TRADE-OFFS AND HARD DECISIONS
In her rally speech, Ms Fu addressed concerns over cost-of-living as well as the increase in Goods and Services Tax (GST).
She acknowledged that it is “never easy” for the PAP to make decisions like raising GST, adding that making such tough decisions always comes with trade-offs.
“No major decision is easy to make. There are always trade-offs,” said Ms Fu. “And decisions like GST (are) never easy.”
She added that the government recognises the struggles faced by those with little or no income, which is why a “permanent support system” was introduced to help them.
To cushion the impact of the GST increase, the government had introduced several support measures, such as cash payouts of S$850 under the GST Voucher scheme, Medisave top-ups of up to S$450 for eligible seniors, and utilities rebates of up to S$380 through the GST Voucher- U-Save programme.
“We are taking a chicken wing from you but giving you a whole chicken,” said Ms Fu.
She then said that GST is a tax that allows the government to tax tourists, a point that Prime Minister Wong made most recently at his lunchtime Fullerton rally, where he said the tax is imposed on foreigners, tourists and higher-income families.
She added that GST also taxes individuals in Singapore who may have little or no declared income but still spend heavily on luxury items such as cars and watches.
“We make hard decisions because that’s what’s good for Singapore, and we understand its impact on you.”
Ms Fu previously served as an MP in Jurong GRC from 2006 to 2011 before moving to helm Yuhua SMC.
Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC was formed from a merger of Bukit Batok SMC and parts of Jurong GRC, Yuhua SMC and Hong Kah North SMC following the latest electoral boundaries review.
The constituency has 142,510 voters.
In her speech, she also referenced the various initiatives implemented in Yuhua, such as vouchers to support needy residents and financial assistance for children’s education.
She added that vouchers are still given to all Pioneer and Merdeka Generation seniors, regardless of housing type or income, to support them without making them feel they have to rely on their children.
“Our local support will continue if I am elected, because I know you need this even with the national help scheme,” said Ms Fu.
