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The Reform Party in Yerevan, Armenia
- 2. FROM 13 TO 15 JULY 2018 IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA
- 3. INVITATION BY PROSPEROUS ARMENIA PARTY Prosperous Armenia Party International Department Address:47H anrapetutyan str.,0001Yerevan,Armenia E-mail:arm_arz@yahoo.com Tel.:+37499775557 CONFERENCE YEREVAN 13-15 July 2018 SING APOREEXPERIENCE GOOD GOVERNANCE & LEADERSHIP BETW EEN PROSPEROUSARMENIA PARTY AND ITSPRESIDENT MR. GAGIK TSARUKYAN MP & DELEGATION OF SINGAPORE POLITICIANS, LEGAL AND FINANCIAL EXPERTS INVITATION TO ATTEND YourExcellency, Itis ourgreatpleasuretoinviteyouand/oryourparty's representatives toattendtheG oodG overnanceand LeadershipConferencetobeheldin Yerevan,ArmeniaduringJuly13-15,2018. ThemeetingwillbehostedbytheProsperous ArmeniaParty. Theconferencewillhaveaspecialfocus on strengtheningthemanagementandgovernanceofinstitutions deliveringcohesion policy,thus theobjectives oftheconferencewillbe; -Discuss how goodgovernanceandadministrativecapacityshouldbepromotedwithparticular emphasis on Singaporeexperience. -Exchangeexperiencewithandgetinspiration from therelevantworkofrepresentatives ofpolitical parties,fin a nce,banking,legaland otherindustries bothfrom Armeniaand Singapore. W estronglybelievethatyourparticipation in themeetingwillgreatlycontributetoourcontinuous efforts tobuild extendednetworks between ArmeniaandSingapore,as wellas amongpoliticians andactivists in EuropeandAsia toaddress various challenges in goodgovernancepractice. In this regard,wecordiallyrequestyoutoconfir m theparticipation at yourearliestconveniencebyfill i ngout and submittingtheattachedregistration form preferablyin worddocument,alongwiththerequiredinformation,nolater than June18,2018.Alsoattachedarethetentativeprogram andconferenceprocedures ofthemeeting. Localaccommodation,transportation andmeals willbeprovidedbythehostduringyourstayin Yerevan. Forairticket,thehostwillreimbursetheairfareupon arrivalatYerevan;kindlyprovidethecopyofticket/e-ticket forreimbursement. Yours sincerely, Dr.Armen ARZUMANYAN VicePresidentoftheProsperous ArmeniaParty H eadofInternationalRelations Department
- 4. TOPICS TO DISCUSS AT THE CONFERENCE q16 SINGAPOREANS + 16 ARMENIANS q 200 PLUS PARTICIPANTS q ECONOMY q ENERGY AND RESOURCES q INFRASTRUCTURE q HUB EXPERIENCES q EMERGENCY AND DISASTERS EG EARTHQUAKES q BILATERAL AND REGIONAL CONFLICTS q SECURITY q DIPLOMATICSTRATEGIES q INVESTMENTS q INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION q SPORTS q TWIN CITIES FOR SINGAPORE AND YEREVAN TO CONNECT AND PROGRESS TOGETHER q INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION - ONLINE BANKING WITH ASEAN q NOT JUST GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT IRRESPECTIVE OF POLITICAL PARTY DIFFERENCES q GIFTS FOR : q PRESIDENT qTHE HOST (MC)
- 5. SPEECH BY MR KENNETH JEYARETNAM SECRETARY GENERAL OF THE REFORM PARTY
- 6. TRANSCRIPT OF KENNETH JEYARETNAM’S SPEECH Let me begin by thanking our hosts, the Prosperous Armenia Party and its President Mr. Tsarukyan for inviting the Reform Party and my fellow Singaporean politicians to Armenia for this conference on Good Governance and Leadership-the Singapore Experience. Armenia must be congratulated on its Velvet Revolution. The ordinary people of Armenia have made their voices heard in a way that Singaporeans can’t imagine in their wildest dreams. Let me start by saying that I am dubious about whether Armenia should even be looking to Singapore as inspiration for good governance. Armenia is currently in the midst of what our host Mr Gagik Tsarukyan describes as torrential changes and reform. I am confident that Mr Tsarkyan’s will, commitment and entrepreneurship can do much to stop the flow of Armenians emigrating and to provide opportunities for all without any need to learn from the Singapore experience. However, this commitment to founding businesses must be matched by an equal commitment to advancing the rule of law and to strengthening local legal institutions in order to promote economic opportunity. Singapore is a role-model. It’s a role model for how to systematically dismantle democracy to orchestrate a dynastic succession from father to son to most likely grandson. Or for how to come near the top of all the international indices for transparency and lack of corruption when in actuality the PM, Lee Hsien Loong, is Chairman of one sovereign wealth fund, GIC, while he appoints his wife to be CEO of the other, Temasek. The Armenians I meet seem to believe that Singapore is some kind of economic miracle and that everyone is wealthy but that is a myth created by our government. Our ruling party has been so successful in rewriting history that people often think that Singapore was just an uninhabited, undeveloped swamp before Lee Kuan Yew arrived. Actually it was one of the richest cities in Asia with an incomparable strategic location. Even Singapore as a tourist destination was well-established centuries ago- by Armenians! The famous Armenian Sarkies brothers founded Raffles hotel in 1887 and it quickly became a luxury destination for wealthy travellers. Our growth and modest prosperity is due to two factors 1. Our already strategic location controlling the shipping routes and therefore all the oil crossing the Straits of Malacca and 2. A deliberate policy of opening the floodgates to cheap labour from the rest of Asia. Cheap labour with no rights and no employee protections in a country where it is illegal to strike or protest working conditions. Armenia of course, is also strategically located and also a hub at the crossroads of Europe and Asia but as it wishes to strengthen ties with Europe and the EU, denying workers basic needs and rights is not a method that it will be able to emulate. People also believe that Singapore’s high level of GDP per capita is evidence of economic success but this does not hold water. When you drill down to GDP per hour worked, Singapore ranks near the bottom of advanced countries. Our productivity is also mediocre at best. You probably also know that Singapore is tightly controlled state. The West turns a blind eye to the repression and control, because it needs Singapore. First the British Empire saw Singapore as a bastion against communism and now it is seen as a standout against the large muslim nations surrounding it and as a counterpoint to China Singapore has several other factors that make it attractive to investors looking for a share of the Asian market. Singapore follows English Law for commerce having inherited a largely British legal system. This combined with English as the language of business and a largely British educated government, gives foreign investors the confidence they need. The government further encourages investment through ownership of the land and by offering tax incentives and banking secrecy. I therefore firmly believe that Armenia shouldn’t try to emulate Singapore’s undemocratic style of government and control whilst it should work on providing a robust legal and human rights framework. Yesterday I heard a story from one of my Armenian colleague. He told me how when his boss found out that he was involved in politics he was threatened with the loss of his job. This also happens in Singapore. The big difference is that whilst Singaporeans fold at the first sign of resistance Armenians pushed on through the obstacles. If Armenians would not tolerate their leader trying to get a third term via the back door then they would not tolerate the lack of freedoms we endure for even a minute. It seems likely at the moment that Azerbaijan’s leaders are worried Armenia will be an inspiration to their people. I strongly believe that the Armenian people should be an inspiration for Singapore. You have certainly been an inspiration for me.
- 7. SPEECH BY MISS NORAINI YUNUS TREASURER OF THE REFORM PARTY
- 8. TRANSCRIPT OF NORAINI’S SPEECH Good morning, Your Excellency Mr Gagik Tsarukyan, President of Prosperous Armenia Party, our Honourable Host Dr Armen Arzumanyan, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Norain Bte Yunus and I am presently the Treasurer of The Reform Party of Singapore. Being the underdog of today’s political landscape, we look particularly into innovation to creatively attract new and swing voters to our camp. We need resources as political capital to actualize our aspirations for a new, vibrant and homogeneously equitable democracy. We believe in an incubator to hatch out ideas and ideals to promote the values that The Reform Party of Singapore strongly upheld especially those specifically laid out in our Party Constitution. Technology and access through various modes of media are readily available and we need to adapt to and be adept in using these new and novel ways of reaching out to voters. Being a responsible and committed citizenry of Singapore, we pay our taxes, contribute to CPF and invest in wealth and asset management. These are our cognitive values and having understood the processes in democratic law formations, once passed through the motions in our legislation, we are bound by the Rules of Law. It is only ethical for adherence that these laws are transparent and homogenous. The Reform Party is the only opposition party in Singapore who has taken the incumbent People’s Action Party to court over their use of taxpayers’ money for IMF loan. I believe what we have progressively attained in Singapore minus the undesirable aspects including the extremely high costs of living, may be propagated and emulated by the world on an advance note of progressive Global Citizenry. On behalf of all the members of The Reform Party, we thank our host for an invaluable platform to share the models of our achievements in Singapore. It is indeed immeasurable for the costs incurred what potential can be successfully inducted in our take up for our good presentations in areas of economy, social and even sustainable earth environment. We hope to further our good cause in the world today!
- 9. VISITS TO PLACES IN ARMENIA
- 11. PERSONAL ZOO IN ARMENIA - SPECIAL ACCESS
- 12. CONFERENCE OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED ECONOMIC INTERESTS AND SOCIAL COHESION
- 13. TRP CEC MEMBER MAHABOOB SIGHTSEEING IN YEREVAN, ARMENIA
- 16. THE REFORM PARTY THANKS ONE AND ALL WHO HAVE MADE THE ARMENIAN TRIP A SUCCESS
Editor's Notes
- Let me begin by thanking our hosts, the Prosperous Armenia Party and its President Mr. Tsarukyan for inviting the Reform Party and my fellow Singaporean politicians to Armenia for this conference on Good Governance and Leadership-the Singapore Experience. Armenia must be congratulated on its Velvet Revolution. The ordinary people of Armenia have made their voices heard in a way that Singaporeans can’t imagine in their wildest dreams. Let me start by saying that I am dubious about whether Armenia should even be looking to Singapore as inspiration for good governance. Armenia is currently in the midst of what our host Mr Gagik Tsarukyan describes as torrential changes and reform. I am confident that Mr Tsarkyan’s will, commitment and entrepreneurship can do much to stop the flow of Armenians emigrating and to provide opportunities for all without any need to learn from the Singapore experience. However, this commitment to founding businesses must be matched by an equal commitment to advancing the rule of law and to strengthening local legal institutions in order to promote economic opportunity. Singapore is a role-model. It’s a role model for how to systematically dismantle democracy to orchestrate a dynastic succession from father to son to most likely grandson. Or for how to come near the top of all the international indices for transparency and lack of corruption when in actuality the PM, Lee Hsien Loong, is Chairman of one sovereign wealth fund, GIC, while he appoints his wife to be CEO of the other, Temasek. The Armenians I meet seem to believe that Singapore is some kind of economic miracle and that everyone is wealthy but that is a myth created by our government. Our ruling party has been so successful in rewriting history that people often think that Singapore was just an uninhabited, undeveloped swamp before Lee Kuan Yew arrived. Actually it was one of the richest cities in Asia with an incomparable strategic location. Even Singapore as a tourist destination was well-established centuries ago- by Armenians! The famous Armenian Sarkies brothers founded Raffles hotel in 1887 and it quickly became a luxury destination for wealthy travellers. Our growth and modest prosperity is due to two factors 1. Our already strategic location controlling the shipping routes and therefore all the oil crossing the Straits of Malacca and 2. A deliberate policy of opening the floodgates to cheap labour from the rest of Asia. Cheap labour with no rights and no employee protections in a country where it is illegal to strike or protest working conditions. Armenia of course, is also strategically located and also a hub at the crossroads of Europe and Asia but as it wishes to strengthen ties with Europe and the EU, denying workers basic needs and rights is not a method that it will be able to emulate. People also believe that Singapore’s high level of GDP per capita is evidence of economic success but this does not hold water. When you drill down to GDP per hour worked, Singapore ranks near the bottom of advanced countries. Our productivity is also mediocre at best You probably also know that Singapore is tightly controlled state. The West turns a blind eye to the repression and control, because it needs Singapore. First the British Empire saw Singapore as a bastion against communism and now it is seen as a standout against the large muslim nations surrounding it and as a counterpoint to China Singapore has several other factors that make it attractive to investors looking for a share of the Asian market. Singapore follows English Law for commerce having inherited a largely British legal system. This combined with English as the language of business and a largely British educated government, gives foreign investors the confidence they need. The government further encourages investment through ownership of the land and by offering tax incentives and banking secrecy. I therefore firmly believe that Armenia shouldn’t try to emulate Singapore’s undemocratic style of government and control whilst it should work on providing a robust legal and human rights framework. Yesterday I heard a story from one of my Armenian colleague. He told me how when his boss found out that he was involved in politics he was threatened with the loss of his job. This also happens in Singapore. The big difference is that whilst Singaporeans fold at the first sign of resistance Armenians pushed on through the obstacles. If Armenians would not tolerate their leader trying to get a third term via the back door then they would not tolerate the lack of freedoms we endure for even a minute. It seems likely at the moment that Azerbaijan’s leaders are worried Armenia will be an inspiration to their people. I strongly believe that the Armenian people should be an inspiration for Singapore. You have certainly been an inspiration for me.
- Good morning, Your Excellency Mr Gagik Tsarukyan, President of Prosperous Armenia Party, our Honourable Host Dr Armen Arzumanyan, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Norain Bte Yunus and I am presently the Treasurer of The Reform Party of Singapore. Being the underdog of today’s political landscape, we look particularly into innovation to creatively attract new and swing voters to our camp. We need resources as political capital to actualize our aspirations for a new, vibrant and homogeneously equitable democracy. We believe in an incubator to hatch out ideas and ideals to promote the values that The Reform Party of Singapore strongly upheld especially those specifically laid out in our Party Constitution. Technology and access through various modes of media are readily available and we need to adapt to and be adept in using these new and novel ways of reaching out to voters. Being a responsible and committed citizenry of Singapore, we pay our taxes, contribute to CPF and invest in wealth and asset management. These are our cognitive values and having understood the processes in democratic law formations, once passed through the motions in our legislation, we are bound by the Rules of Law. It is only ethical for adherence that these laws are transparent and homogenous. The Reform Party is the only opposition party in Singapore who has taken the incumbent People’s Action Party to court over their use of taxpayers’ money for IMF loan. I believe what we have progressively attained in Singapore minus the undesirable aspects including the extremely high costs of living, may be propagated and emulated by the world on an advance note of progressive Global Citizenry. On behalf of all the members of The Reform Party, we thank our host for an invaluable platform to share the models of our achievements in Singapore. It is indeed immeasurable for the costs incurred what potential can be successfully inducted in our take up for our good presentations in areas of economy, social and even sustainable earth environment. We hope to further our good cause in the world today!