SINGAPORE: It is easy for the opposition to criticise the government and pledge to “put more money in people’s pocket”, but it is Singaporeans, not the government, who will have to eventually pay for these promises, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Monday (Apr 28).
“Such a lovely idea, but it is hard to pay for. After these nine days, after all the promises that they’ve made, who in the opposition is here to sign the cheques?” said Ms Fu at a People’s Action Party’s (PAP) rally at Jurong East Stadium.
She was referring to one of Red Dot United’s (RDU) manifesto proposals calling for a “Citizen’s Dividend”, which the opposition party said is an “unconditional cash transfer” that would serve as a financial safety net for all Singaporeans.
The proposed dividend is expected to cost between S$2 billion (US$1.53 billion) and S$4 billion, but RDU’s leaders had emphasised that the cost will not dip into the national reserves.
Ms Fu’s PAP team faces RDU’s slate for Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC in the May 3 polls.
She then asked: “Who will pay for their promises? Is it the government? The government is only the custodian for Singapore.”
“Ultimately, it is Singaporeans that will pay – either Singaporeans today, like you and I, or Singaporeans of the future, your children, their children.”
At the end of the day, the election is not about making empty promises, said Ms Fu, who leads the PAP team contesting the ward.
“We are here to make promises that we can keep,” said Ms Fu, adding that the ruling party has a track record of 20 years to show for it.
The other speakers at the rally include her teammates: new face David Hoe, former Hougang candidate Lee Hong Chuang, Minister of State for Health and Digital Development and Information Rahayu Mahzam and Minister of State for Transport and Law Murali Pillai.
They are up against RDU’s team comprising non-profit organisation manager Liyana Dhamirah, waste management company director Osman Sulaiman, artist Ben Puah, marketing agency director Marcus Neo and principal software engineer Harish Mohanadas. Ms Liyana had previously contested Jurong GRC on the RDU ticket in the 2020 General Election, while Mr Osman was a candidate for the Singapore People’s Party in Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC.
TRADE-OFFS AND HARD DECISIONS
In her rally speech, Ms Fu addressed concerns over cost-of-living as well as the increase in Goods and Services Tax (GST).
She acknowledged that it is “never easy” for the PAP to make decisions like raising GST, adding that making such tough decisions always comes with trade-offs.
“No major decision is easy to make. There are always trade-offs,” said Ms Fu. “And decisions like GST (are) never easy.”
She added that the government recognises the struggles faced by those with little or no income, which is why a “permanent support system” was introduced to help them.
To cushion the impact of the GST increase, the government had introduced several support measures, such as cash payouts of S$850 under the GST Voucher scheme, Medisave top-ups of up to S$450 for eligible seniors, and utilities rebates of up to S$380 through the GST Voucher- U-Save programme.
“We are taking a chicken wing from you but giving you a whole chicken,” said Ms Fu.
She then said that GST is a tax that allows the government to tax tourists, a point that Prime Minister Wong made most recently at his lunchtime Fullerton rally, where he said the tax is imposed on foreigners, tourists and higher-income families.
She added that GST also taxes individuals in Singapore who may have little or no declared income but still…
