Conversation with SM Lee Hsien Loong at the 2024 Edwin L. Godkin Lecture

[@gm2023MJ]

I had the good fortune of growing up under the leadership of Pioneer leaders up to the present leaders. As such, I witnessed firsthand and underwent a profound change in seeing how we lived in Kampongs and moved on to Public Housing, Condos etc, and how our children had the opportunity to attain tertiary education and how we all moved on. All these were possible through the unwavering leadership over the decades. Thank You SM Lee for your leadership which you learned from the founding fathers and now passing the baton to a younger generation of leaders to continue leading Singapore with an effective leadership in place.

[@JoelJoel-zp6tm]

SM Lee is absolutely Brilliant! Thank you and lots of respect for what he has done for Singapore ❤

[@ssvegeto1610]

so so grateful that we have had a world class leaders for our country, thank you for you and your father's service to the nation SM Lee

[@arcencielc2065]

I count my blessings that my family and I live in Singapore. It is as good as it can get. The pasture else where may not be greener.

[@tinateh]

We learned valuable lessons from SARS in the 2003 and with each pandemic since, we kept tweaking on being pandemic ready and building our healthcare infrastructure so we were able to leverage on what was available in the system. One thing Singapore does well is organising resources and implementing change quickly.

[@jacquelinebary4168]

Singaporeans are lucky to hv a caring Govt.V proud to be born in Singapore and lucky my ancestors came here when they were young.V gd karma😊

[@Hujjathullah-fz7qh]

So realistic, so down to earth and franckly delivered. Rationality did not overide religious tropes ! Hope many aspiring leaders across the world can profitably tap in. 😂 ❤

[@franciscody9622]

NOT REALISTIC because the Singapore government is not open and transparent so the whole truth is not known.

[@leanne2330]

​@franciscody9622 huh?

[@franciscody9622]

@@leanne2330 SM Lee's political party has been steadily losing support from voters and will most likely lose a lot more at the coming elections possibly to below 50%. So the majority of Singaporean voters will be against his party. Let that sink in.

[@solaris5655]

@@franciscody9622 I think voters may still be concerned about the quality of the opposition parties, especially the trolling and flooding of CNA and PM's Office youtube channel comment areas. I believe some voters would be annoyed by such spamming, so the PAP might still have hope since they are seen as more professional (competency vs spam).

[@franciscody9622]

@solaris5655 The government is not open and transparent. This is a fact. The Opposition does not know more than the public. So what the Opposition proposes is based on very limited information. This makes it easy for the PAP to "trash" what is proposed as unrealistic or based only on speculation and conjecture. What the Opposition and the public should agitate for us open and transparent government so issues can be discussed using ALL relevant information.

[@rogerer7502]

We are one of the best country under the lee founder

[@solaris5655]

@@franciscody9622 Based on his/her own real-life experience. What's the problem with you? Opposing for the sake of opposing is the trademark of WP or SDP. Idiotic and troll.

[@nigellim4660]

I'm proud of being Singaporean ❤🎉

[@maikeirini4631]

Judging from the reaction of the audience to SM Lee's comments on Adam and Eve in Genesis, I think he probably knows more of the Bible than most people there, even though he's not a professed Christian!

[@jenniferwong5748]

Thank you! 🥰 ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@yenthimuthu7245]

Sir I Have Already Watch Thanks.

Thank You SM LHL, appreciate yours and LKY leadership to make Singapore a shining red dot on this planet. THANK YOU.

[@ongyekron]

Not a planet

[@audreygiamlayhoon]

Beautiful oratory - mastery not just of content, but also of language ❤.

[@aquakey9834]

if this isn't a world class statesman i dunno what is

[@jbrkjferkjbekjb]

he is very good, although I feel that he belongs to a more conservative/traditional era in terms of how he views laws, politics, opposition parties, etc. I would hope for him to have a bit more idealism but alas he is extremely practical, almost to a fault.

[@aquakey9834]

@@jbrkjferkjbekjb in a democratic society one need to appeal to the majority to win elections. i think the majority in singapore shares his point of view.

[@jbrkjferkjbekjb]

@@aquakey9834 I think the majority agrees with his economic decisions. But not the majority agrees with his approach towards laws, treatment of opposition, etc. moreover, there is no alternative to the ruling party currently so using "winning elections" as a benchmark for measuring approval/performance is of little utility. Not denying that overall it's still 'okay' but just highlighting areas for improvement.

[@tradingfriends-js4ss]

看到這段對話很有感觸。這讓我想到台灣在民主轉型過程中也經歷過類似的辯論。 李顯龍確實展現了傑出的治國能力，特別是在經濟發展和國際外交方面。但我認同這位網友提出的觀點，即務實與理想之間的平衡確實值得討論。 關於「多數民意」這個論點，情況可能比表面更複雜。在台灣的經驗中，我們看到選民的訴求往往是多面向的：他們可能認同某些政策，同時也期待政治制度的革新。這讓我想到台灣在90年代走向完全民主化時的轉變。 至於缺乏強而有力的在野黨這點，或許可以從另一個角度來看：這可能反映了政治生態需要時間醞釀和發展。就像台灣的政黨政治也是經過數十年才逐漸成形。 我覺得這種理性且深入的討論非常寶貴。它展現了人們對政治發展的關注不只停留在表面，而是能夠深入探討體制的優缺點。

[@berryvery3111]

Thank you Sen. Minister Lee

[@kcl2050]

​​@@franciscody9622what is your objection.freedom of speech

[@yenthimuthu7245]

Sir As Nations We Will Always Appreciate You For The Support That As Given To Us As A Senior Minister. Thanks.

[@BaniahBaniah-j5l]

Gd bless you my fmly people congrats 😊

[@h.l6849]

Thank you, former Prime Minister Lee. The country owes the late LKY and you a huge debt. Hope you will publish a book soon. It would benefit a new generation of Singaporeans. They would learn and benefit from your experience, your pov, your priorities, and your decisions.

[@henryyip1]

Please And The Honourable Goh Chok Tong too

[@teeteetuu94]

@@henryyip1 Ah yes... the Father, the Son, and the Holy Goh.

[@Diderot68]

Good job 👍! Hope Singaporeans do not forget how our government led the fight against Covid comes the next elections.

[@bdjeosjfjdskskkdjdnfbdj]

us politics has a lot to learn from singapore

[@franciscody9622]

Not really. Singapore is not a real democracy and the government is not open and transparent. There is no free press. So elections are not free and fair.

[@solaris5655]

The moderator, Graham Allison a professor at Harvard Kennedy School, has written about the governance model of Singapore in comparison to the United States and the United Kingdom. In his article titled "What the West Can Learn From Singapore," he highlights several key areas where Singapore excels in governance, suggesting that the U.S. could adopt certain practices from Singapore to improve its own systems. Key Points from Graham Allison's Analysis Economic Performance: Allison notes that Singapore's GDP per capita has surpassed that of the U.S., reflecting effective economic management. He emphasizes that Singapore has significantly reduced inequality, as evidenced by a decrease in its Gini coefficient from 0.47 to 0.37, while the U.S. remains stagnant around 0.47. Public Health and Longevity: The article points out that Singaporeans enjoy better health outcomes, with a life expectancy of 84 years and significantly lower infant mortality rates compared to the U.S. and UK. Allison argues that Singapore was well-prepared for public health crises like COVID-19, with far fewer deaths per capita than its Western counterparts. Education System: Singaporean students consistently outperform their peers in international assessments, which Allison cites as a testament to the effectiveness of its education policies. Political Stability and Governance: The stability of Singapore's government and its low levels of corruption are highlighted as strengths. Allison mentions that multinational corporations view Singapore as an ideal place for business due to its political and legal environment. Citizen Satisfaction: Despite criticisms regarding political freedoms, Allison notes that a large majority of Singaporeans express satisfaction with their government and believe the country is headed in the right direction, contrasting sharply with American sentiments about their own governance. Implications for U.S. Governance Allison's analysis suggests that U.S. policymakers could learn from Singapore’s approach to governance, particularly in areas such as: Economic Management: Implementing policies that effectively reduce inequality and enhance economic growth. Public Health Preparedness: Developing robust public health systems capable of responding efficiently to crises. Education Reform: Focusing on improving educational outcomes through innovative teaching methods and curriculum development. Political Stability: Encouraging a more stable political environment that fosters trust in institutions. Overall, Allison's insights present a case for examining how elements of Singapore's governance could potentially benefit the United States in addressing its own challenges related to public satisfaction, economic disparity, and institutional effectiveness.

[@peterkim5956]

What a contrast to our president! 😢

[@anailian8217]

SM Lee Hsien Loong 👍🏻

[@sttalk2500]

What kind of Prime minister is considered an excellent prime minister?

[@sothysong7113]

USA would wish for a president like this 😂😂

[@sttalk2500]

You got land, you build estate, why he dun mention the price of the estates?

[@MyHanck]

If we want to have evidence, there is no need for faith.

[@JaceTan-90]

Last question is the best.

[@mimig1900]

❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@timidhamster2497]

Singapore could benefit more from infrastructure development alongside housing. Rather than solely extending the railway network, expanding it more widely to accommodate for e.g express subway services train services to create a denser, more comprehensive system. This approach would not only ease travel for commuters but also support businesses.

[@franciscody9622]

The government should invest more in Singaporeans, not infrastructure.

[@kcl2050]

​​@@franciscody9622is investing in infrastructure not benefitting Singaporeans? I am expressing my view. 😊😊😊.

[@solaris5655]

@@franciscody9622 could you tell us which of the below benefits you DID NOT receive? so we can understand your grievances. i do agree that we should have opposition voices, it appeals to my ideals too. but be professional and truthful. if you did not benefited from the various measures then elaborate rather than throwing random darts to annoy voters. The Singapore government has implemented various measures to mitigate the cost of living, particularly focusing on support for different demographic groups, including the elderly, families with babies, and middle-income households. Below is a comprehensive list of these initiatives: General Cost of Living Support Assurance Package Enhancements: A total of $1.9 billion has been allocated to enhance the Assurance Package, which includes: Cash payouts ranging from $200 to $400 for eligible adults in September 2024. Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers totaling $600 per household, disbursed in two tranches ($300 each in June 2024 and January 2025) for use at participating merchants and supermarkets. U-Save rebates for HDB households to help offset utilities expenses, with additional rebates planned throughout 2024. Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates, providing up to 4 months of rebates for eligible households in FY2024136. Support for the Elderly Pioneer Generation Package: Introduced to provide lifelong healthcare subsidies for seniors who were part of the first generation of Singaporeans4. Merdeka Generation Package: Offers healthcare support for seniors born in the 1950s, including subsidies for outpatient care and MediSave top-ups4. Silver Support Scheme: Provides quarterly cash payouts to eligible seniors aged 65 and above who had low incomes during their working years. This includes: Automatic assessments for eligibility, with payouts starting from $360 per quarter7. Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF): Supports seniors requiring mobility devices or home care services2. Community Networks for Seniors: A program that connects seniors with community resources and activities to promote active aging4. Support for Families with Babies Childcare Subsidies: The government provides various subsidies for parents using childcare services, including: Baby Bonus Scheme, which offers cash gifts and a Child Development Account (CDA) that matches savings made by parents. Enhanced maternity leave and paternity leave policies, ensuring parents have adequate time off to care for newborns while maintaining job security. Support for Middle-Income Households SkillsFuture Initiatives: These programs include training allowances and credits aimed at helping workers upgrade their skills, thereby improving employability and income potential3. Housing Grants: Various grants are available to assist families in purchasing homes, making housing more affordable6. These measures reflect the government's commitment to addressing the cost of living challenges faced by Singaporeans across different life stages and socioeconomic backgrounds.

[@cheekhoonchan1627]

re: Covid (12:03), GoS will be attentive to congested workplaces & housing (esp for migrant workers) in pandemic preparedness planning for future novel infectious outbreaks (Singapore fortunately had very few undocumented MWs, a major vulnerability in Malaysia’s case). Could Singapore do better proactively, re: future access to pandemic vaccines and other pandemic essentials? (local manufacturing capacity? Singapore qualifies as a desirable location for an international (public) goods enterprise (with a WHO mandate & funding?) to proactively conduct relevant research, product development, and (scaled-up) manufacture of vaccines & therapeutics (small population size whose domestic pandemic needs could be speedily satisfied, to allow for timely bulk exports of pandemic essentials to needy countries)

[@MayuriEswarie]

34:38

[@NewmaticKe]

2:26

[@yenthimuthu7245]

Sir Sorry I Have Already Watch I Am Busy Any Way Thanks.

[@BaniahBaniah-j5l]

Lee a This is fmly people forever, people forever is my adoptive family, last year Chinese new year chains new year they one fmly came at chains twn, food crt restaurant .. is this my explanation

[@channel-ol1yn]

The person who asked the first question is so annoying, promoting himself while pretending to praise singapore. Yet he claims to be the chairman of American chamber. Such unbecoming behaviour. Glad that he is the only person the moderator has to put back in his place.

[@MIS0DIGITAL]

RED Team 💪 Citizen Operating Model

[@franciscody9622]

Not true if the government is not open and transparent and elections are not free and fair.

[@ongyekron]

Mr Lhl when u gonna talk about FE?

[@sansinlau5129]

大馬刑事案件主任刘少新，交流

[@anziar3038]

That's a first-world PAP.❤ The WP leader is struggling to prove himself innocent in court for lying under oath.😂😂

[@franciscody9622]

Singapore is NOT First world in terms of Standard of Living and productivity. It has First World per capita GDP, Infrastructure and COST of Living with stagnant wages.

[@solaris5655]

@@franciscody9622 wages are not stagnant. fresh graduates now earning over SGD4300. most companies can still afford at least 3% annual increment to cover inflation. not sure why you don't think you are living in first world, if you compare with ASEAN, Taiwan, Hong Kong, China. we are doing fine. spamming will not help win votes for opposition, it will instead annoy more people.

[@sttalk2500]

​@solaris5655 You can not compare this way. Not many people earn SGD 4300. There are people earn less than this amount, some are much lesser. But the cost of living is getting out if hand. If you want to compare, please compare the price in 2022 and now. Opposition Party do ask need to increase GST since the GST is in percentage mode, meaning even the GST is at 7 %, consumer still pay more on GST if price of the items increase. Worst still, Singapore are now on to robotic world, and the cost of living us high and can the government ensure in the future, that the job can cater for around 4 to 5 million population. The future can not be assured.CPF is cap and not flexible, climate changes are creating uncertainty to the world. Without Opposition Party, can you be sure that the government will give out those rebate? And the government have said rebate is not granted forever. And they never promise us Singaporean anything actually, they can suddenly increase this increase that. Job is not granted so it does not mean today you earn SGD 4300 mean two years later you can earn the same amount or more. It can be less also. A good government should have the ability to ensure our earning are ensure. If then their salary should not be ensure too. By the way since you compare other country, you should know right, our government salary is the highest among the world. Why are their salary so high? Majority of the minister and even prime minister and president are not doctorate, no need to mention AP and P.

[@caiby48]

💃🏻 孔子曰己所不欲 勿施于人，大学之道在明明德在亲民止于至善。 西方国家缺乏认知中华祖先文化遗产是难取得永久性世界和平与社会安定。 政治领导层与政府部门如果缺乏德育的人才，是不能维持理想中之短与长远国家建设。 不仅如此，人民缺乏深入德育学问与力行德育，也很难协助下一代取得幸福美满人生。 所以啊，在好的制度而缺乏德育，久之国家人民就会面临危机，遭受自然灾害与人为灾害。大家共勉之。 国家人民安泰幸福匹夫有责也🕺🏻

[@AB-vw8wz]

Can you please respond on how you threat LSY ?

[@anchored555]

In the West, family matters (eg his relationship with his siblings) are regarded as personal and not public business.

[@tradingfriends-js4ss]

我認為這是新加坡的內部事務，我們應該以更高的格局來看待。李顯龍資政在執政期間，無論功過都應該從政策和施政的角度來評價。 家族糾紛確實令人遺憾，但這不應該成為我們評價一個領導人的唯一標準。更重要的是關注： 新加坡的民主發展 國家治理的專業程度 對外政策的平衡性 多元族群的融合 批評從政者應該著重在其政策方向與施政成效上，而不是純粹針對個人或家庭議題。這樣的討論才有意義。 望各位以更客觀的角度思考。

[@solaris5655]

@@tradingfriends-js4ss agreed. election is coming so the opposition parties are spamming on CNA and PM's Office youtube comment areas. it actually achieved the opposite, that voters are annoyed by such low tactics of deschan, martinarcher, maybe franciscody if i'm not mistaken of his intention. they often neglect to mention the CDP vouchers and other CPF topups and utility rebates to compensate for higher cost of living. they repeat the cost of living narratives but don't say about the mitigation measures, which ironically they also benefited.

[@limanne9559]

新加坡元總理掌控政府治權❤國家總統是個吉祥雲

[@tradingfriends-js4ss]

新加坡的政治制度其實與英國的議會制度有些相似之處。就像英國有國王作為國家元首，而首相負責實際政務一樣，新加坡也採用類似的體制。 不過這並不表示總統只是虛位元首。就如同英國君主立憲制度中，國王在憲政體制中仍具有其重要性和象徵意義，新加坡總統也在憲法框架下扮演關鍵角色，特別是在國家重大決策和財政把關等方面。 最近李顯龍從總理轉任資深部長的安排，讓我想到英國歷任首相轉任資深議員的慣例，這是延續政治經驗的一種方式。這種制度設計都是為了確保政府運作的穩定性和延續性。 我覺得簡單說某個職位只是虛位或是完全掌權，都過於簡化了現代民主政體的複雜性。 Singapore's political system shares some similarities with the British parliamentary system. Just as Britain has the King as head of state while the Prime Minister handles governmental affairs, Singapore adopts a similar system. However, this doesn't mean the President is merely ceremonial. Just as the British monarch holds importance and symbolic significance within their constitutional monarchy, Singapore's President plays key roles within their constitutional framework, especially in major national decisions and fiscal oversight. The recent transition of Lee Hsien Loong from Prime Minister to Senior Minister reminds me of how British former Prime Ministers often continue serving as senior parliamentarians - it's a way to preserve political experience. These institutional designs aim to ensure governmental stability and continuity. I think it's oversimplifying to say any position is either purely ceremonial or all-powerful - modern democratic systems are more complex than that.

[@ongyekron]

Lol Covid

[@ongyekron]

Does LHL know that the earth is flat?

[@rogerer7502]

Govt 101% good but only 1 thing - sin citizens n piooner n poor n elderly struggle to survive - salary n cost living in 1st world country salary min must $3900-$5000

[@franciscody9622]

Good using what metrics?

[@arcencielc2065]

If min salary is $3900 to $5000, please be mentally prepared to pay $10 for your cai fan (chicken or pork and 1 veg).

[@solaris5655]

could you list down the government measures such as CDP vouchers, pioneer card rebates, CPF medisafe topups, utility rebates that you enjoyed? be honest what you received.

[@solaris5655]

@@franciscody9622 The Singapore government has implemented various measures to mitigate the cost of living, particularly focusing on support for different demographic groups, including the elderly, families with babies, and middle-income households. Below is a comprehensive list of these initiatives: General Cost of Living Support Assurance Package Enhancements: A total of $1.9 billion has been allocated to enhance the Assurance Package, which includes: Cash payouts ranging from $200 to $400 for eligible adults in September 2024. Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers totaling $600 per household, disbursed in two tranches ($300 each in June 2024 and January 2025) for use at participating merchants and supermarkets. U-Save rebates for HDB households to help offset utilities expenses, with additional rebates planned throughout 2024. Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) rebates, providing up to 4 months of rebates for eligible households in FY2024136. Support for the Elderly Pioneer Generation Package: Introduced to provide lifelong healthcare subsidies for seniors who were part of the first generation of Singaporeans4. Merdeka Generation Package: Offers healthcare support for seniors born in the 1950s, including subsidies for outpatient care and MediSave top-ups4. Silver Support Scheme: Provides quarterly cash payouts to eligible seniors aged 65 and above who had low incomes during their working years. This includes: Automatic assessments for eligibility, with payouts starting from $360 per quarter7. Seniors’ Mobility and Enabling Fund (SMF): Supports seniors requiring mobility devices or home care services2. Community Networks for Seniors: A program that connects seniors with community resources and activities to promote active aging4. Support for Families with Babies Childcare Subsidies: The government provides various subsidies for parents using childcare services, including: Baby Bonus Scheme, which offers cash gifts and a Child Development Account (CDA) that matches savings made by parents. Enhanced maternity leave and paternity leave policies, ensuring parents have adequate time off to care for newborns while maintaining job security. Support for Middle-Income Households SkillsFuture Initiatives: These programs include training allowances and credits aimed at helping workers upgrade their skills, thereby improving employability and income potential3. Housing Grants: Various grants are available to assist families in purchasing homes, making housing more affordable6. These measures reflect the government's commitment to addressing the cost of living challenges faced by Singaporeans across different life stages and socioeconomic backgrounds.

[@caringsyafinazbintezainal1]

NCT Mark Lee hates Lee Hsien Loong too 😂😂

[@alangoh198]

👍🇸🇬

[@bell-xk5dd]

@@franciscody9622 What’s your frigging problem ?

[@YewWaiWong-x2m]

Start decorating for Christmas.

[@mariantia926]

Next era, AI generated minister as Commonality, hence, there is no needs for high pay n high education, it will be operated by public notmal u n i at lower cost over longer substainability next 10 to 20 years..For example 5 mayor cost 5×660,000= 3.3 million ,with AI 66k is good enough..🤔🤫🫣

[@tradingfriends-js4ss]

我理解你對於人工智慧發展的關注。不過，我認為政府治理是非常複雜的工作，需要深入理解人性、社會關係和文化脈絡。 以新加坡為例，它的成功不只是靠著效率和數據，更重要的是領導者們對民生議題的深刻理解，以及在國際舞台上的細緻外交手腕。這些都需要真實的人性溫度和判斷力。 薪資的高低其實反映的是責任的重大 - 一個決策可能影響數百萬人的生活。純粹用成本效益來衡量政府管理，可能忽略了治理最重要的人性面向。 人工智慧確實能夠協助決策，但要完全取代人類領導者？這可能過於簡化了政府運作的本質。這就像是說自動駕駛可以完全取代計程車司機，卻忽略了司機與乘客間的互動和服務本質。

[@mariantia926]

1G to 2G makes every home owner a millionaires. 3G to 4G makes everyone a beggar, able to decipher this.?? 🤔🤫🫣

[@limlisa]

Don't agree

[@franciscody9622]

But homes are overpriced and on 99-year leasehold. They eventually be worth ZERO when the lease expires.

[@franciscody9622]

@@limlisa You are right.

[@bell-xk5dd]

@@franciscody9622 Can you name a country where its public housings are not under a 99 year lease?

[@leanne2330]

​@franciscody9622 by 99yrs, u be 120yrso. Should your children aren't capable to buy their own, they would be 90yrso. Your grandchildren would be enjoy free stay till 60 yrso. RIP. Don't be anxious or greedy on subsidised house and free environment.