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http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking+News/Singapore/Story/STIStory_342940.html
'Patriotic Fund' turned down
By Kimberly Spykerman
Crime Library founder Joseph Tan, 42, wanted to establish the fund as a 'stimulus package of the people, by the people, and for the people'. -- PHOTO: NP
ONE Singaporean's proposal to set up a 'Patriotic Fund' has been turned down by the Ministry of Finance (MOF).
Crime Library founder Joseph Tan, 42, wanted to establish the fund as a 'stimulus package of the people, by the people, and for the people'.
He said that he hoped to exhort Singaporeans to donate $1 a month to a fund that he planned to give to the government as a means of bolstering job creation.
The Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday that the proposal has not been endorsed by the Singapore government and expressed concern that the public would be misled into believing that funds collected will be received by the government.
Last Monday, Mr Tan met with the ministry to pitch the idea but was told to hold off until an agreement to go ahead came from the ministry.
However, encouraged by what he felt was a 'positive reaction', Mr Tan posted a notice on the Crime Library website a few days later soliciting donations.
The post asked that cheques be addressed to MOF, in the name of the 'Patriotism Fund'.
Last Saturday, the ministry asked that the post be removed.
'The government is not seeking funds from the public for the purpose of financing its efforts to support Singaporeans in the downturn. Our strategies in relation to the latter have been set out in the recent budget statement,' said an MOF spokesman.
'Patriotic Fund' turned down
By Kimberly Spykerman

Crime Library founder Joseph Tan, 42, wanted to establish the fund as a 'stimulus package of the people, by the people, and for the people'. -- PHOTO: NP
ONE Singaporean's proposal to set up a 'Patriotic Fund' has been turned down by the Ministry of Finance (MOF).
Crime Library founder Joseph Tan, 42, wanted to establish the fund as a 'stimulus package of the people, by the people, and for the people'.
He said that he hoped to exhort Singaporeans to donate $1 a month to a fund that he planned to give to the government as a means of bolstering job creation.
The Ministry of Finance said on Wednesday that the proposal has not been endorsed by the Singapore government and expressed concern that the public would be misled into believing that funds collected will be received by the government.
Last Monday, Mr Tan met with the ministry to pitch the idea but was told to hold off until an agreement to go ahead came from the ministry.
However, encouraged by what he felt was a 'positive reaction', Mr Tan posted a notice on the Crime Library website a few days later soliciting donations.
The post asked that cheques be addressed to MOF, in the name of the 'Patriotism Fund'.
Last Saturday, the ministry asked that the post be removed.
'The government is not seeking funds from the public for the purpose of financing its efforts to support Singaporeans in the downturn. Our strategies in relation to the latter have been set out in the recent budget statement,' said an MOF spokesman.