Certificate of Entitlement (COE)

Recent events have shown that many Singaporeans already own a COE aka Certificate of Entitlement without even knowing it!  Don’t believe? Read on…

1)    Entitled to my opinions

“I am entitled to my opinion. I can go on social media and say whatever I so please.“

HSB says –  Congratulations on owning your COE. Sure, you are entitled to your views but please be respectful, use social media responsibly and always spare a thought for other people’s feelings. If you want to exhibit your creativity on YouTube, do it like Theo Chen.

What’s OK	What’s NOT
Theo Chen  SJI boy who took to YouTube to stand up against bullies and appealed against homophobes.	Amos Yee Posted profanity laced YouTube clip making remarks about the death of LKY and insulting Christianity.

2)    Entitled to a common space

Same, same but different – Both are DBSS and both have 2 RC centres within the estate. But, while the RC folks at Pinnacle@Duxton are focused on their vertical challenge (i.e vertical marathon), the RC at The Peak is facing a different kind of challenge…..Residents do not want a RC centre under their block.

HSB says – Whilst you are entitled to do whatever you like with your own flat, the fact remains that the void deck is a public area. You may not want the RC but others may want it. Who knows, someday you may find it useful (i.e. a place for your elderly parents to go to or your child to study during exams)?

  

Pinnacle@Duxton

The Peak

3) Entitled to entry

It does not matter whether the sticker on the storefront says that no animals or food allowed. I am entitled to enter, even if it means that customers of other races or religion may feel uncomfortable, or if I may cause inconvenience to the store (i.e. leave dog fur, food stains behind).

HSB says –If you visit your friend’s house and he tells you no pets allowed, respect it. If you disagree, you can either choose to leave your pet at home or leave both the pet and yourself at home. If a store stops you from entering because you are enjoying your ice-cream, don’t feel aggrieved, take your business somewhere else.  It’s their loss, not yours.  

4) Entitled to convenience

Why is it so troublesome to apply for the government’s transport vouchers? Why only $30? Why don’t you deliver it to my doorstep?  Don’t inconvenience me by asking me to go to the CC to apply.

HSB says - We read in the article (link to ST) that the beneficiaries are grateful for these vouchers and they are happy with the simplified application process. $30 is a subsidy not meant to cover 100% of their transport cost. Got $30, better than no $30 right? Actually, the beneficiaries are not even complaining. Why are we complaining? Or are we complaining because if we don’t get the $30 and we don’t want others to have it too?

Gratitude begins when the sense of entitlement ends. The world does not owe us a living. 

“When we replace a sense of service and gratitude with a sense of entitlement and expectation, we quickly see the demise of our relationships, society and economy” 

Steve Maraboli