The art of governing in Singapore has changed for the better.
The pressure was on the Government because of dissatisfaction arising from the higher cost of living and widening income gap. Over the past few years, steps have been taken to strengthen the trust between the Government and Singaporeans.
At last, the door has been opened to the changing circumstances and times, with several notable changes. Housing was top of the list when various cooling measures were implemented to bring down prices, with positive results.
In public transport, concessions were given to the low-income group and people with disabilities to mitigate the recent fare increases. We even have free rides in the morning to reduce peak-hour ridership.
An S$8 billion fund was set up to recognise the efforts of the pioneer generation, while the Silver Support Scheme is for the lower-income group aged 65 and above who have insufficient Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings.
S$4 billion will be provided for MediShield Life, to support compulsory medical insurance for everyone, including those not covered now because of pre-existing conditions, to meet rising hospitalisation costs.
And the S$1 billion Community Silver Trust helps fund voluntary welfare organisations through dollar-for-dollar matching of donations.
Soon, there will be flexibility to withdraw a small lump sum from one’s CPF upon reaching age 65, and SkillsFuture credits in adult education for everyone aged 25 and above to upgrade their skills. Also, the S$3.6 billion GST Voucher Fund ensures there are rebates to offset the GST the lower- and middle-income group pay.
The Government has come a long way to implement these socialist policies for the sake of Singaporeans’ well-being. This will stand us in good stead for a truly inclusive society to materialise. I commend the Government for its positive actions.
Listening to the people is not necessarily something that would lead our society to a bottomless pit of budget deficits, burdening future generations.
There are constitutional provisions to prevent future governments from raiding the past reserves and to hold the government of the day accountable to the people in keeping balanced Budgets. We cannot afford to have a bankrupt nation.
The present Government has assured us that Singapore will not be like many Western countries that have to roll back their unsustainable and populist welfare policies, which have become political entrapment.
The pressure was on the Government because of dissatisfaction arising from the higher cost of living and widening income gap. Over the past few years, steps have been taken to strengthen the trust between the Government and Singaporeans.
At last, the door has been opened to the changing circumstances and times, with several notable changes. Housing was top of the list when various cooling measures were implemented to bring down prices, with positive results.
In public transport, concessions were given to the low-income group and people with disabilities to mitigate the recent fare increases. We even have free rides in the morning to reduce peak-hour ridership.
An S$8 billion fund was set up to recognise the efforts of the pioneer generation, while the Silver Support Scheme is for the lower-income group aged 65 and above who have insufficient Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings.
S$4 billion will be provided for MediShield Life, to support compulsory medical insurance for everyone, including those not covered now because of pre-existing conditions, to meet rising hospitalisation costs.
And the S$1 billion Community Silver Trust helps fund voluntary welfare organisations through dollar-for-dollar matching of donations.
Soon, there will be flexibility to withdraw a small lump sum from one’s CPF upon reaching age 65, and SkillsFuture credits in adult education for everyone aged 25 and above to upgrade their skills. Also, the S$3.6 billion GST Voucher Fund ensures there are rebates to offset the GST the lower- and middle-income group pay.
The Government has come a long way to implement these socialist policies for the sake of Singaporeans’ well-being. This will stand us in good stead for a truly inclusive society to materialise. I commend the Government for its positive actions.
Listening to the people is not necessarily something that would lead our society to a bottomless pit of budget deficits, burdening future generations.
There are constitutional provisions to prevent future governments from raiding the past reserves and to hold the government of the day accountable to the people in keeping balanced Budgets. We cannot afford to have a bankrupt nation.
The present Government has assured us that Singapore will not be like many Western countries that have to roll back their unsustainable and populist welfare policies, which have become political entrapment.
