SBC: Lee Kuan Yew

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Sep 27, 2012

Singapore - Country's security key to attracting global investments - Lee Kuan Yew

SINGAPORE: Former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew on Wednesday shared some key elements of Singapore's success in attracting investments, which Russia can emulate.

Addressing the 7th Russia-Singapore Business Forum, Mr Lee said key to attracting investments is to ensure the safety and security of those who come to work here and their families.

For Mr Lee, taking part in the Russia-Singapore Business Forum is a regular affair, since he is familiar with Russia's political and business climate from his many visits there.

Mr Lee was asked what Russia could do to attract more investments.

"You must have the least bureaucracy to prevent them from carrying on their business. An investor who comes in... it is our duty to help him succeed. When he succeeds, his friends will know about it and they will also come in," said Mr Lee.

"Today, we have more multi-nationals in Singapore, in manufacturing and R&D, services, in any field you like... We make the place liveable, safe for foreigners and their children... therefore (making it) easy for them to settle here and do business. If you do the same in Russia, you will succeed," he added.

With Singapore's long-term population and manpower challenges in the news, Mr Lee also spoke about the pace of admitting foreigners.

"We are short of workers today. We have 5.2 million people of whom 1.5 million are foreign workers... We need more. Although they are coming in at a slower pace, they are coming in," said Mr Lee.

There was also a suggestion that Mr Lee make his memoirs and books available online.

While Mr Lee felt it is up to the publishers, the forum's organisers said they hope to achieve it in a year's time.

- CNA/cc

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Sep 19, 2012

Singapore - Govt determined to weed out corruption - PM Lee

New forms of corruption include sex for favours - Lee Kuan Yew

From Left to right: Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong chatting with Former CPIB directors Mr Soh Kee Hean; Mr Chua Cher Yak : Mr Eric Tan current CPIB director and Mr Evan Yeo at the Istana celebrating its CPIB's 60th Anniversary this year. Prime Minister Lee Hisen Loong has said the government is determined to weed out corruption and will not accept any slackening of the public service.

He stressed that it is far better to suffer the embarrassment and keep the system clean, than to pretend that nothing went wrong and let the rot spread.

The prime minister was speaking at the Corruption Practices Investigation Bureau's (CPIB) 60th anniversary celebrations on Tuesday.

In light of the recent high-profile graft cases, Mr Lee noted that some officers have not lived up to the high standards that the people of Singapore expect of public servants.

"Anyone who breaks the rules will be caught and punished. (There will be) no cover-ups, no matter how senior the officer or how embarrassing it may be," he said.

He emphasised that the price of corruption is not just the dollar amount of the bribes, but the cost to society of the bad decisions and malfunctioning systems which far exceeds the money exchanged.

However, he is confident that these lapses are not typical of the public service.

The prime minister added that figures show that corruption in Singapore is well under control, due largely to the CPIB's relentless efforts.

While the number of complaints and cases registered had steadily decreased in recent years, the number of cases taken to court has fallen.

Mr Lee also said cases involving the government form only a small proportion of total cases and are not increasing.

To maintain high standards of honesty, the government is in the midst of reviewing and tightening the system.

However, Mr Lee has acknowledged that no system can completely stop a determined cheat.

Hence, imbuing public officers with the right values is equally important.

He also acknowledged former prime ministers Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong, who were also present, for their leadership in building a clean and incorrupt Singapore.

Mr Lee Kuan Yew also said in a statement that Singapore must continue to remain vigilant and ensure that the country continues to be regarded as one of the least corrupt nations in the world.

Mr Lee added that new forms of corruption were emerging, where sex was being exchanged for favourable outcomes. "There is no end to human ingenuity," he said.

AsiaOne

Sep 15, 2012

Philippines - Philippines Draws Inspiration From Singapore

SYDNEY – The Philippine’s government is drawing inspiration from Lee Kuan Yew, the founder of modern Singapore as it seeks a path to prosperity and a developed economy, Finance Secretary Cesar Purisima said Thursday.

The admission that the Philippines is looking to Singapore, one of Asia’s most important financial hubs, shows the depth of ambition gripping Manila as the global power balance continues its shift towards Asia.

In an interview here during a trip to drum up support from Australian investors, Mr. Purisima said the development of the city state of Singapore into one of Asia’s most important financial and transport centers in recent decades is a model.

“Singapore is like a growing organism,” said Mr. Purisima. “Those watching from afar watch it with envy how far sighted they are,” he said.

Fast economic growth, strong investor inflows and a high profile anti corruption agenda put in place by President Benigno Aquino has made the Philippines one of the region’s star performers.

The Southeast Asian country’s gross domestic product expanded at an annual pace of 6.1% in the first half of this year, faster than the government’s full-year target of 5%-6%, driven by higher public spending and steady growth in private consumption due to remittances.

That growth has helped push the Philippines credit rating to within one level below investment grade according to Standard & Poor’s and Fitch Ratings.

Spelling out a confident outlook for his country, Mr. Purisima highlighted goals to double tourist arrivals from an expected 4.8 million this year to 10 million by 2016. He wants business process outsourcing–a way for multinationals to control costs by locating some operations offshore–to be a 25 billion dollar industry by 2016 from 11 billion dollars now.

Advice on how to grow the mining industry and opportunities for public private partnerships has been taken from the UK’s Treasury department, the Australian and Chilean governments, the Asian Development bank and others.

“Clearly we want to learn from other countries,” he said.

Taking a pragmatic view of the dispute between Manila and Beijing in the contested waters of the South China Sea, Mr. Purisima said the “multi dimensional” nature of relations between the two countries mean the spat doesn’t pose an overwhelming threat to stability.

To be sure, there are risks. A spike in oil prices would hurt the energy importing nation and cleaning up corruption remains a challenge.

“We’ve seen less anecdotes of corruption. There’s still corruption but it’s something we don’t tolerate,” he said.

But for now, luring foreign capital isn’t proving difficult for Mr. Purisima.

“Money is not the issue. The issue is how you deploy this money in a productive manner,” he said.

Enda Curran and Almar Latour

http://blogs.wsj.com/

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Nov 10, 2011

Singapore - Applications for the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship to open

Applications for the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship will open from Nov 10 to Dec 9 this year.

Applicants can download the form at www.psc.gov.sg. The completed document must be submitted to the Public Service Commission Secretariat at 100 Victoria Street, #08-01, National Library Building, Singapore 188064.

Applicants must be Singapore citizens, have outstanding academic records, demonstrate leadership qualities and be active in social or community service or sports.

Outstanding Singaporeans can pursue postgraduate studies overseas or locally to develop their potential as leaders in their respective fields.

There are no restrictions on the course of study.

Applicants who intend to pursue a Master's in General Management should preferably have at least four years of working experience.

Those who intend to pursue a PhD or Specialised Master's Programme should do so in an area of study/research that would benefit Singapore.

Launched in 1991, the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship was set up by the Tanjong Pagar Citizens' Consultative Committee to commemorate the contributions made by Mr Lee Kuan Yew to Singapore.

To date, 36 outstanding Singaporeans have been awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship.

The various fields pursued include law, life sciences and specialised medical courses.

While there is no bond associated with the Scholarship, Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship holders are expected to actively contribute towards the betterment of Singapore, Singaporeans and the community.

AsiaOne

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Nov 7, 2011

Singapore - Lee Kuan Yew says nerve disease hasn't affected him

SINGAPORE - Singapore's founding father Lee Kuan Yew has said that a neurological disease has not affected him mentally, a local report said Monday.

"I have no doubt at all that this has not affected my mind, my will nor my resolve," the former prime minister, who turned 88, was quoted as saying in The Straits Times.

"People in wheelchairs can make a contribution. I've still got two legs, I make a contribution," he said.

Lee said the disease surfaced two years ago when he was 86.

"At 86, many of my contemporaries are either in wheelchairs or not around. So I'm grateful to be still around at 86, although less steady than before," he said at the sidelines of a community event.

"But as you see, one learns to adjust, and I take steps which are wider apart to maintain some balance."

Lee's battle against the neurological disease was first revealed on Sunday by his daughter Lee Wei Ling, director of the National Neuroscience Institute of Singapore, in her weekly column in the Sunday Times newspaper.

She said Lee was suffering from sensory peripheral neuropathy which has caused the sensation from his legs to the spinal cord to be impaired and made his walking unsteady.

She said her father was determined to fight the disease and practised walking on a treadmill at home three times a day without fail.

Lee retired from the cabinet after general elections in May but continues to travel overseas and remains a member of parliament, a post he has held since 1955. He served as prime minister from 1959 to 1990.

He is the father of the current prime minister Lee Hsien Loong.

AFP

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Nov 6, 2011

Singapore - Lee Kuan Yew fighting nervous disease: Lee Wei Ling

SINGAPORE - Singapore's founding leader Lee Kuan Yew is fighting a neurological disease that is making it difficult for him to walk steadily, his daughter revealed Sunday.

Lee, who turned 88 in September, suffers from sensory peripheral neuropathy, his physician daughter Lee Wei Ling, director of the National Neuroscience Institute of Singapore, wrote in her weekly Sunday Times newspaper column.

"In my father's case, sensory peripheral neuropathy has caused the conduction of sensation from his legs to his spinal cord to be impaired. This makes his walking unsteady, as many Singaporeans have already noticed," she wrote.

The column, which deals with a wide range of issues, is closely followed for glimpses into the private life of Singapore's most influential family.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is the columnist's elder brother.

Lee Kuan Yew retired from the Cabinet after general elections in May but continues to travel overseas and remains a member of parliament, a post he has held since 1955. He served as prime minister from 1959 to 1990.

"His day-to-day condition now fluctuates. On some days he is fairly steady and on other days his balance is poor. The problem is limited to the sensory nerves outside his central nervous system," his daughter wrote.

"His brain and muscles are working normally. But being deprived of sensation from his legs means he finds it a challenge to balance. Thus his unsteady walk," she said.

Mr Lee, however, is determined to fight the disease and now practises walking on a treadmill at home three times a day without fail.

"I have no doubt my father will fight this disease for as long as he thinks he can contribute to Singapore," his daughter said.

"I think with medication and simple precaution, he can continue to be of service to his country and the world."

AFP

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Oct 26, 2011

France - Lee Kuan Yew memoirs now available in French

The memoirs of Singapore's former Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew are now available in French for the first time.

The 'Singapore Story' was first released in English in 1998, and has already been translated into more than a dozen languages.

Mr George Yeo, former Singapore Foreign Affairs Minister, said: "Some years ago, I had them translated into Spanish and Portuguese as well. I think (translating the memoirs into French) is important because there are many francophone countries in the world and there is considerable interest in Singapore's development experiences."

Among the French masses, Mr Lee Kuan Yew is known only by a handful.

This book is expected to reverse that trend.

Mr Kishore Mahbubani, Dean, Lew Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, at the National University of Singapore, said: "As you know, one of the most important parts of the world is the French-speaking world. Two hundred million people who speak French know little about Singapore and the region, and one very quick way to understand why Singapore has been exceptionally successful over the last 40-50 years is to read the two memoirs."

Endorsed and promoted by the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, at the National University of Singapore, the memoir is set to hit public libraries and bookshops in the French capital this week.

The book itself is not just as introduction on public policy but it's also an introduction to the history of Singapore.

Despite the long time gap between the English and the French versions of the Memoirs, the book remains relevant today.

Mr Kishore Mahbubani said: "I would say (the book is) even more valid in today's context because there is now a real global struggle to achieve good governance in societies around the world."

Mr Yeo said: "We were never ideological while many other countries took turnings away from the rational model. Now they scour around for models to study. And invariably, Singapore is one of the models they want to study, and who better to explain Singapore's development experiences that Lee Kuan Yew himself, in his own words."

The French version, named 'l'Histoire de Singapore', is already in the hands of critics for book reviews.

In a matter of days, it will be a part of university curriculum too.

- CNA/cc

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Sep 30, 2011

Singapore - Collection of Lee Kuan Yew's speeches launched

SINGAPORE: A collection of former Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's speeches, interviews and dialogues over four decades has been launched on Friday.

Published by Cengage Learning, it is drawn from the collections of the National Archives of Singapore, as well as materials deposited over time from the office of the Press Secretary to Mr Lee, and the former Singapore Broadcasting Corporation.

It's also taken from agencies such as the Prime Minister's Office, Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts.

Cengage Learning said the intent of publishing the collection is to give readers a better understanding of Mr Lee's role in the founding and development of modern Singapore.

Areas covered include Mr Lee's views and statements on Singapore's separation from the Federation of Malaysia, independence, Singapore's nation-building process and leadership succession.

Speaking at the launch of 'The Papers of Lee Kuan Yew', Mr Lee said whether for reflection or scrutiny, the papers capture issues and decisions that were both popular and unpopular, but necessary for the time.

And the compilation of his speeches may allow Singaporeans to understand the history in nation building, and more importantly to learn the lessons from the past.

He stressed that Singaporeans have to understand the underlying values on which the nation was built.

The collection is presented in a 10-volume set and is available in a case-bound edition at US$2,800.

The next series of Mr Lee's works will cover his term as Senior Minister to current years, and is planned to be released in the last quarter of 2012.

- CNA/cc

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Sep 23, 2011

Singapore - Unlikely for S'pore, Malaysia to merge: Lee Kuan Yew

SINGAPORE: Singapore's former minister mentor Lee Kuan Yew said it is unlikely that Singapore and Malaysia will merge in the future.

He was speaking at the Singapore Global Dialogue, held at the Shangri-La Hotel, on Thursday evening. The dialogue was attended by some 400 participants from all over world.

Mr Lee was asked by a Malaysian citizen if he foresees both countries coming to a political or economic union in the future, given the growing strength of Indonesia.

Mr Lee said having gone through a failed merger in the 1960s, such a move is not likely.

But he also gave a positive outlook of bilateral relations, noting the efforts of Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak.

These include developing the Iskandar region in southern Johor, which will complement Singapore's own economic growth.

"Najib has brought forth a positive view of bilateral relations and the desire to develop southern Johor, the Iskandar region, using Singapore as a kind of Shenzhen. (This) means a complementary set of forces will be let loose, which will make it unprofitable for either side to be unfriendly," said Mr Lee.

He added: "You want our investments, we want to invest. Having invested, we don't want problems with Malaysia, and Malaysia which wants more investments will not give us problems. So that's a positive development."

Mr Lee also said it is in the country's best interest to spread its wealth, to maintain "national solidarity".

"If you have fast growth, and it's confined only to one section of society, particularly the Chinese, and the Malays are left behind, I think it's not sustainable," said Mr Lee.

"It is in our interest to maintain national solidarity, to ensure there is a spread of the wealth that comes with growth, to the disadvantaged in the population."

The 40-minute dialogue saw wide-ranging questions from the audience.

Among them, what Mr Lee Kuan Yew thought were the key qualities that will keep Singapore going.

Mr Lee said factors such as meritocracy, pragmatism and a clean government have taken Singapore to where it is, and losing sight of any of them will cause the country to lose momentum.

Asked about his thoughts on Singapore's recent general election in May, where the ruling People's Action Party saw its vote share dip, Mr Lee said the "result was bound to happen".

"Our total dominance was not sustainable, a younger generation wants to see competition, they voted in an opposition party... (but) to have a two-party system is another matter. It depends on the performance of the opposition, the response of the government, and the mindset of succeeding younger generations that come with every general election."

When asked on how he hoped to be remembered, Mr Lee said he has no desire to be remembered for any particular reason, but he has a job to do - that is to maintain a fair distribution of growth for the country, and to maintain good relations with neighbours.

- CNA/cc

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