Pouring praises for himself and the government, former army general Minister Chan Chun Sing said that the GST increase was announced two years ahead of the 2020 election because they are “true political leaders”:
“Many people have asked me why the Government announced a 2-percentage point goods and services tax hike – which will kick in some time between 2021 and 2025 – so far in advance. My answer is this: In a democratic society, few governments will take this approach, informing citizens about a tax increase a few years beforehand. To some, such a move may not be the wisest. However, we all hope that Singapore’s leaders are not politicians but true political leaders. There is a big difference between the two. Politicians need not value integrity, but political leaders need to, and they also have to be honest with the people. If there is a difficulty, let the people know. If there are benefits, share them with the people.”
Despite warnings about rising expenditures, the ruling party government refused to reduce it’s million-dollar ministerial wages. Minister Chan Chun Sing however wax lyrical about “going through thick and thin”:
“The People’s Action Party Government believes in going through thick and thin with Singaporeans as it builds and governs the nation.”
The Minister of State with no portfolio then sang about “lifelong learning” and suggested to rename the institutes of higher learning to “institutes of continuous learning”:
“This is why we want our Institutes of Technical Education, polytechnics and universities to maintain a lifelong relationship with their students. These institutions should no longer be called Institutes of Higher Learning. There is just learning, continuous learning. Hence, I would rather we call them ICLs – Institutes of Continuous Learning. May we all never ever graduate. May we all continue to be learners throughout our lives.”
On Eldershield, the PAP Minister proposed to lower the starting payment age from 40 to 30, and without statistics, Minister Chan Chun Sing said that this will make the premiums “more affordable”:
“With a lower age limit and more policyholders starting contributions earlier, premiums for this severe disability insurance scheme can be more affordable, if we can have the entire population to risk pool together.”