MPs call for emphasis on the
non-material
Straits Times
Mar 21, 1998
HIGHER standard of living does not always mean a better
quality of life, said two MPs who urged Singaporeans to pay more attention
to non-material things.
Dr Toh See Kiat (Aljunied GRC) said: "It is commonly acknowledged that there is too much stress in Singapore.
"The quality of life in Singapore is not as it should be. We are too strung up, much too serious-minded."
People should not just work hard but play hard, he urged.
And they should not forget about their health and having fun with their families.
Sports should be promoted, he said, both for leisure and at a professional level.
There should be more places here for inexpensive fun, said the MP, who also asked for more parks, where families could play together.
Places like Pulau Ubin should be left untouched, to remind younger Singaporeans of what life used to be like, he said.
Dr Teo Ho Pin (Sembawang GRC) said an improvement in the standard of living did not mean that the quality of life improved at the same time.
Are people happier? Are their relationships as satisfying? Are their neighbourhoods as pleasant?
And do they have a support network of family and friends?
To help track all these, he wants a Quality of Life index to be established.
"Economic indicators are used to track the performance of the economy.
"We also need Quality of Life indicators to monitor the fulfilment of Singaporeans' needs and aspirations in life," he said.
Community Development Minister Abdullah Tarmugi said that the definition of quality of life varied from person to person.
The MCD, he said, was conducting a survey on the state of family in Singapore, and he hoped that this would produce some important social indicators.
As for providing more recreational outlets, he said that there were many outlets already.
"The problem is, it is up to Singaporeans themselves to take up these opportunities," he said.