| |
| |
![]() |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE: It's a surplus-sharing budget for all strata of Singapore society - from the young to the elderly, and more importantly, the lower income.
That's the view of several Members of Parliament Channel NewsAsia spoke to after the Finance Minister's budget speech on Friday.
MPs interviewed said Budget 2008 has strengthened Singapore's concept of 'a many helping hands' approach.
Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mayor of North West CDC and MP for Holland-Bukit Panjang GRC, said: "What we should let the residents know is that the government is always there to provide the safety net. So if there is any crisis coming out, the government will provide this net, this social safety net.
"At the same time, I think, we must also send out the message to the people that they must continue to upgrade themselves, continue to look after their family members and their children, so that their children would be properly educated, (equipped) with the proper skills to compete globally in the future. In this way, the families can be self-reliant."
One way to enhance this self reliance is for families to put greater emphasis on their children's education.
Zainudin Nordin, Mayor of Central Singapore CDC and MP for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC, said: "At the end of the day, we want these families to be able to get their children out of the (poverty) cycle, so that they themselves can have a better future and help their parents cope with (the) present situation."
In this globalised world, providing a full range of continuing education and training opportunities has become ever so important.
And that's where the extra money being pumped into the Lifelong Learning Endowment Fund comes in handy.
Dr Ahmad Magad, chairman of GPC for Manpower and MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said: "This is particularly important because we have about 500,000 workers or so who are still going to be active in the economy for the next 10 to 15 years. As the economy continues to restructure, it is very important not to leave this group behind."
Some MPs noted that this year's Budget also provides opportunities for workers to be rewarded.
Michael Palmer, MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said: "I tell you what I like about the Budget - where employers are allowed to top up their employees' accounts in various areas. This has really opened up a new avenue for employers to help the employees when a company has done well. It not only can show up in bonuses and increments, but also topping up of CPF accounts, topping up of Medisave accounts, these are different avenues which have benefits for the company and the employees."
Besides addressing the challenges which come with rising inflation, MPs say this year's Budget has also made provisions for meeting the retirement needs of the population. - CNA/ir
Take part in the Budget poll or share your comments on the policy at the Budget Special .
|
