Guiding PrincipleInformationLeadership is KeyPrinciple of SelectionHonest and capable leadershipMaintain stability – Ensure Singapore continues to grow.Make right decisions, not popular decisionsMoral courage and integrity (Good character)Do not occur by chance, need to select and groomTalent and ability is not enough… incorruptibility as well.Problems of Corrupt LeadershipMismanagement of funds / resourcesLoss of support and respect from peoplePreferential treatment given to cronies. Anticipate Change and Stay RelevantPrinciple of forward-lookingLook, plan ahead and anticipate future challengesBe prepared for challenging timesSafeguard resources for futureOpen to new ideas and risk-taking, and stay relevant in global worldBe resilient in changing world conditionsCapture growing markets.Examples: NEWater (Recycling of sewage water, in anticipation of the end of water agreements with Malaysia.Integrated Resorts: To boom tourist industryTaking Risks: Encouraging Singaporeans to be innovative and creativeReward for Work and Work for RewardPrinciple of MeritocracyMeritocracy, a key part of this principle, means a system that rewards hard work and talent and encourages people to do well.Meritocracy thus helps to keep everybody in the society an equal opportunity to achieve their best and be rewarded for their performance.Bursaries, scholarships and money packages given out.Surplus from good economic growth given out to reward Singaporeans (progress package)A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for AllPrinciple of transparencyInvolving people in decision makingMost religious groups were against the Integrated Resorts (only the casinos), thus Government took feedback and set boundaries size, entry requirements, etc. for casinos.Having a say in decision making develops in people a greater sense of belonging in the country; thus more opportunities have been created to involve people in decision-making.Policy decisions made to serve the needs of the nation may change to suit the needs of the people and the nation over time.

Guiding PrincipleAdvantagesDisadvantagesArea Licensing SchemeIt is one of the measures taken to control the flow of traffic.Under this scheme, motorists have to pay for the use of certain roads in Singapore.Gantries were set up at the boundaries of city areas to monitor motorists driving into restricted zones.To support the ALS, other measures such as improving bus services, parking costs and park-and-ride zones were implemented.When it was first implemented, motorists were unhappy. Lots of costs were involved as this system was labour intensive.However, over time the ALS was successful in ensuring smooth traffic flow and many people showed support for improved traffic flow in the city area.Electronic Road PricingUses technology to monitor and regulate traffic flow.Motorists have to pay to use certain roads and expressways into the city at certain times of the day.In this way, peak hour traffic has been successfully controlled.Park – and – Ride SchemeMotorists park their vehicles at car parks outside the CBD. From there, they could use public transport to enter the city area.However, the scheme was still being used today as when time passes and needs of people change, measures failed in the past might work today.However, it was not very successful as motorists rather switch to the regular bus service or drove into the CBD before 7:30am as they thought it was not worthwhile to leave their cars parked outside the city all day.Vehicle Quota SystemIntroduced when there was a sharp increase in car ownership.Car buyers had to bid for the COE (Certificate of Entitlement) before they could purchase the car.Successful bidders will pay the quota premium to obtain the COE.The COE have to be renewed every 10 years.Can only control the number of cars on the road.

Period / Population TrendCausesEffectsSolutionsEffects of Government Policies1950 – 1960s: Period of Baby BoomPeace and StabilityMore jobsTraditional Beliefs (Larger families are more secure)Overcrowding (shortage of housing)Unhygienic Living ConditionsPoor Healthcare servicesLittle EducationFew JobsSet up the SFPPB to control the population growth.Seen later in the 60s and 80s.1966 – 1980s: Family Planning3 Five-Year PlansThe first plan in 1966 emphasized the need for smaller families.The second plan encouraged married couples to stop at 2.The third plan aimed to maintain the replacement level at 2.1.Contraception, legalizing abortion and numerous disincentives.In 1960s, an average of 5.79 babies was born to each woman.By 1980, the fertility rate went down to 1.82.1980s – Present: Decreasing Birth RateHigher Education of Women, Women marrying laterHigher costs of livingAgeing PopulationSmaller defence forceSmaller pool of local talentUnattractive to multinational companiesAimed to maintain the replacement level at 2.1 children3 Child PolicyAttracting Foreign TalentPro-Family measure schemeLimited success3 or more if you can afford it.

There are 3 main reasons for an ageing population

Declining Birth Rate

Post-War Baby Boomers (65 and over by 2030)

Improving Living Conditions / Higher Standard of Living (Better healthcare / nutrition)

Housing and living ArrangementsAdditional housing needed to meet the needs of the elderly.Granny flats / Studio Apartment: Specially fitted to meet the needs of the elderly; Safter toilet floor tiles (no slip) and grabpoles.More day-care centres and home nursing care would be required. Nurses and Counsellors would be required to look after the elderly.RecreationCPF and talentsPhysical Fitness centresAll kinds of activities like hiking, travelling, sailing, etc.EconomyNegatively, Singapore can become unattractive to multi-national corporationsPositively, the elderly can still contribute in numerous ways as they have skills and talents.HealthcareHigher standard of HealthcareMore resources will have to be spent on healthcare servicesThe working population would also be affected as they have to pay increased taxes for expenditure for healthcare

The 3-child PolicyParents were encouraged to have 3 or more children if they can afford it. Allowed the use of Medisave to pay for the delivery charges to relieve the financial burden of having children. Limited success – fertility rate dropped back to 1.24 in 2004.Limited success due to the costs of bringing up children, high medical and housing costs.The Graduate Mothers’ SchemeEncouraged marriages among graduates and encourage them to have more children. Sparked off debate and unhappiness among the less-educated people.Pro-family measure schemeOffered in 2004 with regard to marriage and parenthood.Many measures were introduced to help couples decide to marry early and become parents. Examples: Equalized medical benefits, Grandparent caregiver relief, 5 day work week for Civil Service and Extended maternity leave.Success is not registered as people were not very receptive to these measures, became too pragmatic with having a small family due to the costs of bring up children, high medical and housing costs.Attracting Foreign TalentHelps to promote population growth as when foreigners come to live and work here, they develop an attachment and may take up permanent residence.Foreign talent is granted easier entry with subsidised housing and attractive education package for their children.Singapore’s economic success has also attracted more foreign talents to make Singapore their home. Produced better results as it has been the fastest way to promote population growth whereas the other policies take more time.

Senior citizens as assets to society: The challenge would be to ensure that Senior Citizens remain contributing members of society.As Senior Citizens have valuable skills, knowledge, talent and work experience, they can add value to public and private organizations and help boost family life.“Many Helping Hands” support:Everyone has a part to play in helping the nation prepare for an ageing population.By sharing the responsibility of taking care of the senior citizens, the government burden will be reduced as the government can rely less on increasing taxes as the individual, family and community are looking after the senior citizens.Individual responsibility:Healthy lifestyle: The individual is encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle by watching his diet and exercising regularly.Financial planning: All Singaporeans are encouraged to plan early and be financially prepared for life in their old age.Family support: Strong and stable families bring about social stability and harmony. Thus the government has introduced some measures to help strengthen family bonds such as the Senior Citizens’ Week and Grandparents day.Community help: The government provides subsidies to voluntary welfare organizations running community-based services for senior citizens. Some community organizations provide free health checks and organize recreational activities for senior citizens to help them remain physically, mentally and socially active.Government Support: Tribunal for the Maintenance for Parents: Parents can get the court’s help to seek financial support from their children from their children who are capable but are not doing so.Tax relief: Tax payers can claim an income tax deduction for taking care for the senior citizens, contributing to their own CPF accounts and grandparents taking care of children while parents work.Central Provident Fund (CPF): Savings in the special account (retirement, emergency and investment purposes) and a retirement account.Public housing schemes: First time buyers can get a housing grant if they buy a flat in an area where their parents live.