Governing Well: Reflections on Singapore and Beyond

“Terence is deeply interested in matters affecting the lives of Singaporeans and he makes a huge contribution by providing insightful perspectives and analysis of the issues of the day. His willingness to articulate his thoughts with clarity engenders broader awareness and provides input for policymaking considerations. His collection of published essays is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the challenges that the nation and Singaporeans are dealing with.”
—Adam Abdur Rahman, Head of Corporate Affairs, Citi Singapore and ASEAN

“Terence Ho’s Governing Well is a tour de force that outlines Singapore’s approach to public policy: an unrelenting commitment to innovation and continuous improvement; a search for balance that blends economic performance and social progress; and a focus on problem solving in the short term that leads to better outcomes in the longer term.

Each chapter of this book invites the reader to explore a different area of public policy, putting the key issues into perspective. The author skilfully reminds readers of what was accomplished before to gain a deeper appreciation of the significance of recent government initiatives. In doing so, he raises probing questions and provides insightful suggestions, encouraging new thinking to reframe issues from an evolving perspective.

The most important contribution of this book is what it reveals in aggregate. In many ways, this book describes an approach to governance that is able to evolve and adapt to changing needs and circumstances. It is a hopeful statement about governing in the fast-changing world we live in.”
—Jocelyne Bourgon, Founding President, Public Governance International formerly Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, Canada (Canada’s most senior public servant), and Chairperson of the United Nations Committee of Experts in Public Administration

“In this collection of his essays first published in the major news media in Singapore, Terence provides insightful perspectives of what it takes to govern a city and country well amid changes and challenges. By analysing the multifaceted nature of Singapore policymaking in terms of its economic, social, and political dimensions, these essays collectively reiterate the sensitivity of contextual factors and remind us of the importance of a principled, adaptive leadership and a proactive, involved citizenry. I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in governing well, especially in Singapore but also beyond.”
—David Chan, Lee Kong Chian Professor of Psychology, and Director, Behavioural Sciences Initiative, Singapore Management University

“Serving in the social and healthcare sectors, I got to know and work with Terence when he was General Manager of the South East Community Development Council, before his posting to the Ministry of Finance. Being a former senior civil servant intimately involved in policymaking and implementing policies on the ground, Terence is able to provide great insights on policies and how these policies affect the community.

Governing Well is a collection of thoughts on Singapore’s governance and what it takes for the country to succeed. Policies are explained simply with interesting perspectives and insights, covering not just the ‘what’ but the ‘why’. At the same time, the book provides thought-provoking ideas and suggestions for our complex and turbulent times.”
—Albert Ching, CEO, Singapore Cancer Society, and former President, YMCA of Singapore

“Terence’s commentaries from 2021 to 2022 allow readers to easily assimilate ideas on important societal matters in Singapore’s context. These are matters close to the heart of the person on the street. I have personally found the articles illuminative of various government policies. As an entrepreneur, I appreciate the clear and concise presentation of ideas and information. I strongly recommend this book to the business community for its contribution in explaining the rationale for Singapore’s socio-economic policies, while contributing thought leadership in the formulation of business policies. I congratulate Terence on his book and I look forward to reading more of his expositions in the future.”
—Douglas Foo, Chairman, Sakae Holdings formerly President of the Singapore Manufacturing Federation, Vice-Chairman of the Singapore Business Federation and Nominated Member of Parliament

“Terence writes about all the important issues facing Singapore in the new and complex world where continued success requires fresh thinking and new approaches. He may not have all the answers but he is always balanced and thoughtful.”
—Han Fook Kwang, Editor-at-Large, The Straits Times, and Senior Fellow, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University

“While pursuing a career in the civil service, Terence Ho has also taken the road less travelled through a detour into academia at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy. This book of his essays bears testimony that this has been time well spent.”
—Peter Ho, Chairman, Urban Redevelopment Authority of Singapore, and former Head of the Singapore Civil Service

“Terence Ho is one of the rare breed of academics who has had intimate, first-hand knowledge of the intricacies of policymaking. And it shows — his commentaries are lucid, well-informed, and thoughtful. Above all, his ideas and suggestions do not come from an ivory tower. What he has to say provides very real food for thought — for researchers, policymakers and the interested layman alike — when it comes to the tough choices that will have to be made in an increasingly challenging environment.”
—Shashi Jayakumar, Senior Fellow and Head, Centre of Excellence for National Security, S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, Nanyang Technological University

“Terence Ho is a voice of reason among Singapore’s thought leaders. Having served in the Civil Service before joining academia, he is able to straddle the two worlds. I am happy to recommend this book.”
—Tommy Koh, Ambassador-at-Large, Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Emeritus Professor of Law, National University of Singapore

“With his many years as a policy practitioner in the Ministry of Finance, Terence’s commentaries train his economist lens on the full range of public policy issues spanning leadership, R&D, labour policies and fiscal management.

Government expenditure is the largest single fiscal lever that can be exercised, to great impact. Hence, it is imperative to get good returns by framing the desired outcomes well. To this end, the critiques and observations in this book have deconstructed government policies to help the broader public understand the economic and social objectives as well as the many inherent trade-offs, while also revealing nuances not fully appreciated at first glance.

The topics in this timely collection reflect the dynamics of a rapidly changing world, where social upheaval, economic restructuring and disruption in work modes have become the norm. The book also helps to illumine the multifarious impact which the COVID-19 pandemic has had on society.”
—Lien Choong Luen, General Manager, Gojek Singapore, and President, Singapore Athletics

“It is refreshing and inspiring to read observations and commentaries on events as they happen. Terence Ho brings us to watch the drama with keenness and understanding as he takes us through a whole slew of changes in public policy impinging on all aspects of life in Singapore, social and economic, personal and collective. Don’t miss out!”
—Lim Siong Guan, Professor of Practice, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore formerly Head of the Singapore Civil Service, Chairman of the Singapore Economic Development Board, and Group President of the Government of Singapore Investment Corporation (GIC)

“Terence’s perspectives over a wide range of issues are clear and balanced. He has been able to make even some of the more complicated issues easy to understand.”
—Lim Soo Hoon, former Permanent Secretary (Community Development, Public Service Division and Finance Performance) — Singapore’s first female Permanent Secretary

“Terence Ho provides keen insights on a range of social and economic issues facing Singapore. These highly readable articles not only explain the rationale behind many public policies and how they have served Singapore well but also the need for fresh thinking and policy innovation if Singapore is to continue doing well amid a changing environment.”
—Ravi Menon, Managing Director, Monetary Authority of Singapore

“Terence Ho, a former colleague in the Ministry of Finance, is a highly inquisitive and analytical person who would often offer thought-provoking perspectives that prompted me and others to ponder more deeply about issues that matter to our society and citizens. I highly recommend his book.”
—Ngien Hoon Ping, Group CEO, SMRT Corporation

“The emerging future is one of increasing contestation and ambiguities in Singapore, necessitating more consultation and participation. People must be co-creators, not merely ‘consumers’, of good governance — we must have a stake in this country we call home. Terence’s pointed perspectives across diverse issues are an important read and a valuable resource for this new social compact towards a more inclusive and equal society.”
—Anthea Ong, Social entrepreneur and former Nominated Member of Parliament

“For more than a decade I have enjoyed the opportunity to work with the Singapore Civil Service College. I’ve learned much about the nation’s ‘exceptionalism’ during this period. But Terence Ho’s series of succinct yet incisive articles has provided me, an admirer of Singapore's progress, with a window into the ever-widening range of economic and social issues that are emerging. His thoughtful prognosis gives me confidence that Singapore can continue to rise to the challenges ahead, creating its own brand of ‘constructive, competitive democracy’. Taken together, Ho’s pieces have persuaded me that Singapore can remain a beacon of hope for others.”
—Peter Shergold, Chancellor, Western Sydney University, and former Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australia (Australia’s most senior public servant)

“This book is a fascinating, insightful and highly readable compilation on Singapore, the socio-economic, fiscal and political developments in recent years. Drawing on his strong experience in government service and deep personal insights into public policymaking, Terence has helped us to understand better Singapore’s approaches towards social and economic development and the model of governance that is uniquely Singapore’s moving forward.”
—Tan Kwang Cheak, CEO, Agency for Integrated Care

“Terence Ho’s book could not have come at a more opportune time. The uncertainties and complexities that lie ahead behove us to look at what has been done before, avoid past mistakes but more importantly chart new paths to help us sail into the unknown with enough confidence to deal with these challenges. Professor Ho’s unique perspective of once being an ‘insider’ and now looking at policies from the viewpoint of an academic, will certainly help to bring diversity in thinking on policy formulation. I am confident that this book will help those in the public sector to see the impact of policies from many different perspectives.”
—Yaacob Ibrahim, Professor of Engineering and Advisor to the President, Singapore Institute of Technology former Minister in charge of Community Development, Youth and Sports, the Environment and Water Resources, Communications and Information, Cyber Security and Muslim Affairs in the Singapore Cabinet

Terence Ho is Associate Professor in Practice at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore. Since 2002, he has served in research, policy and leadership roles in public sector agencies, including the Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ministry of Education, South East Community Development Council, Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Manpower. He has also been a Board member of Workforce Singapore and the Building and Construction Authority. Terence is the author of Refreshing the Singapore System: Recalibrating Socio-Economic Policy for the 21st Century (World Scientific, 2021).