Sengkang Town Hall: Residents Voice War‑On‑GST and More
On a sunny June 19, a cozy multipurpose hall in Compassvale dimmed its lights for a one‑hour showdown between the community and the MPs of the Sengkang GRC. The key headline – “Rising living costs lead the conversation” – was amplified by about 30 locals who swapped their worries for a bit of fire‑arm journalism.
What went on?
- GST Hike on the Agony List – The residents’ flat‑out reaction to the Government’s 9 % jump (from 7 %) and the two‑stage plan set for Jan 1, 2023 and Jan 1, 2024.
- School‑Tensions and Mental Health – A call to ditch national exams and reduce exam‑related stress.
- Wealth Gap Rumble – Discussions on whether “rich” individuals should shoulder more tax burden.
Security Upstairs: The Governor’s Voice
Prof. Jamus Lim steeled the conversation: “The Workers’ Party will keep fighting the GST hike in Parliament. We’ll also champion alternative taxes—think wealth and carbon—to fill government coffers better.”
One Puzzling Voice – The Patek Philippe Question
“Stuff like a luxury watch won’t stop buying if the GST goes up,” one resident mused. The resident’s saga struck the MPs’ coronet of opinion: “Let’s maybe exempt food and healthcare from GST, but what about luxury goods?”
Local Spotlight
He Ting Ru, also head of the Sengkang Town Council, took the suggestion home: “Your picture aligns perfectly with our stance on essential goods. We’ll carry your voice forward.”
School’s Readiness: The Exams Debate
A second query hit the stage: “Should we slash national exams, the main stress carrier for students, or keep the granular school exams?”
Prof. Lim chuckled: “We need to be cautious. Removing exams can’t just throw students into an absurd new assessment abyss.”
Mr. Louis Chua echoed the worries about rising costs: “Sengkang is representative of the average Singaporean. Egg prices, fuel hikes—they bite into household budgets. This is a looming keystroke of stress.”
Why the Workshop Happens
The session was part of a fresh series called Sengkang Conversations—a quarterly forum to gauge pulse on national and local concerns, while abiding by Chatham House rules to keep talk candid yet respectful.
What the Numbers Reveal
Globally, inflation has surged (thanks, Russia‑Ukraine conflict), and this month analysts nudged Singapore’s 2022 inflation to 5 % from the prior 3.6 %. The Government’s March Budget had already set the stage for the upcoming GST escalation.
Takeaway
What matter mattered? The rumble over GST, the call for exam removal, and the fight against inequality. It’s a reminder that Worry‑Wednesday in Sengkang is a community affair—locals keep the MPs on their toes. The conversation may not settle budgets overnight, but the town hall keeps the dialogue alive.
