Character: Ahmad Ibrahim

Council: Singapore Parliament

Issue: The Question of Singapores Political System
In the 1950s, Singapore was a third world country, reeling from the effects of the Japanese occupation.
The british had introduced the legislative Assembly, as a way to help Singapore prepare for Independence
and attain internal self rule. I was elected as an Independent in the First Legislative Assembly.
Corruption within the government was eminent. Communism was a big threat to Singapores political
system.The weak leadership in Singapore led rise to the communist situation in Singapore. The Hock Lee
Bus Riots in 1955 and the Chinese Middle School Riots in 1956 Led by Lim Chin Siong, who co-founded
Peoples Action Party (PAP), serves as examples to the corruption within Singapores government. David
Marshalls handling of the communist situation was poor. In efforts to stop the threat of communism, the
Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) was declared illegal and was subjected to countermeasures by the
government. All members of the Singapore Town Committee, CPMs central committee for Singapore,
were also arrested in 1950.
The lack of multiracialism was another issue that needed to be tackled. The tension between races was
high after the separation and so multiracialism was introduced with that in mind. Multiracialism was used
as a method for social control by having all races treated fairly and unbiasly. Hence there would be no
reason for any discord or tensions between the races. Multiracialism also aimed to sustain and support
each races cultural identities, which gave them a sense of identity.
Singapores economy was an important problem that needed attention. Singapores economy was very
specific with most of it coming from the ports industry. Singapore only attracted specific clientele.
Singapores port was used as an entrepot however, the development of better ships which could travel for
a longer time resulted in less ships needing to stop in Singapores port. This greatly affected Singapores
economy. A central government planning was hard to plan as the economy was extremely broad and
varied. Most of the goods made in Singapore that were exported were cheaper to make in the countries
that they were exported to and so Singapores manufacturing industry was not doing well. The
government decided to promote industrialisation through the import substitution strategy and in the 1970s
Singapore moved to the service industry.
Singapores government lacked experience and this was a huge limitation. In India, the British had been
slowly giving the Indians power in the government and that helped the Indian government run smoothly
when the British left. Lee Kuan Yew was also the youngest prime minister in the Commonwealth
countries which goes to show how inexperienced the Singapore government was. Singapore was
surrounded by two successful countries, Malaysia and Indonesia, together with the fact that China was
trying to turn South-east Asia into communist countries meant that Singapore was at risk of being
invaded. Indonesias first president was a very strong anti-colonialist while Lee Kuan Yew felt that we
still needed the British around and this led to a clash between Singapore and Indonesia. Singapore made
itself indisposable to other countries in order to fix relations and survive.
Issue: 30-Year plan to sustain Singapore

I am Sam Tan, elected in 2006 to the Tanjong Pagar GRC, and in 2011, was re-elected in the newly carved
out Radin Mas SMC. I served as senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and MCYS. I am also
the Mayor of Central Singapore. I am also currently serving as the Minister of State for the MCCY. I
strive for a more inclusive Singapore that is self reliant and truly believe in the capability of the PAP
government.
In order to sustain itself, Singapore needs to stabilize its water supply. Currently, we have treaties with
Malaysia to get water and we also have NEWater. Getting water from Malaysia is not a reliable way to get
water as they could stop giving us water at anytime. As such, I would suggest that the government spend
some money on research and development for a new alternative to get water so that we are not overly
reliant on Malaysia. In addition, i would suggest an establishment of an International Water Sustainability
Organisation to facilitate water related issues and spearhead research centre for alternative water
production or creation.
The issue on the economy of Singapore is a vital problem that need to recognised and improved.
Currently, Singapore has several manufacturing plans such as the Rolls Royce Factory in Seletar and the
Aerospace manufacturing Industry constitute to almost 50% of the economy which puts us in a risky state
with regards to employment and the economy as a whole. We should consider shifting our focus to the
service industry and reduce the reliance on the manufacturing companies. According to the advice given
by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce and Industry suggested that we should regenerate the
small and medium sized businesses like tuition industry, accounting firms, computer related services and
other service related companies.. This would spread our risk and create a more safer economy.
One of the most critical issue to me is the Education System in the country. We need to improve the
education system so as to produce more Einsteins and Steve Jobs. We need to allow the conditions for the
students and the citizens to dream and think of innovations in a more creative way rather than make a
formalised process and kill the very free creative thought process.
It could be seen that Singaporeans for the mere need to want to tow the line have become mechanised in
the way they operate in their daily lives. This apparently robs us from thinking out of the box and creating
breakthrough strategies, products or innovations.
Overall, I feel that a PAP government is the only party and government that can achieve a Sustainable
living environment for all Singaporeans. While maintaining a balance between Foreigners and
Singaporeans is needed, we cannot do anything that will jeopardize our relationships with our neighbours
or our friends. Foreign Investments and continued good trade in Singapore is needed to maintain the high
standard of living in Singapore.