Blueprint for rejuvenating Lanka
 

by W. S. Fernando

It has been reported that the UNP has presented 'an agenda based on the politics of convergence'. The leader of the party at a discussion has said countries like Singapore, Malaysia, have travelled down the path of politics of convergence and benefited in all areas of development.

Often governments and politicians want to emulate Singapore in various spheres but conveniently forget the bold steps taken by the leaders of Singapore to achieve success. It is only as a result of those steps taken that they were able to create an environment suitable for a forward march. Convergence - whatever it may mean - was not the only factor that contributed to the progress. There are much more to the success story of Singapore.

Programs may be good, you can give it any name but they have to be implemented by the people within an existing environment. Environment can be influenced by the people. Therefore the people or the leaders become the most important factor.

In Singapore there was a strong leadership with high ethical standards. They worked with dedication. There was a vision, direction and commitment. The leaders - Ministers - were picked on talent and track record and not on any other factors as it happen in Sri Lanka. A government leader has said that the success of Singapore was the quality of leadership.

The party in power at present in Singapore (which has been responsible for transforming Singapore from a Third World country to a First World country) has a systematic and lengthy process to select candidates.

The party leaders would go through the CVs (may be hundreds) of those who have done well in their career - may be in private sector or public sector. Tentative assessment of the prospective candidates' abilities, interests and potential would be made. Also they will check with people who knew the applicants.

The whole process is somewhat like a "head hunting" for a top job. The other important aspect is, the selection process is not done in a hurry just before an election.

Selection process would start a few years ahead of an election, perhaps targeting the election after the next (election). At the same time some members have to retire to make way for new blood. If someone has to retire he bows out graciously.

Sometimes, before appointing a newly elected member as a Minister, he is put on test offering a deputy, a state or an acting ministerial position. These acting positions are different from the acting positions in Sri Lanka where acting Ministers are appointed to cover the functions of Ministers who are not available.

Acting Minister post in Singapore is more like an understudy or a trial period to evaluate his performance. If his performance is good he would be elevated to a "full" Minister - a term often used in Singapore. The incumbent party has a succession plan where they groom members to go up in the ladder even up to the Prime Minister post.

Politicians or public officers who are in high positions in Singapore are free of corruption to a great extent. Incidentally, Singapore is one of the least corrupt countries in the world and falls within the first five among the least corrupt countries. If there is any evidence of misconduct the person concerned is severely dealt with. The leaders do not hesitate to carry out their responsibility.

Action would be taken against anyone, irrespective of his status. When the leaders and high officials are honest and free of corruption, the officers in lower ranks would not become corrupt or dishonest. There would be a chain effect down the line. The result by and large will be a society free of corruption. This is how a conducive environment has been created in Singapore for the implementation of plans.

'Fighting corruption' is one of the main themes in the UNP agenda. But how many allegations were made against Ministers while the UNP was in power? Were they properly investigated? Most of these may have been false allegations. But if the leaders are strong and do not encourage corruption, they should have initiated proper inquiries and clear the names of the persons or if the allegations were true action should have been taken, without considering his position. What action have leaders taken to discipline the members? It is not only the leader or his deputies who should be clean.

This is applicable to whichever party is in power or even in the opposition. President herself commented that "ninety per cent of politicians representing Parliament are now engaged in politics for business. Only 10 per cent can be recognised as good politicians".

History has shown that often, the present system would not allow any party to get a comfortable majority to form a stable government. This will result in having to give portfolios to many members of the elected party and other parties who would agree to support the government irrespective of their capabilities, experience or background. In Sri Lanka around 75 per cent of the government members are Ministers or deputies - may be for this reason.

It's not the case in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand or even in India. This may result in appointing less efficient people to ministerial positions. More Ministers and deputies mean more expenses for the state.

Those who financed and helped the election campaign have to be looked after by way of offering various business opportunities, tenders, licences, chairman/director positions in corporations etc. It is rumoured that some of them demand specific positions in the state machinery. If a candidate or any other person has spent a large sum of money for the campaign he will have to recover it and perhaps get more for the next election.

This does not mean that every candidate, elected member, Minister or person appointed to a high post is corrupt or inefficient. There are some very honest efficient members and appointees. It is also not suggested that being a party supporter should be a disqualification for appointment to a high post. What is wrong is the appointment of a person based only on party affiliations without any consideration of his suitability for the position and his integrity.

As there are many weaknesses in the PR system, this system has to be either scrapped or modified suitably. If any group, especially the minorities feel doing away with the PR system will have a negative impact on them, a limited number of members should be selected on PR system to accommodate minorities. However majority of members should be selected on first past-the-post system based on the existing electorates. A reduction in the total number of Members of Parliament, if possible, would be a positive step. Along with this proposal, the abolition of the Executive Presidency or at least reducing its powers should be a preferable consideration.

The number of Ministers (whether Cabinet, non-Cabinet, State or Project) and deputies should be limited to a maximum of (say) 40. If India can manage with comparatively lesser number of Ministers there is no reason why S. L. cannot manage. Apart from talent and capability, people with good track records should be appointed as Ministers. Other important and essential attributes should be integrity and honesty. People with serious allegations should not be considered.

Another important institution that has to be strengthened is the Bribery Commission (BC). Steps should be taken to avoid occasional deactivation of the Commission.