Straight Talk with PAP: Tharman on strategies for an inclusive society | GE2020 (July 7)

[@asra6166]

Professional, eloquent, intelligent, down to earth, humble, forward looking, engaging Singaporeans, engaging the larger issues, willing to explain concepts. Even as a WP voter this season, you are an inspiration to all Singaporeans and single handedly keeping the PAP dream alive.

[@dazchen2740]

0:15 - Approach to inclusive society 4:51 - Policies targeting youths 7:48 - Double expenditure on preschool 11:43 - Greater emphasis on helping students who fall behind 12:15 - Ensure adequate access to digital resources 12:45 - Reduce banding among children 13:52 - Policies targeting workers 15:20 - Massive effort to train Singaporeans 16:15 - Keep low unemployment rate 19:35 - Subsidizing jobs 21:05 - Maintain continuous increase of Singaporean income 23:44 - Improve construction industry 26:02 - Progressive wage model 29:25 - Address cost of living 30:00 - Policies targeting seniors 31:10 - Addressing government pension 34:35 - Silver support on top of cpf 36:07 - Fairer and more efficient tax system 38:35 - Conclude

[@LonganLee]

I am sure you are not IB right? Don't take it personally. Just a humless question

[@jazztan9917]

Mature, steady leadership, well recognised internationally n in Singapore.. PaP can win us over if Mr Tharman takes over as PM..

[@gha9543]

Only if pap can convince the world they are the best since slice bread

[@peterlee6148]

Same old crap every ge!

[@tancheeken]

Hi Tharman. I am in your GRC. God bless you. Very good presentation of our issues and solutions. You got my vote.

[@francisleesc]

Hi Tharman, you are the PM of my choice and I am sure majority of Singaporean share my desire. So I am appealling to East Coast residents to vote out HSK in order for you to assume PM position......... FYI I am a chinese Singaporeans above 50, and I dont share the view that older generation of Singaporeans is not ready to hv PM of minority race!

[@arcencielc2065]

Minister is correct on his calculation on the extra taxes on the middle-come group. From my personal experience living in France for seven years, 1/3 of my monthly income was paid to the G without me ever seeing the money. Auto deduction. On top of this, every year during tax filing period, I paid tax again (about 1 month of pay). The general VAT is 19.5%. If you think that this is very bad, let me tell you it can be much worse than this. My physiotherapist who is a French and single, grumbled to me that his tax rate was about 60%!!! When I chose to return to Singapore, I am elated by my single digit income tax rate plus the 7% of GST. 9% is better than any European VAT. I am happy and grateful living in Singapore.

[@queky93]

This is exemplary of how the government should be communicating with the public. What about giving us *regular* thorough and well-reasoned updates like this, not just once every 5 years?

[@johnlennon2070]

I respect this man, his charisma and intelligence are what we need to conduct talks with other nations as our PM. Also I hope he has the chance to work with Jamus as opposing colleagues. I'm sure they are objective, smart and gracious enough to find a common ground and work out their differences to improve SG.

[@hensontan6281]

This video deserves more views. The sheer watching and internalizing what Tharman says here will go a long way in helping Singaporeans improve our thoughts and actions. When we think about policies, it is important to consider both effectiveness and longer term implications. Overall, we should all aim towards a more inclusive society and it is the responsibility of all Singaporeans to achieve this. Those who had the opportunity to take the lift up must remember to press the lift down for the next guy. Everyone should at least attempt to make the other guy’s life easier or better, it is a culture of giving, helping and trusting that we must build. This is what is going to make us the best of the best nations, and we need to continue moving in this right direction. Furthermore, such an approach will naturally breed a more gracious and fulfilled population and outcome is everyone feels happier.

[@pawwy89]

One of the leaders I’m happy to have. But I also understand the toll it would take on him. Wise, humble and shows a lot of grace.

[@ywta9227]

So refreshing to hear about government policies in a good light, but also in great detail backed by evidence. This is what people want to know - how has the government and PAP objectively done well for us Singaporeans? Use the time to shed more light for citizens because there's a lot that we miss amidst the noise on the internet. We DON'T need mud-slinging or pointless debates about whether a member of the opposition party needs to "apologise" for fair questioning of the government. If you're truly good, you defend yourself, NOT bring down others.

[@serene9239]

Exactly!!! @pap pls take note of this 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@henryho1879]

Well say sir thank you i growing up in 1967 and my family and my mother had go out there and work from 5am came back from home 10 pm and i was litter now what happened. Thank you sir who speak out for we Singaporean but please give our best to our next generation. We Singaporean had good talent Singaporean in this country

[@Kangaroothoughts]

Can we please have more candidates like him?

[@checksix_TC]

Compare his tone with Chan Chun Seng. He is a great communicator. Never haughty, condescending, no need to use Singlish. None of the new 4G ministers can match his intellect, charisma and sincerity.

[@teyhoonboon5853]

He is one of the great leader in Singapore.

[@kumaries7120]

I strongly agree

[@LonganLee]

How do you prove what you claim?

[@m.j.5584]

Vote for Tharman, our next President / PM

[@whm5511]

Please become PM, Tharman. If only to dispel the myth that Singapore is not ready for an Indian PM.

[@victor7814]

If Singapore can accept multi-racial President over the years, there's no reason why Singapore is not ready to accept a multi-racial Prime Minister so I think Mr. Heng is wrong to make that judgement call. It's his personal opinion and it does not reflect the majority opinion of Singaporeans.

[@sylviachan6215]

He has a very important JOB now as Deputy Chairman of the GIC Board - GIC is guarding and making money for Country. He is very highly respected and trusted to look after and grow 390B to 440B of Singapore's piggy bank

[@JL-sw3sb]

In summary. Your message to Singaporeans is this - GROW UP. Thank you Mr. Tharman. I got it and my kids got it too. To those that don’t get ..... they just don’t get it no matter how much you are saying, how long or how often 😔.

[@nagalingamclara5362]

Mr. Thamam u are a very good speaker, it goes without saying,

[@lizchin3199]

Thank you SM Tharman , Sir we will keep that deeply in mind to see it's results on balancing to match the cost of living in the coming years for better future. TOGETHER we move forward .........under your leadership

[@kokzi8723]

Yes under Mr Tharman’s leadership.

[@kokzi8723]

I am totally agree with you Sir. You give a clear picture and useful figure and plans for us to see the future. Not just a word “innovation”. I don’t want to hear “monkey see monkey do” because I am not a monkey. I need to be respected and not to be mocked. Guide us and help us through this difficulties. Arrogant people should learn from you.

[@lilycool2601]

Mr Tharman Sir, your insight for Singapore is greatly needed. Please stay on. Help Singapore n Singaporean. Thank you for your contribution.

[@Wendy-jt1ln]

Mr Tharman, I give you my vote as our next PM

[@shirlenelim9276]

He himself declined the post.

[@junwenwang4729]

It's quite sobering to hear that if left to our own decisions, most people actually end up with insufficient retirement funds.

[@billhong4216]

We need an intellectual and mature leader who shall never fail to be inclusive, I mean real inclusiveness, i.e. walk the talk. A government’s prime duty and obligation to the people is health, education, and the creation of business and job opportunities. What had happened in the past was very much the opposite when we were told that university education is not all that important, when COVID 19 is still not contained in spite of the fact that the clusters have been well identified, when business and job opportunities were created for foreigners to freely benefit from. People don’t need much assistance, they need to be given genuine and unhindered opportunities and they will be very happy to take care of themselves. Unfair competition from our GLCs and foreign businesses are the worst because Singapore is small, our people have to be protected not because we believe in protectionism. It’s because we are too small that we cannot adopt a model of completely free competition.

[@FerozYahya]

Calibre... that I'm ready for... Mr T. Regardless of race language or religion and Party.

[@qwe2poiu]

In a league of his own.

[@allyyq1003]

Older generation or not, regardless of race, I think most ppl are definitely ready for Tharman as PM. You want confidence from investors and singaporeans? There’s your answer.

[@TheAvengingknight]

They did some survey and only 30% of older generations are ok with non chinese PM. Its sad.

[@kayyehsiew1353]

... he himself declined to take up the position. Worse, he is stepping down. Right now, I have yet to see PM material in the near horizon.

[@sylviachan6215]

GIC is managing and growing 390B to 440B in USD of SIngapore Government fund. IMPORTANT?

[@hansionglow6717]

Well said, good explanation of the policies. This should be said more regularly to explain the intricacies behind the policies so the general population understands and better able to accept them. Also, hope to see the opposition parties argue against these but sadly it is too late into the election rally period.

[@sylviachan6215]

SM Tharman addressed all the points that we are facing. Wish our government mobilize the country for a smooth operation to inject more creative plans and methods to create a more active and inclusive community and society.

[@dthariyanto1592]

Mr Tharman will be a good Spore PM

[@fongfattchee777]

Thank you for exposition & tour of Singapore's trampoline. How do we prevent "skills" ladder from manifesting the well-know negatives of "Occupational Licensing"? When people are not trained on "real skills" yet barriers are erected for the benefit of "trade families". They teh incumbents capture the commanding heights of specific trades - I see this in pipe laying, licensed electrical workers and plumbing - areas that I am familiar with. Skillsfuture is very much a developing program... we need to accelerate the crossing of the rubicon - many businesses do not see the concrete benefits yet we see the obvious waste from the sillies of Skillsfuture.

[@applecherrycherry4208]

💪💪💪 Sg United 👍👍👍

[@cayotelives]

Good explanation Sean Connery . But why the need of increases in gst all the time ?

[@asdfkie]

Tharman for PM!

[@teyhoonboon5853]

PAP highly invests in education to make sure each individual is able to develop talents. The introduction of job skills to protect young and old secure good future. Job support scheme to protect Singaporeans from retrenchment during the critical time. PAP is capable and efficiently by fully uses the man power of people for the benefits of country. This is the way how Singapore to become a top economy power in this global world

[@WizardSoon]

We netizen already shown by our likes and dislikes that we like a political figure by his character, not by his party affliation.

[@christopheryeo5151]

More needs to be done in education, healthcare and social mobility. Perhaps heed some of the work from Yeoh Lam Keong?

[@victor7814]

Mr. Tharman, Are you aware that majority of older/ageing generations are very unhappy about not be able to withdraw their CPF upon retirements, even though their HDB is fully paid, sufficient savings in medi-save accounts and yet have to live on monthly payment of 200 to 2,000 depending on what's left in their retirement account in CPF ? PAP government has done a good job, creating good education, job opportunities, innovations, upgrading skills etc... to prepare young Singaporeans for their future. Because of low birth rates, Singapore is having more older generations than younger ones. Income inequalities among older Singaporeans are inevitable and many older generations have worked all their life just to save enough to pay for their HDB. Upon reaching their retirement age, they have to set aside 160,000 depending on their age in their CPF as required by the government and be paid in return between a few hundreds to maybe 2 thousand depending on their balances. They still have to work if they cannot make ends meet due to high cost of livings. They are unable to take holidays or happily retire in their remaining years.................. Of course the rich will not feel the pinch because they make millions in their lifetime, so their monies in their CPF accounts does not hinder them at all. But the majority needy will be deeply affected. There are social services, communities operated by the government to help them but that is not solving the problem, only lessen the financial needs. What I don't understand is why is the PAP government insist on keeping our CPF savings and pay us back bits by bits instead of returning all to us even though we have fully paid up our HDB and have sufficient funds in our medi-save accounts ? Are we not entitled to enjoy our blood, sweats and tears monies after retirements in our remaining years ? Some may live past 80 or 90 while some may not. It is definitely within our legal rights to claim what is ours, we are not asking for more, just asking you to return what's ours and belong to us. Your explanations on my views would be much appreciated.

[@RS-tc6cm]

What is the actual agenda they have in keeping ppl money in CPF......its not clear? Why do ppl need to beg to withdraw their hard-earned money? Something is wrong here. Good schools in the world with lots of unemployment among Singaporean, it does not justify, and pls don't compare with other countries. It is a never-ending story if you start comparing with others. Why not compare the ministerial pay with other countries. Getting a bigger pay for such a small country and a small population. Let's have an open talk about this issue so ppl would understand more in this GE

[@mattw6922]

Because it is a pension fund. Hardly an unique Singapore construct. I have never seen a developed country without a pension scheme. You can argue contribution rates are higher in Singapore but then CPF can be used to pay for housing i.e. offset rents. The more you complain about CPF, the more reasons you give PAP for arguing that opposition supporters have no valid complaints.

[@snooppy88]

so you allow them to draw out.. and they finished spending them before they could live out their years.. then what? pension?

[@victor7814]

@@snooppy88 Their HDB is fully paid, so what's the problem ? People who are able to clear their HDB loans before retirement are people who are responsible and will not squander their monies recklessly.

[@mattw6922]

Victor I don’t think you can choose choose not to fully repay hdb loans? It’s contractually required for you to repay hdb loans. Since it’s not a choice, how can you judge if someone is financially prudent through the full repayment of hdb loans?

[@LonganLee]

We should have less monologues and more debates that warms the cockles of our hearts. But is someone up to it? Or lack the ability due to decades of yew know lah

[@gha9543]

Everyone on this website seems certain their party will win . Making pies in the skies has yet to come true. May the force be with you.

[@gasperblight931]

My idol, why dont you be PM please.

[@benjaminwee9815]

PAP 👍🏻👍🏻

[@sivajijames2103]

👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎👎

[@hilscreate]

Ok.. SM Tharman, sir. Now you are just being CRUEL. Teasing us of a future we won't have under you. Not cool.

[@ShubhamGoyal94]

Yup, and a 40 minutes long tease. He knows we can't just stop listening to him.

[@LonganLee]

Will Jerry mandarins and unlevel field over time produce a weaker team who have not competed in tough fights against their competition without the Jerry's and the Mandarins and the unlevel field?

[@lourbeselizadeth122]

Sinda as minority pap citizen is areas of improvement to equate power play n social cohesive. I did not equate yet to leadership doing corrective community benefits not requiring money as well

[@LonganLee]

Talk so much. But will you become the pm? We should have an Indian ruling party leader and an Indian Opposition leader. This is good for guanxi with India, the last frontier for growth. An an Indian president but classified as malay. SG Gold Standard for all the world to enjoy

[@LonganLee]

If a levelled playing field is provided to Opposition, and Gerrymandering is removed, what are the chances of a landslide victory? Many use the excuse that gerrymandering occurs in many countries. But the question remains. Will pap lose or win more seats if gerrymandering is removed? Chan Heng Chee also used the word gerrymandering in sg context. If we say other countries also do this or that, does it justify it? World highest salary for cabinet? Why not also compare that?

[@trafficmonsoonacademy562]

Of all the PAP politicians. Only Tharman seem to get loads of LIKES on KZbin. And he is not even Chinese. Interesting🤔. Can someone explain why he is popular?

[@sugatoroy1254]

When we all talk about people loosing their jobs due to the pandemic, why does it have to be limited to low income groups or the foreign labour category? What about our very own home bred, industry respected, law abiding, tax paying Singaporean citizens who are being made redundant within the boundaries of his own country by a swarm of foreign competition, exported from EU and the rest. With the global economic pendulum shifting eastwards, the multinationals and other private sector enterprise in Singapore has been attracting professionals from EU & US, sometimes at the expense of senior Singaporean industry professionals who are forced to leave the country seeking suitable jobs only to experience unfair competition as most jobs in EU, Australia & US are protected for their own citizens. Since this is a rather small group of Singaporean professionals in their mid-fifties, considered affluent and savvy by others, therefore expected to fend for themselves which is a completely wrong assumption and extremely unfair to say the least because post COVID19, this group is quite capable of driving innovation within their respective industries. They also have the necessary vision and overview to mentor management of change within private & public sector organizations boosting business value, post COVID19 era. We seek urgent assistance from govt agencies to identify these professional communities, (example : senior management in shipping, logistics, airlines industry), connect responsible stake holders, ensuring necessary protection & retention measures in place. .

[@sylviachan6215]

I am sure he also mentioned middle income. And jobs which are going to be affected by Covid, by mentioning low income is logical as this is the group without savings and gets hit "pronto". They have less or no resources, young children and old folks to feed! they have no second homes or cars, shares to sell or cut down buying your luxury goods or downgrade some expenses on restaurants to tide over this difficult period.

[@kumaries7120]

I agree ..pse become our PM

[@lourbeselizadeth122]

Charity is subject to improvements

[@livesh684]

back then the smartest one in the class is a genius. now a days the smartest one is just copy paste

[@foundx8426]

It is well researched that people who are poorer and less educated make poorer decisions in life. We may thinking that our government is nannying us and think that we are stupid. But half of all these policy is to help poorer part of Singapore to get a better & secure life, though educations, trainings, CPF (forced savings & insurance). Without these, those who made bad decisions in life will not be able to pay for their houses and their children's studies. Which leads to generation poverty.

[@gha9543]

How do you explain pap just lost billions in our sovereign? Just elite losing their eye on the ball has cause a loss of billions in our sovereign fund? Smart government can lose billions regardless

[@khtay8731]

@@gha9543 Hahaha. By your logic and your brains, the more we lost the richer we are? Otherwise how do you explain that the Singapore reserves increased? By the way, increased reserves means richer not poorer.

[@JR-vr4mf]

Tharman should be the PM not Heng. Heng can't even sort out his East Coast Plan!

[@godfather1962]

How is that joker HSK picked over Tharman for PM????

[@tumeremanmahi]

Because he has a everybody together east coast plan

[@sivajijames2103]

East coast plan bro east coast plan...

[@jarrodyuki7081]

tamils are nice and friendly theyre in singapore.

[@andrea9797mdd]

He's not good enough to be PM because why?

[@elenating2415]

Older Singaporean not ready for a minority PM mah. So we are told, as with everything, we are told what to think

[@Wendy-jt1ln]

Older generation can just read subtitle🤣🤣

[@purplefunk55]

You can talk all you want, but your unwillingness to fight racism for yourself speaks volume of your hapless nature

[@noorulameen804]

There is a possibility that PAP is going for clean sweep. Dear voters, save Singapore. Vote for alternative candidates.

[@ImperialArmour]

I'm torn between PAP and PSP.

[@chanserena1430]

👀

[@purplefunk55]

You can start by coming out and join PSP

[@lourbeselizadeth122]

Cheer up programmes necessary

[@ashunknown9728]

It will great if that man stepdown n join psp

[@lkm80]

Using the rich to compare with the poor as to why they are able to “take care” of themselves is complete rubbish. Taxes were initially invented to tax ONLY THE RICH (minus the era of monarchy). The only reason why even the common man on the street got taxed later on too was because the rich found legitimate ways to avoid paying their taxes or reducing it to the point that it hurt the governments. Excuses are not appreciated, solutions are.

[@sgeternity2012]

A human voice in PAP, inclusive society, but we still see cleaner uncle and aunties cleaner and 80 yrs old offered a job to make a living. Let that sink in,.. 80 yrs old...! Be wary when everyone grow old in Singapore, moving to JB nursing home is no longer a rethoric of KBW

[@doyteo4910]

How can Tharman not be the best person to succeed LHL? He is by far the most intellectual , compassionate and likeable Ministers Singapore has amongst the 3 G cohort. Again, why is he not our PM -in-waiting?

[@kctan9205]

Why during the past 5 years you have been quiet. Not now during election. People has high respect of you but you prefer to keep silent. Why stand for election if you don't put your wisdom as a member of Parliament.

[@wesleyamuro]

Hi Minister Tharman, That seems very assuring to me and most people listening to you. Including opposition supporters as in their comments below mine. But let me ask you. Did your colleagues deliver what you promised? Because you promising Singaporeans is one thing. Your colleagues actually doing is another. Such as the recent debate where your party colleagues spoke at length against racism. But one of your colleagues and fellow Indian - with all due respect - Balakrishnan made disparaging remarks about PSP NCMP Leong Man Wun's education background and his school. Just because his and his party's views differ from yours. Though I am not SDP supporter, I like to bring forth Dr Chee's Pre-Election 2019 statement forward: Trust is NOT what you say, But what you DO. Though you give very assuring speeches, what your party colleagues do is another. Which is what most Singaporeans are unhappy about.

[@mericanmelic]

alamak....how come this uncle cannot pm huh....someone takut huh!! aiyah for singkapur lah!! hahahaaaaa

[@donlee7553]

Is it really inclusive society ? Think harder... some elements are missing...

[@dsnick73]

Most of pap vid posts r negative except for Mr T...opposition voters r not blind..neither r Singaporeans racist..stop dividing us when it is your party that cannot accept it!

[@purplefunk55]

Tharman, you have no pride for yourself at all. By right you should be the PM of Spore. But becoz you are not a Chinese the PAP cast you aside. Why are you not man enough to stand up to racism?

[@Wendy-jt1ln]

Singaporean should fight for him. If majority of us want him to be our PM not the other way round.