Singapore’s government prioritizes accessible adn efficient public transportation over car ownership, according to Senior Minister Lee Hsien Loong. He stated on Wednesday, July 16, that the administration has ensured everyone has access to affordable and efficient transport options without the necessity of owning a car. This approach avoids complicating the certificate of Entitlement (COE) system to accommodate the diverse needs of various groups.
Senior Minister Lee’s remarks followed a Facebook post by Workers’ Party Member of Parliament Jamus Lim. Assoc Prof Lim contended that the current car allocation system fails to consider individuals with genuine needs for a vehicle who may still find a COE unaffordable.
Lee Hsien Loong Addresses COE System at Dialog
Assoc Prof lim’s Facebook post was made after attending the Economic Society of Singapore’s annual dinner. During the event, Senior Minister Lee engaged in a wide-ranging dialogue with the society’s president, Euston Quah.At one point, Senior Minister Lee was questioned about proposals to allow specific groups to pay less for a COE.
He explained that the multitude of valid arguments makes it challenging for the government to devise a system that accounts for all factors. These factors include family size, the age of children, the presence of disabilities, elderly status, or employment requiring a car. “I think if you want to design a scheme which worries about all those things, it will fail,” he stated.
Senior Minister Lee emphasized that there is no simple method to fairly distribute a valuable commodity and simultaneously make it inexpensive. He noted that road space in Singapore is limited, and the COE system ensures that buyers pay the fair market value for the privilege of car ownership.
During the dialogue, Senior Minister Lee affirmed that while he cannot guarantee every Singaporean an affordable car, he can ensure affordable and convenient transportation.”Cars,no. Transportation, yes,” he declared.
He further elaborated that for families, instead of offering cheaper COEs, the government provides enhanced support through initiatives like the baby bonus. “Directly help the group you need to help in cash, rather than make complicated schemes, which then end up with all kinds of contradictions and wrong incentives,” he advised.
Assoc Prof Jamus Lim’s Counterpoint
assoc Prof Lim, however, expressed disagreement with Senior minister Lee’s stance. He observed that while the government acknowledges the needs of different groups,it ultimately relies on a market-based auction system for allocation. “But instead of saying that there was a reasonable way to adjudicate between these competing needs, (Mr Lee) then pivoted to how competitive bidding represented the best way to allocate between these claims,” he wrote.
This discussion highlights differing perspectives on how to best manage car ownership and transportation accessibility in Singapore.
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