Commenting on the developments and progress of Singapore as it turns 50, SMU Wee Kim Wee Centre Director and Associate Professor of English Literature Kirpal Singh praised the pioneer leaders for having a very clear blueprint, adding that the various developments were “well-orchestrated, well-managed and very effectively productive”. While he acknowledged the importance of applying the same disciplined approach and a clear thought-out vision in the next 50 years, he stressed that the “exact formula” of the past would not work as “times have changed, people have changed, and the sensibilities are different”. Professor Singh also shared his views on other issues such as the foreign worker population, the link between globalisation and national identity, and the ’rivalry’ between Singapore and Hong Kong.