[Bigiron]

The article's arguments, while presented as strong rebuttals to Pritam Singh's claims, contain several weaknesses. These weaknesses stem from the article's presentation of PM Wong's responses and the lack of counter-arguments to his claims.
 
Here are some of the key weaknesses:
 
Overreliance on Global Factors: While global factors undoubtedly play a role in inflation, the article overly emphasizes them to downplay the impact of the GST hike. This conveniently deflects responsibility for the government's role in contributing to the cost of living pressures. It ignores the fact that a domestic policy like the GST hike can exacerbate existing global inflation pressures.
 
Ignoring Long-term Implications of GST: The article claims the GST hike's impact on inflation will be "temporary". However, it fails to acknowledge the potential long-term consequences. A permanent GST increase, even with temporary relief measures, can lead to a gradual erosion of purchasing power for lower-income households, affecting their long-term economic well-being.
 
Dismissive Tone Towards Concerns: PM Wong's retort about "hyperbole" and "election rallies" diminishes the legitimacy of concerns expressed by Pritam Singh. This dismissive tone creates the impression that the government is not truly listening to the public's concerns and is more focused on political strategy than on genuine solutions.
 
Vague Promise of "Higher Real Incomes": The article presents "higher real incomes" as the ultimate solution, but it lacks concrete details on how the government plans to achieve this. This vague promise leaves Singaporeans unsure about how their incomes will be improved and if they can realistically expect meaningful change.
 
Limited Focus on Social Safety Nets: The article emphasizes the strengthening of social support systems but doesn't clearly outline the specifics of these systems or how they will directly alleviate the burden of the GST hike on vulnerable groups. This leaves the impression that the government is more focused on generic improvements to social support rather than targeted action to counter the regressive nature of GST.
 
Lack of Counter-Arguments: The article primarily focuses on PM Wong's statements and doesn't present counter-arguments to his claims. This leaves the reader with an incomplete picture of the debate, lacking any dissenting viewpoints or alternative perspectives.
 
Failure to Acknowledge Trade-offs: The article doesn't address the trade-offs inherent in raising the GST, particularly the potential negative impact on consumer spending and economic growth. This creates an illusion that the government is acting purely out of economic necessity without acknowledging the potential downsides.
 
Overall, the article's arguments fall short of providing a comprehensive and balanced perspective on the GST hike debate. The weaknesses highlight the importance of critically evaluating government statements and considering alternative perspectives, especially when policy decisions impact the cost of living for all citizens.