Make it expensive to use, not own, a car

Hello.

A big congratulations to Team Singapore at the 32nd SEA Games, where they bagged 158 medals. Of the many ups and downs, particularly painful was the disappointing performance of the men’s football team. How have things gone so wrong with the Young Lions? CNA’s Stanley Ho says rather than better players, what Singapore really needs right now is accountability.

But there was no shortage of inspiration from Singapore’s athletes. They showed compassion to rivals who needed help and fought through injuries to finish their campaign on a high, says CNA’s Matthew Mohan. Even as we celebrate their wins, we must remember the unseen sacrifices of elite athletes, says former national swimmer and four-time Olympian Joscelin Yeo, shedding light on her own struggles during a 17-year swimming career.

Another major talking point has been this sweltering heat. After “air-con weather” at the start of the year, the mercury soared to 37 degrees Celsius last weekend in Singapore, matching a 40-year record. Global temperatures are set to breach the 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold of warming within the next five years, serving as a stark warning of what’s to come if the world doesn’t quickly take action.

Meanwhile, over in Thailand, prime ministerial candidate Pita Limjaroenrat has announced an eight-party coalition after clinching victory in the country’s general election. Thailand has voted for change, but will change stick this time? Singapore University of Social Sciences associate professor Antonio Rappa looks at what’s to come.

We hope you enjoy our selection of commentaries this week.

Alison Jenner

Senior Editor, Commentary

Instead of making it expensive to own a car, why not make it expensive to use instead

Research has shown that high COE prices have the unintended effect of inducing people to drive more. Should Singapore look at curbing vehicle usage rather than ownership? Distinguished Professor Ivan Png from NUS Business School weighs in.

At the SEA Games, Singapore’s athletes have shown sportsmanship, grit and character

At the 32nd SEA Games in Phnom Penh, Singapore’s athletes remind us that ordinary beings are capable of extraordinary feats, says CNA’s Matthew Mohan.

‘I couldn’t balance it all anymore’: Former national swimmer Joscelin Yeo sheds light on unseen struggles of elite athletes

To say that sacrifice is required for an athlete to compete on the world stage feels shallow because not many understand what that sacrifice really entails, says former national swimmer and four-time Olympian Joscelin Yeo.

From the get-go, there have been questions about how long Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s unity government would be able to survive. Nearly six months into the job, his position remains shaky, says CNA’s Leslie Lopez.

Why do young people think cannabis is a less harmful drug?

Recent statistics released by the Central Narcotics Bureau show a clear trend – over 60 per cent of those caught with cannabis use are under 30. Some perceptions of cannabis among the young are hard to scrub out – that it’s not as harmful as other drugs, celebrities use it, other countries legalise it and it is used for medical reasons. Steven Chia plays moderator as 27-year-old copywriter Kimberley Jeremiah puts the burning questions to Dr Melvyn Zhang, a consultant with the National Addictions Management Service at the Institute of Mental Health and Firdaus Daud, from the National Council Against Drug Abuse.

Why do sick people insist on going to work?

Going to work when you’re sick is like juggling knives while riding a unicycle. It’s a bad idea for you and everyone around you, says HR expert Adrian Tan.

Unsubscribe | Privacy policy | Contact | Advertise with us

Copyright © Mediacorp  . Mediacorp Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.