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29-11-2014, 04:38 PM | #1 |
Dragon
Join Date: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,446
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Key People In The Forming Of Singapore Since Independence
I was reading wiki and saw a never heard of name. We have been too familiar with only a few big names all these while.
Who is Albert Winsemius and What He Did For Singapore? In 1960, Dr Winsemius led the United Nations team to examine Singapore’s potential in industrialization. At that time, Singapore had just attained self-government and was facing high unemployment and growing population. He presented a 10-year development plan to transform Singapore from an entrepot trade port into a centre of manufacturing and industrialization. His first emphasis was on creating jobs and attracting foreign investment. Labour-intensive industries, such as the production of shirts and pajamas, were expanded. He also encouraged the large-scale public housing programme, believing that it would bolster the country's image, thus attractive to investors. One of his earliest pieces of advice was not to remove the statue of Stamford Raffles as it was a symbol of public acceptance of the British heritage and could alleviate concerns that investors have toward a new socialist government. With his help, Singapore attracted big oil companies like Shell and Esso to establish refineries here. In the 1970s, Singapore was upgrading its industrial capacity to use higher technological methods, including electronics. He personally went to persuade large Dutch electronics companies like Philips to set up production plants in Singapore. He also proposed that Singapore could be developed as a financial centre, as well as an international centre for air traffic and sea transport. Over the next twenty years, these predictions proved to be accurate. Dr Winsemius retired as Singapore's economic advisor in December 1983, at the age of 74. He was then quoted saying, "I leave with a saddened heart. It (Singapore) has become part of my life, more or less. It can do without me. It could do without me years ago. But it became part of my life. So I will shed a few tears, imaginary tears." Singapore was a country he regarded almost as home. Dr Winsemius died in the Netherlands on December 4, 1996. In a letter of condolences to his family, Lee Kuan Yew wrote: "It was Singapore's good fortune that he (Dr Albert Winsemius) took a deep and personal interest in Singapore's development. Singapore and I personally are indebted to him for the time, energy and development he gave to Singapore. I am proud to have known him and to have been his friend." http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albert_Winsemius ------------------------------ Thank You Dr Albert Winsemius! We have come a long way, and only today, did I know you existed and played such an important role in Singapore's development. |
29-11-2014, 04:57 PM | #2 |
Endangered Dragon
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 22,004
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Wow.... what a revelation.... all the while I thought it was lao lee n the pee-a-pee's initiative to transform sg into an industrialised nation... now we know the success of sg is not entirely due to them....
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29-11-2014, 06:08 PM | #3 |
Arofanatic
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 113
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老李还是有功,但小李可是坐享其福了.........
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29-11-2014, 06:09 PM | #4 |
Prof SK Ong
Join Date: Jan 2009
Posts: 10,641
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Wah.
Surprised you 2 didn't know who Dr W was.
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29-11-2014, 06:53 PM | #5 | |
Hi there !!! 123
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,895
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Quote:
we have always forgotten those thousands thousands of unsung heroes too |
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29-11-2014, 08:56 PM | #6 |
Arofanatic
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 134
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30-11-2014, 02:48 PM | #7 |
Arofanatic
Join Date: Feb 2004
Posts: 128
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I also dont know about him. I think our school history lesson should include history of Spore pioneer leaders so young generation Sporeans have knowledge of those who helped develop Singapore rather than just focus on LKY achievement.
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30-11-2014, 03:12 PM | #8 |
Arofanatic
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 113
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Other than LKY's books.........we also have "An Unusual Journey" by SR Nathan........
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30-11-2014, 04:48 PM | #9 |
Dragon
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 877
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Yes, Dr W contributed to the development of SG with his sound advice. I would say during those hard times, SG was lucky to have a batch of self sacrificing pioneers and ppl like Dr W.
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30-11-2014, 07:24 PM | #10 |
Hi there !!! 123
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 3,895
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