At immigration it pays always to be polite, courteous and respectful even when you feel irate and in a bad mood. I think the people who work at immigration remember the good and bad customers.
Go to Singapore. Folk who want to skimp on tax and probably looking for loop holes to pay staff the minimum as they can. Pay what you supposed to and not be greedy.
I had a friend leave last year and he was at the airport when I told him it's just been announced its been extended. If there was more notice people could plan better.
weeks left on your current visa. Some immigration offices tell you to come back a few days nearer the expiry date. This isn't the first time the covid extension has been extended at the last hour.