SINGAPORE
The latest crop of leaders in Singapore’s Public Service has been urged to uphold the values of meritocracy and build a better system for the country.
Minister in Charge of the Public Service, Chan Chun Sing (pictured) told Public Service Commission (PSC) Scholarship recipients that he welcomed their diversity of experience and background, especially as the issues facing Singapore were growing more complex.
“We need to be like the Swiss knife, so that regardless of the challenges going forward, we will have the diverse skillsets within Team Singapore for us to overcome the challenges together,” Mr Chan said.
“Our promise to each and every generation of Singaporeans is this: that so long as you are capable and committed, our country will provide you with the best opportunities possible for you to fulfil your potential.”
He said belief in this system, which allowed people to succeed regardless of race, language, religion, ancestry or connection, would continue to attract the best to serve.
“Despite the odds, Singapore has survived and thrived for the last 53 years because it has been able to recruit and develop leaders who are committed to turn every constraint into an opportunity,” Mr Chan said.
“If we do not have enough water, we will make sure that we build sufficient capacity for us never to be held ransom; if we are a small country without resources and sufficient market, we are determined to build the links to connect ourselves to the rest of the world so that we will transcend the limitations of our size and geography.”
He said there would be many more challenges that Singapore would confront in the years to come.
Mr Chan cautioned against complacency and urged the recruits to follow the four ‘As’: be alert to challenges; analyse events and not accept what people say at face value; apply what they see overseas to the Singapore context; and anticipate problems before they happen.
“If we can do all these collectively as a team, I am certain that the next generation of Singaporeans will have even better opportunities than this generation,” he said.
Singapore, 20 July 2018
