What’s wrong with learning from Singapore, asks Nga

IPOH: Those criticising the effort to get Singapore to share its experience in providing a national housing policy are hypocrites, says Nga Kor Ming.

The Local Government Development Minister said the same people, when in power, had gone to Singapore to do the same, but failed to learn anything.

“Now, when we want to do the same, they are making all sorts of negative comments. This sort of double-standard should not be (practiced),” he told reporters after handing over keys to some 10 house owners of the PR1MA housing scheme at the Kepayang Residence here yesterday.

Nga said government-to-government initiatives have been in place since the 1970s, not only with Singapore but other Asean countries such as Thailand and Indonesia.

He said what is important is that the ministry wants the best for the country and the people, and it does not matter where the advice comes from.

Nga said that is the ministry’s only objective, adding that Singapore’s Housing Development Board has been recognised as one of the best in the world, and thus there is no harm learning from the city-state.

“I have confidence in the officers in the ministry who have their own expertise, but we also have weaknesses that can be rectified.

“Let me emphasise this – if a country fails to learn, then the country will not progress, and to develop we must continue lifelong learning.

“This is our 41st anniversary of the Look East Policy, and if we can learn from Japan, what’s wrong if we do likewise with our neighbour Singapore?” he added.

Nga’s recent statement about inviting experts from other countries including Singapore to improve the country’s existing housing policy did not go down well with some politicians, including Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor.

The Kedah Mentri Besar suggested that Nga’s ministry was attempting to carry out the Silk Road agenda from China in a video taken during a rally he (Muhammad Sanusi) attended in Sik that was circulated online.