Singapore has many strange rules to determine who qualifies for certain benefits. Here is an example about the income ceiling that qualifies for a BTO (built-to-order) or subsidised HDB flat.
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/11/bto-flat-income-ceiling-rules-why-include-commissions-but-exclude-bonuses/
This type of rules apply to many other areas, such as means-testing, access to welfare assistance, etc. This is what life is like in Singapore:
http://theonlinecitizen.com/2011/11/bto-flat-income-ceiling-rules-why-include-commissions-but-exclude-bonuses/
This type of rules apply to many other areas, such as means-testing, access to welfare assistance, etc. This is what life is like in Singapore:
- Convoluted
- Wasteful in spending time in rationalizing and managing these complexities
- Creating a selfish and self-centered people, fighting for their self interest.
A better system is to manage the economic and social life so that the wages are in line with the cost of housing and cost of living, so that all these convoluted rules are not required.
I think Singapore civil servants, being very well paid, especially those in the Admin Service, cannot be seen and be justified to be doing something simple and therefore be very free.
ReplyDeleteSo they set up convoluted and complicated rules instead of simple ones because these will take up time to think and plan and to show outcome, that is convoluted rules.
Maybe convoluted rules can even solve problems better than simple ones, or so they thought. And sometimes it is true in some cases.
HDB flats belong to HDB (government).
ReplyDeleteThat is why they can make whatever rules they want.
In a democracy, you get the government you deserve.
We have the strangest rules in the universe in everything.
ReplyDeleteComplex GE rules. Complex EP rules. Complex HDB rules. Complex taxi fare rules. You name it, they created it.
That is why they need so many ministers in the PM's office. And so many deputies in the other ministries. And so many civil servants doing nothing but creating rules for the overruled.
We may be a so-called democratic country, but the invisible tight- fisted control is maybe even more stifling than the rule of the military junta in Myanmar.
ReplyDeleteOnly thing is that we still have not realised it and they have managed to sell their version of democracy and fool everyone, the West included, most of the time.