Reality bites: should Singapore spend more to curb rising costs?
As inflation weighs heavily on young families and older citizens alike, observers argue Singaporeans need more than just short-term relief
“The PAP government’s approach to addressing rising cost of living pressures often relies on superficial measures rather than structural change, much like giving patients sugar cubes instead of treating the underlying disease,” said Kenneth Paul Tan, a professor of politics, film and cultural studies at Hong Kong Baptist University.
While the government has started to explore progressive policies on housing and expanding social safety nets, Tan argues that true reform requires “substantial political courage” and genuine public support.
Singapore now ranks as the city with the highest cost of living in the world, rivalling Zurich, according to last year’s Economist Intelligence Unit survey.
Wong highlighted the issue last week during a speech marking his 100th day in office, stating that his team is focused on helping vulnerable groups, such as larger families with young children.