REACH’S FEEDBACK EXERCISE ON POST-BUDGET 2008
 “Wanted: Your views on Budget 2008”

Over the last three months, Singaporeans have given their suggestions on what they hope to see in this year’s Budget. With Budget 2008 being announced this Friday, REACH would like to gather the reactions of Singaporeans on the budget announced.

1 On 15 October 2007, REACH, together with the Ministry of Finance (MOF), launched a feedback exercise on Pre-Budget 2008. The feedback exercise, which closed on 1 February 2008, served to gather the public’s wishes for Budget 2008. The feedback exercise garnered a good response of more than 300 feedback inputs. This was a 15 percent increase from the previous year’s exercise.

2 The feedback inputs were received through various channels such as SMS, email and discussion forums on the REACH website as well as dialogue sessions.

3 At the top of Singaporeans’ wish list were bread and butter issues such as taxation, cost of living, help for specific groups of Singaporeans, and a higher budget for healthcare and education. There were also a substantial number of recommendations pertaining to environmental issues, signalling an increased awareness of such issues.

4 All feedback received has been submitted to the Ministry of Finance for consideration in this impending Budget.

Feedback channels opened for Budget 2008

5 Minister for Finance, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, will unveil the Budget this Friday, 15 February 2008. REACH wants to hear your views on whether the Budget has indeed addressed Singaporeans’ concerns.

6 Starting from 15 February 2008, REACH will be conducting a post-Budget feedback exercise. The exercise will last about two weeks, ending on 29 February 2008. Various channels will be made available for the public to give their feedback at their convenience including SMS and web chats. Singaporeans can SMS their views on the budget once the Finance Minister makes his speech on Friday 15 February 2008.  Details of the various feedback channels can be found in the Annex.

Reaching out to Singaporeans for their views on Budget 2008

7 For the first time, REACH will be going ‘live’ to engage Singaporeans on Budget 2008. On 19 February, the public can engage Dr Amy Khor, Chairman, REACH, and Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Vice-Chairman, REACH on 938LIVE’s Radio talk show ‘Talkback’ from 8.15 to 8.45am. We hope that the public will tune in to the talk show and share their views on Budget.

e-Townhall

8 On the same day as well, Singaporeans can participate in an e-Townhall meeting from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. The e-Townhall is a platform which allows Singaporeans to engage the Government on pertinent issues through real time webchats. Through this channel, REACH hopes to reach out and engage Singaporeans who prefer to engage via the internet and from the comfort of their offices or homes. Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, Minister of State for Finance and Transport will co-chair the webchat with Dr Amy Khor and Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman.  Members of the public who are keen to participate in the e-Townhall meeting can register with REACH.

Reaching out to Overseas Singaporeans

9 Following the positive response REACH received from Overseas Singaporeans on the National Day Rally last August, REACH will once again be reaching out to Overseas Singaporeans, by extending an invitation to them to participate in the e-Townhall meeting, or simply emailing their feedback to REACH.
 
10 Together with the other channels of feedback such as dialogue sessions and e-mails, REACH hopes to engage even more Singaporeans to give us their feedback on Budget 2008. Your feedback on the budget is invaluable as it will help the government in its implementation of the various policies and programmes as well as in refining these policies and programmes.  Members of the public can find out details of how to send in their SMS feedback through the media. This information will also be broadcast through Channel NewsAsia during the ‘live’ telecast of the Budget, and online banners at Omy.sg, STOMP, 938LIVE and e-Citizen websites, and the Overseas Singaporean Portal. More information on the e-Townhall session can be found on REACH’s website www.reach.gov.sg.

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ISSUED BY:  REACH