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by Dinesh Weerakkody, The Island
THe Singaporean civil servants were highly skilled, dynamic people, who were forward looking, took a broad view of the development process and found the best possible way to achieve the wishes of the people.
by Hugo Restall, Far Eastern Economic Review
A siege mentality has been the hallmark of Singaproean politics for four decades, often with good justification given hostile neighboring governments to the north and south. Yet it is increasingly hard today to see how that anxiety can be justified and maintained. The generation now coming onto the political scene grew up in at least moderate prosperity, and may not be so easily bullied into voting for the PAP. It is eager to put down roots and create a civil society. So far the PAP has finessed this aspiration without compromising its control.
Prime minister Lee can afford to be sanguine for now, with the security apparatus, corporatist economy and civil service all at his command. Yet if this economic downturn worsens, he will be confronted with a more difficult choice of whether to accede to demands for greater pluralism. As academic Michael Haas once wrote, "Whenever the public exercises the independence of thought that better education brings, 'a danger to be nipped in the bud' or some similar cliche is articulated as the basis for repression." It bears remembering that the laws like the Internal Security Act that have been used in past such exercises remain on the books. If pushed too hard, Lee Hsien Loong still has the means to prove he is his father's son.
by Tym Blogs Too
Ah, convervatives and their "small-town values" (read: Asian values?). Because everyone in the big city doesn't give a damn about "family, fidelity, honour and responsibility" (just like anyone with those damn "Western values").
by Angie Ng, The Star
The Singapore government's pro-active efforts in formulating strategic plans to cushion the economy from unforeseen circumstances are commendable and have given a new lease of life to an otherwise listless property market.
by Jolovan Wham, Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics, Today
Is isloation rather than integration the answer to the problem?
by The Online Citizen
The institution of NS clearly needs to be adjusted to take into account new realities. The main challenge is to meet questions of fairness and changing expectations.
by Heng-Cheong Leong, MyAppleMenu
In P65 blog, Lim Wee Kiak wrote: "Unfortunately, there are always some black sheeps among the foreign workers that tarnish the reputation and incite fear among residents by their unsocial actions and some may be even criminal. Ministry of National Development should study the issues further to ensure that location of such dorms will result in less distress to residential estates in proximity."
Now, try this little experiment: subsitute the phrase "foreign workers" with, say, "Malay." And, all of a sudden, you'll realise how racist this statement can be.
(Note: The Housing and Development Board is under the same ministry.)
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