Budget 2013
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Concern2:
Woao....first time I see you commenting on my post in this tone.
Aiya, wasted, missed it. Can anyone post the article here?
.....Only in ST ah...so EXclusive ah..
:duck:HVR:
I have no concern whether you read it or not. I kind of suspect you will not be interested anyway. I felt it is a good speech which highlighted the reality that most people seems refused to contemplate and thought some in the KSP community might be interested to know. Whoever is interested enough will know where to read it. You can really for once stop seizing every single opportunity to insinuate inappropriateness and then put down anything that you perceived as associated with government/pap. You come across as trying too hard already.
Why do you have to suspect what I say? Because I like to joke about garmen and ST? You don't believe that I actually searched PAP website and Parliament website ah? Have you gone in to see for yourself after I said I couldn't find the latest speeches in there? If I have missed out any links, the least you could do is to point out to me (and some would not hesitate to make me look stupid I am sure) would that be so difficult? I know I am not perfect, and I asked for directions, but you guys who seem to know a lot can't be bothered to give directions. Then, blame people for just reading opposing voices? Well, I guess it only makes sense. At least they bother.
Question: Was what you quoted ALL that Mr. Seetoh said in parliament? If so, then I will rest my case. If not, which website can I find the full speech so that I can get to know this MP better? Perhaps this way of asking is more acceptable. -
http://www.singapolitics.sg/news/trust-and-politics-sitoh-yih-pin
Budget 2013 Debate Speech of the Day: March 6
Trust and politics - Sitoh Yih Pin
Posted on Mar 6, 2013 8:59 PM Updated: Mar 6, 2013 9:03 PM
By Singapolitics
The paradox of trust: Trust is something entirely abstract yet the absence of which is painfully palpable. Trust determines the course we take in the future, yet it is so utterly anchored in the present. Trust is unquantifiable yet reflected in each and every vote cast at elections.
The recent robust debate on the White Paper on Population put into bold relief the importance of trust in politics. The Managing Editor of The Straits Times, Mr Han Fook Kwang highlighted this as well in his opinion piece in the Straits Times on 10 Feb 2013 “Government needs to regain people’s trust”.
The planning norm of 6.9M was much criticized. To me, this is a matter of trust. If public transport does not work well and buses and trains are crowded, when the supply of HDB flats does not keep up with demand and the cost of living rises steeply when the population is at 5.3M, then people will object to a lower norm of even 6.3M, let alone a norm of 6.9M. However, when at a population of 5.3M, the trains run, the buses are not crowded, HDB flats are built quickly enough and inflation is low, then people will give us the benefit of doubt and support us even when the population planning norm is higher than 6.9M. Therefore, it is heartening to hear our DPM and Finance Minister reiterate during his Budget speech that we will fix the problems we have on hand. He has our trust in this matter.
We are all in the business of trust. Trust is ultimately based on present and past experiences of what the government has delivered. To the public, the government includes not just politicians, but also civil servants and even boards and management of privatized companies offering public services, such as those in healthcare and transport. In the coffeeshops and hawker centres, the Hokkien term “Zenghu” means much more than what bureaucrats and politicians think of what constitutes “government”.
Trust is based on experience and in turn experience has two elements – Firstly, there is the aspect of performance that we are all familiar with - I trust you because you have worked and delivered in the past. Secondly, there is the element of expectation. This is something that we have not discussed much about recently.
Our government has tried very hard in the past to enunciate what it will deliver for the people. Healthcare will remain affordable, schools will give good education, people will have jobs etc. The recently announced White Paper and Land Paper are two such examples. The Annual Budget Debates are also examples of these efforts to manage and calibrate expectations.
I would like to urge our Government to go one-step further. In the management of expectations, we need to tell the people the bad news. This is not pleasant, but it is necessary. It requires courage and fans of the BBC comedy “Yes Minister” will remember that Sir Humphrey described “courage” as a dirty word in politics.
These bad news include
We will increase the number of places in universities and polytechnics and 60% of Singaporeans will become PMETs, but some graduates will never stay in private housing or own a car. This is because 85% of housing are HDB flats and only 1/3 of families have a car presently and these numbers will not change drastically.
This country needs to continue to be run as a meritocracy. There is no other feasible alternative. The best will get more. One may rightly question the norms of meritocracy, as in what makes a person more meritorious? One may even ask why are there so many brand-name schools in the more affluent areas in Singapore and not in the new HDB estates. And in the harsh reality of meritocracy, we also expect the meritorious to do what is necessary for meritocracy to remain relevant – they must contribute more than others to the betterment of the society and maximize welfare for everyone living and working in Singapore. Meritocracy cannot be “take and take” by the best and the ablest without any obligation to serve and contribute.
Even if we increase our TFR to 2.1 in 2013 suddenly, we will need to import labour to care for the elderly over the next 20 years. The babies born now or in the near future will not be ready to look after the 900,000 baby boomers retiring over the next 20 years. We are not even talking about money here, but just simply the number of hands needed to care for the number of elderly we will have in 10 to 30 years’ time.
Our public hospitals will continue to give good care that is accessible and affordable to all. But we will have to continue to have waiting times and the latest high-tech expensive care options will not be available to all. Ultimately, healthcare is a trade-off between affordability, accessibility and quality. Usually, quality in terms of expensive care is of a lower priority, although we will not compromise patient safety. This is true for most developed countries in the world.
We will make our public transport reliable again and increase capacity. But COEs may never go back to the days of old again. There are limits to our car population just as there are limits to our human population.
We will limit the influx of foreign labour into Singapore, but we cannot shield our workers from competition. The reality is that our workers will still be competing day and night, 24-7 with workers in China, India or Indonesia.
Madam Speaker, I can go on with many more examples of such harsh realities that Singapore is facing or must face but I will stop here. The currency of politics is trust. While we must strive to improve on our performance, we also need to get down to the difficult business of managing expectations.
Expectation is a spectrum. Most politicians only talk about the higher end of the spectrum – the lofty things that are nice to hear. But as responsible politicians governing Singapore, we will have to be honest and we will have to communicate the bad news, the harsh realities that each and every Singaporean has to face sooner or later.
Sometimes, in order to do the right thing, we also need to be foolish. Confucius said “明知不可为而为之” which loosely translated means “We have to attempt to do this even though we clearly understand it cannot be done”. This may sound foolish today, but I think it is the right thing to do.
Managing expectations is a most difficult thing, but I think Singaporeans need to know the limits and realities they are facing or will face. And even if we think the people will refuse to listen or accept the bad news, in the spirit of Confucius, I hope this is an endeavor that this House will undertake as responsible leaders of this country. Singaporeans deserve no less.
In conclusion, Confucius also said “五十知天命”which translated means at 50, one knows one’s purpose in life. I turn 50 this year and Singapore is fast approaching 50 as a nation. We are now at the crossroads and Singaporeans are questioning what is the Singapore core and where is the country heading. I urge our government to listen to the people, to labour for the people and to lead the people.
TAGS: BUDGET 2013, PARLIAMENT AND SPEECH OF THE DAY -
concern2:
To say eating out is an excuse for not cooking so generally is to accuse parents who have to work and by the time they get home to be too tired to cook, and/or have family to manage to be lazy. I think that is not a fair statement.
Ok lah, ok lah. I concede that for people who need 5 minutes to slice an onion, 15 minutes to fry an egg and 45 minutes to make fried rice from leftover steamed rice, eating out is a necessity without which they may starve. I am sure it is also the gov's fault that they have to buy kopi-O or milo from the food centre/coffeshop because they are too tired in the morning to boil water and make it themselves and/or too poor to buy a kettle.
Should I apologize that I was brought up by a mother (whom the present generation would call a PRC) who drummed it into me that (1) never spend more than your means; and (2) eating out is a treat, not a necessity? -
concern2:
I went to the NEA website and could not find the page on rental. There is one on myhawkers.sg, and under Adviseries, 'Hawkerstalls'. I can't see one which shows tender results.
http://cms.nea.gov.sg/onlinesvcs_tendernotice.aspx#listsuccessful
It is in PDF format. -
backlight:
Thanks for posting, backlight!!!http://www.singapolitics.sg/news/trust-and-politics-sitoh-yih-pin
Budget 2013 Debate Speech of the Day: March 6
Trust and politics - Sitoh Yih Pin
Posted on Mar 6, 2013 8:59 PM Updated: Mar 6, 2013 9:03 PM
By Singapolitics
TAGS: BUDGET 2013, PARLIAMENT AND SPEECH OF THE DAY
:goodpost: Pretty good speech, I must say! -
pirate:
Thanks for posting, pirate! :hi5:concern2:
I went to the NEA website and could not find the page on rental. There is one on myhawkers.sg, and under Adviseries, 'Hawkerstalls'. I can't see one which shows tender results.
http://cms.nea.gov.sg/onlinesvcs_tendernotice.aspx#listsuccessful
It is in PDF format. -
pirate:
concern2:
To say eating out is an excuse for not cooking so generally is to accuse parents who have to work and by the time they get home to be too tired to cook, and/or have family to manage to be lazy. I think that is not a fair statement.
Ok lah, ok lah. I concede that for people who need 5 minutes to slice an onion, 15 minutes to fry an egg and 45 minutes to make fried rice from leftover steamed rice, eating out is a necessity without which they may starve. I am sure it is also the gov's fault that they have to buy kopi-O or milo from the food centre/coffeshop because they are too tired in the morning to boil water and make it themselves and/or too poor to buy a kettle.
Should I apologize that I was brought up by a mother (whom the present generation would call a PRC) who drummed it into me that (1) never spend more than your means; and (2) eating out is a treat, not a necessity? Ok lah, I see where you are coming from.
Price per meal wise, I usually make an estimate of within $20 as average, over $20 as spending more than enough (such as fast food meal), $10 as low cost and happy about the extra savings, and anything above $30 as a luxury. This is household budget, and talking about dinner only. Budget for lunch would be lower.
Be it cooking at home or eating out, I use this average as it works out to be almost on par. To the mothers who do most of the cooking, eating out is definitely a luxury since she could just sit down and enjoy a proper meal without all the hassles. To the rest of the family who get to enjoy mom's cooking, home-cooked food is a luxury these days
As for \"buy kopi-O or milo from the food centre/coffeshop because they are too tired in the morning to boil water and make it themselves and/or too poor to buy a kettle\", sometimes it is the experience - of chatting and being around with people, enjoying the morning papers outdoors, breaking the monotony of daily routine - I suppose you could say then that it isn't necessity, rather, it is a cheap form of luxury that common folks could enjoy. To many older folks especially, it is their way of socializing since their kids/grand children would be busy with their own activities.
Though I could do the same things at home, sometimes we leave house early on weekends and kiddos want to eat at Ya Koon. I feel the pinch (being rather thrifty most of the time), but I oblige sometimes since I can't prepare bread the way Ya koon does
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concern2:
Hee hee hee. I don't think we really disagree in substance. :hugs: Ok lah, I see where you are coming from.
Price per meal wise, I usually make an estimate of within $20 as average, over $20 as spending more than enough (such as fast food meal), $10 as low cost and happy about the extra savings, and anything above $30 as a luxury. This is household budget, and talking about dinner only. Budget for lunch would be lower.
Be it cooking at home or eating out, I use this average as it works out to be almost on par. To the mothers who do most of the cooking, eating out is definitely a luxury since she could just sit down and enjoy a proper meal without all the hassles. To the rest of the family who get to enjoy mom's cooking, home-cooked food is a luxury these days
As for \"buy kopi-O or milo from the food centre/coffeshop because they are too tired in the morning to boil water and make it themselves and/or too poor to buy a kettle\", sometimes it is the experience - of chatting and being around with people, enjoying the morning papers outdoors, breaking the monotony of daily routine - I suppose you could say then that it isn't necessity, rather, it is a cheap form of luxury that common folks could enjoy. To many older folks especially, it is their way of socializing since their kids/grand children would be busy with their own activities.
Though I could do the same things at home, sometimes we leave house early on weekends and kiddos want to eat at Ya Koon. I feel the pinch (being rather thrifty most of the time), but I oblige sometimes since I can't prepare bread the way Ya koon does
I think if we work it out the way you do, most people should find that the home-cooked version is actually healthier and more nutritious for the same total amount spent/budgeted. It is sad that some families have to resort to eating out as a way of life, because then they usually are resorting to more unhealthy and less nutritious meals day in and day out. That may also lead to health issues in the long term.
Must break monotony of daily routine occasionally, otherwise will go siao. So long as we keep in mind that it is a treat, even if it is a cheap form of luxury. The availability of cheap forms of luxury is a necessity. Otherwise everybody will eventually go :siao: .
Actually har, for the older retired folks, whether we call that daily kopi downstairs a 'need' or a 'luxury', I think that is besides the point. After having worked their whole lives and brought up their children or contributed to society, being able to have that daily kopi is the least that most of them deserve. -
pirate:
:goodpost: :celebrate:
Hee hee hee. I don't think we really disagree in substance. :hugs:concern2:
Ok lah, I see where you are coming from.
Price per meal wise, I usually make an estimate of within $20 as average, over $20 as spending more than enough (such as fast food meal), $10 as low cost and happy about the extra savings, and anything above $30 as a luxury. This is household budget, and talking about dinner only. Budget for lunch would be lower.
Be it cooking at home or eating out, I use this average as it works out to be almost on par. To the mothers who do most of the cooking, eating out is definitely a luxury since she could just sit down and enjoy a proper meal without all the hassles. To the rest of the family who get to enjoy mom's cooking, home-cooked food is a luxury these days
As for \"buy kopi-O or milo from the food centre/coffeshop because they are too tired in the morning to boil water and make it themselves and/or too poor to buy a kettle\", sometimes it is the experience - of chatting and being around with people, enjoying the morning papers outdoors, breaking the monotony of daily routine - I suppose you could say then that it isn't necessity, rather, it is a cheap form of luxury that common folks could enjoy. To many older folks especially, it is their way of socializing since their kids/grand children would be busy with their own activities.
Though I could do the same things at home, sometimes we leave house early on weekends and kiddos want to eat at Ya Koon. I feel the pinch (being rather thrifty most of the time), but I oblige sometimes since I can't prepare bread the way Ya koon does
I think if we work it out the way you do, most people should find that the home-cooked version is actually healthier and more nutritious for the same total amount spent/budgeted. It is sad that some families have to resort to eating out as a way of life, because then they usually are resorting to more unhealthy and less nutritious meals day in and day out. That may also lead to health issues in the long term.
Must break monotony of daily routine occasionally, otherwise will go siao. So long as we keep in mind that it is a treat, even if it is a cheap form of luxury. The availability of cheap forms of luxury is a necessity. Otherwise everybody will eventually go :siao: .
Actually har, for the older retired folks, whether we call that daily kopi downstairs a 'need' or a 'luxury', I think that is besides the point. After having worked their whole lives and brought up their children or contributed to society, being able to have that daily kopi is the least that most of them deserve. -
If my kids are grown up and working, I would enjoy coffee and toast outside. Ya Kun toast is expensive…bread is halved and for that pathetic thin pieces, I feel heartache paying for it.
I would buy a bottle of kaya from bread talk and make my own toast. Food prices are escalating and if we eat out, it’s bcos I am tired of routine.
Last Sunday, we ordered pizza…the pan pizza crust is something not easily avail…made our own garlic bread and chicken wings in Air fryer. Satisfying and so much cheaper.
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