Singapore Sports Hub to cost taxpayers $1.33 billion dollars
August 26th, 2010 | 
Author: 
Construction of the proposed Singapore Sports Hub to replace the National Stadium which has remained in limbo for years due to financial constraints, will finally be commenced after a deal was signed with the Singapore Sports Hub Consortium yesterday to build and operate the Hub at Kallang for the next 25 years.
According to the Straits Times, the construction cost is a shocking $1.33 billion dollars and it does not include the cost of operating the Hub yet. The Singapore government will pay the amount in annual installments.
In a statement released to the press, the Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan said:
“I am glad that we are ready to start construction of the Singapore Sports Hub. It will be a fully integrated sports, leisure, entertainment and lifestyle hub for world class events and community activities. As part of the Greater Marina Bay masterplan, the Singapore Sports Hub will also contribute to the larger government objective of repositioning Singapore as a great place to work, live and play.”
The Singapore Sports Hub was originally scheduled to be completed this year in time for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games, but repeated delays in its construction stopped Singapore from hosting the 2013 South-East Asia Games as well.
Dr Vivian was criticized lately for bursting the YOG budget by more than three times to $387 million dollars which now appears to be “small change” when compared to the cost of building the Singapore Sports Hub.
While Dr Vivian has no qualms splurging taxpayers’ monies to promote sports, he has been most reluctant to do more to assist poor and needy Singaporeans.
When asked by fellow PAP MP Dr Lily Neo in Parliament in 2007 to increase the monthly allowance of Public Assistance (PA) recipients from the then $290 so that they can have three daily basic meals, Dr Vivian replied callously:
“How much do you want? Do you want three meals a day at a hawker center, a food court or a restaurant?”
Related articles:
>> The new Kallang Sports Hub: To build or not to be built
>> Forum writer expresses disappointment at delay in building of Sports Hub
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Posted in Editorial
Another potential “botch up” and white elephant project on the way…the final price tag shall be $4B.(ie: 3X of $1.33B). Making the Guiness world’s most expensive stadium ever !
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Party is over. Who is going to pay for it? Tune up the ERP? Tune up the road tax? Tune up the GST?
There are no such things free lunch
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S$1.33b for 25 years, that is still excluding operational cost, is already at S$53.2m a year. what is the sport hub going to be made of? gold?
why don’t they use this money on the poor and needy or to help jobless singaporean to find jobs. waste of taxpayers money.
hope that the GE here soon and that there are contest at my constituency.
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S$1.33b for 25 years, that is still excluding operational cost, is already at S$53.2m a year. what is the sport hub going to be made of? gold?
why don’t they use this money on the poor and needy or to help jobless singaporean to find jobs. waste of taxpayers money.
hope that the GE here soon and that there is contest at my constituency.
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1.33billion? omg! but again its expected more and more of such mega projects and events are needed, he only thing is one have to look into how the breakdown of the entire projects are being funded, and where the moeny actually goes into, and not just taking it as a ball bulk figure to justify the spending of taxpayers money.
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Just a smALL sum of money to the government
to benefit singaporeans who like sports..
You can’t be without an appropriate sports stadium
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I don’t know if the Singapore Sports Hub will become the most expensive stadium ever built.
In the same area, the Marina Coastal Expressway IS the most expensive road in the world! The price tag? S$5 Billion of taxpayers’ money. See http://www.onemotoring.com.sg/publish/onemotoring/en/on_the_roads/road_projects/construction_of_marina.html
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There is no illegal corruption in Singapore.
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$1.33 Billion only haa? haiyahh.. make it $100 Gazillion la.. no problemmm.. we are RICH country.. a lot of slaves.. no problem one.
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How much of the money do you want to pay?
$13.3 Million?
$133 Million?
or $1.33 Billion?
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I honestly do not see a dying need for a $1.33 billion integrated sports hub when taxpayers monies can be put to better use for meaingful community projects and/or public assistantance programmes for middle-lower rung Singaporeans marginalized by this emerging ‘new society’ as brilliantly engineered by the ruling coalition.
Won’t be surprised to see them launching a ‘recovery package’ tsunami hitting the average Singaporean under the disguise of ‘Nation Building’ to defray the costs in forms of increasing GST/Taxes/ERP/Levies etc.
Thoroughly disappointed at this coalition.
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Singaporeans, pls don’t say this is a lot of money and accuse Dr Vivan.
It is only about 3 times more than the YOG budget.
PM Lee Hsien Loong’s wife lost Singapore 50++Billion dollars. If she can lose the money easily in the recession, I am sure she can win the money back when the economy is better.
1.33 billion is only 2% of what she will win back for us in investments.
Horay for PAP!!!
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If our Sports hub cost more than the bird nest and the aquatic centre, seriously something is very wrong here! Time for the opposition to press the govt for some figures breakdown? We have the YOG and now this sports hub!! Time to grill bala!
** Use grill ok or not ah?later police will catch me say i wan to bakar or peng kan bala and say is intimidation??wakaka
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Maybe after building the new stadium, they are thinking of bidding for Olympic Games this time!!!
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Gimme 42m and I call my brother, sister, mother,father,uncle,aunty,cousin,nephew,neice come build for you =D
What’s 42m compared to 1.3b
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so wat is the alternative? lets have no National stadium?
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THIS IS THE REPLICA OF PAP IN THE MAKING…
http://ccliew.blogspot.com/2010/08/blog-post_6798.html
THE PEOPLE IS STRIPPED TO BONE TO SUPPORT THE GREED OF PAP IN THEIR SPENDING OF MEGA PROJECTS, MEGA OVERSEAS INVESTMENT, MEGA MINISTER PAYS, MEGA GLCS PAY… WHO IS EARNING ? ALL PAP GROWN SCHOLAR AND CRONY, AND WHO FOOD THE BILL EVENTUALLY ? THE PEOPLE.
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I don’t understand this…
Can’t the old venerable national stadium be re-conditioned…is the “old girl” really gone?
It will only be an the fraction of the cost of this new “white” elephant they are intending to build…
Where is the economical common sense here? Has the PAP government “economic” adviser or ‘advisers’ gone bonkers!!
This is real insanity in action!
Can’t tahan liao…i need to listern to real common sense here from olivia..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7WPwH8Rd6g
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Let’s boot them out before they suka suka use OUR monies to their liking again!!!!!
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Flabbergasted:
August 26, 2010 at 3:28 pm
…………………
i am just as flabbergasted as you are.
this govt pays themselves ostentatiously and like to do only ostentatious things.
time to be more down to earth,time fr a change.
too many true blue loyal singaporeans are sufferring,some not even here airing but quietly absorbing.
no more to hypocrisy.
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I think this is really no peanuts!
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We the citizens WORK and work to pay and pay, the FT LIVE here and fight we us to lower our pay, the people up there Play with us citizens and squeeze us”
Of coz its a great place to WORK,LIVE and PLAY.
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Barrick:
August 26, 2010 at 4:07 pm
so wat is the alternative? lets have no National stadium?
…………………………
SO,BARRICK,YOU THINK A NATIONAL STADIUM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN A NATIONAL INDENTITY AND LOYALTY?
SINGAPOREANS HAVE BEEN BETRAYED AND YOU THINK NOTHING OF IT.
SOME HERE EVEN COMMNETED WE DESERVE IT? DESREVE WHAT?
TO BE BETRAYED?
YOU ARE EITHER TOO BLIND OR HAVING SUCH A GOOD LIFE AND SO,DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE WELL-BEING OF YOUR FELLOW SINGAPOREANS BUT ONLY THAT OF YOURSELF,MCUH LIKE MOST MIWS.
FIRST THINGS,FIRST,
GIVE THE JOBS BACK TO THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF SINGAPORE,THEN TALK ABOUT YOG OR NATIONAL STADIUM OR INTEGRATION PARTYING.
WHAT A MESS!
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Dissect the situation: In the economic crisis there is the two mega casino projects that result in hundreds of millions of dollars worth of jobs in Singapore market, and at the same time bring in tourism and gambling industry that brings in millions of dollars daily.
Since the casino projects is completed, now they need to introduce more mega projects to bring economy to country…
Each investment is pumped into the hands of singapore company which result in more jobs for singaporeans. and boost in economy.
It is still time when the country has money, that mega projects can create major economic benefits…
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With or without the Singapore Sports Hub, you still have to pay tax. What’s with the noise, they are not asking you to fork out more money for the construction.
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Who is this new consortium of companies that form the Singapore Sports Hub Consortium ?
According to a 2008 Report, the Singapore Sports Hub Consortium consist of four equity partners namely, Global Spectrum Asia, a joint venture between Pico and Global Spectrum (a member of Comcast Corporation), HSBC Infrastructure Fund Management Limited, Dragages Singapore Pte. Limited and UGL Premas.
Can a consortium formed by a mix of building and financial expertise and specialists be the right parties to build and operate the Sports Hub ?
Why should the Sports Hub require another administrative layer that result in the overall costs of building and managing the Sports Hub ?
Are the Singapore Sports Council and other Sports Associations or sporting bodies incapable of managing the Sports Hub after building completion is acheived ?
The existing National Stadium that is to be demolished could seat about 60,000 persons, while the new Sports Hub could accomodate only 55,000 but with a new feature of a sliding roof.
Would it not be cheaper to retain the existing stadium and spend a smaller budget to refurbish the seatings on the existing stadium, and at the same time include a sliding roof feature over the existing stadium structure.
.
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Singapore Sports Hub Consortium
http://www.picoworld.com/eng/news/latestnews_detail.php?id=59
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Looking at the unstable times ahead, the govt could have actually abandon the project and spend just a fraction of the cost to revamp and spruce up the National Stadium instead, which is actually in a pretty good condition least to say. There are many ways to architecturally give the Stadium a new lease of life. Tearing down and rebuilding is just a last resort and environmentally, not sustainable.
There is nothin wrong with change of plans. It takes a level headed govt to swiftly steer the course to prevent any potential “burn” in the national coffer just to create a white elephant that will just be another pet project to glorify the state, noting that $Billions have already been lost from the spectacular loss of both TH/GIC.
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We used to laugh @ our neigbour Malaysia on spending money on Mega projects ,ie PKFTZ , F1 Track, Bakum Dam…etc. And all these while everybody knows “whats happening behind”. Hmmmm….???
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Frankly speaking, I’m not against the building of this new stadium. However, I would like to know what facilities it will have that made it cost the big B.
As for who will be the one footing the bill issue, I know Singapore Pools paid for The Esplanade, maybe we can get the two casinos to do the same for this stadium?
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The company who is going to build is Darages. It is from Vietnam opened in 1902…then no sound no picture until 1950-60.
I think it will become expensive for normal people to do sports in Singapore with the HUB. Schools will be paying more for events and location and children will be charged and parents to pay.
If you want to play any sports its also going to cost a bomb. (maybe shd not use the word bomb) LOL.
All too ex…ex…and more ex…
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Quickly..aiyoh! why wait. hurry up. Puah Chu Kang where are you? Come quick, so much money to make..quickly before the PRC take over the contract…come quick.
Even 0.5% business with this project can make me millionaire. I am not going to let them give this wealth away to the foreigners. Can we rally for this!
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this is just another attempt at boosting so-called gdp number.
the point is,does it help the jobless common singaporeans or merely those grassroot leaders who have connections?
what singaporeans need is to be given back their jobs in IT,BANKING AND FINANCE,COMMERCE,not getting forced to be ‘CONSTRUCTION WORKERS’.
that would be trying to put round pegs into sqaure holes.
it is not efficient nor effective.
on top that,it would mean lower productivity.
this govt is going nowhere with no right thinking.
i think DR VIVIAN B. can resume his former profession to cure this govt of its myopic vision?
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The new idea…to milk more….SPORTS.
If we can hold events, then its ok….if we hold kiddy events…then more money down the drain.
After all the YOG event, a global Olympic Games….I think Singapore is the only host nation not to have won even 1 gold medal in the History of all host.
Mother of all comedy…and now we have a SPORTS HUB for a Billion.3
We should put the money in the people to participate and get gold medals, not build infrastructure. Aiyo….what more to say.
hahahahaa
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Economics
Construction projects are awarded to the lowest bidder, so PRC construction co will benefit.
The workers they employ are PRC and Balnga.
So your theory is flawed.
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maybe the project plan to hire only singaporean with min wage that why its so expensive? LOL just kidding, construction cost is sky high everywhere now.
governing is just about welfare. dun link everything to jobs. spending is a way to create jobs. isn’t obama spending more now to create jobs?
so while FT issue not settle, all other project put on hold? why don’t YOU wake up
you wanto talk about national identity? sorry but did u go and cheer for our athletics? is your unhappiness with the ruling party more important then local bred athletics like Isabelle?
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In this case, I objectively feel that it is too expensive.
Dr Vivian, please reconsider distributing 10% of the budget to beef up the social assistance scheme for the poor and needy. Take care of them first before we talk about such white elephant. You cannot reject increasing $30 but pump money into building this. This will surely incur the wrath of a lot of people. REally.
Singapore just dun have a sports culture.
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@ New Singaporean.
Haha you “objectively feel”? LOL You don’t see the irony of your words do you?
Also, why would our dear Vivian listen to you? Why? Your duty is to just give him your vote and shut up.
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To New Singaporean: August 26, 2010 at 6:29 pm
Thank you for the input : )
And stating facts vis-a-vis others positions.
You are correct that Singapore don’t have a sport culture cos there is not real support long term and otherwise by the government and GLC in singapore. If the correct conditions are met, a self substaining sports culture in singapore is feasible…whether now or in the future.
And good day to you.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACl-7SMCFz4
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strange. only VB is proclaiming the 387 million on YOG well spent. tangible and intangible. wonder where the rest of the MPs, ministers are? – haven’t heard much support on this lonely proclamation from the rest of them. but VB claims he speaks for the govt – “The Singapore Government has not lost its bearings and its carefulness in the way we spend money.” i really wonder.
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Such infrastructure spending of $ 1.33 billions to boost GDP is fundamentally wrong – it is primarily pure spending with no real return on the money spent.
Singapore is a small country with a small population – we do not need to be “number 1″ in sport – even if we want to, we can never match US, China, etc.
We should focus on taking good care of Singaporean – lower their cost of living, improving their education, ensuring that they have good paying jobs.
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@Barrick
“you wanto talk about national identity? sorry but did u go and cheer for our athletics? is your unhappiness with the ruling party more important then local bred athletics like Isabelle?”
So cheering on Singaporeans in a meaningless event is more impt than the future of the nation ? You sure have your priority all mixed up.
Spending more to create more jobs ? That really help the Malaysians a lot, does it ? All the megaprojects are really pivotal to lifting Malaysian into a top notch developed nation
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our National Stadium is already so old, it might also be more costly to maintain, moreover if we want attract major event to Sin, then of course we need built something of quality, hope its money well spend
by building the sports hub, all major event can be held at one venue, and thus less inconvenient as current YOG hv pose
hope we dun hv to pay to watch NDP inside after its build cos heard it will be run by pte operator
hopefully can bring in more int’l games like Tennis, NBA, BPL
for one i’m not oppose to building the sports hub though the cost maybe real huge, b4 we comment on the cost we shd perhaps get some figures how much it takes to build London Wembley Stadium ? or China Olympic stadium ?
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I’ll be very surprised if Viven is not dropped from the cabinet in the next elections. He was already passed over from taking other ministries e.g. Ministry of Information, Communications & The Arts, and Ministry of Trade and Industry. Stuck at MCYS which is traditionally considered lightweight. Oh I have to be careful in case he makes a police report!
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Seems like we have endless cashflow, would the govt please break down the bill?
We just blew nearly 400mil on the recent YOG, so fast gonna blow another 1bil, print money also need to wait for it to dry first right?
Maybe its time to consider putting aside alittle more towards healthcare and elderly benefits..I hope that such a decision were not made at the expense of the above benefits.
If it benefits us, yeah why not, but on a sidenote, are we really churning out great athletes? Or is it to lure more foreigners to come here.. Let’s hope that it doesn’t become another white elephant.
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Why are we “Burning” more Money away ? A Motor “Rally” would be good !
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Your Money ,My Money, Everybody’s Money ..Hoot ! Hoot! ..Lets count back..your money, my money…$$$$$$…”Blown away ”
( I like to clarify the word Blown is wind blowing -blown as in blow away )
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my only qualm is that we’re paying 1.33 billion…
and the damn thing is not an architectural wonder???
bloody dome stadium… quite a few countries can say..”been there and done that..”
sigh
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@sturmtruppen
i’m in total agreement that a sustainable sports culture is possible…
however there needs to be a major overhaul in policy. Improvements in infrastructure, education and urban planning must be considered and done.
Major Projects such as this sports Hub can generate excitement and interest, however without going all out to encourage a lifestyle, excitement alone will soon die down.
And we will be back to square one..the RAT RACE and the reliance on foreign talent schemes.
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VB is one of a kind.
Just flush away $400 Million.
Want to spend $1.33 Billion.
His infamous remarks: “How much do you want? Do you want three meals in a hawker centre, food court or restaurant?” was made when he argued against giving more for the public assistance scheme. And the amount argued vigorously over was for a mere $1 a day increase that was not even sufficient for a decent meal.
For spending $1, he argued vigorously against.
For spending $1.33 Billion, did not bat an eyelid.
Is he Heartless? Shameless? or Mindless?
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@Barrick:
August 26, 2010 at 4:07 pm
so wat is the alternative? lets have no National stadium?
—————-
Ermmm …. didn’t we had one? It’s just giving in to their whimps and fancies.
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1.3bil too expensive? maybe TR can publish the full scale of the project so let we can compare and comment intelligently!
“will be a fully integrated sports, leisure, entertainment and lifestyle hub” so it have lan shop, billiard centre, ice skating rim, cinema, shopping centre, go kart circle, etc all in 1 roof?
please comment with more details to show tat u r not daft.
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oh btw, Singapore EXPO is also build and own by the government and operate by a ‘pte’ company. so far for 11 years it has been giving great returns.
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$1.33 billion to build a stadium? Don’t scare me leh!
Building a PALACE la!!
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Vote all the Minister’s out for the coming GE.Don’t let them got the chance to wave thire hands at the new stadium on the next NDP.Then the $1.33 billion will become $1.33 Million liao!!
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wtf! use taxpaper money while u sitting in the office enjoy air-con and coffee… siao la SINGAPORE no future for sports la all FT only see badminton , table-tennis, swimming u know liao
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Confirm + warranty + guarantee
that we are going to face price hike soon.
富不过三代
how true
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If you don’t like the new sports hub just don’t use it. Shhhh…
As far I am concern it is a great investment. At least it is for the people and not for the elite alone. Build new buildings, new roads and homes are great no matter how much it costs. Build ERP gantry, thats not good because it is sickening.
A brand new sports hub could mean that we can host international sports event and be ready if premier leagues were to send their team to play in Singapore. When it is build, we will be the one that benefit. Hopefully we could bring back the Malaysia Cup playing in the new sports hub.
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Just see the way our Third General PAP Goverment spend money…OUR Singaporeans hard earn money…..do something,few Billion…build something another few Billion…..few Billion few Billion…..very fast our treasury will empty!!
Chinese always said “Wealthy won’t pass through to the third generation”!
After this dragon son we all finish…………
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I believe some companies with self interest to this project must have lobby very hard for this white elephant.
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What is wrong with our National Stadium?Its an iconic building. $1.33 billion should be used to help the poor and unfortunates in Singapore.
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You all think you’re so smart, to me it looks like a turtle, who knows maybe it’s for good fengshui? Maybe we can finally beat Hong Kong this way, get more business here.
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This is exactly what we need, and a very meaningful and timely thing to do. I am sure we could recoup the investment even if we over spend the budget to 4.95 ([387/104]X1.33) billion dollars. Besides, if we spend 5 billion dollars on this project, it will contribute significantly to the growth of our GDP. The minister-in-charge should be congratulated and given due recognition for everything he has done for us. We are indeed very lucky to have Dr Vivian Balakrishnan joining the PAP and be the voice for the youth, average and poor people to the Government. He deserves a good increase to his compensation; even up to 7.44 ([387/104]X2) million dollars a year from the current 2 million (estimated) dollars is justifiable, considering the benifits of this project and such a great job he is doing. With an attractive enough salary, we pray that he will continue to devote his career to serving the People of Singapore. Dr Balakrishnan’s out-of-the-box budget management approach to put money into good use is a breath of fresh air within the Government. I humbly propose that he also be given the position of Second Minister for the Ministry of Finance or Prime Minister office with a special focus on budgeting and ensuring that budgets are not under spent for the future generation of Singapore. Congratulations again for a job well done!
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magada, when is the last time u wento the national stadium for a sports event?
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i think TR should set the idiot a challenge: stay within the budget! otherwise, before we know it, the budget could be 5 billion and we could hear something like “if i were to build this shit knowing that it’s 5 billion, i will gladly do it again”. in the first place, 1.33 billion is not a trifling amnount!!!!!
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I am not taking sides on this issue.
The facts are
1 singapore needs a modern stadium to fill at least 50000 people
2. Wembley stadium in uk, which is only for football(SPortshub used for many activities) cost 800,000 pounds which is about s$1.7 billion.
So in other words the cost of building the stadiumis more or less right. a public private partnership was the best option, as a public option willnot be economical and a private option will make it too expensive to attend venets. The government will pay a yearly fee for 25 years to the sportshub group, which does not make it 1.33 billion cost to taxpayers.
I just wish however that they should have built it in time for YOG.
Now we prob have Sea Games in it.
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I think for a world class stadium, 1.33b is ok. Look at the stadiums in EPL clubs (e.g. man utd etc).
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MBT collect Money ( Right Hand)…VB spends Money ( left hand ).
So important to focus on “Sports” meh ?? Is the world Sports frenzy ?
Not sure what actually will happen in between the Right and the Left transfer ?Of late, we seem to be fast, fast “Collecting” and fast,fast “Spending” unnecessarily..last time I can see many things were done “prudently”…..now..Hmmmmm????
What is happening ??????
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Btw…till today…nobody knows how big the “hole” was, when it was “blown” ( spent away)by “iron lady” in lost investments. Accountability is still a ?????
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Having been in the construction industry for close to 20 years, let me elucidate.
These PRC construction companies will tender at low (to the point of suicidal) bids. Jap or Korean companies when know that the tender team comprise of PRC will simply back out. No point.
How PRC companies do that ? Simple, mass import of excess PRC construction workers and collect upfront $10K per head before they arrive here. Then use these money to offset the tender bids. That’s their dirty trick.
Developers will of coz award to the lowest for obvious reason, to maximise profit for their pte shareholders. Our shore is thus flooded with these “cheap” FWs who are brought in to carry on this viscious cycle, many of which escaped out of the net due to insufficient work (remember, import of them in excess qty).
So they worked illegally, and compete with our uncles/aunties for jobs in hawker centres, food courts, petrol kiosks …list goes on.
In the end, who suffers ? Us, the natives, of coz. We have to put up with shoddy workmanship (many of these prc workers come from ulu hinterland, unskilled and tend to cut corners) and wages of our uncles/aunties depressed further. And yet, these developers and PRC construction companies get richer and richer from the exploitation.
Essentially, the rise of the income gap…
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We the citizen , object to the 1.33billion sports complex.
We want to put to a vote to it.
We think the money is better spend on the needy, poor, jobless , creating jobs, more scholarships, more sponsorship for locals, the disable. Can someone set up a Facebook to vote against the 1.33billions.
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Jus go to any of our existing stadium anyday, you will see its still “under utilise”….so what returns..or major priority or urgency to build this Mega Sports HUb ???..Gamblers come here to the Casino, Winners go to Geylang or get gelylang pimp to deliver..Gamblers don’t go to Sports hub…better spent rebuilding “geylang” instead. Facts ..back by report that Casino make Money..ha ha
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I think the original budget was around $1.2 bil.
Even before the first pile is driven into the ground, the budget is blown by 0.13 bil.
Did we not heard that the minister said time and again that he ‘deliberately’ delay the project, so as to ’save’ the taxpayers’ money??
Perhaps he has a magic formula to work on,so towards the end of the project,there will be a hugh savings!!
Anyway, how on earth can one not bust the budget with NOT one, not two but three delays in the completion time schedule??
You don’t need a rocket science calculator to finger out the result, a simple Casio calculator will do the job, to the last dollar!!
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@citizen:
August 27, 2010 at 2:39 pm
The longer the project drags, the higher the cost of building materials.
Cost of steel and cement is rising. Save what money?
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The more I hear news of their planning, the more I question it and the more I worry . Now an MRT line to 2nd link by 2015 ????
Iskandar isn’t really complete by then, neither will there be overnite increased in occupancy. I am really worried about our Money being spent ..we may not be having external debt..but I suspect we may be having a huge Internal debt…my Cpif $,,who really knows where and how much $ belonging to Citizens are there and how much are left ?Again..no transparency nor accountability !
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To DD: August 26, 2010 at 11:13 pm
You are correct…
We should lay the foundations 1st…
Like identifying local talents….and supporting/nurturing them all the way..even if they fail, there should still be something concrete they can fall back on…instead of all this current short cuts, laziness [instead of using their own money use public money] and wayang to get “promoted”…look at france with its “foreign talent” policy and how in the end it blew up in their faces in the recent world cup…true sweat and sacrifice will bring glory…buying “glory” and “reputation” can only take one so far till one becomes a real joker to the world…
In PAP Singapore…for now the priorities are all screwed up….there is no proper and correct long term feasible and able to actuate plans by the powers that be…and too many of these folks has their own personal agendas which makes things actually worse [hope no long term permanent damage but it is starting to show]…anyway all these folks wants to be the red indian chief…forgetting there is not enough red indians or truely “committed” red indians [especially if u are treat like dirt or to be take for granted or use for some clown's personal agenda] to lead in the 1st place…so far i see here it is always the same old same old circle again…like hey, let’s copy that ‘policy’ that country is using which “seems” to be working or let’s poach that ‘foreign’ “talent or i run out of ideas just suka suka copy cat for copy cat sake’s….forgetting the motto and cardinal rule of being self substaining, being independent, being truely visionary and finally to be committed always to one’s own country and people 1st…
Really depressed to see this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZ9NDRYguoA
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somone please tell ppl here the different between a sports hub and a football stadium. Stop comparing Kallang stadium with the sports hub.
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Having organised the YOG and learnt from the experience, it is about time to make those venues used for the YOG and many others not used to be spruced up for international events. When Chew Swee Lee won the 400m upmteen years ago, in the SEAP games in Singapore, our facilities were good enough too. 1.33b is a lot of money just for construction, and there will still be the ops costs. Perhaps, the Singapore Government could re-engineer the program such that these operators pay the government fees from whatever they collect, as a mode to recoup the money from the constructors. These should be made to help earn the money for the govenment, and they be driven to organised more events. I hope this is the case, as paying for construction and then for operations makes no sense. It should be a complete BOO at the consortium’s costs, and they pay the government for being given the opportunity to realise revenue from Singapore. Don’t spend the money. If they back out…then each constintuency that is loaded at the moment should spruce up the faciltiies near them, and be partially owned by the town councils, as adopted facilities. Afterall…they serve mostly the people in the same constituency.
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