My 2 Cents on LHL NDR

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An honorable member of the Coffee Shop Has Just Posted the Following:

First, I like to talk about how I feel LHL is an accomplished speaker with a photographic memory, he hardly looked at his notes. Either that or, he has a teleprompter beside the camera. Overall, it was a good show, with alot of pictures, then again, nothing really substantial.

The changes in an education system is applaudable. It covers a change in the PSLE system and more flexibility for students with better capabilities. Also, the move to allow 40 students without connection is indeed a move in the right direction against elitism. Yet, 40 students is only merely one class size and on average most schools have ten classes. It does look good on paper, but 10% is unlikely to change the elitism which is deeply entrenched in many good schools. Unless the tweak the figures to 80 or 100, I view the existing proposal as lip service to placate the masses.

Furthermore, the main problem Singapore is facing is that it is unable to produce enough good quality graduates, or at least that's what business owners and the government are telling us. Yet nothing is being mentioned about increasing the amount of local graduates churned out by local universities. So in short, so what if you get into a good primary school, or secondary school, while Singaporean children have to fight tooth and nail for the 80% of local university places available to them. Lest we forget, 20% of our places are reserved for foreigners. It's a cap only implemented recently, and the figure used to be much higher as our government and it's GLCs have been generous in giving out ASEAN, Indian and PRC scholarships.

Regarding housing, it's a decent thing to do, allowing low income families to be able to afford their own flats. But, lets see according to CPF figures in 2011, only 17% of the population earn less than $1000. It's shocking these figures still do exist in a developed country like Singapore. But my point is the other 83% of Singaporeans are not covered by the whatever LHL has mentioned in the NDR. Nothing is mentioned about the existing skyhigh BTO prices, which can go up to $500,000 for a four room flat. Nothing is mentioned about the even more ridiculous resale prices, 20 year old 5 room flats in Bedok are transacting at $700,000.

About healthcare, the highlight is we are expected to shoulder more costs. The government is paying the lowest amongst developed nations, and LHL is telling us, sure we can put more money into healthcare, but we expect you to shoulder (most, if not all of) the costs. Hands up anyone, if they truly believe healthcare costs will go down.

We go on to the highlight of his talk, about the new air hub in Changi, freeing up the land in Paya Lebar Air Base, and the sea hub in Tuas, freeing up the prime land along the Harborfront. This is indeed a good move, which is likely part of the 2030 plan for 6.9 million population.

I have to say, the major issues have not been met head on, like affordable housing for the masses, rising costs of living and stagnant wages, instead minor ones are brought to the fore, and resolved with more hype. I haven't read today's papers, but needless to say, they will likely be glorifying the 2030 plan in Changi and Tuas, while paying homage to LHL for resolving these minor issues.


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