Balancing Cultural Diversity and Delivery Efficiency: The Debate on Changing Stall Signs to English

In light of the recent incident involving a Foodpanda rider struggling to locate a stall due to language barriers, it raises the question of whether stall signs should be changed to English in order to accommodate the diverse workforce of delivery riders in Singapore.

While the idea of changing stall signs to English might seem like a simple solution, it is essential to take into account the importance of preserving Singapore’s multicultural heritage.

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A foodpanda rider has now taken to TikTok to point out one of the reasons behind a delayed delivery.

Resolving this issue requires collaboration among the government, stall owners, and food delivery platforms. The government can provide support and guidance at the policy level by establishing standards and guidelines for stall owners. Stall owners should recognize that improving signage can help enhance delivery efficiency, ultimately attracting more customers. Food delivery platforms should also take responsibility for communicating with stall owners to ensure that the information displayed on their apps matches the actual situation.

Additionally, attention should be paid to other challenges faced by delivery riders, such as road safety, work pressure, and labor rights. To improve the overall standards of the food delivery industry, all parties should work together to address these issues and create a fair, safe, and efficient delivery environment.

In conclusion, finding a balance between respecting cultural diversity and improving delivery efficiency is crucial when considering whether stall signs should be changed to English. Through the joint efforts of all stakeholders, we can ensure that Singapore’s food delivery industry continues to develop and improve while addressing challenges. This will not only enhance customer satisfaction but also provide more support and care for delivery riders in their work.

Singapore Government Cracks Down on Real Estate Tax Evasion: Unveiling the 100-1 Scheme

Recently, the Singapore government has begun cracking down on tax evasion in the real estate sector, particularly a loophole known as the “100-1 scheme.”

This scheme allows Buyer A to purchase a property first, and after fulfilling the sales agreement, sell 1% of the property ownership to Buyer B (who may have to pay additional stamp duty and have a higher loan limit). This method achieves the goal of tax savings and higher loan amounts but is highly unethical and even illegal.

The Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) has launched a rigorous investigation into this issue. In this scheme, Buyer A is typically a child with no property ownership, exempt from paying the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD). Before the transaction is completed, the child sells 1% of the property to their parents, who may already own properties, enabling the parents to pay only 1% of the property price as ABSD, achieving tax savings and higher loan limits. However, this scheme is illegal, and the IRAS may scrutinize all similar transactions since the implementation of the ABSD policy in 2011. Violators will face tax evasion fines ranging from 50% to 400%.

It is worth noting that the 100-1 scheme is different from the 99-1 scheme. In the 99-1 scheme, a married couple pays the ABSD according to their respective statuses and, through a law firm, each holds a 99-1 property ownership share. This arrangement facilitates future decoupling of the ownership: one party sells 1% of the ownership to the other, allowing one of them to purchase another property. This scheme does not involve tax evasion since both parties have already paid the ABSD at the outset.

The Singapore government’s crackdown on tax evasion in the real estate sector aims to maintain a fair and just tax environment. For those looking to purchase property, it may be wise to buy sooner rather than later.

新加坡政府严查房地产逃税行为：揭秘100-1操作

近日，新加坡政府开始严查房地产领域中的逃税行为，尤其是被称为“100-1操作”的漏洞。

这种操作允许买家A先购买期房，履行买卖协议后再将1%的产权卖给买家B（可能需交额外印花税，贷款额度高），从而达到省税和提高贷款额度的目的。然而，这种做法非常不道德，甚至违法。

新加坡税务局对此展开了严格调查。据悉，这种操作中，买家A通常是名下没有房产的孩子，不需要交额外购房印花税（ABSD）。

在交易完成前，孩子将1%的产权卖给名下已有房产的父母，令父母仅需支付1%房价的ABSD，从而达到省税和提高贷款额度的目的。

然而，这种操作违法，税务局可能对2011年实施ABSD政策以来的所有类似交易进行审查。

违规者将面临50%-400%的逃税罚款。 值得一提的是，100-1操作与99-1操作不同。99-1操作中，夫妻双方按照各自身份交了ABSD后，通过律师行各自持有99-1的产权，便于以后分拆产权。一方将1%产权卖给另一方，从而使其中一方可以再购买房产。这种操作并不存在逃税行为，因为双方一开始就已交纳ABSD。

新加坡政府对房地产领域的逃税行为展开严查，旨在维护公平正义的税收环境。对于有意购房的人士，尽早购买房产或许是明智之举。

预约困难？新加坡患者寻求医疗救助面临挑战

“谁能预测明天会生病？”

新加坡人在排队和在线预约方面的技巧堪称世界领先。

然而，在预约综合诊疗所的名额方面，许多患者感到不安。一位网友在Reddit上表达了在网上预约综合诊疗所的困难：

“过去，生病时可以直接去综合诊疗所看病，无需预约。如今，你必须提前预约名额，这使得突然生病的患者难以在当天就诊。”

这一现象表明，新加坡的医疗资源可能面临压力，需要政府采取措施来解决。政府可以考虑增加综合诊疗所的名额，以便更多患者能够得到及时的治疗。此外，政府还可以优化预约系统，提高预约效率，以满足患者的需求。

为了应对这一问题，许多网友分享了自己的经历和建议。有人提到紧急情况的病患可以优先就诊，非紧急情况的病患可以去附近的社区医疗援助计划诊所就诊。此外，一些网友建议提前关注预约系统的开放时间，争取提前预约到名额。

同时，这一问题引发了其他疑问，例如，为什么有些综合诊疗所很难预约到名额，而有些却可以？网友们认为这可能与诊所所在地区的人口密度和年龄结构有关。有些地区的居民中年长者较多，因此预约名额需求量大。

政府可以在这方面采取更多措施，例如设立专门服务年长者的诊所，以减轻综合诊疗所的压力。同时，政府还可以加强与民间合作，鼓励更多私人诊所参与社区医疗援助计划，为患者提供更多选择。

总之，新加坡政府需要关注这一问题，并采取有效措施确保医疗资源的公平分配，让所有患者都能得到及时、合适的医疗服务。

Booking Challenges? Singapore Patients Facing Difficulties Seeking Medical Help

“Who can predict falling sick tomorrow?”

Singaporeans are known for their top-notch skills in queuing up and online booking.

However, when it comes to booking slots at polyclinics, many patients are feeling uneasy. A netizen expressed difficulties in booking polyclinic appointments online on Reddit:

“In the past, you could go straight to the polyclinic when you were sick without making an appointment. Nowadays, you must book in advance, making it difficult for patients who fall sick suddenly to see a doctor on the same day.”

This phenomenon suggests that Singapore’s medical resources may be under pressure and require government intervention. The government could consider increasing the number of slots at polyclinics to allow more patients to receive timely treatment. In addition, the government could optimize the booking system to improve efficiency and meet patients’ needs.

In response to this issue, many netizens shared their experiences and suggestions. Some mentioned that patients in emergency situations can receive priority treatment, while non-emergency patients can visit nearby Community Health Assistance Scheme clinics. Moreover, some netizens suggested keeping an eye on the opening times of the booking system to secure appointments in advance.

At the same time, this issue raises other questions, such as why some polyclinics are difficult to book while others are not? Netizens believe that this may be related to the population density and age structure of the area where the clinic is located. Some areas have a higher proportion of elderly residents, resulting in greater demand for appointment slots.

The government could take more measures in this regard, such as setting up clinics dedicated to serving the elderly to alleviate the pressure on polyclinics. Meanwhile, the government could also strengthen cooperation with the private sector, encouraging more private clinics to participate in the Community Health Assistance Scheme, providing patients with more options.

In conclusion, the Singapore government needs to pay attention to this issue and take effective measures to ensure the fair distribution of medical resources, allowing all patients to receive timely and appropriate medical services.

出租私人住宅？新加坡私人住宅入住人数有限制

如果您拥有一栋私人住宅并希望将其出租，您必须遵守以下规定。

人数限制

所有类型的私人住宅都受到每个住宅最多允许六个无关人员的人数限制。 无关人员指的是与您不是同一家庭的任何人。 家庭佣人被视为与您同一家庭的一员。 人数限制也适用于将房产转租的租户。作为房产所有者，您必须确保您的租户遵守规定。

举例

拥有家庭佣人的六口之家被视为同一家庭的成员，不受人数限制的影响。 但是，一个家庭住四口人并出租部分房产的家庭将受到人数限制的影响。他们只能在房产上容纳最多两个额外的无关人员。

隔断

如果您计划对房产进行任何内部隔断工程，您必须确保它不会损害您的房产作为一个单独的自给自足的住宅单位的本质特征，例如客厅/餐厅和厨房。

租户注册

对于房产所有者，您不需要向URA注册您的租户

Renting out your private residential property? Know the occupancy cap in Singapore

If you own a private residential property and wish to rent it out, you must adhere to the following rules.

Occupancy cap

All types of private residential property are subjected to an occupancy cap of six unrelated persons per property.

Unrelated persons refer to anyone who is not part of the same family unit.

Domestic helpers are considered part of the same family unit. The occupancy cap also applies to tenants who sublet the property.

As the property owner, you must ensure that your tenants follow the rules.

Examples

A family of six with domestic helpers are considered as part of the same family unit and will not be subjected to the occupancy cap. However, a family of four who stays and rents out part of their property is subjected to the occupancy cap. They are allowed to accommodate a maximum of two additional unrelated persons on the property.

Partitioning

If you plan to carry out any internal partitioning works on your property, you must ensure that it does not compromise the nature of your property as a single self-sufficient residential unit with essential features such as a living/dining area and a kitchen.

Registration of Tenants

For property owners, you do not need to register your tenants with URA. If your property is rented out to an employer who intends to house foreign employees, the occupancy cap of six unrelated persons per property applies. The addresses of these employees must be updated on the Ministry of Manpower website by the employer. You can check the number of foreign employees registered on your property via Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) website. For tenancy guidelines related to renting out a Housing and Development Board (HDB) flat, visit HDB’s website for details.

Short-Term Accommodation

You are not allowed to rent out your property on a daily or weekly basis. Private residential properties must be rented out for at least three consecutive months.

直至6月30日，HDB住户享受电费减少高达S$6.75/月

最喜欢的事情莫过于减免。

新加坡家庭电费在2023年第二季度下降5.3% 随着越来越多的人转向混合工作模式并返回办公室，家庭电力消耗仍然很高，因为家庭设备的使用时间较长。从4月到6月，家庭电费每千瓦时将较今年第一季度减少1.51新分，电价降幅为5.3%。与上一季度相比，这种下降是由于能源成本较低。

4月1日至6月30日家庭电费将减少 SP集团宣布，截至6月30日，电价在征收消费税（GST）前将从28.95新分降至27.43新分/千瓦时。因此，标准四房HDB组屋的平均月电费将在8%的消费税前减少S$4.69。本季度的减少标志着家庭电力价格连续第三个季度下降。

这次减少是根据新加坡能源市场管理局（EMA）制定的指导方针，SP集团对电价进行了季度审查。对于那些计划和预算的人来说，不同家庭类型的预估新平均月账单显示，与第一季度相比，独立洋房业主每月可节省最多S$29.46，而HDB组屋业主每月将减少S$1.84至S$6.75。

影响电价的因素 SP集团解释说，电价包括四个组成部分：能源成本、输送电力的电网成本、市场支持服务费以及支付给能源市场公司和电力系统运营商的市场管理和电力系统运营费。在本季度，能源成本降低了1.86新分/千瓦时，其他组件则略有增加。

降价主要归因于较低的现行能源成本，反映了燃料和发电成本的波动。燃料成本是指进口天然气的费用，通过商业合同与油价挂钩，而发电成本包括电站运营成本，如人力和维护费用。

尽管电价下降，监测电力消耗仍然至关重要，因为下一季度的费率尚不确定。

HDB Households Enjoy Reduced Electricity Bills up to S$6.75 Per Month Until June 30

A welcome relief for homeowners.

Singapore Household Electricity Bills Witness a 5.3% Drop for the Second Quarter of 2023 With the shift to hybrid work models and people returning to offices, home electricity consumption remains high due to prolonged device usage. From April to June, electricity bills for households will decrease by 1.51 cents per kWh compared to the first quarter, resulting in a 5.3% reduction in electricity tariff prices. This decline is due to lower energy costs in comparison to the previous quarter.

Household Electricity Bills to Decrease from April 1 to June 30 SP Group announced that electricity tariffs before GST will drop from 28.95 cents to 27.43 cents per kWh until June 30. Consequently, the average monthly electricity bill for a standard four-room HDB flat will decrease by S$4.69 before the 8% GST. This quarter’s reduction marks the third consecutive quarter of declining household electricity tariffs.

The reduction follows SP Group’s quarterly review of electricity tariffs based on guidelines set by the Energy Market Authority (EMA). For those planning and budgeting for the upcoming quarter, the estimated new average monthly bills for various household types reveal that bungalow owners may see savings of up to S$29.46 per month compared to the first quarter, while HDB flat owners will experience reductions ranging from S$1.84 to S$6.75 per month.

Factors Influencing Electricity Tariffs SP Group explained that tariffs consist of four components: energy costs, network costs for transporting electricity through the power grid, Market Support Services Fee, and Market Administration and Power System Operation Fee paid to the Energy Market Company and Power System Operator. In this quarter, energy costs decreased by 1.86 cents per kWh, while the other components experienced slight increases.

The reduction is primarily attributed to lower prevailing energy costs, reflecting fluctuations in fuel and power generation costs. Fuel cost refers to the expense of imported natural gas, which is linked to oil prices through commercial contracts, while power generation cost includes the operating costs of power stations, such as manpower and maintenance expenses.

Despite the decrease in tariffs, it remains essential to monitor electricity consumption, as rates for the next quarter are uncertain.

Singaporean Government Supports HDB Households: First Wave of 2023 GST Vouchers & Rebates Arriving in Apri

The forthcoming disbursements are part of the enhanced, ongoing GST Voucher scheme and the Household Support Package, as announced in the 2023 Budget.

SINGAPORE – The Ministry of Finance (MOF) announced on Friday that approximately 950,000 Singaporean households residing in Housing Board flats will be granted their quarterly U-Save Goods and Services Tax (GST) Voucher along with service and conservancy charges (S&CC) rebates in April.

In the 2023 financial year beginning in April, each qualifying household will be allocated U-Save vouchers ranging from $440 to $760, based on their flat type. This is the same amount as in FY2022, which doubled the regular U-Save vouchers for households.

The S&CC rebate, aimed at covering estate maintenance fees, varies from 1.5 months to 3.5 months.

These disbursements represent a component of the enhanced permanent GST Voucher scheme and the Household Support Package, which was unveiled in Budget 2023. The goal is to alleviate financial pressure on Singaporeans facing increased inflation and to soften the blow of the GST rate hike.

The GST Voucher payments include cash, MediSave, U-Save for utilities, and S&CC rebates.

These payments are designed to support lower- and middle-income Singaporeans.

For the average household living in a one- or two-room HDB flat, the S&CC and U-Save payouts in this financial year will amount to eight to 10 months’ worth of utility bills. Additionally, for the average household residing in a three- or four-room flat, the payouts will cover approximately four to six months’ worth of utility bills, according to MOF.

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Households’ S&CC accounts, managed by their respective town councils, will be directly credited with these payments.

MOF stated that these disbursements will be made in four separate installments – April, July, and October of this year, and January 2024.

In the first tranche of payments in April, households will receive $55 to $95 in U-Save vouchers, in addition to 0.5 or one month in S&CC rebates.

On Friday, national grid operator SP Group revealed that the electricity tariff for the April-June period would drop by an average of 5.4% compared to the first three months of the year. City Energy, a piped gas producer and retailer, also announced that the gas tariff would decrease by 0.16% from the previous quarter.

The Government has been providing GST vouchers since 2012, with the S&CC rebate becoming part of the scheme since the 2022 financial year.