I refer to PAP's Managing Arrears is to Send Lawyers Letter to Residents. Click on "http://therealsingapore.com/content/pap-town-council%E2%80%99s-way-managing-arrears-%E2%80%93-send-lawyer-letter"
And "WP responds to MND's Giving Them Red Report Card". Click on
I feel that WP should disregard the MND Town Council Report as most Singaporeans know that it is politically motivated.
One of my ex-HDB colleague in the mortgage arrears unit under Housing Management Group HMG said that chasing arrears feels like an Ah Long job. Some residents simply do not have the financial means to cough out $50 per month for their town council fees and their housing loan instalments.
Most of them fall into the category as they have low wages to start with. Low wages may allow you to secure you a HDB loan due to the grants and subsidies available but falling into arrears is another possibility.
And some of them could have chronic illnesses which eats into their disposable income. Sometimes, he gets threats that the whole family will jump down if he pesters them too often. Such is the sad reality of arrears management.
I feel that WP should try to propose a Debt Arrears Forgiveness Plan such that families facing financial hardship should be allowed to defer payment.
There is such a plan being worked out in other countries.
Apparently, if the ex-spouse is unable to make the alimony payment on time due to financial difficulties, his/her taxes will be re-channeled to the ex-spouse if he can find a higher salaried job the following year.
If this plan should work out, WP should be proud that their MND Report Card is flagged red as it shows to other Singaporeans that living in an opposition ward has its benefits.
CJ
TRS Contributor