With a rapidly ageing Singapore population, Mr Khaw said in five
years' time, retirement villages will become economically
viable.
One obstacle is the high costs of land in Singapore.
"My personal view is, our land is expensive. But we have nearby
neighbours in Johore, Batam and Bintan. The elderly want to reach
their doctors within half to one hour. So retirement villages in
neighbouring countries is possible, barring the cross-border
hassle. It is best to find cheap land on short leases," said Health
Minister Khaw Boon Wan.
Must everything be weighed in $$ and cents? Our elderlies
(that's our parents and grandparents) deserve whatever care and
love we can bestow on them. Land in Singapore is expensive... so
what? Does that justify chucking them on a island like Batam? Build
the retirement homes on stateland that belongs to the native
Singaporeans.... Johore, Batam, Bintan etc What a heartless
thought! What a cold calculating person!
