https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSb4c3L2f/
Buddha entered into PariNirvana and the 1st Buddhism Council.
Tuesday, October 6, 2026
WP Jamus Lim and WP stand against CDC and GST voucher is economically flaw .
[07/10, 1:16 am] : https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSb49KBBw/
Jamus Lim against CDC vouchers.
@Babe:Jamus Lim and WP fails to understand that GST is meant to tax the rich and tax transfer as GST voucher and CDC vouchers as redistribution of wealth from the very rich to the middle and lower class.
[07/10, 1:34 am] @Babe:Jamus Lim and WP also attribute the 2% increase on GST is the cause of inflation.
But worldwide, where countries didn't raise GST, inflation are still rising due to energy crisis, tariffs war and geopolitical development.
@Babe:Many Countries which didn't raise their GST are experiencing higher inflation than Singapore which has raised GST.
The economic theory you expound cannot stand water.
@Babe:US inflation is 3.4%.
Singapore inflation is 2.3% despite increasing GST by 2%.
Your economic explanation cannot stand water.
@Babe:ASEAN inflation is 3.7%.
@Babe:EU inflation is 3.8%.
@Babe:Asia Pacific inflation is 4.2%.
@Babe:Jamus Lim also fail to understand that CDC vouchers will generate business for neighborhood - that bring about a multiplier effects of our domestic economy through circular flow of income without leading to leakage to external economy - boosting domestic business and creating jobs for SMEs.
@Babe:Since you like to flaunt your flaw economic principles - so let spar economics to see who make more sense.
@Babe:Why Singapore inflation can be so low 2.3% despite hiking GST by 2% as many parts of the world are seeing 3% to 4% inflation?
Because our great Economist here fail to understand that Singapore mainly import many goods, services, raw materials, intermediate goods for our production and consumption.
As our Central Bank, MAS maintain a good currency exchange rate via a basket of currency to help Singapore to be competitive in export and import as well as keeping our imported inflation respectable vis-a-vis other countries - that's why our inflation is cap at 2.3%.
Please check with PAP or independent Economists on my explanation whether is it accurate versus the speech you made in this video.
@Babe:Singapore’s post-tax and transfer Gini coefficient dropped to a record low of 0.379 (down from a market-income Gini of 0.452), reflecting significant fiscal redistribution.
GST voucher and CDC vouchers play an important part of such tax transfer and redistribution to ensure Singapore income inequality are kept low as reflected by the Gini coefficient.
@Babe:How Taxes and Transfers Work in Singapore
• Targeted Support: The Singapore government keeps the overall tax burden low while channeling substantial assistance, such as GST Vouchers and Workfare, heavily toward lower- and middle-income households.
• Housing and Asset Policies: Major interventions like heavily subsidized Housing & Development Board (HDB) flats and the Central Provident Fund (CPF) build foundational wealth and reduce long-term inequality outside of direct cash transfers.
• Progressive Fiscal Structure: Upper-income earners and luxury assets face higher taxes (such as tiered property and-income tax structures), which help fund these social redistributions effectively.
Source:- Google Gemini AI
====
REACH (Telegram) 162 - What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament? Which topic interests you the most?
(SK)
06 Oct 2026 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
[6/10/2026 9:45 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 😊
[6/10/2026 10:00 am] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢
Parliament will sit today (6 October) at 10.30am. MPs will raise questions on claims that civil servants and their families disproportionately purchased properties near planned but unannounced MRT stations, rising retrenchments, delays to the North-South Corridor construction, and proposed changes to the salaries and allowances of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of Parliament.
💬 What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament? Which topic interests you the most?
📌 Claims of Property Purchases Near Unannounced MRT Stations
Nine MPs have raised questions about claims in a recent working paper by a US non-profit organisation that some civil servants had bought properties near planned MRT stations before station locations were publicly announced. Questions will focus on whether safeguards are sufficient to prevent public officers from using non-public government information for private financial gain, and whether existing rules should be strengthened.
The Government is already reviewing property purchases made between 2007 and 2011 by officers involved in rail planning, where the properties were close to sites subsequently announced as MRT stations. The Public Service Division has stressed that the statistical patterns identified in the paper do not by themselves establish misconduct or prove that individual officers had access to non-public information. Each transaction will be examined, and cases involving evidence of misuse of non-public information for personal benefit may be referred for further investigation.
📌 Rising Retrenchments
MPs have filed questions following a rise in retrenchments to 4,620 in the second quarter of 2026, the highest level since the fourth quarter of 2020. The re-entry rate for retrenched workers six months after retrenchment also fell to 54.9%, compared with 60.7% in the previous quarter.
Questions will examine which sectors have recorded persistently low re-entry rates among retrenched resident PMETs, as well as the profiles of workers who are least likely to receive retrenchment benefits or other financial support. MPs have also asked about support for mature workers, persons with disabilities and workers with lower educational qualifications who may face greater challenges in finding new employment.
📌 Delay in Construction of the North-South Corridor
Six MPs have raised questions about the two-year delay in the construction of the North-South Corridor, which was attributed to unexpectedly difficult ground conditions requiring more complex construction work. The 21.5km highway, linking Singapore’s northern towns to the city, will now open in stages from 2029 instead of 2027.
MPs will ask about the impact of the delay on residents, businesses and commuters, as well as construction costs, liabilities and measures to prevent further delays.
📌 Raising Salaries of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of Parliament
Parliament will also debate motions to adjust the salaries and allowances of the Speaker, Seah Kian Peng, and Deputy Speakers Christopher de Souza and Xie Yao Quan, following the Government’s acceptance of the recommendations from the 2026 review of political salaries.
The Speaker’s annual salary will rise from S$550,000 to S$900,000, including the bonus and variable component, with the salary pegged at 50% of the increased MR4 ministerial reference salary. Each Deputy Speaker will receive an allowance equivalent to 15% of the Speaker’s monthly salary, together with a bonus and variable component.
The motions are expected to be debated together and follow the guidelines established during the September debate on political salaries.
👉https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/parliament-to-discuss-claims-that-civil-servants-disproportionately-bought-homes-near-unannounced
----
[6/10/2026 10:16 am] Andy: Property purchases near unannounced MRT -> live and let live lah, why have to stir the pot? It's part of job perks. If not make them declare lor..
Raising salaries of speaker -> while i generally support increase in ministerial salary, honestly i don't think their role is significant enough to warrant such a high rank, position or benchmark. they are not subject to the same standards and loss of privacy. Unless they double in other key roles in ministries or civil service
[6/10/2026 10:52 am] Adam: Disturbing implications even if its the perk of the job
[6/10/2026 10:53 am] Adam: What if some army men invest in defence companies ahead of a purchase. Or do some financial moves ahead of a military action?
[6/10/2026 10:53 am] Adam: Can compromise the whole plan
[6/10/2026 10:54 am] Adam: And these are the same type of people parachuted to plan the hdb. What does that say about the culture that builds and protects our nation
[6/10/2026 10:55 am] Adam: What would lky do. Does our current govt have the iron in them?
[6/10/2026 11:03 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : Which issue(s) are you most interested in for today’s Parliament sitting? Share your reasons in the chat! (You may choose more than one option.) ]
- Claims of property purchases near unannounced MRT stations
- Rising retrenchments
- Delay in construction of the North-South corridor
- Impact of deployment of Autonomous Vehicles
- Adjusting salaries of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of Parliament
- Other issues (Please share your views in the chats below)
[6/10/2026 11:17 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. You may choose more than one option.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!
💬 What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which issue interests you the most?
Thank you.
Megan 😊
[6/10/2026 11:37 am] Andy in reply to Adam:
> And these are the same type of people parachuted to plan the...
I understand your point. Let the relevant authorities investigate, we should ensure there are no severe loopholes or exploit.
What I'm saying is that this is a can of worms. Any job out there will have fringe benefits in some form. Let's not vilify civil servants because of unverified speculation by overseas entity (US organization with studies from 15 years ago).
[6/10/2026 11:44 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
1. Singapore Government, Public Service and Civil Service must uphold the highest standard of integrity.
This is the ethos that makes Singapore successful.
2. Civil Service must conform to standard procedures prescribed to ensure everything is aboveboard and transparent.
3. The purpose of paying competitive salaries to attract talents in Government, Public Service and Civil Service is then hence justified.
4. However, if the current process and procedures are still lacking, then tightening of the procedures in property acquisition by civil service needs to be enhanced.
5. We must not let anyone develop the sense that there are hanky panky in our Government system.
Else the World lose trust in Singapore, and all our long established trust and confidence will go down the drain.
6. However, the investigation of the overseas paper must not be used against our civil service to become witch hunting if our civil servants didn't wilfully exploit their pre knowledge especially if the knowledge is also made known to the public and hence did not constitute unfair competition.
7. The findings must be fair and transparent so that the public and overseas are satisfied that whatever we do, we are transparent and aboveboard.
[6/10/2026 11:47 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
1. Next I am more worried about the retrenchment and the re-entry rates of workers into the workforce.
2. Previously, the career track of most workers until retirement are almost intact.
3. But with increasingly tech disruptor, in particular AI, continuous employment for each workers become uncertain.
4. This trigger anxiety among many workers, young and old.
[6/10/2026 11:59 am] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
5. I read yesterday news about the disability (specifically autism after 18 years old), a well planned track are in place to ensure after graduation from schools, autism will be placed in internship and then secure jobs all the way until they retired - so that their livelihoods are secured.
[6/10/2026 12:02 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
6. I hope that we can devised similar plan to ensure end-to-end career continuity - though I know it is not easy because careers are too diversified and different workers salaries can vary widely.
7. The reasons why people are growing more anxious and uncertain - because more career disruptions will break their income earnings.
8. As sandwich groups - that need to get married, bear children, have parents to take care and finance, higher and higher cost of living - anxiety grows - if career disruptions become a norm.
9. As long as government can tackle this single issue, anxiety will go down and there will be less noises.
[6/10/2026 12:33 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
1. Thinking along the autism end-to-end career track.
2. IT, AI career got Computer Society.
3. Lawyer career got Law Society.
4. Civil Service got Civil Service Society.
5. Finance career got Finance Society.
6. Accountant career got Accounting Society.
7. Architect got Architect Society.
8. F&B got f&b society.
9. Retail got retail society.
Etc etc
Rather than fully relying on MOM, e2i, NTUC career etc to look into such diversified needs of career tracks - can we organized along the line like autism end-to-end career?
Every respective professional career society organized such end-to-end career pools to ensure every workers have a peace of mind that intermediate career disruptions like AI disruptors will not end their income earnings because:-
a. Automatically, retrenched workers will drop into their respective professional career pools as internship earning intern salaries - to work with participating organization - salaries co-pay by organization and government.
b. This will ensure no break in income earnings for retrenched workers - still earning intern salaries and yet getting intern training ready for the next job with full salaries when they complete their internship.
c. Guarantee end-to-end career until retirement.
This will relieve Singapore workers anxiety and there will be less noises in the political spaces and in social media - which is a manifestation of people anxiety and uncertain career future.
It will also address the cost of living issues - if people has no break from income earnings due to career disruptions.
And Singapore workers will be less aversive to deploy AI taking away their jobs and business transformation.
As the respective professional career society will equally shoulder the burden of job training, and job emplacement - and not leave everything to the Government.
The respective Unions should also participate in such programme.
[6/10/2026 1:14 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
1. Impact of autonomous vehicles - vis-a-vis taxi drivers and phv drivers.
2. Alternative careers to catch those displaced taxi and phv drivers will be important.
3. Training those IT savvy drivers in Data Center functions, remote control, maintaining IT, AI, robotics autonomous vehicles will be one value added jobs that can bring high salaries to converted workers.
4. But not all drivers can do such jobs.
5. Hence converting taxi and phv drivers into bus drivers - whereby bus captains are in short supply is a good conversion.
6. Bus captains pay are very high, and they need to take care of a varied type of passengers - office workers, students, elderly, disabled, people with trolley etc.
So I think this is a good conversion with stable jobs, good pay and conversion less steep - because it is a driving jobs.
[6/10/2026 1:20 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
Other issues:- brcs.
With brcs going full scale, it certainly introduce more inconvenience to people having to recycle the cans and bottles.
Yesterday I walk to an NTUC Fairprice to recycle and redeem the used bottle.
1. In front of me is one that dress like f&b towkay - well dress, long sleeves, look elegant.
He was recycling big plastic bag of nicely stack recycle cans.
2. I stand behind him waiting patiently for him to recycle 41 cans that take about 15 minutes.
3. I turn around and look behind, and notice a long queue of people waiting to recycle their brcs.
4. A NTUC staff walk past us and an auntie behind say, how long the recycling will take, the NTUC staff say it is already 61% filled.
5. Then I thought, that towkay has finished, he turn around and pick up another big bag of cans.
I then realized there are 2 more big plastic bag of cans to recycle.
6. I shake my head and decide to go for my brisk walk and come back later because he will need 1 hour to complete.
7. Behind the queue can see everyone growing impatient.
8. After my brisk walk, I go back to the brcs machine, I notice no queue, but saw one familiar uncle that always look into waste bin to look for recycle material as garang guni.
But at least he has good moral ethics, because after he scavenge, he will put all the rubbish back to the bin and don't throw the rubbish around the waste bin unlike a TikTok video that show an uncle littering all the waste after scavenging.
9. But to my horror, he come with a few even bigger bags of recycle cans and bottles - easily 100 cans per bag.
10. Then 2 young folks come and want to recycle - but they shake their heads when they see the bags and bags of recycle cans.
11. I decide to give up recycling.
12. Just now, in food court, I see an old woman walking around the food court asking for students to give her the drink cans so that she say can earn some pocket money.
13. I feel that increasingly, we are turning into a part time garang kuni.
14. Recycling become a big chore.
Long queue, more people lugging big bags, recycle machine fill up, cannot recycle, walk a long distance to recycle. Time wasted.
[6/10/2026 1:41 pm] Andy: too long.. skipped all of it
[6/10/2026 1:48 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
As for the salaries of Speaker and Deputy Speaker, I leave it to the good hands of the Government.
It must have benchmark their job roles and responsibilities to some outcomes and KPI that can be subjected to scrutiny.
As to the public, their job scope, roles and responsibilities are not familiar to most people.
[6/10/2026 1:51 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
"8 public officers referred to police after review of 191 property transactions near unannounced MRT stations.
But it does not suggest wrong doings.
“This could be due to the specific circumstances surrounding the purchase, or that we currently do not have adequate information to exclude the case from further review. We have referred these cases to the police,” he said.
He stressed that a referral does not mean that wrongdoing has been established, and that the police will look into the facts independently and due process will be followed.
Further checks are continuing and the government will study what the review shows about gaps in existing safeguards, says Coordinating Minister for Public Services Chan Chun Sing."
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/parliament-chan-chun-sing-psd-property-police-6435176#:~:text=8%20public%20officers,Chan%20Chun%20Sing.
[6/10/2026 2:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢
[6/10/2026 2:50 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> Other issues:- brcs. With brcs going full scale,...
Wonder in neighborhood where brcs has high footfall, especially when more garang kuni, f&b towkay or elderlies that go around collecting cans to recycle - can install at least 2 brcs machines?
This is to cut the long queue, also reducing the chances of one person hoarding one Brcs machine for more than an hour doing mass recycling.
[6/10/2026 2:52 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> Wonder in neighborhood where brcs has high footfall,...
Shopping mall Brcs - didn't see such mass recycling.
But neighborhood see many cases.
Then how to encourage people to recycle at the neighborhood?
[6/10/2026 3:15 pm] Jun Ming:
For bcrs seriously I see a waste of effort and chore although it is a good initiative
[6/10/2026 3:16 pm] Jun Ming: Is there a better way for bulk recycler scan faster
[6/10/2026 3:16 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
I don't mind recycling to curb global warming.
But must make it less painful for people doing recycling.
[6/10/2026 3:17 pm] Jun Ming: Like I see those auto check out machine maybe we can have something like that
[6/10/2026 3:17 pm] Jun Ming: Dump a pile in and auto scan
[6/10/2026 3:18 pm] Jun Ming: And the machine are quite far apart
[6/10/2026 3:18 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
Before Brcs going full steam, the queue still acceptable.
Because less to recycle.
Now very painful.
People turn up with big bags to recycle.
[6/10/2026 3:20 pm] Jun Ming: At least every block should have 1 bcrs machine
[6/10/2026 3:21 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Jun Ming:
> At least every block should have 1 bcrs machine
Now many blocks all converge into the NTUC Fairprice with one Brcs.
[6/10/2026 3:22 pm] Jun Ming: Which is not efficient
[6/10/2026 3:22 pm] Adam: A lot of people flat very small. I keep my bcrs to send in bulk already take up a lot of space in the corner. Not to mention very unsightly
[6/10/2026 3:22 pm] Adam: And cannot crush the cans and bottle since the machine wont accept
[6/10/2026 3:23 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
I now lug the recycle cans and bottles to a shopping mall to recycle.
Don't want to stuck in the neighborhood queue.
Have become a part time garang kuni.
[6/10/2026 3:56 pm] Daniel: Might be an issue with your specific area? I have one machine at the next block and I have never seen it with queue or full. I do agree though that it's very slow and the fact that the bottles and cans can't be crushed is annoying for storage.
[6/10/2026 3:57 pm] Daniel: Overall however I think this is probably the only way we can actually get people to do recycling. The blue bin at my block gets misused for all sorts of trash and people even discard their bulky, non recyclable waste next to it. I really wish there was more enforcement on indiscriminate disposal of stuff at the void deck.
[6/10/2026 4:00 pm] REACH Singapore: ➡️ 8 public officers referred to police after review of 191 property transactions near unannounced MRT stations
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/parliament-chan-chun-sing-psd-property-police-6435176?cid=internal_sharetool_web_06102026_cna
➡️ North-South Corridor delay: Affected business to continue getting HDB rental rebates if eligible
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/north-south-corridor-delay-business-support-hdb-6435021?cid=internal_sharetool_iphone_06102026_cna
➡️ Parliament approves increases to salaries of President, Speaker of Parliament and Deputy Speakers
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/parliament-approves-increases-to-salaries-of-president-speaker-of-parliament-and-deputy-speakers
[6/10/2026 4:00 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> 1. Thinking along the autism end-to-end career track. 2....
Also to encourage organizations to participate in the respective career professional pools offering internships and subsequent full time employment for successful candidates, can provide incentives such as :-
1. During government tender evaluation, this is a plus point during tender evaluation.
If both organization score equally well, organization participating in the career society offering internship and job placement - will be given bonus point and secure the Government contract.
2. Or for SMEs that participate in such programme, given 5% or 10% discount in rental?
This will incentivise more organization to participate in their respective career professional society job internship and subsequent job placement.
Then our Singapore workers anxiety of career disruptions will be neutralize.
Workers can be retrained easily and our labor force remain vibrant and skillets current.
By solving this single career issue, it will be a winning formula for the Government.
The mother of all problem.
[6/10/2026 4:04 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Daniel:
> Might be an issue with your specific area?...
My area very high footfall of people doing recycling.
At least 6 kopitiam/coffeeshops and many f&b shops and a few supermarkets selling drink cans and bottles.
[6/10/2026 4:06 pm] Jasmine Lee: I've voted for Other topics:
https://www.msf.gov.sg/media-room/article/taskforce-unveils-three-key-shifts-to-strengthen-support-for-persons-with-disabilities-and-their-families-across-life-stages
am wondering how we as members of the public are seeing the progressive support laid out for PWDs. =)
[6/10/2026 4:20 pm] Andy: I did notice i am consciously avoiding purchasing canned drinks and opt for large 1.5L bottles or packet drinks. Or just drink plain water
[6/10/2026 4:21 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
But my family members like drinking bottles and can drinks.
I told them to avoid, but they say they like.
And then end up I am always the garang kuni that do the recycling job.
[6/10/2026 4:46 pm] Daniel in reply to Andy:
> I did notice i am consciously avoiding purchasing canned...
1.5L bottle got no 10cts deposit?
[6/10/2026 4:46 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Daniel:
> 1.5L bottle got no 10cts deposit?
Got.
[6/10/2026 4:47 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
I have just recycle a few 1.5L bottles.
[6/10/2026 4:52 pm] Andy: Have, I mean it takes longer to finish before I have to go recycle.
[6/10/2026 5:00 pm] Daniel: Ah, for me this whole change makes me buy less drinks altogether. I'll stand in front of the shelf and think of the hassle of returning it and then end up not buying a drink. I see that as a net positive though, helps me be a bit healthier and save money 🙃
[6/10/2026 5:01 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
If my family members think like that, then I won't be a part time garang kuni.
I will have less headache.
[6/10/2026 5:03 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> If my family members think like that,...
But those drinks are not necessarily unhealthy
They can be canned tea without sugar, tcm drinks like YanSheng, zero sugar coke, mineral water etc.
They can't change their drinking habits.
[6/10/2026 5:12 pm] Andy in reply to Daniel:
> Ah, for me this whole change makes me buy less drinks...
Yeah exactly what happened to me. Hahaha
[6/10/2026 5:13 pm] Andy: I brew a big batch of tea at home to drink sometimes, but more often recently
[6/10/2026 5:17 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
"North-South Corridor delay: Affected business to continue getting HDB rental rebates if eligible.
The government will not leave affected businesses and residents to fend for themselves, says Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow."
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/north-south-corridor-delay-business-support-hdb-6435021#:~:text=North%2DSouth%20Corridor,Minister%20Jeffrey%20Siow.
[6/10/2026 5:17 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> "North-South Corridor delay: Affected business to continue...
Good initiative to help business stay afloat.
[6/10/2026 5:19 pm] Daniel: Yeah, some of those areas, it must be very hard for the business. At Novena, some shops have a very hoarding right in front of their door and it's very troublesome to get around.
[6/10/2026 5:19 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
I was in a kopitiam foodcourt.
Notice 5 stalls closed. Like COVID time.
I chat with the cleaner auntie, there are many customers, food court always full.
How come so many food stalls closed?
I say is it their food not to customer taste?
She told me, their rental is at least 5 figures a month.
Their lease ending, they not renewing - cannot cover costs.
On top of rent, got to pay helpers salaries, electricity, water, cleaner service, high ingredient cost.
They say cannot charge too high prices, customers complain, not patronizing. Charge low, make loss.
I say the food prices already very expensive.
I say kopitiam under NTUC, how come rental so high?
[6/10/2026 5:23 pm] Jun Ming in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> I was in a kopitiam foodcourt. Notice 5 stalls closed....
You see what on the ground and what's on theory is so different
[6/10/2026 5:23 pm] Jun Ming: This is why Nobel hawker in Singapore died
[6/10/2026 5:24 pm] Jun Ming: They work hard and earn little, yet high rent in market kill them
[6/10/2026 5:25 pm] Jun Ming: And then those replacement will be high price food
[6/10/2026 5:25 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
I say I also don't know how to help.
I only can patronize every week.
This is the best I can do.
[6/10/2026 5:26 pm] Jun Ming: And people complain food too expensive and don't pratonise.
[6/10/2026 5:27 pm] Jun Ming: Sometimes I just like nvm. I will go to buddhist lodge to have free lunch
[6/10/2026 5:27 pm] Jun Ming: Although it spend me half and hour travel from my school to there
[6/10/2026 5:28 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Jun Ming:
> Sometimes I just like nvm. I will go to buddhist lodge to have...
Buddhist lodge always provide free vegetarian food, foc.
Donated by people.
[6/10/2026 5:28 pm] Jun Ming: But I save 4 dollars
[6/10/2026 5:28 pm] Jun Ming: In times I feel I over spend I will do this
[6/10/2026 5:29 pm] Jun Ming: Since I bought concession pass transport fee is not a factor
[6/10/2026 5:31 pm] Jun Ming: I hope there's is more free food organisation as I really need it
[6/10/2026 6:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢
[6/10/2026 6:35 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
3 headaches the Government need to resolve:-
1. Career - continuous employment.
2. Cost of living
3. Business cost.
If our Government can effectively tackle these 3 headaches - Governance continuity is guaranteed.
[6/10/2026 6:35 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
"Why a booming economy is not helping Trump.
Anxiety about AI and affordability has turned US President Donald Trump's populist party into a popular target, says Ruchir Sharma for the Financial Times."
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/us-economy-donald-trump-midterm-elections-6432736#:~:text=Why%20a%20booming,the%20Financial%20Times.
[6/10/2026 6:36 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> "Why a booming economy is not helping Trump....
US experience the very high 4% GDP growth.
But for the 1st time in history, prediction is that his Party will lose in landslides despite such a high economic growth because it is a very unusual phenomenon K-shaped Economy.
Economy that benefit the few ultra rich fuel by AI.
K
But the vast majority of the people experience:-
1. Job loss to AI.
2. High cost of living
3. High business cost that drive many business out.
[6/10/2026 6:43 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> US experience the very high 4% GDP growth....
We must learn from US lesson and must tackle the 3 mother of problems convincingly:-
Ensure:-
1. Continuous employment
2. Cap high cost of living
3. Keep business cost low
In this era of K-shaped Economy.
Singapore is also experiencing this unusual phenomenon of K-shaped Economy - featuring high GDP growth through AI growth but the middle and below are not reaping the benefits.
Specifically also noticed many SMEs, long established business and f&b bite the dust.
[6/10/2026 6:45 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
"Insolvency, bankruptcy applications against Mary Chia stayed".
Another well known business chain bite the dust.
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/creditor-pauses-insolvency-bankruptcy-applications-against-mary-chia#:~:text=Insolvency%2C%20bankruptcy%20applications%20against%20Mary%20Chia%20stayed
[6/10/2026 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 😊
[6/10/2026 6:45 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
"Crystal Jade’s receivership: What happens next and what it means for staff".
Atas restaurant chain - another one bite the dust.
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/companies-markets/what-does-crystal-jade-holding-companies-being-under-receivership-mean#:~:text=Crystal%20Jade%E2%80%99s%20receivership%3A%20What%20happens%20next%20and%20what%20it%20means%20for%20staff
[6/10/2026 6:59 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 😊
====
Saturday, October 3, 2026
Mayor - why we need Mayors? Why MPs can't do the job?
[03/10, 11:32 pm] : https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbm7gSLj/
Mayor referendum?
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbmKEY5P/
[04/10, 12:02 am] @Babe:
1 Mayor handles 3 to 5 GRCs and 1 to 6 SMCs - to achieve Economies of Scale.
This go way beyond what MPs in GRCs can handle.
----
[04/10, 12:13 am] @Babe:
Source :- Google Gemini AI
Written by :-Joel Wong’s
Last published Aug 8, 2026
Cutting through the noise, one myth at a time. Singapore politics, unpacked with facts, flair, and a little bit of bite.
Why Singapore Has Mayors : The TLDR version
Joel Wong
I recently published a detailed piece explaining what Mayors do and the scope of their work. Some friends found it a little long, so I decided to create this shorter TLDR version. :) If you want to read the longer piece, yoiu can read it here
Every few years, during elections or Budget debates, someone will ask: “Why do we even need Mayors? Isn’t that a waste of money? Can’t MPs just do their jobs?”
It’s a fair question — but also one that often misunderstands how Singapore’s governance structure works today.
Here’s a clear, fact-checked breakdown so you don’t have to plough through a 100-page report.
1. MPs vs Mayors vs Ministers: Different Jobs, Different Levels
MPs (Members of Parliament) are inward-looking at the constituency level.
They manage your local Town Council (estate maintenance).
They help individual residents at Meet-the-People Sessions (MPS).
When you go to MPS, the first thing they ask is whether you live in the constituency — because MPs are responsible for individual citizen casework.the last line of help for individual citizens
Mayors are inward-looking at the district (CDC) level.
They lead Community Development Councils (CDCs), which cover multiple GRCs and SMCs.
They focus on programs that benefit groups of citizens collectively — such as job fairs, SkillsFuture workshops, community aid, and voucher distributions.
Ministers are outward-facing at the national level.
They are responsible for the overall welfare of Singapore — designing national policies, managing ministries, and safeguarding Singapore’s long-term interests on economic, security, and social fronts.
In short: MPs defend individuals. Mayors coordinate programs for communities. Ministers shape policies for the entire country.
[04/10, 12:15 am] @Babe:
2. What Exactly Do Mayors and CDCs Do?
They organize district-wide initiatives like:
CDC Vouchers: Over S$1.3 billion distributed since COVID-19, supporting households and heartland businesses.
SkillsFuture Advice Workshops: Helping residents plan career paths and learn new skills.
Local financial support programs: Meal schemes for needy students, family funds, health screenings.
During COVID-19 (Feb-Oct 2020):
CDCs ran nearly 100 initiatives.
Reached over 676,000 beneficiaries.
Raised S$8.39 million in cash and kind.
The government often calls CDCs “the hands and legs” for rolling out national help to the ground. One MP cannot do all this alone — especially when initiatives cover entire districts.
[04/10, 12:16 am] @Babe:
3. About $660,000 Mayor Salary
The benchmark salary for a Mayor is S$660,000 a year.
It’s not a second salary — it’s a single clean wage under Singapore’s “no hidden perks” system.
It sits smack between an MP’s allowance (~S$192,500) and a full Minister’s salary (~S$1.1 million).
Why? Because the Mayor’s responsibilities are bigger than a single constituency, but not national like a Cabinet Minister.
====
@Babe:
Only 2 Mayors out of the 5 Mayors received the full Mayor pays.
3 Mayors are MOS and Senior MOS and hence received no Mayor pay.
====
04/10, 12:15 am] @Babe:
Singapore Mayors are covering the districts run by WP Opposition MPs - to achieve Economies of Scale.
That is why WP MP Pritam Singh is complaining - no face, want to abolish Mayors that benefit many Singaporeans.
- imply WP MPs are not good enough as they are unable to exploit Economies of Scale.
Singapore Mayors function as regional coordinators for Community Development Councils (CDCs) - that cover districts operate by WP MPs.
Role of Mayors vs. MPs
- CDCs and Community Work: Mayors chair the five CDCs (Central, North East, North West, South East, and South West) and focus on local community bonding, mobilising volunteers, and administering national assistance programs like CDC vouchers.
- They focus on programs that benefit groups of citizens collectively — such as job fairs, SkillsFuture workshops, community aid, and voucher distributions.
SkillsFuture Advice Workshops: Helping residents plan career paths and learn new skills.
Local financial support programs: Meal schemes for needy students, family funds, health screenings.
Friday, October 2, 2026
入定，涅槃。Jhana Samadhi, Nirvana.
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSb5d9T8V/
@Babe:入定，涅槃。
@Babe:Jhana Samadhi, Nirvana.
@Babe:
Non-arising is nibbana.
Non-occurrence is nibbana.
@Babe:
“不生”即是涅槃。
“不现起”即是涅槃。
- @Babe:1. A Mediator sitting in Alpha position observe (or silent chanting of a Buddha name) One’s breath – in tandem of the in & out of the nostril. With sustained mindfulness of the in & out of the breath until, serenity & calmness of the mind is achieved. Any distraction of the mind – eg. Drifting of mind, pain or itch in the body – will be tagged with mental noting of the respective phenomenon. This ensure the meditator is “detached: - from his body phenomena or mental state – but merely as another party “observing” his own body phenomena or mental state.
- 2. When sufficient Concentration developed through this “sustained Mindfulness”, a sharp pointed “bright light” – which is known as “nimitta” sign emerge near the proximity of the nostril – in which sustained mindfulness and Concentration is directed.
- 3. When the nimitta appears – it means that Concentration of the Mind is near to perfection – and further directed Mindfulness on the nimitta – to achieve “one pointedness of concentration”.
- 4. When a pointedness of concentration emerged – the nimitta becomes an intense bright light – unwavering, sharpness and brightness.
- 5. If mindfulness and concentration iis deepen on the intense nimtta – a strong absorption, suction into the intense light will occur.
- 6. Rapturing will follow that cause the body to quiver with “goose pimples” erupting under the rapturing of the body. In a short instance, the whole body seems to have vanished.
- 7. The ear consciousness will be suddenly shut out – and only muffle noise of the background will be heard.
- 8. Following, happiness arises.
- 9. Serenity arises.
- 10. Equanimity arises.
- 11. Silencing of the mind.
- 12. Only one pointedness bright light become the only dominant visible phenomena – plus the 4 other mental phenomena.
- 13.This is said to have achieved the “Jhana state” – Chang Ding or Zen state !
@Babe:Attained 1st to 4th Jhana Samadhi !
====
@Babe:
1. 禅修者采取特定姿势（Alpha position）坐定，观察呼吸（或默念佛号），紧随鼻孔处的吸气与呼气过程。通过持续觉知呼吸的进出，直至内心达到宁静与安详。若出现任何干扰——如思绪游离、身体疼痛或瘙痒——禅修者会对这些现象进行标记（即在心中觉知并确认该现象）。这确保了禅修者与自身的身体现象或心理状态保持“抽离”——仅作为旁观者“观察”这些现象或状态。
2. 当通过这种“持续觉知”建立起足够的定力（专注力）时，鼻孔附近会出现一道尖锐集中的“明光”——即所谓的“相”（nimitta）；此时，持续的觉知与定力便集中于此“相”上。
3. 当“相”出现时，意味着心之定力已近乎圆满；此时需进一步将觉知集中于该“相”上，以达到“心一境性”（定力的高度集中）。
4. 当心一境性显现时，“相”会转化为一道强烈明亮的光芒——稳定不动，既锐利又明亮。
5. 若觉知与定力在强烈的“相”上进一步加深，便会产生一种强烈的“吸入感”，仿佛整个人被吸入那道强光之中。
6. 随后产生喜悦（法喜），身体随之颤动，并因这种喜悦感而起“鸡皮疙瘩”。转瞬间，整个身体似乎消失了。
7. 听觉意识会突然切断——只能听到微弱模糊的背景噪音。
8. 紧接着，快乐（乐受）生起。
9. 宁静（轻安）生起。
10. 平静（舍心/平等心）生起。
11. 心归于寂静。
12. 此时，那道明亮的光芒（心一境性）成为唯一主导的视觉现象，并伴随着另外四种心理现象。
13. 这便被视为达到了“禅那”（Jhana）状态——即“禅定”或“禅”的境界!
@Babe:初禅定 - 至 四禅定。
====
@Babe:1. Meditator will bask on the one pointedness bright light for a while and enjoying the 4 happy mental states of happiness, serenity, equanimity and silencing of the mind.
2. After a while the one pointedness bright light (the first concentric circle) expand outwards like an expanding balloon in the 10 directions – filling up the space around the meditator.
3. Again the expansion of the light – will continue to project and expand outward – farther and farther as it to fill up the space around us, the district, the country, the world, the earth and still continue into the space – the solar system, the galaxy, the whole universe.
4. The first concentric circle of yellow light will then stabilize – and stop expanding. This first concentric circle – characterize as “no-self” – Void – thus it can expand outwards with no barriers or obstacles.
5. As long as as the space or void is not fill with the yellow bright light, the first concentric circle of bright light will then expand again – due to the pulling of a “flickering: 2nd concentric circle of flickering bright circumference – characterize by Compassion. (Vows to liberate all sentinent beings of 10 directions).
6. Until and unless all spaces have been covered by the 2 concentric circles – characterizing of liberation of all sentinent beings of 10 directions – will the 2 concentric circles stop.Only then the 3rd concentric circle – a robust 3rd concentric circle form a “body mass” around the 2 concentric circle.
7. When this happens, no more stray thoughts will arise within the 3 concentric circles.Stray thoughts that attempt to penetrate the 3 concentric circles will be strongly defended and protected by the 3rd Concentric circle of “body mass” – characterize by “Panna Wisdom”.
8. When this happen, the meditator is experiencing what is called “The Supreme Bliss” – everlasting “Silencing of the Mind” – that will go on for hours, an hours, an hours --- never before experience in any human beings – or it believe by any 6 realm states of sentinent beings.
@Babe:
5 Mental Aggregate Emptiness.
4 Great Element Emptiness.
----
@Babe:
1. 禅修者将沐浴在“心一境性”的明亮光芒中，享受快乐、宁静、平等舍（心境平和）以及心念止息这四种喜悦的心境。
2. 片刻之后，这道“心一境性”的明亮光芒（即第一个同心圆）会像膨胀的气球一样向十方扩散，充盈禅修者周围的空间。
3. 光芒继续向外投射与扩展，越传越远：从我们身边的空间，扩展至所在区域、国家、世界、地球，并进一步延伸至外太空——涵盖太阳系、银河系乃至整个宇宙。
4. 随后，这第一个黄色光芒的同心圆会趋于稳定，停止扩张。这一同心圆的特质是“无我”与“空性”，正因如此，它能够毫无阻碍地向外扩展。
5. 只要空间或虚空尚未被明亮的黄光充满，那道代表“慈悲”（即誓愿度化十方一切众生）的、闪烁着的第二重明亮光环，便会产生一种牵引力，促使第一重明亮光环再次向外扩展。
6. 这两重光环——象征着十方一切众生的解脱——会持续扩展，直至覆盖所有空间方才停止。唯有此时，第三重光环才会形成；这是一重强劲有力的光环，在上述两重光环周围构筑起一个“光体”（body mass）。
7. 当这一状态达成时，这三重光环之内便不再生起任何杂念。若有杂念试图穿透这三重光环，便会遭到那代表“般若智慧”（Panna Wisdom）的第三重光环——即那个“光体”——的强力防御与阻挡。
8. 此时，修行者正体验着所谓的“至高法乐”——一种永恒的“心之寂静”——这种状态将持续数小时之久，绵延不绝；这是人类从未有过的体验，亦被认为超乎六道众生所能经历的境界。
@Babe:
五蕴皆空。
四大皆空。
====
@Babe:Pali Canon description:-
Non-arising is nibbana.
Non-occurrence is nibbana.
[Mental and physical] arising is conditioned phenomena.
[Mental and physical] occurrence is conditioned phenomena.
This Pali quote shows that the nature of nibbana is the complete cessation of conditioned phenomena, expressed in terms of the cessation of arising, occurrence, sign, accumulation, and rebirth.
Nibbana is said to be the cessation, liberation, non-arising, or nonexistence of conditioned phenomena.
----
@Babe:巴利圣典中的描述如下——
“不生”即是涅槃。
“不现起”即是涅槃。
[身心的]生起属于有为法。
[身心的]现起属于有为法。
这段巴利语引文表明，涅槃的本质是有为法的彻底止息，具体表现为生起、现起、相、积聚与再生的止息。
涅槃被描述为有为法的止息、解脱、不生或不存在。
====
@Babe:
入定 - 有禅相。
一心不乱。
@Babe:必须出现一种“一心专注”的禅相（nimitta）——即一道非常明亮的光。
@Babe:四禅定。
@Babe:
There must be a single pointedness concentration nimitta - a very bright light.
Then it is the 4th Jhana Samadhi - 1 pointedness concentration equanimity.
====
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSb5qryEQ/
缘起性空。
Arising from conditions, phenomena are empty of inherent nature.
====
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbHcSv4F/
There are 10 stages of practice 修行。
We can benchmark which stage we are in as what it describes here.
It accurately rate how well we progress towards Enlightenment.
====
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbCLeLYp/
境界高人。
====
Thursday, October 1, 2026
Report School Bully & Discrimination
[01/10, 5:08 pm] : https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbUnYeEQ/
[01/10, 8:10 pm] @Babe:School authority must be informed so that they can step in to investigate.
If the bully and discrimination are found to be true,
1. Appropriate punishment must be administered.
2. Follow by counselling.
3. Ensure rehabilitation are effective and the 3 students genuinely repent.
4. Their parents informed about their bad behavior and the subsequent corrective measures.
Singapore will not tolerate such behavior and discriminative mindset.
[01/10, 8:10 pm] @Babe:
必须通知校方，以便其介入调查。
若证实存在欺凌与歧视行为，则必须：
1. 实施适当的惩处。
2. 安排后续的辅导。
3. 确保矫正措施有效，且涉事的三名学生真心悔过。
4. 将学生的不当行为及随后的矫正措施告知其家长。
新加坡绝不容忍此类行为及歧视心态。
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
REACH (Telegram) 161 - What are your thoughts on the announcement of the public transport fares hike?
(SK)
30 Sep 2026 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
[30/9/2026 9:45 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 😊
[30/9/2026 10:02 am] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢
On Tuesday (29 September), the Public Transport Council (PTC) announced an overall fare increase of 7.0% for commuters, about half of the 14.7% maximum quantum for public transport fares. While commuters bear 7.0% of the increase in fares, the Government will bear the remaining 7.7% points of fare adjustment through an additional subsidy of nearly $200 million. This will take effect from 26 December 2026.
The PTC said the higher fare formula output was driven by a substantial increase in energy prices between July 2025 and June 2026 due to the Middle East conflict.
💬 What are your thoughts on the announcement of the public transport fares hike?
📌 Bus & Train Fares (From 26 December 2026)
- Concession card fares (4-5 cents increase per journey)
- Adult card fares (12-13 cents increase per journey)
- Bus cash fares (10 cents increase for students, seniors and PwDs, 20 cents increase for adults)
- No change in the prices of monthly concession passes and Workfare Transport Concession Scheme cardholders' fares
📌 Rationale for fare hike
Under the fare adjustment formula, which applies from 2023 to 2027, the 2026 fare adjustment quantum generated by the formula was 5.3 per cent.
The formula takes into account changes in the core consumer price index, wages and energy costs, as well as productivity and public transport capacity. The formula protects the interests of commuters by capping the adjustment, rather than leaving it to the operators to pass through all cost increases to commuters to bear.
Taking into account the 9.4 percentage-point adjustment carried over from previous fare review exercises, the maximum allowable fare adjustment quantum was 14.7 per cent.
The PTC decided to grant a fare adjustment quantum of 7 per cent and defer the remaining 7.7 percentage points to future fare review exercises.
📌 Support for the lower-income
To help cushion the impact of the fare increase for lower-income households, the Government will raise the quantum of Public Transport Vouchers (PTVs) from $60 to $80 per household. The income eligibility ceiling for PTVs will also be adjusted from $1,800 per capita to $2,100. About four in 10 households will qualify for the vouchers as a result, including about 60,000 additional households, according to a joint release by MOT and the People's Association on Tuesday.
Public transport operators will also contribute to the support measures. SBS Transit Rail and SMRT Trains are required to contribute 30 per cent of their expected increase in fare revenue to the Public Transport Fund, amounting to $23.94 million in total.
👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/bus-train-fares-to-rise-by-up-to-13-cents-for-adults-from-dec-26-due-to-higher-energy-prices
👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/mrt-bus-fares-record-hike-public-transport-sbs-smrt-6417731
👉 https://www.ptc.gov.sg/media-centre/newsroom/fare-review-exercise-2026/
👉 https://www.mot.gov.sg/news-resources/newsroom/joint-press-release-by-mot-and-pa---increase-in-value-of-public-transport-vouchers-from--60-to--80/
----
[30/9/2026 10:20 am] Jun Ming: Guys time to buy concession
[30/9/2026 10:21 am] Jun Ming: I pretty sure it can easily exit the price we are paying per trip unless you are earning miles and Cashback from credit card
[30/9/2026 10:24 am] Jun Ming: Not like we complain they will decrease the price
[30/9/2026 10:25 am] Jun Ming: If energy price drop will fare drop?
[30/9/2026 10:26 am] Jun Ming: But tbh the frequency of price increase is too frequent for public transport
[30/9/2026 10:28 am] Jun Ming: And why would they increase right after minister salary increase
[30/9/2026 10:28 am] Jun Ming: Not the right time
[30/9/2026 10:28 am] Jun Ming: It fuel more unhappiness that gov don't feel us
[30/9/2026 10:37 am] Adam: Per household once again. What if household very big? Like 8 ppl under a roof? Whole family share a chicken wing?
[30/9/2026 10:38 am] Adam: Govt want to encourage big family. 3 gen. Yet do this
[30/9/2026 10:38 am] Adam: Dinks always win
[30/9/2026 10:40 am] Adam: Well given it counts per capita income, retirees who are wealthy in cpf and stocks will also get the vouchers
[30/9/2026 10:58 am] Andy: The fare increase is no surprise to me. I think we have to come to terms that COL will continue to increase.
Of course nobody wants to pay more, but it's unrealistic to expect costs to stay unchanged given higher raw material cost and investments into improving public transport infrastructure.
As per standard protocol gov has provided vouchers to those who really need it to ease short-term financial stress which is good. However, per household like Adam pointed out is quite lacking.. transport is a personal cost and not a household cost. Does the government lack capabilities to identify and disburse this at an individual level?
I also think that they should not give PTV out to households with vehicle(s) despite being below the ceiling. This was not clarified.
[30/9/2026 11:00 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 1. I am concerned about the increase in public transport fares. (Share your reasons in the chat!) ]
- Extremely concerned
- Moderately concerned
- Slightly concerned
- Not concerned at all
[30/9/2026 11:00 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 2. I understand the reasons behind the need to increase public transport fares. ]
- Strongly agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly disagree
[30/9/2026 11:02 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 the announcement of the public transport fares hike?
Thank you.
Megan 😊
[30/9/2026 11:02 am] Daniel: I agree that the hike seems justified. Also I remember the last few years some of the hikes have been deferred, so makes sense that this is not indefinitely deferred.
I also agree with what a previous poster said on household. Seems unfair/illogical that only one voucher given per household.
I also like the idea of not giving vouchers to households with cars.
[30/9/2026 11:02 am] Andy in reply to Jun Ming:
> Not the right time
Bad timing yeah, but also, there will never be a 'good timing', never 😂
[30/9/2026 11:13 am] Jun Ming: Should give based on per capital. I do not agree about not giving with household with car.
[30/9/2026 11:14 am] Jun Ming: Not giving to the owner with car yes
[30/9/2026 1:03 pm] Jasmine Lee: I'm just thinking for persons with disabilities - can they have better concessions I.e. govt support the respective transport companies which can be translated to cheaper bus/train charges for them?
[30/9/2026 1:03 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
1. If our buses don't use diesel, fuel but run on EV.
2. If our MRT run on electricity power by green energy.
3. If our bus terminal and MRT stations electricity are not powered by LNG or fuel but green energy
Then even if Middle East fight until no oil or LNG come out, Hormuz Straits and Red Sea block - our public transport prices won't increase.
Now our electricity are highly dependent on LNG gas 95% - Qatar LNG Hormuz Straits block.
ASEAN heavily dependent on LNG - of course our electricity prices will be like SuperMan up up and away.
Hence going for long term sustainable green energy like solar, geothermal, waste generation and nuclear energy to supply us 95% of electricity (specifically nuclear energy with the highest power yield can easily provide us 13GW yearly - to fulfill our whole country needs) will be our best solutions to solve the up up and away oil energy crisis once and for all.
But this is the long shot - easily 10 years down the road - if we eventually decide to go for nuclear energy.
Within this 10 years - be prepared to bear with this up up and away energy bill, public transport bill - as long as Middle East want to fight and never stop.
[30/9/2026 1:11 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/nuclear-energy-government-teams-hiring-specialist-training-6415011
Singapore reshapes government teams, steps up hiring as it builds nuclear energy capabilities.
Agencies are recruiting nuclear specialists, while research capacity is growing and new training programmes are being developed.
[30/9/2026 1:13 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/eil-in-talks-with-saudi-arabia-uae-for-oil-infra-projects-to-bypass-strait-of-hormuz/article71483977.ece
EIL in talks with Saudi Arabia, UAE for oil infra projects to bypass Strait of Hormuz by building more pipelines.
EIL is seeking project consultancy and feasibility-study mandates for the planned infrastructure.
[30/9/2026 1:13 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): "Qatar’s energy chief sees LNG expansion start-up in 2027".
He also said that Qatar is not currently planning to build new pipelines to bypass Hormuz.
The disruption has sent shockwaves through Qatar’s economy, as natural gas revenue has all but evaporated and the country has no alternative shipping routes to bypass the strait.
Qatar is expected to suffer an economic contraction of more than 8 per cent in 2026, according to the International Monetary Fund.
https://www.straitstimes.com/business/qatars-energy-chief-sees-lng-expansion-start-up-in-2027#:~:text=Qatar%E2%80%99s%20energy%20chief%20sees%20LNG%20expansion%20start%2Dup%20in%202027
The country is pivoting to become a larger trader of LNG, and is handling more LNG outside the Persian Gulf with the start of its Golden Pass export facility in the US.
“We will be, in the very near future, the largest LNG trader in the world by far,” said Al-Kaabi. “And we’re building our position to become the largest trader.”
[30/9/2026 1:14 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
"Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says Gulf oil producers could bypass the Strait of Hormuz within two years, putting a remarkably short timetable on a pipeline buildout that has accelerated since the Iran war disrupted one of the world’s busiest oil routes."
My comment have been picked up by the US Treasury Secretary.
Build pipelines to bypass both Hormuz Straits and Red Sea - that will solve the Gulf oil crisis from blockade.
https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Bessent-Says-Strait-of-Hormuz-Obsolete-Within-Two-Years.html#:~:text=Treasury%20Secretary%20Scott%20Bessent%20says%20Gulf%20oil%20producers%20could%20bypass%20the%20Strait%20of%20Hormuz%20within%20two%20years%2C%20putting%20a%20remarkably%20short%20timetable%20on%20a%20pipeline%20buildout%20that%20has%20accelerated%20since%20the%20Iran%20war%20disrupted%20one%20of%20the%20world%E2%80%99s%20busiest%20oil%20routes.
[30/9/2026 1:14 pm] Jun Ming: Maybe nuclear flight in the future
[30/9/2026 1:16 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
So Middle East oil block turbulence will still go on for sometimes.
Most important, we must ensure we can secure our own energy security - oblivious of what happens in Middle East - like our water security self sufficiency.
[30/9/2026 1:16 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Jun Ming:
> Maybe nuclear flight in the future
It won't be.
Smr is safe and secured - if we do it the right way.
[30/9/2026 1:17 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> So Middle East oil block turbulence will still go on for...
Nuclear energy is our golden bet.
Else be prepared to bear with the up up and away oil and LNG prices every year.
And the up up and away public transport prices every year.
[30/9/2026 1:22 pm] Jun Ming: How about biofuel
[30/9/2026 1:22 pm] Jun Ming: We can just piling micro algae to produce it
[30/9/2026 1:23 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
Biofuel yield also very small.
Less than 10% of our needs.
[30/9/2026 1:24 pm] RY in reply to REACH Singapore:
> 📢 Topic 📢 On Tuesday (29 September),...
Believe any increase in cost of living eg public transport, due to whatever rationale eg spiking energy costs n etc
Govt may have to put in place more subsidy/concession to those elderly/low income/people with disability, to help these grp of people to cater to the increase also
That is already what the Govt is doing now
[30/9/2026 1:24 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
Unless you want to buy palm oil from Indonesia and burn more forest and result in haze?
[30/9/2026 1:24 pm] Jun Ming: Nah.
[30/9/2026 1:24 pm] Jun Ming: But Singapore is too small liao
[30/9/2026 1:24 pm] Jun Ming: Yet demand is so high
[30/9/2026 1:25 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> Unless you want to buy palm oil from Indonesia and burn more...
After note:-
Source:- Google Gemini AI
Singapore does attempt to take legal action against companies responsible for regional smoke, but faces major practical and diplomatic barriers.
The Law Exists
Singapore passed the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA) to punish any company—local or foreign—that causes or contributes to unhealthy haze in Singapore, with daily fines up to $100,000.
Singapore authorities have served notices and sought company data or directors for questioning under this law.
The Straits Times
Why Prosecution is Difficult
Sovereignty and Political Friction: Indonesia has pushed back against Singapore enforcing laws over acts done on Indonesian soil, arguing that it infringes on national sovereignty and that matters should be handled via Indonesian courts or regional pacts.
Lack of Local Data and Cooperation:
Singapore needs concrete evidence like land ownership maps and concession data, which Indonesian authorities have sometimes been slow or reluctant to share.
The Business Times
Jurisdiction and Enforcement: For Singapore courts to prosecute, the target company or its representatives must have a legal presence in Singapore or comply with court summons. Many overseas managers or directors simply do not show up, making arrests or court orders hard to execute outside Singapore.
----
Prompt :- Did singapore successfully prosecute any companies that cause haze in Indonesia?
Google Gemini AI response:-
No, Singapore has not successfully prosecuted or convicted any foreign companies under its anti-haze law.
Enforcement Actions Under the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act (THPA)
Passed in 2014: Singapore enacted the Transboundary Haze Pollution Act to penalize entities inside or outside Singapore whose conduct causes or contributes to unhealthy haze pollution in the country.
2015/2016 Investigations: Following severe regional fires in 2015, Singapore's National Environment Agency (NEA) served preventive notices and information requests to several Indonesian pulp and paper suppliers, including units of Asia Pulp and Paper (APP).
Stalls and Warrants: Singapore issued a detention/court warrant for an uncooperative Indonesian company director in 2016, but met strong pushback from the Indonesian government, which argued that Singapore's extraterritorial enforcement infringed on Indonesian legal sovereignty.
Cases Closed or Unresolved: NEA eventually cleared two of the firms after accepting explanations regarding their lack of association with the land, while remaining investigations stalled due to lack of cooperation from overseas corporate respondents and jurisdictional friction.
https://babe118.blogspot.com/2026/09/160-reach-super-aged-topic-after-note.html?m=0
[30/9/2026 1:27 pm] Jun Ming: I wonder why nobody try Nikola Tesla's Wardenclyffe Tower
[30/9/2026 1:27 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
What's that?
[30/9/2026 1:33 pm] Jun Ming: https://www.megger.com/en/et-online/april-2023/what-became-of-nikola-tesla%E2%80%99s-wireless-dream
[30/9/2026 1:34 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
I will be surprised if we can even get 5% energy yield from this source.
[30/9/2026 1:35 pm] RY in reply to Jun Ming:
> I wonder why nobody try Nikola Tesla's Wardenclyffe Tower
May write to Elon Musk, as he is scientific-adventurous CEO to try all posibilities
[30/9/2026 2:01 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢
[30/9/2026 2:11 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> After note:- Source:- Google Gemini AI Singapore does...
Nuclear energy, green energy - self sufficiency.
1. No need everyday replenish like fuel and LNG. Once install, nuclear energy can go on for decades to a century.
2. Stop global warming - no emission of carbon like fuel, LNG methane.
Fresh air, low global temperature no global warming, no burning, no haze.
Environmentalist sure like it.
But give us the merge Jurong island 2 to deploy our nuclear energy - protected by class 1A security.
3. Best of all, we don't see fuel prices, public transport prices, private transport prices, electricity prices and all business sector price, overall cost of living, inflation - go up up and away every year when Middle East fight.
Always fight, find excuse to fight.
没完没了。
Hopefully then, our electricity prices can come down, public transport prices can come down, business cost can come down, cost of living can come down, inflation can come down.
Our disposable income go up.
[30/9/2026 2:33 pm] Andy: Definite agree having our own sustainable energy resource.
[30/9/2026 2:42 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
Also can the year after year haze problem be solved ?
Yes, almost except the momentum didn't go on.
It is not through law, through forceful means that will trigger political firestorm with another country.
But a skilful technical solutions - known as the checker canal installation for all big and small plantations - will have stop the haze once and for all.
It was proposed, the previous president pick it up the moment he was inaugurated.
Come out in big international news and in UN climate report.
Haze didn't come on for many years (it is not coincidental).
But then momentum stop.
New plantation come in, no momentum for checker canal plantations, haze return.
https://babe118.blogspot.com/2026/07/draft-social-media-post.html?m=0
[30/9/2026 2:46 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> Also can the year after year haze problem be solved ?...
What does the checker plantation canal do.
Draw inspiration from a checker chess board.
1. Build the whole plantation like a chess board.
2. The lines cutting across the plantations are canals to trap rain and water.
3. Fire on the plantations can be put out by water from the canals if fire engine water cannot reach the vast plantations.
4. If fire turn into peat fire that continue to smother, open up the flood gates from the canal to flood the plantations and put out the smothering peat fires.
5. The canals act as fire barriers that stop fire from strong winds to spread the forest fire.
6. It win praise by UN climate report and accord the praise to the ex president - of course the idea come from an anonymous social media post in Yahoo news.
But then yahoo stop the comment column.
7. Haze stop for many years.
[30/9/2026 2:49 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
7. But then the momentum stop, new plantation come in, no canals, haze come back.
[30/9/2026 2:49 pm] Andy: Indonesia will fail in execution for sure, though this sounds like a good idea.
If the government is truly effective, perhaps we won't see such cheap prices in Batam 😂 maybe the haze is one of many prices to pay for enjoying the exchange rate difference..
[30/9/2026 2:50 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
So don't anyhow pin blame on our government.
[30/9/2026 2:51 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Andy:
> Indonesia will fail in execution for sure,...
It works for many years - if you see the url link with many pictures.
https://babe118.blogspot.com/2026/07/draft-social-media-post.html?m=0
But now momentum stop, haze return.
[30/9/2026 2:51 pm] Andy: I see...
[30/9/2026 2:51 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
That's why environmentalist only know how to make noise but not solving the problem.
Everything pin blame on our government.
[30/9/2026 4:30 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
1. Am I concern about the increasing public transport price?
My response :- Yes I am concerned because it will reduce our disposable income as the price increase is quite steep.
Of course I not happy.
Public transport is essential to many people. No end in sight - as Middle East war fight until 没完没了. Both Hormuz Straits and Red Sea block. Qatar LNG not exporting to Singapore - where our electricity 95% on LNG. Qatar not digging piplelines to export LNG. Even though UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman are digging pipelines to export fuel. Don't expect resolution in near term.
2. Do I understand the reasons behind the increase in public transport fare?
My response :- I understand. This is a geopolitical event that is beyond our Government control. Some people will pin blame on our Government like they always do when price increases - standard operandi.
Then we will need to look at the root cause and think of solutions to resolve this problem once and for all.
So don't pin blame on our government - think of long term solutions.
Eg. when people threaten to cut our imported water? Do we cry foul, blame government or keep calm, serene and think of solutions?
遇事先沉心，静中之的悟。
Rash and reckless people will blame our govt, fight our neighbor.
Wise people think of long term solutions - recycle waste water, tap the sea water that is abundant around us through desalination. Soon we are free from imported water hostage that always hanging on our neck.
Likewise, everyday we need to import LNG gas, fuel to generate electricity. But time and again, Middle East like to fight war for whatever reasons. Export oil and LNG got block, price shoot up, people kaobeh kaobu - blame government.
Hence long term solution?
Green Energy - solar (about 10%), hydrogen gas (derive from abundant seawater around us - by electrolysis - but need ammonia gas to generate - also constrained by need to import ammonia), biofuel (cooking oil - but low yield - less than 10%), geothermal (also low yield, will be surprise if we can get 5% yield), regional energy grid (depends on cooperation among regional countries), waste generation of electricity (low yield about 10%).
Only nuclear energy through SMR - can easily give us 95% yield.
One SMR can produce 300MW (stack in 4 per SMR can achieve 1.2GW) with very small footprint, 1 golf ball size uranium pellets or Molten Salt/Thorium.
Singapore (that plan for future needs) need 13GW.
That means 10 SMRs of 4 stacked - with the size of an Expo exhibition hall footprint will suffice.
The merged islands - known as Jurong Island 2 - beautifully meet the nuclear safety requirements for SMR.
a. 1.4 km away from mainland.
b. Special encasement of a pellet size uranium pellet the size of a golf ball - with multi layer cladding - make up of different materials that stop nuclear radiation.
c. Reinforced wall to prevent nuclear radiation.
d. Failsafe safety device that stop nuclear fission chain reaction.
e. Seawater to flood SMR if nuclear radiation is detected.
f. The best -- install it underground - protect our SMR reactors from bombs, missile attacks, drone attacks, terrorist bomb sabotage etc - even from sustained bombing - failsafe.
g. Can buried it in their respective cell when decommissioned - if design like honeycomb underground. After 100 years after decommissioning, when nuclear radiation is no longer causing harm, can dig it out and install a new one per honeycomb.
[30/9/2026 4:45 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> 1. Am I concern about the increasing public transport price?...
So how to meet environmentalist ideals - merge islands will need to cut down trees and spoil the coral reef.
How to mitigate it?
[30/9/2026 4:47 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
1. If we unable to resolve our energy needs, we every year pay steep energy prices, public transport prices, high business price, high cost of living, high inflation.
Follow by kao beh kao bu - including blaming our government.
2. Hence imperative we need to shoot for energy self sufficiency first.
3. Then look to mitigate environment protection.
[30/9/2026 4:50 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
4. Merge islands - Jurong island 2 is the most optimal solution if we decided to go nuclear energy that will solve our perpetual energy needs once and for all.
Never mind what happens to Middle East - 打生打死 不关我们的事。
[30/9/2026 4:54 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
5. How to mitigate the environment as we merge the few islands?
a. Count the number of trees in the few islands to be merge.
Assuming 500 trees.
b. The merge islands surface areas will be much bigger than the few unmerged islands and will be able to replant the 500 trees, and plant a few more as goodwill for environmental cause to produce a few more litres of oxygen and absorb a few more litre of carbon dioxide.
c. Try new reclamation method without using too much sand reclamation - but using Netherlands podder techniques by damming the sea and pump out the sea water. This will reduce and mitigate the damage to the surrounding seawater.
d. Study and identify the coral reef around the merge islands and devise plan to migrate the coral reef to other islands that in future won't need anymore redevelopment work.
I scour through our Singapore map and look specifically for all our remote islands - many are very near to our mainland.
Only Government can advise which islands in future will not be redeveloped and the coral reef can migrate over there.
Else the farthest and most remote islands that I can find is Pedra Branca - in which I am mindful that it is still in political negotiation with our neighbor to demarcate our territorial boundaries - that if not careful can step into a political landmine.
[30/9/2026 5:06 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> 5. How to mitigate the environment as we merge the few...
As bonus to the environmentalist cause,
1. No more carbon fuel and LNG to cause global warming, haze and global warming trigger by Singapore.
Because our green energy and nuclear are clean energy - giving us fresh air, no global warming, almost eternal energy, stable energy prices (I won't intrude to say guarantee lower energy prices - the price got to work out by the government and energy maintainers).
2. 500 trees + a few more trees as bonus - more than the 500 trees - give us a bit more oxygen and a bit less carbon dioxide.
3. Coral reef migrated with little or some damage - but will recover and flourish in the long term if left undisturbed after migration.
[30/9/2026 5:09 pm] Adam: One issue with rising transport prices is that it disincentivises people from getting hdb in further regions in singapore
[30/9/2026 5:10 pm] Adam: If people calculate the price of transport, might be better to get somewhere closer where dont need to take train to wherever one needs to get stuff done
[30/9/2026 5:10 pm] Daniel in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> As bonus to the environmentalist cause, 1....
I don't think there is a comparable shallow area for the reefs left. So not sure how it can flourish in the future.
[30/9/2026 5:11 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
4. So we achieve a Win-Win solutions - to secure our energy (including stable energy price) + improving our environment (better than the environmentalist ideas).
Because we produce less carbon with green energy + more trees + coral reef migration.
[30/9/2026 5:11 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Daniel:
> I don't think there is a comparable shallow area for the reefs...
Shallow area can build right?
[30/9/2026 5:11 pm] Daniel in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> Shallow area can build right?
How?
[30/9/2026 5:12 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> Shallow area can build right?
In the past, our mangrove, our coral reef are build then flourish.
[30/9/2026 5:12 pm] Daniel: If that were the case, then no need islands for reclamation and the reclamation could happen outside of the reef areas in deep waters.
[30/9/2026 5:13 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Daniel:
> If that were the case, then no need islands for reclamation...
China build new islands in deep south china sea.
Then ask yourself why they can do it, why we can't?
[30/9/2026 5:13 pm] Adam: I dont think corals are that easy. And even if we build it, why? Singapore doesnt have a fishing or diving industry with all the large ships passing through polluting the waters
[30/9/2026 5:13 pm] Jun Ming in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> In the past, our mangrove, our coral reef are build then...
There's deep coral reef and shallow coral reef
[30/9/2026 5:14 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Adam:
> I dont think corals are that easy....
Conservation effort
[30/9/2026 5:14 pm] Jun Ming: We are trying to preserve as much living things as possible
[30/9/2026 5:14 pm] Jun Ming: So things don't get extinct
[30/9/2026 5:15 pm] Daniel in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> China build new islands in deep south china sea....
Yes, built on top of reefs and shallow areas in the South China sea. Go look it up, nobody builds islands on deep sea, not feasible unless it floats.
[30/9/2026 5:15 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP): Source:- Google Gemini AI
Artificial and Restored Reefs: While humans didn't build the original reefs, Singapore has actively constructed artificial structures and launched massive restoration efforts. For example, agencies like JTC and the National Parks Board (NParks) have installed man-made marine structures at the Sisters' Islands Marine Park and started initiatives to plant thousands of cultivated corals to help degraded ecosystems recover.
[30/9/2026 5:15 pm] Adam: At that point just shut down the strait for the water
[30/9/2026 5:15 pm] Jun Ming: And coral reef provide a rich marine habitat that serve rich ecological value
[30/9/2026 5:15 pm] Adam: Can boost nature like covid boost wildlife
[30/9/2026 5:16 pm] Daniel in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> Source:- Google Gemini AI Artificial and Restored Reefs:...
All these happened in shallow areas
[30/9/2026 5:16 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> Source:- Google Gemini AI Artificial and Restored Reefs:...
Please explain why our Singapore government can do it, why cannot?
[30/9/2026 5:17 pm] Jun Ming: But both habitat consist of different corals
[30/9/2026 5:17 pm] Jun Ming: Shallow and deep
[30/9/2026 5:17 pm] Jun Ming: The deep one's usually are hard coral
[30/9/2026 5:18 pm] Daniel in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> Please explain why our Singapore government can do it,...
These are in shallow areas. Ask your Gemini about it if you don't believe me
[30/9/2026 5:20 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Jun Ming:
> The deep one's usually are hard coral
Benefits of Deep Corals (30 to thousands of meters)
Deep-sea (or cold-water) corals live in dark, freezing depths without sunlight, relying entirely on filtering organic particles for food.
• Climate and Earth Archives: Because they grow incredibly slowly and can live for thousands of years, their skeletons store chemical clues that allow scientists to reconstruct centuries of Earth's climate history.
• Deep-Sea Sanctuaries: They build complex three-dimensional structures in barren areas of the ocean floor, offering essential breeding, spawning, and nursery grounds for deep-water crabs, shrimp, and commercial fish like groupers.
• Medical Frontiers: Organisms found in these extreme environments produce unique chemical defenses. Scientists use these compounds to research new treatments for cancer, arthritis, and bacterial infections.
• Ecological Seed Banks: Deeper reefs (especially in the "twilight" mesophotic zone) are more insulated from surface heatwaves. They can act as reproductive refuges, providing larvae to help replenish damaged shallow reefs.
[30/9/2026 5:21 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Daniel:
> These are in shallow areas. Ask your Gemini about it if you...
There are both deep coral and shallow coral habitat
[30/9/2026 5:21 pm] Jun Ming: Serving different function
[30/9/2026 5:21 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
Absolute uncompromising environmentalist viewpoints
Google Gemini AI describe:-
A person who holds absolute, uncompromising, or extremist environmentalist viewpoints can be described by several specific terms depending on the exact nature of their philosophy and actions:
Core Terms & Classifications
Radical Environmentalist: A general term for an individual who believes that mainstream political and legal systems are fundamentally incapable of solving ecological crises. They advocate for a total restructuring of society to protect nature. Wikipedia +1
Eco-extremist: A direct label for someone whose ecological beliefs cross into fanaticism or who is willing to use severe, unlawful methods to enforce an environmental agenda.
Deep Ecologist: A follower of "deep ecology," a radical philosophy that rejects human-centered views (anthropocentrism) in favor of biocentrism—the absolute belief that all living things have equal rights and that human populations must be drastically reduced to restore natural balance.
Eco-terrorist / Ecotage Practitioner: A person who translates absolute environmental beliefs into criminal acts—such as industrial sabotage, property destruction ("monkeywrenching"), or violence—to save the environment from human degradation.
https://babe118.blogspot.com/2026/09/absolute-uncompromising.html?m=0
Such stance will elicit very strong pushback from the mainstream people who are pro-development but mindful of the need to protect the environment that backfire on the environmentalist ideals in which they seek to achieve.
On the hindsight, there are few PAP moderate environmentalists MPs who are able to accept development and work for Win-Win solutions through give-and-take.
They will have a higher chances of success to work with the mainstream pro-development people who are also mindful of the protection of the environment.
Hardcore radical uncompromising environmentalists however will spoil the whole show and trigger unnecessary pushback because they don't understand the philosophy of Middle Path.
[30/9/2026 5:21 pm] Daniel in reply to Jun Ming:
> There are both deep coral and shallow coral habitat
Yes, so we can't just replace one with the other
[30/9/2026 5:22 pm] Jun Ming: So to conserve and have a win win situation, maybe a floating island with the design to let light enter
[30/9/2026 5:23 pm] Jun Ming: Just don't touch the corals
[30/9/2026 5:23 pm] Jun Ming: Or using the original island as a base build elevated platform
[30/9/2026 5:24 pm] Jun Ming: Or just use a ship as a nuclear plant lah why reclaim
[30/9/2026 5:24 pm] Daniel in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> Absolute uncompromising environmentalist viewpoints Google...
I feel this is not fair. You give arguments that do not hold up to.scrutiny. When I give a different opinion, instead of addressing that, you label me as an "environmental extremist". I think it's okay to have and express different opinions, but we shouldn't resort to such ad-hominem attacks
[30/9/2026 5:25 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
Singapore relocated approximately 2,300 hard coral colonies from Sultan Shoal to the waters off St John’s Island and Sisters' Islands Marine Park to protect them from the Tuas Port development.
Project Details
Project Overview and Relocation
Source Location: Sultan Shoal, located southwest of Singapore near the Tuas reclamation area.
Destination Sites: Sisters' Islands Marine Park, St John’s Island, Lazarus Island, and Kusu Island.
Scale: Around 2,300 out of 2,800 large hard coral colonies were successfully moved by marine biologists and volunteers.
Cost: The comprehensive environmental mitigation and monitoring effort cost approximately $6 million.
Nurseries and Survival Rates
Coral Nurseries: Over 1,200 smaller coral fragments were grown in dedicated nurseries at Lazarus and Kusu Islands.
Survival: Around 80% of the main relocated colonies survived, while the nursery-reared fragments achieved a high survival rate of about 92%, doubling in size.
Restoration: Hundreds of grown fragments were later reattached back to local reef substrates and seawalls.
The specific methods marine biologists used to transport and glue the corals.
Other marine conservation zones in Singapore.
[30/9/2026 5:25 pm] Adam in reply to Jun Ming:
> Or just use a ship as a nuclear plant lah why reclaim
Maybe instead of hdb, gov build cruise ship
[30/9/2026 5:26 pm] Adam: Instead of hospitals and ageing centers build hospital ship
[30/9/2026 5:26 pm] Jun Ming: The Noah ark
[30/9/2026 5:26 pm] Adam: Singaporeans can sail the seas with cpf money
[30/9/2026 5:27 pm] Adam: Lawrence ark. One big megaship for all singaporeans
[30/9/2026 5:27 pm] Adam: Turn whole sg back to new forest without hdb and roads
[30/9/2026 5:29 pm] Jun Ming: But seriously
Elimination control
Substitution control
Engineering control
Administration control
PPE control
Should also apply here
[30/9/2026 5:30 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Adam:
> Turn whole sg back to new forest without hdb and roads
I like your metaphor.
[30/9/2026 5:32 pm] Jun Ming: Can we eliminate the need to build the island?
Can we find a substitution?
Can we use engineering to mitigate and prevent touching the coral?
[30/9/2026 5:33 pm] Jun Ming: Shifting Coral usually is the last resort lor
[30/9/2026 5:34 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> I like your metaphor.
I already expected the firestorm pushback will erupt when:-
Absolute environmentalists fight the pro-development (even though they are mindful of environment protection) - because it already erupted in Hong Lim park demo.
[30/9/2026 5:35 pm] Jun Ming in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> I already expected the firestorm pushback will erupt when:-...
Because we cares about the lively hood of human beings
[30/9/2026 5:35 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
> I already expected the firestorm pushback will erupt when:-...
Our government will have one more faultline to worry about - after racial and religious fault lines.
[30/9/2026 5:35 pm] Jun Ming: As I said human need nature but nature does not need human
[30/9/2026 5:36 pm] Jun Ming: If nuclear is so good why not total replace it from lpg
[30/9/2026 5:36 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Jun Ming:
> Because we cares about the lively hood of human beings
I do, I also care about the environment.
Except I am not absolute radicalist.
I balance development + environment = the Middle Path.
[30/9/2026 5:37 pm] Jun Ming: And the current world is so fucked up that it's past the tipping point liao
[30/9/2026 5:37 pm] Jun Ming: Scientist say there may not have any turning point
[30/9/2026 5:38 pm] Adam: Humans naturally destroy the earth. So pro environment is to replace humans that have useless jobs with more efficient AI.
[30/9/2026 5:38 pm] Adam: Wondering, do environmentalists advocate for euthanasia?
[30/9/2026 5:39 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Adam:
> Wondering, do environmentalists advocate for euthanasia?
It's a personal choice
[30/9/2026 5:39 pm] Jun Ming: My friend say cull the useless old people. So we will have more space
[30/9/2026 5:39 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
The emotion is heated.
I know sooner or later it will erupt pitching environmentalist with pro development.
I know is today.
That's why I have prepared the text before hand.
[30/9/2026 5:40 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Jun Ming:
> My friend say cull the useless old people....
And use less resources
[30/9/2026 5:41 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP):
But as the heated emotion subside - let logical and rational sense prevail.
Don't fall into any of the 4 categories that Google Gemini AI has come out with.
It will derail nation building and drive divisiveness in our society.
I hesitated to publish the 4 Google define term for the environmentalist.
I put it as draft.
But then I see it coming, i publish it in the blog.
And then this forum erupted (in fact, I conscientiously deliberately drive this division into the surface - as I feel sooner or later it will erupt. Better to do it now so that our government can allocate resources to tackle this fault line before it turn serious),
I think is better to put it here to alert the government to look into this - to prevent a new fault line from dividing us.
I think government need to look into tackling this fault line like how we handle races and religions fault lines.
[30/9/2026 5:41 pm] Adam: Imo its more environmental to intensify development in singapore, because the alternative is less efficient. Like high rise hdb can house so much. It looks depressing to live in a box, but the alternative is suburbs that has nice natural lawns and wide roads and cars
[30/9/2026 5:43 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Adam:
> Imo its more environmental to intensify development in...
Exactly because Singapore has limited size. We cannot keep building and building
[30/9/2026 5:43 pm] Jun Ming: We also cannot keep reclaiming
[30/9/2026 5:43 pm] Jun Ming: We need engineering solutions to break through
[30/9/2026 5:45 pm] Jun Ming: That's why we needour prestigious university for breakthrough
[30/9/2026 5:45 pm] Jun Ming: We need to have our own technology and think out of the box
[30/9/2026 5:46 pm] Jun Ming: Either breakthrough or suffer
[30/9/2026 5:47 pm] Jun Ming: We need a Singapore version of tesla
[30/9/2026 5:48 pm] Jun Ming: We can assemble things from overseas but ideas and technology development must come from Singapore
[30/9/2026 5:49 pm] Jun Ming: Our direction should not just be economic hub but engineering economic hub
[30/9/2026 5:50 pm] Jun Ming: Tbh Singapore only faces 2 major problem food and energy. Since energy is so important why food is not heavily invested also
[30/9/2026 5:58 pm] Jun Ming: I just searched Singapore is the 3rd densely populated city in the world
[30/9/2026 5:59 pm] G in reply to REACH Singapore:
> 📢 Topic 📢 On Tuesday (29 September),...
Looks and feels like socialising costs and privatising profits for what's essentially an essential public good
[30/9/2026 6:00 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢
[30/9/2026 6:14 pm] Jun Ming: The United Nations (UN) Environment Programme revealed earlier this month that global warming is expected to rise by at least 1.8°C and up to 2°C within the next few years.
Experts are saying that the “overshoot, peak, and decline pathway” is the best option to minimise its effects.
👉 https://tsl.to/globalwarmingexplainer
@mustsharenews
[30/9/2026 6:17 pm] G in reply to Jun Ming:
> Tbh Singapore only faces 2 major problem food and energy....
People will say raiding the reserves 😂 land used for farm will lower land value.
If use that land to lease to some reit to build some energy intensive data centres instead of farms.. wow, that land value will spike
[30/9/2026 6:23 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Jun Ming:
> The United Nations (UN) Environment Programme revealed earlier...
This is why environmentalist care
[30/9/2026 6:24 pm] Jun Ming: You think I don't want develop is it. Got money don't want to earn is it. But 2 degree c is no joke eh then maybe next gen will be 3 degree c and then no more mbs
[30/9/2026 6:25 pm] Daniel in reply to Jun Ming:
> You think I don't want develop is it....
I agree
[30/9/2026 6:28 pm] LCL Danny 心 (1st HP) in reply to Jun Ming:
> You think I don't want develop is it....
Good that you still keep the development in mind.
Then our government won't have too much headache to narrow the gap.
[30/9/2026 6:29 pm] G in reply to Jun Ming:
> The United Nations (UN) Environment Programme revealed earlier...
TBH, I've stopped paying attention to these climate alarmists for a few years liao.
Every few years, there will be people attributing changes in the climate to human activity.
But truth be told, CO2 is but a tiny miniscule proportion of the earth's atmosphere.. and there have been drastic changes in climate in earths history long before modern human activities
To attribute changes in climate significantly to human activity ignores history
[30/9/2026 6:35 pm] G: Should take a look at Konstantin kisin's video on UK's national policies because of climate change made their economy very uncompetitive
Similar parallels can be drawn with SG
https://youtube.com/shorts/V3A9wxB9v1E?is=xRAZdoSfiAVfGLzx
[30/9/2026 6:40 pm] Jun Ming: I am not saying we cannot build. As what he says we're going to research with the latest technology. So I say breakthrough in the previous comment
[30/9/2026 6:41 pm] Jun Ming: And the latest technology might come up from Singapore university or Singapore company. Because they know the challenge in Singapore
[30/9/2026 6:41 pm] Jun Ming: As what I have comment we need a Singapore version of tesla
[30/9/2026 6:44 pm] Jun Ming: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/economy-trade-geopolitics-western-islands-environmental-6342311
[30/9/2026 6:44 pm] Jun Ming: Singapore cannot rely on more land, labour or carbon for next phase of growth: Tan See Leng
[30/9/2026 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 😊
[30/9/2026 6:47 pm] Jun Ming: That's why I fully object the deforestation of maju forest for just flats. So stupid. The reclaimation can negotiate
[30/9/2026 6:47 pm] Jun Ming: As energy is more important than flats
[30/9/2026 6:47 pm] Jun Ming: Is fundamental need
[30/9/2026 6:48 pm] Jun Ming: But flats other than letting those people earn money it doesn't benefits majority
[30/9/2026 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 😊
====
====
Today's REACH topics - public transport prices increase, energy prices and haze.
Environmentalists erupted in this forum - in which I intentionally do so to provoke so that the government will focus on this Environmentalists vs Pro-Development divide - similar to the same focus on racial & religious divide.
Surprisingly the outcome turn out well eventually - when emotion subside as the environmentalists acknowledge that Development is still important for them - and in their own words, who don't want more money and better lives.
But every year - the temperature increase by 1 degree Celsius, they cannot tahan.
My response to them, good that they acknowledge Development is equally important - Government will have less headache to narrow the gap.
I say today's divide, I deliberately provoke it - so that Government can see the seriousness of the latent divide and address it before it turn nasty and become uncontrollable.
https://babe118.blogspot.com/2026/09/reach-telegram-161-what-are-your.html?m=0
====
After note:-
[02/10, 2:03 am]: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSbyvANRB/
[02/10, 11:10 am] @Babe:
1. You say public transport free, government pay for public.
2. Government money come from where? Taxpayers money.
Are you suggesting increase GST to pay the free transport?
3. Every thing free, you think money fall from the sky?
@Babe:
1. Bus run on diesel. Now Hormuz Straits and Red Sea block - fuel cannot come out, price increase as many countries fight for fuel from non Middle East.
2. MRT run on electricity - backend power infrastructure fuel by LNG gas. Qatar LNG supply through Hormuz Straits totally block.
Singapore got to source from Australia, US and now Canada.
But ASEAN countries also many demand LNG, prices increase.
@Babe:The only solution are :-
1. Convert all buses to EV - then no need to buy diesel.
But this is a long shot - it take years to complete.
2. 95% of Singapore electricity is fuel by LNG gas - now Qatar LNG supply totally blocked, not digging pipelines to supply.
So Singapore got to source for green energy that is high yield.
Only nuclear energy can meet 95% electricity yield.
But this is long haul - at least 10 years.
3. So we need at least 10 years to ensure and secure our energy self sufficiency.
4. For this 10 years, be prepared to see up and down of energy prices that will hit our power prices and transport prices.
@Babe:"EU nations to hold emergency meeting on soaring diesel prices amid US pressure".
Trump on Wednesday said he was still considering a possible ban on US diesel exports, while adding that he thought it could ultimately cause gasoline prices to rise.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-eu-diesel-prices-trump-6425656#:~:text=EU%20nations%20to%20hold%20emergency%20meeting%20on%20soaring%20diesel%20prices%20amid%20US%20pressure
@Babe:Pse explain how will the diesel prices go down - when diesel export is squeeze everywhere in the world market?
@Babe:"Fuel price shock worsens: Petrol and diesel could smash records in October with hikes above R3".
https://iol.co.za/business/economy/2026-09-29-cloned-fuel-price-pain-deepens-as-projected-october-petrol-and-diesel-hikes-grow/#:~:text=Fuel%20price%20shock%20worsens%3A%20Petrol%20and%20diesel%20could%20smash%20records%20in%20October%20with%20hikes%20above%20R3
@Babe:World wide fuel price worsen.
Pse explain why fuel price and LNG gas prices spike that drive Singapore energy not related?
====
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)