Tan Kin Lian's Blog: Think out of the box

Sunday, May 23, 2010

Think out of the box

20 people responded to the contest to find a "out of the box" solution shown here. Most of the suggestions are:
a) ask X to remarry
b) buy a single's flat
X is not prepared to remarry just to keep the flat. He finds it costly to sell his flat and buy a new flat under the single's scheme.

I wish to award my prize (Tangram book) to the person who submitted this suggestion:
Quote
1. Mr. X appears to be occupying the existing flat under Public Scheme with a CPF Housing Grant for Family which is $30,000. HDB will consider the case of married child moving out based on the case. See http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10326p.nsf/w/ChgOwnerMarriedChildMoving?OpenDocument
2. If (1) above does not work, appeal to HDB to change the scheme type to Single Singapore Citizen Scheme with CPF Housing Grant of $11,000. See http://www.hdb.gov.sg/fi10/fi10321p.nsf/w/BuyResaleFlatSingleScheme?OpenDocument and be willing to return (30000-11000)=$19,000 back to HDB.
3. If (1) and (2) does not work, the simplest solution is to move to the daughter's new flat. There will be lack of privacy and independence but guarantees to provide a roof for Mr. X without hassle.
Unquote

What can the HDB CEO do to help X? He could consider the appeal and do not take any decision for a long time. X can continue to live in the HDB flat while the appeal is being considered.

Tan Kin Lian

6 comments:

Anonymous said...: Why go to so much trouble, especially if X is not highly educated to study all the possible avenues?
He should go see his MP and get him to work out a solution. After all, we pay PAP top-notch pay to improve our lives.
I am waiting to punish my MPs coming GE. They have not perform to my expectations. I hope opposition come to Tanjong Pagar GRC. I am very unhappy with the CPF minimum sum scheme. Did they consulted with citizens on this legislation?; May 23, 2010 4:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Me too. They will hold our money; amount = CPF minimum sum of $123,000.00 (this is excluding the Medisave account minimum sum of approx. $25k) on July-2010; for 10-years from 55 to 65 years old.

No lump sum pay-out at 65. No pay-out from 55~65 even if you are jobless.
Where is our rights as Singaporeans?; May 23, 2010 4:55 PM
Anonymous said...: Yes, agree that easiest way for HDB CEO to "think out of the box" is to consider the appeal on "case-by-case" basis, and then to KIV it. But this is only in theory.

However in reality, HDB cannot just sit on the appeal indefinitely. There are KPIs to measure how many cases outstanding for 1-mth, 3-mth, 6-mth etc. Any cases outstanding for 6 months will be a black mark for the CEO and the officers/civil servants involved.

Yes, appellant can re-appeal and re-re-appeal many times. But at certain point, HDB will put its foot down.

In any case, HDB whether its CEO or another senior officer, will ultimately seek further "guidance" from minister for national development, because such request is against the rules (maybe even HDB Act) and has no precedent. I doubt if HDB CEO wants to unilaterally approve and set a precedent, and then get called up by the minister of MND 1 year down the road to answer for it. He has too much to lose.; May 23, 2010 5:29 PM
wjsim said...: CPF minimum sum scheme (for CPF Life) is a "socialistic" measure in a very transparent way. The government can provide pension for all retirees but charge all employers 15% payroll tax and increase our income tax by another 20%. Basically I see our CPF scheme as that, except that we can account exactly for every single dollar.

Unless you're suggesting for there to be no CPF, then perhaps we're on the same side :); May 23, 2010 8:45 PM
Anonymous said...: Good Old Thinking Out of The Box Story:

You are driving down the road in your car on a wild, stormy night, when you pass by a bus stop and you see three people waiting for the bus:

1. An old lady who looks as if she is about to die.

2. An old friend who once saved your life.

3. The perfect partner you have been dreaming about.

Which one would you choose to offer a ride to, knowing that there could only be one passenger in your car? Think before you continue reading.

You could pick up the old lady, because she is going to die, and thus you should save her first.

Or you could take the old friend because he once saved your life, and this would be the perfect chance to pay him back. However, you may never be able to find your perfect mate again.

The best answer so far is: 'I would give the car keys to my old friend and let him take the lady to the hospital. I would stay behind and wait for the bus with the partner of my dreams.'

Sometimes, we gain more if we are able to give up our stubborn thought limitations.

Never forget to 'Think Outside of the Box.'; May 23, 2010 9:26 PM
Anonymous said...: The trend in SG is more unemployed retired from workforce singles but it seems the Gov policies does not consider their plight. Even married elders are being abandon by their children. Is this the result of high living costs & over-collection (indirect artificial taxes) by Gov entities?; May 25, 2010 11:36 AM