National Day Rally speech

A recent report by the Straits Times highlighted comments from Lim Biow Chuan, coordinating chairman for PAP town councils, suggesting that Housing Board residents can anticipate a rise in Service and Conservancy Charges (S&CC) in the near future. S&CC, which covers expenses such as estate cleaning, landscaping, refuse collection, pest control, and maintenance of mechanical and electrical fixtures like lifts and lights, last saw a rise between $1 and $17 per month, phased over two years, in 2017. Mr Lim noted that town councils are grappling with increased cost pressures due to rising energy prices, maintenance costs, and manpower costs. Energy prices have surged by 23% between 2018 and 2023, while lift maintenance costs have risen because of higher labour and material costs. The implementation of the Progressive Wage Model to uplift low-wage workers has further contributed to increased operational costs for town councils.