SINGAPORE - The more countries do not deliver governance, the more people will lose faith in existing institutions, in the judiciary and in the rule of law.
Minister for Law and Home Affairs K. Shanmugam said on Jan 14 that until governments get their act together and deliver better governance, the rule of law is going to continue to erode.
He was responding to a question posed during a fireside chat that was held at a conference to mark the tenth anniversary of the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC).
The session was moderated by Senior Counsel Cavinder Bull.
SICC International Judge Lord Jonathan Hugh Mance noted that the world seems to be dividing into countries which have a “traditional” perception of the rule of law, one that is shared by Singapore, and countries which have a completely different view.
The British judge asked what can be done to promote those who believe in the rule of law.
Mr Shanmugam said the bigger problem today was governance. Even countries which are traditionally seen as having good rule of law standards are not delivering governance, he said.
He gave the example of Britain, which he described as a “standard-bearer for the rule of law”, where a minister openly said the country might break international law.
Mr Shanmugam was referring to the introduction of a Bill that would override some parts of its Brexit treaty with the European Union.
He asked whether the governance of the different prime ministers in Britain in the last few years have improved the lives of the people.
Mr Shanmugam said the United States would also be the “shining light” of the rule of law, but he added: “You don’t quite hear the same refrain about the rule of law today in American politics.”
“So I think the bigger problem is the legitimacy of governments.”
He said the people’s trust in the elected government and in Congress is in “single digits”, while the standing of the US Supreme Court is in the “low teens”.
Mr Shanmugam noted that when governments think through policies, put them in place and drive them through, the group that is affected will mobilise to block them, even though a larger majority are going to benefit.
“Until democracies get their act together and deliver better governance, I think rule of law is going to continue to erode.
“It’s only the countries that can deliver governance that I think will continue to be ...