SDP leaders criticise GST hike and govt vouchers: 'Give you cup of water to put out fire'
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) took aim at how the government manages cost of living, especially with regards to the Goods and Services Tax (GST), in its first rally of the 2025 general election.
Party chief Chee Soon Juan, chairman Paul Tambyah and other members spoke on stage at Choa Chu Kang Stadium on Thursday (April 24) evening.
Dr Chee took issue with the practice of handing out cost-of-living vouchers while simultaneously raising the GST rate.
He likened the situation to «an arsonist setting your house on fire and giving you a cup of water to put it out».
He also questioned PM Lawrence Wong's attribution of the hike to «global trends».
Dr Chee listed the essentials that he said have gone up in price, such as water, transport, petrol, electricity, Electronic Road Pricing charges and university hostel fees.
He then compared the rising costs to how the People's Action Party government spends money, arguing that the ruling party is no longer as «prudent and frugal» as it once was.