S'pore as a model worth replicating

Recently, there were a few YouTube videos debating whether the Singapore model is suitable for China, as the East Asian country is in the process of opening up.

These videos were presented mainly by members of Chinese communities living in different parts of the world.

I found the videos very interesting, especially as I did not know how much we are admired by people of other countries.

There were, of course, also some naysayers who expressed their objections to copying our model, mainly because they view Singapore as a Big Brother and police state.

There were also some who hold the view that it is easy to manage Singapore as it is a small country, especially when it comes to oppressing dissent and alternative voices.

As a Singaporean, I can only say that our model has proven to be successful thus far.

Whether it is suitable for adoption by another country is not within my ability to judge.

But we must have done the right thing for people to feel it is worthwhile to look at our model and replicate it in their countries.

Roy Goh Hin Soon

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 25, 2018, with the headline S'pore as a model worth replicating. Subscribe