BUDGET times are not occasions when the thrifty government here would likely score a lot of brownie points among its citizens. In fact, Singaporeans are often more worried about being made to pay more fees and levies than to be able to receive goodies.
However, Budget 2013 last week was a surprising exception. It has allowed the government to regain a little ground lost through unpopular policies poorly implemented – including excessive immigration, spiralling prices and a worsening rich-poor gap.
Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam became the man of the hour when he increased taxes for the rich to be used on the needy and middle class. Full story
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Budget with changes in the right direction.....several years late! - Diary of A Singaporean Mind
