Grace Fu: Who will pay for opposition's plans to put money in people's pockets?

Their proposals fall short of suggesting how plans will be funded, says minister

- Chin Hui Shan and Michelle Ng

Opposition parties want to put more money in people's pockets by cutting GST rates, but their proposals stop short of suggesting who will pay for their promises, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on April 28.

Hitting back at Red Dot United (RDU), whose chief Ravi Philemon had, in a televised round-table discussion on April 27, suggested cutting the goods and services tax from 9 per cent to 7 per cent, Ms Fu said: "It is easy for the opposition to criticise. Our opposition here wants to put more money in everyone's pocket.

"So good, such a lovely idea. But it is hard to pay for. After these nine days, after all the promises that have been made, who in the opposition is here to sign the cheques?"

said Ms Fu, who is the anchor minister of the PAP team contesting Jurong East-Bukit Batok GRC.

"Who will pay for their promises? Is it the Government? The Government is only the custodian for Singapore. Ultimately, it is Singaporeans who will pay, either Singaporeans today, like you and me here, or Singaporeans of the future, your children," she added.

The PAP team will face RDU at the May 3 polls.

Addressing the crowd at a rally at Jurong East Stadium, Ms Fu - who was one of 12 speakers at the event - said the decision to increase the GST was not an easy one.

But the GST allows Singapore to tax tourists, as well as people who have no income here but spend on items like cars and watches, she added.