COE change not family-friendly (forum letter)

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http://www.straitstimes.com/premium/forum-letters/story/coe-change-not-family-friendly-20130923

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The recent change to the certificate of entitlement (COE) system appears to contradict the Government's policy for Singaporeans to have more children.

From next year, cars with engine power output exceeding 130 brake horsepower will be classified under Category B. Over 90 per cent of multi-purpose vehicles (MPV) are in this category.

My wife and I have three children and employ a maid. We are a dual-income household living in a modest HDB flat. An MPV is a means of safely transporting my family unit.

But to replace our ageing Japanese MPV, we will have to compete for a COE in an overcrowded category alongside buyers of premium luxury sedans.

An MPV for a large family can hardly be compared with a premium luxury sedan.

I am disappointed that the Government seems to have failed to consider families like mine. This is a missed opportunity for it to show and reinforce the right fundamentals.

Ong Ban Guan