Every citizen given a stake in Singapore's success: SM Teo

Multiculturalism, tripartism, home ownership vital to achieve this, he says

- Chin Soo Fang

The three ingredients to give every Singaporean a stake in the country’s success are multiculturalism, tripartism and home ownership, said Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean on June 19.

This is Singapore’s guiding philosophy for social governance, he said at the fourth Singapore-China Social Governance Forum.

In his speech, titled Opportunities For All, Where Everyone Has A Stake – Singapore’s Approach To Social Harmony, SM Teo said all Singaporeans, regardless of their racial or religious affiliation, have an equal stake in Singapore.

“This principle of equal treatment shaped our system of governance very fundamentally,” he said.

Singapore also fosters a sense of ownership in its labour relations through a unique tripartite partnership between workers, employers and the Government, he added.

The Government supports tripartism in various ways, including funding companies and workers for skills upgrading and investments that improve productivity, he said. Singapore also has institutions that help workers and unions resolve differences with employers.

“In this way, tripartism ensures that a worker’s work is rewarded, and everyone has a share in the fruits of progress,” SM Teo added.

A sense of ownership is also fostered by housing and the local communities in which Singaporeans live, he said. Singapore has approximately 90 per cent of home ownership among its people, one of the highest in the world. Home ownership motivates Singaporeans to work hard and invest in building a better Singapore, SM Teo said.

“Home ownership has helped forge a sense of rootedness in Singapore. This is critical for a country comprising immigrants from different races and religions with no common history,” he said, adding that Singapore’s neighbourhoods are a place to form collective memories and a shared identity.