The Political Dictionary defines a ‘sacred cow’ as “any programme, policy, or person that is regarded as being beyond attack or untouchable”. Sacred cows in nation-building can take the form of policies, social norms and institutions. Singapore has her fair share of sacred cows covering existential themes such as multiracialism, meritocracy, equality and so on.

From time to time, these underlying premises or foundations of the state are challenged especially in the context of domestic shifts in socio-economic status, changes in societal aspirations and new secular (and non-secular) trends. (more…)

Population issues have been a concern for a long time. One of the earliest theories surrounding this was the Malthusian Growth Model of predicting an unsustainable increase in population back in the 1700s. Singapore’s population is moving towards one quarter of the population being made up of seniors. The current Old-Age Support ratio is 4:1. The support ratio is the ratio of people who can offer support against seniors who require others to support them. (more…)

Despite the whispers that the repeal of Section 377A of the Penal Code may happen, Singaporeans were still caught by surprise when Prime Minister Lee Hsien Long made the official announcement during his 2022 National Day Rally speech. The response was expectedly diverse and divided. From the euphoric, to the pragmatic, and then to the opposing spectrum of enraged and devastated. (more…)

Donating to a multitude of charitable causes can get tiresome after a while. For working-class people who are financially burdened with their own daily needs and monthly expenses, there is also a limited amount that may be set aside, and the constant giving could weigh them down.

Additionally, a great deal of money is donated to fund charitable causes, but it is hard to observe how efficient or effective these efforts are, or whether they reach the intended beneficiaries, in some cases. (more…)

For Muslims to fully practise their rights by conviction and free choice, it can only be actualised in a secular state. The secular state acts as a safeguard against the hegemonic enforcement of the Shariah that opposes the universal values of Islam. The secular state is also intended to nurture and regulate the role of Islam in public life through the shaping of ethical norms that can be reflected in public institutions, policies and social relations (pp. 1-3). (more…)

Apart from gaining international work experience that can provide long-term career benefits, many Singaporeans are considering working overseas for their own exposure and life experience as it offers them opportunities to experience new cities and cultures. A survey^[1] conducted by the World Economic Forum’s (WEF) Global Shapers community found that nearly 70 percent of Singaporean millennials who participated said that they are willing to work overseas, with Australia and the United States chosen as their preferred destinations. (more…)