Last night’s Channel News Asia talk programme on whether the govt has
alienated the PRs with the recent housing curbs and other measures drew
out one important and very basic issue, ie, a roof over the heads of PRs
and citizens. Having a roof over the head is so basic that it should be
provided by any responsible and thinking govt. There is no need to be a
super talent to even think of this. All the participants, locals and
foreigners, agreed that a roof is a basic need.
And they also agreed on another point. How could the govt brought in so
many people without thinking of the basic infrastructure, especially
housing? In whatever forms, housing is a must. And they too agreed it
was due to the inept policy of not building. And now we have this very
serious problem of housing prices that is going to be a curse to all
those with a big housing loan.
In today’s Today paper, the writer, Ku Swee Yong, was talking about
buyers taking up $500k loan for a 5 rm resale HDB flat or a $1.3m loan
for an EC as if it is a monopoly game. A $1.3m loan over 30 years will
come to at least $2m in total payment, just for a few pieces of mortars
around a small space. How much do the bricks and cement, some wirings
and fittings cost?
This is a general curse on the Sinkies who were made to buy public
housing at such prices and to pay using a big chunk of their income, and
praying that they would be earning that income for 30 years with both
not losing their jobs.
The biggest group that is cursed is those Singaporeans that were barred
from buying public housing through all the spurious reasoning. With
private properties at more than a million, how could they force citizens
to buy private properties and not be allowed to buy public housing that
are also not cheap? And why should citizens be made to buy from resale
market like PRs and pay another few hundred thousands more for the same
flat? Any Singaporean that is not allowed to buy public housing is as
good as being cursed when foreigners turned new citizens could do so.
The govt owes every Singaporean a right, yes the right to buy a public
housing flat. The govt has a case to answer to these Singaporeans who
are disallowed to buy public housing as the problem is caused by under
building and nothing else.
Boh pian lor!
ReplyDeleteCannot buy HDB flats.
Just vote Opposition lor!
Well in that case allow PR to buy but they hv to sell back to HDB.
ReplyDeleteThen become a Minister, and take action lah...Dont just talk and talk...Show your guts lah...Stand for Election or Erection lah...
ReplyDeleteThen become a Minister, and take action lah...Dont just talk and talk...Show your guts lah...Stand for Election or Erection lah...
ReplyDelete"A $1.3m loan over 30 years will come to at least $2m in total payment, just for a few pieces of mortars around a small space."
ReplyDeleteRB
Alamak RB, have you not heard of the word "Govt reserves"?
In oil rich countries, their Govts build up their Govt reserves simply through oil revenues lah.
But in 700 sq km Sinkieland with no oil, how does the Govt get reserves?
Make land costs high and hence high prices even for HDB or EC properties lor, tio bo?
And that's why also need more foreigners and PRs who can afford to buy high lah. Depend only on Sinkies where got hope to buy high and sell higher?
Also have you forgotten one ex minister who said "Lowering land cost is like raiding S'pore's reserves"?
Rb, I think the government has already answered or at least to the 60% who get it cheap. The other 40% the younger generation, too bad. U die your business lor. Tio Bo?
ReplyDeleteThe government owes everyone of us an answer...what have gone terribly wrong with the ones who are doing nothing but the 'forecasting'?
ReplyDeleteUniquely Singapore!
Just seen some photos of serious flooding in Singapore this morning after a not-so-heavy rain. In fact ground floors of some buildings were flooded.
ReplyDeleteThis thought came to my mind.
Those staying in landed properties may be affected sooner or later if the flooding is not solved.
Policy maker in the House of Dirty Bastard(HDB) allow its residents who grow rich over the years living in subsidized housing to buy private property for investment. Yet in the same breath these dirty bastards disallow retirees living in private property who have grown poor over the years under PAP policies to buy a HDB to live in and let out the private property for rental income to support them in the winter years of their lives.
ReplyDeleteThe cursed Singaporeans are those retirees living in private property and the blessed ones are those living in HDB.
But for PAP, there are more blessed ones than cursed ones lah. 60 vs 40, tio bo?
ReplyDeleteThose staying in landed properties may be affected sooner or later if the flooding is not solved.
ReplyDeleteAnon September 05, 2013 1:30 pm
But no flooding in Oxley Road or Rochalie Drive, tio bo?
That is why 20 years ago, I choose to buy my house on high ground. If water covers my pace then the whole singapore is screwed already so it does not matter then where u are then, Tio Bo?
ReplyDeleteI believe what goes around comes around. Maybe haze, flooding, earthquake, sinkhole will get to them. With no double glazing, insulated walls, I do not understand why a 99 lease flat need to be so expensive. Not able to buy HDB, not able to afford EC, the only option is to leave stinky island.
ReplyDelete"How could the govt brought in so many people without thinking of the basic infrastructure, especially housing?"
ReplyDeleteHahaha. The real purpose of bringing in those foreigners is to prop up the property market, make cars and healthcare expensive so that the govt and their cronies can make more money and in the process ended up 'not' having to worry about the govt's obligation to pay back citizen's CPF money. It all fits in nicely.
Keep complaining and they will just tinker with the system without actually solving anything because housing, healthcare and transport are part of the gold mining activities thought up by the PAP to enslave daft Singaporeans.
There is a no one size fits all policy. Whether it benefits a majority or minority, only can tell during election time. If still not happy, the best way is to migrate. Do take note that there is no perfect country.
ReplyDeleteMatilah is so quiet. Wait for him to appear to confirm he is safe.
ReplyDeleteThe elephant in the room; ninety years lease rental term.
ReplyDeleteOnly Sookoo will hope and think prices will go down.
ReplyDeleteThose who wish to take up PR here should be able to afford buying a resale flat here.If new rule,can always change their blue ic to pink.Should not impose any restriction on them just to appease daft Sinkies.
And those who want to buy 5 room flat ,private properties or EC etc with huge loan deserve to have their house chiongkong if they fail to pay up.
Not all but many of these are typical kiamsiapkwee who will never help the poor but will only want to buy such property and pray daily for their property to go up....
I am one who support prices to go up and up but I dun pray.
You think those who take big loan and stay big houses will offer you a room when in time of crisis ah.Once they finish their loan,you can surely see their true colour.And these people will not even bring their elderly to stay with them because many feel siasuay or a burden to stay with them.
Young couples should be encourage to stay with their parent if they cannot afford to buy a flat.
Whats wrong with squeezing in a 3 room flat?We should stop destroying the nature just to build more flats.
Tio, jungle Kia.
ReplyDelete/// Not able to buy HDB, not able to afford EC, the only option is to leave stinky island. ///
ReplyDeleteSeptember 05, 2013 2:51 pm
It's better you leave lah.
There is no hope of ever voting out the PAP government.
Another one from the lah lah brigade. Gotta love them.
ReplyDeleteThe lah lah brigade should thank RB or they will have no jobs to do and no allowance for doing it.
ReplyDeleteredbean
ReplyDeleteYou complain a lot in your blog. Do you dare to vote in a change of government?
All of you who paid $500K or more for your property. I dare you to change government.
We got you by your property balls. One minor drop in price, one little squeeze of your tiny balls. You still dare to change government in GE 2016? Just as I thought. Chicken shit.
Everyone needs a place for shelter to call home. I am afraid that either public or private housing would have to use their vacuum machine. Sorry no exception hor
ReplyDeleteUntil housing becomes affordable, no young pmet will be looking forward to life in singapore.
ReplyDeleteAll because of linking asset appreciation to public housing.
Many people say LTK is a master tactician skilled in ancient art of war! But from what he and WP practised so far, it seems like it cannot be further from it. During the Warring State period in the Eastern Zhou Dynasty era, it was common wisdom for the weaker states ( Chu, Qi, Han, Zhao, Wei, Yan ) to unite against the strongest state ( Qin ). During The Three Kingdom era, it was the wisdom of strategists like Zhu Ge Liang, Lu Shu, Si Ma Yi etc to ally the two weaker states against the strongest depending on who was the strongest at different point of time. It was in other words, the only way to ensure long term viability of the weaker states. Often, one can see that WP is being "hantamed" and almost invariably at the receiving end of “trashing helplessly". How can they not be when they choose to adopt a strategy that is considered going against the common wisdom during ancient time by widely acknowledged real master strategists such as Zhu Ge Liang, Lu Shu and Si Ma Yi? There are many other “strategy blunders” committed but shall not be mentioned here. This explains by they are where they are now. Those hoping for political change may be pinning their hopes too high if current settings remain status quo. “Lah lah” brigade who brag about no hope of political change may not be incorrect in their boast! In fact, what they trumpet could be the real hard truths! Possibly this could be the outcome wanted by some people but whether it would serve this little red dot long term interests remains to be seen. Though LTK majored in Chinese Studies during his university days, from his maneuvers so far, one is hardly convinced he is well versed in Chinese ancient art of war. On the surface and to the common folks, it appears to be. A slightly deeper analysis on some major maneuvers would reveal otherwise. One cannot just depend on the political and policy mistakes of the incumbent to gain ground. If and when the incumbent tightens and fine tunes their policies and minimised their missteps, the contest almost become “unwinnable” even on a constituency basis, much less nationally. This is just my personal observation and opinion. Correct me if I am wrong. At the end of the day, results always speak the loudest. I believe the purpose of this blog in particular and social media in general is to add value and enhance discourse. This is the intention. No offence intended. Diversity in views may just likely reinforced and fortified the long term interests of this little red dot on the whole by putting more ideas and perspectives on the table for consideration and discussion.
ReplyDeletePolitics in China changes with time. Despite the fact that during the Long March, Maozedong and his comrades used to quote the Ancient Military Strategists, Mao himself had better ideas.
ReplyDeleteHe cared for the people wherever and whenever during his struggles with the Kuomintang and the Japs. Doing so got him many more members(fighters) and respects from the people. That resulted in victory for his Comnunist Party.
On another hand, Mao and his fellow leaders did not subjugate themselves to foreigners helping him. He was cognizant of China was for the (China)Chinese People and not for others(aliens) to dictate.
Workers Party it seems, is more concern with its' own viability. It's connection with the people as a whole is loose except at areas(constituencies) where they contested and intent to contest. It is too localized for their own good. So, not surprising if there are sceptics about WP.
Forget about the strategy of Low Thia Khiang or that of his Party. So long as his Party does not connect with all Singaporeans, it will be at best ONLY GOOD AS A CO-DRIVER AND NOTHING MORE.
/// Forget about the strategy of Low Thia Khiang or that of his Party. So long as his Party does not connect with all Singaporeans, it will be at best ONLY GOOD AS A CO-DRIVER AND NOTHING MORE. ///
ReplyDeleteForget about the strategy of Lee Hsien Loong or that of his Party. So long as his Party does not connect with all Singaporeans, it will be at best ONLY GOOD AS A CHEAP COPY OF HIS FATHER AND NOTHING MORE.
Why drag Teochew Ah Lau into here.He will tell you that its not that he is disconnected but is using ZhangSanFeng or those kungfu master strategy,now in the mountain cave mastering his secret skill and will appear in 3 years time.
ReplyDeleteNo need rally,he only need to use his skill ,go stage ,speak in his teochew,Tau wa chit peo,everyone will automatically,naturally,blindly ,unknowingly,accidentally......tick at that logo.
With the special skill that he master secretly in the mountain,any erm chai see who want to beat him will lost their deposit.
What you all know.
A Gong Kia. Reminds of a night club called Disco A Go Go. It was later shut down by the G with all the other discos in the seventies, as part the crackdown on " decadent western lifestyle". The ban on long hair and popular music was part of it too. It marked the end of creativity in Sin City. Sad.
ReplyDeleteInflation flying through the roof in Sinkie land courtesy of an incompetent govt. How do we solve the problem ? VTO VTO VTO
ReplyDeleteHi Oldblindox, welcome to the blog.
ReplyDeleteWe will have to wait to see what Low Thia Khiang will do in 2016. He is gaining ground in every election. So let's wait to see how many more seats he will get.
Actually he does not need to do anything as the situation here is crumbling and to his favour. Many problems have reached a level that they have taken a life of their own and nothing can be undone but running to their natural demise.
Hi Mr Chua,
ReplyDeleteThanks. You have done a great job overall but no man can be right all the time. Knowing such helps everyone keep improving and become a better person for the good of this world. Going at this rate, most optimistic guestimate is for them to take all seats they contested previously that they had not won less one in SKW. That makes it 22 in total assuming boundaries remain. But unlikely to happen based on current tide. To take the additional 15 seats, likely they need 10 quality candidates in the mode of LTK and SL. Would they have such capacity by 2015/ 2016? Shouting an empty slogan without the means is still nothing but empty slogans. After two years plus since 2011, have they gone anywhere near their 2011 slogan? Ask them venture out of NE and N, they are likely a fish out of water ...... Anyway when supposed opposite ideological entities like DAP and PAS can stand shoulder to shoulder, what differences can be bigger to stand apart from each other with 10-foot poles? Just my personal opinion and observation. Feel free to disagree. Just a personal view that a stronger check and balance would likely push the government to perform better for everyone including the long term interest of Sg. Just a hope. Many able people who can get their act together are unlikely to step up. This is the reality in Sg. NSP may be a dark horse next GE. Provided they can chip away their rough edges. This is probably how it stands for now. Some may clamour for change. But likely it may not happen any time soon. Not likely by 2016. But again, many things are in a flux and can change between now and 2016.
One thing about the WP, they never claim to form the govt and never claim how many seats they are going to win. They just plod along quietly at their own pace. Every additional seat or GRC they won will be another bonus.
ReplyDeleteAnd yes, we cannot rule out the other parties. They too are quietly working on the ground and recruiting. Each of them needs to bring in 10 reasonable candidates will make a big difference.
When Ah Lian and Ah Huat can take on the elite and top professionals and won, it shows that the people are going for the hearts more than the brains.
2016 is awaiting to happen and no one can know for sure what it harbours for the future. This I think we both agree.
Yes, now co-drivers are quietly sitting in the bus plodding along. Like with hands and legs tied to a grab pole. Mouths stuff with their own socks. Yeah, they can call themselves co-drivers for all they want. But paralysed co-drivers they are! How to slap the drivers? Ha ha ha. Drivers are chuckling all the way ...... and whenever they are "bored", stop the bus along the side, go to the tied up co-drivers, perform co-drivers duties on co-drivers until face swollen like jack fruit, then nonchalantly whistle and casually walk to their drivers seats and drive to wherever they deemed fit. Obviously co-drivers quietly plod along the bus for the rest of the journey ......
ReplyDeleteMany I believe can see and feel the "pains" of the co-drivers. Taking on a giant in disunity inevitably likely bring on such "sufferings and agonies" on oneself. Foreseeable future outcome is unlikely to change overnight and miraculously.
ReplyDelete我不入地狱谁入地狱
ReplyDeleteSomebody has to do the job right? If not the WP it will be some other party.
Tiok!
ReplyDeleteNSP - Nicole Seah's Party doesn't sound such a bad idea. :)
ReplyDeleteNSP's semi dream team: Nicole Seah, Hazel Poa, Jeannette Chong Aruldoss, Sebastian Teo, Steve Chia
ReplyDeleteRB, you are right. Somebody has to do the job. If there are alernatives to LTK, by all means let them come in to make a change, however small.
ReplyDeleteThat the people in WP are willing to make the sacrifice and took up the challenge to face the uneven playing field against all odds, is a great credit in itself.
Many have tried, hounded into desperation, destroyed financially because of a warped election system, is an indication of what being an opposition is up against.
Any semblance of an opposition keeping the PAP on its toes is better than doing nothing.
Wait Gurkhas can catch!
ReplyDeleteAt the Present Moment, the MANY Alternative Partiesby themselves INDIVIDUALLY ARE IMPOTENT.
ReplyDeletePlease think about it; without the SOCIAL MEDIA, the Victories in the Last GE AND BY-ELECTIONS BY WORKERS PARTY MIGHT NOT HAVE HAPPENED. AND SO WERE THE HIGH SCORES BY THE OTHER PARTIES.
SO LONG AS THE ALTERNATIVE PARTIES IN SIN CARE ONLY FOR THEIR OWN VICTORIES which translates into ONLY caring for themselves, they will NOT WIN THE HEARTS OF THE PEOPLE
patriot