Will Singapore Cut GST?

I wonder will Singapore also follow the British government in cutting the GST (Goods and Services Tax) to a lower percentage, now that we are in recession.

On Monday, the British government announced a temporary cut in its version of the GST - called value added tax - from 17.5% to 15%.

Last July, the Singapore government just raised the GST, from 5% to 7%.

I hope the government can consider lowering GST back to 5% as I strongly believe it will lighten the burden of most Singaporeans, especially the lower income families.

Salary has been cut.
Standard of living has been raised.

Now the question is:

GST? To remain or to cut?

You Could Be Their Victim

If you do not want to be the next victim of thieves, please be vigilant!

1. Do not leave valuables like mobile phones and wallet on the table when you are eating, not even when you are in a big group. Thieves are faster than you think.

2. Do not hang your bag at the back of the chair or leave it unattended in a crowded place / food court / coffeeshop.

3. Do not be distracted when someone knocks onto you, or spills something on you. If this happens, please immediately check your belongings.

4. When you spot someone suspicious, please be mindful of your belongings.

5. Do not count / flaunt your cash openly in public.

6. When someone suddenly comes too close for comfort to ask for direction or time, beware of pickpockets.

7. When walking on a pavement along the road, do not sling your bag on the side of the road. Instead, sling it on the pavement side. Also, always walk in the opposite direction facing oncoming traffic.

8. Never leave your cashcard, briefcase, laptops, wallets in your vehicle.

I do... agree to abide by these rules

Well, if I have a SGD$20million dowry, I would agree to those rules too....

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According to Hong Kong Magazine Xingdao Daily, Michelle Reis had to agree to eight "house rules" before Julian Hui's family consented to their marriage.

Since they started dating in 2006, there have been reports that the Hui family did not approve of Michelle.

In August 2007, Michelle also made public that she could not get along with Julian's friends, and they appeared to have broken up. But not long after, they were spotted hand in hand again, and he even demonstrated his affections for her by giving her a car.

In September, when she was not present at the Hui family's Mid-Autumn reunion dinner, there was again speculation of the family's objections.

But the actress has been trying diligently to make a more favourable impression on her in-laws.

Not only did she agree to abide by their traditions and strictures as expected of a daughter-in-law, she also agreed to be more low-key in public as is the family's modus operandi.

Sources close to the actress say that she was very respectful towards her in-laws and did not put on any airs with them.

She would even kneel down to serve tea to them on their birthdays and during Chinese New Year.

The couple, who were often caught on camera behaving intimately, have also agreed to stop their public displays of affection at their family's request.

The eight "house rules" she has to abide by are:

1. Reis' family is not entitled to any allowances after they accept her dowry of HK$1 billion (S$19.5 million)
2. Unless absolutely necessary, she should not stay overnight with her family
3. She has to serve tea to her elders during festivals
4. She has to eat dinner at home at least twice a week
5. She should not appear in the media unless absolutely necessary
6. She should not attract too much media attention
7. She should dress and behave more conservatively
8. The couple should not behave intimately in public

(News from Asiaone)

Lottery phone scam: 5 Taiwanese nabbed

***Updates:
Found this video from Youtube. Hope this Crime Watch Episode can give everyone a clearer understanding how these scams are plotted.




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I do not feel sorry for these victims anymore. Seriously, are they dumb or what? $85,000 lost collectively by 5 victims?

This is not some new scam and Singaporeans should be very well informed of such scams already, especially when most of the victims are often educated.

For me, I receive such scam calls once every month and I always enjoy "playing along" with them and giving them false hope I am their next victim. Then I avoid their calls totally. Haha.

Such scams are always done by China people as they have very strong accent, so please more vigilant and do not be victimised by such scam calls!!!

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(Actual story)
WHEN eight Singaporeans were told via telephone calls from China that they had won handsome cash prizes in a lottery and had to remit money in order to get their prizes, they fell for it.

They believed it so much that they jointly sent almost $85,000 in 'administrative fees' to a Taiwan bank account.

When no prize money arrived, they realised they had been tricked and went to the police.

On Tuesday, five members of the Taiwanese syndicate behind this phone scam were caught in a joint operation between the Singapore Police Force's Commercial Affairs Department and their Taiwanese counterparts.

On Tuesday, five members of the Taiwanese syndicate behind this phone scam were caught in a joint operation between the Singapore Police Force's Commercial Affairs Department and their Taiwanese counterparts.

The syndicate, helmed by a man named Hu, ran an operation under the name Hong Kong China Trust Group.

The Taiwanese authorities said the syndicate hired Chinese nationals to make calls from China to residents here to tell them about their 'prize' of about HK$60,000 (S$11,850).

The catch was that they had to remit administrative fees to a bank account in Taiwan to claim their prize.

Money sent to this account would then be withdrawn by the syndicate, which sent 90 per cent of it to the ring's headquarters in China through an underground money laundering channel.

The remaining 10 per cent of the money was retained by the Taiwanese group for its own use.

The Singapore police would not say how long their Taiwanese counterparts had been working on the case, or whether the ringleader Hu was among those arrested.

But the police here disclosed that they had given information to their Taiwanese counterparts earlier this year.

Phone scams have been on the rise here - almost 603 victims have fallen victim to these fraudsters from January last year to June this year, siphoning almost $9 million.

(News from The Straits Times)

張惠妹 STAR Tour (Singapore) Part 2

Part 1 - Videos HERE!