Today-Nov 2
As the world faces greater geopolitical contestation, all public service leaders here will need to “sharpen (their) geopolitical instincts”, even though this has long been the domain of officers in areas such as foreign policy and defense, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Tuesday (Nov 1). All public service leaders will need to sensitize themselves to the “new realities of the changing world order”, which could include hostile foreign actors seeking to conduct influence operations in Singapore, he added.
Mr Wong, who is also the Finance Minister, was delivering a speech about how the public service can go about their work amid changes in global and local circumstances at the annual Public Service Leadership Ceremony. He also urged public service leaders to be candid and forthright when they share their assessments with political office holders, and “not try to second guess the minister or propose what you think we will find politically convenient”. Mr Wong also prefaced his speech by stating that Singapore is now confronted by multiple new challenges such as disease, war, as well as disruptions to supply chains and the economy. Beyond the external circumstances, he said there are domestic issues to grapple with, too. These include a maturing economy, and a rapidly ageing population. “Our needs are continuing to grow…But for Singapore to continue to thrive in such an environment, we must persist with an effective Government,” said Mr Wong. “(And) as we navigate the highly volatile and uncertain world ahead, this close partnership between the political leadership and Public Service will become all the more important.” Read more at: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/dpm-wong-public-servants-sharpen-geopolitical-new-cold-war-2033796
