GST 7% PLUS 4% increase if you use
NETS for payment.
The upward price spiral is presently kept in abeyance for two to
three months, as some business entities have - (''forced to ??'') -
decided to delay its implementation, so as to allow Singaporeans to
overcome the ''psychological
apprehensions'' with a ''business as usual''
atmosphere.
The impact of the GST 7% will kick in without much publicity after
the ''two to three months
honeymoon'' is over.
It will be interesting to know how NETS intend to implement the 4%
surcharge for its use in every transaction.
This increase of 4% by NETS is simply unreasonable, as the use of
NETS Card is more pervasive then the Credit or Debit Card holders -
with the NETS Card reaching the lowest income group that has too
little an amount in their Bank Account to even be considered by the
banks to send them any brochures to apply for such Credit or Debit
Cards.
The GST 7% has already triggered price increases amongst the food
and beverage sellers that provide meals to the lunch time crowd,
and will surely cut into household budgets as there have been price
increases across the board of essential utility services, health
and medical care, education, and transportation.
All coming in rapid succession since the May 2006 Election was
held, and leaving any three odd years left for damage control to be
made before the next election is held either in 2010 or 2011.
Singaporeans have short memories, and this Speaker's Corner will be
left with the responsibility to prolonging the memory of these
shameless acts of greed.
