1 National Computer Policy Management in Singapore: Planning An Intelligent Island

Singapore’s multiracial population of 2.8 million live and work on a land area of less than 250 square miles to create a nation that enjoys one of the highest living standards in the world, with a per capita income of US$16,500. On an island that is devoid of natural resources, Singaporeans have learned to combine their skills and diligence with education and technology to sustain the momentum of their economic growth. There was early recognition that information technology would be needed to leverage Singapore’s intellectual capital in order for her to move into the ranks of developed nations. A concerted effort to harness computer power began in the early 1980s, and in a manner that has become a national formula, the government took the leadership reins of the race. Singapore’s information technology (IT) initiatives evolved in three phases, each framed by a national plan that clearly articulated goals, policies, resources and projects. The first phase from 1981 to 1985 saw the start of the Civil Service Computerization Programme and the establishment of the National Computer Board. The Programme’s broad objective was to computerise government ministries so as to increase productivity and raise the quality of public services. An important subtext of the first phase was for Singapore to seed its ow