According to the Feedback Unit's survey as reported recently by Lianhe Zaobao , an overwhelming majority of Singaporeans approve of their government's policies on economic and social issues and on international relations, with full confidence in the administration's competence. This is because those are pragmatic policies pursued by a pragmatic government.
Many, including Singaporeans themselves, have identified the fear of losing out, or kiasu-ism, as a trait of the people here. Yet it is these kiasu people, led by a firm and fearless government, who have set records and won top accolades in many areas for the tiny city-state. This has been borne out in polls by several authoritative international agencies.
The World Economic Forum's recent 1999 Global Competitiveness Report indicates that, despite the serious economic crisis in the region, Singapore has remained the world's most competitive economy for four consecutive years.
By contrast, Hong Kong, the chief competitor for Singapore in the region, has dropped to the third place in the rating. It has fallen further to the seventh rung in the World Competitiveness Yearbook published by the Lausanne International Institute for Management Development.
Singapore leads in both polls mainly because its government has been pursuing better policies, and it possesses superior human resources, business environment, and information technology as compared with Hong Kong.
The most reliable economic data
According to a poll by the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy （Perc） as reported in Lianhe Zaobao , Singapore among Asian countries has the most reliable economic data. It shows that, in recent years, the government has become more tolerant of dissenting views and criticism of its economic policies. This has made possible public debates on economic issues at a higher level and has helped improve the government's ties with analysts in the private sector.
The set of economic indices started by Singapore's Department of Statistics in the mid-1990s has been instrumental in detecting structural changes in the economy while the country is growing in strength as a regional and global financial hub. Recently, the authorities have come up with new statistic models even better attuned to the country's advancements. All this will help Singapore design even more pragmatic policies to ensure sustained economic growth.
Another Perc poll conducted earlier has ranked Singapore as the most foreigner-friendly and least nationalistic among Asian countries. It proves that the government's pragmatic policies on racial harmony and on the expatriate talent issue have borne fruit.
As pointed out by Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore is not yet a nation, and cannot become one overnight, hence the need to help the various racial groups keep their ethnic roots.
Moreover, Singapore need talented people, both from abroad and at home, because they are essential to the city-state. The government makes a point of attracting expatriate professionals by sending out the message that Singapore welcomes them.
Indeed, the economic crisis in the region has further highlighted the gap between the more nationalistic countries and those less protectionist and more tolerant of foreign cultures.
Harmonious tripartite relationship
Besides having a strong, clean and efficient administration, Singapore has been able to pursue such pragmatic policies because it enjoys a stable and harmonious tripartite relationship among employers, workers, and the government.
“The economic crisis was a big lesson for Asia,” said Michael Backman, author of a newly-published best-seller.“Singapore is sitting in the front row of the class, busily taking notes, like the teacher's pet.
“Malaysia's sitting in the middle of the class ——day-dreaming half the time and looking out of the window the rest of the time, but learning a little bit —— and Indonesia's at the back causing trouble. Hong Kong didn't even bother turning up.”
From the metaphor one can see why the Singapore government has succeeded in winning the people's trust amid the economic crisis.
（The writer is a consultant on investment in China. Translated by Allen Zhuang ）
務(wù)實(shí)策略贏得贊賞
《聯(lián)合早報(bào)》不久前連續(xù)刊登新加坡民意處理組的調(diào)查報(bào)告。有關(guān)報(bào)告顯示,在經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)的沖擊之下,絕大多數(shù)新加坡人對政府處理經(jīng)濟(jì)問題,社會問題以及發(fā)展國際關(guān)系方面的政策表示贊許,并對政府的能力充滿信心和肯定。這是務(wù)實(shí)的新加坡政府采取務(wù)實(shí)的政策所帶來的客觀結(jié)果。
許多人,甚至新加坡人自己也認(rèn)為新加坡人“怕輸”。然而,正是這些“怕輸”的人在不服輸?shù)恼I(lǐng)導(dǎo)之下,使得一個(gè)彈丸小國能在世界舞臺上連續(xù)創(chuàng)造無數(shù)個(gè)“之”和“第一”。新加坡政府的務(wù)實(shí)政策效果,可從國外權(quán)威政經(jīng)分析評價(jià)機(jī)構(gòu)的報(bào)告中得到證實(shí)。
世界經(jīng)濟(jì)論壇新發(fā)表的《1999年環(huán)球競爭力報(bào)告書》表明,盡管面對嚴(yán)重的區(qū)域經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī),但是新加坡的國際競爭力仍連續(xù)第四年排名在世界第一。而新加坡在本區(qū)域大的競爭對手香港則退到第三位。
在瑞士洛桑國際管理學(xué)院的競爭力年報(bào)上,香港的競爭力更跌到第七位。其中造成與新加坡出現(xiàn)差距的主要因素,就是新加坡的政府政策較香港優(yōu)勝,其次是人力資源和經(jīng)濟(jì)環(huán)境以及資訊科技等。
經(jīng)濟(jì)數(shù)字可靠
另據(jù)《聯(lián)合早報(bào)》報(bào)道,香港政經(jīng)風(fēng)險(xiǎn)咨詢機(jī)構(gòu)的一項(xiàng)調(diào)查顯示,在亞洲國家中,新加坡經(jīng)濟(jì)數(shù)字可靠。這顯示新加坡政府近年來更加容忍各方對其經(jīng)濟(jì)政策的異見和批評,為進(jìn)行經(jīng)濟(jì)課題更高水平的公開辯論提供了先決條件,改善了政府與私人機(jī)構(gòu)經(jīng)濟(jì)分析師的關(guān)系。
新加坡統(tǒng)計(jì)局從90年代中期便開始設(shè)定新的指標(biāo),在新加坡成為越來越重要的區(qū)域和環(huán)球金融中心時(shí),能更容易探測經(jīng)濟(jì)的結(jié)構(gòu)性改變。近,有關(guān)*又做出更適合新加坡經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展情況的統(tǒng)計(jì)模式。
這些做法,將使新加坡的經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展以及為促進(jìn)發(fā)展所采取的政策措施變得更加務(wù)實(shí)。
香港同一間機(jī)構(gòu)早些時(shí)候的另一個(gè)調(diào)查則顯示,新加坡歡迎外國人,沒有民族主義威脅。這同樣證明了新加坡政府在處理民族共融的問題以及處理海外人才同本地人才的關(guān)系問題上,采取了行之有效的務(wù)實(shí)政策。正如李顯龍副總理在民意處理組常年大會上所表明,新加坡不是一個(gè)民族國家,也無法在一夜之間變成一個(gè)民族國家,因此有必要協(xié)助各族群保住自己的根。而本地和外國人才對新加坡都非常重要,政府強(qiáng)調(diào)吸引外國人才,是為了避免這些人才產(chǎn)生新加坡不歡迎他們的印象,以致不愿意到新加坡來工作。事實(shí)上,區(qū)域經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)已使存在民族主義的國家同較不具保護(hù)主義,并能包容外國文化的國家之間的差異更加明顯。
穩(wěn)定和諧的勞、資、政關(guān)系
新加坡能夠推行務(wù)實(shí)的政策,除了政府的強(qiáng)勢,高效和廉潔之外,還有一個(gè)重要的基礎(chǔ),這就是新加坡有著穩(wěn)定和諧的勞資政三角關(guān)系。
“經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)給亞洲上了寶貴的一課。新加坡坐在課室的前排,像老師寵愛的學(xué)生一樣忙著寫筆記。馬來西亞坐在中間,一半的時(shí)間在發(fā)白日夢,另一半的時(shí)間望著窗外,不過還學(xué)了一點(diǎn)道理。印尼則坐在后頭鬧事。香港甚至?xí)缯n?！睆囊槐居⑽臅充N書的作者巴克曼上述形象的比喻中,我們可以找出新加坡政府為什么能夠在經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)中獲得國人信任這個(gè)問題的正確答案。
（作者是中國投資咨詢機(jī)構(gòu)顧問）
Many, including Singaporeans themselves, have identified the fear of losing out, or kiasu-ism, as a trait of the people here. Yet it is these kiasu people, led by a firm and fearless government, who have set records and won top accolades in many areas for the tiny city-state. This has been borne out in polls by several authoritative international agencies.
The World Economic Forum's recent 1999 Global Competitiveness Report indicates that, despite the serious economic crisis in the region, Singapore has remained the world's most competitive economy for four consecutive years.
By contrast, Hong Kong, the chief competitor for Singapore in the region, has dropped to the third place in the rating. It has fallen further to the seventh rung in the World Competitiveness Yearbook published by the Lausanne International Institute for Management Development.
Singapore leads in both polls mainly because its government has been pursuing better policies, and it possesses superior human resources, business environment, and information technology as compared with Hong Kong.
The most reliable economic data
According to a poll by the Hong Kong-based Political and Economic Risk Consultancy （Perc） as reported in Lianhe Zaobao , Singapore among Asian countries has the most reliable economic data. It shows that, in recent years, the government has become more tolerant of dissenting views and criticism of its economic policies. This has made possible public debates on economic issues at a higher level and has helped improve the government's ties with analysts in the private sector.
The set of economic indices started by Singapore's Department of Statistics in the mid-1990s has been instrumental in detecting structural changes in the economy while the country is growing in strength as a regional and global financial hub. Recently, the authorities have come up with new statistic models even better attuned to the country's advancements. All this will help Singapore design even more pragmatic policies to ensure sustained economic growth.
Another Perc poll conducted earlier has ranked Singapore as the most foreigner-friendly and least nationalistic among Asian countries. It proves that the government's pragmatic policies on racial harmony and on the expatriate talent issue have borne fruit.
As pointed out by Deputy Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore is not yet a nation, and cannot become one overnight, hence the need to help the various racial groups keep their ethnic roots.
Moreover, Singapore need talented people, both from abroad and at home, because they are essential to the city-state. The government makes a point of attracting expatriate professionals by sending out the message that Singapore welcomes them.
Indeed, the economic crisis in the region has further highlighted the gap between the more nationalistic countries and those less protectionist and more tolerant of foreign cultures.
Harmonious tripartite relationship
Besides having a strong, clean and efficient administration, Singapore has been able to pursue such pragmatic policies because it enjoys a stable and harmonious tripartite relationship among employers, workers, and the government.
“The economic crisis was a big lesson for Asia,” said Michael Backman, author of a newly-published best-seller.“Singapore is sitting in the front row of the class, busily taking notes, like the teacher's pet.
“Malaysia's sitting in the middle of the class ——day-dreaming half the time and looking out of the window the rest of the time, but learning a little bit —— and Indonesia's at the back causing trouble. Hong Kong didn't even bother turning up.”
From the metaphor one can see why the Singapore government has succeeded in winning the people's trust amid the economic crisis.
（The writer is a consultant on investment in China. Translated by Allen Zhuang ）
務(wù)實(shí)策略贏得贊賞
《聯(lián)合早報(bào)》不久前連續(xù)刊登新加坡民意處理組的調(diào)查報(bào)告。有關(guān)報(bào)告顯示,在經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)的沖擊之下,絕大多數(shù)新加坡人對政府處理經(jīng)濟(jì)問題,社會問題以及發(fā)展國際關(guān)系方面的政策表示贊許,并對政府的能力充滿信心和肯定。這是務(wù)實(shí)的新加坡政府采取務(wù)實(shí)的政策所帶來的客觀結(jié)果。
許多人,甚至新加坡人自己也認(rèn)為新加坡人“怕輸”。然而,正是這些“怕輸”的人在不服輸?shù)恼I(lǐng)導(dǎo)之下,使得一個(gè)彈丸小國能在世界舞臺上連續(xù)創(chuàng)造無數(shù)個(gè)“之”和“第一”。新加坡政府的務(wù)實(shí)政策效果,可從國外權(quán)威政經(jīng)分析評價(jià)機(jī)構(gòu)的報(bào)告中得到證實(shí)。
世界經(jīng)濟(jì)論壇新發(fā)表的《1999年環(huán)球競爭力報(bào)告書》表明,盡管面對嚴(yán)重的區(qū)域經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī),但是新加坡的國際競爭力仍連續(xù)第四年排名在世界第一。而新加坡在本區(qū)域大的競爭對手香港則退到第三位。
在瑞士洛桑國際管理學(xué)院的競爭力年報(bào)上,香港的競爭力更跌到第七位。其中造成與新加坡出現(xiàn)差距的主要因素,就是新加坡的政府政策較香港優(yōu)勝,其次是人力資源和經(jīng)濟(jì)環(huán)境以及資訊科技等。
經(jīng)濟(jì)數(shù)字可靠
另據(jù)《聯(lián)合早報(bào)》報(bào)道,香港政經(jīng)風(fēng)險(xiǎn)咨詢機(jī)構(gòu)的一項(xiàng)調(diào)查顯示,在亞洲國家中,新加坡經(jīng)濟(jì)數(shù)字可靠。這顯示新加坡政府近年來更加容忍各方對其經(jīng)濟(jì)政策的異見和批評,為進(jìn)行經(jīng)濟(jì)課題更高水平的公開辯論提供了先決條件,改善了政府與私人機(jī)構(gòu)經(jīng)濟(jì)分析師的關(guān)系。
新加坡統(tǒng)計(jì)局從90年代中期便開始設(shè)定新的指標(biāo),在新加坡成為越來越重要的區(qū)域和環(huán)球金融中心時(shí),能更容易探測經(jīng)濟(jì)的結(jié)構(gòu)性改變。近,有關(guān)*又做出更適合新加坡經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展情況的統(tǒng)計(jì)模式。
這些做法,將使新加坡的經(jīng)濟(jì)發(fā)展以及為促進(jìn)發(fā)展所采取的政策措施變得更加務(wù)實(shí)。
香港同一間機(jī)構(gòu)早些時(shí)候的另一個(gè)調(diào)查則顯示,新加坡歡迎外國人,沒有民族主義威脅。這同樣證明了新加坡政府在處理民族共融的問題以及處理海外人才同本地人才的關(guān)系問題上,采取了行之有效的務(wù)實(shí)政策。正如李顯龍副總理在民意處理組常年大會上所表明,新加坡不是一個(gè)民族國家,也無法在一夜之間變成一個(gè)民族國家,因此有必要協(xié)助各族群保住自己的根。而本地和外國人才對新加坡都非常重要,政府強(qiáng)調(diào)吸引外國人才,是為了避免這些人才產(chǎn)生新加坡不歡迎他們的印象,以致不愿意到新加坡來工作。事實(shí)上,區(qū)域經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)已使存在民族主義的國家同較不具保護(hù)主義,并能包容外國文化的國家之間的差異更加明顯。
穩(wěn)定和諧的勞、資、政關(guān)系
新加坡能夠推行務(wù)實(shí)的政策,除了政府的強(qiáng)勢,高效和廉潔之外,還有一個(gè)重要的基礎(chǔ),這就是新加坡有著穩(wěn)定和諧的勞資政三角關(guān)系。
“經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)給亞洲上了寶貴的一課。新加坡坐在課室的前排,像老師寵愛的學(xué)生一樣忙著寫筆記。馬來西亞坐在中間,一半的時(shí)間在發(fā)白日夢,另一半的時(shí)間望著窗外,不過還學(xué)了一點(diǎn)道理。印尼則坐在后頭鬧事。香港甚至?xí)缯n?！睆囊槐居⑽臅充N書的作者巴克曼上述形象的比喻中,我們可以找出新加坡政府為什么能夠在經(jīng)濟(jì)危機(jī)中獲得國人信任這個(gè)問題的正確答案。
（作者是中國投資咨詢機(jī)構(gòu)顧問）