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Media
Release: GST hike will crush poorer Singaporeans
14
Nov 06
Could
there be anything worse than the Government raising the GST to 7
percent when Singaporeans are hurting economically, especially
those in the lower income groups?
Yes, the spin that
raising the GST would benefit those in the lower income
groups.
Ignoring all the data showing that the poorest
households continue to see their incomes fall, the Government
makes bald assertions that its latest move to increase the GST
would in fact benefit these people.
PM
Lee Hsien Loong tells Parliament that it is good to increase the
GST while the economy is good. This begs the question: Good for
whom?
While
the rich continue to get richer, many of whom are not
Singaporeans, poor Singaporeans are left with nothing but
desperation. The number of suicides, mental illnesses, crimes and
divorces has mushroomed in recent years and is a result of the
Governmentment’s heartless economic policies.
All
this while PAP Ministers live the good life by paying themselves
millions of dollars in salaries, oblivious to the hardship and
toil of the average Singaporean.
Yet the elite of society
remains unrepentant. It even derides the working class for not
having the wherewithal to make a success of life. Worse, PAP MPs
continue to chide Singaporeans for “complaining” and
not taking enough responsibility.
In the meantime,
Government entities like Temasek Holdings make reckless decisions
that cost Singaporeans billions of dollars in questionable
business ventures.
Is the GST hike, set to rake in almost
$1.5 billion for the Government over two years, an attempt to
recoup the losses made over the Temasek-Shin Corp and
Singtel-Optus deals?
The horrendously careless acquisition
of Shin Corp may incur losses of up to $3 billion while the
much-criticised ownership of Optus stands to face a write-down of
up to $8 billion.
In
addition, has the Government been transferring our reserves to
state-owned enterprises to prop these companies up since the
Constitution was amended in 2004 to allow this?
Sadly,
however, no answers will be forthcoming. Worse, the PAP is
thumbing its nose at Singaporeans and saying: “So what if
we increase the GST? What are you going to do about it?”
This
is because the system manipulated by the PAP shields it from
having to account to the people. It does not allow Singaporeans
to speak and vote freely which means that we will continue to
live under the thumb of the ruling elite.
Depending on
their mood, ministers will from time to time encourage citizens
to speak up. But make no mistake: this is not a change of heart.
It is just a ploy to mollify the electorate and give them a
chance to let off steam.
The Singapore Democrats feel the
frustration and the anguish of the people. But without our rights
to free speech and peaceful assembly, citizens are powerless to
make the Government more responsive to our needs.
Without
citizen power, the Government will not have to consult the people
and it can do as it wishes, when it wishes.
The SDP will
continue to raise issues concerning the welfare of our fellow
citizens. This remains our priority. But in order to help the
people to improve their quality of life and welfare, we need to
work to take back our democratic rights without which we will
continue to be at the mercy of the PAP.
Chee Soon
Juan
Secretary-General
Singapore Democratic Party
14 Nov
06
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