Subtítulo: Former candidates from the 2020 General Election offer their perspectives on Singapore’s budgetary policies
In his first appearance as Finance Minister, Lawrence Wong presented the Budget statement on Feb 18, laying out the government’s plan for the coming fiscal year. Key measures included raising the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in 2023 and 2024, co-funding wage increases for lower-wage workers, and increasing carbon taxes.
As usual, Parliament adjourned for the MPs to consider Wong’s speech, and they will reconvene on Feb 28 to debate the budget for nine days. During this period, MPs will have the opportunity to question the Finance Minister on the policies proposed and offer suggestions for adjustments.
The ruling People’s Action Party (PAP) MPs are expected to show strong support for the budgetary plans. Meanwhile, opposition MPs from the Workers’ Party and Progress Singapore Party are likely to challenge the government, especially on the announced GST hike.
This prompted a reflection on the questions that unelected politicians from the 2020 general election might raise in Parliament if they had secured seats. While some have shared their thoughts on social media, they are rarely featured outside of election seasons. This moment provides a chance to hear what they would ask the Finance Minister regarding the budget.
The following politicians shared their views with us after we reached out to all political parties. However, none of the unelected PAP candidates responded to the inquiry.
Dr. Chee Soon Juan
Dr. Chee Soon Juan, the 59-year-old leader of the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), contested in Bukit Batok SMC. He criticized the government for failing to address fundamental societal issues, such as the reliance on land sales to generate wealth. According to Dr. Chee, this focus on high property prices benefits large corporations, often foreign, while leaving Singaporeans economically vulnerable. He raised concerns about the country’s over-dependence on foreign workers and professionals, asking when the government will change its approach to serve Singaporeans better.
Ms. Wendy Low
Ms. Wendy Low, 45, ran in Tanjong Pagar GRC with the Progress Singapore Party. She questioned the government’s long-term plans to support smaller local enterprises amid growing global competition. She also called for alternative measures to the GST hike, such as reinstating estate duty tax or taxing dividends from shareholders. Additionally, Ms. Low urged the government to consider waiving income criteria for support programs for disabled individuals or those caring for elderly parents.
Dr. Michael Fang
Dr. Michael Fang, 44, from Peoples Voice Party, contested in Jalan Besar GRC. He questioned the need for tax increases, arguing that the government’s revenue exceeds spending, excluding pandemic-related expenditures. Dr. Fang suggested using the Net Investment Returns Contribution during challenging times like the COVID-19 pandemic and raised concerns about taxation on essentials like food and fuel.
Mr. Goh Meng Seng
Mr. Goh Meng Seng, 52, the leader of People’s Power Party, ran in MacPherson SMC. He questioned the government’s reliance on multinational corporations and foreign investment, citing the impending GST hike. Mr. Goh expressed concern about the disparity between wages for foreign and local workers, questioning whether this would worsen unemployment for low-wage Singaporeans. He also highlighted potential administrative costs for businesses due to the staggered GST increase.
Mr. Harminder Pal Singh
Mr. Harminder Pal Singh, 50, of the Singapore Democratic Alliance, contested in Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC. He expressed concerns about the rising cost of living, particularly for middle- and lower-income Singaporeans. Mr. Singh questioned the adequacy of the proposed $1,000 monthly retirement payouts, given the rising cost of living. He also raised concerns about the increase in property taxes and its impact on resale flats and housing affordability for younger Singaporeans.
Ms. Liyana Dhamirah
Ms. Liyana Dhamirah, 35, from Red Dot United Party, contested in Jurong GRC. She questioned whether the government could have avoided the GST hike by increasing the cap on the Net Investment Returns Contribution. Ms. Dhamirah also asked about the projected budget deficit and the treatment of Endowment and Trust Fund top-ups. Finally, she inquired about the income tax paid by Singapore’s wealthiest individuals, comparing it to the taxation of the super-rich in other countries.
These questions reflect the diverse concerns and policy suggestions from unelected candidates of the 2020 general election, offering a glimpse into what could have been debated in Parliament.
