Why send households Budget 2020 booklets in this day and age?

I was completely baffled when I opened the mailbox on Thursday (June 4) and retrieved a Budget 2020 booklet.

I assume every household in Singapore would have received a similar copy. That means more than a million copies of this 32-page booklet have been printed.

I fail to comprehend why the Ministry of Finance would want to go to such an extent when the Government is eager to advocate and embrace digitalisation.  

Many public agencies such as the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore and the Land Transport Authority already use electronic letters and forms. Yet we continue to receive these Budget booklets in the form of nicely designed and colourful printed materials in the four official languages.

The money used for their production could have been better utilised to fight Covid-19, or to help businesses and individuals severely affected by the crisis.  

Moreover, it is ironic that booklets are widely distributed during a pandemic, while the Government’s message to the people is to minimise physical contact or interaction.

I understand the Government would like to remind Singaporeans of the Budget goodies that have been dished out and may believe that it can reach out to seniors who are not digitally savvy this way. 

But surely, in this day and age, there are many other ways to do so apart from an approach that is environmentally damaging and potentially a threat to public health.

Have views on this issue or a news topic you care about? Send your letter to voices [at] mediacorp.com.sg with your full name, address and phone number.