SINGAPORE: Netizens urged the government to address the root causes of rising costs instead of offering vouchers as a temporary solution.
This response came after Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong announced on 25 February that the SG60 vouchers would be distributed as vouchers rather than cash, citing the “very positive response” to previous Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers.
In a Facebook clip, Wong addressed questions about his Budget statement delivered on 18 February, including the rationale behind the voucher scheme.
He noted that while Budget 2025 includes cash support measures, the government chose vouchers to aid Singaporeans and local businesses.
The SG60 vouchers will function similarly to CDC vouchers and can be used at the same merchants.
Singaporeans aged 21 and above will receive between S$600 and S$800 in SG60 vouchers this July, with seniors given priority in claiming them.
SG60 Package: Election Year Timing and Budget Priorities
Responding to speculation that the SG60 Package is an “Election Budget”, Wong acknowledged that the Budget coincides with an election year, as the next General Election must be held by November 2025.
“If the Budget is deemed to be generous, it’s only because we have managed our finances responsibly and well,” he said, stressing that the government is focused on helping Singaporeans cope with cost-of-living pressures and improving their lives.
Addressing concerns that the vouchers are merely a short-term measure, Wong noted that the SG60 package and cost-of-living support measures account for only about five per cent of the total Budget.
“The bulk of government spending is on structural, longer-term programmes,” he added, emphasising the government’s efforts to strengthen the economy and social support system in Budget 2025.
Govt Defends Vouchers Over Cash
Explaining the decision not to distribute the SG60 vouchers as cash, Wong pointed out that other cash support measures, such as GST vouchers, are already included in the 2025 Budget.
Additionally, eligible Singaporeans will receive cash payouts of between S$100 and S$600 in December 2025 under the Assurance Package.
He said the decision to issue vouchers was based on Singapore’s positive experience with CDC vouchers, which had received strong public support.
The voucher system, he added, would not only help Singaporeans manage cost-of-living pressures but also support participating hawkers and merchants.
Wong acknowledged that keeping track of the various support measures might be challenging but encouraged Singaporeans to use the support calculator on the government’s SupportGoWhere website to check their entitlements.
He also noted that he would address further questions from Members of Parliament (MPs) in his Budget round-up speech on 28 February, as the Budget debates take place from 26 to 28 February.
Netizens Prefer Cash Over Vouchers
Under Mothership’s Facebook post, over 1,000 netizens shared their views on the SG60 vouchers, with many preferring cash over vouchers.
Some pointed out that vouchers could be difficult for elderly people who are not tech-savvy.
One user highlighted concerns about seniors struggling with digital vouchers, noting that some may forget how to use them or have no one to guide them.
They suggested that cash or direct bank credits would be a better option, as not all seniors are comfortable with technology.
Others emphasised the inconvenience of the voucher system.
One user stated that not every elderly person knows how to use vouchers, with some not even owning a smartphone to download the necessary app.
Another pointed out that making seniors queue at community centres for CDC vouchers adds unnecessary hassle, and paper vouchers can also be easily lost.
One user criticised the limited usability of vouchers. They noted that CDC vouchers are not accepted at many places.
Some urged the government to listen to public sentiment and prioritise what people truly want.
One user remarked that “cash is king” and always receives a positive response, as it allows people to spend freely at supermarkets, hawker centres, and coffee shops.
They argued that the government should consider ground sentiment rather than deciding based on its own preferences.
Some Say Vouchers Support Local Economy
However, some netizens acknowledged the rationale behind distributing vouchers, even though they still preferred cash.
One user pointed out that vouchers could help boost the economy by directing spending to specific areas rather than being used for luxury expenses like travel.
They added that vouchers could support small businesses and stimulate local commerce.
Another user agreed, highlighting that vouchers help keep spending within Singapore. They noted that if cash were given, some might spend it overseas, such as in Johor, leading to money “leakage.”
Since the vouchers come from taxpayers’ money, they argued that it should circulate within the country rather than benefiting other economies.
Calls for Government to Tackle Root Causes of Rising Costs
Beyond the cash-versus-voucher debate, many netizens urged the government to address the root causes of rising costs instead of offering vouchers as a temporary solution.
One user suggested that the government should focus on controlling or reducing unreasonable price hikes, particularly in rental costs.
Another user criticised the government for avoiding the real issue, stating that ignoring long-term solutions will not solve anything.
They added that handing out vouchers is merely a band-aid solution and called for more innovative policies.
One user questioned the claim that the government is doing everything possible to help Singaporeans cope.
They argued that controlling rental costs, property prices, and inflation would be more effective than distributing handouts.
Others expressed frustration over the timing of the vouchers, suggesting they were linked to the upcoming election.
One user remarked that instead of addressing housing affordability, the government was handing out temporary vouchers, which do not resolve long-term cost-of-living issues.
Another user pointed to deeper structural concerns, questioning why one of the world’s richest countries with one of the longest working hours still requires voucher handouts.
They argued that despite a skilled workforce, the reliance on vouchers signals fundamental economic issues.
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