Singapore government has ‘less political space to do the right things’ if electoral margins get smaller: SM Lee
The public service plays a major role in “keeping Singapore exceptional”, says Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong speaking at the annual Public Service Leadership Ceremony on Sep 17, 2024.
Justin Ong Guang-Xi
17 Sep 2024 05:49PM
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SINGAPORE: Singapore’s government will have “less political space to do the right things” if its winning margin at elections gets smaller, Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday (Sep 17).
“It will become harder to disregard short-term considerations in decision-making. The political dynamics will become very different,” he said.
“Singaporeans must understand the dangers this creates, and so must the public service.”
Mr Lee was speaking at the Annual Public Service Leadership Ceremony held at the Star Theatre at Buona Vista, with members of the public service in attendance.
Also present were Minister-in-charge of the Civil Service Chan Chun Sing and head of Civil Service Leo Yip.
Mr Lee, who was prime minister for 20 years, said that in Singapore's six decades of nationhood, it has been able to "get things right domestically" in order to "stand tall internationally".
"All this has only been possible because Singapore has been well-governed all these years," he added, pointing to three factors - good policies and good politics, a good public service and good political leadership, and the "right relationship between the public service and the political leadership".
Emphasising the importance of ministers and the public service working closely together to deliver results for the country, Mr Lee said each has their respective responsibilities, with the lines properly drawn so the system functions properly.
“This is how we have been able to maintain political stability and deliver good government for Singapore, and kept it going through many terms of government,” Mr Lee said, contrasting it with examples in other countries.
“In those countries, governments find that doing the right thing is not politically feasible, and then political leaders of all parties default to populism or short-termism to stay in power,” he said.
“Thankfully, Singapore has been an exception to this rule.”
