Raise water prices by as much as 100% to reflect production cost: Economist

[skyleon]

Details of losses for supplying water cannot be revealed because of commercial sensitivities?

By Leong Sze Hian on March 3, 2017 Opinion



I refer to the article “Counter-intuitive to give rebates for saving water: Masagos” (Channel NewAsia, Mar 1).

The article wrote:


“On Wednesday, fellow WP MP Png Eng Huat asked about the scale of losses made supplying water.

“If this Government is bent on raising the price of an essential commodity by 30 per cent, it is certainly the right time to open the books to Singaporeans to justify the increase,” he said.

In response, Mr Masagos said: “We are unable to provide details of computation because of commercial sensitivities”.

Can we have a more detailed explanation as to these “commercial sensitivities” that makes the Government “unable to provide details of computation”?

Since this is the reason – why wait about nine days and only after umpteen clarifications to justify the increase – to tell us this, only now?

As to “We still need to build more desalination plants and NEWater plants. As more desalination, NEWater and water reclamation plants are yet to be built or expanded, revealing the specifics … could prejudice future bids” – how would disclosing past costs, revenue and profits – prejudice future bids?

Why not just disclose such information now – and then perhaps defer the disclosure of projected costs, revenues and profits into the future?

Businesses said no increase in prices?


“He assured the House that the cost reflected the best the market could offer and added that technology was also taken into account in the latest review.

“Technologically, we have squeezed everything we can from the current water processing technology,” said Mr Masagos. “It will take several more years to achieve the next breakthrough and bring it to a deployable scale.” – why not make the “latest review” public?

With regard to “”I am heartened that some businesses have taken this increase in context and have explicitly said that they would not increase prices,” Mr Masagos added”

I understand from news reports so far that only very few businesses have said they would not increase prices and for how long?

How many of the as I understand it – over 150,000 businesses have said that they will not increase prices and for how long?

Securing water supply

In respect of “Mr Singh further sought a number of clarifications after Mr Masagos’ speech, one of which was on how PUB assesses when to increase the price of water.

“On the issue of books in PUB, it is very complicated for me to attempt to simplify what the numbers really mean,” said Mr Masagos. “Our books are in accruals; our budget is in cash, and I have to reconcile them.”” – are you not somewhat surprised that we can’t reconcile cash and accrual accounting?

Why not just tell us how many more days or weeks or months you may need to do this?

As to “I will ask the Minister for Finance to look at the whole-of-government approach in funding our water infrastructure. That makes more sense. Some parts are Government-funded, some parts are PUB-funded. It does not add up if we look at each book separately.” – why not defer the price increase until this is done? How many more months do we need to “look at the whole-of-government approach in funding”?


continue reading here : http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2017...sensitivities/

[skyleon]

Water has been fully priced all along

By onlinecitizen on March 3, 2017 Commentaries



By Colin

I refer to the 1 Mar 2017 Channel News Asia article “water must be priced in full to reflect its true scarcity, says Masagos”.

Mr Masagos was reported to have said that water must be fully priced. Except for the last few years, the government has been making money selling water to the people since day one. In that sense water has not only been fully priced all this while, it has been overpriced.

Mr Masagos claims that we subsidise housing. But a brand new ‘subsidised’ HDB flat can cost half a million dollars, a price that can buy you a condominium in many Western cities. The same can be said of healthcare and tertiary education. The government’s concept of subsidy means handsome profits for themselves.

How can Mr Masagos claim that water is of strategic and national security importance but not housing, healthcare or education? Without an educated workforce, can Singapore achieve the high income and prosperity it enjoys today? Without housing, can a slum filled Singapore be as safe and secure as it is today?

Mr Masagos claims that consumers must feel the price of water the moment he or she turns on the tap. Then by all means, penalise households or companies with high water usage. Don’t punish everyone with a 30% increase that affects even those who are thrifty with water.

Mr Masagos claims that water should be priced at the long run marginal cost. But the long run marginal cost is the cost in the future, not the cost now. If we expect HDB flats to cost $1 million each in the long run, do we price them at $1 million each today?

Mr Masagos says that costs have gone up. But so too have revenues, which Mr Masagos conveniently omits saying.


continue reading here : http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2017...ced-all-along/

[skyleon]

Reply to Prof Ng’s response on false justifications for water price increase

By onlinecitizen on March 3, 2017 Current Affairs




By Colin

I refer to the 2 Mar 2017 Online Citizen letter “A reply to “False justifications for water price increase”.

Bullshit 1: 30% hike cannot even catch up with inflation

Prof Ng said that general inflation since 2000 has exceeded 30%. However, according to MAS core inflation index (http://www.mas.gov.sg/statistics/other-statistics.aspx), core inflation increase since 2000 is 29.959%. It hasn’t exceeded 30%.

More importantly, the price of raw water from Malaysia has remained at 3 cents per 1,000 gallons all this while and hasn’t been subjected to inflation. Since Singapore gets half its water from Malaysia (Straits Times, Singapore's water success has H2O expert worried, 21 Mar 2016) and more from our local reservoirs, more than half of our water has not been subjected to inflationary pressures.

Setting aside the low cost involved in treating fresh water, the average inflation that can be applied to our water should only be about ½ × 30% + ½ × 0% = 15%. Thus, Prof Ng is wrong to say that the announced 30% water fee hike cannot even catch up with inflation. It is about double the average water cost inflation.

Bullshit 2: Singapore water price compares favourably to other countries

Prof Ng likes to compare Singapore water price to those of European cities. But even amongst European cities, there are some with reasonably low water bills relative to their incomes (http://www.thejournal.ie/water-charg...297-Oct2016/):

City Annual water bill as percentage of median income

Dublin 1.30%
Stockholm 1.50%
Rome 1.70%
Madrid 2.20%
Luxembourg 2.50%
Helsinki 2.80%
London 2.90%
Paris 2.90%

Prof Ng selectively chooses Beijing as a comparator for Asian cities which he conveniently brushes off with the comment that he dares not drink straight from a Beijing tap. But the same can be said of Singapore; almost every household boils water to drink or install expensive water filters.

Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong have cheaper water than us that isn’t inferior in quality.

Bullshit 3: Often hear about water saving on radio

Prof Ng claims that he often hears about water saving on radio but not saving of other things and asks why. The reason is that our radio stations are government owned and broadcast what the government wants the people to hear.

Bullshit 4: Water prices do not adequately reflect costs

Prof Ng claims that our water prices do not adequately reflect costs. If that’s the case, then PUB should be suffering immense losses year after year. But no, PUB has been making positive net operating income and positive net income before grants all the way till 2013 and 2009 respectively.

Bullshit 5: Price goods at the highest cost source

Prof Ng says that water should be priced at the higher costs of producing NEWater and desalination even for raw water obtained from Malaysia for economic efficiency. But it is precisely a monopoly that prices goods way above costs which results in a dead weight loss for society that leads to economic inefficiency. So on the contrary, for economic efficiency, water should be priced near its weighted average cost of production.


continue reading here : http://www.theonlinecitizen.com/2017...rice-increase/


Disclaimer : Please note that I am not related in any way to the links provided . Just sharing what I have found on internet .

[winphenom]

Which is why I say, all things done are for their own benefits and the govt's long term power and votes.

Land scarcity excuse - then why increase the population by two folds of land is so scare? Surely an idiot also knows you need housing for them, space for them to move and work, resources to sustain them, and not forgetting, they need to buy cars so need more roads. So aren't you slapping your own face?

Water scarcity and price - same as above....plus I always wonder why people never question the profits they earned through the sale of treated water and selling infrastructure to other countries? Govt push their agenda by telling only costs. What about the profits they earned through it also? Surely they can't be selling water to Malaysia at a loss. About time people wake up to stupid, illogical and idiotic reasons.

Transport woes - also associated with population growth.

HDB lift woes - their fault due to cheapo lifts. Why so many buildings that have high traffic and serving all floors not have so many issues? Lifts of old also very few such high profile incidents.

Inadequate population procreation - whose fault? Surely an idiot too know it's their fault for introducing "stop at two". So now give excuse need to grow population and get new citizens. Crap talk to justify their own agenda. Own up and pay for your own mistakes instead of implicating others. Letting people come and enjoy the fruits of our forefathers labour in building this rich society is like robbery. Then after robbing and gotten all the riches, they absconded to greener pastures again.

Everything is a direct result of their own agenda. But no one wants to speak the truth and own up. Everyone wants to ride on an easy road to riches. Any lowly educated person can be a minister in singapore too. if you need money, just find an excuse to increase anything you fancy and all issues solved. If you cannot justify the reason, just say it's commercial and trade sensitive issues that cannot be divulged and all doubts will be forced through. If you are lazy, just delegate the dirty job to your assistants and they will settle it for you cos they are also paid to serve you. That's why I can be a minister at half their salaries and benefits also. Cushy job....just need to stay clean and lead a hermit life but with riches. Go around the estates and kiss babies and bless them, give angbaos to your residents, and most importantly, attend all parliament sessions and say "aye" to anything that the govt puts forth.
Enjoy life after retirement and you can go screw any girl at any part of the world cos you will have that abundance of wealth by then, plus the huge monthly pension you get till you die.

[winphenom]

Another stupid reason given by our resources minister makes me want to laugh and question the calibre of our ministers. He said 30% increase is small if you compare to the monthly handphone bills of people. Idiotic comparison. Nowadays, people have handphones but lesser land lines. And if you say it's small, then all you rich people drive big cars and own a few of them, stay in big houses and live extravagant lives. Then tax them highly and make them pay 300% more for water since its only a small significant amount to them. Or please do the honourable and donate to charity and stop complaining that ministers need to be highly paid to attract them and also be clean from corruption. Surely handphone bills cannot compare with your car bills and lifestyle costs. What a load of idiotic and sickening talk at this present times when we are suffering from economic downturn and loss of jobs.

[sadfa]

Originally Posted by winphenom

Another stupid reason given by our resources minister makes me want to laugh and question the calibre of our ministers. He said 30% increase is small if you compare to the monthly handphone bills of people. Idiotic comparison. Nowadays, people have handphones but lesser land lines. And if you say it's small, then all you rich people drive big cars and own a few of them, stay in big houses and live extravagant lives. Then tax them highly and make them pay 300% more for water since its only a small significant amount to them. Or please do the honourable and donate to charity and stop complaining that ministers need to be highly paid to attract them and also be clean from corruption. Surely handphone bills cannot compare with your car bills and lifestyle costs. What a load of idiotic and sickening talk at this present times when we are suffering from economic downturn and loss of jobs.

Typical rubbish reminiscent of hairdo lim.
Last time he said breast cancer scanning too ex, just do one less hair lor!!!

Dictators never learn their lessons.
Cb lim just keep quiet n don't tcss n get to keep his job. He never change LA. He just keep his cb comments n derisory comments to himself
______
Exchange points must hide ma

[sadfa]

Originally Posted by skyleon

Reply to Prof Ng’s response on false justifications for water price -on-false-justifications-for-water-price-increase/[/url]


Disclaimer : Please note that I am not related in any way to the links provided . Just sharing what I have found on internet .

Why must u put disclaimer.
Scared iz it...
______
Exchange points got disclaimer ma

[sadfa]

Originally Posted by winphenom

Let's just face the real world out there, even with our government, as they are also running singapore like a MNC. From last few years, it has been the norm to pass all costs to the citizens, irregardless of whether it's for the good or it's the govt's fault. Just look at the mrt and hdb lifts will do. It's indirectly their fault but to offset the costs, it's passed down to consumers. Come on, you purchased cheapo lifts which resulted in malfunctions.
Now, it's just them lining their own pockets with big fat salaries, all expenses and medical paid work, good increments and bonuses plus terrific pensions. If costs are not borne by us, where to find money to sustain this and other investments, R&D and huge money to push their own agendas.
Like what one bro says, the best job in the world is to be a full time singapore politician. You can eat 2 generations with this job. I don't mind serving the nation with all my might and time for half their benefits.

What many don't know is even millionaire surgeon lawyer CEO face tremendous pressure in private sector daily OK.

Even hen as surgeon, don't sit In office whole day n collect money. Those rich indo who pay him alot, demand results. That Susan even have to attend to her royalty patient after she got her own op.

So these ppl face pressure from customers, n even colleagues n competitors.

But they join politics even if earn half of their private sector Income got secure job for life LA.

Even if hen is the idiot who say stop over at hong Kong with the nine vehicles, the media wont say he's to blame.

And during elections, garbagement will fix opposition etc, so no way they'll lose elections unless they're like George n seet. U can tell these fuckers during elections don't put in effort. Cos confirm sure win wan

So they got Golden ricebowl. Why worry?
They buaysong they'll just go media to fuck sporeans.

This is the real legacy of forefathers la
_____
Exchange points got legacy ma

[winphenom]

Originally Posted by sadfa

What many don't know is even millionaire surgeon lawyer CEO face tremendous pressure in private sector daily OK.

Even hen as surgeon, don't sit In office whole day n collect money. Those rich indo who pay him alot, demand results. That Susan even have to attend to her royalty patient after she got her own op.

So these ppl face pressure from customers, n even colleagues n competitors.

But they join politics even if earn half of their private sector Income got secure job for life LA.

Even if hen is the idiot who say stop over at hong Kong with the nine vehicles, the media wont say he's to blame.

And during elections, garbagement will fix opposition etc, so no way they'll lose elections unless they're like George n seet. U can tell these fuckers during elections don't put in effort. Cos confirm sure win wan

So they got Golden ricebowl. Why worry?
They buaysong they'll just go media to fuck sporeans.

This is the real legacy of forefathers la
_____
Exchange points got legacy ma

Haha bro....masagos compared mobile phone bills to increase in water. And forefathers, what I mean was your forefathers and mine who came here and worked hard to build this country. So we deserve more than to be treated like this and having to share with new citizens who may abandon singapore anytime. Look at our imported sportsmen who are citizens but abandon us when they have earned enough to go home and live a luxurious life. This, after having enjoyed all the perks and benefits from our dear leaders whereas born and bred citizens have to suffer here all our lives.

[winphenom]

Furthermore, after this round of disturbing increases by the govt, I notice that the pro govt supporters are silent or less supportive. I guess people only feel terrible when it hurts their pockets most....Haha. That's life for us Singaporeans.

[maletines]

Originally Posted by sadfa

What many don't know is even millionaire surgeon lawyer CEO face tremendous pressure in private sector daily OK.

Even hen as surgeon, don't sit In office whole day n collect money. Those rich indo who pay him alot, demand results. That Susan even have to attend to her royalty patient after she got her own op.

So these ppl face pressure from customers, n even colleagues n competitors.

But they join politics even if earn half of their private sector Income got secure job for life LA.

Even if hen is the idiot who say stop over at hong Kong with the nine vehicles, the media wont say he's to blame.

And during elections, garbagement will fix opposition etc, so no way they'll lose elections unless they're like George n seet. U can tell these fuckers during elections don't put in effort. Cos confirm sure win wan

So they got Golden ricebowl. Why worry?
They buaysong they'll just go media to fuck sporeans.

This is the real legacy of forefathers la
_____
Exchange points got legacy ma

The Hen will be castrated if he cause an Indo patient to lose even a strand of pubic hair

[sadfa]

Originally Posted by winphenom

Haha bro....masagos compared mobile phone bills to increase in water. And forefathers, what I mean was your forefathers and mine who came here and worked hard to build this country. So we deserve more than to be treated like this and having to share with new citizens who may abandon singapore anytime. Look at our imported sportsmen who are citizens but abandon us when they have earned enough to go home and live a luxurious life. This, after having enjoyed all the perks and benefits from our dear leaders whereas born and bred citizens have to suffer here all our lives.

I think it was old Man who said good politician must be able to explain complex policies simply.

End up there Cbs including Mickey mouse 2 keep on talking about their char kway teow analogy non stop.

These fuckers are idiots la.
They actually think sporeans are being irresponsible n spendthrifts.

Like that don't buy HP la.
And live like paupers so they can afford all the price increases like water. Electricity, gst etc.

Is this the life forefathers promised ??
Sporeans live in 2 room flat, no phone cos use free internet to call, Use public transport, eat cheap unhealthy food so they can afford all the price hikes by garbagement.

In the meantime the pinoy supervisor will fuck sporeans for being lazy n stupid. N even 5 room flats, condos will be stayed by all the foreigners

Fucking idiots!!
_____
EXCHANGE points forefathers promise ma

[kuasimi]

The relentless rising cost of living in Singapore


http://forums.$$$$$$$$$$$$.com.sg/current-affairs-lounge-17/relentless-rising-cost-living-singapore-1708031.html


http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/...-in-singapore/

The relentless rising cost of living in Singapore
Posted by theonlinecitizen on August 27th, 2007

The following is a collated list of price increases which TOC could find – from various news reports, blogs, websites, forums, etc – since Jan 2006 to the present.

If we have left out any, please do let us know. If you have observed any price hikes around your neighbourhood (or anywhere else) please let us know also.

We can be reached at [email protected]

The list may not be comprehensive and any clarification is welcome.






2006

Jan 9: Pump prices at all 29 Caltex stations will go up from 11pm on Monday night. Prices will go up by four cents per litre for all three grades. (link)

Feb 13: Polytechnics and ITE increase fees by $50 and $10 respectively (link)(link)

Feb 14: NTU, NUS to raise tuition fees by 3% from next academic year. Tuition fees at both the National University of Singapore and Nanyang Technological University will go up by S$180 for the next academic year. This 3 percent increase comes on the heels of a 5 percent hike just last year. (link)

Mar 6: Expect annual tuition fee increases. Hostel fees will also go up by 10% to 11% from next academic year. (NTU) (link)

Mar 9: Retail pump prices for Synergy petrol and diesel at all Esso and Mobil service stations in Singapore were increased by 6 cents a litre. (link) (link)


June 1: NTUC Car Co-Op raises fuel surcharge: We cannot continue subsidizing the fuel price increase in the long run without compromising the quality of service. Thus, the management has decided to implement a fuel surcharge of $0.30 for every 10km free with effect from 1 June 2006. (link)

June 27: Electricity tariff to go up next quarter. Domestic users, for example, will have to pay 21.15 cents for every kWH of electricity, up from 20.49 cents currently. (link)

July 10: Comfort Delgro raises taxi fares. Besides raising the flag down fare and the peak hour surcharge from $1 to $2, ComfortDelgro is also making distance-related adjustment. (link)(link)

July: Taxi companies raise fares. (link)(link)

July 17: SMRT hikes taxi fares. (link)

Aug: SMRT, SBS apply for fare hike. (link)

Aug: NUS hikes tuition fees by between $180, $220, and $510, depending on faculty. (link)

Aug: ERP rates to go up at six gantries, mainly at CTE. (link)

Oct: Public Transport Council approves 1.7% fare increase for bus and trains. Adult EZ-link fares for buses and trains will increase by 1 to 3 cents, which amounts to an overall fare hike of 1.7 percent. (link)

Nov: SingPost revises postage rate. (link)

Nov 12: Rates for HDB rental flats pegged to income. (link)

Dec: Govt spells out fees to be frozen. (link)

2006: Loan sharks cases rise by 19%, to 10, 221 cases. (link)

2006: A total of 419 people committed suicide in 2006, up from 346 in 2003. The suicide rate per 100,000 residents - a sobering indicator in population statistics - is also on the upswing, growing from 9.3 in 2003 to 10.3 in 2006, figures from the Registry of Births and Deaths reveal. It is the fourth straight rise in as many years. (ST, Aug 13, 2007) (link)

2006: Islandwide, home rentals climbed 10 per cent in 2006. (ST, Aug 6, 2007) (link)

2006: At Alexandra Hospital, A&E charges went up from $55 to $60, as did C-class ward charges — from $21 to $23 — and subsidised specialist outpatient clinic consultation rates, from $18 to $20. (link)


http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/...-in-singapore/





2007


Jan: All diesel-driven vehicles to undergo smoke test. (link)

Jan: NUH’s A&E fee raised from $70 to $80. (link)

Jan: Skilled Foreign workers levy raised by $50, from $100 to $150, for all sectors. (link)(link)

Jan 26: SMU Law Course to cost more, NUS says it may increase fees too. (link)

Feb: KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital hikes ward treatment fees. (link)

Feb 14: Tax penalties from GST audits could increase. With the hike in Goods and Services Tax (GST) by two percentage points, tax analysts said tax penalties arising from businesses making mistakes in GST audits may also increase. (link)

Feb 25: Sunny Cove: Fees to Pulau Hantu Raised - As of 24th February 2007 (Saturday), the operator had increased the price for the chartering of boat to local water. With the price hike, all courses conducted at local water will be subjected to the increase from 25th February 2007 (Sunday) onwards. (link)

Feb 25: Eldershield premiums to go up by year’s end. (link)

April 1:Singapore Medical Association withdraws guidelines on fees. Doctors now have more flexibility to adjust their fees, following a decision by the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) to withdraw its guidelines on fees, as of 1 April. (link)

April 1: URA increase fees for Housing Developers’s Licence – from between $500 to $8,000. (link)

April 2: NUS revise car park charges. (link)


April 8: Means testing for hospital admission to start within a year. Subsidised patients that stay more than five days in a public hospital can expect some questions about their income. (link) (link)

April 11: Ikea to start charging customers for plastic bags. (ST, 11 April, 2007)

April 25: The SingaporeAmericanSchool increased tuition fees by between $425 and $1,000. (link)

April: Within hours of each other, the four petrol companies in Singapore - First Shell, then Singapore Petroleum Company (SPC), ExxonMobil and lastly Chevron - each revised its prices. The retail price of petrol and diesel rose by 10 cents. (Electric New Paper) (link) (link)


http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/...-in-singapore/


April 25: The SingaporeAmericanSchool increased tuition fees by between $425 and $1,000. (link)

April: Within hours of each other, the four petrol companies in Singapore - First Shell, then Singapore Petroleum Company (SPC), ExxonMobil and lastly Chevron - each revised its prices. The retail price of petrol and diesel rose by 10 cents. (Electric New Paper) (link) (link)





May 14: NUH increase ward charges for B2 and C-class wards by $2, increases of 4 and 8 per cent. (link)

May 23: DBS raises its e-transaction fee for initial public offering (IPO) applications. Retail investors who applied for IPO shares launched on or after that date, through the local bank’s ATMs and Internet banking, were surprised that they now have to pay $2. (link)

May 29: New fee hikes at public hospitals and polyclinics. A NEW round of fee hikes is underway at most public hospitals and some polyclinics. Subsidised patients at four public hospitals will now pay $24 or $25 for every visit to a specialist clinic, up from about $21. All 18 polyclinics, which used to charge a standard consultation fee of $8 for adults, now charge anything from $8-$8.80. (link)(link)(link)

May: From milk to Milo, cooking oil to coffee, canned foods, processed foods, wheat products and more, prices have been rising recently at supermarkets and hypermarts here. (link)(link)(link)

June 1: Prices of milk go up. The price increase for condensed milk ranged from $0.10 to $0.50, which means the prices for some brands of condensed milk have gone up by nearly 45 per cent. The price increase for evaporated milk ranged from $0.15 to $0.47, marking a percentage increase of between 18 per cent to 48 per cent. (link) (link)

July 3: Resale price index for HDB flats rise 2.9% from 3 months before. (link)



June 4: Online hosiery shop increases price. There will be a overall price increase on 4th June 2007 for all brands due to increased cost of yarns and cost of shipping. (link)





June 6: Even before the Nets fee hike kicks in, a shoe shop in Parkway Parade has already started charging customers extra to cover the increase. (link)

June 7: Wholesale price of ducks goes up. The wholesale price of ducks has increased by 20 cents a kilogram. (link)

[kuasimi]

http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/...-in-singapore/

June 7: Wholesale price of ducks goes up. The wholesale price of ducks has increased by 20 cents a kilogram. (link)

June 7: Eggs price increase. Eggs now cost between 17 cents and 18 cents each. (link)

June 29: Rental space rents rise. Islandwide, rents at Grade A malls have moved up by between 5-7 per cent in the first half of this year and could increase by another 5-6 per cent by end-2007, analysts said. (Business Times, June 29, 2007) (link)

June 29: Fees up by 14% on average at NUS. Two days before the higher 7-per-cent GST kicked in on July 1, prospective students of the continuing education arm of the National University of Singapore (NUS) received news that fees for many courses had gone up — by an average 14 per cent. (link)

July 1st: GST increased from 5% to 7%. (link)(link)

July 1st: THE Singapore Petroleum Company (SPC) and market leader ExxonMobil became the first companies to raise pump prices at their petrol stations following the GST hike. The two companies increased prices across the board for their three grades of petrol and diesel by 0.23 cents to 0.33 cents per litre from 7am. Caltex will be increasing its pump prices on Monday. (ST, July 1, 2007) (link) (link)

July 1st: NETS announced a price hike for its Electronic Funds Transfer Point-of-Sale (EFTPOS) and CashCard Services to between 1.5% and 1.8%. (link)(link)

July 1st: Pasir Ris – Punggol Town Council revise penalties for late payment of S&C charges to 2% and absorb 7% GST. (2004 rates) (2007 rates)

July 4:The Committee Against GST Profiteering (CAP) has found price changes to be generally moderate since the announcement of the GST increase in November 2006. (link)

July 10:ChangiGeneralHospital increases A&E charges. Following in the wake of earlier hikes by the National University Hospital and Alexandra Hospital, CGH this month increased its A&E attendance fee by $10 — or 15 per cent — to $75. For the B2 and C-class wards, the daily treatment fee went up by $1, representing a 6-to-10-per-cent increment. The daily ward charge for B2 wards also rose by $1, or 2 per cent. (link)

July 11: Starhub raise prices for cable tv packages. SCV subscribers pay $4 more across the board. (link)(link)(link)

July 11: The Committee Against GST Profiteering has received 33 complaints in the past six months about price increases, all dealing with food items. About 10 cases involve chain businesses. (ST, July 11, 2007) (link)

July 15: Electricity tariffs to be raised by almost 9% for July to September. (link)

July 18: Govt raises development charge from 50% to 70% for new building projects from 50 per cent to 70 per cent of the increase in value of the land. (link)(link)


http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/...-in-singapore/

July 15: Electricity tariffs to be raised by almost 9% for July to September. (link)

July 18: Govt raises development charge from 50% to 70% for new building projects from 50 per cent to 70 per cent of the increase in value of the land. (link)(link)

July 21: HDB rents at 10-year high. For the first time in recent memory, monthly rents for some HDB flats have pushed northwards of $2,000 in leases signed in the last couple of months. (ST, 21 July 2007) (link)

July 25: Hospital bills up 10% to 30% across all ward classes. (link)



July: July inflation hits 2.6%, highest in over 12 years. (link)



July (CPI): Housing costs increased 4.9 per cent because of higher housing maintenance charges, electricity tariffs and rented accommodation costs. (ST, Aug 23, 2007)(link)





July (CPI): Food prices went up by 1.4 per cent, mainly due to dearer cooked food, fresh fish, fruits, vegetables and milk powder. (link)



July (CPI): Transport and communication prices moved up by 1 per cent, reflecting mainly dearer petrol and higher car prices. (link)

July (CPI): The index for education and stationery rose by 2.1 per cent as a result of higher fees at commercial institutions and universities. (link)

July (CPI): Prices of clothing and footwear increased by 3.9 per cent. (link)

July (CPI): Health care cost rose by 2.2 per cent on account of dearer chinese herbs and higher charges for general medical consultation and dental treatment. (link)



Aug 2: SBS, SMRT seeking bus, train fare increases. If approved, transport fares could rise by up to three cents from October. (link)

Aug 2:Singapore Airlines raises fuel surcharge – from between US$2, US$5 and US$9. (link)

Aug 6:ERP rates at Orchard, YMCA and Fort Canning Tunnel to go up. From August 6, cars passing the Orchard, YMCA and Fort Canning Tunnel gantries will be charged an additional $0.50. That makes it $1 per entry. Rates for motorcycles will also double to $0.50. Goods vehicles and small buses will now be charged $1.50. Heavy goods vehicles and big buses will be charged $2. (link)

Aug 7: Student made to pay adult fare. (link)

Aug 8: 17% hike in Delifrance’s tuna croissant sandwich, from $5.05 to $5.90. (link)

Aug 10: Change of supplier sees spike in price of medicine. A 80ml bottle of Minoxi 5 from Trima Pharmaceutical used to cost $38.50. This time round, the price was $45.50 for a 60ml bottle. Going by volume, the price increase was a hefty 57.6 per cent. (ST Forum, Aug 10, 2007) (link)

Aug 13: Up to 30% levy imposed on hotel room revenues during F1 race. The Trade and Industry Ministry (MTI) has decided a levy of 30 per cent for hotels on the trackside, and 20 per cent for others. (link)


http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/...-in-singapore/


Aug 7: Student made to pay adult fare. (link)

Aug 8: 17% hike in Delifrance’s tuna croissant sandwich, from $5.05 to $5.90. (link)

Aug 10: Change of supplier sees spike in price of medicine. A 80ml bottle of Minoxi 5 from Trima Pharmaceutical used to cost $38.50. This time round, the price was $45.50 for a 60ml bottle. Going by volume, the price increase was a hefty 57.6 per cent. (ST Forum, Aug 10, 2007) (link)

Aug 13: Up to 30% levy imposed on hotel room revenues during F1 race. The Trade and Industry Ministry (MTI) has decided a levy of 30 per cent for hotels on the trackside, and 20 per cent for others. (link)

Aug 23: More ERP gantries, extended hours. (link)(link)

Oct: Starhub Cable TV sports channels subscribers pay $10 more. (link)

Sept 1st: New dog licensing rules. To discourage dog owners from keeping unlicensed dogs, allowing their dogs to stray or not muzzling dogs of breeds2 that are required to be muzzled in a public place (eg, the Rottweiller or Mastiff); the maximum fine for such offences has been raised from $500 to $5,000. (link)

Sept:Singapore Indian Fine Arts Society to increase fees from between $5 to $10 due to the society becoming a GST-registered entity. (link)

Oct: Public transport fare increase?

2007: HDB ups valuation and administrative fees for valuation report of flats. This is to include the new 7% GST. (link)



Quote:

Aug 24:

‘With rents rising, and some retailers not passing on the GST hike until later, we expect CPI inflation to continue to climb, probably close to 3 per cent towards year-end,’ said Citigroup economist Chua Hak Bin.

“Consumers Association of Singapore president Yeo Guat Kwang, who is also MP for Aljunied GRC, said if prices go up because of supply and demand conditions, that cannot be helped: ‘What we need to ensure is that price adjustments are fair.

‘So far, we haven’t seen a phenomenon of businesses profiteering from the GST rise,’ said Mr Yeo, who is the deputy chairman of the Committee Against GST Profiteering.

‘Most importantly, prices of basic necessities have remained stable.’

(Straits Times, Aug 24, 2007)

Other reports:

A relentless spiral by Littlespeck. (link)

CASE survey. (link)

Govt spells out fees to be frozen. (link)(link)


http://theonlinecitizen.com/2007/08/...-in-singapore/


Unconfirmed – from internet forums and blogs:

teh_si - Price of Marigold HL milk up from $4.85 to $5.25 for two (13% increase) and Milkmaid condensed milk from $1.10 to $1.60 (45% increase). Han’s restaurant increased its price for breakfast sets from $4.80 to $5.50 from May 15.

Man in the streets- I was at the roti-prata shop along jln masjid having lunch with a client, I heard the kosong roti will increase to 70 cents per piece. CASE is sleeping or closing its eyes.

nannan82:Even the chicken rice I used to eat was raised to $3 from $2.5 dollar recently at hawker centre.

ITR Guy: My fav yoghurt was selling for 2 for 1.7 to 1.8 depending on supermarket is now going for 2 ****…

Apr 30 - ERP rates to go up at 5 gantries. The rates of five Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) gantries will increase by 50 cents for all vehicle classes starting from May 7, 2007.

April 5 (ST) - Beware spike in docs’ fees. THE dumping by the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) of private doctors’ consultation fee guidelines effectively deregulates the service.

Mar 31 (ST) - Motor premiums could go up as insurers lose money.
Hike expected as half of insurers are facing losses and cannot sustain premium levels.

Jan 20 (ST) - Big surge in CBD carpark rates. Situation could get worse as some 2,000 parking lots are likely to disappear soon. Carpark owners are raising rates - driving vehicle owners in the Central Business District (CBD) up the wall. Now $160-$330, monthly season charges will go up by 20%. The occasional visitor will pay up to $4.80 an hour weekdays.

Xen, Jan 17: Ya Kun stuck a statement beside its cashier, added 20 cents to its menu, and pushed its Set A to $3.90. Even my Kosong Prata went from 50cent to 60cents, effectively a 20% increase.

May 2007:Singapore Expats Forum: Our tenancy agreement is due to expire in 2 months time. We’ve just had notification from the landlord that he wants a 30% increase in rent!! (link)

[kuasimi]

Since when Fish(Seafood) is cheaper than Chicken (Poultry) ?? Ikan Bilis ??

I find the MP's statement unbelievable.

Reminds me of a story from France.

Minister : The people are complaining they can no longer afford bread and are going hungry.

Queen: Cannot afford bread ? Eat biscuits lor .....(meaning not my fault)....lol



MP for Jurong GRC Halimah Yacob, who will ask Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang how the Government is tackling the situation, said more can be done to educate people on eating less-costly alternatives.



'For example, the price of chicken may be rising fast, but we can encourage Singaporeans to turn to alternative sources of protein, such as fish,' she told The Straits Times yesterday.


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Higher living costs to get airing in Parliament
Food prices, property payment scheme and MediShield on agendaBy Keith Lin




THE rising cost of living will be high on the agenda when Parliament sits on Monday.

Two MPs have tabled questions that reflect their concern on how fast-rising food prices are causing a dent in the Singaporean's wallet.

Wheat prices, for example, are at global historic highs owing to droughts in Australia and crop failures in the United States. They have, in turn, caused animal feed, and hence meat, to become more costly.

MP for Jurong GRC Halimah Yacob, who will ask Trade and Industry Minister Lim Hng Kiang how the Government is tackling the situation, said more can be done to educate people on eating less-costly alternatives.

'For example, the price of chicken may be rising fast, but we can encourage Singaporeans to turn to alternative sources of protein, such as fish,' she told The Straits Times yesterday.

Non-Constituency MP Sylvia Lim wants to know, among other things, the impact of the hike in the goods and services tax in July on rising consumer prices.

On the property market, Madam Ho Geok Choo (West Coast GRC) will ask National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan for an update on the impact of the recent withdrawal of the deferred payment scheme.

The scheme allowed home buyers to pay upfront as little as 10 per cent of a property's price, with the rest paid only when the property is ready. The Government scrapped it last month to curb speculation.

Issues on the MediShield insurance scheme are also expected to receive an airing, with three questions filed.

One is from MP for Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua, who wants Health Minister Khaw Boon Wan to clarify whether the new move to give children automatic MediShield cover will include those with special needs.

From next month, children will start to have such cover, which is for hospital stay. Insurance premiums will be paid from their parents' Medisave fund.

'As I understand it, those born with pre-existing illnesses are not included,' Ms Phua said yesterday. 'I hope these children can enjoy the same kind of medical coverage, just like normal Singaporean children.' Five new Bills will be introduced, while another five introduced earlier are up for debate. One slated for debate is the National Registry of Diseases Bill, which calls for the setting up of a national disease database to collate data on common illnesses.





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