‘Singapore is already showing signs of decline’: Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng sounds warning

On Singapore's 61st birthday, former Nominated Member of Parliament Calvin Cheng went against the norm and voiced his concerns about the country's decline. In a Facebook post, he stated that Singapore was already experiencing deterioration, and if the current trajectory continued, there was a real possibility that the nation could lose its meaningful independence.

This decline may not come from external threats but from internal issues like an aging population and a plummeting birth rate, which could lead to Singaporeans becoming "extinct." Cheng also highlighted the rising costs of living, which are largely beyond the control of Singaporeans due to the country's import economy.

Moreover, Cheng acknowledged that many young Singaporeans question whether the sacrifices they made to build families, businesses, and careers were worth it. He also pointed out that Singaporeans are becoming less hungry, more risk-averse, and more demanding of the government, while becoming less willing to accept difficult trade-offs required for good governance. These changes, Cheng claims, are worrying and could have a disproportionate impact on Singapore due to its small size.

Responding to his post, many Singaporeans agreed with Cheng's assessment, describing it as "honest" and "sad but true." However, some defended Singapore, arguing that the warning was necessary but that resilience and tenacity would prevail. Others urged a more positive outlook, emphasizing the importance of acknowledging challenges and developing realistic plans for the future.