Singapore Book Fair

What will Singapore be like post-Covid-19?

S'pore Book Fair discussion looks at societal challenges in a world changed by pandemic

The panellists at a Singapore Book Fair discussion, which was livestreamed yesterday on Facebook (clockwise from far left): Straits Times opinion editor Chua Mui Hoong, veteran diplomat Tommy Koh, Straits Times associate editor Vikram Khanna, Institu
The panellists at a Singapore Book Fair discussion, which was livestreamed yesterday on Facebook (clockwise from far left): Straits Times opinion editor Chua Mui Hoong, veteran diplomat Tommy Koh, Straits Times associate editor Vikram Khanna, Institute of Policy Studies' Social Lab head Mathew Mathews and women's movement pioneer Kanwaljit Soin. PHOTO: SINGAPORE BOOK FAIR/FACEBOOK

The issue of inequality reared its head during a discussion at the Singapore Book Fair yesterday, as panellists discussed the challenges society could face in a world changed by the coronavirus pandemic.

The panellists had previously contributed essays to the anthology Fifty Secrets Of Singapore's Success, compiled by veteran diplomat Tommy Koh and published by Straits Times Press.

"The 50 success stories remain very important, but what I should do next is edit a new book on the 30 challenges for Singapore," said Professor Koh during the panel discussion livestreamed on Facebook.

"What Covid-19 has done is shine the light on some of our shortcomings. The fact that poverty still exists in this very wealthy country is one. Inequality is another, (and so is) the plight of the elderly, single parents and foreign workers."

The panel, moderated by Straits Times opinion editor Chua Mui Hoong, also featured Dr Kanwaljit Soin, a pioneer in the women's movement; Dr Mathew Mathews, head of the Institute of Policy Studies' Social Lab; and ST associate editor Vikram Khanna.

The world will be different after Covid-19, said Mr Khanna, who thinks work-from-home arrangements and a certain amount of social distancing may be here to stay.

But social distancing is a luxury many people cannot afford.

"There are people who have customer-facing jobs. What are they going to do? They're going to be at a disadvantage. So I think inequality is in danger of increasing in the post-Covid-19 world."

Fiscal sustainability is another issue, he added, with a nod to Singapore's record budget deficit. Nonetheless, the country's fiscal prudence has placed it in good stead.

Mr Khanna pointed to Singapore's conservative approach to revenue calculation; its scope for increasing GST in the medium term to bring in more revenues; and an AAA credit rating, which means borrowing costs will "probably be rock bottom" in the current climate.

"So I think Singapore has options, but it will face challenges related to poverty, to inequality, and on the fiscal side. I just hope we don't try to slash expenditure... Our social programmes have to be kept going, our infrastructure development has to be kept going."

Workers in different fields will be affected by income and job insecurity as a result of Covid-19, he added, calling for a wider social safety net and new kinds of social protection. "Some such as Nominated MP Walter Theseira have proposed temporary universal basic income. I think that should be on the table for discussion."

Dr Soin, meanwhile, reckons Singapore should be less reluctant to look at welfarism.

"We must institute unemployment policies, minimum wage policies, maybe even a universal basic income, less out-of-pocket expenses for health, more preventive care.

"Another thing we should look at is how care work has to be compensated for, so that many women who look after their elderly parents, or others in the family, are not left high and dry in their old age with less savings and less retirement."

On whether Covid-19 could improve gender equality in the workplace, Dr Soin said the idea of flexible working hours could become more acceptable - and improve opportunities for women if their companies "take an enlightened view".

"The Government also has to make policies that are more favourable to working from home."

On social cohesion in the post-Covid-19 world, Dr Mathews said people around the world are now defining the "other" more clearly.

"This becomes stronger when you are in a crisis - you want to find people you can trust. But sadly, sometimes the lenses that we use are just what is more similar - skin tone, skin colour, physical features, cultural practices...

"Over time, you've got different groups picking up people you can potentially blame. Covid-19 is a cultural minefield... Right from the start, people were looking for people to blame."

  • The Singapore Book Fair, which runs till May 25, is organised by Singapore Press Holdings' Chinese Media Group. For more information, visit singaporebookfair.sg. Fifty Secrets Of Singapore's Success is available at stbooks.sg for $31.15.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on May 19, 2020, with the headline What will Singapore be like post-Covid-19?. Subscribe