To all the kancheong spiders out there ...

[phantom_opera]

Tapering will benefit Singapore economy !!

I shall let smart forumers explain :D Bro BJ style :p

[phantom_opera]

and I shall change my prior prediction of STI ending flat in 2013, i am going to buy STI ETF soon after exiting all my bonds ... but I will only take a small position and waiting for further "signs of golden age", and tonight PM Lee speech will hopefully add to my confidence in STI ETF :tongue3: (any CPF contribution ceiling adjustment PM Lee? :D :cheers1: )

and if u only have one investment property, if u sell now u are going to regret ... :tsk-tsk:

[phantom_opera]

and exit Iskandar b4 ringgit hits 2.72!!!

2.5791 already ... act now !!! sell to the next naive Singaporeans :beats-me-man:

[star]

To celebrate 48th birthday private condo owners may buy resale hdb. Lol.

[DPan]

and exit Iskandar b4 ringgit hits 2.72!!!

2.5791 already ... act now !!! sell to the next naive Singaporeans :beats-me-man:

:cheers4: :cheers5:

[JuzMe]

sell to the next naive Singaporeans :beats-me-man:
Hahaha, a lot of naive people around. Buying at high while others selling :doh:

[mermaid]

To celebrate 48th birthday private condo owners may buy resale hdb. Lol.


u forgot to mention wif ABSD waived :D

[lajia]

hahaha...i share your same view. it should hit 2.7 before end of the yr, my prediction.....of course, it could be wrong, just guessing...:D
and exit Iskandar b4 ringgit hits 2.72!!!

2.5791 already ... act now !!! sell to the next naive Singaporeans :beats-me-man:

[star]

Looking at the huge amount of land in iskandar i feel uneasy.

[phantom_opera]

1 SGD = 2.5821 MYR
1 SGD = 8,160.1079 IDR
1 USD = 1.2604 SGD

enuf said

now even Chinese developer wants to sell Iskandar to u

COUNTRY GARDEN @ DANGA BAY
- Top 10 developer in China - Country Garden
- 1st Seafront Gardens Oasis in Johor Bahru
- 5 Star Service Apartments and Private Living by the coast
- Mixed developments of Condo and Shopping Mall
- Tenure : Freehold
- Proposed future Rapid Transit System (RTS) at doorstep, linked to S'pore Woodlands North MRT
- Located at Flagship A, near to New Financial Hub of JB, and 15mins drive to LEGOLAND and PUTERI HARBOUR
- Service Condo released : 12 blocks, 35 storeys high , 2476 units (785 - 2161sqf), Sea view and Johor City view
- Service Apartments : 5 blocks, 20 storeys high, 940 units (420 - 730sqf), Johor City view
- 2 Bedroom : From RM600k onwards after discount
- 3 Bedroom : From RM800k onwards after discount

[CondoInterested]

Cut and paste from TODAY newspaper

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's National Day Message in full

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered his National Day Message today (Aug 8). Here is his speech in full:

My fellow Singaporeans,
I am speaking to you from the new SAFRA clubhouse in Toa Payoh. This is where SAFRA built its very first clubhouse in 1975. We have just rebuilt it with better facilities for NSmen and your families. It is a small gesture to thank you for your many contributions and sacrifices. It is also an example of how we are upgrading our amenities and environment as Singapore develops, year by year.
We have made steady progress this past year. We have cleared the queue for HDB flats, stabilised BTO prices and tightened up on property speculation and excessive borrowing. We have added more buses and increased the number of bus routes. We are trying out free early morning MRT rides into the city. We will add more trains to the existing lines. Phase One of the Downtown Line will open in December, and more MRT lines after that. We also celebrated several successes in the arts and sports, including our LionsXII team winning the Malaysian Super League.
We are tackling longer term issues too, especially marriage and parenthood, as well as population. The White Paper on Population in January provoked strong reactions, but the debate helped us to understand the issues better. We face difficult choices: We need foreign workers to serve our economy and Singaporeans’ needs, and immigrants to make up for our shortfall of babies. But we also worry about crowding and congestion, and maintaining our Singaporean identity. So we are feeling our way forward carefully, conscious both of our needs and our limits, and seeking the best outcome for Singaporeans.
Our economy is holding steady amidst global uncertainties. We are attracting more quality investments. Unemployment remains low. We grew by 2.0 per cent in the first half of 2013, and expect to grow by 2.5 to 3.5 per cent this year, higher than previously expected. Even as we tighten up on foreign workers and immigration, we must maintain investor confidence and keep Singapore open for business.
The world is changing rapidly and unpredictably. Technology is transforming our lives. Societies everywhere feel under pressure: Jobs have become less secure, wages are rising more slowly or even stagnating, families are working harder, and parents worry whether their children will do better than themselves.
Singapore is changing too. The economy is maturing and our population is ageing. Different groups in society now have more diverse and even conflicting interests. Older Singaporeans worry about healthcare and costs of living. Younger ones aspire to wider education opportunities and more affordable homes.
Our road ahead will be different from the road we have travelled. So we must reassess our position, review our direction, and refresh our strategies to thrive in this new world.
In my Message last year, I said that Singapore should always be our best Home, with Heart and Hope. We launched Our Singapore Conversation to define our shared future together. Many have participated actively and passionately. We heard many valuable suggestions. Thank you for taking part in this effort.
Our Singapore Conversation has helped us crystallise what we aspire to: A Singapore which gives its citizens opportunities to succeed and live fulfilling lives. A nation which defines success in many ways, and offers multiple paths to many peaks. A society with safety nets that give people peace of mind. A community where the disadvantaged get help, and those who have done well in turn do more to help others.
We will set goals and work out plans to realise these aspirations. We must match these aspirations against the world we live in – our competition, our opportunities, and our potential as a people.
Today Singapore stands tall internationally. Many countries admire us. Developed countries and emerging economies want to pick up ideas from us. Every citizen gains from our strong Singapore brand – our workers enjoy a premium in wages, and our people studying and working abroad are welcomed and respected.
At the same time, other countries are rapidly progressing and catching up. We must stay ahead of the competition, and maintain our standing in the world.
To succeed under changed circumstances, we must adapt our basic approach to nation building. We must strike a new balance between the roles of the individual, the community and the State.
We must strengthen our sense of community. We need to give greater mutual support to one another – helping the less fortunate in big ways and small; volunteering for causes that we care about; organising ourselves to work for the common good.
We already do this, especially during crises. When dengue and the haze threatened us, we stood together and took care of one another. That is Singapore – not just separate individuals, but a community with a shared purpose and a sense of collective responsibility, taking the initiative to help one another in good times and bad. We need to strengthen this spirit of togetherness.
The Government will also play a bigger role to build a fair and just society. We will do more to enable every Singaporean to succeed, through education and lifelong learning. We will keep avenues to rise wide open to all. We will help those from families with less get off to a good start in life, beginning from pre-school. We will tackle the cost of living, for example healthcare costs, especially for the elderly. We will foster a more equal society, by helping every family afford their own HDB flat, and giving low income workers a better deal through Workfare. In Singapore, everyone will always have a stake in this country, and ample chances to make good in life.
But remember: Each one of us must still do our best, and be self-reliant and resourceful. Because Singapore can only succeed if each one of us contributes his part.
At the same time, all this is only possible if we are one united people, and not divided by race, social class, or political faction. We must always have able, honest and committed leaders, who can be trusted to serve Singaporeans. We need a good Government that thinks and plans ahead, and more importantly feels for our concerns and hopes. That is the way to build a better Singapore – together.
We have come a long way, but our best years are ahead of us. We have the power to shape our destiny and write a new chapter in the Singapore story. Let us stand together, and dedicate ourselves to building in Singapore a brighter future for all.
Happy National Day!

[k00L]

Not sure if tapering will benefit Singapore, but it will mean US economy is on acceleration mode - so long US stock index ETF + long domestic-driven US bank stocks + long USD short Asian currencies is a better bet.

Wildcard is the effects of tapering on the other ASEAN countries like MYR, IDR, THB, PHP - they may not survive well on capital pull back and could have contagious effect on Singapore. I am not betting this will happen, but is on lookout for cheap hedges against such scenario

[phantom_opera]

Not sure if tapering will benefit Singapore, but it will mean US economy is on acceleration mode - so long US stock index ETF + long domestic-driven US bank stocks + long USD short Asian currencies is a better bet.

Wildcard is the effects of tapering on the other ASEAN countries like MYR, IDR, THB, PHP - they may not survive well on capital pull back and could have contagious effect on Singapore. I am not betting this will happen, but is on lookout for cheap hedges against such scenario

it surely has contagious effect for Singaporeans who bought Iskandar earlier, especially by cash and those who are sitting on profit wanting to exit quickly now

but this will not be another 1997, situation is totally different

[wt_know]

so fast claim victory already?



We have cleared the queue for HDB flats, stabilised BTO prices and tightened up on property speculation and excessive borrowing.

[august]

so fast claim victory already?

Keep repeating ad nauseam and a defeat and also become victory.

[wirehtc]

so fast claim victory already?

HDB has information most people don't have accees to.

[3centsworth]

so fast claim victory already?


This could spell good news to property developers and investors. I take it to mean there will be no more CMs in sight. The 8 CMs have their intended effects on the speculative element of the property market.

Nonetheless the more difficult issue will be a sustainable economy driven by the need to increase working population in the years ahead and the search for global talents in the face of aging population and dwindling birth-rates.

The need to increase foreign workers to serve our economy versus Singaporeans' needs. The balance between growth and infrastructure needs, social / identity needs and so on.

All these changes will have implications to the local property market and also in the larger context, implications to our Singapore's future.

[k00L]

it surely has contagious effect for Singaporeans who bought Iskandar earlier, especially by cash and those who are sitting on profit wanting to exit quickly now

but this will not be another 1997, situation is totally different

yeah, flipping property requires a active resale market - realizing profit may be hard. With little yield, it is going to tough sell. Iskandar property buyers should buy it for personal use and pleasure, and treat any investment gains as bonus.
It is definitely not for wealth preservation - HDB probably is a better vehicle.

[minority]

yeah, flipping property requires a active resale market - realizing profit may be hard. With little yield, it is going to tough sell. Iskandar property buyers should buy it for personal use and pleasure, and treat any investment gains as bonus.
It is definitely not for wealth preservation - HDB probably is a better vehicle.


totally agree. For staying I also donno. if everyone treat it as week end home. The weekdays will be like ghost town. scary to live in. and amenities ard the must be sustain with local demand. It not enough population actually stays there during the week day? amenities will also not survive there.

I Think iskanda have a long way to go. And its very much dependent on the continue success of singapore.

[solsys]

Golden Age of Singapore now = US in their 1980s (with Switzerland as the safe-haven during that time).

Singapore brand now = US Greencard

Tap can open or close at will to adjust the economy and property prices.

Alot of tools available to our government to tweak everything.

Votes lesser? Just convert the PRs to Singapore and increase no. of votes in favour.

If it's a sure-win, then Iskandar will benefit but then again, it's Malaysia where policies can U-turn especially when the economic climate turns sour.

[blackjack21trader]

Golden Age of Singapore now = US in their 1980s (with Switzerland as the safe-haven during that time).

Singapore brand now = US Greencard

Tap can open or close at will to adjust the economy and property prices.

Alot of tools available to our government to tweak everything.

Votes lesser? Just convert the PRs to Singapore and increase no. of votes in favour.

If it's a sure-win, then Iskandar will benefit but then again, it's Malaysia where policies can U-turn especially when the economic climate turns sour.

wow you are a smart guy ;)

[blackjack21trader]

Prices of Singapore Property except HDB and BTO will drop 10%+10% by end 2013.

[k00L]

totally agree. For staying I also donno. if everyone treat it as week end home. The weekdays will be like ghost town. scary to live in. and amenities ard the must be sustain with local demand. It not enough population actually stays there during the week day? amenities will also not survive there.

I Think iskanda have a long way to go. And its very much dependent on the continue success of singapore.

Yeah, many business owners I know buy Iskandar for consumption or utility like buying a new Lexus L460 - they like the hello-kitty or legoland themepark, the wide roads, beautiful houses , and they dont care whether their property value is up or down.

This is not for singaporeans whose only asset is HDB, and they cash it out to buy iskandar - it is a dangerous game to play.

[phantom_opera]

70pc of cpf members has monthly pay below 4kpm, can't really afford high HDB price

pap now trying to only bring in those earning 5kpm and above to fill the gap

from where? china n India n Malaysia, after many years of wage inflation they are less competitive relative to Sg Liao

Indians dun speak Chinese, Chinese needs another 10y to catch up in English

so next 10y will be best time to achieve golden age

FDI in India are already exiting like mad

China wages in Beijing shanghai are now not conpetitive, even KL 10,000 RM pay is the norm

where else should MNC go?

[phantom_opera]

India FDI:

http://tradehaven.files.wordpress.com/2013/08/ugly-india-chart.jpg