Lee Hsien Loong
Singapore
“Yes, of course, every time I sell the land, I put money into the Reserves, but I am not putting the money into the Reserves all today. I am putting it in a stream of payments, 30 years apart.”
“Speaker, Sir, I do not think it was a very difficult question to figure out, that when I spoke to MTI, I spoke to the Minister, because Mr Gan Kim Yong is the Minister for Trade and Industry.”
“" I think that would have been unjust because he has not been charged. If there is a case, the case has not been heard, he has not been found guilty or acquitted or whatever. I cannot prejudge a case based on an incomplete investigation – started recently, or a partial investigation, just entered into the formal phase.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, first, Mr Leong is quibbling over words. In February, Mr Tan Chuan-Jin told me, "I offer to resign". I said, "Yes, sort out your constituency first". In other words, decision taken. The moment to execute it, I will decide. So, it is quite clear. Legally, he has not resigned.”
“Sorry, Mr Speaker, to respond to Ms Poa on why not no pay leave. It is my judgement to make. The Civil Service works in one way; their basis is if you have been convicted, then you are on zero pay and other consequences will follow.”
“I am very happy to note that Assoc Prof Jamus Lim appreciates the second key and is seeking a third. And I hope that it portends a change in your attitude towards the Elected President and his custodial powers. But I think the Brazil example is a very interesting one.”
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“Hosting international events also creates opportunities for knowledge networking. In 2005, we successfully hosted the International Olympic Committee session, as well as the Global Entrepolis@Singapore event which brought entrepreneurs, venture capitalists and industry captains together. Next month, we will host the first intellectual property diplomatic conference in Asia, where IP policy makers from WIPO member states will negotiate an international treaty concerning trademark laws. In September, we will host the largest international financial meeting - the Board of Governors Annual Meetings of the IMF/World Bank Group. More than 16,000 delegates and officials will visit Singapore; they include finance ministers and central bank governors from 184 countries, top financiers, CEOs from the private sector and the international media. I spoke at the last National Day Rally about the need to improve our service culture. To prepare for the IMF/World Bank meetings, we will train 28,000 service staff from the tourism industry, to go the extra mile in providing good service. We must work together to provide our visitors and delegates a memorable and outstanding Singapore Experience, so that they return home with eyes opened to the possibilities of Singapore and Asia, and hearts warmed by the graciousness and hospitality of our people. Build on our strengths in manufacturing and services Our second focus is to strengthen our manufacturing and services hub. To do this, we must raise our productivity and build a strong service culture based on quality and trust. WDA, STB and SPRING are launching many initiatives to enhance our services infrastructure, systems and workforce training.”
“We are well wired up, with 52% of homes having broadband Internet access, and nationwide wireless networks to keep us constantly in touch with one another and the world. But we must continue to plan ahead beyond present needs, and keep pace with rapid technological change. Other countries and cities are already implementing ultra-high speed broadband and wireless networks. Some are laying fibre to homes, in anticipation of future demand. In today's world, a national broadband network is basic infrastructure and a source of competitive advantage. We will develop a new national broadband network that is much faster than what is available today. It will offer fast, efficient connectivity to all - in schools, in offices and homes, and even on the move. It will help us plug into the global knowledge grid, and stay competitive with other cities. The cost is significant, but we can develop it together with the private sector progressively over several years, adjusting to demand at each stage. MICA will announce more details at the Committee of Supply. Singapore must be a place where people, businesses and non-profit organisations from all over the world converge and exchange ideas. Several International Organisations (IOs) and Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are already here. Last year, the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) set up in Singapore its first office outside the US and Europe. The Singapore office aims to promote intellectual property development and standards throughout Asia. WIPO has held conferences and symposiums here, using us as a platform for knowledge transfer among intellectual property experts. We will attract more IOs and NGOs to locate their headquarters and research work here.”
“Because of our reputation as a trusted partner for businesses, companies and other institutions are creating and hosting their intellectual property in Singapore, assured that their IP will be protected. Global Brands is the exclusive licensing agent for FIFA worldwide and Warner Brothers Consumer Products in Southeast Asia. Last year, Global Brands announced the establishment of its global HQ here to manage its IP representation portfolio. BASF, one of the top two chemical companies in the world, is setting up its first R&D laboratory in the Asia Pacific here, to conduct fundamental research in nanotechnology. We must continue to provide a safe IPR environment for such companies. We must also take a broader approach to recognising ownership of IP. Multinational corporations based in Singapore often have substantial economic rights in the form of regional control over their IP, although the legal title is held by the foreign parent. We will recognise and incentivise such economic ownership of IP, which is at least as important as legal ownership of IP. I will extend writing down allowances for IP acquisition to these economic (not just legal) owners of IP, on an approval basis. To encourage R&D collaborations, I will also accelerate the write down period for qualifying capital expenditure under cost-sharing arrangements from five years to one year. Bring the world to Singapore - Knowledge exchange To become a knowledge hub, we must not only be a place for creating knowledge, but also be a centre for exchanging knowledge and ideas, and for people and businesses to network with one another. Singapore is well suited for this role. As a society, our ethos is open, cosmopolitan and pragmatic, welcoming towards new ideas, and quick at adapting to a fast changing world.”
“R&D requires long-term commitment. To develop new capabilities, we must support projects on a sustained basis, buffering them from the vagaries of year to year budgetary pressures, and judging results over several years. I will establish an R&D Trust Fund, to be administered by the NRF, and will regularly allocate a portion of our budget for this Trust Fund. I aim to inject $5 billion into the Fund over five years and will start with an initial injection of $500 million this year. As worthwhile projects emerge, many of which will be multi-year commitments, we can tap on this fund to support them. The R&D Trust Fund, together with MTI's Science & Technology Plan 2010 and MOE's academic research plans, will help raise Singapore's gross expenditure on R&D from 2.3% of GDP in 2004 to 3% by 2010. This will put us on par with the European Union economies and close the gap with world leaders in R&D like the Nordic countries and the US. Increased R&D investment will generate more intellectual capital which can be exploited and commercialised. We have already begun to do this. For example, Rolls-Royce and a Singaporean consortium jointly invested US$100 million in developing a commercially viable power system based on fuel cells. The Singaporean companies were able to supply cutting-edge technologies that met the high expectations of Rolls-Royce. Thus Nutek, a local SME that manufactures automated manufacturing systems, used its in-house engineering expertise to improve the production process for fuel cells. A safe and reliable environment for the protection of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) is a critical factor in persuading international companies to base their R&D activities here.”
“Second, we must build on our strengths in manufacturing and services, to promote activities that place a premium on trust, quality and service, not just efficiency and low cost. In manufacturing, we must raise our productivity and skill levels. In services, besides developing existing industries like logistics, info- communication, banking and finance, and tourism, we must seek new opportunities, such as in premier healthcare and education. Third, we must support entrepreneurship and help promising local companies to grow into regional and international players. Fourth, we must build up our human capital. We will continue to attract global talent who bring in new skills, create new value, and enlarge our economic pie. At the same time, we will invest in education and training, to equip Singaporeans with the skills and mindsets to succeed in a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. Finally, we must maintain a competitive tax environment to attract investments, reward enterprise and draw talents. Let me touch on each of these areas. Become a knowledge hub First, becoming a knowledge hub. Invest in R&D - Knowledge creation R&D is the foundation upon which we will build Singapore's competitiveness. Just as investment in education builds up our human capital, so will investment in R&D build up our intellectual and knowledge capital base. The Research, Innovation and Enterprise Council (or RIEC) which I chair will spearhead this critical national effort. It will be supported by the National Research Foundation (or NRF) led by Dr Tony Tan. The RIEC will review our overall R&D framework and our R&D plans for three key sectors - the Biomedical Sciences sector, the Interactive and Digital Media sector, and the Environmental and Water Technologies sector.”
“In Singapore, we have embarked on a challenging enterprise - to build a vibrant global city that is a centre for knowledge, talent, and business. We have every prospect of succeeding. We have the drive and talent, the ability to adapt to change, and the resolve to meet and overcome challenges. Our workers, employers and the Government have forged a strong tripartite partnership. Internationally, we have a trusted brand name, and a reputation for integrity, quality, and reliability. Globalisation favours economies like ours - open, nimble, and enterprising. But it also poses challenges, especially for our older and low-skilled workers whose wages and jobs are under growing pressure. We must do more to help this group of Singaporeans improve their lives, and to support their own efforts to do better for themselves and their children. We must target our assistance to those in need, and make a difference where it counts. This Budget will therefore: i. Support upgrading and restructuring of the economy; ii. Help Singaporeans Move Forward Together; and iii. Share the fruits of growth with all Singaporeans through a Progress Package. PART II - UPGRADING AND RESTRUCTURING THE ECONOMY Our first priority is to press on with upgrading and restructuring the economy, and create new jobs to replace old ones. First, we must become a knowledge hub in Asia. Innovation, enterprise, and R&D will increasingly be the new sources of our growth. We are strengthening R&D efforts in the universities, research institutes, and industry. Our aim is to be a knowledge exchange, a key node in a global network of people and ideas, and a choice location for international events for both for-profit and non-profit organisations.”
“In Indonesia, the government has taken major steps to slash fuel subsidies and raise interest rates, and to strengthen its economic team. Domestic demand should remain firm in Malaysia and Thailand, bolstered by consumption and Government spending. While the overall outlook is good, some downside risks remain. The key risks are posed by the tightness in the oil market and global macroeconomic imbalances. Disruptions in world oil supply could cause prices to spike sharply, while a disorderly unwinding of the US current account deficit could have knock-on effects on financial stability, exchange rates, and trade liberalisation. The "frothy" housing markets in some of the major economies - to use Mr Greenspan's adjective - and the threat of Avian Influenza are also sources of concern. Overall, if these risks are contained and the major economies sustain their growth momentum, I expect the Singapore economy to grow by 4-6% in 2006, with inflation in check at 0.5-1.5%. This will support further job creation. Our strong performance results not only from a favourable external environment, but also, more importantly, from our efforts to upgrade and restructure the economy. We must press on to adapt to changing economic demands and secure our long-term competitiveness. The pace of change worldwide is accelerating, not slowing down. Other countries are also reinventing themselves, and gearing up to compete globally. In the Middle East, for example, the Gulf States are on the move. They are investing in education and infrastructure, attracting foreign investment, building international companies like Dubai Ports and Emirates Airlines, and using their oil and gas revenues to create a sustainable long-term basis for growth and development.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1st April 2006 to 31st March 2007. PART I - TAKING STOCK The economy grew by 6.4% in 2005, much better than expected. Growth was broad based, with strong performances in both manufacturing and services. EDB attracted $8.5 billion of fixed asset investments in manufacturing, up 3% from 2004, and $2.5 billion in annual total business spending from services, up 11% from 2004. A record number of tourists visited Singapore - around 9 million, boosting the retail industry. Most importantly, economic growth has translated into jobs. 110,800 new jobs were created last year, the largest number created in any year since 2000. We have reduced unemployment significantly, to just 2.5% by the end of 2005. Our fiscal position is good. I expect a budget surplus of $430 million or 0.2% of GDP for FY2005, slightly larger than I had projected in last year's Budget Statement. This is the result of healthy investment income as well as efforts to contain expenditures. The outlook for 2006 is favourable. The US economy continues to grow, underpinned by strong consumption and investment expenditure. The EU economy is expected to improve in 2006 as domestic demand strengthens. China is still growing robustly, having successfully managed the risk of overheating. India is set to continue growing, especially if it deepens its economic reforms. Japan is emerging from deflation, with confidence restored, company balance sheets de-leveraged and the banking system strengthened. The Southeast Asian economies are expected to sustain their momentum. Investor confidence is up, as reflected in the regional stock market rallies.”
“The EDB is continuing in discussions with other renowned universities around the world to set up their presence in Singapore. To date, none of the overseas universities with a presence in Singapore have pulled out. They have been working closely with the EDB and our IHLs to maintain and grow their presence here. For example, INSEAD has expanded its campus in 2005 to house more faculty members and students. APPENDICES”
“Public sector agencies are mindful that scholars are well developed and deployed, to reap the full benefits of the investment. * The statutory boards are the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), Economic Development Board (EDB), Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), International Enterprise Singapore (IE Singapore), Jurong Town Corporation (JTC), Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) and the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA). OVERSEAS UNIVERSITIES IN SINGAPORE (Establishment and withdrawal) 2. Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim asked the Minister for Trade and Industry (a) how many overseas universities have been invited to set up joint programmes in Singapore; (b) how many of them have pulled out of Singapore after failing to maintain and sustain their presence; and (c) what are the reasons for their failing to maintain and sustain their presence in Singapore. Mr Lim Hng Kiang: We have successfully invited many overseas universities to establish a presence in Singapore. The EDB has attracted 16 leading foreign universities from all over the world to Singapore, with courses covering a diverse range of disciplines. Of these 16 universities, some, for example, INSEAD (France) and Chicago Graduate Business School (USA) have decided to establish independent branch campuses in Singapore. Others, such as MIT (USA) and Waseda University (Japan), have partnered with our local Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL) to offer joint programmes. The National University of Singapore and the Nanyang Technological University have also forged partnerships with about 20 other institutions around the world to offer joint programmes in Singapore. The University of New South Wales is in the process of setting up a comprehensive university here.”
“In the civil service, 10.6% of Division 1 officers are scholars (excluding the Education Service). For the Education Service, 3.7% of our teachers (including trainee teachers) are scholars. For the statutory boards that give out a large number of scholarships*, on average, 16% of their Division 1 officers are scholars. The majority of public sector scholarships are aimed at grooming talent for policy development, operational and administrative positions in the agencies. For these jobs, we expect the undergraduate courses to provide them with sufficient grounding to perform their first jobs competently. These scholars are generally allowed to choose from a wide range of courses so that they can come back to take up a range of duties, and not just duties specific to their course of study. Subsequently, if the scholars need to undertake duties or roles that require more specialised or professional knowledge, they may be sent for postgraduate studies in the relevant fields. Some scholarships are for specialist careers. The terms and conditions of such scholarships and the type of work that the scholars will be assigned to during their careers are carefully conveyed to the scholars before they take up the scholarships. For example, in the Urban Redevelopment Authority, the architecture scholars are deployed to do urban design work upon their return. In the Defence Science and Technology Agency, scholars will be assigned to engineering/technical positions in their first two to three years. The public sector invests heavily in scholarships as a means to attract a fair share of talent and to develop the future pipeline of leaders and professional talent.”
“The PEC is by composition independent of the Government of the day. It also does not consult or take instructions from the Government. The Committee follows the process set out in the Presidential Elections Act, to assess applicants for the Certificate of Eligibility objectively and dispassionately. Some of the qualifying criteria inevitably involve judgment, such as the requirement to be a person of integrity, good character and reputation. The PEC arrives at its assessment of all aspiring candidates independently, based on the information submitted by the applicant, as well as confidential reports from persons and organisations who know the applicant. This is how the system is designed to work. INSTITUTIONS OF PUBLIC CHARACTER (Public lottery-based activities) 3. Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim asked the Minister for Home Affairs (a) what are the criteria in the assessment of applications from Institutions of Public Character (IPC) to carry out public lottery-based activities; and (b) under what conditions will a waiver be granted to an IPC to hold more than one public lottery-based activity each year.”
“Mr Steve Chia Kiah Hong asked the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, in view of the constant lack of qualified Singaporeans willing to stand as candidates for the Presidential Election, (a) whether the qualifications for election can be lowered to catch a wider pool of potential candidates; and (b) whether the Presidential Elections Committee's emphasis is on objective or subjective criteria in its assessment. Mr Lee Hsien Loong: The presidency is a post of the highest honour and responsibility. The President is a symbol of the nation. However, the President's role is more than ceremonial as he is constitutionally vested with custodial powers to protect the country's financial reserves and has veto powers over key appointments. Hence presidential candidates must possess high integrity and character, and meet exacting standards of competence and experience. The President is elected in a direct nationwide election, without going through the leadership selection processes of a political party. Stringent qualifying criteria are therefore spelt out in the Constitution, to ensure that voters are presented with a choice of well qualified and suitable candidates. All the qualifying criteria relate to the necessary experience and competencies to be a President. It would be reckless to lower the criteria to allow more candidates to contest, who would be unfit to be President if they were elected. This demeans the dignity of the high office, trivialises the election process itself, and detracts from the serious matter which Singaporeans should be focused upon. As for the Presidential Elections Committee (PEC), this has been set up under the Constitution to assess aspiring candidates for the Presidential election against the qualifying criteria.”
“Charitable organisations that conduct fund-raising shows over television or radio must observe standards of good taste and decency. The Media Development Authority also provides advice to broadcasters based on feedback from MDA's advisory committees and the general public. For example, MDA has advised broadcasters not to make artistes perform overly dangerous stunts to improve ratings or donations, after receiving public feedback questioning the necessity of such dangerous stunts. There are no specific requirements or criteria that charitable organisations have to satisfy before they are allowed to carry out public fund-raising appeals for local charitable causes, be it through a charity TV show or otherwise. Different charities have different needs. Detailed rules or requirements will mean unnecessary bureaucracy. The Government's approach is to advocate informed giving with donors being discerning in their giving, and charitable organisations having to disclose their finances, programmes and performance in order to attract donations. Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs), which are allowed to receive tax-deductible donations under the Income Tax Act, are required to post online their key financial information, including a breakdown of annual income, annual expenses, assets, funds and liabilities. The Charities Act allows interested parties to get from charities, by request, a copy of their most recent accounts. Potential donors can use these avenues to assess how much they wish to support particular charitable organisations. PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS (Qualification and criteria of candidate) 2.”
“The aim of the Foreign Maid Levy Relief is to encourage married women to continue working as they raise their families. This is clearly not relevant for single taxpayers. There are other measures to help Singaporeans support their elderly parents. All taxpayers, married or single, can claim Aged Parent Relief for maintaining their elderly parents. The relief is $5,000 if they live with their parent and $3,500 if they do not. Those who need to engage a maid to help them care for their aged parents are eligible for a $95 per month Foreign Domestic Worker Levy Concession. Individuals can claim the concession as long as their parent, parent-in-law, grandparent or grandparent-in-law is a Singapore Citizen or Singapore PR aged 65 years and above staying in the same household. This concession benefits 12,000 employers with elderly parents. RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY ACT RESTRICTION 3. Dr Amy Khor Lean Suan asked the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Law if his Ministry will consider lifting the restriction imposed under the Residential Property Act which disallows foreigners from buying landed properties unless they have approval from the Land Dealings Unit since Sentosa Cove has already been given an exemption from this restriction for its landed properties.”
“Ong Soh Khim asked the Senior Minister (a) whether the amendment of the Banking (Credit Card and Charge Card) Regulations in 2004 has led to the problems of the $2.6 billion card debt of Singaporeans; and (b) what are the measures that the Ministry will take to ensure that financial institutions conduct proper checks of the applicants before approving the applications for credit and charge cards, and credit facilities and balance transfers to prevent further increase of this card debt.”
“The Government cannot, and should not, be a surrogate father or family to replace the missing fathers or families who should be supporting these single unwed mothers. Neither should we be encouraging women to make single parenthood a lifestyle choice. Government's view is that two-parent families provide the best environment for our children to grow up in and fulfill their potential. Society supports this view. I hope Mr Chia is not suggesting otherwise. The Government provides direct help for these mothers to care for their children so that the children are not disadvantaged. They can qualify for maternity leave and childcare leave under the Employment Act, and are eligible for infantcare and childcare subsidies. They can also rent or buy a flat from HDB jointly with their parents. If they are aged 35 and above, they can buy a resale flat or pair up with another eligible single to rent a flat from HDB. Their children get the same education benefits as any other Singaporean child. They pay the same school fees, enjoy Edusave grants and qualify for the same scholarships and bursaries. No Singaporean child will be denied an education because of the circumstances of his birth. Most importantly, an open and caring society is not just about Government providing assistance. It is also about families and the community stepping forward to do their part. I am glad to hear that ABN-AMRO, together with Project Wings by our 10 women PAP MPs, has organised a financial skills programme to help single mothers. I hope there will be more of such community initiatives and family support to help single parents manage the challenges of raising children. WRITTEN ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS BANKING (CREDIT CARD AND CHARGE CARD) REGULATIONS 2004 1. Assoc. Prof.”
“So let us all work towards a successful project, a clean and safe, but vibrant and dynamic Singapore. EXEMPTED BUSINESS (Motion) Resolved, That the proceedings on the business set down on the Order Paper for today be exempted at this day's sitting from the provisions of Standing Order No. 2. - [Mr Wong Kan Seng]. PROPOSAL TO DEVELOP INTEGRATED RESORTS Debate resumed.”
“But there has to be a proposal to focus on and the decision really lies with the Cabinet, what we are going to do, because finally we are the ones who take the responsibility and carry that and have to answer for the consequences of making this decision. This will not be the last time we have to go through such debates, and decisions have to be made which not all Singaporeans will agree with. We will continue to take a consultative approach on important issues that matter to Singaporeans, even though on some of these, we will not reach unanimity. Then we will have to manage the debate so that we do not polarise ourselves and end up with a deeper cleavage in our society, which is harder to bridge. This has happened in Western societies. If you discuss abortion or gay rights, there is no possibility of meeting of minds. The extremes have polarised and we must not let that happen on divisive issues in Singapore. We have to develop the maturity for the Government to be open to modifying proposals to take in new ideas, and for the public to accept that consultation does not mean every input will become policy, particularly when there are different views among the public. Now that the decision has been made, we have to move on, close ranks, and work to make the IR succeed for Singapore. The upside and the downside are not just matters of guess work, but they depend on how hard we work to get the upside and to limit the downside. As one young Singaporean wrote in an email to me: "Whether it is the Government, the gambler, or you, we are all a family walking and sleeping in the same piece of land. The best idea won't work if no one supports it. The worst one will work if everyone works towards a common goal." A very sensible young lady wrote that.”
“Whether $100 is the right or wrong number, time will tell. I believe it is the right number. It will work in deterring casual gamblers from just wandering in and then getting hooked. It will not deter problem gamblers. They are already hooked. But for problem gamblers, we need a different solution. Why do I think it works? Because I have asked around. How much money are people playing when they go to these jackpot machines? If they go to Batam, they carry with them maybe $200-$300. I asked how much do they come back with, and I am told, usually zero. If they go to NTUC Club, the operator tells me they come with $200-$300 too. They may go back with two-thirds of that, so the Club makes maybe $100 out of them. I asked NTUC Club: what if I levy $100 on you? He said NTUC Club will die. I think he knows what he is talking about. This is not a trivial levy. Time will tell, but the test is: is it cheaper to go to Marina South or is it cheaper to go to Genting or Batam? I think, based on the price we intend to set, Genting and Batam are cheaper. If that changes, we will have to look at the situation again. We have had a substantive debate. We have come to this House after the Cabinet has decided. Prof. Ivan Png would like us to come to this House before the Cabinet has decided. We are prepared to explain our position even before we have taken a stand. But there has to be a certain ripeness in our policy, a certain crystallised proposal to focus the House's discussion so that when you debate it, you know what you are for, or what you are against. Our approach is to take soundings, assess, and come here with a proposal. There are views and ideas which we have taken in these last three days. We will study them, and where they are relevant and constructive, we will take them in.”
“I do not think that this is a decisive factor, because for an important issue which Singaporeans feel strongly about, I am convinced that this way is the right way to go - to consult, air, debate and, finally, to make a considered decision. As Mr Tan Soo Khoon said, the Government having decided to proceed, it does not mean that one camp has triumphed over another. We have had to debate this, weigh this and, finally, we have had to find a position which we think is right for Singapore and which we can carry. That is what we have tried to do. We deeply respect views, like Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim's or Mr Loh Meng See's, which treat gambling as an absolute no, no. But, as I have explained, that is not the society's view, it is not the Government's view. We have to operate on a secular basis, taking the national interest at heart and recognising that people will feel very strongly that they do not want to participate and they wish others also would be prevented from taking part. We can respect the first part, but we cannot prevent others from taking part. The inputs did influence our deliberations. It gave us a sense of what people were worried about, what was acceptable, and it helped us decide what safeguards to take. For example, we took some time to come up with the entrance fee proposal. We floated other ideas. What about a total ban for Singaporeans? That was a no go. What about some cut-off in terms of income levels? I think that would have been offensive to many Singaporeans. Who are you to say that because I am poor, I cannot look after my own money? Or entrance fee based on credit cards? We found that there would be too many. What about gold cards? But gold cards can get cheaper; even platinum cards get devalued. So, finally, we settled on this entrance fee.”
“For example, the Darussalam Mosque Management Board Chairman, Abdul Mutalib Hashim, expected IRs to cause problems for Muslims, but he said that the mosque planned to enrich its mosque counsellors with comprehensive knowledge about gambling - not only basic knowledge, but also laws and the social impact of gambling. Mr Ramli Puteh, who is President of the Ain Society, a Malay welfare group, hoped that Malay/Muslim organisations can work together to handle gambling-related problems later on, such as alcoholism and domestic violence. We are very grateful for the understanding of these religious leaders, and we will make full use of their resources, networks and sense of mission to tackle the side-effects of problem gambling. This has been an important exercise in public consultation and active citizenry. The public discussion has been, on the whole, calm and rational. It has been a passionate debate, but I am not surprised at that, because in every other country or city considering a change in gambling policy, it has been a hot subject. Every society includes a range of views on gambling, and if we did not have a group of people who have strong reservations and are prepared to speak up, I think an important component would have been missing from our social immune system. Some people have said that the Government was in a no-win situation. If it does not consult, it is seen as not consultative. If it consults, but then decides to proceed, it is seen as not taking in opposing views, and some people will say that the Government had decided already.”
“For example, one Muslim wrote to me, and I quote him, "I reject the idea of having a casino in Singapore, but as a secular Government, the decision can't be taken based on religious faith but for the sake of national interest. I have to respect the Government's decision. I also thank the Government for respecting religious faith ... and I trust that the Government is making a sound decision and I support the IR project and I hope other Singaporeans will also see it the same way." I am also heartened that many social welfare and religious groups who had opposed the IR, and still disapprove of it, are prepared to cooperate with the Government to help to tackle problem gambling. For example, the associate general secretary of the National Council of Churches of Singapore was quoted by AFP to say, "We are still opposed to gambling and all the effects of that vice. But the Council would encourage its member churches to educate their flocks against gambling. Christian churches would cooperate with the Government in dealing with the social fallout and offer counselling for people with gambling problems." The Catholic Archbishop Monsignor Nicholas Chia told the BBC that he understood the economic arguments, but, of course, he was still very much against it, and he said and I quote, "We are very worried about the cost of human, family and social well-being. We will try to dissuade people from being addicted and educate people on the ill-effects of problem-gambling." The Muslim groups too have spoken out.”
“They have to live their own lifestyles, maintain their own values, abide by their own rules, as Singaporeans have to do when they go overseas and live in a different society. As Mr Zainudin explained to us on Tuesday, what he had to do when he visited France and lived there for three years, and he still comes back as a good Muslim. I am encouraged that MPs, despite personal reservations, understand the reasons why the Government has to proceed with the IRs. So too Singaporeans. Many have written to me to express their understanding and support since this debate began. After hearing our explanations, they realised the scale of the integrated resort and the benefits it will bring to the Singapore economy. They said the Government should have presented the IR concept more clearly earlier. If we had explained it like this, it would have been easier. Actually I should tell MTI that if they had explained it to the Cabinet like this, then Ministers might have been persuaded earlier. But we started off with this gambling component, and we must not lose sight of that, but we should see it in perspective. Some people who wrote to me were struck by the descriptions of what other cities are doing and they said we better move too. They understood that the Government had made this decision after wrestling with its conscience, and was doing this to grow our economy, create job opportunities and renew Singapore. There were some who have strong religious beliefs who said that they themselves will not step into a casino, but they understand why we are moving, and they will devote their time and energy to help counter the negative impact.”
“The challenge is to deliver this message effectively and interestingly, whether or not we have a casino. You have to do it through stories and parables, maybe some real life examples, or a visit to the casino. Then you know what it is about and you have some mental image of how to deal with it. Families too play a role. Parents need to teach values, and also the basic facts about gambling. I know of one family who happen to be opposed to the casino, but they teach their children how to gamble because they want their children to understand it. So every Chinese New Year, their children play these games. As you all know, Chinese New Year is one of those ancient traditional family occasions where these are among the family pastimes. In this case, the elder sister was playing with the younger brother for a piece of cake. The elder sister won and so gave chance. Younger brother played again. Elder sister won again, gave chance again. Played a third time, elder sister won again, she promptly ate the cake, and younger brother burst into tears. That is the sort of lesson which we want to teach people and which will stay with them for a long time. That is what elder sisters are for. Religious and social work groups also have a role to play - to exhort their followers to live upright lives, to have their social networks, so you know who is in trouble, who may be wandering too far, and to counsel and help those who get into trouble. So I hope that those who oppose the IRs on moral or religious grounds will continue to engage themselves and exert a positive force on society. With the right values, people can choose and decide - either not to go to the casino or if they must gamble, then not excessively.”
“You have to teach people how not to gamble excessively and we have to have safety nets to catch and treat those who become gambling addicts. We have to get our people to learn, and particularly the next generation to learn, that it is stupid to think of gambling as a way to get rich. If you have to gamble, treat it as a consumption item, and set a budget to spend. If I am going to have a fling this evening, here is $50 or $100 I am going in with, that is what I am going to spend. When it runs out, I go home. It is like going to the movies or on a holiday. It is spending money. If you lose, do not try to earn it back. That is disastrous, as Chia Teck Leng found out. I have had very intelligent, very well educated professionals explain to me how, if you are smart, you can outsmart the house. I have tried to explain to them that, mathematically, it is not possible, this is a well-known paradox, you may think double, double, double, and you will come ahead, but before that you will go bankrupt. But they say, "No. If you are not greedy, you can make just a little bit of money." The glint is in their eyes, but they are quite wrong, and we have to get this message home, so Singaporeans know that if you are doing this, you are a sucker. It is better for people to have the right values inculcated in them from young so that they can form their own right judgments. Then they can deal with many risks in the world which they are going to meet, more dangerous than integrated resorts on Sentosa or Marina South. We teach pupils in schools, through civics and moral education, which already covers the virtues of thrift, hard work and being responsible to the family. The challenge is not to have more homilies and lectures.”
“As the MM explained, we are a port city, if we do not allow it, you drive it underground. So we allow it, we regulate it, we have a system of health checks, and everybody knows the even numbered Lorongs are different from the odd numbered Lorongs. Gambling opportunities now are far more prevalent than they ever used to be. It is a fact of life. We have to accept it. Cruises to nowhere are common. Singaporeans go, grassroots leaders go, and MPs go with them because it is part of bonding amongst the grassroots. And the MPs tell me that when you go on a cruise to nowhere, before you can cross the international boundary, there is a queue outside the casino. The moment the doors open, people rush in. If you were not there and you were eating a chicken wing at a buffet, and you hear the PA system announce, "The doors are now open", you will drop your chicken wing, half-eaten, and run. On the Internet, gambling is available readily. You do not have to visit the sites, the sites visit you. Because you may be at some perfectly innocent site and up it pops and says, here's a casino, try your hand at black-jack, or whatever it is, with bright flashing lights - a private casino in your own home. I was doing some research - I assure you - a few days ago, preparing for this debate and up came a site. So I decided to click on it. The site is called popebetting.com because a new Pope was being elected, and here is the chance for you to put some money on the candidates. There was a whole listing of the cardinals and the odds, the first one of which was Cardinal Ratzinger, 3:1. I regret I did not click on the next link. So the temptation is all around you.”
“My job was to name the horse. We chose the "Empire Rose". I cannot remember why, but I remember the name - there was a profound political reason. It lost. That has not been an indelible lesson, but it is a vivid example of how difficult it is to be smarter than the other guy and smarter than the house. So never believe that one can gamble to earn a living or to get rich. I have seen in MPS, families who are in trouble because of gambling, just as I have seen in MPS families who are in trouble because of other reasons, drinking or just being dissolute or unable to manage their finances. It is very sad and every case you see is one case too many. Like everybody else, I would like to protect our people and our own children from ruining their lives through gambling. But I do not believe we can solve the problem by banning gambling. I also do not believe that gambling is something which we can completely outlaw. We take that attitude with drugs. There is no such thing as recreational use, whether it is cannabis, heroin, cocaine. For consuming drugs, you go to jail or the drug rehabilitation centre. But we do not take that attitude with other social vices. We do not ban cigarettes, which are extremely harmful. All we can do is to tax them heavily so, at least, some public good comes out of a private addiction. You can also become addicted to alcohol, which can break up families and ruin lives. But we do not ban alcohol, because that does not work. We allow alcohol to be sold, and we tax it. And there is such a thing as a social drinker - you drink wine or beer, it is part of socialising, it is normal. Muslims do not. Some other people feel that they do not want to, but drinking is accepted within society. Prostitution is a sin. It is wrong, but it is a reality.”
“Even without IRs, many people are already gambling, as Mrs Yu-Foo Yee Shoon and Mr Ong Ah Heng pointed out just now. They work with the unions so they know the ground, people's habits and how they behave. The MCYS' survey confirmed what we knew - 58% of Singaporean adults gamble. But what was interesting was also the amounts which they gamble. Median expenditure per gambler per month is $83; average is $244. If you base it on one year, the median expenditure is almost $1,000 and the average is nearly $3,000. This is what an average gambler in Singapore will spend. Most of these will be social and recreational gamblers, but a few will get into trouble. I am not a gambler myself. I have been lucky. I have not experienced the problems of gambling, either me or my family. My family does not gamble. I was going to tell you all about my non-gambling occasions, but they paled in comparison with Senior Minister's and other stories which the House has heard, but I will just tell you one. On a rare occasion, we were at a very serious meeting in Canberra in 1989, the first APEC Conference, and it happened to coincide with the Melbourne Cup. I was there with George Yeo. Everything came to a stop. This was in the middle of the day. The Prime Minister, then Bob Hawke, flew from Canberra to Melbourne to attend the race, congratulate the winner and come back to Canberra the same day to receive us at dinner. We had to stop doing business because the whole country ground to a halt. All the Australian staff and officers were going to watch, so we had better watch too. Our attitude was, if we are going to watch, we might as well put some money on it. So we passed the hat around. This being APEC, we decided on a collective bet, 12 countries. It was not a big sum, so we bet one horse.”
“That is what we have to judge and decide. Most MPs who have spoken disapprove of gambling, or, at least, they disapprove of excessive gambling. Some oppose it because of their upbringing, like Mr Arthur Fong, whose father left him an indelible experience, or their religious faiths, like Mr Loh Meng See, who spoke just now. Some oppose all forms of gambling, because of personal experiences of family members who are gambling addicts. And when you have gone through such an experience, that also leaves an indelible impression on you, and you say, "I do not want this ever to happen. Let there not be such an evil on the earth." Others have done their calculations and found that gambling is pointless because the house always wins, as the Minister Mentor explained. Some of the shrewdest and wealthiest businessmen in Singapore do not gamble. They could be a whale if they wanted to, but they think it is foolish, and a waste of money. Mr Ong Beng Seng is one of them. I have got his permission to tell you his story. He said that he found out that the house always wins. So he must have played and eventually concluded that it is a mug's game, the player always loses. So he had a solution. He decided to be on the other side. He bought the house, and later sold it for a good profit. The shrewdest businessmen, the ones who are smartest at making money, will tell you, "If you want to make money, this is not the way to do it." This attitude towards casinos and gambling is a good one. I do not believe that having the integrated resorts will shift this basic attitude. This is an attitude and is the immune system in our society which will inoculate us against succumbing to excessive gambling. But we also have to be realistic.”
“I think that is the right attitude for neighbours in Southeast Asia to take. But the reaction is not just from Southeast Asia. The Chinese are watching us. Shanghai is watching us. The China Daily, which is an English newspaper in China, devoted half a page of its business segment reporting on our integrated resorts on Tuesday after I made the statement on Monday. One of our Singapore CEOs happened to be in Shanghai and met the Shanghai government officials. The officials told him, "Singapore, while small, has made such a tremendous impact regionally ... This decision [talking about the IRs] is another example of long-term planning that will no doubt improve Singapore business stature." So they are watching us. They are studying which way we go and I have no doubt that they are asking themselves, "Is it something which we should consider? If so, when should we move?" Because Shanghai has moved forward on many fronts and, in some areas, they are well ahead of Singapore, and this is not something unthinkable. I am convinced that the majority of MPs and, I believe, majority of Singaporeans, support the idea of an integrated resort. I draw this conclusion based on the debate these last few days, my soundings with MPs and their grassroots, and feedback I received myself, visiting the constituencies, talking to the grassroots leaders and their residents. There is support for it. And after the debate and the explanations in the House, I am confident that the support level will go up. But the basis for this decision is not the popularity of the proposal, otherwise we could have done a straw poll or referendum, as Dr Loo Choon Yong suggested, and then gone with whatever the straw poll said. The right basis is what is right for Singapore in the long run.”
“They are not the majority, but they are passionately and sincerely against the idea, and we have to persuade them to accept it or, at least, to let them understand the reason why we have to move, even though we know they do not agree with the decision. Finally, the Cabinet considered it carefully and we decided we cannot say no, we have to move now. In the long term, the IRs are an essential part of remaking Singapore. It is a judgement. Are there downside risks as Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim asked? Yes, of course. There are upside risks too. We do not know how it will work out. Maybe, if it is too successful, we may get frightened of it because it is such an irresistible temptation. But we have to weigh it and decide the upside and the downside to the best of our ability and judgement. Does it look like it is a good decision for Singapore? Our judgement, as a Cabinet, is yes, it is a decision which we have to make. Other countries are already taking note of our move. It is reported all over the regional newspapers, The Herald Tribune has it, the Asian Wall Street Journal has it, the Financial Times has it. The Malaysians are watching us carefully. Their media is reporting on this. Mr Zainul Abidin mentioned this yesterday. They are asking if this is a plus or minus for them. Some people say it is a minus, business will go out. Some people say it is a plus, because, then, there will be more tourists coming to the region who will visit both Malaysia and Singapore. Because having visited the integrated resorts in Singapore, why not go visit Genting too? I watched the Chairman of the Malaysian Tourism Board on television and she took that attitude that it is a plus. They welcome it. So did the Secretary-General of the tourism ministry in Malaysia.”
“Many more people are coming here from around the region, all the way from the Middle East to China, for education and health care. We are trying to tap the growth of the countries around us and make a quantum leap in all of these areas. We want to become a leading centre for high-end manufacturing in Asia. We want to offer the best education and health services to clients from the Middle East to China, South Korea and Japan; to reinforce our role as a key logistics hub: to entrench our position as a major centre for entertainment and conventions, different from Macao and Las Vegas. We are not trying to be a strip with 17 or 19 casinos, with flashing lights, tempting sounds and images, but attractive and special in our own way. We are developing ourselves to become the most cosmopolitan, most open, and also the safest city in Asia, where women and children can walk along the streets all hours of the day and night without fear. We have to preserve our brand as a well managed city, Asian at its core, but open to change and willing to try bold new ideas. So, the decision on the IRs concerns the interests of Singapore over the next 10 to 20 years. It is not a short-term problem. For the next five years, the IRs are not going to make any great difference to the economy. Maybe the construction sector will benefit. But if we do not move now and do not have IRs up and running four or five years from now, by 2009, other countries would have moved ahead, we would have been left behind, and it would be too late to catch up. You can see where the others are but you are far behind. In Chinese, we say, wang cheng mo ji, ie, watch the dust and you are not in range to catch up. In the short term, we have to overcome some political resistance. Many Singaporeans are opposed to the idea.”
“We had to review the evidence, confront the facts, rethink our conclusions and, in fact, re-examine our values and predispositions as we found our way forward step by step, as the phrase goes, feeling your way stone by stone across the river, and gradually crossing the river and reaching a new point. And to bring the population and the MPs along with us, we had to explain how we got here, how we took these steps forward, why we changed our minds and why we are now here today. The hardest thing for us to do is to change a policy which is still working. The problems are not yet obvious; the new policy involves risk and uncertainty; so why not carry on until the problems become more serious? Maybe we will not have to change. Whereas if the problem is already on your head and you are already in a deep hole, there is no question you will have to do something about it. But it is the Government's responsibility to look over the horizon, anticipate problems which are not yet looming large but which are visible in our telescope, and persuade people that we need to change now and to support the necessary change. So, what we are doing here is to look ahead 10 years, maybe 20 years, a responsibility that the Government takes very seriously. Our economic policies today are working. In manufacturing, we are moving up the value added and technology ladder, and going upmarket. In electronics, bio-sciences, petrochemicals and fine chemicals, the industries are all doing well. We are getting new investments in research and development. Our financial sector is doing well, driven by the private banking and fund management industries. In fact, private banking is growing by 20% per year - the same market, by the way, which the IRs hope to target.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, over the last four days, Parliament has had a constructive and very fruitful debate. The MPs have offered many insights. They have shared their personal experiences on gambling, whether winning or losing, and stated their positions and concerns. They have shown their personal convictions and well thought out stands, whether these are for or against the integrated resorts or, more specifically, against the casino component of the integrated resorts. It is not the end of our journey, but it is a significant milestone after more than a year of debate. Now, what we have to do is to make the IRs work - to yield the economic benefits, to generate the jobs and, and at the same time, to limit the social fallout. I have tried to explain the process by which we had reached this decision to proceed - how our thinking evolved, why we changed our long-standing policy, what we are still worried about. Usually, we avoid agonising over policies in public, wringing hands, wondering what to do before we make up our minds. Our preferred approach is to settle the main lines of a policy, explain the package, and then, if necessary, finetune as we go along, because we do not want to confuse people, we want to present a clear stand, and have the direction we are heading towards more or less worked out. But in this case, it has been important for us to talk about how we got here, in order to carry people along and understand our thinking. We have been on a journey. The Government started out being against the integrated resorts.”
“- Unstressed consonants may be omitted in the Chinese renditions so as to reduce the rendering to the minimum number of words. - Where a street name should be transliterated, the descriptive terms could be translated (for example, Bedok North is "勿洛北"). The Committee also provided a list of the standardised names to ensure consistency in the Chinese translation. For instance, "street" should be translated to "街" and "hill" should be "山". WEBCASTING OF PARLIAMENTARY PROCEEDINGS 2. Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Leader of the House if live webcasting of parliamentary proceedings and video-on-demand of video recordings of previous parliamentary sittings can be provided on Parliament's website.”
“The naming of streets and places is under the purview of the Street and Building Names Board (SBNB), chaired by Mr Chan Soo Sen, Minister of State for Education. The Chinese names for some streets and roads are based on the English pronunciation rather than the meaning of the words. This is to recognise the popular and actual usage of the street names. These names were used naturally by people regardless of their spoken language. The translation of "Marine Parade" to "马 林百 列" and "River Valley" to "里 巴 巴 利" are two such examples. The existing Chinese street names should generally be retained. Many of the names, including those that the Member had cited, have been in use for a long time and are now widely accepted and familiar to Singaporeans. To change the Chinese names now would confuse the public. The translation of street names in Chinese is guided by the Report of the Committee on the Standardisation of Street Names in Chinese which was released in 1970. Following a review of all the existing street names in Chinese, the Committee set out these general principles: - To provide more readable street names in Chinese. - For the purpose of transliteration, Mandarin pronunciation should generally be taken as the basis. - Wherever possible, the characters chosen should bear the same or similar pronunciations in all the major Chinese dialects spoken in Singapore. - Care should be taken in the choice of Chinese characters to avoid such homonyms that if pronounced in Chinese dialects, might carry undesirable connotations or lend themselves to such interpretations. - As far as possible, transliterations should not only be a faithful rendering by sound but should also be elegant and meaningful.”
“Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Third time." Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Third time and passed. SUPPLEMENTARY SUPPLY (FY 2004) BILL Order for Second and Third Readings read. The Acting Second Minister for Finance (Mr Raymond Lim Siang Keat): Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The purpose of this Bill is to make provision in accordance with Articles 148(2) and 148C(2) of the Constitution for additional expenditure in excess of the provisions authorised by the Supply Act . The additional sums have been presented as Supplementary Estimates, which have been considered and approved by the House as Command Papers No. 1 and 4 of 2005. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Third Reading”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." In accordance with Article 148(1) of the Constitution, Heads of Expenditure to be met from the Consolidated Fund and Development Fund, other than statutory expenditure, have to be included in a Bill to be known as the Supply Bill. The purpose of the Supply Bill before Members is therefore to give legislative approval for the appropriations from the Consolidated Fund and Development Fund to meet the expenditures in the financial year, 1st April, 2005 to 31st March, 2006. The Heads of Expenditure and the sums that may be incurred in respect of each Head are shown in the Schedule to the Bill. These have been approved by the House in the Main and Development Estimates of Expenditure for the financial year 1st April 2005 to 31st March, 2006 and appear on pages 14 and 15 of Command Paper No. 2 of 2005. The Supply Bill, when approved, will empower me to issue warrants authorising expenditure up to the amount for each Head as shown in the Bill to be paid out from the Consolidated Fund and Development Fund. Sir, I beg to move. Question put, and agreed to. Bill accordingly read a Second time. Third Reading”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament doth agree with the Committee on the said resolutions." Question put, and agreed to. Resolutions accordingly agreed to. SUPPLY BILL Order for Second and Third Readings read. 2.47 pm”
“Sir, I beg to report that the Committee of Supply have come to certain resolutions. First Resolution reported - "That the sum of $24,810,335,690 shall be supplied to the Government under the Heads of Expenditure for the public services shown in the Main Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 2005 to 31st March, 2006, contained in Paper Cmd. 2 of 2005." Second Resolution reported - "That the sum of $14,402,999,600 shall be supplied to the Government under the Heads of Expenditure for the public services shown in the Development Estimates for the financial year 1st April, 2005 to 31st March, 2006, contained in Paper Cmd. 2 of 2005.�?”
“95%, yes; 97%, quite possible, if we have a good year; 99%, I do not know whether that is possible. That is the reality. We will strive for the best we can, and I think we have delivered the best we can for Singaporeans. We feel the pressure. But if you just yield to the pressure unthinkingly and say, "I am just taking a small step. Do not worry. I know what you are talking about. This is just a little bit better and I will try my best to be careful", you can take a series of very well-intended small steps and end up in the wrong place, with a result which is worse than you are in today, and regret it and take many years and, maybe, never come back. Question put, and agreed to. Resolved, That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1st April, 2005 to 31st March, 2006.”
“" The Scandinavians have a scheme where, if you are out of work, you have 90% of your last-drawn pay for life! It is marvellous. Why do we not do that? Who will pay for that? Why should anybody work, if that is available? How will a country strive to get ahead? What we can do is what we now have, for example, rental and utilities assistance, employment assistance schemes, People for Jobs Traineeship Programme, REAP, and we are going to have ComCare. We have schemes which will help but will never let up on the pressure for the person to have to go and do something for himself. So I will give it to you for three months. After three months, you will have to come back. I may extend it for you, but I want to know that you have been trying, you are working, or you are trying to get work, or there is some fundamental reason why you cannot, in which case, I can look at you in a different sort of way. But to say that it is our job to look after everybody who does not work - which can potentially be 10-20% of the population - I think that is not something which any government can responsibly deliver. And those who have tried to do that have regretted and pulled back very painfully. The Americans, British, Australians and New Zealanders have done so. Now, even the French and the Germans have decided that the world has changed, and if they do not do this, the Poles, Hungarians and Czechs will eat their lunch, and they better work longer hours, better be more flexible and cut back on benefits and earn their living for themselves. We will cover nearly everybody in Singapore with either a job or assistance, and provide for a home over their heads. To reach 100%, I do not know whether that is possible in this real world.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I will take the Member's second point first. We are already taking in investment income contribution into our Budget for our total revenue in order to spend, according to the limits of what is allowed in the Constitution. So, when I say we have $210 - $220 million of surplus next year, I mean, including investment income. If we did not have investment income, that would be negative, and we will be running a deficit. So, there is no secret pocket somewhere. You will have to raise taxes. You cannot do it with smoke and mirrors, and you cannot just wave your hand and say somehow we can afford this. As for basic entitlement to look after somebody who is out of work, somebody who needs basic medical care, I think we can say that we will provide basic medical care for everybody. It is not free. It has to be paid for. If you are in a C-class ward, you have to pay for it, though at a very highly subsidised rate. There are Medisave and MediShield to help you, and if despite that you still cannot do it, then there will be a medical social worker who will look at your case and you can go to Medifund, and Medifund will help you. Through that system, we have been able to provide good health care to the vast majority of Singaporeans, better than what you will get in the most advanced countries in the world, and better than you will get in China, where things are supposed to be free. As for basic responsibility to look after people who are not working, as a slogan, many governments say that. As a reality, all governments know that there are limits to what they can do. The Americans used to have welfare: "If you are out of a job, we will provide you "x" dollars percentage of your last-drawn pay for so many months.”
“And it is acts of kindness and compassion in a community bound together in a social compact that makes us care for each other and support the vulnerable - this way we will become a caring and inclusive society. I ask everyone to join me in building a nation which offers opportunity and hope to all, and a society where every citizen belongs. Together we will build a Singapore that all of us will be proud to call home. Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move. [Applause.]”
“Opportunity means not just good jobs, affordable housing, quality education, and adequate healthcare, but also making Singapore the best home for raising families, and opening up the space to pursue our dreams and aspirations. Opportunity is not possible without a thriving economy that adapts and changes with the global environment. Hence our constant striving to restructure and diversify our economy, our untiring efforts to boost competitiveness, and our relentless emphasis on training and skills upgrading. A sense of community is what ultimately makes us a nation - forged by shared experiences, inspired by a common vision, and bound by a collective resolve to help one another. Restructuring brings adjustment pains to many segments of our population. We must help them so that they too will share in the fruits of economic opportunity. This Budget will foster economic restructuring, enhance Singapore's competitiveness as a place for talent and enterprise, build new strengths in the services sector, and create more jobs for Singaporeans. But it is not only about growing our economy. This Budget will also deliver more help to groups facing particular difficulties - older workers who are experiencing deeper CPF cuts, the less-skilled who are finding it hard to be re-employed even as the economy recovers, and all Singaporeans who are concerned about rising healthcare costs. Remaking our economy and our society is not just the task of Government. Success ultimately depends on the values, attitudes, and the collective actions of all Singaporeans. It is individual creativity, individual excellence, and individual passion that will sustain us as a vibrant people with an enterprising economy.”
“Table 2: Estate duty relief for deaths in quick succession For successive deaths occurring within Estate Duty Relief < 6 months 100% 7-12 months 75% 13-18 months 50% 19-24 months 25% > 24 months 0% PART V - CONCLUSION Revised FY2004 and FY2005 Budget Position Mr Speaker, Sir, this Budget will benefit all Singaporeans. It will provide $1.3 billion of help to groups which need and deserve help, especially those who are finding it hard to keep up with the structural changes. This Budget will also save taxpayers more than $150 million in FY2006 and $310 million in FY2007. Taking into account the top-up to the Lifelong Learning Fund which will be funded from the FY2004 Budget, the revised position for FY2004 is an overall deficit of around $440 million. As for the FY2005 budget, after taking into account the Special Transfers and the tax changes I have announced, we now project a reduced overall budget surplus of around $210 million, or 0.1% of GDP. It is a modest surplus because we are taking deliberate steps to ensure that all Singaporeans can continue to afford good healthcare, enhance the retirement finances of older workers, and provide more help to lower-income Singaporeans. These measures reflect our resolve that vulnerable or needy Singaporeans will not be left behind as a result of economic restructuring, and that the fruits of our progress will be shared by all. More details of the revised fiscal positions for FY2004 and FY2005 may be found in Annex D* and the Budget Highlights document. * Cols. 725-726. Building our home together Mr Speaker, Sir, this Budget aims to build an economy with abounding opportunities, and a society with a deep sense of community.”
“This will allow the Singapore Turf Club to offer better odds and lower prices to their customers to compete more effectively with illegal gambling operators. The UK has made similar changes to their horse betting duties, for the same reasons. I should add that this change is totally unrelated to the issue of whether to have a casino in Singapore. Greater scope of relief from stamp duties We will also change the rules to provide a greater scope of relief from stamp duties. Currently, prospective property buyers are generally required to pay for stamp duties even when their sale and purchase agreements are subsequently aborted. To provide relief to bona fide aborted transactions, the Government will now remit the stamp duties paid except for a charge of $50 to cover administrative costs. In addition, I have also decided to remove the requirement for transferee companies to be tax residents in order to qualify for stamp duty relief, and to extend the relief to include the transfers of mortgages. These new measures will take effect immediately. New relief for estate duty Lastly, death duties. The Government will introduce a new relief in estate duty for deaths in quick succession. When individuals die within a short period of time of each other, and the assets pass from one to another, these assets are currently taxed on each death. This is an added burden on bereaved families. For deaths from 1st January 2006, the Government will allow the estate duty paid on the earlier death to be deducted from the estate duty payable on the same assets assessed in the beneficiaries' subsequent deaths. The relief will start at 100% if the deaths occur within six months of each other, graduating to the full estate duty payable if the deaths are more than two years apart.”
“From YA2006, we will grant double tax deduction for all donations to Institutions of a Public Character (IPCs) and other approved beneficiaries made on or after 1st January 2005, whether or not they involve naming opportunities. We hope this will encourage more donors to come forward, to give larger donations, and to cultivate lasting relationships with the beneficiaries they have lent their names to. Extend Computer Donation Scheme to IPCs Fourth, there is a computer donation scheme today to encourage IT research and training in our educational and research institutions and to develop IT literacy for all. Donations of computer hardware and software to approved institutions under this scheme are granted double tax deduction. I will extend this Scheme to all IPCs for donations made on or after 1st January 2005, to encourage IPCs to improve their administration and manage their programmes more effectively through the use of IT. Other tax changes Higher excise duty on tobacco Let me touch briefly on other tax changes. No budget is complete without some mention of sin taxes. Smoking contributes to nearly 2,500 deaths annually in Singapore. To curb smoking especially among younger Singaporeans, I have decided to further raise the excise duties on all tobacco products with effect from today. For instance, excise duty on cigarettes will go up from $293 per 1,000 sticks to $352 per 1,000 sticks. The new duties for tobacco products are at Annex C*. This rise in duties is expected to increase revenues by $158 million. * Cols. 721-724. Changes to horse betting duty The Government will change the horse betting duty from 12% of each bet to 25% of gross betting profits - that is, bets less winnings paid out.”
“I have decided to recognise the advancement of sport as a fifth charitable purpose, where the sport advances the health of individuals. Because this recognises the importance of sports in promoting a healthy lifestyle for all, we will only extend it to sports that require physical skill and exertion. Qualifying sports groups will be eligible for income tax exemption from YA2006. Recognise explicitly "other purposes beneficial to the community" Second, I will explicitly recognise as charitable purposes several purposes that we now group under "other purposes beneficial to the community", to encourage the groups undertaking these activities, as well as encourage Singaporeans to donate to these groups. The purposes are: - the advancement of health; - the advancement of citizenship or community development; - the advancement of the arts, heritage or science; - the advancement of environmental protection or improvement; - the relief of those in need by reason of youth, age, ill-health, disability, financial hardship or other disadvantage; and - the advancement of animal welfare. Grant double tax deduction for donations with naming opportunities Third, to encourage more charitable giving among individuals and corporations, I will equalise the tax treatment of donations between those that involve naming opportunities and those that do not. At present, donations with naming opportunities get single tax deduction instead of double tax deduction. So if you fund a school hall, you will get double tax deduction. If later on, your name is attached to it, after-tax deduction comes back. I do not think we have to calculate so nicely and precisely.”