SINGAPORE: An online user has claimed to have been charged S$1.50 for a mere slice of fruit. The incident, shared on social media, brought about conversation about the state of prices in Singapore and the GST hike. Online user Nicholas Wee took to the online group Complaint Singapore on Tuesday (Oct 24) to share his shock over how much he claimed to have been charged for a slice of papaya. “Yishun, Chong Pang,” he wrote. “1 slice of thin papaya $1.50.”
Included in the post was a photo of a small slice of the bright orange tropical fruit wrapped in a plastic bag. Not only did Mr Wee point out the excessive price for the portion of fruit, but he also referenced the upcoming GST hike, set to happen in 2024. “Next year, $2.00,” he wrote.
In response to the post, a handful of Singaporeans shared the online user’s sentiments on the next GST hike, when prices are bound to go up. “After next GST hike, higher than $2.00,” said one.
Another wrote, “Soon, (it’ll be) 1 tray of eggs (for) $10, kopi O (for) $2.00, Chicken rice (for) $6, Wan Tan mee (for) $8…add on.”
He also shared his sentiments on the matter, saying, “I find it difficult not to feel a strong sense of imbalance and injustice here.” In fact, he began his speech by sharing that the top issue residents share with the WP during house visits is the higher cost of living.