[h=2]ST poll: 60% are satisfied with PAP Govt’s policies[/h]
April 20th, 2014 |
Author: Editorial
In a front page article yesterday, the Straits Times (ST)
said a recent poll found that the government’s shifts in social policy have
“boosted confidence” in its handling of housing, ageing, poverty and healthcare
issues (‘Transport still a major bugbear: ST survey’, 19 Apr).
However, it said that dissatisfaction over transport and foreign workers
“still simmers”.
ST engaged research firm Asia Insight shortly after the Budget debate in
Parliament on 5 March 2014 to conduct the poll. Some 500 Singaporeans aged 21
and above were surveyed.
The respondents were asked to rate Singaporeans’ overall satisfaction today
and 3 years ago, in 7 policy areas: healthcare, housing, education, transport,
the elderly, the poor, and foreign workers and immigrants. The results:
Changes since 2011
(Singaporeans were asked to rate the
Government’s handling of each of these issues since 2011)
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<col width="202">
<col width="122">
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<tbody>
</tbody>
Note: Those who chose neither better nor worse are not
included.
Commenting on the results of the poll, the gvernment’s biggest achievement
since the 2011 general election is housing, said ST.
More than 6 in 10 approved of what the government has done for the elderly,
the poor, and in terms of healthcare and housing. 7 in 10 said they had
confidence in how these issues would be handled in future.
With a slew of cooling measures and an increased supply of new homes, 4 in 10
said it has become easier for first-time buyers to own a home. A quarter
disagreed, suggesting more price moderation is desired.
But when it comes to transport, with train breakdowns and soaring certificate
of entitlement prices, only 39% said they saw an improvement. Almost as many
said the Government’s handling of transport issues has deteriorated.
In particular, 1 in 2 said train services have worsened since 2011, though 2
in 5 said bus services have improved.
ST also said that the young and the old are largely more satisfied with
government policy but those aged 35 to 44 and those on middle incomes feel
strained and are less confident about the future.
Overall, ST said its survey found that 6 in 10 respondents were satisfied
with the government’s policies, compared to 5 in 10 in 2011.
Interviewed by ST, NUS Associate Professor Reuben Wong said that the survey
results indicate Singaporeans feel more assured that the Government is now
taking social issues and the cost of living seriously.
ST also highlighted the promise made by PM Lee at last year’s National Day
Rally, that the government will do more to support individuals.
During the Punggol East by-election last year, ST also conducted a poll which
found that “more (people were) rooting for PAP”. This was published when the
writ of election for Punggol East was just issued, before polling day. ST
published the survey results as follows:
It said that the opposition “may face an uphill battle in trying to secure
control of the ward” and that “those rooting for the People’s Action Party (PAP)
outnumbered opposition supporters 19 to 10.”
As it turned out, when the Punggol East by-election results were announced,
the opposition had beaten PAP hands down:
So, do you agree with the recent ST survey claiming that 6 in 10 Singaporeans
are satisfied with the government’s policies?
What do you think?
said a recent poll found that the government’s shifts in social policy have
“boosted confidence” in its handling of housing, ageing, poverty and healthcare
issues (‘Transport still a major bugbear: ST survey’, 19 Apr).
However, it said that dissatisfaction over transport and foreign workers
“still simmers”.
ST engaged research firm Asia Insight shortly after the Budget debate in
Parliament on 5 March 2014 to conduct the poll. Some 500 Singaporeans aged 21
and above were surveyed.
The respondents were asked to rate Singaporeans’ overall satisfaction today
and 3 years ago, in 7 policy areas: healthcare, housing, education, transport,
the elderly, the poor, and foreign workers and immigrants. The results:
Changes since 2011
(Singaporeans were asked to rate the
Government’s handling of each of these issues since 2011)
| Issue | Better/Much better | Worse/Much worse |
| Elderly | 71% | 4% |
| Poor | 68% | 6% |
| Health care | 66% | 9% |
| Housing | 65% | 15% |
| Education | 59% | 6% |
| Transport | 39% | 35% |
| Foreign workers and immigrants | 26% | 26% |
<colgroup>
<col width="202">
<col width="122">
<col width="124"></colgroup>
<tbody>
</tbody>
Note: Those who chose neither better nor worse are not
included.
Commenting on the results of the poll, the gvernment’s biggest achievement
since the 2011 general election is housing, said ST.
More than 6 in 10 approved of what the government has done for the elderly,
the poor, and in terms of healthcare and housing. 7 in 10 said they had
confidence in how these issues would be handled in future.
With a slew of cooling measures and an increased supply of new homes, 4 in 10
said it has become easier for first-time buyers to own a home. A quarter
disagreed, suggesting more price moderation is desired.
But when it comes to transport, with train breakdowns and soaring certificate
of entitlement prices, only 39% said they saw an improvement. Almost as many
said the Government’s handling of transport issues has deteriorated.
In particular, 1 in 2 said train services have worsened since 2011, though 2
in 5 said bus services have improved.
ST also said that the young and the old are largely more satisfied with
government policy but those aged 35 to 44 and those on middle incomes feel
strained and are less confident about the future.
Overall, ST said its survey found that 6 in 10 respondents were satisfied
with the government’s policies, compared to 5 in 10 in 2011.
Interviewed by ST, NUS Associate Professor Reuben Wong said that the survey
results indicate Singaporeans feel more assured that the Government is now
taking social issues and the cost of living seriously.
ST also highlighted the promise made by PM Lee at last year’s National Day
Rally, that the government will do more to support individuals.
During the Punggol East by-election last year, ST also conducted a poll which
found that “more (people were) rooting for PAP”. This was published when the
writ of election for Punggol East was just issued, before polling day. ST
published the survey results as follows:
- For PAP (38%)
- For Opposition (20%)
It said that the opposition “may face an uphill battle in trying to secure
control of the ward” and that “those rooting for the People’s Action Party (PAP)
outnumbered opposition supporters 19 to 10.”
As it turned out, when the Punggol East by-election results were announced,
the opposition had beaten PAP hands down:
- For WP (54.5%)
- For PAP (43.7%)
So, do you agree with the recent ST survey claiming that 6 in 10 Singaporeans
are satisfied with the government’s policies?
What do you think?
