A good piece written by this blogger. The Govt wants us to blindly trust them and their words without any transparency from their part. Do you agree?
http://pngapore.blogspot.com/2009/02/when-asked-if-he-could-detail-process.html
Trust Without Transparency?
When asked if he could detail the process and what was discussed in the lead up to the President's approval of the draw down of our past Reserves, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam replied that he was not sure the details were relevant.
He said, 'This is a system that relies on trust in the individuals who are in charge. Do you trust them? Have they make decisions wisely? Has this Government been acting responsibly? That is ultimately what has been and will be the strength of the system.' (ST, 6 Feb 2009)
I was taken aback by this statement alone - 'This is a system that relies on trust in the individuals who are in charge.'Are Singaporeans expected to place complete and unquestioning trust in the individuals running the Government?
Trust, in the absence of transparency, is a tough act to do. Transparency breeds trust. And in trust, transparency flourishes. These two traits are intertwined. Take out one and the other would be weakened.
Complete trust without seeing, touching, smelling or hearing does exist. That is what most people called faith. Complete faith is only accorded to someone divine and not some earthly mortals.
Does this government see itself in the same league as our maker; divine, beyond reproach and commanding absolute trust?
Absolute power is indeed intoxicating to induce a one-party government into harbouring such a ludicrous thought, isn't it?
http://pngapore.blogspot.com/2009/02/when-asked-if-he-could-detail-process.html
Trust Without Transparency?
When asked if he could detail the process and what was discussed in the lead up to the President's approval of the draw down of our past Reserves, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam replied that he was not sure the details were relevant.
He said, 'This is a system that relies on trust in the individuals who are in charge. Do you trust them? Have they make decisions wisely? Has this Government been acting responsibly? That is ultimately what has been and will be the strength of the system.' (ST, 6 Feb 2009)
I was taken aback by this statement alone - 'This is a system that relies on trust in the individuals who are in charge.'Are Singaporeans expected to place complete and unquestioning trust in the individuals running the Government?
Trust, in the absence of transparency, is a tough act to do. Transparency breeds trust. And in trust, transparency flourishes. These two traits are intertwined. Take out one and the other would be weakened.
Complete trust without seeing, touching, smelling or hearing does exist. That is what most people called faith. Complete faith is only accorded to someone divine and not some earthly mortals.
Does this government see itself in the same league as our maker; divine, beyond reproach and commanding absolute trust?
Absolute power is indeed intoxicating to induce a one-party government into harbouring such a ludicrous thought, isn't it?
