Say NO to GST hike

PM Lee wants to raise the Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 5% to 7%. No date has been mentioned for the tax increase. He said that the GST hike is necessary to finance the enhanced social safety nets needed to help the lower income group. He also said that the offset package will more than counter the rise in GST.

If you disagree, then say NO to GST Hike. 1238 people have said no so far. It won't make the government change its mind but what the hell aye! Here are some interesting comments left on the site:

yH says...
imho, an increase in tax on undesirable goods such as liquor/cigarettes will be a better way to reduce the income gap. and the increase in tax revenue can go about helping the lower income group. that's should be the way.

Weiqiang says...
I don't think it should be increased. since the pay structure of sgreans has not been increased for quite some times and that now increasing GST or taxes would rather increase the burden of the poor. The reason given just ain't sufficient as the govt have funds from other sources like COE,Taxes etc rather than GST I do hope the govt would be able to clarify with detailed plans and reasons for using GST increment than other sources rather than just saying " we will be able to help the poor."

Rizal says...
As a Singaporean, I hope the government has taken into consideration of the effects of the GST hike on poor, middle-lower class like my family. By increasing GST means our provision food and groceries get more expensive. How can this hike possibly help us? Please put yourself in our shoes. We do not earn as much as you do. We know a mere 2% percent increase does not affect you much but it does to us. Have a heart on all of us. Thank you.

Pazu says...
How is a regressive tax like GST going to help the poor? How is it that SG with its famously huge reserve needs to resort to such measures to 'help the poor'? Japan with its comprehensive pension/welfare structure still has 5% GST. MPs need to revise their own pay and reform gov sector to cut cost and give back more to the citizens. We are tired of this 'candy giving and raping us twice as much back' attitude...

Lim Eu Jin says...
I hope the govt will not go ahead with the GST hike because the reasoning behind it is not sound: the poor is hurt more than the rich by the hike, a hike is permanent, offsets and subsidies are one-off. The country has more than enough reserves for the "rainy day" that may or may never come. Why choose the definite present-day suffering to stave off an indefinite future-suffering that may never come?

Charlene Zhang says...
An Increase in GST? LoL you must be joking. Is the Service I'm getting any better? My Glass is still half filled.. even at a black tie event at the raffles hotel. The Cold Storage Auntie is Still giving me attitude when I'm asking her for "300g of breakfast ham please?" "HAR?". The Taxi Uncle on my way home still grumbles when I give him a $50 note although I've apologised profusely.. I'll pay for Service when I see it...

I'm saying NO too. I think it is unnecessary to increase the GST especially with all the rising costs in Singapore. If the government is really sincere in helping the lower income group, it should make more of the reserves available for financing the enhanced social safety nets and any offset package. And how about the ministers taking a pay cut then? That's sincerity! You can read more about this on Tomorow.sg.