Environment
It is true that when Singapore became independent on August 9, 1965, following its separation from Malaysia, its founding leader and first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, and the people did not celebrate. Instead, they mourned.
It is true that when Singapore became independent on August 9, 1965, following its separation from Malaysia, its founding leader and first Prime Minister, Lee Kuan Yew, and the people did not celebrate. Instead, they mourned.
Despite the disappointment and mourning, Singapore did not give up. Under the leadership of Lee Kuan Yew, the country implemented strict reforms based on integrity, the rule of law and sound economic policies. Within just 30 years, the small territory had transformed itself into one of the world’s most developed and prosperous countries. It had peace, prosperity, employment, investment and a future.
Singapore became an example to the world that countries do not necessarily need abundant natural resources; they need determination and the will to progress. Countries do not necessarily need a huge population, a large territory, abundant skilled labor or oil. What they need is the determination to move forward. Lee Kuan Yew was like a university in himself. Within two decades, he transformed an entire nation. How did he do it?
He took five major steps.
First, Prime Minister Lee established peace in the country. He made religion a personal matter. Whether you were Muslim, Sikh, Christian, Buddhist or Hindu was nobody else’s concern. Mosques, churches, temples and other places of worship existed alongside one another. The government made it clear that no one would question another person about their religion, and followers of one religion could visit places of worship belonging to another without objection or proselytizing. Everyone was made equal before the law. There was no class-based culture in the country. No one was considered superior to anyone else. Everyone was equal and remains so. The government also imposed restrictions on various forms of protest and made it a priority to keep roads, streets and markets open. No individual would be allowed to become a security risk to others.
Second, Lee Kuan Yew carefully selected capable and honest people for important positions and gave them full authority to perform their duties. Some officials have remained in their positions for decades and continued to serve. The emphasis on integrity was so strong that, according to this account, around a dozen ministers and senior bureaucrats associated with Lee Kuan Yew’s government died by suicide after facing corruption allegations. The government also recruited capable people from other countries when necessary.
Former Pakistani President Mamnoon Hussain once told me that when he was governor of Sindh in 1999, Lee Kuan Yew visited Pakistan. He invited him to dinner and told him that Pakistan wanted to develop Karachi Port along the lines of Singapore Port. When asked for advice, Lee Kuan Yew reportedly laughed for a long time before saying, “Contact Captain Saeed. He is Pakistani and a resident of Karachi. We developed Singapore Port with his help.” According to the account, Mamnoon Hussain was embarrassed by the response and remained silent for some time.
Third, Lee Kuan Yew opened Singapore to businessmen from around the world. Anyone could come to the country and do business, provided they had the necessary capital and experience. For example, an Indian Muslim named Mushtaq Ahmad established the Al-Mustafa Store in Singapore in 1971. It has since grown into a large commercial complex. Mushtaq Ahmad is described as a sincere businessman who believes in lower profits and higher quality. According to the account, he eventually became extremely wealthy, and no one interfered with his business. He is not the only example; there are hundreds of similar cases in Singapore. Many people developed successful businesses and became examples for others.
Fourth, Lee Kuan Yew gave special attention to education and skills.
Singapore’s educational institutions were not merely places of academic learning. They were laboratories for developing skills and capabilities. As a result, while around 96 percent of the population became literate, people also acquired practical skills. They were able to earn for themselves while contributing to the country’s economy. Lee Kuan Yew also sought to teach the entire nation the importance of civic discipline. This began with personal hygiene. People were taught how to use toilets properly. Bidet showers and toilet paper were promoted, and hand hygiene was strictly enforced.
Spitting was prohibited.
Singapore became known for strict rules against spitting and littering in public places. Anyone caught spitting or leaving substances such as betel-nut spit in public could face legal penalties. As a result, public spitting became extremely uncommon. Lee Kuan Yew also believed that cigarettes, betel nut and chewing gum created litter and other problems, so strict restrictions were imposed on them. Cigarettes are expensive in Singapore, and smoking is permitted only in designated areas. Chewing gum has also been subject to strict restrictions, although the rules have exceptions for certain medical and dental purposes.
Fifth, Lee Kuan Yew developed infrastructure throughout the country.
Highways, metro systems and bridges were built at a time when such infrastructure was still uncommon in much of Asia. The government provides clean drinking water throughout the country, and tap water is safe to drink. I once attended an International Labour Organization conference where delegations from 48 countries were present. There were no bottled-water containers on the tables. Instead, there were water jugs filled by staff from taps. Hotels also provide tap water, and even airport business lounges do not necessarily rely on bottled water. Singapore has also maintained highly reliable supplies of electricity and gas, while emphasizing conservation. Wasting electricity or leaving a stove burning unnecessarily is strongly discouraged.
We Pakistanis are Muslims, and one characteristic often associated with Pakistani society is that we are reluctant to accept criticism. The writer Mushtaq Ahmed Yousufi once made a famous humorous observation about Pakistani Muslims. I am modifying his words slightly to make the point easier to digest. Yousufi wrote that an Arab once told him, “Brother, we are Muslims too, but you people have gone a little too far.”
There is considerable truth in this observation.
We have, in many ways, harmed both ourselves and our country through our actions. I have traveled to 105 countries, and I can say that I have rarely seen the kind of dysfunction I have witnessed in Pakistan. I have not seen another nation appear to undermine itself to such an extent. We are a nuclear power and yet remain dependent on external financial assistance. We have one of the world’s largest militaries, yet we continue to struggle with governance and economic management. We are Muslims, yet even fake Zamzam water is sold in our markets. I therefore say openly that if we do not change course, our situation could become even more difficult. We are hypocritical as a nation, and sometimes even in religious matters. We may invoke the name of Allah and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ while committing violence against others, yet fail to follow the teachings and commands of Islam ourselves.
My first suggestion, therefore, is to make religion a personal matter. Restrictions should be imposed on objecting to other people’s beliefs or blocking roads during religious festivals. Loudspeakers should be regulated. Prayer and the call to prayer should be organized in an orderly manner, as in some other Muslim-majority countries. The Quran should be published with translations, and sermons should focus on ethical and social issues. Mosques may be established by anyone, but they should operate under appropriate government oversight. Instead of focusing on disputes over beliefs, mosques should also teach the cultural, ethical and moral dimensions of religion.
My second suggestion is to open the country to trade, industry and investment of all kinds.
Like Dubai, Singapore and Turkey, Pakistan should welcome investors from around the world and allow them to operate. Investors should be treated according to clear and transparent laws rather than being subjected to unnecessary obstacles. It should also be remembered that tourism is one of the world’s largest industries. Pakistan should pay greater attention to it. There is a coastal belt stretching roughly 1,500 kilometers from Karachi toward the Iranian border. This area could be developed through international investment and tourism. Pakistan could invite European and other international companies to develop special tourism and commercial zones, while the government ensures that unnecessary obstacles do not stand in the way.
The fourth suggestion is to create stability in the country.
The political leadership and state institutions should develop a long-term 30-year national development plan and ensure that successive governments follow consistent national policies. Those who violate the law or undermine the constitutional order should be held accountable through due legal process. Pakistan needs long-term continuity and institutional stability if it is to achieve sustained development. It is remarkable that Singapore, with an area of only about 683 square kilometers, has built enormous financial reserves, while Pakistan, despite being a nuclear power, continues to seek billions of dollars in external financing.
Why?
Because we remain consumed by internal conflict and political confrontation we have reached a point where self-destructive behavior can become almost habitual. We need to fear the consequences of our actions open our eyes and recognize the seriousness of our situation. If Pakistan is to move forward, it must learn from successful examples of governance, stability, economic openness, education and institutional discipline.
