The reputation of Singapore's law enforcement agencies may have taken a knock after the escape of JI detainee Mas Selamat Kastari but Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng gave this word of encouragement to Home Team officers - 'Don't lose Heart'. Mr Wong said their achievements will 'speak for themselves'. He was speaking at the annual Home Team workshop.

Mr Wong said all Home Team agencies have pitched in, in the hunt for Mas Selamat. He added the various Home Team programmes have also proven to be successful.

Although some have tried to discredit the country's law enforcement officers, Mr Wong said professional achievements speak for themselves and the community's trust in the Home Team 'remains high'.

Mr Wong outlined the Home Team's various achievements for 2007. Moving forward, he said the Home Team's tasks will become 'increasingly complex'.

In his keynote address at the annual Singapore Tripartism Forum, former Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen - now Education Minister - reflects on the importance of not 'protecting' workers here through a clampdown on the foreign worker quota and a high wage policy. He also elaborates on the way forward for Singapore's workforce.