Franc Zakbar
Australia remains one of the most over-legislated and over -regulated countries in the world. Much of what you see in Australia now has been imported from Singapoire by our taxpayer-funded travelling 'think-tankers'. Yes Singapore has it's fair share of regulations, but they have been necessary to progress Singapore to the position it now enjoys as one of the safest and most enjoyable places to live or visit. Funny, but most of my professional friends recongnised the need for such regulations in such an environment and admired the fact that they were enforced to the letter.
maintaining a car, the major parts of which were the government imposts.
These imposts are necessary to ensure that affluent Singaporeans don't end up with a fleet of cars and only buy and own what they an use and garage. Before these imposts Singapores roads were a over-congested nigtmare and parking on any sidestreet chaotic - bit like Cabramatta. Singaporeans would hang onto their last-years models when buying the latest because, in reality there is a a very small second hand car market. You see they are so affluent that they usually buy new cars.
residence.
To dissuade the ownership of more than one vehicle per residence and yes - just like in Australia and elsewhere in the wortld - to raise revenue. You will find many condos, flats and corporate body residences in Australia carry a similar fee.
enbreastlement, a kind of free market quota system),
Same as above
taxes,
Who needs a large car in Singapore when you have such a fantastic public transport system (MRT, buses, ferries and taxis) and you usually only travel short distances by car ?
Comming to a CBD near you very soon - watch this space.
tanks checked to ensure that they were not taking advantage of cheaper, lower taxed, Malaysian petrol.
Petroleum products are dutiable everywhere in the world and this is the most effective way of policing it - no different to customs checking your bags on arrival in Australia for4 dutiable goods. Malaysia pertol is priced according to Malaysia's economy, per capita income, distances travelled and the value of it's currency - Singapore's is priced according to the conditions that prevail in Singapore and as you can see the two are like chalk and cheese.
Horses for courses Franc, and Singapore is just leading the race by a country mile. One thing you must remember is the size of Singapoire - in the 70s it was 26 x 34 miles - but it grows yearly due to their land reclaimation programs.
