Principles of Good Governance

What is governance?

• To meet the people’s needs through managing whatever resources that are available.

• Gov has to gain the people’s confidence that they would be able to lead them and ensure their needs are met.

• Obama’s presidential campaign 2012: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAmRqg7i-ZQ

Principles of Good Governance

• In Singapore, there are 4 guiding principles the gov follows to ensure their ministers can meet the people’s needs:

• Leadership is Key

• Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant

• Reward for Work and Work for Reward

• A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All

Leadership is Key

• Honest & capable leaders

• Possess moral courage & integrity to do what is right and not what is popular with the people• Why is this important?

• Honesty is highly valued in the SG gov – corruption is not tolerated: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gTPhFQQxdA

Leadership is Key

• Michael Palmer’s resignation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghtffvVeI_U

• Dr Jia Jia for MP in Punggol East: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdpdWzSEHRY

Anticipate Change & Stay Relevant

• Decisions made need to be forward-looking so future challenges will be anticipated• Why is this important?

• NEWater• Currently dependent on Malaysia for water

supply• With NEWater, we can become self-sufficient• https://www.youtube.com/watch?

NR=1&v=XGqtlyzgwNQ

Reward for Work, Work for Reward

• Meritocracy

• Reward based on abilities and hard work

• Regardless of race, religion and socio-economic backgrand

• E.g. Edusave Scholarship, Merit Bursary

A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All

• Having a say in decision-making helps develop people a greater sense of belonging.• Why does the gov want a greater sense of

belonging?

• Dialogue with citizens before building the casinos in the IRs

• Listened to their concerns and put measures in place