Opposition politician questions government control as hawker stalls raise prices following GST increase

Following the increase of Singapore’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) from 8% to 9%, opposition figure Lim Tean has drawn attention to rising prices at local hawker stalls. On January 2, 2024, Lim posted a photo of a price increase notice shared by a member of the public, asking his followers, “Are You Seeing Similar Signs?”

The image, originally posted by Mr. Patrick Heng, showed a stall in his area that raised the price of fried carrot cake from $3.00 to $3.50. Heng noted that he observed similar price hikes at 50% or more of nearby stalls. He questioned whether these increases were a direct result of government policies, pointing out that even stalls not yet displaying such notices might soon follow suit due to pressure.

Heng also expressed frustration over the apparent lack of control in the market, accusing the government of fostering an environment where businesses felt compelled to raise prices. Lim Tean echoed these concerns, questioning whether the government’s stance on the free market was truly hands-off, given the widespread price adjustments in the wake of the GST hike.

The debate comes as citizens grapple with the impact of higher taxes on everyday goods and services, especially in essential sectors like food.