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GE2025: Stunning victory for PAPGE2025: Stunning victory for PAP I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher national vote share in PM Wong's first electoral test” (May 4). GE2025 has clearly delivered the following key messages/notes from the vast majority of voters: The Workers’ Party (WP) has done a fantastic good...

This is not a game of cardsThis is not a game of cards I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors games on nominations day, the shuffling of the DPM from a seat he had openly been declared to be defending, and other ministers shuffling constituencies leaves one feeling the PAP thinks it is playing a game of cards. Constituency...

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans? I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?” - (April 14), and “The Straits Times’ report, “GE2025: Singaporeans will go to the polls on May 3, Nomination Day on April 23” (April 15), and The Online Citizen GE2025 report,...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝... Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification for the highest salaries in the world. Let’s look at its more recent track record. Large numbers of NRIC numbers were recently unmasked, leaving Singaporeans exposed to identity theft, fraud, abuse and scams....

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit TimahGE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make way for Singapore Democratic Party” (April 10), “More opposition 'star catches' are emerging. Is Singapore's political scene maturing?” (April 10) and “PSP says government response to Trump tariffs 'overblown',...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politicsGE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited... I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics” (Mar 28). It is not surprised to notice that in recent weeks, two NMPs and top ministry officials have resigned, fuelling speculation they could be fielded as potential candidates for the ruling People's Action...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025 I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar 25). As Singapore’s General Election is due to be held within this year, the following factors will more or less influence the election situation this year: A)The general mentality of voters Voters are generally...

How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US supportHow the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning... I refer to the CNA’s commentaries, “How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US support” (Mar 4), “Lessons from the Trump-Zelenskyy meltdown- for friends and foes” (Mar 1) and “Will Trump tariffs push China to change economic tack?” (Mar 3). Foremost, we need to recognise the reality...

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum WageSingapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity Costs Singapore’s National Service (NS) has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s defense, requiring young men to dedicate two years of their lives to military, civil defense, or police service. While...

Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoningTrump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of... I refer to the CNA’s Commentaries, “Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoning” (Feb 20) and “Ukraine can survive with the ‘least worst’ peace” (Feb 22). Now, In the eyes of European Union, they have lost trust and confidence in the United States, it is solely due to the flip flop...

From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiringFrom Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are... I refer to the CNA’s Commentary, “From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiring” (Jan 31). Would it be practical, useful and effective for the United States to continually pursue an aggressive containment strategy to hobble China’s tech push? Undoubtedly, the answer is obviously not. There...

Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picksDon't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: “Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks” (Nov 25), and “'No one will win a trade war’, China says after Trump tariff threat” (Nov 26). As everyone knows, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will return to power on January 20, 2025. Trump has dismissed...

Putin escalates Ukraine warPutin escalates Ukraine war I refer to The CNA’s Commentary: “Putin escalates Ukraine war by a step, not a leap, with missile experiment” (Nov 23). Foremost, Zelenskyi’s intention to join Nato has greatly threatened the security and survival of Russia. Hence, Zelenskyy has offended Putin and Putin has no choice but to launch a war with...

Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries?Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries? I refer to The TR-Emeritus opinion article, “Will PM Wong address the astronomical ministerial salaries” (June 14) by Mr Yoong Siew Wah. It has always been a controversial topic which concerns about our top political leaders who receive their salaries that are many times higher than those foreign political leaders. Our...

Supporting Chee Soon Juan's caféSupporting Chee Soon Juan's café I refer to The Independent Singapore’s news, “Singaporeans urged to support Chee Soon Juan's café despite their political preferences” (July 16). The underlying objective of doing any business is to ensure it is viable and profitable. Otherwise, there is no point of undertaking risk for it. It is natural for...

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Editorials
Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

On the evening of May 8, Xi’an, the capital city of China’s Shaanxi Province, was struck by a powerful...
Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

A total of four opposition parties, the Singapore United Party (SUP), People's Power Party (PPP), People’s...
Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Northern China was hit by an extreme weather event on Thursday as a massive cold front swept south, colliding...
Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

On April 30, northern China was struck by an extreme weather event as a massive cold vortex surged southward,...
TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

Please be informed that TR Emeritus (TRE) will shut down its comment function site-wide at 0000 hours...
Chaos in China as extreme storm destroys homes and...

Chaos in China as extreme storm destroys homes and...

Beijing’s 22 million residents were asked to stay indoors on Saturday, as powerful winds swept across...
China, Thailand, and Myanmar in ruins after devastating...

China, Thailand, and Myanmar in ruins after devastating...

On March 28, 2025, a devastating 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar near Mandalay, causing...
Myanmar 7.7 earthquake collapses buildings in Thailand,...

Myanmar 7.7 earthquake collapses buildings in Thailand,...

A powerful 7.7 magnitude earthquake struck central Myanmar on March 28, 2025, causing widespread panic...
Beijing shocked by earthquake and mega sandstorm

Beijing shocked by earthquake and mega sandstorm

Since March 24, 2025, northern China has been battling extreme weather as a massive sandstorm swept through...
Mega hail causes mass destruction in Fujian and Guangdong

Mega hail causes mass destruction in Fujian and Guangdong

An unexpected and severe hailstorm struck multiple cities in Guangdong and Fujian between March 3 and...
Extreme weather struck multiple regions in China

Extreme weather struck multiple regions in China

On March 2, 2025, extreme weather struck multiple regions in China, with parts of Henan province experiencing...
Happy Chinese New Year 2025

Happy Chinese New Year 2025

Wishing all our Chinese readers:     Team@TR Emeritus  
Huge snow caused numerous disruptions on China's major...

Huge snow caused numerous disruptions on China's major...

As the Chinese New Year approaches, millions of people across the country are making their annual journey...
The rapidly spreading HMPV virus you haven’t heard...

The rapidly spreading HMPV virus you haven’t heard...

Human Metapneumovirus (HMPV) is making headlines as cases surge, especially among children and vulnerable...
4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Shanxi's Linfeng city

4.1 magnitude earthquake shakes Shanxi's Linfeng city

On the evening of January 10, 2025, Linfen City in Shanxi Province was struck by an earthquake. The tremor,...
7.8 magnitude earthquake devastates Tibet

7.8 magnitude earthquake devastates Tibet

A magnitude 7.1 earthquake has hit Tibet, in the region of Shigatse, which is near the border with Nepal. According...
Outbreak of mystery virus in China

Outbreak of mystery virus in China

China is r eportedly facing a new health crisis as the human metapneumovirus (HMPV) outbreak rapidly...
Unknown Virus Rampages in China; Hospitals Utterly...

Unknown Virus Rampages in China; Hospitals Utterly...

A blogger in China has shared a video, claiming that this isn’t China’s Spring Festival travel rush;...
Opinions
Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

There is a rampant rumor going around that claims Egypt has ordered 48 J10C with a price tag of USD$25B...
2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025年大选结果无可争议,政府再次赢得了强有力的授权,稳固了其在新加坡政治格局中的主导地位。尽管选举结果并不令人意外,但胜利的过程却并非没有争议和复杂性。 值得注意的是,选区划分的变化在本次选战中发挥了重要作用。陈清木医生与徐顺全医生等资深反对派人物,因选区重划而受到显著影响——传统支持基础被分割或并入他区,无疑左右了某些关键选区的最终结果。虽然选区调整在新加坡选举历史上并不罕见,但其公平性与透明度仍持续引发讨论。 工人党虽稳守东北区的传统堡垒,但未能在本届大选中攻下新的选区。不过,该党仍获得两个非选区议员(Ncmp)席位,虽属安慰性质,却在象征意义上维持了国会内多元声音的存在。 更值得关注的是,本届大选所处的人口背景正经历剧烈变化。新加坡人口从2000年的约300万增长至2025年的超过500万。考虑到多年来出生率持续偏低,这一增长几乎可以肯定主要归因于移民流入,尤其可能在华人群体中增长显著。这一趋势对国家的社会结构和政治生态产生了深远影响。 展望2030年大选,各政党不仅要面对一如既往的选区调整与突发的全球事件,更需正视一个不断演变的社会结构。随着越来越多新移民成为国民,选民构成日益多元,政党在政策制定与信息传递上必须更具包容性与前瞻性。他们必须同时争取老一代公民与新加坡新公民的认同,回应共同关切,并跨越代际与文化差异的鸿沟。 在新加坡持续向前迈进的过程中,其政治也必须与时俱进——反映日益多元的人口现实,同时坚守国家的核心价值观:团结、韧性与务实。 Cwc-Ai
A jaw-dropping election

A jaw-dropping election

This is a jaw-dropping election. For the opposition. SDP’s Dr Chee and PSP’s Leong were deeply disappointed....
The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

Our party suffered great losses and I personally have suffered the greatest hit. But these personal losses...
A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

Minister Ong Ye Kung’s recent assertion that a “co-driver” bears no responsibility if a car crashes...
There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing. At least in PAP’s books. And one of the costs is a policy of priority. That...
Hougang Belongs to the People

Hougang Belongs to the People

Thank You for the Reminder, Mr Marshall Lim. It is with no small measure of amusement that one reads...
Its all about trust

Its all about trust

Dr Ng Eng Hen from PAP has pointed out the most important key point about this General Elections, it...
Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

The government's repeated assertion that it is "easy for the opposition to ask the government to give...
Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC is without question one of the most hotly watched, followed and contested constituency in...
Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Singaporeans should pause and reflect on the recent remark by PAP candidate David Neo, who said that...
Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

The Singapore government’s blunt assertion that the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)’s proposals...
Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

In a political contest, expect the exchange of barbs. And we do not lack any of it in the rallies held...
Don't Be Swayed by the Noise—Think Critically Before...

Don't Be Swayed by the Noise—Think Critically Before...

In recent weeks, the political buzz in Singapore has reached a new high. Massive crowds at opposition...
We vote whoever is deserving of our vote

We vote whoever is deserving of our vote

I am surprised that Lee Hsien Loong chose to remind us of the 1997 shameful episode when he, his father...
The Case for a Diverse and Balanced Parliament

The Case for a Diverse and Balanced Parliament

The Singapore government has recently stated that "Good government needs good people" and cautioned against...
None of the PAP labour MPs rose to speak when Parliament...

None of the PAP labour MPs rose to speak when Parliament...

I was truly flabbergasted when I learned from one of Pritam Singh's (PS) recent rally video clips that...
A Regrettable Incident and a Timely Call for Reform

A Regrettable Incident and a Timely Call for Reform

The recent racial slur made by a Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) member during the General Election...
Letters
GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher...
Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs...
GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make...
GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics”...
More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar...
How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with...

How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with...

I refer to the CNA’s commentaries, “How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning...
Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity...
Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment...

Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment...

I refer to the CNA’s Commentaries, “Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoning”...
Snippets
Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s sports industry is on the cusp of greatness, leveraging cutting-edge infrastructure and...
What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

As work-life balance remains a constant talking point in the fast-paced city-state of Singapore, residents...
10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

Singaporeans can't get enough of their phones these days, spending tons of time battling opponents, building...
Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Planning a tropical escape from Malaysia to Thailand? The journey from Langkawi to Koh Lipe offers a...
This is not a game of cards

This is not a game of cards

I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors...
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification...
The sleep science revolution in elite sports

The sleep science revolution in elite sports

Professional sports have entered a new era where recovery science directly impacts performance outcomes....
Sports Betting in Online Casinos as a Way to Improve...

Sports Betting in Online Casinos as a Way to Improve...

In today's world, online sports betting has become not only a popular form of entertainment but also...
Sticky & Recent Articles

Forbes ranks TECH as ”The best online university in the world”

Forbes ranks TECH as ”The best online university in the world”

The leading business and finance magazine highlights the success story of TECH Technological University, which allows people to learn from the best academic programs and in 100% online mode from anywhere in the world The prestigious magazine specializing in business and finance Forbes has highlighted TECH Technological University as "The best digital university in the world". They have recently said in an extensive article in its digital edition in which they echo the success story of this institution, "Thanks to the academic offerings it provides, the selection of its teaching staff, and an innovative learning method aimed at training the professionals of the future". In this way, the renowned business publication has highlighted the constant work of this university to be at the forefront of the education sector. All this, at a time when health and social conditions have accelerated the decline of traditional pedagogical models in favor of new online and distance approaches. Thus, Forbes highlights TECH's 100% online method and its results, which "are outstanding, surpassing with flying colors the world quality standards that evaluate the effectiveness of online training". In fact, this academic approach has obtained scores above the 4 points out of 5 offered by the 'Likert Scale'. In the same way, the Relearning method has obtained more than 8 points out of 10, placing TECH as the best online university in the world. "According to Forbes, TECH has managed to rank among the 200 fastest growing companies in Europe in only 6 years of business activity." Currently, TECH, the world’s largest university, is positioned as a benchmark in online and distance education. Its extensive academic catalog, consisting of more than 10,000 titles, the selection of a first-class teaching team, and the constant effort to offer high-quality content endorse it which positions TECH's more than 500,000 graduates as the most valued professionals, providing them not only with the most updated knowledge but also making them highly sought-after assets by major international companies. Forbes also highlights TECH's extensive business expansion, which since its creation in 2015 has managed to position itself among the 200 fastest growing companies in Europe and as the Spanish technology company with the highest valuation in recent years. These recognitions, added to the commitment to expansion and quality education make TECH Technological University the largest educational operator globally. The most complete academic offer in the online educational panorama One of the aspects that makes TECH unique is its outstanding academic offer because it has an extensive catalog of higher education programs consisting of bachelor's Degrees, master's Degrees, University Experts, Management Development Programs, Language Courses, and Diplomas. All of them are taught online, which makes it easier for students to combine their academic, professional, and personal lives. In addition, the university not only has traditional faculties, they also have included new areas of knowledge aligned with today's professional world. Thus, today TECH has programs related to the world of the metaverse, cryptocurrencies, or virtual reality, without leaving aside the traditional academic areas that require constant updating at a professional level, such as Health Sciences or the world of Business, among others. "TECH degrees cover the vast majority of professional fields, as well as different levels of specialization depending on the student's needs: Masters, Courses, Experts, among others." Bearing in mind the above, the University has a catalog of areas of knowledge that is unique in the sector, which includes faculties such as Sports Science, Design, Education, Nursing, Business School, Language School, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Geography and History, Humanities, Computer Science, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Nutrition, Psychology, Journalism and Communication, Veterinary Medicine, and Video Games. The reiteration of concepts as a learning method: Relearning Considering the failure of traditional teaching methods, TECH Technological University, in its bid to improve the learning system, has implemented an innovative method based on the reiteration of concepts. Under the name of Relearning, this pedagogical method is unique for combining high educational quality with the highest academic demands and the latest educational technology. In addition, TECH is the only university accredited to use this educational method in its programs. In this sense, Forbes states that "the results obtained by its learning methodology are outstanding" and that "they improve the overall satisfaction levels of students in the indicators that identify TECH as the best online university". This is what makes more graduates of this institution value positively the learning process at TECH and recommend studying at this university instead of others. Thus, to apply this method effectively, TECH focuses on providing students with teaching materials in different formats: text, interactive videos, illustrations, and knowledge maps, among others. All of them, are designed by qualified teachers who focus their work on combining real cases with the resolution of complex situations through simulation, the study of cases applied to each professional career, and learning based on repetition through audio, videos, presentations, animations, and images, among others. The essence of this method is to supply confidence and autonomy to the student. In this way, knowledge is permanently anchored in the student, who can also learn at his own pace and according to their time and lifestyle, this is something that was unthinkable with traditional learning methods. TECH Technological University TECH Technological University was founded in 2015 with the aim of moving the structure of traditional education by proposing a new academic model based on the quality of content and a unique method founded on offering immersive learning focused on knowing a subject and how to apply it. Also, TECH educational group has recently been recognized as one of the 200 fastest growing companies in Europe. Thus, it is structured as an international cluster of private digital universities oriented to offer postgraduate degrees of the highest quality.  Read More →

Singapore’s Population Jumps by 5% in One Year as PAP Resort to Their Old Tricks

Singapore’s Population Jumps by 5% in One Year as PAP Resort to Their Old Tricks

Today state media announced that Singapore’s population had risen to 5.92 million, a 5% jump from the previous year and an over 4% jump from the previous high of 5.7 million in 2019. Obviously this was overwhelmingly driven by immigration since the number of citizen births fell to around 30,000 while the resident Total Fertility Rate in 2022 fell to 1.04 from 1.12 in 2021. While the number of resident deaths was still less than citizen births (presumably because of the long standing high rate of conversion of PRs into new citizens), in the absence of immigration the resident population would have already started to decline or be on the verge of doing so. Meanwhile the median age of the resident population at 43 is now substantially higher than the UK (40) or US (38). The jump in population, most of which was in the non-resident labour force which rose by 13% to 1.77 million, obviously was a big factor in staving off recession by boosting GDP growth. 203,000 of the total increase of 281,000, or 72% were in this category. Assuming most of the additional population went into the labour force (which is defined as those over 15 who are employed plus the unemployed who are looking for work) , over 90%, then the boost to the total workforce was over 7%. Yet GDP grew by only 2.2% over the same period meaning that productivity or value added per worker fell by about 5%. Increasing the workforce and the population has always been the PAP’s go-to solution to generate growth without any rise in the underlying productivity of the factor inputs. By doing so they bamboozle gullible Western governments and media into believing the PAP’s disinformation and that Singapore’s growth record is exceptional. As I’ve said in too many articles on my blog to list here (see here for just one), the use of foreign workers to try to compensate for the fact that the local labour pool was largely exhausted began in the 1990s. This is now happening again with the rise in population coming mostly from a sharp rise in the nonresident workforce which has exceeded prepandemic levels. Showing positive GDP growth, despite shrinking value added per worker and a squeeze on real disposable incomes, while other economies are barely growing or shrinking, allows PAP to claim that they’ve been managing the economy successfully and bamboozle you into believing that you must be getting richer and therefore should vote for them at the fast approaching election. However other countries with shrinking labour forces could actually have higher growth rates of value added per worker even if GDP growth is negative. A good example of this is Japan. Recently Singapore state media carried an anecdotal comparison of purchasing power between Japan and Singapore which showed that Japanese workers were better off. A growing population also has benefits for the PAP in other ways too. Increasing the population puts pressure on housing and land prices which feeds through into the value of land reserves. While the Government’s financial reserves are likely around $3 trillion, the land it owns is worth several times that number and this increases every time an HDB breaks a new sales record. The Government can use the excuse of rising property prices to divert yet more money from the Budget into housing subsidies, both to CPF and HDB, which flow back into the reserves when land is sold to HDB and private developers, without having to spend anything on things that would actually increase the welfare of Singaporeans. And of course an elastic supply of labour, imported from foreign sources, keeps a lid on wages while bolstering the profits of the state companies which employ many of these workers. The lack of a minimum wage and the easy availability of workers allows the Government to tout its so-called (Un)Progressive Wage Model as protecting workers when it’s in fact institutionalizing low wages at a third to a half of the UK minimum wage. This keeps domestic consumption below 40% of GDP whereas in most Western countries it’s over 60% and in the US around 70%. The one benefit of increased population is the increase in domestic demand. This leads to higher tax revenues through mechanisms like GST and collections from rising residential and commercial rents. But the PAP doesn’t share the gains with Singaporeans, other than a small fraction which it claims fully offsets the GST increases paid households. Furthermore the offsets are only for a strictly limited period and come in place of the far more generous help extended to citizens of other rich countries to deal with rising costs. When the PAP disingenuously announce that Singapore has successfully avoided recession, Singaporeans should understand how that happened and ask the Government to demonstrate how it has benefited them. In 2013 the PAP announced a White Paper on Population with a target of 6.9 million by 2030. It now looks as though that will be exceeded by 2026 at the current rate of expansion. I wrote about it here ten years ago It remains as relevant as ever because the PAP strategy is never to give up on their goals but only to back off for a while and then go on with the same strategy once they think the fuss has died down. What’s happening now suggests that even the bogeyman of a stealth target of 10 million by 2030 no longer looks wide of the mark. Giving the PAP a blank cheque via an electoral supermajority has never been a wise strategy.   Kenneth Jeyaretnam I'm a Singaporean economist who became an opposition activist. I blog to provide an alternative to the porkies that the Pinkies tell. It just so happens that my alternative is the truth. That's why I've never been sued in any civil or criminal court no matter how hard hitting my criticism. I'm quoted and interviewed and asked to speak across the world but largely censored in Singapore in an effort to silence my political opinions. The left hate me because they think I split their vote and because I eschew their outmoded economic models. Models that don't work. The Right and the Conservatives hate me because I'm a liberal. I'm not sure what the middle think of me. I don't think there are more than a handful of people in the middle, here in Singapore. I'm a Singaporean born and bred, dual heritage, my parents Singaporean established here before the State of Singapore was created. I'm not Eurasian. I read economics at Cambridge and could be broadly described as from the Keynesian school but I believe in interventions. I was formerly a successful hedge fund manager. After economics and politics my greatest interests are history, film and Makan. I run but I run so I can eat like a Singaporean.      Read More →

True Death Count from the COVID-19 Vaccine

True Death Count from the COVID-19 Vaccine

Dr. McCullough Uncovers the True Death Count from the COVID Vaccines. The CDC acknowledges that 18,000 Americans have died following the COVID jab in the US VAERS. Of those, 1,100 died the same day they took the shot. But that doesn't include the under-reporting factor. Dr. McCullough believes it's 30. So, if you take 18,000 Americans times an under-reporting factor of 30, you get a total of 540,000 Americans who have died with the vaccine.      Read More →

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