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Singapore’s continued success will require stewardship and courage
First World Singapore has a lot to lose and must avoid squandering its accumulated wealth. But it should avoid the trap of complacency too.
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Coordinating Minister for Social Policies and Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung delivering a speech at the Asia Future Summit on Oct 9.
ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM
Ong Ye Kung
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In our early years, Singapore’s hopes were straightforward: to move from mudflats to metropolis. We wanted modern roads, mass transit systems, comfortable housing, schools and hospitals. The only way was up, and our pioneers pursued progress with single-minded determination.
Today, our hopes are more nuanced. We want to leverage our high base of development to seize opportunities and progress further. At the same time, we are nostalgic for the kampung spirit. We lament certain crafts and certain trades that are lost, and we worry that the old values and ethos may be weakened. In charting Singapore’s future, we are a bit like time travellers, navigating between the past, the present, as well as the future.
