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Raising the goods and services tax (GST) rate is an unpopular move, and the Government could have waited for the general election to be over before announcing it. But that would not be the honest thing to do, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.
Speaking at the People’s Action Party (PAP) convention at the Singapore Expo yesterday, Mr Heng said many party activists had asked him not to talk about the move any more, as the elections are coming.
“But if I don’t bring it up, the opposition parties definitely will – so it’s better that you hear it directly from me,” he added.
“The responsible thing to do is to be upfront, and tell the people that it will happen. This is what integrity means. We don’t hide from difficult truths,” he said.
Mr Heng, who is the PAP’s first assistant secretary-general, said being upfront also helps people and businesses plan ahead for the hike in GST from 7 per cent to 9 per cent, which will take place some time between 2021 and 2025.
“You have my commitment that we will help Singaporeans cope with the change,” he said.
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