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More malls add up to a zero-sum game

The perspective on “Why S’pore needs Project Jewel (and more malls)” (April 23) should be re-examined. Tourism and consumerism do generate money for Singapore, and if we were a corporation, then more malls would indeed mean more growth.

The perspective on “Why S’pore needs Project Jewel (and more malls)” (April 23) should be re-examined. Tourism and consumerism do generate money for Singapore, and if we were a corporation, then more malls would indeed mean more growth.

However, we are a nation and although many treat this country like Singapore Inc, such a numbers game would have a negative impact on us.

Firstly, we are facing a labour crunch in the retail and food and beverage sectors. With Singaporeans becoming more educated and affluent, many have shunned this line of work, known for its long hours and low pay.

Businesses have relied on foreigners to fill the gap, but it is widening and will continue to widen if the writer’s suggestion is adopted rapidly. Retail and F&B sectors are still labour-intensive industries where automation cannot easily be applied.

Businesses would be fighting even more for precious headcount, leading to inflated wages. The ones to suffer would be sole proprietors and small businesses.

Multinational corporations and big competitors would have the funds and synergy to pay well and offer better benefits, but small businesses would face a more daunting task in trying to recruit or retain employees.

Levies would continue to rise as the Government tries to contain the over-reliance on foreign workers. This would contribute to higher labour costs, which are then passed on to consumers. In time, it would be an upward trend.

Secondly, with a land area of 716 sq km, Singapore’s land use must be planned carefully. We are not China nor Australia, but a little red dot.

A country with such limited space must consider residential needs, essential services such as hospitals and schools, as well as open spaces such as parks and nature trails, which contribute intrinsically to citizens’ well-being. I would exchange some malls for public hospitals.

Also, we are losing our identity as a nation due to rapid development. Who would we be if we trade our heritage sites, old neighbourhoods and memories for homogeneous malls with the same brands and F&B outlets?

There is also the issue of rising rentals, which would force small businesses to relocate, or worse, close for good. I agree that Singapore should continue to grow, but more is at stake than only chasing numbers.

More malls, restaurants and shops would mean bringing in more people and more spending, but resulting also in higher rentals, labour and food costs, as well as a lower quality of life and decreasing sense of identity, adding up to a zero-sum game.

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