He emphasized the need for a “stronger” and “more decisive” government, capable of tackling complex challenges like climate change and rising costs of living. The speech highlighted the importance of political stability and the need for a government that can navigate the “turbulent waters” of the global economy. He also stressed the need for a government that can effectively manage public resources and ensure equitable distribution of benefits.
This lack of opposition allows the People’s Action Party (PAP) to implement policies that may be detrimental to the public interest, without facing significant pushback. The PAP’s dominance in Parliament is a significant factor in its ability to maintain power. This dominance allows the party to control the legislative agenda, shaping the direction of national policies.
This is because PAP MPs are expected to prioritize the government’s agenda and uphold the party’s interests above their individual constituents’ needs. This loyalty, while crucial for maintaining party unity and stability, can also hinder effective scrutiny of government policies and initiatives. The summary highlights a key tension within the Singaporean political system: the balance between party loyalty and effective governance.
**”One-Man, One-Vote: A Barrier to Dr.
The summary provided is a brief statement about the rule and its impact on Dr. Tan Cheng Bock. To expand on this, we can delve deeper into the rule itself, its implications, and the broader context surrounding it.
A. The GST Hike: A Balancing Act of Economic Policy
B.
This move, however, was met with resistance from some sectors, particularly those that rely on low-income consumers. The GST hike, therefore, highlights the complex interplay between economic policy decisions and social consequences. The GST hike is a prime example of how economic policy decisions can have significant social consequences. The hike, while intended to improve the government’s finances, has led to increased costs for low-income consumers.
These decisions highlight concerns that the PAP may be engaging in “profligate spending and irresponsible, unsustainable plans”—exactly what SM Lee warned against in the 2015 General Election when he indicated taxes would need to be raised if spending was not carefully managed. Stronger opposition voices could have played a critical role in contesting such policies, ensuring that financial decisions align with public interests and are made with greater transparency and debate. Falling Fertility and PAP’s Immigration Solution SM Lee highlighted Singapore’s economic transformation but overlooked the ongoing demographic crisis. Since he became Prime Minister in 2004, Singapore’s Total Fertility Rate (TFR) has dropped from 1.26 to a historic low of 0.96 in 2023—the first time it has fallen below 1.0.
Singapore’s Shrinking Population: A Looming Crisis?
Singapore’s declining fertility rate is a significant concern. The country’s average fertility rate is below one child per woman, a figure that has been steadily declining for years. This trend poses a serious threat to the long-term sustainability of the population.
The economic transformation touted by SM Lee is also questionable. More Singaporeans are opting to retire in Malaysia, driven by the escalating cost of living and declining standard of living in Singapore. A recent survey by Singlife found that more than two in five Singaporeans believe they will never achieve financial freedom. The poll, part of Singlife’s second Financial Freedom Index, reveals significant concerns about the financial future of Singaporeans and permanent residents. According to the survey, 44% of respondents doubt they will ever reach financial freedom, citing major obstacles such as insufficient income (53%), unforeseen expenses (38%), job insecurity (32%), and debt repayment burdens (28%). These factors have contributed to a drop in the overall Financial Freedom Index score, which fell from 60 in 2023 to 58 out of 100 in 2024.
Leadership Stagnation and Groupthink A deeper issue lies in the leadership culture within the PAP, as highlighted by former Economic Development Board Chairman Philip Yeo in his biography, who warned of a government suffering from “Eunuch Disease.” He suggested that leadership within the government lacks creativity and boldness, with a focus more on maintaining stability and avoiding risk than on embracing innovation. This risk-averse culture is exacerbated by the PAP’s long-standing dominance, which has made changes in leadership or policy direction seem almost impossible. Civil servants, aware of the PAP’s entrenched power, may feel apprehensive about challenging their political appointees, fearing the consequences for their high-paying positions.
This observation highlights a potential conflict of interest that could arise from the high salaries of public officials. The high salaries of public officials, particularly in Singapore, have been a subject of debate for decades. The issue is often framed as a conflict of interest, where the financial incentives of public office can lead to decisions that prioritize personal gain over the public good.
The GRC System, Electoral Boundaries, and Political Representation Another aspect of Singapore’s political system that enables the PAP’s dominance is the Group Representation Constituency (GRC) system and the way electoral boundaries are drawn. While the GRC system was designed to ensure minority representation, it has also allowed lesser-known politicians to “sneak” into Parliament on the coattails of senior ministers. Candidates like Ong Ye Kung, Desmond Choo, and Koh Poh Koon—who lost in previous General Elections—have entered Parliament through the GRC system and risen to political appointments without facing strong electoral competition as individual candidates. Additionally, concerns about the fairness of the electoral boundaries review process have been raised. Members of the Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) are top civil servants appointed on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
Historically, the committee has included key figures such as the Secretary to the Cabinet (often the Prime Minister’s Principal Private Secretary), the CEOs of the Housing and Development Board and the Singapore Land Authority, the Chief Statistician, and the Head of the Elections Department, who reports directly to the Prime Minister. Given this composition, it is reasonable to question whether the committee operates independently of the Prime Minister’s influence or is swayed by the political objectives of the ruling party. In response to suggestions to review this process, Minister-in-charge of the Public Service Chan Chun Sing reiterated during the Progress Singapore Party’s parliamentary motion in August 2024 that the EBRC operates in the interest of voters, not political parties.
The article discusses the effectiveness of the Singaporean electoral system, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses. It acknowledges the system’s success in promoting stability and preventing major political upheavals. However, it also points out the lack of transparency in the boundary-drawing process, which raises concerns about the system’s fairness and potential for manipulation.
That time may be approaching. Singaporeans must decide whether giving the PAP another supermajority, essentially a blank cheque, will result in the betterment of the country or if a stronger opposition is necessary to challenge policies, scrutinize decisions, and offer alternative solutions.
