Debate on President’s speech: Jamus Lim on efficiency versus equity in policymaking
In 2024, Singapore's per capita income breached S$100,000 - among the highest in the world and greater than most advanced industrialised economies. Yet many Singaporeans still express frustration with their lot, said MP Jamus Lim in parliament on Wednesday (Sep 24). He explained this by saying that in Singapore, policymaking is still largely based on efficiency, which can inadvertently turn out to be unequal or unfair, citing allocation of school funding and the COE system. Assoc Prof Lim said “the hard truth is that if we want public policy that society can embrace as fair, efficiency alone simply won’t do”. He noted that President Tharman Shanmugaratnam had, in his speech at the opening of parliament, stressed the importance of chasing not just growth, but inclusive growth. Assoc Prof Lim said Singapore cannot be satisfied with its economic success and “world-beating incomes” until the least advantaged in society have a fair shot at living a dignified life.
In 2024, Singapore's per capita income breached S$100,000 - among the highest in the world and greater than most advanced industrialised economies. Yet many Singaporeans still express frustration with their lot, said MP Jamus Lim in parliament on Wednesday (Sep 24). He explained this by saying that in Singapore, policymaking is still largely based on efficiency, which can inadvertently turn out to be unequal or unfair, citing allocation of school funding and the COE system. Assoc Prof Lim said “the hard truth is that if we want public policy that society can embrace as fair, efficiency alone simply won’t do”. He noted that President Tharman Shanmugaratnam had, in his speech at the opening of parliament, stressed the importance of chasing not just growth, but inclusive growth. Assoc Prof Lim said Singapore cannot be satisfied with its economic success and “world-beating incomes” until the least advantaged in society have a fair shot at living a dignified life.
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