Forum: Financial aid should be targeted to help the disadvantaged
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I welcome the Government’s effort of distributing SG60 vouchers to celebrate Singapore’s 60th year of independence in the latest Budget (Budget 2025: $600 SG60 vouchers for citizens aged 21 to 59; $800 for those 60 and above, Feb 18).
All Singapore citizens regardless of occupation and education background contribute to the nation’s growth in one form or another, and the vouchers are fittingly distributed to all adult citizens regardless of income.
CDC vouchers worth $800 will also be issued to help households cope with rising living costs, and these are also given to all Singaporean households regardless of income (Budget 2025: Each Singaporean household to get $800 in CDC vouchers, Feb 18).
While well intentioned, this may be an example of “fair but not equal”.
The vouchers will go a long way towards helping low- and lower-middle-income households substantially improve their quality of life, as the majority of their income is spent on items such as food and groceries to meet basic living needs.
But for high-income households, the vouchers could be just a small fraction of their household income.
The bedrock of Singapore’s success over the years has been prudent spending and we should continue to uphold this principle regardless of global trends or political competition.
Financial support is and should continue to be more targeted, to provide assistance and support to disadvantaged families and households with genuine needs.
Samuel Choo
