In the S$33 billion “Fortitude” Budget announced by ruling party leader Heng Swee Keat yesterday, Singaporeans will only receive S$100 per household. With an average household size of 3.16, this means Singaporeans each received S$31.
The misery assistance triggered anger from Singaporeans who saw the circuit breaker extended twice since May 7.
Singaporeans last received a $600 cash handout in April, which is also the lowest COVID-19 financial assistance for the people when compared with Japan (S$1,319 one-off), Australia (S$1,100 per fortnight), South Korea (S$1,148 one-off), United States (S$1,701 one-off) and Hong Kong(S$1,769 one-off).
The S$100 handout will go into paying utility bills, said Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat.
The S$33 billion bill will go into businesses where most are government-linked companies and foreign MNCs.
There is no announcement when the second circuit breaker extension – renamed as Phase 1 – will end, although National Development Minister Lawrence Wong gave an estimate at “end-June”.