By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the article “Over $1b  given to low-income to buy HDB flats” (Straits Times, Jun 19). $1.1 b AHG? It states that “This grant (Additional Housing grant (AHG)), which  can be used to buy either a new flat from the HDB or a resale unit in the open market, has been disbursed to 58,845 households as of April this year, totaling $1.1 billion.” When I read this – "How generous o ...

  Leong Sze Hian I refer to the articles “Govt working with banks to develop ‘S’porean core’” (Today, Jun 17) and “‘Crucial that S’pore core can land top banking jobs’” (Straits Times, Jun 17). “Active discussion” over a year? The former states that “Acknowledging that some financial institutions, particularly the foreign banks, have to do more to develop a “Singaporean core”, Deputy Prime Minister Tha ...

By Leong Sze Hian   I refer to the Editorial “When wages fail to grow along with the economy – Stagnating incomes need to be tackled in earnest” by the Managing Editor, Mr Han Fook Kwang (Sunday Times, Jun 16). Greatest Editorial ever! In my humble opinion, this is the best Editorial in the Straits Times that I have ever read, since my reading of the Straits Times from about 50 years ago. It has put si ...

By Leong Sze Hian Captain Shaun has served as an officer in the army for about 10 years. He signed on as a regular during his National Service. After about 3 years into his service, in 2003, he successfully applied for a Local Study Award (LSA) from Mindef. Graduated with “honours”, but get “pass”pay? He graduated form a local university in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science (2nd Class Honours (Upper) and noti ...

By Leong Sze Hian In the morning of Wednesday, 12 June, I received a whatsapp message “If I speak at hlp (Hong Lim park) this Saturday Begging for mercy for a single mother who throw her son out of the window Would u support? With most existing single mothers” - from Vivian Pan, whom I met at the May Day event organized by Gilbert Goh of transitioning.org - she was 1 of the 11 speakers – she spoke about the ...

By Leong Sze Hian From the annals of history Thanks once again to reader ES who has sent me some very interesting archives from way back (as far back as 40 years ago) – here are some snippets from the annals of history on Ministerial pay: In 1973, a Minister’s annual salary was about $58,500 ( monthly salary of $4,500 x 13 months assuming 1 month’s bonus). (see attached document dated 20 March 1973) Ministe ...

By Leong Sze Hian After speaking at the #FreeMyInternet event on Saturday (8 June) at Hong Lim someone asked me if I had any regrets – I wasn’t quite sure what she was asking – anyway I was dead tired and had to rush off. While I was in the MRT, the thought of “any regrets” came to my mind (when you are in the MRT the mind wanders because you can relax – maybe that’s why I failed my Highway Code and so cann ...

  By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the article “Low subscription rate for two-room units in BTO projects” (Channel NewsAsia, Jun 5). Low subscription for 2-room flats? It states that “As of 5pm Tuesday, the Housing and Development Board has received only 82 applications for the 230 two-room flat units from the Build-To-Order (BTO) projects announced in May.” I understand that practically every recent BTO h ...

By Leong Sze Hian I refer to the articles “13,600 flats on track to be ready by end of year” (Straits Times, Jun 4) and  ”Resale-flat prices may move soon, says minister” (My Paper, May 6) Only enough flats for 1st-timers? With about 27,000 marriages a year, plus 25,000 new citizens and 30,000 PRs (Population White Paper), will the 25,000 new BTO flats be enough to meet demand? If we add to these, HDB and p ...

Speech made by Leong Sze Hian at Hong Lim Park on 8th June 2013 for the #FreeMyInternet Protest. ...