Speaking at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, the Minister Mentor said he also understands why people are attracted to the financial trappings of a career in the private sector instead of politics.

Helping to launch the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy's first publication, the Minister Mentor also shared his vast experience on good governance.

He believes when foreign students return to their home countries, they will not be able to apply cookie-cutter solutions.

Citing the decision to have integrated resorts with casinos in Singapore as an example, he highlighted how the government had to make sure the issue of problem gambling was also tackled.

"We have created several conditions which entitles a family to put in an objection, to bar a family member from going into the casino; so it's not the man's decision; it is the family making an application... We can't stop him from going to Macau but we can stop him from going to this casino in Singapore," said Mr Lee.

Mr Lee said good governance boils down to security and stability.

One recurring question from the floor was how to tackle corruption, and Mr Lee said it will be a difficult solution to implement if it is systemic and to weed it off would be a long and painful process.

Mr Lee also told his audience that the government's investment arm, the Singapore Government Investment Corporation is one such example of an organisation with integrity, where there are strict rules, check and balances in place to ensure everything is above board.

While Singapore has done well, Mr Lee said there needs to be a balance between the haves and have nots.

"In Singapore's case, you've got to keep on shifting the balance; at no stage do we take away from the high performers too much that they decide 'I'm not going to perform, I'm going to migrate'," he said.

Mr Lee thinks Singapore's progress will also mean more may not choose a career in politics.

"If we keep growing, in 20 years, 30 years, you may not want to be Prime Minister, you would rather be just the chairman of the Singapore Government Investment Corporation," said Mr Lee.

Mr Lee said to lead, one must also gain the trust and confidence of those he is leading. - CNA /dt

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