(a) The following are TWO principles of governance:
i. ‘Anticipate change and stay relevant’
ii. ‘A stake for everyone, opportunity for all’
Which is more important in ensuring good governance in Singapore? Explain your answer. [13]

Issue: good governance in Singapore

Factors: (a) Anticipate change and stay relevant
(b) A stake for everyone, opportunity for all

As Singapore is a very small country, she cannot afford to make any mistake. Good governance in Singapore is needed so as to help Singapore face new challenges.

One of the principle of good governance is to anticipate change and stay relevant. Decisions made by the government need to be forward looking.
The government needs to plan and implement policies that would meet the needs of the people in the future and not wait for problems to arise and react to it. For example, NEWater, was introduced to Singaporeans way in advance, prior to the cessation of the contract between Singapore and Malaysia. It allows Singapore to be free and independent in acquiring new water supply. This would ensure that Singapore would not be vulnerable to changes in other countries. By adopting this principle of governance, Singapore will always stay ahead of the rest in the region.In this way, being able to anticipate change and staying relevant will help Singapore to have good governance.

However another important principle of good governance is to ensure that there is a stake for everyone and opportunities for all.Opportunities are made available to all Singaporeans to be more involve in the decision making process in the country. Such actions by the government help to encourage and develops a greater sense of belonging to the country. For example, in 2004, the government consulted the people on the issue of having a casino as part of the integrated resort. There were mixed reaction from the people on ground. The government made considerations into the concerns raised and act upon the issues to address the people's concerns. This action by the government which takes into account the people's feeling and concern helped Singaporeans to recognise their power in the decision making process. With more committed citizens who believe in their government suggest that it would a lot easier to govern the nation. Therefore by ensureing that there is a stake for everyone and opportunities for all, good governance is maintained in Singapore.

I feel that anticipate change and stay relevant is a more important principle then providing a stake for everyone, opportunity for all. Before the government can provide a stake for everyone, the government must ensure that Singapore can face new challeng and thereby continue to grow. In order to ensure that economic development and growth can continue, she has be able to anticipate changes and stay relevent. Once this is done, she is able to anticipate problems, solve them and thereby allow Singaporean to own a part of Singapore. Only when this is done, can we offer opportunities for all to participate in the growth of Singapore.

However even though a stake for everyone, opportunity for all is a secondary principle, it is still important. The governmnet must be seen to be fair, not favouring any group of people. It must be able to get everyone to work together.

In conclusion both principles should be developed in order for Singapore to progress but the ability to anticipate change and staying relevant needs to be developed first.