SS 2015-2020 TYS Ans

PENCILTUTOR SCHOOL PTE. LTD. Co. Reg. No. 200601708E Blk 102, #02-135 Yishun Avenue 5 Singapore 760102 Tel: 62571231 Fax: 62571921 http://www.penciltutor.com 1 Suggested answers to 2015 O level Combined Humanities (Social Studies) 2204 Paper 1 2a) The principle “Leadership is Key” builds the people’s confidence in the government in Singapore as it assures people that the country is in good hands. The Singapore government goes to extreme lengths to choose only the best leaders for our country. For example Mr. Lee Kuan Yew putting right leaders like Goh Chok Tong, S Dhanabalan as ministers. These leaders are recognized to be those with capability and have high moral standards. This would especially include honesty, which is regarded highly among leaders of Singapore. Honesty in leaders is crucial to allow the country to remain incorruptible. This in turn will instill confidence in the people as they know the government can be respected and t rusted with their affairs. Another aspect of leadership that the Singapore government focuses on is the ability to make the right, not only popular, decisions for the country. The government has realized the importance of making unpopular decisions for the sake of the country’s growth. As such Singaporeans will know that the government always has the best interests of the country, at heart. This will cause them to have increased conf idence in their leaders. Thus, the principle “Leadership is Key” builds the people’s confidence in the government in Singapore as it the people are aware that the country is helmed by capable and well - intentioned individuals. 2b) Another principle of governance is to “Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant” and it builds confidence in the government as it assures the people that our country never loses out in competitiveness. The Singapore government focuses its policies on being forward-looking to anticipate future challenges. One good example of this would be our efforts to become self- sufficient in its water supply. Currently, Singapore is getting its water from Malaysia. However our leaders are only too aware of the impending end of the water agreement in 2061. As such with a need to become self-sufficient, the government has made plans to produce NEWater, which is produced by processing sewage water, and desalinated water. The fact that the government pushed ahead with the production of these alternatives, sends a very strong message to the people; the government will do anything it its power to allow Singapore to remain self-sufficient and competitive such that the growth and status of our country will not be affected. This instills confidence in the people because they know that the government is anticipating the challenges tha t we cannot foresee now, to build a better place for the next generation of Singaporeans to live in. As such, the principle of governance is to “Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant” and it builds