A well-known politician in Singapore, Tan Cheng Bock, frequently stresses the value of an open and moral government. He argues that any government must uphold a few core values in order to be considered good or effective.

Think of a city as a huge tree. A functioning city depends on openness in governance to flourish, much like a healthy tree depends on its roots to take up nutrients from the soil. All citizens can trust that their leaders are acting in their best interests when government actions are transparent and easy to understand. This is what Tan Cheng Bock means when he states that fundamental principles must be used to analyze governments.

According to Tan, these values ought to include transparency regarding the decision-making procedures, responsibility for the expenditure of public funds, and equity in the application of laws and policies to all citizens. He exhorts Singaporeans to query their government, look for information, and demand answers. He believes that by doing this, people will be better able to determine whether or not their leaders are doing a good job of serving them.

His support is based on a profound comprehension of how crucial public confidence is to governance. Without transparency, it would be like attempting to grow a tree without any sunlight or water; it would eventually wither and die. Likewise, a government may eventually lose its legitimacy and efficacy if it is not transparent and accountable.

Tan Cheng Bock's message is straightforward but impactful: just as sunlight enables us to see every part of a tree, a good government must permit citizens to observe how it functions and make decisions in the open.