Source : Straits Times - 29 Nov 2008
THE whole world is still reeling from financial meltdown, with governments scrambling to put measures in place to cushion the effects.
Singapore has not escaped unscathed. The Government has taken steps to help people and businesses weather the situation. Recent announcements of pay cuts in the civil service, postponement of salary increments for government ministers and bringing forward the Budget to January are some immediate measures taken by the Government.
In Lianhe Zaobao on Wednesday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong clarified in his interaction with business leaders in Sao Paulo, Brazil, that Singapore’s approach to resolving the crisis at hand is to lower business operating costs and maintain the people’s confidence in that the Government is in the same boat with them, helping to deal with the repercussions of the global financial crisis. He further emphasised the paramount importance of maintaining low rent and labour costs to alleviate the burden of the business world in order to weather the crisis.
In a nutshell, the Government is pro-active, taking the initiative to help Singaporeans and businesses during these difficult times.
However, we have received signals contrary to PM Lee’s message and the positive steps taken by the Government to help. We are a registered tenant of an HDB prototype factory in Defu Industrial Estate, which is slated for redevelopment in a few years’ time. On Nov 20, we received an offer from HDB Industrial Properties Department to renew our tenancy from Jan 1. To our shock, the offer came with a rent hike of more than 20 per cent.
What is this talk about keeping business costs down? Does the HDB not align its policies with government initiatives? We are already bleeding from the economic slowdown. Increasing rent at this inopportune time is adding salt to the wound.
We are trying hard not only to stay in business but also retain our workers. Can the Government please knock some sense into the HDB?
Tay Boon Yong (Mdm)
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