guiding principles of singapore governance

4. Guiding Principles of Governance

• 4.1 Leadership is Key

• 4.2 Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant

• 4.3 Reward for Work and Work for Reward

• 4.4 A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All

4.1 Leadership is Key

• Honest and capable leaders needed

• Good leaders make the right decisions for the country

• Good leaders must have moral courage and integrity

• Good leaders do what is right and not what is popular

4.1 Leadership is Key

• Good leadership and governance do not occur by chance

• Potential leaders are selected and groomed

• Leaders also selected based on good character

4.1 Leadership is Key

• Honesty is highly valued in a leader

• Leaders must be incorruptible

• Incorruptible leaders win the confidence and respect of the people

• The law deals with leaders guilty of dishonest behaviour

4.1 Leadership is Key

• Good leadership needed in every segment of Singapore society

• For Example, former chairman of the National Arts Council (NAC) Mr. Liu Thai Ker– Created more opportunities for local talents– More Arts events were organised

4.2 Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant

• Need for government to be forward looking

• NEWater– Ensure self-sufficiency in water supply– Presently, Singapore depends on Malaysia– Agreements with M’sia end in 2011 and 2061– Singapore found alternative water supplies– Government communicated that NEWater

was safe

4.2 Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant

• Integrated Resorts– Tourism has always been important for

S’pore’s economy– Recently, Tourism faces more competition– More Asian countries developing tourist

attractions– Singapore needs to improve the tourist

industry– In April 2005, the government decided to build

two Integrated Resorts

4.2 Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant

• Taking Risks– Singapore has to be open to new ideas– Singapore needs to be willing to take risks– Students can come up with creative and

innovative ideas– Every Singaporean needs to upgrade

knowledge and skills to stay employable

4.3 Reward for Work and Work for Reward

• Meritocracy is key to this principle• Meritocracy is a system which rewards hard

work and talent• Reward encourages people to do well• Example: Exceptional students are rewarded • Meritocracy given an equal opportunity to all to

achieve their best• Surplus from Singapore’s growth has also been

shared as a reward for hard work

4.4 A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All

• A greater sense of belonging is created when people have a say in decision-making

• More opportunities have been created to involve people in decision-making

• Example: Consultation with the people on having a casino