The lack of coverage on parliamentary debates, the reasons to
which is still widely unknown, has in its way largely contributed
to the politcal apathy of many in Singapore.
If political debates were televised once a month in Singapore,
imagine the interest stirred up. The young to old, poor to rich,
educated to not so educated would all be drawn in.
This is what the government doesn't want, isn't it? A socially,
politically and economically wise populace.
Here are excerpts from Sylvia's speech:
First, we should recognise that delaying the DDA in effect is an
economic pressure on workers to continue at the same pace as
before. However, as mentioned by Minister in charge of the Civil
Service during question time on Monday, there will be employees who
decide that at 62, it is time to slow down e.g. a Head of
Department in a school might want to be a teacher and relinquish
HOD responsibilities.
If such a person was not able to concurrently receive his monthly
CPF payments at 62, he may not have the luxury of making such a
choice. Others, who have slogged for 40 years in the rat race, may
want to find peace by devoting more time to volunteer work or
charitable acts. By indirectly compelling them to continue working
into their mid-60s, there would be fewer younger retirees to form a
backbone of manpower for social, community and even religious
activities. How would that impact the morale and quality of life of
our society?
