Governance in Singapore

Chapter 2

Essential Questions

• What is good governance?• How does governance

influence our living conditions?

DEFINITIONS

GovernanceGovernance The way the governmentThe way the governmentmanages the resourcesmanages the resourcesof the country so as to of the country so as to carry out its functionscarry out its functions

Good Governance

Good Governance

Requires the Requires the support of the support of the citizens for citizens for government government policiespolicies

FUNCTIONS OF A GOVERNMENT

Ensures stability Meets people’s needs

Builds a nationMaintains sovereignty

SINGAPORE’S SYSTEM OF GOVTRepresentative democracy

Election held once every 5 yrs

During the election, people decide who they will vote for to represent them

Candidates with the most no. of votes in each constituency serve as Members of Parliament (MPs).

Leader of party with most no. of MPs in Parliament is invited by the President to be Prime Minister. The PM will then form the cabinet to manage the country

THE PEOPLE’S ROLE

• Power and responsibility to chose the right leaders (voting)

• Communicate their needs and wants to govt. through:• The Feedback Unit – 1985 –

letters, dialogue sessions• Media (e.g. the Forum Page

in the Straits Times)• MPs Meet the People

Sessions

• Parliamentary system of government• Elected group of people make laws and policies• Comprises 3 branches

LegislatureLegislature ExecutiveExecutive JudiciaryJudiciary

LegislatureLegislature

Who?- President- Members of Parliament

Who?- President- Members of Parliament

Does what?- Makes the laws of the country

Does what?- Makes the laws of the country

How?• Debates about proposed Bills in Parliament• Passes Bills after studying them

How?• Debates about proposed Bills in Parliament• Passes Bills after studying them

?

ExecutiveExecutive

Who?- President- Cabinet Members

Who?- President- Cabinet Members

Does what?- Executes the law passed

Does what?- Executes the law passed

How?• e.g. if law is related to education, Education Minister (a Cabinet Member) would translate law to Education Ministry and ensure its smooth implementation

How?• e.g. if law is related to education, Education Minister (a Cabinet Member) would translate law to Education Ministry and ensure its smooth implementation

JudiciaryJudiciary

Who?- Judges- Law courts

Who?- Judges- Law courts

Does what?- Makes sure that laws are justly carried out

Does what?- Makes sure that laws are justly carried out

How?• Takes action against wrong doers

How?• Takes action against wrong doers

ExecutiveExecutive

Makes the lawsMakes the lawsLegislatureLegislature

JudiciaryJudiciary

Implements policies according to the the laws

Implements policies according to the the laws

Ensures the law is followedEnsures the law is followed

GUIDING PRINCIPLES

• Leadership is key• Anticipate change and stay

relevant• Reward for work and work for

reward• A stake for everyone,

opportunities for all

A) LEADERSHIP IS KEY

• Honest, capable leaders needed to make right decisions for the country

• The govt continuously selects and grooms potential leaders

• Good leadership is important in every segment of society

• E.g. National Arts Council Chairman Mr Liu Thai Ker, former President Mr Ong Teng Cheong was persuaded by Mr Lee Kuan Yew to be a minister

B) ANTICIPATE CHANGE, STAY RELEVANT (Principle of being forward looking)• Decisions need to be forward-

looking to overcome potential challenges. Examples:

• NEWater—Why? Self-sufficiency in water supply; not limited to expiration of water agreements with M’sia

• Integrated resorts to capture tourist market helps Singapore’s economy to be competitive

C) REWARD FOR WORK AND WORK FOR REWARD

• Meritocracy: a system that rewards hard work and talent

• E.g. Edusave scholarship, Merit Bursary Schemes, Progress Package

• Gives everyone an equal opportunity to achieve their best and be rewarded for their performance regardless of race, religion and socio-economic background

D) A STAKE FOR EVERYONE, OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL

• Having a say develops greater sense of belonging

• More opportunities created to involve people in decision-making

• E.g. issue of having a casino (2004)

• Govt introducing social safeguards to minimize problem gambling after hearing feedback from the people

POP QUIZ!!Do you know your

leaders?

Prime Minister

Mr Lee Hsien Loong

Senior Minister and Co-ordinating Minister for National Security

Professor S Jayakumar

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Home Affairs

Mr Wong Kan Seng

Minister for Foreign Affairs

Mr George Yeo

Acting Minister for Information, Communications and the Arts

Mr Lui Tuck Yew

Minister for Trade and Industry

Mr Lim Hng Kiang

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence

Mr Teo Chee Hean

Minister for the Environment and Water Resources andMinister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs

Dr Yaacob Ibrahim

Minister for Health

Mr Khaw Boon Wan

Minister for FinanceMr Tharman SHANMUGARATNAM

Minister for Education andSecond Minister for Defence

Dr Ng Eng Hen

Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan

Minister for Transport &Second Minister for Foreign Affairs

Mr Raymond Lim

Minister for Manpower

Mr Gan Kim Yong