Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday revealed Singapore's plans to enhance housing and health care programs.The decision in accordance with the government's effort to alleviate pressure on the country's middle class. Spending more on social programs is expected to help improve the ruling party's eroding credibility in the country.
The government plans included distribution of public housing grants to lower-income households. The plans also involved an expanded health insurance program for the elderly, as a well as provisions for making child care services available to more citizens.
Escalating living costs and infrastructural problems have contributed to the weakening of the people's support for its ruling party.
"We're seeing income inequality rising.The top zooming away.The middle class stagnating," said Prime Minister Lee. He further added, "We must make now a strategic shift in our approach to nation building,"
The government hoped that the state can assure citizens with its improved programs by providing the people's basic needs, especially in health care.
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