[stephenkhoo]

See the stark difference? First we have ministers and senior civil servants paid highly benchmarked against top earners yet when there are basic issues such as flooding or transportation they don't mention the taboo topic of being highly remunerated but the fault finding of every other possibility such as weather and faulty mechanism etc. Secondly, they have to realised that being in public service it takes more than remuneration but the passion and love to do the job. If this goes on there will not be a bright future because the purpose is not for the good of the citizens but for the good of the state just like a corporation. I agree it is a good system but it could be better especially in areas of long term health care and more education subsidy and grant for locals up to tertiary. Do away with just providing grant and budget to top scorers in exams and scholars, this has created a sense of snobbishness amongst some. If we are not humble then these who had been academically inclined and talented would be our next leaders who when hit with bumps and hurdle will find it tormenting if it stains their achievements. It becomes worse when they have such a clean and perfect score that any penalty or failure becomes their greatest nemesis hence making them worst off than an average talent who could easily navigate his way out of the woods.

In short our new leaders and young promising stars may rely on their perfect compass so much they may not be able to stand when they trip over an obstacle.

You noticed I use the word talent, why? because I think we are more deserving than most foreign talents not because we are locals but simply because the every day we started with the local system and complete every stage make us a talent in our own ways here. Look around, in south east asia none has such a rigid and strict education streaming system. Don't you agree our people are not only talented but also hardworking.

The only problem they have to address is to bridge the income gap, either raise it via productivity which will take time or they start to lower housing costs and transport costs. Review the cpf policies and review the work permit and pr applications. You add citizens but these citizens may not necessary stay for long term or some may even not have children. It is just a theoretical solution which works in the short and mid term.

I am very certain if costs comes down or our wages increase, there will be citizens who will have more children.

We are not like USA and Australia where we have many suburban towns, we cannot keep increasing numbers by importing. We want to be like Dubai but its not possible, we dont have UAE to back us up. We just have to be ourselves and continue to fend like before. It can be done if this involves every citizen from young to old. It can be changed if every citizen has ownership and a stake in our country. It will also be good for us.
It does not need to be ambitious, the new modern day citizens wants to hear alternative views, they want to be heard. Review the working mothers policies and review the grant for families above 50 to allow them to use a portion of their asset as a collateral for doing some entrepreneur startup and tie these with young graduating students in poly or ite or uni. We just have to change and bring the web of success to every househould, it is not easy but its the only way to ensure the country will continue to prosper and stay ahead. We do not need to be the stars like Bill Gates but we can be our own success.