Good policies are more than just good ideas, says Edwin Tong

Those ideas have to be practical, executable and make good economic sense, he adds

- Goh Yan Han

Policy suggestions must be more than just good ideas—they must be practical and make sense, said Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong.

"A good policy is not just a good idea alone," he said at an East Coast GRC rally on April 26. "There is a lot more that is needed to turn a good idea into something that can work well."

On the second day of the hustings, Mr Yee Jenn Jong, who is part of the WP team contesting the constituency, had said during his party's rally that he wanted to improve Singapore.

Mr Tong, who is leading the PAP's East Coast GRC slate, said at Bedok Stadium on April 26 that he agreed with this aim.

"We must all be in politics for the service of Singapore and Singaporeans. But at the same time, this also needs to be done in a practical way that makes sense," he said.

He added that parties have to go beyond "mere rhetoric and sound bites", demonstrating instead leadership, vision and clear foresight about policy ideas.

These ideas have to be practical, executable and make good economic sense in the short and long term, Mr Tong said. He added that Singapore must also be able to live with the trade-offs.

He rebutted suggestions that the WP had previously proposed to raise revenue, as an alternative to raising the goods and services tax (GST).

"Let me ask you, who among us would like to pay more tax? Who would like to pay more GST?" Mr Tong asked.

But social spending is necessary to meet the growing needs of Singaporeans, he said, adding that healthcare, education, caregiving and family are among the basic building blocks of society.

"We must get that right, but it also means that it is a strain on our fiscal resources," he said.