Singapore Ethnic Integration Policy
Singapore has an ethnic integration policy (EIP) in place for several decades. It aims to promote the integration of the main ethnic groups and avoid the formation of conclaves of the minority groups.

A lawmaker raised this policy in the social media and pointed out that it had the unintended consequence of disadvantaging the minority owner of a HDB flat. The owner is not able to get a good price for the sale of the flat due to this policy.

https://www.facebook.com/93889432933/posts/10158387221892934/

However, this lawmaker overlooked the fact that the buyer of the HDB flat has to come from the same minority group. The buyer benefits by paying a lower price for the flat. This makes the flat more affordable to the buyer.

The EIP policy has its benefits and disadvantages. 

Should this policy be scrapped? Should it be modified?

I suggest a modified approach. 

In each block of flat, a certain percentage can be set aside for the minority group. It can be offered at a small discount.

The buyer from the minority group can have the choice of buying a normal price flat, that comes with no EIP restriction or buying the discounted flat (which have to be sold to a buyer from the minority group). 

This approach might achieve the goal of social integration and be accepted as "fairer".

Tan Kin Lian

Vote - do you agree with my modified approach?
 

Add Comment

---