Soaring prices hit Singapore's poor -- July 27 2008

[sustantivo1espritu]

instead of paying for all those tourism attarctions. support the poor first. rising gst is for the government to spend.

[spearryu]

Singapore really have poor family now my family is now having finicial crisis. :(

[cactussheep]

@spearryu so in singapore, once you go below average, it is merely impossible to bump up?

[spearryu]

@cactussheep yeah go other country singapore everything is expensive but our transport here is quite good

[bada8886]

singapore look wealthy but the truth is the citizens are poor but govt are rich..



[spearryu]

@bada8886 they eat our money ma

[bada8886]

@spearryu yes, they will nv stop until ALL singapore goes poor.. and they put up a show infront of other countries. shame on them..

[arare666]

The amounts of people attacking AJ is staggering.The sad part about this situation is that there are people who honestly thinking that poor people deserve what they get.

[kamikazeboy123]

i hope PAP will lose today!!so that our bills will decrease...

[munirss]

Sad to see this happens in a such wealthy country

[rustyscope]

al jazzera... i miss u T_T

[ilovedarkchocs]

If you really want to help these people, please join 'HELP THE POOR IN SINGAPORE' in Facebook.

You can post the locations of homeless people and someone could help them by giving them a meal or a blanket to keep them warm.

[alicielblutmond]

to sustain a welfare state, like sweden and finland, a state must take at least 60% on income tax and corporate tax. and the state must have abundant natural resources to sustain the state's manufacturing and services industry independently, a state with high corporate tax causes corporate mass exodus, this will plundering the singaporean economy. in a city, only elites can survive, or they will be cleared to its outskirts to become farmer. but there are nowhere in singapore can farm.

[xoxohil]

lister, there's alot more going on than the video above is showing. Rising poverty aside, there are quite a few decisions that are being made wrong in Singapore, in my view at the very least. A country whose GDP soars high beyond its own capability while on actual fact, remittance and foreign-wealth movement pulls out money back to their own country?

SG has 2 casinos accounting plenty of income, yet both are foreign-owned. If ever US econ breaks down, will LV casino not send money back to US?

[lister740]

It's unfair to blame the government for the crisis. our government has done an excellent job in keeping the poor off the streets. they are considered lucky to have food to eat. the government has already went above and beyond their call of duty to provide for these people. this standard of living shown in the video is already far better than what other welfare states provide for their citizens. it is shameful that an arab news channel with living conditions worse would report on singapore.

[aloysiusfu]

@lister740

How do you think the situation became like this in the first place? Providing welfare to the poor is like giving plasters to a festering wound. You'll help, but you'll never get to the root of the problem. And the government going above and beyond the call of duty? Who are you shitting? It is the government's goddamn responsibility to take care of its people. Considering that the ministers are being paid millions, you think they've still "went above and beyond their call of duty"?

[FaatWhore]

Pls do more reports on Singapore... show SPH what news reporting is all about..

[TheEeengineer]

Singapore's rich is only for government peoples and foreigners, most of the locals are economically suffering while singapore PM is earning the highest salary for a politician in the world!

The government of singapore is just dumbing the real problem!s!!!

[hinderblinder]

Arrested for a peaceful, non-violent protest? So much for freedom of speech in a so called 1st world country.

[1XMarksSpot]

@hinderblinder Singapore isn't known for its freedom of speech.

[tommy99addams]

Just migrate and denounce the singapore citizenship and get the cpf money out!

[ClubbySuperCharged]

Not only the food prices are going up, the f**king COE is going up too. 5 to 10 years later, the COE might get over 100K. So screw it, migrate if have to.

[Samngchaoyu]

this video is so stupid.Singapore poor is not poor in world scale.in africa,people die of water and food.Singapore poor at least their income is higher than the average income in the world.NO ONE IN SINGAPORE IS CONSIDER POOR IF IN WORLD SCALE.NO ONE IN SINGAPORE IS LIVING POVERTY.LIVE LESS THAN 1.25 US DOLLAR A DAY.EVERY PLACE IN THE WORLD HAS THEIR OWN POOR.ONLY THE POOR ARE THE ONE WHO UNEDUCATED AND THINK THAT SINGAPORE SHOULD NOT HAVE POOR PEOPLE.

[DIXIEBOY68]

Banks CEO been paid 7 million, corporate CEO also paid in millions and the PM not worth a few millions building singapore to so many high ranking of having the best busies airport , best airline, busiest port , best education ranking, voted best judiciary, least corrupt police, rank top best place to do business, US$36,000 GDP one of the highest, more than 80% own flats, millions travel abroad for holidays yearly, less than 3% jobless, what else do you want ? Sky the limit or asking for heaven?

[pinkiruina]

Try online Asian women profiles  lushfmlk.info

[Alfiz88]

Sigh.. Singapore is built upon by the people of Singapore.. Working day to day to put food on the table. Is it hard to give recognition to our people by giving welfare. Singapore is rich in GDP, foreign workers and reserves.. Why not put aside some bit of money for the needy...

[Coolshanny]

@Alfiz88 they are actually gettiing them free food, and in the school, the parents with a monthly income less than $2000 will have free books and free uniforms / socks shoes and they will receive a coupon that will act as money to spend at the canteen. and when they reach middle school [ithink?] the school fees will be lowered down by 80%. and students who score well can get cash awards. my sister got $3000 cash awards in total

[littlefurboy]

0.36 What is that indian doing there?!

[earlofeastjurong]

@littlefurboy err.. you never see Indian before in Singapore issit?

[rambo12352]

opposition running dogs doing their posting again, nothing better to do meh! Think with posting , you can convince us to switch over? TAN KU KU, we have seen what opposition keep talking crab, nothing special , same old thing , just have to try harder

[rambo12352]

@singaporechannel - cut the CEO of DBS, OCBC, UOB of their millions of dollars in salary by 500% , idiot, these CEO are in charge of banks and the PM , the whole of singapore , few hundred billions . Pay them peanuts , well the government will end up like the government of the philippines , totally corrupt. Well, if you were to pay me 10 million to be the PM of singapore with my ablility similiar to the PM, well, I wont be that stupid to take this job as I would rather go to the private sector!

[mintico]

what singaporean doesnt know is that singaporean government used all your cpf funds, hahahahaha, u r being fucked by ur own government. u shld move out from singapore!!!

[killerinthehounds]

singapore is not an economical miracle, it's an economical shithole!

[Bexly]

@killerinthehounds LMAO!

[rambo12352]

letshaveseckz - We hope you and singapore channel die early and better during the national day celebration so that the whole of singapore can celebrate - ho ho ho - you are just a bunch of spoilt brat , well , maybe I should be the PM , pay me peanuts and he he he ,

[Takanozana]

Yeah! Stop the Foreign Talent now!!! It does not benefit Singaporeans at all!! And that PM LHL, even dare to speak out the stupid "Mee Siam Mai Hum"!!!! And the Road Pricing increases to S$3 for some bad reason!!! No benefit!!!! And now they ask us to pay the "We are one" charity Shit with the same lady talking nonsense everyday on all radio channels!!!!! Besides , buying car and housing in Singapore is Damn F***ing expensive!!! Buck up Singapore!!!!!

[MsJK777]

To the tool who said "anywhere Chinese go, there is a dictatorship" All the countries you listed aren't dictatorships, except Burma...where the leader is Burmese (and there's barely any Chinese living there). Also, have you heard of Taiwan (Republic of CHINA)??? 99% Chinese population and a successful developed DEMOCRACY. Please don't make baseless accusations about a people and culture you know nothing about.

[aarongohzw]

Not that we really expect a rational discourse over here in Youtube, but lots of allegations by people making comments here are totally groundless. Support them with facts. Please.

Also, the article's just so fuzzy with the numbers. "thousands"? How much is that exactly?

[megatron0357]

hang in there singapore.

[lunafringe10]

ok a plate of food for 2,50 singapore dollars? thats cheap, But.., now much do ppl earn? They earn singapore dollars, which has abt half the value of the euro, Thats the problem,

but what do ppl expect? a free life for all?

[lunafringe10]

why dont the muslims go to germany and austria? there our taxes are being used to feed the ever growing mass of muslims, Most of them dont want to work, just live off social security, Its only a matter of time before they are in germany hehe

[lunafringe10]

Isnt it strange that whereever there are chinese, there is dictatorship? Burma, China, Singapore, Malaysia, and so on,

[lunafringe10]

the poor get looked after by govt in singapore,? did i get something wrong? its the singapore buddhist lodge they get their noodles from, not govt, I have met nice ppl from singapore, Course they had no other choice then to be nice, but the things i am learning at youtube abt singaporian conditions, are seemingly negative,

[cayote1985]

its simple actually the GOVT CAN ''ONLY'' pleases ''SOMEBODY'' but not ''EVERYBODY''!!! Live with it or live somewhere else b'coz u got ''NO SAY''!!

[renez100]

The poor in Singapore aren't wearing torn, filthy n tattered clothes at all. . they look properly attired, and clothes even look well coordinated. In other poor countries, we'd see the poor in dirty, unhygienic surroundings.

So it is better to be poor in Singapore where at least they seem to be well-looked after by the govt.

[tungkalangka]

World Richest Politician Not Doing anything and WE are supporting??? WAKE UP SINGAPORE!!!

[danair1225]

Someone who has higher education would have better critics and views as related to the world economy. If you are searching and commenting about Asian to piss them off then you are nothing like an educated person but a "hairy barbarain."

[danair1225]

Kaydenkoldy based on your comment about Asia, you are a disgrace to Australia. You had an opportunity of higher education yet commenting with hate, racist, and discrimination. This shows me that what you have learned in school (University) is all nothing but hatred. Using the phrase "for the good of mankind" yet you used words "asain filth," how biased and contradicted are you? Comparing to your profile and your comment in this matter, you are a scamer and a hater.

[wonglausern]

This is so unfair. While the PAP govt rulers collect annual multi-million Dollar wages, the poor are left behind and totally neglected.

[benjohnson100]

Singapore is a country where everyone can have dinity and roof over their head bravo PAP keep it up

[duperman172]

@benjohnson100:Yeah EVERYONE.You are generalizing.DUMB!!!Should look at the homeless who sleep at the void deck.Wake up pls

[boxsterspeed]

can anyone tell me any country got no problem?

u gave $1 they want 2! u gave $2 they want 5! so neverending lah!!!

[stephentsang2000]

Both Singapore and Hong Kong are a disgrace to the developed world.

[Riverweed]

It's funny how everyone that commented on your site has given rude comments. I guess that shows that rudeness begets rudeness.

[darkartsviper]

Haha, i laugh at all of you quarreling and pissing off each other while the true enemy takes all your money and enslave you to their profit making machine. If you want to blame someone for racism, blame the PAP government, their policies are discriminatory and their "no debate about race or religion" is their only tool to keep the so called status quo.

[hashman48]

Al-Jazeera is selling a story and I am not buying. I've travelled and worked in Indonesia, Africa, Malaysia, Thailand and Korea for the last 18 years...and I must say this to all Singaporean...Singapore is the best.

[cutiepie2266]

yes, singapore is undoubtedly expensive. However, its the whole package that counts. You want the efficient government, the clean and green environment? You have got to pay for it. Lets face it, everything in this world comes tagged with a price tag. Just that Singapore comes with a rather hefty one.

[devilzzzeye]

Sg is expensive;;( uneccesarly

[mambojumbo]

To all couch commentator ....kow pei kow boo... you solution to this problem would be?....

[stupidcally]

Join Malaysia....problem solved.

[minq]

ermm we did years ago.. PM cried n problem not solved..

[dipticheerath]

ahaha

[ejbh3160]

They say its a 'merit-ocracy' but its just elitsm because the elite get the best educations & so go on to get the best jobs.

[BaroksJunior]

True...And they the elite become more arrogant.....more complain...more..untouchable..­..more attitude...more pampered....and many more...so sad

[Volkerball77]

How expansive is Singapore?

[EeeFae]

Very expensive. Need i say more?

[maxtreme225]

Actually, compared to the Western Cities, Singapore is still quite affordable. People complain so much about a can of Coke costing more than S$1. If they go to LA they's have to pay ard S$2.50 and in London S$3.50.

[muhddzar]

"articles such as these in a tightly controlled media"... hahahaha!!! how true!

[martini926]

Hey YO

veloocyclingbarber !

Honestly, I don't understand a fuck of what you said. From my opinion, i think you're Pro-PAP meaning - Phuckkkk All People.

[procrastinator11]

Oh man- I blame the USA- and I live in the USA!

[fonezoneman]

When you have a single party with absolute power to do everything as it pleases,it becomes dictatorship ruling.Only the rich will survive and the poor will work and toil.Only if the people can unite there will be no change anytime soon.Accept your fate.

[Keng115]

@fonezoneman

ya lah ... 

[MarshalltunesZZ]

I feel that during the initial stages when PAP was formed (LKY's early days), it really went by its philosophy which meant..."The PEOPLE's Action Pary" However they have lost direction and are not listening anymore because they are overprotective over themselves. They still maintain that Singapore should be run as a business rather than a country of a nation. Which has resulted them into becoming from PAP to BAP..."Business Acument Party".

Marshall

[darkartsviper]

Fuck Singapore, Fuck LKY. And fuck all of you idiots who voted PAP time and time again

[DevinHades]

Agreed.

[DerrickACEs]

Lees STEP DOWN LA

[hciprojectsunshine]

Hi, we are a group of students who are doing a project on helping the poor in Singapore. Plz join us in our cause by joining the group Project Sunshine on Facebook, to know more about our activities

[cosmicking69]

Why actually bother,when the economy is good,the gov,enticed the people to upgrade & many jumped in the bandwagon.When the economy is bad the govt xpect citizens to self help & start teaching people on how to invest when the people are already penniless.Govt expect people to ve more babies,in bad time how much can the gov help.Sporean had been dictated for too long & the govt xpect them to be sufficient,just the case of returning the zoo borned orang utan to the virgin jungle

[Kytera]

The things is, this isn't just happening in Singapore - it's occurring globally. Even in the 'rich' countries, assets are being sold to foreign powers and the money invested in so called 'bio-fuels' which are one of the things that will lead to a global food shortage.

[FOTOFOTA]

Well its up to every country especially the ones that dont have much and don't bother to get their soldiers or the oppositions teamed up and plant food on the ground.Besides the derset one the rest should be able to do this instead of fighting for power.

[goldy1357]

Al-Jazeera's news headquarter is based in Qatar, a rich oil-producing country, since a barrel of oil has gone up above US$100. Who are we to blame for all the woes of inflation all over the globe. At least Singapore's Govt. is trying to provide help packages for the needy and the lower income group. In many other countries, their Govt are doing nothing about it, only talks but no action. Al-Jazeera shld get their facts right.

[veloocyclingbarber]

eh gundy! B4 global inflation, poor sporeans have either low or no residual income after monthly expenses. I've been dealing with these ppl for scraps for the past 6yrs, and even have lend money to some which never been returned. Reasons like "I need it for bus fare" "I need to topup prepaid electric meter" etc. I suggest you dig in deeper to get de right facts. Just take those Circuit Road residents as good case study. It doesnt matter if news comes from Mars, as long as it has the RIGHT FACTS!

[goldy1357]

Oi Velo, I need $1000 to buy a LCD. Can u give me a loan or else I will starve. By the way I know of many "guni karun" who are richer than the average Joes. AL Jazeera is part of the British Media based in Doha. I doubt that BBC will bother to report on news that do not serve their purpose. What is the RIGHT FACTS? So that SGP to be once again under their thumbs, the British thumbs, thro the back alleys. Thro their news media, they have brought down many govts. that did not co-op with them.

[AceofproZ]

This video is truth. I have realised that my life and expenses and salary have remained the same, however the costs are higher while the salary to cover them stayed, as highlighted. I dont see how they expect us to survive under this circumstance. It feels like choking to death slowly. They say you can eat less, switch to public transport, and so on. But what kind of life would that be ? A pretty boring one, I personally would hate to have to resort to that ! Good video, and good points.

[dimpase]

a breath of fresh air...

[jesmic15]

I'll be working in singapore.. its gonna be a pain with this issue.. I have no choice.. its much worst here in the Philippines..

[enkai222]

sick poor smelly old dirty asians begging for food o.o..

[blackapple89er]

Eh fucker watch what you say

[fikcrazr]

okayyyy...very weird for you to say that

[chaingang90]

WTF is frickin's al-jazeera doing kaypo-ing singapore.... don't they have like al-qadia or smth to take care of???

[wabdinur]

LOL Al-Jazeera has more than one journalist you know :D

[fikcrazr]

Al-Jazeera is an international news network lah

[chaingang90]

i noe la,,,, jus playing around and my comment kena thumbs down haiyo....

[etleen88]

haha, the reporter said: "article such as this appeared in a tightly controlled media." very true indeed! totally agree.

[ahbeng]

wah... AJ nvr die b4 izit?

[7boon]

How do they pay the fine every time they chew gum?

[pgxuncut]

My 1st youtube comment in months...

as my aunt says, "only talk about the gahmen with us. don't discuss with yr frens, it's dangerous. shh..."

general fear in the public. whether u speak up like chee soon juan, or hide at home like my aunt, you still can't stop the Lees. if you don't like it, just leave lor.

[siaym74]

Singaporeans had forgotten that the ruling party's power lies with the people's votes. That is why GRCs are formed.

[Darknessattack]

the fact that we have to arrest people who are doing peaceful protests is pathetic.

[sgpolitics]

sinkApoor is a travesty

[maddady]

till now the year 2008 they still racist comment. God one day if Singapore desperately need blood..then we 'Singaporeans' gonna work together. what the use of singing pledging to the national anthem if you people can not work together.

[IndoChink]

the government's job is to give you a safe platform, not free food. there will always be rich and poor in every society, how can you just focus on the poorest and blame it on the people in charge?

[SingaporeChannel]

You pay 10 bucks for a Hollywood Blockbuster The Dark Knight, you expect quality.

You pay 100 bucks for an i-pod, you expect warranty.

Singaporeans pay Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong $4 million a year (6 times more than USA president) and higher than any other political leaders in the world, do you not expect a level of transparency and accountability in this PAP totalitarian government?

[qert079]

hey there

time has changed. sometimes, the things you buy happens to give you so much problem, you need to RMA like 10 over times before they give you a new one.

but thank god, it has been almost 3 years and my ipod 5.5g is serving me well. for now at least.

[darklord1984]

what solution do u guys propose?

[SingaporeChannel]

1. CUT Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's pay by 600%. He pays himself 6 times more than USA President.

That's $4.5 million a year. And he has the decency to approve another personal pay increment this year!

2. Set up an independent commission to account for the finance of Temasek Holdings. They exploit Singaporean's CPF and national reserves to invest and lost 87 million dollars in Merrill Lynch shares, yet another loss amongst many.

This will never be reported in Channel News Asia.

[SingaporeChannel]

3. Abolish Internal Security Act; this ain't North Korea or Burma, ok I admit, there are too many similarities, but u get my point.

4. Allow voters to vote fairly! Singapore elections are but a facade for a survey to see if you want upgrading or not of public housing.

that's my 7 cents worth, what's your proposal.

Oh I forgot, lastly, to stop arresting and harrassing innocent peaceful protestors who simply want to reduce GST and ERP gantries.

[osamdragon]

Have an United Nation sponsored independent audit of the government's largesse in pumping billions into bum deals like CitiCorp, Merill Lynch, etc, while the poor and destitute are offered pittance - $S$330 per month to be exact. When told by MP Lily Neo this was not enough for 3 meals a day, heartless Minister Vivian Balakrishnan asked in sarcasm if she meant meals in a hawker center, food court or restaurant.

[ntuman]

oei dont me racist leh. GanCIC. we live together play together stand as one.

[SingaporeChannel]

Mr Goh Chok Tong (Senior Minister of Singapore) to distract the people by saying his party, the PAP (People's Action Party) will win another seat to make it 83 out of 84 seats in parliament.

My dear Mr Goh Chok Tong, do you think that Singaporeans only watch the state controlled Channel News Asia? Do you think people only read your newsletter disguised as the daily 'Straits Times'.

[sequeiraphillip]

I hope this government loses more seats in the next election!

Singapore Government go eat shit!

[SingaporeChannel]

Very unlikely unless Singaporeans become more politically aware. The current GRC system favours the PAP government and cripples anyone with 13.5K in spare cash to even apply for an election campaign.

Singapore Government do not eat shit. Lee Kuan Yew and his family were filmed eating Shark Fins soup in local channel U, while Singapore's inflation is at an all time high.

PAP's response is to distract you with fear, terror, marketing Mas Selamat to make you forget conveniently the real issues.

[wendyneo]

My latests (7th) video entitled complements this video very well. Not that I am selling my wares. But really :) Click on my username and see the video entitled "Singapore, under PAP, is..." if you don't believe. Peace.

[mfa05]

yeah

comments here are racist

DISGUSTING

when inflation rate rise everbody effected by it

malay, chinese and indian are 'SUSAH'

so as human being we must help the poor and disadvantage people

LONG LIVE JUSTICE !!!!!!!

[enikisser]

This video is great...

So proud for being first world.. now the world can see properly... perhaps some Singaporean doesn't even know about this at all..

[TwoThirdsMajority]

I can't believe how most of the comments here are racist!

Disgusting.

[enikisser]

You ignorant! You should read the real history!! It's not the Malays.. it's your current MM!! He even lock Lim Chin Siong in detention for so many years and accused him of being a communist!!! Until now they don't have any evidence stating that LCS was a communist!! MM doing this to creat havoc in Singapore so that he'll be in total POWER!! IGNORANT!!

[enikisser]

You act like this... no wonder the malays in malaysia never give face to the other races! why you so racist???

[veloocyclingbarber]

Eh hallo!! What malay malay never give face?? In malaysia, there are Chinese High-ranking officer in the military, police, etc. Ask yourself how many Singapore has malays involved in navy, Support units, but i know the sample mat melayu pilot in the air force only do cargo transport just to shut up the neighbours. Thats bcos our adviser is Israeli, and reckon malays cant be trusted. So the pledge goes "To build a democratic society".....the word "To" means not yet done. Catch the drift??

[enikisser]

Yo Bro... You read properly lah.. to whom and to what I am replying to..

I'm not blind and I don't have to be a racist to understand these matters. Many knows lah...

[cosmicking69]

I read in the recent paper the old man said that the Malays in Spore are well treated and he ensured all Malays are equally educated unlike Malaysia where Chinese are marginalised. He can say anything but all I could see are Malays are sandwiched between meritocracy & quota. In HDB flats the quota for Malays are 15%.But when it come to office bearer, arm forces meritocracy invoked. Allocation of hawker centres...? Cabinet ministers meritocracy. He switches between quota & meritocracy,shit

[zalxemptyx]

honestly ,what you are trying to do is obviously stirring something away from the real issues and dividing us,as a nation.

do us a favour instead, kill urself

[zalxemptyx]

My comment were directed and made to the racist slander by GanCIC , but some got posted as a new comment instead

[ZB90]

x1115 dumb ass kid with the half the size of a brain of an ant.

Why even bother coming here watching this video if your intentions were the only means for Trolling. Oh in fact, Aljazeera, the ones that are reporting this, is founded by Muslims.

Do us all a favor and keep that mouth shut.

[jakob0815]

sucks to live in a neoliberal police state? - lol

[jakob0815]

and this woman gets 498.5 sgd... that's 233.4 €...

this sucks even more... :*(

[MementoExpose]

Umm Singapore has a Muslim majority...

[MementoExpose]

Correction: a large Muslim population*

[oinkysqueak]

singapore is full of muslims you dickhead

[ikran2007]

and what made her muslim bitch.she is just lik

another humen been who having hard time to feding her childern and bye sharing with ppl around the world to what happing in singapore so if that makes

her bich then i'am sure she be happy to be one.

[Xakryn]

Hey, what about Muslim-Christians, are they worthy of your empathy? Only fools generalize and entire race.

[auamoti]

police state singapore? no protesting? yuck.

[lilhabibti]

That wheel chair guy has been there for years.. makes me sad.