In the recent forum at NUS, undergrads who have questions for MM Lee are asked to email them beforehand for vetting. This is a mark departure from previous forum where MM Lee would take questions from the floor. Apparently, the Jamie Han episode is still fresh on minds of the varsity administration. And out of a total of 500 questions submitted via email, only 9 were carefully selected to enable MM Lee to prepare for the forum. In addition, they even got his good friend Prof Tommy Koh to be the "forum moderator" to help him out, even though there weren't any debate at all. MM Lee certainly came out looking good and wise without the likes of Jamie Han, or Dr Catherine Ng present to spring a surprise on him 
http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=5534
A discussion of the national issues raised during the Kent Ridge Ministerial forum
During the Kent Ridge ministerial forum, Minister Mentor (MM) Lee Kuan Yew addressed 9 pre-selected questions. According to Professor Tommy Koh, the forum moderator, the students who wished to ask MM questions were told to submit them via email, and out of a total of 500 possible questions, the 9 best were selected. Thus, this article will attempt to address national issues that were brought up during the forum. Although issues pertaining to other countries were also discussed, this article will only focus on national issues.
Fuel emissions, recycling and the environment
MM pointed out that Singapore ranks among the countries with the highest fuel emissions per capita. However, he also cautioned that it would be very difficult for Singapore to reduce fuel consumption, which is essential to the running of the manufacturing industry. The fact remains that such emissions are considered negative externalities. Also known as “diseconomies” and external costs, they are related to the environmental consequences of production and use. The air pollution produced will inevitably impose costs on our entire society.
The issue of emissions as in most cases have a regional dimension to it, however this regional aspect wasn’t discussed during the forum. The forest fires in our neighboring Indonesia produces the annual haze, which leads to deterioration of air quality, that will have a negative effect on our health. Thus, at the ASEAN level, a mechanism to engage our neighbors on this topic is imperative. Measures taken can range from transfer of agricultural technology that do not involve “slashing” and “burning” to fire-fighting assistance to quickly stem the spread of forest fires.
Turning to recycling issues, MM mentioned that Singaporeans are not as disciplined as the Japanese when it comes to recycling materials. He alluded to the fact that a typical home-maker would find it inconvenient to segregate the waste and dispose them in the appropriate recycling bins. Perhaps, a probable suggestion might be to offer fiscal incentives to households that attempt to recycle, e.g. a respectable amount in exchange for an amount of recycled waste contributed.
On the whole, it would be a good idea to focus on increasing energy efficiency and developing “green technologies”, as suggested by Reform Party’s chief, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam. To do that, we will have to build up our R and D capabilities in that area. This venture is a long road itself, but the long-term benefits is that the transfer of technology to our industrial sector will lead to the reduction of emissions and hence, negative externalities. Such “green technologies” can also be harnessed to create smart devices (possibly spectrometry technologies?) capable of detecting recyclable materials, e.g. one that is able to segregate recyclable waste from those that are non-recyclable.
Gini coefficient, social class and minimum wage
MM believes that the implementation of minimum wage will lead to structural unemployment as companies will seek to find cheaper means of production, e.g. through mechanization. In another separate dialog, MM pointed out that a high Gini coefficient is also a worldwide phenomenon that is not only limited to East Asia. However, it may not seem obvious to some but the Gini coefficient and implementation of a minimum wage are both intrinsically connected. A high Gini coefficient which indicates a great income disparity will make the setting of a minimum wage even harder.
Those at the right tail end (high end) of the wealth distribution curve occupy the higher end of the social classes. The children of such families usually do well, given the fact that their family can afford a good education in a good school up to tertiary level. MM again alluded to the example of an elite Chinese family who sent their children to good universities overseas, and the latter usually ended up in high places in the corporate world.
Thus, the main issue is how we can really help uplift the bottom 20% of the country. They do not enjoy the luxury of connections (which MM candidly pointed out as an important uplifting factor) to lift them out of their predicament. A probable solution could perhaps include more representatives of the bottom 20% interests at the policy-making level so that their interests will receive adequate attention. However, the fact remains that the bottom 20%’s interests cannot be ignored.
Integrating new citizens into Singapore and Singapore’s demographics 50 years later
MM candidly described the moves taken to help new citizens integrate into the Singapore society such as segregation to prevent the establishment of little Indias and Chinas. The usual case is that the new migrant integrates into the society of his adopted country on his own initiative. When Singaporeans migrate to an overseas destination, the onus is on the latter to integrate into the society of his adopted country. Thus, a potential migrant into Singapore shouldn’t be any different. The general trend is that those foreigners with a long-term view towards settling in Singapore will usually try to integrate into the Singaporean framework. Such phenomenon can be observed at universities whereby foreign students, who harbored intentions of securing a permanent residency, attempt to be part of Singaporean cliques. However, the government intervention in the integration process is perhaps a safeguard against potential social problems arising due to misunderunderstandings between local Singaporeans and our foreign counterparts.
MM ominously pointed out the increasing outflow of Singaporeans, and the Singapore 50 years down the road may comprise substantially of new citizens of today. Thus, whilst the government on one hand tries to bring in a new pool of citizens, it should also attempt to address the issue of Singaporeans departing in droves. The fact remains that more than 50% of Singaporean youths between the age of 15-29 years of age wish to migrate, and it is a phenomenon that the government cannot ignore. If not, MM’s vision of a Singapore of new citizens 50 years down the road will eventually become a reality.
====================
For local news from non-local mainstream media, visit: http://singaporenewsalternative.blogspot.com
.
http://kentridgecommon.com/?p=5534
A discussion of the national issues raised during the Kent Ridge Ministerial forum
During the Kent Ridge ministerial forum, Minister Mentor (MM) Lee Kuan Yew addressed 9 pre-selected questions. According to Professor Tommy Koh, the forum moderator, the students who wished to ask MM questions were told to submit them via email, and out of a total of 500 possible questions, the 9 best were selected. Thus, this article will attempt to address national issues that were brought up during the forum. Although issues pertaining to other countries were also discussed, this article will only focus on national issues.
Fuel emissions, recycling and the environment
MM pointed out that Singapore ranks among the countries with the highest fuel emissions per capita. However, he also cautioned that it would be very difficult for Singapore to reduce fuel consumption, which is essential to the running of the manufacturing industry. The fact remains that such emissions are considered negative externalities. Also known as “diseconomies” and external costs, they are related to the environmental consequences of production and use. The air pollution produced will inevitably impose costs on our entire society.
The issue of emissions as in most cases have a regional dimension to it, however this regional aspect wasn’t discussed during the forum. The forest fires in our neighboring Indonesia produces the annual haze, which leads to deterioration of air quality, that will have a negative effect on our health. Thus, at the ASEAN level, a mechanism to engage our neighbors on this topic is imperative. Measures taken can range from transfer of agricultural technology that do not involve “slashing” and “burning” to fire-fighting assistance to quickly stem the spread of forest fires.
Turning to recycling issues, MM mentioned that Singaporeans are not as disciplined as the Japanese when it comes to recycling materials. He alluded to the fact that a typical home-maker would find it inconvenient to segregate the waste and dispose them in the appropriate recycling bins. Perhaps, a probable suggestion might be to offer fiscal incentives to households that attempt to recycle, e.g. a respectable amount in exchange for an amount of recycled waste contributed.
On the whole, it would be a good idea to focus on increasing energy efficiency and developing “green technologies”, as suggested by Reform Party’s chief, Mr Kenneth Jeyaretnam. To do that, we will have to build up our R and D capabilities in that area. This venture is a long road itself, but the long-term benefits is that the transfer of technology to our industrial sector will lead to the reduction of emissions and hence, negative externalities. Such “green technologies” can also be harnessed to create smart devices (possibly spectrometry technologies?) capable of detecting recyclable materials, e.g. one that is able to segregate recyclable waste from those that are non-recyclable.
Gini coefficient, social class and minimum wage
MM believes that the implementation of minimum wage will lead to structural unemployment as companies will seek to find cheaper means of production, e.g. through mechanization. In another separate dialog, MM pointed out that a high Gini coefficient is also a worldwide phenomenon that is not only limited to East Asia. However, it may not seem obvious to some but the Gini coefficient and implementation of a minimum wage are both intrinsically connected. A high Gini coefficient which indicates a great income disparity will make the setting of a minimum wage even harder.
Those at the right tail end (high end) of the wealth distribution curve occupy the higher end of the social classes. The children of such families usually do well, given the fact that their family can afford a good education in a good school up to tertiary level. MM again alluded to the example of an elite Chinese family who sent their children to good universities overseas, and the latter usually ended up in high places in the corporate world.
Thus, the main issue is how we can really help uplift the bottom 20% of the country. They do not enjoy the luxury of connections (which MM candidly pointed out as an important uplifting factor) to lift them out of their predicament. A probable solution could perhaps include more representatives of the bottom 20% interests at the policy-making level so that their interests will receive adequate attention. However, the fact remains that the bottom 20%’s interests cannot be ignored.
Integrating new citizens into Singapore and Singapore’s demographics 50 years later
MM candidly described the moves taken to help new citizens integrate into the Singapore society such as segregation to prevent the establishment of little Indias and Chinas. The usual case is that the new migrant integrates into the society of his adopted country on his own initiative. When Singaporeans migrate to an overseas destination, the onus is on the latter to integrate into the society of his adopted country. Thus, a potential migrant into Singapore shouldn’t be any different. The general trend is that those foreigners with a long-term view towards settling in Singapore will usually try to integrate into the Singaporean framework. Such phenomenon can be observed at universities whereby foreign students, who harbored intentions of securing a permanent residency, attempt to be part of Singaporean cliques. However, the government intervention in the integration process is perhaps a safeguard against potential social problems arising due to misunderunderstandings between local Singaporeans and our foreign counterparts.
MM ominously pointed out the increasing outflow of Singaporeans, and the Singapore 50 years down the road may comprise substantially of new citizens of today. Thus, whilst the government on one hand tries to bring in a new pool of citizens, it should also attempt to address the issue of Singaporeans departing in droves. The fact remains that more than 50% of Singaporean youths between the age of 15-29 years of age wish to migrate, and it is a phenomenon that the government cannot ignore. If not, MM’s vision of a Singapore of new citizens 50 years down the road will eventually become a reality.
====================
For local news from non-local mainstream media, visit: http://singaporenewsalternative.blogspot.com
.
