A letter to Mr Mah Bow Tan on his “realistic” remark
December 15th, 2009 | 
Author: Dear Mr Mah,
I refer to the comments you made in the parliament as reported by the Straits Times on the 24th Nov 2009.
You said that housing standards have increased over the years. As far as I know, flat sizes have shrunk over the years. How shrinking flats translates to higher standards is something you can address in parliament next time.
You said your three-room flat was like a palace but would you go back to your palace now? If you wouldn’t, why do you expect others would?
You said you need people to stay on the second and third floors of flats. Why don’t you set a good example and stay there? Conversely, why don’t you give further discounts to the lower floors to boost their attractiveness compared to the higher floors?
You shrugged off the suggestion that there is a groundswell of discontent. That is a mutli-million dollar shrug only multi-million dollar ministers like yourself is capable of.
You said that you want to better communicate to home buyers who want ready-made flats in good locations at cheaper prices. Would you tell home buyers to desire flats that take forever to build, situated at lousy locations and charged sky high prices? You would have achieved the ultimate marketing feat even the communists couldn’t.
You said that there is a mismatch as well as an element of unrealistic expectations. In a way you are right. How can we expect multi-million dollar ministers to realistically understand the plight of the common people?
Yes, the flat on the second floor will grow in value. That would mean even more expensive housing for my children who would have to pay even more to the HDB.
Thank you
Ng Kok Lim
Posted in Letters
Well said.
Just vote him and his team out in whichever GRC he is running.
THEN, he or his replacement, will wake up.
Afordable? When salaries did not increase in tandem?
the harsh REALITY is not merely just the higher housing prices,MINISTER.
THE(the) REALITY is that things-not just houses- have been
made not only unaffordable but UNREACHABLE to countless out-of-job singaporeans.
one bad policy leads to another…see, the GIANFULLY EMPLOYED
better-than-citizens “outsiders” can still buy not just their home but HOUSES?!!!
“INI MACHAM,MANA LAIN NEGARA ADA?”!
The truth about rising housing prices is the creation of higher debt for future generations. It is about taking future money isn’t it? Once you sell your flat that has appreciated to a new willing buyer, he is actually paying for your retirement or so to speak ‘working for you’ to earn a place to live.
The middle man collects the money and earns the interest and gets to keep the money locked in the CPF, which will be used by temasek or GIC to invest in troubled banks.
The cycle continues…
Well said. I hope he reads it.
A thought occured to me.
What happens when our ministers begin to think that they’ve earned a enough to be financially independant personally to live off the interest from banks here and abroad, and still have enough for their own children’s generation?
With their dreams fulfilled and personal life financially very stable, they only need to push the govt scholars to come out with ideas for themselves (ministers) to present in parliment. Then, what is important is left to their own whims and what bonded scholars present as important in the internal meetings.
I see a danger in that where ministers without constant oversight by someone who really do care, will just lapse into a comfortably inactive state. They can easily develop the mentality as oil-rich countries where whether they win-lose the next election it doesnt matter.
Do they love Singapore to want to see it grow culturally and intellectually other than just economically? For the governmnet to just talks in terms of GDP about jobs and pay, can be said to be just wanting to operate only on the bare minimum essentials of governance.
My two cents
PAP government is the prime reason for the ever increasing property price and escalated cost of living. Vote them out in order to save ourselves, at least we must vote out the PM as he is the one who set the wrong policy for MBT to follow !!!
if the pigs love Singapore, they wouldn’t get us into this sh@t while paying themselves high salaries.
If they want monies that much, go work in the private sector and be measured.
Don’t use other people’s success to get themselves paid the same amount while not producing anything.
MBT didn’t undercharge for the lower floors; he just overcharge the higher floors that’s all.
Can the entire parliament or MBT himself stay in level 2 and 3 HDB units for 6 months for them to understand the pain of staying there?
Preferably facing the smelly rubbish chute, carpark, above shops, eating places and markets. You will get to experience funky smells, blinking headlights from cars shining into your living room.
all the men in white are freaks with evil intentions all round, that is what i see. you think the population is for you to suck and suck like you are sucking your grandmothers egg.
bTan-
Agreed, vote out the Ministers who does not deserve the million dollar salary,add Wong Kan Seng to the list for the Mas slamet joke of the year, he should resign in shame instead of letting PM to defend him.