Something POSITIVE coming out from our government

thinker SG

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/245052/1/.html

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Health and education ministries reviewing fees for PRs and foreigners
By Farah Abdul Rahim, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 December 2006 1918 hrs

Zaqy Mohamad

SINGAPORE: Singapore citizens will always come first, before Permanent Residents and non-citizens, says Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.

That is why the health and education ministries are now working on changes to reduce fee subsidies for non-citizens, so that foreigners do not enjoy the same benefits as Singaporeans.

The next offset package for the GST increase will be for Singaporeans only, just like the Progress Package earlier this year, said Prime Minister Lee.

This is because the Government's responsibility is to Singaporeans first, although Permanent Residents and foreign workers will remain priorities.

"While we have non-citizens here, citizens always come first. We have to treat them as the best, we have to treat visitors well too but citizens have to be treated better," Mr Lee said.

"Right now, PRs enjoy the same subsidies as Singaporeans for education and healthcare, and in fact in healthcare, foreign workers also receive subsidised treatment. I think we should make a clear difference PRs should pay more than Singaporeans but less than other foreigners, there is a distinction.

"If you are not a PR and not a citizen, you should be given good treatment but we will not give you special privileges."

For education, Mr Lee said there are plans to charge non-citizens more, but not to set fees so high that foreign students will not come.

While for healthcare, foreign workers will have to bear the full costs of their medical bills.

Halimah Yacob, Chairman of the GPC for Health, said that employers of foreign workers should do a proper costing to cover their full healthcare need so that Singaporeans would not end up paying for them. She also hopes that employers will not ignore the needs of these foreign workers.

"We got feedback from many Singaporeans and even from my own constituents that since everything's equal for Singaporeans, foreigners and PRs, what's so special about being Singaporean? To some extent, short of being nationalistic, PM's message of 'citizens first' is well overdue. It'll be much appreciated among Singaporeans who are wondering what's in it for me holding that red passport," said Zaqy Mohamad, MP of Hong Kah GRC.

More details about the review will be announced by the respective ministries over the next few months. - CNA/so
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Something heartening FINALLY come out from our GOV. Although its late, but at least it arrived. Been wondering for years (I guess more than a decade):
- "What is/are the difference(s) being a Singaporean, Foreigner & PR in our little island?";
- "Why are Foreigner & PR given almost the same benefits as Singaporeans and enjoying the fruits of our forefathers?";
- "What is the use of being #1 in some areas & being a 1st World Country, but with so many Poor Citizens & 1 by 1 dying un-naturally?";
- "Why are elected MP complaining that Singaporeans are complaining instead of solving the issues (Certain things/issues only those in Power can solve?)?";
- etc etc.
Crying or Very sad

Hope this is not a NATO (No Action Talk Only) kinda proposal. Also hope that this is not another REASON for them to rise our living expenses (No point giving/subsiding from right hand & taxing on left hand). I am getting sceptical of 'good' things that they annouced nowadays. Rolling Eyes

Anyway, let's hope and wish for a better tomorrow & a humane society.

ShutterBug SG

At the moment, these are but all just WORDS.

Lets see the relevant actions first, before assuming they're doing some things POISTIVELY!!!

So far it's been talk.... and more INCREASES, and then talk again... and then INCREASES... same farking PATTTERN!!!!!

ndmmxiaomayi SG

Patience is a virtue. Wait and see if this policy will be implemented and what are the consequences of accepting it.

Herzog_Zwei SG

And how much it will benefit the Singaporeans at large.

kopikid SG

haha wtf man ppl still BELIEVE the liars

HAHAHAHA! GET REAL

Hogzilla SG

Cannot be so negative one lah.

But we also shouldn't believe them so easily lah.

Hope for the best, prepare for the worst lor.

adven7 SG

After giventhe goodies, they will have a way to take back, either the GST, tax, minister salary or whatever will raise further to justify.

It is zero sum game, whatever they promise, they will take back some way.

Let's watch and see, the first salvo of 7% GST will take effect next year and see what else will be coming.

My prediction:-
1. Contribution to CPF will had to be increased (either for medi or saving)
2. Ministers and Civil servant pay will increase
3. cpf will be withold till 70 or till you die.

lifeisgood9989 SG

how long can these words from the PM last? Rolling Eyes

ShutterBug SG

I tell you, they are like Taxi drivers; signal left, but turns right. Or just suddenly stops without hazard lights just to pick up a passenger.

So when you are following what they are saying, expect them to say one thing, but do another instead.

fymk SG

Then after they hike up the fees for foreigners to make Singaporeans happy….they start hiking up fees for Singaporeans . Wah seh …how to win?

valentinoo SG

haha notice it is to increase fees for the PR/foreingers...more money for them lah...why cant it be..reduce the current fees for Sporeans? Laughing

ShutterBug SG

All our government ever does, is RAISE / INCREASE costs. Whatever the issue, the'll play with your pockets.

I'm starting to believe that they aren't cut out to be politicians - they should all be Accountants.

Yes, that's right, our gov is made up of accountants! Who only knows how to INCREASE costs.

buses_galore SG

Yup!!

Lowclassman SG

The sg govt used to always say that sg have no natural resources.

I'M SAYING YES!!! WE HAVE!!! THE NATURAL DEEP WATER PORT AND GEOGRAPHICALLY SITUATED IN THE BEST LOCATION OF THE WORLD.

IF WE DO NOT HAVE THE ABOVE PORT......DO YOU THINK SG GOVT DARE TO TALK SO LOUD?

It is just like anywhere else in the world...if one has fertile lands or mine fields and did not control and utilise it efficiently...it will be as good as ZERO.

Although, the govt had been telling us to work and work due to we have ''no'' natural resources...........this... I would say is good thing by encouraging us to work.
But, the natural resources that we had (the deep water port) generated billions and billions of dollars that did not help much for the average and poors...instead it benefited the rich.