Hike of Prices

Singapore is made up of not just one island but a main island with 63 surrounding islets. The main island has a total land area of 682 square km.

However, its compact size belies its economic growth. In just 150 years, Singapore has grown into a thriving centre of commerce and industry. Its former role as an entrepot has diminished, as the nation has increased its manufacturing base.  With a current population of 4,553,009 (July 2007 est.).

The government quote "

'We can overcome this problem, by working together. People making adjustments, the Government doing its part. We must stay together even during difficult periods,' said Mr Lee.

But I have a problem to foresee how this can be accomplish.  "STAY TOGETHER"??   How??  Salary increment in the private sector is very low or almost none despite of  the hike in prices.  Perhaps not in MNC companies.  it does not happen in the small or mid size businesses.  So how do the population of such category survive?  They plead and appeal to the MP of their respective constituency.  How much can the MP help?  A pittance of what the realise amount is actually needed.   They are however greatful for what little financial help they received.

How can the government help us even more?  This is not so much for the government sectors but more for the private sectors.

How can they increase prices at a more difficult timing like this.  On top of that .... the increase of Electronic Road Pricing gantries.  All this just to decrease the numbers of cars on the road??  I doubt it will help.  Its like ...... smoking is bad for you.  So they increase the non-smoking areas, have adverts on how smoking can affect one's health.  Why don't they just ban cigarettes??  They can't!!  Why??  It is because it brings one of the biggest revenue to us!!  So .... we buy and smoke at our own risks.

As for hike of prices of other commodities and amenities we the citizen here are just thrown into the storm to struggle with what life savings we have.
 

Feb 3, 2008
S'pore can overcome rising food prices by working together: PM Lee
By Li Xueying
PRIME Minister Lee Hsien Loong assured Singaporeans on Sunday that their concerns about rising costs of living including food prices have been heard - and are being addressed. But Singaporeans themselves will, at the same time, have to make adjustments, he said. One suggestion: Go for cheaper house brands. 'We can overcome this problem, by working together. People making adjustments, the Government doing its part. We must stay together even during difficult periods,' said Mr Lee. Speaking to 1,400 residents and grassroots leaders at a Chinese New Year dinner at his Teck Ghee constituency he however rejected calls for the Government to control the price of essential goods. 'Residents asked, why can't the Government just control the prices?' he recounted. His response: Singapore was an open economy and imports all its food. 'We can't just order wholesalers and retailers to fix or reduce prices. They have to pay the overseas suppliers - who will bear the loss?' If the Government subsidises essentials, it will be 'very expensive, and also ineffective'. As higher-income households spend more, such subsidies will benefit them more than the poor. It is better to use the money instead to help the needy more directly, he said. Read the full report in Monday's edition of The Straits Times.

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