Economics, Politics and Public Policy in East Asia and the Pacific
Author: Yang Razali Kassim, RSIS
The recent announcement of a high-speed rail link between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, with a commute of only 90 minutes, has raised the prospect of closer economic integration between the two cities.
It has even raised speculation about whether the project could eventually lead to an economic union between Singapore and Malaysia. Read more…
Authors: Mukul G. Asher & Chang Yee Kwan, NUS
Singapore’s White Paper on population, issued on January 31 2013, has generated intense debate on the appropriate balance between growth and quality-of-life for Singapore citizens, illustrating the accelerating dilemma between the two faced by Singaporean policymakers and society.
Authors: Mely Caballero-Anthony and P. K. Hangzo, RSIS
Through strategic planning and investment in research and technology, strong political will, and effective governance, Singapore has emerged from water insecurity to become a global hydrohub.
It has built a robust and diversified range of water sources and has successfully addressed its water challenges in the process. Read more…
Authors: Mukul G. Asher and Chang Yee Kwan, NUS
Singapore has continued to skilfully pursue a business location strategy in 2012, the key requirements of which include keeping the share of wages in the national income below the share accruing to capital, and tapping into new commercial opportunities and economic partners.
Predictably, the external sector’s contribution to growth has been, and will continue to be, dominant. Read more…
Author: Bridget Welsh, SMU
Singapore and Malaysia have long been touted as success stories. There is much to acknowledge — rising incomes, steady economic growth, improvements in infrastructure, stability and cordial ethnic relations immediately come to mind.
Author: Mukul Asher, NUS
With the end of 2011, Singapore’s policy makers have ample reason to be satisfied with their economic management, and the results of the long-prevailing business location growth model.
Singapore’s macroeconomic indicators, excepting the inflation rate, exhibited encouraging trends in 2011. Read more…
Author: Razeen Sally, ECIPE
The last economic era, roughly from 1980 to 2008, was the most successful combination of globalisation, growth and prosperity in history.
The West benefited, but, more importantly, this was when ‘the Rest’ came on board: ‘underdeveloped countries’ cast off post-colonial isolation and embraced the world economy. Read more…
Author: Yang Razali Kassim, RSIS
Singapore is seeking to ensure its food security through research and development in urban agribusiness.
Singapore’s approach to food security is set to undergo a fundamental rethink — from being a passive food-importer to a more active contributor to the regional and global food system. Read more…
Author: K Kesavapany, ISEAS
The results of Singapore’s 27 August Presidential Election were a cliff-hanger.
In the four-way contest, the government’s preferred candidate, former Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan, won 35.2 per cent of the valid votes after a recount. Read more…
Author: K Kesavapany, ISEAS
As Singaporeans go to the polls today to elect a new president, it is worth remembering there used to be a comfortable myth perpetuated about Singaporeans — this myth held them to be an apolitical people, conditioned by greed and fear to vote the People’s Action Party (PAP) into power, election after boring election.
Author: Andy Yee, Hong Kong
In a speech made at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue on 4 June, US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates disclosed US plans to deploy new littoral combat ships (LCS) to Singapore.
What is notable is that they would be the first US military vessels to be permanently stationed in Singapore. Read more…
Author: Michael D Barr, Flinders University
The sudden retirement of Lee Kuan Yew from the Singapore Cabinet last month following the ruling party’s poor showing in the general elections is a tremendous victory for his son, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
Ironically, the younger Lee’s moral stature in Cabinet has been given a major boost by the ruling party’s dreadful showing in the May 2011 elections as he has been able to shift all the blame onto others — notably his two predecessors as prime minister (Lee Kuan Yew and Goh Chok Tong) and a few poorly performing Cabinet ministers, who also stepped down after the election. Read more…
Author: K Kesavapany, ISEAS
Barring the defeat of three ministers, including the multi-talented Foreign Minister George Yeo, the General Election on 7 May was a victory for Singapore and Singaporeans.
The People’s Action Party (PAP) was returned to power with a credible 60.1 per cent of the vote in a promise of economic growth and political stability in the next five years. With 81 out of the 87 seats in Parliament, the Government will enjoy a strong electoral mandate on which to plan and pursue policies decisively for the long term. Read more…
Author: K. Kesavapany, ISEAS
The general election to be held on 7 May is expected to be a watershed in Singapore’s parliamentary history. From 1966 to 1981, there was not a single opposition Member of Parliament.
Among other reasons, the fact was that the opposition Barisan Socialis (Socialist Front) decided to boycott the General Election of 1968 and take politics to the streets. Read more…