SM Goh Chok Tong outlines 10 major challenges for next generation

Asha Popatlal, Channel NewsAsia 2 Aug 09;

Mr Goh asked the National Development Minister how much more land can be reclaimed for Singapore, and how will he deal with the problems of over-crowding?

SINGAPORE: Singapore has come a long way in 50 years of self-government, but Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said Sunday the city-state's success has created its own set of problems.

Calling them the perils of success, Mr Goh threw down 10 challenges for Cabinet Ministers and Singaporeans for the next generation to be equally successful.

Singapore's economy has grown a whopping 125 times in the last 50 years, from S$2 billion to S$250 billion.

However, SM Goh warned guests at the Marine Parade National Day Dinner that keeping up the pace will be even more challenging for the next generation, compared to the problems he faced as Prime Minister.

Among 10 major challenges identified by Mr Goh, is keeping up the pace of high economic growth in an increasingly competitive world.

Mr Goh asked the National Development Minister how much more land can be reclaimed for Singapore, and how will he deal with the problems of over-crowding?

For the Health Minister, can lifestyle diseases like diabetes and heart problems be eradicated like typhoid and polio, while keeping health care costs affordable?

He asked the Transport Minister if he could satisfy the next generation's demand for convenient, punctual congestion-free travel while meeting their expectations of affordable fares and ERP charges.

Overall, while people of different faiths mix well, Mr Goh said Singaporeans are getting more religious and the society must be wary of compartmentalisation.

Said the Senior Minister: "The next generation must never forget that no matter how harmonious our multi-racial, multi-religious society is today, ours is a society with inherent cracks. We have successfully glued the various pieces together through purposeful, practical integration policies but the fault-lines remain."

Mr Goh said he did not intend to spoil the mood of the celebration with all the questions. Instead he wants people to think about the new challenges facing the nation which will largely be borne by the next generation of Singaporeans.

The Senior Minister also expressed some optimism, saying the next generation has four factors in its favour - ample financial resources, a growing talent pool, strong political leadership and a cohesive society.

- CNA/yb

The 10 perils of success
Esther Ng, Today Online 3 Aug 09;

THEY are the problems spawned by success, and in Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong's view, "even more challenging than the ones" he faced as Prime Minister of Singapore for 14 years.

For instance, when one's economy has shot from $2 billion to $250 billion in just 50 years, can the next generation maintain the growth?

And "how do you convince Singaporeans that their lives will get better", when they are already living in modern, quality housing? Back in 1959, citizens lived in slums and squalor. "It was a big jump in our standard of living when we moved into three-room HDB flats with modern amenities," he said; he himself had lived without electricity or modern sanitation.

Where he used to cycle 10km every day - under the hot sun, or occasionally drenched in a downpour - from his Pasir Panjang home to Raffles Institution, "today, students travel in air-conditioned comfort by cars, buses or MRT", he said.

"Even when they walk, they have linkways to protect them from the sun and rain."

Thus the challenge for the Transport Minister: How to satisfy the next generation's demands for comfort, convenience, congestion-free and affordable travel, all at the same time?

At a National Day dinner in Marine Parade last night, instead of dwelling on the achievements of 50 years of self-government, Mr Goh - who was Prime Minister from 1990 to 2004 - threw down what he called 10 challenges, what he called "perils of success", for Singaporeans and their leaders.

What he spent most time on, however, was an issue that also dogged the founding fathers: How to ensure Singaporeans of different faiths mix and respect each other's beliefs?

More than one Minister has noted with concern in recent months that Singaporeans have been getting more religious. The danger, in Mr Goh's view: Some may end up forming enclaves, socialising less with those of other faiths.

"If we do not make a conscious effort to mix, over time, Singapore will be a society compartmentalised by religion," he warned. And this makes for a powder keg.

We do not have a serious problem now, but the next generation should remember that "rising religiosity which encroaches on our common secular space, or worse, the practice of other religions, must result in a push-back by the rest".

No matter how harmonious our society is today, "ours is a society with inherent cracks. We have successfully glued the various pieces together through purposeful, practical integration policies but the fault-lines remain", he warned.

'Courageous team' at the helm

For specific ministers, Mr Goh laid down other gauntlets. Recounting how his own father died of tuberculosis at age 36, he said the diseases of today's affluent lifestyles - like diabetes and cancer - are the Health Minister's challenge to stamp out, while keeping costs down.

For the Manpower Minister and NTUC secretary-general, it is to design training programmes and Workfare schemes for grandparents, "maybe even great-grandparents", as the labour force ages. And how can the minister who chairs the committee on ageing issues find ways to support so many senior citizens?

For the Minister for National Development, the question was how to avoid overcrowding the island - but on the flip side, how could parents, schools, families, the Education Minister and, indeed, the Prime Minister, ensure the renewal of the population with the young and the talented?

Dwelling on two problems that have occupied Singapore in recent years - a low fertility rate and a brain drain - Mr Goh said he considered the chipping away of the "talent pyramid ... one of the most serious challenges" for Singapore's survival that needed immediate resolution.

Nevertheless, there were factors in Singapore's favour too - including its ample financial resources, investment in education and research, and outstanding political leadership.

Praising the younger team in charge these days, who are "constantly scanning the horizon for potential problems" and "working the ground", Mr Goh said: "They have shown themselves to be not only innovative and creative in solving problems, but also courageous and forward looking, for example, in evolving our political system to meet the aspirations of the next generation."

Singapore faces perils of success: SM Goh
But the country has strengths to overcome these challenges, he says
Emilyn Yap, Business Times 3 Aug 09;

(SINGAPORE) Singapore is facing 'perils of success' across economic and social fronts which leaders today must address, according to Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.

'Our success creates its own set of problems,' he said at the Marine Parade National Day Dinner last night. These issues are even more challenging than the ones he faced when he was Prime Minister, he added.

Mr Goh highlighted 10 challenges confronting Singapore's leaders and the next generation. Key among them are how the country can maintain high economic growth, continue to raise living standards, and convince citizens that their lives will get better. Singapore will have to deal with land constraints as it grows, he underlined.

Transportation poses another challenge - Singaporeans will demand comfortable, convenient and smooth travel which is also affordable, he said.

Health care is also a concern, especially when diseases linked to an affluent lifestyle such as cancer and diabetes have become more common. Would it be possible to stamp out these diseases and keep healthcare costs down, he asked.

Mr Goh was also concerned about low birth rates and the ageing population. Senior citizens have to be supported; older workers may need new training programmes or Workfare and Job Credit schemes; while ideas are needed to encourage the young to marry and have children.

There are worries even when it comes to education. With more students going abroad, how will Singapore ensure that most will return home and contribute or at least stay bonded to the country, he asked.

The last question he posed was how Singaporeans of different faiths will continue to integrate and respect one another's faith.

While there are numerous challenges, Mr Goh believes that the next generation of Singaporeans will have ample financial resources to deal with them. The country also continues to invest in education and innovation, and is drawing talented foreigners to its shores.

Another plus - Singapore has forged a cohesive society and national identity, while its system produces leadership that has the will and ability to look after the country's interest, he added.

SM: Guard against religious enclaves
Rising religiosity may lead people to mix only with others of same faith
Clarissa Oon, Straits Times 3 Aug 09;

SENIOR Minister Goh Chok Tong sees a potential danger arising from Singaporeans becoming more religious.

It can lead to people of the same faith mixing only with each other, which over time could result in 'compartmentalisation of our society by religion', he said.

Should this happen, there is a great possibility of religious misunderstanding and conflict, he said at a National Day dinner in Marine Parade yesterday, in a speech on the challenges facing the Singapore of tomorrow.

Mr Goh's signalling of the need for social cohesion and inter-religious harmony is the second in two days by a top government leader.

Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng did so on Saturday, citing conflicts outside Singapore such as last month's violent clashes between Uighur Muslims and Han Chinese in China's Xinjiang province.

Their messages reinforce a concern flagged in the past month by a few other members of the Cabinet.

Yesterday, Mr Goh spelt out the fundamentals that must stay un-changed for Singapore to guard against fomenting tensions.

It has a secular government which represents Singaporeans of 'all beliefs, including those without a religion'.

'Hence, as a principle, public institutions or private organisations which receive public funding are not permitted to impose or advocate any religious belief or practice.

'This must remain the foundation of our inter-religious harmony,' he stressed.

For that reason too, there are policies ensuring public housing estates and schools remain common secular spaces, 'where nobody is made to feel uncomfortable whatever his colour or beliefs'.

Mr Goh pointed out that the Government sees religion as a positive force in society, giving 'spiritual guidance to help us cope with a fast-changing world'.

However, rising religiosity may lead people, unwittingly, to form religious enclaves, unless a conscious effort is made to continue socialising with people of other faiths, he said.

If such religiosity 'encroaches on our common secular space, or worse, the practice of other religions, (it) must result in a push-back by others'.

The theme of growing religious fervour made up a substantial part of Mr Goh's speech, which made the key point that in Singapore's successes 'are embedded the seeds of new challenges'.

The economy, for one, has grown 125 times from $2 billion half a century ago to $250 billion today.

This dramatic growth has given rise to new socio-economic challenges.

Mr Goh identified 10, to be borne largely by the next generation.

They range from maintaining high economic growth to social issues such as minimising urban congestion.

He also cited other problems, such as raising the birth rate and providing affordable care and jobs for the future elderly in Singapore.

However, Mr Goh is confident that the next generation can tackle the new challenges.

They have four factors in their favour: Ample financial resources, a growing talent pool, strong political leadership and a cohesive society enjoying racial and religious harmony for four decades.

But Mr Goh warned against taking it for granted, saying 'ours is a society with inherent cracks'.

Grassroots leaders interviewed shared his concern.

However, Residents' Committee member Edward Chua, 49, cautioned against overstating it because 'religious people can be trusted to exercise their faith responsibly and for the good of society'.

On the other hand, Mr R. Kalaichelvan, treasurer of the Marine Parade Community Complex, felt 'we must send a clear message to everyone that we have a secular society, and religion can only be practised in the private space'.

The exception would be if there are opportunities where religious groups can work together, then they should be brought into the common space, said the 51-year-old.

Singaporeans urged to 'stick together'
Stay united in face of threats, say DPM Teo, Vivian Balakrishnan
April Chong , Victoria Vaughan, Straits Times 3 Aug 09;

TWO ministers yesterday urged Singaporeans to band together and not let differences in the community be exploited for ill intentions.

A week before the country celebrates its National Day, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean, speaking at a National Day dinner at the Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, reminded Singaporeans of the need to be vigilant in the face of terrorism.

'One of the objectives of these extremists is to use religion in the wrong way in order to split societies apart. We must realise this and...make sure we put in even more effort to understand our neighbours and friends and reach out to one another.'

In the same vein, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan also called for Singaporeans to 'stick together as one family and community' at a Cashew constituency National Day dinner last night.

Dr Balakrishnan said there would always be the temptation to split apart on the basis of race, language and religion; especially with the influx of new residents and foreigners working here.

'We must not discriminate. We must learn to live and let live. We must learn to accept people with open hearts,' he said, while reminding the 1,000 residents at the dinner that their forefathers had also once been newcomers to the island.

Both ministers were also optimistic the economic gloom was clearing up.

Mr Teo, who called the downturn a snow storm where everything was frozen, said: 'The economy has stopped falling, we are now bouncing along the bottom. Whether we will come up again sharply is not so clear yet, so we will have to see how the economy, especially the demand for our goods and services in Europe and America, turn out over the next six months.'

He said Singaporeans can face the future with confidence as the Republic is ready to bounce back. Despite the dismal economic scene, recent investments in biomedical and green energy areas will help the country grow, he added.

Dr Balakrishnan noted that property prices have started to move, with properties in the neighbourhood fetching healthy prices.

'But throughout all these, people are still working hard, people are still looking after their families and people are still sticking together,' he said. 'The economic downturn will pass.'

Ten challenges ahead for Singapore
Straits Times 3 Aug 09;

1. How to maintain high economic growth and improve living standard?

2. How to convince Singaporeans their lives will get better?

3. How to satisfy transport demands of the next generation?

4. How to stamp out new diseases and keep health-care costs down?

5. How to design job training programmes and wage supplement schemes for low-income older workers.

6. How to get younger Singaporeans to marry and have children?

7. How to support the growing elderly population?

8. How to deal with scarce land resources?

9. How to bond Singaporeans overseas to their homeland?

10. How to ensure Singaporeans of different faiths continue to mix with one another and respect one another's faith?