As an ordinary Singaporean, my views and thoughts on the Budget:
1) Rebates have to be passed on,
For both Taxi operators as well as landlords. They will be receiving rebates from the government this year, the speech mentioned that these rebates will in turn be passed on to the taxi drivers as well as tenants.
Question is will they do so or to what extent? Its good to know that Comfort is doing so...
I personally felt that it would be better for the government to pass the rebates straight to them whereby they can then pass it on to the consumers, that is people like us who had got retrench, pay cut, no bonuses or force to take unpaid leave.
And I have no idea how rental rebates can be done if let's say I had signed an agreement in 2008 or 2007 for 3 years. That is to say I will have to pay that amount stated in the contract for 3 years. Hence even if the rebates had been passed on to the landlords, as tenants I don’t get to benefit from it.
2) HDB,
The increase in grant and income ceiling offers little or no help to home-seekers.
By increasing income ceiling, we could be encouraging people to purchase flats that they cannot afford. It would be better to review the cost of HDB flats.
3) GST credits,
It would be better to either reduce our current GST back to 5% for everything or for necessities.
This is particularly true for the squeezed middle income with an average of 4 people per household.
With probably 2 parents working and bigger flats, they are entitled to lesser GST credits. But that doesn’t means that their expenses are any lower.
Let's look at Eg: Point F.15
Such family will receive about $2200 in 2009 that is about $180/ month.
If a pay cut had taken place say about 5% of the higher income of the two that is 5% of $4500 = $225, $180 may not be sufficient and worse still if the 5% pay cut applies to the spouse too.
4) More can be done for PA,
The definition for most vulnerable has to be flexible that is case by case, in order for the assistance to be beneficial.
Make application for PA accessible especially if these are for people who are unable to work due to old age or illness. Currently there are only 5 places one can go to.
I think the increase is reasonable…given the fact that inflation stands at about 6%, $30 of $330 is about 9%.
5) Healthcare,
More details for F.22 please? Like how to make it affordable? Through the use of case-mix?
6) Jobs Credit,
I welcome the move as it decreases expenses for companies.
As per the budget, employer will receive 12% of the first $2500 of the wages of each employee who is on CPF payroll.
My question is what about those earning below $2500? Low income earners? Do we need to take a look at how we can make both WBS and WIS better so as to help the lower income during times as such?
If this applies to only $2500 and above , companies may have the tendency to employ foreigners whom they can pay lower and do without CPF. This group of people may eventually be phased out.
Eventually Jobs Credit may not necessarily save jobs, Chartered Semiconductor is cutting 600 jobs worldwide, unfortunately 540 of them will be in Singapore.
And lastly,
7) TV License,
Something is really wrong with our TV license. I cannot understand why we are paying $110? Could this be reduced?
Friday, 30 January 2009
Sunday, 25 January 2009
Prosperous New Year !
'Wishing everyone sparkling happiness, good fortune and great health, in the new year.... Let's charge with the OX!!!!'
Saturday, 24 January 2009
Mas Selamat VS WKS
Got the article below from:http://www.asiaone.com/News/the%2BStraits%2BTimes/Story/A1Story20090116-114996.html
ALMOST a year after he escaped from custody, where is terror fugitive Mas Selamat Kastari?
Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng narrowed it to either of two scenarios: one, he is in Singapore and hidden by sympathisers unknown to the authorities, or, two, he has fled the country.
Asked which was the more likely, Mr Wong told The Straits Times: 'It's very hard to say. Both scenarios are plausible. Maybe the second one is more plausible.'
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Superb answer from our Minister.
If its me I would have answered... '2 scenarios; one he is alive or two he is dead...' Which sounds errr stupid? No wonder I'm not paid a million :)
Thursday, 22 January 2009
What we can learn from the Japanese
After my trip from Tokyo, I have only praises for their social upbringing in the following areas which I thought we are still not 'first-world' as compared to them....
1) Clean toilets,
The public toilets are remarkably clean, at least 85% of them. As compared to Singapore, we are a far cry from them. When I say clean, it means; the floor is dry, no stench, there is always toilet paper in every cubicle and all flush are automatic. In some places, you don't even have to lift a finger except to open the door to the cubicle, to finish your business. The cover to the toilet bowl will be lifted once you enter the cubicle. Next, the paper seat cover will automatically change too. After you are done, you only need to flash your palm over the sensor to get the toilet flush.
2) Clean streets,
Its so difficult to find dustbins along the streets and yet the streets are sparkling clean! I seriously have no idea where they throw their rubbish. I was so tempted to leave a plastic bottle on the benches but could not find the heart to dirty the place. The most amazing thing is, with literally no dustbins and clean streets, one can hardly find sweepers too! Even wet markets have clean floor too...
Of course they have got dustbins but its either in the toilets or train station. All rubbish bins in train stations are recycling bins :) good work!
The picture below was taken on New Year's Eve, biggest festive celebrations in Tokyo. This is the road leading to a temple. Look at how clean the place is... in Singapore, the streets leading to our temples during big festive season is normally filled with litter.
3) Queues,
The Japanese queue for almost everything. When I was in 'Disney Land', there were just so many things to take pictures with, but I will need to queue for it. And there is this one thing that we ought to learn from them that is to queue to get into the train.
4) Smokers,
Yes, Japanese smokers are very considerate. They are not allowed to smoke almost every where. There are designated areas along the streets for smokers. Hence, once in a while one can see at least 4 people smoking in a corner along the streets. You cannot find anyone that walk and smoke at the same time. If you see one, that's a foreigner :)
5) Trains,
Awesome manners! There are markings on the platform indicating the cabin no and the type of seats. Type of seats such as 'Priority seats for elderly, disabled individuals, pregnant women and young children' or cabins with warm heater or cooler. Commuters will then pick the cabin that they would like to be in and queue for their turn.
Once inside the train, usage of handphones is discouraged because you are disturbing others. In fact in the cabin for 'Priority seats', its forbidden. If a phone is to ring, the owner will feel so sorry about it. Food and drinks are allowed in the train.
Certain train lines in Japan even have got cabin just for women :) That is from the first train to 9.30am during weekdays, cabins with pink notices are meant for only women commuters. This is to protect the modesty of the weaker sex.
1) Clean toilets,
The public toilets are remarkably clean, at least 85% of them. As compared to Singapore, we are a far cry from them. When I say clean, it means; the floor is dry, no stench, there is always toilet paper in every cubicle and all flush are automatic. In some places, you don't even have to lift a finger except to open the door to the cubicle, to finish your business. The cover to the toilet bowl will be lifted once you enter the cubicle. Next, the paper seat cover will automatically change too. After you are done, you only need to flash your palm over the sensor to get the toilet flush.
2) Clean streets,
Its so difficult to find dustbins along the streets and yet the streets are sparkling clean! I seriously have no idea where they throw their rubbish. I was so tempted to leave a plastic bottle on the benches but could not find the heart to dirty the place. The most amazing thing is, with literally no dustbins and clean streets, one can hardly find sweepers too! Even wet markets have clean floor too...
Of course they have got dustbins but its either in the toilets or train station. All rubbish bins in train stations are recycling bins :) good work!
The picture below was taken on New Year's Eve, biggest festive celebrations in Tokyo. This is the road leading to a temple. Look at how clean the place is... in Singapore, the streets leading to our temples during big festive season is normally filled with litter.
3) Queues,
The Japanese queue for almost everything. When I was in 'Disney Land', there were just so many things to take pictures with, but I will need to queue for it. And there is this one thing that we ought to learn from them that is to queue to get into the train.
4) Smokers,
Yes, Japanese smokers are very considerate. They are not allowed to smoke almost every where. There are designated areas along the streets for smokers. Hence, once in a while one can see at least 4 people smoking in a corner along the streets. You cannot find anyone that walk and smoke at the same time. If you see one, that's a foreigner :)
5) Trains,
Awesome manners! There are markings on the platform indicating the cabin no and the type of seats. Type of seats such as 'Priority seats for elderly, disabled individuals, pregnant women and young children' or cabins with warm heater or cooler. Commuters will then pick the cabin that they would like to be in and queue for their turn.
Once inside the train, usage of handphones is discouraged because you are disturbing others. In fact in the cabin for 'Priority seats', its forbidden. If a phone is to ring, the owner will feel so sorry about it. Food and drinks are allowed in the train.
Certain train lines in Japan even have got cabin just for women :) That is from the first train to 9.30am during weekdays, cabins with pink notices are meant for only women commuters. This is to protect the modesty of the weaker sex.
Wednesday, 21 January 2009
44th President of the United States of America
With humble beginnings, he rose to become the President of the United States of America. Obama gave the most ordinary person the courage to dream and believe.
Watch the inauguration of the World's Biggest Job :) here:
Watch the inauguration of the World's Biggest Job :) here:
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