Budget debate: DPM Heng, Pritam spar on need for independent parliamentary budget office

The creation of an independent body to monitor the Government's expenditure was at the centre of a sustained exchange between Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat and Leader of the Opposition Pritam Singh in Parliament on Friday (Feb 26), during the debate on the national Budget. str.sg/JVcB
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[@karmadekye1262]

$660 000 a year for a Mayor in SG. They get more than the US president. Why? Dennis phua scolded PSingh and accused him of belittlement. Ya. A Her salary at risk. W/ o mayors under Lky singapore was doing better than now!

[@moia9518]

@Junehong Tan They can claim but that doesn't mean it's true

[@slaiyfershin]

Ridiculous redundant inflation of title and overlapping responsibilities as an MP. Want to have mayor? Can, then scrap the MP status (and accompanying MP pay) and give the mayor his own constituency like how PM has his own. Also make being a mayor part of a national electorial process and not "ownself promote ownself". But they wont do that due to losing their income and fear of losing their mayor position to opposition if tagged to constituency in a fair election. Better to self-promote.

[@scbchong6964]

CDC Mayors have oversight of WP constituencies of Hougang, Aljunied and Sengkang. Pritam cannot do funny business with their hardcore supporters or reward their cronies anymore.

[@stuartrodrigues4095]

Why did y’all vote the ruling party into power and yet bitch bout them now ?? It’s time y’all wake up and have more oppositions into parliament

[@0.1.feb.]

Pritam Singh is doing a good job! Thank you!

[@Coup0705]

When Jamus Lim haven't deliver his cut, how to debate and compare when no details are release yet. Asking for an independent office who provide independent difficult to understand meh. It provide an independent view and information that further check the decision by the government is on the right path.

[@limlisa]

The report is for the WP to see and not they have the access to the data so what excuse you need?

[@Coup0705]

@@limlisa Budget and interim report written by the same person, how we know the efficiency of his budget add up ? This report need to be check indepently and it need money. Do the opposition have the resources to do so ? The setup is so the public have an report that make sure what the government do add up. You think the papers will spend time and money to verify ?

[@kto1574]

We voted them in; technically the state budget belongs to all the SG citizens making us their employers - so it is within your full rights as citizens to ask for one and have it paid out of the state budget. If the measure allows better efficiency of the budget, and/or a better way of solution forming it’s not a bad investment. I just don’t know why the ruling party has to be antagonistic about everything like they’re marking territories similar to wild animals. Is it necessary? Mr Heng, data can be used to tell the stories we want in any report. No one can evaluate the methods of data collection and data unless like academia, raw data, methods of collection are given and the results are tested to make sure analysis is sound. So why bring it up? Even academia support being peer-reviewed and have their credibility established in that manner! It sounds like these 2 proposals are the opposition’s way of trying to accommodate what PAP said about financial details’ need to kept away from the public sphere yet helping us to push for accountability. Is PAP under the delusion that one-party system will last forever? Look..we’ve got rather sound minds as opposition right now. There could be worse (Boris & Trump gained masses’ popularity, don’t forget that). You might as well pick opposition who managed to work with the crumbs of information they’re allowed access to. (Please don’t say plenty of information is in the public domain ok? They aren’t)

[@foghornd1059]

Lucky we have Pritam and some opposition in parliament. If not, we die until jialat jialat. After finish sucking our blood, they will take our bone to go make soup. teo ser luck earn enough, with 5 million doing nothing. now 'chabut' already

[@happymin8256]

Yes. I agreed must have some blue and white in the parliament. If not GST increase will be immediate effect

[@philipchan1856]

That suggests why his name is Luck … lucky fella he is …

[@dwahia]

Pritam Pritam Pritam 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@tanaesther9570]

Now all look flowery wait till the time 😇

[@Jus-Tin]

@@tanaesther9570 Yeah 6 months later and the PAP is fucking up this entire covid thing STILL. Yeah wait til time

[@norimanomar6022]

Put your so call budget aside.. So what is the east coast plan?

[@MsHugh1990]

i become more interested to see if Pritam could become PM becuz he speak and act like a real leader

[@wilfredtankhoonpheow2605]

Trying very hard to impress and proposing popular policies.

[@limlisa]

Prosposing populist policies make a good PM.

[@mohdfadzel1472]

Me too......

[@dannyboy.0911]

​@Lisa Lim If Singapore policy is all based on what the people want in history, we will have less that 10 percent of our current gdp. We need strong leaders and make decisions for the long run.

[@combinationova]

​@@limlisaHi I'm in the US. DO NOT USE POPULIST POLICIES. That causes HELL to break loose

[@kwangang960]

Many so called " approved budgets" are not passed down to the ordinary people . There is still no transparency from ruling government .

[@wilfredtankhoonpheow2605]

I am from a lower income group, staying in a 2 room flat, every month i received the workfare from the government moreover i received plenty if subsides, i think the government really look after the lower income very well. We are lucky to be a singaporean

[@kwangang960]

@@wilfredtankhoonpheow2605 However , there are still vast majority of lower income family with kids and staying in 5 room HDB flat with not much subsidy.

[@kumaranveerasamy670]

@Junehong Tan you are right and there are also other factors one is oblivious to...

[@slaiyfershin]

@@wilfredtankhoonpheow2605 Peanuts given to low income group like you must seem a lot I know.

[@JCTPing88]

@@kwangang960 lower income staying 5room flat?

[@heavengod8650]

Abolish gst , reduce ultility and conservancy charges by 50% . When times are good , it's ok to maintain gst , ultility , conservancy charges and NOT increase these charges . When time is bad must reduce charges accordingly , to be fair , responsible and accountable in a practical reasonable way . How come pap only thinks of increasing and not reducing charges ?

[@wilfredtankhoonpheow2605]

Are you an economist?

[@DarkPa1adin]

Then they won't have money to pay to trim plants between expressways/roads, and keep the city clean and green.

[@heavengod8650]

@@DarkPa1adin They have the most money on this planet . After increase double in conservancy charges more trees are not trimmed more rubbish on the roads and lots more . If u are free go to tanglin Hale around Newton 0eimary school and see for yourself dead leaves rubbish everywhere .

[@kellychew2755]

Stop givimg away money...

[@karmadekye1262]

Every opposition member who asked question got scolded by PAP. Why do we vote them? Becoz we want them to ASK questions! We dont want them to sit them like the PAP idiots who either fall asleep or just nod in agreement on whatever.

[@limlisa]

Ask question but no solution

[@slaiyfershin]

@@limlisa Ask questions have chance for a solution or risk looking bad for incumbent. No questions, no chance at all.

[@wilfredtankhoonpheow2605]

The problems are they ask stupid questions, most of the questions they ask are trying to stir public setiments

[@otooto-ly9on]

@@wilfredtankhoonpheow2605 Exactly.

[@thecustomadventures7719]

@@wilfredtankhoonpheow2605 yes omg they ask questions to only stir up problems and issues. It just causes much more tension. Why do nobody see this. Like, why are people angry at our Govt who safeguarded us for such a long time? Because of people like Mr Singh stirring problems by asking silly questions. (I’m not saying that questions cannot be asked. But only logical ones pls)

[@kokkeeSeck-xs5yj]

"I cannot be smarter than my boss" referring to a civil servant saying that he could not be smarter than Finance Minister. This is very true because a junior would not wish to overstep what a superior had done. This justifies having an independent entity to reveal the affairs of a Ministry

[@qiteindashenggreatsage3621]

I am just wondering if all of these MPs will still work for singapore with a salary of 2k...

[@kumaranveerasamy670]

Aree you crazy or what... Where have you been all the while... 2K or 20K or 200K?

[@qiteindashenggreatsage3621]

@@kumaranveerasamy670 eh fool. You dont understand my question huh.

[@qiteindashenggreatsage3621]

@@razak2907 hahaha.. Thought they very passionate about singapore well being. 🤣..

[@scbchong6964]

WP MPs been earning more than $10k per month since 2011. Nothing delivered. Zero. Except jawboning about Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt. Talk and talk to their gullible supporters.

[@kumaranveerasamy670]

@@qiteindashenggreatsage3621 hehehe

[@kokkeeSeck-xs5yj]

What are the outcomes resulting from the use of past reserves in his Interim Report???

[@TheSunPrince]

Even the speaker looks bored

[@tomchoo3799]

Well done. WP

[@kokkeeSeck-xs5yj]

DPM Heng specifically asked for questions on his Interim Report. Did any PAP MPs ask any such questions? Why did he specifically asked for such questions from WP?

[@comments7335]

Those who criticised Pritam are corrupted PAP dogs. Period.

[@arjalanarayan]

Toronto,Night Coolege,South China

[@asky368ify]

No matter what the opposition do is useless. Because the garment still pushed through every policies that benefit them at the expense of locals. And there is no distinct difference between locals and Singaporeans. So the net effect is Garment, new citizens and work permits all getting richer and more well off than before, but Locals getting poorer because we need to absorb the inflation effect caused by foreigners. Beyond 5 mil population, it probably take 5 to 10 foreigners to create one new job position. So the net effect is foreigners end up competing jobs with locals and slowly depress our wage level. All these people that formed the garment will get retribution because they are the mother suxkers of all time. Ancestor they also betray, this is bad karma. LKY dont built SG alone. Its locals that helped built SG, never forget this fact. And to all foreigners working in SG, you need to be very grateful to this country and also grateful to us as locals because we dont owe you anything. You benefitted at our expense.

[@markfish1113]

The new job positions, half of them goes to foreigner mostly. The country's economy is run by foreign pass holders.

[@asky368ify]

@@markfish1113 who is the paymaster my dear fren? This logic is the same as no one is indispensable in a company. Do not try to claim credit by saying that SG is built by foreigners or whatever fuk. Without the paymaster, foreigners still suck thumb in their own 3rd world country. The paymaster is the SG government who get their funds from taxpayers. Pioneer contributors of taxes are local born citizens. Be grateful that as foreigners, you come in SG to benefit at the expense of locals. Competing jobs with locals and depress our wages. Please get the facts right. Be grateful, otherwise you are no different from a dog.

[@deschan2246]

Is he a PM material????

[@nxthanhehe6437]

Eh dont insult ppl who get c6 like me im still WAY smarter than him HAHAHAHA

[@jimbaranresidence8]

Boring to always hear the same old candy sweet talk....."we will....... emerge stronger", by than u retire wif millionaire wif million$, we r in debt of million$ n die n disappear into million.air!

[@scbchong6964]

The coward hypocrite Pritam got pwned. CDC Mayors are there for oversight of Hougang, Aljunied and Sengkang. If not, WP politicians would already be rewarding their hardcore supporters and cronies. Pritam, you want accountability, but then cry foul when you get it?

[@kokkeeSeck-xs5yj]

An independent parliamentary budget office as suggested by Mr Pritam - apparently DPM Heng had not said whether or not it would be set up.

[@kokkeeSeck-xs5yj]

20 million dollars for Parliamentary Budget Office???

[@mohd.fazilabsidi9713]

Singapore parliament obviously are more civilized than Malaysian and its a sad fact. It’s more soothing and educational to watch.

[@thecustomadventures7719]

This whole argument was pointless. Just WP making useless statements and wasting time. Honestly, these 20 minutes were just all about how WP wants to propose an independent system, which Mr Singh has clarified, the exact same as the debate system available presently. So I don’t see why the WP is proposing this AT ALL. Besides we are Singapore, not Canada. Please stop comparing systems here to the systems overseas.

[@sundri21]

I believe its because of Commonwealth country !!!?my one cent i could be wrong.

[@shawnysean76]

ah heng = mr bean

[@arjalanarayan]

India

[@BeachBoi1000]

PAP already knew what WP Jamus is going to deliver and Leader of opposition is still clueless about what his own party member is going to deliver. Seems to confirm again that it is so easy to find fault and it is so hard to deliver.

[@brandenongkp]

Trying to hard to impress

[@kwangahsan9501]

INTERESTINGS 2LEADERS DEBATES.

[@hotkicker123]

I'm pretty politically-neutral, but these pro-pap comments (and its subsequent follow-up replies) is suspiciously low-quality with no argumentative power. Idk if they are bots which can be from either sides

[@scbchong6964]

Opposition supporters notorious for arguing by rejecting facts and lying. Singaporean Opposition supporters are middle-class fat cats who want more from greed, not because they care a hoot about the poor or underprivileged. WP founded on false accusations, vanity and hypocrisy.

[@hotkicker123]

@@scbchong6964 You seemed to be copy pasting different lines from your scriptbook.

[@scbchong6964]

@@hotkicker123 I love provoking arrogant, self-important, vain Opposition supporters. They are arseholes, jerks or pricks, but they don't realise it.

[@hotkicker123]

@@scbchong6964 I like how you generalize the traits of the opposition supporters, it speaks volumes about your character. You're a great person

[@scbchong6964]

@@hotkicker123 I am amongst them, that is why I can see with my own eyes. They are my friends and relatives of GenX and Millennials. Are you a singaporean? Or a foreigner student spouting theories and never earn your life yet? Why don't you open your mind by learning more about the hidden backgrounds of singaporean Opposition Supporters?

[@DarkPa1adin]

Like kids going in circles

[@cayotelives]

East coast plan no fight . Still planning

[@kokkeeSeck-xs5yj]

Has money been spent prudently by pap government?

[@Azabaz]

That was sparring?! Wow.

[@fajarliong]

It is good to have a view, but if every view is just for the sake to negate, then is it good for the nation? In life, you can find fault in everything. But can you deliver? Talk is always easier than do.

[@arjalanarayan]

Night,Factry,let Ga

[@twong6531]

Pritam Singh : you caught me, found the evidence; but please don't use against me...USELESS guy. DPM Heng the man...he delivers fiscal response to COVID. He did that before in other crisis. F for Pritam Singh Full A marks for DPM

[@adrianwee7245]

He hesitates, his points contradict each other, his voice trembles, he doesn't even realise his opponents are at least two steps of him in the debate. Really poorly prepared as a leader of the opposition. If we want to have a viable opposition, really need to do a lot better.

[@hilo4110]

@@darrenlin3013 Isn't Mr Heng the future PM an elite talent that got recruited by giving big paycheck?? And you want a average joe to take the position of the "elite"?? If he is not down for the challenge, maybe he can consider quiting his job and let other's with potential take over him??

[@testor9]

well, just on that point of "his voice trembles" - i think that just his natural voice. tends to break easily. can easily be noticed where.

[@limlisa]

Totally agree

[@slaiyfershin]

We don't need a debate and toastmaster champion. Nice to have but not essential. If you can't deliver with good policies and practices that care about the citizens, I couldn't care less. Looking at you, LHL.

[@tanaesther9570]

Mr Heng Sir thank you for everything.

[@bobtan101]

lol

[@krisnanstravelvlogscomings3893]

till now wondering what is the East Coast plan

[@limzhiguanglim2877]

@@krisnanstravelvlogscomings3893 east coast plan-bbq, chalet, camping and building sands castle.

[@lohseng4833]

@@krisnanstravelvlogscomings3893 is this mukkesh krishna that I know?!

[@krisnanstravelvlogscomings3893]

@@lohseng4833 maybe 🤔 or not “LS” what do you think 😂

[@coffeebudhong5871]

If Mr P not happy with the $$$ then don’t take it from the government . I AM grateful our Govt can provide in times like this, no matter how small or big the amount. So many don’t appreciate, just look at so many countries , their government can’t even give

[@yangerek78]

What a disillusioned person u are when they gave u does not mean they cant take back from u

[@moia9518]

Bruh,the more they give,the more they take back don't be a fool

[@limlisa]

@Junehong Tan then you should br moving to those countries. Your brain fail to see what is constraint that Singapore faced.

[@jennifer-oc6io]

Our ministers r already exhausted from taking care of the pandemic n prevent Singapore from sinking like other countries, why on earth is the opposition WP giving even more stress n pressure to our ministers? Our government is supposed to have focus in saving us, not entertaining the WP with academic debates, n irrelevant issues. The WP Is clearly overpaid, they have shown little results n just yanking away. I have yet to see another European country paying their oppositions so much. Mr Singh is overpaid.

[@muhammadabdulmateen8473]

And cdc earning 660k per year is not overpaid? On top of that mp allowance? 192k. Go and see european mps how much they earn before comparing us and them

[@darrenlin3013]

I think you need to wake up from the slumber. The efforts to contain, alleviate and emerge from the pandemic is not limited to office holders. The public service at large is part of that institution as well. And blatantly highlighting the government's focus is to 'save' you is such a self-entitled statement.

[@jennifer-oc6io]

@@muhammadabdulmateen8473 do you know how incompetent the European governments r? Do you know that European CEOs don’t come on board because of the pathetic salaries? Have you ever been in top notch leadership positions before? I bet not! Most leaders suffer from stress, exhaustion, auto immunity problems n cancers, on top of that, they lose their privacy. My husband is in a top position n I know how he n his peers r suffering, nope, our ministers r not overpaid, many European CEOs with less job responsibilities r paid better than our ministers. You have a small mind with limited international exposure. That is why you think simple. Oh high salaries ! They r overpaid! Hail to the opposition! How unintelligent r you?

[@jennifer-oc6io]

@@darrenlin3013 I think you need to wake up from your slumber to see how European n the western nations r coping so badly without a hardworking government.

[@muhammadabdulmateen8473]

@@jennifer-oc6io ur husband is in a top position and u seem to be pretty comfortable here commenting abt high pays. Pity him. Bet not im not in a high position and wnt want to be even thr with such super big fat check when fellow people of mine are suffering or fired or coping with day to day life. This is very clear u are a bootlicker of the rich so lick them well and again pity ur husband hope he finds solace soon

[@yea5458]

LO and PM should be of the same calibre. After all it seems some singaporeans want a 50-50 hung parliament (to which people believe any “mature” democratic parliament to have). In such a potential case, the LO will have an increased level of influence in policy making. IMHO i believe pritam should be clear of what is and will be presented in parliament. If he can’t answer a simple question of whether the two offices which cost $20 million are the same (serve the same function) then he clearly doesn’t have full awareness of what his team collectively propose. This is very poor exercise of responsibility. Whatever the case, to me whatever WP is doing now is whatever we all experience in our meetings. When you propose a solution and you have that one colleague who only know how to shoot. And when asked to propose solution, throws out a random idea, cannot justify and account for how much his or her proposal costs. If this is what a potential alternative governing party can only do, i’m sorry you will lose my vote (be it wp or pap).

[@keytiax1128]

if singaporeans government n ppl. don't want to work hand in hand. majority of foreign talents n worker control Singapore

[@Lightforspirit]

I support Heng for this one.

[@arjalanarayan]

China,Factry