Singapore has just seen a watershed election, and for the first time since independence, an official Leader of the Opposition in Parliament. All around, political, economic and international structures are unravelling and strategic choices have to be made.
In her third and final lecture as IPS’ 7th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore, Professor Chan Heng Chee opined that “gloom is not destiny” for Singapore.
The lecture was moderated by Mr Bilahari Kausikan, Chairman of the Middle East Institute, National University of Singapore. It was streamed live on IPS’ Facebook and will be broadcast on CNA938 radio at a later date.
Taking heed of alternative views
Professor Chan said that the results of the Singapore General Election 2020 (GE2020) were a clear indication that while citizens want safety, security and solutions, they also want diverse voices in parliament and checks and balances in the legislature. The People’s Action Party (PAP) received 61.24 per cent of the vote and won 83 of the 93 seats. The Workers’ Party (WP) won the remaining 10 seats.
The election has occurred at a time when the country is at its youth peak. This group of young voters has a distinct and increasingly liberal outlook. Thus, the PAP will have to better understand their values and changing norms to win their votes. Political tools that worked in the past may no longer be acceptable or as effective. The government will need to be more open to and accommodate diverse and alternative views. It will have to seriously discourage groupthink and allow out-of-the-box thinking, which is even more necessary in a successful bureaucracy.
She also noted a “new mushrooming” of civil society organisations (CSOs) that are attracting the young, the educated and the idealistic, and suggested that the government can work more closely with these organisations to improve the lives of the vulnerable.
Resilience and lessons from a crisis
These CSOs have played a big part in the COVID-19 crisis which has also highlighted Singaporeans’ generosity and strong community sense. Many reached out to help vulnerable groups, such as lower income families and foreign workers, demonstrating that, in a crunch, Singaporeans will pull together.
COVID-19 has also revealed Singapore’s reliance on foreign migrant workers for economic growth, and the need to improve their living and working conditions. There were criticisms over the explosion of cases among foreign workers and, for a few weeks, Singapore ate humble pie. But she said, overall, the government has handled the pandemic well by acting decisively and taking ownership of the problem. Death rates are low; supply chains remain open and food imports have not been disrupted.
Adapt the current Singapore governance model
Professor Chan then mentioned her 1975 essay on the administrative state where she wrote about the systematic depoliticisation of Singapore governance in the ’60s and ’70s towards a technocrat-bureaucrat model. The results from GE2020, however, signal a trend towards repoliticisation, but one where the state remains strong with a high degree of centralisation.
Singapore’s unique economic mix of multinational corporations, government-linked companies and a tripartite collaboration between labour, government and employers has brought about incredible success, but a troubling consequence is rising income inequality.
While the Government has rolled out a slew of measures to reduce the income gap, she said many individuals and families may not be aware of such schemes. Nonetheless, it has been quick to roll out safety nets in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis and during COVID-19.
Invest in SMEs to strengthen the economic model
For Singapore’s economic model to be sustainable post COVID-19, more must be done to strengthen small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) as well as start-ups and gig workers.
SMEs make up 99 per cent of all companies, employ 72 per cent of the workforce and produce 47 per cent of Singapore’s gross domestic product. The Government recognises their importance and the 2020 budget includes many assistance packages to tide them over the pandemic.
The government also offers avenues for SMEs to expand overseas, but it needs to help SMEs strategically enter these new markets. It is not just a matter of SMEs going overseas. Government-linked companies (GLCs) and Temasek-linked companies could consider giving SMEs a role as consultants or contractors, so that the SMEs can build a track record and gain experience overseas.
Work with like-minded countries in the face of US-China rivalry
Singapore has substantial interests and relations with both the United States (US) and China. But the rivalry between both countries has deteriorated faster than anticipated. Singapore has thrived in a relatively benign and open international environment, and must now prepare itself for a more hostile, less generous world.
A coalescence of like-minded countries working together on specific issues is emerging. Regionalism or coalitions of a few states for very practical purposes, such as how to deal with opening up after the pandemic, may point the way to newer regional subgroupings.
Ultimately, countries want relations with both the US and China. The US remains the preferred strategic and defence partner in Asia, while China is a sought after economic and technology partner. Choice would be exercised by countries, to line up with the US or China, depending on what initiatives the two powers put on the table. Professor Chan was firm that for as long as possible, Singapore would not, and should not need to take sides. Singapore will not be put in a position, or need to, make a final choice like a marriage.
Q & A session
Mr Kausikan asked Professor Chan why her series of lectures did not touch on identity politics, given that it intersects with the issues she spoke about, such as democracy and capitalism.
Professor Chan replied she did not touch on identity as it is a profound and large topic. However, she acknowledged that as Singapore is a country of immigrants, there will always be anxiety about the “Singapore identity”. Different ethnic communities may develop allegiances towards other nations as their geopolitical influence grows, but she believes this is nothing to be alarmed about as long as the Singapore government produces “good and right policies to win the hearts and minds of the people”.
The online audience also asked what the GE2020 results mean for the future of politics in Singapore. Professor Chan said the results do not mean that the electorate is rejecting good governance. The Workers’ Party, in fact, is a moderate party that understands the values of good governance. Instead, the results show that voters still want a People’s Action Party government, but with more opposition voices in parliament. She added that a two-party system is an aberration as many democratic countries, except for the US, have multiparty systems. The latter would be good for Singapore in the long-term, she said.
There is also a developing political culture in Singapore that wants a kinder, gentler politics, unlike the “mean politics” of the democracies in the West, said Professor Chan. Political competition does not reflect a polarised or divided Singapore, but shows that the electorate is maturing and encouraging healthy expression.
However, Professor Chan cautioned that political disagreements should not lead to a culture of intolerance. She expressed concern about digital platforms in particular, as they encourage polarisation of views due to self-reinforcing silos.
Professor Chan was also asked about the relevance of political institutions such as the Group Representation Constituencies and the Elected Presidency. She replied that she supports mechanisms that ensure racial representation. As for the civil service, she felt that civil servants should prevent groupthink when they draw up policies, and implement policies with a “human heart and human touch”.
Regarding globalisation, Professor Chan was confident that the Government would continue to seek new economic activities to strengthen the Singapore brand. For example, with the rise of technology rendering geographical location less important, Singapore could strongly position itself as a digital hub.
To close the series of lectures, Professor Chan reflected on her hope for future generations of Singaporeans. While they would grow up in an increasingly difficult world, she felt they could enhance their ability to tackle big challenges like climate change if they can learn to work together.