Quote of the day from Channelnewsasia article titled “Budget to mitigate high food prices and inflation”:
“These [the topics discussed on the Budget 2008 webstie] include high oil and food prices, caused by factors outside of Singapore’s borders. “
In the context of the article, the CNA article seemed to try to replicate exactly what the government wanted to them to say, without considering the larger picture at work. Most Singaporeans would probably understand that the hike in food prices could be attributed to both external and internal sources. Externally, it is true that both global fuel prices as well as food supply in Malaysia are factors in the rise and fall of petrol and food prices in Singapore. Yet, internal factors such as government policy and probable lack of strong bite from consumer advocacy groups play their parts too. The hike in GST from 5% to 7%, which is inherently regressive, has had an effect on the raising of prices of raw imported materials, from noodles to minced meat to vegetables. In addition, the rent of the foodcourt stalls might have increased due to the increase cost in providing air-condition, cable television and dish washing in the foodcourt due to the increase in GST. This means that your favorite fish ball noodles in the food court might have ramped up its prices to 3.50 dollars to 4 dollars due to the rise of GST, both directly and indirectly.
For petrol, Shell Singapore website has clearly answered the question in their Q & A session
“What taxes are applied to fuel?
Petrol - Excise tax of 44cpl is applied on every litre of petrol. GST is applied to all fuels (petrol and diesel) as it is purchased at the retail station.”
It is just strange to me that CNA had to include this sentence at all, which gives a rather distorted picture of the rising food and petrol prices. Would the article be worse off without that sentence? It is very heartening that the government is going to assist Singaporeans with this rising food and petrol costs in the upcoming budget. But did Wong Mun Wai from CNA had to do this additional (seemingly unneeded) P-R work for the government?
6 responses so far ↓
George // February 13, 2008 at 2:58 am
So what’s new?
The double-standard, double -talk is nothing new with the govt.
Do you recall the MOS, one of the new ones, actually took to task a kindergarten/nursery school for upping its prices beyond the 2% GST increase?
Surely, the man in the street will know that a 2% rise in GST will increase the cost for practically EVERY sort of goods or services that an individual or an organisation, eg the kindergarten in question, needs. So the kindergarten increase in price is its increased cost + 2% more GST.
Can Singaporeans believe leaders who could so blatantly lie to you without batting an eyelid?
Wayne // February 13, 2008 at 3:04 am
George,
I think you have to be very careful with your words. In this article, there is no direct indication that the government instructed the journalist to write that particular statement down. So the onus of fair reporting lies in that particular reporter and presumably its parent company, CNA.
Also, when did the MOS said that? I don’t really recall any MOS saying that.
Daily SG: 13 Feb 2008 « The Singapore Daily // February 13, 2008 at 3:30 am
[...] are fed, up with progress! - The Anti Neo-Democracy Theorist: High Food and Petrol prices solely due to external forces? - Accountability in the media - Where Bears Roam Free: Like Father, Like Son - Let them buy (unbranded) annuity [...]
Cheng // February 14, 2008 at 5:19 pm
Nothing new right, folks. mainstream media is always singing in tune with government. that’s why any report or statistic from them, i turn a deaf ear and take it as a fart from someone stinky. i do my reading from internet to get a broader view from different source.
Expected Analysis // February 16, 2008 at 3:23 am
Singaporeans must wake up and step out from their comfort zone quickly and with zest. All the nice figures come from taxing Singaporeans in all manners possible and some out of this world measures.
How is it that the govt. can easily justify and implement their own pay? Sadly, it’s a case of its majority of pathetic citizens who are easily taken in by weak justifications, abuse of power,
blatant distortions, manipulation of the printed medias, etc.
Time and again, whatever disguised goodies given out will have to be returned in one way or another. The ERP scheme is the best example of how Singaporeans will be taxed additionally.
ERP means increased cost in transportation cost which covers practically all aspect of lives. Travelling and goods delivery form the basis of every economy. By taxing at this source, the increased cost will be passed down to the general public, both directly and indirectly.
A dialectical idiom best summarises our govt. policies. “吃猪赔狗”, literally means “eat the pigs and pay the dogs”.
Pigs are reared (eat whatever is fed) for their products and dogs are kept for their dogmatic loyalty.
“White, black, brown or mixed, one that listens to command is a good dog.”
Here’s an extract to tickle your senses, reminding forgetful Singaporeans.
Reuters - Saturday, February 16SINGAPORE, Feb 15 - Singapore government ministers and other political appointees, the world’s best paid, will cost taxpayers another 15 percent in the coming financial year starting April, according to the city-state’s budget on Friday.
The state will spend S$66.5 million on political appointments, up from S$58.1 million in the current fiscal year to March — which was also 27 percent up on 2006/2007.
The government announced two rounds of pay hikes for ministers last year, raising Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s annual pay to S$3.76 million — at least five times that of U.S. President George W. Bush.
SGDaily Roundup: Week 7 « The Singapore Daily // February 16, 2008 at 11:20 am
[...] Jean: Hawker prices the same… but is your food still the same? - The Anti Neo-Democracy Theorist: High Food and Petrol prices solely due to external forces? - Accountability in the media - Where Bears Roam Free: Like Father, Like Son - Let them buy (unbranded) annuity plan! - Yawning [...]
Leave a Comment