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          新加坡總理吳作棟理國慶群眾大會演講
          
						
						
						
						
						
          
						
						
					
          					
					 
           
          前言：本站為你精心整理了新加坡總理吳作棟理國慶群眾大會演講范文，希望能為你的創作提供參考價值，我們的客服老師可以幫助你提供個性化的參考范文，歡迎咨詢。
           
          新加坡總理吳作棟理國慶群眾大會演講
           
          名人演講稿
           
          WhentheSingaporeteamsuccessfullyclimbedMountEverest(中國稱珠穆朗瑪峰))in1998,Icheered.IspoketoKhooSweeChiowandhisteam-mateslater.
           
          Theytoldmethattheyclimbedupinstages,fromBaseCamp(探險隊等的營地)toCamps1,2,3and4,beforetheymadetheirassaultforthesummit.Theclimbbecamemoredifficultanddangerousthehighertheywent.Theairbecamethinnerandtheslopesteeper.Youhadtobedisciplined,determined,andwellprepared.Andyouhadtohaveluckonyourside.Therecouldbeavalanchesandrockfails,ortheweathercouldchangesuddenly.SweeChiowtoldmethatthemostimportantqualityneededtoclimbMountEverestwasmentalstrength.
           
          TheclimbupMountEverestprovidesavividimageforSingapore''''sownclimbupthemountainofeconomicdevelopment.
           
          SeniorMinisterbroughtSingaporeuptoCamp2--fromlabourintensivetoelectronicsandhighervalue-addedindustries.Inthelast10years,wehaveclimbedhighertoCamp3,withwaferfabs(waferfabrication的口語表達,晶體管加工),chemicals,andfinancialservices.Now,wearemakingourwaytoCamp4,todoIT,lifesciences,andotherknowledge-basedactivities.IfwemakeittoCamp4,wecanthentrytoscalethesummitwherecountriesliketheUS,JapanandSwitzerlandare.
           
          Butletmewarnyou.AsintheMountEverestclimb,thegoingwillgettougherfromhere.Aswegohigherupthemountainofeconomicdevelopment,progresswillbeslower.Wewillnotseethesamehighgrowthratesasinthepast.Wewillhavetoworksmarterandacquiremoresophisticatedcapabilitiestoovercomecomplexchallenges.Wewillbetemptedtorelax.Indeed,someSingaporeanshaveasked:"DoweneedtobeNumberOneineverything?"Wewillneedgreatmentalstrengthtocontinuepushingourselvestoexcel.Ifwedonotdoso,othersnowbehinduswillpushusoffthetrack.
           
          Tonight,Iwanttofocusonthisnextstageofoureconomicclimb.
           
          THECURRENTDOWNTURN
           
          Butfirst,letmetouchonthecurrenteconomicdownturn.
           
          WhenImetthemediaearlierthisweek,theytoldmethatSingaporeanswouldexpectmetospeakindetailontheslowdown,andoffersolutions.
           
          IexplainedwhyIdidnotintendtodoso.Wehavealreadydiscussedonmanyoccasionsourshort-termproblems.Iwanttodealwiththelong-termchallenges.Ofgreaterconcerntomearethefundamentalshiftsintheglobaleconomicenvironment,andthefactthatmanyofthejobswhicharelostduringthisslowdown,mightneverreturnafterrecovery.Weneedanewstrategytorespondtothesedevelopments.
           
          Moreover,duringthe1997Asianfinancialcrisis,wehadputinplaceamajorpackageofrebatesandcost-cuttingmeasures.Partsofthisarestillineffect,includingtheCP17cut.Then,inthisyear''''sbudget,RichardHucutcorporateandpersonaltaxes,andgaverebatesonS&Ccharges,rentalsandutilitybills.Recently,GeorgeYeoannouncedanotherpackagetodealwiththecurrenteconomicslowdown.
           
          Letmeassureyouthatiftheslowdowndragson,wehavethemeansandabilitytodomoretohelpyou.Andwewillhelpyou.MyMinistersandIarewatchingtheeconomyveryclosely.Weareworkingoutpossibleadditionalmeasures,justincasetheeconomycontinuestoworsenandweneedtoadministerasecondpackage.
           
          Ourcurrentproblemistheconsequenceofbeingasmall,openeconomy,highlydependentonexternaltradeandforeigninvestment.WhentheUSandothermajoreconomiesweregrowing,wecaughtthestrongwindsandsurgedahead.Nowthatthewindshavedied,ourgrowthhasslowedtoalmostastandstill.Wedonothavealargedomesticmarkettogoagainstchangesinthewindintheexternalenvironment.Wejusthavetocopewiththem.WhattheGovernmentcando,however,istomakesurethattheeconomystayscompetitiveoverthelongterm,andsoftentheimpactofdownturnsonbusinessesandworkersthroughcost-cuttingmeasuresandrebates.
           
          Wearedoingtherightthings,Inarecentsurveyof12AsiancountriesbyPERC,aHongKong-basedrisk-analysisconsultancy,Singaporerankednumberoneforqualityofgovernmentpolicies.PERCreportedthat:"Singaporeisaposter-boyofhowtopursueeconomicdevelopment...NowthattheeconomyisslowinginresponsetothedownturninelectronicexportstotheUS,the(Singapore)governmentiscomingupwithnewmeasurestobolstergrowth.Yetitisnotpanicking,norisitradicallychangingotherpoliciesthathavebeenasourceofstabilityandfortifiedinvestorconfidence."(AsianIntelligence,July25,2001)
           
          Sodonotloseconfidence.Donotwalkaroundwithyourhead~aningsolow,asifwehavebeendiagnosedwithagravecondition.Wemightbealittleoutofsorts,butitisnotlife-threatening.Whentheglobaleconomyrecovers,sowillwe.Weshouldthereforekeepourspiritsup,andfightoffanygloom.Thereisabiggerbattleafterthis.Wecansucceedonlyifourmoraleishigh.
           
          THELASTTENYEARS
           
          Letusplanthenextstageofoureconomicclimbevenaswedealwiththecurrentslowdown.
           
          Ihadearliergiventhemediaabookletontheprogresswemadeinthe1990s.Acopyhasalsobeengiventoyou.
           
          Thisrecordofourachievementssetsthecurrentdownturninperspective.Thelastfewyearshavebeenvolatile--goodgrowthin1997,sharpdownturnin1998,recoveryin1999,10percentgrowthin2000,andnowanotherdownturn.Buttakingalongerviewoverthelastdecade,wehavemadeconsiderableprogress.
           
          Thisshouldgiveustheconfidencethatwecanclimbhigher.Wehavestrongfundamentals.WehaveatestedteamofexperiencedMinisters,MPs,grassrootsandunionleaders,andcivilservants.Wehavecapablepeopleintheprivatesectorandaunitedpopulation.Andwehavetheresourcestoinvestinnewventuresandcapabilities.
           
          Oureconomygrewfasterinthe90sthaninthe80s,despitethe1997Asianfinancialcrisis(7.7%perannum,asagainst7.3%).Iwasalsoquietlysatisfiedthatwerealisedourvisionofreachingthe1984Swissstandardoflivinglastyear.In1984,wehadsetthisasatargettobeachievedby1999,butwemisseditbyoneyearbecauseofthecrisis.
           
          TheGovernmentdistributedbacktoSingaporeansagoodpartofthewealthgeneratedfromthisstrongeconomicgrowth.Wesharedcloseto$14billionthroughasset-enhancementprogrammesandendowmentfunds.Weinvestedinbetterhealthcare,housingandeducation.Singaporeans''''standardoflivingwentupconsiderably.
           
          Wealsolivenedupthearts,culturalandleisurescene.Twoyearsago,Timemagazinedescribedourcitylifeas"funky".Morerecently,Australia''''sCanberraTimessaidthatSingaporewas"hip"and"cool".
           
          Ahh!Now,weevenhavefoamparties!1thoughtfoampartieswereforchildren,but1sawpicturesofadultsenjoyingthemselvestoo.Thatisallright,solongasthemerry-makersprancearoundwiththelightsandtheirclotheson.
           
          Fortunately,wealsohavehigh-browedstufflikeplays,balletsandmusicals.Tonight''''sRallyisheldhereinsteadoftheusualKallangTheatrebecauseIgavewayto"MissSaigon".
           
          BUTTHEREAREGAPS
           
          However,therewerealsoareaswherewecouldhavedonebetter.Iwillmentiononlytwo,justtoremindSingaporeansnottobecomplacent.
           
          Ourservicestandardscanbeimproved.Ournewspaperscarrymanycomplaintsofpoorserviceinourshopsandrestaurants,bytaxi-drivers,andeveninourhospitalsandbanks.
           
          Wecanalsobemoregraciousandconsiderate,athomeandinothercountries.
           
          Forexample,someJohoreanshavedescribedChineseSingaporeansas"haolian"or"show-offs".TheyclaimthatSingaporeanslovetospeedandbeattrafficlightswheninMalaysia;behaveasiftheyare"ABC"or"American-bornChinese";andlovetoshout"verycheap,verycheap!"whileshopping.
           
          Iwouldaddthatwearetoo''''kiasu''''.Forexample,atbuffets,wepileoystersonourplatesashighasMountEverest.
           
          Ithinkourlessthangraciousbehaviourisbecausewehavebecomeaffluenttooquickly.Oursocialgraceshavenotkeptpacewithourmaterialprogress.Letusbehumble,courteous,andgraciousinourbehaviourandattitude.Letusmakefriendswithourneighbours,especiallyJohoreans.
           
          MORECHALLENGINGENVIRONMENTAHEAD
           
          Thenexttenyearswillbetougherthanthelastten.
           
          Ouroperatingenvironmenthaschangedtremendously.Wearenowinanewphaseofglobaldevelopment.Thereisonlyonepre-eminentworldpower-theUS.Nevertheless,theUScannotignoretherapidemergenceofChina.
           
          US-CHINARELATIONS
           
          Indeed,theUS-Chinarelationshipwillbethedefiningfactoringlobaleconomicsandpoliticsinthecomingdecades.Ifitgoeswrong,Asiawillsuffer.TheUSseestremendousopportunitiesinChina''''seconomicgrowth,butatthesametime,itworriesoverChina''''sgrowingpower.
           
          HowUS-Chinarelationswillevolveisstilltooearlytosay.PresidentGeorgeW.BushspoketoPresidentJiangZemingonthetelephonerecently.AccordingtoPresidentJiang,"AlthoughitwasnotavideophonewhereIcouldseehisfacialexpression,fromhisvoice,IcouldfeelthathewasaPresidentwecandobusinesswith."IhopethatwhenthetwoPresidentsmeetinBeijinginOctober,andseeeachother''''sfacialexpressions,theywillfindthattheycandobusinesswitheachother.
           
          EASTASIA
           
          WithinEastAsia,thereareotherflashpoints.Cross-straitrelationsbetweenChinaandTaiwanaretroubled.ThemomentumofreconciliationbetweenthetwoKoreashavesloweddown.IntheSouthChinaSea,severalcountriesclaimtheatollsandreefsthere.Ifthisleadstoconflict,sealanesofcommunicationsandinternationaltradewillbedisrupted,affectingus.
           
          Theoutlookforourimmediateneighbourhoodalsoremainsuncertain.
           
          IndonesiahasjustelectedanewPresident,thethirdinthreeyearssinceSuhartosteppeddownin1998.
           
          PresidentMegawattiinheritsacountryinwhichpartsarethreateningtobreakaway,andtheeconomyisinagravestate.Indonesiawilltakemanyyearstorecover.
           
          TheMalaysianeconomybouncedbackbrieflyafterthe1997Asianfinancialcrisis.However,internationalinvestorsremainwary.
           
          OthercountriesinAseanarealsofacingvariousdifficulties.
           
          Asaresult,Aseanisatalowpoint.Investorsarenegativeabouttheregion''''sprospects.
           
          Singaporewillfeelkeenlytheeffectofthisuncertaintyintheregion.
           
          THECHINACHALLENGE
           
          Moreover,oureconomyisuncomfortablysandwichedbetweenthedevelopinganddevelopedeconomies.
           
          Manydevelopingeconomiesarefastcatchingupwithusintechnologicalcapability.What''''smore,theyhavemuchlowercostsofproduction.Forexample,ourwagesformanufacturingworkersaremorethan12timesthatinChinaandIndia.OurindustriallandcostsaboutUS$300persquaremetre.InShenzhen,itcostsbelowUS$10.Fortunately,wearenolongercompetinginlow-endmanufacturing,wherelowwagesandlowlandpricesarecritical.
           
          Butstill,Chinaposesabigeconomicchallenge.SomeeconomistsdescribeChinaasan"800-poundtradinggorilla".AHongkongnewspaperaddedthatthisgorillawas"veryhungry".
           
          Intheearly90s,Chinatook20%ofthetotalforeigndirectinvestmentintoEastAsia(excludingJapan),whileAseanabsorbed50%.Today,thenumbersarereversed:Chinatakesin50%andAsean20%.Chinaisnowdubbedthe"subcontractoroftheworld".
           
          EvenIndiaisbeingfloodedwithcheapbutgoodqualityChinesegoods.SomeIndianmanufacturersarefindingithardtocompete.Sotheyhavedonethenextbestthing.Theystick"MadeinChina"labelsontheirproductstoboostsales.
           
          ButChinawillsoonbemorethanasub-contractor.AJulyarticleinAsiaweekcommentedthat:"It''''snotaboutcheapstuffanymore.FromPCstochipstosoftware,(China)isbecominganITpowerhouse."
           
          ManyTaiwanesecompaniesareinvestingheavilyinChina,notjustinlow-endactivities,butalsohightechplantslikewaferfabs.ThecompaniesareshiftingtheiractivitiesoutofTaiwanintoChina.Thereare200,000TaiwanesebusinessmeninShanghaiandanother200,000inKunshannearSuzhou.TheTaiwaneseworrythattheirmanufacturingindustryisbeinghollowedout.
           
          RichardLimwroteaninterestingarticle,entitled"AWake-upCallfromChina",intheSundayTimesof22July.HehasbeentoChinaseveraltimesovermanyyears.HefoundChina''''stransformationtobe:
           
          "Alarming,becauseChina''''stransformationwillimpactgreatlyonSingapore,especiallyonthelivelihoodsofitslesswell-educatedcitizens."
           
          Hethenurgedthat:
           
          "Thepeoplemustbemadeawareofwhatishappening,becausetheirfuture,ortheirchildren''''s,isatstake."
           
          RichardLim''''sarticleattractedseveralletters.Manyreadersagreedwithhim.
           
          Iwas,however,morethanalittlesadtoreadtheresponseofayoungreader,probablywestern-educatedandhadneverbeentoChina.Herevealedthathehaddraftedhisresponsewithinputsfromafewotherslikehimself,all20-somethings.Hewrote:
           
          "WedonotfeelanyaffinitytotheChinesepeople...Thecheenapeoplearesuckingawayalltheforeigninvestmentsandalongwiththem,ourjobs...Wereallycannotimagineaworldwiththecheenapeopleincharge.
           
          ThecheenapeopleworkinginSingaporearereallysuchacrudelot."
           
          HeendedsarcasticallybyaskingRichardLimtoconsidermigratingtoChina.
           
          Thisyoungmanisunabletoseebeyondhisnose.Heneedstogrowup,andquicklytoo.PerhapshedoesnotknowthatChinesearecalled"OrangCina"inMalay.IfwearenotCina,whatarewe?"AngMoh"?
           
          IhavebeentoChinamanytimes,thefirsttimein1971.IhaveseenChina''''stransformationatclosequarters.Itisscary.YougotoBeijing,Shanghai,Shenzhen,Dalian,Qingdaoandscoresofothercities,andyouwillbeastonishedbyhowquicklytheyhavelearntandcaughtup.TheywritesoftwaresforMicrosoft.Theyareintolifesciencesandbiomedicalengineering.Theyhaveevensucceededinmakingtheirtoiletsattouristattractionsshinierandcleanerthanours.
           
          OurbiggestchallengeisthereforetosecureanicheforourselvesasChinaswampstheworldwithherhighqualitybutcheaperproducts.China''''seconomyispotentiallytentimesthesizeofJapan''''s.Justaskyourself:howdoesSingaporecompeteagainsttenpostwarJapans,allindustrialisingandexportingtotheworldatthesametime?
           
          IdonotmeanthatChinawilloverpowereveryothereconomy,andgrowattheexpenseofeverybodyelse.AsChinadevelopsandexportsmore,itsimportswillgrowtoo.TherewillbemanyopportunitiesforothercountriestotradewithChina,andforforeigncompaniestoinvestinChina.Wemustgrasptheseopportunities.
           
          Butmanyofthethingswearenowdoing,intime,Chinawilldobetterandcheaper.Wewillhavetostayonestepahead,andmoveontonewactivities.
           
          Singaporehasawindowofabouttenyearstomakethistransformation,andupgradetothenextlevelofeconomicdevelopment.Butaswedoso,wecompetehead-onwiththedevelopedeconomies.Wehavetomatchtheirlevelofinnovative,scientific,technologicalandmanagerialcapability.
           
          VISIONFORSINGAPORE
           
          Wewillneednewenergy,aclearsenseofdirection,aNewSingapore,tocompeteinthisnewenvironment.
           
          MyvisionistoturnSingaporeintoaglobalcity,a''''globapolis'''',withpeoplefromallovertheworldandwellconnectedtoallpartsoftheglobe-byair,sea,telecommunicationsandtheInternet,inmarketaccessandinvestments,andinareassuchaseducation,sportsandthearts.
           
          InNewSingapore,therewillbeabundantopportunitiesforSingaporeansandglobaltalenttoworkanddowell.Ourlimitedphysicalandmarketsizewillnotconstrainus,forwewouldhaveexpandedoureconomicspacebeyondourshores.
           
          NewSingaporewillbeoneoftheworld''''sfinest,mostliveablecities.Arts,theatres,museums,musicandsportswillflourish.Singaporewillbealivelyandexcitingplace,withplentytodoandexperience.Ourcitywillnotonlyhavedepth,butalsotherichnessofdiversity.
           
          Butaboveall,SingaporewillbeahomeforSingaporeans.Itwillbethebesthomeforustoraiseourchildren,awarmandsafehomewithagoodheartandsoundvalues,andwherestrongbondsuniteusasonefamily.
           
          HOWDOWEGETTHERE?
           
          TocreatethisNewSingapore,wewillimplementaneweconomicstrategyandforgeanewsocialcompact.Theneweconomicstrategywillenableustodevelopnewbasesofgrowth.Thenewsocialcompact-anunderstandingamongallSihgaporeans,andbetweentheGovernmentandpeople-willensurethatwestayacohesivenationevenaseconomiccompetitionintensifiesandtheincomegapwidens.
           
          InthisprocessofgettingtotheNewSingapore,wewillhavetodiscardmindsetsandoldwaysofdoingthingsthathavebecomeirrelevant.Wewillhavetolearnnewcompetencies.
           
          Butthisiseasiersaidthandone
           
          Forexample,1knowmanyteachersintheir50swhohavechosentoretireearly.Iftheyhadstayedon,theywouldhavehadtolearnmanynewthings.Theywouldhavehadtochange30yearsofteachingmaterials,methodsandroutinesfornewones.Theywouldhavehadtostrugglewiththeircomputers,andsometimes,gethelpfromthestudentstheyaresupposedtoteach.Theyfoundsuchchangestressful.Sotheychosetogetoffthetreadmill.
           
          Asindividuals,theycouldretire.Butanentirecountrycannotquit.Wehavenochoicebuttorunatthehighspeedoftheglobaleconomictreadmill.Otherwise,wewillbethrownoff,andallSingaporeanswillsuffer.
           
          NEWECONOMICSTRATEGY
           
          Singapore''''sgrowthuptonowhasprimarilybeeninvestment-driven.Thishastakenourprosperitytoanextraordinarylevel.Butlookingintothefuture,therearelimitstohowmuchmorewecanrelyonsuchastrategy.
           
          First,ourwagesandrentalsarealreadyhigherthanthoseinothercountriescompetingforthesameinvestments.
           
          Secondly,thereisanimbalancebetweenourexportsector,drivenmainlybyMNCs,andourdomesticsector.Ourexportsectoriscompetitive,butourdomesticsectorisnot.
           
          Thirdly,ourexportsaredominatedbyoneindustry-electronics.Thismakesusvulnerabletochangesinexternaldemand.
           
          Fourthly,ourimmediateregionisinastateofflux,andwillremainsoforsomeyears.
           
          Weneedtorespondtothesechallenges.Tonight,Iwouldliketooutlinefivekeythruststhatwillpropelourneweconomicstrategy.
           
          First,beglobal.Reachouttonewmarketsinourregionandbeyond.
           
          Next,createanenterprisingSingapore.WeneedmoreSingaporeanstostrikeoutinbusiness,andbemorereadytotakerisks.
           
          Thirdly,bemoreinnovative.Weshouldlookforourownideas,ratherthanmerelycopyingtheideasofothers.
           
          Fourthly,restructureoureconomy,tomakeourexportanddomesticsectorsmorecompetitive.
           
          Andlast,enlargeourpoolofhumancapitalandraiseitsquality.
           
          REACHINGOUT
           
          First,reachingouttonewmarkets.
           
          7-HOURHINTERLAND
           
          TheAseanregionisimportanttous,especiallyMalaysiaandIndonesia.Butweshouldnowwidenourhinterland,tobuildupSingaporeasahubforthegreaterAsianregion.
           
          Withina7~hourflightradiusofSingaporelive2.8billionpeople,withhundredsofmillionsinthemiddleincomegroup.Wehaveonlyourselvestoblameifwedonotfullyexploittheseopportunities.Weshouldregardallthecountriesandcitieswhicharewithin7hoursofflyingtimefromSingaporeasourhinterland.
           
          Chinaiswithinthisgreaterhinterland.SoisIndia,whichalsooffersusgoodgrowthopportunities.Indiaisopeningup,thoughnotasspectacularlyasChina.ItsITindustryespeciallyhasdevelopedremarkablyinthelastfewyears.IndianslivingabroadarebeginningtoreturntoIndia,tostartupcompaniesthere.
           
          FREETRADEAGREEMENTS
           
          OurFreeTradeAgreementorFTAstrategyispartofoureffortstoexpandoureconomicspace.Lastyear,weconcludedanFTAwithNewZealand.WearenownegotiatingFTAswiththeUS,JapanandAustralia,amongothers.
           
          FTAsopenupforeignmarketstocompaniesinSingapore.Thiswillbenefitourcompanies,whichmustexporttogrow.FTAswillalsoattractmoreinvestmentstoSingapore,becausefactoriesinSingaporewillbeassuredofenhancedaccesstoimportantmarketsliketheUSandJapan.ThismeansmoreandbetterjobsforSingaporeans.
           
          Inthelastfewmonths,theMalaysianmediahasportrayedourFTAsas"TrojanHorses"thatprovide"backdoor"entryforgoodsfromourFTApartnerstoentertheAseanmarket,throughtheAseanFreeTradeAreaorAFTA.
           
          OurFTAscannotbea"backdoor".Indeed,ifitwerepossibleforothercountriestouseSingapore''''sFTAsasa"backdoor"toentertheAseanmarket,thenMalaysiacouldusethesame"backdoor"toenterthemarketsofourFTApartnerssuchastheUSandJapan!ButtherulesoforiginofAFTAandourFTAswillnotallowthis.
           
          ENTERPRISINGSINGAPORE
           
          Thesecondthrustofourneweconomicstrategyisenterprise.
           
          Inthepast,weboughtandsoldotherpeople''''sproducts.Later,weaddedvaluetothesegoods.ThenweattractedMNCstomanufacturehere.
           
          Inthenextphaseofourdevelopment,Singaporeanshavetobemoreentrepreneurial.Weneedtogrowagroupoflocalcompaniesthatcangointernational,tobecomeinternationalSingaporecompaniesorISCs.TheywillbasetheircorecapabilitiesinSingaporeandexpandoutside.Theywillbeanotherengineofgrowthforoureconomy,supplementingourforeignMNCstrategy.IknowwewillnothavemanycompanieslikeSingaporeAirlines,butwecanhaveafewmorelikeCreativeTechnologyorPSA.
           
          DEVELOPINGSINGAPOREENTERPRISES
           
          WehavesomelocalcompanieswiththepotentialtobecomeISCs,butwewillneedmore.
           
          KwekLengBeng
           
          KwekLengBengoftheHongLeongGrouphasturnedhisfamily-runcompanyintoasuccessful,professionallymanagedISC.Hishotelsubsidiaryownsoroperatesaportfolioof110hotelswithatotalof30,000rooms,spanningAsia,Australia,NewZealand,EuropeandtheUS.
           
          LengBengisenterprising.WhenIwasinLondonrecently,heinvitedmetolunchathisabout-to-be-openedrestaurantinoneofhishotels.HerecountedthegreattroublehehadtakentopersuadeaJapanese-AustraliancheffromSydneytosetupthisrestaurant.Apparently,thechef''''sSydneyrestaurantisverypopular.Youhavetobookatabletwotothreemonthsahead.LengBengspenttwoyearswooingthechefbeforesucceeding.Manyothersuitorshadfailed.
           
          Thechefisveryparticular.Everythingmustbeexactlyright.HedelayedtheopeningofLengBeng''''srestaurantbymorethanamonthbecausehewasnothappywiththedecorandservice.Heevencheckedthetoiletsandfoundthemnotuptohisstandard.LengBenghadtoredothedecorandthetoilets.
           
          ThechefservesFrench-Japanesefusioncuisine.Wehadeightcourses.Eachdishwasexquisite,beautifullypresentedanduniquelyflavoured.Aftertheeightcoursesthough,1didnotfeelfulllikeIwouldafteraChinesemeal.WhenIdescribedmyexperiencetomyPrincipalPrivateSecretary,hesaid,"Ah,theFrenchcallit,''''MenuDegustation''''."HehadstudiedinFrance.Heexplainedthata''''MenuDegustation''''wastoallowyoutoenjoydifferentflavoursandstylesofpreparationofmanysmalldishes,andnottostuffyou.
           
          SamGoi
           
          SamGoiofTeeYihJiaisanotherenterprisingSingaporean.TeeYihJiaistheworld''''sleadingproducerofpopiahskins,andhasthepotentialtobecomeanISC.Popiahskinsmaynotseemaglamorouslineofbusinesstosomeofyou,butIamproudoftheinroadsSamhasmadeintheinternationalmarket.Itcouldbethestartofsomethingmuchbigger.
           
          Frompopiahskins,Samwentontoproducerotiprata.1wassurprisedtolearnthathisrotipratasoldbetterinthewestthanintheeast.Somehow,hehasmanagedtopersuadeAmericansandEuropeanstoeatthem,notwithcurry,butwithchickenandsaladlikeMexicantortillas.TortillasarelikeChinesespringrolls.Samdidnotstopthere.Hewentontoidentifyasuitablefryingpanfortherotiprata.Nowhesellsbothrotiprataandrotipratafryingpans.
           
          SamwasinmydelegationtotheCzechRepublic.IteasedhimwhetherhehadsoldanypopiahskinsandrotipratatotheCzechs.Helaughed.Hewasnottryingtosellthemany.Instead,hewastheretorecruitamasterbeerbrewer.1didnotknowthathehadgoneintothebeerbusinessandthatheownedabreweryinChina.SamexplainedthattheCzechswerefamousfortheirbeers,particularlyPilsnerbeer.Theyhaveverygoodbrewers.SamdidfindamasterbrewerandwasabletopersuadethebrewertogotoChinatorunhisbrewery.
           
          WeneedmoreSamGoisandKwekLengBengs.
           
          GOVERNMENT''''SROLEINENTERPRISINGSINGAPORE
           
          MTIisre-engineeringTDBtowidenitsfocus,frompromotingtradetohelpingSingapore-basedcompaniesinternationaliseandgrowintheglobalmarket.Inshort,TDBwillfocusongrowingSingapore''''sexternalwing.
           
          Thatsaid,let''''smakethisclear.TheGovernmentcanhelp,andcancreateanenvironmentthatisconducivetobusinessandenterprise.Butitcannotcreatesuccessfulbusinessesbydecree.Indeed,topromoteenterprise,theGovernmentshouldinterveneless,notmore,inthemarket.AbusinesswhichdependsontheGovernmenttoprotectitsmarketorsubsidiseitsoperations,cannotbeviableinthelongrun.Asuccessfulbusinesshastoflourishinafreemarket.Itmustmakeagenuineprofitbybeingmoreefficientandinnovativethanitscompetitors,andbyproducingsomethingwhichitscustomersneed,betterandcheaperthanothers.
           
          ARISK-TAKINGCULTURE
           
          Ultimately,howsuccessfulweareincreatinganenterprisingSingaporewilldependontherisk-takingprofileofSingaporeans.
           
          RewardsforSuccess
           
          Thewillingnesstotakerisksdependsontheeconomicandsocialenvironment.Weshouldstrengthentheincentivesforpeopletoventureforthinthehopeofspectacularsuccess,ratherthantochooseasafepathandminimisetheriskoffailure.Singaporeanshavetodiscardthemindsetofseekingsecurejobs.Instead,weshouldalsocelebratethosewhohavethegumptiontotrytheirhandsatbusiness.
           
          Weneedtoincreasetherewardsforsuccess.Akeyrequirementistokeepourtaxratesaslowaspossible.OnereasontheUShasamoreentrepreneurialculturethanEuropeisthatitstaxratesarelower,soitspeoplewhobuildcompanieshavemorehopetobecomebillionaires.InEurope,ifyourbusinessprospers,40%ormoreofthewealththatyoucreategoestothestateintaxes.Sotheincentivetotakerisksandsloghardtobuildacompanyisweaker.
           
          CelebratingSuccess
           
          Socialattitudestoo,affecthowwillingSingaporeansaretotakerisks.Weshouldnotresentbusinessmenwhomakeitbig.ThisisanotherdifferencebetweentheUSandEurope.InsomeEuropeancountrieswithstrongegalitarianvalues,apersonwhobecomesveryrichisfrowneduponbysociety,evenifhehasmadehismoneyhonestly.ButintheUS,SteveJobsandBillGatesarefolkheroes.SingaporeisamoreegalitariansocietythantheUS.Butwetooshouldcheeronourentrepreneurs,sothattheywillcreatemorewealthforthemselvesandforSingapore.
           
          AcceptingFailure
           
          Wehavetochangeanotherattitude.Wefindithardtoacceptfailure.Wedonotgiveenoughcredittothosewhotry,failandgetuptotryagain.Weshouldnotlookatthisintermsofforgivenessandtolerance,butintermsofadmirationandrespectforriskandenterprise,andresilienceandtenacityinthefaceofadversityandfailure.Perhapsbecauseofourdoggedpursuitofexcellence,orbecausewearesuchasmallsocietythateveryoneknowseveryoneelse,somebodywhohasfailedfindsitdifficulttostartafresh.Butwhateverthereason,wemustgiveasecond,athirdandfurtherchancetothosewhohavefailed,provideditwasanhonestfailure.
           
          INNOVATION
           
          Weneedalsotofosteracultureofinnovation.Thisisthethirdlegofourneweconomicstrategy.Efficiencyisimportant.Butitcanbeeasilymatchedbyothers,anddoesnotprovideasustainedadvantageincompetitiveness.Intheglobalisedeconomythatpermitsrapidspreadoftechnologyatlowcost,efficiencyisonlyanentry-levelrequirement.Innovationandimaginationgiveaneconomyoracompanythatextraedge.Today,wealthisgeneratedbynewideas,morethanbyimprovingtheideasofothers.
           
          SporadicinnovationbyafewSingaporecompaniesandthepublicsectorisnotgoodenough.Theinnovativespiritmustpermeateourwholesociety.Thequestionishowtocreateanenvironmentthatencouragesmanyofustobecomeinnovators.
           
          Byinnovators,Imeanapeoplewhosemindsarealwayslookingfornewideasandnewwaysofdoingthings,notsimplycopyingwhatothershaveinvented.Forthis,weneednon-conformistthinking.
           
          Letmegiveyouanexampleofnon-conformistthinking.IhappenedtotuneintotheBBContheeveofNationalDay.TherewasaninterviewwithaformerAmerican-ChineseTVpresenterturnedentrepreneur.
           
          ThisladyentrepreneurhasproducedarangeofcosmeticproductstailoredforAsianwomen.SheexplainedthatAsianwomenhavedifferentfeaturesanddifferentskincolouring,socosmeticsmeantforCaucasianwomendonotsuitthem.Forexample,whenAsianwomenuseapink-basedfoundation,theylookasiftheyarewearingamask.Also,Caucasianwomengenerallyhavemoreprominentnoses,sotheircosmeticsseektomaketheirnoseslessprominent.Ontheotherhand,Asianwomengenerallyhavesmallnoses,sotheyneedtousecosmeticstomaketheirnosesmoreprominent.Otherwise,shesaid,''''Youwouldnotevenseeanoseontheirface!''''
           
          Thiswomandidnotsimplycopyothers.Aconformistwouldhavedonethat,andsimplymanufacturedandsoldwestern-basedcosmeticsintheAsianmarket.Instead,shethoughtout-of-thebox,hopingtohitthejackpot.
           
          IamalsoimpressedbytheinnovativespiritofourNationalLibrary.Itcollaboratedwiththeprivatesectortodesignanddevelopasystemtotrackthemovementoflibrarybooks,soastocutdownthetimevisitorsspendqueuingtocheckinandcheckoutbooks.Thebooksareimplantedwithamicrochipwhichemitsradiowaves.Toborrowabook,youputitonapadattheself-checkmachines,andthebookisregisteredasborrowed.Therearehardlyanymorequeues.Returningthebookisalsoabreeze.Yousimplyslidethebookdownabook-dropchute,anditisregisteredasreturned.
           
          OurNationalLibrarywasthefirstlibraryintheworldtousethistechnology.Ithaspatentedtheinvention.
           
          NATIONALINNOVATIONCOUNCIL世界秘書網版權所有
           
          Ironically,tochangemindsetsinoursociety,atop-downapproachseemsunavoidable.ButIamclearinmymindthattheGovernmentcanonlystimulateandencourageyoutobeinnovative.Itisnotpossibletodirectanddrivethepopulationtobecomeinnovative.
           
          Earlierthisyear,IinvitedProfessorGaryHamel,amanagementconsultant,toconductaseminaroninnovationforMinistersandtopcivilservants.Theseminarhasgeneratedsomegoodideasonhowwecanencourageamoreinnovativesociety.
           
          IintendtosetupaNationalInnovationCounciltopushalongthischangeinthethinkingofourpeople.LimHngKiang,whoismakingseveralinnovativechangesintheHealthMinistry,willchairthisCouncil.
           
          STRUCTURALADJUSTMENT
           
          Ourfourththrustistomakefurtherstructuraladjustmentstooureconomy.
           
          OPENINGUP
           
          Ihavemetpeoplewhohavebeenpersonallyaffectedbyoureconomicrestructuring.Somearefriendsandrelatives.Remisiers''''commissionshavebeencut.Banktellersarecompetingwithinsuranceagentstosellinsurancepoliciesandunittrusts.Manybankemployeesarefearfulofbeingretrenchedbecauseofbanksmerging.
           
          Iunderstandyourdistressoverthedismantlingofprotectiveregimes.ButIhopeyouwillunderstandthattheGovernmenthastolookatthelargerpicture.Wehavetoconsiderthetectonicchangesunderway,andworkoutastrategicresponsetosecurethelong-termprosperityofSingaporeans.
           
          Thestatusquoisnotsustainable.EveniftheGovernmentdoesnothing,themarketwilleventuallybringaboutpainfulchanges.Wecandelaytheadjustment,butthefinalresultwillbeworse.Itisfarbetterforustoacceptrealityandgowiththeforcesofchange,andnottoresistthem.Ifyouwatchboxing,youwillknowwhatImean.Theboxerwhosticksouthisjawinsteadofrollingwiththepunchwillbeknockedoutinnotime.
           
          EXPORTSECTOR
           
          Torestructureoureconomy,wehavetoenhancethecompetitivenessofbothourexportsectorandourdomesticsector.
           
          Ourexportsectorhasbeensteadilytransformedovertheyears.Wehaveshiftedtowardsnew,highervalue-addedmanufacturing,aslower-endproductionmovedoffshore.10yearsago,consumerelectronicsstillaccountedfor14%ofourelectronicsproduction.Now,itisdowntoonly2%,havingbeenreplacedbythesemiconductorindustry.Andtheremaining2%ofconsumerelectronicsisnolongerradiosorVCRs,butexcitingnewproductslikedigitalTVandDVDplayers.Soon,itwillbewirelessapplicationsthatallowyourhomeappliancestotalktooneanother.
           
          Wemustacceleratetheupgradingofourmanufacturingsector,orwewillbehollowedout.Ourhightechindustriesmustgoevenhighertech.Forexample,wemustbeabletoproducemoresophisticatedsemiconductors,anddesignthechips.
           
          NEWCAPABILITIES
           
          Inaddition,wehavetobuildupnewcapabilitiesinIT,lifesciencesandotherhighvalue-addedactivities.
           
          Lifesciences,especiallybio-medicalsciences,aresaidtobethethirdtechnologicalrevolutionafterthesteamengineandthecomputer.
           
          Togiveyouanideaofthepotentialoflifesciences,justlookatthemanydifferentwayspeoplemakebabiesnowadays.Mostmakethemintheusualway,thewaymarriedcouplesdo.Afewmakebabiesintesttubes.Someusesurrogatemothers.Now,IreadthatAustralianresearchersaretryingtomakebabiesfromthecellsoftwowomen.Theyhaveshownthatbabymicecanbeproducedfromthecellsoffemalemicewithoutanymalecontributionwhatsoever.Iftheysucceedinapplyingthistechnologytohumans,willourwomenstillneedus?
           
          Wemusthaveapieceoftheaction,perhapsnotinfindingnewwaysofmakingbabies,butinfindingnewcuresfordiseases.
           
          DOMESTICSECTOR
           
          Evenaswepromoteexports,wemustnotneglectourdomesticsector.WeshouldseehowwecanmakethedomesticsectorasefficientastheexportsectordrivenbyMNCs.Theproductivityofourdomesticsector,whetherinconstructionorretailorhospitality,islow.Thisisaseveredragonournationalproductivity.Ifyouhavevisitedthedevelopedcountries,youwouldhavenoticedtheirsuperiorservicestandardsandproductivity.Yes,thereareoutstandingexceptionsinSingaporelikeRobinsons.Buttheyaretheexceptionratherthantherule.
           
          Yearsago,ItookataxiinParisfromtheairporttothehotel.Whenthetaxiarrivedatthehotel,thedrivergotoutandcarriedmyheavyluggageoutoftheboot.Iwasastounded.Thedriverwasawoman.
           
          ChongLitCheong,CEOofJTC,relatedthatwhenheandhiswifewereinHongkongrecently,hiswifehadtopickupfromastore,abagshehadalreadypaidfor.Shetelephonedthestoretoaskthemtogetherbagready.Thesalesgirlnotonlygotthebagready,butwenttheextramile.ShewaitedoutsideatthetaxistandtohandthebagtoLitCheong''''swife,thussavingherthetroubleofgettingoutofthetaxi!
           
          IwouldliketoseesuchlevelsofcustomerserviceinSingapore.
           
          WhenProfessorMichaelPorterwashereearlierthismonth,hepointedoutthatunlessourdomesticsectorwasefficient,ouroveralleconomycouldnotachievehighproductivity.Exportbusinessesandconsumersalikewouldhavetopayhighercostsforinefficientlocalservices.HecitedJapanasanexamplewhereaweakdomesticsectorhadadverselyaffectedtheexportsector.
           
          We,therefore,havetoopenupourservicessectorfurther,toimproveitsefficiency.Wearealreadydoingthisforfinance,telecommunicationsandpowergeneration.
           
          Atthesametime,wewillhelpourdomesticsectortoupgrade,especiallytheSMEs.PSBhasprogrammestoimprovetheirproductivity.Forexample,foralongtime,thecleaningindustrysufferedfromlowproductivityandapoorimage.Now,PSBisworkingwiththeindustrytoupgradeskillsandperformancestandards.IthassetupaCentreforCleaningTechnology.
           
          Thereisalsomuchroomforretailerstoupgradethemselves.RetailersshouldparticipateinPSBprogrammessuchasfranchising,economicgroupingandsharedservices.Theseprogrammeshelpthemadoptmodernmanagementpracticesandbusinessmodels.
           
          HUMANCAPITAL
           
          Ourhumanresourceislimited.Wehavetomaximiseourlocalpotentialandtopitupfromtheoutside.Thisisthefifththrustofournewgrowthstrategy.
           
          EDUCATION
           
          Atlastyear''''sRally,Ipledgedtoincreasespendingoneducationby$1.5billionayear(from3.6%ofGDPto4.5%).
           
          Inparticular,theGovernmentwillimprovepost-secondaryeducationopportunitiesforourchildren.
           
          First,ITEwillregroupitscurrent10campusesintothreeregionalcampusesoverthenext15years.
           
          Thelargercampuseswillallowafullrangeofcoursestobeoffered,andprovideopportunitiesforcross-disciplinarylearning.Studentscanalsolookforwardtobettersportsandrecreationalfacilities.
           
          Thefirstnewfullyintegratedcampuswillbereadyby2005.
           
          Secondly,wehavedecidedtobuildafifthpolytechnic.Itwillopenitsdoorsin2003.
           
          Thirdly,wewillbuildthreenewJuniorCollegesinthenextthreeyears.ThiswillbringthetotalnumberofJuniorCollegesto19.
           
          Fourthly,wewillexpandtheuniversitysector.Today,oneinfivePrimaryOnestudentseventuallygoesontoalocaluniversity.Weaimtoimprovethistooneinfourby2010.Thismeansraisingthecurrentannualuniversityintakeby4,000students.
           
          ButNUSandNTUarealreadyasbigastheyshouldbe.TheSingaporeManagementUniversity,orSMU,willincreaseitsstudentintaketillitreachesitstargetenrolment.FurtherexpansionofNUS,NTUandSMUisnotdesirable.AcommitteeheadedbyPeterChenhasofferedpreliminaryideasforafourthuniversity.Idonotwanttoprejudgeitsrecommendations,butinprinciple,Isupportafourthuniversityifitsgraduatescanmeetthestandardsdemandedbytheeconomy.
           
          LIFELONGLEARNING
           
          TheGovernmentwilldomoretoenhancetheskillsofordinaryworkers.
           
          WehavedoubledtheLifelongLearningFundfrom$500millionto$1billionsinceApril.
           
          Thisyear,theGovernmentwillgiveaddedemphasistoprogrammestohelpolderandlower-educatedworkers.
           
          Executives,managers,engineersandotherprofessionalsmayhavetoberetrainedtoo,sothattheycanmoveintonewgrowthareas.Weshallstudyhowthiscanbedone.
           
          GLOBALTALENT
           
          Wecanspendmoreoneducationandtraining.Buttherealityisthatnomatterhowmuchwespend,withapopulationofjustoverthreemillion,wewillnothaveenoughlocaltalenttocompeteinthetopleagueofnations.
           
          DidyouwatchTeamSingaporeplayManchesterUnited?Ifyoudid,youwouldhaveagoodideaofthebiggapbetweenourstandardsandinternationalstandards.TeamSingaporeplayedwellbutitwasnomatchforManUbecauseManUwasreallyaninternationalandnotaBritishteam.MahBowTantoldmethatabouthalftheManUteamwerenon-British.HeaddedthatManUwasonlyplayingathalfpace.Otherwise,thescorelinemightwellhavebeen16-l!
           
          Arecentarticlebythenewspaper,"TheAustralian",commentedhowcorporateSingaporewascontrolledtightlybyasmallgroupofpeople.ThesamefewSingaporeansareontheboardsofmanycompaniesandGovernmentStatutoryBoards.
           
          Thejournalistdidnotknowtherealreason.Thetruthis,wedonothaveenoughcorporatetalenttodrawon.Hence,somanydemandingjobsfallontheshouldersofthesamefewpeople.
           
          Wehavegoodlocaltalent,butweneedtotopitupwithglobaltalent.
           
          OthersAreRecruitingTalentToo
           
          Wearenottheonlyonestohaveconcludedthatglobaltalentisessential.
           
          Australiarecentlyenlargeditsimmigrationprogrammetobringinabout45,000skilledmigrantsayear.AndJapanisfinalisingablueprinttoimportatleast30,000ITprofessionalsinthenextfiveyears.
           
          TheUSeconomyhasdoneimmenselywellbecauseitenjoysa"braingain"yearafteryear.
           
          Forexample,onequarterofthecompaniesinSiliconValleyarecreatedbyorledbyIndianandChineseimmigrants.Also,since1945,theUShaswon60%(228)ofalltheNobelPrizesineconomicsandthesciences.Atleast30%oftheseeconomistsandscientistswerebornoutsidetheUS.
           
          AttractingMulti-NationalTalent
           
          Thatiswhywehavetobringinmulti-nationaltalent,likethewaywebroughtinMNCs.
           
          LikeMNCs,multi-nationaltalent,orMNTs,willbringinnewexpertise,freshideasandglobalconnectionsandperspectives.IbelievethattheywillproducelastingbenefitsforSingapore.
           
          ThecompetitionforMNTsisintense.JustasweuseincentivestoattractMNCs,wemayneedtoconsiderspecialmeasurestoattractMNTs.
           
          RetainingSingaporeTalent
           
          Butthewarfortalentisnotjustaboutattractingforeigners.Retainingourowntalentisgoingtoproveabigchallenge.BrightSingaporeansarebeingharvestedbyothersevenbeforetheygraduate.
           
          YeoCheowTongtoldmethatJPMorgan,aleadingWallStreetinvestmentbank,recruitedhisdaughterbeforesheevenstartedherfinalyearinatopUSuniversity.Uponjoiningthebankaftergraduation,shewasassignedtoacorporatefinanceteamthatexecutesbillion-dollarprojects.Apartfromthepay,suchafirstjobexcitedandchallengedher.
           
          IaskedCheowTongwhetherhisdaughterwouldcomebacktoSingapore.Hecouldonlysay,"Ihopeso."Ihopesotoo.
           
          IhopethedaughterofMrAbdulRashidGani,ManagingPartnerinthelawfirmofKhattarWong&Partners,willcomebacktoo.ShewasoneofthetopstudentsinCornellUniversity.Duringherfinalyear,threetopfinancialinstitutionsinNewYorkwooedher.TheyflewhertoNewYork,putherupinfirstclasshotelsandtookherouttofinerestaurants.SheisnowworkingforCreditSuisseFirstBostoninNewYork.
           
          GreenharvestingofbrightstudentsisacommonpracticeinAmerica.Itshowshowhardtopcompaniestrytorecruittoptalent.WemaylosemanySingaporeansthisway.
           
          Othersmallcountriesfacesimilarproblemsretainingtalent.NewZealandisagoodexample.ManyNewZealandersworkoverseas,inAustralia,BritainortheUS.SomanyNewZealandershaveemigratedthatnewspaperswriteabout"theflightoftheKiwis",eventhoughKiwiscannotfly.
           
          Recently,aneminentprofessorfromtheLondonSchoolofEconomics,ProfessorRobertWade,spokeataconferenceinAuckland.Hesaid:
           
          "Onceathresholddensityofskilledpeopleislost,therateofout-migrationislikelytoaccelerate,companiesandorganisationswillhaveincreasingtroublemeetingstaffingneeds,thequalityofpublicserviceswilldecline,thetaxbasewillerode,andsoon."
           
          ProfessorWadealsospokeofhowoverseasTaiwaneseandKoreansareofferedconsiderableincentivesandsubsidiesbytheirgovernmentstoreturnhome.EvenChinaisnowdoingthis.HowmuchmorecriticalmustitbeforSingaporetoattracttalentfromaroundtheworldandtoretainourtalent?
           
          Inthenextfewmonths,asoureconomyslowsdownandunemploymentincreases,someSingaporeansmayagainquestiontheneedformoreglobaltalent.Iurgeyoutounderstandthatthisisamatteroflifeanddeathforusinthelongterm.Ourowntalentisbeingcreamedoff.Ifwedonottopupourtalentpoolfromoutside,in10years''''time,manyofthehigh-valuedjobswedonowwillmigratetoChinaandelsewhere,forlackofsufficienttalenthere.SoitisbetterforustoanchortalentsandjobsinSingaore,andmakeourimportdtalentfeelwelcomeaspartoftheSingaporeteam.
           
          SOCIALANDPOLITICALENVIRONMENT
           
          Wewillcreateasocialandpoliticalmilieuwhichisconducivetooureffortstocreateanenterprisingandinnovativesociety.Thismeanshavingthefreedomtomakepersonalchoices,andtobedifferent.Youngpeopleespecially,oftenwanttobenon-conformist.Wecanacceptthat,withinlimitsofdecencyofdecorum.WedonotexpecteverySingaporeantodressandbehavethesame.
           
          Beyonddressingdifferently,manySingaporeans,inparticular,theyoung,wanttohavemoresayinthewaySingaporeisrun.
           
          Wehaveallowedfreerexpressionofdivergentpoliticalviews,solongasthisdoesnotcompromiselawandorder,nationalsecurityandnationalinterests.WehavesetupaSpeakersCorner.SingaporeanshaveformeddiscussiongroupslikeTheRoundTableandThinkCentretodiscusspoliticalissues.Inthespiritofdiscussion,theGovernmentwillfromtimetotimedisagreepubliclywiththeirviews.Itsurelycannotautomaticallyaccepteverythingthattheysay,norshoulditsimplyignorewhattheysay.IftheGovernmentthinksthatsomethingtheysaidwillhurtSingapore,ithastorebutthem,ifnecessary,forcefully.
           
          ButthisshouldnotbeseenastheGovernmentsmotheringfreeexpression.TheGovernmentwillnotregardyouasanopponentunlessyouchoosetobeone.TheRoundTableisnotanopponent.ButtheThinkCentreisopenlycriticaloftheGovernment.Itisone-sidedinitspresentationofarticlesandviews,andtheGovernmentcannotignorethis.
           
          Iknowsomepeoplewantevengreaterfreedom.Butwherepoliticsisconcerned,Iprefertoeaseupslowlyratherthanopenupwithabigbang.WhenGorbachevopeneduptheSovietUnionwithhis''''Glasnost'''',theSovietUnioncollapsedwithabigbang.Weshould,therefore,pumptheairintothepoliticalballoonslowly.Idon''''tintendtochangemynameto''''GohBaChev!
           
          NEWSOCIALCOMPACT
           
          IntheNewEconomy,competitionwillbecomeincreasinglyfierce,Thepaceofchangecanbeunsettling.
           
          Thesocialframeworkwehavedevelopedtohelpthosewhocannotkeepupisgenerallysound.Butweneedtoimproveit,sothatwewillholdtogetherasanationdespitethemoreintensepaceoflifeandthewideningincomegap.IwanttooutlinehereanewsocialcompactforSingapore.
           
          First,wewillcontinuetosubsidiseheavilythethreebasicservicesofhousing,educationandhealthcare.NoSingaporeanwillbedeprivedofthesethreeservicesnomatterhowpoorheis.
           
          Secondly,inyearsofgoodeconomicgrowth,wewilldistributepartofthebudgetsurplusesbacktoSingaporeans,toenhancetheirassetsaswellastohelpthemdefrayessentialexpenses,suchastheirS&Candutilitycharges.
           
          Thirdly,wewillpayparticularattentiontotheneedsoflower-incomeSingaporeans.Thisisalreadybeingdoneforsubsidiesforbasicservicessuchashealthcareandhousing.Also,lastyear,whenwetoppedupyourCPF,wegavelower-incomeSingaporeansmore.
           
          Thispolicyofgivingmoretolower-incomeSingaporeansisright.ThehigherincomeSingaporeansowetheirsuccessinparttotheotherswhosupportoursocialcompact.Theymust,therefore,bepreparedtolendahelpinghandtothoseamonguswhoarenotsowelloff.Onlythencanweremainacohesiveandstablesociety.Itcannotbeeverymanforhimself.Forapersontosucceed,heneedsalaunch-padfromsociety.
           
          Inturn,lower-incomeSingaporeansmustsupporttheenterpriseandeffortsofthosewhohavetheability.Wemustnotresentthosewhocreatewealth,forthemselvesandforSingapore.
           
          TheGovernment,onitspart,willensurethateverySingaporeanhasequalandmaximumopportunitytoadvancehimself,whileprovidingasocialsafetynettopreventtheminoritywhocannotcope,fromfailingthrough.
           
          Thisway,wecanhaveanenduringsocialcompactwheretheablecandoverywell,andwecanusesomeofthewealthgeneratedbythemtosubsidiseandhelpthelessable.
           
          CHARITY,PHILANTHROPYANDVOLUNTEERISM
           
          ButSingaporeansmustnotleavethetaskofhelpingtheweakentirelytotheGovernment.Ifwearetobuildacohesivesociety,individualsmustformlastingtieswiththeirlargercommunity.TofeelpassionatelyaboutSingaporeistocareaboutmorethanjustthosethingsthatdirectlyaffectourfamilies,ourfriends,andourselves.ItistobestronglycommittedtothewellbeingofourfellowSingaporeans,andtoshowcompassiontothosewhoareweakerthanourselves.
           
          TheGovernmentwillcreateanevenmorefavourableenvironmentfortheinvolvementofthepeopleandcorporatesectorsincharity,philanthropyandvolunteerism.Amongotherinitiatives,theGovernmentwillgrantInstitutionofPublicCharacter(IPC)statustoprivatefoundationsthatsupportcharitableactivities.IhavealsoaskedRichardHutoconsidergivingincreasedtaxdeductionfordonationstoIPCs,ifpossible,doubletaxdeduction.
           
          PRESERVINGOURRESERVES
           
          LetmestressthatmyGovernmentwillcarryoutthissocialcompactusingbudgetsurplusesthatthisGovernmenthasaccumulated.Ihavenointentionofdippingintoourreserves,asChiamSeeTonghassuggestedtheGovernmentshoulddo.Rather,mypolicyistoensurethatourreservescontinuetogrowyearafteryear.
           
          Whensomecountriesrunintoeconomicdifficulty,theycanpumpmoreoilfromtheiroilfields,orcutdownmoretimber.Wehavenooilfields,notimber,nonaturalresourcestofallbackon.Wecanonlydependonourreserves.Theyareourequivalentof"naturalresources".Assuch,wemustguardthemzealouslyforuseonlyinasevereandprolongedcrisis.
           
          Whileourreservesarelockedup,aproportionoftheincomefrominvestingourreservesgoesintoourbudgetsurplus.Itisbecausewehaveprotectedthesereservesinthepastthatweenjoyacomfortablebudgetsurplusevenduringthiscurrentslowdown,whichwecanusetohelpSingaporeanscopewiththeslowdown.
           
          ChiamSeeTongarguesthatSingaporewillnotgobankruptbyusing"atinyfraction"ofourreserves.Thisisaveryseductiveline.Seductive,butextremelydangerousforthepeoplebeingseduced.
           
          Whatheisarguingforisforustoslowlykillthegoosewhichgivesusgoldeneggs.First,pluckoffsomeofitsfeatherstokeepuswarm.Next,sincethisdoesnotkillthegoose,MrChiamwillsuggestthatweshouldsliceoffjustonedrumsticktoeaseourhunger.
           
          MyGovernment''''sphilosophy,ontheotherhand,istoprotectthepreciousgoose-ourreserves-andfattenit.Itwillthenlaygoldeneggs,someofwhichcanbeusedtohelpSingaporeansduringdifficulttimes,andsomekeptforhatchingmoregeese.
           
          IfwehadfollowedMrChiam''''sadvicetonibbleatourgooseeverytimethereisaneconomicdownturn,wewouldhavecookedourowngoosebynow.SoIdonotintendtodipintoourreservestotacklethiscurrentdownturn.
           
          RACE,LANGUAGEANDRELIGION
           
          Foraneffectivesocialcompact,weneedalsoapeoplethatarebondedtoeachotheracrossrace,languageandreligiouslines.
           
          Religiousfaithisasourceofstrengthinasociety.WecanbegoodChristians,Buddhists,MuslimsorHindusandbepatrioticSingaporeansatthesametime.Thereisnocontradictionbetweenthetwo.Butweshouldnotchangelong-establishedpracticesthatwillleadtosegregationbetweentheraces,ormakeitmoredifficultforanyonecommunitytointegratewiththerestofoursociety.
           
          Letmeemphasisethatwewantintegration,notassimilation.Integrationisagradual,continuousprocess.Wewanttobondthedifferentpiecesofmosaictogether.Bondingistheresultofmutualtrustandunderstanding.Theprocesscannotbeforced,becausemutualtrustandunderstandingcannotbeforced.
           
          HELPINGTHELESSABLE
           
          NoteveryoneintheSingaporeMountEverestteammadeittothesummit.Onlythestrongermembersdid.However,theothersgavecriticalback-upsupportfromthelowercamps.Itwasverymuchateameffort.
           
          Likewise,inoursociety,noteveryoneofuswillbecometopincomeearners.ButwemustofferSingaporeanswhofallbehindasenseofhope,forthemselvesandespeciallyfortheirchildren.Otherwise,theywillbecomedisaffectedanddisenchanted,whichwillsourthesocialclimate,anddisruptoureconomicprogress.Wewillhelpeveryoneofyougoashighupasyoucan.AndeverySingaporeanwillshareinandbenefitfromtheteam''''ssuccess.
           
          Indeed,thestrengthofasocietyismeasuredbythecompassionandcareitsmembershaveforeachother.Themembersmustknowthatiftheyareeverdown,otherswillhelpthemgetup.Iftheycannotturntothemoreableforhelpinadversity,thenthebondsthatholdustogetherwillsnap.Oursocietywilldisintegrate.
           
          DISINCENTIVESTOWORK
           
          InsharingthefruitsofSingapore''''sgrowth,however,wemustnotinadvertentlycreatedisincentivesforSingaporeanstotakepersonalresponsibilitytofendforthemselves.Otherwise,webuildupacrutchmentality,whichwillleadtoindolence,dependenceandabuse.
           
          HengCheeHow,whowillbeourcandidateinJalanBesarGRC,toldmethisstory.
           
          WhenhewascoveringHougangsomeyearsago,hehandedoutcashtoneedyconstituents.Hehandedout$200toasmartlydressedyoungmanwhohadjustlosthisjob.ThemantoldCheeHow,"Youknow,the$200yougavemeisnotevenenoughtomeetthemortgagepaymentonmycar".CheeHowsaidthathefeltlikepunchingtheyoungmanintheface.
           
          Letmegiveyouanotherexampleofhowsubsidiescanbetakenforgranted-utilityrebates.
           
          Inthelastthreeyears,HDBhouseholdshaveseentheirmonthlyutilitybillsincreasebyabout25to35%.
           
          Therearetworeasonsforthis.First,electricitytariffshavegoneup,becausetheworldpriceoffueloilusedforpowergenerationhasnearlydoubled.Secondly,Singaporeansareusingmoreelectricity.
           
          Doyourealisethatifyouturnonyourair-conditionereverynight,itwillcostyouabout$23amonth?Ifyouusewaterheatersinsteadofbathingincoldwater,thatwillcostafamily$15extraamonthinelectricity.
           
          Wecannotcapelectricitypricesassomepeoplehavesuggested.Thatwouldmeandirectlysubsidisingtheconsumptionofelectricity,andwouldleadtooverconsumption.Sowedecidedtohelphouseholds,especiallylower-incomehouseholds,throughrebatescreditedtotheirutilitybills.Thisway,ifhouseholdsuselesselectricity,therebateisstilltheirstokeep.OurapproachwastohelpSingaporeanscopewithincreasesintheirutilitybillswhileencouragingthemtosaveandnotover-consume.
           
          Iam,however,worriedthatutilityrebateswillbetakenforgranted.Toillustratemypoint,afterweintroducedUtilitiesSavelastyear,doyouknowhowmanythank-youletters1receivedfromthepublic?Onlyone!However,1receivemanyletters-ofcomplaintsonvariousissues.ItshowsthatmanySingaporeanstakegoodgovernmentforgranted!
           
          Iamconcernedaboutthenegativelong-termeffectsoftoocomfortableasafetynetontheattitudeofSingaporeans.Butintheneweconomicenvironment,wedoneedtodomoretosupportlower-incomeSingaporeans.Hence,1amproposingthenewsocialcompact,aftermuchdeliberation.Weneedtostrikeacarefulbalancebetweenhelpinglower-incomeSingaporeans,andnotcreatingadependencymentalityamongourpeople.
           
          THEELDERLYANDTHESINGLES
           
          IhaveaskedtheMinisterstotakeahardlookatthekeyareaswheregroupsof
           
          Singaporeansneedspecialattention.
           
          Onesuchgroupisourseniorcitizens.Theirbiggestconcernismedicalcare.Toaddressthisconcern,theGovernmentwillintroducethreeinitiatives.Theseare:medicalcareforelderlySingaporeanssufferingfromchronicailmentssuchasdiabetesandhighbloodpressure;enhancingMedishieldbenefits;andanew"Eldershield"schemetoprovideinsuranceagainstseverephysicaldisabilities.
           
          LimHngKiangwillannouncethedetailsoftheseinitiativeslater.
           
          AnothergrowinggroupofSingaporeanswhorequiresomeattentionarethesingles.Oneoftheirmainconcernsishousing.HDBwillnowallowthoseaged35andabovetopurchaseresale3-roomflatsinurbanestates.HDBisalsoconsideringstudioapartments,earlierconceivedforelderlySingaporeans,asanotherhousingoptionforsingles.
           
          CPFTOP-UP
           
          Atlastyear''''sRally,IannouncedaCPFtop-upofbetween$500and$1,700foreacheligibleSingaporean,tobegivenoutintwoequalpayments.ThefirstpaymentwasgiveninJanuarythisyear.WewillmakethesecondpaymentinDecember.
           
          Iwastoldthat187,000eligibleSingaporeansmissedoutonthefirstpayment.Thisisapity.
           
          IwanttogivetheseSingaporeansasecondchancetoqualify.Iftheycontributetheminimum$100totheCPFby31October,wewillgivethemboththefirstandsecondpaymentsfortheCPFtop-up.
           
          "NEWSINGAPORE"SHARES
           
          Iwouldalsoliketointroduceanewschemetohelpespeciallylesswell-offSingaporeans.Iintendtogiveyoushareswhichpayaguaranteeddividendforafixednumberofyears,plusbonuspaymentswhentheeconomydoeswell.
           
          Theseshareswillalsoberedeemableimmediatelyforcash,butnotallatonce.
           
          Iwillcallthisscheme"NewSingapore"Shares.
           
          Iknowyouarewaitingtohearhowmuchyouwillbegiven,butpleasebepatient.Howmuchtowhom,andwhen,willdependonthestateoftheeconomythisyear.IwanttoseethethirdquarterresultsbeforeIdecide.
           
          CONCLUSION
           
          Forourgrowthstrategyandsocialcompacttobeeffective,Singaporemustbecohesiveasanation.
           
          Asglobalisationintensifies,thiswillbecomeevenmorecritical.MoreandmoreSingaporeanswillgooverseastostudy,workanddobusiness.Wewelcomethis,butwemustalsofindwaystokeeptheirheartshere,sothatwherevertheyare,theywillfeelemotionallytiedtoSingapore,standupforit,andreturnonedaytocontributetoitsgrowth.
           
          SingaporeansmustbelievethatthebuildingofSingaporeisanexcitingenterprise.ForSingaporetosurviveinthelongerterm,wemusthaveacoreofSingaporeanswhofeelpassionatelythatthisplaceisworthfightingfor.Tosucceed,wemustbeproudofwhoweare,ofourcountryandourfellowcitizens.Wemustfeelthattogether,wehavecreatedsomethingpreciousthatbelongstoallSingaporeans.
           
          Throughoutworldhistory,nocountryhasremainedrichforever.Countriesgothroughacyclewheretheyarepoor,growprosperousandpowerful,thenstarttodecline.
           
          Wehavebecomerichinonegeneration-amiracleperhaps-buttooquicklyandhencenotdeep-rootedenough.Willwedeclineinthenextgeneration?MycolleaguesandIaredeterminedthatwewillnot.ButweneedthiscoreofSingaporeanswhofeelpassionatelyaboutourcountry.Weneedyoursupport.Inthisclimbupthemountainofeconomicdevelopment,wewillequipyoutotacklethenextobstacleandtotryforthesummit.Butweneedalsotopullourslowercolleaguesalong,sothattheytoocangohigher.世界秘書網版權所有
           
          Ifwehavethecouragetoconfrontproblemsinsteadofskirtingthem,ifwearepreparedtoenduretemporaryhardships,andifwecanadapttochange,wecancontinuetodobetter.ThisNewSingapore-aglobalcitywithastrongsocialcompact-istheMountEverestwemustachieve.Wemustsucceed,sothatourchildrencanfacetomorrowwithoptimismandconfidence.