Buzz
Business Times - 05 Aug 2005
PM Lee reveals two regrets in interview
He says he would liked to have been a leader in the turbulent 60s
By NANDE KHIN
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong wishes he had some experience of working in the private sector. And he would have liked to have been a key decision maker in Singapore in the tumultuous 1960s.
'I mean, in this world you have to understand economics, you have to understand business, you have to understand how deals are done, how contracts are made, businesses grow, prosperity is created,' Mr Lee said in an interview aired last night.
And even though Mr Lee, who is also the finance minister and a former chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has 'looked after finances, taxes and incentives and training', he says that to 'have been on the other side, to have done something and made it grow' would have added 'something extra' to his experience.
To 'have really lived through rough times' is also something Mr Lee wishes he could have done.
He was referring to the 1960s, when Singapore threw off the yoke of colonialism, separated from Malaysia, fought communism, achieved independence in a 'struggle for existence and just survival'.
The prime minister said that reading about these times and living them as a child is different from living them as a leader.
He revealed his feelings in an interview in Washington with American TV journalist Charlie Rose.
In the interview, which took place last month, Mr Rose had asked if there was any experience 'in the wise exercise of power' that Mr Lee wished he had.
............
On the Singapore front, Mr Lee emphasised that it is not casinos but integrated resorts - of which casinos will be only a small part - that will create a 'buzz'.
And this 'buzz' is really about 'renewing the city, to make it different, to make it exciting, to make it have activities', so that Singapore can not only attract tourists but can also be a place where 'ambitious and talented' people who 'start new businesses or new projects or do research want to live'.
The government seemed more interested in copying and importing 'buzz' from abroad than cultivating it organically within its citizenry. Imported 'buzz' is ersatz 'buzz' as it is superficial and lacked soul.
It may attract foreigners to spend a vacation but not to stay on to start businesses, projects or do research. Ambitious and talented people are attracted to places that have distinct character where the people are interesting and passionate with life and work. The rigid control by the government, unfortunately, have rendered Singapore souless and stultified the imagination and imprisoned the innovative impulse of Singaporeans' minds.
PM Lee reveals two regrets in interview
He says he would liked to have been a leader in the turbulent 60s
By NANDE KHIN
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong wishes he had some experience of working in the private sector. And he would have liked to have been a key decision maker in Singapore in the tumultuous 1960s.
'I mean, in this world you have to understand economics, you have to understand business, you have to understand how deals are done, how contracts are made, businesses grow, prosperity is created,' Mr Lee said in an interview aired last night.
And even though Mr Lee, who is also the finance minister and a former chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, has 'looked after finances, taxes and incentives and training', he says that to 'have been on the other side, to have done something and made it grow' would have added 'something extra' to his experience.
To 'have really lived through rough times' is also something Mr Lee wishes he could have done.
He was referring to the 1960s, when Singapore threw off the yoke of colonialism, separated from Malaysia, fought communism, achieved independence in a 'struggle for existence and just survival'.
The prime minister said that reading about these times and living them as a child is different from living them as a leader.
He revealed his feelings in an interview in Washington with American TV journalist Charlie Rose.
In the interview, which took place last month, Mr Rose had asked if there was any experience 'in the wise exercise of power' that Mr Lee wished he had.
............
On the Singapore front, Mr Lee emphasised that it is not casinos but integrated resorts - of which casinos will be only a small part - that will create a 'buzz'.
And this 'buzz' is really about 'renewing the city, to make it different, to make it exciting, to make it have activities', so that Singapore can not only attract tourists but can also be a place where 'ambitious and talented' people who 'start new businesses or new projects or do research want to live'.
The government seemed more interested in copying and importing 'buzz' from abroad than cultivating it organically within its citizenry. Imported 'buzz' is ersatz 'buzz' as it is superficial and lacked soul.
It may attract foreigners to spend a vacation but not to stay on to start businesses, projects or do research. Ambitious and talented people are attracted to places that have distinct character where the people are interesting and passionate with life and work. The rigid control by the government, unfortunately, have rendered Singapore souless and stultified the imagination and imprisoned the innovative impulse of Singaporeans' minds.
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