Nov 10, 2007
Higher living costs to get airing in
Parliament
Food prices, property payment scheme and MediShield on
agenda
By Keith Lin
THE rising cost of living will be high on the agenda when
Parliament sits on Monday.
Two MPs have tabled questions that reflect their concern on how
fast-rising food prices are causing a dent in the Singaporean's
wallet.
Wheat prices, for example, are at global historic highs owing to
droughts in Australia and crop failures in the United States. They
have, in turn, caused animal feed, and hence meat, to become more
costly.
MP for Jurong GRC Halimah Yacob, who will ask Trade and Industry
Minister Lim Hng Kiang how the Government is tackling the
situation, said more can be done to educate people on eating
less-costly alternatives.
'For example, the price of chicken may be rising fast, but we can
encourage Singaporeans to turn to alternative sources of protein,
such as fish,' she told The Straits Times yesterday.
Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim wants to know, among other things,
the impact of the hike in the goods and services tax in July on
rising consumer prices.
On the property market, Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) will
ask National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan for an update on the
impact of the recent withdrawal of the deferred payment
scheme.
The scheme allowed home buyers to pay upfront as little as 10 per
cent of a property's price, with the rest paid only when the
property is ready. The Government scrapped it last month to curb
speculation.
Issues on the MediShield insurance scheme are also expected to
receive an airing, with three questions filed.
One is from MP for Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua, who wants Health
Minister Khaw Boon Wan to clarify whether the new move to give
children automatic MediShield cover will include those with special
needs.
From next month, children will start to have such cover, which is
for hospital stay. Insurance premiums will be paid from their
parents' Medisave fund.
'As I understand it, those born with pre-existing illnesses are not
included,' Ms Phua said yesterday. 'I hope these children can enjoy
the same kind of medical coverage, just like normal Singaporean
children.'
Five new Bills will be introduced, while another five introduced
earlier are up for debate.
One slated for debate is the National Registry of Diseases Bill,
which calls for the setting up of a national disease database to
collate data on common illnesses.
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Copyright, 2007, Singapore Press Holdings Limited
