Opposition challenged to offer not just buzzwords, but specifics of policy proposals

Ong Ye Kung says it is time for Singaporeans to scrutinise, compare policies across parties

- Osmond Chia

Opposition parties should go beyond generalities and buzzwords in their policy ideas, as policies are the basis by which Singaporeans will decide how they vote, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung.

Speaking to reporters at a walkabout in Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre on April 26, Mr Ong said it was time to move past the excitement of Nomination Day to focus on the policy ideas of the different political parties.

"We have heard many things across different political parties, especially the opposition, as well as their policy ideas, but I would say we are now at the stage where the policy ideas are very general," he said.

"It is probably a good time to start scrutinising some of these ideas."

Mr Ong, who is leading the PAP's Sembawang GRC team in a three-cornered fight with the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) and National Solidarity Party, said many opposition parties are campaigning to cut the goods and services tax (GST) as a way to deal with the rising cost of living.

Many, including the WP, PSP and SDP, have advocated against the increase in GST and called for essential items to be exempted from GST.

In its election manifesto, the WP had proposed "less regressive revenue options" that included an increase in the Net Investment Returns Contribution from the current 50 per cent to 60 per cent, and for the first nine years of land sales to be included in the Government's Budget.

However, Mr Ong said that the GST increase is needed purely to be able to subsidise healthcare for an ageing population. He noted that the Government's healthcare expenditure was up to $9 billion in 2015, around $23 billion a decade later, and expected to reach $30 billion in 2030.