Why is HDB upgrading allowed to be a political issue?
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http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/199982/1/.html
This isn't the first time they are playing this card.
But isn't HDB now a corporatised entity? how has politics foudn its place here? -
We need more people to reject this.
It's so blatant, how a corporate entity's plans for upgrading can be tied into the Ruling Party.
Just reject the whole fooking idea man..in the end, that HDB flat is not yours. -
if ppl give in to this, it will be a sad day for Singapore
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It is downright low in characters that our Ministers had to resort to this to win votes.
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because "ruling party" konw singaporeans are selfish... only think for what's covering their head.
but don't care about the bigger picture of the political scene in singapore.
but then again... when singapore is in a stage of getting the Casinos in and trying to "let loose".... don't think its best time to switch "ruling party".
But also, it's not like the opposition is even close to winning majority. -
It is still a political issue cos' it does work...Your property is your most valuable asset and money always counts in Singapore. Would anyone wish to buy a resale flat from from Potong Pasir unless the selling price is way below the market value? Without upgrading, your investment will only depreciate in value..
The government's policy is not fair but why should residents in Potong Pasir continue to suffer for choosing the Opposition? Those who want to keep Opposition MPs in Parliament should help defray the costs of upgrading for flats in Opposition wards. Unless you are prepared to put your money where your mouth is, we will have fewer, not more Opposition Party MPs.
Lots of people are unhappy with some government policies but at the end of the day, it's down to dollars and cents. -
yah... but in the first place...
HDB is now a corporatised entity where their reason for being is based on profits and losses.
Politics shouldn't influence their upgrading plans. -
in the first place, the PAP should be banned from dealing in the corporate plans of HDB.Originally posted by oxford mushroom:It is still a political issue cos' it does work...Your property is your most valuable asset and money always counts in Singapore. Would anyone wish to buy a resale flat from from Potong Pasir unless the selling price is way below the market value? Without upgrading, your investment will only depreciate in value..
The government's policy is not fair but why should residents in Potong Pasir continue to suffer for choosing the Opposition? Those who want to keep Opposition MPs in Parliament should help defray the costs of upgrading for flats in Opposition wards. Unless you are prepared to put your money where your mouth is, we will have fewer, not more Opposition Party MPs.
Lots of people are unhappy with some government policies but at the end of the day, it's down to dollars and cents.
Face it, no ombudsman, and no ombudsman with a big stick. -
wtf!!!!!!!
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LOL! this is an open threat man!
i hope the opposition issue statment tomorrow. -
in today's competition, ppl are always trying to gain an unfair advantage, be it in studies, work, sports or politics... it's really sad... i just hope ppl give their vote to the leaders they believe in and not look at the material sides of things...
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SINGAPORE : Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has expressed concern that Hougang and Potong Pasir residents will lose out on upgrading if they do not vote for the People's Action Party.
He has also suggested that the party whip be lifted in Parliament for the PAP MPs if they are elected in these wards.
Mr Goh has been tasked by the Prime Minister to help win back the two opposition seats in the upcoming General Election.
Mr Goh says: "To my right, I see across the estates of the 1990s and to my left, we have the estates of the 1950s. How can I come out of the 50s' zone?"
Upgrading and rejuvenating Hougang constituency were some of the key issues raised by some 500 residents and grassroots leaders at a dialogue.
Mr Goh says he is not there to offer residents upgrading but to hear what they want.
He is worried that the opposition wards of Hougang and Potong Pasir would be left behind.
Mr Goh says: "I do not want the two constituencies to be left behind, especially Potong Pasir, an old estate. Five years down the road, assuming Chiam do win, there will be no upgrading.
"After that, we got to ask ourselves whether the estate is worthwhile upgrading. I'm talking about Lorong 8. By then, the estate would be around 35 years old and the lease is only 99 years, so economically, is it worthwhile?
"My own view is Hougang should be upgraded, otherwise another five years, another 10 years, it would become rather derelict compared to other estates in Singapore."
To address concerns by Hougang residents for an opposition voice in Parliament, Mr Goh says he will push for the party whip to be lifted so that PAP's candidate Eric Low can speak up, if elected.
Mr Goh says: "You have a choice - if having opposition is more important, then vote opposition - but if there is a way to get my views put to parliament to somebody, then vote for your interests, vote for upgrading - and your views can be put across in Parliament and if you vote for Eric Low, I can tell PM to let him be the opposition in Parliament."
The Party whip ensures there are sufficient party members in Parliament to support the party's position and that MPs vote on party lines.
The Whip was lifted in 2002 for all PAP MPs on matters of conscience and certain other issues, except those affecting the Budget, the Constitution, no confidence motions and issues of national security.
Residents had mixed feelings about upgrading.
"It's 50-50, because if you upgrade, then our rentals will go up as well."
"I hope they can give this place a new lease of life and add more facilities, to attract more people to come here and shop."
One market-cum-hawker centre at Hougang Avenue 7 has not been upgraded for some 30 years, and Mr Goh has urged residents and stallholders to take a long-term view.
While rent may go up, businesses will also increase and customers too will welcome the move - all part of Mr Goh's hope to make Hougang look as beautiful as his own ward in Marine Parade. - CNA/de
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What rubbish is SM Goh talking?
If I really want to be a pragmatic Singaporean, then I will vote with money.
Why buy a hdb flat when you can get a bungalow for the same price across the Causeway?
What Singapore needs is not hardware, but heartware.
The way to build heartware is to engage Singaporeans into making a commitment to the nation, if you compete on hardware, Singapore is going to lose more in the long run.
And the time to start is now, not 20 years later when the problem becomes even more acute.
Anyway, HDB flats are on a 99 year lease.
Once it falls below 60 leasehold years, no bank will loan money to finance the purchase of the flat.
More upgrading only means:
(1) More inconveinence during the process
(2) More property tax after
(3) Higher prices of goods due to hgher rentals
(4) Paying more for the flat which eventually falls in price -
In the first place, they shouldn't even mix grassroots organisations, political parties and governmental agencies together.
Now, in my opinion, the PAP has trouble differenciating the differences in the above as they have been doing the job since independence(actually, since M'sia was formed...). -
This is characteristic Singapore Politics conducted by Incumbent Politicians with a Third World mentality, trying hard to up-grade the HDB environment into a sham image of a First World to be lived by Singaporeans, who are governed by Third World legislators.
With the constant insecurity that is typical of Third World Politicians, can we not expect that they will need to control and manipulate every facet of government structure, so as to gain the upper hand for themeselves in any political situation. -
i am sure with more well educated singaporean such iron arm tactics will be detrimental to this country in the long run.
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Ya HDB is 99 yrs. No matter how much u upgrade, the value still drops.
There are too many excess flats, one is better off buying new.
Better to save $$$ for old age & rising medical bills. -
Apparently, Singaporeans living in Potong Pasir and Hougang are treated differently from Singaporeans living in other constituencies.
Maybe Singaporeans in opposition wards don't pay taxes so they don't get to enjoy what other Singaporeans are having? -
nb la this is like threats man..bloody hell..
now pap sure win back hougang and potong pasir liao..bloody hell.. -
you think so? they know that the PAP is falling to bits over how to win them back, and resorting to threats of property devaluation is going to make their jobs harder.Originally posted by stellazio:nb la this is like threats man..bloody hell..
now pap sure win back hougang and potong pasir liao..bloody hell..
these days, many people do not care anymore, in the end, those flats still belong to the state. sacrificing cost-savings and democratic development over a new coat of paint and a lift, its not a very sensible thing to do now.. -
I lived in PP since 1984. You are rite, I dun have to pay any taxes because I earn peanuts.Originally posted by charlize:Apparently, Singaporeans living in Potong Pasir and Hougang are treated differently from Singaporeans living in other constituencies.
Maybe Singaporeans in opposition wards don't pay taxes so they don't get to enjoy what other Singaporeans are having? -
That is why the government is now panicking and trying to increase the population to 6 to 8 million in the next decade or so.Originally posted by gerrykoh:Ya HDB is 99 yrs. No matter how much u upgrade, the value still drops.
There are too many excess flats, one is better off buying new.
Better to save $$$ for old age & rising medical bills.
They know property prices cannot rise much further without a corresponding increase in demand.
Simple economics 101.
Problems caused by over population? That's for the next generation of PAPies to worry about. -
Can someone name a a housing estate whereby the flats are more than 35 yrs old.
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but its wise to note that most of the ppl staying in hougang have been staying there for long..Originally posted by LazerLordz:you think so? they know that the PAP is falling to bits over how to win them back, and resorting to threats of property devaluation is going to make their jobs harder.
these days, many people do not care anymore, in the end, those flats still belong to the state. sacrificing cost-savings and democratic development over a new coat of paint and a lift, its not a very sensible thing to do now..
and some of them gets very pissed off by lifts that only serves 3 floors..
and yes,i do think that singaporeans are sucker for "freebies",just like fishes and the fish hook. they'll rush to get it,thinking about the consequences later.. -
lazy bunch.Originally posted by stellazio:but its wise to note that most of the ppl staying in hougang have been staying there for long..
and some of them gets very pissed off by lifts that only serves 3 floors..
and yes,i do think that singaporeans are sucker for "freebies",just like fishes and the fish hook. they'll rush to get it,thinking about the consequences later..
not many people willing to adapt to their environments anymore, and it's a soft bunch that sucks for freebies at the expense of the larger picture...this is not limited to Singapore only.
if you're old and infirm, move to a more convenient place, maybe a ground floor unit. there's your family network, if not, your volunteer visitors to help you.
and in any case, HDB is a corporation now. All flats are under their jurisdiction, is this corporatisation a way for the government to back out from any demand for them to fully pay for upgrading, by saying it's now the problem of the residents and HDB Corp or Surbana to settle? -
Originally posted by ObviousMan:
Can someone tell me what the fu*k is he trying to say? Has the man gone senile?
[b]SINGAPORE : Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong has expressed concern that Hougang and Potong Pasir residents will lose out on upgrading if they do not vote for the People's Action Party.
He has also suggested that the party whip be lifted in Parliament for the PAP MPs if they are elected in these wards.
Mr Goh has been tasked by the Prime Minister to help win back the two opposition seats in the upcoming General Election.
Mr Goh says: "To my right, I see across the estates of the 1990s and to my left, we have the estates of the 1950s. How can I come out of the 50s' zone?"
Upgrading and rejuvenating Hougang constituency were some of the key issues raised by some 500 residents and grassroots leaders at a dialogue.
Mr Goh says he is not there to offer residents upgrading but to hear what they want.
He is worried that the opposition wards of Hougang and Potong Pasir would be left behind.
Mr Goh says: "I do not want the two constituencies to be left behind, especially Potong Pasir, an old estate. Five years down the road, assuming Chiam do win, there will be no upgrading.
"After that, we got to ask ourselves whether the estate is worthwhile upgrading. I'm talking about Lorong 8. By then, the estate would be around 35 years old and the lease is only 99 years, so economically, is it worthwhile?
"My own view is Hougang should be upgraded, otherwise another five years, another 10 years, it would become rather derelict compared to other estates in Singapore."
To address concerns by Hougang residents for an opposition voice in Parliament, Mr Goh says he will push for the party whip to be lifted so that PAP's candidate Eric Low can speak up, if elected.
Mr Goh says: "You have a choice - if having opposition is more important, then vote opposition - but if there is a way to get my views put to parliament to somebody, then vote for your interests, vote for upgrading - and your views can be put across in Parliament and if you vote for Eric Low, I can tell PM to let him be the opposition in Parliament."
The Party whip ensures there are sufficient party members in Parliament to support the party's position and that MPs vote on party lines.
The Whip was lifted in 2002 for all PAP MPs on matters of conscience and certain other issues, except those affecting the Budget, the Constitution, no confidence motions and issues of national security.
Residents had mixed feelings about upgrading.
"It's 50-50, because if you upgrade, then our rentals will go up as well."
"I hope they can give this place a new lease of life and add more facilities, to attract more people to come here and shop."
One market-cum-hawker centre at Hougang Avenue 7 has not been upgraded for some 30 years, and Mr Goh has urged residents and stallholders to take a long-term view.
While rent may go up, businesses will also increase and customers too will welcome the move - all part of Mr Goh's hope to make Hougang look as beautiful as his own ward in Marine Parade. - CNA/de
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