Insight: Down South
By SEAH CHIANG NEE

Middle class Singaporeans are giving the government the thumbs down despite Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s prediction of a golden era in the coming years.

A SUCCESSION of unpopular policies – incredibly ill-timed, if not ill-planned – has reduced the government’s public popularity to the lowest level in many years.

It is ironic because the economy and the job market are on a roll, which should have resulted in a high level of optimism and improved feelings for the ruling People’s Action Party.

Instead the opposite is happening.

The sentiments among middle class Singaporeans have reached one of their lowest points despite Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew’s prediction of a “golden era” in the coming years.

Four recent factors have caused the plunge in public unhappiness.

(1) Cabinet’s 21% pay rise

The decision to raise the salaries of Cabinet ministers, already by far the highest in the world, by a whopping 21%, could not have come at a more painful time for Singaporeans who are struggling with widespread price increases.

(2) GST increases

The July increase in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 5% to 7%, led to an orgy of price increases covering most goods and services in Singapore.

The current inflation, the worst in 12 years, is partly imported but is blamed on the government because it has been increasing public fees, ranging from healthcare to stamps.

(3) Abandoned annuities scheme

After a public backlash, the government had to redraw a plan that would have Singaporeans put a part of their CPF (Central Provident Fund) into an annuities scheme that will pay S$250-S$300 (RM575-RM690) a month until death – or when they reach 85.

It was hugely unpopular because of the late drawdown (only 60,000 Singaporeans live that long) and, if the holder dies before 85, the unused money goes to others in the pool, not to his estate.

It was arguably one of the worst ideas from the PAP government and was abandoned. A new scheme is being considered to replace it.

(4) Shortage, over-crowdedness.

The gathering foreign influx (which has pushed the population to 4.68 million) is beginning to cause resentment – mostly against the government – as well as over-crowding and some shortages.

Singaporeans are likely to continue to have to bear and grin it since, like inflation, it is likely to continue into future years.

Shaping into the hottest topic is, however, the Cabinet pay rise – the second in two years – which would have brought down a government in most other countries.

It raised the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s annual salary to S$3.76mil (RM8.64mil) and President S.R. Nathan’s to S$3.87mil (RM8.89mil), while Cabinet ministers start at $1.96mil (RM4.50mil) a year.

(By comparison, US President George W Bush earns an annual salary of US$400,000 (RM1.3mil) or one-seventh of what Lee gets).

Despite their compliant nature, Singaporeans have reacted angrily to the way their leaders pay themselves, feelings that I have not encountered in 25 years’ of reporting Singapore.

Even PAP supporters are wondering why their political leaders have embarked on such an obviously politically dangerous course.

“The question is why? Why would people, very smart and talented people, with all the money in the world to spend, money they are not likely to finish spending in their whole life, still crave for more money?” a blogger asked.

Another said: “Actually if they can justify it well, I wouldn’t mind them getting more pay, but where is the justification? Many people here earn in a month less than what a minister gets in just half a day.”

The year-end vibrancy of the top leaders who are benefiting from the windfall, contrasts sharply with a despondent mood among the poorer heartlanders badly hit by rising prices.

More people have been asking their members of Parliament for help. Reports of rising poverty have prompted one minister to say: “In Singapore, no one needs to starve.”

For months Singaporeans have felt pressured by the growing impact of the increasing number of foreigners here, including over-crowding and shortages, not to mention a reduction of opportunities.

For the government, this souring of the electorate’s mood is worrying because it is over major bread-and-butter matters – prices, retirement savings, jobs – which can erode its power base.

One of Singapore’s most admired writers, Catherine Lim, has added her voice to the public criticism on the way Singapore is heading.

A climate of fear that stops citizens from speaking out against the government could eventually lead to the decline of Singapore, she said.

Lim praised the government for its economic achievements but said its Achilles’ heel could be its suppression of criticism, using defamation suits against opposition politicians as well as bans on protests.

“A compliant, fearful population that has never learnt to be politically savvy could spell the doom of Singapore,” Lim told Reuters in an interview.

The 65-year-old Malaysian-born author said the worst-case scenario would be for a future leader to get away with corruption “because of the ingrained, unquestioning trust of a fearful, overly dependent people”.

Lim said: “You could have a case of younger Singaporeans creating unrest because they do not have an outlet.

“What Singapore wants is managed creativity. So, not only would those really creative people not want to come, but those who are here want to get out.”

why do you think we have left the country.....it will only be a golden era for the elite...they would probably tell you to get out of their elite face and move on with life as they have already thrown some freebies to you....I don't dispute the need to be economically strong. Have you noticed how everything is geared towards being economically No.1...education, work etc.....all the arts and culture concessions are just to placate the masses....

So what's the next best thing.....we all have left....let Sillypore continue onwards to towards economic self destruction....no point letting your kids serve national slavery and get crammed with 6.5mil others in 6-7 years....

Few of my singaporean colleagues are in danger in losing their jobs , Why???

Cos my boss says that foreigners can do their job as good as them but for less money ....

Who said !!! that the foreigners are here to fill in jobs that singaporeans dont want !!! They are here cos they cost less !!!

No more voting for pap in the next elections , for me!!! & No More hanging the singapore flag for me !!! No more typing singapore in caps !!!

This is no longer my country that my great grand parents build for me , but it belongs to foreigners , who come here and work and go back home and enjoy life , while i have to continue to suffer.... FARK THIS SHIT!!!

And alot of bosses do lie about their foreigners pay , to get them permits to work in singapore...... etc $2000 But come singapore they earn only 1k , den after minus they accommodation + levy or what ever fark , they are left with $600+++ ..... but dont pity them is what my colleagues told me , cos end of the day this foreigners save $200+++ a month while we locals after paying all the bills , most of the time dont even have savings or maybe a few hundred dollars.

lets cry

Why do we need to wait till the next election ?

Don't we have the right to impeach our leaders with a vote of no confidence ?

For a salary of only 1 or 2 million dollars a year, all they can come up with are increasing ERP, increasing GST, increasing health care costs while keeping Singaporeans' wages low.

Clearly, they need more salary increments and bonuses to come up with better ideas that actually are for the benefit of the majority of Singaporeans struggling to make a living.

Originally posted by jojobeach:

Why do we need to wait till the next election ?

Don't we have the right to impeach our leaders with a vote of no confidence ?

I can bet my last dollar they will still be in power...why bang your head against a wall...be more proactive....vote with your feet

They shouldn’t worry for Pay and pay, because when it’s election time they will give freebies again and most people will forget their deeds once the freebies are in.

I really regret voting for pap , Feel guilty.

No more !!! shall i feel guilty.

S'poreans are just B!tches for hire.....

Originally posted by gUms:

I really regret voting for pap , Feel guilty.

No more !!! shall i feel guilty.

Don't be.

You are actually part of a growing trend of voters that previously supported the incumbent party, that are now having second thoughts.

Unskilled foreigners the bane of older S'poreans
Sat, Dec 15, 2007
The Straits Times

WHEN Singaporeans above the age of 40 or retirees seek jobs to feed their families - any job, be it as a cleaner, dishwasher, stall assistant or coffeeshop helper - they often meet with this response:

'You are too old. Are you prepared to accept $800 per month for 10 hours of work and one day off every fortnight?

'Of course, you have to multi-task - wash the dishes, clean toilets and fans, undertake delivery, etc, for the $800.

Click here to find out more!
'Expect no medical or leave benefits.'

After deducting transport and food which do not come cheap, the poor retiree who used to earn $2,000 to $3,000 takes home a much-reduced income.

The employer can afford to be smug because if the older Singaporean does not want the job, he could always look to abundant younger China workers willing to do 12-hour shifts and more work, for less.

How is it that we are allowing cheap, unskilled foreign workers into Singapore so easily that they are depressing wages and making life hard for less-educated older Singaporeans?

What can we do in the face of such unfair odds, with all the cards stacked against us?

Ang Kwang Leng

Why now?

The start of SG downfall started from the day ex DPM Lee raising GST to 5%. With a lame reason to trigger economy. Eventually, it did. At our expense.

And a series of raise after that.

Not to mention the casinos. Of how much help will it be to us is unknown. I've got a feeling it's just going to be another waste of money. Several indicated interest and pulled out the last minute.

Same goes for some of our recent investments... and not to mention our bad ties with neighbours.

Originally posted by ndmmxiaomayi:

Why now?

The start of SG downfall started from the day ex DPM Lee raising GST to 5%. With a lame reason to trigger economy. Eventually, it did. At our expense.

And a series of raise after that.

Not to mention the casinos. Of how much help will it be to us is unknown. I've got a feeling it's just going to be another waste of money. Several indicated interest and pulled out the last minute.

Same goes for some of our recent investments... and not to mention our bad ties with neighbours.

The casinoes are to ensure that money remains in Singapore.

Ultimately, the casinoes need the local population to keep it going.

Originally posted by charlize:

The casinoes are to ensure that money remains in Singapore.

Ultimately, the casinoes need the local population to keep it going.

Makes good sense.

Originally posted by gUms:

Unskilled foreigners the bane of older S'poreans
Sat, Dec 15, 2007
The Straits Times

WHEN Singaporeans above the age of 40 or retirees seek jobs to feed their families - any job, be it as a cleaner, dishwasher, stall assistant or coffeeshop helper - they often meet with this response:

'You are too old. Are you prepared to accept $800 per month for 10 hours of work and one day off every fortnight?

'Of course, you have to multi-task - wash the dishes, clean toilets and fans, undertake delivery, etc, for the $800.

Click here to find out more!
'Expect no medical or leave benefits.'

After deducting transport and food which do not come cheap, the poor retiree who used to earn $2,000 to $3,000 takes home a much-reduced income.

The employer can afford to be smug because if the older Singaporean does not want the job, he could always look to abundant younger China workers willing to do 12-hour shifts and more work, for less.

How is it that we are allowing cheap, unskilled foreign workers into Singapore so easily that they are depressing wages and making life hard for less-educated older Singaporeans?

What can we do in the face of such unfair odds, with all the cards stacked against us?

Ang Kwang Leng

I always wonder what kind of work permits or passes from MOM are given to foreigners working in the local kopitiams.

Or do they even need one in the first place?

There is this "S" pass for foreigners drawing a salary of 1800 and above right?

Please don't tell me these kopitiam workers are drawing 1800 a month.

Anybody care to shed some light for me?

Originally posted by charlize:

I always wonder what kind of work permits or passes from MOM are given to foreigners working in the local kopitiams.

Or do they even need one in the first place?

There is this "S" pass for foreigners drawing a salary of 1800 and above right?

Please don't tell me these kopitiam workers are drawing 1800 a month.

Anybody care to shed some light for me?

There's such a thing as IN-PRINCIPLE approvals for foreigners to attain PR status in Singapore.

Hold your ground, hold your ground. Sons of Merlion, of Stinkapore, my brethen. I see in your eyes the same lassitude that would take the heart of me. A day may come when the courage of men fails, when this land crumbles and our CPF robbed, but it is not this day.

An hour of unsure and broken democracy, when the age of the Sodom comes crashing down, but it is not this day. This day we shall fight! By all that you hold dear on this good Stinkapore, I bid you to cast your votes to the Opposing! Stand, beasts of Stinkapore!

I wish I could sign my own paycheck.

In a era where is base on performance rather than senority, wages should reflect performances, and with due respect to our current booming economy with further years to come, our Ministers hv done well both in current ruling of the country and also good future foresight to plan ahead. They deserve it. You need good paid to substain a good government. You dun pay peanut to get monkeys govt ya.

With the lowest unemployment rate around the region or perhap the world, at 2%, consideried as full employment, what are we grumbling about, but on the other hands, citizens alway make noises at their govt, understandable, no govt is perfect, but if u will to look at it, our govt not only done a good job, they make sure it get done and they make sure continous improvement on it.

Everything had it price to pay, nothing is for free, u want quality good life, u pay and work for it. Our success and advancement is alway at the peril of others to comment, but who are they whom in their own countries, have huge problems that are worst than us and still not solve or simply unable to solve.

We vote for the govt we wanted in term of majority wins, we should not condemn them, if so, we are condemning ourselves. We vote with eye open, not blind nor swayed.

im glad i have move out of singapore.

Originally posted by angel7030:

In a era where is base on performance rather than senority, wages should reflect performances, and with due respect to our current booming economy with further years to come, our Ministers hv done well both in current ruling of the country and also good future foresight to plan ahead. They deserve it. You need good paid to substain a good government. You dun pay peanut to get monkeys govt ya.

With the lowest unemployment rate around the region or perhap the world, at 2%, consideried as full employment, what are we grumbling about, but on the other hands, citizens alway make noises at their govt, understandable, no govt is perfect, but if u will to look at it, our govt not only done a good job, they make sure it get done and they make sure continous improvement on it.

Everything had it price to pay, nothing is for free, u want quality good life, u pay and work for it. Our success and advancement is alway at the peril of others to comment, but who are they whom in their own countries, have huge problems that are worst than us and still not solve or simply unable to solve.

We vote for the govt we wanted in term of majority wins, we should not condemn them, if so, we are condemning ourselves. We vote with eye open, not blind nor swayed.

I predict a government of the people, by the people, for the people, ought to build a democratic society based on justice and equality. The people shall enjoy liberty and be motivated to seek for happiness.

Originally posted by angel7030:

In a era where is base on performance rather than senority, wages should reflect performances, and with due respect to our current booming economy with further years to come, our Ministers hv done well both in current ruling of the country and also good future foresight to plan ahead. They deserve it. You need good paid to substain a good government. You dun pay peanut to get monkeys govt ya.

I think a govt made up of monkeys would atleast listen to the people so I'm all for the monkey government. Paying taxes in peanuts? Just go buy that 'thumbs up' brand.

Originally posted by angel7030:

In a era where is base on performance rather than senority, wages should reflect performances, and with due respect to our current booming economy with further years to come, our Ministers hv done well both in current ruling of the country and also good future foresight to plan ahead. They deserve it. You need good paid to substain a good government. You dun pay peanut to get monkeys govt ya.

With the lowest unemployment rate around the region or perhap the world, at 2%, consideried as full employment, what are we grumbling about, but on the other hands, citizens alway make noises at their govt, understandable, no govt is perfect, but if u will to look at it, our govt not only done a good job, they make sure it get done and they make sure continous improvement on it.

Everything had it price to pay, nothing is for free, u want quality good life, u pay and work for it. Our success and advancement is alway at the peril of others to comment, but who are they whom in their own countries, have huge problems that are worst than us and still not solve or simply unable to solve.

We vote for the govt we wanted in term of majority wins, we should not condemn them, if so, we are condemning ourselves. We vote with eye open, not blind nor swayed.

Please do get out of your ivory tower and take a look at the masses.

Of course the top few strata are enjoying now with the biggest bonus and payoffs due to strong economic performance going mainly to them.

It's the middle and lower class that suffer most. Their wages have stagnated while prices are rising rapidly. Of course the rich can afford to stomach those increases but the poor and the middle class? Decreasing direct taxes and increasing indirect taxes only serves to benefit the rich more.

Low unemployment of course, but what about the rate of structural employment? Besides, have the government ever shown the rate of rise in median wages?

And besides, why should we increase the pay of ministers who can't do anything concrete to address the widening income gap and ever-rising costs of living? Those ministers at the top have no idea what a 30 cent increase in the bowl of bak chor mee and a 3 cent increase in bus fares means to the lower and middle class.

I love this country simply for being born here and having spent my childhood here.Nothing like growing up in the HDB block estates of Queenstown,playing soccer under void decks,getting people pissed and growing up. No matter where you go in the world,a part of Singapore would always be there with you no matter how you much you hate it/dislike it/dislike it abit or something.

So much for that.I really really feel that LKY has done a tremendous job into transforming this country from what it was in the 60s.Upon independence from Malaysia and since PAP was into power with Singapore being independent,since 1966 if im not wrong.Since then,look at how far Singapore has come into becoming a modernized nation with great modern infrastructure.Not only that,the law is 'fair' as well,no bribery and stuff. Gotta say PAP and LKY did a good job there.

But now i understand the feelings of the people when they are not pleased with what is happening at the moment and i feel the same as them.GST rise to 7% is a mistake really.I really don't know what would be the GST by 2010? Its something to be alarmed about for sure.Fuel prices are rocket high,cigarettes and stuff ( i don't know if theres smth to do with GST ).Basic daily necessities are something we all need and 7% is really too much.I really disapprove of it.

I can't but support the Worker's Party for its manifesto that stated that GST should be waived off for basic necessities and that is called caring for the people because simply daily necessities like rice,salt etc is what we need for daily lives and everyone needs food,the rich and the poor and everyone.Thats my point.

Not forgetting that they suggested having a scheme to allow Singaporeans who are in bad states to be able to withdraw from their CPF.

One final thing about WP.I think it was them who challenged HDB to prove to them why a 5-room HDB costs as much as it does today and they said that they had checked and including land prices and everything,the max cost should be $80,000. This came out in the 'Today' paper during the elections and that is concern for the people because right now,Singaporeans are paying ridiculous money for public housing.

PAP has tried to put all those out of the way who have stood up against them.JB Jeya and Chee Soon Juan being the more famous ones.

My point is,the PAP did a good job in bringing Singapore to a high level but now,something really needs to be done to stop whatever they are doing and reduce the costs which in my opinion is the most important thing affecting Singaporeans today.After all,im sure nobody wants Singapore's cost of living to be as high as Geneva. Well thats my opinion,hope i didn't offend anyone.