PM Lee says ministers shouldn't be automatically removed for lapses down the line
By May Wong, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 22 April 2008 1447 hrs

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SINGAPORE: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong has said that public officers, including Ministers, should not be automatically removed or punished just because a lapse has occurred down the line.

In his statement, PM Lee said while the government must admit its mistakes openly and honestly, Singapore should not encourage a culture where officials resign whenever something goes wrong on their watch, or encourage witch-hunts.

Mr Lee made his remarks in Parliament, just a day after Home Affairs Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng gave a detailed account on the escape of Jemaah Islamiyah leader Mas Selamat Kastari.

Since Mas Selamat's escape some two months ago from the Whitley Road Detention Centre, some Singaporeans have made calls for the Home Affairs Minister to take responsibility for the security lapse and step down.

Mr Lee said that when something goes wrong, the government has to deal with it decisively and effectively, identify shortcomings and put it right and take steps to prevent recurrences.

But he said Singaporeans should not do this in a manner which would damage and demoralise the security agencies.

Mr Lee stressed that while it is an easy way out for ministers and leaders to accept responsibility and resign to appease an angry public, this will not fundamentally solve the problem.

He acknowledged that the Minister is ultimately accountable for the policies and operations of his ministry, but said a rational approach to establish who is responsible for lapses has to be taken.

These include finding out who failed in their duties and whether there was negligence or incompetence.

Mr Lee made clear, though, that if there are questions over the integrity of the people involved, they would be removed, no matter how minor the incident is.

He said the government's aim is to try and do things right the first time and urged Singaporeans not to over-react to one bad incident, as it could lead to going overboard in trying to solve a problem.

Mr Lee is satisfied that the Home Affairs Ministry has taken the correct remedial and disciplinary action in light of the escape, and he has thrown his full support behind Minister Wong and the Internal Security Department Director for the good work done by them in the fight against terror.

PM Lee recognises that Singaporeans demand and expect high standard of integrity and performance from every public servant, including ministers. He assured the House that this is what the government will continually strive to achieve. - CNA/ir