Creating Opportunities For All by People's Action Party

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www.pap.org.sg

November / December 2012

CREATING CR REAT TN TIN NG CREATING

OPPORTUNITIES OPENINGS PEN EN NIN NI NGS GS SF FOR RA AL ALL FOR ALL • Party activists honoured • Grace Fu in focus • Myanmar lessons

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SINGAPORE

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Contents

05 A note to our readers Minister Lawrence Wong gives notice of several changes to the content, design and format of Petir from next year after taking into account members’ feedback and suggestions.

Editorial

Spirit of creating opportunities for all Education Minister Heng Swee Keat discusses how Singaporeans can develop a certain spirit to create opportunities for everyone and help contribute towards a virtuous cycle of progress. * Also in Chinese, Malay and Tamil

12 Party Conference

Winning on three fronts One common chord that sounded at the recent Party Conference was the need to win over the trust of the people. Suggestions on how to achieve this included putting more heart into politics, engaging the new generation and looking after the middle class and the less advantaged.

Quick News

A round-up of new policies.

Party Awards

Party activists recognised Some 400 Party activists were given recognition for their contributions at this year’s Party awards ceremony. Two new awards were also given out – the Dedicated Service Star* Award and the Long Service Medal – Special Award. • Puhaindran – the go-to person at Marine Parade • Five decades of service • Reaching out to the young • An advocate for women Publicity and Publications Committee Chairman • Lawrence Wong Vice-Chairman • Seah Kian Peng Secretary • Lim Wee Kiak Members • Alvin Yeo, Arthur Fong, Devi Vasantha Haridas, Kalyani Ramasamy, Chiang Heng Liang, Abdul Jafar Darwis District representative • Diana Pang Young PAP • Hamidah Aidillah PAP Policy Forum • Malminderjit Singh PAP WW • Teo Lin Lee Editor • Lim Huan Chiang Editorial and Design • Focus Publishing Limited (Tel: 6319 2392) Printer • timesprinters, Singapore. Photos courtesy of Singapore Press Holdings, istockphoto.com and Teckwah Industrial Corporation Ltd

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NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2012

Party Seminar

Inclusive consultation, decisive leadership

After extensive dialogues, about 500 Party activists from five districts gather to discuss some of the critical issues concerning the nation.

Face to Face

Soft and hard Minister Grace Fu has a soft demeanour but she is unflinching when it comes to the hard issues.

Behind the Scenes

My Say

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Raising productivity through the ideas of workers Corporate chairman Thomas Chua Kee Seng discusses how he goes about increasing productivity and competitiveness successfully in his company.

32 Forum Meritocracy in education: New perspective

• Lessons from Myanmar • 23 go on Fujian study trip

PPF Council member Ngiam Keng Kam discusses meritocracy in our education system and the new perspective.

34 Happenings

Dialogue

Dear MP, what’s your favourite food?

• Taking a fresh look at policies • Raising a reader

YP members get close and personal with MPs Ong Teng Koon and Liang Eng Hwa.

MP Ang Hin Kee asks what can we do to help Singaporeans develop expertise to increase their income.

View from the Front

Engaging Singaporeans in the new normal MP Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim says there is a need to learn how to engage Singaporeans in today’s world.

Backbencher’s Bite

The other $7,000 question

Overheard

Best of the sound bites by parliamentarians.

MCI (P) 146/11/2012 Petir is published by the People’s Action Party Central Executive Committee. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the prior consent of the publisher. Views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the PAP or the Government. All rights reserved. PAP Headquarters Block 57B, New Upper Changi Road, #01-1402, PCF Building, Singapore 463057 • Telephone: 6244 4600 • Telefax: 6243 0114 • Internet: www.pap.org.sg

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A note to our readers

hank you for participating in the recent readership survey and providing feedback on how Petir can be improved. In the first issue of Petir in 1956, then Party Chairman, Dr Toh Chin Chye, said that it would be a publication to “reach out to all members”, and also to “explain to the people our Party’s aims”. The purpose of Petir remains as relevant today as it did in 1956. But we have to adapt and evolve to meet our objectives in a new environment. Starting from next year, therefore, we will be making several changes to the content, design and format of Petir, taking into account your feedback and suggestions. At the same time, we will change Petir to a quarterly, instead of a bimonthly, publication. So keep a look out for the next issue of Petir in April 2013. Besides updating the Party publication, we will also do more through the Internet and social media. A revamped Party website (www.pap.org.sg) will be ready in January 2013. Ultimately, Petir and the PAP website are platforms for our members – they are for you to get updated on Party activities and policies, to contribute your views and engage one another, and to reach out to Singaporeans. I hope you will like the new Petir and PAP website. Please continue to share your ideas on how we can improve, and e-mail any suggestions to paphq@pap.org.sg. Lawrence Wong Chairman Publicity and Publications Committee

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EDITORIAL

Spirit of creating opportunities for all Each person’s unique creativity, together with Singapore’s ability to pursue meaningful collective action, will ensure Singapore’s competitiveness and dynamism

peaking to Singaporeans, I am struck by how often the word ‘opportunity’ crops up. We all want opportunities – to do well in school, develop ourselves, have a good career, pursue our interests and lead a full and meaningful life. Indeed, we should seek to create opportunities for all. Globally, opportunities today are more abundant than a century ago. However, the range of opportunities differs significantly across nations. Traditionally, the developed nations had it best – every graduating student could look forward to an exciting job. Today, youth unemployment in Greece and Spain has exceeded 50 per cent. America is fighting to recover from a debilitating financial crisis. By contrast, in recent years, emerging economies such as China, India and Brazil have uplifted millions of citizens economically, providing them with opportunities for a better life. The key learning point is that creating opportunities is forever a work-inprogress. No nation stays ahead all the time. To continue to have opportunities, we have to work for it. How do we, as a little red dot, continue to create opportunities for Singaporeans? We can best accomplish this by integrating the efforts of individuals, the community and the Government. When we harness both the power of individual and that of collective action, we derive valuable synergy. First, as the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats. The more successful we are as a country, the more opportunities there are for every single one of us. A dynamic economy creates a range of good jobs.

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By Heng Swee Keat Minister for Education

, I am rd ‘opant opdevelop sue our ningful ate opre more owever, signifinations tudent job. ent in 50 per from a trast, in such as ed miloviding ter life. t creatork-inall the unities, ontinue oreans? by inals, the When ividual derive ng tide we are es there ynamic d jobs.

This is fundamental to fulfilling many aspirations. Good jobs also enable us to support a wide range of social and cultural pursuits. Our sports, arts, music and cultural scenes have become more vibrant because Singaporeans and companies can now afford to support such events. In the past, it would have been difficult for a student to aspire to be full-time actor or dancer or artist. Today, with greater public support, more opportunities in these fields are opening up. Some Singaporeans ask if growth is necessary and if we are pressing too hard to ‘grow at all cost’. Calibrating natural weather

For our long-term welfare, we need to grow at a sustainable pace. But we must not swing to the opposite extreme and think that we can control economic forces fully. The economy is not like an air-conditioner – we cannot set the thermostat to achieve the exact temperature. Rather, the economy behaves more like the weather, with unpredictable changes. The global financial crisis is a case in point. While we can moderate the impact of changes – akin to turning up the fan when it is hot, we are far from being able to control the economy as if it were a machine. In other words, we need a collective appreciation that economic growth and vibrancy is a critical enabler in creating opportunities for us to fulfil our aspirations. For many years now, our unemployment rates have been very low – even during times of economic crisis. It is, there-

fore, easy to assume this to be the normal state of affairs. Having worked with our economic agencies to attract investments and create good jobs in Singapore, I can attest that these were possible only with much hard work and ‘heart’ work. Because our market is small, our companies have to work doubly hard just to stay competitive. We hardly have any natural source of competitive advantage. Every single one is built up painstakingly. It is not fashionable to speak of these, but we forget these basics at our peril.

“In a fast-changing world, we need inventive minds and resilient spirits. People will need to be adaptable, and to learn, to try and to seize opportunities.” To see how fortunes can change quickly, a month ago, I was saddened to read that Sony, Panasonic and Sharp lost more money in the last five years than all their profits combined for the last 20 years. It is an astounding turn of event. Their fortune’s decline speaks to a wider problem. With an ageing and declining population, and the society’s inability to accept new immigrants, the Japanese economy has been stuck in the doldrums. The dynamism of the past has given way to a vicious cycle of stagnation,

growing pessimism and further decline. We too are facing a rapidly ageing population. We must learn from the Japanese experience and avoid going down a similar path. While a rising tide generally lifts all boats, not everyone can benefit from it. Economic restructuring also means disruption to our careers. We must help all our students build firm foundations so that they can be life-long learners. Our children should leave school with a love for learning and confident of their ability to adapt, so that they can seize new opportunities. Indeed, a recent study from Duke University estimated that 65 per cent of school children may end up in jobs that do not exist today. In our next phase, we need to view education more as a quest, an adventure – to explore, discover and create. In a fast-changing world, we need inventive minds and resilient spirits. People will need to be adaptable, and to learn, to try and to seize opportunities. Ultimately, creating opportunities for everyone in our society demands a certain spirit in all Singaporeans – a willingness to explore new frontiers, to stay adaptable, to work together as a team and to look out for each other. This way, we can turn diverse talents into strengths. We can seize opportunities and contribute in creating a virtuous cycle of progress. The seeds for exciting future possibilities are already inside each of us; they flourish when we take pride in creating opportunities for ourselves and for others.

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PARTY CONFERENCE

Winning on three fr T

he man touted to lead the PAP in winning back Aljunied GRC from the opposition at the next General Elections has urged his party to show that it is serious about reclaiming the constituency. Mr Victor Lye, the Bedok ReservoirPunggol Branch Chairman, said the PAP must send in a team whom the party leadership values and not just “sacrificial lambs”. “It cannot be perceived as a halfhearted attempt. And we should do it early – so that we have time to consolidate the ground effectively,” he said in an impassioned speech to 2,000 party cadres at the Kallang Theatre at the PAP party conference on Dec 2. Winning hearts

Mr Lye called for the party to put more heart into politics and return to basics by demonstrating more heart in policies while communicating that to the people and connecting with them better.

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Economic growth – al

he Government will aim for a lower annual growth of 2 to 3 per cent a year as the country rebalances its priorities to focus more on building up Singapore society and fulfilling the human spirit. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong agreed with calls by some quarters to guard against an over-emphasis on growing the economy at all costs. But he cautioned against going “overboard” and abandoning values and principles

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“At the national level, we need to communicate better and highlight the heart in our policies. We spend more time talking about the F1 race, explaining the IRs than we did the population policies,” he said. Speaking later, PAP secretary-general Lee Hsien Loong said he felt Mr Lye spoke for all Aljunied party members. “They are regrouping, they are giving the Members of Parliament in Aljunied a tough fight and I think they have the support from all of us, all over Singapore,” said Mr Lee. Mr Lye had cautioned against allowing Aljunied to become another Hougang, which has been firmly in the grip of the Workers’ Party since 1991. Even after Workers’ Party chief Low Thia Khiang, who has won four elections in Hougang, vacated his seat there to contest in Aljunied, the WP still won comfortably there. And even after Mr Low’s successor in Hougang Yaw Shin Leong gave up his seat in Parliament after admitting to an extramarital affair, a by-election still saw the “third-choice” WP member Png Eng Huat win with 62 per cent of the votes over the PAP’s “best choice” Desmond Choo.

“Do not underestimate the goodwill shown to opposition candidates,” said Mr Lye. “People respect the opposition because they have to step up – without the prospect of a career.” Mr Lye, 50, an investment consultant who has been working in the Aljunied grassroots since 1999, took over as Branch Chairman after Mr George Yeo stepped down after losing to the WP team in Aljunied in last year’s election. Winning over a new generation

One of the new Central Executive Committee members and first-term minister Chan Chun Sing opened the day’s proceedings by urging his fellow party members to give “blood, sweat and tears” like the founding party members did in the past to win over the people by going out to every street corner to convince people of the party’s vision and values. “We too have to go to every street corner and cyberspace corner to convince

people of our cause,” he said, adding that party members should win their own mandate from new generations of Singaporeans “We cannot expect trust in the founding generation to be transferred to us without any effort,” Another speaker, Mr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, spoke of the need to win over the middle class, who often find themselves sandwiched – they are not poor enough to receive “goodies” from the annual Budget, while they are stressed over aspirations to make it to the upper class rung. He urged party activists to harness the energies from this middle class and get them to be part of the solutions that they complain about. Winning over the less advantaged

One way to win people over is to help them help themselves and fulfill their potential, even if they come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

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that have brought the country to its current state. “Don’t believe that growth does not matter at all, or that less growth is better,” he said. “We are not aiming for a ridiculous, high-speed growth. We are aiming for a sustainable 2 to 3 per cent per year. We have to calibrate but we have to find the right balance.” Those who argue that pursuing economic growth is the wrong direction for the country to take do not fully com-

prehend what it means for Singapore to go through a long period of low or no growth, said the PM, adding that this year’s projected growth of 1.5 per cent has already led to “long faces” among workers. Businesses and workers are worried about lower bonus and pay increments, and the creation of fewer jobs. Slower economic growth will impact low-wage workers and younger Singaporeans the most, said Mr Lee. “Young people will be affected because

they are looking for opportunities, they are looking for adventure, they are looking for challenge. No growth, nothing happening and they will be off – off to Australia, off to America, off to China, India, where the big cities are, where the bright lights are, where the opportunities are,” he said. “And then we will become an old folks’ home in Singapore and we will not achieve our hopes, and we will not achieve our hopes for our children.” PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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PARTY CONFERENCE PM Lee raised the example of a youth who dropped out of school at the age of 10, after his father passed away, in order to take care of his mother. A few years later, after he joined Northlight School, he became an ex-co member of the school’s student leaders, the captain of its soccer team and its best student – all these while, at the same time, working part-time to supplement his family income. Now, the boy is aiming to enter polytechnic, after studying at the ITE. Meritocracy, PM Lee said, must remain a fundamental principle of society. While other countries may have based their societies on personal connections, or other criteria, Mr Lee asked if this was the type of system the country wants. “Do we look at wealth? Do we want that? Or guanxi, connections? Or you can go by race – ‘that person is the right race, so he gets extra marks in the exam, extra advantage for schools admission and for jobs.’ Is that the Singapore we have fought to build? “I think when you think about it carefully, you will come to a conclusion that it’s right that meritocracy is one of our fundamental values in Singapore and in the PAP.” Mr Lee encouraged those who have benefitted from this meritocratic system to contribute back to society. “You have a duty to do this so that

more can succeed like you, so that everybody can benefit from the system, so that people can see that the system is fair.” Singaporeans should seek success not just for themselves, but work together as one country, the PM added.

“If Singapore does well, if our community does well, then we can be individually successful and we can be happy because we are not just rejoicing by ourselves, but with our friends and fellow countrymen.”

Chairman: Mr Khaw Boon Wan Vice-Chairman: Dr Yaacob Ibrahim Secretary-General: Mr Lee Hsien Loong 1st Asst Sec-General: Mr Teo Chee Hean 2nd Asst Sec-General: Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam Treasurer: Mr Lim Swee Say Asst Treasurer: Mr K Shanmugam Ms Denise Phua (co-opted) Mr Seah Kian Peng (co-opted) Mr Tan Chuan-Jin (co-opted) Dr Vivian Balakrishnan (co-opted) Mr Lawrence Wong (co-opted)

Organising Secretaries: Mr Gan Kim Yong, Dr Ng Eng Hen, Mr Chan Chun Sing Women’s Wing Chair: Ms Grace Fu YP Chair: Mr Chan Chun Sing

The two first-term ministers – Mr Heng Swee Keat and Mr Chan Chun Sing – were among the top 12 leaders whom PAP cadres voted for from a shortlist of 19 candidates. 14 PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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By Ji

The new CEC

Members: Mr Chan Chun Sing Ms Grace Fu Mr Gan Kim Yong Madam Halimah Yacob (co-opted) Mr Heng Swee Keat Dr Ng Eng Hen

12/18/12 11:50 AM

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lose to 400 Party activists received awards honouring their contributions, at this year’s Party awards ceremony that was held at the Kallang Theatre on Dec 1. Apart from the usual categories, the Party also gave out awards in two new categories – the Dedicated Service Star* Award and the Long Service Medal – Special Awards. The Dedicated Service Star* award was given out to Mr Ong Eng Kam, from Changi-Simei Branch. The award is given out to exceptionally deserving members who have served their branch for 50 or more years. It is an addition to the existing Dedicated Service Medal that recognises 35 years or more of service. The Long Service Medal – Special Award was given out to two HQ staff who are due to retire at the end of this year: Mr Siang Kok Leong, a staff member who has served at the Party HQ for 48 years. He has also been an active Party

member for 57 years, having served, initially at Telok Ayer Branch, and now at Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng Branch; and Mr Chay Weng Teck, a staff member who has served at the Party HQ for 27 years and has been an active Party member with Radin Mas branch for the same period of time. The Party also recognised four branches with the Sustained Performance Award. This award was introduced in 2007 and is given out to branches that have achieved the top 10 positions for five consecutive years. The four branches that received this award are Nee Soon South, Punggol South, Sengkang West and Ulu Pandan. In addition, on the night, Mr S. Puhaindran was honoured with the Meritorious Service Medal for his service to the Marine Parade branch. Delivering the keynote speech, Party

“We must work together to inspire hope for the future, strengthen our heart for one another and share our love for our common home.”

ong

Chairman Khaw Boon Wan recounted the story of how he visited Party activist Loppaus Jacob at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital a few months ago. “He was in his 80s and suffered from dementia since 2010. He could not recognise me. Speaking in Malayalam and through his son as the interpreter, he told me briefly about the PAP, how it changed his life and insisted I should also join the PAP.” Mr Jacob passed away a few weeks later, but his legacy to the Party lives on via his two sons – Isson Jacob and Josh Jacob who are also active Party members. “The PAP spirit that flowed in the late Mr Loppaus Jacob's blood continues to stir among his children. The Party and Singapore benefit as a result,” said Mr Khaw. Apart from recognising the efforts of Party activists, Mr Khaw also noted that the PAP has strengthened its ground engagement both internally and externally and has enhanced its organisational capabilities capabilitie and reformed the party organisational ganisation structure. For the th next phase of Singapore's development, the Party has to continue developm to work hard ha to maintain the trust of Singaporeans, gaporeans win their mandate to govern the country countr and lead Singapore to further success, he h said. “While “Whil staying true to our values, the Party itself itsel will also need to evolve so as to always remain in tune with the times. We must work together to inspire hope for the future, strengthen our heart for fu one another and share our love for our common home. “Let us press on to achieve our vision to secure a better future for generations to come.” come PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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PARTY AWARDS

Puhaindran – the go-to person at Marine Parade

n 1976, Mr S. Puhaindran, a teacher at Raffles Institution (RI) and resident of Marine Parade, received a call from an old boy of RI asking for help. The General Election was coming up and another old RI boy was planning to stand in Marine Parade. Would he be willing to help? Mr Puhaindran said he was willing to pitch in, and together with the Party, they helped a 35-year-old Goh Chok Tong to get elected into Parliament. The 1976 election was Mr Puhaindran’s introduction to the Party and the start of his more than three decades of service. For having made major contributions and consistently rendering service to the Party and nation, Mr Puhaindran was given the Meritorious Service Medal at the Party awards this year. Mr Puhaindran said that apart from wanting to help an old RI boy, he volunteered to help because he saw the PAP as an organisation that got things done. “After having lived for two years in Marine Parade, I felt something had to be done here,” said Mr Puhaindran. Marine Parade was a new estate, built on reclaimed land and the residents had come from all over Singapore. It was a disparate community where people did not know each other. Apart from that, there were a lot of minor problems. As a new estate, the infrastructure was underdeveloped. There was no mosque nearby and no kindergartens either. Petty thefts were common and residents had to deal with lift breakdowns. “It was very common for lifts to break down,” he recalled. “People became experts in rescuing people in lifts.” So there were lots of things that needed to be done, and Mr Puhaindran figured the PAP could help get things

35-year Party veteran Puhaindran is the recipient of the highest accolade this year.

done. “And I was right.” The PAP set up a kindergarten by 1977, thus meeting the needs of parents in the area. As a side-benefit, on Sunday, the kindergarten’s premises were used for Islamic religious classes because there was no mosque nearby. Being a well-known resident of the area, Mr Puhaindran became the go-to person for residents in the estate when things had to get done as well. “When Marine Parade was first set up, there was a bad drug problem,” he recalled. “It was so bad that people would come home and find a drug addict slumped in their doorway. I got

residents to call me and then I would call the police.” The Party has done so much for residents that he believes that “the Party is responsible for what Marine Parade is today”. According to Mr Puhaindran, what the Party did for residents helped forge a bond between branch members and residents. As a result, during election periods, the Party would get about 200 to 300 people coming up to volunteer their services. In his 35 years with the Party, Mr Puhaindran was Branch Secretary from 1979 until 2006.

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would ch for e Party arade is n, what d forge ers and eriods, to 300 r their ty, Mr y from

When Mr Goh Chok Tong became Prime Minister and did not have the time to do the Meet-the-People sessions, Mr Puhaindran stepped in. In his citation, Mr Goh wrote: “He was very much the proxy local MP for Marine Parade during my terms as PM when I did not do MPS. His contributions stretch from 1976 to today.” Today, Mr Puhaindran spends most of his time with his seven grandchildren while younger activists run the branch. However, he is still involved with the Party. He is the Vice-Chairman of Marine Parade PCF and also serves as Chairman of the Welfare Committee in Marine Parade CCC.

r Ong Eng Kam, 72, has the distinction of being the first Party member to receive the Dedicated Service Star* Award. The award, introduced this year, is given out to exceptionally deserving members who have served their branch for 50 years or more. While this year marks the 50th anniversary of Mr Ong joining the party back in 1962, his involvement with the Party actually goes back even further. Mr Ong first became involved back in the late 1950s, when he was a teenager growing up in a kampung. “At the time, life in the country was very tough,” said Mr Ong. g. “In In the kampungs, there was no water, ater, no electricity. Lim Yew Hock’s Government never did anything.” As a young man, Mr Ong felt that the Party had a policy that could be trusted. He joined the Party informalnformally and helped in the 1959 elections. ections. It was no easy task back then. Despite the difficult conditions, s, the PAP was able to sweep into power wer in the Legislative Assembly elections. ons. Over at Tampines constituency, nstituency, where Mr Ong helped out, t, Mr Goh Chew Chua of the PAP P got 73.3 per cent of the vote. However, this victory was shortlived. In the early 1960s,, the Barisan Socialis emerged to challenge the PAP. “ The Barisan was as ver y strong,” he recalled. “When When we went to the kampungs too campaign, we would sometimes etimes come against the Barisan arisan people and they would d want to ‘challenge’ us.” The PAP memberss did not take the bait so the encounters counters

did not end in violence. However, the Barisan’s strength was evident when at the 1963 Legislative Assembly elections, the PAP’s Mr Goh lost to Barisan’s Poh Ber Liak. The Barisan’s boycott of the 1968 elections, however, spelled the end of their political future and Tampines has been under the PAP ever since. Mr Ong has been working in Tampines, and then later, Changi-Simei all these years. Today, Changi-Simei is under the East Coast Group Representation Constituency and Mr Ong helps out the MP there, Ms Jessica Tan. Over the last 50 years, Mr Ong has held major party posts, including Branch Secretary.

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PARTY AWARDS

Reaching out to the young

t is clear that there is a generation gap in Singapore with younger voters less likely kely than before to vote for or the PAP. So the need too reach out to younger Singaporeans ingaporeans has become ome more urgent. At Tampines East, reaching eaching out to the young has as been the task of Winson Foo, the Young oung PAP Chairman for the last six years. ears. And for his efforts, orts, he was given the he Youth Medall at the Party awards wards this year, one ne of only five given ven out. The Youth outh Medal is

given out to outstanding young activists who have helped the Party Part stay in tune with the changing times aand electorate. The 39-year-old joined join the PAP in 2004 and has served in Tampines ever since. was surprised to Mr Foo said he wa was quick to give receive the award and wa thanks to Mr Mah Bow Tan, the MP for the aarea. As the th YP Chairman, he is responsible for rreaching out to youths, which he does youths through dialogue thro sessions, engagesess ment m sessions and youth bonding yo activities. ac “We created various platforms reaching fo out o to youths and because of a this, th we are able

lessly to keep thee Party in touch with the evolving ing roles and concerns of women”. men”. Madam Ng, g, a 20-year Party veteran, believes that the PAP can do more to reach out to women,, including single mothers and single women. The mother of two said single women omen are one of her big concerns. "With th more single wommen growing old, d, how prepared aree they to fend forr themselves?" shee asked.

adam Angie Ng, 55, is a principal at one kindergarten and she also oversees two other kindergartens and two childcare centres. It is, therefore, no surprise that this Party activist is a passionate advocate for women. She was Chairman of the Women's Wing of Tampines-Changkat for four years, and while she has stepped down from her position to focus on her role as Assistant Branch Secretary, she still organises events aimed at women and families. In recognition of her work, Madam Ng was one of five women who was given the Women's Medal at this year's Party awards ceremony. The Women's Medal recognises “women activists who have worked tire-

to create several communication channels and listen to the diverse opinions and suggestions of youths,” said Mr Foo. The importance of reaching out to youths cannot be overstated, given the Party’s need to connect with them. There has been a paradigm shift and the old way no longer works. Merely telling people what to do turns people off. Instead, people wish to be involved in the policy-making process, he said. That is why he is a fan of the ongoing Singapore Conversation. He said: “Our Singapore Conversation is a very good platform that allows us to look in-depth at what can be improved. With that we can identify and streamline policy-making for the future.” He believes that with the current setting, the engagement sessions and the move towards giving people a voice, the Party will be able to recover lost ground and get support from younger Singaporeans again.

Being single, they may be less able to handle increases in the cost of living, the cost of accommodation and health care, she noted. "The government needs to provide enough basic housing needs and medical care. Singles are appealing for assistance now that they cannot afford basic housing," she said. "We need to understand their situation and how can they be made to feel dignified in their old age rather than seeing members of this group, some in their 60s and 70s, cleaning tables and sweeping floors."

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In co de

sheng, Loong. “I t aspirati hao hao you ag leaders Inst tinue to and po “W are you your no “I t we hav it is ou sion to persuad way we Mr

The sem

PARTY SEMINAR

hannels nd sugout to ven the . There old way o turns h to be rocess, ngoing : “Our y good n-depth hat we making ent setnd the ice, the ground ngapo-

be less he cost mmodanoted. eeds to ousing Singles istance t afford said. underon and made to heir old seeing group, nd 70s, sweep-

Inclusive consultation, decisive leadership

eing in government means providing leadership, not just being Mr Nice Guy or hao hao xian sheng, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. “I think we need to reflect people’s aspirations and dreams, but if we are just hao hao xian sheng – whatever people say, you agree – I think we would be failed leaders.” Instead, the Government must continue to be able to lead with its own ideas and policies, said the PM. “We are not just asking people, what are your views, and I will go and I will be your note-taker and speak on your behalf. “I think we have ideals, we have ideas, we have policies, we have proposals. And it is our responsibility to lead that discussion together with the people in order to persuade people to see things more in the way we do,” he said. Mr Lee, who is the PAP’s Secretary-

General, was speaking to about 500 participans at the PAP Party Seminar on Nov 25. This seminar was the culmination of two months of extensive dialogues across the PAP’s 87 branches and five districts. Party district representatives gave closed-door presentations, held at Lasalle College of the Arts, along various themes. The South-East district team’s topic, “Moving Fast – Staying First”, highlighted the urgency of engaging the middle ground. To do this, Party activists will need to be empowered, and the Party will need to make a continuous effort to build party rapport. The North-East District dwelt on the subject of “Fulfilling Individual Aspirations – Achieving Societal Goals”. The presenters suggested three main ideas: keeping a strong core, maintaining a smooth societal infrastructure and recalibrating an evolving Singaporean identity. The North-West presenters, speak-

The seminar brought together activists from 87 branches to discuss key issues.

ing on “Giving Our Best – Sharing Our Nest”, focused on the constant global flow among immigrants and Singaporeans, highlighting the need to harness social capital among others, yet staying rooted and helping to reaffirm the collective communal identity. The theme of the South-West team, “Globally Competitive – Locally Connected”, zeroed in on the “global Singaporean” who would be both a ‘thought leader’ in cross-domain knowledge and global trends, yet at the same time remaining Singaporean at heart. Last, the Central district discussed the importance of inclusive politics for its topic, “Inclusive Politics – Decisive Government”. It stressed continual consultation of citizens while upholding a decisive government. Party activist Mr Sahul Hameed, 51, approved of the seminar, especially its consultative nature. “Representation of all branches is generally not possible, but the seminar has managed to be inclusive,” he noted. Wrapping up, PM Lee said that Singapore needed a balance between an inclusive politics and a decisive government. “It’s not just whether we dare to go or we don’t dare. It’s whether the population accepts that this Government is doing it, and you may not agree, but you believe it is doing it for the good of Singapore and good of Singaporeans,” he said. To do so, a strong Government was needed. “The PAP must stay strong, must stay vibrant with members who believe in their cause, who are prepared to serve and who will fight to win,” Mr Lee added. PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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FACE TO FACE

Soft and hard Her name may connote softness. But when it comes to making a stand, Ms Grace Fu is unﬂinching By Wong Sher Maine

moment of delight in an interview with Ms Grace Fu was sparked when talk turned to the gastronomic wonders to be found in the Yuhua constituency. The Yuhua MP loves the carrot cake to be found in the hawker centre at Block 254 (she leans towards the black variety), the porridge from Xiang Ji Cooked Food and the dishes from the zi char stall at Block 221. Yuhua, in the Jurong East area, is Ms Fu’s ward and she often makes the 10-minute drive down from her home with husband and three boys in tow just to eat. “You know, the most special dish at the zi char stall is garlic pork. You can’t find it elsewhere. It is pork deep-fried till it’s very crispy, served with lots of deep-fried golden brown garlic,” says Ms Fu with an involuntary in-drawn hiss as if she was craving for them. The only minister to helm a SingleMember Constituency spends three to four nights a week and weekends in Yuhua. The rest of the time is spent on her portfolios as Minister for the Prime Minister’s Office, and Second Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Environment and Water Resources. The former Chief Executive of the PSA (Southeast Asia and Japan), who is direct, warm and prone to smiling even while talking, is also the only woman minister

in the Cabinet. Asked on the best parts of her six years in politics, Ms Fu said she is particularly proud of the Primary Education Review and Implementation framework which exposes primary pupils to non-academic subjects like art, sports and outdoor lifeskills, strides which have been made in brightening the spotlight on the education of special needs children; and perhaps surprisingly, boosting construction standards in Singapore. When she was Minister of State for National Development in 2006, she was put in charge of the Building and Construction Authority where, for the first time in her life, she dug deep into the Singapore construction industry. Never one to fear treading into male-dominated territory, Ms Fu tramped all over construction sites, talked to contractors and went overseas to Japan and Australia to check out best practices. These days, she proudly tells you that scaffolding is no longer of the rickety wooden variety, and that green buildings can attract the young to join the construction profession. “If you draw a parallel to Singapore’s water journey, we have always been proud of how we have cleaned up our rivers and are now a leader when it comes to water technology. With the building industry, we are still lagging, but we can similarly do that if we start raising the standard of

the profession and looking into R&D on construction in a highly urbanised city.” Today, however, one hefty issue weighing on her mind is the plight of the elderly. After attending many dialogues and citizen-engagement sessions, Ms Fu realised that the dialect-speaking elderly would not turn up for formal sessions that require them to speak to a large crowd and in front of a microphone. With grassroots volunteers, she organised a conversation with a difference – at a hawker centre with the elderly talking in dialect. Ms Fu, who grew up speaking Cantonese and can converse in simple Hokkien,

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describ short sk groups to their and said She worried of livin ware an I am co infrastr an agei For build b bridges

Ms Fu ranks her work in primary education, special education and boosting construction standards as some highlights in her six-year political career.

&D on d city.” weighelderly. ues and Fu reelderly ons that wd and assroots rsation re with Cantonokkien,

described the October event: “We put up a short skit, they shared experiences in small groups and they voted on the issues closest to their heart. They had a wonderful time and said we should have done it years ago.” She is well aware that the elderly are worried about healthcare costs and cost of living. She is also concerned with hardware and states firmly: “One of the things I am concerned with is how we adapt our infrastructure hardware and facilities for an ageing population.” For instance, there is a tendency to build barrier-free ramps for overhead bridges rather than pedestrian crossings

which are more elder-friendly. “Going up a ramp is actually quite demanding especially if you have to carry with you the marketing load,” she said. “When it comes to building coveredwalkways, the LTA takes the position of connecting the MRT links to a bus stop and stops there even when a further short stretch of covered-walkways will provide additional shelter to the nearest housing estate. There’s always the ‘last-mile’ problem.” Ms Fu, who lives with her parents and admits to having a soft spot for the elderly, observes and frequently communicates

with the “uncles” and “aunties” in Yuhua to understand their needs. With those who are younger and computer-literate, she uses Facebook. Ms Fu posts regular updates, mostly on her daily life and her thoughts on issues, and she actually responds to comments. On one occasion, she defended the need for ministerial salaries to be of a certain level in order to attract the best people, and was roundly chastised by netizens who felt she was being insensitive. She later said that she had been misunderstood. Is there any lesson she has learnt from the experience? “When it comes to Facebook, language is very important. Sometimes it lends itself to misinterpretation. I didn’t regret what I wrote with regard to principle. But I realised, having gone through it, that people may have interpreted the message differently,” said Ms Fu, who is now more wary of how she writes on her Facebook page. For all that her name connotes – Grace and in Chinese, Hai Yien which means sea swallow – Ms Fu is anything but soft. Her favourite quote, as outlined on her Facebook page, is one from Churchill: “You have enemies? Good. That means you have stood up for something, sometime in your life.” What has she stood up for that has made her enemies? What is known is her Facebook defence of ministerial salaries, and in one public dialogue, Ms Fu had explained to a pregnant lady, who identified herself as a lesbian and was concerned about benefits for mothers like herself, that the traditional family structure is still viewed as the norm in Singapore. Said Ms Fu: “Some politicians may take positions to gain popularity. However, I believe that as a leader, I am not here just to be popular. I have my views on where our societal values should stand and I make them known from time to time.” PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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BEHIND THE SCENES

23 By W

A Lessons from Myanmar

t was a journey of many firsts for a group of Young PAP travellers. It was not only their first time travelling together but for many, it was also the first time they had set foot in Myanmar. From Nov 9-13, 2012, a group of 24 members from the Young PAP (YP) – led by YP Chairman Teo Ser Luck – were in Yangon for a visit organised by YP International Relations. As part of their packed itinerary in the bustling city, the group met their counterparts from Myanmar’s key political parties, visited a local orphanage and even did some sight-seeing in a country that has only recently started to open up after a series of democratic reforms. The highlight of the visit was being able to interact with members of three of Myanmar’s political parties – the ruling Union Solidarity and Development Party, the National Unity Party and Aung San Suu Kyi’s National League for Democracy Party. At the headquarters of each party, the YP contingent was greeted by a senior party representative. Mr Teo, who is also

Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade and Industry, gave an introductory speech at each stop, which was followed by a lively question-and-answer session between both sides. Mr Victor Yeo, who travelled to Myanmar with his wife Jacqueline, said he enjoyed the discussions with the three parties on issues such as education, sustainable development and the job opportunities for graduates in Singapore. Ms Lorraine Lim, who is from the PAP’s Hougang Branch, was impressed by how Myanmar, with its vast cultural diversity, managed the “formidable” task of bringing its people together in all aspects of its society. “What Singapore enjoys today, our intricate racial harmony, is a social luxury that many young people may not understand. It is also something that can easily be taken for granted in our fast-paced world,” said Ms Lim, a 36-yearold security director. Mr Yeo, who is from the Pioneer branch, noted that while Myanmar was a country endowed with rich resources and culture, its people, however, were not

prosperous, partly due to the previous military leadership and closed-door policy to foreigners. “With the 2010 election, the new Government has spent time to reform the country towards democracy as we begin to see changes in their policies. Myanmar is also opening its arms to welcome foreign investments,” said the 40-year-old product specialist. “Myanmar still has a long way to catch up with other parts of the world, but given its resources, opportunities, land and its people, we are sure that it is transforming itself to be an important economy in the region,” Mr Yeo added. The trip was open not only to YP members. Annabelle Neo, a 33-year-old staff nurse, was invited to join and she readily accepted. A Young NTUC member, Ms Neo took the chance to make many new friends during the trip. “I observed that each of the (YP) members had one thing in common. They are appreciative of what they have in Singapore today and they believe in the Party to want to serve in it,” she said.

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from N the Qu Seng br GRC. Ou Distric a relativ coveri almost Th hoste Lin D Se c re t distr 1972. S returne 18th C Comm Party C in B where represe We one-sto The ce and rel more th service one in1 It p from g service It has socialis It even weeken Fun amalga and HD and Pa what w We Busine

23 go on Fujian study trip By Wah June ne Hwang

revious r policy he new rm the egin to nmar is foreign product o catch ut given and its orming y in the to YP ear-old nd she memo make e (YP) mmon. ey have e in the aid.

total of 23 comrades, led by MP Dr Chia Shi-Lu, went on a study trip to China's Fujian Province, from Nov 18-20. 0. They are members of the Queenstown n and Kreta Ayer-Kim Seng branches off the Tanjong Pagar GRC. Our first stop p was Jun Men District in Fuzhou ou City. It is a relatively prosperous perous district covering 0.16 sq km with almost 10,000 residents. esidents. The delegation ation was hosted by Madam Lin Dan, the Party Se c re t a r y o f t h e district since 1972. She had just ust returned from the he 18th Chinese Communist Party Congress in Beijing where she was a representative. We were introduced oduced to the one-stop service centre in Jun Men. The centre has nine full-time staff and relies on 163 3 party members and more than 800 volunteers olunteers to deliver its services. In all, itt can mobilise almost one in10 residents. nts. It provides a range ange of functions ranging from government administration, social nt administration services and even Party administration. It has a place for residents to meet and socialise, and there is a childcare service. It even organises charitable events during weekends and major festivals. Functionally, it appears to be an amalgam of party branch, town council and HDB. The line between Government and Party is not as distinct in China as what we have in Singapore. We also visited the Fuzhou City’s Business Services Department, where we

received an update on the state of the e c o n o m y i n Fu z h o u . It s t w o k e y e c o n o m i c activities acti ities are industrial chemicals and textile manufacturing. The city has a new department to facilitate foreign investment, and has identified eCommerce as a growing area. Mr Ma Guo Wu who hosted us emphasised that Fuzhou would like to expand its economic cooperation with Singapore, given the close cultural ties between the people of both countries. Comrade Chia agreed: “There is broad scope for us to work more closely in economic and cultural areas.”

also took some We al time off to visit cultural Sanfang attractions like l preserved section Qixiang, a pre City, the Old City of Fuzhou City against of CongWu, a bastion b pirates built bby the Ming today produces dynasty, and to exquisite stone carvings, the towers of Kai Yuan twin stone tower Tang Dynasty, Temple from the T multiple natural that survived mu disasters over the years. Xiamen, where Our last stop was Xi University and Jimei we visited Xiamen Univers University, two universities universiti set up by the late Singapore-based philanthropist p Mr Tan Kah Kee. We also learned that Jinping started Chinese Vice-President Xi Ji his political career in Fujian, and had even occupied an office at Jimei University at one time. A recurring theme was the t expression the officials had of respect and admiration th eyes, Singapore is for Singapore. In their eyes still till a very good d place l to t work and live in. At the end of the hectic three-day visit, a statement by Madam Lin from Jun Men District stuck in my mind: “Our work with the Party is to serve the people, to benefit them in real tangible ways. If we can do so, they will feel that the Party is good and will continue to support us.” A simple truth, but one that political activists would do well to remember. The writer is a member of the Queenstown Branch Exco. PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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DIALOGUE “Were you naughty in class?” What prompt you to enter politics?

WHAT WAS YOUR “MOST “Did you get down on REWARDING” MOMENT?

bended knee?” “Were you naughty in class?”

Dear MP, what’s your favourite food?

“Were you naughty in class?” “What was the deﬁning moment for you?” “What was the deﬁning moment for you?” “Did you get down on bended knee?” What prompt you What was your “most rewarding” moment? to enter politics?

Candid

YP members get up close and personal with Ong Teng Koon and Liang Eng Hwa

or nearly 90 minutes, two Members of Parliament found themselves in the firing line as the questions came fast and furious from their young audience. One wanted to know what kind of students they were in school (“Were you naughty in class?”). Someone else wondered what prompted them to enter politics (“What was the defining moment for you?”). Another even asked how they proposed to their wives (“Did you get down on bended knee?”). No topic, it seemed, was off-limits at a recent Young PAP dialogue featuring Sembawang GRC MP Ong Teng Koon and Holland-Bukit Timah GRC MP Liang Eng Hwa. The lively session – part of a regular series called “MPs Unplugged”,

organised by the Young PAP Political Discussions committee – was held at the NTUC Centre on Nov 10. Both Mr Ong, a first-term MP, and Mr Liang, who is now in his second term, peppered their responses with plenty of interesting anecdotes, which intrigued many among the 20-strong audience. Each MP began the largely informal session by giving some insights into what they do as an elected official. Mr Liang showed some images of his four GRC members celebrating their victory at the May 2011 General Election after winning some 60 per cent of the popular vote. The 48-year-old also revealed a lighter side not known to many – he is an avid guitarist, although being a public figure meant that he now

has “hardly any time” to engage in his hobbies these days. Mr Ong, meanwhile, ran some slides of various constituency activities that he had attended in the past such as Racial Harmony Day and scholarships and bursary awards ceremony. There were even some amusing photos of the 35-year-old at a Halloween party with some of his residents – all dressed in different costumes. One dialogue participant quizzed the pair on what their “most rewarding” moment as an MP was, to date. While each said there were perhaps too many to list, they had their favourites too. Mr Liang cited playing his part, in Parliament and on the ground, in pushing for the Government to resume building hawker centres in Singapore.

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“W when I which even th while t tres are so muc As job as sees an dents, b People “I fe to a per warmin was th new fla to a sch Ano curiou

T? ?”

? ou?”

Candid exchange was the order of the day as Mr Ong (left) and Mr Liang (right) took questions from the audience.

in his e slides es that uch as arships There of the y with ssed in zed the g” mole each to list, s part, nd, in resume pore.

“Where I feel the most satisfaction is when I push something in Parliament, which results in things getting changed, even though it may sometimes take a while to happen,” he said. “Hawker centres are good for social bonding, there’s so much variety of food available too.” As for Mr Ong, he said he finds his job as an MP worthwhile whenever he sees and feels the gratitude from his residents, be it during his regular Meet-ThePeople Sessions or on his walkabouts. “I feel that I have contributed directly to a person’s well-being, and that is heartwarming. There was one resident who was thankful that he managed to get a new flat and that his daughter could go to a school nearby,” he said. Another dialogue participant was curious to find out how the two MPs –

who, coincidentally, both work at wellknown financial institutions – juggled the demands and expectations of their public and private careers. Mr Liang, who is a managing director at DBS Bank, admits that his friends “are shocked” when they hear of his daily schedule, which includes putting in a full shift at work and then shuttling off to constituency events in the evening. His other duties include gracing everything from dinners to awards ceremonies. “My friends always ask me, ‘How do you do it?’. My simple reply is that if you don’t have the passion and motivation, then you can’t do this job (of being an MP),” he said. After the heavier topics such as their views on the global financial markets and the MPs’ relationships with the

party’s senior leadership were dealt with, the dialogue veered back to more lighthearted issues. The banter soon turned to Singaporeans’ favourite pastime: food. With both MPs having studied overseas – Mr Liang in Australia and Mr Ong in London and the United States – they were asked what food they missed most when they were away. “Definitely bak kut teh (pork ribs in tea soup) at Havelock Road,” said Mr Ong almost immediately. As for Mr Liang, his personal favourite is fried carrot cake. “Somehow you just can’t find this overseas. You can find laksa and chicken rice, but not carrot cake. That’s one dish that we should really franchise abroad,” he said to much laughter. PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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VIEW FROM FRONT

Engaging Singaporeans in th

he world today is much different from that our parents and grandparents lived in. The world then was much “smaller”, life simpler and almost everyone knew each other. Despite the lack of luxuries, everyone had time to get to know their neighbours well and in doing so, were brought closer together. Because of this closeness, people spoke their minds with respect for each other’s perspective and feelings. Let us examine the world we live in now. How well do we know our neighbours? How much do we interact with them beyond a simple hello in a chance meeting? How considerate are we of our neighbours' feelings, let alone a stranger in the street? For all our progress in material achievements, I feel that we may stand the risk of losing our soul as a society. With globalisation, our physical world has gotten much bigger. However, we seem to have retreated further into ourselves, forgetting that the world we live in extends beyond just our personal boundaries. From my experience as a Member of Parliament, Parliamentary Secretary, and academician, I have found that, at the heart of any issue, contention or policy, is people. Without people, no endeavour can start or progress to fruition. It, therefore, leads on to the challenge of bringing people together to listen to each other, talk things out and establish a common ground to move forward. To achieve this, I look upon myself as an enabler, or catalyst, to trigger the process of dialogue and consultation among groups of people with different

The “Let’s Drink Water” Campaign is launched by Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal (left) and Health Promotion Board CEO, Mr Ang Hak Seng.

viewpoints, needs and wants. As an MP, I have many opportunities to be so in my walkabouts, house visits, coffe-shop sessions and other engagement efforts. Some people clamour loudly to be heard, sometimes to the exclusion of hearing other voices; others are more reticent, preferring to keep to themselves when they could be valuable contributors to the community. Regardless, I think people are willing

to set aside their views or come out in the open if you display a willingness to listen and adopt an approachable mien when interacting with them. One critical element in engaging people is the ability to reach out and touch as many of our stakeholders as possible. When we reach out to people, we hope to engage as many individuals from various groups as possible on a common platform. This will allow us to have a finer sense of our policy initiatives and

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its effe Wi plify th positiv refine o I re Water” hun an enthus parents Kno like sw

in the new normal

By Assoc Prof Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim

“I think people are more willing to set aside their views or come out in the open if you display a willingness to listen...’’

t in the o listen n when ng peod touch ossible. ple, we ls from mmon have a ves and

its effects from the users’ point of view. With more people, we can also amplify the effects of our initiatives, whether positive or negative. This will help us to refine our policies. I recently launched the “Let’s Drink Water” campaign at a pre-school in Yishun and was greatly encouraged by the enthusiastic responses from children and parents there. Knowing that most children naturally like sweetened drinks, we attempted to

promote drinking water as a “fun and healthy’’ idea for them. After the launch, many of my residents and friends shared with me their intention to start encouraging their children to drink water when they are young. When we bring together people with different views, there is a tendency for some to impose their opinions on others. However, there is the issue of “silent majority and vocal minority” to consider. This is where we need to depolarise the situation constructively and bring people with different views towards positive engagement. Mutual familiarity has to be established first. Once this happens, people would be more willing to hear views other than their own. With mutual respect, they would be better able to discuss bigger issues together, look at alternative ideas and establish a common objective all can strive towards. The aim is to touch hearts and minds through engagement in order to move forward. An example I would like to share is a focus group discussion on the Land

Transport Masterplan which I chaired on Oct 31 this year. The participants were from a wide range of backgrounds and interests. Initially, each had his or her own agenda and viewpoints to sell. And indeed they had strong views. However, because they were able to listen to and consider the differing opinions, we had a very engaging discussion and managed to arrive at a common position on road safety. This is the kind of world we now live in, this is the new normal and we have to learn to engage Singaporeans. I am very pleased that we are trying our best to reach out to many Singaporeans in our various party dialogues, the recent Party Seminar and Our SG Conversation in charting the future of our Party and Singapore. Otherwise, we run the risk of losing their interest in our value proposition to them as a party for the people, and from there, our relevance to the future of Singapore. The writer is the Parliamentary Secretary for Health and Transport. PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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MY SAY

৛ႊᆐည‫ޘ‬ሣᏋ৔Ăளಯਜ਼ᒊቲᏋᄋ৙೫3658ᄖࡼ๸ኵă

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PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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FORUM

Meritocracy in education: N

rime Minister Lee Hsien Loong mentioned in his National Day Rally speech that it is important to focus not just on the best students, but also equally important for schools and teachers to do their very best for every student. Hence, it is important to recognise that for every individual there would be many ways towards success in diverse fields. In each of these fields, the inculcation of a holistic education beyond academic excellence would yield different values for each and every student. The Education Ministry has recently abolished the banding of secondary schools based on academic results. There was also a plan to simplify the school awards system from 2014 whereby schools that add value to the academic abilities of their students will be recognised through the awards. Most recently, the Singapore Youth Festival was renamed the Singapore Youth Celebration in which more emphasis would be placed on the process of learning and enjoyment of the arts, rather than on achieving awards. All these changes signify a new approach towards our perspective on education. It is also to send a clear message out that a good school should be one that delivers a student-centric, values-driven education. The meritocratic system has worked wonders for us, and many have passed through it regardless of our diverse backgrounds. However, the main purpose of education, which must be the holistic growth of the students, has somehow been overshadowed by the progression of the schoolâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s achievement. As a result, too much emphasis was placed on the branding and status of

our schools which in turn has led to the emergence of an elitist league of schools. Because meritocracy has become an individual pursuit of excellence and our schools have been subjected to massive strains to perform, students who excelled have been more valued than those who have not. The overemphasis on meritocracy has, therefore, created a gulf between those who excel academically and the less academically-inclined. This, in turn, has

resulted in only the best getting the best training. Thus, late-bloomers are often being side-lined and stifled, with many dropping out of school. Unfortunately, meritocracy was also thrown into the spotlight when court cases of scholars being prosecuted were publicised, leading to cynics questioning the rigorousness of our selection process. Coupled with widespread calls for the removal of the PSLE as many parents now

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deem i of a st much w student need to achieve In a Lee rei one of life itse success In

n: New perspective he best n being y dropwas also n court d were tioning rocess. for the nts now

deem it as not being a realistic evaluation of a studentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s capabilities and that too much was at stake for the future of our students at a young age, it has made the need to redefine success beyond academic achievements even more urgent. In a speech at his ward, Prime Minister Lee reiterated that the PSLE is only but one of the many exams in life, and that life itself has many pathways to being a success. In a recent interview with Minister

Lawrence Wong, he mentioned that one of the findings of the National Conversation dialogues, thus far, was that Singaporeans were more concerned about creating a kinder, more gracious, value-centric society. This further affirms the moves by the Education Ministry to move towards a more student and value-centric-based education. The various avenues towards success cannot be accomplished unless our soci-

By Ngiam Keng Kam

ety is willing to embrace a radical change to how meritocracy and education are viewed. Parents and educators need to understand that merit is achieved as a result of education, and that education is not achieved as a result of merit. The redefinition of this equation would result in a paradigm change in how education is being approached at all levels for students from all backgrounds. It would be liberating for students at all levels to know that their worth and value in this intensely-competitive academic environment would be more than just grades. The grades of our students should also not be viewed primarily as economic drivers or used to achieve the goals of the school, but rather that they are a result of a good holistic education from both the home as well as the schools. The shift in approach would not only transform the education landscape but would also see students from the special -needs schools become part of this inclusive framework. And what distinguishes them from the others would not just be merit but the value in which each individual brings forth to make a difference in society. It is indeed a season of change and transformation, a time when a redefinition is essential, as we seek to establish a whole new understanding of what it means to have a Hope in the system, a Heart to see each student through this journey and a Home in the system that accepts them. May the best talents rise up in the best areas, so that Singapore can truly be blessed by a diverse meritocratic education system. The writer is a member of the 5th PPF Council. PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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HAPPENINGS

T Taking a fresh look at policies $7 By Chang Sek Yew

ore than 30 members from Cheng SanSeletar Branch spent an afternoon at Party HQ on Nov 10 to exchange views on the Singapore they would like to see in the future. Over one and a half hours, we looked at our national policies based on these two questions: What are the policies that have done well and are worth keeping, and what are those the government should change or introduce? When the different groups eventually converged to share their views, the energy level, fuelled no doubt by some tea and snacks, was still high despite running beyond the allotted time. Everyone agreed that the government was right to put in place an effective public transport system, that is, the building and expansion of our MRT network. Many who had experienced the transport situations in foreign countries, said they appreciated the benefit of our leaders’ foresight to continually expand its coverage to bring convenience to commuters

and to reduce traffic congestions. However, they realised that there would be challenges ahead. For instance, keeping the MRT service affordable would be a key challenge. On a related note, members also suggested making walking and cycling to and from key transport nodes easier and more pleasant. They also wanted to see more spending on education so that the country could have a workforce capable of overcoming new challenges. Producing “street-smart” graduates was deemed more important than just

“exam-smart” ones. This area of social investment was discussed as intensely as the one on keeping healthcare and public housing costs affordable. Everyone recognised that the State would have difficulties to pay for all these and more. The right allocation for each area would, therefore, be a key challenge over the next few years. The group also felt that maintaining the existing multiracial and multi-religious policy was core to Singapore’s success. It was therefore imperative that this policy should not only be kept but also further strengthened. Getting the young and the new citizens to accept these fundamentals would have to involve everyone. Discussion on the various issues was so intense that when the end came, some members had to be nudged out of the building. The writer is the branch secretary of Cheng San-Seletar.

Raising a reader

ore than 60 parents and children had a fruitful session at the “Raise a Reader” workshop on Oct 13. The event was part of the Parent Support Group, initiative that was started by the PAP Kampong Chai Chee Women’s Wing in June 2012. It was to coach parents on how to equip their children with a basic life skill – reading.

It was a collaborative effort between PCF Kampong Chai Chee Education Centre and the Bedok Public Library. Organisers believed that starting the reading habit early helps a child to have a more imaginative mind, better memory and greater confidence. The workshop, conducted by Mr Roy Wan, National Library Board Bedok Branch Manager, was well-received. He

also shared his personal experiences on how he got his son to acquire a love for reading. A separate session for the accompanying children was concurrently held at the nearby PCF Kindergarten centre located at Block 409 Bedok North Avenue 2. The children were entertained by librarian Koh Chee Boon with a story-telling session, followed by a hands-on craftwork session.

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BACKBENCHER’S BITE

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Ang Hin Kee MP for Ang Mo Kio GRC

news report about a taxi driver who calls his cab a “moneymaking machine”, stirred much debate recently. Many questioned how he was able to earn $7,000 a month. As a fresh graduate can earn more than $2,000, and a dishwasher as much as $3,000 (as reported in n a recent recruitrecruit ment advertisement), some wondered whether taxi-driving would ould become the new preferred profession n soon. It is not a trade secrett that a taxi driver typically takes home around und $2,200 each month. Many have friends, ends, neighbours or even parents who are taxi drivers. They toil hard to makee a decent living. Working hours are long.. They are on the roads for 5½ days to 6 days a week. They also have great responsibilities, bilities, having to ensure the safety of their ir passengers and other road users. Many taxi drivers were, of course, indignant when news broke out about the high-earning taxi driver. river. Some accused him of being hao lian (Hokkien for boastful). It made their heir hard work seemed in vain. One taxi driver said his wife demanded more family allowance owance since his income could be so much higher. In one of his recent videos, eos, blogger Dr Jia Jia says that it iss wiser to marry a taxi driver than a MP, as taxi drivers hold stable jobs, are not subjected to four-yearly early reelection and do not havee to worry about being retrenched. After the hoo-ha over the $7,000 earning, willl we be equally shocked to learn n about a hawker earning thee same

amount? A day in the life of a hawker requires him to wake up in the wee hours, prepare ingredients, and stand for long hours. Why are we not surprised when we hear of a story about a rich hawker? Could it be that some of us feel that the hawker is a master of his craft and can command

a certain following? I think there is a common mindset ingrained in many of us that only professionals such as bankers and lawyers are able to earn $7,000 or more. Many of the taxi drivers I spoke with shared that they know of drivers who have earned more mo than $5,000 in a month. That is, after af deducting the rental and fuel expenses. expens One of them said he once tried to work long stretches to pay off some debts. s He managed manage to earn $5,000 but could not sustain it for fo more than a month. Many who w adhere to this hectic routine tend to fall ill more frequently, as the long hours take its toll on their bodies. Instead of the current $7,000 question, perhaps perha the one question we should ourselves is, what can we do to help ask ourselv Singaporeans develop expertise in more Sing order to earn a better income? We should not have the mindset that only a few professionals can be high-income earners. Taxi drivers hig can make good money, too. To do so, they have to work hard, take on personalised services to ferry customers around, and cultivate cust their business networks. thei The same applies to our T plumbers, bakers and other craftsplu men. Perhaps one day, when conmen ditions are right, we would not be ditio alarmed by the fact that someone alarm drives a taxi can earn $7,000 who d month. a mon Right now, we should apply our Rig minds to making the transformation of deep deepening skills and respecting the vocational skill sets of our workers. vocation PETIR NOV / DEC 12

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OVERHEARD I believe that living in a dense, open, well-integrated and well-planned city is in fact, paradoxically, the most green and sustainable way to live. – Minister Vivian Balakrishnan speaking at the Asia Pacific Sustainability Leadership Forum.

“We would like to bring back the Kallang Roar and then have a Games which all Singaporeans will enjoy.” – Acting Minister Lawrence Wong, on making sports a national priority for his ministry.

“Not every employer who breaks the law is an evil opportunist looking to squeeze the last buck from hapless workers.” – MP Zainudin Nordin urging the MOM to look at the mitigating circumstances when the law is broken.

“Citizens all over the world are asking more of their governments, who are expected to respond in an effective and just way.” – Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong on how it is harder to reach consensus on issues with the Internet and social media.

“We can build a true ageless city only when our population respects, cares for and embraces seniors as integral members of our society.” – Minister of State Amy Khor urging the adoption of an "ageless thinking", which opens up opportunities on the basis of merit, regardless of age.

“The young used to take care of the old. Now the old not only have to look after themselves, they may soon even have to care for the young.” – MP Sitoh Yih Pin who has a high proportion of old people in his ward.

“You need economic growth for things to happen. But economic growth is not an end in itself. And I’m someone who believes that (if) you pursue economic growth at all costs, it’s wrong…” – Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin speaking on economic growth as a means to an end, not an end in itself.

“Prices are stabilising but we are not yet out of the woods.” – Minister Khaw Boon Wan on what the ministry is doing to make housing more affordable.

“The fact is there is no single yardstick to measure how ‘good’ our schools are.” – Minister Heng Swee Keat explaining MOE’s decision to stop publishing schools’ ranking tables.

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