Learning about new policy initiatives from Singapore

I strongly urge students to apply for the Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia, it was one of the best decisions of my life.

As an undergraduate student at the University of Auckland in 2019, I finished the autobiography by former Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew, From Third World to First: The Singapore Story: 1965-2000. This book ignited my fascination with Singapore. From that point, I had in my mind that one day I could study or live in Singapore in order to gain a deeper understanding of the economic miracle it has achieved.

Fast forward five years later, I was able to realise both objectives. I just completed my postgraduate degree at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies (RSIS) in Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. With its entrepreneurial dynamism and open international economy, I was lucky to have lived in this remarkable nation. I am grateful for the opportunity as it provided me with a world-class education with a much better understanding of Singapore’s political economy as well as other Southeast Asian countries.

Some friends asked me before, “Why International Political Economy, Leonard?” I have always responded that solving complex global and domestic challenges requires an interdisciplinary understanding of political science and economics. I thought the Master of Science degree offered by RSIS would allow me to build a more comprehensive analytical framework with better technical skills.

Gardens by the Bay.

Furthermore, Singapore was a perfect place to study for me as a global financial hub of Southeast Asia reliant on international trade and investment. New Zealand has a similar demography with low corruption and pro-business practices. Singapore’s approach to governance and public policy offers valuable lessons, adaptable to our unique local context.

My dissertation topic considered the fiscal implications of its domestic savings scheme and how that translated to its accumulation of public assets - sovereign wealth funds - and its private pension schemes. I compared and contrasted Singapore with New Zealand and uncovered certain setbacks within our approach. I was able to get coverage from the New Zealand Herald’s Liam Dann’s business column on my comparative political economy analysis as well as publishing a column myself on the New Zealand Herald arguing against a capital gains tax. It was gratifying to contribute to policy debates back home, even from abroad.

The timing of my programme was also impeccable. I was fortunate to meet New Zealand Prime Minister Rt Hon. Christopher Luxon and Minister of Climate Change Hon. Simon Watts in Singapore as part of their Southeast Asia trip in April fostering greater trade and investment across the Indo-Pacific region. Their choice of Singapore as the first destination outside Australia was significant to me.

With Professor Tommy Koh.

I also had the opportunity to meet various policymakers and public intellectuals from Singapore. I had a quick meeting with Minister of State Alvin Tan about his portfolios and responsibilities. Conversations with Professor Kishore Mahbubani on US-China relations and the future of ASEAN were enlightening. I also was very honoured to meet Professor Tommy Koh who graciously signed his book for me during our conversation.

With Dr Anne-Marie Schleich for book launch.

Moreover, I served as the master of ceremonies for the launch of a new book edited by Dr. Anne-Marie Schleich—Senior Adjunct Fellow at RSIS and former German Ambassador to New Zealand—titled Perspectives of Two Island Nations: Singapore-New Zealand. This event, co-hosted by the New Zealand High Commission in Singapore, RSIS, and World Scientific Publishing, was one of the first books directly comparing and contrasting public policy in New Zealand and Singapore.

My time abroad in Singapore well-exceeded my expectations. I met various famous Singaporeans in my field of interest, networked and built a new cohort of friends for life and my understanding about Southeast Asia expanded significantly. This experience made me more resilient, adventurous, and globally minded. It taught me the importance of cultural understanding and empathy in solving global problems.

With Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.

I encourage more students and professionals to consider studying in Singapore and building connections to contribute back to New Zealand. I share my story not for its own sake but to motivate others to pursue similar opportunities, learn, grow, and explore Singapore’s unique and unorthodox policy approaches.