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JAKARTA: Singapore's Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew says if the island republic helps both Malaysia and Indonesia to develop Special Economic Zones, it will pay equal attention to both projects.
But he noted that with their differing political structures, Malaysia currently has the edge in this area.
"Legacies of Leadership" was the theme at a forum in Jakarta organised by Citibank.
And sharing his thoughts on being a successful leader, Singapore's Minister Mentor said it is all about trust.
"Without trust in a leader, in a person's judgment, you cannot be the leader. But the key to my continued winning of elections, was that they realised I was not, what they call today, spinning the story. What I said, I meant, and what I promised, I would do my best to deliver," said Mr Lee.
Participants were keen to know if Singapore's strong development can be replicated in Indonesia.
The Minister Mentor said this is possible, starting with selected cities - a path that China took.
"Start recruiting, phase by phase, a bureaucracy based on merit and paid on merit, so that [there is] no more KKN. That's the first thing you must have. Then you create a completely new system. And I think that can be done within 10 years," said Mr Lee.
KKN refers to the corruption, collusion and nepotism among bureaucrats that President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has pledged to eradicate.
Singapore is now helping both Indonesia and Malaysia to develop Special Economic Zones.
Mr Lee said the republic would give both sides equal attention. But he believes Malaysia has the edge in developing its Iskandar Development Region, or IDR, because of its political structure.
"So the prime minister, when he decides he will have the IDR, he has the votes in parliament to support it. The laws can be passed. The Johor state government is on board.
"But here, the president knows what has to be done. The vice president supports it. But he goes to the DPR and then labour laws [and] all sorts of problems arise. "
Indonesia wants to have Special Economic Zones in several parts of the country.
Singapore is helping Indonesia to develop its first such zone comprising Batam, Bintan and Karimun - not far from the island republic.
But progress has been slow, mainly because the necessary laws have not been passed by the Indonesian parliament. - CNA/yy
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