Singapore — Speaking in Parliament on Thursday (Oct 15) during the debate on the latest supplementary budget, Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat said a hike in the Goods and Services Tax (GST) cannot be deferred indefinitely. CNA
I was scratching my head after reading the above. The only thing that I know that cannot be deferred indefinitely is death. Death would surely come, cannot be delayed. But... GST hike, cannot be deferred indefinitely, must surely come also, got fixed time frame? What law is this? Death is ruled by nature's law. GST hike is governed by what law?
What are the assumptions and justifications for GST hike? Inflation, more salary increases, higher cost of govt? Oil price increases? Gravity?
It is also reported that Medishield Life premium also cannot be deferred indefinitely. They must be thinking that this Medishield is like food, that one must eat if not will surely die.
I am still scratching my head. This must be from some hard sciences or universal law. Medishield is not necessary for everyone. No one is asking for it. No one is volunteering to give up their CPF savings for something they did not want.
As for GST, it is just another tax and taxes can come in many forms, not necessarily in this crude and pervasive GST that would tax the babies, the unborn or even the dead, and definitely the retired and the jobless.
What do you think?
Please spare the seniors from all these schemes that would empty their little life savings they needed to survive.
ReplyDeleteMillionaires, please show a bit of compassion. The seniors did not have much money like you to spare.
Morning rb.. no need to scratch head too much..the only certain thing about head scratching is hair loss.. increase gst is the last card this government left to play..have a look at our lopsided tax laws that heavily subsidises regional offices.. under utilised refining facilities n bonded storage..n u will realise that this government must increase the tax of citizens consumption of kway Tebow n kopi O.. taxing GLCs is Lppl because these jokers only know how to enrich themselves from the Singapore budget.. most of the international forays are mired in losses.. so where to tap the tax dollar? These jokers would be so desperate for their tax dollar that I'm prepared to bet on an easing of coe quotas as well as easing of property transactions..nothing left to tax liao lo...))))
ReplyDeleteYa, they are trying to max out on anything they can tax or hike.
ReplyDeleteAll these tax hikes imposed on Sinkies even as Singapore sovereign wealth funds throw millions of dollars into struggling India companies. Is there any oversight to protect the interests of Sinkies?
ReplyDeleteThe overly-powered for too long and having it too easy are taking Singaporeans for a ride. These free riders think money is so easy to come. Just wake up in the morning and call a cabinet or cupboard meeting a simply decide where to suck more blood in order to patch up the big big holes created by over-spending, over-investing and over-indulging.
ReplyDeleteThe day must come for karma to take effect. Death is the only equaliser for the commoners to hope that justice is done.
To the hopelessly ruthless, who show no compassion, likewise no compassion should be allowed to them.
May the Heavens do justice for the commoners!
The investment of the country's huge reserves is to provide another major source of income for the country. Is this happening or they are losing their pants instead?
ReplyDeleteOne thing is sure, the reserves are providing a very good source of income to the managers of the reserves. Are the sums paid to the managers justifiable for the returns or the losses?
The lawyer of lawyers and judge of judges and powerful of the powerfuls, as usual without shame, tried to defend the indefensible that the asshole bandit's stand for refusing to give a minimum wage to low-wage Singaporeans is common-nonsensical.....
ReplyDeleteThe Malaysian King, Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah, on Sunday (25 October) stated that there is no need to declare a state of emergency in the country, whether as a whole or in certain parts.
ReplyDeleteThe King reminded politicians to put an urgent end to any form of “politicking” that is not good for the people and country.
“Al-Sultan Abdullah is also of the opinion that there is no need for Members of Parliament to continue engaging in irresponsible actions.
The Budget 2021 which is slated to be tabled in Parliament, according to the King, is very important for the people of Malaysia, particularly in facilitating efforts to manage the COVID-19 situation in the country and to rehabilitate the nation’s economy following damage caused by the pandemic.
Why Singapore's "Queen" never even say a word about the welfare of the people in this pandemic, har?
Civil society rights groups on Sunday (25 Oct) affirmed their support for and stand in solidarity with Thailand’s brave youth and independent media as they continue to share their truth, exercise their internationally protected rights online and offline, and fight for democracy in Thailand.
ReplyDeleteThey collectively asked the Thai King to stop dictatorship on online freedom of speech guaranteed by international laws.
Same thing should also apply to Singapore as well.
When greed knows no bounds and power rests in the wrong hands, Public Goods that were once provided by the State for a minimal sum, is now privatized to seek maximum profits, in order to benefit a small segment of society enormously.
ReplyDeleteAny ASEAN country which is America's balls carrier won't be next for sure!
ReplyDeleteThe evil American Empire will keep on destabilising other countries to give them an opening to mess up these countries and to start wars.
ReplyDeleteThey are lords and we are peasants.
ReplyDeleteThey will milk us till we are dead.
Its like this everywhere.
Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteAny ASEAN country which is America's balls carrier won't be next for sure!
October 26, 2020 11:16 am
The American balls carrier Gilahari suggested that Laos and Cambodia are China's proxy and should be expelled from Asean.
What about expelling American proxies From Asean also?
If Laos and Cambodia are China's proxies as alleged by Hari Hari Gila Gilahari and must be expelled from ASEAN (on what basis?) then Singapore clearly an American proxy must also be expelled. Tump only received Singapore PM at the White House. No other ASEAN leaders have been received by Trump in the White House.
DeleteFACTS:
ReplyDeletePresident Trump welcomes PM Lee to White House for Oval Office meeting, working luncheon
United States President Donald Trump greets Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the White House on Oct 23. Both leaders will have a meeting in the Oval Office followed by a working luncheon with other top US officials. (Photo)
Published 24 OCTOBER, 2017
WASHINGTON — United States President Donald Trump greeted visiting Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the White House on Monday (Oct 23), where both leaders held talks in the Oval Office for the first time.
Mr Lee, who is on a six-day official working visit to Washington, last met Mr Trump in July on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Hamburg, Germany.
In his opening remarks in the Oval Office, Mr Trump said the bilateral relationship between Singapore and the US over the years "has been very good, but it's never been closer than now."
Mr Lee thanked Mr Trump for the warm welcome, adding: "I'm very happy to be here with you and to be here at a time when our relations are prospering.
"And we look forward to taking them forward, deepening them, and strengthening them for many years to come, and starting with this administration."
Following their meeting in the Oval Office, both leaders witnessed the signing of a deal between Singapore Airlines and Boeing for the national carrier to buy 39 new planes. The deal, worth US$13.8 billion (S$18.7 billion), will create 70,000 jobs in the US.
"We do a lot of business with Singapore. The relationship now is at its highest point and it will continue," Mr Trump said after the signing of the deal.
Mr Lee was also hosted by the American leader to a bilateral working lunch together with Vice President Mike Pence, Cabinet Secretaries and key White House officials.
Both leaders also spoke from the Rose Garden of the White House, where they reaffirmed bilateral ties and pledged further cooperation on several fronts.
Source: Todayonline.
8833.
Uncle Redbean, why scratch head? You were warn that the GST increase will eventually come. You should not be surprised. Cost of living will increase because the MPs need pay increase. To hell with retrenchment, MPs never get retrenched. They know that because they have another 4 years of increasing wealth. You die your business.
ReplyDeleteAfrican singer adopts China as Home
ReplyDeleteBy Du Juan
Chinadaily.com.cn
Updated: 2020-10-21
Mariatu Kargbo, 34, a singer and philanthropist from Sierra Leone, has build bridges between China and Africa in culture, art and friendship over the past 16 years.
When she came to China for the first time in 2004, Kargbo was a high-school student chosen by the city of Weifang, Shandong province, to perform at a kite festival. The city is well-known for its unique and elegant handmade kites.
"I was so grateful for that chance because it has changed my life totally to a much better and luckier direction," Kargbo said. "I always said that it's fate that brought China and me together."
From Weifang, she took a train to Shenzhen to meet friends. But during the trip she became seriously ill. A middle-aged woman from Xi'an, Shaanxi province, persuaded her to get off the train and took her to a hospital.
"As a foreigner, I was alone and couldn't speak any Chinese," Kargbo recalled. "She signed for my surgery and paid all the fees for me. She took all the responsibility for me without knowing who I was or whether I could pay her back. I was so touched."
Since then, Kargbo has viewed China as a place of blessing and she wanted to pursue her dream in the country.
Returning to China in 2006, she found a job as a fashion designer at a company in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province. But it was in 2007 that she became a national star when she sang in a TV talent show on China Central Television.
She had not expected to become a singer and began performing modestly here and there.
"I decided to spend my life in China because it has given me opportunities to make a life through hard work. I love this country from my heart. Everything I do is because of love."
On May 12, 2008, Kargbo was performing in Sichuan province when the Wenchuan earthquake occurred. She went to Wenchuan immediately and volunteered to deliver medical goods.
"The second day, May 13, was my birthday," Kargbo said. "It was meaningful to spend it helping the needy."
Kargbo is often invited to perform during China-Africa cultural events. She has made many short videos in a series called Small Small Chinese to teach foreigners how to speak Mandarin.
"I hope people will know that China is a peaceful place where people can realize their dreams no matter what color they are," she said. "You need to know Chinese culture, which is important for understanding the society and people here. Then you will get the chance to establish yourself like me — from nothing to something, from a girl selling water on the street to an artist who can make a contribution to this world."
Heart warming story.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteSin
spent $20 Million to host President Donald Tramp and Comrade Kim Jong En Meeting,
what is dinner at the White House ?
Minimum wage can be delayed but my million dollar salary hike cannot be delayed indefinitely.
ReplyDelete'.....what is dinner at the White House ?'
ReplyDeleteNo big deal indeed.
Sinkies:
do not think too high of Your Dis-honourable Son.
Btw,
Bola Krishna is into his clever talk about the performance of the Sin Regime at Channel News Asia. No doubt the Bugger is still as good as he was as a debater during his school days.
Be
it Proposition or Opposition, he sapu/wins all with his twist and turn. Even a sly fox is no match for him.