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Donate SG Bonus hongbao to charity: MPs

SINGAPORE — Two Members of Parliament (MP) on Wednesday (Feb 28) proposed that the Government allow Singaporeans to choose if they want to donate their one-off hongbao of between S$100 and S$300 announced in this year’s Budget to charity.

Two Members of Parliament proposed that the Government allow Singaporeans to choose if they want to donate their one-off hongbao of between S$100 and S$300 announced in this year’s Budget to charity. TODAY file photo

Two Members of Parliament proposed that the Government allow Singaporeans to choose if they want to donate their one-off hongbao of between S$100 and S$300 announced in this year’s Budget to charity. TODAY file photo

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SINGAPORE — Two Members of Parliament (MP) on Wednesday (Feb 28) proposed that the Government allow Singaporeans to choose if they want to donate their one-off hongbao of between S$100 and S$300 announced in this year’s Budget to charity.

Speaking during the Budget debate in Parliament on Wednesday, MP for Jalan Besar GRC Denise Phua and MP for Sembawang GRC Lim Wee Kiak said the suggestion is in line with one of the focuses of this year’s Budget — fostering a spirit of giving.

Dr Lim also suggested that the Government provide dollar-for-dollar matching to encourage the public to donate their SG Bonus money.

Last Monday, Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat announced that Singaporeans aged 21 and above will receive the SG Bonus because Singapore is expecting a record surplus of S$9.61 billion for financial year 2017. This was due mainly to “exceptional statutory board contributions” and “higher-than-expected” collections from stamp duties as a result of the recent pick-up in the property market.

Eligible Singaporeans with an annual income of up to S$28,000 will receive S$300, while those who earn between S$28,001 and S$100,000 will get S$200. Those drawing more than S$100,000 will bank in S$100. Any individual who owns more than one property will receive S$100 regardless of his or her yearly income. The sum will be credited at the end of the year.

Ms Phua said: “I am not certain how many Singaporeans, especially those in the middle and upper income brackets, are appreciative of Budget 2018’s gift of a SG Bonus hongbao.”

Noting that there are some discussions on whether the sum is “too little or too much”, Ms Phua added: “A S$100 SG Bonus hongbao for some could mean an additional dinner out, but to another, it is cash flow to purchase milk powder or diapers for the baby or disabled elderly parent.”

Giving Singaporeans the choice of donating it will “bring out the best in each of us”, she said.

Dr Lim said that donating the SG Bonus will be “in the same spirit of caring and sharing” as some school pupils who contributed hongbaos they received during Chinese New Year to their schools’ welfare fund for needy students.

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