28.03.2012
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean has said Singapore is entering an era where governance is becoming more challenging.
The government has to decide on the appropriate level of involvement, even as it faces increasing demands to do more in some instances and less in others.
Mr Teo said it may be more productive to focus on doing the right things and doing them right.
He was speaking at the Administrative Service Dinner and Promotion Ceremony on Tuesday night.
Reminding the public officers of the new challenging environment they operate in, DPM Teo said the government has to find the right balance in its interventions.
To make his point, he brought up the issue of exclusive Singapore broadcast rights to the English Premier League a few years ago.
Some fans were upset about having to switch providers or get another set-top box when SingTel won the rights from StarHub.
"Should the government really get involved in how fans get their weekly dose of football? But there was a broader issue at stake. Left to themselves, the industry players would seek to maximise value for themselves, even though it may mean inconveniences to consumers. So it was right for the Media Development Authority to step in to compel them to cross-carry programmes, but again, taking care to do so in the right way," said Mr Teo.
While the government may know what the right things to do are, Mr Teo said the more difficult challenge is in doing things right.
And this requires the public service to take a long-term perspective and work on a whole-of-government basis to develop sound policies.
It must also better engage the public in the course of its work.
"But it is often not possible to satisfy everyone. There will be competing interests and demands, some of which contradict one another. Often, there will have to be trade-offs and difficult decisions, which the government must not shy away from," said Mr Teo.
The deputy prime minister said the strength of the public service has been a key factor in building the Singapore of today, and the government remains committed to maintaining a capable public service that will serve the people effectively and honestly.
Mr Teo said the Public Service Division is currently reviewing the salaries of Administrative Officers, Judiciary and Statutory appointment holders.
The review is expected to be completed and ready for implementation in six to nine months.
Mr Teo said the salary framework will remain fair and competitive so that the public service can continue to get a steady flow of able and committed people.
Earlier DPM Teo also paid tribute to Mr Teo Ming Kian, who retired from the public service last year.
Mr Teo Ming Kian was not at the dinner as he is overseas.
Mr Teo is currently the chairman of Singapore's leading media company, MediaCorp.
His 36-year public service career has seen him take on roles in the Finance, Defence and Communications ministries.
Under Mr Teo's leadership, the Economic Development Board spearheaded the development of new growth industries in Singapore, including interactive and digital media.
Also speaking at the Administrative Service Dinner and Promotion Ceremony was Mr Peter Ong, the head of civil service.
He said that the recent cases of public officers convicted for cheating or investigated for alleged misconduct have undermined the clean and incorrupt reputation of the Public Service.
These episodes also made "some wonder if the Public Service and the values we espouse are being eroded", added Mr Ong.
Mr Ong said if the officers were found to have abused the trust placed in them, the Public Service would not hesitate to take firm and decisive action against them.
"This is the only way we can preserve trust in the Public Service, and ensure that individual failings do not lead to systemic weaknesses," he said.
"There are officers who have felt let down by these episodes. I share the same disappointment. But these episodes notwithstanding, my faith in the integrity of public officers and in the Public Service as a whole has not wavered. I am heartened to note that the majority of our officers are ever determined to uphold the good name of the Service and are continuing to earn the public trust."
The government has to decide on the appropriate level of involvement, even as it faces increasing demands to do more in some instances and less in others.
Mr Teo said it may be more productive to focus on doing the right things and doing them right.
He was speaking at the Administrative Service Dinner and Promotion Ceremony on Tuesday night.
Reminding the public officers of the new challenging environment they operate in, DPM Teo said the government has to find the right balance in its interventions.
To make his point, he brought up the issue of exclusive Singapore broadcast rights to the English Premier League a few years ago.
Some fans were upset about having to switch providers or get another set-top box when SingTel won the rights from StarHub.
"Should the government really get involved in how fans get their weekly dose of football? But there was a broader issue at stake. Left to themselves, the industry players would seek to maximise value for themselves, even though it may mean inconveniences to consumers. So it was right for the Media Development Authority to step in to compel them to cross-carry programmes, but again, taking care to do so in the right way," said Mr Teo.
While the government may know what the right things to do are, Mr Teo said the more difficult challenge is in doing things right.
And this requires the public service to take a long-term perspective and work on a whole-of-government basis to develop sound policies.
It must also better engage the public in the course of its work.
"But it is often not possible to satisfy everyone. There will be competing interests and demands, some of which contradict one another. Often, there will have to be trade-offs and difficult decisions, which the government must not shy away from," said Mr Teo.
The deputy prime minister said the strength of the public service has been a key factor in building the Singapore of today, and the government remains committed to maintaining a capable public service that will serve the people effectively and honestly.
Mr Teo said the Public Service Division is currently reviewing the salaries of Administrative Officers, Judiciary and Statutory appointment holders.
The review is expected to be completed and ready for implementation in six to nine months.
Mr Teo said the salary framework will remain fair and competitive so that the public service can continue to get a steady flow of able and committed people.
Earlier DPM Teo also paid tribute to Mr Teo Ming Kian, who retired from the public service last year.
Mr Teo Ming Kian was not at the dinner as he is overseas.
Mr Teo is currently the chairman of Singapore's leading media company, MediaCorp.
His 36-year public service career has seen him take on roles in the Finance, Defence and Communications ministries.
Under Mr Teo's leadership, the Economic Development Board spearheaded the development of new growth industries in Singapore, including interactive and digital media.
Also speaking at the Administrative Service Dinner and Promotion Ceremony was Mr Peter Ong, the head of civil service.
He said that the recent cases of public officers convicted for cheating or investigated for alleged misconduct have undermined the clean and incorrupt reputation of the Public Service.
These episodes also made "some wonder if the Public Service and the values we espouse are being eroded", added Mr Ong.
Mr Ong said if the officers were found to have abused the trust placed in them, the Public Service would not hesitate to take firm and decisive action against them.
"This is the only way we can preserve trust in the Public Service, and ensure that individual failings do not lead to systemic weaknesses," he said.
"There are officers who have felt let down by these episodes. I share the same disappointment. But these episodes notwithstanding, my faith in the integrity of public officers and in the Public Service as a whole has not wavered. I am heartened to note that the majority of our officers are ever determined to uphold the good name of the Service and are continuing to earn the public trust."
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