The Singapore Democratic Party’s (SDP) Shadow Budget is ‘bereft of goodies’, said SDP chief Dr Chee Soon Juan at a press conference to launch the party’s alternative to the Government’s Budget, which will be announced this Friday.
Dr Chee was referring to the possible increase in government subsidies meant to help the poor and tackle the rising costs of living.
“Goodies are to sweeten the poison,” Dr Chee added. “It is especially dangerous for the Government to come up with sweeteners prior to the elections.” He contended that the ‘goodies’ served as distractions to the needs of the people.
According to Dr Chee, the Government Budgets had been to serve the interests of the Government and not the needs of the people.
“The real needs are never taken care of,” he said.
Dr Chee gave a few examples of the effects of the ‘misallocation’ of expenditure; a widening income gap, low productivity, elderly continuing to do ‘back-breaking work’, HDB flats priced out of reach of young couples, and more Singaporeans going across the causeway to seek cheaper medical treatment.
Instead of offering goodies, the SDP’s Shadow Budget will instead serve the long term needs of the people while not ‘blowing a hole in the reserves’.
“The Budget is a significant reorientation of the resources,” added Dr Vincent Wijeysingha.
Dr Wijeysingha who holds a PHD in Social Policy, said that the Shadow Budget would focus on productivity, sustainability and the market of future through:
- developing home-grown industries
- improving the education system to one that enables children to think laterally
- a tolerance for exploration and failure
- creating a more democratic workplace structure and flatter hierarchies
- enabling a workforce equipped with creative thinking skills
More resources could be also be channeled to the promotion of Singapore brands in the global markets rather than the promotion of the ‘essentially meaningless’ Singapore Brand, added Dr Wijeysingha.
Dr Wijeyasingha also introduced a “Singaporeans First Policy “in manpower management. He elaborated, “An employer looking to hire a foreigner will need to demonstrate that he has exhausted all other options (in looking for a Singaporean to do the job).”
Other measures in the Shadow Budget include:
- Introduction of a graduated GST. It will range from zero-rated basic goods and services to a maximum of 10% for luxury goods.
- Removing the Cabinet positions of Minister Mentor, Senior Minister and Minister without Portfolio
- Freezing of public transport fees at 2010 levels until 2015.
One of the questions raised during the press conference was whether the Shadow Budget would allow for high economic growth.
“It’s a development budget,” said Dr Chee. “We are investing in the people. Economic growth will come as a result.”
The SDP’s Shadow Budget is now available for download here.
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berefit? shouldnt it be ‘bereft’?
The economic growth of 14.5% in year 2010
looked fake like artificial snow on even fake Christmas Tree in sunny Singapore.
Nothing to trumpet about when the casino
IRs and contributions of the import of fake foreign talent and cheap foreign labour, take up a large chunk of the GDP growth. And then when brakes are applied, GDP growth shrinks like a ballon losing its air, and becoming smaller.
Rather we should nurture our own local human resources and local companies, instead of favouring foreign companies and so-called foreign talents, to the exclusion of locals and home companies.
Yes this takes time, can’t just conveniently rely on the principle of planting instant trees. Then we would produce a Nobel Prize winner or a Singapore Samsung. Tell these yellow-skinned Englishmen in the Govt of the Chinese proverb – Yu Shu Ze Bu Da –
literally, Haste will not attain result.
Otherwise we would suspect the marathon race for high economic growth is for selfish reason of increasing one’s pay, as returns are pegged against GDP growth.
No goodies? Freezing of public transport fares is not a goody meh? It’s a temporary measure whose only purpose is to appease public transport users for the next five years.
Not saying there is anything wrong with that, but don’t say your budget has no goodies when it does.
Removing the Cabinet positions of Minister Mentor, Senior Minister and Minister without Portfolio
This one alone already can save a significant no. millions and put into better and more meaningful use to help up the folks man! but again, do you people think all these million dollar ministers would want to give up their self created appointments? well, unless there is a call for a public outcry to have all these useless appointments removed, don’t think MM (more money) would agree, of course he will come out with all kinds of his reasons to defend his existence.
If MM,SMs go , the economy will immediately collapse due to loss of confidence in Singapore’s future in the eyes of foreign investors.
We were paid less than 200 dollars to serve National Services.
Worst deprive of higher education cos WE R being labelled as GAFT.
Now, thy pay Trash 2 idle in Public Sector shake legs n collect handsome pay. Regardless of complain to department that Staff do not turn up to work, these trash still get EMPLOY while the local r jobless. Is this how we want our budget to be BURNT. Extremely INEFFICIENT.
Joss Stick u want too? Gahmen.
The MIW deaf frogs will ask us to get out of their elite uncaring face.
gewatchdog,
All the SMs are useless, so the economy won’t miss a beat without them!!!
SDP got it wrong. They sould announce similar goodies or even more than the amount the the PAP will announce on Budget Day. This is being realistic.
By not declaring goodies, SDP will not get support from the ground especially those from low-income fanmilies.
Think more of strategy and less on principles in order to win votes. Remember the aim is to win votes and not to talk about the benefits of your shadow budget. Just offer more incentives and goodies and the votes will flow. That is politics. Whether it is dirty politics or not is a separate issue.
SDP if you want to win big time, just promise the citizens that all tue blue singkies will be entitled to 1 hdb flat FOC, tell you we all kow tow to you and fcuk the papies off immediately. You must think like typical singaporean mentality, sure jalan one, bullseye! NO JOKE!
I refer to this article from the SDP website:
http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4601-wijeysingha-outlines-sdps-shadow-budget
The article states that, “The Shadow Budget also calls for ‘third sector’ industries to be encouraged to create jobs for Singaporeans. These include the alternative energy fields including bio-fuels, solar and wind power”.
Very recently, to understand better the economic impact on countries globally – including Singapore – of India’s and China’s economic ascendencies, I had started reading books on the topic.
One of the things – solutions for the two economic giants – that stood out in my mind on reading those books was exactly what the SDP is proposing: green technology. Even though the mature economies are already ahead in this regard, it appears that they have some reservations over exporting their cleaner power technologies to India and China so that the countries can more easily practise responsible growth. (Or thare some very real obstacles arising from within the Indian and Chinese economies and political systems that prevent this from happening.)
I had wondered whether Singapore was in any way equipped to be part of the technologically innovative industries instead of perenially being an importer (and user) of technology created elsewhere. Currently, it seems that the high cost of these new technologies only serve as a deterrent to both India and China importing them; the availability and affordability of the technology could also prompt an earlier ratification of international treaties on the environment by the two countries.
What else could mark our entry into the ranks of “mature economy” better?
I think that this proposal is definitely worth exploring.
1. @Ho Liao:
“No goodies? Freezing of public transport fares is not a goody meh?”
A “goody” is something, usually cash or a monetary amount deposited into your CPF account, that is handed out to you. The freezing of public transport fares is not a googy.
2. @gewatchdog:
“If MM,SMs go , the economy will immediately collapse due to loss of confidence in Singapore’s future in the eyes of foreign investors.”
I don’t know if you menat that in jest, but if the Singapore economy can collapse just because of the departure of one or two individuals from the political scene, it means that the economy that the PAP has spent half a century building is so fragile that it cannot withstand the change in political actors that other economies can.
Such an economy is not worth hanging on to; a re-building of a new and stable economy is called for.
3. @tiredsingapore:
“SDP if you want to win big time, just promise the citizens that all tue blue singkies will be entitled to 1 hdb flat FOC, tell you we all kow tow to you and fcuk the papies off immediately.”
Maybe, the SDP doesn’t want to help perpetuate exactly that unhealthy mindset that the PAP has created in Singaporeans. If nothing else, it predisposes Singaporeans to the thinking of the corrupt. (“Here’s $300 for you if you vote for me.”) It’s vote buying under a different guise.
Putting together statements from three different articles to form a more coherent whole:
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_635570.html
[Quote]
The SDP reasons, in its budget paper, that enhancing relationships with neighbours would reduce the need for expenditure on military capabilities.
[Endquote]
http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4470-sdp-proposes-alternative-ns-policy-
[Quote]
We must embark on an enlightened foreign policy approach where we work with our ASEAN neighbours instead of treating them with disdain. Instead of practising one-upmanship, a new approach must be adopted. This should include signing treatises and conducting military exercises with the ultimate aim of forming a regional defence force.
[Endquote]
This is the part from the same article just above that everyone knows but no one else has dared voice prior to this:
[Quote]
Such a move will also address the problem of discrimination against Singaporeans who are Muslims. Building up trust and confidence with our Malay-Muslim neighbours in areas of military defence will eliminate this problem as we work towards a peaceful and friendly co-existence instead of the suspicious and hostile atmosphere that currently exists.
[Endquote]
gewatchdog, MM will be gone any day now. So goes your economy.
Bravo to SDP on the shadow budget. It makes more sense than the current budget and priorities.
SDP Should Include Goodies and tired Singaporean,
If SDP does what both you propose, people would dismiss them as a party with no credibilty.
Just look at Harbans Singh at how he self-destruct himself and his party proposing the same kind of nonsense both you did
@gewatchdog
If these foreign investors are so myopic, we are definitely better off without them. They should be kept out at all cost no matter what. Better still these foreigners can bring the whatever M’s with them wherever they go if they are so indispensable to their business.
This ‘WE WILL SCARE AWAY INVESTORS’ line has now been completely worn out. If they are so easily scared they should never become investors in the first place.
“gewatchdog
16 February 2011
If MM,SMs go , the economy will immediately collapse due to loss of confidence in Singapore’s future in the eyes of foreign investors.”
If that is so, then this country has failed! Nothing built around personalities or cult figures last…only those built on sound principles of equality, justice and a good heart.
I concur. There are so many aged jobless citizens in our talent pool. If we don’t tap on them by allowing cheap foreigners to overwhelm the society, it will do Singapore no good. It is like a patient relying heavily on external equipments for suvivial instead of his own organs. The former will certainly not last long and die eventually. Likewise for Singapore which should tap heavily on what we have – that is our own people regardless of their age.
Well done SDP.
I have not read the entire SDP’s alternative budget yet, but ROBOX, has mentioned an interesting point on green energy.
In fact Singapore was too busy with genomes and cells and forgot about the practicalities of daily life.
Green energy should have been the way forward and we hardly did anything on that area, till Obama voiced it out loud and clear for all to hear.
Till now, it is still wind power which is cheaper and cleaner.
Our PAP leaders are too slow to catch the reality in our globalised world. The worst is that most Singaporeans are hardly bothered.
Since there is water running from the tap and on a flick of a switch, we get the lights.
This might be unsustainable in the near future,if we go on like this.
Yet, it is wonderful to know that SDP is considering the TRUE ALTERNATIVES.
To: Dr Chee,
You are a truely intelligent threat, that’s the reason LKY wants to hunt you down. You will come around it and have your day in the sun too.
The suggestions with regards to GST and removing MM, SM and Minister without Portfolio are good.
Why no mention with about reducing their salary scale and bonus scheme with eat into a large chunk of public fund ?
I’m posting this just to recapture my post that is still under moderation.
Putting together statements from two different articles to form a more coherent whole:
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_635570.html
[Quote]
The SDP reasons, in its budget paper, that enhancing relationships with neighbours would reduce the need for expenditure on military capabilities.
[Endquote]
http://www.yoursdp.org/index.php/news/singapore/4470-sdp-proposes-alternative-ns-policy-
[Quote]
We must embark on an enlightened foreign policy approach where we work with our ASEAN neighbours instead of treating them with disdain. Instead of practising one-upmanship, a new approach must be adopted. This should include signing treatises and conducting military exercises with the ultimate aim of forming a regional defence force.
[Endquote]
This is the part from the same article just above that everyone knows but no one else has dared voice prior to this:
[Quote]
Such a move will also address the problem of discrimination against Singaporeans who are Muslims. Building up trust and confidence with our Malay-Muslim neighbours in areas of military defence will eliminate this problem as we work towards a peaceful and friendly co-existence instead of the suspicious and hostile atmosphere that currently exists.
[Endquote]
@ georgia tong,
It is mentioned here!
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_635570.html
Quote: Ministerial salaries would also be slashed heavily to yield an estimated $30 million. The SDP suggests pegging the Prime Minister’s salary to about $60,000 a month, with other ministers’ salaries reduced proportionately.
Reducing ministers’ salaries by a sizeable amount is a HUGE GOODY even though not a single cent enters my pocket!
GREAT START, CSJ & COMPANY, JIA YU !!!
For those who condemn the PAP, they cannot come out with a better solution. The “shadow budget” that SDP came out with is extremely perilous to the nation. Singapore would be very likely to just tumble down if it falls into the hands of SDP. Each and every suggestion the SDP made is very much for the worse and to the great perils of the nation. Particularly, the suggests compromising of national defence – you will end up losing your entire country. Don’t pay us the cash dividend – why rob us of what the govt wanted to give us? Reduce foreign workers, minimum wages – you are just assuming that investors being local or foreign have to invest in Singapore, you listen to SDP, Singapore will end up losing billions and billions of investments to other countries. Reduce or scrap COE – you will have our road flooded with cars. Reduce or scrap GST – foreigners would be spared of these too, at our expense. Increase income tax- do we want this? Give unemployment benefits – PAP is already doing so thru the public assistant scheme, if SDP increse it, that would only encourage laziness of refusing work at our cost. Just think, what our govt did is just right, thinking of the great danger of the nation falling into the hands of the opposition parties, especially SDP!
And the SDP emphasise to its guest during its annual dinner to “Donate generously to SDP!”, at the begining of Dr Chee’s speech. I just regretted donating $10/= to “save him” out of jail, very much to the peril of the nation. I cannot find any logical sense in his ideology. He usually ends his sppech with “God Bless” when majority of the nation does not believe in “God” or at least on not a central “God”. We believe we are the ones who bless ourselves ultimately – for example, employers are the ones who bless their employees with salaries and wages, not his God!