Tackling issues like building resilience and an inclusive society

Linette Lai Straits Times 16 Jun 10;

Whatever the cause Singaporeans believe in and want to act on, the Government will be happy to partner them in their efforts as long as it is good for Singapore, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat said.

He also encouraged people to look beyond the immediate issues that need solving, and think harder about Singapore - such as what it might look like when it turns 100. "How will our economy look like? How will our society look like?" he asked at the end of a dialogue session yesterday that lasted nearly two hours and was attended by more than 400 people.

Concern over the environment, the plight of the disadvantaged, being a small nation in a tumultuous world and what people can do to tackle challenges in these and other areas were among the issues raised by 25 people at the session that was jointly organised by Reach and CNA.

Mr Heng said in a Facebook post: "I am encouraged by what I heard at the dialogue, and I can see the efforts and partnerships that Singaporeans are making."

1. YOUNG PEOPLE

Asked what young people can do to impact society, Mr Heng recounted how a group of students had asked him what can be done for children from families who may not have the resources to equip them for school. He suggested that an older student could help a younger one to read. "Those of us who are on the front lines, who know the issue, are actually in a position to do something about it," he said.

One participant asked if the Government would consider allowing "mini crises" to build resilience among Singaporeans. "I don't think we can be in the business of manufacturing crises," Mr Heng said. But he added that, given the tense global trade situation, Singaporeans must be prepared for one.

2. THE DISADVANTAGED

The plight of people with disabilities and those with special needs was also on the agenda.

Mr Richard Kuppusamy, president of the Disabled People's Association, pointed out that only a small proportion of people with disabilities are employed and many face discrimination in the workplace. He asked how public agencies can lead by example in diversity inclusion.

Mr Chong Kwek Bin from the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped said that Singapore's Smart Nation push is not as inclusive as it should be. For example, some government apps are not compatible with software that helps the visually handicapped navigate their smartphones, he said.

Mr Heng responded to say that the Government has taken the lead in certain areas, but that it is also a work in progress. "Whether we become a more inclusive society depends very much not just on what the Government can do, but also what every one of us can do."

A third person asked what can be done to ensure children with special needs are not marginalised, especially those who may be in mainstream schools but need extra help.

Mr Heng replied that the Government has done much to train teachers to help such students and that things have improved, but acknowledged these are evolving needs. He encouraged all three to give their views on what can be done to solve the problems they have identified.

3. THE ENVIRONMENT

He was asked about various aspects of environmental policy, including what Singapore can do to preserve biodiversity and how to ensure that local businesses are environmentally responsible. Adding environmental defence to the six pillars of Total Defence was suggested.

Mr Heng said Singapore is doing a reasonable job on this front for a city that is so small and so urbanised. "This is a learning process on both sides," he said, adding that government agencies should take on board ideas that are better than what they have come up with themselves. "But, at the same time, those of us that give ideas must also accept that, sometimes, not every idea will be accepted in toto."

4. WEALTH TAX

Mr Heng was asked whether it is time to reform Singapore's taxation system, with less emphasis on consumption taxes and the introduction of elements such as an inheritance tax.

He replied that his decision to raise taxes - the goods and services tax will be going up from 7 per cent to 9 per cent sometime between 2021 and 2025 - was not an easy decision to make. "There are no options that are straightforward," he said, noting many countries have abolished the wealth tax.

Mr Heng reiterated that the biggest source of revenue for the past two years has been the Net Investment Returns Contribution. Without this, the GST hike would be "7 to 15 per cent and (still) not enough".

Here is DPM Heng’s take on questions on the environment, politics and taxes
NG JUN SEN Today Online 15 Jun 19;

SINGAPORE —- The Goods and Services Tax (GST) would have to be raised to 15 per cent — and not 9 per cent — were it not for the income from Singapore’s healthy reserves built up over the years.

This was disclosed by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat on Saturday (June 15), as he took on several burning questions from audience members in a wide-ranging 1½ hour long question and answer session at the Building our Future of Singapore Together dialogue at the Singapore Management University School of Law.

In an earlier speech at the event, he had spoken about how the fourth generation leaders will be working with Singaporeans to help shape the nation, in what he later called the Singapore Together movement.

A total of 26 audience members quizzed Mr Heng at the event, which was co-organised by government feedback unit Reach and CNA. The questions delved into issues including climate change, politics, youth involvement, and social inequality. Here are some edited highlights:

Q: Are there broader efforts to reform taxes so that they become more progressive, such as through inheritance taxes, in order to bridge the socioeconomic divide?

A: I actually went through many spreadsheets and looked at various options. No finance minister wants to increase taxes.

It is not an easy decision for me — I took a long time for me to mull over and see what is the best way that can continue to keep Singapore vibrant.

There are many competing objectives. Why not wealth taxes? Many countries have abolished that because they found there are ways to get around estate duties. There is no option that is straightforward.

The one thing I hope many Singaporeans can appreciate, is that the biggest source of revenue is not GST, personal income tax or corporate income tax. Can you guess what is? The biggest portion is our reserves, the Net Investment Returns Contribution.

In our early years of growth, our economy was going so well but our early generation of pioneers and leaders were very careful not to just spend that money.

Our country has no oil, no silver, no diamond, nothing. And we even had to import our water. But we were able to keep a reserve that now gives more income than any other source.

Which means that if we didn’t have that, the GST will not just be raised from 7 per cent to 9 per cent, but to 15 per cent, and there still would not be enough.

So we will have to guard this very carefully.

Q: Can Opposition members also take part in the Singapore Together movement? Will you work with them in this process?

A: As I mentioned in my speech, as long as your heart is for the good of Singapore and Singaporeans, we will work with anyone.

But let me also add that when we talk about diversity of views, it is not necessarily the case that there must be a diversity of views only because someone is labelled as the Opposition.

It comes from all sources. I can tell you that even in our own Cabinet meetings, ministers often have a diversity of views. It is good for us to debate all these options. But we must not have a diversity of purpose, because unity is important.

How we are able to take Singapore forward all this while is that we all share a sense of common purpose — that this is where we want to take Singapore and Singaporeans.

And within that, when we discuss whether you have a better idea or someone else has a better idea, we let the better ideas win.

Q: There are comments about how Singaporean youths are no longer hungry, so how do we ensure that we can be competitive? At the same time, how do we reduce attrition of our youth to other countries, and keep our talents in Singapore?

A: This is the generational change that we are facing. Creating opportunities in Singapore is important, which is why we put in so much effort in Singapore to transform our economy.

Recently, I was in Silicon Valley, spoke to about 400 Singaporeans and South-east Asians who are there, and I asked them, are you going to come back?

One thing that touched me was that it was great that they are learning all sorts of things in Silicon Valley, but Singapore is still home, and Dad and Mom are still home, and they would like to go back.

And I think creating that bond is very important at the outset. That is why when I was Education Minister, I spoke about the importance of parents being supportive, because family bonds are built earlier on.

At the same time, I think we must create opportunities for young people to feel that this is not just a place to earn a living, but where my family ties and friends are.

How do we make them more hungry? This is a good question and I don’t have a simple solution. But the Singaporeans I met in Silicon Valley, I thought they were very hungry.

I hope that many more will also explore the opportunities in our region and at the same time, to also see Singapore as home.

Recently I met a group of Singaporeans who have been away in China for about 20 years, becoming very successful, and I spoke to them. I was very happy that two of them have decided to set up their branch office in Singapore. Their main reason: Dad and Mom are home.

Q: According to a United Nations report, we are going to lose a million species in the coming years. What must Singapore do to end this extinction crisis?

A: You asked what is it that we can do, and indeed I share your concerns about the diminishing biodiversity, not just around us but the whole world. Many of our man-made actions are making things harder, one example is climate change.

With it, global temperature and sea level rises and the whole ecosystem can be destroyed. So it is important for us to take action.

As you know, I have announced the carbon tax so that we can do our part to keep with the Paris Agreement.

We are also doing a lot of R&D work on urban solutions and sustainability, and how do we keep Singapore sustainable. NParks, for example, has done a lot of good work all around the island, planting trees and looking after the biodiversity in our area.

We even have an overhead bridge across the highway to allow animals to cross from one part to another.

But beyond Singapore itself, this is a global ecosystem. The whole world must work together on this, and that is why we are working together with like-minded countries, making sure that the whole world sticks to the Paris Agreement and take action.

In fact, the World Wildlife Fund is based in Singapore, and there are many such bodies that we can work together with. We are also working with the World Bank, which has a mission of reducing poverty and promoting sustainable development goals.

Just last week, I was speaking to Mr Ban Ki-moon, who was UN secretary-general when the Sustainable Development Goals were first articulated. He explained to me the great complication of bringing about these goals — creating them was hard, getting people to observe them is even harder.

I think where we can find good partnerships, we will be happy to work with other governments, non-governmental organisations, and students. We all must do our part… It is on our radar, and it is very good to hear young people talk so passionately about this.