My future as a Singapore citizen

By Andrew Ong

Much attention has been on Singapore‘s greying population and it will likely remain a perennial national challenge for many years to come.

According to the United Nations, population ageing will be most significant in Asia. By year 2050, 1.2 billion people in Asia will be 60 years and above – four times the number today.

With our higher life expectancy, Singapore counts as one of the fastest ageing countries in the world. Today, one in 12 Singaporeans are 65 and above.

By the year 2030, that will increase to one in five.

Ministerial salaries – 2nd upward revision soon

By Andrew Ong and Andrew Loh

On the 9^th of April 2007, Minister in charge of the Civil Service, Teo Chee Hean, announced in Parliament:

“Salaries at the MR4 Grade are currently at 55% of the benchmark. Given the large gap, it is not realistic to close the gap fully in one go. Instead, we will close half of the current gap, that is, from 55% of the benchmark, to 77% of the benchmark by the end of this year.

This will be effected in two steps – one step now, and another step at the end of this year. Next year, we aim to close half of the remaining gap, bringing salaries to 88% of the benchmark by end-2008.”
(Sprinter)

The first revision took place on 1st April 2007. The second revision is expected to take place anytime from now till the end of this year, as the minister said. Given that it is uncertain if Parliament will sit in December, one wonders if the second revision will be debated or discussed in the chambers.

Playing an active part as Singaporeans

By Andrew Ong

After casual exchanges with friends over some local socio-political issues, I have to say that generally, majority of us Singaporeans take a very passive if not an apathetic approach when it comes to Singapore socio-political issues.

I think this can be largely due to us Singaporeans ‘taking for granted’ the strong leadership and efficiency of our government.

Personally, I think this is not very healthy for us as a country and has to be addressed as it might pose a grave danger for all of us.