Saturday, February 16, 2008

Hongbao Budget 2008 - Straits Times or Reuters?

Hongbao Budget 2008 - Straits Times or Reuters?

I'm amazed by the use so many pictures of red and golden "hongbao" and inverted "fu" luck symbol in the Budget 2008 supplement in the printed version of Straits Time today.

Headlines and items include:
- $2,300 Hongbao for the Tok family
- One-off hongbao for all adult S'poreans this year
- Those over 51 to get Govt top-up of their CPF Medisave
- What's in his hongbao ... public assistance will get $330, up from $290

Why all the celebratory "lucky", "feel good" as if "strike Toto or 4D" song and dance about? What's this excessive publicity about? What's the hype?

I know it's the 10th day of Chinese New Year today but are Singaporeans getting a fantastic and auspicious deal from Budget 2008? It's great to read the commentary "Bonanza Budget furthers strategic aims" by Ms Chua Mui Hoong that "the figure is about 62 per cent of the $1.4 billion increased revenue from the hike in goods and services tax (GST) - which means that through the Growth Dividend, the Government is giving back man-in-the-street 60 cents of every extra dollar it collected from the GST hike."

Pardon my candour but instead of Hongbao Budget, some may think it's "Peh Kim Budget" as all the Govt-imposed hikes and the ongoing ever-increasing inflation is "killing" us. (For those who are not familiar with the term, "peh kim" is donation given to bereaved family). Then again, Choi, thai kah lai see, (touch wood!) it's Chinese New Year!

Well, they changed the laws to suck much of our money last year (by increasing GST, PUB, public transport fare hikes, ERP, GST-loaded daily necessities price increases, conservancy charges, delay CPF Minimum Sum Payment, etc. and what have you). Now being wise after the event with 20/20 hindsight, they've decided to give back some. Not all but "some". Just "some" to pull wool over our eyes again?

So is there cause to celebrate being lesser victims now?

Victims to a system whereby laws are changed for the benefits of those who make the laws? Or for the benefit of the poor who may now have $330 per month instead of $290.

Remember Parliament:
[Dr Lily Neo:
Sir, I want to check with the Minister again on the strict criteria on the entitlement for PA recipients. May I ask him what is his definition of "subsistence living"? Am I correct to say that, out of $260 per month for PA recipients, $100 goes to rental, power supply and S&C, and leaving them with only $5 a day to live on? Am I correct to say that any basic meal in any hawker centre is already $2.50 to $3.00 per meal? Therefore, is it too much to ask for just three meals a day as an entitlement for the PA recipients?

Dr Vivian Balakrishnan: How much do you want? Do you want three meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?]



Hopefully, $330 is enough for 3 decent meals a day in hawker centres?

Who knows?

It's after reading Reuters below, that I found out what the celebration is about. Oh, the huge Hongbao's and "FU" are meant for the fat cats!

Reuters - Saturday, February 16

SINGAPORE, Feb 15 - Singapore government ministers and other political appointees, the world's best paid, will cost taxpayers another 15 percent in the coming financial year starting April, according to the city-state's budget on Friday.


The state will spend S$66.5 million on political appointments, up from S$58.1 million in the current fiscal year to March -- which was also 27 percent up on 2006/2007.

The government announced two rounds of pay hikes for ministers last year, raising Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's annual pay to S$3.76 million -- at least five times that of U.S. President George W. Bush

Now I know!

And thanks to http://wherebearsroamfree.blogspot.com/2008_02_01_archive.html

I know better!

Cheers,

Feed Me To The Fish

19 Comments:

At February 19, 2008 at 3:00 AM , Blogger Soojenn said...

Fantastic summary... you wrote precisely what went through my mind. I left a comment also on MySingaporeNews Blog where the writer was chiding Singaporeans for being ungrateful. The writer should read what you have written and is unimaginably naive.

You are hitting the hammer right on the nail.. "peh kim" is the right word to describe what they have dished out to Singaporeans this CNY.

Give the Singaporeans the droppings? .. after paying the multi million dollar to the ministers and the 2 old men in waiting.

What do you expect from Vivian? or from any of the ministers who have absolutely no clue what it is like to run short of money.

Again, it is only natural for the Singapore media, especially the ST to only report what the old man wants the Singaporean to read. Therefore again the external press and the internet has provided the information, conveniently not provided by the local media resulting in an inaccurate picture of the whole affair

 
At February 20, 2008 at 12:05 PM , Blogger Chua Chin Leng aka redbean said...

feed me to the cat,

you asking why so many 'FUs'?

Now what does FU stand for: )

 
At November 1, 2014 at 9:12 AM , Blogger oakleyses said...

chanel handbags, gucci handbags, tiffany jewelry, jordan shoes, polo ralph lauren, christian louboutin shoes, christian louboutin outlet, oakley sunglasses, kate spade handbags, oakley vault, prada outlet, nike free, louis vuitton outlet, coach purses, coach outlet, kate spade outlet online, louboutin shoes, coach outlet, polo ralph lauren outlet, coach outlet store online, nike shoes, michael kors outlet, louis vuitton, longchamp handbags, michael kors outlet online, michael kors outlet store, longchamp outlet, michael kors outlet online, louis vuitton outlet online, tiffany and co jewelry, burberry outlet online, nike air max, prada handbags, louis vuitton handbags, michael kors outlet online, longchamp outlet online, cheap oakley sunglasses, ray ban sunglasses, michael kors outlet online, tory burch outlet, burberry outlet online, red bottom shoes, nike air max, louis vuitton outlet, ray ban outlet

 
At November 1, 2014 at 9:20 AM , Blogger oakleyses said...

asics shoes, p90x workout, insanity workout, ferragamo shoes, jimmy choo shoes, uggs on sale, beats headphones, mac cosmetics, reebok shoes, ghd, barbour, vans outlet, abercrombie and fitch, mcm handbags, marc jacobs outlet, longchamp, nfl jerseys, wedding dresses, babyliss pro, new balance outlet, rolex watches, north face jackets, instyler ionic styler, soccer shoes, bottega veneta, chi flat iron, abercrombie and fitch, giuseppe zanotti, ugg outlet, birkin bag, mont blanc pens, hollister, soccer jerseys, uggs outlet, ugg, nike trainers, lululemon outlet, nike huarache, herve leger, ugg soldes, valentino shoes, celine handbags, nike roshe, roshe run, north face outlet

 
At November 1, 2014 at 9:21 AM , Blogger oakleyses said...

timberland shoes, lancel, moncler, air max, hollister canada, moncler, oakley, converse, ugg boots, canada goose, ray ban, canada goose, vans, canada goose uk, baseball bats, juicy couture outlet, moncler, hollister, moncler, converse shoes, toms outlet, uggs canada, moncler, hollister clothing, canada goose outlet, moncler outlet, ugg, supra shoes, montre femme, gucci, replica watches, canada goose outlet, nike air max, karen millen, canada goose, canada goose pas cher, canada goose outlet, iphone 6 case, coach outlet, juicy couture outlet, louis vuitton canada, ralph lauren, wedding dress, moncler, parajumpers outlet, louboutin

 
At January 29, 2016 at 1:45 PM , Blogger oakleyses said...

hermes pas cher, true religion outlet, new balance pas cher, michael kors outlet online, longchamp pas cher, mulberry uk, abercrombie and fitch, true religion, tn pas cher, kate spade outlet, nike air max, ralph lauren pas cher, ray ban pas cher, michael kors uk, true religion jeans, nike roshe, lululemon outlet online, oakley pas cher, air jordan, north face pas cher, air max, sac vanessa bruno, coach purses, nike roshe run, michael kors, hollister, nike free pas cher, louboutin, north face, guess pas cher, hollister uk, nike free, coach outlet store online, nike air max, converse pas cher, longchamp, replica handbags, ray ban uk, ralph lauren uk, vans pas cher, timberland pas cher, nike blazer pas cher, burberry pas cher, air max pas cher, scarpe hogan, coach outlet, lacoste pas cher, nike air force, michael kors canada, true religion outlet

 
At March 15, 2016 at 9:46 AM , Blogger John said...

tory burch outlet
beats wireless headphones
louis vuitton
jordan retro
timberland boots
louis vuitton
tiffany and co
nfl jerseys
ugg boots
abercrombie
coach outlet
michael kors online
michael kors outlet
coach outlet
coach factory outlet
cheap uggs
ugg boots
ugg outlet
gucci outlet
ray ban sunglasses
louis vuitton
cheap jordans
rolex watches
louis vuitton outlet
louis vuitton outlet
ralph lauren outlet
fitflops
kate spade handbags
gucci shoes
hollister clothing
retro jordans
coach factory
ugg boots
louis vuitton
cheap oakley sunglasses
michael kors outlet clearance
kobe bryant shoes
2016315yuanyuan

 
At November 22, 2016 at 9:00 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

canada goose jackets
true religion jeans
chaussure louboutin
moncler outlet
christian louboutin online
louis vuitton handbags
ugg canada
celine outlet
hermes bags
mulberry sale
chanyuan11.22

 
At March 29, 2018 at 4:39 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

russell westbrook shoes
yeezy boost 350 v2
yeezy
adidas yeezy
adidas online shop
longchamp longchamps
nike air force 1
goyard bags
converse outlet
gucci belt

 
At April 16, 2018 at 2:26 PM , Blogger raybanoutlet001 said...

zzzzz2018.4.16new york knicks
nike huarache
michael kors uk
coach outlet
san diego chargers jerseys
reebok shoes
cheap mlb jerseys
nba jerseys
kate spade sale
jordan shoes

 
At May 21, 2018 at 1:55 PM , Blogger Unknown said...

qzz0521
polo ralph lauren
mont blanc pens
simulation shoes
coach outlet
coach outlet
soccer jerseys
reebok outlet store
links of london
coach outlet online
canada goose parka

 
At June 19, 2018 at 10:38 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

adidas iniki runner
hermes belt
nike off white
oakley
longchamp handbags
yeezy boost
huaraches
kobe 9
air max 270
james harden shoes

 
At July 19, 2018 at 9:53 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

nike react
russell westbrook shoes
gucci belt
michael kors handbags
converse shoes
jordan 11
cheap jordan shoes
nike dunks
adidas yeezy
kobe 9

 
At September 10, 2018 at 9:28 AM , Blogger 5689 said...

zzzzz2018.9.9
ferragamo shoes
off white jordan
ralph lauren polo
coach factory outlet
tod's outlet
pandora charms
golden goose
canada goose outlet
ralph lauren polo
jordans

 
At October 27, 2018 at 8:51 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

www1027

pandora charms
coach factory outlet
jordan clothing

canada goose outlet
adidas shoes
ralph lauren polo
true religion jeans outlet
nike shoes
off white outlet





 
At December 27, 2018 at 11:26 AM , Anonymous Cara Alami Untuk Mengobati Batuk Kronis said...


This article will hopefully help and benefit us all

Cara Mengobati Penyakit Gagal Ginjal
Obat Penyakit Insomnia
Cara Mengobati Penyakit Usus Buntu
Cara Mengobati Mata Merah Berlendir
Obat Untuk Penyakit TBC
Cara Pemesanan QnC Jelly Gamat

 
At March 25, 2019 at 12:36 PM , Blogger yanmaneee said...

adidas tubular shadow
fake rolex
air max 97
supreme
nike epic react
michael kors outlet
nike sneakers for women
michael kors bags
michael kors outlet
lacoste outlet

 
At November 19, 2020 at 10:18 AM , Blogger jessedavis said...

In America, you go to the doctor and given a diagnosis without ANY idea how much it is going to cost. Everyone milks it and takes their cut Then the insurance companies come in (an additional unnecessary layer that effectively doubles the MK Outlet Online cost.) They pay whatever they need to and increase the premiums as needed. In Order To Have Affordable Healthcare, Cheap Air Forces You Need People That Care Enough To Be Affordable.

But Chicago would answer and take the lead in their half of the first as the second batter of the inning Edwin Arroyo hit a solo shot, his third of the year making it 2 1 X's. With two outs in Jordan Shoe Stores the inning Joe Coach Outlet Purses On Clearance Benson singled followed by Dalton Blaser working a walk. Jonathan Moroney then brought both of them Cheap Nike Air Force 1 home with a triple off the right field wall to give Chicago a 3 2 lead..

Karun Nair is one of the top talking points in India today. The Karnataka batsman's exclusion from the squad for the West Indies Tests has raised many eyebrows. Nair was part of the Indian Coach Outlet Clearance Sale squad for England MK Outlet Sale Tests, but never got a single opportunity and now his omission from the home Tests has baffled a lot of former cricketers who are questioning the selectors decisions making..

The area around Meknes, the imperial capital during Moulay Ismail's reign, produces the country's most vibrant mint technically spearmint, Mentha spicata with Coach Outlet Online 80 OFF narrow, brilliant green leaves. But it is not always the only herb in the pot. In winter, it's typical to include pale, silvery absinthe leaves (wormwood), marjoram, sage and verbena as well..

 
At June 22, 2021 at 11:13 AM , Blogger Unknown said...

veste velour carhartt
masque anti pollen moto amazon île caravane jambe
crampon vissé adidas
combinaison soirée femme 2018 amical carte
table basse marbre noir pied doré
nike air max 97 silber
kit de creation de bracelets utilisation
gucci sandale plastique
nike presto extreme pas cher
adidas stan smith safety shoes
scarpe nike tanjun nero bianco
biondo scuro mogano rosso
fabbrica cravatte uomo byblos
polo shirt juventus
silver nike nuove
pantaloni puma femei pollice Linea di metallo
adidas superstar purple
adidas zx flux womens floral
orologi hindenberg
cerchietto che si chiude capelli
cappotto burberry bimba amazon
maglietta ciglia stradivarius
paragliding přilby
borse gabs etnico
guanti da sci gialli
vestito stile smoking bianco

 

Post a Comment

Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]

<< Home