Minister Mentor Lee talks about Singapore’s promising future

By: Lau Si En, Esther

Singapore Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew said respect for intellectual property rights and rule of law would give Singapore an advantage in the global market competition.

Lee pointed this out during a discussion about Singapore’s future by answering nine pre-selected questions at the annual Kent Ridge Ministerial Forum on Oct 19.

“Where do we retain our competitive edge? In my own analysis, it’ll take a long time for (China and Japan) to change their system. From no intellectual property rights, to intellectual property rights. From no rule of law, to rule of law. So in these areas, they will not be able to compete with us,” he said.

(View http://www.razor.tv/site/servlet/segment/main/news/37832.html for more details of the key areas Lee thinks Singapore should focus on in the next 10 years)

Speaking to more than 1,200 students and academics, Lee said that in order to be competent, Singapore must continuously be aware of impediments, ranging from global economic threats to national environmental concerns. In addition, Singapore must act upon these challenges to ensure strong market dominance.

“Whatever we do now, given time, the Chinese will do it better because they’ve got talent,” he said.

On the topic of global warming, Lee said that it would be difficult for Singapore to curb fuel consumption despite being one of countries with the highest fuel emissions per capita globally.

“If we have to make such firm commitments to cut down… then our growth will slow down, which I think is unfair to us,” he said.

Lee also discussed issues on Singapore’s widening social class and income divide. Fourth year Singapore Management University social sciences and business student, Elvin Ong, asked what Singapore could do to assist its bottom 20 per cent.

“If you don’t have a job you get zero against those with jobs. So our first priority is jobs for everyone,” Lee replied.

(View http://www.razor.tv/site/servlet/segment/main/news/37830.html for more information on the Lee’s views of Singapore’s social divide)

Fourth year NUS political science student Koh Ting Yi said, “As a student in my last year of studies, it is encouraging to know that Minister Mentor Lee is helping to increase employment opportunities.”

In general, Koh felt that the forum was “an insightful discussion about Singapore’s economics” and more importantly, Lee’s “wisdom and strong-willed frame of mind was an inspiration”.

While the forum was thought provoking to some students, other students were rather critical of the forum structure. Third year NUS economics student, Michael Wan said, “Though Minister Mentor Lee gave a very perceptive view of Singapore’s future, frankly, I thought the nine chosen questions prior to the talk were relatively standard and made the forum feel rather structured and stage-managed”.