![](https://i.imgur.com/CLvY2jA.png")
22-08-2022, 04:32 PM
_From LTC ® Gerard Ong_
I hope our dear PM focuses on more important issues affecting Singaporeans rather than giving us a rundown of the achievements of his govt. We are all too familiar with how well the govt handled the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and its effect on global supply chains.
Most of us are fully aware of the superpower rivalry in the Asia Pac and what will happen if war breaks out over the Taiwan issue or a sudden mishap in the South China Sea.
Please do not tell us about dark clouds ahead because many are already under a cloud of despair. Not a great idea to tell us to work harder and be more productive as many are already holding two or more jobs to pay off mortgages, loans, curtailing spending and doing their best to survive.
Telling us to spend less and save like what he did some years back will cut no ice with many as the word saving is not in their vocabulary in view of spiralling costs of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
It would be great if he announces the deferment of the impending GST increase, more financial help for the middle and lower classes and the implementation of a living wage for all Singaporeans. That’s the kind of news which I am sure many of us will want to hear.
It looks like most countries on this planet have announced a reduction of GST, VAT and fuel taxes to help their citizens with inflation. We on the other hand are seeing a coming increase in GST.
This may bring little discomfort to the millionaires who are already here or those who will soon move here but I’ll be darned if the majority of Singaporeans will share the same sentiments.
The PAP govt has a track record of not backing down once a decision has been made. Their credo has always been to stay on course even if their decisions are unpopular come what may.
To this I say – times have changed, the world is no longer the way it used to be and we really do not know what tomorrow brings. My wish is for our PM to throw away the usual PAP script and do a course correction by removing the coming GST as a first step.
I hope our dear PM focuses on more important issues affecting Singaporeans rather than giving us a rundown of the achievements of his govt. We are all too familiar with how well the govt handled the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and its effect on global supply chains.
Most of us are fully aware of the superpower rivalry in the Asia Pac and what will happen if war breaks out over the Taiwan issue or a sudden mishap in the South China Sea.
Please do not tell us about dark clouds ahead because many are already under a cloud of despair. Not a great idea to tell us to work harder and be more productive as many are already holding two or more jobs to pay off mortgages, loans, curtailing spending and doing their best to survive.
Telling us to spend less and save like what he did some years back will cut no ice with many as the word saving is not in their vocabulary in view of spiralling costs of living in one of the world’s most expensive cities.
It would be great if he announces the deferment of the impending GST increase, more financial help for the middle and lower classes and the implementation of a living wage for all Singaporeans. That’s the kind of news which I am sure many of us will want to hear.
It looks like most countries on this planet have announced a reduction of GST, VAT and fuel taxes to help their citizens with inflation. We on the other hand are seeing a coming increase in GST.
This may bring little discomfort to the millionaires who are already here or those who will soon move here but I’ll be darned if the majority of Singaporeans will share the same sentiments.
The PAP govt has a track record of not backing down once a decision has been made. Their credo has always been to stay on course even if their decisions are unpopular come what may.
To this I say – times have changed, the world is no longer the way it used to be and we really do not know what tomorrow brings. My wish is for our PM to throw away the usual PAP script and do a course correction by removing the coming GST as a first step.
![[+]](https://sgtalk.net/images/bootbb/collapse_collapsed.png)
