Ministers back DPM Tharman's comments

[MarrickG]

Several ministers are backing Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam's comments that sparked a massive online furore recently.

Minister Tharman, also the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), had said on Thursday (1 Mar) in parliament, that a family earning $1,000 a month can afford to buy a small HDB flat, while those that earn $1,200 to $1,500 can afford a medium size HDB flat.

See the story here.

His comments started a lot of heated discussion on the internet with many netizens expressing outrage and disbelief.

However, several ministers have since spoken out on the issue to back DPM Tharman's comments, according to The Sunday Times.

National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan defended DPM Tharman's comments by stating in parliament on Friday (2 Mar) that first time flat applicants can get up to $60,000 in subsidies.

This will bring down the price of a two-room flat to $40,000, allowing it to be fully paid through CPF.

Ms Josephine Teo, the Minister of State of Finance, said yesterday (3 Mar) that with grants and CPF, a flat is "not out of their (low income families') reach."

Mr Lawrence Wong, the Minister of State for Defence and Education, also posted on his Facebook page that the government will continue to help low income families.

Mr Tan Chuan-Jin, the Minister of State for Manpower and National Development, wrote a note titled "Earn $1,000 a month and you want to buy a flat?!" on his Facebook page.

Mr Tan's note illustrated the calculations involved in a scenario of a household with a $1,000 income getting a two-room flat.

The calculations show that the household will have to pay $161 a month for 30 years.

With a CPF contribution of $217 based on the $1,000 income, the household would not have to fork out any cash for the flat.

Netizens, however, continue to be skeptical, saying that the calculation is merely in theory, but in reality, there are many other issues involved.

"Can calculations on paper really translate into real outcomes?" asked a netizen.

A netizen, 'Bean Ho Leng', also asked whether HDB will really lend the required $40,000 to a person earning $1,000 a month.

 

[streetsmart73]

hi there


1. these sheep just have zero ground sentiments on the bread and butter issues.
2. as if everything is constant where no one gets sick or what.
3. there is no other expenses or what.
4. as if there is no price hike or increase from its grand masters.
5. sheep, wake up and smell the kopi.
6. but there after, sheep from the same herd blah to the same tune.
7. listen & obey the same grand masters.

 

[Confuseous]

This is just another saga to confirm that apart from lack of empathy, these guys lack communications skills - in Parliament or outside. That a simple statement needs three ministers to jump in tells you that there is a lack of credibility.

Notice that the old birds like Mah Bow Tan, Raymond Lim and Wong Kan Seng are keep quiet, as our EMS Wooden Goh.

 

[BuiKia]

Just tell them to show us an example.

End of story.

 

[captainxerox]

Just tell them to show us an example.

End of story.

yah lor. i want them give a table breaking down costs - where the flat, loan over how many years, conservancy and rebates, property tax, utilities etc.

 

[Cestbon]

Agree with Tharman $1500/month enough for 1st time buyer to make 100% house installment from CPF account.
Housing is solve.
But there are many others issue. Like cost of living
1. Food, transport
2. Electricity,water,conservancy fee.
3. Medical fee
4. Education
5. Clothing
6. Others....
Consider family of 4 member. $1500 income after deduct CPF left only $1200 for whole family will it be enough.

 

[commoner]

there are always sales in robinsons and places up to 70%,,,,,,, just happens that they run out of the products,,,,,,

grants UP TO $60,000,,,,,, ya,,, sure,,,, get them to list the criteria,,,

 

[Glaringly]

Anybody has any clue about who are the poor first time buyers that are entitled to the full $60,000 grant?

Otherwise, it's like asking you to buy a lottery ticket from Singapore Pool and hope you have the winning ticket?