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future direction of Singapore and the public sector |
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From left:
PS of Ministry of Defence and Prime
Minister’s Office Chiang Chie Foo,
Mr Ho, Ms Lim and Mr Tan formed the
panel for the plenary discussion. |
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Top leaders of the Public Service shared the future direction of Singapore and the public sector with more than 1,000 officers from some 70 ministries and statutory boards gathered at the Esplanade Theatre on 25 May 2006.
The Public Service Staff Conference is a new platform to engender a shared perspective of the operating landscape facing Singapore and the Public Service, and to communicate the direction forward to leaders in all public agencies. The Staff Conference is a manifestation of the “Many Agencies, One Government” paradigm.
At the inaugural half-day conference, Head of Civil
Service Peter Ho gave the opening address. This
was followed by presentations by Deputy Secretary
(Policy) of Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mr Andrew
Tan; Permanent Secretary (PS) of Ministry of Finance,
Mr Lim Siong Guan; and PS of Public Service Division,
Ms Lim Soo Hoon.
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More
than 1,000 officers from some 70 ministries
and statutory boards attended
the inaugural conference held at the
Esplanade Theatre. |
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In his address, Mr Ho talked about the imperative need for the Public Service to change to ensure Singapore’s survival in the fast-changing global environment.
“I believe we are at or entering a major discontinuity
where doing the same will result in failure, not
just failure of government, but the end of the Singapore
dream,”
he said.
“The Public Service must prepare, plan and organise
ourselves for a future of uncertainty and
rapid change.”
Mr Ho said that a networked government would ensure that the Public Service is better able to tackle serious concerns, such as terrorism and epidemics, as well as seize promising opportunities that arise, such as hosting landmark events for inter-governmental organisations.
He went on to describe how to achieve a networked
government by changing the way the Public Service
works and thinks, adding that several central coordinating
structures, such as the National Security Coordination
Secretariat, have been formed to engage public agencies
to work together.
As for the new mindset that the Public Service needs
to have, Mr Ho asserted: “We at all levels and all
agencies must start to see ourselves as officers
of the Singapore Public Service, work together to
serve common national interests, and not just our
agencies’ outcomes.
We must have the same understanding of the national
objectives and priorities and how our roles fit
in and contribute towards the
bigger picture.”
Mr Andrew Tan’s briefing on the external geopolitical developments impacting Singapore reinforced Mr Ho’s points.
He said public agencies need to be more attuned to external trends and developments, improve inter-agency coordination to tackle complex problems, review existing corporate structures to better harness knowledge and expertise, and develop the keen instincts to operate in the new environment.
Building upon what was shared earlier, Mr Lim Siong
Guan said the direction for the future and for the
Public Service must be powered
by "LSD":
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the need to
Lead — be prepared,
able and willing to lead the competition |
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the need for
Speed — changing in
good time, so as to stay ahead of the future;
and changing in good times, because it is
easier for people and organisations to make
changes and adjustments when times are good |
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the need to Differentiate — build on our strengths as a trusted centre for quality and service, develop our knowledge hub and connect with citizens, customers, investors and visitors around the world “who will support us and help us succeed” |
Ms Lim Soo Hoon highlighted how PS21, which is a movement to deal with change, will play a vital role in building the Public Service’s capacity for the future.
She pointed out that PS21, which was launched in 1995, has galvanised the public sector towards a common vision and purpose. It has also helped the Public Service to build capacity beyond individual agencies to serve whole-of-government outcomes.
In the light of future uncertainties, PS21 will be even more important and relevant to the Public Service.
“I believe PS21 is absolutely important and critical for us to help build whole-of-government capacity,” she said.
“It’s a cliché no doubt, but it is really a mindset
change — to try and bring that passion for
the Service, that sense of urgency, back to the
system. And I think it is absolutely important for
us, that much as we all may operate and behave like
separate agencies, deep down we all must understand
that we all belong to the same Public Service.”
Urging all present to communicate Singapore’s challenges and future direction with their organisations and staff, she said: “Most important of all, as leaders working in this complex environment, you have a responsibility to get us to think of ourselves as one Public Service... many agencies, one government.” |
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By Challenge Editorial
Team |
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“The
Public Service must prepare, plan and
organise ourselves for a future of uncertainty
and rapid change.”
Mr
Peter Ho, Head of Civil Service |
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