As someone who has been posted abroad, I can see that we are following the ossification process like bureaucracies in other countries, albeit gradually.

Basically, no one dares to make the call now; no one wants to shoulder the responsibility. The easiest way is to push the responsibility upwards or sideways. Perhaps Singapore has entered that phase of its history/development.

Compare this to pioneer civil servants who dared to say "no" to politicians (for example, J Y Pillay, the PS who said "no" to the PM.) In past dynasties, the founding ruler, who had fought battles to win his dynasty, listened to his advisers. Those who had fought alongside the emperor/king would remonstrate with the emperor/king if they disagreed. In fact, in many cases, the views of the council of ministers had actually overridden the desire of the ruler. But successors of the ruler became more powerful, and the ministers became less willing to go against the ruler's wishes.

Another issue may be that the Civil Service is not fault tolerant; hence, no one wants to take risks. The overall effect in the long term is service that becomes more and more conservative.

Pang Te Cheng

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Pang Te Cheng wins a selection of traditional Japanese delicacies worth $100.