Mr Speaker Sir, Perhaps the most noteworthy thing about this year’s Budget statement was the amount of support measures provided to Singaporeans without any additional major tax increases announced. This will come as a great relief to many Singaporeans who are still struggling to cope with high costs of living and an uncertain job environment. I will first address the support measures and how we can take bolder steps to support Singaporeans in coping with the rising cost of living. I will then discuss PSP’s views on the proposals in the Budget to support lifelong learning and develop the full ..read more

Mr Speaker Sir, Budget 2024 is a big budget because the Government had a bumper year in 2023.  Operating revenue in 2023 was larger than the original estimate by $8.0 billion because of the tax increases announced in 2022, high inflation and high property prices.  This $8 billion excess revenue together with the $23.5 billion NIRC for 2024 contributed to surplus budget resources of more than $30 billion to be allocated in this budget.   As a result, the Government was able to make a record capital transfer of more than $30 billion to top-up existing endowment and trust fund ..read more

PUBLIC FINANCES: That this House calls on the Government to review its current budget and reserve accumulation policies in order to help present-day Singaporeans reduce their financial burdens and improve their quality of life, while continuing to save for future generations of Singaporeans. Mr Speaker, PSP has raised this motion today because we believe that it is important for Singaporeans to have a national conversation about our Budget and reserve accumulation policies. While we agree that there are benefits in having reserves to cope with unforeseen circumstances, we are of the view that ..read more

ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH: That this House recognises the importance of mental health as a health, social and economic issue; affirms the importance of a robust national mental health ecosystem; and calls for a whole-of-Singapore effort to implement a national strategy to enhance mental health and well-being. Mr Speaker Sir, Mental health issues are not only a personal struggle; it is also a challenge to the whole society that demands our collective attention and concerted efforts. It is heartening that the Government has published a National Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy, outlining comp ..read more

龙年鸣锣问鼓，前进党愿新加坡的人民生活充满吉祥如意。 The post 新年快乐 appeared first on PSP ..read more

Opening Speech on the Motion on Public Finances Mr Speaker Sir, I beg to move, PUBLIC FINANCES: That this House calls on the Government to review its current budget and reserve accumulation policies in order to help present-day Singaporeans reduce their financial burdens and improve their quality of life, while continuing to save for future generations of Singaporeans. Last November, during the debate on the cost-of-living motion raised by the Workers’ Party, I attributed a large part of the rising cost of living problem to the policies of the PAP Government.   Today, I will delve d ..read more

PUBLIC FINANCES: That this House calls on the Government to review its current budget and reserve accumulation policies in order to help present-day Singaporeans reduce their financial burdens and improve their quality of life, while continuing to save for future generations of Singaporeans. Mr Speaker, PSP has raised this motion today because we believe that it is important for Singaporeans to have a national conversation about our Budget and reserve accumulation policies. While we agree that there are benefits in having reserves to cope with unforeseen circumstances, we are of the view that ..read more

For the next available sitting Ms Hazel Poa: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) whether the cost of $40 million to renew the present card-based ticketing system and continuing to run it alongside the SimplyGo system is a one-off or recurring expenditure; (b) how much has been spent or committed to be spent in (i) the development of the SimplyGo system and (ii) this conversion attempt, including time, manpower and other expenses. Ms Hazel Poa: To ask the Minister for Transport (a) what is the reason for choosing a transport payment system like SimplyGo that does not show commuters the fares ..read more

ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH: That this House recognises the importance of mental health as a health, social and economic issue; affirms the importance of a robust national mental health ecosystem; and calls for a whole-of-Singapore effort to implement a national strategy to enhance mental health and well-being. Mr Speaker Sir, Mental health issues are not only a personal struggle; it is also a challenge to the whole society that demands our collective attention and concerted efforts. It is heartening that the Government has published a National Mental Health and Well-Being Strategy, outlining comp ..read more

The Progress Singapore Party (PSP) notes that the CPIB investigation into Mr S Iswaran has concluded with the Public Prosecutor filing 27 charges against him. We have been following this matter closely with much concern as corruption must not be tolerated. In September 2023, our NCMP Hazel Poa filed a motion in Parliament to seek to suspend the payment of MP allowance to then Minister Iswaran pending the completion of the investigations, and to refund the allowance should he be found innocent. During the debate on that motion, PMO has indicated that they would consider ways to clawback the all ..read more