Density
A bit thicker
With a 60% bigger population in 16 years, some services in Singapore get a bit more overcrowded. By Seah Chiang Nee.
May 26, 2007

THE fast pace of population expansion is beginning to show up in the daily lives of Singaporeans.

People are feeling the pinch of insufficient hospital beds and doctors, delayed buses and cramped trains, which runs counter to the city’s traditional image of efficiency.

Some public services are facing stresses in the wake of a 60% surge in the population in the past 16 years.

In 1990, there were only 2.7 million people living here; today there are 4.3 million,

one of the fastest rates of increase in the world.

This exerts pressures on space and manpower – resulting in shortages and over-crowdedness in some areas – and, of course, on cost structures.

Last year, the country – one of the most densely populated in the world – granted permanent residence to 58,200, and citizenship to 13,900, foreigners.

The crowds in the streets haven’t reached the frantic levels of that in Tokyo, Shanghai or Hong Kong – but given the ambition to push for a population to 6.5 million, it may not be too far away.

Another source could be the expected rise in the number of tourists from 9 million to 18 million after 2010, when two casino resorts start operation. The size of land, on the other hand, remains static.

A small-time businessman told me over lunch last week: “Almost every day, we read of public services being over-extended by higher demand. I think it’s an omen of things to come.”

His comment came after he had just gleaned the following news – all in one day – that reflected the impact of the expansion, and the government’s urgent efforts to cope with it:

* Hospitals. A serious shortage of beds led to a decision to build two more hospitals. This followed complaints about sick patients having to wait months before they got a specialist appointment or a bed.

* Public transport. More cases of late buses or overcrowded trains at peak periods. The bus company responded by setting up a website to inform passengers how long they would have to wait for their next bus.

* Energy. The government reported it was seeking alternative energy sources and amended the Gas Act to guarantee all players open access to the gas pipeline network here.

* Imported sand. A 300-foot barge arrived with 7,000 tonnes of sand from Cambodia, to replace banned imports from Indonesia.

A population two-thirds larger than today’s size, planned for 25 years’ time, would require a revamp of the state’s security needs, as well as to source for more daily necessities – like oil and gas, water and foodstuff – than currently imported.

For example, providing security for 6.5 million people, considered a medium-size global city by 2030, will be beyond what the police force can now provide.

Last week, Parliament passed a law that will allow the military to conduct civilian security operations.

Apart from the two new hospitals, the government also gave the green light to build a new 40km, 33-station Downtown Line by 2018 to cater for the rising population.

It is building more roads, underground storage caverns and more schools. In fact, almost every public service is coming under study.

The mega concerns are, of course, for the government to resolve; the ordinary folks are preoccupied with not losing out to the foreigners in jobs, a nice home and a good education.

Take healthcare, which was marked by a recent spate of public complaints about shortage in hospitals of beds and doctors.

The National University Hospital (NUH) is said to be “filled to the brim”.

A doctor said: “We have been told to hold off elective day surgeries, and every day we’re urged to discharge patients quickly if they are fit enough to go home.”

The largest, Singapore General Hospital, reports critical occupancy of up to 97%. Two other hospitals, Tan Tock Seng and Changi, are not much better.

One patient said he had to wait from 5pm to 3 am before being warded. “I was luckier. There were families of patients who had been waiting since 9am”, he said.

In these critical times, long waiting times are a common feature.

“I’ve tried visiting the hospital from 10am in the morning and by the time I’m home, it’s already 3am,” exclaimed another.

“The worst thing is when they tell hospital cases that they have run out of beds.”

These tales have come as a shock to Singaporeans who are used to reading media praises on their public healthcare as among the best in the world.

Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew once described Britain’s public healthcare as below Singapore’s standards.

Some shortages are happy problems.

Last week officials announced the projected creation of 450,000 jobs over the next five years; it says there are not enough Singaporeans to fill them, so more foreign workers are needed.

Among the jobs are for 54,000 engineers, technicians and research scientists.

Other worries are more fundamental.

Today’s population of 4.3 million is made up of about 2.5 million Singaporeans, one million permanent residents and 800,000 foreigners.

This could make original Singaporeans an endangered species in a future expanded Singapore in 2030. By then it will be one-third locals and the rest immigrants.

Some pre-university students, in a seminar last week, raised concerns about a national loss of common purpose with the ebb and flow of peoples.

A government official said a cultural mix would take two or three generations to take root. “I’m hopeful it will be like a gentle blending of two streams rather than the churning of murky water,” he said.

This was first published in The Star, Malaysia on May 26, 2007