We refer to the transcript of the NUSS 6oth anniversary lecture on 3 October.

To keep promise – need to live within our means?

It states that “When this Government makes a promise, we mean it and we keep it. So while what we do speaks to the heart, we must be hard-headed about how to make it happen and how to live within our means, because that is the only way we can deliver on our promises.”

– We have heard this consistent rhetoric that we need to be prudent – “live within our means” – time and again.

“Accumulate reserves” addiction?

Why do we seem to be fixated with the need to accumulate more and more reserves in practically everything?

Singapore’s reserves: Secret (estimated to be about $1 trillion) (“The alternative news in 1 day? (part 50) – Golf clubs & the Reserves?“, Feb 7) (“IMF: S’pore needs to reduce Budget surpluses? – Increase social spending?“, Nov 15 2013)

Tote board’s reserves: $3.2 billion (“AIM debate in Parliament: (Round 9) – Replies that don’t really answer the question?“, May 30 2013)

MediShield Life reserves: $2.4 billion (“$1.7b MediShield reserves but $2.4b MediShield assets?“, Oct 4)

Town councils’ reserves: Estimated to be more than $2 billion (“An old article on town councils – “Residents willing to pay more for service and conservancy”?“, Dec 27 2012)

NKF’s reserves: $260 million (“Alternative news in 1 day? (part 102) – NKF has 8 years’ reserves?“, Apr 6)

Mendaki’s reserves: $95.8 million (“Only 15 Malay/Muslim students get TTFS at UniSIM?“, Aug 26)

Self-help groups’ reserves: $34.7 million (“3 self-help groups need to increase contributions?“, Aug 31)

Straits Times Pocket Money Fund’s reserves: Unknown as don’t seem to be able to find in the annual report (“Pocket Money Fund: How much reserves?“, Oct 7)

S Y Lee and Leong Sze Hian

P.S. Come with your family and friends to the 5th Return Our CPF protest on 25 October 4 pm at Speakers’ Corner https://www.facebook.com/events/446619505476438/