The Indonesian stock market has just hit a record high on the hope that the incoming President, Joko Widodo, will push through economic reforms. But, what path should he follow? My advice to President Widodo is the same as that I gave President Suharto, when I was his advisor in 1998: follow Singapore and Lee Kuan Yew.
When Singapore gained independence in 1965, Lee Kuan Yew developed a set of sound principles, which proved to be highly successful. Indeed, their implementation propelled Singapore to the top of the world's competitiveness rankings. I have dubbed these principles the "Singapore Strategy." It contains the following five elements:
- First and foremost, stabilize the currency. Singapore achieved stability with a currency board system -- a simple, transparent, rule-driven monetary regime.
- Second, don't pass the begging bowl. Singapore refused to accept foreign aid of any kind.
- Third, foster first-world, competitive, private enterprises. Singapore accomplished this via light taxation, light regulation and completely open and free trade.
- Fourth, emphasize personal security, public order and the protection of private property.
- The final key to Lee Kuan Yew's "Singapore Strategy" is the means to accomplish the previous four goals: a small, transparent government that avoids complexity and red tape. And one that is directed by first-class civil servants who are paid first-class wages.