Show that growth policies are humane, says MP
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SINGAPORE: Minister of State for Health Amy Khor said the government will need to step up efforts to show that its growth policies are humane.
This is amid criticism the country emphasises on economic growth while excluding everything else.
To convince detractors, Dr Khor said the social safety net -- comprising Workfare, ComCare and Medifund -- could be strengthened.
She called for more frequent payouts for low-wage workers under the Workfare Income Supplement Scheme.
She suggested raising the household income ceiling criteria for ComCare schemes, to help families cope with the rising cost of living.
"The key point here is that the qualifying criteria as well as the quantum and types of assistance need to be reviewed periodically, and revised if necessary," Dr Khor said.
"The rules should also be applied flexibly to ensure that no one who genuinely needs help falls through the cracks."
Meanwhile, MP for Pioneer Cedric Foo called on the government to share more information on its policy formulation process with Singaporeans.
Mr Foo said despite the best intentions of the government when making decisions, the public at large does not have the benefit of this information.
- CNA/wk -
From this you know they have not changed their thinking one bit.
It's like taking lots of steroids and then they try to explain to you why having more bulging muscles in a very short time is good for you.
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Lawrence Wong makes rebuttal arguments on growth policies
SINGAPORE: Minister of State for Defence and Education Lawrence Wong has rebutted arguments by some MPs in Parliament that the problems being faced by Singapore are the result of the government's focus on growth.
He said the government has never pursued GDP as an end in itself. Rather, growth has been pursued with a firm commitment to fairness, and as the foundation for broader benefits for all.
"The criticisms against growth are not uniquely heard in this House. They are also heard in other developed countries, as growth becomes tainted by the excesses of capitalism. But they have arisen more fundamentally due to the pressures in the workplace brought about by globalisation and the IT revolution," said Mr Wong, who is also MP for West Coast GRC.
"In the past, the competition came from low-wage, low-skilled workers. Now, there is also competition from low-wage, high-skilled workers. Reading X-rays or filing tax returns can be done by lower-paid radiologists or accountants - they do the work in India, and send the results back the next day via fibre-optic cable," he added.
Mr Wong explained that very few other countries have emerged from the last five years of the global turmoil with such positive results.
But Singapore made it happen, because of policies to promote sustainable and inclusive growth - growth that benefits every citizen, strengthens social solidarity, and increases living standards not just for today, but for future generations as well.
Turning to education, Mr Wong said: "Next year, the new Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) will take in its first batch of students. The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) will also have new programmes with overseas universities.
"So we can expect an increase of around 1,000 university places for Singaporeans in 2012. Thereafter, there will be an increase of another 1,000 more university places over the next few years."
Concluding his speech, he said that while the government will do its part to facilitate and lead in terms of the broad directions, it will also need the support of Singaporeans.
Mr Wong said: "To understand and tackle our challenges fully and vigorously, we need to draw on the expertise and resources of all our people. This means that the government should pull back from being all things to all citizens, and give Singaporeans the opportunity and space to organise themselves, and develop their own solutions."
- CNA /ls -
again my previous overtones on the need for a balanced and more caring system than just focusing on economic scorecard...
the social psychology of the nation must be in tandem with economic growth to achieve balanced outcome...
the real decision maker(s) are not heeding....
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Just heard radio news repeat his crap. So little comparative media coverage of the other MPs.
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Govt needs to acknowledge segments of populations left behind: Shanmugam
SINGAPORE: Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said that even as the government continues to push for growth, it must acknowledge there is a segment of the population which feels it is left behind.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the official opening of an upgraded Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) centre at Yishun, Mr Shanmugam said the government must do all it can to help.
The old Yishun Student Service Centre has been given a new look, and will serve not just students but workers and families too.
Mr Shanmugam used the centre as an example of how those who fall behind can be given a helping hand.
He said economic growth must remain a priority, and the challenge for the government is to stay ahead amid global competition. But at the same time, it needs to make sure that growth is inclusive.
Mr Shanmugam said: "If you are not getting the full benefit of growth, of course you will feel you are getting left behind. And there is a small section of the population which feels like that about the government and we must acknowledge that. We must acknowledge that as a genuine, legitimate feeling, and we must say what we can do to try and help."
Mr Shanmugam though conceded that it may be tough convincing Singaporeans that the government will take care of those in need.
He said communication will be key - a point that many People's Action Party MPs have raised in Parliament this week.
"You got to put your hand on your heart. First issue is you got to focus on it, accept it as a problem and then work hard at it."
He added while the government is there to serve the people, it's a many helping hands approach that will ensure no one slips though the cracks.
"It is the people and the government working together to try and find the solutions and moving forward," he said.
Separately, when asked about the case of two Singapore women made to do nude squats at a Johor detention centre for alleged immigration offences, Mr Shanmugam reiterated that the issue must be resolved in accordance with Malaysian laws.
He added Singapore has been told that Malaysian authorities are still finalising its investigation report.
Mr Shanmugam said: "What we want to know is how is the treatment of this case being taken and is it in accordance with malaysian procedures? A report has been promised to us. We had indicated when the news first came out about the incident that we are very concerned. These are Singapore citizens, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very concerned about the reporting and we wanted to know exactly what happened and why it happened? And we have been promised by the Malaysian authorities that they will do a thorough investigation and let us know."
- CNA/fa -
Originally posted by QX179R:
Govt needs to acknowledge segments of populations left behind: Shanmugam
SINGAPORE: Law and Foreign Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said that even as the government continues to push for growth, it must acknowledge there is a segment of the population which feels it is left behind.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the official opening of an upgraded Chinese Development Assistance Council (CDAC) centre at Yishun, Mr Shanmugam said the government must do all it can to help.
The old Yishun Student Service Centre has been given a new look, and will serve not just students but workers and families too.
Mr Shanmugam used the centre as an example of how those who fall behind can be given a helping hand.
He said economic growth must remain a priority, and the challenge for the government is to stay ahead amid global competition. But at the same time, it needs to make sure that growth is inclusive.
Mr Shanmugam said: "If you are not getting the full benefit of growth, of course you will feel you are getting left behind. And there is a small section of the population which feels like that about the government and we must acknowledge that. We must acknowledge that as a genuine, legitimate feeling, and we must say what we can do to try and help."
Mr Shanmugam though conceded that it may be tough convincing Singaporeans that the government will take care of those in need.
He said communication will be key - a point that many People's Action Party MPs have raised in Parliament this week.
"You got to put your hand on your heart. First issue is you got to focus on it, accept it as a problem and then work hard at it."
He added while the government is there to serve the people, it's a many helping hands approach that will ensure no one slips though the cracks.
"It is the people and the government working together to try and find the solutions and moving forward," he said.
Separately, when asked about the case of two Singapore women made to do nude squats at a Johor detention centre for alleged immigration offences, Mr Shanmugam reiterated that the issue must be resolved in accordance with Malaysian laws.
He added Singapore has been told that Malaysian authorities are still finalising its investigation report.
Mr Shanmugam said: "What we want to know is how is the treatment of this case being taken and is it in accordance with malaysian procedures? A report has been promised to us. We had indicated when the news first came out about the incident that we are very concerned. These are Singapore citizens, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is very concerned about the reporting and we wanted to know exactly what happened and why it happened? And we have been promised by the Malaysian authorities that they will do a thorough investigation and let us know."
- CNA/faI like how he used the word 'acknowledge'.