Latest news with #livingcosts
Independent Singapore
12 hours ago
- Business
- Independent Singapore
'Why do some Singaporeans feel more entitled than others?'
SINGAPORE: In the Lion City, where social policies intend to strike a sense of balance between fairness and practicality, few schemes have triggered as much discussion as the CDC coupons. These government-issued vouchers are aimed at easing the load of escalating living costs, yet an ostensibly modest gesture of assistance has kindled a bigger discussion about equality, privilege, and the public's perception of prosperity. Recently, a Redditor voiced curiosity about the mounting bitterness observed online. 'I am by no means a wealthy person,' the poster wrote, 'but I keep seeing comments about how it's unfair that someone living in a landed property gets the same vouchers as someone in an HDB flat. I genuinely want to understand—why do people feel entitled to more?' It's a question that opened the floodgates to a variety of outlooks and perceptions, demonstrating that the problem isn't just about dollars and cents—it's about ideals, insights, and messaging. The problem with equality in benefits A common response from commenters was the strain between fairness and equity. While the government gives the same amount of CDC vouchers to rich and poor citizens alike, the lived reality of Singaporeans extensively differs. As one commenter clarified, 'Should poor people get more monetary benefit from the government than rich people? That's a far more complex issue than 'poor people are entitled.'' See also Cost of living issues at the top of voters' minds in GE2025 runup Unquestionably, while some contend that equal dispersal mirrors national harmony, others feel the system should account for need. A S$300 voucher might hardly register for a high-income home, but for households earning the minimum wage, it could mean a week's worth of groceries. It's not just the money—it's the message A vital aspect, according to netizens, is how the government sets these vouchers. The official description is that the CDC vouchers are intended to 'alleviate the cost of living.' That kind of messaging, many claim, sets the belief that the more economically disadvantaged one is, the more help one should receive. 'If it was, say, a tax rebate,' one Redditor pointed out, 'the rich get more and no one complains, because it's seen as a discount on taxes—something they already pay more of. But when vouchers are positioned as support, people feel it should be given based on need, not equality.' Another added, 'If the message was simply, 'we're returning a budget surplus to all citizens,' I don't think people would be as upset.' What do people really want? Underneath the discussion, there's a sense that the real issue isn't just about coupons—it's about acknowledgment and reprieve. Lower-income people often feel the pinch of mounting expenditures more intensely and want that hardship addressed in concrete ways. 'The vouchers can cover a month's worth of basic expenses for some families,' one netizen wrote. 'So, when others use it to buy luxuries, it feels like a slap in the face.' However, it's not only the 'have-nots' who are disgruntled. As one noted, even high-income earners sometimes complain they're being deceitfully overtaxed or that the system doesn't reward them sufficiently, even though many of them have benefited from scholarships or overseas funding in the past. 'There will always be people unhappy,' one Redditor wisecracked. 'They lack contentment—so it's not just the lower income.' Gratitude vs entitlement The most surprising insight came from a commenter who thought that gratitude has become increasingly rare across all income brackets. 'People will never be grateful for what's being given,' he said. 'It doesn't matter if they're high-income or low-income.' It's a sceptic's mindset, but it can lead to a deeper challenge for legislators — even benevolent initiatives can provoke hatred if the public sees them as skewed from actual realities and societal values. A question of perspective Eventually, the poster wasn't aiming to attack or protect any side but was trying to understand why ' people feel entitled to more.' Yes, all Singaporeans work hard, but hardship is not always gauged in hours—it's gauged in values and outcomes. When someone living paycheck to paycheck gets the same aid as someone with financial resources, the result can feel more like nominal equality than real equity. And that's the actual core of the debate — not who deserves what, but how we describe fair-mindedness in a society that strives for both meritocracy and sympathy.
South China Morning Post
19 hours ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Marcos' ‘inexcusable' snub, Japan's passport puzzle: 7 Asia highlights
We have selected seven stories from the SCMP's coverage of Asia over the past week that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday faced calls to step down as thousands of protesters descended on the capital city of Kuala Lumpur to demand that he live up to his promise to lower living costs and restore subsidies that were slashed under his watch Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr is facing a wave of criticism from migrant advocates and Filipino-Americans over what they see as his failure to defend overseas workers caught in the widening immigration crackdown by US President Donald Trump's administration.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Reeves's tax hikes leave 50,000 firms on the brink as stagflation fears grip Britain
The High Street has suffered a tenth consecutive month of decline as higher prices hit shoppers – fuelling fears Britain is facing a painful period of stagflation. In a bleak update, the CBI said its gauge of how retail sales compared with a year earlier stood at minus 34 this month as customers baulked at rising living costs. Although that was better than minus 46 seen in June, it was the tenth month of decline in a row, stretching back to October last year, according to the lobby group's figures. The slump came as firms battered by the Chancellor's £25billion National Insurance tax raid and an increase in the minimum wage pushed up prices – hitting customers in the pocket. The High Street is also grappling with higher business rates following Labour's failure to reform the hated levy on shops and other business properties. The CBI report sparked fresh concerns over the state of the economy as corporate restructuring specialist Begbies Traynor warned a record number of companies are in 'critical financial distress'. Its 'Red Flag Alert' found there are 49,309 firms on the brink – up 21.4 per cent on a year ago. Begbies said 'consumer-facing industries continued to experience some of the most extreme rises in critical financial distress' and highlighted a 41.7 per cent rise among bars and restaurants and a 17.8 per cent increase in general retail. A host of household names have been hit, with River Island battling for survival following the collapse of maternity brand Seraphine and fashion chain Quiz. It is feared Rachel Reeves will hammer households and private business again with another round of tax hikes in the Budget this autumn to pay for Labour's lavish spending on the public sector. The rising costs faced by business have already pushed up inflation to 3.6 per cent – well above the 2 per cent target – while the economy has also contracted for two months in a row. That has raised the spectre of stagflation – a period of economic stagnation and inflation that hits living standards and costs jobs. It has also cast doubt over how far and fast the Bank of England can cut interest rates this year. The CBI urged ministers to 'seek to build shorter-term confidence' in the Government's economic plans and deliver an autumn Budget 'that acknowledges the burden firms are facing'. Cautioning over the impact of the new workers' rights Bill, Martin Sartorius, principal economist at the CBI, said: 'Firms reported that elevated price pressures – driven by rising labour costs – and economic uncertainty continue to weigh on household demand.'
Reuters
4 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Thousands rally in Malaysia to call for PM Anwar's resignation
KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Reuters) - Thousands of people rallied in the Malaysian capital on Saturday to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, as public discontent grows over rising living costs and allegations of failing to deliver promised reforms. Protesters - mostly wearing black t-shirts and bandannas carrying the slogan "Turun Anwar", or "Step Down Anwar" - marched through the heart of Kuala Lumpur, before converging in the city's Independence Square to hear speeches by top opposition leaders. Police estimated at least 18,000 were in attendance. Anwar, who campaigned on a reformist platform before taking office in November 2022, has faced criticism over measures aimed at boosting government revenue, including an expanded sales and services tax and subsidy adjustments that some fear could lead to a spike in consumer prices. The premier this week announced a cash handout, increased aid for poor households and a pledge to lower fuel prices, in a bid to quell worries over rising costs. Protester Nur Shahirah Leman, 23, a member of an Islamic students' group, said she was worried that new taxes as well as higher electricity tariffs imposed on large businesses would eventually be passed down to consumers. "These taxes are levied on manufacturers, so it would automatically affect the prices of food," she said. Anwar has also faced claims of judicial interference and doubts over his commitment to anti-corruption efforts, after prosecutors dropped graft charges against several figures allied to the government and following a recent delay in the appointment of the country's top judges. Anwar has repeatedly denied interfering in the courts. Former Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad, who turned 100 this month, joined the rally and accused Anwar of misusing his position to prosecute political rivals, charges the premier has previously rejected. "Those who are innocent are charged, those who have done wrong are let go," Mahathir told the crowd. Mahathir and Anwar, his former protégé-turned-rival, have been locked in an intense feud that has dominated Malaysian politics for nearly three decades. The pair mended fences to oust the long-ruling Barisan Nasional government in 2018, but their coalition collapsed in less than two years amid infighting.
Al Jazeera
4 days ago
- Business
- Al Jazeera
Malaysians protest rising living costs, demand PM Anwar Ibrahim step down
Thousands of Malaysians have taken to the streets to protest rising living costs and a perceived lack of reform by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim's unity government. Saturday's rally, organised by opposition parties, marked the first major protest in Southeast Asia's sixth largest economy since Anwar was propelled to power in elections in 2022. Protesters gathered at various points in the capital, Kuala Lumpur, before converging on Independence Square, carrying placards saying, 'Step down Anwar,' as dozens of police officers kept a close eye. 'He [Anwar] has already governed the country for three years and has yet to fulfil the promises he made,' said Fauzi Mahmud, 35, from Selangor just outside the capital. Anwar 'has been to many countries to bring investments, but we have yet to see anything', he told the AFP news agency, referring to the premier's recent trips, including to Russia and Europe. 'The cost of living is still high.' Al Jazeera's Rob McBride, reporting from Kuala Lumpur, said protesters 'clearly believe' that the prime minister has not delivered on the reforms and the transparency he promised when he was elected. 'This is one of the largest protests we have seen on the streets of Kuala Lumpur in several years,' he said. 'Demonstrators are calling for Ibrahim to step down.' Anwar was appointed the prime minister on a reformist ticket and promised to tackle corruption, nepotism and cronyism within the nation's fractured political system. Days before the rally, he laid out a string of populist measures aimed at addressing voters' concerns, including a cash handout for all adult citizens and a promise to cut fuel prices. On Wednesday, Anwar announced that Malaysians above 18 years of age will receive a one-off payment of 100 ringgit ($23.70), to be distributed from August 31. He added that about 18 million Malaysian motorists will be eligible to buy heavily subsidised medium-octane fuel at 1.99 ringgit ($0.47) per litre, compared with the current price of 2.05 ringgit ($0.49). Political analysts viewed the announcements as a strategic move to appease increasing public frustration and dissuade people from joining Saturday's protest. However, a survey released in June and conducted by the independent Merdeka Centre for Opinion Research found that a majority of voters approve of how Anwar is doing his job. He received a 55 percent approval rating. Reasons included the easing of political turmoil in recent years as well as efforts to raise Malaysia's profile through this year's chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
