Ministry of Finance Deceptive advertisement on financial assistance
I saw a full page advertisement in the Straits Times from the Ministry of Finance which stated the amounts that I would receive, as a citizen and a senior, under Budget 2023.

The amounts are described ambiguously, i.e. up to $X for this item and up to $Y for another item.

I find the advertisement to be deceptive. I know that I will get $0 for these items because I own several properties.

I am not complaining that I was excluded. I do not need the $X and $Y, but I think that some other property owners may need the meagre handout.

I complained that the advertisement was deceptive. It was bad for the government to introduce discriminatory practices in giving out handouts and to take out a deceptive advertisement.

I do not complain about the higher property taxes that I now have to pay on the properties that I own. I also do not complain about the higher taxes that I have to pay on my personal income.

Having paid the higher property and income taxes, I consider it to be fair that property owners should receive the same meagre handout, regardless of their income or property ownership.

I prefer the approach adopted in Hong Kong where every resident gets the same amount, regardless of income and ownership of property. The Hong Kong authority probably recognized that they have already paid their appropriate taxes for their income and properties.

I know that many people, who do not own more than one property, will disagree with me, because they see the matter only from their selfish perspective, i.e. they are not affected. This attitude causes divisiveness in our society.

I find the system adopted in Singapore to be discriminatory, unfair, convoluted and divisive.

Tan Kin Lian
 

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