Singaporeans are fortunate. We are well taken care of by a competent government that also cares, so much so that we are shielded from bearing the full brunt when a crisis hits.
Take the recent Malaysian ban on the export of live chickens to Singapore.
Before we could feel the full impact of chicken shortage, the government had activated their supply chains and worked with importers to bring in chilled chicken from Australia. And now, we could soon have chicken from Indonesia if all negotiation goes well, as Singapore looks to take care of chicken slaughter houses here and their employees, besides our stomachs.
Pandemic care
So good people think it’s natural
Not good enough
GST hike and building an inclusive society
The GST hike will take place in 2 stages with 1% hike taking effect in 2023. If you spend $3000 a month, the additional 1% hike is $30 a month.
What are you getting in the latest support package? 1.5 million Singaporeans (lower and middle-income workers and retirees) will receive up to $300 in cash. This is on top of the $400 GSTV cash that will be given in August. In total, eligible Singaporeans will receive up to $700 in cash.
In addition, all households will receive $100 in utilities voucher. This is on top of the usual U-save rebates. This means a household staying in a 4-room flat will get up to 5 months of utilities rebates this year.
The Assurance Package ($6.6 billion) announced during the budget means every adult Singaporean will receive cash payouts totalling $700 to $1600 over 5 years.
The impact of a GST hike for the lower and middle income workers is cushioned in several ways and the benefits and subsidies they receive exceeds whatever they contribute through GST.
What does it mean to build an inclusive society? It is one where everyone plays a part. An inclusive society is not one where the rich shoulders all the tax burden while the poorer enjoys all the benefits. The GST is a way for everyone to play a part in writing the next chapter of the Singapore story. The rich give more and receive less in benefits. The poor give less but enjoy significantly more in benefits. This is how we build an inclusive society of responsible members.
A successful government has led to complacency in Singaporeans where complaining seems to be norm and Singaporeans expect the government to not only address hardships but to ensure no hardships.
We will do well to remember that it is only by going through crises and difficulties together as one united people, each one playing our part, that we can be a resilient people.
