Healthcare: Uniquely Singapore, F1 or F9 - How mean can means testing be?
January 31, 2008
By Leong Sze Hian
I refer to the articles “No basis for rise in premiums” (Today, Jan 29), “MediShield premiums to go up for better cover” (ST, Jan 30), “Half of workers to get full subsidy” (ST, Jan 16), and “Means testing could take years to implement: Khaw - Process will be made as simple as possible: minister” (BT, Jan 16).
I would like to suggest that a higher workers’ income percentile be used, as a Singaporean earning just $2,170, at the 50th percentile, should not be considered as affluent enough to be means tested.
How about using average workers’ income which I understand is about $4,000. After all, I believe all policy formulation to-date, such as the public transport fare increase formula, are based on average income , and not median income.
Means testing or comprehensive medical insurance?
January 30, 2008
By Gerald Giam
Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan has announced that means testing will likely be implemented in restructured hospitals by the end of this year.
Although the details of how it is going to be administered have not been confirmed, one fact seems clear: Many middle-income Singaporeans are going to have to foot larger medical bills in the near future.
Low income Singaporeans can probably breathe easy as means testing is unlikely to negatively affect them, since the Minister has said that only the top half of income earners who stay in Class B2 or C wards will undergo a means test.
TOC Opinion - Police: Foreigners not allowed to complain
January 28, 2008
By Joel Tan
Singapore residents have made notable complainers over the years, in what may, along with eating, be described as the nation’s favourite past-time.
Over the weekend, however, an interesting twist on this seemingly harmless activity has arisen - the local police have made it clear that foreigners are not allowed to complain in Singapore.
What might have been a light-hearted few days of fussed-up performance was turned into bitterness for a group of singers known as The Complaints Choir. A community arts project initiated in Birmingham, UK by Finns Tellervo Kalleinen and Oliver Kochta-Kalleinen, the Complaints Choir is an open-invite group that gets people to, you got it, complain, through song, about life in their countries.
Since its UK debut, the project has gained popularity around the world, and Complaints Choirs from Helsinki, Melbourne, Jerusalem and several other countries have sprung up since 2006.
TOC Report: Bureacratic muddle leads to canning of International Fringe Festival event
January 27, 2008
By Choo Zheng Xi
Members of the Singapore Complaints Choir have an additional grievance to add to their future lyric sheets: they have been effectively muzzled by the city state’s police.
The arrival of the Finnish ‘Complaints Choir’ in Singapore was an eagerly anticipated component of the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival 2008. The Singapore leg of the Complaints Choir was billed as the first Asian Complaints Choir to be organized.
Now, the Choir’s experience will be remembered as a first for a very different reason: it was effectively banned from performing in public by the police because of foreign members’ participation in the choir. (See the choir’s press release below).
Uniquely Singapore, F1 or F9 - helping the poor?
January 26, 2008
By Leong Sze Hian
I refer to the article “Second shot at ComCare for needy families” (ST, Jan 13), and media reports about the setting up of a ComCare Supervisory Committee to reconsider borderline cases that do not qualify for ComCare assistance.
The report said that since 2005, the Citizens Consultative Committee ComCare funds have spent close to $4 million helping 24,481 needy cases. Each case received an average of $136 a month.
I think there appears to be something wrong with the statistics, as $136 a month times 12 months, multiplied by 24,481 needy cases is $40 million. And “since 2005”, means that the total for the last three years should be $120 million. This is 30 times the $4 million figure.
My future as a Singapore citizen
January 23, 2008
By Andrew Ong
Much attention has been on Singapore’s greying population and it will likely remain a perennial national challenge for many years to come.
According to the United Nations, population ageing will be most significant in Asia. By year 2050, 1.2 billion people in Asia will be 60 years and above - four times the number today.
With our higher life expectancy, Singapore counts as one of the fastest ageing countries in the world. Today, one in 12 Singaporeans are 65 and above.
By the year 2030, that will increase to one in five.
Uniquely Singapore, F1 or F9 - Workfare statistics?
January 22, 2008
By Leong Sze Hian
I refer to the articles “Workfare payout going out to 287,000″ (ST, Dec 29), “First Workfare payments to be made on Jan 1″ (BT, Dec 29), and “Workfare Income Supplement Payment on New year’s day” (Today, Dec 29).
Michael Palmer, MP - Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC, said on 31 December, “I would like to see more put into the WIS (Workfare) scheme. I think that is a great scheme. It encourages employment all around, particularly in a good employment environment”.
Some 340,000 workers received the Workfare Bonus in 2006, and about 362,000 did so in 2007.
Why does the number of workers receiving Workfare seem to have declined by 21 per cent from 362,000 to 287,000?
Election reform effort needs everyone’s involvement - forum
January 20, 2008
By Andrew Loh
Chaired by the Singapore Democratic Party chairman, Mr Gandhi Ambalam, the election reform public forum at the Allson Hotel focused on getting Singaporeans from all persuasions to be involved in the effort.
The speakers were Mr Chia Ti Lik, Mr JB Jeyaretnam, Mr Jufrie Mahmoud and Dr Chee Soon Juan.
Mr Tan Tarn How, a researcher with the Institute of Policy Studies who was scheduled to be a speaker as well, had “asked to be excused” from the forum, according to Dr Chee.
Principals who put down students have no place in educating our young
January 20, 2008
By Andrew Loh
‘It is very sad when your principal doesn’t have faith in you and will not give you a chance.’
- Student from school where the principal’s “apply for ITE” remarks sparked outrage.
That sums it up for me. This is the result of what adults can do to children with unthinking and insensitive words. And when such words come from a school principal, it is unforgiveable, really.
The principal had “advised” some 27 Sec 5 students “ to seek transfers to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), since they were unlikely to do well in the O levels this year.” (Straits Times)
The “advice” was given on the very first day of the new school year.
“The people look to us for leadership. Let us provide it.” – Dr Chee Soon Juan
January 18, 2008
By Andrew Loh
This Sunday at the Allson Hotel at Victoria Street, members of The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) will head a public forum calling for election reform in Singapore.
The forum, titled “Reform of the Election System in Singapore”, is “to kick-start a national effort to address and rectify an election system that is politically moribund.” (SDP website)
Its website mentions several issues which the SDP is concerned with. These include “the lack of an independent election commission, the use of the GRC system, the sudden changes of rules and regulations, the numbering of the ballot slips, the impossibly short campaign period, the gerrymandering…”
