According to the Straits Times, “The budget for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) has surpassed original estimates of US$75 million ($104 million) by more than three times. The projected government spending for the 13-day Games in August will now be approximately $387 million.”
In the Budget for 2010, the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, which is helmed by Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, was allocated a total of S$1.97 billion. Its Budget statement says: “A sum of $160.64 million is allocated for the operating expenditure of the Youth Programme, which constitutes an increase of $84.45 million or 110.9% over the revised FY2009 expenditure. The increase is mainly due to the projected preparation and operating cost for YOG in August 2010.”
In contrast to the S$387 million for the YOG, a “sum of $92.39 million is allocated to the ComCare and Social Support Programme… [which] constitutes an increase of $2.64 million or 2.9% over the revised FY2009 expenditure. The increase is mainly attributed to a projected increase in the number of needy families affected by the economic downturn, who sought financial assistance.”
The budget for the Social Service Sector Planning Programme received S$83.02 million. The SSSPP caters to, among others, dysfunctional families and funding to voluntary welfare organizations.
In 2007, in announcing the increase in Goods and Services Tax from 5 per cent to 7 per cent, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that this was “to help the poor”. He also said:
“Is it better to take your medicine sooner or stretch it out? Take medicine once or two times? I prefer to take my medicine early, why? This is something we need to do, once we have done it, we can move on…”
S$387 million for YOG.
S$92.39 million for the needy.
S$83.02 million for families and VWOs.
What are your thoughts on this?
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Click to enlarge. Cartoon by Joshua Chiang.
@iamLIUBANGthekamchyeater, 8 July 2010
This is not fair. You can describe things so ‘graphically’ (& beautifully!) without even a PG-rating moderation from TOC. Anyway, at least your ah-ga Singlish I can stand (i.e. my 2 legs), not like ‘better-betterer-betterest’ Froglish (which make my middle finger stands every time).
@rockabyebay, 8 July 2010
Kanna influenced by ‘sturmtruppen’, your comment reminds:
“An army of asses led by a tiger is superior to an army of tigers led by an ass.”–George Washington.
Only we may be talking about an army of asses led by an ass here. (PS: LHL also quoted above phrase recently but his script writers got it wrong – attributing it to Sun Tzu. Shows the type of talents he surrounds himself with.)
@sturmtruppen, 8 July 2010
Errate, my quote#3 should be:
“The duty of men at Stalingrad is to be dead.”–Adolf Hitler.
In light of some commenters thinking it is OK to overrun on budget becos others also experienced it, I quote:
“It is inevitable for men to be killed and wounded in battle. But there is no reason why such losses SHOULD BE INCREASED because of the incompetence and carelessness of some stupid son-of-a-bitch.”–Gen. George S. Patton, Knutsford speech, 23 March 1944.
Basically, those ‘got liao-one” (i.e. skilled in their jobs) will seek to REDUCE the cost rather than try to justify any increases.
iamLIUBANGthekamchyeater,
Although I think VB should really go back to his medical professional as he seems truely a shadow of his former self n looks downright miserable, Im not talkin abt ministers salary here. the topic Im addressing is purely on YOG going overbudget. Im not saying its an honest mistake. They did underbudget but if other countries blew their budget Im not deluding myself that SG was capable of budgeting accurately.In fact, wonder how much it cost SG to bring in F1? Was it also overbudgeted? Your guess is as good as mine.
If we want to whine, we should be up in arms abt how much $$ our investment arms have and are still bleedg our $$ due to their bad decisions.
Alex the Peasant Boy, YOG is an inaugural event n obviously no one wld be able to predict its ‘popularity’, just like Greeks wld never had predicted how the Olympics wld turn out. SG will nvr be able to host the Olympics ever due to its limited space. Apparently our govt has decided to take a risk in deciding to host YOG. Recouping the $$ is also unlikely. So why do it? Beijing/Sydney/Greece also have poor and needy people, why didnt they focus $$ on helping them? SG is one of the richest smallest countries in Asia n I believe our govt has the $$ to help our needy even if they spend the $$ on YOG, but they simply dont have the moral will to do it.
I suppose S$387 million can probably last 100 years to help those needy recipients on public assistance schemes. But that idiot Minister would rather finish spending all of it in about 1 year just for the vanity of the games.
And with this kind of obscene budget, I suppose this same idiot Minister is not going to even question where the meals are coming from ? Hawker centre, foodcourt or restaurant ?
First the grudge to handout more allowance for the poor then the sports hub delay fiasco and now this. What next?
Incompetent millionaires!
sweeayty, 8 July 2010
its not about whining. because over the past few years, the error in judgement keeps getting bigger & bigger. worse that the mistakes cost money, & people do wonder if they will be ultimately be made to pay for those mistakes that are none of their making.
maybe to you its “just another” error in judgement, but not everyone sees it that way (i don’t). for all their accolades, each mistake made is a dent to that image that they can do no wrong.
quote:
“I believe our govt has the $$ to help our needy even if they spend the $$ on YOG, but they simply dont have the moral will to do it.”
isn’t this worrying? not too long ago the Helix Bridge was officially openned boasting some technological feat (IIRC). in the end it will be just another pedestrian bridge, abait a very costly one. surely govts have the obligation the its people 1st, not 2nd, 3rd, etc? they are elected to serve the people afterall, no? taxpayers money should be spent on the betterment of the people, not on fanciful structures or buildings (expensive eye-candies).
It is way too much to be spent on a sports event. what are they trying to prove? it is the singaporea government’s mentality to show off to the world ,only to show them the good things, but beneath this, there are many waiting for funds to survive.
It is very disappointing.
It is way too much to be spent on a sports event. what are they trying to prove? it is their mentality to show off to the world ,only to show them the good things, but beneath this, there are many waiting for funds to survive.
It is very disappointing.
VB needs to go to church every day of the week to worship ALMIGHTY GOD for HIS ALMIGHTY Wisdom. And just go to MCYS on weekends to make the right decisions pleasing GOD instead of his earthly paycheck “master” who doesn’t even believe there’s a GOD! He “master” had said once on CNA that “I don’t believe either the Koran or the Bible has the last word about life”.
Was his “master” treason to his own Sedition act of Law? So, does the mantra of “Service for Greed of money” empower that type of mind for doing wrong as right? Worshiping God but upholding the paycheck “master
will is then making man greater than God and futile worship. Do look to the things of Heaven and all things of the earth will pale in His presence as I believe you VB do know that! Please don’t be hypocrite.
sweeayty
Im not talkin abt ministers salary here. the topic Im addressing is purely on YOG going overbudget
…………….
you called us ALL whiners
you says we all good keyboard critics
yet you want your masters ministers to be paid well on the top 6 CEOs…
if an overpaid minister which is on par skill with top 6 ceos…cannot even budget how the company run..how on earth is the top 6 companies gonna make million$ or billion$?
it that why temasek inc lost billion$
overbudget again?
opps forgotton bout the 17.7billion$ other expenses unaccountable amount…
Spent on YOG like splashing water, spent on Needy and Elderly like dripping drops of water!!! Alamat, splash away 387million within a year time so fast, they can really waste this kind of money on showing off rather than using it to help Needy and Elderly, really no eyes to see!!!
This MCYS Minister has been sleeping in his $million job!!
First, the SEA games fiasco.
Second, the delay of the Sports Hup fiasco, not once, not twice, but 3 times!!
Now this YOG crap, the budget is over-blown by, not one, not two, but THREE times!!
WTF is he doing,and be paid $millions??!!
I wonder if all these would happen as it is if ONLY there was a two-party or multi-party or even proportional representation.
Way to go lah, Singaporeans taxpayers’ money is squandered will-nilly and simply blaming the incumbents won’t do lah.
We opted and trusted a one-party system and of course – it is fallible lah, abuse of power, lack of transparency … add on sacrificed on the altar of power politics and $$$$.
Hope sense and intelligence prevails the next elections
May be because the guest sexual harassment the volunteer, they need more money to hire some chickens.
Dear VB
You are now deeply entrenched in the PAP cult!
Will you ever be freed?
let me tell you a realive true story on the korean corrupted ministers in the late 1899 eras…
yes yes i am a time traveller and also partime liubei..the minister of defences in the romance of the 3 kingdoms…
those were the days whn they pilfer the pettycash from the treasuries..
here how it worked…
lets says the koran annual arirang street shows cost 10 millions won…
the contractors submit a tender for $10million wons…simple right?
no..the korean minister would used the inkbrush used by confuscius to stroke
he changed it to 100million won..
givin the contracter a 10% commission
on the day when the contractor finished..it also the contractor final day with arkiangel gabriel together with the whole contractor’s clans..
the chinese sayins..when you eat.. you cleansed your salivas…
without a doubt..the smart Queen..actually the last queen of korea went to investigate how come so many skilled contractors disappear 1 by 1?
where did the contractors migrate to?
north korea perhaps?
the stupid last emperor of korea who coincidentally is also on the same calibre as the last emperor of china..PTUI YI…
we also hav 1 survivin prince amon us..
his name will not be mentioned..he is TABOO…but i know what is his not favourite side dish…he just don’t liked seahums…
so you all want to learn korean history?
try orderin a kenchi dish 1st…
anon haseyo….
Walau !! he cannot even handle all these little ah boys’ and ah girls’ sport events hor.
VB is a wolf is a sheep clothing. Pure Hypocrite. 18 stories of Hell punishment awaits you.
By the time they are done, it is on longer $385 million.. it more like $550 millions.. That Singapore.. they pay for the feel-good say nice thing monies.
They will also pay for the visitors for a free holiday here. The FEEL -good effect. That how smart our country is..
What your problem.. we have plenty of monies..
For locals, please wait, we will squeeze every penny out of you to pay for the visitor to get a holiday here. This is BS Singapore Uniquely.
This Minister is drunk in his millions dollar pay.
This is one stand-up guy who criticise the government.. It was then said in the election campaign , we will buy him over. “Buy” with money i suppose.
You are SOLD, Minister…
Wonder if the AG dept. is onto this gross over-expediture of public funds? This must be the mother of all kiddies party, proudly hosted by Singapore elites using taxpayers monies!
I hope the election will be held after a successful YOG. Lets all help ensure our leaders succeed. If so, they deserve another pay hike.
Mo Good Years to all.
the elections will be held after Orchard Rd flood (not just Orchard Rd), MRT train graffiti fiasco, million $$ (or billion?) loses, & million $ increase net profit by public transport operators, “some” frontline service staff still do not have rudimentary grasp on english language, etc.
lmao…
Vivian Lee
Lets all help ensure our leaders succeed. If so, they deserve another pay hike
….
hello grandaughter of laulee..
you want us the peasant$ to ensure the leader$ succeed? than if we help them to succeed..we give them more money?
which part of you is brainDEAD? for your surname is LEE?
even likahsing also never sink liked this..
~zhee~
Vivian Lee was obviously being sarcastic or cynical. It is sad that wantopressvivianLEEnaynay 11 July 2010 didn’t see that!
Go see his ending of “Mo Good Years to all” by spelling “More” as “Mo”. We need to be more insightful Singaporeans as this lack was definitely the cause of LKY-PAP’s dominance. And our present predicaments. Otherwise TOC, TR, YB etc won;t be around if he and them are righteous and good.
rockabyebaby 11 July 2010
Vivian Lee was obviously being sarcastic or cynical. It is sad that wantopressvivianLEEnaynay 11 July 2010 didn’t see that!
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iamLIUBANGthekamchyeater 9 July 2010
sweeayty
Im not talkin abt ministers salary here.
……………
remembered that bloke sweetongue above?
he is here to REMIND you LOT..we are not here to talk bout ministers highend salaries…he is here to justify how/why the YOC overbudget..2 different words in his vocaburably…
yes yes i also suspect vivan lee might be scarstatic…if i am.. i would hav nicked meself as leeSIOWEDling…
This is why the Younger Generation are not the same as the Older Generation, because they teach and pampered them too much that’s why now all like that can spend money like splash water. Don’t know how different is the Older Generation how hard they struggle to bring them up…..!
oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah *HEY!*
oh yeah oh yeah oh yeah *HO!*
Why’s everyone so excited over this over-budget thing compared to how under-budget the needy are getting…
Take a chill pill folks, there’s nothing you can do but choke the living daylights out of each other trying to prove your theories and your points online… if you got the talent and if you got the balls why not find a way and change the way things work instead of trying to kill each other virtually on this site… GROW UP!
well, at least things that matter are more worth the attention than the hype that The Flyer, MBS, RWS, The Helix is/was getting.
i mean come’on, they’re more form than function, that itself speaks volume about waste. & there we are on the other hand speaking of saving Gaia? running a tight ship (S’pore)?
there are adults who still behave like kids, they refuse to grow up. examples aplenty!
:P
Koobye
if you got the talent and if you got the balls why not find a way and change the way things work instead of trying to kill each other virtually on this site… GROW UP!
…………
you meant pap ministers hav talent mey?
you meant leekuanyew ap government got balls mey? how they fight? hold hands with 6 other gays to fight 1 voter?
who is killin who?
kuanyew killin his son over hoching perhaps?
ALTHOUGH hosting next month’s inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) comes with a whopping price tag, Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan believes Singapore will get bang for its buck.
Dr Vivian 2010:
‘But as the project evolved, it became clear that this is a new international event and it’s going to be a world-class event’
‘But now that we have gone through all this trouble to put on a show, we are going to do our best.
‘Then, when the YOG is over, we can sit back and decide if it was money well spent. On my part, I will make sure that we are going to get value for money.’
Flashback 2007:
Dr Vivian was asked by a fellow PAP MP Dr Lily Neo
to increase the monthly allowance for destitute Singaporeans on
Public Assistance Scheme in 2007, he retorted:
“How much do you want? Do you want
three meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?”
When VB said he will still bid for the YOG if he knew the $300m+, I hope he said it to save face and not to think of spending again on other stupid event like YOG which is nothing but a regional middle schools sport meet.
Ask VB does he really think this event is worth spending in the long run because it brings S’pore in the world map. This is an insult to MM Lee and our hard working citizens’ 30 years effort to make us known world wide.
VB, please be humble, think and work harder to justify your million dollar annual pay and stop draining off our national reserves accumulated over the last 30 years.
I wonder our President would like to say somethings? This is the situation MM Lee is afraid of.