Originally posted by TwilightZone:
I feel that that ALL Singaporean families should be allowed to buy
a NEW HDB FLAT. It should be a privilege to all citizens
irrespective of their income or marriage status. Let the
individuals or families decide whether they want to be CASH-RICH OR
ASSET-RICH, and choose the type of housing they want based on their
own circumstances and lifestyle. Also, in line with the concerns by
the government that Singaporeans in general may not have sufficient
retirement funds, this policy runs contrary to these
concerns.
ALL Singaporeans should be allowed to buy a NEW HDB FLAT that is
said by the Government to be heavily subsidised, and will you
confirm that you will also include those earning $600,000 a month
?
If the individuals or families decide to be "CASH-RICH", and do not
buy any home (Private or HDB), where will they stay ?
What good is "CASH-RICH" when your "CASH-RICH" holding is slowly
depleted with the passing of each month - especially when the
"OUTFLOW" is greater then the "INFLOW".
What good will "ASSET-RICH" be, when there is little CASH to live
on as one gets older, and "CASH INFLOW" can no longer be
proportional to the amount of "CASH-OUTFLOW" ?
Will letting the individual Singaporean decide - which way to hold
their "personal reserves" - help to solve the problem of looking
after themselves in their "Twilight Years" ?
:
The socialistic concerns of the early years are no longer valid
today as 90% of the population already live in HDB flats. Excluding
higher income families simply does not augur well for the
cohesiveness and sense of belonging to this country.
Contrary to your statement that with 90% of the population
already living in HDB flats, the "socialistic concerns of the early
years are no longer valid today".
How many of the 90% Singapore Population living in HDB flats are
actual owners of the flats - meaning those that have fully paid up
for their flats - without including those whose title deeds are
held by Banks, or Finance Companies, or by HDB Finance themselves
?
Those living in 1-room and 3-room flats, and some in 4-room flats
will still need the continued "socialistic concern" of early years;
as after last round of pay reductions and retrenchment in 2003 and
2004, many are known to be having difficulties meeting their
monthly payments for Mortgage instalments, Utility Bills, Health
Expenses, and children's welfare and education.
By including the wealthy into HDB's building program, will it not
also provide resentment from those in the lower income bracket
towards the Wealthy, who will buy the HDB flats but will hardly
move out from their Private Homes; and may indulge in reselling the
HDB flats for a profit.
:
High income earners and private property owners who sell off their
houses due to changes in circumstances and needs should be given
the choice to make rational decisions on where to deploy their
funds. Many of these people have realised that ploughing their
money into bricks and motars lacks sanity and that they should save
for the rainy day and for their own retirements.
Singles, most of whom really do not wish to be so if not for their
own circumstances, should also be allowed a buy a NEW 2-ROOM OR
3-ROOM HDB FLAT. They may be single not by choice but because of
adverse physical attributes or certain handicaps, health, or other
uncontrollable circumstances. We should not pressurise and penalise
them unecessarily and exclude them from the benefits of being a
useful citizen of this country.
There has never been any restriction on the spending habits of
the High Income Earners or Private Property Owners. The only
restriction is to prevent their "CASH-RICH" reserves from competing
with those who can only afford to live in HDB flats.
There has been some changes to benefit the Singles that enable them
to purchase HDB flats from the Resale Market, resulting in this
group of people having to pay a higher price.
We could perhaps lower the age barrier to allow this group of
Singles to purchase new HDB flats; so as NOT to inconvenience this
group of Singles, who simply cannot find the opportunity to get
married.
:
The PM mentioned that he will adopt an INCLUSIVE POLICY. It is time
for him to put words into action.
"INCLUSIVE POLICY" - if we are all already Singaporeans, has
there been any group of Singaporeans that is left out, and hence
requiring PM LHL to coin a chic term - "INCLUSIVE POLICY" ?
