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Tag: houses

  • Commentary: HDB Flats Keep Springing Up, But Given Away To New Citizens Like Goreng Pisang Panas

    Commentary: HDB Flats Keep Springing Up, But Given Away To New Citizens Like Goreng Pisang Panas

    Today HDB is building so many flats like there is no tomorrow. Just take a drive around Singapore to witness for yourselves. Every empty space, in between existing flats, at every nook and corner, flats are springing up.

    But true blue Singaporeans, especially those who are starting a family and after having served the nation through NS, still have to wait for quite a while before they can get their flats. The reasons are not too difficult to find.

    Take a look at these pictures. Thousands of foreigners are given citizenship status every year. And as newly minted citizens they – as well as thousands of PRs (permanent citizens) who are yet to obtain their citizenship, are also entitled to be allocated the flats. A sizeable percentage of newly build flats are reserved for them.


    As many as 25,000 foreigners are granted citizenship and they bring in with them many thousands more who are family members and dependents. How many units of flats does the HDB have to build to house these one time aliens.


    Our forefathers struggled all the way and made many sacrifices to build up this nation. What did these foreigners do to deserve their citizenship?


    Is our citizenship that cheap, to be given away like goreng pisang panas?

     

    Source: Mohamed Jufrie Bin Mahmood

  • It’s The Singapore Way: Very Wealthy And Still Living With Mum

    It’s The Singapore Way: Very Wealthy And Still Living With Mum

    Everyone knows Singapore is an expensive country that’s transforming itself into a smart city. Here are five less-known facts about the island nation as it marks its 50th year of independence.

    Costly cars

    Car buyers in Singapore must bid for a limited number of permits — called Certificates of Entitlement — that are auctioned by the government. It’s tool used to control pollution and congestion and can more than double the vehicle’s market value. Consequently, an average family sedan can cost almost as much as a home in the U.S.

    Economic miracle

    The country went from third world to first in two generations. Singapore took 22 years to double its GDP per capita, about half the time of other developed economies including Australia. Its GDP per capita was S$71,318 ($52,000) in 2014, among the highest in the world. The island also has among the highest proportions of millionaire households, according to Boston Consulting Group.

    Living at home

    The majority of housing in Singapore is built by the government. More than 80 percent of the resident population lives in such accommodation, which is typically cheaper than privately developed properties. Because of these dynamics and a rule that prohibits most single Singaporeans from buying a public housing apartment while single — unless they are at least 35 years old — an overwhelming majority of unmarried adults live with their parents. And are big fans of Airbnb.

    Mandatory military service

    Singapore is among a handful of developed nations with compulsory military service for its male residents and citizens. The National Service is for a period of about two years, and typically begins at age 18, unless there are exceptional circumstances — like training for the Olympics, for example.

    Highly paid ministers

    Singapore’s prime minister is among the world’s highest paid heads of state. The government has justified his and other ministers’ salaries on the grounds that it helps attract top talent that might otherwise be lost to the private sector, and that it discourages corruption. It cut ministers’ salaries in 2012 after voter unhappiness over a widening income gap in the country. But they’re still very comfortably off.

     

    Source: http://english.astroawani.com