Hello.
The race for Singapore’s Presidential Election is gaining momentum, with three candidates qualified to run: Former GIC chief investment officer Ng Kok Song, former Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam and former NTUC Income CEO Tan Kin Lian. Businessman George Goh’s application was rejected.
The presidential race has made the national reserves a topic of public discussion. In an interview with CNA, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the “biggest misconception” that Singaporeans can have about the reserves is that “there is such a thing as enough”.
It is hard to generate surpluses when they are needed most in volatile economic conditions. As Singaporean voters decide on a president who will safeguard the country’s reserves, it is worth asking if the government should not only target a balanced budget, but to achieve budget surpluses, say IPS’ Eddie Choo and Gillian Koh.
In another election across the border, Malaysian voters went to the polls in six states last weekend, in what some observers saw as a referendum on Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government.
The state election results kept the status quo, with the Pakatan Harapan-Barisan Nasional coalition and opposition Perikatan Nasional coalition holding on to their respective strongholds.
However, humiliating electoral setbacks suffered by UMNO present Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim with awkward challenges. He must now reconsider UMNO’s dominant role in his government, says CNA’s Leslie Lopez.
We hope you enjoy our selection of commentaries this week. Stay connected for timely updates and comprehensive analysis on Singapore’s National Day Rally this Sunday (Aug 20), where Prime Minister Lee is expected to address public housing concerns and CPF savings for older workers.
Erin Low
Deputy Editor, Commentary
.jpg?itok=fHkrjj4c "How will Singapore leaders safeguard national reserves? 35")
