BY RACHEL CHAN

SINGAPOREANS are bracing themselves for tougher times ahead, but most trust the Government to help the nation weather the storm.

This is part of the results of a survey conducted by Singapore Press Holdings' (SPH) Research, Analysis and Planning Department.

The inaugural SPH Web-Panel Poll saw 69 per cent of 487 respondents expressing full trust in the Government's ability to tackle the financial crisis and protect Singaporeans' interests.

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Echoing this sentiment are youth worker Shawn Wong, 30, and student-learning centre manager Joyce Lee, 29. Both say the Government's reliability is evident from its track record.

'The Government has been spending prudently over the years, proving that we can tide over any downturn. We sailed through 2001, so this time shouldn't be any different,' said Mr Wong, who earns about $3,000 a month.

While 81 per cent of respondents say that times will be more difficult, they remain upbeat.

About 75 per cent of those polled are confident that Singapore will ride out the storm within three years, with more than half of these expecting the financial crisis to blow over in one to two years.

Ms Lee, for example, said she has suffered paper losses from her property and share investments, but won't be tightening her belt as 'Singapore is not as badly affected as the United States'.

She added: 'The Government is responsive and taking necessary actions to rectify matters immediately. This can be seen, for example, in the Government's treatment of the minibonds investors.'

The SPH Web-Panel Poll was conducted between Oct 23 and 27.

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