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April 2024

A “Super-Aged” Society: Defusing Singapore’s Demographic Time Bomb

  • Hannah Pang Jing Xuan
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted that nearly one in four Singaporeans will be a senior by 2030, making Singapore a “super-aged” society. Singapore is not just ageing, but doing so rapidly, posing various social and economic challenges for Singapore which need to be addressed by the government, in collaboration with various stakeholders.

This case study begins by examining the history of family planning policies in Singapore, including the “Stop at Two” campaign. Thereafter, it highlights how increased longevity and lowered fertility rates have caused this “demographic time bomb”. It proceeds to evaluate existing measures that have been introduced in Singapore, focusing on mitigation strategies that work preemptively, including increasing care workers, expanding the workforce and increasing the population. Lastly, it explores alternative solutions implemented in other countries, and initiated in Singapore. These include increasing the accessibility of child care, improving care work, utilising technology, promoting active ageing and combatting ageism.

Merit Prize 2023

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/247710
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April 2024

Byte-Sized Justice: Navigating the Impact of AI on Law Enforcement and Judicial Systems in India

  • Nidhi
    ,
    Anusha Shekar
     
    and
     
    Juan Paolo M. Artiaga
With over 1.3 billion people, India faces intricate challenges in addressing crime, exacerbated by a 23% police vacancy rate and evolving criminal methodologies, with cybercrimes surging by 24.4% in 2022. The backlog of over 50 million cases impedes justice delivery, leading to an overcrowded prison system. The case study explores how AI is reshaping law enforcement and judicial processes globally and in India. Despite potential, challenges to the use of AI in the justice delivery system abound. India lacks specific AI laws, posing concerns of transparency, preserving privacy, accountability and due process. The justice system's existing biases could also be perpetuated in AI decisions.  

This case study explores how AI is reshaping law enforcement and criminal justice procedures globally and in India, focusing on the multitude of its applications along with the challenges it poses to effective justice delivery in the country. The case study also elaborates on the challenges arising from the lack of a legal framework in India to regulate the use of AI by public entities. Finally, the case study also explores the internationally recognised framework which outlines the ethical principles to assess the use of AI in law enforcement and judicial systems. 

Distinguished Prize 2023

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/247707


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April 2024

Cooking or Cooked: The Future of Singapore’s Hawking Culture

  • Khor Jia Wei
     
    and
     
    Kenneth Tan Zhe Kai
Singapore prides itself on its world-renowned hawker culture. Yet, decades of culinary expertise are at risk of fading. 

This paper will first examine the two main problems faced by the hawker industry, namely, the diminishing profit margins and low replacement rates of hawkers in the industry. In doing so, the various factors that contribute to the narrow profit margins and low replacement rates will also be explored. Secondly, the case study will analyse the four main policy approaches that the Singapore government has implemented. The case will situate the policy approaches based on its purpose, stakeholder, and time horizon. Lastly, the case will evaluate and critique the efficacy of the policy in addressing the multifaceted nature of the problem. 

At its core, this paper serves as an example of how even a comprehensive suite of policies will not be able to effectively resolve a problem if the underlying issue of culture and people’s mindset are not changed. Perhaps, there is a limit in terms of public policy and more needs to be done to influence and shift the ingrained mindsets of citizens. Only then will there truly be a sustainable solution to the problem.

Distinguished Prize 2023

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/247708
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April 2024

Financing Hope: Persons Living with Rare Diseases in Singapore

  • Ng Qin Xiang
     
    and
     
    Clarence Ong
This case study focuses on the financial challenges and policy implications of treating rare diseases in Singapore, using the story of Devdan, a 22-month-old living with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). A promising novel treatment for SMA, Zolgensma®, is approved for use in Singapore but priced at S$2.9 million, which is out of reach for most. With few financing options, families often have to turn to community crowdfunding. Singapore’s Rare Disease Fund (RDF), established in 2019, whilst matching government contributions and public donations, offers limited coverage for patients and families. A comparative analysis with Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, and South Korea reveals different approaches to funding rare diseases.

These include government-supported reimbursements, specialized funds like Australia’s Life Saving Drugs Program (LSDP) and the UK’s Innovative Medicines Fund (IMF), and private insurance models in the US. Leveraging on existing infrastructure and biomedical expertise, Singapore could establish risk-sharing agreements with pharmaceutical companies and contemplate the creation of a rare disease investment fund, which blends private investment and government support. Devdan’s case led to a very successful crowdfunding campaign, highlighting the power of community support. However, it also underscores the need for more sustainable and inclusive solutions for rare diseases locally.

Distinguished Prize 2023

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/247709
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April 2024

The Impact of Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA): Akara Mining Dispute between the Thai Government and Kingsgate Consolidated Limited

  • Pattanun Arunpreechawat
    ,
    Muzi Li
     
    and
     
    Jinjuta Masook
This study aims to explore how Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) bring multiple benefits but also generate negative impacts on people and the environment. The mining dispute between an Australia-based mining company, Kingsgate Consolidated Limited, and the Thai government well encapsulates various dimensions of free trade agreements, particularly the imbalanced power dynamic between the foreign companies protected by FTAs and the local communities and the environment.

Through Thailand-Australia Free Trade Agreement (TAFTA), Kingsgate received a concession from the Thai government to mine gold in three provinces: Phichit, Phitsanulok, and Phetchabun. Although various stakeholders welcomed the economic boost and job creation, adverse effects on the local communities, ranging from relocations, job losses in agricultural sectors, and violations of the locals’ human rights to the contamination of the environment with poisonous substances, were inevitable. The government then suspended the mining operation, which later faced a lawsuit filed by Kingsgate through Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS), a privilege from TAFTA granting private parties the right to sue a nation. Although the legal proceedings with Kingsgate for the resumption of mining operations in 2023 are progressing, Thailand continues grappling with the persistent challenges of mitigating the negative externalities caused by TAFTA.

Merit Prize 2023

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/247711
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March 2024

Singapore's Renewable Future

  • Tara Thean Mei Feng

Singapore's energy transition reflected a strategic shift towards a more sustainable energy landscape that would contribute towards the country’s ambitious goal of achieving a net-zero carbon footprint by 2050. These efforts to move towards a low-carbon future were not without obstacles. Singapore’s small size and limited land availability presented considerable hurdles to large-scale renewable energy projects. Maintaining the delicate balance between economic growth and environmental preservation was an ever-present challenge for Singapore, and some renewable technologies that might make sense for the country’s geographic circumstances were, as yet, far from economically viable. Further, as a resource-poor city-state that had long been heavily dependent on imports, Singapore faced the complexity of managing energy security in addition to adhering to its clean energy goals. Policymakers had to negotiate and find equilibrium among economic considerations, technological advancements, and environmental impact to realise a successful energy transition for Singapore.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/247529

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February 2024

Policy implementation and street-level bureaucracy: Public employment services in the Philippines

  • John Emmanuel Villanueva

This case study explores how street-level bureaucracies like public employment services implement public policies within a developing country context. It focuses on public employment services in the Philippines, known as Public Employment Service Offices (PESOs). The case study zeroes in on the challenges that PESOs face, the use of discretion as a primary coping strategy and the impact on service delivery.

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/247212

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January 2024

Sustaining Sustainable Palm Oil – Sime Darby Plantation

  • Jean Chia

Palm oil was firmly entrenched as a major ingredient in the manufacturing of numerous food and consumer goods from margarine to shampoos and detergents. However the palm oil industry was also linked to deforestation, landing it in the crosshairs of green activists. One palm oil company, a Malaysian federal government-linked enterprise, Sime Darby Plantation (SDP), had been quietly making strides in incorporating environmental sustainability into its business. With about 580,000 ha of estates spread across Malaysia, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, SDP was the world’s largest palm oil company by planted area and the largest producer of certified sustainable palm oil. In a cut-throat industry with a poor environmental track record, how did SDP make the transition towards sustainability?

Link to PDF: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/handle/10635/246824

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