<![CDATA[MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if....]]>MM Lee \"Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if it depends on local talent \"

[quote]SINGAPORE — Former Minister Mentor Lee
Kuan Yew said yesterday Singapore would
not be able to punch above its own weight
if it were to depend on talent from its own
population. He was speaking at a dialogue
to wrap up the two-day South Asian Diaspora
convention here.
DBS Bank CEO Piyush Gupta posed a
question to Mr Lee, asking just how big
the issue of attracting foreign talent in
Singapore is, having noted that it was a hot
topic during the recent General Election.
Mr Lee felt it was an issue among Singaporeans
even before the election. He said:
“For some time, the Singaporean has felt
the competition from talented foreigners.
But these are people who have come here
to become our citizens and I am a firm believer
that the more talent that you have in
a society, the better the society will grow.
“If Singapore depends on the talent it
can produce out of 3 million people, it’s not
going to punch above its weight.
“It’s because we have been drawing
talent from across the globe — South Asia,
North-east Asia, China, India and beyond
that — you have a vibrant economy which
is way beyond what 3 million Singaporeans
with the talent they can produce can do.
“So you’ve got to accept the discomfort
which the local citizens feel, that they are competing
unequally for jobs. (It) cannot be helped.
“But without them, the jobs will not be
there to begin with. So welcome talent and
we’ll continue to welcome talent.”
When asked how the political problem
associated with the foreign talent issue
could be managed, Mr Lee said: “You just
have to assuage it.
“What is the choice — slow growth with
no input of talent or faster growth with input
of talent and the feeling that some of the top
jobs are going to the foreigners? You may
get no jobs at all if there were no growth.”
Several participants at the convention
also took the opportunity to tap Mr Lee’s
views on the importance of governance and
meritocracy for the success of a country.
One question raised during the dialogue
was how Mr Lee would have governed
India, if the country was handed to him.
Mr Lee replied: “First, what sort of
Indian would I be? A northern Indian?
A southern Indian? That identifies you with
the interest of a particular group.
“Or a Bombay Indian, which is the most
cosmopolitan of all. But it may well be that
a Bombay Indian doesn’t represent Indians
at all, so it’s a problem India has to face.
“It is important whoever leads India
should find acceptance with the widest
group of Indians possible. But I think it is
very difficult for any Indian leader to find
more than 40 per cent of Indians believing
he represents them.”
Mr Lee also noted that Indians speak
nearly 300 different languages but, in
China, 90 per cent of the people speak the
same language and that makes it a much
easier country to lead than India. [/quote]http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=F1jX8gXi4fM


are we that hopeless? :scared:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/24219/mm-lee-quot-singaporean-can-t-punch-above-its-own-weight-ifRSS for NodeWed, 06 May 2026 11:22:40 GMTSat, 23 Jul 2011 09:39:20 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:34:32 GMT]]>

Strparent:
strangely, this news not publicised by our local media, dated 25 July 2011. :scratchhead:


http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Singapore-grants-scholarships-to-Vietnamese-students/20117/128674.vov :gloomy:


do local scholarships for citizens get the same value ? Daily living expenses included...... 🤷

http://i55.tinypic.com/2qswks1.jpg\">
and very likely accomodation FOC also :evil:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/510103https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/510103Wed, 27 Jul 2011 01:34:32 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:03:36 GMT]]>

Oppsgal:
Are Japan, Australia and Hongkong not considered developed?


Why didn't see much of \"FT\" taking over their jobs?
Until the Gahment came up with another plausible solution

ther will be more Foreign Talent to make up the 6.5 million,

Take heart , Singaporeans is not so bad
and Singapore as a place to live ...ok lah
myself having live in UK and Australis for 8 years
Sg still very very young in many ways and Gahmnet
treading very carefully but think they have not done
enough for the Singaporeans judging by the results
of the polls. 😄
And parents , we also create and faciliate the future of our Children
Our school system is one place that may have sideline
a lot of late bloomer and entrepreneurship and healthy
innovation among the young and the not so well-off
family :hi5:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/509843https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/509843Wed, 27 Jul 2011 00:03:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:55:59 GMT]]>strangely, this news not publicised by our local media, dated 25 July 2011. :scratchhead:


http://english.vovnews.vn/Home/Singapore-grants-scholarships-to-Vietnamese-students/20117/128674.vov :gloomy:


do local scholarships for citizens get the same value ? Daily living expenses included...... 🤷

http://i55.tinypic.com/2qswks1.jpg\">

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/509631https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/509631Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:55:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:39:30 GMT]]>

verykiasu2010:


or anyone tried the subway in NYC ? or taken those trains in the major American cities ... (too many to name them) ?
When I was living in San Francisco, I paid US$45 a month for my transport within the city. I can take muni, BART, street car, cable car and buses. There're usually several ways to get from 1 place to another, all using the fast pass which cost US$45 a month.

In the less busy cities, public transport is not much of an issue to most people because it's cheap to drive around on your own. No issue with car price / COE or traffic congestion.

Actually, I also have very pleasant experience taking public transport in Japan, Australia and Hong Kong. I would rank Singapore above Shanghai, KL, Bangkok and Jakarta but below the other countries I've mentioned.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/509596https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/509596Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:39:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:07:28 GMT]]>

verykiasu2010:
Oppsgal:

Are Japan, Australia and Hongkong not considered developed?


Why didn't see much of \"FT\" taking over their jobs?

OZ has lots of Asians, HK has lots of Angmos and Chinese from M'sia & SG (I used to have an office in HK)......Japan, yes, no 'FT' but cost of living also very high, and they also have the Americans there (USAF & US Army)......lol

Actually, there're quite a lot of FT, especially Americans, in the financial industry in Japan. Interestingly, I know of an American CEO in a Japanese bank. Can't remember if it was Shinsei or Aozora, but the 2 had since merged. And I've dealt with Australians working in Japanese banks in Tokyo. Nomura has quite a lot of FTs too.

But having said all that, everywhere you go, their own nationals are given priority, be it in jobs or education (except in cases when they need full fee paying foreigners). You can't be just as good or marginally better than them, you have to be a lot better to get an opportunity. This is the case even in US. Singapore seems to be the only exception.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/509533https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/509533Tue, 26 Jul 2011 15:07:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:47:59 GMT]]>Actually Japan’s economy n unemployment rate has been bad for years, n hk n aus do have alot of FT/expats too. The aussies complain abt asians n americans in their country too. Hk is one of the first few asian economies to have foreign investments n expats, that’s why it is a thriving financial hub now.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/509434https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/509434Tue, 26 Jul 2011 13:47:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:13:22 GMT]]>

Oppsgal:
Are Japan, Australia and Hongkong not considered developed?


Why didn't see much of \"FT\" taking over their jobs?
OZ has lots of Asians, HK has lots of Angmos and Chinese from M'sia & SG (I used to have an office in HK)......Japan, yes, no 'FT' but cost of living also very high, and they also have the Americans there (USAF & US Army)......lol

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/508985https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/508985Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:13:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:07:38 GMT]]>Are Japan, Australia and Hongkong not considered developed?


Why didn’t see much of "FT" taking over their jobs?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/508965https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/508965Tue, 26 Jul 2011 08:07:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Tue, 26 Jul 2011 03:31:48 GMT]]>

verykiasu2010:
in terms of transport, we are one of the best, BUT, there are also lots of areas that need to be improved -- especially, peak hour frequency & punctuality.


A full bus is expected, but when the peak hour frequency and punctuality are not managed, sardine-can situation arises.
I agree with what MM said.. and yes in terms of transport we are one of the best.. but we are definitely not perfect, there's lots of room for improvement. For a country with such limited resources, small population, I think we have done well. the issue will be how to continue to do well or better.

Same thing for foreign talent. Only certain occupations are popular in Singapore, but a country cannot sustain itself that way... there are several industries in which Singapore cannot compete in, and also if we want foreign companies to base themselves in Singapore, you have to expect that they will entrust the top management to their own people. We would do the same if we set up companies overseas..

These issues are not only affecting Singapore, it is everywhere.. go to any developed country, you will see that non-locals are everywhere too. It is okay to talk about issues and voice out opinions. But just complaining without understanding the bigger picture doesn't solve anything... you can't stop globalisation... no country has been able to do that, those who attempted have serious issues with employment and their economy..

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/508244https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/508244Tue, 26 Jul 2011 03:31:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:27:04 GMT]]>we are one of the best, agree.

fare increase, no agree.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/507281https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/507281Mon, 25 Jul 2011 13:27:04 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:15:35 GMT]]>

carebear:
raysusan:

are we that hopeless? :scared:


What MM said is true.
No, I don't think we are hopeless.
We are just too small a population, hence comparatively, just based on locals alone, we may not be able to perform well.

Agreed!

http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=157&start=6170
:siam: 🦆

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/506882https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/506882Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:15:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:13:07 GMT]]>

snowman.697:
It's not just that. Singaporeans take luxuries for granted and continually want more and more. When their complaints are not rectified, they not happy. That's why you have (IMHO) unreasonable ppl complaining about our country's transport system which is already one of the worlds best.

yes, one of the world best

anyone tried the London Tube ? Paris Metro, the subway in Prague, Rome, Budapest ? joined the sardine can before in HK, Beijing, Shanghai ? or be in Tokyo that need people to push your backside into the train ?

or anyone tried the subway in NYC ? or taken those trains in the major American cities ... (too many to name them) ?

in terms of transport, we are one of the best, BUT, there are also lots of areas that need to be improved -- especially, peak hour frequency & punctuality.

A full bus is expected, but when the peak hour frequency and punctuality are not managed, sardine-can situation arises.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/506879https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/506879Mon, 25 Jul 2011 09:13:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:38:54 GMT]]>I don’t see more harm done to Singaporeans than a leader who speaks ill of his own people to the whole world, and wanting to get foreigners to replace his people so that HIS country will continue to thrive.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/506786https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/506786Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:38:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:26:00 GMT]]>Perhaps, MM has divided himself from Singaporeans, speaking like he is no longer one of us, and the more he travels to countries, and continues to speak ill about his own people, the more divided he is causing the people to become.


\"If native Singaporeans are falling behind because the spurs are not stuck into the hide, that is their problem\"

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/506761https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/506761Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:26:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:07:59 GMT]]>It is very interesting how, after all the apologies, we start hearing all the ‘it cannot be helped’. The glaring transport issue, followed by the FT issue. Shall we expect that "Ministerial salaries also "cannot be helped"?


Why is it that in the past, we feel united, and have the hope that as long as we work hard, we will be rewarded? The case now is that the factor of ‘hope’ is missing. With the current policies, Singaporeans do not feel hopeful. Elections after elections, we are given empty promises, and we start losing the sight of the light, and I have to say the current leaders are failing to bring in that ray of hope, which is what successful leaders do. Perhaps, a plunge in their own pay will set themselves up as examples, to feel what the people feel - which is the least they could do, if they can’t come up with better ideas.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/506696https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/506696Mon, 25 Jul 2011 08:07:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Mon, 25 Jul 2011 01:17:07 GMT]]>wo, brace ourselves for more imported ‘talents’ coming

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/505625https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/505625Mon, 25 Jul 2011 01:17:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Sun, 24 Jul 2011 06:48:03 GMT]]>I don’t know if our transport system is one of world’s best.


I only know that for many years, I have been ingrained to believe that our educational system is "very good"; maybe one of "world’s best" … if that’s really the case, why are our "local talents" an "inferior batch" compared to foreign talent? Is it right to therefore say that our educational system is flawed and hence cannot produce the type of "talent" we need? Hence, we import?

Yes - can someone define "foreign talent" to me?

My naive mind tells me foreign talent is a talent that is currently lacking in our society & hence, when "imported", they can contribute positively & immediately to our society… However, like i said, that’s just my naive thinking. I don’t think this is how "foreign talent" is being defined in Singapore. It seems to me "foreign talent" is just about anyone who is not Singaporean & who is willing to come here - doesn’t matter if their skill-sets aren’t relevant (ie cannot speak english or cannot understand a word of mandarin but yet they remain in service sector and work in Changi Airport; causing tourists to think that Singaporeans are "generally unable to converse in English" or they become teachers who do not have the aptitude nor patience to teach & guide but will allow their anger to get the better of them???).

I agree that foreign talent , with the relevant skill-sets will help us grow but we have to be selective and set some realistic criteria. Else, any Tom , Dick or Harry will just create more "social problems" for us & make Singaporeans an unhappy lot thus.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504940https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504940Sun, 24 Jul 2011 06:48:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Sun, 24 Jul 2011 04:12:17 GMT]]>If there are no reasons, why would Singaporeans feel unhappy and discontent?


Unless Singaporeans are too free, which I don’t think so.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504891https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504891Sun, 24 Jul 2011 04:12:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:47:40 GMT]]>

snowman.697:
It's not just that. Singaporeans take luxuries for granted and continually want more and more. When their complaints are not rectified, they not happy. That's why you have (IMHO) unreasonable ppl complaining about our country's transport system which is already one of the worlds best.

Snowman,
:hi5: in this aspect, I hold a similar view as yours :).....13-yo view 😉
I dunno if our transport system is one of the best, but I do think Singaporeans tends to be a discontented lot.......
We enjoy lotsa comforts here in Singapore, yet it's never enough......all I can say is, after a holiday trip, I always find myself feeling glad to be back in Singapore.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504524https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504524Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:47:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:10:43 GMT]]>Snowman,


How do u define best transport system? Are u working yet? Do u take public transport or do u have someone to chaffeur u? Do you know that during super peak hr, they literally push u into the train as if u r cattle? Avoid the super peak hr, but if ur company set that kind of work time, can you say you want to change it?

You called that best?? During off peak hr, not too bad, but peak hr, pls avoid the train as best as u could.especially if u have kid.





Someone, pls define ’ foreign talent '.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504425https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504425Sat, 23 Jul 2011 15:10:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:43:03 GMT]]>Have we ever consider why our Educational System or other policies have failed to produce local talents? Why the taxpayers’ monies are used to attract foreigners and not built our children?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504379https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504379Sat, 23 Jul 2011 14:43:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:19:09 GMT]]>

snowman.697:
It's not just that. Singaporeans take luxuries for granted and continually want more and more. When their complaints are not rectified, they not happy. That's why you have (IMHO) unreasonable ppl complaining about our country's transport system which is already one of the worlds best.

BTW, snowman, are there any neutral agencies that rank the world transport system? How do you substantiate that our transport system is one of the world best?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504263https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504263Sat, 23 Jul 2011 13:19:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 12:51:13 GMT]]>It’s not just that. Singaporeans take luxuries for granted and continually want more and more. When their complaints are not rectified, they not happy. That’s why you have (IMHO) unreasonable ppl complaining about our country’s transport system which is already one of the worlds best.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504240https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504240Sat, 23 Jul 2011 12:51:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to MM Lee &quot;Singaporean can’t punch above its own weight if.... on Sat, 23 Jul 2011 10:50:25 GMT]]>He may be right, statistically speaking. However, once this view is translated into policies, locals will be made to feel that only the imported is good.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504160https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/504160Sat, 23 Jul 2011 10:50:25 GMT