現在是強調規模競爭的時代。但是每一次到新加坡都有個警醒：不要因為新加坡在地圖上只是個小紅點，而輕忽遺忘它。
從各個角度來看，新加坡都是值得用放大鏡來研究的標竿。經濟成長超越中國與印度
新加坡貿工部公布，今年第一季新加坡的經濟較去年同期成長一○．六％，不但超過預期，甚至超過近年急速發展的中國與印度。
五月初，新加坡剛完成大選，在朝的人民行動黨（ＰＡＰ，People Action Party）再次獲勝，在八十四席國會贏得八十二席，漂亮延續政權，也顯示二○○四年才接任總理的第三代領導人李顯龍得到人民肯定、接班順利。
這在今天世界許多國家的民主領導備受挑戰、政黨屢因舞弊而更迭頻繁的情形下，更顯難得。新加坡的執政黨不但執政達四十七年，而且政府權力極大，從房屋、工業園區到金融投資，新加坡政府都是直接投資者、經營者，以國有民營的方式掌控很大部份的經濟資源，但是官員卻不貪腐，甚至以廉能著稱，得到人民一次又一次的信任。近午夜時分，一位新加坡資深的公務員仍然陪著訪客。許多新加坡人都忙，愈來愈忙，但是忙碌中仍保有一份安定。「在新加坡，我不用走歪路，也可以成功，」這位公務員一面開車，一面說出他心底的驕傲。他言談中流露出的信任、篤定、滿足，在這個時刻格外令人羨慕。
這也讓人不得不問出心底那個有點不甘願的問題：為什麼新加坡能？
建立治理文化才能富過三代
因為領導，因為李光耀。
最近新加坡出了個大新聞。資政李光耀在大選前上電視，面對二十出頭的新加坡年輕人，回答他們一個接一個直接、甚至有點無理的問題，挑戰政府、挑戰選舉方式。整整一個小時，李光耀令人意外的幾乎是不動氣、有時還爽朗地大笑，耐心解說每個問題。節目之後，批評年輕人的投書如雪片般飛到報社。
《海峽時報》上有一則來自三十五歲讀者的投書，寫著：雖然是在新加坡建國之後才出生，但是我真心誠意的感激李資政。沒有他，我的父母不會擁有房子，我無法有平等的教育機會，更不會得到今天我所喜愛的工作。我將不會是今天的我。
不論是從新加坡國內，還是從國際來看，李光耀都是亞洲罕見的世界級領導人。
從一九六五獨立建國，李光耀站在不過六九二平方公里的土地上，卻能有略有謀地與歐、美、亞強權周旋，將約台北縣三分之一大小的原物料港口島脫胎換骨，建設成為全球第四大外匯交易中心、跨國企業外派經理人最喜愛的城市之一。
李光耀在一九九○從總理的位置上卸任，最近又將頭銜從「國務資政」（Senior Minister），改為「內閣資政」（Minister Mentor）。訪客談起新加坡的進步，李光耀只笑笑說，「要恭喜新的年輕團隊。」﹁但是，除了顧問諮詢，李光耀以他獨特的風格，一路建立的政府治理文化與制度，才是新加坡第二代、第三代領導團隊能順利領導的重要基礎。
務實至上選政黨不如選政績
就如李光耀理性、務實一樣，雖然新加坡有黨派、種族議題，經過幾十年，從政黨到選民都了解，確保新加坡的持續發展才是關鍵，選舉最重要的是看執政成績。
李光耀在大選後也發表演講，「贏得選舉的確重要， 但大家更應在乎的是自己的生命、財產、子孫的教育，以及未來五到十年新加坡在全球的位置。」
這也是人民行動黨最具說服力的地方。《經濟學人》報導指出，人民行動黨雖然遭遇挑戰，但是它每一次選舉都讓選民看見它信守廉能政府的承諾，這才是它贏得選舉、連續執政近五十年的關鍵。
與其說新加坡人支持人民行動黨，不如說新加坡人選擇更能確保經濟成長的團隊。在人民行動黨的執政下，新加坡就業機會又創新高，政府也推出協助低收入工作者、職業婦女的新政策，解決新的社會問題。
新加坡九三％的人都住在自己擁有的房子裡，美麗的公園、綠地，便捷的交通、優良的學校，都為大眾共享。「我們比中國大陸更社會主義，」建築師劉太格笑著說。
「新加坡的選民是認真思考、看長線的，」新加坡政策研究中心資深研究員許\林珠指出，選民要確信候選人能夠公平、負責的行使執政權力，才會將選票托付給它。這對反對黨、執政黨，都是同樣的挑戰。
所以執政的人民行動黨非常重視引進新血，這也是遵循李光耀一向重視人才的觀念。用新血來保持政黨的創新、廉潔，在這一次與上一屆二○○一年的選舉中，人民行動黨的國會人選都有四分之一的新面孔加入。
穩定的發展才是最肥沃的夢田
站在穩定發展的土地上，新加坡在各方面都變得更美、更勇敢了。
傍晚時分，劉太格出門拜訪才得到國家獎的藝術家林子平，他的畫作將在新建的版畫美術館展出。「穩定的生活，讓我們開始有不同的追求，」劉太格說新加坡的藝術活動愈來愈活躍，未來「我們還要把新加坡建設為世界版畫之都。」
新加坡國家小，但從不小了志氣。經過五十年的發展，新加坡不僅國家跨入已開發國家之列，國際級的企圖心也開始落到人民的心中。
「新加坡會愈來愈令人興奮，」《聯合早報》總編輯林任君談起新加坡新建的藝術學校、體育學校、新的城市規劃、旅遊景點建設，即使已經過了午夜，眼睛又亮了，像是看見了美好新未來。
美好的期待，是領導人重要的創造。建立希望，是領導人重要的職責。
敢問台灣的領導人，台灣要如何也能？
Source: 天下雜誌群 吳韻儀 (從TypeABC網站轉載)
Happened to be browsing TypeABC's article archives, and came across this important piece of article.
I remembered my trip to Singapore a while back, and couldn't help fallen in love with that country. For me, first impression is very important....
Whether or not the country is clean, or people are polite...Most of us will be able to tell if the country's government is exploiting its resources and citizens with first impressions.
Singapore is exactly like what the article mentioned...
從樟宜機場出來，一路綠樹庇蔭，進入市區，鮮綠、艷粉、亮菊色的熱帶花木，繁茂又有秩序地錯落大樓間，就像走進一座富足優雅的避暑庭園。
Everything in Singapore has its place; plants, flowers, buildings, people....somehow all work in sync and how should I say it? They are stationed harmoniously...it's like witnessing a miracle....
The world is definitely a better place in Singapore....
I remember taking a taxi around town, not knowing our exact destination...and here was the conversation between the Cab Driver and us...
Cab Driver: Good Evening! May I ask where is your destination?
Us: Hmm...actually we are looking for a good place to eat....
Cab Driver: Ohhhh, how nice. May I suggest a place? It's pretty small, but all the locals LOVE it.
Us: Sure, as long as it is not far.
Cab Driver: Of coz not, it's a couple of blocks away. And, don't worry, I will wait for you to finish eating. No charging the wait time.
Us: Uhh...Is that custom? I mean waiting for passengers?
Cab Driver: Sure, we do it all the time. Ohh...and by the way, have you guys been to ...... and .... and ......? It's definitely worth seeing.
So....we went to the place he had suggested, and had the BEST...I mean the BEST...海南雞飯 in Singapore. Ohhh....and we ended up touring with this guy for the whole trip....pretty nice huh?
But of coz...we gave him a handsome tip...and he only took what was required by law, and handed the rest back to us.
Speaking of Singapore, I only have one word to describe it....
Heaven!
So, fellow Taiwanese....shouldn't we be making our country as close to Heaven as possible?
10 comments:
Agree!!
The only thing I don't like about Singapore is probably their tight-a$$ laws, but then again, why let building-paint-sprayer get away! Spank them!
Seriously, if Taiwanese think as a whole, not as individuals, think longer term, not easy profits, we would do a lot more.
I don't know if I would be willing to trade freedoms for a nanny-state. On the surface, it's cleaner and simpler and "easier" to have Big Brother telling you what to do all the time, but it doesn't take much digging to see the injustices that lie just beneath the polished surface...
True...
But TW is nasty on the surface and below the surface.
I do believe that MOST of the countries are ugly underneath the surface.
I think we'd get further if we stick together.
Free Press...I believe there should be a limit on their power.
Oh? What do you mean by that? That's a pretty radical opinion...
Well, I meant...
Limit the power on Free Press in Taiwan ONLY!
These ppl don't seem to grasp the advantage or the values of Free Press.
Nor the values of a Free Country!
TW ppl should be thankful for what we have today, and instead of biting each other's heads off.
We should work together, and educate the next generations on these important values.
The commendments that all free countries hold so dearly to their hearts~
Yes, people should be more appreciative, but taking away rights isn't going to make that happen. In fact, if they were to see their freedoms in contrast with nations that do not have them, perhaps that will be more effective.
I don't know what bothers you about the free press (those trashy tabloids, or...?), but take it away and it'll be the KMT White Terror era all over again. Besides, taking away one freedom is easing into a slippery slope that can very well lead to despotism and totalitarian government.
If in fact, it is the trashy tabloids and the faux-news that are offensive to you, then, perhaps the solution is to target that problem specifically. In that case, probably education on social values and the respect of privacy are in order, as well as enforcing and amending laws on harassment, libel and slander.
I feel very strongly about this because it has taken so much bloodshed to get to the point of Freedom of Speech/Press in Taiwan; to take it away so easily in an attempt to quash frivolous gossip would mean those lives were lost in vain. There's an old saying that goes something like, "If you have a headache, don't cut off your head to fix it."
Do tell me, what about the press in Taiwan bothers you so much?
K, don't get me wrong. I don't disagree with u. I believe we have similar values, and similar problems.
I never said take away the freedom. I only said limit their power...filter what goes out to the public a bit...
Education is important, but for now, our press is educating children. That is the worst of all...
I believe TW news, newspapers are very biased.
And what gets to me is their lack of respect for our president, and our nation.
I am not siding with anyone, but looking in from the outside...
I do get angry.
And I do believe targeting it specifically...the problem itself.
However, all us see, hear, and read are a very big part of our daily lives.
Unfortunately, they do have limitless power at the moment.
Heh, sorry for the writing essays in your comments... Yeah, I do see what you mean. But I guess, I just feel like it's the people who are driving this obsession with controversy and scandal... and it's a vicious, vicious cycle.
No harm intended, Jeannie baby~ :)
oh...I love discussing these issues with you. It's good to hear your opinions, and realize that we are not alone in this world.
We strive for similar results, and we bitch about it.
Maybe it's time we start to help these people. What do you say?
:)
Yeah, but first, we have to convince them that they need helping, cuz they sure don't think so!
Post a Comment