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,
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[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/
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[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 😊
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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
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