GST hike: the better-off should contribute a larger share but everyone needs to shoulder at least a small part of the burden
2022 will be a time of transition, PM Lee said in his New Year message. Our economy is recovering steadily and barring fresh disruptions, it should grow in step with the global economy. The past 2 years had been a long and hard fight grappling with COVID-19. The government took drastic measures to protect lives […]
WP Dennis Tan repeatedly tries to nail Raeesah Khan as mentally unsound
You would have thought that it would take just a few minutes for Dr Christopher Cheok to present his professional assessment of Raeesah Khan to the Committee of Privileges (COP). After all, it is an objective assessment based on internationally established criteria and practice. Not so for Dr Cheok. He found himself being asked numerous […]
Building a confident and cohesive Singapore in a post COVID-19 world
We come alive, survive and thrive on connectivity, without which we become pedestrian and unexceptional, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said in a speech made at the Civil Service College’s Social-Economic Nexus Speaking Engagement Series. This is why Singapore has spent decades building our trade networks through our FTA strategy, as well as air and […]
Omicron likely to be more widespread than just South Africa, says Ho Ching
The new variant of concern (VOC) named Omicron is likely to be more widespread than just South Africa, said Ms Ho Ching in a Facebook post. One Belgian case, for instance, visited Egypt and Turkey, and was not anywhere near southern Africa. This suggests more widespread transmission than just in southern Africa. The Omicron, said […]
Identity politics: we must not to allow differences to become permanent divides that separate us, says Lawrence Wong
How did people of different tribes live peacefully together in Singapore for more than half a century? Because generations of Singaporeans believed that what Singapore stood for as a nation exceeded the pull of their own tribal instincts and feelings, said Finance Minister Lawrence Wong. This was not an instinctive choice. Nor was it a […]
The genesis of GIC is part of the larger narrative of how Singapore manages its reserves to benefit Singaporeans
The creation of GIC 40 years ago in 1981 was a far-sighted, original and bold move. At that time, sovereign wealth funds did not exist. GIC was the brainchild of Dr Goh Keng Swee who was at that time Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. Central banks seek macroeconomic and […]
US-China relations: we do not take sides as default, we take principled positions in our own national interests, says Chan Chun Sing
Speaking at the 41st IISS-Asia Fullerton Lecture, Mr Chan said that sustained peace and progress are not beyond us if the US and China can arrive at a new modus vivendi that will set boundaries for competition and define areas of cooperation amidst competition, for the sake of the world and for themselves. “But even […]
Home ownership is not superior to home renting: WP MP Louis Chua
MP Louis Chua of the Workers’ Party said that one of the biggest misconceptions is that home ownership is superior to home renting. In his adjournment motion on 2 November 2021, Mr Chua pushed for a greater diversity of housing options. The key problem, he said, is the “severe shortage” of Housing Board (HDB) rental […]
How many times did WP Raeesah Khan lie? Why did she admit to lying?
How many times did WP Raeesah Khan lie? 3 times according to proceedings in Parliament on 1 November. She first made the claim that she had accompanied the rape survivor to make a police report on 3 August 2021. She repeated this claim when asked by Minister of State (Home Affairs) Desmond to provide details […]
We feel every single loss keenly. My deepest sympathies and condolences to all the families: PM Lee
The journey to living with COVID-19 has not been a smooth or easy one. With a highly vaccinated population (almost 85%), 98% of COVID-19 infections are either asymptomatic or mild, making it a disease not to be feared. Only 2% of cases develop a serious illness or need ICU care. Some die. But 2% of […]