Shanmugam ‘very troubled’ by report questioning shift to populist measures
PAP Nee Soon GRC candidate K. Shanmugam (foreground) at the unveiling of the team's manifesto at Chong Pang's PAP Branch. Photo: Koh Mui Fong
SINGAPORE — Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam was “very troubled” by an international report which questioned whether Singapore, which tends to do what is right even if it is unpopular, could start to push for more populist measures.
“The article mentioned that Singapore has been an exceptional country ... because it has always been able to do what is right in the interest of the people rather than in very short-term populist measures. And there was a serious question raised by the analyst as to whether that is changing and whether that could change and how does that impact on investments in Singapore,” he said, without giving details of the report.
“So that question is being raised quite seriously, has been raised for a while, but the rhetoric in these elections has made quite a few people sit up and take notice and think about that.”
Mr Shanmugam was responding to a question on whether Singapore’s neighbours have raised concerns over the Opposition’s efforts to play up the hot-button issue of immigration in the current election.
He acknowledged that immigration issues are difficult to convey to Singaporeans, but the Government has to “do right by Singaporeans” and assure them that every policy is aimed at benefiting Singaporeans.
“Immigration is an issue around the world, not just in Singapore, and we have to make sure that our people benefit from it. We have to make sure that we have the rules in place such that (they are) not abused by companies. And that is key, that is important, and then people will feel more assured,” he said at a press conference to announce a manifesto for Nee Soon GRC, which he leads.
When asked about the argument that more seats should be given to the Opposition given how its increased presence has driven changes in policies, Mr Shanmugam reiterated the ruling party’s stand that the Government made changes to its own policies according to the changing demographic, social and economic situation.
He also attributed the good governance in Singapore to how the PAP “has not been ideological”.
It started out as a left-wing party but also realised when the country needed a “good mix of private sector and public sector”.
“That means constantly re-evaluating the external and internal economic and social environment. And those assessments led to the changes of policies that started in (2007) towards a more leftward shift,” he added.
On the Opposition’s call for more seats in Parliament, he said Singaporeans will ask if they are transparent, honest and “not take the money and give it to your friends”.
Mr Shanmugam and his team contesting in Nee Soon GRC — Dr Lee Bee Wah, Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Mr Henry Kwek and Mr Louis Ng — announced details of the manifesto, which will be distributed to 68,000 households.
Residents can expect to see new MRT stations, a new highway, new shopping malls — Northpoint City and Junction Nine — and a newly upgraded community club, among other things, he said.
“Of course, how we run the town council will determine what other local facilities can be built. What we have done in the past is a good guide to what we can do in the future,” he added.
