neubie 2 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 ST 02/02/2011 (SINGAPORE) The government will do more to stabilise the property market should the occasion call for it, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said in his Chinese New Year address this year. 'The government has acted to curb speculation and cool the property market. We will do more to stabilise the market if and when this becomes necessary,' he said yesterday. 'We will keep housing affordable to Singaporeans, especially public housing. At the same time, in a prospering economy, home owners should see their properties appreciating in value over the long term.' The government had recently announced new rules that would raise the seller's stamp duty on properties to as much as 16 per cent of the sale price if the home is sold within a year, and lower the limit that banks can lend to home buyers for a second property to 60 per cent of the property's value. On the immigration front, while the prime minister acknowledged the 'sense of dislocation and unfamiliarity' felt by some Singaporeans, he stressed the need to keep up with the world or face stagnation and decline. 'We need immigrants to reinforce our ranks, but we must maintain a clear majority of local-born Singaporeans who set the tone of our society, and uphold our core values and ethos. 'We are managing the inflow of foreigners who want to live and work here. Many want to become permanent residents and new citizens, but we will only select those who can add value to Singapore.' He pointed out that last year, the nation's total fertility rate fell to an all-time low of 1.16. The Chinese fared worse than the national average, at 1.02, but the decrease in the fertility rate was observed across the board. 'It could have been because of the Year of the Tiger, or perhaps the economic uncertainties the year before, in 2009. Whatever the reasons, I hope more couples will start or add to their families in the Year of the Rabbit,' said the prime minister. 'Chinese New Year is the time for families to come together in celebration, and more babies can only mean more joy in the years to come.' As part of the effort to ensure the longevity of values and culture, the nation's mother tongues needs to be kept alive, he said. 'We regularly update and improve the teaching of mother tongue languages in our schools, to keep it current and effective. 'Hence, the recent measures announced by the Ministry of Education, which will help a new generation to use their mother tongue languages freely in a changing language environment.' Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therat 18 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 I thought his men keep on stress that HDB are affordable? GE talk Before, talk until you song after, take until they song Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gimz63251073 0 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 this would be a very interesting year for elections. a trend of opposition parties winning in other countries and social unrest among citizens in other countries would somehow scare them a little bit. We have Obama winning, a long stable government in Tunisia being overthrown, etc. Their usual way of offering upgrading and dangling carrots are no going to work as well as before as new generation people have very different thinking from the older ones. Poor MBT even have to show hand to offer a huge mall in Tampines to stablise his position... we can surely expect more talks and carrots ahead from PAP while MM continue to instill fear that our wives might end up as maids in other countries.. But the bigger the drumstick given, the bigger they would take back from us. Afterall, their money all came from the people! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therat 18 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 1st wave Tunisia 2nd wave is hitting Egypt Simi poor MBT, he ask for it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
forgotten 1 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 (edited) Not only 1 mall, still got sport hub + 2 new MRT stations Even if MBT get kicked out from Tampines, he will get some directorship postitions at some GLCs. PAP won't ill-treat MBT one, he helped them earn so much $$$ at LTA and HDB. Edited February 2, 2011 by forgotten Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bepgof 20 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 (edited) Like father like son. Father's dream is to have each Singaporean own 1 property only. 2 properties? Eyes red red liao. Waterfront Isle (next to waterfront Gold) sold 88 units out of 132 during preview. Mortgage Loan figures the highest in Dec 2010. More record breakings to come. Edited February 2, 2011 by bepgof Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
salavanun 0 Report post Posted February 2, 2011 I really hope price will stabilize but pls dun do any curbing that will bring the price down like the 96 97 era. If not Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OhMyTohFu 0 Report post Posted February 5, 2011 How much is affordable? With their million dollar salary, everything is affordable. To a family surviving on $5k a month, is a $400k HDB flat deemed affordable? When ppl complained that HDB is no longer affordable, All MBT do is blame everyone else except himself... What a joke... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
therat 18 Report post Posted February 5, 2011 MBT mindset. If 8k can afford $700k direct HDB unit. Why 5k cannot afford $400k HDB unit. It is affordable. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OhMyTohFu 0 Report post Posted February 6, 2011 MBT mindset. If 8k can afford $700k direct HDB unit. Why 5k cannot afford $400k HDB unit. It is affordable. That's what happen when we have a complacent gahmen that believes that the people will never topple them... I dun see why someone like MBT can earn millions a year while Obama is earning only USD $100K+++? To keep out corruption? So LKY is implying that the President of USA can be bribed since he is earning so little compared to our MIW? Bollocks! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
