Important to catch people before they fall through Singapore's social safety net: Tan Chuan-Jin

By Qiuyi Tan, Channel NewsAsia, 5 Aug 2012

Acting Manpower Minister Tan Chuan-Jin said there are many assistance schemes in Singapore's social safety net, but it may be more important to catch people before they fall.

Mr Tan was speaking at an annual charity event of Darul Arqam, the Muslim Converts' Association of Singapore.

About 600 families received cash and supermarket vouchers for Ramadan.



Mr Tan said Singaporeans have shown a stronger sense of giving in recent years.

But a challenge is finding out who are the people in need, before problems arise.

Mr Tan said: "That's where, as a community, I'd suggest sometimes be a bit more 'kay poh' (nosy). When you talk to people, you actually find out a lot of things which we may not realise.

"Sometimes by talking to them, you realise they're struggling. Then you can step in to help, earlier."