Award Banner
Award Banner

Closer scrutiny of government spending needed, says Pritam Singh

Closer scrutiny of government spending needed, says Pritam Singh
Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh urged a "reset of the Government's agenda" in various areas while expressing support for the Budget.
PHOTO: The Straits Times

SINGAPORE - Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh has called for closer scrutiny of government expenditure and more transparency on the outcomes of Budget initiatives, adding that this has become even more critical with tax revenues being squeezed and increased spending expected in the years ahead.

"With a tighter fiscal environment in the years ahead, as stressed by (Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat) over many speeches, closer scrutiny of expenditure should not be seen one-dimensionally as political one-upmanship but as an administrative necessity," he said. "The scrutiny raises everyone's sense of ownership in Singapore."

Mr Singh, the Workers' Party chief, made the call in Parliament on Wednesday (Feb 24) as he urged a "reset of the Government's agenda" in various areas while expressing support for the Budget.

Independent parliamentary budget office

He suggested establishing an independent parliamentary budget office to ensure more accountability and transparency in how tax dollars are used, especially given the significant drawdown of reserves to fight Covid-19.

Such an office would look into the outcomes of Budget initiatives, he said, noting that consistent reviews were needed since the amounts committed are meant to be deployed across a number of years.

In particular, he asked for more details on the Capability Transfer Programme, which was launched in 2017 and extended until 2024, and subsidises the cost of bringing in overseas experts to train local staff.

Read Also
Budget 2021: $24b for firms and workers to start next phase of transformation
singapore
Budget 2021: $24b for firms and workers to start next phase of transformation

Mr Singh said he was surprised that amid economic transformation and new jobs being created which requires new skills, only a "relatively small number" of 970 Singaporeans have benefited from the scheme.

He asked how much had been spent on it and which industries have been identified for transfer of skills through the programme.

He also called on the Government to give more details on how money will be spent on multi-year initiatives, such as the $24 billion set aside to help firms and workers transform in the next three years, and the additional $5.4 billion set aside for the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package that supports hiring and training for Singaporeans.

He lamented the lack of information on the outcomes of such schemes, citing how the jobs situation reports do not provide the salary levels and age ranges of those who have been successfully placed in jobs through the schemes.

"The effectiveness of government measures should be readily determinable," said Mr Singh who has championed freedom of information laws over the years.

"Without such scrutiny, a perception may crystallise of large sums of money being deployed to address an issue for which effectiveness is hard to establish."

Relevance of Community Development Councils

Mr Singh also questioned the disbursement of cash vouchers through Community Development Councils (CDC), asserting that the Government had done so in an attempt to make the grassroots institution relevant.

DPM Heng, who is also Finance Minister, had announced during his Budget speech on Feb 16 that all Singaporean households will get $100 worth of CDC vouchers for use in heartland shops and hawker centres.

Referring to this, Mr Singh said: "It would appear to me as if the Government is trying to find some way to make the CDCs relevant in view of their relative absence in the public mindshare."

He also posited that there is scope for a "serious review" of the need to have full-time mayors, who are People's Action Party MPs appointed to run the CDCs.

Mr Singh suggested that Citizens Consultative Committees (CCC), which come under the People's Association umbrella and is set up in each constituency, can administer the scheme instead of CDCs, which oversee an entire district.

"It would follow that these local bodies like CCCs are even more closely connected to the ground then the five CDCs, rendering the CDCs' role in the voucher scheme potentially superfluous," he added.

Read Also
singapore
Budget 2021: Singapore households to get $900m support package

CDCs, established in 1997, coordinate grassroots bodies and manage community programmes, with the aim of bringing the community closer. There are five CDCs - Central Singapore, North East, North West, South East, South West - corresponding with the five districts in Singapore.

The councils have come under the spotlight after last year's general election, with people asking why they are necessary since many of their functions can be carried out by ministries, statutory boards and other grassroots organisations, said Mr Singh.

He added: "Many Singaporeans are of the view that the salaries of mayors are outrageous, principally because they are not perceived to be commensurate with a mayor's roles and functions today.

"Effectively, the need for mayors, full-time mayors, continues to be widely questioned and it would appear that there is scope for a serious review of the necessity of having full-time mayors today."

Mayors are paid an annual salary of $660,000, according to the White Paper on Salaries for a Capable and Committed Government published in 2012.

Mr Singh also asked how much of the $150 million being allocated for the CDC voucher scheme would go towards the vouchers, and how much would go towards administration costs.

He noted that CDCs had already been allocated $20 million, then $75 million in last year's Budgets.

Calling for another "reset", he said: "The relevance of institutions whose roles and functions substantively overlap with other state agencies should also be reconsidered with finite fiscal resources redeployed to support the low income and needy."

This article was first published in The Straits Times.

homepage

trending

trending
    Old-school supper spot Kheng Nam Lee Teochew Porridge to close
    Man who caused accident that left auxiliary cop in vegetative state gets over 3 years' jail
    Ding Yuxi praised for 'quick reflexes' in helping save staff member on drama set
    Hwang Jung-eum in Singapore for holiday, visits Botanic Gardens and Clarke Quay
    Chinese national charged for alleged theft onboard Kuala Lumpur-Singapore Scoot flight
    Starbucks and Peanuts launch exclusive drinks and merch, starting March 27
    Cooler days ahead: Third monsoon surge from March 19 to 21 could see 22 deg C temperatures
    The one passion that drives this teen robotics whiz to keep innovating
    Woman found dead in Bukit Merah flat after not collecting free meals for days
    'I'm a bit concerned for my and my mum's safety': Chantalle Ng reveals extreme online harassment
    'It's very embarrassing': Sharon Au recounts faking her marriage in 2014
    Singaporean boy flung out of car in fatal Johor accident; lorry driver didn't have licence, tests positive for drugs

Singapore

Singapore
    • Pinnacle@Duxton sets new record with $1,502 psf after 4-room unit sells for about $1.52m
    • Government committed to making young parents' journey 'smooth and fulfilling', says PM Wong during Sengkang visit
    • 3 injured after bus ferrying Singapore passengers skids and overturns near Cameron Highlands
    • Elderly man dies after falling in bus, family appealing for witnesses
    • St Joseph's Church stabbing: Accused given additional charges of being in possession of weapon
    • Singapore's harmony is precious and must always be cherished and protected: PM Lawrence Wong
    • $320m crypto heist suspect: How a Choa Chu Kang student went from gaming to a life of luxury
    • Long delays at Woodlands checkpoint: Over 2-hour wait as school holidays start
    • Man to be charged for abusing airline staff and kicking wall at Changi Airport over lost phone
    • 'Spectacular sight': SM Lee shares stunning photo of rare sun halo over Singapore

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • Lee Si-young to divorce after 8 years of marriage
    • Laid to rest: Barbie Hsu's ashes interred, Wheesung funeral's condolence money to be donated
    • Tay Ping Hui says acting in China was a 'super humbling experience'
    • Kim Soo-hyun admits to dating late Kim Sae-ron, refutes allegations she was underaged
    • Semisonic slams Trump administration for using their song in deportation video
    • Tiger Woods and Vanessa Trump said to be taking relationship slowly
    • Courtney Love permanently relocating to UK over fears about impact of Donald Trump as US president
    • Conan O'Brien to return as Oscars host in 2026

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Is roti john from Singapore or Malaysia? Radio DJs spark debate
    • 2 Singapore pizzerias earn spots on 50 Top Pizza Asia-Pacific 2025 list
    • Luckin Coffee launches Maltese-themed drinks and limited-edition merchandise as part of collaboration
    • 23 local attractions offering SG60 deals, here's what Singaporeans can enjoy
    • From Spain to Singapore: Spanish performance brand Cupra relaunches in Singapore
    • All-new Skoda Superb Combi unveiled
    • The truth about dual-key living in Singapore: What 3 homeowners want you to know
    • Toyota Camry review: A classic nameplate that vastly amps up the luxury and fun factor
    • Dear teachers, I owe you an apology: Lessons I learnt as a parent
    • Neta X review: Affordable Chinese EV with more than a few flaws

Digicult

Digicult
    • A $500 wake-up call: How the Samsung Galaxy Ring made me realise my stress
    • Monster Hunter Wilds producer explains how game has remained unique and fresh over 20 years
    • China's Baidu launches 2 new AI models as industry competition heats up
    • China's top universities expand enrolment to beef up capabilities in AI, strategic areas
    • International Women's Day: Meet the Singapore women levelling up in gaming
    • US indicts slew of alleged Chinese hackers, sanctions company over spy campaign
    • Meet the women powering innovation in tech in Singapore and beyond
    • Games in March: JRPGs, co-op games and wrestling
    • Australia fines Telegram for delay in answering child abuse, terror questions
    • Embracing the future: A personal guide to how to get started with artificial intelligence

Money

Money
    • Amid AI push, DBS to cut 4,000 temp jobs over next 3 years
    • Singapore's economy grew 4.4% in 2024, beating forecasts
    • DBS to give staff $1,000 special bonus, introduce capital return dividend
    • Travel insurance for infectious diseases: What you need to know (2025)
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (March 2025): Lady Gaga concert presale, up to 50% off flights and more
    • How high will Singapore property prices get in 2025? Here's what AI predicts
    • Before you say 'I do' to a home: The checklist every newlywed couple needs in Singapore
    • Are older HDB maisonettes and jumbo flats worth the premium? A deep dive into pricing trends
    • This newly MOP-ed 4-room HDB flat at Bidadari sets new record with almost $800k profit
    • Chocolate Finance imposes $250 spending limit on debit card to manage demand for miles rewards

Latest

Latest
  • Daily roundup: Chinese national charged for alleged theft onboard Kuala Lumpur-Singapore Scoot flight — and other top stories today
  • 'Bullying' claims and China scrutiny ramp up pressure on CK Hutchison
  • Australia raises concerns with China over letters targeting Hong Kong dissident
  • South Korea tightens security for opposition leader over suspected plot: Yonhap
  • US official blames South Korea's watchlist status on mishandling of lab data
  • Police start evicting hundreds of migrants from Paris theatre
  • India orders curfew after violence over tomb of 17th-century Muslim ruler
  • Indonesia to question more than 500 citizens freed from Myanmar scam centres
  • Nasa astronauts head home on SpaceX capsule after drawn-out space station stay

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Strong winds in Hong Kong leave gondola worker 'hanging' in mid-air
  • 'It all burned': Food stall in Malaysia catches fire after rain falls on hot oil
  • Malaysian woman stunned to find car trapped among diners after car park turns into outdoor eatery at night
  • Johor invests $1.5b in water treatment infrastructure to reduce dependency on Singapore after 2030
  • Ceiling collapses at KSL City Mall in JB, viral videos show
  • Food poisoning outbreak: 187 cases linked to Total Defence Day ready-to-eat meals, probe underway
  • Blazing car on Nicoll Highway: 1 dies, 2 taken to hospital
  • FairPrice giving away 75,000 sets of snacks and drinks to Muslim customers to break fast
  • Disabled Malaysian boy seen 'walking' with hands in school gets walkers from kind donors after TikTok video went viral
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.