The Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate in Singapore is scheduled to increase from 8 percent to 9 percent on January 1, 2024. It was earlier increased from 7 percent to 8 percent on 1 January 2023.

Giant offsetting GST increase

Giant has announced its decision to absorb the upcoming 1 percentage point Goods and Services Tax (GST) increase in Singapore in 2024. From January to June 2024, Giant will absorb the GST increase on 700 essential products, spanning key categories such as fresh produce, personal care, and household essentials, according to a report by The Straits Times.

This move aims to alleviate the impact of inflation and the rising cost of living for Singaporeans.

DFI Retail Group’s Announcement

DFI Retail Group, the management company behind Giant, revealed this initiative on December 26, emphasizing its commitment to supporting Singaporeans during challenging economic times.

The 700 discounted products were carefully chosen based on customer feedback and data analysis to provide maximum value to Giant customers. This proactive approach aligns with Giant’s mission to make essential products affordable for the community.

Additional Discounts for Senior Citizens

In addition to absorbing the GST increase, Giant will introduce a 4 percent storewide discount every Tuesday exclusively for senior citizens throughout 2024.

This additional discount aims to further assist the elderly in managing their expenses and coping with the rising cost of living.

DFI Retail Group’s Singapore Managing Director for Food, Yoep Man, expressed the company’s commitment to prioritizing affordable essential products for all customers.

Collaborative Efforts Across Supermarkets

Giant’s decision to absorb the GST increase follows similar initiatives by other supermarket chains in Singapore. FairPrice and Sheng Siong had previously announced schemes to absorb the upcoming GST increase, emphasizing their dedication to supporting customers in the face of economic challenges.

Ikea, a popular furniture retailer, had also committed to absorbing the GST increase, reflecting a collaborative effort within the retail sector to lessen the financial burden on consumers.

The recent temporary closure of a street soccer court at Block 422 Bedok North Road, citing noise complaints, has stirred discussions among Singaporean netizens.

This follows a similar incident in Sembawang, where a void deck was partially cordoned off to prevent school children from playing soccer, drawing criticism and reflections on the diminishing “kampung spirit” in the nation.

Closure Due To “Noise”

The decision to close the street soccer court at Block 422 was first announced by Tan Kiat How, the vice-chairman of East Coast Town Council and Member of Parliament (MP) for East Coast Group Representation Constituency, on his personal Facebook and Instagram pages on 12 December.

Mr. Tan highlighted concerns about “inconsiderate street soccer court users creating noise late into the night” and expressed the need to address disturbances to nearby residents, particularly seniors and shift workers.

Shared online

The announcement went largely unnoticed until it gained attention on December 26 when alternative news platform Wake Up Singapore drew attention to the closure on its Instagram account, sharing photos of a flyer pasted on the court’s premises.

Wake Up Singapore captioned their Instagram post: “And we wonder why our football cannot make it… Repurposing street soccer court into what? Now street soccer court also wanna take away. Can’t play at void deck. Can’t play at street soccer court. Play where then?”

This sparked a wave of reactions from netizens expressing disappointment and questioning the limitations on where residents can engage in sports activities.

MP Tan Kiat How Responds

I noticed that there has been some attention to the temporary closure of a street soccer court at the foot of block 422 by Our Kampong Chai Chee East Coast Town Council.

Some folks have asked good questions like whether we have considered alternatives while others have tried to stir up unhappiness over this issue by linking it to unrelated matters.

I welcome the opportunity to add colour to this decision.

– We support an active lifestyle for all residents – kids, families, adults and seniors. That is why we have community sports/exercise facilities around the precinct. In fact, we recently refurbished the basketball and street soccer courts near Blk 135 Ruby Heights. They are open and free for residents’ use. (Another nearby court is at Rainbow Ville blk 403)

– We are exploring alternatives to closing the court and hence it is a temporary closure. We are also discussing with the residents there on their preference, and hopefully meeting the needs of all groups.

– BTW, many of the blocks in this Garden Hill estate are more than 40 years old! Our residents and their families probably played in the street soccer court when it was built decades ago!

But as the residents’ profiles change, I can imagine that their needs may be different now, e.g. wanting inter-generational space for them and their grandkids, exercise equipment for seniors, community garden etc.

As People’s Action Party MPs, we always try our best to meet the needs of different groups of residents, across different life stages.

The National Environment Agency (NEA) and two of their employees were charged in court on 26 December with charges relating to workplace safety offences over a fatal explosion at the Tuas Incineration Plant (TIP) that took place in 2021, according to a report by The Straits Times.

The incident resulted in the tragic deaths of two NEA employees, Mr. Kwok Yeow Wai and Mr. Wee Eng Leng, and the injury of another, Mr. Low Yin Choon.

The charges allege failures on NEA’s part to ensure the safety and health of its employees, leading to the devastating outcome.

Background of the Explosion

The fatal explosion occurred on September 23, 2021, at the Tuas Incineration Plant. The blast, which took place at around 3:15 pm, was attributed to a fault in the control room’s industrial fan, which could not be remotely switched off. Mr. Kwok, Mr. Wee, and Mr. Low were sent to troubleshoot the issue and were inside an electrical switch room when the explosion occurred. The incident resulted in the deaths of two of the men and severe burn injuries to the third.

Charges Against NEA and Employees

The charges, issued on December 26, assert that NEA failed to take necessary measures to ensure the safety and health of its employees, contributing to the deaths of Mr. Kwok and Mr. Wee.

The alleged failures also resulted in the injury of Mr. Low. Christopher Lee Yew Binn, former divisional director of the waste infrastructure operations and management division of NEA, and Ng Wah Yong, then general manager of TIP, each face a charge under the Workplace Safety and Health Act.

According to the charge sheets, NEA is accused of failing to ensure that the permit-to-work system for high-voltage switchgear racking works complied with electrical installation regulations.

The agency is also alleged to have inadequately implemented control measures and established safe work procedures for these operations.

Ng is charged with failing to ensure the permit-to-work system complied with regulations, among other acts of negligence, while Lee is charged with approving the system despite non-compliance.

NEA’s Response and Current Status of Employees

NEA, in response to the charges, stated that it would study them with its legal counsel. Lee and Ng, who are still with NEA, have been redeployed to non-operational roles pending the outcome of the proceedings.

NEA expressed deep sorrow over the loss of its two officers and mentioned that the injured employee, who has since recovered, has returned to work.

NEA Issues Statement

The National Environment Agency (NEA) has been charged under the Workplace Safety and Health Act (WSHA) in connection with the localised explosion that occurred at the Tuas Incineration Plant (TIP) on 23 September 2021. TIP, which was operated by NEA, has since been decommissioned in 2022. NEA will study the charge with our legal counsel.

2.         Two NEA officers have also been charged under the WSHA in connection with the same incident. Both officers have been re-deployed to non-operational roles pending the outcome of the proceedings.

3.         The incident at the TIP resulted in the deaths of two NEA officers. Their passing continues to be deeply felt by the NEA community. A third NEA officer who suffered serious injuries during the incident has since recovered and returned to work.

4.         NEA is fully committed to promoting workplace safety and health throughout our organisation, including at our waste management facilities. We will continue to strive for improvements in operational excellence, safety, and resilience.

5.         NEA has cooperated fully with MOM during investigations into the incident. As the matter is now before the Court, we are unable to comment further.

Minister Grace Fu Issues Statement

A clash between a driver and a cyclist unfolded along Beach Road, captured on video and shared on the SG Road Vigilante Facebook page.

The incident, occurring at 8:49 am on December 20, showcases the tense confrontation after the driver attempted a rude overtake of the cyclist.

The video, shot from the dashboard camera of a trailing vehicle, provides a glimpse into the escalating road dispute.

Details of the Confrontation

As seen in the video, the driver’s attempt to overtake the cyclist on the left-most lane was unsuccessful. Frustration ensued, with the driver resorting to honking and swearing at the cyclist.

In response, the cyclist, determined not to yield, cycled in front of the car, exacerbating the tension. The exchange reached a peak when the cyclist flashed a middle finger over his shoulder.

Dashboard Camera Perspective

The footage offers a perspective from the dashboard camera of the vehicle trailing the cyclist, providing an unfiltered view of the escalating dispute. The audio captures the honking and verbal exchange between the driver and the cyclist, giving viewers a firsthand experience of the intensity of the road confrontation.

The dispute reached a resolution when the driver, persistently honking, filtered right and switched lanes, putting an end to the confrontation.

The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges and conflicts that can arise between different road users, highlighting the need for patience, understanding, and adherence to traffic rules.

Netizens’ Comments

1. A bicycle is a legal mode of transportation that is allowed on the road. Not everyone had the ability to afford a car or motorbike. It has been around since the start of the road system all over the world. Drivers can be more gracious and patient to share it with cyclists.
2. Driver is wrong and should learn to steer clear to overtake cyclist safely.
   Cyclist is wrong too by not keeping to side and let the car pass safely. Can just easily signal to acknowledge the driver and for him to proceed to overtake.
3. Driver already has the wrong mentality with the road cyclist to begin with, evidently from 0:07. Could have been more gracious, horn so much also cant do anything.
   Cyclist with such behaviour because he knows he cant be identified and held accountable for. Just imagine cyclist with a identifier plate number, 90% behaviour will change.