New Prime Minister wants an open and inclusive Singapore

Producer: Yvonne Gomez
First broadcast: 13 August 04, Radio Singapore International

Lee Hsien Loong was sworn in as Singapore’s third Prime Minister last night. In his inaugural speech, he spoke of an “open and inclusive Singapore”.

He encouraged Singaporeans to “feel free to express diverse views” and to “engage in robust debate”.

Just what is this idea of an “open and inclusive Singapore”, and how can Singaporeans contribute to it?

Yvonne Gomez discussed this with Member of Parliament Irene Ng and Nominated Member of Parliament Chandra Mohan Nair.

CMN: I think this covers a wide area. Even when Goh Chok Tong was Prime Minister, he had that approach. But I see this coming to fruition in the sense that it’s officially declared in the first speech of Hsien Loong when he became Prime Minister. I think it’s for the citizenry to respond positively. Here is a chance given to our citizens to open up, to speak up, to participate. So I think different institutions must become more active, and contribute to our nationhood, in a sense that they should be willing to talk, to participate, and be prepared to be criticized by the powers that be also. If you want to criticize them, you must be prepared to be criticized in return. If you criticize positively, with good ideas, I think the government is quite sporting. Having been an NMP, when I express views in Parliament that may be a little critical, the response is very positive – there’s nothing negative about it. So I think it’s for NGOs, civic societies, social institutions, NUS students unions – to be more participatory, to give their views. And I think all these will go a long way to have a society that really contributes by an exchange of ideas.

What can you add to this, Irene?

IN: It’s not only engaging young Singaporeans, but more than that. In PM Lee’s speech, he stressed that there’s a need to help the less educated, the disabled, the older workers. And I think this is an aspect that also deserves some attention, that’s it’s not only focusing on those who have what it takes to succeed, but also helping those who need some help, including those who need second chances. And his statement that we should give people a second chance even though they’ve failed before, and to learn from them, is a very positive statement and it shows that our society has matured. We’re moving towards a society that encourages all kinds of Singaporeans, from all walks of life, be it in sports or arts, or business, where there might be a level of failure to be expected, but to not be daunted, to rise up, to be resilient. And hopefully, that resilience will be the kind of resilience that will stand Singapore through our ups and downs, through the various challenges that come. And I think the inclusiveness that encourages participation by the able and the less able, will make Singapore a more gracious society to live in.

One of his top priorities will be leadership succession and to search for younger Singaporeans to step forward to lead the country. Mr Lee said he's already begun looking for the next generation of leaders. How far is this surprising or unusual, to be on the lookout for people who could succeed him, so soon after taking office himself?

CMN: In a sense, I think it’s a positive move because I think the PAP government has, all along, been doing this, Since the 80s, Lee Kuan Yew had done that, Goh Chok Tong did it – he searched and found a few – and no doubt, Hsien Loong will be doing the same time. I think it’s important to search, and to search as widely as possible, and across both sexes too. I think there are a lot of ladies I know, who are probably capable, but who may be reluctant to go forward, and equally, some young men also. Sometimes it’s just the proposition, and when you think of the opposition, it’s taboo in Singapore. So I think we have to be a bit more broadminded in Singapore about these things. We shouldn’t label them as proposition and opposition but as differing views, as people who are Singaporeans who want to contribute. So I think the government should also send a signal, although it may be a bit difficult for them, that they can actually participate, not necessarily through the government, or through the PAP, but in different forms. And that could include also, the opposition. That would be magnanimity at its level best, in saying, look you can join any party you want, but come up with good ideas to contribute to nationhood, and to Singapore.

Irene, what can you say about this early talk of political succession?

IN: The determination to renew the leadership at the top and also at every level, is indeed a unique and precious feature of Singapore. In other countries, you’ll find that the system tends to be very static, that those in power will want to stay in power and will struggle to stay in power. And in Singapore, it’s a tradition set, really, by Lee Kuan Yew, even in the early days, he spoke of leadership renewal. Similarly also, Goh Chok Tong, within five months of being in office, he started talking about leadership renewal. For Lee Hsien Loong, he’s following a similar path and talking about leadership renewal because he’s looking ahead to the future, of who will succeed him. And this is really a hallmark of Singapore politics. And it’s to Lee Hsien Loong’s credit that he spelt it out as one of his top priorities, in his maiden speech.

PM Lee also spoke about giving those who've failed a second chance, saying that they may be the wiser and stronger ones among us. These are indeed unusual words, given Singapore's meritocratic traditions that often have no room for failure or second chances. Your thoughts on this Mohan?

CM: Well, in Singapore, and I think the world at large and in life, there’s always a second chance. I think we human beings practise that, but now, the top leadership has said it, and publicly said it. Not that they’ve not said it before, I think, but now it’s been said formally and I think that’s good. And coming from Prime Minister Lee himself, giving a second chance to those who’ve failed, and even talking of the underprivileged… these are all positive. I think we all know that it is necessary, and is being practiced. I think it’s always good to admire people who’ve fallen and risen again. In entrepreneurship, for one huge success, there may be ten huge failures – bankruptcies, liquidation, companies winding up, etc. But that doesn’t mean it’s the end of the world. Because they’ve failed, they are much more mature and wiser. And I think even in political leadership, if you’ve failed once or twice, and you rise up again, probably, you’ll be a better leader because wisdom would’ve set in and you’ll be a bit humbler, I think. I think we must not have too many politicians who are extremely good, with say, first class honours. Maybe there itself, we should have wise people who may not have fantastic degrees, but who have experienced life. In that sense, it’s also giving that person a chance.

You were both at the swearing-in ceremony last night. Irene, can you describe what the atmosphere was like?

IN: Well, it was a lovely evening. It was perfect, and the Istana was lit up in the background. It’s a very elegant building and lent a certain elegance and specialness to the evening. The national flag was billowing in the wind. Even as Lee Hsien Loong spoke, giving his views of the future, there was a fresh wind blowing, in more ways than one. And sitting there, you felt there was hope for Singapore, a confidence that comes in. When I went around talking to my grassroots leaders at the reception, and while we tucked into satay and salmon and all kinds of food, they said that it was a meaningful event because they’d never been to the Istana, and never had the opportunity to witness a swearing-in, so the fact that they were there for this historic moment meant a lot to many people on the ground.

Mohan, what do you have to add to this?

CMN: I agree totally with what Irene just said. It was a wonderful moment for me and my colleagues in Parliament, and Singaporeans as a whole. A whole string of people were there, from top leadership to taxi-drivers and hawkers, students etc. One of the nicer things was that I also saw the Cabinet Minister’s spouses and some of their children were there too. I think there should be that personal touch, and I think Singaporeans ought to know, besides their political leaders, even their spouses. I think that’s interesting because you get a touch of what life is all about, instead of just a detached form of politics. And it’s not that you’re being a kaypoh or anything, but it adds spice to political life. The environment was fantastic, like Irene said. The garden atmosphere. It was wonderful and wish that would happen, say, once a year¡­I¡¯m not saying a change of prime ministership (laughs)¡­once a year meaning an occasion like that where Singaporeans can come and celebrate. We must thank the President for giving us the opportunity to use that wonderful lawn.