Tag Archives: water price hike

Seems like several hot drinks stalls at the Redhill and Jalan Berseh have raised their drink prices since the start of July when the water tariffs hike kicks in. At Redhill Food Centre, at least seven out of about 10 hot drinks stalls have increased prices by 10 cents, with a cup of coffee now costing S$1.10. However, the hawkers insist that the price increase was due to a lot of other factors, such as rising costs for the their rental, and not only due to the water tariff hike.

The poll had randomly chosen 1,111 Singaporeans aged 20 and above, and they were polled by phone. The surprising thing? 32% of those polled agreed with the water price hike, 43%disagreed and 24% were neutral. 32% agreed with the water price hike? Who did they poll? These people who never have to pay for the water bills, or those who have so much money that a 30% increase in price hike is small change to them?

The price of water was only $0.53 per cu m in 1990. The price of water is now $2.25 ($2.10 + 7% GST) and will be about $2.93 ($2.74 + 7% GST) after the 30 per cent increase from 1 July 2018.

I refer to the four and a half pages in the Sunday Times (Mar 12) – arguably, trying to explain the justification for the water price increase. I am unable to find in the four and a half pages the data which are arguably the most pertinent and obvious (at least to Singaporeans) on the subject issue.

We saw this notice at Serangoon Bus Interchange by the NTWU Canteen which pledged to not increase prices of their food and drinks despite the 30% hike in water prices. Really respect this F&B outlet for having the guts to do this. More coffeeshops should adopt this ethical way of doing business and not use every little excuse to increase their profits.

So where’s the justification for price increase to cover increase cost of water production?!?! PAP’s intention is to extract money from the people NOW in order to pay for FUTURE building of new desalination plants, new newater plants, new water treatment plants, R&D in water treatment, new sewerage plants, new underground water pipes, salaries & bonuses of extra staff & scientists & scholars, etc etc. And to do this money extraction as fast as possible.

All these recent utilities' price hikes reveals a heartless merciless government bent on squeezing every drop of revenue from a struggling populace tired from paying all kinds of bills amidst stagnanting income growth. We call on all Singaporeans who are against this unjustified water price hike to turn up for our protest in a defiance show of unity. Though we may not be able to change the government's stance but at least we will show them that we are unhappy and won't take it laying down!

The Net Income after Government Grants and after Contribution to GCF (Government Consolidated Fund) and Taxation (Profits) for FY2015 was $166.8 million – an increase of 77.3 per cent compared to say FY2010’s profit of $94.1 million.