Invest in what works to keep Singapore successful: SM Lee

Republic has built on, maintained path laid out by first-gen leaders and citizens, he says

- Tham Yuen-C

The path that Singapore took to get to where it is today started with fierce struggles against colonialism, communism, and communalism, and this crucial factor in the country's development cannot be easily replicated, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

It was this experience that shaped the first generation of leaders and citizens who came together and worked hard to put Singapore on the path of success, he added.

"Because we have been able to build on that and maintain that, we have stayed in the Garden of Eden for more than one generation," he said, referring to the biblical paradise where the first man and woman believed to have been created by God lived before they got expelled after tasting the forbidden fruit.

The way to remain in this ideal state is to continue investing in what works, he added.

"Between buying insurance in case you fall out of the Garden of Eden and investing in this so that it continues to work well, I say, do not spread your bets. Focus, make sure this works," he said.

SM Lee was speaking on Nov 12 (Nov 13, Singapore time) at the Edwin L. Godkin Lecture. He also answered questions about governance during a moderated discussion at the Harvard Kennedy School in Boston, Massachusetts, during a working visit to the US.

In the 20-minute speech, he shared his insights on governance, touching on Singapore's history and how it shaped the country's trajectory.

Singapore first fought against its colonial master, Britain, and gained self-government, then full independence. This was followed by a big political battle over whether to have a left-wing pro-communist or democratic non-communist government.

The struggle against the communist threat then partly led to Singapore's entry into a new Federation of Malaysia, but the fundamental differences between the ruling parties of Singapore and Malaysia on multiracialism and race-based politics eventually led to Singapore being expelled.