Post on 16-Dec-2015
Content
Development Status of Singapore Analysis of current proposals in GE 2011
Manifesto Manifesto
Economic Indicators
Income per capita (Per Capita GNI) UN High-Income economies
US$10726 or more
Singapore has > that valuesince 1990
Amount set to increaseaccording to trend
DEVELOPED SUSTAINABLE
Year S$ US$2000 40,029 23,2202001 37,546 20,9562002 37,687 21,0472003 39,136 22,4642004 42,380 25,0722005 45,537 27,3562006 50,567 31,8252007 56,369 37,4022008 52,941 37,4192009 52,177 35,8732010 57,603 42,246
Economic Indicators
Employment structure Large majority of workforce employed in
secondary and tertiary industries DEVELOPED SUSTAINABLE?
Dependent on other countries for primary resources
Lack of primary industry would mean no secondary or tertiary industry
Economic Indicators
However, though GDP growth (14%) is significant, Increasing income gap between the rich and the poor
Bottom 10% employed househoulds have average monthly household income per household member of $354, up from $340 3 years ago
Bottom 20% employed households have average monthly household income per household member of $675, up from $630 3 years ago
Poor are not gaining from GDP growth Large sum of GDP growth goes to corporate companies
profits and top income wagers Lead to Poor being Poorer, Rich being Richer
Social Unrest due to conflict
Demographic Indicators
Population Pyramid Narrow base with a significant
boradening in upper portion
Lower Birth Rate Lower Death Rate
Ageing Population (Unsustainable) Developed
Demographic Indicators
Life expectancy
All of Singapore’s population has access to healthcare services
High Life Expectancy, THUS DEVELOPED
Year Total Male Female
1999 77.6 75.6 79.6
2004 79.6 77.1 82.0
2005 80.1 77.6 82.5
2006 80.3 77.8 82.6
2007 80.6 78.1 82.9
2008 80.9 78.4 83.3
2009 81,4 79.0 83.7
Demographic Indicators
Infant mortality rate
Low, due to great sanitation facilities and healthcare systems, thus DEVELOPED
Demographic Indicator
% of Urban Population 100% All Singaporeans live in an urban area, with
modern infrastructure and facilities THUS DEVELOPED
Social Indicators
Access to water and sanitation 100%
Adult Literacy Rate 94.6% Compulsory primary school education
Multi-racial cosmopolitan society Equal opportunities for all DEVELOPED
Environment Aspect (Sustainability)
Nature Reserves are preserved for leisure Bukit Batok Nature Reserve Bukit Timah Hill Various resovoirs Chek Jawa
Efforts made to preserve nature amidst great economic growth
Switch to usage of lower power appliances (Road lamps) and smart appliances
Immeasurable Aspects
Freedom of speech Restricted and controlled by government in
Singapore Worries of life (Quality of life)
Stress from hectic lifestyle Worries to make a living in high cost of living
city
Conclusion about Development of Singapore
DEVELOPMENT RESULT: DEVELOPED ECONOMICALLY DEVELOPED DEMOGRAPHICALLY DEVELOPED SOCIALLY NOT DEVELOPED IN UNMEASURABLE ASPECTS UNEQUAL DEVELOPMENT
SUSTAINABILITY SOCIALLY UNSUSTAINABLE DEMOGRAPHICALLY UNSUSTAINABLE Partial Economic Unsustainability ENVIRONMENTALLY SUSTAINABLE
NOT DEVELOPED IN UNMEASRUABLE ASPECTS
Freedom of Speech All rallies must be government approved Media controlled
UNEQUAL DEVELOPMENT IN SINGAPORE
Widening Income Gap Leading to conflict and SOCIAL
UNSUSTAINABLILITY
PARTIAL ECONOMIC UNSUSTAINABILITY
Lack of primary industry would mean a down fall of secondary and tertiary industries as LEDCs are moving towards these industries, and less primary industries are available
CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FORHIGHER INCOMES FOR ALL
Growth will benefit all citizens We will create fulfilling jobs and opportunities for
everyone to progress, including the lower- and middle-income groups. To achieve this, we will: Ensure a diverse and innovative economy, that enables
Singapore to overcome the competitive challenges ahead and hold its own internationally
Help companies expand and compete overseas, while attracting new investments that add value to Singapore
Deepen R&D and innovation in every industry, so that companies can come up with new products and services to grow their businesses
Work with unions and firms to raise productivity and upgrade jobs in every line of work, so that all workers can raise their skills and earn more
Invest $2.5 billion in Continuous Education and Training, so that everyone has the chance to develop their skills and expertise or enter new fields throughout their working lives
IMPROVE THE LIVES OF LOWER INCOME SINGAPOREANS
Every citizen will share in Singapore’s progress. We are doing more to help lower-income Singaporeans to
uplift themselves, and to encourage their children to discover their strengths and do well. To achieve this, we will: Reward work and the spirit of self-reliance, by enhancing incomes
through Workfare Help them own their homes through the Additional Housing Grants and
the new Special Housing Grants, and provide them more housing options including two-room flats
Support their children with larger bursaries and grants from pre-school through to tertiary education, and ensure specialist support for schools to intervene early to help them achieve their full potential
Strengthen the safety net for the needy, ill or disabled through Medifund and Public Assistance, as well as ComCare and the many helping hands of the community
Foster the spirit of volunteerism and help community groups raise donations through government co-funding, so that everyone plays a role in building a compassionate society
BRING OUT THE BESTIN EVERY CHILD
Our children are our future. We will create one of the best education systems in
the world, giving Singaporeans of diverse abilities and interests the paths to develop themselves to the fullest. To achieve this, we will: Engage and deploy more quality teachers and allied educators in
every school to develop the character, values and all-round abilities of our children
Upgrade older school buildings through the PRIME programme and provide outstanding facilities for all schools, including indoor sports halls and performance arts and dance studios
Open more pathways for children with diverse interests and abilities to do well in academic or technical fields, or in the arts and sports
Offer more support for children with learning difficulties and special needs
Widen the range of university, polytechnic and ITE programmes to create many peaks of excellence, and enhance financial support for students from lower and middle-income families
Build more childcare centres and kindergartens in every neighbourhood and raise their quality, to give every child a good start in life and to support couples who want more children
EQUAL EDUCATIOANL OPPORTUNITIES
Good primary schools in every neighbourhood We are transforming primary education across the island:
More teachers in every school. We will have one teacher for every 16 pupils by 2015, compared to
19 pupils in 2010 and 26 in 2000. There will also be more allied educators, such as specialists in
learning disabilities. Best facilities for broad-based learning.
Most primary schools will become single session by 2016. They will also have better classrooms, special rooms for art and
music, plus eco-ponds and science gardens for outdoor learning. Every child will get a strong, all-round foundation, no matter which
school they attend. There will be more teaching of weaker pupils in smaller groups,
more individual help, as well as more programmes to nurture those with special talents.
DEVELOP A VIBRANT CITY ANDAN ENDEARING HOME
We will create the best home, a city for the young and old.
Singaporeans will enjoy a city that offers not just good career opportunities, but an outstanding living environment. To achieve this, we will: Provide new, high-quality and affordable HDB home Upgrade and preserve the value of older homes and estates Give entire towns a fresh makeover through the Remaking Our
Heartlands programme, including new sports facilities and better parks Invest $60 billion to double our MRT network, so as to shorten
commuting times and reduce crowding while keeping fares affordable Enhance our green spaces and blue waters, and expand opportunities
for recreation around the island, including building the new Sports Hub Build a distinctive and exciting city. It will have thriving arts and
culture scene, a cosmopolitan city centre, and vibrant regional hubs like Jurong Lake District and Paya Lebar Central
KEEPING HDB SUSTAINABLE
Improving our neighbourhoods We will continue to refresh and renew our HDB
homes. For example, The Lift Upgrading Programme will be completed by 2014. Over the next five years, 350,000 households will also benefit from: The Home Improvement Programme (HIP) which provides each
flat with upgrading worth about $25,000 – including ceiling repairs and new toilets, pipes and doors.
The Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) which provides playgrounds and exercise facilities, covered walkways and drop-off porches, and residents’ corners and seating areas.
22,000 households in older private residential estates will get the Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP), which includes wider footpaths, better drainage and furniture and play equipment for parks.
HELP OUR SENIORS STAY ACTIVE,HEALTHY AND ENGAGED
We honour our seniors. We will provide them the best possible support so that they
can age with dignity and grace. To achieve this, we will: Partner employers to help older Singaporeans to stay employed and
independent Develop Wellness Programmes in every neighbourhood to help senior
citizens stay healthy and engaged with a network of friends Build new General Hospitals in Jurong and Sengkang, and keep health
services affordable to all Singaporeans through the ‘3 Ms’ of Medisave, MediShield and Medifund
Transform long-term care and bring it closer to the home with enhanced support from the new $1 billion Community Silver Trust, as well as ElderShield and ElderFund
Expand and upgrade polyclinics, community hospitals, nursing homes, day rehabilitation and home nursing services
Make every town and estate barrier-free, so that the elderly and disabled can move around easily and participate in the larger community
INVOLVE ALL SINGAPOREANSIN SHAPING OUR FUTURE
Singapore belongs to each and every one of us We will engage with a broad range of citizens, to create a
better future together and a home that our young will continue to be proud of. To achieve this, we will: Enhance channels for public participation and feedback to encourage fresh
and diverse ideas, and to build a broad consensus on key national issues Keep evolving and improving our democracy. The new election rules
encourage greater competition and give alternative voices a larger representation in the next Parliament
Encourage our youth to pursue causes they believe in and take the initiative to build a green and sustainable society
Keep in close touch with citizens working and studying overseas, who are also part of our Singapore family
Help new Singaporeans integrate into our society and contribute actively Deepen the trust among different races and religions and strengthen our
common identity with each new generation of Singaporeans Sustain our collective will to safeguard the nation’s security and preserve
what we have built up together
PAP Manifesto Conclusion CREATE OPPORTUNITIES FOR HIGHER INCOMES FOR ALL
Bringing down income gap disparity Social and economic sustainability
IMPROVE THE LIVES OF LOWER INCOME SINGAPOREANS Bringing down income gap disparity Social and economic
sustainability BRING OUT THE BEST IN EVERY CHILD
Maintain, if not increase literacy rate Social and economic sustainability
EQUAL EDUCATIOANL OPPORTUNITIES Democratic state based on meritocracy Social and economic
sustainability DEVELOP A VIBRANT CITY AND AN ENDEARING HOME
KEEPING HDB SUSTAINABLE Minimal wastage of materials by building things good and for
the long term HELP OUR SENIORS STAY ACTIVE, HEALTHY AND ENGAGED
Demographic sustainability INVOLVE ALL SINGAPOREANS IN SHAPING OUR FUTURE
Economic, social and political sustainability
Governance and Civil Liberties
Parliamentary elections and electoral boundary delineation should be organized by independent bodies reporting to the Chief Justice and President so as to ensure political neutrality.
The Public Order Act (POA) should not be used to curtail active citizenry. In particular, the provisions on Public Assembly, Move-on order and restrictions on filming of law enforcement operations should be reviewed. (Freedom of speech)
The voting age should be brought down from 21 to 18, the benchmark age.
The office of Parliamentary Ombudsman should be established for any citizen to lodge a complaint against a civil servant. This process will enhance government accountability and give more options for citizen redress.
Justice Law and Order
Mandatory sentences for capital offences should be removed as they take away the discretion of the judge to adjust a sentence to suit the individual case circumstances. Parliament can set limits on the degree of discretion, depending on the offence.
For capital cases, the trial should be conducted by a tribunal of two judges whose decision to impose the death sentence must be unanimous. On appeal, the death sentence should be upheld only if it is confirmed unanimously by all three judges in the Court of Appeal.
Adequate resources should be allocated to the Home Team to fight crime. The government should continue to monitor and moderate the workload demands in terms of population growth, new crime concerns and events security, to ensure that the community is not adversely affected.
Arts, Media, Information and New Technology
A Freedom of Information Act should be enacted containing provisions to allow citizens to gather information from the State and to ensure that the government puts out sufficient information
Temporary statistics and information collected by the government, particularly aggregated social statistics, shall, as far as possible, be de-classified and made available in the public domain to promote research and informed debate on matters of public interest.
Official secrets should be de-classified after a maximum period of time has passed or as soon as the information is no longer sensitive. This will enable the public to debate the course of history and deepen citizens’ understanding of key events.
More transparency in government movements A Privacy Act should be enacted to ensure that ordinary
citizens’ rights to privacy are protected.
Economic Policy
Singapore needs to lessen its reliance on Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and multi-national companies (MNCs). These have a tendency to crowd out local entrepreneurs. Instead we should focus more on nurturing home grown enterprises.
We should encourage our best talents to start companies or work in local enterprises.
The government should strive to give local SMEs a fair chance at contracts, rather than choosing GLCs or MNCs because they are perceived to be the “safe” option.
The government should seek to attract more venture capital firms to Singapore to provide funding for start-ups and managerial expertise to assist our entrepreneurs.
Effective measures to curb property and land speculation must be implemented and continually reviewed, as high rentals add to the cost of doing business in Singapore.
Population and Immigration
While immigrants who contribute to the economic vibrancy and diversity of our nation are welcome, the rate of immigration should not exceed the capacity of the country’s infrastructure and the comfort level of the local population.
To increase our local fertility rate, we need to lower workplace and career impediments to childbearing and childrearing. There should be increased support and stronger incentives for employers to implement better work-life balance practices and flexi-work arrangements. The Civil Service should set the example for the private sector to follow.
Paternity leave of at least 6 days, half of which will be funded by the government, should be introduced and legislated.
All overseas Singaporeans should be allowed to vote in elections by postal votes. This will help them to remain more engaged and feel a greater stake in Singapore.
Public Housing
The prices of new HDB flats should not be pegged to the resale market price and then discounted. Instead, the prices of new flats should be pegged to median incomes of Singaporean households who qualify to buy HDB flats.
The price of new HDB flats should be affordable enough to enable most lessees to pay off their loans in 20 years rather than 30 years.
The criteria to qualify for public rental housing should be more flexible to cater to families who are financially strapped. The number of flats available under the Public Rental Scheme should be increased significantly to cope with increasing demand.
The eligibility criteria for the HDB’s Lease Buyback Scheme should be reviewed to extend it to more households who may be in financial need.
Healthcare
A compulsory Basic Hospitalisation Scheme with co-payment of the premium from the government should be implemented. The scheme should aim to achieve universal coverage for all basic hospital care at a standard premium rate regardless of age. The premium should be affordable for up to 90th percentile of the working population.
The government must play its role to monitor and provide support and intervention to VWOs and commercial enterprises in the long term care sector. This is to ensure such services are readily available, of good quality, and affordable.
Education The class size for all levels of primary and secondary schools should
be reduced to approximately 20 pupils. This small class size setting will allow a teacher to focus more attention on weaker students.
A study should be initiated to explore the feasibility of a primary-secondary integrated programme.
The tuition grant for local undergraduates should be increased to better reflect the value of our citizenship and make tertiary education more affordable. Currently, the tuition grant for all undergraduates is the same regardless of nationality.
Special Education (SPED) schools should come under the direct funding and total administration of MOE. The ministry should then work with VWOs to run these fully funded SPED schools.
National Education should include the teaching of our Constitution, the political system of Parliamentary Democracy, the rights and obligations of being a citizen and more.
Society
Voluntary Welfare Organisation (VWOs) providing healthcare and support services to the elderly should receive more government support.
The government should ratify the United Nations Convention on the rights of Persons with disabilities and take a whole-of-government approach to ensure that its key provisions are implemented in Singapore.
There is a disconnect in local community identity due to the artificial aggregation of estates under the Group Representation Constituencies (GRCs). The abolition of GRCs and restoration of single seats would promote a sense of local identity.
Transport
Instead of public transport being provided by profit-oriented companies, all public transport including the MRT & public buses servicing major routes should be brought under a National Transport Corporation, a public body, to ensure a smooth integration of the overall national transport network and to avoid unnecessary duplication of services and overheads incurred by multiple operators.
The Public Transport Council should be dissolved. Government accountability for public transport matters should be via a unit under the Land Transport Authority. This unit should receive feedback, audit services, review productivity and examine the need for fare adjustments.
Concession passes on public transport for the elderly should be extended to all operating hours. Disabled concessions should be funded by the government.
Sports and Recreation
The goals for Sports Excellence should be revised. There should be stronger emphasis placed on sports that are popular among Singaporeans and have a greater ability to rally the nation together, rather than their medal-winning potentials.
Singapore soccer needs revival. The Football Association of Singapore should seriously explore the re-entry of a Singaporean team into the Malaysia Cup. Our domestic S-League should also be strengthened in terms of playing standards and marketing, so as to resurrect it to a state of health, provide good career opportunities for local players and to support the national team.
The leaders of National Sports Associations should be elected from among the sporting fraternity. Politicians should not hold such positions
Labour Policy Low wage workers’ wage supplements, including for the self-
employed, should have higher cash components, be paid out more regularly and be pegged to cost of living.
Foreign manpower dependency ratios / quotas should be carefully calibrated for all skill levels, and by industry rather than broad sectors such as manufacturing or services. The factors for calibration by industry include productivity targets, suitability of Singaporeans for those industries, and sustainability.
Older workers must be protected from shabby treatment and exploitation. Since the Central Provident Fund (CPF) draw-down age has been moved from 62 to 65 years, job security from 62 to 65 should be assured either by moving the statutory retirement age to 65 or strengthening the re-employment obligations for more seamless continuity of employment from 62 to 65.
A Board of Equal Opportunity should be set up to ensure that there is no discrimination in employment on the basis of age, race, religion, gender or disability.
Central Provident Fund Policy
Retirement adequacy via CPF needs to be boosted. CPF rates should not be tinkered with during economic cycles. Apart from paying CPF members interest on their balances, dividends should be paid periodically, since the government utilizes CPF monies for investment and reaps gains above the CPF interest rates.
The government should underwrite the solvency of CPF Life.
CPF members own their CPF monies. Given the uncertain employment outlook for older workers, members should be allowed to start draw-downs after reaching 60 years old. In addition, members in dire financial straits should be allowed to make limited draws on their CPF funds, subject to strict conditions.
WP Policy Conclusion Governance and Civil Liberties (Political
Stability) Justice Law and Order (Social Sustainability) Arts, Media, Information and New Technology
(Political Transparency) Economic Policy (Economic Sustainability) Population and Immigration (Demographic
Sustainability) Public Housing (Economic Sustainability) Healthcare (Social and Economic
Sustainability) Education (Social Sustainability) Society (Social Sustainability) Transport (Economic Sustainability) Sports and Recreation (Social Sustainability) Labour Policy (Economic Sustainability) Central Provident Fund Policy (Economic
Sustainability)
Perspective of Singapore’s Development
Singapore is Economically DEVELOPED but may not be SUSTAINABLE as highly dependent on other countries
Singapore is Socially DEVELOPED, but with MANY PROBLEMS
Demographically DEVELOPED, but NOT SUSTAINABLE
Politically STABLE AND DEVELOPED, but NOT QUITE FAIR
Goals of Manifesto
Provide solutions and suggestions to Singapore’s current 2 large problematic sectors: Economic Demographic
USING A COMBINATION OF VARIOUS PARTIES MANIFESTOs AND SOME ADDITIONS
Other problems which will not be included: Social Political
ECONOMIC: INCOME DISPARITY
Growth will benefit all citizens We will create fulfilling jobs and opportunities for everyone to
progress, including the lower- and middle-income groups. To achieve this, we will: Ensure a diverse and innovative economy, that enables Singapore to
overcome the competitive challenges ahead and hold its own internationally
Help companies expand and compete overseas, while attracting new investments that add value to Singapore
Deepen R&D and innovation in every industry, so that companies can come up with new products and services to grow their businesses
Work with unions and firms to raise productivity and upgrade jobs in every line of work, so that all workers can raise their skills and earn more
Invest $2.5 billion in Continuous Education and Training, so that everyone has the chance to develop their skills and expertise or enter new fields throughout their working lives
ECONOMIC: INCOME DISPARITY
Every citizen will share in Singapore’s progress. We are doing more to help lower-income Singaporeans to
uplift themselves, and to encourage their children to discover their strengths and do well. To achieve this, we will: Reward work and the spirit of self-reliance, by enhancing incomes
through Workfare Help them own their homes through the Additional Housing Grants and
the new Special Housing Grants, and provide them more housing options including two-room flats
Support their children with larger bursaries and grants from pre-school through to tertiary education, and ensure specialist support for schools to intervene early to help them achieve their full potential
Strengthen the safety net for the needy, ill or disabled through Medifund and Public Assistance, as well as ComCare and the many helping hands of the community
Foster the spirit of volunteerism and help community groups raise donations through government co-funding, so that everyone plays a role in building a compassionate society
ECONOMIC: REDUCE RELIANCE
Singapore needs to lessen its reliance on Government-Linked Companies (GLCs) and multi-national companies (MNCs). These have a tendency to crowd out local entrepreneurs. Instead we should focus more on nurturing home grown enterprises.
We should encourage our best talents to start companies or work in local enterprises.
The government should strive to give local SMEs a fair chance at contracts, rather than choosing GLCs or MNCs because they are perceived to be the “safe” option.
The government should seek to attract more venture capital firms to Singapore to provide funding for start-ups and managerial expertise to assist our entrepreneurs.
Effective measures to curb property and land speculation must be implemented and continually reviewed, as high rentals add to the cost of doing business in Singapore.
ECONOMIC: COST OF HOUSING
The prices of new HDB flats should not be pegged to the resale market price and then discounted. Instead, the prices of new flats should be pegged to median incomes of Singaporean households who qualify to buy HDB flats.
The price of new HDB flats should be affordable enough to enable most lessees to pay off their loans in 20 years rather than 30 years.
The criteria to qualify for public rental housing should be more flexible to cater to families who are financially strapped. The number of flats available under the Public Rental Scheme should be increased significantly to cope with increasing demand.
The eligibility criteria for the HDB’s Lease Buyback Scheme should be reviewed to extend it to more households who may be in financial need.
Demographic: Ageing Population
We honour our seniors. We will provide them the best possible support so that they can
age with dignity and grace. To achieve this, we will: Partner employers to help older Singaporeans to stay employed and
independent Develop Wellness Programmes in every neighbourhood to help senior citizens
stay healthy and engaged with a network of friends Build new General Hospitals in Jurong and Sengkang, and keep health services
affordable to all Singaporeans through the ‘3 Ms’ of Medisave, MediShield and Medifund
Transform long-term care and bring it closer to the home with enhanced support from the new $1 billion Community Silver Trust, as well as ElderShield and ElderFund
Expand and upgrade polyclinics, community hospitals, nursing homes, day rehabilitation and home nursing services
Make every town and estate barrier-free, so that the elderly and disabled can move around easily and participate in the larger community
Job security /reemployment from 62 to 65 should be assured Controlled CPF draw-downs after reaching 60 years old
Demographic: Influx of Foreign Workers
While immigrants who contribute to the economic vibrancy and diversity of our nation are welcome, the rate of immigration should not exceed the capacity of the country’s infrastructure and the comfort level of the local population.
Foreign manpower dependency ratios / quotas should be carefully calibrated for all skill levels, and by industry rather than broad sectors such as manufacturing or services. The factors for calibration by industry include productivity targets, suitability of Singaporeans for those industries, and sustainability.
Conclusion
HDI combines three important development indicators Economic indicator (GNI per Capita)
Increased in pay Social indicator (Adult Literacy Rate)
Better education system Train and retrain skilled/unskilled workers
Demographic indicator (Life expectancy) Better management of ageing population Better medical facilities World class living condition