"The poor and needy in our society struggle with “relative poverty” —simply defined as that their financial resources fall substantially below what is needed to pay for the necessities of living in Singapore."
-Source: mws.org.sg
Image source:
http://sgagainstpoverty.org/references/
Our group thinks that there are almost no poverty in Singapore. We do not see beggars on the roads nor do we see people being homeless as much as we see people driving luxurious cars or eating at high class restaurants. Well, this may not be a concrete evidence but it is true that our country had moved beyond "extreme poverty".
Prime Minister Lee pointed out that Singapore has moved beyond “extreme poverty”, which is defined by the United Nations as living with less than S$1.90 a day, according to Today.
-Source: yahoo!news 17/11/13
Singapore is financially rich but are all the people financially rich? Many are oblivious to the poverty in Singapore. Actually, begging is illegal here, under the island-nation's Destitute Persons Act, carrying a fine of up to $3,000 or imprisonment for up to two years for repeat offenders (source:http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/11/singapore-poverty-spotlight-20131178362669442.html). Do you remember the last time you saw some "aunties and uncles" selling tissues in the hawker centers? They might be one of those who suffered from poverty in Singapore.
We think that poverty in Singapore is a declining issue but we should still be aware that people that suffers from poverty still exists.
This photo depicts a man sleeping on a public bench. Is he homeless or is he spending the night on benches near their jobs to save the transport fare home?
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