Comments on: “PRs need to have a home in Singapore” – Mah Bow Tan

By: stark

stark — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 11:24:50 +0000

let us assume for a pretext that the pr status may only be granted to true expatriates (those who actually benefit the economy, not the workers in our service sector, the construction site, etc.). the fact that these people, usually workers for mncs, would be earning a higher-than-normal income is logical, yes? which, in other words, makes irrefutable the statement: prs can afford private housing (condos, terrace, whatnot).

question is: why does the government not limit the supply of hdb housing to these people? well, the answer is almost staring at us; our basic assumption, that the pr status is accorded to professionals, is erroneous. they can afford neither a house, or a private apartment, and have to rely on public housing (which for them is supplied on the resale market), driving prices up for the citizens.

on their side, nothing is wrong; they are just earnest, hardworking fellows eager at earning their keep. they make sure they stretch every dollar in pursuit of a brighter future.

the citizens aren’t in the wrong too. naturally, with rocketing housing prices, who wouldn’t be angry? but vent chagrin not on the prs, but on the people who approved these people their status, on the people who, of all things, did not foresee this outcome.

By: Foreigner

Foreigner — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 02:35:39 +0000

Singaporeans deserved to be screwed again and again.

You guys seem to enjoy it quietly but making a lot of noises just to put up a show for foreigners to pity and sympathize with you.

Singaporeans who willingly elected the PAP garment has nothing to complain about.

YOU DESERVE IT! SO SHUT UP!

By: commentator

commentator — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 13:55:14 +0000

Maybe PRs can be housed on some nearby offshore islands. HDB can build some high-rise kelongs for them. A win-win situation for all.

By: Edward

Edward — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:12:51 +0000

I sold my Executive flat in Toa Payoh in 2006 for $350,000 well below valuation near the bottom of the property market. I didn’t know the govt. was going to allow the influx of so many PRs and foreigners. In less than 2 years, these E flats in Toa Payoh are advertised for sale at more than $550,000, a 50% increase.

Mr MBT, I have $200,000 less for my retirement.

By: Heavenknow

Heavenknow — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 11:33:23 +0000

Look at the $million MBT presented his speech….. great admiration, seem like plucking data out from thin air…… thinking we are fools to believe…… hello, statistics can lie……

By: farnie

farnie — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:39:49 +0000

All this whining will come to naught. These people were chosen by you and they know you will do the same thing again.

By: Poller Joe

Poller Joe — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:09:36 +0000

Lets have a national poll
how many believe or have confidence that so many more jobs can be created to sustain a population of 6.5 if not 6 million singaporeans.

why is it no one conducted one?

By: Ong Seng Kan

Ong Seng Kan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:06:14 +0000

by ’secrets’ i mean detail extensive data in of a company or organization.

By: Ong Seng Kan

Ong Seng Kan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:04:30 +0000

I think we just have to believe MBT, whatever he tells us.
Since we do not have the privy to the secrets.

By: New Era

New Era — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:01:13 +0000

Dr Balakrishnan: There are currently 19 FSTs out of 97 badminton players, and 11 FSTs out of 85 table tennis players.

This is what Vivian said in playing down the overdependence of our national teams on foreigners.

Does anyone know who the other 86 table tennis players are? All I read about is the China ‘B’ team players representing Singapore in all the competitions. They are the ones who get the millions of dollars of taxpayers money. The Singaporeans are probably school team players.

Sadly they are always playing with the numbers.

I will vote for Change. I hope Singaporeans will do so as well.

By: Oh Holy

Oh Holy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:57:48 +0000

And the papers also say from july to oct, the number of resales and the number of ppl dropped, yet they up the HDB prices…totally…contradicting and you know..no credibility lol

We need a honest gov ….

By: New Era

New Era — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 07:51:51 +0000

Honestly, I never believe any of the figures these people give.

There is no transparency. This is the answer given by a Minister in parliament:

People do want to know, there is curiosity, it is a matter of public interest. That is not sufficient reason to disclose information. It is not sufficient that there be curiosity and interest that you want to disclose information.

The facts and figures are always twisted to make it more palatable for Singaporeans to accept. Please don’t be so naive.

I believe this site has pointed out so many discrepancies in the figures given out by the MIW. Don’t accept anything at face value from them.

By: ilovesingapore

ilovesingapore — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:39:59 +0000

Govt says only 5% of flats are owned by PRs, but also says 40% of all flats sold last year were bought by PRs. This means only about 12% of the total number of flats are actually entering the resale market. Isn’t that more relevant than saying PRs own only 5%?

With the property market showing no signs of cooling down, and with the number of PRs on the rise, it won’t take very long for that 5% to double or treble.

By: prettyplace

prettyplace — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:38:47 +0000

Only 5% it is such a small number……

Can this be the reason for price increases in HDB resale market…..what about New LKY Citizens….how are they contributing to the increase.

If it is Singaporeans demanding new flats, shouldn’t HDB have known this.

MBT….he is sure making money for the Govt…and he is collecting a solid paycheck…2 things I am certain of…the rest..mmmmm…..

By: Joddy

Joddy — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 05:35:24 +0000

Marlboro Tan, please, you talk about SGporeans being unreasonable and having unrealistic expectation of public housing. Nonsense, we are just demanding what should be rightfully be accorded to us as citizens.

If you can really comprehend what’s happening on the ground, how about YOU giving up your MULTI-MILLION DOLLARS salary and your palacious bungalow at Holland Road, and live like most of us in HDB flats ? If you can’t give that up, then stop espousing nonsense becoz NOBODY will believe any of the rubbish coming out of the mouth of a DWARF.

By: Peter Tan

Peter Tan — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:53:17 +0000

This is the only country in the world where PUBLIC HOUSING is available for purchase by non-Singaporeans and the Minister feel it is totally alright and defend it vigorously.

In China, the Govt will never dare do such a thing.

When will he ever learn? When he loses the next election?

By: I Can Honestly Say . . .

I Can Honestly Say . . . — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 04:02:13 +0000

to preston loon:

remember that in the eyes of our gahment…you are labelled as A QUITTER.

By: sweeney 38

sweeney 38 — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:29:20 +0000

Wake Up!!….. Mr MM Lee Kuan Yew, and ………”come back to earth”.
Your ministers are making a …….Mess of our lives!!………….You included!

Your choice of ministers are horrendous!!….No compassion in their hearts,
arrogant!!

Disgusting ! Shameless bunch of Fools!!!

By: matthew

matthew — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:28:21 +0000

To preston loon:
Most people have miss the point again and again.. as mention in many others thread, people are not angry at PR. Is the “number of PR in short period of time” that most people are angry with.

Singaporean in the first place have no social benefits, free health care, etc. The only precious thing to us is our job and so call home in public housing (HDB), If we even need to fight with millions of foreigners for it, what is our government good for then?

I welcome foreigners who are willing to do the job that are shun by local or not suitable, but I disapprove of the government policy for company to hire foreigners without even trying to interview a local first.

By: Wee SK

Wee SK — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 03:03:47 +0000

If I remember correctly, Malboro Tan opposed the construction of NEL, which runs through 2 opposition wards, in the early 90s. Now it seems that this line is profitable when we were told to pay more for fares because of the construction costs. So this guy’s track record is not very good, screws up most ministries that he is in.