Issue 1: Citizenship and Governance

Question 1

Define: Legal status

Answer 1

Citizenship attained by descent, country of birth or marriage giving individuals rights and responsibilities

Question 2

Rights due to Legal status (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 2

Def: Liberties that citizens have that are protected by the law set in the constitution

1. No discrimination against the grounds of religion, race, descent or place of birth
2. Rights to education

Question 3

Responsibilities due to Legal status (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 3

Def: Obey the laws of the land and not discriminate

1. All male citizens and PRs required to serve 2 years of NS
2. Participate in meaningful causes which contribute to progress, prosperity and harmony (like Charity and voting)

Question 4

Citizenship is shaped by our sense of identity (Def + 4 egs)

Answer 4

Def: Shared beliefs and a common way of life

1. Common practices like singing the National Anthem and pledge
2. Use of Singlish
3. Recognition of Singapore as a ‘food haven’
4. Status as a multi-racial cosmopolitan society

Question 5

Citizenship is shaped by participation in public affairs (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 5

Def: Taking part in issues of general concern and contribute to the good of society

1. Mr Jeremy Chua, set up an informal Facebook group called SG Haze rescue to get people to donate excess masks to other Singaporeans in need
2. Giving feedback to the government and voting

Question 6

The challenge of differing needs and interests (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 6

Def: Decisions on how limited resources should be used given the different needs of various groups of people

1. Those without cars need an efficient public transport system while those with cars will need a efficient road network instead
2. Parents, teachers and students have different needs in regards to education

Question 7

The challenge of differing priorities (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 7

Def: Citizens disagreeing on which areas the government should prioritise

1. Different priorities like public housing, public transport and a clean environment
2. Parents prioritise better education while the elderly prioritise better healthcare

Question 8

The challenge of unequal sharing of costs (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 8

Def: Some individuals or groups bear greater costs than others when a decision is made

1. Not In MY Backyard syndrome - when Singaporeans want new infrastructure but are not willing to bear the costs of it
2. Building of expressways will upset those living close to it who have to bear the noise

Question 9

Understanding trade offs (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 9

Def: An exchange which involves the decision between 2 or more things that cannot be obtained at the same time due to limited resources

1. Acquiring of land previously used for commercial and residential purposes to build the Thompson-east coast line to serve 500 000 commuters
2. Cross Country Line development will mean the loss of part of the Central Catchment Nature Reserve

Question 10

The role of the Legislature (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 10

Def: Parliament sessions to discuss important national issues and make laws (Consists of the president and parliament)

1. The government is only authorised to withdraw monies after the bill is approved by the president
2. The committee of supply will sit for 7 days to discuss the estimates of the financial expenditure for the upcoming year

Question 11

The role of the Executive (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 11

Def: Responsible for all government policies and day to day administration of affairs of the state (Consists of prime minster and the cabinet)

1. Ministries of education, health and transport
2. Responsible for formulating and implementing government Policies

Question 12

The role of the Judiciary (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 12

Def: Interpret laws made by the Legislature and applies them (Consists of the Supreme court, State court and Family Justice courts)

1. State Court handles civil lawsuits and disputes
2. Family Justice Courts handles family-related appeals and proceedings

Question 13

Good leadership in governance (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 13

Def: Leaders who are honest and capable and posses the moral courage to be able to make the right decisions regardless of popularity

1. Make decisions for the good of the country rather than personal interests, not susceptible to corruption
2. Lee Kuan Yew built Changi Airport despite opposition and it went on to become one of the best airports in the world

Question 14

Anticipating change and staying relevant in governance (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 14

Def: Being forward looking and making decisions that will benefit in the future

1. Construction of Integrated resorts in Sentosa and Marina Bay for economic benefits in the long run from an increasingly competitive tourism landscape
2. Anticipated Social costs by setting up the National Council of problem gambling

Question 15

Providing a stake for everyone in governance (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 15

Def: Citizens have a say in decision making and the ability to give feedback to develop a sense of belonging and ownership

1. Our Singapore Conversation, a national level platform for Singaporeans to share their hopes for the future and enable the government to adjust their policies accordingly
2. Public Housing Scheme enables Singaporeans to have a physical stake in the country through home ownership

Question 16

Practicing meritocracy in governance (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 16

Def: A system which distributes equal opportunities to enable future successes

1. Edusave Scholarship and Merit Bursary rewards the top 10% and 25% of school students accordingly
2. Edusave Eagles Award given to students who demonstrate leadership qualities and achieved excellence in non-academic areas

Question 17

Role of the government in maintaining security (2 def + 4 egs)

Answer 17

(Internal order)
Def: Agencies protecting citizens, property and whatever society thinks should be protected
1. Agencies such as the Police, Prisons and Civil defence forces protect the civilians by maintaining law and order
2. Swift action taken by the Singapore Police Force during the Little India riot, dispersing the crowd and arresting suspected rioters
(External security)
Def: Collaboration between agencies to strengthen Singapore’s defence and deter potential enemies from attacking
1. Republic of Singapore Navy deploy ships to defend Singapore’s maritime trade from piracy
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintain good diplomatic relations with other countries to make allies and avoid enemies

Question 18

Role of the government in providing goods and services (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 18

Def: Donate resources to improve well-being of citizens by providing or subsidising goods and services

1. Medical subsidies through policies like Medishield and Medifund to make healthcare accessible to the needy
2. The MRT network will be extended to 360km by 2030 so that many will live within a 10-minute walk to a MRT station

Question 19

Role of the government in safeguarding the interest of citizens (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 19

Def: Implementing legislations that safeguard the interests of citizens to ensure a sense of security

1. WorkRight initiative create awareness of employment rights and better ensure retirement security
2. CPF Life, a lifelong monthly pay-out scheme for the retired to better prepare Singaporeans for retirement.

Question 20

Role of the government in ensuring justice (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 20

Def: Judiciary interpreting and applying laws passed by the Legislature
1. The Family Justice Court provides guidelines on what is defined as family violence and who can apply for personal protection orders

2. If a PPO is granted, the court can take action by preventing or restricting entry of a person to the applicant’s house

Question 21

Role of Organised Formal Groups in working for the good of Society (Def + eg)

Answer 21

Def: Organisations with clear objectives and formally registered with the government to contribute in areas they are passionate about and when there is a gap in an area of need
1. SPCA works on protecting animal welfare by providing shelter, rescue and adoption services

Question 22

Role of Organised Informal Groups in working for the good of Society (Def + eg)

Answer 22

Def: Temporary organisations, that may not be registered, with a specific short term objective related to issues that arise suddenly and contribute in areas they are passionate about and when there is a gap in an area of need
1. Mr Jeremy Chua, set up an informal Facebook group called SG Haze rescue to get people to donate excess masks to other Singaporeans in need

Question 23

Role of Individuals in working for the good of Society (Def + eg)

Answer 23

Def: Volunteering time, effort and money towards meaningful social causes and contribute in areas they are passionate about and when there is a gap in an area of need
1. Ms Elisa Ng’s ‘A Litter at a Time’ programme which aims to encourage individuals to pick up a piece of litter a day in working towards a clean and green Singapore

Question 24

Role of Organised Groups in influencing government decisions (Def + eg)

Answer 24

Def: Efforts by NGOs helping to refine government policy and areas which need more attention
1. Humanitarian Organisation for Migration Economics (HOME) and Transient Workers Count Too (TWC2) recommended that domestic workers be given a day off per week which was eventually implemented by the government

Question 25

Role of Individuals in influencing government decisions (Def + eg)

Answer 25

Def: Giving feedback and suggestions to influence decisions made and highlight gaps which the government may have overlooked for necessary improvements to be made
1. Our Singapore Conversation, a national level platform for Singaporeans to share their hopes for the future and enable the government to adjust their policies accordingly

Question 26

Role of Individuals in strengthening sense of belonging (Def + 2 egs)

Answer 26

Def: Participating in the sharing and discussion of views related to Singapore’s future to develop a stronger sense of attachment

1. Platforms such as REACH allows individuals to articulate their viewpoints on existing government policies
2. Singaporeans can engage with ministers via social media platforms like Twitter to directly express their views