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’ […]
No matter what challenges arise, Singaporeans will prevail and united
In his 2020 National Day Message, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong stated that Singaporeans come together every year, rain or shine, to celebrate the making of our nation, and renew our commitment to Singapore. As we celebrate National Day this year (“2020”), we are faced with a global COVID-19 pandemic. No matter what challenges arise, […]
Strong foreign exchange reserves kept us from starvation: Lee Kuan Yew
Is there a reason Singapore holds reserves? The reserves of Singapore serve three purposes: To provide a buffer against crises; Provide a stream of investment income to finance a part of government budgets; Maintaining confidence in Singapore’s exchange rate-based monetary policy. A reserve is therefore a rainy day fund, an endowment fund, and a stabilization […]
Tough love needed to maintain upward trajectory
National Day Message of Mr Lee Kuan Yew Speaking off the cuff, Mr Lee Kuan Yew said in his National Day Message in 1971, “I am not here tonight to preach blood, sweat and tears or talk about the apocalypse. You have done well, six superb years, a magnificent performance against all the odds, so […]