Dear friends,
There is a growing need for greater accountability in how the government spends public funds.
This concern was rightly raised by Mr Pritam Singh in Parliament this week.
In our 2025 Manifesto, the SDA called for the establishment of an independent agency to scrutinise major government expenditure and report directly to Parliament.
Such an institution would strengthen fiscal oversight and reinforce public trust.
This is important for two key reasons.
First, when taxes are raised, Singaporeans deserve clarity on whether this money is put to good use.
The GST was increased in 2023 and 2024 at a time when families and businesses were already grappling with rising living costs.
The stated objective of the hike was to raise an additional $2–3 billion annually to fund growing expenditure needs.
Yet from FY2023 onwards, the Government has recorded sizeable budget surpluses — approximately $6 billion to $8 billion each year.
This means the government accumulated much more than it needs for spending.
So, was there a need to increase GST and worsen the daily strain on Common Singaporean families?
Second, transparency in spending is essential to government accountability.
As Mr Singh observed in reference to the S$40 billion Forward Singapore package announced in 2024:
“To my knowledge, there has been no well-publicised tracking of cumulative spending since then.”
Major national packages should be accompanied by clear, accessible reporting.
In this way, MPs and the public can assess how funds are used and whether objectives are met.
Greater transparency is not obstruction. Rather, it is good governance.
Singaporeans have a right to know if:
- tax increases are truly necessary,
- funds are being accumulated beyond operational needs,
- public monies are delivering meaningful improvements in citizens’ lives.
The SDA therefore renews our call for stronger scrutiny and fuller disclosure of government expenditure.
At a time when many families — especially the sandwiched middle class — continue to feel squeezed, the Government must do more than accumulate surpluses.
It must deploy resources decisively to ease pressures and strengthen social support.
This includes serious consideration of proposals such as the Family Care Account proposed by the SDA, which would provide targeted relief for households managing both elderly parents and young children.
The figures show that the Government has the financial capacity.
What Singaporeans now seek is the political will.
Desmond Lim
Chairman
Singapore Democratic Alliance
