Yes, 'step-by-step' PLUS 'sweet talk' PLUS simple compensations
scheme made complicated by implementation procedures will help to
make any government policies more palatable.
This has been the hallmark of the MIW government in the switch of
Singapore Telecom charges from a fixed monthly flat fee
irregardless of call time used and accumulated, to a method that
everyone is billed for every call made on a per minute basis.
Singaporean were told that it was fairer to pay for the amount
telephone time actually used then paying a monthly lump sum, which
actually will tantamount to domestic phone usages subsidising the
larger bills payable by businesses.
Singaporeans learnt to late that the flat monthly fee was cheaper,
and that domestic use of the phone based on current methods will
result in larger monthly bills.
Minister MBT had also boasted that with the ERP system payable
through the cash card system it will result in lower and more
productive use of the roadways and that overall Road Tax and Import
Duties will come down.
Unfortunately, this is another pipe dream promoted by Minister Mah,
as ERP became a tool to generate revenue on a per minute basis. The
ERP system became more extensive with more ERP gantries being
installed to collect from passing motorists heading to work in the
morning; as well as during the evening rush hour when traffic is
heading home.
The amount of value that is creditted into each Cash Card will
range from $10 to $100 - and with a car population that number at
least 600,000, the amount being managed by the ERP licenssee is
beyond the wildest dream of any government affiliated
company.
This Pre-Paid cash card system to pay for Electricity Bill is no
different from all the other Pre-Paid Schemes - such as Cash Cards,
Transit Link Cards, Hello Cards, Debit Cards, and pre-paid Time
Sharing Holiday cards.
With such a track record in all the past scams implemented, can we
hope for anything more fair from this Government.
