Protes yang sedang berlangsung di Hong Kong telah mencapai "titik puncak" dan Singapura menyaksikan perkembangan "dengan keprihatinan". - The ongoing protests in Hong Kong have reached a “breaking point” and Singapore is watching the developments “with concern”, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Monday (Nov 18). “Unless calm is restored, dialogue commences and constructive actions taken, there will be grave doubts about Hong Kong's future and the sustainability of its current governance model,” said Mr Chan in his comments to reporters at The Treasury. Hong Kong has been rocked by months of unprecedented protests, which started initially from opposition to a controversial extradition Bill, but later evolved into a wider movement calling for democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms under Chinese rule. Clashes between protesters and police have turned increasingly violent, with schools emerging as the new battleground in recent days. “We watch with concern the deterioration of the situation in Hong Kong. This is especially so for those of us with relatives in Hong Kong,” said Mr Chan. He added that Hong Kong's continued success as an economic and financial hub is important for the region and the world, including Singapore. “We wish Hong Kong the very best and sincerely hope that the situation will improve soon,” he said.FOUR LESSONS FOR SINGAPOREMr Chan cautioned that what has happened in Hong Kong can “easily happen” to Singapore if the country is complacent. He also explained four lessons that Singapore can draw from the recent uncertainties in Hong Kong. The first is to have a well-functioning political system, which works closely with the public service to anticipate challenges, execute policies well, resolve problems and improve people's lives. “Regardless of political systems and party interests, the exercise of leadership must be to put people’s and country’s interests foremost,” the minister said. Feedback channels will also be required to enable responsive and responsible governance, he added. “Only with a well-functioning political system, the right political culture and a well-oiled feedback-to-action mechanism can we make adjustments to policies as necessary, execute decisively and communicate effectively.” “Today, too many governments and societies are too focused on the immediate and domestic, without sufficient considerations for the future or external.” As an example, he cited how the access to affordable housing and essential services is fundamental to keeping society stable. “The transfer of land ownership and properties across generations cannot be at the expense of depriving future generations’ opportunities to be rewarded based on hard work and capabilities. It cannot be that those who are rich first will be rich forever without due effort.” Mr Chan noted how there have been suggestions for Singapore to include land sales proceeds in the Budget and allow private developers land bank for longer periods so as to complete projects. “Our rules put national developments, especially public housing, as priority,” he elaborated. “We are careful to not distort incentives for Government to use land sales to maximise profits. Otherwise, it is the public that will ultimately pay. We are also careful to not let private developers’ interest override wider public interest. “Revenue from long-term land sales goes into our reserves to benefit future generations. This is the discipline we adhere to,” he said. Mr Chan then moved on to the third lesson on social cohesion and conflict resolution. “Unity amidst diversity requires all parties to bear in mind the wider good of the country, while championing the respective wants of specific communities. “To insist on maximal individual gains, at the expense of the common and collective good, cannot be the Singapore way,” he said. The “Singapore way” also includes dialogue and constructive actions, instead of violence, when it comes to resolving problems. Mr Chan stressed that conflict resolution requires all parties to take actions that are responsible and constructive. Singaporeans are also ultimately responsible for our their future. “Regardless of what others say, we must bear the responsibilities and consequences of our own choices and actions. This is why we are against foreign interference in domestic politics,” he said. Lastly, the minister noted that it is never easy for small city-states to survive and thrive without a conventional hinterland for supplies, markets and opportunities. “Singapore will have to pick up the pieces ourselves should things go badly wrong,” he said. Therefore, Singapore's continued relevance to the world is “never a given” and the country must continue to work hard, distinguish itself and stay exceptional amid global uncertainties. This includes growing opportunities for local enterprises and workers, as well as providing value to regional and global geo-strategic affairs with principled perspectives and clear-eyed analysis of the challenges and opportunities, among others.

SINGAPURA: Protes yang sedang berlangsung di Hong Kong telah mencapai "titik puncak" dan Singapura menyaksikan perkembangan "dengan keprihatinan", kata Menteri Perdagangan dan Industri Chan Chun Sing, Senin (18 November).  "Jika ketenangan tidak dipulihkan, dialog akan dimulai dan tindakan konstruktif telah diambil, akan ada keraguan besar tentang masa depan Hong Kong dan keberlanjutan model pemerintahan saat ini," kata Mr Chan dalam komentarnya kepada wartawan di The Treasury.  Hong Kong telah diguncang oleh berbulan-bulan protes yang belum pernah terjadi sebelumnya, yang dimulai awalnya dari oposisi ke RUU ekstradisi yang kontroversial, tetapi kemudian berkembang menjadi gerakan yang lebih luas yang menyerukan reformasi demokratis dan penghentian kebebasan geser di bawah kekuasaan Tiongkok.  Bentrokan antara pemrotes dan polisi semakin berubah menjadi kekerasan, dengan sekolah-sekolah muncul sebagai medan pertempuran baru dalam beberapa hari terakhir.  “Kami memperhatikan dengan prihatin tentang memburuknya situasi di Hong Kong.  Ini khususnya bagi kita yang memiliki kerabat di Hong Kong, ”kata Mr Chan.  Dia menambahkan bahwa Hong Kong yang terus sukses sebagai pusat ekonomi dan keuangan penting bagi kawasan dan dunia, termasuk Singapura.  "Kami berharap Hong Kong yang terbaik dan dengan tulus berharap situasi akan segera membaik," katanya. “Our success must also be determined by our ability to enable the next generation to do even better than us,” Mr Chan added. 

EMPAT PELAJARAN UNTUK SINGAPURA 

Mr Chan mengingatkan bahwa apa yang terjadi di Hong Kong dapat "dengan mudah terjadi" ke Singapura jika negara itu berpuas diri.  Dia juga menjelaskan empat pelajaran yang bisa diambil Singapura dari ketidakpastian baru-baru ini di Hong Kong.  Yang pertama adalah memiliki sistem politik yang berfungsi dengan baik, yang bekerja erat dengan layanan publik untuk mengantisipasi tantangan, melaksanakan kebijakan dengan baik, menyelesaikan masalah dan meningkatkan kehidupan masyarakat.  "Terlepas dari sistem politik dan kepentingan partai, pelaksanaan kepemimpinan haruslah mengutamakan kepentingan rakyat dan negara," kata menteri.  Saluran umpan balik juga akan diperlukan untuk memungkinkan pemerintahan yang responsif dan bertanggung jawab, tambahnya.  “Hanya dengan sistem politik yang berfungsi dengan baik, budaya politik yang tepat, dan mekanisme umpan balik yang diminyaki dengan baik, kita dapat membuat penyesuaian terhadap kebijakan yang diperlukan, melaksanakan dengan tegas dan berkomunikasi secara efektif.” Pelajaran kedua adalah kebijakan jangka panjang  menjadikan keberhasilan pemerintah mana pun tidak dapat diukur hanya dengan jangka pendek, katanya.  "Keberhasilan kami juga harus ditentukan oleh kemampuan kami untuk memungkinkan generasi berikutnya melakukan lebih baik daripada kami," tambah Mr Chan.  “Saat ini, terlalu banyak pemerintah dan masyarakat yang terlalu fokus pada yang langsung dan domestik, tanpa pertimbangan yang memadai untuk masa depan atau eksternal.” Sebagai contoh, ia mengutip bagaimana akses ke perumahan yang terjangkau dan layanan-layanan penting adalah fundamental untuk menjaga stabilitas masyarakat.  “Pengalihan kepemilikan tanah dan properti lintas generasi tidak dapat mengorbankan kesempatan generasi mendatang untuk mendapatkan penghargaan berdasarkan kerja keras dan kemampuan.  Tidak mungkin mereka yang kaya dulu akan kaya selamanya tanpa usaha keras. ”Mr Chan mencatat bagaimana ada saran bagi Singapura untuk memasukkan hasil penjualan tanah dalam Anggaran dan mengizinkan pengembang swasta land bank untuk periode yang lebih lama sehingga dapat menyelesaikan proyek  .  “Aturan kami menempatkan pembangunan nasional, terutama perumahan publik, sebagai prioritas,” jelasnya.  “Kami berhati-hati untuk tidak mengubah insentif bagi Pemerintah untuk menggunakan penjualan tanah untuk memaksimalkan keuntungan.  Kalau tidak, masyarakatlah yang akhirnya akan membayar.  Kami juga berhati-hati untuk tidak membiarkan minat pengembang swasta menimpa kepentingan publik yang lebih luas.  “Pendapatan dari penjualan tanah jangka panjang masuk ke cadangan kami untuk memberi manfaat bagi generasi mendatang.  Ini adalah disiplin yang kami patuhi, ”katanya. Mr Chan kemudian melanjutkan ke pelajaran ketiga tentang kohesi sosial dan resolusi konflik.  “Persatuan di tengah keragaman menuntut semua pihak untuk mengingat kebaikan negara yang lebih luas, sembari memperjuangkan keinginan masing-masing komunitas tertentu.  “Untuk bersikeras pada keuntungan individu yang maksimal, dengan mengorbankan kepentingan bersama dan kolektif, tidak bisa menjadi cara Singapura,” katanya.  “Cara Singapura” juga mencakup dialog dan tindakan konstruktif, alih-alih kekerasan, dalam hal menyelesaikan masalah.  Mr Chan menekankan bahwa resolusi konflik mengharuskan semua pihak untuk mengambil tindakan yang bertanggung jawab dan konstruktif.  Warga Singapura juga pada akhirnya bertanggung jawab atas masa depan kita.  “Terlepas dari apa yang orang lain katakan, kita harus memikul tanggung jawab dan konsekuensi dari pilihan dan tindakan kita sendiri.  Inilah mengapa kami menentang campur tangan asing dalam politik dalam negeri, ”katanya.  Terakhir, menteri mencatat bahwa tidak pernah mudah bagi negara-kota kecil untuk bertahan dan berkembang tanpa pedalaman konvensional untuk pasokan, pasar, dan peluang.  "Singapura harus mengambil sendiri kepingan itu jika ada yang salah," katanya.  Oleh karena itu, relevansi berkelanjutan Singapura ke dunia adalah "tidak pernah diberikan" dan negara harus terus bekerja keras, membedakan dirinya dan tetap luar biasa di tengah ketidakpastian global.  Ini termasuk peluang yang berkembang untuk perusahaan dan pekerja lokal, serta memberikan nilai bagi urusan geo-strategis regional dan global dengan perspektif berprinsip dan analisis yang jelas tentang tantangan dan peluang, antara lain.

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SINGAPORE: The ongoing protests in Hong Kong have reached a “breaking point” and Singapore is watching the developments “with concern”, said Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing on Monday (Nov 18). “Unless calm is restored, dialogue commences and constructive actions taken, there will be grave doubts about Hong Kong's future and the sustainability of its current governance model,” said Mr Chan in his comments to reporters at The Treasury. Hong Kong has been rocked by months of unprecedented protests, which started initially from opposition to a controversial extradition Bill, but later evolved into a wider movement calling for democratic reforms and a halt to sliding freedoms under Chinese rule. Clashes between protesters and police have turned increasingly violent, with schools emerging as the new battleground in recent days. “We watch with concern the deterioration of the situation in Hong Kong. This is especially so for those of us with relatives in Hong Kong,” said Mr Chan. He added that Hong Kong's continued success as an economic and financial hub is important for the region and the world, including Singapore. “We wish Hong Kong the very best and sincerely hope that the situation will improve soon,” he said.

FOUR LESSONS FOR SINGAPORE

Mr Chan cautioned that what has happened in Hong Kong can “easily happen” to Singapore if the country is complacent. He also explained four lessons that Singapore can draw from the recent uncertainties in Hong Kong. The first is to have a well-functioning political system, which works closely with the public service to anticipate challenges, execute policies well, resolve problems and improve people's lives. “Regardless of political systems and party interests, the exercise of leadership must be to put people’s and country’s interests foremost,” the minister said. Feedback channels will also be required to enable responsive and responsible governance, he added. “Only with a well-functioning political system, the right political culture and a well-oiled feedback-to-action mechanism can we make adjustments to policies as necessary, execute decisively and communicate effectively.” “Today, too many governments and societies are too focused on the immediate and domestic, without sufficient considerations for the future or external.” As an example, he cited how the access to affordable housing and essential services is fundamental to keeping society stable. “The transfer of land ownership and properties across generations cannot be at the expense of depriving future generations’ opportunities to be rewarded based on hard work and capabilities. It cannot be that those who are rich first will be rich forever without due effort.” Mr Chan noted how there have been suggestions for Singapore to include land sales proceeds in the Budget and allow private developers land bank for longer periods so as to complete projects. “Our rules put national developments, especially public housing, as priority,” he elaborated. “We are careful to not distort incentives for Government to use land sales to maximise profits. Otherwise, it is the public that will ultimately pay. We are also careful to not let private developers’ interest override wider public interest. “Revenue from long-term land sales goes into our reserves to benefit future generations. This is the discipline we adhere to,” he said. Mr Chan then moved on to the third lesson on social cohesion and conflict resolution. “Unity amidst diversity requires all parties to bear in mind the wider good of the country, while championing the respective wants of specific communities. “To insist on maximal individual gains, at the expense of the common and collective good, cannot be the Singapore way,” he said. The “Singapore way” also includes dialogue and constructive actions, instead of violence, when it comes to resolving problems. Mr Chan stressed that conflict resolution requires all parties to take actions that are responsible and constructive. Singaporeans are also ultimately responsible for our their future. “Regardless of what others say, we must bear the responsibilities and consequences of our own choices and actions. This is why we are against foreign interference in domestic politics,” he said. Lastly, the minister noted that it is never easy for small city-states to survive and thrive without a conventional hinterland for supplies, markets and opportunities. “Singapore will have to pick up the pieces ourselves should things go badly wrong,” he said. Therefore, Singapore's continued relevance to the world is “never a given” and the country must continue to work hard, distinguish itself and stay exceptional amid global uncertainties. This includes growing opportunities for local enterprises and workers, as well as providing value to regional and global geo-strategic affairs with principled perspectives and clear-eyed analysis of the challenges and opportunities, among others.