Hello.
It’s been a busy week – there’s finally a new Thai prime minister, India became the first country to land a spacecraft near the moon’s south pole and the world saw Donald Trump’s mugshot, the first for a former US president.
In Singapore, Ng Kok Song, Tharman Shanmugaratnam and Tan Kin Lian were confirmed as candidates in the upcoming Presidential Election. And let’s not forget the National Day Rally, seen as the most important political speech of the year.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced a new public housing classification among other major moves. What are the reasons behind the shake-up of the Build-to-Order model and how will this affect flat resale prices? The Institute of Policy Studies’ Woo Jun Jie takes a deeper look at the public housing trinity of affordability, social mixing and fair outcomes.
There’ll also be a new Majulah Package aimed at boosting retirement savings for those born in 1973 or earlier or “young seniors” – a term that quickly became a buzzword on and offline. Singapore is shifting away from generational support packages like those for the Pioneer and Merdeka Generations, says the Institute of Policy Studies’ Christopher Gee. In a humorous piece, writer Tracy Lee gives her take on being called a “young senior” after dealing with turning 50 last year.
Mr Lee’s speech also offered a positive but still cryptic note about Singapore’s upcoming political leadership transition, says NTU political analyst Felix Tan. Will Singapore be able to avoid recession in 2023 as hoped? OCBC chief economist Selena Ling says there is cause for optimism.
Finally in Thailand, Pheu Thai’s Srettha Thavisin has been named prime minister after months of political deadlock. There will be a political price to pay for that top seat, says Control Risks’ Harrison Cheng. Complicating matters is former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra’s return from exile, says CNA’s Pichayada Promchertchoo.
We hope you enjoy our selection of commentaries this week. Stay connected for timely updates and comprehensive analysis.
Alison Jenner
Supervising Editor, Commentary
.jpg?itok=fHkrjj4c "Singapore wraps up National Day Rally and heads into Presidential Election season 35")
