Watch this clip from NDR 2016.
Which other country's Head of Government or political party/leader speaks plainly about stepping down and about the importance and need to get his/her successor(s) ready to take over the reins of government?
Source: PM Lee's FB page
Singapore is NOT a dictatorship as much as some critics would like you to believe. Singapore has regular, free and open elections to choose her government.
Whoever PM Lee's successor will be, STILL HAS TO convince the electorate AND win at the Polls to be the PM.
Singapore's success is often attributed to its unique geographic location and free port in the early days of its development, and Lee Kuan Yew's tough but wise governance style.
But I think one point that has long been understated is the ultra-long term view and planning (including succession planning) that LKY has consistently espoused. This has been the policy of the PAP since LKY, and even for Goh Chok Tong.
Long term planning and a stable succession plan enables Singapore to put in place policies and plans that are for the greater good of the country.
One very significant example of long-term planning: Water.
If not for the PAP govt's long term planning, does any one seriously think that Singapore would be able to achieve success in reducing its reliance on water imports from Malaysia?
How is it possible that an small island with no natural sources of fresh water, be help our neighbours with portable water during drought season?
Does any one realistically think that cleaning up our once-polluted Singapore River, Kallang Rivers and numerous water reservoirs and new-water plants simply appeared overnight?
Singapore's water success is only possible because of long-term planning.
Read more here:
- Full NDR speech on the PMO YouTube channel or at PMO website
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