Jamus Lim's inconsistent position on protecting the environment

Back in Oct 2020, Jamus Lim suggested in Parliament an environmental tax on SIA because the environment must 'not be a casualty to business considerations'.

At that time SIA (and indeed many businesses) was on life support.

Fast forward one year later, conditions have improved. Businesses are no longer on life support.

BUT business considerations now take precedence over the needs of the environment, as Jamus calls for a flexible carbon tax that depends on economic conditions.

Leaders need to be consistent and make sense

WP and Jamus Lim's mixed messages on carbon tax and protecting the environment

Cover all ground. Please everyone. Chase every vote.

WP's mixed messages is meant to win everyone, never mind if these messages become incoherent when put together.

There is one message to please all who are concerned with climate change and another to please those for whom the present is more important than the future.

What is more disturbing is that the economist in WP, Jamus Lim, demonstrated that he didn't quite fully understand when he equated his suggestion of a flexible carbon tax to an uncertain interest rate.

“'I'm befuddled because even now, the Government routinely alters levers or policies, such as the interest rate when there is uncertainty on a year-to-year basis about the level of interest rate. Yet, businesses continue to invest,” he said.

This is not about the COST of doing business as interest rates go up or down. This is about the TRANSFORMATION of a business.

The carbon tax trajectory is critical in enabling the pace of transformation to a low-carbon future.

It provides certainty and impetus for businesses to plan their transition, to invest in low-carbon technologies and carbon markets.

It ensures that NEW investments and economic activities are aligned with a low-carbon future.

I'm very proud that a small country like Singapore that imports our energy needs is making effort to achieve zero emission. Kudos to the PAP Government for staying the course despite the difficult time we are in.

Jamus Lim's inconsistency. Does he want to protect the environment?

He used a different textbook this time?

Back when flights grounded to a stop, he suggested an environmental tax on SIA. Climate change was an existential issue and we must think of future generations, so he said.

After 2 years in WP, now he wants carbon pricing adjusted up and down according to economic conditions. No more existential issue. No more 'not just when it suits us'. No more thinking of future generations.

LOL

What if recession hit next year? What if another crisis follows?

Nobody likes taxes but let's have a 'tax and rebate' carbon tax

When it comes to their own proposal, WP thinks "tax and rebate" is a good thing for a laudable purpose.

AND YET, they oppose the GST hike even through it is also "tax and rebate" and even though it is for the laudable purposes of funding healthcare for an aged population and preschool for the low income.

A $6 billion package will be introduced when the GST rate is raised to cushion the increase. Most Singaporean households will get offsets to cover at least five years' worth of extra GST expenses incurred.

Those living in one- to three-room HDB flats will receive offsets amounting to about 10 years' worth of additional GST expenses.

Every adult Singaporean will get a cash payout of between $700 and $1,600 over five years, depending on their household income and dwelling type.

No good reason to oppose when the government wants to ensure that Singapore remains fundamentally financially sound for future generations and not just today.