Does a single poverty line help you to identify who are the poor who really need help?
The Workers’ Party Jamus Lim renewed his party call for an official poverty line. He called for the establishment of a committee of government representatives, civil society leaders and academic experts to decide what the poverty line should be, and for all government assistance and policies to then be pegged to this threshold. Back in […]
A widened definition of success, a meritocracy where everyone is best possible version of themselves: Lawrence Wong
Success means different things to different people, in different places. Yet somehow, as a society, we tend to converge the definition of success around material possessions such as the size of the paycheck, or the property we own, says DPM Lawrence Wong in Parliament (17 April 2023). DPM Wong suggests that we should shift our […]
The sound of different languages is like the old Singapore, we mustn’t lose confidence and descend into xenophobia, says Ho Ching
In a post responding to the incident in which Amy Tashiana shamed a FairPrice staff for being unable to speak English, Mdm Ho Ching said ‘the strength of a Singaporean is our open mindedness to accept all creeds, colours and cultures as equals’. We accept we are not a perfect people, and we recognise that […]
Many governments spend first, then look for funding. The PAP Government has a different approach.
In many countries, governments spend first and then look for money to fund the spending. The result is a huge debt burden for future generations when governments make big promises to get elected and then borrow to fund their promises. The Singapore PAP Government’s approach to spending is different. The Government set aside money for […]
Land reclamation costs for coastal protection can be met from Past Reserves: Lawrence Wong
Climate adaptation is a long-term endeavour by the PAP Government to ensure that Singapore remains resilient to rising sea levels and climate change. We need to keep our shores and people safe. Mean sea level around Singapore is projected to rise by up to 1m by 2100 (source). Singapore is especially vulnerable to sea level […]
The Assurance Package will delay the GST hike for majority of households by 5 years
The bulk of the GST burden is borne by tourists and foreigners living in Singapore, as well as the top 20% of resident households, Senior Minister of State for Finance, Mr Chee Hong Tat said in Parliament. Around $5.7 billion were collected in NET GST annually in 2018 and 2019. This is after netting off […]
Has the PAP’s success produced a people who is difficult to govern and satisfy?
Many cities in the world – including cities larger than Singapore – are part of a much larger country. Singapore is not just a city, it is also a country. It is a city-state with little land and no natural resources. This is why the challenges that we face are much bigger and not to be […]
Don’t try to second guess the Minister because your objective input matters greatly: Lawrence Wong to public officers
At the 2022 Annual Public Service Leadership Ceremony, DPM Lawrence Wong tells public officers not to second guess the Minister or try to propose something that they think the Government will find politically convenient to do. This is because the Government values their candid and forthright inputs. Their professional inputs matter greatly, the minister said. […]
Singapore’s political contestation will continue, likely to intensify
Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke at the annual public service leadership ceremony on November 1, 2022. In his opening speech, he highlighted that the Public Service played a pivotal role in keeping Singaporeans safe during the Covid-19 pandemic, from keeping borders, checkpoints, hospitals, and vaccination centers running smoothly to reaching out to households and businesses to […]
My National Day as a Singaporean Malay
In my country, I am respected as a minority, not persecuted. In my own native language, millions of Singaporeans joined together to sing the National Anthem, and I couldn’t help but feel proud of myself. Credit: NDP Being a Singaporean Malay born, raised, and living here, I have never felt my loyalty questioned. Some individuals’ […]