23
October
2018
|
21:05
Asia/Singapore

Seen and heard this week

 

Seen and heard this week is a weekly column highlighting thought leadership from the NUS community

 

In an opinion piecepublished in The Straits Times on 17 October, Lim Chong Yah Professor Julian Wright, Head of NUS Economics and NUS Economics lecturer Dr Timothy Wong offered suggestions on how the ride-hailing market in Singapore can be improved. The duo shared that Singapore has sound ride-hailing regulations to govern the growing market, but further steps can be taken such as facilitating riders’ access to multiple ride-hailing operations, also known as multihoming; and easing the standards imposed on traditional taxi companies while ensuring that ride-hailing operators are licensed to abide by regulations. With these collective measures in place, the sector can sustain effective competition for the benefit of consumers in Singapore.

In another opinion piece published in The Straits Times on 20 October, Professor C Raja Mohan, Director of the NUS Institute of South Asian Studies discussed several initiatives undertaken under the leadership of Japanese Prime Minister, Mr Shinzo Abe and how they contribute to rebalancing Asia. Prof Mohan commended Mr Abe for gaining the support of his citizens to expand Japan’s regional military role and establish more proactive diplomacy in the Indo-Pacific region, and viewed his efforts as critical at a time of great uncertainty.

Associate Professor of Sociology and Public Policy Anju Mary Paul at Yale-NUS College wrote about how foreign domestic workers should be fairly treated and respected as equal individuals in a Channel NewsAsia commentary published on 21 October. Citing examples of insensitive advertising by local employment agencies, incidents of abuse and display of distrust, Assoc Prof Paul said that foreign domestic workers are often treated as commodities, robots and children, as well as being seen as untrustworthy. She emphasised that foreign domestic workers are fellow human beings who deserve equal courtesy and respect, and should be treated as responsible adults who are willing to perform tasks that few Singaporeans may want to do.

Read more about the NUS community in the news.