REACH (Telegram) 156 -  What are your thoughts on the Government's approach to supporting families? Do you think these measures will be sufficient in encouraging Singaporeans to have more children?

(SK)

17 Aug 2026 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

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[17/8/2026 10:03 am] REACH Singapore: 📢Topic📢

Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and Parenthood Reset Workgroup will advance its interim recommendations early to address falling birth rates ahead of its 2027 report. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong will share the first wave of family support measures at the upcoming National Day Rally.

💬 What are your thoughts on the Government's approach to supporting families? Do you think these measures will be sufficient in encouraging Singaporeans to have more children?

Minister Indranee Rajah emphasised that: 

(1) interim measures are brought forward to avoid losing time on falling fertility rates; 

(2) the National Day Rally will reveal a first wave of support measures for child-raising costs and childcare to holistically support families across all life stages; 

(3) tackling workplace culture and flexible work norms requires balancing employer and employee needs, which will take more time to address effectively; and 

(4) reversing fertility decline requires a whole-of-nation effort where everyday support from employers, managers, and the community plays a vital role.

👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/marriage-parenthood-families-children-work-caregiving-6321231

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/marriage-parenthood-workgroup-identifies-workplace-norms-as-key-challenge-areas-for-earlier-action

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[17/8/2026 10:52 am] LCL (Danny 心): 

 I think most important, we need to start from the beginning of the food chain.

1. There is a need to get young the opportunities to mix with the opposite gender with similar interests and personality - with the view to get married, start a family and have children.

2. Realise that matching opportunities are leave very much to the private sector.

3. Wonder whether more involvement by the government to organise more of such interest groups or matching opportunities?

4. If government feel that collaboration with the private sectors will be more effective, then hybrid collaboration between government and private sector should be effected.

5. This will send the right signal to the public the seriousness and importance place on the TFR.

I believe the public will respond positively.

[17/8/2026 11:00 am] G in reply to REACH Singapore:

> 📢Topic📢  Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and...

So actually.. what is the feedback desired when there's no details about the interim measures?

[17/8/2026 11:01 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 1. The Government has accurately identified the key challenges (e.g., child-raising costs, workplace culture) faced by families today. ]

- Strongly agree

- Agree

- Neutral

- Disagree

- Strongly disagree

[17/8/2026 11:01 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 2. I am confident that the Government's approach will effectively address these challenges. ]

- Strongly agree

- Agree

- Neutral

- Disagree

- Strongly disagree

[17/8/2026 11:01 am] Daniel: I think the childcare aspect is very important. For context I have two young kids and the reason we decided to not have a third one is that it's simply too stressful without relying on a live-in helper or having super supportive and retired grandparents. 

And while a lot has been done to address the first few years (extended maternity leave, paternity leave, financial support etc) it's the long stretch that makes people like us be hesitant to have more kids. For one childcare leave doesn't stack (1 or 4 kids, still only 6 days), but if kids are at different levels, school closure days will be different. Also 6 closure days a year,  not counting special events etc for two kids then both parents no more leave already for sickness or doctors visits. Then also from P1 onwards only 2 days, but the kids still too young to go to the doctor by themselves and the schools require some involvement as well (events, HBL, PTC).

So I think if as a society we want more kids then this is something that should be addressed properly.

[17/8/2026 11:03 am] Jun Ming: The main reason is Singapore too crowded

[17/8/2026 11:04 am] Jun Ming: We wouldn't need to clear maju forest to accommodate more housing and people

[17/8/2026 11:04 am] Jun Ming: We need to reduce our population

[17/8/2026 11:05 am] Jun Ming: I have difficulty to have a smooth ride with my bicycle

[17/8/2026 11:06 am] Jun Ming: As there's a wall of people in front

[17/8/2026 11:06 am] LCL (Danny 心): 

Ride on the bicycle path.

[17/8/2026 11:06 am] Jun Ming: Also a wall of people in front

[17/8/2026 11:07 am] LCL (Danny 心): 

Human should not walk on the cycling path.

[17/8/2026 11:07 am] Daniel: Yeah, can confirm the issue. Always got people on bicycle path.

[17/8/2026 11:08 am] LCL (Danny 心): 

Can horn them, and say please walk on the pedestrian path.

Tell them nicely.

[17/8/2026 11:09 am] Daniel: Doesn't work, there will always be more.

[17/8/2026 11:09 am] Jun Ming: And not every path have bicycle path also

[17/8/2026 11:10 am] Jun Ming: Hence due to scarce land we should reduce our population

[17/8/2026 11:11 am] G in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Can horn them, and say please walk on the pedestrian path....

🙄

[17/8/2026 11:11 am] Jun Ming: If not why shall we removed forest and reduce the space of so many wildlife home

[17/8/2026 11:13 am] Jun Ming: More kids means more housing demand and means more forest being removed

[17/8/2026 11:13 am] LCL (Danny 心): 

I know but should try.

Because people must try to respect law.

If not doing things right, we should educate people but in a respectful way.

[17/8/2026 11:14 am] Hanny: I don’t believe falling birth rates is a money issue. The more money a couple has, the less kids. Mind set needs to change. I have no solution. 

Take a look at Israel birth rates.  There is something in the society mindset that makes the birth rate above replacement rate. Other advanced nations falls below replacement rate.

[17/8/2026 11:14 am] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨Hence due to scarce land we should reduce our population⁩

Singapore will need more own Singaporeans to run our Country.

We need our own people to helm all our critical positions and domains.

[17/8/2026 11:15 am] Jun Ming: Anyway did they interview Lawrence Wong why he didn't have any kids

[17/8/2026 11:15 am] Jun Ming: Since he have the money

[17/8/2026 11:17 am] LCL (Danny 心): 

Money is not everything.

There are many factors that determine whether to get married or have children. Sometimes it could be biological constraints.

We should not latch onto anyone.

But should look at the bigger picture why we need to have TFR for our country.

This is 知大义，而不顾小节。

See the big picture, and not hype on trivial matter.

[17/8/2026 11:18 am] Jun Ming: I was thinking to give recommend kids according to salary

[17/8/2026 11:18 am] Jun Ming: The top income earners should bear more responsibility

[17/8/2026 11:19 am] Jun Ming: Not the opposite

[17/8/2026 11:20 am] Jun Ming: So eg. Those top earner should have 5-6 kids

[17/8/2026 11:22 am] G in reply to REACH Singapore:

> 📢Topic📢  Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and...

3 things that can and should be done:

1. PAP needs to stop fearmongering about the future to secure votes, especially during election season. When people believe the fear and become fearful about the future, how is that encouraging more baby making?

2. Do widespread reduction of cost of living. Do the difficult thing. Reduce govt spending and hence the need for more and more tax money, so that can reduce tax

3. Stop rent seeking culture to reduce cost of living. Most SREITS are significantly owned by govt/govt linked companies

[17/8/2026 11:22 am] Jun Ming: Extended the minimum years of pr to 10 years

[17/8/2026 11:23 am] Jun Ming: Make having Singaporean kids as mandatory requirements to be Singaporean

[17/8/2026 11:28 am] Jun Ming: But if it is me is time and space and social

[17/8/2026 11:28 am] Jun Ming in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨But if it is me is time and space and social⁩

These 3 factor need to fulfill

[17/8/2026 11:31 am] Jun Ming: Money is a secondary factor. Giving birth shall be free to encourage more birth

[17/8/2026 11:35 am] G in reply to REACH Singapore:

> 📢Topic📢  Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and...

Another way is to financially help people to start and grow families by penalising those who choose not to.

Nowadays a lot of pawrents. This shows people have lots of disposable income.

Heavily tax pets, and pet products and services to fund human family growth. 

Use the extra tax collected to make it free to give birth in hospital and free childcare

[17/8/2026 11:50 am] G in reply to REACH Singapore:

> 📢Topic📢  Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and...

1. Lower the price of baby products.

It doesn't make sense that the exact same milk powder / diapers etc cost 1/2 what it cost in SG

Some shameless profiteering happening in SG

[17/8/2026 11:56 am] LCL (Danny 心): 

Another important thing that youth must feel confident their career - despite disruptions from eg. AI, business transformation or other factors or tech disruptors - must be confident that government is always at their back to support them to get reemployed until they reach retirement.

This is to ensure they have 无后顾之忧。

That is at no point throughout their lives - they are unable to put food on the table for their family members including their children.

Only them youth will will confident to marry and have children.

[17/8/2026 11:58 am] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Another important thing that youth must feel confident their...

NTUC’s first job security chief has two worries: fresh graduates and older PMEs | The Straits Times.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ntucs-first-job-security-chief-has-two-worries-fresh-graduates-and-older-pmes

Being discouraged at a young age does not bode well for one’s future, said Lim.

“You need to go in with a certain optimism that it will be okay. And even if my first job is not my ideal job, along the way, Singapore has enough opportunities for me to transit and move on,” she said.

It is very important for the youth to see their future in Singapore and to believe they will be able to afford homes and raise families, rather than to fear job loss and hence decide not to do so, said Lim.

Moving forward, Singaporeans may have to rethink what job security means, said Lim.

It is increasingly not about staying in one job forever, she said. “It is about being able to find the right job for you at the right time.”

[17/8/2026 12:00 pm] G in reply to G:

> ‎⁨1. Lower the price of baby products....

"A common myth that Singaporeans may believe is that milk powder from Malaysia may be “inferior” than those bought in Singapore because they come from different manufacturer. This is mostly untrue.

What many people do not realise is that premium milk brands in Malaysia such as Similac actually imports its supply from countries like Ireland, Spain and yes, even Singapore (https://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/04/138401/no-fake-similac-infant-formula-malaysia-says-health-ministry)."

"So the irony is that when you travel to Malaysia to buy cheaper milk powder, you might actually be buying a product that was originally produced in Singapore."

https://dollarsandsense.sg/milk-powder-cheaper-malaysia-heres-why/

[17/8/2026 12:01 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨NTUC’s first job security chief has two worries:...

NTUC Unions assurance in this news is a confident booster.

But on the ground, people must genuinely benefits from this assurance.

Only then it will give assurance to people to start a family without fear and anxiety - as government is always at their back to provide assistance when chips are down.

[17/8/2026 12:03 pm] G in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Another important thing that youth must feel confident their...

So money is still important right?

The way you say earlier "money is not everything" and "see the big picture, and not hype on trivial matter"

How does your earlier comment fit in with your this comment

[17/8/2026 12:05 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to G:

> ‎⁨So money is still important right?...

This is in reference to PM Lawrence Wong context.

[17/8/2026 12:10 pm] G in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨This is in reference to PM Lawrence Wong context.⁩

Catch no ball. What is PM context? PM got no kids because he not enough money?

[17/8/2026 12:10 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Never mind if catch no ball.

[17/8/2026 12:11 pm] G in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Never mind if catch no ball.⁩

Your earlier comment imply money not important leh 

Then subsequent comment say important to put food on the table, which implies money is important 

So which is which?

[17/8/2026 12:12 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

As long as people understand is ok.

No need to elaborate.

[17/8/2026 12:20 pm] Jun Ming in reply to G:

> ‎⁨Your earlier comment imply money not important leh   Then...

When money cross a certain threshold it's not important. So I ask why pm don't have kids since he's so rich

[17/8/2026 12:20 pm] Jun Ming: He probably can afford to have 10 kids

[17/8/2026 12:22 pm] Jun Ming: If money is the most important factor pm should have kids

[17/8/2026 12:23 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨When money cross a certain threshold it's not important....

Yes.

You mention why PM Lawrence Wong so high income earner should have kids.

I say money is not the only factor in PM case.

There could be other constraints eg. Biological constraints.

We should not use one person as example - because a person personal circumstances are different in everyone.

It is a trivial matter.

We should look at a bigger picture.

So good that you understand my message.

[17/8/2026 12:26 pm] Jun Ming: But I think as a general trend high income earners have less kids

[17/8/2026 12:28 pm] Jun Ming: https://scholarbank.nus.edu.sg/entities/publication/5d003d0e-9fc1-47d9-bd69-47474d6b55e5

[17/8/2026 12:29 pm] Jun Ming: https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2026/07/2025-household-survey/index.html

[17/8/2026 12:45 pm] G in reply to Daniel:

> ‎⁨I think the childcare aspect is very important....

Pre 2000, number of childcare leave wasn't so much of an issue because there were still many single income households. Father's salary can cover living expenses plus some more.

Mother can be stay home mum to cover child care issues even when children are in school.

So back then didn't really need so many child care leave.

But nowadays, cost of living so high, almost no households can afford to be single income anymore. Father and mother both need to work, and sometimes work multiple jobs, just to make ends meet.

[17/8/2026 1:12 pm] Ethan: Apart from just work and child bearing costs which are 2 BIG factors. 

I guess it’s just the mindset of people now. 

They prefer more freedom and flexibility, wanna travel more, don’t wanna have financial commitment for the next twenty yrs etc etc

[17/8/2026 1:13 pm] Ethan: And some even fear that with AI coming, so many wars ongoing, why bring your kid to such a world

[17/8/2026 1:16 pm] Ethan: While I really appreciate what the gov does, I’m just wondering if it’s even enough to change ppl’s mindset. 

Or alternatively the baby bonus should be too attractive that people just go for it and leave all their other “concerns” behind. 

E.g. 7yrs tax free for 1 child, 10yrs tax free for 2nd child, etc. or 100k net SGD bonus, etc etc. 

Something that’s dramatic, something that will just bring people across the line.

[17/8/2026 1:20 pm] Ethan: Should have some of the female ministers (who have kids) to document their journey of raising their kids on social media in a positive manner.(I know there’s the issue of privacy, have to find a solution for that) 

But there’s just so much content out there for people to YOLO, sharing about the burden of kids, the liabilities that comes with it. And we all know female consumption of social media is generally higher than male, inevitably those messages will get to them. 

Thus should have more pro child influencers out there spreading the messages.

[17/8/2026 1:20 pm] Ethan: There’s just so much more need to be done to address fertility issue that the gov have not touched upon

[17/8/2026 1:23 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Ethan:

> ‎⁨Apart from just work and child bearing costs which are 2 BIG...

I think this is the main reason

[17/8/2026 1:23 pm] Ethan in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨I think this is the main reason⁩

Atleast for cost and work it’s Not really a concern to some.

[17/8/2026 1:23 pm] Ethan: Spoke to females colleagues at work, All well paid

[17/8/2026 1:23 pm] Ethan: Married with no kids

[17/8/2026 1:23 pm] Ethan: Those are not their concerns

[17/8/2026 1:24 pm] Jun Ming: At least for me I see marriage as a lock when i see my parents and sister quarrel.

[17/8/2026 1:25 pm] Jun Ming: I am like why should I get myself into so much trouble where I can chill somewhere else

[17/8/2026 1:26 pm] Ethan: I guess every couple have their own concerns

[17/8/2026 1:26 pm] Jun Ming: marriage for some is a contract after the love fade

[17/8/2026 1:26 pm] Ethan: One solution can’t cure all

[17/8/2026 1:27 pm] Ethan: Thus was proposing something drastic, like a crazy amount of baby bonus, or a crazy amount of tax relief as mentioned above that people will just go for that and forget about other concerns

[17/8/2026 1:28 pm] Jun Ming: Other factors such as time and money is a support. I mean relief those who already want to have kids, realistically

[17/8/2026 1:30 pm] Jun Ming: But still the big environment have a big influence. I might want to have kids if the future look optimistic.

[17/8/2026 1:31 pm] Ethan: I’m also not too sure if advocating for those already have kids to have more or to have those without kids to have 1or2. 

It’ll lead to a situation in the future that all your kids are working to support those married old couples with no kids. Not sure if you want your kids to be in that situation as well.

[17/8/2026 1:32 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Ethan:

> ‎⁨I’m also not too sure if advocating for those already have...

Those who planned to have kids those support will help to speed up the progress

[17/8/2026 1:33 pm] Jun Ming: So I think the gov role right now is just acting as a catalyst, rather than creating new opportunity

[17/8/2026 1:34 pm] Ethan: Gov have been trying to be the catalyst for the past decade or so

[17/8/2026 1:34 pm] Ethan: We all know where that’s going

[17/8/2026 1:34 pm] Jun Ming: As for creating new opportunity make more single mingle and social, not many effort is being taken

[17/8/2026 1:35 pm] Jun Ming: Gov solution for now is to encourage couples to have more babies. At least based on the trend.

[17/8/2026 1:38 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨As for creating new opportunity make more single mingle and...

Creating more time to mingle is essential

[17/8/2026 1:45 pm] Ethan: Also childcare leave is a big issue. 

Realistically 6 days isn’t anywhere near enough. 

You get hand foot mouth one time, it’s already 5 days gone. Not counting other illness, vaccine jabs, etc. those without parents or in laws to help look after 6 days of childcare leave just doesn’t work for them.

[17/8/2026 1:46 pm] Daniel: And it's 6 days whether got 1 child or 4.

[17/8/2026 1:47 pm] Ethan: I heard 2 children increase to 9 days?

[17/8/2026 1:47 pm] Ethan: Or no longer the case

[17/8/2026 1:47 pm] Daniel: No, some employers will give. But not generally done

[17/8/2026 1:48 pm] Daniel: I only get 6 and I have 2

[17/8/2026 1:48 pm] Ethan: But to. Be honest I’m extremely lucky to have my in laws helping. If not easily 15days gone

[17/8/2026 1:48 pm] Ethan: You have influenza A which is going crazy now, and then you have HFMD

[17/8/2026 1:48 pm] Ethan: And so many little illness here and there

[17/8/2026 1:51 pm] Andy: As people become more successful, your time is worth more money, having a child means having more to lose. 

Housing and finance: A simple additional room in the home can cost upfront 100k to 200k. I don't think the priority schemes are significant enough in securing a flat for Singaporeans who want to have more children. We should introduce more housing subsidies and entitlement for parents having 2+ children.

Education: students are graduating later compared to the previous generations. Degrees, masters are becoming more common to compete in the tough job market. This means people are settling down, stabilizing their careers at a later age. IMO we MUST reduce the number of years of education and prioritize syllabus. Call it bold, but pri sch 4 years, sec sch 3 years, uni 3 years. Maybe even shorten NS to 1 year. Our young adults will get an earlier headstart from graduation.

Culture: Funny point but I think we need to psycho a 'family-centric culture' put up more posters of families, activities, a strong support system. People need to think that having a family is a checkbox in life.

Workplace culture, baby bonuses are important too yes, but they only work on 'people who want to have kids but face external challenges'. They do not work on people who don't even want kids in the first place. Many youngsters have this mentality of 'why bring a child into this world to suffer'

[17/8/2026 1:57 pm] Andy: It's one of the most important yet trickiest problems in the developed world. The gov must be bold and decisive in their action and engage even more youngsters. I feel, clearly Indranee and whoever else in there is too out of touch... I worry about what SG will look like in 10 to 20 years... foreigner situation already very bad now compared to the 1990s, it can only get worse

[17/8/2026 2:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢Topic📢

[17/8/2026 2:05 pm] Andy: Bad. None of these actually address youngsters who do not want to have kids. They alleviate the challenges of existing or soon-to-be parents. 4 lagi worse, taichi away to everyone else, we have to everyday support other ppl's families now? 😂 may as well don't say.

[17/8/2026 2:11 pm] 여자친구, 첫사랑 🏆 in reply to REACH Singapore:

> 📢Topic📢  Minister Indranee Rajah announced that the Marriage and...

Given what has been coming out the work group, I'm quite skeptical if they can legit see the numerous root causes of the issue. Child raising costs and workplace culture is 1 thing, but there are also many other issues. National culture, housing, education system, nature of competition in the country and how it plays out in reality. The birth rate issue isn't just because of 1 or a few causes, it's a multitude of causes in which requires great political will to change. Will the government see to that? I don't have much hope in that.

[17/8/2026 2:11 pm] 여자친구, 첫사랑 🏆: It may have a supermajority but the will for reform seems weak.

[17/8/2026 2:21 pm] Ethan: Also don’t think it should entirely be up to the gov to do. 

Cultural mindset etc. have more pro life pro child content out there.

[17/8/2026 2:22 pm] Ethan: Influencers these days just flaunt themselves living the high life

[17/8/2026 2:22 pm] Ethan: Instead can be more pro life content

[17/8/2026 2:28 pm] Andy: I think there are some influencers with family content. but it seems to me interest in such content is quite low

[17/8/2026 3:20 pm] G in reply to Ethan:

> ‎⁨Also childcare leave is a big issue....

6 days per year only if the child is below 7. Once pri school age child care leave will decrease to 2

[17/8/2026 3:22 pm] G in reply to G:

> ‎⁨6 days per year only if the child is below 7....

2 days child care leave in pri school is only enough for 2 x mee the parents session

Your kid cannot fall sick, and the school better don't organise something that requires parents participation

[17/8/2026 3:26 pm] G in reply to Andy:

> ‎⁨Bad. None of these actually address youngsters who do not want...

So need to heavy hand: heavily incentivise parenthood, heavily disincentivise choosing not to be parents

Tax the singles jialat jialat

Tax pawrents jialat jialat (especially this group because being pawrents mean got significant amount of disposable money)

Use the tax money collected to heavily incentivise choosing to be parents like

More govt paid childcare leave

Free hospital stay for child birth etc

[17/8/2026 3:27 pm] G: Go back to old school nation building mode. This time literally building the nation with people

[17/8/2026 3:31 pm] Andy: You may be right, I thought of that too but will it trigger adverse effect? People want to have kids to evade the stick/taxes, save some money. And they don't actually want to build a family and care for their children. 

Yes it'll increase birth rates, but also number of broken families. Not a good path to go down despite being in same direction.

[17/8/2026 3:33 pm] Andy: Perhaps disallowing, or building higher barriers for pawrents to get 4 room and above housing will be more effective. Yeah increase pet food prices etc like you mentioned too.

[17/8/2026 3:34 pm] Jun Ming: Maybe incentive must start from marriage. Eg. Giving hamper to boost fertility, and give incentive to get married first

[17/8/2026 3:34 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Andy:

> ‎⁨Perhaps disallowing, or building higher barriers for pawrents...

Neh not a good path. People will be more depressed

[17/8/2026 3:34 pm] G in reply to Andy:

> ‎⁨You may be right, I thought of that too but will it trigger...

It's a start. Next to address cost of living

Pre-2000, number of childcare leave wasn't so much of an issue in terms of child caring because there were still many single income households. Father's salary can cover living expenses plus some more.

Mother can be stay home mum to cover child care issues even when children are in school (meet the teachers, children sick, excursion etc)

So back then didn't really need so many child care leave.

But nowadays, cost of living so high, almost no households can afford to be single income anymore. Father and mother both need to work, and sometimes work multiple jobs, just to make ends meet.

[17/8/2026 3:35 pm] Jun Ming: And having pets are not that expensive actually

[17/8/2026 3:35 pm] Andy in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨Neh not a good path. People will be more depressed⁩

Carrot works better than stick here for sure haha

[17/8/2026 3:35 pm] G in reply to Andy:

> ‎⁨Carrot works better than stick here for sure haha⁩

Carrot and stick works better than carrot or stick

[17/8/2026 3:36 pm] Andy: But really if people don't have children do they NEED a larger home, not as much

[17/8/2026 3:36 pm] Jun Ming: Just like when you increase coe people don't buy car but doesn't mean they will take public transport

[17/8/2026 3:36 pm] Jun Ming: They can just rot at home

[17/8/2026 3:37 pm] Jun Ming: Or having robot pets

[17/8/2026 3:38 pm] G in reply to Andy:

> ‎⁨Perhaps disallowing, or building higher barriers for pawrents...

Anyone can apply for whatever size housing they want. But after x number of years, if the household size has not increased (by choice) then those staying in larger BTOs (4 room and above) need to start paying extra

[17/8/2026 3:38 pm] G in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨And having pets are not that expensive actually⁩

Tamagochi quite cheap. Replacement batteries also cheap

---

[17/8/2026 3:38 pm] G in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨And having pets are not that expensive actually⁩

Tamagochi quite cheap. Replacement batteries also cheap

[17/8/2026 3:40 pm] Jun Ming: And dating apps are full of scammers ngl

[17/8/2026 3:40 pm] Jun Ming: I tried bumble end up kena scam

[17/8/2026 3:40 pm] Andy: 😂

[17/8/2026 3:40 pm] Jun Ming: Don't trust love liao

[17/8/2026 3:41 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨And dating apps are full of scammers ngl⁩

That's why government need to be involved in the date matching to let the youth gain confidence.

[17/8/2026 3:42 pm] Jun Ming: The scammer is a Singaporean...🫥

[17/8/2026 3:42 pm] Andy in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨That's why government need to be involved in the date matching...

There was this thing called Firstdate  by Govtech

[17/8/2026 3:42 pm] G in reply to Andy:

> ‎⁨Perhaps disallowing, or building higher barriers for pawrents...

"In Singapore, pet owners can buy sailboat cruises and aromatherapy sessions for their companions, the Daily Telegraph reports (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/expat/expatlife/9955493/The-exceedingly-pampered-pooches-of-Singapore.html). Hong Kong has a luxury dog hotel (http://www.dogotel.com/our-services.html) for animals whose owners—sorry, “parents”— cannot bear the thought of leaving them in a mere kennel. Allegedly designed in consultation with an animal psychologist, it has a beauty spa and a shop selling products with names such as “Ultrasonic Hydro Bath”. (Here is a photo gallery (https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.523619764328663.126608.114768521880458&type=1) of its primped and coiffed guests.)"

😂

👆This type of pet services can tax jialat jialat

https://qz.com/68680/dog-pampering-obsessions-in-singapore-and-hong-kong-foreshadow-a-demographic-time-bomb

[17/8/2026 3:42 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Andy:

> ‎⁨There was this thing called Firstdate  by Govtech⁩

Oh is it?

Only reserve for govtech staff?

[17/8/2026 3:42 pm] Jun Ming: For people age below 35

[17/8/2026 3:43 pm] Andy in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Oh is it?  Only reserve for govtech staff?⁩

Dating app with Singpass verification. You can use your AI to check 😂

[17/8/2026 3:43 pm] G in reply to Andy:

> ‎⁨There was this thing called Firstdate  by Govtech⁩

Bring back SDU 😂

[17/8/2026 3:43 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨For people age below 35⁩

Open for all?

But not advertise to everyone.

[17/8/2026 3:43 pm] Jun Ming: But now I am actually very busy not ready for love so didn't try out anything

[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] Andy in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Open for all?  But not advertise to everyone.⁩

you far from the target age range la i think... 😂😂😂

[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] G: Matchmaking step 1 nia. Need to target those already married but choose not to have kids

[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] Jun Ming: https://www.straitstimes.com/life/govtech-seeking-feedback-on-a-dating-service-with-free-meals-and-singpass-verification

[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Andy:

> ‎⁨you far from the target age range la i think... 😂😂😂⁩

Not for me.

For the youth.

[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] Jun Ming: Still in planning stage I guess

[17/8/2026 3:44 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨https://www.straitstimes.com/life/govtech-seeking-feedback-on-...

I see thank you.

[17/8/2026 3:45 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨Still in planning stage I guess⁩

I see.

[17/8/2026 3:46 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨https://www.straitstimes.com/life/govtech-seeking-feedback-on-...

Yes.

Such government organized matchmaking should inspire confidence for the youth to seek their life partner.

[17/8/2026 3:49 pm] Jun Ming: Actually coffee meets bagel actually not bad service

[17/8/2026 3:50 pm] Jun Ming: But right society have one expectations that man makes the first move

[17/8/2026 3:51 pm] Jun Ming: While a lot of single are introvert

[17/8/2026 3:52 pm] Jun Ming: When introvert means naturally they don't have a lot of photos of themselves and they don't express themselves good

[17/8/2026 3:52 pm] Jun Ming: So disadvantage while trying to find a mate

[17/8/2026 3:54 pm] Jun Ming: And usually these groups of people are good boy and good girls type. Not the top and not the bottom.

[17/8/2026 3:55 pm] Jun Ming: They don't go club and social. Hence no gf/bf

[17/8/2026 4:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢Topic📢

[17/8/2026 5:37 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

My close friend comments:-

I feel that we are just trying to incentivise or can only incentivise those who want kids. 

Fundamentally, I think more and more young adults do not want kids. 

They are prioritising other things above child bearing, child raising, parenthood. 

This requires more educational and mindset shifts rather than a MOF budget job 😉

Definition of quality of life is quality homes, cars, holidays, helpers, assets. Having children negate these life goals.

In my extended family, my uncles' and aunts have many children. Small families have 5-7 children and big families above 10. 

Certainly not to the liking of gov at that time. But most of us were poor or very poor then. 

Mindset and priorities  were different. 

Children were heavenly blessings, how can we deny the heaven?  

Gov campaign of stop at 2 gave people a fresh dimension that 2 is more (they get better attention, quality of life) can we not re campaign to re educate people? 

Budget schemes, leave schemes are nice but they only apply to the minority who wants kids or those who are sitting on the fence.

[17/8/2026 6:45 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

[17/8/2026 7:01 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

====

因果的解说

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSVLPtHfH/

Explanation of cause and effect.

@Babe:All Universal phenomenon (how universe beings live every day) are results of cause and effect. That is Karma.

1. A person work (cause) = earn salary (effect). Good karma.

2. A person scold someone (cause) = the victim retaliate in words or actions (effect). Bad karma.

3. A person commit a crime (cause) = get caught and imprison (effect). Bad karma.

4. A person do good public deeds (cause). He receive public award (effect).

These are mundane cause and effect (that people can relate karma with universal phenomenon).

@Babe:But when thoughts, speeches and actions transcend supra mundane - karma will transcend 10 realms that cannot be seen and relate to by humans as it cross realms from hell, hungry ghosts all the way to heavenly and Nirvana realms.

And karma will cross not only a human lifetime, but multiple past and future lifetimes.

@Babe:To summarise, all beings existence in mundane Universe are subjected to the Universal of Karma.

Else Universe cease to exist.

----

@Babe:宇宙间的一切现象（即众生的日常生活）都是因果作用的结果，这就是“业”（Karma）。 1. 一个人工作（因）= 获得薪水（果）。这是善业。 2. 一个人辱骂他人（因）= 对方以言语或行动报复（果）。这是恶业。 3. 一个人犯罪（因）= 被捕入狱（果）。这是恶业。 4. 一个人行善造福社会（因）= 获得社会嘉奖（果）。 这些都是世俗层面的因果关系（即人们能将“业”与宇宙间的现象联系起来理解的例子）。

@Babe:然而，当思想、言语和行为超越世俗层面时，业力便会跨越人类无法看见或触及的十法界——从地狱、饿鬼道，一路贯穿至天界乃至涅槃境界。 这种业力不仅跨越今生，更贯穿了过去与未来的多重生命历程。

@Babe:总而言之，世俗宇宙中一切众生的存在，皆受制于业力法则。 否则，宇宙便不复存在。

====

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSV1VYAfK/

China girl smash a GuanYin statue as superstition challenge.

But month later, she got a car crash and die.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSV1bwVy5/

She is popular in Tik Tok because she is a perpetual statue breakers to gain viewership.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSVet8dcP/

Even mothership also report this paranormal news.

@Babe:GuanYin Bodhisattva is a compassionate PuSa and will not hurt sentinent beings.

But this girl actions invited her own karma - her actions bring her bad karma - when conditions ripen.

@Babe:Just like throwing a basketball onto a blank wall, the basketball bounce back and hit herself.

@Babe:The Taliban destroyed the iconic Bamiyan Buddha statues in March 2001, they are being overthrown in late 2001 by US forces.

Same karma.

They reap what they sow.

@Babe:An Enlightened Beings is like a blank wall - Emptiness.

When you abuse and Enlightened Beings - the Karma bounce back on you.

====

@Babe：观音菩萨慈悲为怀，不会伤害任何有情众生。 但这女孩的行为自食其果——她的恶行会招致恶业——时机成熟时就会显现。

 @Babe：就像把篮球扔到墙上，篮球反弹回来打到她自己一样。

@Babe:塔利班于2001年3月摧毁了标志性的巴米扬大佛像，随后在2001年晚些时候被美军推翻。 同样的因果报应。 种瓜得瓜，种豆得豆。

@Babe：觉悟者宛如一面白墙——即“空”。 当你凌辱觉悟者时，业力便会反弹到你自己身上。

====

Lawyer convicted of lying (dishonesty)

 https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4oKjTec/

Pritam Singh struck off the roll by Law Society.

@Babe:All lawyers convicted of dishonesty in Courts are struck off the roll by Law Society to protect the people from dishonest lawyers.

Are netizens here suggesting Pritam Singh to be treated differently or given special treatment just because he is a WP chief?

 @Babe:lawyer lying - professional ethical code

+

Lawyers are strictly prohibited from knowingly lying, fabricating evidence, or making false statements of material fact to a court, opposing counsel, or third parties. Professional codes of ethics require attorneys to balance zealous advocacy for their clients with an overriding duty of candor and honesty to the legal system.

Core Ethical Rules

Duty of Candor: Under standards like ABA Model Rule 3.3, lawyers cannot knowingly offer false evidence to a tribunal or fail to correct a false statement of material fact. [1]

Truthfulness to Others: Under ABA Model Rule 4.1, lawyers must not knowingly make false statements of material fact to third parties during representation. [1]

No Fraudulent Assistance: Attorneys cannot assist a client in conduct they know is criminal or fraudulent. [1]

What Happens When a Client Lies

Remedial Action: If an attorney learns a client has lied or intends to commit perjury in court, they must first urge the client to correct or withdraw the falsehood. [1]

Disclosure or Withdrawal: If the client refuses, the lawyer's duty of honesty to the court takes precedence over confidentiality, requiring the lawyer to take remedial steps up to and including disclosing the perjury to the judge or withdrawing from the case. [1, 2]

Consequences of Lawyer Dishonesty

Disciplinary Action: Violating truthfulness and candor rules can result in formal reprimand, suspension, or permanent disbarment from practicing law.

Legal Penalties: Lying in legal documents or court can expose a lawyer to contempt of court charges, civil liability, or criminal penalties.

----

@Babe:Pritam Singh committed a serious breach in professional ethical code as a lawyer.

This netizens outpouring support of Pritam Singh as political persecution are appalling.

====

REACH (Telegram) 155 -  What are your thoughts on Singapore’s upgraded GDP growth forecast for 2026?

(SK)

12 Aug 2026 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

[12/8/2026 9:52 am] REACH Singapore: Dear contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10am to 7pm today. ⏰

House Rules (short version of our Terms of Use) to keep in mind:

1. Be kind and respectful. We all want to be in a safe space to share our views. 

2. Any and all threatening, abusive, vulgar or racially, religiously and ethnically objectionable content is prohibited. 

3. Consider the quiet ones among us and give them a chance to comment. 

4. No need to repeat your comment or in different forms (including caps) - we heard you loud and clear the first time. 

5. Let's protect each other's privacy and keep contact details in this group what it should always be - confidential. 

Full set of Terms of Use: https://www.reach.gov.sg/Participate/reach-telegram-group/REACH-Telegram-Group-Chat-Terms-of-Use (https://www.reach.gov.sg/Participate/reach-telegram-group/REACH-Telegram-Group-Chat-Terms-of-Use/)/

We will strive to uphold these rules to ensure this is a safe space for all. 

Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies. 

The topic will be posted shortly. 

Thank you. 

Megan 😊

[12/8/2026 10:00 am] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

On 11 August 2026, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) announced that Singapore’s GDP growth forecast for 2026 has been raised to 4.5%–5.5%, up from the previous range of 2%–4%, citing stronger-than-expected first-half performance and an improved outlook driven by global AI-related capital expenditure.

The economy grew 5.9% in the second quarter of 2026, slightly higher than the advance estimate of 5.7%, but easing from the 6.3% growth reported in the first quarter.

💬 What are your thoughts on Singapore’s upgraded GDP growth forecast for 2026?

📌 AI driven growth

Beh Swan Gin, Permanent Secretary at MTI, stated that second-quarter growth was driven by strong performances in the manufacturing, wholesale trade, and finance and insurance sectors, with robust AI-related demand boosting the electronics and precision engineering clusters. For the rest of 2026, a further acceleration in AI-related capital expenditure is expected to lift the growth prospects of economies plugged into the global technology value chain.

Beh added that Singapore's growth has been broad-based rather than solely reliant on the AI boom, benefiting sectors such as finance, infocommunications, precision engineering, and wholesale trade.

📌Global Risks and Sectoral Impacts

The impact of the Middle East conflict was less severe than initially feared. However, ongoing tensions and lower oil reserves are likely to keep energy and other input prices elevated through the rest of 2026, exerting upward pressure on global inflation and weighing on economic activity. Sectors affected by supply disruptions, particularly those reliant on petrol and petroleum-related feedstock, such as chemicals and F&B, are expected to remain weak, while elevated fuel costs may dampen demand in the transportation and accommodation sectors.

US tariffs are expected to continue weighing on the exports of affected economies, though Singapore does not currently anticipate an impact from the 12.5 per cent tariff imposed on exports to the US.

📌 Domestic performance and support

Domestically oriented sectors like construction remain resilient, supported by a pipeline of public and private projects, while government measures such as CDC vouchers aim to cushion the impact of higher living costs on the retail and food and beverage sectors.

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/business/singapore-upgrades-2026-growth-forecast-to-4-5-to-5-5-on-stronger-ai-boom

👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/economy-gdp-forecast-mti-growth-6310711

👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ai-gdp-economy-manufacturing-finance-6312146

----

[12/8/2026 11:00 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 1. I am confident in Singapore's short to medium term economic outlook. ]

- Strongly agree

- Agree

- Neutral

- Disagree

- Strongly disagree

[12/8/2026 11:00 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 2. I feel that Singapore's improved economic growth has benefited Singaporeans as a whole. ]

- Strongly agree

- Agree

- Neutral

- Disagree

- Strongly disagree

[12/8/2026 11:02 am] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR from you on today’s topic! 

💬 What are your views on Singapore’s upgraded GDP growth forecast for 2026? 

We look forward to hearing from you and hope to keep the discussions robust and active!

Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

Thank you!

Megan 😊

[12/8/2026 1:27 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

1. Looking at the 1st and 2nd quarter GDP figures, it shows a very strong growth 5.9% to 6.3% - much higher than the 2 or so % annual GDP we experience since our Economy has become a Developed State.

2. This come at the back of :-

a. Disrupted global supply chain - from Trump's tariff

b. Geopolitical tussle

c. War - in Ukraine and Middle East

d. Energy crisis - from the blockage Hormuz Straits and Red Sea on fuel export

3. The Economic Performance is consider exceptional - largely fuel by exponential demand for AI that drive demands for IT products such as chips, memory, servers, IT equipment - in which we are a semiconductor hub.

4. In turn the advanced manufacturing demand - trigger demands in finance, IT, precision engineering, logistics, wholesale trade, shipping, air cargo etc.

5. Our finance hub also attracted large financial capital from troubling region such as middle east, regional economy, EU into financial market fueling growth in banking for wealth products, insurance and other financial products.

6. Together with our domestic fuel construction activities like oncoming MRT projects, BTO flats, public projects like long-island etc - it takes our GDP figures into a new height - triggering high Economic growth, Business and Jobs.

7. However, there are still some anxiety and worries despite such a bright prospect in our Economy - which we can discuss later.

[12/8/2026 1:41 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Advent of AI

1. The advent of AI - that start to threaten to replace some entry-level white collar jobs and robotics that threaten blue collar jobs which also threaten the traditional business.

This require transformartion in the way we :-

a. Conduct our business. That is business need to transform to exploit AI, improve productivity to support the business - resulting in the needs for business transformation. This cause anxiety to businessman and boss.

b. The job role -- for entry level and mature white collar jobs are also transformed with the advent of AI.

Workers no longer can do the entry level or mature worker jobs the same as before - and need skillsets that should be :- AI-competent + skillsets and knowledge train in their respective domain.

c. Schools, IHLs -- also need to revamp their course curriculum to encompass :-

i. Domain knowledge and skills - in the respective industries and trade

ii. AI competency - to complement the respective domain knowledge and skills

iii. Industry relevant skillsets and knowledge that will be needed in the respective job roles.

[12/8/2026 2:01 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[12/8/2026 2:02 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

The debate on - MNCs (reducing jobs while exploiting AI) and shift away from MNCs to SMEs

1. The ongoing debate to shift away from MNCs and focus on SMEs as proposed by WP in the Parliament for its proposed Future Economy Playbook - has triggered anxieties and worries in many Singaporean workers as surface in the social media eg. TikTok - where many influencers have produced videos to voice their concern.

2. The following is a summary of what livestreamers have to say about WP Future Economy Playybook - which they warn WP will bring the Economy down, drive away MNCs and kill jobs :-

After note:-

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4gGTuLH/

Jamus Lim bungle on anti MNCs.

CNA news:-

Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) and Tiong subsequently clarified that the WP was not proposing a zero-sum shift away from MNCs.

Both parties landed on a consensus that MNCs and trade remain vital to Singapore’s next phase of growth, though Tiong said in closing that the WP sought an evolution towards younger local firms and away from how dominant MNCs and government-linked companies are in the economy.

The WP argued that its proposed redundancy insurance, which anyone who is retrenched would qualify for, offers better protection than the Government’s SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme. 

The Government countered that its approach has always been to support re-employment, not unemployment.

----

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4GMGf5p/

WP Kenneth Tiong on SMEs.

@Babe:Both WP Jamus Lim and Kenneth Tiong coin an anti-MNC stance in Parliament while drilling in on SME driven economy.

This is sending a anti-MNCs message that are producing high paying jobs to Singaporeans.

A sure way to deter MNCs to bypass Singapore and stop creating jobs for Singaporeans.

Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) and Kenneth Tiong subsequently clarified that the WP was not proposing a zero-sum shift away from MNCs.

----

@Babe:Very obvious that WP, Jamus Lim and Kenneth Tiong have no good solutions to Singapore economics transformation - except to take PAP cookbooks - to criticize and find cracks - to assert do more, do better.

A very easy job for oppositions, WP to exploit when they have no good solutions.

====

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4nryEqc/

Jamus Lim say can dispense with MNCs and create our own Samsung.

@Babe:Many SMEs in Singapore sign contracts with many MNCs as logistics and parts suppliers.

If you chase MNCs out of Singapore, not only high paying jobs for Singaporeans will lose their jobs.

Many SMEs in Singapore will collapse as well not to mention creating our own Samsung.

Talk is easy.

Your economics is not pragmatic at all and is fatal to Singapore economy, business and jobs.

@Babe:Imagine telling the following MNCs to leave Singapore:-

1. Citibank

2. AIA

3. Microsoft

4. Google

5. Shoppe

6. IBM

7. Cisco

8. HP

9. TikTok

10. Huawei

11. Siemens

12. Philips

13. Samsung

14. TSMC

Etc.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4WqpcrN/

Jamus Lim - creative destruction.

----

It is fatal and suicidal to Singapore economy.

Many of our Singaporeans high paying jobs will be gone.

Many of our SMEs, supporting industries, contractors, logistics etc supporting these MNCs will collapse.

I think WP Jamus Lim and Kenneth Tiong are out of their minds.

----

Livestreamers producing videos to debunk WP Jamus Lim and Kenneth Tiong flaws in pivoting away from MNCs and solely focus on SMEs.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4cyWQ1F/

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS474B7w2/

Livestreamer support Minister Jeffrey Seow - Singapore needs both MNCs and SMEs.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4gGTuLH/

Livestreamer - Jamus Lim bungle on anti MNCs stance.

You kill the golden goose that lay the golden eggs.

====

[12/8/2026 2:22 pm] LCL (Danny 心): ----

Anxieties on whether the ongoing life long learning through Skillsfuture can land retrenched workers new jobs through career conversion or job retraining

1. Some livestreamer produce videos to say the Government has painted a playbook that once a person go through education, graduate from IHL - will have a life long career - and can feed themselves and their family until old age.

2. But with AI and other disruptors - this playbook can no longer stand water.

3. This trigger the youth anxiety - that their career future is not as good as painted by the playbook. And they are anxious, will they be able to feed themselves, get married, bear children and start a family and raise them up, and get financially sufficient into their retirement.

4. Government new playbook - is continuous learning through Skillsfuture - to re-train and career conversion through training courses to land a new jobs - ensure continuous income and ensure sufficiency into retirement.

5. Now some of this livestreamers attempt to throw cold water on this life long learning claiming - to switch career or career conversion - short few weeks courses is not sufficient to land a new job or switch a career. It require another 3 to 4 years of IHL training.

---

[12/8/2026 2:33 pm] LCL (Danny 心): Monday, August 10, 2026

Certification course cannot find jobs? Not true.

 https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4nrbk18/

Training and jobs need years of training to find jobs.

Short Certification course cannot find jobs.

---- 

I beg to differ :-

@Babe:1. If one take a network certification course eg. CCNA, CCNP, CCIE - a few days course, complete the lab, take the test after the course and pass - you can find a network engineer jobs. Entry level - more than $4,000 per month job.

2. If a person take a few days Microsoft MCSE course, do the lab, take the certification exam and pass, you can find a system engineer job. Entry level - more than $4,000 per month job.

3. If you take the CISSP course and pass the exam, you can start as entry level CISSP Associate cybersecurity job - and then gain working experience. Entry level - more than $4,000 per month job.

4. If a person take VTP VMware course and take a certification exam, the person can find a system virtualisation and cloud engineer job. Entry level - more than $4,000 per month job.

No need to study a few years to find an engineer job.

So what you say in this video is not true.

https://babe118.blogspot.com/2026/08/certification-course-cannot-find-jobs.html

[12/8/2026 2:47 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Anxieties about the need for nature reserve conservation versus the competing needs to build sufficient BTO flats for the young couples, singles who wish to stay in their own flat, elderly who want their own BTO flats for retirement

1. Recently the debate on clearing the Maju forest at Clementi has draw some backlash from nature conservatives and environmentalist for clearing the green forest, and not observing the mantra of green sustainability, global warming.

2. There is another sides of the coin, that is those who want BTO flats fast to get married, start a family, singles who want their own BTO flats, elderlies who want to own BTO flats to retire.

3. So the 2 competing needs and desires clash and manifested in the recent hot Parliament debate.

4. However, the following are my observations after some fact findings to put the hot debate in perspective :-

https://babe118.blogspot.com/2026/08/maju-forest-is-not-part-of-nature.html

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4cHv9YS/

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4cEqLXY/

Is maju forest part of nature reserve?

@Babe:Maju forest is not part of nature reserve.

It is a cleared State land for building BTO whereby trees regrow back on the cleared land.

It is a land slated for housing development.

====

Source:- Google Gemini AI 

@Babe:Maju Forest is not part of a nature reserve. It is a regenerating secondary forest located near Sunset Way and Clementi Road. 

Forest Status & Land Use

Zoning: The 23-hectare site has been zoned for residential use since 1980.

Not a Reserve: It does not hold official protected nature reserve status like the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve or the Central Catchment.

Development Plans: The Housing & Development Board announced plans to convert about 15 hectares of the land into public housing.

Conservation: Around 8 hectares will be kept as a wildlife refuge and nature trail around a natural stream.

====

[12/8/2026 2:59 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Anxieties about a few successive closure of F&B, restaurants some are very popular and successful local eateries - citing high cost (energy cost, rental cost, manpower cost, ingredient cost), too competitive food business, competiton from foreign large food chain, and opening of RTS (that could drive Singaporeans crossing over to JB to feast on cheaper JB foods)

"Soup Holdings ended FY2026 with a loss on higher costs and flat revenue".

Many f&b in Singapore making loss or close down.

But yet I find long queues in "atas" F&B in NEX every evening.

They are doing roaring business.

They mostly attract young customers who join and stay in long queues for the food.

Also I noticed food delivery - whereby household are ordering from Grabs, Food Panda etc like nobody business - even though the delivery charges and the ordered food are not cheap.

So very difficult for me to reconcile - whether f&b are doing well or face higher cost and doing badly.

https://www.theedgesingapore.com/capital/results/soup-holdings-ended-fy2026-loss-higher-costs-and-flat-revenue#:~:text=Soup%20Holdings%20ended%20FY2026%20with%20a%20loss%20on%20higher%20costs%20and%20flat%20revenue

========

[12/8/2026 3:02 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Anxieties about a few successive closure of F&B,...

1. Seems to me like that customer consumption patterns have changed.

2. Those previous successful f&b are not able to seize on the changing consumption patterns to transform in time.

3. Hence result in business dropping and customers looking elsewhere for food.

[12/8/2026 3:32 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨1. Seems to me like that customer consumption patterns have...

[12/08, 3:28 pm] My close friend comments: 

Cannot keep eating the same thing. 

People get tired.

[12/08, 3:28 pm] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Hahaha.

True.

 

[12/08, 3:28 pm] My close friend comments: 

Novelty factor will wear out at some point in time.

[12/08, 3:30 pm] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Yes.

That is why business needs to be constantly in tune with the customer's needs and adjust to maintain and grow their business.

I think you got a good point.

I post for you.

[12/08, 3:32 pm] My close friend comments: 

Rising costs is definitely a factor but not the only factor.

[12/08, 3:33 pm] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Yes.

That's how I feel too.

[12/8/2026 3:35 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Anxieties on the population number are becoming bigger due to new citizens, PRs, foreign immigrants to complement our workforce and foreigners working in Singapore, the perceived overcrowding - are making some Singaporeans nervous of job competition, crowded infrastructure (such as MRT, bus, shopping malls) and that with AI boosting productivity can make do with lesser and smaller size population.

1. My thoughts are as follows :

a. Even though Singapore is a small size Country - an optimal size of population is needed to ensure :-

i. There is a need for sufficient sizeale talent pools to tap. Because not all people are born equally smart and intelligent. Some got talent to be Ministers and MPs for governance, some got talents to be in civil service to formulate government policies , some got talents to be CEOs, senior business management, some got talents to be Military commanders or Home Team commanders, some got talents for white collars jobs like STEM R&D researchers, professionals, engineers, some got talents as Suregeons, Doctors, Nurse, some got talents as Judges, Lawyers. some got talents as social welfare officers, some got talents in arts, culture, sports, some got talents as F&B, chefs etc, some got talents in finance, some got talents in Administrative jobs such as accounting, sales, corporate functions, some got talents in national security, police, prison staff, civil defence, soldiers etc.

ii. Doesn't means that we exploit AI, automation, robotics etc - we should keep our population small - and expect our populations to perform such a diverse comprehensive functions of our sophisticated and complex economic and industrial needs.

Even Superpowers like China, US, EU, India and Developed Middle Power like Japan, S Korea, Australia, Canada etc - cannot find such a diverse talents with a small population pools and need foreign talents to boost their population mix.

iii. Hence in addition to maintain our Singaporean population of 3.66 million, we still need complemented workforce and foreign talents to tap from - eg. 0.54 million PRs, 1.91 non-residents to ensure Singapore Economic needs, Industrial needs, National Security needs, Social needs, Healthcare needs etc --- can be met.

iv. In addition, assume our 3.55 milion can meet all our talents needs in economy, business, jobs, governance, security, social, welfare etc --- we still need to ensure our economic outputs and productions - can be consume domestically - to support our Domestic Economy - that is sufficient people to spend their income to buy food, good, retail products, manufactured goods and services - so that our F&B, retail stores, manufacturers, banks, insurance companies, Stock exchange, malls, transport like taxi, bus, MRT, PHV, tourists spots like hotel, attraction etc can survive and thrive.

To summarise and concllude:-

So keeping about 6.5 million people as Singapore population is about right - be it our 3.55 million Singaporeans plus the rest - to keep our Domestic Economy to survive and thrive is absolutely necessary - as well as to cushion against any external shocks on our exports - due to geopolitical tensions and external wars.

[12/8/2026 5:57 pm] LCL (Danny 心): Trump claims total control of Hormuz, demands Iran pay reparations as standoff deepens.

Trump and Iran will fight until the end.

Meanwhile I hope the Gulf States can bypass the Hormuz Straits through other routes like pipelines or other means to export the oil out to us.

Let the karma deal with Iran and Trump - politically both collapse and burn a big hole in their finances.

While we settle ourselves with alternative energy sources.

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/11/us-iran-war-trump-hormuz-control-reparation-talks-.html

[12/8/2026 6:00 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨419. I post in REACH (Telegram)[1/4/2026 2:00 pm] LCL (Danny...

How the UAE Has Kept Its Oil Flowing Through Hormuz | OilPrice.com.

Through their oil pipelines that bypass both Hormuz Straits and Red Sea.

The oil pipelines now form the arteries that feed the whole world with oil and LNG as negligible and no oil can use tankers to pass through the 2 waterways.

https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/How-the-UAE-Has-Kept-Its-Oil-Flowing-Through-Hormuz.html

[12/8/2026 6:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[12/8/2026 6:02 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨How the UAE Has Kept Its Oil Flowing Through Hormuz |...

Indeed UAE and some Gulf States have been digging oil pipelines to bypass Hormuz Straits and Red Sea to export oil out of Middle East.

The world will not be held hostages by the blockade in both Hormuz Straits and Red Sea or pay the toll fees if it take months or even years to resolve.

[12/8/2026 6:03 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Indeed UAE and some Gulf States have been digging oil...

Meanwhile, we need to seriously go for green energy and loosen our dependent on oil and LNG.

[12/8/2026 6:10 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨How the UAE Has Kept Its Oil Flowing Through Hormuz |...

The United Arab Emirates has managed to boost its oil exports to pre-crisis levels as early as June, as it has kept pushing crude through the Strait of Hormuz and outside it.  

The UAE, which left OPEC on May 1, has found workarounds to the blockage at the Strait of Hormuz. 

It has been shuttling crude through the chokepoint to load it on larger vessels outside the Strait, maximizing the use of its onshore pipeline to ship crude from the west to the east of the country, bypassing Hormuz, and shipping tankers through the Strait in dark mode.  

[12/8/2026 6:11 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨The United Arab Emirates has managed to boost its oil exports...

Well done UAE!

[12/8/2026 6:13 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

419. I post in REACH (Telegram)[1/4/2026 2:00 pm] LCL (Danny 心):-

However, Gulf States should explore another very viable routes that is often overlook - which should be more cost effective and very unlikely to be block at the Hormuz or the Red sea straits.

This will solves the many decades of geopolitical tension in the Gulf States through many energy war.

[1/4/2026 2:01 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Den den den ....... Drum roll....

Gulf States should increase the pipelines from UAE and Saudi straight into Oman and through Oman ports - will bypass the choke points in Hormuz (Iran control) and Red Sea straits (houthis - Yemen control).

Then all the supertankers will berth at the Oman ports rather than going through Hormuz and the Red Sea.

This will solves the energy crisis once and for all.

The oil pipelines from UAE and Saudi can be buried deep underground - that cannot be bomb or sabotage - by ballistic missiles, drones or artillery bombardment.

But the underground pipelines need to be increase so that capacity can match those supertankers.

----

SCMP Published: 10:30am, 3 May 2026

‘Structural shift’: new routes for Middle East freight to bypass Hormuz.

Saudi Arabia, Turkey and the UAE lead a push for a new trade architecture with multiple nodes linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.

The proposed alternative routes for commercial cargo would flow from ports in the UAE and Oman located outside the Persian Gulf, overland by rail through Saudi Arabia to Jordan, and then onwards through either Egypt’s Suez Canal or the Syrian ports of Latakia and Tartus.

[12/8/2026 6:18 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

This will teach rouge States to behave themselves, obey international laws and be a good man, good States.

No impunity for misbehaving States or personalities - because karma will catch up.

Meanwhile, we need to be the "Lamp upon the World of Darkness" - to guide the right behavior - dispel the thought of "might is right".

If we don't want the world to perish under the Universal Law of Karma.

[12/8/2026 6:23 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

1 good idea - the whole world move.

[12/8/2026 6:45 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

[12/8/2026 7:00 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

========

Maju forest is not part of nature reserve

 https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4cHv9YS/

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4cEqLXY/

Is maju forest part of nature reserve?

@Babe:Maju forest is not part of nature reserve.

It is a cleared State land for building BTO whereby trees regrow back on the cleared land.

It is a land slated for housing development.

====

Source:- Google Gemini AI 

@Babe:Maju Forest is not part of a nature reserve. It is a regenerating secondary forest located near Sunset Way and Clementi Road. 

Forest Status & Land Use

Zoning: The 23-hectare site has been zoned for residential use since 1980.

Not a Reserve: It does not hold official protected nature reserve status like the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve or the Central Catchment.

Development Plans: The Housing & Development Board announced plans to convert about 15 hectares of the land into public housing.

Conservation: Around 8 hectares will be kept as a wildlife refuge and nature trail around a natural stream.

====

Certification course cannot find jobs? Not true.

Monday, August 10, 2026

Certification course cannot find jobs? Not true. 

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4nrbk18/

Training and jobs need years of training to find jobs.

Short Certification course cannot find jobs.

---- 

I beg to differ :-

@Babe:1. If one take a network certification course eg. CCNA, CCNP, CCIE - a few days course, complete the lab, take the test after the course and pass - you can find a network engineer jobs. Entry level - more than $4,000 per month job.

2. If a person take a few days Microsoft MCSE course, do the lab, take the certification exam and pass, you can find a system engineer job. Entry level - more than $4,000 per month job.

3. If you take the CISSP course and pass the exam, you can start as entry level CISSP Associate cybersecurity job - and then gain working experience. Entry level - more than $4,000 per month job.

4. If a person take VTP VMware course and take a certification exam, the person can find a system virtualisation and cloud engineer job. Entry level - more than $4,000 per month job.

No need to study a few years to find an engineer job.

So what you say in this video is not true.

https://babe118.blogspot.com/2026/08/certification-course-cannot-find-jobs.html

========

REACH (Telegram) 154 - What are your thoughts on Singapore’s future economic strategy? What should be prioritised to ensure Singapore remains competitive while creating good jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans? 

(SK)

06 Aug 2026 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

[6/8/2026 9:56 am] REACH Singapore: Dear contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10am to 7pm today. ⏰

House Rules (short version of our Terms of Use) to keep in mind:

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2. Any and all threatening, abusive, vulgar or racially, religiously and ethnically objectionable content is prohibited. 

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4. No need to repeat your comment or in differnet forms (including caps) - we heard you loud and clear the first time. 

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Full set of Terms of Use: https://www.reach.gov.sg/Participate/reach-telegram-group/REACH-Telegram-Group-Chat-Terms-of-Use (https://www.reach.gov.sg/Participate/reach-telegram-group/REACH-Telegram-Group-Chat-Terms-of-Use/)/

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Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies. 

The topic will be posted shortly. 

Thank you. 

Megan 😊

[6/8/2026 10:00 am] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

On Aug 5, Parliament debated Singapore’s future economic strategy following a Workers’ Party (WP) motion titled “An Economy of the Future that Works for All Singaporeans”. Ministers outlined the Government’s approach to maintaining a trusted and open economy, strengthening local and global enterprises, investing for the long term and helping workers prepare for change.

Transport Minister and Second Minister for Finance Jeffrey Siow said he found agreement with several ideas raised during the debate, including providing better support for SMEs and start-ups and building a stronger base of local companies. He said these suggestions were “very much in line with the direction” of the Government’s Economic Strategy Review (ESR), and that there was “considerable common ground”. However, he disagreed with the characterisation that Singapore’s economic model was imbalanced and needed to be fundamentally reoriented.

💬 What are your thoughts on Singapore’s future economic strategy? What should be prioritised to ensure Singapore remains competitive while creating good jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans?

📌 A united economic strategy

Minister for Trade and Industry (Energy and Industry) Tan See Leng said Singapore’s future economy would not be powered by one type of company, one source of demand or one government programme.

He said local companies, global enterprises, domestic and external demand, and Singaporeans and Singaporean capital venturing abroad are “mutually reinforcing parts of one united economic strategy”.

The Government will maintain a trusted and open economy, invest for the long term, address capability, financing and market-access gaps and help workers prepare for change.

Businesses must also transform and invest in their people, while workers must keep learning, investors must take informed risks, and entrepreneurs must build, compete and persevere, Dr Tan said.

While the Government cannot guarantee that every venture will succeed, every job will remain unchanged or every transition will be painless, it can ensure that every person has a fair chance to try, a pathway to progress and support to recover from setbacks, he added.

📌 Strengthening local enterprises and innovation

Mr Siow said Singapore needs both multinational corporations (MNCs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) for its economy to thrive. He said Singapore is not in a zero-sum situation, as the growth of local companies and MNCs reinforces each other. 

SMEs are critical to Singapore’s economy as they employ the majority of the country’s workforce. Mr Siow noted that nearly $2 billion in direct grants is set aside each year for SMEs. The Government will help more companies tap these schemes and provide more resources if demand grows. Businesses can also receive support to improve productivity, redesign their operations and adopt digital and AI solutions.

Mr Siow acknowledged that it has become more difficult for SMEs to venture overseas in the current economic climate. However, he said Singapore should not turn inward, given the small domestic market. Instead, local companies should be strengthened to compete more effectively in more overseas markets and build greater resilience.

MNCs also bring resources, capabilities and technology, including AI capabilities that would otherwise take Singapore years to develop. Many local companies grow through their relationships with MNCs, while global companies create high-skilled and high-paying jobs. “We are not choosing between SMEs and MNCs. We need both,” Mr Siow said.

[6/8/2026 10:00 am] REACH Singapore: 📌 Supporting youths and entrepreneurs

Minister of State for Manpower Dinesh Vasu Dash said the Government recognises the concerns that many fresh graduates and their parents have about entering the workforce.

However, he said the current employment picture was more resilient than suggested. In the first quarter of 2026, Singapore had about 32,800 entry-level professional, managerial, executive and technician vacancies, exceeding the number of graduates looking for jobs. About nine in 10 university graduates from the 2025 cohort also found employment within a year of graduation.

Mr Dinesh said the system had served Singapore well but must continue to evolve with a new generation of workers and a changing work environment. The Economic Strategy Review recommended bringing learning closer to work, including formally recognising on-the-job training as part of qualifications, to give young Singaporeans a good head start in their jobs.

He also said advances in AI and other technologies were making entrepreneurship an “increasingly viable pathway”. The Government is expanding support for promising start-ups to build, grow and reach global markets. The ESR recommendations will strengthen access to growth capital, technology, networks and overseas markets.

Dr Tan said Singapore’s ambition should not be measured only by how many companies are formed. It should also be measured by how many good ideas become viable businesses, how many businesses can scale, and how many anchor capabilities, intellectual property and good jobs in Singapore.

📌 Helping workers prepare for change

Dr Tan said most Singaporeans experience the economy through work. A good job provides income, but should also enable a person to build skills, experience and confidence over time.

Addressing concerns over job disruption, he acknowledged that job losses raise fears about income and whether a worker’s experience will continue to count. He said these concerns were real and should not be answered merely by pointing to aggregate statistics or the number of available courses.

Support for workers must therefore begin earlier. The ESR has proposed “career bridges” linking workers in at-risk roles to more resilient occupations through training, guidance and job matching.

The Government will maintain a trusted and open economy, invest for the long term and help workers prepare for change. Workers must also continue learning and adapting as jobs and industries evolve.

👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/parliament-wp-motion-economic-review-6301206

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/parliament-affirms-amended-wp-motion-on-the-future-of-spores-economy

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/both-mncs-smes-needed-for-singapores-economy-to-thrive-jeffrey-siow

👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/wp-support-youth-entrepreneurs-pap-parliament-motion-6301071

----

[6/8/2026 10:22 am] Jun Ming: Erm I think it's a mismatch of skill aspiration and the job we have in the market right now

[6/8/2026 10:23 am] Jun Ming: As what I have ask before would you recommend people to broaden their skill set or recommend people to sharpen into one specialist skill set

[6/8/2026 10:27 am] Jun Ming: When you start working both strategy have their pros and cons. 

If you start learning broadly you will gain many entry level skill set you will have no worries of job. But cons you need to spend a lot of money and time to learn and get licensing. So you can do the career switch

[6/8/2026 10:28 am] Jun Ming: If you start specialize your skills the pros is you earn much more quickly but you may get replace one day if that industry or that role got got replace or move out

[6/8/2026 11:30 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 1. I am confident that Singapore’s economic strategy will continue to create better jobs, higher incomes and opportunities for Singaporeans. Share your reasons in the chat! ]

- Strongly agree

- Agree

- Neutral

- Disagree

- Strongly disagree

[6/8/2026 11:30 am] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

Please take a moment to participate in our polls and share your opinion.

The poll questions are pinned for easy reference and your vote is anonymous.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!

💬 What are your thoughts on Singapore’s future economic strategy? What should be prioritised to ensure Singapore remains competitive while creating good jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans?

Thank you.

Megan 😊

[6/8/2026 12:24 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

💬 What are your thoughts on Singapore’s future economic strategy? What should be prioritised to ensure Singapore remains competitive while creating good jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans?

We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active! 

Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

Thank you!

Megan 😊

[6/8/2026 1:04 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

Please take a moment to participate in our polls and share your opinion.

The poll questions are pinned for easy reference and your vote is anonymous.

We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!

💬 What are your thoughts on Singapore’s future economic strategy? What should be prioritised to ensure Singapore remains competitive while creating good jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans?

Thank you.

Megan 😊

[6/8/2026 1:09 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Source:- Google Gemini AI

As of current:-

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up 99% of all registered business enterprises in Singapore. 

They also employ about 70% to 72% of the country's total local workforce and contribute nearly half of Singapore's gross domestic product.

[6/8/2026 1:58 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Source:- Google Gemini AI  As of current:-  Small and...

Not sure what is new from WP?

Future economy playbook?

Sounds like a past running economy that have already been deeply entrenched in Singapore economy started at the beginning of 2000s after corporatisation from nationalisation.

An old cook book.

[6/8/2026 2:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[6/8/2026 2:01 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

💬 What are your thoughts on Singapore’s future economic strategy? What should be prioritised to ensure Singapore remains competitive while creating good jobs and opportunities for Singaporeans?

We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active! 

Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

Thank you!

Megan 😊

[6/8/2026 2:51 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

My close friend comments:-

1. For SMEs, when they have no experience, no good business proposal with good prospects, good market demand with good customer base, providing taxpayers funds, jumping into business is a sure waste of taxpayer money.

2. The problem is as SMEs are small in scale - there are demerits - inefficiencies, lack of ability to attract talent and scale which are the main obstacles in growing the SME business.

3. It sounds like WP wants gov to provide more grants from taxpayers money to fund the SME business - Basically burn more money.

My comments:-

Yes there is nothing new to the WP future economy playbook which we have already implemented 2000s years ago except to :-

- do more

- do better

- meaning ask Gov to spend more taxpayer money.

[6/8/2026 3:22 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨My close friend comments:-  1. For SMEs,...

1. In addition, WP suggest legislating retrenchment insurance - with premium to be paid by both employees and employers.

2. What are the demerits of such retrenchment insurance:-

a. Employees and employers already have to set aside 20% by employees and 17% by employers for CPF.

This reduces the take-home pay for employees.

b. So if employees got to further pay additional amount to pay insurance premium for retrenchment insurance - how much money left for take home pay?

[6/8/2026 3:30 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

c. So if employers are legislated to pay some premium for retrenchment insurance - 羊毛出在羊身上。 That means employer will deduct from the employees salary to foot the premium - and leave even lesser take home pay for employees.

d. Also it means if employees didn't get retrenchment throughout their careers, then these workers are in fact subsidizing those workers that are retrenched - with no benefits to them, at their expenses with lesser take home pay.

[6/8/2026 3:34 pm] G in reply to REACH Singapore:

> ‎⁨Dear Contributors, Please take a moment to participate in our...

How to remain competitive?

Look hard at main business cost drivers and which entity controls the prices

1. Rental - driven up by REITS. Several of these REITS are govt linked, as at 2019 count, 54% of REITS are govt linked. Govt has significant control over rent prices

2. Utilities - prices set by govt

3. Taxes - quantums set by govt

Prices for necessities are controlled by govt. Yet govt will not lower them.

Instead of lowering them, govt chooses to increase cost of govt by coming up with more and more schemes for "targeted approach" that require more and more administrative work, which increases demand for tax dollars, which triggers demand for higher tax rates

Govt needs to overhaul their approach. Take a system level long hard look at themselves to identify unnecessary cost drivers that ultimately get imposed on businesses

[6/8/2026 3:34 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

e. There is a concept of FIRE - Financial Independence, Retire Early coin by the new generation.

So WP retrenchment benefits - is it to encourage all the rest of the workers to subsidize the retrenchment benefits of those who get retrenched to do FIRE - financial independence from retrenchment insurance and retire early at the expenses of all other workers working hard to subsidize them?

This means in no time, all the youth will get employed, pray to get retrenched so that they can reap the retrenchment insurance pay by majority of the working people - and our youth will adopt 躺平 (lay flat) and retire early - no workers want to work anymore - Singapore economy collapse as business leave Singapore.

[6/8/2026 3:49 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

1. Another thing that I want to comment about setting KPI on the number of SMEs to setup subside by the government grants.

2. What are the demerits of these KPI?

a. There will be a rush to meet the KPI number of startups or SMEs - regardless of whether the business concepts work or not, or whether they can penetrate the overseas market - using taxpayers money.

End up, alot of taxpayers money will be wasted because of the KPI set by WP.

[6/8/2026 3:49 pm] G in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨e. There is a concept of FIRE - Financial Independence,...

Don't need for that. With PAP policies, businesses are already exiting SG

[6/8/2026 3:50 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Source:- Google Gemini AI 

Singapore ranked 8th globally in the Kearney's 2026 FDI Confidence Index, jumping from 15th the previous year. Net inflows remained robust, with over S$55.7 billion recorded in the first quarter of 2026 alone, driven heavily by digital infrastructure, semiconductors, and AI-related ecosystems.

[6/8/2026 3:59 pm] G in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨1. Another thing that I want to comment about setting KPI on...

Yes. Let's not waste anymore taxpayer money than necessary.

Taxes collected are to fund govt. Govt budgets need to be slashed.. especially in this prolonged era of govt posture of "monitoring" / "wait and see". 

Smaller govt = less tax required = lower tax rates = more conducive for businesses

Govt also cannot maintain iron rice bowl mentality and practices. This contributes to wastage

[6/8/2026 4:00 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Job losses to AI and moving out of business to neighbouring economic zones?

 [26/05, 1:06 pm] ☸️  Danny 心: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSxxc2qWQ/

@Babe:1. Singapore FDI investment in 2026 - reach record high $58.6 billions per quarter hitting $197 billions.

FDI mainly in high end high value added sectors such as finance, technologies & IT and advanced manufacturing - producing high salary jobs.

2. Singapore median monthly salary reaches $5,775 (including CPF).

3. Singapore achieve full employment in 2026 (companies finding it difficult to recruit workers in Singapore).(Note :- in economic terms 3.1% unemployment is universally considered low - as there are workers not actively looking for jobs).

[26/05, 1:15 pm] ☸️  Danny 心: 

@Babe:1. Joint Development zone (with JB, Batam) missions is to rationalize joint attraction of global FDI into our investment zones - to capitalize and exploits the merits offer by each zones.

2. Eg. Singapore offer high values RHQ, logistics, financial services, high technology advanced manufacturing, well connected ports, air cargo etc but come with high rental and manpower cost.

3. JB and Batam - provides the advantages of low cost land rental, lower manpower costs.

4. Hence, Gardenia, H&M, Amazon that do online fresh groceries deliveries - are well suited to move into JB and Batam - because they require low cost, blue collar workers input - that does not fit into Singapore economic transformation landscape for advanced manufacturing and high paid jobs.

[26/05, 1:20 pm] ☸️  Danny 心: 

@Babe:1. StanChart job cuts are mainly corporate function roles, support roles that include positions such as risk management and regulatory compliance - that can be automated by AI.

2. StanChart however are increasing job roles to hire more relationship managers, accelerate product innovation, improve digital and client experience, as well as upgrade and launch new client centres.”

@Babe:1. Singapore financial capital under management has increase to more than $6 trillion - plenty of wealth relationship management jobs required by StanChart to tap the wealth management.

@Babe:The total financial assets under management (AUM) in Singapore's fund management industry has surpassed S$6 trillion, building upon the S$6.07 trillion (US$4.46 trillion) recorded prior to the latest growth period. 

The wealth and asset management sectors continue to see healthy client inflows, driven by the steady expansion of family offices and private equity. 

@Babe:So Singaporeans must be able to see the complete picture how Singapore economic transformation landscape are evolving in order to appreciate how Singapore business and jobs have been elevated into a higher value, higher income jobs - instead of being alarmed by some movement of business out of Singapore and retrenchment of some workers.

Able to see the big picture and connect the dots - will make Singaporeans more informed instead of becoming alarmist.----

@Babe:1. Through carefully calibrated economic transformation:-Singapore has become the highest GDP PPP per capita in the World.

2. Top 5 Global GDP (PPP) per Capita Leaders.The most recent figures from major global financial institutions demonstrate Singapore's dominant economic standing:

Singapore: \(\sim \$150,000 – \$173,000+\)

Luxembourg: \(\sim \$140,000 – \$158,000\)

Ireland: \(\sim \$140,000+\)

Macao SAR: \(\sim \$125,000 – \$135,000\)

Switzerland: \(\sim \$105,000+\) [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]----

@Babe:Singapore is globally recognized as one of the most AI-ready economies and leading smart nations.The city-state’s strategy focuses on large-scale AI deployment and workforce resilience rather than building frontier models from scratch.This approach is driven by the National AI Council (NAIC) and the Economic Strategy Review (ESR).----

@Babe:1. In layman terms, do we want companies that offer $1,000, $2,000, $3,000 jobs - to make bread, clothing, pack grocery or do backend mundane excel spreadsheet, print invoice, go through paperwork.

[6/8/2026 4:00 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 2. Or do we want our Government to attract high value high salary jobs that pay $5,000, $6,000 to above $10,000 - that do advanced manufacturing such as AI chips, chips design, wealth relationship manager, AI developers, creators, R&D, etc?

3. Singapore economic resiliency transformation and national AI council is to create high salary jobs for Singaporeans.

====

"Some businesses will lose out amid deeper Singapore-Malaysia economic integration, but both sides will benefit: Tharman.

"We have to accept that, with the larger win, there will be some losses. And that is a mature way of thinking about the bilateral relationship, on both sides," says Singapore President Tharman Shanmugaratnam."

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/president-tharman-malaysia-state-visit-economy-businesses-6255946#:~:text=Some%20businesses%20will,President%20Tharman%20Shanmugaratnam.

====

[6/8/2026 4:01 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[6/8/2026 4:11 pm] Ginie/Komal ZENDORA J: Different topic all together.  Someone here recommended kaki one service if need contact different agencies. If  we find any problem with our estate. Just to let Reach know need to make kaki simplified. I wrote in regarding something to do with parking. Send in the blk no. Plus pictures. It's robot is asking for the  location, while I am moving. Not a good app

[6/8/2026 4:12 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨If you start specialize your skills the pros is you earn much...

As for whether young undergraduates should take more broad base education to secure jobs when specialization change or drill in to specialisation and secure immediate jobs but when industry transform, it will lead to obsolency?

My suggestion is, take both broad base and specialization in IHL.

[6/8/2026 4:14 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Eg.

1. Take subjects that cut across domains and industries (eg. Business, Economics, Finances, Psychology, Marketing, Accounting etc).

2. Specialize in say computer science or AI, or computer engineering.

[6/8/2026 4:16 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Ginie/Komal ZENDORA J:

> ‎⁨Different topic all together.  Someone here recommended kaki...

The GPS take your location at where you stand, cannot travel by car and submit - because the longitude and latitude of the gps will change and capture the wrong location.

[6/8/2026 4:17 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

The accuracy of the gps location is up to 1 metre from where you stand when submit - can even zoom in.

[6/8/2026 4:50 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

My close friend comments:- Is the sme driven economy  inspired by china's 地摊经济？

My comments:- Sorry, how does it work?

My close friend comments: - China resorted to this method primarily because global demand weaken by covid by tariffs etc. so individuals can start setting up road side stall to sell their wares for survival. China is a big supplier also a big market. Excess produce and products hope to be absorbes by local economy.

My comments:- Don't know REACH participant can accept such concept or not.

My close friend comments:- Singapore being small, we have to depend on exports, and this needs scale, outreach which SMEs don't have the muscle to do. 

The result may be local competition to death.

My comments:- Yes. This is the problem face by our SMEs.

Except some can make it like Sheng Siong, Raffles medical, osim, money max, maxi cash, FuHua, Yeo Hiap Sing, Grabs etc.

[6/8/2026 5:08 pm] Jun Ming in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨My close friend comments:- Is the sme driven economy  inspired...

So we need a local ecosystem and help to bring sme to the altitude..

[6/8/2026 5:08 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨So we need a local ecosystem and help to bring sme to the...

Honestly, this is a hard topic.

Doing business is not easy.

[6/8/2026 5:09 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Especially when our Domestic economy is so small.

[6/8/2026 5:09 pm] Jun Ming: Giving them advice how to expand or what can be improve

[6/8/2026 5:10 pm] Jun Ming: Recently my father shop change some feng shui. Like how the store attract more customers etc

[6/8/2026 5:10 pm] Jun Ming: And maybe can give advice for ready businesses to expand overseas

[6/8/2026 5:11 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨Giving them advice how to expand or what can be improve⁩

I think this was done in the early 2000s when venture capital, entrepreneurship, SMEs concept, government grants, follow GICs to overseas market, follow EDB, IE Singapore etc are coined.

Only few SMEs that I mentioned earlier make it.

[6/8/2026 5:11 pm] Jun Ming: Then identify what's the failure and what can we improve

[6/8/2026 5:11 pm] Jun Ming: I believe it's not just monetary issue

[6/8/2026 5:12 pm] Jun Ming: Maybe diplomatic issue

[6/8/2026 5:12 pm] Jun Ming: Or Singaporean are too honest

[6/8/2026 5:12 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Failure could be due to business concepts, business prospects, customer base, how to manage the business, risk management, managing different culture, expectations, availability of Management talents, workers talents, navigate foreign business and customer environment, money, resources, staying power, relationship etc.

Not easy.

[6/8/2026 5:13 pm] Jun Ming: Need to research on market and not based on imagination

[6/8/2026 5:14 pm] Jun Ming: Even research does not give real results

[6/8/2026 5:14 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Not easy.

[6/8/2026 5:15 pm] Jun Ming: But we start local first. If most of our local business barely survive in local than something is wrong

[6/8/2026 5:16 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨But we start local first. If most of our local business barely...

Because domestic economy is too small, too many competition will kill the SMEs.

Cost issues also a problem.

[6/8/2026 5:16 pm] Jun Ming: Gov need to protect local business

[6/8/2026 5:17 pm] Jun Ming in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Because domestic economy is too small,...

Reduce unwanted competition

[6/8/2026 5:17 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Protectionism will lead to inefficiency and taxpayers money will be drain.

[6/8/2026 5:18 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

See India, Malaysia etc that adopt protectionism, economy cannot flourish.

[6/8/2026 5:18 pm] Jun Ming: Then the strong will become stronger the weak will die off

[6/8/2026 5:18 pm] Jun Ming: Before getting strong

[6/8/2026 5:18 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨Then the strong will become stronger the weak will die off⁩

This is what happens to our SMEs that grown like those I mentioned earlier.

[6/8/2026 5:19 pm] Jun Ming: For a oversea own business an extra 50% tax?

[6/8/2026 5:19 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Many smaller ones already die out.

Eg. Bike sharing is one example.

Ev battery charging companies - many also dying.

[6/8/2026 5:20 pm] Jun Ming: Or a local own business 50% less tax

[6/8/2026 5:20 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨For a oversea own business an extra 50% tax?⁩

Sorry I don't get your point.

[6/8/2026 5:21 pm] Jun Ming: So gov can implement for foreign business need to pay an extra 50% tax

[6/8/2026 5:21 pm] Jun Ming: And local business we reduce a 25% tax as an incentive

[6/8/2026 5:21 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Then many foreign investment that create jobs for local workers won't come in.

More Singaporeans lose jobs.

[6/8/2026 5:22 pm] Jun Ming in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨then many foreign investment that create jobs for local...

Then can add terms and conditions unless this company are able to hire 1k and above Singaporean

[6/8/2026 5:22 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Imagine if we do that, AIA, ibm, Microsoft, micron, Citibank etc pull out.

Then many high paying jobs gone.

[6/8/2026 5:23 pm] Jun Ming: So this will stop small and unwanted foreign business enter

[6/8/2026 5:23 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨Then can add terms and conditions unless this company are able...

I think our trade Ministers have already negotiate very favourable terms for Singaporeans.

[6/8/2026 5:23 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨Then can add terms and conditions unless this company are able...

Or your company have reach a certain amount of capital

[6/8/2026 5:24 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨So this will stop small and unwanted foreign business enter⁩

Economics is a very delicate topic that have many fine balances and many considerations.

Not a simple topic.

[6/8/2026 5:24 pm] Jun Ming: This is to protect sme to grow big enough to compete with big companies

[6/8/2026 5:25 pm] Jun Ming: Just like baby you need to protect them with care. When they grow up they can fight their own

[6/8/2026 5:28 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

You see, even WP who touted their future economy playbook and suppose to aspire to be our alternative government - got so many fatal loopholes.

As amateur economist - can easily spot those fatal loopholes.

Hence economic policies are no joke.

Cannot get it wrong.

One wrong move, the whole country finances, economy and jobs can suddenly crumple.

That is why I say economic is not an easy topic.

The whole world's government are struggling to do it well.

But not easy.

[6/8/2026 5:32 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Source:- Google Gemini AI 

Protecting local businesses through trade barriers or market subsidies

causes higher prices for buyers, less choices, and lazy local companies

. It also starts trade fights with other nations and hurts overall economic growth.

Economic Drawbacks

Higher Prices: Tariffs and import limits force buyers to pay more for goods, lowering overall public spending power.

Less Innovation: Protected firms face weak competition, reducing their drive to improve quality or cut costs.

Market Inefficiency: Resources flow into propped-up, weak sectors instead of high-performing, natural growth areas.

Trade Retaliation: Other nations may impose their own penalties, hurting export-heavy local industries.

[6/8/2026 5:53 pm] Jun Ming: Off topic I feel that tengah forest city is a scam

[6/8/2026 5:54 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Tengah where got forest city?

I thought in JB?

[6/8/2026 5:54 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨Off topic I feel that tengah forest city is a scam⁩

Cause I don't see any forest

[6/8/2026 5:54 pm] Jun Ming in reply to LCL (Danny 心):

> ‎⁨Tengah where got forest city?  I thought in JB?⁩

Forest town

[6/8/2026 5:54 pm] LCL (Danny 心) in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨Cause I don't see any forest⁩

Hahaha.

[6/8/2026 5:55 pm] Jun Ming: https://www.weforum.org/stories/2021/04/singapore-sustainable-smart-town-tengah/

[6/8/2026 5:55 pm] Jun Ming: False marketing

[6/8/2026 5:55 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Don't know.

Didn't realize it.

[6/8/2026 5:55 pm] Jun Ming: Instead forest are cut down

[6/8/2026 6:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[6/8/2026 6:03 pm] 여자친구, 첫사랑 🏆 in reply to Jun Ming:

> ‎⁨Off topic I feel that tengah forest city is a scam⁩

Tengah? Yeah somewhat yes in that it wasn't car-lite like LTA was saying.

[6/8/2026 6:03 pm] 여자친구, 첫사랑 🏆: Feels like American suburbia when you go down the main arterial road.

[6/8/2026 6:46 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

[6/8/2026 7:05 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

========

After note:-

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4gGTuLH/

Jamus Lim bungle on anti MNCs.

CNA news:-

Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) and Tiong subsequently clarified that the WP was not proposing a zero-sum shift away from MNCs.

Both parties landed on a consensus that MNCs and trade remain vital to Singapore’s next phase of growth, though Tiong said in closing that the WP sought an evolution towards younger local firms and away from how dominant MNCs and government-linked companies are in the economy.

The WP argued that its proposed redundancy insurance, which anyone who is retrenched would qualify for, offers better protection than the Government’s SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme. 

The Government countered that its approach has always been to support re-employment, not unemployment.

----

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4GMGf5p/

WP Kenneth Tiong on SMEs.

@Babe:Both WP Jamus Lim and Kenneth Tiong coin an anti-MNC stance in Parliament while drilling in on SME driven economy.

This is sending a anti-MNCs message that are producing high paying jobs to Singaporeans.

A sure way to deter MNCs to bypass Singapore and stop creating jobs for Singaporeans.

Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) and Kenneth Tiong subsequently clarified that the WP was not proposing a zero-sum shift away from MNCs.

----

@Babe:Very obvious that WP, Jamus Lim and Kenneth Tiong have no good solutions to Singapore economics transformation - except to take PAP cookbooks - to criticize and find cracks - to assert do more, do better.

A very easy job for oppositions, WP to exploit when they have no good solutions.

====

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4nryEqc/

Jamus Lim say can dispense with MNCs and create our own Samsung.

@Babe:Many SMEs in Singapore sign contracts with many MNCs as logistics and parts suppliers.

If you chase MNCs out of Singapore, not only high paying jobs for Singaporeans will lose their jobs.

And many SMEs in Singapore will collapse as well not to mention creating our own Samsung.

Talk is easy.

Your economics is not pragmatic at all and is fatal to Singapore economy, business and jobs.

@Babe:Imagine telling the following MNCs to leave Singapore:-

1. Citibank

2. AIA

3. Microsoft

4. Google

5. Shoppe

6. IBM

7. Cisco

8. HP

9. TikTok

10. Huawei

11. Siemens

12. Philips

13. Samsung

14. TSMC

Etc.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4WqpcrN/

Jamus Lim - creative destruction.

----

I think WP Jamus Lim and Kenneth Tiong are out of their minds.

It is fatal and suicidal to Singapore economy.

Many of our Singaporeans high paying jobs will be gone.

Many of our SMEs, supporting industries, contractors, logistics etc supporting these MNCs will collapse.

I think WP Jamus Lim and Kenneth Tiong are out of their minds.

----

Livestreamers producing videos to debunk WP Jamus Lim and Kenneth Tiong flaws in pivoting away from MNCs and solely focus on SMEs.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4cyWQ1F/

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS474B7w2/

Livestreamer support Minister Jeffrey Seow - Singapore needs both MNCs and SMEs.

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZS4gGTuLH/

Livestreamer - Jamus Lim bungle on anti MNCs stance.

You kill the golden goose that lay the golden eggs.

====