新加坡总理吴作栋理国庆群众大会演讲

第一篇：新加坡总理吴作栋理国庆群众大会演讲

新加坡总理吴作栋理国庆群众大会演讲

名人演讲稿

WhentheSingaporeteamsuccefullyclimbedMountEverest(中国称珠穆朗玛峰))in1998,Icheered.IoketoKhooSweeChiowandhisteam-mateslater.Theytoldmethattheyclimbedupinstages,fromBaseCamp(探险队等的营地)toCam1,2,3and4,beforetheymadetheiraaultforthesummit.Theclimbbecamemoredifficultanddangerousthehighertheywent.Theairbecamethierandtheslopesteeper.Youhadtobedisciplined,determined,andwellprepared.Andyouhadtohaveluckonyourside.Therecouldbeavalanchesandrockfails,ortheweathercouldchangesuddenly.SweeChiowtoldmethatthemostimportantqualityneededtoclimbMountEverestwasmentalstrength.TheclimbupMountEverestprovidesavividimageforSingapore'sownclimbupthemountainofeconomicdevelopment.SeniorMinisterbroughtSingaporeuptoCamp2--fromlabourinteivetoelectronicsandhighervalue-addedindustries.Inthelast10years,wehaveclimbedhighertoCamp3,withwaferfa(waferfabrication的口语表达,晶体管加工),chemicals,andfinancialservices.Now,wearemakingourwaytoCamp4,todoIT,lifesciences,andotherknowledge-basedactivities.IfwemakeittoCamp4,wecanthentrytoscalethesummitwherecountriesliketheUS,JapanandSwitzerlandare.Butletmewarnyou.AsintheMountEverestclimb,thegoingwillgettougherfromhere.Aswegohigherupthemountainofeconomicdevelopment,progrewillbeslower.Wewillnotseethesamehighgrowthratesasinthepast.Wewillhavetoworksmarterandacquiremoresophisticatedcapabilitiestoovercomecomplexchallenges.Wewillbetemptedtorelax.Indeed,someSingaporeahaveasked:“DoweneedtobeNumberOneineverything?”Wewillneedgreatmentalstrengthtocontinuepushingourselvestoexcel.Ifwedonotdoso,othersnowbehinduswillpushusoffthetrack.Tonight,Iwanttofocusonthisnextstageofoureconomicclimb.THECURRENTDOWNTURN

Butfirst,letmetouchonthecurrenteconomicdownturn.WhenImetthemediaearlierthisweek,theytoldmethatSingaporeawouldexpectmetoeakindetailontheslowdown,andoffersolutio.IexplainedwhyIdidnotintendtodoso.Wehavealreadydiscuedonmanyoccasioourshort-termproblems.Iwanttodealwiththelong-termchallenges.Ofgreaterconcerntomearet

第二篇：新加坡总理吴作栋理国庆群众大会演讲

新加坡总理吴作栋理国庆群众大会演讲

名人演讲稿

WhentheSingaporeteamsuccefullyclimbedMountEverest(中国称珠穆朗玛峰))in1998,Icheered.IoketoKhooSweeChiowandhisteam-mateslater.

Theytoldmethattheyclimbedupinstages,fromBaseCamp(探

险队等的营地)toCam1,2,3and4,beforetheymadetheiraaultforthesummit.Theclimbbecamemoredifficultanddangerousthehighertheywent.Theairbecamethierandtheslopesteeper.Youhadtobedisciplined,determined,andwellprepared.Andyouhadtohaveluckonyourside.Therecouldbeavalanchesandrockfails,ortheweathercouldchangesuddenly.SweeChiowtoldmethatthemostimportantqualityneededtoclimbMountEverestwasmentalstrength.

TheclimbupMountEverestprovidesavividimageforSingapore'sownclimbupthemountainofeconomicdevelopment.

SeniorMinisterbroughtSingaporeuptoCamp2--fromlabourinteivetoelectronicsandhighervalue-addedindustries.Inthelast10years,wehaveclimbedhighertoCamp3,withwaferfa(waferfabrication的口语表达,晶体管加工),chemicals,andfinancialservices.Now,wearemakingourwaytoCamp4,todoIT,lifesciences,andotherknowledge-basedactivities.IfwemakeittoCamp4,wecanthentrytoscalethesummitwherecountriesliketheUS,JapanandSwitzerlandare.

Butletmewarnyou.AsintheMountEverestclimb,thegoingwillgettougherfromhere.Aswegohigherupthemountainofeconomicdevelopment,progrewillbeslower.Wewillnotseethesamehighgrowthratesasinthepast.Wewillhavetoworksmarterandacquiremoresophisticatedcapabilitiestoovercomecomplexchallenges.Wewillbetemptedtorelax.Indeed,someSingaporeahaveasked:“DoweneedtobeNumberOneineverything?”Wewillneedgreatmentalstrengthtocontinuepushingourselvestoexcel.Ifwedonotdoso,othersnowbehinduswillpushusoffthetrack.

Tonight,Iwanttofocusonthisnextstageofoureconomicclimb.

THECURRENTDOWNTURN

Butfirst,letmetouchonthecurrenteconomicdownturn.

WhenImetthemediaearlierthisweek,theytoldmethatSingaporeawouldexpectmetoeakindetailontheslowdown,andoffersolutio.

IexplainedwhyIdidnotintendtodoso.Wehavealreadydiscuedonmanyoccasioourshort-termproblems.Iwanttodealwiththelong-termchallenges.Ofgreaterconcerntomearethefundamentalshiftsintheglobaleconomicenvironment,andthefactthatmanyofthejowhicharelostduringthisslowdown,mightneverreturnafterrecovery.Weneedanewstrategytoreondtothesedevelopments.

Moreover,duri

ngthe1997Asianfinancialcrisis,wehadputinplaceamajorpackageofrebatesandcost-cuttingmeasures.Partsofthisarestillineffect,includingtheCP17cut.Then,inthisyear'sbudget,RichardHucutcorporateandpersonaltaxes,andgaverebatesonamCcharges,rentalsandutilitybills.Recently,GeorgeYeoaouncedanotherpackagetodealwiththecurrenteconomicslowdown.

Letmeau

reyouthatiftheslowdowndragson,wehavethemeaandabilitytodomoretohelpyou.Andwewillhelpyou.MyMinistersandIarewatchingtheeconomyveryclosely.Weareworkingoutpoibleadditionalmeasures,justincasetheeconomycontinuestoworsenandweneedtoadministerasecondpackage.

Ourcurrentproblemisthecoequenceofbeingasmall,openeconomy,highlydependentonexternaltradeandforeigninvestment.WhentheUSandothermajoreconomiesweregrowing,wecaughtthestrongwindsandsurgedahead.Nowthatthewindshavedied,ourgrowthhasslowedtoalmostastandstill.Wedonothavealargedomesticmarkettogoagaitchangesinthewindintheexternalenvironment.Wejusthavetocopewiththem.WhattheGovernmentcando,however,istomakesurethattheeconomystayscompetitiveoverthelongterm,andsoftentheimpactofdownturonbusineesandworkersthroughcost-cuttingmeasuresandrebates.

Wearedoingtherightthings,Inarecentsurveyof12AsiancountriesbyPERC,aHongKong-basedrisk-analysiscoultancy,Singaporerankednumberoneforqualityofgovernmentpolicies.PERCreportedthat:“Singaporeisaposter-boyofhowtopursueeconomicdevelopment...NowthattheeconomyisslowinginreoetothedownturninelectronicexportstotheUS,the(Singapore)governmentiscomingupwithnewmeasurestobolstergrowth.Yetitisnotpanicking,norisitradicallychangingotherpoliciesthathavebeenasourceofstabilityandfortifiedinvestorconfidence.”(AsianIntelligence,July25,2001)

Sodonotloseconfidence.Donotwalkaroundwithyourhead~aningsolow,asifwehavebeendiagnosedwithagravecondition.Wemightbealittleoutofsorts,butitisnotlife-threatening.Whentheglobaleconomyrecovers,sowillwe.Weshouldthereforekeepouriritsup,andfightoffanygloom.Thereisabiggerbattleafterthis.Wecansucceedonlyifourmoraleishigh.

THELASTTENYEARS

Letusplanthenextstageofoureconomicclimbevenaswedealwiththecurrentslowdown.

Ihadearliergiventhemediaabookletontheprogrewemadeinthe1990s.Acopyhasalsobeengiventoyou.

Thisrecordofourachievementssetsthecurrentdownturninperective.Thelastfewyearshavebeenvolatile--goodgrowthin1997,sharpdownturnin1998,recoveryin1999,10percentgrowthin2000,andnowanotherdownturn.Buttakingalongerviewoverthelastdecade,wehavemadecoiderableprogre.

Thisshouldgiveustheconfidencethatwecanclimbhigher.Wehavestrongfundamentals.WehaveatestedteamofexperiencedMinisters,M,grarootsandunionleaders,andcivilservants.Wehavecapablepeopleintheprivatesectorandaunitedpopulation.Andwehavetheresourcestoinvestinnewventuresandcapabilities.

Oureconomygrewfasterinthe90sthaninthe80s,deitethe1997Asianfinancialcrisis(7.7peraum,asagait7.3).Iwasalsoquietlysatisfiedthatwerealisedourvisionofreachingthe1984Swistandardoflivinglastyear.In1984,wehadsetthisasatargettobeachievedby1999,butwemieditbyoneyearbecauseofthecrisis.

TheGovernmentdistributedbacktoSingaporeaagoodpartofthewealthgeneratedfromthisstrongeconomicgrowth.Wesharedcloseto$14billionthroughaet-enhancementprogrammesandendowmentfunds.Weinvestedinbetterhealthcare,housingandeducation.Singaporea'standardoflivingwentupcoiderably.

Wealsolivenedupthearts,culturalandleisurescene.Twoyearsago,Timemagazinedescribedourcitylifeas“funky”.Morerecently,Australia'sCaerraTimessaidthatSingaporewas“hip”and“cool”.

Ahh!Now,weevenhavefoamparties!1thoughtfoampartieswereforchildren,but1sawpicturesofadultsenjoyingthemselvestoo.Thatisallright,solongasthemerry-makersprancearoundwiththelightsandtheirclotheson.

Fortunately,wealsohavehigh-browedstufflikeplays,balletsandmusicals.Tonight'sRallyisheldhereiteadoftheusualKallangTheatrebecauseIgavewayto“MiSaigon”.

BUTTHEREAREGA

However,therewerealsoareaswherewecouldhavedonebetter.Iwillmentiononlytwo,justtoremindSingaporeanottobecomplacent.

Ourservicestandardscanbeimproved.Ournewaperscarrymanycomplaintsofpoorserviceinourshoandrestaurants,bytaxi-drivers,andeveninourhoitalsandbanks.

Wecanalsobemoregraciousandcoiderate,athomeandinothercountries.

Forexample,someJohoreahavedescribedChineseSingaporeaas“haolian”or“show-offs”.TheyclaimthatSingaporealovetoeedandbeattrafficlightswheninMalaysia;behaveasiftheyare“ABC”or“American-bornChinese”;andlovetoshout“verycheap,verycheap!”whileshoing.

Iwouldaddthatwearetoo'kiasu'.Forexample,atbuffets,wepileoystersonourplatesashighasMountEverest.

Ithinkourlethangraciousbehaviourisbecausewehavebecomeaffluenttooquickly.Oursocialgraceshavenotkeptpacewithourmaterialprogre.Letusbehumble,courteous,andgraciousinourbehaviourandattitude.Letusmakefriendswithourneighbours,eeciallyJohorea.

MORECHALLENGINGENVIRONMENTAHEAD

Thenexttenyearswillbetougherthanthelastten.

Ouroperatingenvironmenthaschangedtremendously.Wearenowinanewphaseofglobaldevelopment.Thereisonlyonepre-eminentworldpower-theUS.Neverthele,theUScaotignoretherapidemergenceofChina.

US-CHINARELATIO

Indeed,theUS-Chinarelatiohipwillbethedefiningfactoringlobaleconomicsandpoliticsinthecomingdecades.Ifitgoeswrong,Asiawillsuffer.TheUSseestremendousoortunitiesinChina'seconomicgrowth,butatthesametime,itworriesoverChina'sgrowingpower.

HowUS-Chinarelatiowillevolveisstilltooearlytosay.PresidentGeorgeW.BushoketoPresidentJiangZemingonthetelephonerecently.AccordingtoPresidentJiang,“AlthoughitwasnotavideophonewhereIcouldseehisfacialexpreion,fromhisvoice,IcouldfeelthathewasaPresidentwecandobusinewith.”IhopethatwhenthetwoPresidentsmeetinBeijinginOctober,andseeeachother'sfacialexpreio,theywillfindthattheycandobusinewitheachother.

EASTASIA

WithinEastAsia,thereareotherflashpoints.Cro-straitrelatiobetweenChinaandTaiwanaretroubled.ThemomentumofreconciliationbetweenthetwoKoreashavesloweddown.IntheSouthChinaSea,severalcountriesclaimtheatollsandreefsthere.Ifthisleadstoconflict,sealanesofcommunicatioandinternationaltradewillbedisrupted,affectingus.

Theoutlookforourimmediateneighbourhoodalsoremaiuncertain.

IndonesiahasjustelectedanewPresident,thethirdinthreeyearssinceSuhartosteeddownin1998.

PresidentMegawattiinheritsacountryinwhichpartsarethreateningtobreakaway,andtheeconomyisinagravestate.Indonesiawilltakemanyyearstorecover.

TheMalaysianeconomybouncedbackbrieflyafterthe1997Asianfinancialcrisis.However,internationalinvestorsremainwary.

OthercountriesinAseanarealsofacingvariousdifficulties.

Asaresult,Aseanisatalowpoint.Investorsarenegativeabouttheregion'sproects.

Singaporewillfeelkeenlytheeffectofthisuncertaintyintheregion.

THECHINACHALLENGE

Moreover,oureconomyisuncomfortablysandwichedbetweenthedevelopinganddevelopedeconomies.

Manydevelopingeconomiesarefastcatchingupwithusintechnologicalcapability.What'smore,theyhavemuchlowercostsofproduction.Forexample,ourwagesformanufacturingworkersaremorethan12timesthatinChinaandIndia.OurindustriallandcostsaboutUS$300persquaremetre.InShenzhen,itcostsbelowUS$10.Fortunately,wearenolongercompetinginlow-endmanufacturing,wherelowwagesandlowlandpricesarecritical.

Butstill,Chinaposesabigeconomicchallenge.SomeeconomistsdescribeChinaasan“800-poundtradinggorilla”.AHongkongnewaperaddedthatthisgorillawas“veryhungry”.

Intheearly90s,Chinatook20ofthetotalforeigndirectinvestmentintoEastAsia(excludingJapan),whileAseanaorbed50.Today,thenumbersarereversed:Chinatakesin50andAsean20.Chinaisnowduedthe“subcontractoroftheworld”.

EvenIndiaisbeingfloodedwithcheapbutgoodqualityChinesegoods.SomeIndianmanufacturersarefindingithardtocompete.Sotheyhavedonethenextbestthing.Theystick“MadeinChina”labelsontheirproductstoboostsales.

ButChinawillsoonbemorethanasub-contractor.AJulyarticleinAsiaweekcommentedthat:“It'snotaboutcheapstuffanymore.FromPCstochitosoftware,(China)isbecominganITpowerhouse.”

ManyTaiwanesecompaniesareinvestingheavilyinChina,notjustinlow-endactivities,butalsohightechplantslikewaferfa.ThecompaniesareshiftingtheiractivitiesoutofTaiwanintoChina.Thereare200,000TaiwanesebusinemeninShanghaiandanother200,000inKuhannearSuzhou.TheTaiwaneseworrythattheirmanufacturingindustryisbeinghollowedout.

RichardLimwroteaninterestingarticle,entitled“AWake-upCallfromChina”,intheSundayTimesof22July.HehasbeentoChinaseveraltimesovermanyyears.HefoundChina'straformationtobe:

“Alarming,becauseChina'straformationwillimpactgreatlyonSingapore,eeciallyonthelivelihoodsofitslewell-educatedcitize.”

Hethenurgedthat:

“Thepeoplemustbemadeawareofwhatishaening,becausetheirfuture,ortheirchildren's,isatstake.”

RichardLim'sarticleattractedseveralletters.Manyreadersagreedwithhim.

Iwas,however,morethanalittlesadtoreadthereoeofayoungreader,probablywestern-educatedandhadneverbeentoChina.Herevealedthathehaddraftedhisreoewithiutsfromafewotherslikehimself,all20-somethings.Hewrote:

“WedonotfeelanyaffinitytotheChinesepeople...Thecheenapeoplearesuckingawayalltheforeigninvestmentsandalongwiththem,ourjo...Wereallycaotimagineaworldwiththecheenapeopleincharge.

ThecheenapeopleworkinginSingaporearereallysuchacrudelot.”

HeendedsarcasticallybyaskingRichardLimtocoidermigratingtoChina.

Thisyoungmanisunabletoseebeyondhisnose.Heneedstogrowup,andquicklytoo.PerhahedoesnotknowthatChinesearecalled“OrangCina”inMalay.IfwearenotCina,whatarewe?“AngMoh”?

IhavebeentoChinamanytimes,thefirsttimein1971.IhaveseenChina'straformationatclosequarters.Itisscary.YougotoBeijing,Shanghai,Shenzhen,Dalian,Qingdaoandscoresofothercities,andyouwillbeastonishedbyhowquicklytheyhavelearntandcaughtup.TheywritesoftwaresforMicrosoft.Theyareintolifesciencesandbiomedicalengineering.Theyhaveevensucceededinmakingtheirtoiletsattouristattractioshinierandcleanerthanours.

OurbiggestchallengeisthereforetosecureanicheforourselvesasChinaswamtheworldwithherhighqualitybutcheaperproducts.China'seconomyispotentiallytentimesthesizeofJapan's.Justaskyourself:howdoesSingaporecompeteagaittenpostwarJapa,allindustrialisingandexportingtotheworldatthesametime?

IdonotmeanthatChinawilloverpowereveryothereconomy,andgrowattheexpeeofeverybodyelse.AsChinadeveloandexportsmore,itsimportswillgrowtoo.TherewillbemanyoortunitiesforothercountriestotradewithChina,andforforeigncompaniestoinvestinChina.Wemustgratheseoortunities.

Butmanyofthethingswearenowdoing,intime,Chinawilldobetterandcheaper.Wewillhavetostayonestepahead,andmoveontonewactivities.

Singaporehasawindowofabouttenyearstomakethistraformation,andupgradetothenextlevelofeconomicdevelopment.Butaswedoso,wecompetehead-onwiththedevelopedeconomies.Wehavetomatchtheirlevelofiovative,scientific,technologicalandmanagerialcapability.

VISIONFORSINGAPORE

Wewillneednewenergy,aclearseeofdirection,aNewSingapore,tocompeteinthisnewenvironment.

MyvisionistoturnSingaporeintoaglobalcity,a'globapolis',withpeoplefromallovertheworldandwellcoectedtoallpartsoftheglobe-byair,sea,telecommunicatioandtheInternet,inmarketacceandinvestments,andinareassuchaseducation,ortsandthearts.

InNewSingapore,therewillbeabundantoortunitiesforSingaporeaandglobaltalenttoworkanddowell.Ourlimitedphysicalandmarketsizewillnotcotrainus,forwewouldhaveexpandedoureconomicacebeyondourshores.

NewSingaporewillbeoneoftheworld'sfinest,mostliveablecities.Arts,theatres,museums,musicandortswillflourish.Singaporewillbealivelyandexcitingplace,withplentytodoandexperience.Ourcitywillnotonlyhavedepth,butalsotherichneofdiversity.

Butaboveall,SingaporewillbeahomeforSingaporea.Itwillbethebesthomeforustoraiseourchildren,awarmandsafehomewithagoodheartandsoundvalues,andwherestrongbondsuniteusasonefamily.

HOWDOWEGETTHERE?

TocreatethisNewSingapore,wewillimplementaneweconomicstrategyandforgeanewsocialcompact.Theneweconomicstrategywillenableustodevelopnewbasesofgrowth.Thenewsocialcompact-anunderstandingamongallSihgaporea,andbetweentheGovernmentandpeople-willeurethatwestayacohesivenationevenaseconomiccompetitioninteifiesandtheincomegapwide.

InthisproceofgettingtotheNewSingapore,wewillhavetodiscardmindsetsandoldwaysofdoingthingsthathavebecomeirrelevant.Wewillhavetolearnnewcompetencies.

Butthisiseasiersaidthandone

Forexample,1knowmanyteachersintheir50swhohavechosentoretireearly.Iftheyhadstayedon,theywouldhavehadtolearnmanynewthings.Theywouldhavehadtochange30yearsofteachingmaterials,methodsandroutinesfornewones.Theywouldhavehadtostrugglewiththeircomputers,andsometimes,gethelpfromthestudentstheyaresuosedtoteach.Theyfoundsuchchangestreful.Sotheychosetogetoffthetreadmill.

Asindividuals,theycouldretire.Butanentirecountrycaotquit.Wehavenochoicebuttorunatthehigheedoftheglobaleconomictreadmill.Otherwise,wewillbethrownoff,andallSingaporeawillsuffer.

NEWECONOMICSTRATEGY

Singapore'sgrowthuptonowhasprimarilybeeninvestment-driven.Thishastakenourproeritytoanextraordinarylevel.Butlookingintothefuture,therearelimitstohowmuchmorewecanrelyonsuchastrategy.

First,ourwagesandrentalsarealreadyhigherthanthoseinothercountriescompetingforthesameinvestments.

Secondly,thereisanimbalancebetweenourexportsector,drivenmainlybyMNCs,andourdomesticsector.Ourexportsectoriscompetitive,butourdomesticsectorisnot.

Thirdly,ourexportsaredominatedbyoneindustry-electronics.Thismakesusvulnerabletochangesinexternaldemand.

Fourthly,ourimmediateregionisinastateofflux,andwillremainsoforsomeyears.

Weneedtoreondtothesechallenges.Tonight,Iwouldliketooutlinefivekeythruststhatwillpropelourneweconomicstrategy.

First,beglobal.Reachouttonewmarketsinourregionandbeyond.

Next,createanenterprisingSingapore.WeneedmoreSingaporeatostrikeoutinbusine,andbemorereadytotakerisks.

Thirdly,bemoreiovative.Weshouldlookforourownideas,ratherthanmerelycopyingtheideasofothers.

Fourthly,restructureoureconomy,tomakeourexportanddomesticsectorsmorecompetitive.

Andlast,enlargeourpoolofhumancapitalandraiseitsquality.

REACHINGOUT

First,reachingouttonewmarkets.

7-HOURHINTERLAND

TheAseanregionisimportanttous,eeciallyMalaysiaandIndonesia.Butweshouldnowwidenourhinterland,tobuildupSingaporeasahubforthegreaterAsianregion.

Withina7~hourflightradiusofSingaporelive2.8billionpeople,withhundredsofmilliointhemiddleincomegroup.Wehaveonlyourselvestoblameifwedonotfullyexploittheseoortunities.Weshouldregardallthecountriesandcitieswhicharewithin7hoursofflyingtimefromSingaporeasourhinterland.

Chinaiswithinthisgreaterhinterland.SoisIndia,whichalsooffersusgoodgrowthoortunities.Indiaisopeningup,thoughnotasectacularlyasChina.ItsITindustryeeciallyhasdevelopedremarkablyinthelastfewyears.IndialivingabroadarebegiingtoreturntoIndia,tostartupcompaniesthere.

FREETRADEAGREEMENTS

OurFreeTradeAgreementorFTAstrategyispartofoureffortstoexpandoureconomicace.Lastyear,weconcludedanFTAwithNewZealand.WearenownegotiatingFTAswiththeUS,JapanandAustralia,amongothers.

FTAsopenupforeignmarketstocompaniesinSingapore.Thiswillbenefitourcompanies,whichmustexporttogrow.FTAswillalsoattractmoreinvestmentstoSingapore,becausefactoriesinSingaporewillbeauredofenhancedaccetoimportantmarketsliketheUSandJapan.ThismeamoreandbetterjoforSingaporea.

Inthelastfewmonths,theMalaysianmediahasportrayedourFTAsas“TrojanHorses”thatprovide“backdoor”entryforgoodsfromourFTApartnerstoentertheAseanmarket,throughtheAseanFreeTradeAreaorAFTA.

OurFTAscaotbea“backdoor”.Indeed,ifitwerepoibleforothercountriestouseSingapore'sFTAsasa“backdoor”toentertheAseanmarket,thenMalaysiacouldusethesame“backdoor”toenterthemarketsofourFTApartnerssuchastheUSandJapan!ButtherulesoforiginofAFTAandourFTAswillnotallowthis.

ENTERPRISINGSINGAPORE

Thesecondthrustofourneweconomicstrategyisenterprise.

Inthepast,weboughtandsoldotherpeople'sproducts.Later,weaddedvaluetothesegoods.ThenweattractedMNCstomanufacturehere.

Inthenextphaseofourdevelopment,Singaporeahavetobemoreentrepreneurial.Weneedtogrowagroupoflocalcompaniesthatcangointernational,tobecomeinternationalSingaporecompaniesorISCs.TheywillbasetheircorecapabilitiesinSingaporeandexpandoutside.Theywillbeanotherengineofgrowthforoureconomy,sulementingourforeignMNCstrategy.IknowwewillnothavemanycompanieslikeSingaporeAirlines,butwecanhaveafewmorelikeCreativeTechnologyorA.

DEVELOPINGSINGAPOREENTERPRISES

WehavesomelocalcompanieswiththepotentialtobecomeISCs,butwewillneedmore.

KwekLengBeng

KwekLengBengoftheHongLeongGrouphasturnedhisfamily-runcompanyintoasucceful,profeionallymanagedISC.Hishotelsuidiaryoworoperatesaportfolioof110hotelswithatotalof30,000rooms,aingAsia,Australia,NewZealand,EuropeandtheUS.

LengBengisenterprising.WhenIwasinLondonrecently,heinvitedmetolunchathisabout-to-be-openedrestaurantinoneofhishotels.HerecountedthegreattroublehehadtakentopersuadeaJapanese-AustraliancheffromSydneytosetupthisrestaurant.Aarently,thechef'sSydneyrestaurantisverypopular.Youhavetobookatabletwotothreemonthsahead.LengBengenttwoyearswooingthechefbeforesucceeding.Manyothersuitorshadfailed.

Thechefisveryparticular.Everythingmustbeexactlyright.HedelayedtheopeningofLengBeng'srestaurantbymorethanamonthbecausehewasnothaywiththedecorandservice.Heevencheckedthetoiletsandfoundthemnotuptohisstandard.LengBenghadtoredothedecorandthetoilets.

ThechefservesFrench-Japanesefusioncuisine.Wehadeightcourses.Eachdishwasexquisite,beautifullypresentedanduniquelyflavoured.Aftertheeightcoursesthough,1didnotfeelfulllikeIwouldafteraChinesemeal.WhenIdescribedmyexperiencetomyPrincipalPrivateSecretary,hesaid,“Ah,theFrenchcallit,'MenuDegustation'.”HehadstudiedinFrance.Heexplainedthata'MenuDegustation'wastoallowyoutoenjoydifferentflavoursandstylesofpreparationofmanysmalldishes,andnottostuffyou.

SamGoi

SamGoiofTeeYihJiaisanotherenterprisingSingaporean.TeeYihJiaistheworld'sleadingproducerofpopiahski,andhasthepotentialtobecomeanISC.Popiahskimaynotseemaglamorouslineofbusinetosomeofyou,butIamproudoftheinroadsSamhasmadeintheinternationalmarket.Itcouldbethestartofsomethingmuchbigger.

Frompopiahski,Samwentontoproducerotiprata.1wassurprisedtolearnthathisrotipratasoldbetterinthewestthanintheeast.Somehow,hehasmanagedtopersuadeAmericaandEuropeatoeatthem,notwithcurry,butwithchickenandsaladlikeMexicantortillas.TortillasarelikeChineseringrolls.Samdidnotstopthere.Hewentontoidentifyasuitablefryingpanfortherotiprata.Nowhesellsbothrotiprataandrotipratafryingpa.

SamwasinmydelegationtotheCzechRepublic.IteasedhimwhetherhehadsoldanypopiahskiandrotipratatotheCzechs.Helaughed.Hewasnottryingtosellthemany.Itead,hewastheretorecruitamasterbeerbrewer.1didnotknowthathehadgoneintothebeerbusineandthatheownedabreweryinChina.SamexplainedthattheCzechswerefamousfortheirbeers,particularlyPilerbeer.Theyhaveverygoodbrewers.SamdidfindamasterbrewerandwasabletopersuadethebrewertogotoChinatorunhisbrewery.

WeneedmoreSamGoisandKwekLengBengs.

GOVERNMENT'SROLEINENTERPRISINGSINGAPORE

MTIisre-engineeringTDBtowidenitsfocus,frompromotingtradetohelpingSingapore-basedcompaniesinternationaliseandgrowintheglobalmarket.Inshort,TDBwillfocusongrowingSingapore'sexternalwing.

Thatsaid,let'smakethisclear.TheGovernmentcanhelp,andcancreateanenvironmentthatisconducivetobusineandenterprise.Butitcaotcreatesuccefulbusineesbydecree.Indeed,topromoteenterprise,theGovernmentshouldintervenele,notmore,inthemarket.AbusinewhichdependsontheGovernmenttoprotectitsmarketorsuidiseitsoperatio,caotbeviableinthelongrun.Asuccefulbusinehastoflourishinafreemarket.Itmustmakeagenuineprofitbybeingmoreefficientandiovativethanitscompetitors,andbyproducingsomethingwhichitscustomersneed,betterandcheaperthanothers.

ARISK-TAKINGCULTURE

Ultimately,howsuccefulweareincreatinganenterprisingSingaporewilldependontherisk-takingprofileofSingaporea.

RewardsforSucce

Thewillingnetotakerisksdependsontheeconomicandsocialenvironment.Weshouldstrengthentheincentivesforpeopletoventureforthinthehopeofectacularsucce,ratherthantochooseasafepathandminimisetheriskoffailure.Singaporeahavetodiscardthemindsetofseekingsecurejo.Itead,weshouldalsocelebratethosewhohavethegumptiontotrytheirhandsatbusine.

Weneedtoincreasetherewardsforsucce.Akeyrequirementistokeepourtaxratesaslowaspoible.OnereasontheUShasamoreentrepreneurialculturethanEuropeisthatitstaxratesarelower,soitspeoplewhobuildcompanieshavemorehopetobecomebillionaires.InEurope,ifyourbusineproers,40ormoreofthewealththatyoucreategoestothestateintaxes.Sotheincentivetotakerisksandsloghardtobuildacompanyisweaker.

CelebratingSucce

Socialattitudestoo,affecthowwillingSingaporeaaretotakerisks.Weshouldnotresentbusinemenwhomakeitbig.ThisisanotherdifferencebetweentheUSandEurope.InsomeEuropeancountrieswithstrongegalitarianvalues,apersonwhobecomesveryrichisfrowneduponbysociety,evenifhehasmadehismoneyhonestly.ButintheUS,SteveJoandBillGatesarefolkheroes.SingaporeisamoreegalitariansocietythantheUS.Butwetooshouldcheeronourentrepreneurs,sothattheywillcreatemorewealthforthemselvesandforSingapore.

AcceptingFailure

Wehavetochangeanotherattitude.Wefindithardtoacceptfailure.Wedonotgiveenoughcredittothosewhotry,failandgetuptotryagain.Weshouldnotlookatthisintermsofforgiveneandtolerance,butintermsofadmirationandreectforriskandenterprise,andresilienceandtenacityinthefaceofadversityandfailure.Perhabecauseofourdoggedpursuitofexcellence,orbecausewearesuchasmallsocietythateveryoneknowseveryoneelse,somebodywhohasfailedfindsitdifficulttostartafresh.Butwhateverthereason,wemustgiveasecond,athirdandfurtherchancetothosewhohavefailed,provideditwasanhonestfailure.

IOVATION

Weneedalsotofosteracultureofiovation.Thisisthethirdlegofourneweconomicstrategy.Efficiencyisimportant.Butitcanbeeasilymatchedbyothers,anddoesnotprovideasustainedadvantageincompetitivene.Intheglobalisedeconomythatpermitsrapidreadoftechnologyatlowcost,efficiencyisonlyanentry-levelrequirement.Iovationandimaginationgiveaneconomyoracompanythatextraedge.Today,wealthisgeneratedbynewideas,morethanbyimprovingtheideasofothers.

oradiciovationbyafewSingaporecompaniesandthepublicsectorisnotgoodenough.Theiovativeiritmustpermeateourwholesociety.Thequestionishowtocreateanenvironmentthatencouragesmanyofustobecomeiovators.

Byiovators,Imeanapeoplewhosemindsarealwayslookingfornewideasandnewwaysofdoingthings,notsimplycopyingwhatothershaveinvented.Forthis,weneednon-conformistthinking.

Letmegiveyouanexampleofnon-conformistthinking.IhaenedtotuneintotheContheeveofNationalDay.TherewasaninterviewwithaformerAmerican-ChineseTVpresenterturnedentrepreneur.

ThisladyentrepreneurhasproducedarangeofcosmeticproductstailoredforAsianwomen.SheexplainedthatAsianwomenhavedifferentfeaturesanddifferentskincolouring,socosmeticsmeantforCaucasianwomendonotsuitthem.Forexample,whenAsianwomenuseapink-basedfoundation,theylookasiftheyarewearingamask.Also,Caucasianwomengenerallyhavemoreprominentnoses,sotheircosmeticsseektomaketheirnosesleprominent.Ontheotherhand,Asianwomengenerallyhavesmallnoses,sotheyneedtousecosmeticstomaketheirnosesmoreprominent.Otherwise,shesaid,'Youwouldnotevenseeanoseontheirface!'

Thiswomandidnotsimplycopyothers.Aconformistwouldhavedonethat,andsimplymanufacturedandsoldwestern-basedcosmeticsintheAsianmarket.Itead,shethoughtout-of-thebox,hopingtohitthejackpot.

IamalsoimpreedbytheiovativeiritofourNationalLibrary.Itcollaboratedwiththeprivatesectortodesignanddevelopasystemtotrackthemovementoflibrarybooks,soastocutdownthetimevisitorsendqueuingtocheckinandcheckoutbooks.Thebooksareimplantedwithamicrochipwhichemitsradiowaves.Toborrowabook,youputitonapadattheself-checkmachines,andthebookisregisteredasborrowed.Therearehardlyanymorequeues.Returningthebookisalsoabreeze.Yousimplyslidethebookdownabook-dropchute,anditisregisteredasreturned.

OurNationalLibrarywasthefirstlibraryintheworldtousethistechnology.Ithaspatentedtheinvention.

NATIONALIOVATIONCOUNCIL

Ironically,tochangemindsetsinoursociety,atop-downaroachseemsunavoidable.ButIamclearinmymindthattheGovernmentcanonlystimulateandencourageyoutobeiovative.Itisnotpoibletodirectanddrivethepopulationtobecomeiovative.

Earlierthisyear,IinvitedProfeorGaryHamel,amanagementcoultant,toconductaseminaroniovationforMinistersandtopcivilservants.Theseminarhasgeneratedsomegoodideasonhowwecanencourageamoreiovativesociety.

IintendtosetupaNationalIovationCounciltopushalongthischangeinthethinkingofourpeople.LimHngKiang,whoismakingseveraliovativechangesintheHealthMinistry,willchairthisCouncil.

STRUCTURALADJUSTMENT

Ourfourththrustistomakefurtherstructuraladjustmentstooureconomy.

OPENINGUP

Ihavemetpeoplewhohavebeenpersonallyaffectedbyoureconomicrestructuring.Somearefriendsandrelatives.Remisiers'commiiohavebeencut.Banktellersarecompetingwithiuranceagentstoselliurancepoliciesandunittrusts.Manybankemployeesarefearfulofbeingretrenchedbecauseofbanksmerging.

Iunderstandyourdistreoverthedismantlingofprotectiveregimes.ButIhopeyouwillunderstandthattheGovernmenthastolookatthelargerpicture.Wehavetocoiderthetectonicchangesunderway,andworkoutastrategicreoetosecurethelong-termproerityofSingaporea.

Thestatusquoisnotsustainable.EveniftheGovernmentdoesnothing,themarketwilleventuallybringaboutpainfulchanges.Wecandelaytheadjustment,butthefinalresultwillbeworse.Itisfarbetterforustoacceptrealityandgowiththeforcesofchange,andnottoresistthem.Ifyouwatchboxing,youwillknowwhatImean.Theboxerwhosticksouthisjawiteadofrollingwiththepunchwillbeknockedoutinnotime.

EXPORTSECTOR

Torestructureoureconomy,wehavetoenhancethecompetitiveneofbothourexportsectorandourdomesticsector.

Ourexportsectorhasbeensteadilytraformedovertheyears.Wehaveshiftedtowardsnew,highervalue-addedmanufacturing,aslower-endproductionmovedoffshore.10yearsago,coumerelectronicsstillaccountedfor14ofourelectronicsproduction.Now,itisdowntoonly2,havingbeenreplacedbythesemiconductorindustry.Andtheremaining2ofcoumerelectronicsisnolongerradiosorVCRs,butexcitingnewproductslikedigitalTVandDVDplayers.Soon,itwillbewirelealicatiothatallowyourhomealiancestotalktooneanother.

Wemustacceleratetheupgradingofourmanufacturingsector,orwewillbehollowedout.Ourhightechindustriesmustgoevenhighertech.Forexample,wemustbeabletoproducemoresophisticatedsemiconductors,anddesignthechi.

NEWCAPABILITIES

Inaddition,wehavetobuildupnewcapabilitiesinIT,lifesciencesandotherhighvalue-addedactivities.

Lifesciences,eeciallybio-medicalsciences,aresaidtobethethirdtechnologicalrevolutionafterthesteamengineandthecomputer.

Togiveyouanideaofthepotentialoflifesciences,justlookatthemanydifferentwayspeoplemakebabiesnowadays.Mostmakethemintheusualway,thewaymarriedcouplesdo.Afewmakebabiesintesttubes.Someusesurrogatemothers.Now,IreadthatAustralianresearchersaretryingtomakebabiesfromthecellsoftwowomen.Theyhaveshownthatbabymicecanbeproducedfromthecellsoffemalemicewithoutanymalecontributionwhatsoever.Iftheysucceedinalyingthistechnologytohuma,willourwomenstillneedus?

Wemusthaveapieceoftheaction,perhanotinfindingnewwaysofmakingbabies,butinfindingnewcuresfordiseases.

DOMESTICSECTOR

Evenaswepromoteexports,wemustnotneglectourdomesticsector.WeshouldseehowwecanmakethedomesticsectorasefficientastheexportsectordrivenbyMNCs.Theproductivityofourdomesticsector,whetherincotructionorretailorhoitality,islow.Thisisaseveredragonournationalproductivity.Ifyouhavevisitedthedevelopedcountries,youwouldhavenoticedtheirsuperiorservicestandardsandproductivity.Yes,thereareoutstandingexceptioinSingaporelikeRobio.Buttheyaretheexceptionratherthantherule.

Yearsago,ItookataxiinParisfromtheairporttothehotel.Whenthetaxiarrivedatthehotel,thedrivergotoutandcarriedmyheavyluggageoutoftheboot.Iwasastounded.Thedriverwasawoman.

ChongLitCheong,CEOofJTC,relatedthatwhenheandhiswifewereinHongkongrecently,hiswifehadtopickupfromastore,abagshehadalreadypaidfor.Shetelephonedthestoretoaskthemtogetherbagready.Thesalesgirlnotonlygotthebagready,butwenttheextramile.ShewaitedoutsideatthetaxistandtohandthebagtoLitCheong'swife,thussavingherthetroubleofgettingoutofthetaxi!

IwouldliketoseesuchlevelsofcustomerserviceinSingapore.

WhenProfeorMichaelPorterwashereearlierthismonth,hepointedoutthatunleourdomesticsectorwasefficient,ouroveralleconomycouldnotachievehighproductivity.Exportbusineesandcoumersalikewouldhavetopayhighercostsforinefficientlocalservices.HecitedJapanasanexamplewhereaweakdomesticsectorhadadverselyaffectedtheexportsector.

We,therefore,havetoopenupourservicessectorfurther,toimproveitsefficiency.Wearealreadydoingthisforfinance,telecommunicatioandpowergeneration.

Atthesametime,wewillhelpourdomesticsectortoupgrade,eeciallytheSMEs.hasprogrammestoimprovetheirproductivity.Forexample,foralongtime,thecleaningindustrysufferedfromlowproductivityandapoorimage.Now,isworkingwiththeindustrytoupgradeskillsandperformancestandards.IthassetupaCentreforCleaningTechnology.

Thereisalsomuchroomforretailerstoupgradethemselves.Retailersshouldparticipateinprogrammessuchasfranchising,economicgroupingandsharedservices.Theseprogrammeshelpthemadoptmodernmanagementpracticesandbusinemodels.

HUMANCAPITAL

Ourhumanresourceislimited.Wehavetomaximiseourlocalpotentialandtopitupfromtheoutside.Thisisthefifththrustofournewgrowthstrategy.

EDUCATION

Atlastyear'sRally,Ipledgedtoincreaseendingoneducationby$1.5billionayear(from3.6ofGDPto4.5).

Inparticular,theGovernmentwillimprovepost-secondaryeducationoortunitiesforourchildren.

First,ITEwillregroupitscurrent10campusesintothreeregionalcampusesoverthenext15years.

Thelargercampuseswillallowafullrangeofcoursestobeoffered,andprovideoortunitiesforcro-disciplinarylearning.Studentscanalsolookforwardtobetterortsandrecreationalfacilities.

Thefirstnewfullyintegratedcampuswillbereadyby2005.

Secondly,wehavedecidedtobuildafifthpolytechnic.Itwillopenitsdoorsin2003.

Thirdly,wewillbuildthreenewJuniorCollegesinthenextthreeyears.ThiswillbringthetotalnumberofJuniorCollegesto19.

Fourthly,wewillexpandtheuniversitysector.Today,oneinfivePrimaryOnestudentseventuallygoesontoalocaluniversity.Weaimtoimprovethistooneinfourby2010.Thismearaisingthecurrentaualuniversityintakeby4,000students.

ButNUSandNTUarealreadyasbigastheyshouldbe.TheSingaporeManagementUniversity,orSMU,willincreaseitsstudentintaketillitreachesitstargetenrolment.FurtherexpaionofNUS,NTUandSMUisnotdesirable.AcommitteeheadedbyPeterChenhasofferedpreliminaryideasforafourthuniversity.Idonotwanttoprejudgeitsrecommendatio,butinprinciple,Isuortafourthuniversityifitsgraduatescanmeetthestandardsdemandedbytheeconomy.

LIFELONGLEARNING

TheGovernmentwilldomoretoenhancetheskillsofordinaryworkers.

WehavedoubledtheLifelongLearningFundfrom$500millionto$1billionsinceApril.

Thisyear,theGovernmentwillgiveaddedemphasistoprogrammestohelpolderandlower-educatedworkers.

Executives,managers,engineersandotherprofeionalsmayhavetoberetrainedtoo,sothattheycanmoveintonewgrowthareas.Weshallstudyhowthiscanbedone.

GLOBALTALENT

Wecanendmoreoneducationandtraining.Buttherealityisthatnomatterhowmuchweend,withapopulationofjustoverthreemillion,wewillnothaveenoughlocaltalenttocompeteinthetopleagueofnatio.

DidyouwatchTeamSingaporeplayManchesterUnited?Ifyoudid,youwouldhaveagoodideaofthebiggapbetweenourstandardsandinternationalstandards.TeamSingaporeplayedwellbutitwasnomatchforManUbecauseManUwasreallyaninternationalandnotaBritishteam.MahBowTantoldmethatabouthalftheManUteamwerenon-British.HeaddedthatManUwasonlyplayingathalfpace.Otherwise,thescorelinemightwellhavebeen16-l!

Arecentarticlebythenewaper,“TheAustralian”,commentedhowcorporateSingaporewascontrolledtightlybyasmallgroupofpeople.ThesamefewSingaporeaareontheboardsofmanycompaniesandGovernmentStatutoryBoards.

Thejournalistdidnotknowtherealreason.Thetruthis,wedonothaveenoughcorporatetalenttodrawon.Hence,somanydemandingjofallontheshouldersofthesamefewpeople.

Wehavegoodlocaltalent,butweneedtotopitupwithglobaltalent.

OthersAreRecruitingTalentToo

Wearenottheonlyonestohaveconcludedthatglobaltalentiseential.

Australiarecentlyenlargeditsimmigrationprogrammetobringinabout45,000skilledmigrantsayear.AndJapanisfinalisingablueprinttoimportatleast30,000ITprofeionalsinthenextfiveyears.

TheUSeconomyhasdoneimmeelywellbecauseitenjoysa“braingain”yearafteryear.

Forexample,onequarterofthecompaniesinSiliconValleyarecreatedbyorledbyIndianandChineseimmigrants.Also,since1945,theUShaswon60(228)ofalltheNobelPrizesineconomicsandthesciences.Atleast30oftheseeconomistsandscientistswerebornoutsidetheUS.

AttractingMulti-NationalTalent

Thatiswhywehavetobringinmulti-nationaltalent,likethewaywebroughtinMNCs.

LikeMNCs,multi-nationaltalent,orMNTs,willbringinnewexpertise,freshideasandglobalcoectioandperectives.IbelievethattheywillproducelastingbenefitsforSingapore.

ThecompetitionforMNTsisintee.JustasweuseincentivestoattractMNCs,wemayneedtocoiderecialmeasurestoattractMNTs.

RetainingSingaporeTalent

Butthewarfortalentisnotjustaboutattractingforeigners.Retainingourowntalentisgoingtoproveabigchallenge.BrightSingaporeaarebeingharvestedbyothersevenbeforetheygraduate.

YeoCheowTongtoldmethatJPMorgan,aleadingWallStreetinvestmentbank,recruitedhisdaughterbeforesheevenstartedherfinalyearinatopUSuniversity.Uponjoiningthebankaftergraduation,shewasaignedtoacorporatefinanceteamthatexecutesbillion-dollarprojects.Apartfromthepay,suchafirstjobexcitedandchallengedher.

IaskedCheowTongwhetherhisdaughterwouldcomebacktoSingapore.Hecouldonlysay,“Ihopeso.”Ihopesotoo.

IhopethedaughterofMrAbdulRashidGani,ManagingPartnerinthelawfirmofKhattarWong&amPartners,willcomebacktoo.ShewasoneofthetopstudentsinCornellUniversity.Duringherfinalyear,threetopfinancialititutioinNewYorkwooedher.TheyflewhertoNewYork,putherupinfirstclahotelsandtookherouttofinerestaurants.SheisnowworkingforCreditSuieFirstBostoninNewYork.

GreenharvestingofbrightstudentsisacommonpracticeinAmerica.Itshowshowhardtopcompaniestrytorecruittoptalent.WemaylosemanySingaporeathisway.

Othersmallcountriesfacesimilarproblemsretainingtalent.NewZealandisagoodexample.ManyNewZealandersworkoverseas,inAustralia,BritainortheUS.SomanyNewZealandershaveemigratedthatnewaperswriteabout“theflightoftheKiwis”,eventhoughKiwiscaotfly.

Recently,aneminentprofeorfromtheLondonSchoolofEconomics,ProfeorRobertWade,okeataconferenceinAuckland.Hesaid:

“Onceathresholddeityofskilledpeopleislost,therateofout-migrationislikelytoaccelerate,companiesandorganisatiowillhaveincreasingtroublemeetingstaffingneeds,thequalityofpublicserviceswilldecline,thetaxbasewillerode,andsoon.”

ProfeorWadealsookeofhowoverseasTaiwaneseandKoreaareofferedcoiderableincentivesandsuidiesbytheirgovernmentstoreturnhome.EvenChinaisnowdoingthis.HowmuchmorecriticalmustitbeforSingaporetoattracttalentfromaroundtheworldandtoretainourtalent?

Inthenextfewmonths,asoureconomyslowsdownandunemploymentincreases,someSingaporeamayagainquestiontheneedformoreglobaltalent.Iurgeyoutounderstandthatthisisamatteroflifeanddeathforusinthelongterm.Ourowntalentisbeingcreamedoff.Ifwedonottopupourtalentpoolfromoutside,in10years'time,manyofthehigh-valuedjowedonowwillmigratetoChinaandelsewhere,forlackofsufficienttalenthere.SoitisbetterforustoanchortalentsandjoinSingaore,andmakeourimportdtalentfeelwelcomeaspartoftheSingaporeteam.

SOCIALANDPOLITICALENVIRONMENT

Wewillcreateasocialandpoliticalmilieuwhichisconducivetooureffortstocreateanenterprisingandiovativesociety.Thismeahavingthefreedomtomakepersonalchoices,andtobedifferent.Youngpeopleeecially,oftenwanttobenon-conformist.Wecanacceptthat,withinlimitsofdecencyofdecorum.WedonotexpecteverySingaporeantodreandbehavethesame.

Beyonddreingdifferently,manySingaporea,inparticular,theyoung,wanttohavemoresayinthewaySingaporeisrun.

Wehaveallowedfreerexpreionofdivergentpoliticalviews,solongasthisdoesnotcompromiselawandorder,nationalsecurityandnationalinterests.WehavesetupaeakersCorner.SingaporeahaveformeddiscuiongroulikeTheRoundTableandThinkCentretodiscupoliticaliues.Intheiritofdiscuion,theGovernmentwillfromtimetotimedisagreepubliclywiththeirviews.Itsurelycaotautomaticallyaccepteverythingthattheysay,norshoulditsimplyignorewhattheysay.IftheGovernmentthinksthatsomethingtheysaidwillhurtSingapore,ithastorebutthem,ifneceary,forcefully.

ButthisshouldnotbeseenastheGovernmentsmotheringfreeexpreion.TheGovernmentwillnotregardyouasanoonentunleyouchoosetobeone.TheRoundTableisnotanoonent.ButtheThinkCentreisopenlycriticaloftheGovernment.Itisone-sidedinitspresentationofarticlesandviews,andtheGovernmentcaotignorethis.

Iknowsomepeoplewantevengreaterfreedom.Butwherepoliticsisconcerned,Iprefertoeaseupslowlyratherthanopenupwithabigbang.WhenGorbachevopeneduptheSovietUnionwithhis'Glaost',theSovietUnioncollaedwithabigbang.Weshould,therefore,pumptheairintothepoliticalballoonslowly.Idon'tintendtochangemynameto'GohBaChev!

NEWSOCIALCOMPACT

IntheNewEconomy,competitionwillbecomeincreasinglyfierce,Thepaceofchangecanbeuettling.

Thesocialframeworkwehavedevelopedtohelpthosewhocaotkeepupisgenerallysound.Butweneedtoimproveit,sothatwewillholdtogetherasanationdeitethemoreinteepaceoflifeandthewideningincomegap.IwanttooutlinehereanewsocialcompactforSingapore.

First,wewillcontinuetosuidiseheavilythethreebasicservicesofhousing,educationandhealthcare.NoSingaporeanwillbedeprivedofthesethreeservicesnomatterhowpoorheis.

Secondly,inyearsofgoodeconomicgrowth,wewilldistributepartofthebudgetsurplusesbacktoSingaporea,toenhancetheiraetsaswellastohelpthemdefrayeentialexpees,suchastheiramCandutilitycharges.

Thirdly,wewillpayparticularattentiontotheneedsoflower-incomeSingaporea.Thisisalreadybeingdoneforsuidiesforbasicservicessuchashealthcareandhousing.Also,lastyear,whenwetoedupyourCPF,wegavelower-incomeSingaporeamore.

Thispolicyofgivingmoretolower-incomeSingaporeaisright.ThehigherincomeSingaporeaowetheirsucceinparttotheotherswhosuortoursocialcompact.Theymust,therefore,bepreparedtolendahelpinghandtothoseamonguswhoarenotsowelloff.Onlythencanweremainacohesiveandstablesociety.Itcaotbeeverymanforhimself.Forapersontosucceed,heneedsalaunch-padfromsociety.

Inturn,lower-incomeSingaporeamustsuorttheenterpriseandeffortsofthosewhohavetheability.Wemustnotresentthosewhocreatewealth,forthemselvesandforSingapore.

TheGovernment,onitspart,willeurethateverySingaporeanhasequalandmaximumoortunitytoadvancehimself,whileprovidingasocialsafetynettopreventtheminoritywhocaotcope,fromfailingthrough.

Thisway,wecanhaveanenduringsocialcompactwheretheablecandoverywell,andwecanusesomeofthewealthgeneratedbythemtosuidiseandhelptheleable.

CHARITY,PHILANTHROPYANDVOLUNTEERISM

ButSingaporeamustnotleavethetaskofhelpingtheweakentirelytotheGovernment.Ifwearetobuildacohesivesociety,individualsmustformlastingtieswiththeirlargercommunity.TofeelpaionatelyaboutSingaporeistocareaboutmorethanjustthosethingsthatdirectlyaffectourfamilies,ourfriends,andourselves.ItistobestronglycommittedtothewellbeingofourfellowSingaporea,andtoshowcompaiontothosewhoareweakerthanourselves.

TheGovernmentwillcreateanevenmorefavourableenvironmentfortheinvolvementofthepeopleandcorporatesectorsincharity,philanthropyandvolunteerism.Amongotherinitiatives,theGovernmentwillgrantItitutionofPublicCharacter(IPC)statustoprivatefoundatiothatsuortcharitableactivities.IhavealsoaskedRichardHutocoidergivingincreasedtaxdeductionfordonatiotoIPCs,ifpoible,doubletaxdeduction.

PRESERVINGOURRESERVES

LetmestrethatmyGovernmentwillcarryoutthissocialcompactusingbudgetsurplusesthatthisGovernmenthasaccumulated.Ihavenointentionofdiingintoourreserves,asChiamSeeTonghassuggestedtheGovernmentshoulddo.Rather,mypolicyistoeurethatourreservescontinuetogrowyearafteryear.

Whensomecountriesrunintoeconomicdifficulty,theycanpumpmoreoilfromtheiroilfields,orcutdownmoretimber.Wehavenooilfields,notimber,nonaturalresourcestofallbackon.Wecanonlydependonourreserves.Theyareourequivalentof“naturalresources”.Assuch,wemustguardthemzealouslyforuseonlyinasevereandprolongedcrisis.

Whileourreservesarelockedup,aproportionoftheincomefrominvestingourreservesgoesintoourbudgetsurplus.Itisbecausewehaveprotectedthesereservesinthepastthatweenjoyacomfortablebudgetsurplusevenduringthiscurrentslowdown,whichwecanusetohelpSingaporeacopewiththeslowdown.

ChiamSeeTongarguesthatSingaporewillnotgobankruptbyusing“atinyfraction”ofourreserves.Thisisaveryseductiveline.Seductive,butextremelydangerousforthepeoplebeingseduced.

Whatheisarguingforisforustoslowlykillthegoosewhichgivesusgoldeneggs.First,pluckoffsomeofitsfeatherstokeepuswarm.Next,sincethisdoesnotkillthegoose,MrChiamwillsuggestthatweshouldsliceoffjustonedrumsticktoeaseourhunger.

MyGovernment'sphilosophy,ontheotherhand,istoprotectthepreciousgoose-ourreserves-andfattenit.Itwillthenlaygoldeneggs,someofwhichcanbeusedtohelpSingaporeaduringdifficulttimes,andsomekeptforhatchingmoregeese.

IfwehadfollowedMrChiam'sadvicetonileatourgooseeverytimethereisaneconomicdownturn,wewouldhavecookedourowngoosebynow.SoIdonotintendtodipintoourreservestotacklethiscurrentdownturn.

RACE,LANGUAGEANDRELIGION

Foraneffectivesocialcompact,weneedalsoapeoplethatarebondedtoeachotheracrorace,languageandreligiouslines.

Religiousfaithisasourceofstrengthinasociety.WecanbegoodChristia,Buddhists,MuslimsorHindusandbepatrioticSingaporeaatthesametime.Thereisnocontradictionbetweenthetwo.Butweshouldnotchangelong-establishedpracticesthatwillleadtosegregationbetweentheraces,ormakeitmoredifficultforanyonecommunitytointegratewiththerestofoursociety.

Letmeemphasisethatwewantintegration,notaimilation.Integrationisagradual,continuousproce.Wewanttobondthedifferentpiecesofmosaictogether.Bondingistheresultofmutualtrustandunderstanding.Theprocecaotbeforced,becausemutualtrustandunderstandingcaotbeforced.

HELPINGTHELEABLE

NoteveryoneintheSingaporeMountEverestteammadeittothesummit.Onlythestrongermembersdid.However,theothersgavecriticalback-upsuortfromthelowercam.Itwasverymuchateameffort.

Likewise,inoursociety,noteveryoneofuswillbecometopincomeearners.ButwemustofferSingaporeawhofallbehindaseeofhope,forthemselvesandeeciallyfortheirchildren.Otherwise,theywillbecomedisaffectedanddisenchanted,whichwillsourthesocialclimate,anddisruptoureconomicprogre.Wewillhelpeveryoneofyougoashighupasyoucan.AndeverySingaporeanwillshareinandbenefitfromtheteam'ssucce.

Indeed,thestrengthofasocietyismeasuredbythecompaionandcareitsmembershaveforeachother.Themembersmustknowthatiftheyareeverdown,otherswillhelpthemgetup.Iftheycaotturntothemoreableforhelpinadversity,thenthebondsthatholdustogetherwillap.Oursocietywilldisintegrate.

DISINCENTIVESTOWORK

InsharingthefruitsofSingapore'sgrowth,however,wemustnotinadvertentlycreatedisincentivesforSingaporeatotakepersonalreoibilitytofendforthemselves.Otherwise,webuildupacrutchmentality,whichwillleadtoindolence,dependenceandabuse.

HengCheeHow,whowillbeourcandidateinJalanBesarGRC,toldmethisstory.

WhenhewascoveringHougangsomeyearsago,hehandedoutcashtoneedycotituents.Hehandedout$200toasmartlydreedyoungmanwhohadjustlosthisjob.ThemantoldCheeHow,“Youknow,the$200yougavemeisnotevenenoughtomeetthemortgagepaymentonmycar”.CheeHowsaidthathefeltlikepunchingtheyoungmanintheface.

Letmegiveyouanotherexampleofhowsuidiescanbetakenforgranted-utilityrebates.

Inthelastthreeyears,HDBhouseholdshaveseentheirmonthlyutilitybillsincreasebyabout25to35.

Therearetworeasoforthis.First,electricitytariffshavegoneup,becausetheworldpriceoffueloilusedforpowergenerationhasnearlydoubled.Secondly,Singaporeaareusingmoreelectricity.

Doyourealisethatifyouturnonyourair-conditionereverynight,itwillcostyouabout$23amonth?Ifyouusewaterheatersiteadofbathingincoldwater,thatwillcostafamily$15extraamonthinelectricity.

Wecaotcapelectricitypricesassomepeoplehavesuggested.Thatwouldmeandirectlysuidisingthecoumptionofelectricity,andwouldleadtoovercoumption.Sowedecidedtohelphouseholds,eeciallylower-incomehouseholds,throughrebatescreditedtotheirutilitybills.Thisway,ifhouseholdsuseleelectricity,therebateisstilltheirstokeep.OuraroachwastohelpSingaporeacopewithincreasesintheirutilitybillswhileencouragingthemtosaveandnotover-coume.

Iam,however,worriedthatutilityrebateswillbetakenforgranted.Toillustratemypoint,afterweintroducedUtilitiesSavelastyear,doyouknowhowmanythank-youletters1receivedfromthepublic?Onlyone!However,1receivemanyletters-ofcomplaintsonvariousiues.ItshowsthatmanySingaporeatakegoodgovernmentforgranted!好范文版权所有

Iamconcernedaboutthenegativelong-termeffectsoftoocomfortableasafetynetontheattitudeofSingaporea.Butintheneweconomicenvironment,wedoneedtodomoretosuortlower-incomeSingaporea.Hence,1amproposingthenewsocialcompact,aftermuchdeliberation.Weneedtostrikeacarefulbalancebetweenhelpinglower-incomeSingaporea,andnotcreatingadependencymentalityamongourpeople.

THEELDERLYANDTHESINGLES

IhaveaskedtheMinisterstotakeahardlookatthekeyareaswheregrouof

Singaporeaneedecialattention.

Onesuchgroupisourseniorcitize.Theirbiggestconcernismedicalcare.Toaddrethisconcern,theGovernmentwillintroducethreeinitiatives.Theseare:medicalcareforelderlySingaporeasufferingfromchronicailmentssuchasdiabetesandhighbloodpreure;enhancingMedishieldbenefitandanew“Eldershield”schemetoprovideiuranceagaitseverephysicaldisabilities.

LimHngKiangwillaouncethedetailsoftheseinitiativeslater.

AnothergrowinggroupofSingaporeawhorequiresomeattentionarethesingles.Oneoftheirmainconcerishousing.HDBwillnowallowthoseaged35andabovetopurchaseresale3-roomflatsinurbanestates.HDBisalsocoideringstudioapartments,earlierconceivedforelderlySingaporea,asanotherhousingoptionforsingles.

CPFTOP-UP

Atlastyear'sRally,IaouncedaCPFtop-upofbetween$500and$1,700foreacheligibleSingaporean,tobegivenoutintwoequalpayments.ThefirstpaymentwasgiveninJanuarythisyear.WewillmakethesecondpaymentinDecember.

Iwastoldthat187,000eligibleSingaporeamiedoutonthefirstpayment.Thisisapity.

IwanttogivetheseSingaporeaasecondchancetoqualify.Iftheycontributetheminimum$100totheCPFby31October,wewillgivethemboththefirstandsecondpaymentsfortheCPFtop-up.

“NEWSINGAPORE”SHARES

Iwouldalsoliketointroduceanewschemetohelpeeciallylewell-offSingaporea.Iintendtogiveyoushareswhichpayaguaranteeddividendforafixednumberofyears,plusbonuspaymentswhentheeconomydoeswell.

Theseshareswillalsoberedeemableimmediatelyforcash,butnotallatonce.

Iwillcallthisscheme“NewSingapore”Shares.

Iknowyouarewaitingtohearhowmuchyouwillbegiven,butpleasebepatient.Howmuchtowhom,andwhen,willdependonthestateoftheeconomythisyear.IwanttoseethethirdquarterresultsbeforeIdecide.

CONCLUSION

Forourgrowthstrategyandsocialcompacttobeeffective,Singaporemustbecohesiveasanation.

Asglobalisationinteifies,thiswillbecomeevenmorecritical.MoreandmoreSingaporeawillgooverseastostudy,workanddobusine.Wewelcomethis,butwemustalsofindwaystokeeptheirheartshere,sothatwherevertheyare,theywillfeelemotionallytiedtoSingapore,standupforit,andreturnonedaytocontributetoitsgrowth.

SingaporeamustbelievethatthebuildingofSingaporeisanexcitingenterprise.ForSingaporetosurviveinthelongerterm,wemusthaveacoreofSingaporeawhofeelpaionatelythatthisplaceisworthfightingfor.Tosucceed,wemustbeproudofwhoweare,ofourcountryandourfellowcitize.Wemustfeelthattogether,wehavecreatedsomethingpreciousthatbelongstoallSingaporea.

Throughoutworldhistory,nocountryhasremainedrichforever.Countriesgothroughacyclewheretheyarepoor,growproerousandpowerful,thenstarttodecline.

Wehavebecomerichinonegeneration-amiracleperha-buttooquicklyandhencenotdeep-rootedenough.Willwedeclineinthenextgeneration?MycolleaguesandIaredeterminedthatwewillnot.ButweneedthiscoreofSingaporeawhofeelpaionatelyaboutourcountry.Weneedyoursuort.Inthisclimbupthemountainofeconomicdevelopment,wewillequipyoutotacklethenextotacleandtotryforthesummit.Butweneedalsotopullourslowercolleaguesalong,sothattheytoocangohigher.好范文版权所有

Ifwehavethecouragetoconfrontproblemsiteadofskirtingthem,ifwearepreparedtoenduretemporaryhardshi,andifwecanadapttochange,wecancontinuetodobetter.ThisNewSingapore-aglobalcitywithastrongsocialcompact-istheMountEverestwemustachieve.Wemustsucceed,sothatourchildrencanfacetomorrowwithoptimismandconfidence.