Top image: Nicholas Chang / RICE Media
If you read the news today, there is nothing but vouchers, vouchers, vouchers. $800 CDC vouchers for everyone. Experts weighing in on vouchers and elections. Five unique ways to spend your vouchers. Regardless of race, religion and voucher size.
I believe they’re building a nuclear power plant in Yishun, but who cares? Give me a voucher and I will deliver the refined uranium on my e-scooter.
It also got us thinking: what other policy challenges can be overcome through the judicious use of vouchers? Here are some ideas from our policy research team.
The ‘Airism Upgrade’ Package
$700 Fashion / Clothing Voucher for all Singaporean males aged 21 and above
Collective wardrobe infrastructure upgrade for all Singaporean males of adult age. Can be spent at any clothing store except Uniqlo.
The ‘SAF Late Book Out’ Voucher
$200 Grab / Tada / Gojek / Zig voucher code
For when you book out three hours late because your RSM keeps insisting “the stores not settle”.
The ‘Strong Zero’ Rebate
$100 worth of 7-Eleven vouchers
Stimulus package for struggling nightlife, hotpot and Mookata operators. Should be used for pre-gaming with Tiger Beer, but we know you’ll use them for canned shōchū highballs.
The ‘MRT Apology’ Voucher
$500-$15,000 in Skillsfuture Credit
Compensation for the loss of economic productivity caused by MRT breakdowns and signal faults.
The ‘DINK Deceleration’ Scheme
-$1,000 from CPF Account (yearly)
Seizure of funds from married Singaporeans who skip parenthood—refunded upon receipt of their newborn’s birth certificate.
The ‘ERP Amnesty’ Voucher
$150 Cashcard credit
For when you pay the ERP toll but you’re still going to be late for work anyway.
The National Curry Sauce Top-up
$10 cash voucher per household
To defray the additional 50-cent charge for extra McDonald’s curry sauce.
The General Election Hardship Bonus
$600 for all MOE officers and their families
Apologies to all MOE teachers who will spend election day serving as saikang warriors.
The ‘PSLE Trauma’ Medisave Mental Health Top-Up
$400 disbursed to Medisave account
To offset the cost of therapy expenses incurred by the Singaporean education system. Not available for RI, Hwa Chong or ACS students.
The Millennial Midlife Crisis Support Scheme
Free Strava premium for every eligible household
Supporting Singaporean families who face cost-of-living challenges due to excessive rock climbing, half-marathon or Hyrox participation.
