Even Wikipedia has a fairer report about the history of SG's population measures (including the 1969 part where eugenics was attempted), excerpted from [population control in Singapore ] as follows:
Population control in Singapore [Wikipedia] spans two distinct phases: first to slow and reverse the boom in births that started after World War II; and then, from the 1980s onwards, to encourage parents to have more children because birth numbers had fallen below replacement levels. Government eugenics policies flavoured both phases. In 1960s and 1970s, the anti-natalist policies flourished. The Family Planning and Population Board (FPPB) was established, initially advocating small families but eventually running the Stop at Two programme, which pushed for small two-children families and promoted sterilisation. From 1969 it was also used by government leaders to target lowly-educated and low-income women in an experiment with eugenics policies to solve social concerns.
- If SG govt had indeed expected the baby boomers to be a burden upon society during their aged years as opposed to a shrinking schooling generation as their progeny numbers shrunk, then the SG govt should then have saved up enough from taxes upon the baby boomer generation and saved this value in gold (/other equity value) so as to be a ready source of capital to finance in some way the retirement years of these seniors since the baby boomer workforce would have been a strong supply of labour and thus tax collections (and healthcare and education for the young a relatively less expensive concern then)- so where has the profitable taxes collected from the baby boomer generation gone?.
- If SG govt had anticipated baby boomers to have fewer offspring to care for them in their older years, then govt should have encouraged these baby boomers to save on their part, and on the govt's part, promise to control the rate of inflation so that the savings in cash of these baby boomers would not be eroded and thus affect the morale and determination of baby boomers to save and care for themselves in their retirement years.
- If the SG govt had earlier come clean about the problematic consequences of its population control measures and eugenics programmes, perhaps Singaporeans would have become either more understanding of 'foreign talent', or at least more competent (physically and financially etc) to cope independently during old age (inflation is an unnecessary burden to the aged).
This are just 3 of my 2c worth suggestions for now, however, the selective memory loss by DPM Teo doesn't seem to augur well for the progress of the current Singapore conversation. If honesty and sincerity cannot be ensured at least by the leading party, then I fear that the current conversation can only remain tainted by distrust and suspicion and rightly so.
For a start, lets give the DPM the benefit of the doubt that being a DPM in Singapore is a stressful affair since apparently, Singaporeans are champion grumblers. "Mr Lee: 'There must be. Singaporeans are champion grumblers.'" [TRANSCRIPT OF MINISTER MENTOR LEE KUAN YEW’S INTERVIEW WITH MARK JACOBSON FROM NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ON 6 JULY 2009]
Nevertheless, let us all be correctly reminded about Singapore's past population policies under the PAP government. May half truths never be told.
Unless Singapore politicians can come clean and not sprout half truths at the drop of the hat, I really cannot see how Singapore can progress as one united (and loving nation), rather than a corrupted and probably, yet another failed one.
Rgds all,
B.C.
[img source] | This image has been resized.Click to view original image |
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[img source (above 3 photos)]Govt to continue studying options on population issues: DPM Teo
06 March 2013 1640 hrs (SST)
SINGAPORE: Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said Singapore's ageing population issue is a one-off problem that resulted from having a very large baby boomer generation from the early 1950s to mid-60s.
He said it is necessary to make preparations for the future to ensure Singapore's seniors are able to look after themselves and are well looked after by their children and by the nation in the coming two decades.
Nominated MP Assistant Professor Eugene Tan asked Mr Teo in Parliament how the government is planning to get Singaporeans' buy-in for the Population White Paper and land use plan.
Prof Tan also asked whether the government will provide regular updates on its progress in addressing Singapore's demographic challenge.
Mr Teo responded: "We will continue to study options and engage Singaporeans on population and its related issues on multiple fronts, including through Our Singapore Conversation and other forums.
"As we continue to engage Singaporeans and work together on policies, address and overcome the specific and practical problems we face and deliver programmes to benefit Singaporeans, we hope to strengthen trust and consensus among Singaporeans on the future that we must build together. The government will continue to provide regular updates on the progress of proposals in the Population White Paper and land use plan through the release of studies, reports and announcements. We're also working towards a medium term review before 2020."
- CNA/xq
Govt to continue studying options on population issues: DPM Teo - Channel NewsAsia
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Discussed at:
HWZ:
07Mar2013: DPM Teo Chee Hean's explanation of aging population- a case of selective memory loss?
A1:
07Mar2013: DPM Teo Chee Hean's explanation of aging population- a case of selective memory loss?
SGC:
07Mar2013: DPM Teo Chee Hean's explanation of aging population- a case of selective memory loss?
SGB:
07Mar2013: DPM Teo Chee Hean's half truth explanation of aging problem- case of a selective memory ailment?
SBY:
08Mar2013: DPM Teo Chee Hean's half truth explanation of aging problem- case of a selective memory ailment?
PF:
08Mar2013: DPM Teo Chee Hean's half truth explanation of aging problem- case of a selective memory ailment?
REACH:
08Mar2013: DPM Teo Chee Hean's half truth explanation of aging problem- case of a selective memory ailment?
SGF:
08Mar2013: DPM Teo Chee Hean's half truth explanation of aging problem- case of a selective memory ailment?
08Mar2013: DPM Teo Chee Hean's half truth explanation of aging problem- case of a selective memory ailment?
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