DPM Wong urges public servants to be candid in sharing views

With robust debate, decisions can be made based on best collective judgment, he says

- Tham Yuen-C Senior Political Correspondent

As a civil servant, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong once sent an email to a minister to express his disagreement with suggestions on policy changes related to Singapore's economic transformation.

He was then serving as a member of the secretariat to the Economic Review Committee in 2001, and his forthright e-mail had shocked his colleague.

Recounting this anecdote on Tuesday night to an audience of top public servants, Mr Wong urged them to always be candid in sharing their views, reminding them that they had to be politically sensitive in order to do their work effectively, but should never become politicised.

"You must remain impartial and do your work with professional objectivity, while recognising the political context in which we operate," he said at the annual Administrative Service dinner, which was held at Marina Bay Sands.

"So, as I have said before, please do not try to second-guess what you think I or your ministers will find politically convenient. Instead, give us your best professional judgment, and be candid in sharing your assessments and views because we value your contributions in this manner." The dinner was also an appointment and promotion ceremony of the Administrative Service. This year, 17 administrative officers were appointed and 83 were promoted.

Mr Wong said political leaders will have to deal with the politics to win the confidence and trust of citizens, seek their support for policies and secure the mandate to govern.