Jan 27, 2010 By Sue-Ann Chia SENIOR POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT The
Straits Times
THE current contentious issue on the affordability of public
housing was given another airing by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew
who cautioned Singaporeans not to cast a protest vote against the
ruling party over this.
As Singaporeans lament about rising flat prices, he said they
ought to understand the Government sells them at a subsidised
price, below market rate, so that they can own an asset that will
appreciate in value over the years. It adds to their wealth and
this is asset-enhancing policy Mr Lee believes citizens should not
find fault with.
If they do, they must be 'daft', he said at a dialogue during a
housing conference as part of a series of events to mark the
Housing Board's (HDB) 50th anniversary.
And if National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan is unable to
defend this policy, 'he deserves to lose' at the next General
Election, he quipped to laughter from the participants, including a
chuckling Mr Mah.
But if Mr Mah loses to the opposition, he warned that
Singaporeans better sell their flats fast as it would no longer be
of any value.
Mr Lee's blunt remarks were in response to a question by
dialogue moderator Tommy Koh, who pulled out a Straits Times report
which said at least three opposition parties are keen to contest
Tampines GRC that Mr Mah helms, as they want to raise the
affordability of public housing as an election issue to gain
votes.
"But if Mr Mah loses to the opposition, he warned that
Singaporeans better sell their flats fast as it would no longer be
of any value."
Property prices are not dictated by the lost of another
incompetent minister. Property prices are part of a bubble economy
globally.
