TR EMERITUS

By Abdul Gafoor, Social Correspondent The recent publication of UNDP’s Human Development Index (HDI) revealed another paradox of Singapore’s economic growth strategy. The HDI ranks countries around the world according to “human development” and this is a common and standard index used by economists all around the... 

By Abdul Gafoor, Social Correspondent A closer look at the share of Singapore’s economic pie that goes to workers as incomes throws up another paradox. Singapore’s economy itself has grown more than 30 times. Despite the fact the country has been working hard with full devotion to continually continue high economic... 

By Abdul Gafoor, Social Correspondent Whenever I have a tea or meal with a Singaporean politician or policy maker we will always end up talking about need for real change in the Singapore system. The conversation will start with denials and slowly and eventually he/she will admit there are flaws in the system though he/she... 

By Abdul Gafoor, Social Correspondent The recent award of Nobel prize to a Hong Kong physics professor has invited some kiasu Singaporeans (who always have displayed an idiosyncratic attitude in not wanting to lose out to Hong Kong) to sit back and ask why has not Singapore created any Nobel Laureates so far.   Lack of... 

By Abdul Gafoor, Social Correspondent Singapore is a strange country where everything suggested, which is contrary what the government, politicians and policy makers claim, has to be “substantiated with evidence” even though the same government, politicians and policy makers are not required to substantiate their claims... 

By Abdul Gafoor, Social Correspondent Another paradox of Singapore’s economic growth is undeniably the housing component. A country that achieves continual economic growth, will see the prosperity extending to the housing sector hereby improving the lives of citizens. The higher incomes due to the economic growth will... 

By Abdul Gafoor, Social Correspondent n a typical economic growth model, the assumption that is made about an economy that grows from a low income to a higher income is that the economic growth will bring along positive growth their real incomes and their leisure time. Part of the growth in leisure time (each day is divided... 

By Abdul Gafoor, Social Correspondent Many Singaporeans have grown to agree and accept that the housing market in Singapore is in a crisis. In a country of 600 sq km, where rental property is not quite an affordable option for majority of locals, purchasing a property has become not just desirable but a must. Therefore...