Singapore—The Ministry of Finance (MOF), government feedback unit Reach, and the People’s Association (PA) issued a joint statement on December 1 that said, “Individuals, households, and businesses are welcome to provide feedback on topics such as business growth, training and employment, support for families, and support for seniors.”
The National Budget is slated to be delivered in Parliament in February next year.
In order to share their suggestions and perspectives on Budget 2020, individuals may make use of kiosks and booths in over 20 areas all around the country, such as Toa Payoh HDB Hub and others.
Alternatively, citizens can go online and make their comments on the microsite Reach Budget 2020 from December 1 onwards.
For those who wish to deliver their feedback on next year’s Budget in person, they may do so as well from Dec 2 through January 10 at Listening Points booths in different areas throughout the island, such as Raffles Place and Toa Payoh HDB Hub. Schedules for these booths will be published on the microsite as well.
Additionally the PA and grassroots organisations in the Ask Kopi Kakis initiative, in partnership with MOF, will be making kiosks available at 25 venues all over Singapore from December 8 to January 5 for communities to come forward with their suggestions and views.
PA’s Ask Kopi Kakis is made accessible in every community center for the purpose of residents learning more about policies from the government. To learn about the 25 kiosks for Ask Kopi Kakis, information may be found on its site.
A Pre-Budget 2020 Dialogue open to around 120 people has been scheduled for December 3 as well, chaired by Ms Indranee Rajah, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office and Second Minister for Finance and Education and co-chaired by Sam Tan, Minister of State for Social and Family Development, and Foreign Affairs.
The press statement from MOF reads,
“The Ministry of Finance is seeking views and suggestions from all Singaporeans in preparation for Budget 2020, which is scheduled to be presented next February. Individuals, households, and businesses are welcome to provide feedback on topics such as business growth, training and employment, support for families, and support for seniors…
In the spirit of SG Together, we are seeking public views on longer-term issues. Specifically, we invite suggestions on how we can form stronger partnerships to address future opportunities and challenges facing Singapore.”
The statement also carried a quote from Heng Swee Keat, Singapore’s Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister:
“The Budget is a strategic financial plan to address both near-term issues and also how we build our future Singapore together. What we put into the Budget reflects our values as a people, our aspirations as a society and our direction as a nation.
Over the years, we have invested heavily in developing Singaporeans and building Singapore. Through close partnerships with all in our people, private and public sectors, we have created new opportunities for Singaporeans to improve their quality of life.
With changes coming fast and furious, we need to prepare ourselves to ride new waves by continuing to build our capabilities and transform our economy. At the same time, we remain committed to strengthening support for fellow Singaporeans, so that we can all progress together. This is how we will build our nation – where every Singaporean has a strong sense of belonging and a part to play in realising our shared future.
I urge all Singaporeans to contribute actively and join us in charting the future for Singapore.” -/TISG