- Joined
- Oct 11, 2009
- Messages
- 3,616
- Points
- 0
Nov 4, 2010
Growth at what cost?
Politicians air views on living cost, immigration and sense of belonging
By Cai Haoxiang & Andrea Ong
A YOUNG assistant professor recently left the National University of Singapore (NUS) for the private sector because he was not earning enough, said an NUS don.
'He is bright, with a PhD from Imperial College in England, but he needed a higher salary to pay for a $750,000 Housing Board (HDB) resale flat in Telok Blangah and support his three children,' said Associate Professor Paul Tambyah, recounting the departure of an ex-colleague in his medical faculty.
He cited the case yesterday when some speakers, including opposition politicians, at an NUS forum blamed the Government's economic policies for pushing up the cost of living in Singapore, which has in turn led to a sense of disenchantment among Singaporeans, they said.
Prof Tambyah, 45, asked if resale flats are affordable for Singaporeans who fall outside the income limit to apply to HDB to buy a subsidised flat.
He was among 150 students and faculty members attending the forum, organised by the NUS Students' Political Association.
The topic 'Economic growth: At what cost?' led two of the four speakers on the panel to lament the rising cost of living.
Growth at what cost?
Politicians air views on living cost, immigration and sense of belonging
By Cai Haoxiang & Andrea Ong

A YOUNG assistant professor recently left the National University of Singapore (NUS) for the private sector because he was not earning enough, said an NUS don.
'He is bright, with a PhD from Imperial College in England, but he needed a higher salary to pay for a $750,000 Housing Board (HDB) resale flat in Telok Blangah and support his three children,' said Associate Professor Paul Tambyah, recounting the departure of an ex-colleague in his medical faculty.
He cited the case yesterday when some speakers, including opposition politicians, at an NUS forum blamed the Government's economic policies for pushing up the cost of living in Singapore, which has in turn led to a sense of disenchantment among Singaporeans, they said.
Prof Tambyah, 45, asked if resale flats are affordable for Singaporeans who fall outside the income limit to apply to HDB to buy a subsidised flat.
He was among 150 students and faculty members attending the forum, organised by the NUS Students' Political Association.
The topic 'Economic growth: At what cost?' led two of the four speakers on the panel to lament the rising cost of living.