Singapore - before and after 1985

Many Singaporeans of my generation were proud of Singapore prior to 1985. We had an excellent economic and social environment - affordable and good quality education, housing and health care and a low cost of living. People do not have to worry about unemployment. They work hard and could look forward to adequate CPF savings on retirement.

The Singapore system started to deteriorate after 1985. The first generation leader (except for LKY) stepped down from office and was replaced by a new generation of elite leaders. This was followed by the introduction of bad policies, such as the graduate mother policy, asset enhancement scheme, increase in health care and transport cost (COE, ERP, privatization of transport companies) and the GRC system of election.

We now have a Singapore that is convoluted and wasteful, with a high cost of living, a high GINI coefficient and the lowest birth rate in the world.

I hope that our leaders realize their mistake and take action to correct the shortcomings. If not, let the people tell them at the next general election.

Tan Kin Lian