Baal Supersonic February 21, 2014 Share February 21, 2014 http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/02/21/we-achieved-swiss-standard-of-living-in-2000/ We achieved ‘Swiss standard of living’ in 2000? February 21st, 2014 | Author: Contributions I refer to the article “ST Editor says we’ve hit Swiss standard of living 13 years ago?” (TR Emeritus, Feb 12). “Swiss standard of living” was achieved 13 years ago? It states that “Could some well educated and informed TRE readers look into the economic data and statistics and tell us whether we really had achieved the Swiss standard of living in 2000″. So, first let me quote from the article at issue – “Big lessons from a little Swiss Alpine resort” (Sunday Times, Feb 2) – “It was not so long ago that Singapore dreamed of attaining the Swiss standard of living, not the other way round. That was in 1984. To keep things real, government leaders set their sights only on reaching the levels the Swiss enjoyed at that time, and to do so by 1999. But the Asian financial crisis got in the way, the target slipped by a year, and it was only in 2000 that we managed to hit the mark. By then, the Swiss had moved further ahead, of course”. No need to do any statistical analysis? I normally try to use statistics wherever possible or appropriate as the “reasonable basis” for my articles. However, for the subject issue it may be arguably “so simple and obvious”, that for a change – I shall not be doing any statistical analysis at all. “Basis” in deriving the conclusion? But, to get back to the basics – what is reasonable “basis”? According to the dictionary.com - “basis” is the bottom or base of anything; the part on which something stands or rests … anything upon which something is based; fundamental principle; groundwork … basic fact, amount, standard, etc., used in making computations, reaching conclusions, or the like No “basis”? So, what is the “basis” for the conclusion and statement that “it was only in 2000 that we managed to hit the mark (Swiss standard of living)? Absolutely nothing – not a single word in the entire article to even give a hint as to how this conclusion was derived? If anyone can find anything in the article – please let me know. Was it news to you too? Also, if we had achieved the Swiss standard of living in 2000, why is it that we have never been told of such a great achievement in the media? If anyone can find any mention of this before the subject article in the Sunday Times – I would be grateful if you could let me know, as I’m sure that Singaporeans may be very interested in this matter. “Swiss standard of living” in Parliament? Oh! By the way – here’s what MP Inderjit Singh said in Parliament – “We can safely say that we have failed to achieve the goal set by the then Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong, of a Swiss standard of living for most Singaporeans, except for the higher income Singaporeans including foreigners who just recently decided to make Singapore their home. So I call for a breather in this quest of growing the population and focus on improving the lives of Singaporeans and achieve that promised Swiss Standard of living for most Singaporeans first before we plan our next growth trajectory” - just in case you bring up what one of our former Prime Ministers said in 1999, about achieving the Swiss standard of living? “Standard of living” defined? Let us not forget the fundamental definition of “standard of living” is not just “GDP per capita in purchasing power parity (PPP) terms” using the 1984 data as the basis of achievement in 1999! – kind of like conveniently forgetting about 15 years of inflation and growth! - It is about “The standard of living includes factors such as income, quality and availability of employment, class disparity, poverty rate, quality and affordability of housing, hours of work required to purchase necessities, gross domestic product, inflation rate, number of vacation days per year, affordable (or free) access to quality healthcare, quality and availability of education, life expectancy, incidence of disease,cost of goods and services, infrastructure, national economic growth, economic and political stability, political and religious freedom, environmental quality, climate and safety. The standard of living is closely related to quality of life” (Source: investopedia). Uniquely Singapore!Leong Sze HianLeong Sze Hian is the Past President of the Society of Financial Service Professionals, an alumnus of Harvard University, Wharton Fellow, SEACeM Fellow and an author of 4 books. He is frequently quoted in the media. He has also been invited to speak more than 100 times in 25 countries on 5 continents. He has served as Honorary Consul of Jamaica, Chairman of the Institute of Administrative Management, and founding advisor to the Financial Planning Associations of Brunei and Indonesia. He has 3 Masters, 2 Bachelors degrees and 13 professional qualifications. He blogs at www.leongszehian.com. ↡ Advertisement 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super7 Turbocharged February 23, 2014 Share February 23, 2014 Thank you for sharing this article Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picnic06-Biante15 Supersonic February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 Oh yea ....... did we achieved 'that' standard .. What the percentage of locals vs FT in Swiss ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baal Supersonic February 24, 2014 Author Share February 24, 2014 Thank you for sharing this article No worries, happy to share Oh yea ....... did we achieved 'that' standard .. What the percentage of locals vs FT in Swiss ? perhaps in terms of cost? Maybe our cost may be even lower. But can we afford the cost? That's another thing. Unsure on this. But I vaguely remember that for local : FT, only UAE surpasses us? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watwheels Supersonic February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 Definitely doesn't feel all that "Swiss" to me. Other ppl would probably call it Sh!t standard. 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knoobie Supercharged February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 Might as well say we achieved or surpassed Royal's standard of living in some BC... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picnic06-Biante15 Supersonic February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 perhaps in terms of cost? Maybe our cost may be even lower. But can we afford the cost? That's another thing. Unsure on this. But I vaguely remember that for local : FT, only UAE surpasses us? Maybe compare our ministars with Swiss salaries....... Ours sure above the Swiss standard ............. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gitanic 6th Gear February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 Maybe compare our ministars with Swiss salaries....... Ours sure above the Swiss standard ............. folly at dreadful standard above all. why go all out for material? and aim for World No.1 for that. lazy blinded single purpose of life. and everyone is following blindly too. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wyfitms Twincharged February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 simi swiss standard? i just want a decent standard of living without the cost of living suffocating me tolong tolong.. 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerwoods Turbocharged February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 Definitely doesn't feel all that "Swiss" to me. Other ppl would probably call it Sh!t standard. the only swiss feeling is when I bite into a bar of swiss brand coklat made in Malaysia... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scion Turbocharged February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 came across this 2011 article http://www.tnp.sg/content/new-citizens-its-commitment-counts back then, Khaw Boon Wah already acknowledged there was so much unhappiness on the ground due to overcrowding population, yet they still pushed forward the white population paper in 2013 出尔反尔 “They are saying there are too many, which I think is a fair comment because the numbers did go up very significantly. “When you go to a restaurant, the people serving you are (foreigners). And especially when they cannot communicate, that’s when you get frustrated.” Mr Khaw feels that the people’s sentiments must be weighed carefully, even if it means sacrificing potential economic growth. “We are at five million (people) and there’s already so much unhappiness about too many foreigners,” he said. “Another constraint to talk about is the core group of citizens. “For instance, we may be able to attract up to 10 million, but if they are all foreigners and your core group suddenly becomes three million, or 30 per cent, then obviously that’s not what we want this country to be... “So the angst over the influx of immigrants over the last couple of years suggests that there’s a limit to how fast you can (grow). “There may be opportunity to take in many more, but we may just have to accept that we have to forego some of the extra growth rate. That is how I see it.” 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vhtfhwlego Supercharged February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 can i save 33% of salary per month? I think I save more, in CPF terms. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vid Hypersonic February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 Tok tok only. Can say whatever. I can also say we are as better swiss even. Hell, we have the best standard of living in the world You can choose to believe or not believe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Knoobie Supercharged February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 Mr Khaw feels that the people’s sentiments must be weighed carefully, even if it means sacrificing potential economic growth. economic growth > welfarestandardoflivingwhateverfarkgrowth you really need... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
TVT Supercharged February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 Thank you for sharing this article At 2.10am you took time off from your usual prawning to read this article is really heart-warming....to know you would always put national interest above personal pleasure! Btw, what is this article about? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerwoods Turbocharged February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 At 2.10am you took time off from your usual prawning to read this article is really heart-warming....to know you would always put national interest above personal pleasure! Btw, what is this article about? He Night Owl one lah... or maybe he Night shift ? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Picnic06-Biante15 Supersonic February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 He Night Owl one lah... or maybe he Night shift ? or maybe he is that pimp operating at Punggol Park ... 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Super7 Turbocharged February 24, 2014 Share February 24, 2014 (edited) At 2.10am you took time off from your usual prawning to read this article is really heart-warming....to know you would always put national interest above personal pleasure! Btw, what is this article about? LOL.... sunday nite is not for prawning, it took me till 210am before i got a vague idea of what the article was about but just to be sure, i upped it for more bros to read and give their interpretations. I know my limit, and my interpretations could be wrong, as proven repeatedly. or maybe he is that pimp operating at Punggol Park ... LOL.... not every tom dick harry can be a pimp hor, even if i wished, dont think i am up to it. observer, can!! He Night Owl one lah... or maybe he Night shift ? old man, how to sleep early? dozing off watching tv after dinner, and wake up midnite!! Tok tok only. Can say whatever. I can also say we are as better swiss even. Hell, we have the best standard of living in the world You can choose to believe or not believe eh, the swiss rolls in the heartland cake shop nearby my place taste not bad ok!! this is already one swiss standard attained!! Edited February 24, 2014 by Super7 ↡ Advertisement Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Related Discussions
Related Discussions
Retirement in Malaysia - how much RM a month for living?
Retirement in Malaysia - how much RM a month for living?
NameWee complaining of Double standard.
NameWee complaining of Double standard.
Poverty level in Singapore and the world, how $$$ much do you need?
Poverty level in Singapore and the world, how $$$ much do you need?
😂 Still Dare Complain About Living in Singapore?
😂 Still Dare Complain About Living in Singapore?
Living in Private Housing With No Income
Living in Private Housing With No Income
Odd shaped Living Hall
Odd shaped Living Hall
High cost of living in SG
High cost of living in SG
Living in the North Makes You Less Healthy
Living in the North Makes You Less Healthy