SINGAPORE – Officers in the public service should not try to second-guess and anticipate what their ministers will do, or propose politically convenient policies, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. Instead, they should continue to be candid and forthright in sharing their views based on their professional judgment, he added in a speech at the Annual Public Service Leadership Ceremony...
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said decisions by the political leadership will always be driven by a full commitment to do what is right for Singapore and Singaporeans.SINGAPORE – Officers in the public service should not try to second-guess and anticipate what their ministers will do, or propose politically convenient policies, said Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
The People’s Action Party does not assume the right to leadership, and will have to work hard to secure the mandate to govern, he said. So PAP leaders have to take into account these broader considerations and make a judgment on how far to go and what changes to make when considering policies. The professional inputs and objectivity of public service officers are greatly valued in tackling problems head-on, DPM Wong added.
This gave the task force confidence to weigh various options, figure out what measures were “politically wearable”, and decide on the best way forward. While this used to be more relevant for officers working in foreign policy and defence, DPM Wong said all officers must be sensitive to the new realities of the changing world order.
This will ensure the service will always have fresh perspectives and a wider range of capabilities to help it respond to any challenges, he added, noting that the pandemic showed the need for skill sets such as running operations and mobilising volunteers, as well as having a deep understanding of science and technology.
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