Anticipating PM Wong’s First Major Cabinet Reshuffle: A Pivotal Moment for Singapore’s 4G Leadership
Anticipating PM Wong’s First Major Cabinet Reshuffle: A Pivotal Moment for Singapore’s 4G Leadership

As Singapore enters a new phase of political leadership under Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, all eyes are on the anticipated Cabinet reshuffle that follows the General Election (GE). This reshuffle, long hinted at by PM Wong, will mark his first major recalibration of the nation’s leadership team and could significantly shape Singapore’s policy direction and […]

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16th IPS-Nathan Lecture Series: Lecture II “Transforming Singapore’s Economy Through Research and Development” by Mr Philip Yeo
16th IPS-Nathan Lecture Series: Lecture II “Transforming Singapore’s Economy Through Research and Development” by Mr Philip Yeo

Mr Philip Yeo, 16th S R Nathan Fellow for the Study of Singapore, delivered his second of three lectures as part of his lecture series, titled “Neither Civil Nor Servant: Singapore’s Disruptive Economic Playbook”. Held on 27 March 2025, the lecture delved into how Singapore’s transformation from a “nation of technicians” to a centre for […]

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Commentary: The AI-fuelled child exploitation crisis is global – so must be our response
Commentary: The AI-fuelled child exploitation crisis is global – so must be our response

SINGAPORE: Child sexual exploitation is one of the most universally reviled crimes in society. While governments are implementing regulations to stem this abuse, the problem is a transnational one. A recent regional cross-border operation which led to over 400 arrests – including 21 men in Singapore – laid bare this disturbing reality. This is not […]

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Commentary: In GE2025, the political voice of Singaporeans under 45 was louder and clearer
Governance of a City-State
Commentary: In GE2025, the political voice of Singaporeans under 45 was louder and clearer

SINGAPORE: This year, Singapore’s General Election (GE2025) stood out from previous editions in a few meaningful ways: We saw independent candidates obtaining higher vote shares than some political parties with more history and arguably more resources, an influx of podcasts introducing candidates from different parties, and active social media engagement by the political parties, candidates […]

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Thinking twice about having kids even if money isn’t an issue?
Governance of a City-State
Thinking twice about having kids even if money isn’t an issue?

A recent article by psychologist Amy Lim suggests that if you’re in pursuit of social status, then you are more inclined to put off having children. But is that really the case for you? And if it is, are there better reasons to not have children, or alternatively, to change your mind about not having […]

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The First S R Nathan Fellowship Young Leaders Seminar — Shaping Singapore’s Climate Future: Achieving NDCs with the Use of Carbon Markets
Governance of a City-State
The First S R Nathan Fellowship Young Leaders Seminar — Shaping Singapore’s Climate Future: Achieving NDCs with the Use of Carbon Markets

Inaugural S R Nathan Fellowship Young Leaders Seminar At the inaugural S R Nathan Fellowship Young Leaders Seminar held on 24 February 2025, Ms Melissa Low, Research Fellow at the NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, delivered a keynote speech titled “Shaping Singapore’s Climate Future: Achieving NDCs with the Use of Carbon Markets”. The address […]

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16th IPS-Nathan Lecture Series: Lecture I “Charting Singapore’s Economic Transformation” by Mr Philip Yeo
16th IPS-Nathan Lecture Series: Lecture I “Charting Singapore’s Economic Transformation” by Mr Philip Yeo

Mr Philip Yeo, whose name is practically a synonym for the Economic Development Board that he led for decades, delivered his first lecture in this series on March 6, 2025. “Charting Singapore’s Economic Transformation” is the title of the first of three lectures by Mr Yeo, whose curriculum vitae also included the chairmanship of the […]

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Commentary: Will new electoral boundaries affect voting patterns in GE2025?
Governance of a City-State
Commentary: Will new electoral boundaries affect voting patterns in GE2025?

SINGAPORE: The die has been cast. We now know what the electoral boundaries will look like for Singapore’s upcoming General Election, which has to be held by the end of November. The report released on Tuesday (Mar 11) surprised many, with the redrawing of boundaries more extensive than expected. The Electoral Boundaries Review Committee (EBRC) […]

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Forum: Singapore’s foreign policy based on realism
Governance of a City-State
Forum: Singapore’s foreign policy based on realism

My friend Bilahari Kausikan is a brilliant man and one of Singapore’s public intellectuals.  I respect his views even when they are provocative and revisionist.  I would, however, like to challenge some of the views in his Opinion piece “Facing up to the realities of Trump 2.0” (March 3). According to Mr Kausikan, the concept […]

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Commentary: Budget 2025 and the appeal of CDC vouchers over cash handouts
Governance of a City-State|Inequality and Social Mobility
Commentary: Budget 2025 and the appeal of CDC vouchers over cash handouts

With each Singaporean household receiving S$800 (US$600) in Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers – an increase from S$600 last year but without accompanying cash payments – Budget 2025 suggests a stronger government preference for this mode of social support. The SG60 vouchers, offering S$600 for Singaporeans aged 21 to 59 and S$800 for seniors aged […]

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Commentary: The problem with social media is bigger than who gets access

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IPS Commons was launched in 2012. It is a platform to promote and showcase rational discussion of public policy ideas in Singapore, so as to expand the intellectual space and increase the quality of public engagement on national issues. IPS Commons is managed by the Institute of Policy Studies (IPS), an autonomous think-tank at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.

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