S'pore must draw on resourcefulness of political leaders & civil service to navigate challenges in changed environment: SM Lee

It will be much harder for the government to deliver prosperity and progress for Singaporeans in this challenging, changed environment, said Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the Administrative Service dinner 2026 on Tuesday (Apr 21).

Hence, Singapore "must draw on the resourcefulness and capabilities of the political leaders and the civil service to come up with solutions to the challenges and difficulties ahead" to either solve or at least manage them, he added at the annual dinner held at Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.

SM Lee said that there is a greater risk that the virtuous cycle of good policies and good government will falter in Singapore, and "we need to work much harder to keep it going, and keep Singapore exceptional".

Tribute to retiring senior civil servants

In his speech, SM Lee recognised the extensive contributions of former Head of Civil Service Leo Yip, and two retiring Permanent Secretaries Ng Chee Khern and Pang Kin Keong.

He paid tribute to Yip's near decade long leadership as head of civil service, saying that he is well-respected as a leader and a mentor.

SM Lee subsequently thanked Ng for his contributions in starting Singapore on its digital government journey as its first Permanent Secretary for Smart Nation and Digital Government. 

Lee said that Pang's "grounded yet visionary leadership has transformed how we safeguard our national security and protect Singaporeans from harm". 

SM Lee noted that these retiring leaders have "contributed greatly to our nation's success by delivering good government for Singapore".

He added that Singapore is dependent on having good political leadership and a good civil service, with both working closely towards this shared goal, and the Administrative Service is a critical component of our system.

Conviction for policies

Singapore "must never allow ourselves to get" to the tragic situation experienced in a few Western countries, once seen as paragons of democratic virtue and good government.

This means having good policies, where political leaders and civil servants "see it as our job" to come up with good policies and implement them well, said SM Lee.

SM Lee said that Singapore has sustained this virtuous cycle for many years, made systemic progress and steadily improved Singaporeans' lives, noting the importance of trust between the government and Singaporeans.

He pointed out, however, that good policies "do not magically appear out of thin air" and a high quality public service is needed to produce and implement them.

SM Lee also highlighted the importance of Ministers who are as familiar with the issues as their permanent secretaries, and can provide the political inputs and guidance essential to effective policy making.

Civil servants cannot get involved in party politics

While SM Lee said civil servants cannot get involved in party politics, he noted that being apolitical does not mean being neutral about the direction of the country, or the substance of the policies civil servants are in charge of.

The role of civil servants is not simply to implement whatever policy the ministers decide upon, but to have a view, take a stand, and make considered, sound recommendations to the political leadership.

SM Lee added that having participated fully in formulating the policies, civil servants must feel responsible for and committed to the policies ultimately adopted.

Noting that they cannot be indifferent as to whether ultimately a particular policy is decided upon or its opposite, SM Lee said civil servants must have conviction in their policies.

Good politics matters too

He emphasised that the government must be able to win political support for good policies, and voters must be willing to support leaders who advocate for and implement such policies.

Otherwise, even the most brilliant policy ideas remain just ideas, and simply cannot be carried out, he said.

In sustaining the virtuous cycle of good politics enabling good government, SM Lee said it involves getting a lot of difficult preconditions right.

This includes upholding absolute integrity and incorruptibility in government, ensuring that elected leaders are working for the people and not for themselves, as well as adopting realistic remuneration policies for public servants and political office holders.

He added that this also includes building a highly capable team of political leaders and civil servants, who not only have their heart for Singapore, but are capable of delivering the high quality of government that Singaporeans have come to expect.

Chaotic, unpredictable world

Noting that the world in which Singapore exists has become more chaotic and unpredictable, SM Lee said that since war and conflict are now more likely, life has become more dangerous for a small country like Singapore.

As such, he warned of a greater risk that the virtuous cycle of good policies and good government will falter.

To that, SM Lee said "we must make the most of the energies and ideas of the population, in order to transform and upgrade Singapore not just topdown and centrally, but also bottom-up and across the board."

He added: "We must strengthen the trust that Singaporeans have in each other, in their leaders, in the Government, and in the Singapore system."

This includes reinforcing social cohesion to tackle difficulties as one united people.

"Only thus can we continue to do the right things for Singapore, and keep Singapore exceptional, safe, and thriving for many years to come," said SM Lee.

"The Administrative Service must play your part, and rise to this challenge."

Top photo via Ministry of Digital Development and Information (MDDI), Prime Minister’s Office Video