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Singaporeans to receive additional cash and voucher support amid rising costs

In response to rising living costs, the Singapore government, led by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, has unveiled a S$1.1 billion support package for households, particularly those with lower to middle incomes. The package includes cash payouts, vouchers, and rebates to offset increased expenses in utilities and public transport.

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SINGAPORE: In light of increasing living costs, the Singapore government has unveiled a fresh S$1.1 billion (US$800 million) cost-of-living support package.

Announced by Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, this initiative is directed at bolstering the financial well-being of Singaporean households, focusing on the lower to middle income brackets.

Coming atop enhancements made to last year’s Assurance Package and the most recent updates from Budget 2023 in February, this new development ensures that qualified Singaporeans will receive up to S$800 in cash this December.

Additionally, households can anticipate a collective S$500 in Community Development Council (CDC) vouchers come 2024.

The latest package also rolls out supplementary U-Save rebates to counteract the recent surges in carbon tax and water prices.

Moreover, subsidies and vouchers will be introduced to mitigate the consequences of the public transport fare increments announced just a week ago.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) highlighted that, despite a decrease in inflation from its pinnacle, Singaporean households are grappling with the ripple effects of price hikes across various domains.

This new support package earmarks a S$0.8 billion enhancement for the Assurance Package, pushing its total to a staggering S$10 billion.

Elaborating on the package, the Finance Ministry disclosed that roughly 2.5 million adult Singaporeans will benefit from a one-off additional cash sum of up to S$200 in December, inclusive of the preceding component from the Assurance Package.

This move is strategically designed to amplify support for adult Singaporeans, primarily those from the lower to middle-income range.

Residents earning an annual income of S$34,000 or less will gain up to S$200, supplementing the pre-existing S$600 slated for December disbursement.

Furthermore, every Singaporean household will be entitled to an extra S$200 in CDC vouchers in 2024, raising the total to S$500. These vouchers, valid throughout 2024, can be claimed from January 3 at go.gov.sg/cdcv.

As for rebates, nearly 950,000 households residing in Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats will receive a one-time 0.5-month service and conservancy charges (S&CC) rebate in January 2024.

According to MOF, this should effectively neutralize the S&CC hike for the initial year for most HDB flats.

Furthermore, these HDB households will also obtain an added S$80/year in U-save rebates over 2024-2025, targeting the anticipated carbon tax and water price escalations.

Public transport measures have also been introduced, with eligible households receiving S$50 transport vouchers to cope with the fare hikes announced by the Public Transport Council.

Closing his announcement, Mr Wong assured Singaporeans of the government’s unwavering support. He emphasized the collective responsibility of the nation to ensure mutual care and assistance as they navigate the economic challenges together.

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Crime

Singaporean fugitive deported from Thailand, to be charged with drug trafficking

A Singaporean fugitive arrested in Thailand, was deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024 and faces drug trafficking charges. Authorities expect him to face the death penalty under Singapore’s tough drug laws for running a smuggling operation between Thailand, Australia, and Singapore.

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A 31-year-old Singaporean man, wanted for drug trafficking offences, was arrested in Thailand and deported to Singapore on 19 September 2024.

The fugitive, identified as Benny Kee Soon Chuan, was apprehended by Thai police at his residence near Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport and will face charges in court on 20 September.

Kee, described as a high-level trafficker, ran a smuggling operation that trafficked crystal methamphetamine, ketamine, and Ecstasy to Australia and Singapore using Thailand as a transit hub, according to Pol Lt Gen Panurat Lakboon, secretary-general of Thailand’s Office of the Narcotics Control Board (ONCB).

Cross-Border Investigation and Arrest

The Central Narcotics Bureau (CNB) of Singapore had issued an arrest warrant for Kee following investigations into two drug trafficking cases in December 2020 and November 2022.

He had been on the run since 11 April 2016, prompting CNB to collaborate with its international counterparts, including the ONCB. Thai authorities were tipped off by CNB on 12 August 2024, and after weeks of investigation, Kee was apprehended on 17 September.

Thai immigration officials revealed that Kee had entered Thailand earlier in 2024 using a Vanuatu passport.

Following his arrest, Kee’s Thai visa was cancelled, and assets worth 15 million baht (S$585,000), including luxury watches, gold pieces, and a luxury car, were seized during a raid on his residence in Samut Prakan.

Lt Gen Panurat confirmed that the fugitive had been living an affluent lifestyle in Thailand despite lacking legitimate employment.

Links to Broader Drug Network

Kee is believed to be linked to other Singaporean traffickers involved in the smuggling of drugs from Thailand.

In March 2021, Thailand’s Anti-Trafficking in Persons Task Force (AITF) intercepted packages containing Ecstasy and ketamine destined for Singapore, as well as crystal methamphetamine bound for Australia.

Two other Singaporean men, aged 21 and 29 at the time of their arrests, were later sentenced to imprisonment and caning in Singapore for their involvement in these operations, which were connected to Kee’s trafficking network.

Death Penalty Under Singaporean Law

Kee’s deportation to Singapore brings him under the jurisdiction of Singapore’s severe drug laws, which prescribe the death penalty for those convicted of trafficking substantial amounts of controlled substances.

Singaporean authorities have indicated that he could face the death penalty under the country’s strict drug trafficking laws. Pol Lt Gen Panurat indicated that Singaporean authorities are expected to seek the maximum penalty for Kee’s alleged offences.

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Arts & Culture

Epigram Books to close SAM bookshop amid low sales and footfall

Epigram Books will shut down its bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum on 26 January 2025, citing low sales and foot traffic. The independent bookstore, known for supporting local authors, will continue to operate its online store, but its future in brick-and-mortar retail is uncertain.

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Epigram Books, a major supporter of Singaporean literature, will close its Epigram Coffee Bookshop at the Singapore Art Museum (SAM) on 26 January 2025.

The decision comes after years of struggling with low sales and foot traffic at the Tanjong Pagar Distripark location, marking the end of the bookstore’s three-year lease.

The announcement on 19 September follows Times Bookstores’ closure of its final outlet in Holland Road, highlighting the growing challenges faced by brick-and-mortar bookstores in Singapore.

Edmund Wee, publisher at Epigram Books, expressed disappointment, stating: “We tried everything to make this work. Over the past three years, we’ve often asked ourselves, how many people even knew our bookstore existed here, let alone visited?”

Despite efforts to boost traffic, including operating shuttles to increase accessibility, the bookstore struggled to attract visitors consistently.

Epigram Coffee Bookshop, previously located at the Urban Redevelopment Authority Centre on Maxwell Road and later in a pop-up at Beach Road, relocated to SAM in May 2022 in partnership with Balestier Market Collective.

The 20-seater store featured towering shelves showcasing local and Southeast Asian titles, including books from other independent publishers like Ethos Books and Math Paper Press.

However, the location’s industrial setting, which only saw spikes in visitors during major exhibitions like Olafur Eliasson’s, limited consistent footfall.

The closure coincides with the end of Eliasson’s exhibit on 22 September 2024. Although the exhibition provided a temporary boost to the bookshop’s sales, Epigram noted that the increased traffic was short-lived.

Epigram’s future in physical retail remains uncertain. Mr Wee indicated that high rental costs make reopening a physical store unlikely: “Unless rent prices relent, it’s unlikely we’ll move into another space.”

Epigram Books has been a significant presence in Singapore’s independent book scene, promoting local authors and holding literary events.

The bookshop was also a community hub for the literary arts, hosting numerous book launches and events supporting local writers. “These spaces are special to our literary arts community. They’re where book lovers gather, where literary events and book launches happen in support of our writers,” said Mr Wee.

Despite the closure of the SAM store, Epigram will continue to operate its online store. The publisher emphasized the need for continued support from readers: “We’ve come this far with everyone’s support, and we look forward to continued support from our readers as we transition to focus on online sales.”

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