• About Us
    • Fact Checking Policy
    • Ownership & funding information
    • Volunteer
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
    • Submissions Policy
  • Contact Us
The Online Citizen Asia
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Letters
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Singapore
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
    • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Politics
    • Civil Society
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
No Result
View All Result
The Online Citizen Asia
No Result
View All Result

Singapore Democratic Alliance issues elections manifesto ahead of Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC contest

Reduce GST, Tackle inequality, Full withdrawal of CPF, Restrict Foreign Workers Hires

by The Online Citizen
30/06/2020
in Current Affairs, Politics
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0

It has been announced on 30 June that Singapore Democratic Alliance (SDA) will be contesting in a three-cornered fight in Pasir Ris-Punggol group representation constituency (GRC) against People’s Voice and People’s Action Party. 

This will be the first time this GRC will see three parties contesting since the elections in 1992. 

The five-member team will consist of Desmond Lim Bak Chuan, Harminder Pal Singh, Abu Mohamed, as well as new faces Kelvin Ong and Kuswadi Atnawi.

One day before Nomination Day on 30 June, SDA released its manifesto titled “A Heart for the People’. 

The party said the struggles the constituents have shared with them included “the loss of good jobs for young Singaporeans, a spike in the cost of living, the Central Provident Fund (CPF) savings scheme, and the widening inequality gap in Singapore”. 

The core of its manifesto was crafted on the back of the “pain of (these current) policies” and it proposes solutions tackling these four specific challenges.

1. Reduce Goods and Services Tax (GST) To 3% On Basic Items 

SDA foresees an increase in GST will “devastate low- to middle-income Singaporeans who are already grappling with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic”.

It is proposing to cut GST for basic items such as food, common household products and other essential items to 3 per cent, and a progressive GST tax system of 3 per cent to 15 per cent, where different groups of goods are pegged to different taxes – basic goods are taxed the least, while luxury items are taxed the most.

SDA has also proposed cutting spending on “extravagant public projects”, citing examples such as the upcoming Founders’ Memorial and recent Jewel Changi Airport. 

“While development of new infrastructure is necessary, expenditure must be exercised with prudence — especially when long-term maintenance costs are taken into account,” it said.

SDA proposed “a more stringent set of checks” on the expenditure of such projects. The reductions from these can be afforded to the people instead, the manifesto stated.

2. Tackle Social Inequality

To support youths from disadvantaged families, SDA strives to pump an extra 1 to 5 per cent of the Government’s annual Net Investment Returns (NIR) into this demographic group.

The ways in which social inequalities may be reduced for the youths include modern technological equipment, conducive after-school care at dedicated centres near their homes, and having caregivers and tutors to motivate and coach them.

“A fraction of this would go a long way in helping over 100,000 disadvantaged Singaporean families break the poverty cycle,” it said. The NIR are returns from Singapore’s national investments.

3. Full Withdrawal Of CPF Savings At 62

SDA proposes another change to the current CPF system which allows the elderly to withdraw the full sum of their CPF savings as soon as they turn 62, which is the current retirement age, although a portion of their CPF should be reserved in MediSave and MediShield Life for health emergencies. 

“It is better to die than to fall ill. This speaks multitudes for the plight of ageing Singaporeans. Not only must (the elderly) toil into their twilight years, they fear being a financial burden to their children,” it stated.

4. Restrict Hiring Of Foreign Workers

To ensure there are not only sufficient jobs for Singaporeans, but compatible jobs for them, the party wants stricter qualifying criteria for the hiring of foreign working professionals by local firms. 

Introducing a cap on the number of foreign workers and conducting diligent checks and balances on the educational qualifications of these individuals, to ensure that they have graduated only from universities that are accredited by the Singapore Government, can help alleviate the hiring discrepancy. 

It also proposes to tighten the labour auditing process to prevent the abuse of hiring regulations and policies. 

For just US$7.50 a month, sign up as a subscriber on The Online Citizen Asia (and enjoy ads-free experience on our site) to support our mission to transform TOC into an alternative mainstream press.
Tags: Abu MohamedDesmond LimGE 2020Harminder Pal SinghKelvin OngKuswadi Atnawi.Pasir Ris-Punggol GRCPeople's Action PartyPeople's VoiceSDASingapore Democratic Alliance

Related Posts

How is it that the government knows us better than we know ourselves?
Opinion

How is it that the government knows us better than we know ourselves?

24/01/2023
Peoples Voice says PAP should get rid of POFMA if it is serious about balanced discussions on social media
Politics

Peoples Voice says PAP should get rid of POFMA if it is serious about balanced discussions on social media

10/12/2022
PAP to await verdict of appeal by Christopher de Souza before determining course of action
Politics

PAP to await verdict of appeal by Christopher de Souza before determining course of action

07/12/2022
Lawrence Wong alarmed by WP’s election results asks PAP activists to engage Singaporeans
Politics

PAP creates new appointment of Deputy-Secretary-General for Lawrence Wong for leadership transition

26/11/2022
PAP to await verdict of appeal by Christopher de Souza before determining course of action
Politics

Tone of speeches in PAP’s biennial party conference raises alarm bells of an impending GE

07/11/2022
A weak mandate should be given to PAP so they will work for a strong one
Opinion

A weak mandate should be given to PAP so they will work for a strong one

07/11/2022
Subscribe
Connect withD
Login
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
Notify of
Connect withD
I allow to create an account
When you login first time using a Social Login button, we collect your account public profile information shared by Social Login provider, based on your privacy settings. We also get your email address to automatically create an account for you in our website. Once your account is created, you'll be logged-in to this account.
DisagreeAgree
0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Latest posts

Malaysian court sentences man to 1,050 years’ jail, 24 strokes of the cane, for raping stepdaughter 105 times

Thai court jails activist for 28 years jail for royal defamation

26/01/2023
Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

Earning only S$400 a month, delivery-rider turned hawker threw in the towel after two years of running a rojak stall

26/01/2023
KKH’s lack of continuous monitoring baby’s vital signs “was not ideal”, said State Coroner

KKH’s lack of continuous monitoring baby’s vital signs “was not ideal”, said State Coroner

26/01/2023
Dozens of COVID protesters still behind bars in China: HRW

Dozens of COVID protesters still behind bars in China: HRW

26/01/2023
8 dead, including 6 Chinese nationals, after ship sinks near Japan

8 dead, including 6 Chinese nationals, after ship sinks near Japan

26/01/2023
“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉

Nurse disabled permanently after vaccine injury and sacked by SGH; Did the hospital advise her to apply for VIFAP?

26/01/2023
Man and 2-year-old daughter fell into hole in bridge at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, “seconds away from drowning”

Man and 2-year-old daughter fell into hole in bridge at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, “seconds away from drowning”

26/01/2023
Ruling on Trump ban marks defining moment for Facebook panel

Meta says Trump to be allowed back on Facebook, Instagram

26/01/2023

Trending posts

Ho Ching breaks silence over Temasek’s write down of its US$275 million investment in FTX, says it “can afford to be contrarian”

US regulator questions VCs’ due diligence work prior to investing in FTX; Ho Ching says Temasek can afford to be contrarian

by The Online Citizen
24/01/2023
27

...

Two Indian nationals paid about S$330 and S$730 respectively for forged certificates submitted in their S-Pass application

MOM found issuing EPs meant for foreign PMETs to PRC waitress and general worker

by Correspondent
26/01/2023
26

...

Singapore Democratic Alliance issues elections manifesto ahead of Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC contest

by The Online Citizen
30/06/2020
0

...

“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉

AGC asked to explain purposes of 68 private letters of inmates illegitimately forwarded to prosecutors

by The Online Citizen
21/01/2023
16

...

Indian rupee falls 60% since signing of CECA while Singapore becomes top investor in India

by Correspondent
25/01/2023
34

...

“党籍不会过期失效”  前进党称已就党籍终止知会卡拉

Has HDB flats become “more affordable” by “selling” at a shorter lease of 50-years?

by Leong Szehian
25/01/2023
18

...

June 2020
M T W T F S S
1234567
891011121314
15161718192021
22232425262728
2930  
« May   Jul »
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Letter submission
  • Contact Us

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

No Result
View All Result
  • Opinion
    • Editorial
    • Commentaries
    • Comments
  • Current Affairs
    • Malaysia
    • Indonesia
    • China
    • ASEAN
    • Asia
    • International
  • Finance
    • Economics
    • Labour
    • Property
    • Business
  • Community
    • Civil Society
    • Arts & Culture
    • Consumer Watch
    • NGO
  • Politics
    • Parliament
    • Transport
    • Education
    • Environment
    • Health
    • Housing
  • Law & Order
    • Legislation
    • Court Cases
  • Lifestyle
    • Travel
  • Subscribers login

© 2006 - 2021 The Online Citizen

wpDiscuz