Sunday 24 April - The Root of all Evil; APs ready to form government by next election if the people desires it

Says a 1000 words:

- SDP secretary general Chee Soon Juan speaking to voters in Hokkien

Manufacturing consent

- Tharman Shanmugaratnam said that GST will not increase for at least 5 years (ST Online), comment by "bob557" mulls over pressures arising from high oil prices translating to petrol, transportation and electricity price hikes

Bread and Butter - Cost of living, jobs, wages and immigration:

- Cost of living is likely to be the main issue this election. While the problem of mounting inflationary pressures is a global phenomenon, what made it worse for Singapore citizens was the government's liberal immigration policy which depressed wages and productivity. Companies are simply not properly incentivized to improve productivity or increase wages with limitless supply of labour. In other words, wages have not kept pace with costs, and it is largely the fault of the incumbent's liberal immigration policy. (Mr Wang Says So)

- Tan Kin Lian chips in on the minimum wage debate, arguing that the minimum wage suggestion is a well-meaning one that ensures wage earners can earn sufficient to meet daily needs, increase domestic expenditure and give workers the dignity of an honest day work in supporting themselves. Minimum wage is not without drawbacks, but the current rhetorics require further examination. 1) Minimum wage may increase cost of living, but part of the burden will be absorbed by downward pressure on rentals, company profits and govt levies, 2) It will improve the lot for foreign workers in low wage sectors, but such jobs can also be taken up by Singaporeans if the conditions are right. Mr Tan also conceded that while jobs in the service sector, such as cleaning and domestic services will remain in Singapore, low-cost manufacturing that rely on abundant cheap foreign labour will likely shift overseas as a result. Many other countries have debated and decided on implementing minimum wage, while SG has resisted because of the lure of greater benefits accruing to various direct and indirect stakeholders as mentioned in point 1. (TKL and Associates)

- Lim Hng Kiang adds to his discourse on Tan Jee Say's proposal, pointing out that high-tech and low-cost manufacturing sector" accounts for 0.5m jobs, half of which goes to "Singapore citizens and PRs". Furthermore, he believes it is unrealistic to expect the services sector to absorb the job losses of manufacturing sector if his idea is implemented. (Today Online)

Bread and Butter - The CPF and Housing Conundrum:

- Tan Kin Lian acknowledges that housing prices may fall as a result of implementing WP's suggestion of pegging new flats to median income, and that is the result of not arresting the situation earlier. He offers a suggestion for HDB/SLA to build and offer large supply of rental flats to families by pegging them to median income. His remarks also sheds light to the perverse incentives of agencies to maximize profits for their own bureaus [a revelation to some about the inner workings of the civil service] (TKL and Associates)

Potshots, Mudslinging and War of Personalities:

- Chaim See Tong to Ng Eng Hen: "If the people (voters) desire an alternative government, the Opposition will be ready to do so by the next election" (Lianhe Zaobao)

- Wong Kan Seng to Chiam See Tong: Chiam's track record of extracting accountability is lacking, as evident from DPM Wong giving his testimony on Mas Selamat's escape to parliament. Chiam had only posed one question. (ST Online)

- SM Goh takes on NSP's challenge on accountability for national issues such as housing and transportation and welcomes hearing the opposition's view on this. His team has also suggested municipal/constituency level programs such as a marketplace and community outreach program. His suggestion of implementing a "buddy system" of MPs implicitly acknowledges that not all candidates are made equally (some are more equal than others). Hazel Poa noted that it has reinforced the view that the GRC system allows weaker candidates to enter parliament together with a stronger one. (Channelnewsasia)

- A resident recounts her exchange with Lui Tuck Yew during the latter's Walkabout, and was shocked at his reaction to her question posed regarding his candidacy for office. Apparently his reaction was described as one of seething anger and non-response. An email exchange many hours later had also proved unsatisfactory; The resident has expressed disappointment at RAdm Lui, but was construed as/misunderstood to be an apology to the "Great Minister". (The account has likely become viral, also published in full at Mr Wang Says So)

Having the last say:

- Goh Choke Tong posed the rhetorical question to voters: "Which party can solve the (cost of living) problem?" To which Mr Wang said in his blog: "Which party caused the problem? Which party is the problem?"