What has government done to the continuously rising inflation?

How would the inflation be around 5 to 6% when I am seeing food prices increase at around 20% or so? E.g. a bowl of noodle or plate of rice cost S$3 is not costing S$3.5. Is this few percentage increase? Why am I seeing some other foods increase > 10%, housing increases by 2 digit percentage etc could lead to 1 digit % increase in inflation?

Perhaps I dont know how the government calculate inflation rate. Can you enlighten the formula you used to calculate inflation? Are you using something to fool the public ? If not, could you explain? Thanks!

The Budget surplus from previous year should be allocated to beef up Singapore's health care system. The money should be channelled to pay for more programs to allow people to take preventive tests to identify diseases and illnesses in the early stages. This would allow Govt and people to save money and their lives when treatments are administered early. It is tragic whenever treatments are administered at last stages. People die needlessly.

I am particularly displeased regarding the comments made by the minister, saying that young people are being picky, while there are many empty flats in areas such as Sengkang and Punggol.

The government encourages filial piety by giving grant to the children applying for flats near their parents, and urges children to take care of the elderly.

So when young couples are looking for living opportunities in mature estates near their parents, how can they be criticized for being picky? Especially so if you look at how undesirable estates such as Sengkang and Puggol are. Sengkang has been around for so long, and it is still so "ulu" and lacking in amenities. You do not build houses out of the ground and expect people to move into it. The environment around the houses is also very important.

I think one way to encourage couples to take up houses in those new estates are to give them extra grants, if they choose to relocate their parents to the new estate with them. And amenities, like schools, food courts leisure must be built BEFORE you expect people to move into it.

Pales compared to HK. 1% cut to top salaries tax rate (long term) at the same time when profits tax cut by 1%; 75% rebate on personal income tax for year (one-off). These cuts despite not implementing GST.

Singapore - I can't hear you. ha? 20% rebate only ah. Surely very generous to Singaporeans. Personal income tax rates to hold for yet another year (at least). Don't forget employer rates have still not yet been restored.

Corporate tax rate cuts are quick and decided with much hesitance. Its sure rewarding set up companies to do business.

Part of those residents who are facing problem in maintaining the monthly HDB loans & those who are struggling in arrears are due to their error in judgement or speculation with intend to profit but turned bad.

HDB should maintain and re-look at its original primary objective when it was first formed - Home Ownership for the People. With the rapid changes around us, how does it affect the home ownership for the people especially the youth and those who does not own a home. HDB should regularly or annually be reviewing its policies and align it back to its original primary objective.

I find that HDB should look into residents who are facing problem in maintaining the monthly HDB loans & those who are struggling in arrears.

I have came across of someone whom I know dearly, who has been seeking help from their MP & running to HDB office to negotiate with them on their payment of HDB loans. So much "leg work" has been done, but sad to say no one seems to be able to help their current situation.

Aren't the policy of HDB to give all Singaporeans a home to stay in? What happen? There has been an increasing rise of such cases. This case that I know of is not the only one. I have heard many true stories that have been suffering to pay the monthly loan to the HDB. They have come to the extent of selling their houses, to downgrade. Unfortunately, these residents who are even willing to downgrade to a smaller unit, is not a good news to them either. In order to sell their flat, they need to pay back all outstanding to HDB, before they can buy a smaller unit. It involves a large sum of upfront cash, so in a way, residents are stuck.

Another case is that residents who are in arrears of more than 2 months, were stopped by the area office from purchasing the car park disc. To me, this is like a forceful message to residents that they will have to settle their arrears, if not, they will have to move out of their house.

HDB urged to be more compassionate in arrears cases. I certainly AGREE, also begged HDB to be more compassionate because HDB flat is our only cheapest affordable home for most of the Singaporeans.If we are being chased out , our whole family members has got no place to sleep, but only on the roads...

just hope that govt can waived GST for those above 80 yrs old as at this age more health problems will occur

Well,well how good the goodies forever it won't satify all parties.Maybe some still dun understand, very simple logics is that the govt can give everybody wat they want but where the goodies come from ?Sure from all source of revenue.I feel that instead of asking goodies y not request govt to help stabalise the inflation,reduce the GST,help all s'porean to upgrade skill and make housing,education & health at affortable bill.Secondly is s'pore govt got so hudge reseved y not make long term plan like help all couple early married give more birth.Example like give them lower cost housing.Give free education/health bill for those at birth till 12yrs old.So i believe (start from year 2009) another 50years (2059) s'pore will have a better position to maintain economy and more young generation to continue for s'pore.Instead of just think about these 10 to 20yrs gain.I really do hope that s'pore can continue a few more hundred/thousand of years.Pls spend more for baby booming and ensure our s'porean can survive.

Mr De Souza's call is timely notwithstanding the issue of whether a worker will forgo the pay etc. The issue at hand should be with the wage increases over the last 10 years, HDB as mentioned last changed the ceiling more than 10 years ago. Are we living in the cave? The government is aware of the wage increases over the years, hence HDB should correspondingly adjust the ceiling as $8,000.00 ceiling is outdated. The argument by the HDB is that the 'middle income' can buy from the resale market or private condominiums. The question is at what cost? It fail to recognize with the government encouragement for both husband and wife to work. A family of 4 inclusive of 1 working child can breach the ceiling quite easily in today's term. Hence the call should be heeded perhaps adjusting it to $10,000 instead of the current $8,000.00