Governance refers to the way a government manages the resources of the country to carry out its functions.

2571750625475People’s supports for the policies are important to ensure good governance.

The government is responsible for meeting the challenges a state faces. Some challenges include:

Ensuring stability in the government

Meeting people’s needs

Building a nation

Maintaining sovereignty

Singapore practices representative democracy where the leaders in the government are chosen by the people in an election held once every 5 years.

Formation of the Singapore Government:

Role of the people:

The people have the power and responsibility to choose the right leaders for Singapore.

The needs and the wants of the people have to be considered when making important decisions, thus communication between the government and the people must be open.

Communication channels such as Feedback Unit and the media (Forum page), meet-the-people sessions are thus created for the government to communicate with the citizens in Singapore.

Structure of the Singapore Government:

BranchIts tasksThe LegislatureConsists of the President and Members of the Parliament.The Legislature makes the laws (rules of conduct established by the authority, legislation, or custom of a given community, state or nation) which helps keep order such as the prevention of crime, allowing people to live with a peace of mind.The ExecutiveThe executive consists of the President and the Cabinet (PM and Ministers in charge of various ministries).It is responsible for making all government policies. It administers government policies through the Ministers and the Civil Service.When the Executive Branch carries out policies, feedback from the public is considered.The JudiciaryIt is made up of a Chief Justice with the judges in the law courts. Anyone who disobeys the law can be charged in court.The Judiciary makes its decisions and judgments independently without influenced by the views of others.

To ensure stability in the country and build confidence among the people, governance has to be guided by sound principles.

The Guiding Principles of Governance are:

Guiding PrincipleInformationLeadership is KeyHonest and capable leadershipMaintain stability – Ensure Singapore continues to grow.Make right decisions, not popular decisionsMoral courage and integrity (Good character)Do not occur by chance, need to select and groomTalent and ability is not enough… incorruptibility as well.Problems of Corrupt LeadershipMismanagement of funds / resourcesLoss of support and respect from peoplePreferential treatment given to cronies. Anticipate Change and Stay RelevantLook, plan ahead and anticipate future challengesBe prepared for challenging timesSafeguard resources for futureOpen to new ideas and risk-taking, and stay relevant in global worldBe resilient in changing world conditionsCapture growing markets.Examples: NeWater (Recycling of sewage water, in anticipation of the end of water agreements with Malaysia.Integrated Resorts: To boom tourist industryTaking Risks: Encouraging Singaporeans to be innovative and creativeReward for Work and Work for RewardMeritocracy, a key part of this principle, means a system that rewards hard work and talent and encourages people to do well.Meritocracy thus helps to keep everybody in the society an equal opportunity to achieve their best and be rewarded for their performance.Bursaries, scholarships and money packages given out.Surplus from good economic growth given out to reward Singaporeans (progress package)A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for AllInvolving people in decision makingMost religious groups were against the Integrated Resorts (only the casinos), thus Government took feedback and set boundaries size, entry requirements, etc. for casinos.

Singapore needs to plan its land properly due to its small land area and its increased demand due to population growth.

Area Licensing Scheme: It is one of the measures taken to control the flow of traffic.

Under this scheme, motorists have to pay for the use of certain roads in Singapore.

Gantries were set up at the boundaries of city areas to monitor motorists driving into restricted zones.

To support the ALS, other measures such as improving bus services, parking costs and park-and-ride zones were implemented.

When it was first implemented, motorists were unhappy.

However, over time the ALS was successful in ensuring smooth traffic flow and many people showed support for improved traffic flow in the city area.

Electronic Road Pricing: The ALS was replaced by the ERP which was more efficient and effective.

Park-and-Ride Scheme: It was introduced together with the ALS to control traffic flow in the CBD.

Motorists park their vehicles at car parks outside the CBD. From there, they could use public transport to enter the city area.

However, it was not very successful as motorists rather switch to the regular bus service or drove into the CBD before 7:30am as they thought it was not worthwhile to leave their cars parked outside the city all day.

However, the scheme was still being used today as when time passes and needs of people change, measures failed in the past might work today.

Vehicle Quota System: As there was an urgent need to control the car population, the Vehicle Quota System (VQS) determined the new motor vehicles allowed for registration.

Car buyers had to bid for the COE (Certificate of Entitlement) before they could purchase the car.

Successful bidders will pay the quota premium to obtain the COE.

The COE have to be renewed every 10 years.