8/07/2010
More flats to be built in 2011
Mah Bow Tan has come out to assure the first time home buyers that more flats, to the tune of 16,000 units will be built next year, and more to come if the demand is there. It is good that he has implicitly acknowledged that there is a serious mismatch in the demand and supply of HDB flats and is trying his best to meet the penned up demand.
The current spate of new flats being offered would ease the demand somewhat and perhaps slow down the surging prices of resale flats. This does not in anyway help those first time buyers that have been adversely affected by the shortage over the last few years. Many have to put off their marriage plans, baby making plans and whatever plans. Even with the current measures, it means that they will still have another 3 years to go before anything will happen. It is still a consolation that there is some light at the end of the tunnel.
Would Mah Bow Tan stop at this? How would he compensate those that have missed the boat to get a HDB flat and were booted out of the HDB scheme when their incomes exceeded the $8000 ceiling, while trying to get a flat when the supply was low. And the policy then did not give first time buyers higher priority? And there are those that would now have to pay for much higher price HDB flats because they could not get their flats earlier.
These first time buyers were callously dismissed by HDB and fell victims to its slow building phase and are adversely affected both in their plans to set up family as well as financially. Their plight cannot be ignored and the boosting of building programmes did not in anyway help this group of buyers or alleviate their problems. Some are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, not enough savings to buy private and not eligible for HDB.
Let’s see whether Mah Bow Tan would consider doing something for these people, or would he say just too bad, water under the bridge. Let's move on. Their problems were not totally of their own doing and Mah Bow Tan should shoulder some of the responsibility for not anticipating the mismatch of supply and demand. They have every right to demand HDB to reconsider their cases and bring them back into the HDB scheme.
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18 comments:
Let's see.
I guess it's better late than never for some, but for others already committed forcibly, that may be a costly foray into private property. Nothing can be done for those people now.
But why are more flats to be built only in 2011 and not earlier? Oh sorry, Mr. Mah was caught by surprise, as if population increase is like the floods, due to the unpredictable weather. I guess Singaporeans make babies using the 'caught by surprise' method nowadays too, so Mr. Mah was caught by the 'surprise' element in baby making.
Civil servants have now been told to predict the future. I was given to understand from their occasional bragging that their first world leadership thinking were already years ahead of its time. I was under an illusion.
Or, is the accelerated building because of the coming election, so as part of the plan, MND must give Singaporeans a fake orgasm?
What about next year and the next? I hope they are not going to scale back building after the election.
Remember, there is going to be another 100,000 foreigners coming in and they need places to stay.
A knee-jerk measure from MBT that is Too Little and Too Late for the first time buyers of HDB flats. It takes on average 3 to 4 years for the new HDB to be ready for "TOP". Where on earth the yet to arrived 100,000 FT going to stay for the time being?
IMHO, it is either the BTO scheme get throw out of the windows or MBT get himself booted out in the upcoming GE.
Time to celebrate or be appeased??
16000 new flats next year and 100,000 foreigners will be needed in the coming year or years. The shortfall is obvious unless one is blind and deaf.
"Or, is the accelerated building because of the coming election, so as part of the plan, MND must give Singaporeans a fake orgasm?", Unquote. Seems to be, at least a short term appeasement till election.
As for pricing of HDB Flats, would they or could they have significant drops? They can but will they? Me don't think so as it will anger the 80% or more of the existing tenants as it means losses for those DOWNGRADING and UPGRADING. Those who bought their unit at lower prices in the past will still have to pay much higher prices for their next smaller units.
For those upgrading, they will be selling lower if HDB Prices dropped, lower profits plus all the transfer, documentation and legal fees could make it unviable to upgrade.
All in all, it is still murky and the conditions imposed on Singaporeans to qualify for Public Housings are not the fairest possible. Me thinks there should be no income ceiling and Singaporeans with stable incomes and age above 30 years old should be entitled to at least a 2 Room Unit.
It is my view that there can never be housing problems if foreigners are barred from buying residential properties in SIN. The local population is not growing and most are already housed. So, WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
patriot
Mah is obviously worried about "freak" event....losing millions is no joke
An impossible situation, the entitlement mentality, the centralisation of property, and the govt rationing systems, means testing, all wrapped up in political mechanisms...
Wow. Looks like fun.
> Many have to put off their marriage plans, baby making plans and whatever plans. <
What a wonderful cuntry and society. People make plans according to what and how much they can get out of the govt. Fucking beautiful. State welfare at it's finest.
That alone give cause to celebrate "national" (meaning: the govt is there from cradle to grave) day. In fact, change the name of Aug 9 to Govt. Day -- a day of national reflection on the many goodness and blessings the Singapore govt has bestowed to "the faithful".
> How would he compensate those that have missed the boat to get a HDB flat and were booted out of the HDB scheme when their incomes exceeded the $8000 ceiling, <
WOw. Now these motherfuckers want "compensation" for not being "poor enough" to qualify for govt. cheese. DOes it get any crazier than this?
For the sake of my entertainment, I hope so :P
> These first time buyers were callously dismissed by HDB and fell victims to its slow building phase and are adversely affected both in their plans to set up family as well as financially. <
I love the use of the word "victim" here. People expect government cheese, and when they don't get it and someone else does, the ones who lose out are "victims".
That is like saying a less poplar product on the market is a "victim" to a better and more popular competing product.
How mad is this going to get?
I'm trembling with anticipation.
Let’s see whether Mah Bow Tan would consider doing something for these people,
Ah, so telling. "these people" -- there are overtones of contempt and pity or simply being "singled out" as a specific group and have the proverbial spotlight turned on them.
Never mind "these people" -- strip the lot of the of their individuality and hang a fucking label on them. After all, they are not people. They have NRIC's -- their just "units" each allocated a specific number.
Also, it makes MBT more than a messiah. A messiah appears because the prophecy says so. He then goes to do certain things because the prophecy asys so.
MBT on the other hand is expected to deliver miracles -- i.e. pulling out solutions to an impossible situation (i.e. providing everyone a place to live for below market prices) out of his sagging old arse.
I hope he is praying to the right god on Aug 9 -- Govt Day.
Happy Government Day Singaporean Sheeple. Reflect on how you'll be when you die, you get to go to heaven and thrust your hungry tongues into LKY's arsehole!
Matilah_Singapura!
Matilah, you seem to be reading my mind about National Day reflection and National. I have written a piece this morning and will post it tomorrow in time for National Day Celebration.
As for the high expectation of the people, it is fully justified when you have a govt that is world best, or at least in terms of compensation. Obama's income doesn't even comes near to what Mah Bow Tan is getting without bonuses.
And the govt prides itself for being able to forecast, think ahead and plan for the people. If they failed to do so, after the high compensation, you can't blame the people for feeling sore.
Our govt is not like the peanut govt you have in Oz. No Aussie should expect anything from them. They are just ordinary.
> As for the high expectation of the people, it is fully justified when you have a govt that is world best <
Ahhhh.. like expecting the orgasm of your life when paying for the world's most expensive hooker.
After the climax, the judgement is anti-climax...too much money for too little value. Shit. "Buyers remorse" kicks in. Too late, the bitch has left to go onto her next con.
Our govt is not like the peanut govt you have in Oz. No Aussie should expect anything from them. They are just ordinary.
I wish. You are mistaken.
There are 3 layers of different govt here: federal, state and local, and they all run on taxes, which is why we in Aust pay until our anuses bleed.
Even though the S'pore ministers are highest paid in the world, it is still a far better "system" (in fiscal terms) than the world's largest island-continent.
The level and sophistication of surveillance on citizens is also more scary in Oz than whatever the S'pore govt can dream up or implement.
So yeah, on that level I agree with you: S'pore govt is "better" than Aust 3-layer govt. At least the S'pore govt appreciates meritocracy. Here the better you are at making money, the bigger target you become for the tax thugs.
Give me high paid prostitutes, I mean ministers anyday. At least they like you to earn more, so in doing so you "validate" their existence, their oversight and their "help".
All political situations is doing deals with the devil. Spore devils: I can live with! (as long as I'm a hotel guest, not a serf)
Following redbean's lead which came from apparently my ability to read his mind (I had no idea I could do that), here is the idea developed further:
RENAMING AUGUST 9th
Hear ye hear ye,
Citizen-serfs and True-believers of the ruling elite of Singapore.
Upon the non-authority I posses, I hereby proclaim that Aug 9 from henceforth be called Government Day.
It is a day of celebration -- to pay tribute and homage to the government.
It is a day of reflection -- for citizen-serfs and the true-believers of the ruling elite to unite in camraderie to reflect on their shared values -- that being based on a supremely omniscient, omnipresent and absolutely incorruptible govt, comprising of heavenly and divinely pure individuals, who are never wrong and exhibit the paragon of inscrutable morality.
The wonderful supreme beings have the people's interest at heart, and they have "sacrificed" their worth in a meritocratic system to earn far less than they could because of their altruistic nature. They gratefully and humbly accept the "crumbs" the people throw at them so that these supreme civil servants can at least have simple existence.
Singaporeans, rightfully unite with one another every August 9 to express gratitude, honour and esteem their wonderful government -- not only the best in the world, but the best in all of human history, since the ascent of man itself.
Singaporeans willfully and happily hand over their lives and their country to this coterie of elites, because the elites know best. It is not that no one dares to question the elites... why would one even bother. It makes no sense whatsoever.
These elites are simply born better than you. They are heaven-made, which means their level of perfection is beyond your mere mortal ability to even try to grasp, let alone comprehend on what it is to be that perfect.
Happy Government Day. All hail the Singapore Government, supreme owner of the people and the nation. Singaporeans, pledge not only allegiance to your government, but also love and honour.
And don't forget to give generously of yourself and your money as simple, kacang-puteh smal-timel but nonetheless heartfelt tokens of your appreciation.
Matilah Singapura!
Matilah Singapura !
Kesian Singapurian.
Hidup banyak susa.
Duit tada rumah pun tada.
Sakit kepala.
Mati
awak sendiri punya pasa !
Hahaha, Well done Matilah. Singaporean tak boleh mati. Hidup Singapura: )
Now, you have read well and used all the best vocabulary that all Singaporeans are familiar with. And Singaporeans believe that it is all true and are very grateful.
Time to bring out my red shirt and white pants. I am looking for a free flag to fly on my car window.
One question, why are the Aussies paying till their anuses bled but the politicians are not getting the big pay checks?
No white pant and no red shirt for one month for all True Singaporeans !
Wear dark, show that You have no trust and no hope with the Political Nimcompoops.
Put the Flag on your car? When the HDB Residents have stopped putting them? Do not make your car a target of disgrunted and frustrated Singaporeans. Bad luck could just happen for expressing the wrong loyalty.
patriot
Aiyoh...another "World Cup" goal by our MINIster
'Why are the Aussies paying till their anuses bled....?'
I am not thinking straight now! Could this be the reason why the world population is not increasing fast enough?
Hahahaha
redbean:
> One question, why are the Aussies paying till their anuses bled but the politicians are not getting the big pay checks? <
Says who?
3 levels of govt -- plenty of perks for the top level. OK granted, not as much as S'pore ministers, but still excellent wicket to be on, as an alternative to organised crime.
Examples: After a few years in parliament "serving your country", you can amass a multi million dollar superannuation account.
If you are lucky to score a Priministership, you get FREE UNLIMITED 1st class travel FOR LIFE for you and your partner, you get FOR LIFE an "allowance" to run an office with 5 permanent staff, plus you can become a public speaker/ consultant attracting $100k + per engagement "speaking fees" or $2-5 million/ annum "retainer" as a "consultant" -- of course there are also "bonuses' depending on performance.
In State and local govt the perks are less, but once in one level of govt, there is nothing to stop the upwardly mobile from increasing their "earning power".
All govt is corrupt -- that is the nature of govt. Absolute power corrupts, and there is no changing that.
The level of corruption only varies by degree, and of course the language used and the co-option of the media to spread lies like "there is no corruption in this govt, under our watch".
Bullshit.
What's with Matilah_Singapura???!!!
Ours are better. Huge pension and public speaking fees. But because the pension is so huge, there is no need to earn more keeps making public speeches for the extra million.
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