Why Southeast Asia should pay attention to PAP and Singapore

Not often one could feel excited about Asian politics, especially Southeast Asian politics - but Singapore is a cause for revisiting that notion. Not because of the May 7 election and what it did to the PAP, but I am excited because of PAP's response (so far) and the lessons it can perhaps hold for the rest of Southeast Asia.

Compared to its economic and social progress, Southeast Asian politics has at best been stuck at a stand-still over the past decades. Some places actually regressed. There are very few cases where one saw progress in the past 30 years, Indonesia being one of those rare cases and even then, Indonesia today is hardly a role model. In most countries, the political scene is one of cynicism and disenfranchisement - the only difference is a matter of degree: i.e. whether the disenfranchisement is with the ruling parties (e.g., Malaysia) or with the entire political class (e.g., Thailand). The symptoms are rampant corruption, erosion of national institutions, elevation of political interests over the national interest, increased social division and general deterioration in the quality of governance.

The outcome is usually a rapture from the past either through the ballot box, a coup or violence; when the people got fed up and demanded any kind of change. Right now, in many Southeast Asian countries the people want change and are willing to try for change even if it is doubtful they would get something good in the end. The nation and the political system usually got weaker as a result, not stronger while the quality of government (or even the democratic process itself) generally head downhill. Witness how successive "revolutions" or "changes" in Thailand and the Philippines - a group that arguably can be extended to Taiwan and Japan - led to paralysis instead of national rejuvenation. Indonesia and South Korea fare better but I do not profess to know the reason.

I believe what is missing is the political maturing process. As income level grows and society changes, there is need for some necessary but difficult adult conversations to take place between the political establishment (single party or more parties) and the people to agree on their common national values, on what constitutes good government and to renew the political contract. The key word is "adult" because in most Southeast Asian countries the political class often treat themselves as adults and the people as children, and no conversation as equals could take place.

Enter Singapore. A fortnight after the May 7 elections, many aspects of what I had written in the aftermath is happening at great speed. Instead of holding on to the past, the PAP is trying its best to engage in that conversation with its citizens. The response could so easily be sour sulking, dark threats, denial or dirty tricks but they chose the high road - and I believe it is the right one. The jury is still out but kudos to the PAP for being smart enough to know that, even with their track record, its past is no longer enough and, more importantly, has the humility and courage to embrace the change. Any exercise in self-improvement (or rebranding) is quite risky because the outcomes could please no one while disappointing everyone. These are still early days but the PAP is earning my respect for taking the Singaporean people seriously, treating them as adults, as citizens and with respect.

Many countries would kill for the kind of clean, (largely) competent government that cares about the national interest that Singapore have long taken for granted from the PAP. But by having this crucial conversation with its citizens, Singapore is poised - if it succeeds - to move to the next level of what it means to be a good government in an Asian society and set an example that will be watched closely by the rest of Asia.

The key is - using the contractual analogy - instead of a yes or no answer to the question whether to renew the social contract, there is need for a good faith renegotiation to adjust the contract terms. For this to succeed, both sides must behave in a mature and responsible manner. Until now, there are no good models to follow. Is the enlightened autocracy model doomed with time? Probably. Is a Western style multi-party democracy the only way to go? But how well is this working out in Asia? Being in Southeast Asia how do you protect against racist, tribal or feudal divisions? Is an consensual oligarchy/managed democracy better suited for Asia? Well, that didn't work too well in Japan. How about a highly stable system that allows change of ruling parties but maintain a certain national consensus (like in many smaller European or Scandinavian countries?) - may be, but how do you get there in a multi-racial and dynamic Asian society?

These are important questions that have implications for the rest of Southeast Asia and I do not know of any good answers. The PAP are the region's ace students when it comes to solving tricky questions and moreover, as much as a political party could, they actually want to be a good government. I am glad they are sitting for this exam and I, for one, am looking forward to learning about their answers.

For a start, I reproduced below PM Lee's recent speech during the swearing in of the new cabinet, where he stated the new PAP's intentions for the years to come.

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We have just gone through a watershed general election. Almost all the seats were contested, for the first time in decades. Many Singaporeans were voting for the first time. Singapore has entered a new phase in its political development.

In a rapidly changing world, Singapore is evolving too. Our economy has developed, and our society is changing: from the retirees who experienced our independence struggles in the 1960s, to the generation which grew up with the rapid economic growth of the 1980s, to the teenagers of the 2000s who have never known a world without the Internet. Each successive generation has different life experiences. They see our history differently, view current social issues from their own perspective, and dream new dreams of their future.

The Government cannot stand still. It must evolve in tandem with our society and our people. That is the best way for our Government to serve and to govern, in accord with the spirit of the times and the aspirations of our people.

Our politics cannot remain static either. More interest groups and alternative views have emerged, competing for support. Our political system can and must accommodate more views, more debate and more participation. At the same time, it is absolutely crucial for Singaporeans to stay united on the big issues, understand the fundamental realities facing a small country in South-east Asia, and work together to develop and implement the best solutions for our country.

We must develop a political system and political values that work for Singapore, foster good government and benefit Singaporeans both today and in the long term. Even though we now have more diverse voices, Singapore politics should not become confrontational or worse, divide our people and society, like in some other countries. My government pledges to serve the widest possible spread of our society. We are committed to inclusive growth, and a cohesive Singapore. We will do our utmost to work with Singaporeans to create an exciting and fulfilling future for our people and our young.

I thank the voters of Singapore for giving me and my team a clear mandate to implement our programmes - to grow the economy so that we can create better jobs for all; to educate our young to their full potential; to care for our older generation; and to engage our citizens to build an outstanding city and home for every one of us. All these we will now do.

At the same time, it is clear that Singaporeans do have significant concerns over both the substance of government policies and the way they are implemented. There are anxieties on specific areas such as housing, health care and immigration. Many groups want the Government to be more responsive to their difficulties and predicaments - retirees, single parents, the middle class and young adults, even students.

In implementation, our approach must be more flexible, thoughtful and compassionate. No policy can cover all contingencies. Hence policies must be carried out with judgment, and with heart. Policies are meant to make our lives better. When they have un-intended consequences, we should put things right promptly. When we make mistakes, we should admit and correct them. We must always do what is right for Singaporeans, and Singapore.

We will address all these concerns of the people.

My first step is a new Cabinet to lead Singapore in this new phase. I have comprehensively reshuffled and refreshed my Cabinet team. Many experienced ministers have retired. They have done much to bring us thus far, especially Mr Lee Kuan Yew and Mr Goh Chok Tong. I thank them all for everything that they have done. In their place, we have a younger team, reinforced with several first-term office-holders. We will work closely with Singaporeans to take the country forward in a complex and challenging environment.

Secondly, the Government will engage all segments of society - young and old, students, workers and retirees. We will reach out online and in the real world. We will listen carefully to different voices, understand the day-to-day difficulties and strains facing Singaporeans, address their concerns and be open to inputs on what the Government can do better. Realistically, we cannot fulfil every request, or accept every suggestion. But by engaging Singaporeans in an inclusive dialogue on making policies and governing Singapore, we can solve our problems better, and shape our new Singapore together. This is vital.

Thirdly, we will take a totally fresh look at our problems and policies, and rethink what is necessary and best for Singapore's future. We will address the issues preoccupying Singaporeans, such as health care, housing and immigration. We will review both the policies and their implementation, as well as our broader approach to tackling these issues. We must move quickly to address pockets of urgent need, even as we think through the more difficult long-term challenges. Though Singaporeans trust that our policies are mostly sound, nothing should be sacrosanct.

One important area for review is political salaries. We will always need committed and capable ministers. Politics is not a job or a career promotion. It is a calling to serve the larger good of Singapore. But ministers should also be paid properly in order that Singapore can have honest, competent leadership over the long term. I know that Singaporeans have genuine concerns over the present salaries. Hence I am appointing a committee to review the basis and level of political salaries. The committee will be chaired by Mr Gerard Ee, chairman of Changi General Hospital and chairman of NKF (National Kidney Foundation).

Beyond dealing with these issues, we should focus our energies on our main task: building a bright future for our people. What Singapore has achieved thus far is remarkable. It is not just about good GDP (gross domestic product) growth, but how growth has transformed and improved the lives of most Singa-poreans and their families - workers getting better jobs, low-income people breaking out of poverty, students getting better education. We all enjoy better housing, transport, health care, leisure facilities, and much more. Provided we continue to work in partnership - government and people, workers and businesses - I am confident we will progress year by year, and achieve inclusive growth to realise the hopes and aspirations of our people and our next generation.

I pledge to work together with all Singaporeans to create a just and fair society, which gives all citizens the best start in life, and leaves no one behind. A Singapore which is open to the world yet puts Singa-poreans first. A Singapore which excites our young and respects our old. A society that nurtures and inspires the human spirit, beyond material success. Rich or poor, young or old, men or women, Singapore is our home. Here we all belong. Here we can work together for the common good, and share our pride in being Singaporeans.

Fellow Singaporeans, today marks a milestone in our journey to bond as one people and to build a better tomorrow. I call on all Singaporeans to come forth with your ideas and energies, to join our minds, our hearts and our hands to create a better Singapore. We know not what challenges tomorrow will bring. But I am confident that united as one, we will overcome the odds and secure our future together.