Singapore is increasingly concerned about both. The negative scenario is further darkened by the sharp slowdown in the US and Japanese economies, which is already hitting growth in Singapore and other Asian economies. If you look at leaders elections have thrown up elsewhere, you will see that the results were often dismal. Even under the more benign projection, characterised by stability across the Asia-Pacific region, Mr Goh warned that the failure of government resolve may allow income disparities to balloon, polarising social groups. China faces difficulties in restructuring its economy.
Japan remains stuck in low growth and South Korea stalls.
Southeast Asian countries are laden with debt and gripped by political crises. The region becomes unstable. Illegal immigrants flood Singapore looking for jobs and food. Piracy in the surrounding waters increases. The Prime Minister must call a general election sometime before August 2002.