Singaporeans live and think with each passing year.In next five to 10 years, no politician in Singapore can afford not to use the web to reach out to voters. Tightening laws can only hinder but not stop it.Some eight years ago as I was entering my sunset years, I launched my own information site after realising that I could sit in my room on this tiny island and post messages that could be read anywhere in the world - 24 hours a day.Because such a miracle was possible, I told myself I had do it before I left this world.This is how many bloggers feel about their work, which is offering a wide range of diverse, alternative views and ideas that will drive the world – and Singapore – on.Three years ago when political blogs began to spread their wings, I posted an article in my website asking Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew: “Why not start a blog?”With his wisdom and sharp mind, I said, he should have his personal website so that he could pass his experience to young people through a medium they were getting accustomed to.“The reason is compelling. More youths have stopped reading newspapers, preferring the Internet and this is not a passing fad,” I wrote.In fact, “it is time for the government to make use of blogosphere as a place to talk with (not 'talk to, which implies a one-way conversation) its citizens, rather than rely 100% on the mainstream media.”If I were to add a postscript today, I would say: “It’s not a question of whether the government will do it - but when.”(This was published in The Star on Apr 19, 2008)
SINGAPORE'S economy, which is already in recession, may face years of slow growth, the country's prime minister said on Friday, as it is hit by the fallout from the world economic crisis.'Singapore must be prepared for several years of slow growth,' Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong told journalists at a lunch hosted by Singapore's Foreign Correspondents Association.He also said he expected unemployment to rise, particularly in the manufacturing industries, which account for about a quarter of its economy.The Singapore economy is already in recession and with major demand centres including the United States and Europe also in recession, the outlook for Singapore for next year is bleak, economists have said.Last month, the government pledged to spend S$2.3 billion to help firms get credit and said it would run a larger budget deficit to support an economy that it said could shrink 1 per cent in 2009 and at best would expand 2 per cent.Mr Lee said the government would partly rely on construction projects to try to help growth with the cost of projects coming down.'It makes sense for us to take advantage of that,' he said.The government plans an expansionary January budget and is trying to diversify away from manufacturing into service industries such as finance and tourism. - REUTERS
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Topic: Matters : Singapore, Heartland, Close to heart - Close to us (Read 5380 times)
