Aiya- Not Much Benefits Given By Government After National Day Rally!

To be honest, I was a tad disappointed by yesterday's National Day Rally as I do not qualify for much freebies given by our Prime Minister Mr Lee Hsien Loong. The S$7 billion "Majulah" goodies package is being reserved for 50years old plus this round.  Nevertheless, I am happy that my parents will benefit from the one-off retirement as well as Medisave top up- think they are probably getting handout of S$2K each. Also, some additional good news for my elderly parents as Mr Lee has announced that there will be enhancement next year for the Silver Support Scheme. These measures do help the sandwiched class like myself who have to take care of elderly parents and support young kids some breather. 

Other major announcement
The prime plus flat schemes for good located BTOs is interesting. Finally, the government decided to step in to plug the lottery effect loophole. For many years, some small group of lucky Singaporeans have been making a fortune selling their BTOs and using the enormous proceeds from such flat to upgrade to private property. I know of ex-colleagues who sold off their Pinnacle@Duxton flats and made obscence profits of S$500K- S$600K from the sales. I do hope that with a minimum occupation period of 10 years as well as being made to pay back part of their sales proceeds to HDB, this will make it fairer for all Singaporeans. 

HDB flat is meant for living and to help citizens have a roof over their head and not build private swimming pool or tennis court in such public development 

Well, some people are not going to like what I am going to say next. Sorry but no offence intended, I seriously think that HDB should stop building Executive Condominiums ("EC"). HDB flats are for folks who need financial support for the absurdly priced housing in Singapore. So why waste space for EC which has luxurious facilities like swimming pool and tennis courts and also giving out generous grants? These space wasted could have been used to build additional block of flat in a plot of land and the EC grants be given instead to other Singaporeans who needed it more so as to have a roof over their head. The government should just leave the building of luxurious condominiums to the private sector instead of wasting resources to have such unnecessary amenities using public funds. I failed to see the reason why for folks who wanted luxurious swimming pools, gyms or tennis court in their home, then the common tax-paying folks have to subsidise their EC grants. If so, then why not build "Executive" Landed Property for those who aspires to stay in private landed property? 

Parting thoughts

I think that HDB need to differentiate between essential needs and luxurious craving so as to be fair to tax-payers.