Can’t see any relevance that Singapore CAAS has to CASA. There is little Singapore GA apart from local flying school and WOA. All other aircraft are foreign registered on international AOCs, FAA, Chinese and European popular.
As for airlines, if Aussie airlines adopted CAAS flight and duty and FRMS then yes airlines would get a lot more out of pilots but I think unions would erm have a field day.
A trip to OSHKOSH is what is needed for him, go and see real GA.
Singapore is corporate, airline and military - GA tiny, but Wings over Asia do a good job.
In a sense Singapore is the ultimate corporate playground but for different reasons.
Seen the price of a service at Hawkers? Don’t think labor rates play into it.