Needy are being penalised for help from well meaning public

In many instances, Singapore is a land governed by contradictions. While it cites "Asian values" as a some kind of moral high ground of superiority, it uses the same self-righteous "Asian values" to beat down the vulnerable within our society. This dubious term "Asian values" has been used as a defense against all kinds of discriminatory treatment ranging from unequal treatment of unwed mothers to the repeal of Section 377A. Most recently, this concept has been used to beat down the request for help from a senior citizen with special needs.

For the purposes of this article, we shall call the senior citizen in question "T".

Many a PAP MP has (whether directly or indirectly) used the term "Asian values" to exhort our community to help each other paying lip service to other terms in the same genre such as "Kampung spirit" and the like. Yet, when it comes down to it, it would seem that we are penalised by the same government for practicing the "Asian values" they so exhort us to embrace.

In the case highlighted by Mr Jose Raymond (hyperlinked above), T was denied help by The Ministry of Social and Family (MSF) Development in part because of sporadic donations from a friend. So basically the logic is this: T's friend sporadically donates some money because of T's dire situation but because of his sporadic donation, T who is still in need does not qualify for government help. How the MSF can conclude that because T receives some money by way of sporadic donations, he is no longer in need is beyond me. We all require certainty in terms of income so that we can budget accordingly. How can sporadic donations be counted as part of T's monthly income?

Besides being sporadic, the $550 donated is shared 3 ways and does not amount to much for each recipient. The MSF must surely know that Singapore is not a cheap place in which to live. In not so many words, the MSF is encouraging us not to help our fellow men because our help, no matter how small can render those we help in a more vulnerable position than before. Asian values??? Kampung spirit???

Our nation has just spent north of $20 millionaire entertaining a despot, but yet cannot spare a few hundred dollars to help a needy citizen? So much for Asian values! How skewed and sickening!

It has also been pointed out that in assessing the need of T, the MSF has taken into account his CPF drawings - this begs the question, "Why is one's CPF being treated as income when it assesses social assistance needs" Although this brings on a whole other topic, it is still a question that needs to be answered. Why indeed?

This entry was posted in Opinion.

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