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NEW DELHI, India: Singapore is expecting a cabinet reshuffle soon, and Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has given his take on what are some of the qualities needed in the next set of ministers to bring the country forward.
Speaking at the end of his visit to India on Friday, Senior Minister Goh said Singapore's new leaders must have the ability to anticipate problems, work out the solutions and have them accepted by the public.
He said, "If I may give an example, it will be in the heath sector. (Health) Minister Khaw (Boon Wan) anticipates the future needs of our health sector and works out solutions for them...But to sell to the public will not be easy.
"Means testing is one example. But he has been able to patiently explain the needs for means testing."
Mr Goh said that as in the past, Singapore's new generation of leaders must be able to engage all sectors of society.
They must have strength of character plus the breadth of knowledge on all issues.
He elaborated, "In Singapore's case, when a minister travels, he must always leave an impression on the people he meets...you don't go and meet foreign leaders and talk about nothing but your own ministry's work. You have to have knowledge of international development on issues outside the ministry.
"So I would like to see new ministers with a breadth of knowledge, if possible have depth in particular subjects. It's not possible to have depth in every subject, but you must have breadth and depth in subjects that you are in charge (of)."
The Senior Minister also encouraged Singapore's ministers to reach out to their counterparts in the neighbouring countries and work on areas of mutual interests.
On inflation in Singapore, Mr Goh reiterated his concern and said one way of making it less painful for the lower-income group is to postpone fee increases for the time being. - CNA/ms
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