Singapore system built for long-term, not one election: Vivian
At a PAP rally for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC last night, Dr Balakrishnan said Singaporeans should not make the mistake of completely dismantling a model that works. Photo: Ray Chua
SINGAPORE — The Singapore model — which helps those in need while ensuring the country does not run out of money or raid its reserves — works and shows compassion for the growing number of Singaporeans in need, said Environment and Water Resources Minister Vivian Balakrishnan last night.
Given Singapore’s ageing and shrinking population, more of the old, the poor and the disabled will need help, said Dr Balakrishnan who is part of the four-man People’s Action Party team contesting in the Holland-Bukit Timah Group Representation Constituency (GRC). Singapore then has to design a system “not for one election, but for the long-term” to provide help for those who need it sustainably, he said at a PAP rally at a field along Commonwealth Avenue.
“We look after people who need help. But we do it on the basis of personal and family responsibility. We save … we take insurance and then we do targeted subsidies,” he said.
“The value of our Singapore model, which is unique, is that we can make sure people who need help receive help, we don’t run out of money and the reserves are not raided.” He cited policies such as the Pioneer Generation Package, CPF Life, MediShield Life as examples. With the Singapore model, he said the healthcare systems here guarantee access to care that is of high quality and reasonable cost.
He added: “Don’t get scared by politicians telling you healthcare will bankrupt you in Singapore. You make sure you are on MediShield Life, you make sure you pay your premiums, make sure you take full advantage of the subsidies that the Government will provide you and I can guarantee you that everyone will be looked after.
“There will be further improvements because as I said the Singapore system is not perfect, it can be improved. But don’t make the mistake of completely dismantling a model that works, it has worked and with appropriate modification it will continue to work and it will serve us well.”
Dr Balakrishnan also compared it to the Western welfare state model whom he said provides universal benefits that are funded by high taxes.
He added: “The Western welfare state, I put to you and the Opposition candidates, is a failed model, and it’s not a model we should adopt because it’s fashionable, because I make trips to Europe, receive fees to make speeches there and therefore copy ideas and bring them back to Singapore and offer them to Singaporeans.”
On the electoral and political process, Dr Balakrishnan rebutted how the Opposition “looks down” on PAP politicians for “spending so much time on the ground, for knocking on your doors humbly, for looking at drains, chasing rat burrows and getting rid of mosquitoes”.
“We do all these things because of a relationship, because I want you to know that I’m there for you, that I will look after you, that I will protect your children, that I will invest and build your neighbourhoods,” he said.
“The Opposition in Singapore will campaign on the basis of the politics of anger, envy, jealousy, class division, they will play up issues that can work up your emotions.”
Besides Dr Balakrishnan, the PAP slate in Holland Bukit GRC comprises Minister of State (Education and Communications and Information) Sim Ann, Mr Christopher de Souza and Mr Liang Eng Hwa. They are up against a Singapore Democratic Party team led by Dr Chee Soon Juan.
Yesterday, Dr Balakrishnan also took a jibe at SDP candidate Paul Tambyah, who had earlier in the day disagreed with Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam’s take on the SDP’s economic and healthcare proposals but expressed hope that he will come out to lead a grand coalition of Opposition parties.
“I have just one message to send to the SDP: In the PAP, we do not have a tradition of back-stabbing our mentors,” said Dr Balakrishnan, in a veiled reference to SDP chief Chee Soon Juan’s history with his former mentor Mr Chiam See Tong.
