REACH (Telegram) 148 - Share your views on the outlook of Singapore's economic in 2026.
(SK)
15 Jul 2026 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
[15/7/2026 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/
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 😊
[15/7/2026 10:01 am] REACH Singapore: The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) released advance GDP estimates showing that Singapore’s economy grew by 5.7 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter of 2026, easing from 6.3 per cent in the first quarter.
The Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI) emphasised that:
(1) manufacturing grew by 12.2 per cent, driven by strong AI-related demand for semiconductors and semiconductor manufacturing equipment;
(2) other sectors slowed, with construction growing by 6.2 per cent, and the wholesale, retail, transport, and storage sectors expanding by 6.3 per cent; and
(3) Middle East conflict uncertainties caused disruptions that shrank the chemicals and biomedical clusters, but MTI maintains its full-year growth forecast at 2.0 to 4.0 per cent.
💬 Share your views on the outlook of Singapore's economic in 2026.
👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/gdp-singapore-economy-growth-mti-6250876
👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/business/singapores-second-quarter-growth-eases-to-5-7-as-iran-war-tempers-ai-powered-manufacturing-growth?ref=top-stories
----
[15/7/2026 10:59 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : I am concerned about Singapore's economic outlook in 2026. Share your reasons in the chat! ]
- Strongly Agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly Disagree
[15/7/2026 11:30 am] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR from you on today’s topic!
We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
💬 Share your views on the outlook of Singapore's economic in 2026.
Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.
Thank you.
Megan 😊
[15/7/2026 12:13 pm] Jun Ming: Only ai grow while other fall. This is concerning
[15/7/2026 12:16 pm] Jun Ming: I think ai should be the new Microsoft office instead being the only one being stand up in growth
[15/7/2026 2:04 pm] REACH Singapore: The Auditor-General's Office (AGO) published a report on 15 July 2026, flagging weaknesses in HDB's eligibility checks and lapses in contract management under MOH. Government Agencies, including HDB and MOH, have acknowledged the findings and filed police reports regarding the lapses and possible irregularities.
The Government emphasised that:
(1) Government Agencies have taken the audit findings seriously and immediately lodged police reports where potential irregularities or fraudulent activities were detected;
(2) Government Agencies are actively rectifying the irregularities and reviewing it's processes; and
(3) systematically enhancing IT systems for eligibility checks, and tightening contract management controls to prevent similar systemic lapses in the future.
💬 Share your views on whether the AGO report reassures you of the Government's transparency.
👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ago-report-hdb-season-parking-moh-lapses-6254981
[15/7/2026 2:36 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,
Thank you for the valuable feedback you have shared so far!
We appreciate your contributions and would love to HEAR MORE from you.
If you have any thoughts on the topics below, please jump in and share your views!
1️⃣ Share your views on the outlook of Singapore's economy in 2026.
You can also share your views on 1 by participating in the poll for this.
2️⃣ Share your views on whether the AGO report reassures you of the Government's transparency.
The topics and the poll questions are pinned for easy reference.
Thank you!
[15/7/2026 3:14 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
1. I feel that the Middle East war with no indication of off-ramp and future likely toll charges are more concerning.
2. It means we will face serious fuel and LNG blockade or high prices due to toll charges.
3. This will trigger higher imported inflation due to higher energy prices.
[15/7/2026 3:16 pm] RY: It is a gd initiative and essential to have annual Audit for govt agencies/stat boards/ministries and etc
I am quite surprised so many lapses and incorrect issues found during the Audit process after reading the news
I certainly hope the govt agencies/stat boards/ministries will take AGO findings/recommendations seriously, and rectify them at the soonest
[15/7/2026 3:25 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
Higher energy prices will in turn increase the cost of production in every sector of the economy.
Overall the prices will increase and impact economic growth.
[15/7/2026 3:28 pm] Jun Ming: Ya
To make things worse china building a railway in Mymarar to avoid Malacca straits. https://asia.nikkei.com/politics/international-relations/china-russia-and-india-make-inroads-in-myanmar-with-transit-corridors
[15/7/2026 3:29 pm] Jun Ming: We are so cooked
[15/7/2026 3:31 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
All these rail bypass only can take a fraction of the cargos.
80% of global trade are still maritime cargos.
[15/7/2026 3:31 pm] Jun Ming: Still loss in our economy mah
[15/7/2026 3:33 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
Don't worry, later when I explain you will know why.
There are a few such setup, but didn't work out.
Now I got stuck with someone.
[15/7/2026 3:34 pm] Jun Ming: I think maybe those non ai related industry growth will further slow down seeing global situation will not ease anytime.
[15/7/2026 3:35 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
1. China railway route to Europe via central Asia, Russia.
2. Arctic sea route.
3. Proposed Thailand land link.
Etc
[15/7/2026 3:37 pm] 여자친구, 첫사랑 🏆: Surprised as well. Last year was quite minimal the lapses.
[15/7/2026 3:45 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
@Babe:Additional flaws on WP Alternative Policies (Jul 2026 Parliment)
1. WP (Gerald Giam and Jamus Lim, in total 6 WP MPs) mention that Singapore should not expand the capacity of Changi Airport T5 & Tuas Port - as future demand is uncertain - it will be a fiscal drag if capacity exceed demand.
a. Singapore Airport and Seaport is the best in the World, and highly patronise by the World travellers, cargo transhipment, trade, logistics - is WP suggesting shrinking & downsize our air and sea ports capacity ?
A reduced capacity will have the immediate impact of restricting travellers and cargo from landing in our air and sea ports due to congestion - the effect is an immediate drop in our trade, business, investment and travel revenue.
----
@Babe:2. WP quoted that for sea ports - Northern Arctic sea route or Thailand land bridge if implemented could divert maritime trade away from our ports .
WP also say that if aircraft become long range and more efficient - the hub & spoke transit hub will be bypassed as aircraft go direct to the destination without landing in transit hub.
a. We have a web of bi-lateral FTAs and multi-lateral FTAs such as RCEP, CPTPP, Digital Economy etc.
Trade, business, investment, travel, logistic etc is a guarantee - such that goods, business people, travellers, cargos, logistic will have to land at out sea ports and airports to conduct business, investment, MICE, meetings, seminars, events, stage play, travelling to our tourist spots etc.. --- Hence we will have a predetermined demands of air and sea landings in Singapore.
----
@Babe:b. Our bunkering services - fuel, LNG, Green Energy etc, Financial services, Global Port management System, Integrated Transport Hub (that integrate Air, Sea, Land hubs), Insurance service, Arbitration services, International Legal Service, MRO (Maintenance, Repair and Operations) service to maintain aircraft, ships, tankers etc - will have an anchor points and fixed customers demand, contract etc - to pull aircaft and ships to land at our air and maritime ports.
----
@Babe:c. The Singapore and Malacca straits service more ports of call compared to the Arctic Sea Route as we are at the heart of global transshipment, vessels traveling this route can service a vast network of customers and load/unload cargo at multiple major ports en route (eg. China, Japan, S Korea, ASEAN, Australia, New Zealand, India, Middle East, Europe, Africa)
While Arctic passages can shave off travel time between Northern Europe and Northeast Asia by roughly 30%, they lack supporting port infrastructure. Additionally, extreme weather mean they are mainly used for point-to-point energy transport (oil and gas) rather than multi-stop container trade. Arctic of no major port of call.
----
@Babe:d. Thailand land bridge a threat to Singapore Tuas ports?
- World maritime ports 80% are through maritime - as supertankers can carry millions of barrels of oil or 25,000 TEUs or containers per ship..
- For Thailand land bridge, by saving 4 days - a supertanker unload 25,000 containers into 25,000 lorries (1 container per lorry) (or millions of barrels of oil) in one port. Travel a long distance on roads, find another supertankers to unload 25,000 containers from 25,000 lorries (1 container per lorry) to the supertanker (or millions of barrels of oil) - do you think the saving of 4 days + the cost of 25,000 lorries + loading and unloading of containers can be less costly and time consuming than Singapore Tuas port?
- I think WP MPs got to use critical thinking as MPs in Parliament.
----
@Babe:d (1). Even if Thailand forgo land bridge and try to cut a canal like Suez canal, it will still face tremendous challenges:-
i. Finding investors to build multi billions canal project.
ii. Environmental damages
iii. Cutting country into 2 - political challenges and sovereignty challenges.
[15/7/2026 3:45 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
iv. Toll charges to recover costs of projects versus our free passageway - unable to recoup the 2 to 4 days saving travel time which is negligible.
v. A narrow canal will result in congestion unlike international water through our straits.
Our integrated all encompassing systems can overcome such challenges.
----
[15/7/2026 3:48 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
2. In China - Europe rail route, the cargo transport is almost negligible:-
Source:- Google Gemini AI
The China-Europe rail route (China-Europe Railway Express) is highly successful, with annual trips surging from 1,702 to over 20,000. However, it did not replace maritime transport. Rail accounts for a small percentage (~3.7%) of total EU-China trade, serving as a premium, fast alternative to sea for high-value or time-sensitive goods.
[15/7/2026 3:54 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
@Babe:e. Singapore are attracting many RHG (Regional HQ) into Singapore, top executives, high flyers executive, MICE attendees, business people, premium travellers will have to fly to Singapore airports to conduct business, investment, trade, air cargo, logistics.
Concerts with popular singers, F1 plus other events will attract premium travellers + our continuous refurbished tourism spots such as Greater Sentosa, Founders Memorial Hall, Long Island, T5, Jewel Changi Airport, Rain Vortex, Shiseldo Forest Valley, Marina Bay, MBS & RWS refurbishment casino visitors etc.
Also there are influx of ultra rich family offices, wealthy people, gold hub, etc
f. Even if aircraft can fly direct point to point, there may not be sufficient passenger loads.
If Singapore is Able to make ourselves as regional & global air transit hub as well as providing full range of services end to end, aircraft all over the world will still land in Changi Airport to pickup the passenger loads and not bypass our airport.
----
----
CNA news 14 Jul 2026 02:00PM
Mr Lim said the group remains confident that planned capacity expansion matches projected demand, despite "ups and downs" in the short term.
"At the highest level, we feel that the game plan is on track," he said. "The amount of total capacity that's coming in versus the growth that is projected ... all that is in line."
He added that given the air hub's key role for Singapore, the group "cannot afford to be too conservative".
“If you underforecast, then later your manufacturing goods cannot get out, your tourists cannot come in, and there are other repercussions,” he said.
“With the advancement of technology, it cuts both ways,” he said. “Some flights will overfly us, will bypass us … but some of these longer-range flights also help us to fly to places non-stop.”
Changi currently serves about 170 cities, and much of the remaining growth is expected to come from secondary cities across Asia where demand for international connectivity is growing.
Maintaining a healthy mix of passenger and cargo traffic also strengthens the airport's resilience, he added. "To have diverse partners, diverse routes and different kinds of traffic flow, I think all that helps."
----
@Babe:1. Key digital national systems for port management are already homegrown.
a. Portnet
b. digitalPORT@SG - for digital port clearance and JIT to optimise vessel turnaround
c. NGVTMS - Next Generation Vessel Traffic Management System
So WP suggestions are already mainly implemented - what is the value add except to say do more, do better?
----
@Babe:What make WP MPs come to the conclusion that Singapore should shrink our T5 and Tuas Ports?
If WP is to lead Singapore - Singapore future will be doomed - because WP MPs have no foresight, no visions, unable to think out of the box, non-strategic, unable to maneouver Singapore into a 立于不败 position - but instead fall into defensive, spiral inwards position - that will doom Singapore future.
[15/7/2026 4:00 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
Most important, there are many secondary cities across Asia demands for air travel has increase, hence Changi Airport, SIA and Scoots will be able to capture these air travellers.
[15/7/2026 4:00 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
The only concern is, high energy prices will cause a drag on travel, and economy trade and production.
Because it will increase prices on raw materials, goods, consumers reduce spending - global economy tank.
Now the prices on many food, goods and services are getting more and more expensive - no thanks to Trump middle east war and tariffs.
[15/7/2026 4:38 pm] Jun Ming: What to do can't really change situation as the world pretty much build on fuel
[15/7/2026 4:39 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
I think we need to beef up our domestic energy production so that Middle East drag that block or disrupt fuel and LNG won't affect us much.
[15/7/2026 4:40 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
But it still will impact other countries that will build in the cost to their supply chain - global prices still will rise.
We will still be affected.
[15/7/2026 4:46 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
Most important, our workers and students must be proficient in AI - that will tremendously boost our productivity.
This will help to cushion the imported price impact.
[15/7/2026 4:51 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
For example, I have witness how a worker make use of Claude AI to make a technical presentation slides to be presented to his senior management.
1. I look at it and say such slides, I will need about 5 days to 1 week to produce and draw all the technical details using Microsoft Visio and then paste it into the Microsoft Presentation software.
2. But Claude take 2 hours to produce - when the worker provide prompt and recursive prompts to make those slides. No need Visio any more, just need Microsoft Presentation.
3. Some more the slides are of high quality and have animated effects - like those in tech events presented by overseas techie presenters.
4. I say last time when I use Visio to draw, it is no where near such high quality slides in terms of optics.
[15/7/2026 4:54 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
So indeed with the help of AI, productivity can improve many folds.
[15/7/2026 4:59 pm] Jun Ming: But ai uses a lot of energy.
[15/7/2026 4:59 pm] Jun Ming: So it will add worse to the energy market as a whole
[15/7/2026 5:00 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
I think government need to allay the fear of :-
1. Fresh graduates - to secure jobs
2. Current workers
3. Mature workers
(due to AI and geopolitical disruption).
I think as long as they are trained how to use AI, business use AI and workers confidently use AI, boss appreciate their efforts and reward them, they don't lose jobs, fresh graduates successfully find jobs - then people will be less fearful and anxious.
[15/7/2026 5:01 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
No choice, need to spend the additional effort.
We are in an inflexion point.
Just like the advent of computer and internet that disrupt our jobs.
[15/7/2026 5:02 pm] Jun Ming: Basically everyone. I think most of us the ai literacy is still at llm model
[15/7/2026 5:02 pm] Jun Ming: That is why free courses on ai is a must
[15/7/2026 5:03 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
The moment workers and students as well as business and boss get a hang of AI - there will be less anxiety and fear.
I sense the anxiety in many social media videos.
[15/7/2026 5:03 pm] Jun Ming: And I meant for basic to advance
[15/7/2026 5:04 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
Yes I know.
That's why government, IHL, schools, training institute must ramp up.
People got to spend time to enrol.
Boss must be willing to accommodate and schedule workers to train.
[15/7/2026 5:05 pm] Jun Ming: Hard. Firstly IHL need time to adjust their curriculum. 2nd boss need to spend extra money in this poor economic is ridiculous to them. And not all business use ai.
[15/7/2026 5:06 pm] Jun Ming: For eg. Does it make sense for a waiter to learn Ai
[15/7/2026 5:07 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
I think the government now focus on 4 industry areas - global transport, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, banking.
After these 4 industries, AI will roll out to more industries.
[15/7/2026 5:09 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
2. Eg. Global transport white paper come out already, and i am very impressed.
They will use AI proficiently.
3. Advanced manufacturing - Singapore already the 2nd highest in the world in adopting industrial robotics AI after S Korea.
We are ahead of US, China, Japan and Germany.
4. Banking - DBS AI using Microsoft Co-Pilot - already very comprehensive.
OCBC and UOB are announcing something on AI.
Except I feel that our other financial industry must also ramp up like insurance Income, GE etc.
5. Healthcare - I noticed alot of healthcare already AI - eg. Eyescan with AI, some surgical procedures are complemented by AI and robotics.
[15/7/2026 5:10 pm] Jun Ming: But these are not worker level. Maybe change of sop for the worker but the worker does not actually benefit from it
[15/7/2026 5:11 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
Not true, later I post something on this - in fact income can go up many folds.
[15/7/2026 5:13 pm] Jun Ming: For me I currently studying TCM. So my teacher say how we use medicine is very individual. You can't rely on ai much.
[15/7/2026 5:13 pm] Jun Ming: And my school don't provide ai class lol
[15/7/2026 5:14 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
I think can tap how AI are used in Polyclinics and public hospitals.
I think can get some ideas from there.
[15/7/2026 5:15 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
China TCM use AI I think.
Can learn from China.
[15/7/2026 5:15 pm] Jun Ming: So for some of us who is doing career transitioning in private school very hard to get extra time to learn ai
[15/7/2026 5:16 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
MOT Minister Jeffrey Seow - AV not replacing PHV anytime now.
@Babe:1. Does AV cars and buses replace Taxi drivers, PHV drivers, Bus Drivers?
2. Yes, but only to some extent - for quite a long time. Many can still perform the respective roles of drivers - because AI take a long time to mature, infrastructure and hardware such as processors to perform complex math and algorithm, high speed bandwidth such as 6G, sensors etc.
3. The reasons being :
a. AV vehicles on AI - have to learn and run on modified roads that are AV friendly, bigger lanes to maneouver, less complicated road conditions. They are not as sharp as humans to respond to complicated road conditions - though AV can improve over times -- but a very long duration.
b. Hence a scenario of hybrid Driver taxis, PHV and buses + AV vehicles will still be needed for many years to come.
c. There are current shortages in bus drivers and taxi drivers, also PHV drivers to meet demand - especially in ulu places, after mid-night, peak period.
Hence AV buses and cars can fill the gaps.
d. Agree there are concern that some drivers - be it taxi drivers, PHV drivers in longer term could be displaced, but majority will still keep their jobs as drivers.
e. For some that are displaced, for those resourceful ones that want to future proof their jobs - they can be retrained and reconverted into :
i. Fleet Management System jobs
ii. Remote operators in Traffic Management System for AV vehicles at control room
iii.. Safety officers
iv. Technical positions - eg. iOT, sensor engineers, 5G engineers, network engineers, AI & robotic engineers, AV mechanical engineers
v. Bus drivers on fixed routes - as there are big demand for bus drivers.
f. So AV don't replaced jobs per se - but it do create value-added jobs with higher pay, higher income.
@Babe:1. For example, not possible just to throw AV cars or buses into a busy orchard road.
2. It will crash because it takes time for AV cars to learn the roads and respond to complicated road conditions as it depends on a vast array of sensors, datasets, AI math computation, algorithm, reinforcement learning, big bandwidth etc to respond appropriately.
3. Unlike humans who are more nimble, think appropriately, human can spontaneously respond to road conditions without causing accidents in a complicated and tight road situations.
4. Hence it will take decades for AV to mature to be able to completely replace driver jobs.
5. Hybrid - driver and driverless is the most likely scenario for decades.
@Babe:1. China is the most advanced and prolific adoption of driverless AV cars.
Source:- Google Gemini AI
True Level 3 autonomous consumer cars were granted their first conditional manufacturing approvals by the government, but make up less than 1% of current sales.
2. But only less than 1% of the fully AV cars are adopted and use in a very controlled environment.
3. It will be decades for fully AV cars to slowly replace driver cars.
4. Even so, hybrid driver + driverless mode will be the most likely scenario for years to come.
****
"Cabbies, private-hire drivers welcome support package, but salaries, job flexibility are key concerns" - for career training and conversion into AV vehicles.
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/cabbies-and-private-hire-drivers-welcome-support-package-but-salaries-job-flexibility-are-key#:~:text=Cabbies%2C%20private%2Dhire%20drivers%20welcome%20support%20package%2C%20but%20salaries%2C%20job%20flexibility%20are%20key%20concerns
****
[15/7/2026 5:19 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
Note :- Tesla fully automated car driverless - cause many accidents - some deadly.
Because it don't use LIDAR on their AV - radar to navigate its car.
Also Tesla just throw the driverless cars on complicated roads & they just crash.
[15/7/2026 5:21 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
@Babe:The Global Human-to-Robot Ratios (Robot Density).
The International Federation of Robotics (IFR) tracks this automation metric as "robot density" (the number of operational robots per 10,000 manufacturing employees).
Rank Country Robots per 10,000 Workers
1. South Korea 1,220
2. Singapore 818
3. Germany 449
4. Japan 446
5. China 166 (National Statistic Basis) / Up to 470 in manufacturing hubs
[15/7/2026 5:29 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
The global economy growth is now driven by AI.
So we need to leverage and jump into AI.
Just like last time we jump into computer, internet, mobile apps.
[15/7/2026 6:06 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
WP MP Kenneth Tiong - Why sell NOL but bail out SIA - both are national strategic assets.
----
@Babe:1. Why Temasek Holdings bail out SIA and not NOL?
2. Important to note that, Temasek principle is not to bail out any GLCs if they get into financial trouble - they are expected to be commercially viable and self-sustainable.
Else Temasek mothership will go under - if keep hanging to lost making companies under its arm just because they are GLCs.
Similarly, I believe Government will also not use taxpayers money (or collect more taxes) - to bail out any GLCs that is not profitable and sustainable.
3. If any GLCs are deem not viable or sustainable such as NOL due to conditions such as :-
a. External conditions not conducive to keep a GLC afloat - eg. industry too saturated, too mature, cut throat, too competitive, compete in reducing prices - there is no incentive to keep the GLC just for nostalgic sake.
NOL frieght environment is highly competitive - a race to the bottom.
Else Temasek mothership will bleed to death.
Similarly, if Government use taxpayers money to keep it afloat - Government will have to levy higher and higher taxes eg. GST, personal tax, property tax, corporate tax - just to keep NOL afloat - which don't make fiscal sense.
Ask Singaporeans, anyone want to pay higher and higher tax to bail out NOL - as propose by the WP MP?
b. If the GLC is deem to operate in a strategic outfit that are important to our Singapore Economy - but the entire eco-system is a good alternative to fuel and keep our maritime trade going - as 3.22 billion Gross Tonnage comprising bulk carriers, containers and tankers all over the World will come to our ports make Singapore the World busiest transhipment hub that handles over 40 million TEUs annually - make us no incentive to keep feeding money to an annual loss making, bleeding NOL.
Our transhipment hub link global 200+ main shipping lines with over 600 ports - why cling on to one miserable loss making NOL?
Temasek will have depleted NIRC revenue annually to give to the Government as fiscal spending - if keep bleeding through NOL. And Singaporeans will have to pay more taxes to compensate for the lost NIRC.
@Babe:c. NOL operate in a shipping industry which experience a structural problem - that favor shipping lines with big Countries and many inland ports to sustain its low margin.
Singapore is a tiny red dot - that does not have many inland ports to sustain its margin - but have to compete with shipping lines charging low prices sustain by guarantee demand from their big customer market and many inland ports.
Eg. China COSCO - with large manufacturing base and many inland ports.
@Babe:d. NOL suffered years of losses due to - global overcapacity, low freight rates, intense competition from many larger shipping companies, shipping lines global consolidation and mergers.
Singapore remains one of the world's busiest ports without owning a major global container shipping company - due to the eco-system we build as a global transhipment hub.
The competitiveness of Singapore maritime sector is supported by its port operations, logistics ecosystem, maritime services, MROs rather than by ownership of a shipping line.
@Babe:
SIA
1. On the other hand, SIA is profitable year after year - as it cater to high flyers customers with big margin in which SIA has a global network of high value customers, Krisflyers. Also SIA is also provides air cargo connectivity.
2. Only covid trigger a crisis that cause airlines all over the World to stop flying by Government all over the World - to prevent spreading of Covid into their Country.
But it is not a permanent crisis that become a structural problem like the NOL (with low margin and run down to the bottom) as airlines can start flying once the virus pandemic is contained with the advent of vaccines.
[15/7/2026 6:06 pm] LCL (Danny 心):
And SIA will become profitable again - hence Temasek inject $19 billion to bail it out to temporary tie over the Covid period - and expect SIA to earn money and refund Temasek once it become profitable again.
(NOL has no way to recoup their losss and refund Temasek - it will become a black hole - in which Temasek will keep bleeding annually to sustain it).
3. The Rescue Package: In 2020, Temasek Holdings and others backed a massive S$19 billion funding package for the airline, consisting of S$5.3 billion in equity and S$9.7 billion in Mandatory Convertible Bonds (MCBs).
a. Repayment Progress: By mid-2024, SIA had returned S$6.6 billion of the S$9.7 billion MCB principal, along with an accumulated 8% to 9% interest, well ahead of their initial schedule.
b. Temasek remains its majority shareholder, controlling over 50% of the airline's stock.
4. In addition, SIA as a national airline is critically strategic due to the following reasons:-
a. Connect Singapore to the World.
b. Small nation with no land borders - air connectivity is strategically for tourism, business, trade and global aviable hub.
c. SIA provide good salary jobs to Singaporeans as air stewardess and stewards (whereas not many Singaporeans want the jobs of a seafarers working in NOL ship - mainly foreigners).
d. SIA providing cargo freight with a higher margin compare to NOL lower freight rate.
5. SIA have been making record profit year after year, $1.98 billion - 2023-2024. $2.78 billion in 2025.
So SIA don't bleed Temasek, but NOL do (so selling make perfect commercial sense).
====
After note:-
WP MP Kenneth Tiong remove his Parliament debate TikTok video on why PAP refuse to bail out NOL while did so for SIA - after I put up a rebuttal in the comment section.
He first deleted all my comments.
I copy and paste again my comments.
This morning, he totally remove his TikTok video.
He scared of my rebuttal.
[12/07, 2:29 pm] ☸️ 心:
He cannot stand up to intellectual challenge.
[12/07, 3:33 pm] Close friend comments:
He thought just speak, people gong gong believe him
[12/07, 3:35 pm] ☸️心:
His comment section some of his supporters say he speak very well.
Say pap only paper generals, no standard like LKY batch.
I whack him hard.
Now he remove his Parliament video.
Anyway, I have put comments elsewhere under ST, CNA and other popular livestreamers.
He jialat.
Let netizens judge whether WP MPs got quality or not.
[12/07, 4:18 pm] 心:
Oh just realized he totally remove all his own posted TikTok videos on all his Parliament speech.
Now only left those news media eg. ST, CNA, AsiaOne etc on his Parliament speech.
[12/07, 7:22 pm] Close friend comments: Frightened away... 😊
[12/07, 7:25 pm] ☸️ 心: I think so
[15/7/2026 6:46 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan 😊
[15/7/2026 7:00 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan 😊
====
