REACH 445 - What are your views on the various ministries’ plans and which resonated the most with you?
(SK)
17 Apr 2023 (10am - 7pm)
REACH
[9:45 am, 17/04/2023] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
Welcome back! π
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Megan π
[10:00 am, 17/04/2023] +REACH: π’ Topic π’
Following the President’s address last Monday to mark the new session of the 14th Parliament, the remaining ministries released their addenda or public statements, detailing their plans for the rest of the term of this Government last Friday (14 Apr).
π¬ What are your views on the various ministries’ plans and which resonated the most with you?
Below are some highlights from the remaining Ministries’ Addendum:
π Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY)
- Partner Singaporeans to co-develop policies and solutions through Alliances for Action, Forward Singapore engagements and new platforms designed for youths to shape Singapore.
- Develop and improve access to arts, heritage, and sports facilities and programmes.
π Ministry of Finance (MOF)
- Ensure sound and stable public finances through sustainable mix of taxes on income, consumption, and asset.
- Step up use of data analytics to monitor resource utilisation, track spending outcomes and shape policy development.
π Ministry of Law (MinLaw)
- Continue to improve access to justice and legal services for all Singaporeans
- Partner stakeholder to maximise the potential and unlock the value of state properties through innovative ideas and business models.
π Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy Group)
- Work with government agencies to review strategies and develop new policy responses to ensure Singaporeans have opportunities to progress throughout life.
π Prime Minister’s Office (Smart Nation and Digital Government Group)
- Foster a culture of vigilance and contribution to scam prevention with new initiatives.
- Support efforts to promote digital skills and literacy among Singaporeans to ensure digital inclusion.
ππ» https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ministries-outline-plans-for-more-inclusive-singapore-sustainable-finances-and-access-to-justice
ππ» https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/more-support-for-parenthood-aspirations-and-protection-against-scams-ministries
ππ» Other Ministries’- Mindef, MFA, MHA, MSE, MOT’ - Addendum released on 13 April: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/strengthen-resilience-and-tackle-evolving-threats-say-ministries
----
[10:03 am, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: "A good decision are based on diversity (experts+non-experts) and not conformity (experts thinking); build an exceptional and diverse team,...(ro)bots do make mistakes,...Carl Jung's ideas of synchronicity and coincidence,...to avoid mass stupidity!"
- - anonymity
[10:11 am, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: 2023 Macro events (geo situations)
Pay extra attention specifically for the month of May and October or starting from now to October.
It will affect the (policies) microeconomics of all nations!
[10:43 am, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: 17 April, 2023
" Choose your thesis and decides your future,...?"
- - anonymity
Mechanisation to Industrialisation to Digitisation
1800 - Europe
1900 - America
2000 - Asia
2100 ?
In 1988, Deng Xiaoping has said that the "Asian Century" may not happen! Hopefully, these unfavorable statistics are absolutely wrong!
The Law of Nature versus The Economic Theses?
Experts opinion: Books after books, analysis and analysis, models over models; all experts believed that the Asian Century has arrived and will prevail till 2100! And not many experts have gave a serious thought on demography of big nations?
Demography is a generational game! The right shape or the right size population will have decades of economic growth and prosperity. And age matters most!
[10:59 am, 17/04/2023] +REACH: Dear Contributors
We want to HEAR MORE from you!
π¬ What are your views on the various ministries’ plans and which resonated the most with you?
We have had good feedback and hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Megan π
[11:58 am, 17/04/2023] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR MORE from you!
We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active!
Thank you.
Megan π
[0:12 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Retiree loses $71k in savings, incurs $6k credit card bill after installing fake Google Play app.
https://stomp.straitstimes.com/singapore-seen/retiree-loses-71k-in-savings-incurs-6k-credit-card-bill-after-installing-fake-google
[0:23 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
"Singapore can’t avoid a recession, economist says.
Song Seng Wun of CIMB Private Banking says that’s because much of the country’s gross domestic product comes from external trade, though there could be “upside surprises” from China’s reopening. He discusses the outlook for the Monetary Authority of Singapore’s monetary policy."
https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/04/14/singapore-cant-avoid-a-recession-economist-says-.html#:~:text=Singapore%20can%E2%80%99t%20avoid,Singapore%E2%80%99s%20monetary%20policy.
[0:25 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
"At China's largest trade fair, exporters worry about global economy"
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/china-canton-trade-fair-weak-global-economy-worry-3421371#:~:text=At%20China%27s%20largest%20trade%20fair%2C%20exporters%20worry%20about%20global%20economy
[0:28 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ: http://www.theedgemarkets.com/node/663508
Fuel that powers the global economy is flashing recession signs.
[0:29 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Singapore economy grew 0.1% in Q1, slowing from 2.1% in previous quarter: MTI advance estimates. 0.1% growth only.... https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/gdp-singapore-economy-grew-q1-3414716
[0:33 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. Need to rein in scam is the 1st worry.
2. Sign that global recession will set in due to lower global demand, stubbornly high inflation - and the visible sign of slow growth last quarter 0.1% - is the 2nd worry.
[0:40 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Promoting digital economy is important as it is another big area of growth for every facet of our industries.
But reining in online scam equally important - because it is too easy to pull off online scam - due to unsuspecting victims.
[0:42 pm, 17/04/2023] +Joseph Yap: MOF:
Greater tax contribution shall come from asset capital gain (eg. property) to narrow the income gap and create a more equitable tax system as well as to disincentivize speculation in properties.
[0:43 pm, 17/04/2023] +Uncle Law: This may drive foreigners away.
[0:44 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
The key is how to ensure all overseas online transfer go through a "verification process" - whereby a mandatory check by banks with account holders are make necessary before allowing transfer.
Immediate transfer is disabled.
This will ensure recovery is make possible to make online scam more difficult.
[0:47 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Plus locals too!
[0:48 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Depression!
[0:48 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Supply Chains shocked!
[0:49 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: How about the futures price at US$120?
[0:50 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: How about the old ways of negotiating an LC or letter of credit?
What are the steps in ensuring a shipment is real in or fabricated?
[1:14 pm, 17/04/2023] +Joseph Yap: Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy Group):
Greater subsidies in training costs and a bigger wage subsidy for lower wage workers undergoing vocational training.
Use of financial mean testing to determine training subsidies (exceeding certain threshold) for PMEs.
[1:54 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
MOF
1. Using data analytics to provide more granular statistics - to track resource utilisation - and whether it translate into the intended spending outcomes - will ensure wastage is minimised and budget set aside for each Ministries will adequately address the public issues.
2. Agree that income mix must be sustainable every year to ensure our philosophy of fiscal prudence are always maintained - so that we won't laden our future generations with accumulated debt.
Also agree to ensure that the income mix - be it GST, income tax, corporate tax, property tax, NIRC etc -- are appropriately carved out to ensure social compact, income adequacy for retirement, affordable to people but yet sufficient to finance year to year running budget.
3. I think the Government are doing a good job in the Finance :-
a. Ensure fiscal prudence every year - without accumulating debt
b. Ensure good income mix - without overtaxing citizens
c. Accumulate a good wealth of Sovereign Funds to keep growing our National Reserves.
d. Attract more and good funds from rich overseas investors, home office and the ultra-rich to reinforce us as a solid Financial Hub.
4. However, there is a concern that globally, other Countries are slowly moving away from US $ as currency for exchange and trade.
This is a trend that we need to carefully monitor and safeguard against - to prevent a sudden devaluation of US $ - in which also hold as reserves.
5. One aspect of Finance that we need to further reinforce is to prevent our citizens and residents from being scam online - as currently, online transfer to overseas are make too easy with limited safeguard.
Feel that transfering banks should hold all monies to be transferred and perform mandatory verification check with bank account holders to ensure overseas online transfer are legitimate (such as voice call make by banks to verify the authenticity of bank account holders, voice logging by bank account holders to confirm and effect the transfer).
This will liken a signature sign - to effect the overseas online transfer (as overseas transfer is difficult to recover).
[2:00 pm, 17/04/2023] +REACH: π’ Topic π’
Following the President’s address last Monday to mark the new session of the 14th Parliament, the remaining ministries released their addenda or public statements, detailing their plans for the rest of the term of this Government last Friday (14 Apr).
π¬ What are your views on the various ministries’ plans and which resonated the most with you?
Below are some highlights from the remaining Ministries’ Addendum:
π Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY)
- Partner Singaporeans to co-develop policies and solutions through Alliances for Action, Forward Singapore engagements and new platforms designed for youths to shape Singapore.
- Develop and improve access to arts, heritage, and sports facilities and programmes.
π Ministry of Finan…
[2:05 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
PMO (Strategy Group)
1. To ensure Singaporeans have opportunities to progress throughout life - it is important to ensure Singaporeans are able to stay employed throughout the life time untill officially retire.
2. I think during time we move from developing to developed Country - job opportunities are aplenty as our growth is 5% and higher.
3. But now as we have fully developed, economic growth hover around 2%, tech disruption, business disruption, restructure, and reform - make holding long term employment very challenging.
4. Hence, the challenge is to ensure Singaporeans are able to hold their jobs and income as long as possible, and if unfortunately retrenched or lose their jobs - able to pick them up in a structured manner to train, convert and place them in new jobs -- to ensure they are gainfully employed, earn income and able to sustain their lives and family lives up to official retirement age.
[2:15 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
PMO (Smart Nation and Digital Government Group)
1. Prevention of online scam to prevent unsuspecting victims from losing their live savings become extremely important.
2. Currently, notice that big online transfer (that wipe out the whole savings) can be done easily with no human verification throughout the process - leaving to verification all done entirely by computer to input userid, password and OTP --- which can be easily compromised by malware, phishing sites, URL redirects etc.
3. Hence, banks that hold the bank accounts must commit resources to play the "verification role" for big online transfer to prevent scam (especially overseas) that cannot be recovered once transfer effected.
MAS and PMO (SNDG) must work together to legislate such requirements for all banks (local and foreign offshore banks) --- to tighthen this to greatly reduced and hopefully eradicate online scams.
[2:18 pm, 17/04/2023] +Jimmy Chew: https://dailyhodl.com/2023/04/15/1000000000000-has-likely-exited-us-banking-system-as-america-risks-global-economic-isolation-hank-paulson/
[2:18 pm, 17/04/2023] +Jimmy Chew: Beware bank runs
[2:23 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Mindef, MHA
Internal threat
1. Self radicalised terrorism by online sources though not rampant - is still occasionally detected and arrest made in time - to prevent harm from being done.
2. Hence our security forces Mindef and MHA -- as well as our communities must remain vigilance to detect such hidden danger.
3. Our security forces must also beef up capabilities to detect, proactively take actions and tackle such threat effectively if it happen in a decisive manner to ensure harm are minimise to the lowest level.
4. Recovery to ensure social compactness must be intact - if any such event ever occur - and not let our social fabric fray and distrust sets in to damage our social cohesion.
[2:34 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: 17 April, 2023
To all the past Generals, the present Generals and all past and present military experts...
"Just once, either by coincidence or synchronisation, nations will choose which side they stand or stay away or stand-off,..the suppliers of your weapons shall decide a nation's choice,...only through war, one will realize either who are friends and/or who are the foes!"
- - anonymity
Consequentially, how would a department of defence and the expert team decide on options to war or not to or to avoid or drag into it?
- - in progress - -
[2:34 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: In social compact...
Half and halfway!
[2:37 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
External threat
1. Currently, our ties with our neighbors are very strong and cordial - and we make friends all over the World.
2. But we must never let such good scenarios make us complacent because :-
a. Geopolitical tension are growing up many notches - and they are just behnid our backyard - which hopefully will not spillover into our shores.
b. Peace is not always imperative because we experience very close shave even in modern time:-
i. A radical group threaten to fire a mortar bomb - because we stop its preacher leader from entering to visit or preach.
ii. An old Man station its naval crafts at our territorial sea - causing military standoff.
iii. On one National Day, old M do parachute drop only km(s) away from our shores.
iv. Old M sent naval crafts to intercept our naval ships to land and install equipment at Pedra Branca
- All these are news in public domain.
- Read some comments that we should relax our NS, shorten NS, allow sportsman to go for Games instead of serving NS etc.
- All these are sign of complaceny -- as tension can suddenly rise and confrontation can happen overnight with minimal warning - and we will be caught with our pants down if we relax our defence and security.
- Taiwan do away with conscription, shorten NS - now scramble to reverse the NS - as China threat become sharpen.
- Ukraine relax by forgoing its nuclear, relax its defence - when suddenly Russia troops capture Crimea and do an armor invasion right into Ukraine with very short notice - and if not for US and EU assistance - will the whole of Ukraine fall.
3. Hence we must not make the same mistake to relax NS, and in fact should invest in high tech, cutting edge military tech, trained our NS well and take NS seriously - and never allow our NS to be complacent.
Ukraine and Taiwan have big areas - to able to lose lands and then regroup to take back lost lands.
Singapore is only a small Country City state - with no hinterland. If we are complacent and let invasion happen without the means to response with effective force - we will fall very quickly.
[2:38 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Is it true or false? ...that lone wolf, aka solo terrorist, some are mentally unsound and or certain degree of autistic disorder?
[2:39 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
They are not mentally unsound.
They are just brainwashed.
[2:39 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: How to compact our defence and our NS duties to protect our national interest?
[2:40 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Just take NS seriously.
[2:40 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Google Play is a default app on Android phones. Any fake Google app is blocked by the Google app verifier before its launch in the play store. This incident is something more complicated than just scamming, more information is required to create awareness.
[2:40 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Ok, brain washed.
Thanks, Danny
[2:40 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Ok, take NS seriously.
Thanks, Danny.
[2:46 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Is this the biannual canton fair that allows Chinese importers with access to mnc /international suppliers together with the China exporters to showcase their products to global buyers?
[2:48 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
I think so.
US and EU are high consumption countries.
If they don't buy, global demand languish - our manufacturing plants cannot produce - recession sets in.
Business not doing well, jobs shaky.
[2:50 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Both US and EU are US $20 trillion economies.
And China is another one.
If these 3 big countries did not do well that make up of $60 trillion world economy out of $90 trillion global GDP - wonder how do Singapore do well?
[2:57 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Straight, with analogy of truck run less = economy bad, my understanding is that the USA economy is good even though both the import and export price index in March 2023 are negative.
[3:00 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Because of 3 clusters (electronic - due to external factors), (petrol product - due to external factors), biomedical - not sure what triggers this to be negative qoq ) in the manufacturing sectors pull down the overall figure.
[3:01 pm, 17/04/2023] +Kenneth Lee WM: Bad idea. Investors will just park assets and money outside of singapore to circumvent it. Or take loan against asset so no capital gains at end of day.
[3:01 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Inappropriate capital gain tax might open up a Pandora's box π€
[3:03 pm, 17/04/2023] +Kenneth Lee WM: Increase in property tax like what’s happening now will just get passed on to tenants and making housing costly for expatriates thereby increasing cost of doing business in singapore.
[3:07 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: I guess continuing awareness may help. The current bank already has a process to safeguard the account owner’s assets. It might need a quantum computer or computation power of multiple data center blocks to do such checking without affecting 0.1s of transaction. 0.1s delay in derivative /financial markets may cause billions of dollars in loss.
[3:11 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
US current and projected growth turn gloomy and expecting a small recession.
[3:12 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Project 3 quarters negative growth and a technical recession.
[3:12 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Data analytics might not be suitable for ensuring zero wastage. The logic is too complicated and not economy of scale I guess.
[3:15 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: USD will not suddenly be devalued. Hence, the issue of losing value is not there yet. The moving away, are you referring to a wide range of currency swaps that happen in a few countries?
[3:17 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Yes.
Saudi, Brazil, Russia, India China, Malaysia, etc all doing away with USD and using currency swap.
[3:18 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
USD devaluation not immediate.
But as it loses its global values in trade exchange, the currency values will fall.
[3:28 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Janet Yellen highlighted “undermine the hegemony of the dollar”, i.e. weaken its dominance and affecting the current global payment system... The dominant feature as pricing and valuation that is changing π€·♂️
[3:29 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: China's products are showcased to the world's buyers aka exporters! (εΉΏδΊ€δΌ)
[3:29 pm, 17/04/2023] +Frankie Wee: Hard to avoid recession?
-Saving bank interest rate slow
-Oil curb May hit $120
-price may soar all time
-when FED hike again 5% what is affect Singapore GST?
Wage salary need to adjust at level cost of living
[3:30 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Ok, Quantum computing.
Thanks, Danny.
[3:30 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: The USA government redefined this definition a few months back. I think 3q negative growth considered a technical recession no longer a valid statement.,
[3:30 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: 1st happiness is to have a brief and short recession...
[3:32 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Is politics and political to speak...
The two big economies and within the US itself the two political parties sparring at each other!
This recession is a matter of time and timing! Is it coincident or is it synchronise?
[3:33 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Brent Crude oil will not go 120 this month.. it is 86.xx whereas wti only 82.xx.
[3:35 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Yes, not yet! Wait lah!
"Impossible exists only in the dictionary of fools..."
- - Napoleon
Thanks, SL for bringing it up!
[3:36 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: 17 April, 2023
Lives or Livelihoods!
"The young soldiers afraid of bullets while the seasoned soldiers are afraid of bombs, why?
"ε°ε ΅ζεεΌΉ, θε ΅ζηΈεΌΉ?"
1920:
Those born in the 1920s and still living today will know the pains of economic depressions and world war.
1940:
Those lucky people who born after WW2 will know what it was like during a long period of slow growth and life then was simpler.
1970:
Those who were born in the 1970s only witnessed the ups and downs of livelihoods, rapid industrialisation and markets turmoil.
2000:
Those lucky stars born after 2000 seen the advancement of technologies from mobile phones to Internet shoppings
Experience & Exposure?
Have you lives inside a real warzone?
Almost all of the above generations do not know wha…
[3:37 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: I think I read somewhere that 2 popular ways to bring down inflation.. (1) increase the bank interest to drive the free money to the bank.. (2) reduce the consumer/industrial demand. ? π€·♂️ is this true?
[3:38 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Ok, up the borrowing costs and slow down the productions...to kill inflation?
Thanks, Danny for bringing it up.
[3:41 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Europe is losing blood, so maybe can exclude them from the analysis until after next month.... for local business persons, we got USA, ASIA, the Middle East, South America, some parts of Africa, and Oceania regions for business.
[3:43 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: I thought it slowed down in the consumer demand, not production, in the life cycle
[3:48 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Lone wolf attempt need to prevent. In recent news in Japan, the lone wolf is trying to assassinate Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida as he gives a speech... This is just 9 months after the assassination of Hinzo Abe. π±
[3:49 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
MFA, MOT, MTI
1. I wish to laud Singapore efforts to ensure our sea ports and air ports continue to be vibrant and ensure we remain an important global trading hub, shipping hub, trans-shipment hub and air hub.
2. Particularly deserving mention that our Singapore government has strategise and build an assailable leads in physical connectivity and virutal connectivity - to ensure our sea ports and air ports will be heavily patronised and visited.
Physical Connectivity
1. We have upgraded and build a cutting edge megaberth and high-tech mega ports in Tuas to consolidate our sea ports.
2. We will be building T5 in anticipation of demand in air travel and upgrade our various older terminals.
3. We have forged many JVs with China to jointly build eco city projects and involve in China's economic development - and this will ensure China goods come to Singapore ports.
Eg. Chongqing land and sea connectivity, Greater Bay Area, Suzhou, Tianjin, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Guangzhou etc.
4. We also JV with:-
1. Indonesia on Kendall industrial park as well as looking into future investment in Indonesia new capital in Kalimantan
2. JV with Vietnam to jointly build VSIP (Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park - attracting more than $22 billion) and planning 5 more industrial parks
3. JV with India in Chennai industrial park, Uttar Pradesh industrial park
4. JV with Malaysia in iskandar.
So goods will have to come to Singapore ports.
5. This cement Physical Connectivity - ensuring goods will come into our ports - sea ports and air ports,
[3:49 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Africa is still a down stream opportunity!
Is Europe still in the midst of an unsettling war?
[3:49 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: 17 April, 2023
" Competitive or Combative?"
Now, ONE discomfort is the Huangjing (golden) port in Malacca! What if this expansion includes petroleum/ petrochemical and the mid and down streams multi layers of services?
Today, how should we defend (start planning/thinking) our Tuas Mega Port because 80% of ships that called SG port are Chinese owned!
So can SG start to contact and contract these ship owners with preferential trade discounts tier to their frequency and tonnage? Also to package bunkering and financial deals!
How about the future whereby the Chinese mighty naval base will be located at the northern tip of Langkawi island, nearest to the opening of the Nicobar in islands and into the Indian Ocean and towards Europe?
In other words, one cannot stop China plans!
- - in progress - -
[3:50 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/657711
[3:52 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Virtual Connectivity
1. In addition, Singapore has myriad of bilateral FTAs and multilateral FTAs such as CPTPP, RCEP and other digital multilateral FTAs.
This become the virtual connectivity that pull goods back to our ports as trade need to bring our goods to various parts of the world and vice versa.
2. With digital economy, through the various FTAs, virtual connectivity will be cemented as trade and purchase order are made and pay online.
Goods and services will have to come to Singapore ports to effect the delivery.
Singapore as logistics hub, manufacturing hub, financial hub, cyber information hub, insurance hub, bunker hub, maritime command hub, international legal hub, transhipment hub, global shipping hub, global aviation hub, ship maintenance hub, aviation maintenance hub etc and many other hubs ....
Will solidify our ports position and ensure world trade and shipment pass through our ports.
[3:55 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Maybe we will know how Europe is in 2nd half of 2023, especially after the g7 summit ends on May 21.
[3:56 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Most likely will have to renegotiate part of these trade agreements...all nations!
[3:57 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Let's see G20
[3:57 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: 17 April, 2023
The Old Trades Route!
Indian Ocean, Andaman sea, Nicobar Islands, Myanmar, Aceh, Langkawi, Malacca, Singapura and China.
The Mighty Navies?
All trades route are either via sea, land, air or either both ways or three ways. The security of goods, in this case is the trade routes to facilitate trades between nations, powerful nations who have their mighty navies will have the absolute control and advantage over other smaller nations!
If China wins the battle between the two or it doesn't matter because...!
What happens to Singapura? Straits of Malacca and Tuas Mega Port, the petroleum refinery, bunkering and the financial center? Will China continue it's friend shoring strategy to build mega petroleum refinery and petrochemical plants in…
[3:59 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: G20 has no direct impact on what currently happens in Eastern Europe, isn't it?
[4:03 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Trades are highly interrelated and connected, one change and all variables too changed!
OPEC+ means the futures of oil and gas.
G20 or BRICS are the keys to unwinding these entanglements of trades and free trades .
Thanks, SL!
[4:03 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: is headcount important in determining success in IR4.5, IR5, and IR6? π€ worth researching maybe.
[4:05 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Carl Jung's ideas are very comprehensive, and worth bedtime reading.
[4:05 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Yes,. AGE matter most!
A nation with 35% of 65 years and older versus the neighboring Country with 35% are working adults age 25 to 45!
Which nation will have higher chance of economic growth and later on bteakthroughs from inventions to FDI to higher GDP growth?
Thanks, SL for raising this critical differentiation when GETTING talents or headcount into our SG!
[4:08 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: PLEASE go get copies of his earlier works!
The idea of synchronisation and coincidence are relevant to the world since the last 500 years!
And Jung understood the implications, though it is rather abstract concepts but if " one can see the spectrum of these two powerful elements, one will see through TIME and the infinite TIME..."
Pls explore, if you don't understand or are stuck somewhere, anonymity willing to help you!
THANKS, SL!
[4:09 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: SL, another essay COMING please read all of it ...
[4:09 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: DA required many independent inputs to provide a reasonable dataset for interpretation. There is no 1 single source that is sufficient to provide a holistic view.
[4:12 pm, 17/04/2023] +REACH: π’ Topic π’
Following the President’s address last Monday to mark the new session of the 14th Parliament, the remaining ministries released their addenda or public statements, detailing their plans for the rest of the term of this Government last Friday (14 Apr).
π¬ What are your views on the various ministries’ plans and which resonated the most with you?
Below are some highlights from the remaining Ministries’ Addendum:
π Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY)
- Partner Singaporeans to co-develop policies and solutions through Alliances for Action, Forward Singapore engagements and new platforms designed for youths to shape Singapore.
- Develop and improve access to arts, heritage, and sports facilities and programmes.
π Ministry of Finance (MOF)
- Ensure sound and stable public finances through sustainable mix of taxes on income, consumption, and asset.
- Step up use of data analytics to monitor resource utilisation, track spending outcomes and shape policy development.
π Ministry of Law (MinLaw)
- Continue to improve access to justice and legal services for all Singaporeans
- Partner stakeholder to maximise the potential and unlock the value of state properties through innovative ideas and business models.
π Prime Minister’s Office (Strategy Group)
- Work with government agencies to review strategies and develop new policy responses to ensure Singaporeans have opportunities to progress throughout life.
π Prime Minister’s Office (Smart Nation and Digital Government Group)
- Foster a culture of vigilance and contribution to scam prevention with new initiatives.
- Support efforts to promote digital skills and literacy among Singaporeans to ensure digital inclusion.
ππ» https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ministries-outline-plans-for-more-inclusive-singapore-sustainable-finances-and-access-to-justice
ππ» https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/more-support-for-parenthood-aspirations-and-protection-against-scams-ministries
ππ» Other Ministries’- Mindef, MFA, MHA, MSE, MOT’ - Addendum released on 13 April: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/strengthen-resilience-and-tackle-evolving-threats-say-ministries
[4:15 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Gotong royong spirit is something very unique in first-world countries, and this culture is worth exploring and sharing with visitors. Everyone can feels they belong and is inspired to work towards a common goal. The local arts, history, heritage, food and sports are unique items that can bring everyone together.
[4:15 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: One key is the timeline, for any research, where you pull the graph and eyeball matters to the conclusion of a thesis or research...
Thanks, SL!
[4:17 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Gotong royong is a Javanese culture of ROOTS AND BELONGINGS...
[4:19 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Sama-sama, Bersama, that's Malay words of equality and together!
[4:20 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Smart nation, is an essential pillar in helping the total fertility rate, ageing population, cybersecurity, and many more topics. E.g. the Fertility rate will go up when couples feel less stressed.
[4:23 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: You need a 20 year timeline to raise a baby to young adult
[4:23 pm, 17/04/2023] +REACH: DPM Wong’s speech on Stark realities facing Singapore and the wider world happening right now:
ππΌ https://www.youtube.com/live/AYiSGKegpUM?feature=share
[4:25 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: From Majapahit?
[4:27 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Thanks for advice
[4:28 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Why?
America population ages slower than Japan?
Let's put all things aside including TFR.
ATTRACTION is perhaps one enabler of migration for millions of people in searching for their breakthroughs aka the American Dreams or in Asia, the China Dreams?
[4:30 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Can we quantify the 20 years costs of bringing up a child regardless of gender?
Is it going to cost the parents or the country in hundreds of thousands?
Any way to QUIK fixing these costs?
[4:31 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Always welcome, SL!
[4:32 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: In IR5 and IR6, headcount is less critical than a person’s experience and creativity. It might become an era of 10 employees running a mega factory in 1 shift. However, before the invention was published, headcount was still equivalent to human resources.
[4:35 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: The economies of scaling differ from one to the next...
The idea of a small setup of 10 employees utilizing AI or automation will work to a limited extent. The marginal contribution ratio will eat up your current capacity.
In short, automation allows higher capacity but the same momentum to search for new markets is another paradigm challenge.
Thanks, SL.
[4:37 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Am I right that the previous USA President’s wall on the southern border maybe have something unique influencing the American statistic? π€
[4:38 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Mexico is the equivalent of China in the late 1990s into the 2000 WTO!
The Mexican population is younger too!
One competitor is Brazil and it is part of the BRICS!
[4:39 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Mexico and Brazil will shine!
[4:39 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Mexico is US buddy
Brazil is China buddy
Can we see it!
[4:41 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Agree, when capacity produced increased... Where is the mass market to consume the item made?
Clustering on production is required, and the speed to introduce new items/exploration is indeed needed in a high-speed mode for market growth. The competition will be intensified.
[4:42 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: It takes up to one generational time to change attitudes, beliefs and habits.
The social compact needs time to change and eventually a nice and tight fittings!
The government ideas are noble and achievable but it needs time!
[4:42 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Brazil is currently packed with natural resources. The country can be easily turned around with proper management.
[4:43 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: Mexico? π€π€π€π€π€
[4:45 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: DPM Wong speech ππ
[4:51 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: You touched on a few key points...
In fragmented markets or multi -polar World Order, nations or businesses must differentiate and / or specialise their production of goods or services!
In the case of a 10 men setup, the owner should not stay stagnate for more than 5 years or risking out of focus which means this setup is either out of place or no longer can survive!
To sustain in this highly intense competition whether it is domestic, regional or global; every 5 years, businesses must retool, innovate new products or services and RESTRUCTURE internally it scopes and audit the competencies and weaknesses!
Thanks, SL!
[4:52 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: To sustain is just not ENOUGH to survive a highly intensive competition!
[4:59 pm, 17/04/2023] +SL: From a criminology perspective, scammers target a big group of people to get higher chances of recovering their cost and profit from the activity. Their connectivity broadcast will then be in a similar IP range, regardless of whether they are using VPN. Identical approach to the oversea bank account is required to receive this type of money.
Local Bank can consider to have a sharing system that (should not be breakable or known by any noncritical person about the logic, preventing insider job risk) to put these types of transaction go thru secondary AI checking. Maybe this is a cheaper way to reduce loss over online transmission. π€·♂️
[5:36 pm, 17/04/2023] +REACH: Debate on President’s Address: DPM Wong on refreshed social compact as ‘compass’ to keep Singapore story going:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/watch/w230417parllawrencewong-3423001
[5:47 pm, 17/04/2023] +65 8498 8853: I just emailed Minister of MOH regards the constraints/restrictions of IP (Integrated Plan) of Medishied.
I was so terribly upset that MOH had from 100% coverage to 95% coverage of MediShield.
While I was in my early 20’s, my insurance agent approached me to cover myself 100%. To me was people around me was all healthy and how many ppl will get sick and the most was like a 10K - 20K medical bills and I just co pay 10% like 1K - 2K versus paying the extra every month as I am still young!!!
10yrs later in 2009, my sis had Ovarian cancer from stage 3 to late stage!!! NCC (National Cancer Ctr) TOP ONCOLOGIST gave my sister 1 chemotherapy her platelets dropped and the Chemo stops for 5-6mths then CT Scan shows her cancer spread all over her body!!!
Thereafter my sis at age 38yrs old was refer to a surgeon and was told that they will remove 1 of her kidney!!!
My sister refused and went for private consultation Oncologist.
Her private oncologist(cancer) also studied haematologist(blood), he shared that still can go through Chemo and thank God it’s been past 10yrsπ
Subsequently, knew of few other similar “government” hospital Doctors in different field was like my sis NCC oncologist be it lack of knowledge or responsibility.
To be is life matters!!! All Doctors take the 1 and same Oath’s was to save lives.
SORRY, after going through all these I saw how expensive the medical bill was and how the patient in Government hospital was treated and called my insurance agent that I want to get myself fully covered in order for me to see private hospital.
Then MOH again and again RESTRICTIONS of Cancer coverage!!!!
1. Who are these decision makers?
Are they the CEO of insurance company!!! Do they have any immediate families members got cancer and was struggling with expensive treatment to survive.
2. We all know sometimes or every now and then there are “rare disease” out there hence the medication to treat would not be in the drug list then these patients will not be cover.
3. Such cancer drug list restrictions causes stress to the current cancer patient as well as their family members mentally and financially.
4. When they want to set such restrictions they should involve doctors in the same field like cancer then involve the oncologist and affected patients or caregivers and not the CEO of insurance company!
This is a very serious matter to me as nowadays more people getting cancer.
Lastly, 3weeks ago my spouse friend just passed away cause he had to pay 5% if he go private hence he went NUH and just late by 10days he was told by NUH that no treatment can be done. It was so devastating to me as a friend not to say his family members.
1. He 44yrs old, dun have friends or relative who had cancer that he dun know that cancer can be so aggressive in just 10days no treatment can save him.
2. Though 5% might not be much but to him who had 5 children it’s a sum.
He is low profile and when we know it’s too late as my sis oncologist said he might still have 1% chance.
He just passed away a month ago π[5:58 pm, 17/04/2023] +REACH: π’ Topic π’
Following the President’s address last Monday to mark the new session of the 14th Parliament, the remaining ministries released their addenda or public statements, detailing their plans for the rest of the term of this Government last Friday (14 Apr).
π¬ What are your views on the various ministries’ plans and which resonated the most with you?
Below are some highlights from the remaining Ministries’ Addendum:
π Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY)
- Partner Singaporeans to co-develop policies and solutions through Alliances for Action, Forward Singapore engagements and new platforms designed for youths to shape Singapore.
- Develop and improve access to arts, heritage, and sports facilities and programmes.
π Ministry of Finan…
[6:10 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Hi Singapore, thank you for sharing...
So sorry and touched to hear about your life experience and what your family and sister had to go through the pain and fear of fighting cancer!
The sudden passing of your spouse's friend is another blow beyond comprehension and a shocking revelation!
One important key going forward is to self check your own state of health.
There is an old saying," if someone asks you to invest in a money making project, you will think about it...when someone tells you to put your life with them, you better run as far away as you can and start to think...money lost and money regains; a life lost will never regain!"
- - anonymity
- - in progress - -
[6:22 pm, 17/04/2023] +Frankie Wee: Very touch life sometime feel at lost loved one or they are able support themselves.
But I hope they will have enough saving CPF Medisave support insurance payout or either way bank saving.
[6:22 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: This is what a sensible, functioning and responsive government would do for their citizens and the strata of society!
In DPM Wong parliament speech clearly spelled the government aspirations and intentions to bring all of us together as One united people especially in this turbulence and turmoil times!
So much has been said, almost all bases are covered!
Thank you.
[6:22 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
1. Blanket coverage of all medical expenses will mean very expensive medical premium to be paid by all Singaporeans that many will find it hard to finance.
2. Co-payment will ensure people use hospitalisation wisely and not adopt buffet style medical treatment.
3. Even $100,000 medical fees - 5% is $5,000.
Not a figure that will is exorbitant but ensure people use medical expenses wisely.
[6:23 pm, 17/04/2023] +Frankie Wee: If you have insurance payout support Critical illness then no worrying.
[6:23 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: In Private hospitals, there is a difference between using personal cash and using insurance claims?
Is this true?
And how about Public hospitals?
[6:24 pm, 17/04/2023] +Frankie Wee: They can choice type class C1 are affordable
[6:24 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
π€· I have not use it.
[6:24 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: How much premium payable according to age group and are these additional rider programs affordable to half of our people?
Thanks, Frankie.
[6:25 pm, 17/04/2023] +Jimmy Chew: Nowadays the association of insurance can just announced change in coverage like the changes in cancer treatment. Sad it's basically their earnings
[6:25 pm, 17/04/2023] +Frankie Wee: Very expensive than 2ADL and hospital plan
[6:25 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Own cash is cheaper versus claiming insurance!
The nurse will ask the patient which payment mode...
[6:25 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
4. If people want to use private hospital - be prepared to co-pay.
5. Don't expect the whole population to co-finance this small group of privilege people.
[6:26 pm, 17/04/2023] +Frankie Wee: I hope the CPF will help useful in future otherwise whim can’t afford or lost money
[6:27 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: If it's not within the reach of assuming 30% of our people... then how can we RESTRUCTURE this affordability issue or just not possible to help or chip in as it will burden our fiscal policy...year after year?
[6:28 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: CPF is a retirement program.
MOF is the entity to allocate money to all ministries, in this case MOH will have to justify what and how much it needs for fiscal x....
[6:28 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
Also I don't agree that private hospital are more capable that public and restructured hospitals.
In fact, I discovered that doctors and specialists in public hospitals are very competent and my family have benefited from the service of public hospitals.
[6:29 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
And public hospitals charges are reasonable.
[6:29 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: What is the savings going private hospital versus public ones?
Anyone, any idea or experience?
Thank you.
[6:30 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Look for specialists who are doing community service to Public hospitals...they are in Private practices!
Thank you.
[6:30 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Percentage?
By ward class or by illness and treatments?
Thank you.
[6:32 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Not all doctors or specialists are equally competent or experienced or lucky strike?
Are these reasonable assumptions?
[6:39 pm, 17/04/2023] +REACH: Opposition should provide concrete alternatives, not just opoortunistic or populist ideas, says DPM Wong:
ππ» https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/opposition-provide-concrete-alternatives-not-opportunistic-populist-ideas-dpm-wong-3423011?cid=internal_sharetool_iphone_17042023_cna
Singapore concept of meritocracy too narrow, need to refresh mindset on schools and grades: DPM Wong
ππ» https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/new-social-compact-key-shifts-education-meritocracy-seniors-lawrence-wong-3422931
[6:39 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
6. Else our medishield premium that we need to pay annually will go up exponentially - just to finance this small group of people who want to go private hospital, adopt a buffet style medical treatment.
7. MOH will also need to increase its budget exponentially to finance elderly and lower income people who are unable to pay the medishield premium.
[6:41 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
I have seen some people spin some sorrowful story to sway people on this issue ---- but no one do a calculation what this mean for the population at large.
That's expecting everyone to co-finance this small group of privilege people.
[6:42 pm, 17/04/2023] ☸️ Danny εΏ:
8. Means Singaporeans need to pay higher GST, higher income tax, property tax etc.
This is what it means.
[6:45 pm, 17/04/2023] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan π
[6:48 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Yes, when anyone wishes to complain, please bring workable ideas or it's just wasting time to debate and argue over and over again!
The game and rules of merits need to redefine and redesign to fit our existential needs and future threats!
[6:50 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Yes, support the ageing process because all seniors are left either with savings or not sufficient savings or worse not much money!
Medication is one big worry for many of our seniors!
Let's allocate MORE money to ensure NO SENIORS are left out!
Thanks, Danny for raising it!
[6:51 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: This demographic demon...!
[6:55 pm, 17/04/2023] +Suma pamu: SBB?
PSLE T score replaced with AL
Frankly There is no much Difference.
And I am wondering so this SBB will be implemented In all schools?
Including ACS RAFFELS etc etc
I don't understand why need to tell Something when the reality is something else.
If Govt Want To Redefine Meritocracy It should change from beginning
I sincerely hope they will do what they are promosing now
[6:58 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: In progress, this tall and challenging idea.
Thank you, Suma!
[6:58 pm, 17/04/2023] +Suma pamu: In Health Care, first is to bring in More Manpower.
Also to groom more local Health care Proffessionals
Including Doctors, surgeons and other allied staff
Waiting time in Emergency ward, especially any given Day in KKH children ward is horrible.
4-6hours waiting.
Its so distressing to wait for check up with young children.
[6:59 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Yes, it is true and we should RAMP up our healthcare!
Thanks again!
[6:59 pm, 17/04/2023] +Terrie Wong: I second that!
[6:59 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: 17 April, 2023
" Choose your thesis and decides your future,...?"
- - anonymity
Mechanisation to Industrialisation to Digitisation
1800 - Europe
1900 - America
2000 - Asia
2100 - ???
In 1988, Deng Xiaoping has said that the "Asian Century" may not happen! Hopefully, these unfavorable statistics are absolutely wrong!
The Law of Nature versus The Economic Theses?
Experts opinion: Books after books, analysis and analysis, models over models; all experts believed that the Asian Century has arrived and will prevail till 2100! And not many experts have gave a serious thought on demography of big nations?
Demography is a generational game! The right shape or the right size population will have decades of economic growth and prosperity. And age matters m…
[6:59 pm, 17/04/2023] +Smiley face: Hi Terry!
[7:00 pm, 17/04/2023] +REACH: Dear Contributors,
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan π
====
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