S'pore must be judicious using public funds, be honest on trade-offs: Chan

Republic also has to focus on growing overall economic pie to have spending options, he says

- Syarafana Shafeeq

Singapore will have to be judicious in how it spends public funds, and be honest about the trade-offs required, said Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing.

In a speech on Sept 26 to round up the debate on the President's Address, Mr Chan said MPs had raised many good ideas over the five days - all of which will ultimately require some resources.

"Everything we want to do more of means something less for either current or future needs. We should not and cannot pretend that there is somehow, somewhere, a free lunch," he added, noting that the Government has the difficult task of balancing public finances.

MPs must be honest with their residents about these trade-offs, he said, and the Government has to make difficult political decisions like raising taxes - as it did with the goods and services tax to ensure that revenues continue to keep up with spending needs.

"The Government will do what we can to spend carefully to take care of this generation, but let us not forget that we must also take care of future generations," said Mr Chan, who is also Minister for Defence.

"Although they are not here to vote for us here and now, but that is what makes Singapore special - that we never define success by how we do for ourselves in this generation only."

The Republic has to focus on growing the overall economic pie so that it has options and the luxury to make easier decisions on spending, he added.

Mr Chan also stressed that Singapore must aspire to evolve from having a government that delivers for its people, to one that works with and partners them to write the next chapter of its story.

This is as a "we-first" society is about mobilising the full spectrum of its people's capabilities, creativity and commitment to overcome the challenges ahead, he said.