The pressing issue of sky-high housing prices will likely be among major topics tabled in Parliament today, reported The Straits Times. Several MPs have already expressed their concerns on the matter.
Zaqy Mohamad (Chua Chu Kang GRC) believes that the record HDB Resale Price Index in Q3 2012 shows that prices are still rising despite several rounds of property cooling measures implemented by the government.
As such, he has tabled a question to National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan about his ministry’s plans to assure the public that housing prices are still affordable.
“Otherwise, there will be unnecessary panic from the ground and I think we should avoid that,” he said.
Meanwhile, some MPs have also questioned Singapore’s declining productivity.
For instance, MP Foo Mee Har (West Coast GRC) wants to know if the government’s measures to increase productivity have been effective, especially if small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have been able to take advantage of the various programmes catered for them.
“Productivity is a critical pillar of our growth. But for three quarters in a row, we’ve seen productivity decline. I’m not sure enough is changing or businesses are having sufficient help,” added Ms Foo.
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