Social Studies ~ Chapter 2

Governance refers to way where the government manages the resources of the country so as to
carry out its functions. At the same time, the people’s support for these policies is important to
ensure good governance.

Singapore practices representative democracy. This means that the leaders in the government are
chosen by the people once every five years.

The government can be divided into three areas. The legislature, who consists of the president
and the members of parliament, makes the laws of the country. The executive, who consists of
the president and the cabinet, executes the laws made by the parliament and administers
government policies through the ministries and the civil service. The Judiciary, who consists of
the judges and courts, ensures the law are justly carried out and the laws passed do not breach the
constitution. The separation of powers prevents each branch of the government from abusing its
power. It also enables them to concentrate on their different duties and responsibilities.

Leadership is Key

 Honest and capable leaders are needed to maintain stability in the government and to
make the right decisions for the country, these leaders must have moral courage and
integrity to do what is right and not what is popular with the people. Potential leaders are
specially selected and groomed. Besides talent and ability, leaders are also selected based
on their good character.

Anticipate change and stay relevant

 NEWater is an example of how the government prepares for the future by ensuring self-
sufficiency in water supply. Presently, Singapore depends on Malaysia for tis water
supply. Its two water agreements with Malaysia will end in 2011 and 2062. However,
Singapore has found other sources of water in order to be self-sufficient such as
NEWater.
 Tourism has always been an important part of Singapore’s economy. However, we faced
serious competition from neighboring countries as they developed major tourist
attractions. Hence, in April 2005, the government decided to build two integrated Resorts
at Marina Bay and Sentosa

Reward for work and work for reward

 Meritocracy is a system that rewards hard work and talent, hence the people are
encouraged to do well. For example, students who perform exceptionally well in their
studies and co-curricular activities are rewarded. The Edusave Scholarship and Merit
Bursary schemes reward the top 10% and 25% of the students in schools and The
 Institutes of Technical Education. This gives everyone a chance to be rewarded
regardless of their backgrounds.

A stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All

 More opportunities have been created to involve the people in decision-making. For
example in 2004, the government consulted the people on the issue of having a casino as
part of an Integrated Resort. During the feedback sessions, the people voiced their
support and concerns about the government proposal.

Area Licensing Scheme

 Due to rapid growth in the 1970s, the government made plans to manage the traffic flow
in the Central Business District. One of the measures introduced to mange traffic flow
was ALS. Under this scheme, motorist had to pay for the use of certain roads in
Singapore. These roads were bounded within areas designated as Restricted Zones.
 When ALS first started in 1975, motorists were unhappy about the increased cost of
travelling into the CBD. Hence, overall, the ALS was successful in ensuring smooth
traffic flow in the CBD and many people showed their support for improved traffic flow
in the city area

Electronic Road Pricing

 As technology improved, more efficient ways of monitoring and regulating traffic flow
became possible. The inconvenient and labor-intensive ALS was replaced by the ERP
system in 1998. It was far more efficient and effective.

Park and Ride Scheme

 It was introduced at the same time as the ALS to control the traffic flow in the CBD.
Under this scheme, motorists could park their vehicles at specific car parks which were
outside the city area. From these car parks, they could use public transport to enter the
city area. Although it seemed like a good idea, it was not successful. However, the
scheme is still being used today. This shows that as time passes and needs of the people
change, measures that did not work in the past may work today.

Vehicle Quota System

 The 1990s saw a sharp increase in car ownership because more people could afford them.
Under the VQS, the LTA determined the number of new motor vehicles allowed for
registration. It was decided that one of the ways to implement this system was through
COE system.
 Under the COE system, a specific number of new cars are issued based on the quota set
by the LTA. In this way, there is a limit on new cars that can be purchased. Car buyers
 must first bid for their COE before they can purchase the car. The LTA sets the quota for
the month and the quota premium based on the bids received for the COE. Successful
bidders will pay the quota premium to obtain the COE. The COE entitles the motorists to
own the car for 10 years. Once it is up, the motorists would have to renew the COE if he
wants to continue using the car.

Family Planning

 From 1966 to 1981, three five-year plans were implemented to control population
growth. The first plan emphasized the need for smaller families. The second plan
encourage married couple to ‘stop at two’ The third plan aimed to maintain the
replacement level at 2.1 children.
 No paid maternity leave to be given to the third and subsequent children
 No priority to be given to large families in the allocation of government flats
 No income tax relief to be given for the fourth and subsequent children
 Delivery charges in hospitals to be increased with each additional child

Problems with Ageing Population

 With a small population, Singapore would not be able to produce enough talented people
to sustain its development. Transnational corporations would find it difficult and perhaps
more expensive to recruit Singaporeans compared to the huge labor market in countries
such as China. Singapore would also be less attractive because of its smaller consumer
market.
 The number of older people would be proportionately larger. This means the country
would be faced with an ageing population. More resources would have to be used to take
care of the increasing number of senior citizens.
 With less men to recruit for National Service. This would weaken Singapore’s defense
force

The Graduate Mothers Scheme

 Based on research, it was felt that the education level of the parents had a direct impact
on the performance of their children in schools. The research showed that parents who
were university graduates were more likely to have children who performed better in
schools.
 In 1984, the Graduate Mothers scheme was introduced to encourage marriages among
graduates to have more children. However, it sparked off debate and unhappiness among
the people. The less-educated were unhappy as they felt that they would be neglected
under the policy.

Three or more if you can afford it

  As much as there was a need to raise the birth rate, the government adopted a cautious
approach and wanted Singaporeans to have more children only if they could afford it. If
too many babies were born during the period, serious social problems might arise as
families might not be able to cope financially
 Despite publicity campaigns on the joys of parenthood, many married couples continued
to have one or two children. A sizeable number of Singaporeans continued to marry at a
later age or remained unmarried.
 Other pro-family measures include equalized medical benefits as previously only fathers
could make medical claims for their children from their employers. Grandparent
caregiver relief whereby income tax relief of $3000 if a grandparent is helping the couple
take care of their children. 5-day work week for the Civil Service to allow for better
work-life balance and extended maternity leave from eight week to 12 weeks

Attracting foreign talent

 As Singapore waits for its pro-family measures to show some positive results, there is a
need to enhance its competitiveness by bringing in talent from other countries.
 In 1989, the government relaxed its immigration policy to attract foreign talent with skills
that Singapore required. Easier entry into Singapore, subsidized housing and an attractive
education package for children were offered to foreign talent who were willing to work in
Singapore. By making it easier for foreigners to come to Singapore, the government
hoped that some of the individuals will take up permanent residence or citizenship.

Many Helping Hands Approach

 Whereby everyone has a part to play in helping the nation prepare for an ageing
population. The individual, family and community will all have a role to play by sharing
the responsibility of taking care the elderly. As such, the government’s burden is reduced.
This means that the government can rely less on increasing taxes because the individual,
the family and the community are sharing the responsibilities of looking after the senior
citizens. Hence, resources saved can be used to meet the other needs of the nation
 The individual is encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle by watching his/her diet and
exercising regularly. All Singaporeans are also encouraged to plan early and attend talks
about financial planning to learn more about retirement planning so that they would be
prepared for life in their old age
 Strong and stable families bring about social stability and harmony. The Senior Citizens’
week, held annually in the month of November encourages the elderly to stay active in
their family and community. Grandparents day is also celebrated in November allow
families to show their appreciation for the elderly
 The community gives social and emotional support and provides healthcare and social
services. The government provides subsidies to voluntary welfare organizations that run
 community-based services for senior citizens. One example is the Home Nursing
Foundation for Elders. Most of such organizations involve members of the community
such as housewives, students and retirees to help look after the needs of senior citizens.
 Parents can seek the courts help to seek financial support from their children who are
capable of supporting them, but are not doing so. The parents, however, must be
incapable of supporting themselves financially and be over 60 years old.
 Taxpayers can claim an income tax deductions for taking care of elderly parents,
contributing to their own or ther elderly dependents’ CPF retirement accounts and when
grandparents take care of the grandchild while both parents work
 Savings in the Special account are for retirement, emergency and investment purposes. At
age 55, the member would also have a Retirement Accounts and are able to withdraw
from CPF. However, they must leave a minimum sum in their retirement account. From
the age of 62, the CPF members receive a monthly sum from their retirement account to
ensure that the elderly will still have some money for their old age.
 First time buyers of HDB flats can get a housing grant if they buy a flat in the area where
their parents live