Singapore Government Press Release

Media Division, Ministry of Information & The Arts, #36-00, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963, Tel: 3757794/5

SPEECH BY MR MATTHIAS YAO, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY (DEFENCE & NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT), AT THE IES 30TH ANNUAL DINNER & DANCE ON FRIDAY, 29 NOV 96 AT 7.45 PM AT THE ISLAND BALLROOM, SHANGRI-LA HOTEL

A/P Poo Aun Neow, President of IES

Ladies and Gentlemen

First, let me congratulate the Institution of Engineers, Singapore on your 30th Anniversary. The IES has come a long way. From a humble start with only 166 founding members, the Institution now has a strength of more than 7000 members. You have been active in publishing professional journals and papers covering the various disciplines in engineering. Projects submitted by the Institution for international competitions have won awards and recognition. These achievements have helped to establish Singapore as a leading centre of engineering excellence in the region. They reflect the high quality of our engineers and the high professional standards upheld by the Institution. They also reflect the success our policy to emphasise the teaching of science and technology, which has resulted in many talented people in Singapore choosing to become engineers.

The contribution by our engineers has been a key factor in Singapore's economic development. Engineers transform materials into products, structures and systems which go towards making the life of the people better and helping them generate more wealth for the economy. Over the past 30 years, we have built an infrastructure which has been attractive to foreign investors. We have established industrial parks, telecommunication networks, broadcasting and cable systems, MRT lines and an IT capability. Our people enjoy quality housing, transport, recreation and shopping facilities. We have a thriving airport and sea port. The contribution of engineers can be found in each and every of these projects and endeavours.

As our economy matures, and as the developing countries in the region and around the world embark on their industrialisation programmes, the challenge on us increases. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, China and Vietnam are growing rapidly. What we can do, they too can do, with more land and labour to offer. We must hold something extra to sustain our growth and prosperity.

The Prime Minister has called for a thorough review of our competitiveness for the coming 5 to 10 years. The study will begin next year, and will look at ways to sharpen our competitive edge. I hope that our engineers will be able to make a significant contribution in this process. Almost everything we use has to be imported, sometimes at a high cost. We have to exercise our ingenuity to discover cost effective methods to derive maximum value from what we buy. At all stages, from design to fabrication, we need to keep costs low and wastage to a minimum so that the savings can be passed on to the end-users.

At the same time, we also need to give the end-users a product or system which will enable them to derive better value from their operations. Whether it is in building construction, road works, information technology, factory processes, or communication systems, we need quality engineering to give the end-users long term productivity, efficiency, reliability, serviceability and flexibility.

We should put everything we do under a microscope, cut out practices and attitudes that obstruct efficiency, and take bold steps to leapfrog our economy into the 21st century.

While the difficulties ahead of us look daunting, much can be achieved if we set our minds to achieving them. Singapore has overcome tremendous odds to become what it is today. With the commitment and support of the engineering professionals and all the other sectors of our population, Singapore will reach greater heights.

I urge the IES to take an active interest in the future competitiveness of our economy. I hope that you will offer ideas to help us stay on top.