Two days ago I sent a message to an overseas connection who follows the politics and economy here
What I hate about the constructive nation building media and academics. No analysis, only paeans of praise: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/no-good-time-raise-gst-2022-provides-window-opportunity-politically-and-economically-analysts-1781846
It was about the balls-licking and ass-kissing media and academic (Yes, one of these academics is Eugene Tan*, brown-noser in chief) reaction to PM’s message that GST sure to rise.
(Btw, last year I wrote that PM would say that GST would rise in 2022: Chiat lat! Wah lan GST going up in 2022. But fyi, I still stand by my views in 2020 that there’ll be no GST rise until after next GE: Why there’ll be no GST rise until after next GE and Double confirm, no GST rise until after next GE. I don’t think economic growth will justify taking the PAP govt taking the risk. Lawrence Wong will caveat a 2023 rise with a lot of “ifs” and “buts”, allowing him to avoid a rise.)
Whatever, there’s a brave local academic. At the end of a really long analysis piece on the outlook for inflation here in 2022, he wrote:
MORE SUBSIDIES FOR NECESSITIES?
As we begin 2022, Singaporeans will be looking ahead to Budget 2022, slated to be announced in February, and any measures it would have to help counter the rising cost of living.
The Government could provide more subsidies for necessities such as electricity, food and public transport. Another way to help would be to delay the raising of the Goods and Services Tax (GST).
I would even go a step further and suggest that reducing the GST by one to two percentage points for a year or two would help. To help offset the revenue loss, the Government could increase the marginal tax rate in the highest income bracket.
Overall, the inflation rate in November 2021 is not something to be too worried about, but high inflation can indirectly lead to high interest rates, and those who have loans should look at the interest rates or refinancing options more carefully.
Citizens would also appreciate government subsidies to help with costs.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/inflation-price-interest-rates-increased-cost-living-2404301
Sumit Agarwal, the author, is no Eugene Tan and
is the Low Tuck Kwong Distinguished Professor of Finance, Economics and Real Estate at the National University of Singapore (NUS) Business School, and the managing director of the Sustainable and Green Finance Institute at NUS. He is also the co-author of Kiasunomics and Kiasunomics 2. The opinions expressed are those of the writer and do not represent the views and opinions of NUS.
CNA
I wish him well in his future career outside S’pore. I’m sure he’s an FT where the T stands for Talent.
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*Eugene Tan must be breaking record in ass licking and Eugene Tan must be breaking record in ass licking
Thoughts of a Cynical Investor 
As I commented in your 11 Sep 2020 piece:
“There’s gonna be a big GDP increase in 2021 when a couple of vaccines are rolled out. As this is a health crisis induced recession, take that away & things can recover quicker than most expect. PAPies gonna use this to increase GST by 1% by end-2022 and another 1% in 2023. They will dangle lots of ang baos for the masses to ease the pain, & the 2 years buffer to the next GE will dull the memory. Sinkies have attention deficit disorder.”
Constructive nation building media & blogs are falling over themselves today to help, trumpeting:
7.2% GDP growth in 2021 (MTI advanced estimate);
12.5% surge in resale HDB prices, highest since 2010;
10.6% increase in pte property, also highest since 2010.
My original talk-cock prediction still stands:
– 8% GST by end-2022;
– 9% GST by end-2023;
– goddamn fucking big subsidies & angbaos;
– 60%-65% overall vote share for PAPies in GE2025.
this “local” has a usa passport.