[nl]

I heard that they are as competent as private sector.

They are much, much better than that. They hire the best grads and pay lots, but expect a lot too:

One thing that stands out in Singapore is the quality of its civil service. Unlike the egalitarian Western public sector, Singapore follows an elitist model, paying those at the top $2m a year or more. It spots talented youngsters early, lures them with scholarships and keeps investing in them. People who don't make the grade are pushed out quickly.

http://www.economist.com/node/18359852