REACH 508 - What are your thoughts on Singapore’s support for the UN resolution? How can we ensure that Singaporeans continue to be united while supporting victims of the conflict?

(SK)

30 Oct 2023 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

30/10/23, 9:40 am - +REACH: *Dear Contributors,*

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30/10/23, 10:00 am - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢 

Singapore voted in favour of a resolution to protect civilians and uphold legal and humanitarian obligations amid conflict in the Gaza Strip during an emergency session of the United Nations General Assembly on 27 Oct.

Yesterday (29 October), Minister Shanmugam spoke to the media after he visited Humanity Matters to meet volunteers who were helping to pack relief supplies for people in Gaza, about Singapore’s vote in favour of the UN resolution. Minister also spoke about regulating discourse on the Israel-Hamas conflict, most notably the disallowing of public rallies and the importance of guarding against foreign interference.  He also acknowledged the efforts of Singaporeans in coming together to provide humanitarian aid for victims of the conflict. 

💬 *What are your thoughts on Singapore’s support for the UN resolution? How can we ensure that Singaporeans continue to be united while supporting victims of the conflict?*

📌 *Singapore’s support for the UN resolution* 

Minister Shanmugam said that the resolution reaffirmed that the solution to the conflict should be through a peaceful 2-state solution. However, Minister Shanmugam also said that the resolution should also have noted Israel’s right to self-defense, but that this right to self-defence cannot include indiscriminate killing of citizens and must be done in accordance to international law. 

📌 *Regulating discourse on the Israel-Hamas conflict*

Minister Shanmugam also elaborated on the rationale for the disallowing of public rallies by the authorities. Minister said: "On rallies in Hong Lim (Park), we disallowed on public order reasons. Remember, rallies can be done by, if we allow one group, we have to allow other groups.” 

He also added: “We took the decision that we will not allow rallies by anyone. We don’t want to import foreign arguments into Singapore.”

While Minister acknowledged that Singaporeans are entitled to express their views online, he stressed that Singaporeans must not engage in hate speech against others. 

When asked about the views by the Israeli embassy that could be advocating for a cause, Minister said: "We don't take lightly any foreign interference in our domestic policies. We expect any ambassador or embassy to respect the way things are done in Singapore."

📌 *Humanitarian efforts for the conflict*

Minister Shanmugam also acknowledged the efforts of Singaporeans in coming together to provide humanitarian aid to the victims of the conflict. He said: “This is unique about Singapore. Everyone comes together to help even though they know most of the help goes towards Muslims in Gaza. They need help, we do what we can."

Minister Shanmugam’s comments were made on the sidelines of a ground-up interfaith joint humanitarian relief effort organised by Humanity Matters, a non-profit organisation where volunteers were gathered to pack relief supplies to be delivered to the displaced civilians of Gaza. The relief cargo, with a value of S$215,000, is scheduled to be airlifted on Oct 31 to Cairo, Egypt, and later transferred via land to Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.

👉 https://str.sg/iG6p

👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/israel-hamas-war-singapore-vote-un-resolution-shows-clear-stand-shanmugam-3881071

30/10/23, 10:00 am - ~ REACH Singapore changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group

30/10/23, 10:01 am - ~ REACH Singapore changed the group description

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30/10/23, 10:03 am - +Rama: Government did the right thing in supporting the resolution. Inter faith religious dialogue and the racial harmony act must form the cornerstone of our peace.

30/10/23, 10:05 am - +Darius Lee: I wrote a letter to the Straits Times forum on the topic: https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/forum/letter-of-the-week-mid-east-experience-taught-me-to-reject-an-us-versus-them-mentality

I think Singapore's approach to the conflict has been principled and fair thus far

30/10/23, 10:13 am - +Poh S Lim: I would add that even though we empathise with those innocent civilians caught on both sides of the conflict, we must not import those quarrels into our own local discourse, otherwise it will only stoke up tension and division locally.

30/10/23, 10:15 am - +Rama: Valid reason not to allow any legal form of protest!

30/10/23, 10:18 am - +Phone number: Fantastic snapshot mate

30/10/23, 10:19 am - +Rama: https://youtu.be/V4eWv17DMa0?si=INrPzCgJ0Drp9Ahx

30/10/23, 10:30 am - +Darius Lee: Haha it is a nice photo. But I didn't take that one; I took many other photos when I was there but not this one. It was put there by Straits Times

30/10/23, 10:37 am - +Frankie Wee: No justice both Gaza Strip and Israel over the war but humanitarian crisis.

It’s like neighbours side country need to have peace talk. 

But Gaza Strip is poor people and hide true and building weapons to attack Israel no reason. The world think that Palestinian is Isis threat.

30/10/23, 10:38 am - +Kenneth Lee WM: Regarding UN resolution to protect civilians, it sounds well and good.  But its focus is for a cease fire is flawed; a cease fire would only allow Hamas terrorist to regroup and plan for another terrorist act.  I think UN should push instead for a resolution not to use civilians as human shields. As I think the resolution is flawed, SG should not support it or at best abstain from the resolution.

Regarding discourse on Israel-Hamas conflict, this is good.  Religious harmony is very important here.

Regarding humantarian efforts, this is good as well.

30/10/23, 10:43 am - +~L: We must remember that military conflict benefits no one. These acts of aggression from both sides will take generations to heal. This is a complicated decades old struggle. It's not for Singapore to fix it, but we can give our support to those who are suffering and we can give our support to those who want to find long term peace.

30/10/23, 10:43 am - +Frankie Wee: Its governs more than two million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, but the group is best known for its armed resistance to Israel. In October 2023, Hamas launched a massive surprise attack on southern Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers and taking dozens more as hostages.9 Oct 2023

30/10/23, 10:45 am - +~L: This isn't really about religion, this is about human insecurity, ego, revenge, greed and jealousy.

30/10/23, 10:47 am - +~L: My fear is that Israel is now attacking Hamas in Syria and Lebanon and the conflict will escalate further. This was always the prediction for where WW3 would start. Maybe Ukraine was the beginning but as major conflict erupts in other countries, like we saw in WW2, it will soon become a global conflict.

30/10/23, 10:49 am - +~L: Political Leaders who provoke nationalist causes and seek power through the negative attacks on 'foreigners' should be banned from taking office. All it does is create conflict which ultimately leads to war.

30/10/23, 10:50 am - +Rama: Military conflicts benefits only the arms manufacturer and their shareholders!

30/10/23, 10:50 am - +Rama: Isn't the Palestinian authority the sole legal representative of the Palestinian people!?

30/10/23, 10:51 am - +~L: I support Mr Shanmugam's statements 100% and also agree that rallies are not helpful.

30/10/23, 10:51 am - +Rama: Interpretation of religion plays a part!

30/10/23, 10:51 am - +Frankie Wee: Agreed

30/10/23, 10:51 am - +~L: Perhaps, or is just used as an excuse for conflict.

30/10/23, 10:51 am - +Rama: Iran will Stoke the flames!

30/10/23, 10:52 am - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 10:52 am - +Rama: This can only happen here!

30/10/23, 10:52 am - +~L: I still think it's not a coincidence that Israel was about to sign a major deal with Saudi Arabia just before the Hamas attack.

30/10/23, 10:53 am - +Rama: Iran had a hand in stopping this!

30/10/23, 10:53 am - +~L: https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/saudi-arabia-puts-israel-deal-ice-amid-war-engages-with-iran-sources-say-2023-10-13/

30/10/23, 10:53 am - +Frankie Wee: Palestinian 🇵🇸 people will flow escape outside country for refugees.

30/10/23, 10:54 am - +Rama: Remember, it was Saudi Arabia that gave the green light recently fir two more sovereign Arab states to establish diplomatic relations with Israel

30/10/23, 10:54 am - +~L: I don't want to point fingers at anyone, nor create conflict with another country. I only mention this because understanding the  cause of this attack helps keep it focused and on perspective.

30/10/23, 10:54 am - +Rama: Not to an Arab country

30/10/23, 10:54 am - +Rama: Inevitable

30/10/23, 10:58 am - +Frankie Wee: They are fearful Israel will sent nuclear bomb over Gaza Strip if long war joined force armed and not surrender.

30/10/23, 11:00 am - +Jimmy Chew: Difficult for Singapore. We're a small country. Walking a tight rope.

30/10/23, 11:00 am - +Jimmy Chew: Not to offend Hamas. Israel helps us when we need a military.

30/10/23, 11:01 am - +Jimmy Chew: How to answer the shooting of civilians and using them as shields by Hamas and Israel bombing them to get them out

30/10/23, 11:03 am - +Jimmy Chew: Taking civilians as hostages and humiliating them on public

30/10/23, 11:27 am - +Rama: Possibly

30/10/23, 11:27 am - +Rama: Remember konfrontasi!

30/10/23, 11:27 am - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 11:31 am - +Phone number: Please explain why the West Bank is being bombed and civilians still being killed over there when Hamas has absolutely no control nor influence over it?

30/10/23, 11:33 am - +Rama: Likewise for the Palestinian authority over the gaza strip!

30/10/23, 11:33 am - +Phone number: Yes exactly.

30/10/23, 11:34 am - +Phone number: Regardless who governs what, we need peace and an immediate ceasefire to stop civilian casualties and indiscriminate deaths of children!

30/10/23, 11:35 am - +Rama: Peace will come at a tremendous negative cost!

30/10/23, 11:35 am - +Phone number: As Darius succinctly put it, it is the worst case of identity politics indeed.

30/10/23, 11:48 am - +Rama: Polarisation according to superpower interest!

30/10/23, 11:48 am - +Phone number: Sadly yes.

30/10/23, 11:50 am - +KL: May I ask SG , a 18 year old to 59  year old male born Singapore , consider civilian or Military ? Given a number of us serve NS before ? A confuse of my identy <This message was edited>

30/10/23, 11:52 am - +Rama: Initially, 13 year cycle for military reservist but brought down to 10. So, should be considered civilian and no longer liable

30/10/23, 11:52 am - +KL: MR mean can recall any time wor.

30/10/23, 11:53 am - +Frankie Wee: Hopefully Malaysia should not interfere between Gaza Strip and Israel 🤦

30/10/23, 11:53 am - +Frankie Wee: https://youtu.be/toaRr2ooWJA?si=gIUwqt4oZ2X6Qy6X

30/10/23, 11:59 am - +Smiley face: Who governed, who is governing and who will govern?

30/10/23, 11:59 am - +Smiley face: What about benefits? This opposite of cost!

30/10/23, 12:00 pm - +Smiley face: What is the true meaning of political identity vs a natural identity?

30/10/23, 12:01 pm - +Rama: Remember, hamas has an official presence in Malaysia and PM ANWAR attended a pro Palestinian rally recently!

30/10/23, 12:02 pm - +Rama: Cost will outweigh benefits due to selfish interests!

30/10/23, 12:04 pm - +Rama: If benefits were to outweigh costs, consider how much ethnic cleansing, genocide will take place prior!

30/10/23, 12:05 pm - +Smiley face: "No fools will do things out of costs with no benefits in mind...?"

- - anonymity

30/10/23, 12:06 pm - +Rama: No middle ground as such!

30/10/23, 12:08 pm - +Smiley face: In the middle of things?... these folks are sitting on the fence and eating their popcorn, and please watch and don't comment...?

30/10/23, 12:08 pm - +Rama: Comment nonetheless!

30/10/23, 12:09 pm - +Smiley face: In a prolonged war, especially when a nation is losing a war, conscription will come to play, getting all able men to fight till the last man standing still...?

30/10/23, 12:09 pm - +Rama: Age limit?!

30/10/23, 12:10 pm - +KL: Hearsay the paratrooper was train by "someone" . Sg should be more worried if the "someone" help cos if successful it can be incorp into thier bigger plan for own use. This seem to be  a test for future use by the "Someone" . This case was a successful ambush . Thus i more worried about Sg . As the paratrooper is very suitable for Non land intruder as well thus low paraglider is the best way also. <This message was edited>

30/10/23, 12:10 pm - +Smiley face: Best to eat popcorn, simply when you are chewing, you can't speak and open your mouth wider? Or the popcorn will spill all over...?

30/10/23, 12:10 pm - +Smiley face: No age limit when you aspire to win a losing war! Look at Russia...?

30/10/23, 12:12 pm - +Rama: Unsympathetic to eat popcorn and watch suffering!

30/10/23, 12:13 pm - +Smiley face: In the story of a Sympathiser, yes, you should...!

30/10/23, 12:14 pm - +Rama: My sympathy is otherwise formed

30/10/23, 12:15 pm - +Smiley face: 30 October, 2023

"Competition and Compassion"

"If economics is about people, people comes with the inherited demographics and incentives, if a nation is producing less people and a fast ageing population or smaller headcount to start with? What will be the dynamics of the economics of supply & demand, a renewed social interventions and the policies and the political consequences; all pointing towards disruptions and in the worse case of chaos?  What is the nature of competition and how about the limitations of compassion? How about the reverse effects given a growing population? Where then is the point of balance?"

- - anonymity

30/10/23, 12:19 pm - +KL: Then MR, NS men and NSF don't consider civilian already right? Nevertheless thanks for the explanation . <This message was edited>

30/10/23, 12:20 pm - +Smiley face: Into a heated and emotional warfare, no more civility nor compassion? Is it true to describe such a metaphorical scenario?

30/10/23, 12:21 pm - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 12:24 pm - +Smiley face: For the last seven decades, the global citizens don't understand what war is and what are the costs thereafter in rebuilding and regaining the losses from homes, businesses and identity!

Saying all in a big essay has no profound meaning and the true essence of human sufferings and these damages are lastly in the lost minds forever and thus the birth of a perpetual cycle of revenge and hatred!

How to stop ?

30/10/23, 12:28 pm - +Jimmy Chew: Don't vote for the wrong government. They voted Putin and Hamas

30/10/23, 12:28 pm - +Jimmy Chew: And Donald hahahaha

30/10/23, 12:29 pm - +Rama: Dotard!

30/10/23, 12:30 pm - +Rama: Cannot stop!

30/10/23, 12:36 pm - +Smiley face: The solution to this old millennium conflict is perhaps striving for a balance point.

What happened cannot be unwind and what is going to escalate can be stopped? 

It is not to simply sit down and have a multi ways talks to resolve all costs and look for common benefits.

The key to halt any war is benefit! More benefits the better as for the costs; it's under the bridge!

30/10/23, 12:37 pm - +Smiley face: The key in this context is "people and incentives" that will drive success for any nation and its population!

30/10/23, 12:47 pm - +Rama: Imbalance and imperfect concessions may!

30/10/23, 12:52 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

There are 2 angles to look at the middle east conflict to understand how it begins and how it will end:-

1. Political angle - mundane angle from the UN.

- we need to promote the voice of reasons, fairness, justice and even handedness.

2. Divine angle - supramundane angle

a. Abrahamic lineage - Catholics vs Christian Protestant conflict ended in 1998 - the last conflict of karma seed ended in Ireland.

b. Abrahamic lineage - Christian vs Muslim - karma seed manifest in 911 2001,  and ended in 2021 after Biden announce withdrawal of US troops and UK also withdraw its troop in Afghanistan - from Iraq and Afghanistan war.

c. Now the last Abrahamic lineage - 

Judaism vs Muslim war in Israel vs Palestine Hamas....

The final one when karma seed manifest in 7 Oct 2023 (also known as the Israel 911).

How will it ends ....

It is now the contest at the root and origin of the Abrahmic lineage - Gaza and West Bank.

Specifically the conflict is about East Jerusalem (50 holy places)..... + Palestine place of stay.

This is the real crux and root of the conflict.

How will it ends... I don't know.

But it will be a very bloody one....

30/10/23, 12:53 pm - +Smiley face: Isn't it obvious? 

It can also be said that this world of 'Supernations' is always playing the game of balancing acts?

One entity off-balanced, the next foreign policy or international interventions will arrive to address it?

For one change will lead to more than three reactions whether it is counter measures or other means of addressing in a case of a nation going out of balance whether it is over trades or technologies or race or religion!

For smarter and smaller nations, it is best to always strike a balance both inwardly and outwardly, all micro and macro policies!

30/10/23, 12:54 pm - +Rama: There's also the economic angle to consider which can bring about military aggression.

30/10/23, 12:54 pm - +Smiley face: Wow!

30/10/23, 1:00 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

The big hoo haa throughout the whole wide world is not about the fate of Palestinians 2.3 millions people.

It is about the "Holy Places" in East Jerusalem - that both the West and Muslims world are fighting over.

Only understanding the root cause of the conflict and the resolution of this root cause - can eventually and permanently end the conflict in Middle East.

Else the war is going to be very bloody - and both sides will be at one another throat.

I also know that this war will come - and indeed it finally come - as the karma seed of the final root of the Abrahmic lineage manifest. <This message was edited>

30/10/23, 1:04 pm - +Rama: Let the UN manage the whole of Jerusalem under the watchful eyes of Israel! ?

30/10/23, 1:05 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Because if the Arab world really care about the humanitarian crisis in Palestine:-

a. Egypt could just open the Sinai Peninsula.

b. Jordan could just let in the West Bank Palestinians.

Only 2.3 million Palestinians - Jordan, Egypt and Saudi very big land - the Palestine population very little, won't take up much spaces and Arab world very rich.

It is all about East Jerusalem and the holy land.

30/10/23, 1:10 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Hmm..

That's why understanding the root cause is important.

Else coming from the wrong angle humanitarian - the conflict will just go round and round.

Actually the UN and the conflicting parties keep bringing up mundane angle - and didn't address the real root cause.

Thus the conflict will just go round and round.

30/10/23, 1:13 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

If everyone visit Israel, you will notice religions - Judaism, Christianity and Islams - are worship in its earliest raw form to the core everyday.

This is the real reason for the current conflict.

Place of stay, economic opportunities are just symptoms of the real root cause.

In fact this can be easily solve - as Arab Israel also live peacefully among them.

30/10/23, 1:15 pm - +Rama: The quran and the Christian holy book both emphasis on Jerusalem!

30/10/23, 1:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Exactly.

30/10/23, 1:16 pm - +Rama: Someone stirred the hornets nest!

30/10/23, 1:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

This hornet nest is the root cause of this conflict.

30/10/23, 1:19 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Both sides sir down, resolve this, will resolve the war once and for all.

30/10/23, 1:21 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Once this is settle, humanitarian and land allocation - very easily settle.

30/10/23, 1:22 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Else if try to settle humanitarian and land allocation - fighting will again eruptb- and will again go round and round - vicious cycle and will never stop.

30/10/23, 1:22 pm - +Rama: Jews, Christians and Muslims religious cam sit down but must exclude hamas and hizbollah

30/10/23, 1:23 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Hamas and Hezbollah say want to annihilate Israel is a no no.

30/10/23, 1:23 pm - +~L: I'm not religious - so maybe I don't understand why people want to kill each other over a postcode or monument or a chant.

30/10/23, 1:24 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Likewise excluding Palestinians is also a no no.

30/10/23, 1:24 pm - +~L: Do true religious leaders really want to incite death?

30/10/23, 1:26 pm - +~L: I suspect it's more about financial and political wranglings than religious ones. Israel controls Gaza and life is really bad in Gaza. I'm not saying I know why, but it's a reality that affects people in Gaza and will breed resentment.

30/10/23, 1:27 pm - +~L: Ireland got solved. Less complicated for sure, but there were bombings and violence for many years.

30/10/23, 1:28 pm - +~L: Financial support for Ireland through the EU solved it, basically. Now the Nth Irish are beginning to want reunification under Ireland, not Britain.

30/10/23, 1:28 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Money no issue for Palestine - Arab world donate them with plenty of money - only whether they reach the people.

30/10/23, 1:29 pm - +Smiley face: Beliefs and Faiths; Races and Religions

30/10/23, 1:32 pm - +Rama: As also mentioned By Singapore MHA K.S.

30/10/23, 1:33 pm - +Rama: Not the intended outcome for Israel!

30/10/23, 1:33 pm - +Rama: Catholic versus protestant

30/10/23, 1:33 pm - +Rama: Great

30/10/23, 1:34 pm - +Rama: Partial only

30/10/23, 1:34 pm - +Rama: That's why our racial harmony act is important!

30/10/23, 1:35 pm - +~L: it was really british rule and historically treating the irish badly that causes and sustained the problems.

30/10/23, 1:35 pm - +~L: The religions in Ireland haven't changed but there is peace there now.

30/10/23, 1:35 pm - +Phone number: Same case here

30/10/23, 1:36 pm - +Rama: The great Michael Collins

30/10/23, 1:36 pm - +Noraini: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1J23ybBnQEYeF2kQ/?mibextid=qi2Omg

30/10/23, 1:36 pm - +~L: What changed is a flood of money into Ireland and power sharing, oh and Brexit.

30/10/23, 1:38 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

If God is fair, it will love all not just one.

30/10/23, 1:38 pm - +Rama: God is fair but not mankind!

30/10/23, 1:39 pm - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 1:39 pm - +Rama: Reality speaks louder!

30/10/23, 1:40 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

So from this context, all the Abrahmic lineage faiths - should sit down in UN religious forum to knock this out - and once and for all settle this historic biblical conflict.

Then Israel and Palestine conflict will stop.

Else what the UN is currently doing is going to make the conflict worst.

Because it is not solving the root cause.

30/10/23, 1:41 pm - +Rama: The UN has no clout whatsoever from various conflicts after its formation!

30/10/23, 1:43 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

And what happen in Middle East don't just affect the countries there.

It reverberate all around the world - because Abrahamic lineage religions are found in almost all countries in the world.

30/10/23, 1:43 pm - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 1:45 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

To resolve this conflict once and for all, got to take the bull by the horn.

30/10/23, 1:48 pm - +Rama: Palestinian Authority must be the only entity to negotiate with Israel on behalf of the Palestinian People and not any terrorist organisation!

30/10/23, 1:48 pm - +Noraini: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/x4yrbguetPqRerpr/?mibextid=qi2Omg

30/10/23, 1:49 pm - +Rama: Why has no one compiled factual evidence to take Israel to the ICC crimes against humanity since its formation in 1948!?

30/10/23, 1:53 pm - +Smiley face: https://youtu.be/gq3CmeRaabg?si=_r-56jh1R_KBCalq

Will any Arabs country or any country help to supply the Kafan cloth for the sake of the grieving families and the deceased, simple and dignified burial in accordance with the religious practices? That's, another humanitarian aid to do!

30/10/23, 1:54 pm - +JC: Jerusalem is not mentioned  in the Quran.

30/10/23, 1:54 pm - +Rama: Will the Arab world show solidarity, empathy and compassion!?

30/10/23, 1:55 pm - +Rama: So then, they use period of occupation as a reason!?

30/10/23, 1:55 pm - +Smiley face: Time is running faster than human reactions!

Waste no more time as we are writing....the war continues....?

30/10/23, 1:57 pm - +JC: Not sure what u mean... But just pointing out a factual error that many assumed Jerusalem is emphasized in the Quran - it isn't even mentioned.

30/10/23, 1:58 pm - +Rama: So, eat popcorn and watch from a distance!?

30/10/23, 1:59 pm - +Frankie Wee: More will come to death if continue war

30/10/23, 1:59 pm - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 2:00 pm - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢 

30/10/23, 2:02 pm - +Smiley face: Send the Kafan, medicines, water purifiers, generator sets and dried foods ready to eat without having to cook!

Kafan =  just like Coffin

30/10/23, 2:03 pm - +Noraini: Singapore has always been pro-Israel, even after global March for Free Palestine, even after strike to ban Israel based corporation including Starbuck & Mac Donal

30/10/23, 2:06 pm - +JC: <Media omitted>

30/10/23, 2:08 pm - +JC: Singapore govt has always been only pro-Singapore. We are not Jewish nor Palestine nor Arabs. No reason to be "pro" any side.

30/10/23, 2:09 pm - +JC: Our govt do what's good for SG - esp so in foreign affairs.

30/10/23, 2:09 pm - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 2:10 pm - +JC: As citizens, let's not inflame matters and make it hard for our govt to do what's best for SG.

30/10/23, 2:10 pm - +Noraini: Conflict is not between Jews & Muslims, but taking over land.  Don't just regurgitate narrative of mainstream media

30/10/23, 2:10 pm - +Rama: Engage our politicians on this

30/10/23, 2:10 pm - +Noraini: Look at Shanmug 😆😆😆

30/10/23, 2:10 pm - +Rama: So, can you speak fairly for both sides!?

30/10/23, 2:10 pm - +Smiley face: Mineral water in both small and big packs!

SAF ratio packs?

30/10/23, 2:11 pm - +Rama: Look at you!

30/10/23, 2:12 pm - +JC: Mainstream media is quite pro Palestinian actually.

30/10/23, 2:12 pm - +Noraini: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/8daQwqcNSgk9bVjb/?mibextid=qi2Omg

30/10/23, 2:12 pm - +Rama: Give us pro Palestinian media

30/10/23, 2:12 pm - +JC: Careful u don't regurgitate from social media 🤣

30/10/23, 2:13 pm - +Noraini: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/iYpJJGSF15CmQvZ2/?mibextid=qi2Omg

30/10/23, 2:15 pm - +Rama: There a equivalent damage video from the son of a hamas leader who spent 27 months in a Israeli prison which is equally damaging to hamas!

30/10/23, 2:16 pm - +JC: There will b no end to this discussion - I will adhere to Shan's advice and not import arguments... Just remember we are SG, think about our national interests first. Don't be distracted by the news - there are many undercurrents that we may not know or understand.

30/10/23, 2:18 pm - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 2:21 pm - +Rama: Just because they help build our military in 1965 when the entire world didn't want to help does not make us pro Israel! We have voted against them on occasion at the UN.

30/10/23, 2:23 pm - +Thomas: From Military standpoint, Singapore can study the Ukriane and Hamas war to better understand on how to defend ourselves. We are on our own . From the Social standpoint, I remember LKY alluded to this , where a social change is needed, we must allowed it in a democratic way else , there will be violence. The Palestine question has been lingering for a long time. The social needs for a state is not met where the palestinian's youth are allow to see a future for themselves. Maybe the violence will be lesser but their political charter must remove the mentioned of elimination of Isreal. There must be a political will to do this. I think , the British created a mess for this in 1938 and also India/Pakistan, never think careful

30/10/23, 2:24 pm - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 2:25 pm - +Rama: 1947 India.  1948 Palestine!

30/10/23, 2:46 pm - +Smiley face: https://www.youtube.com/live/Gw6RhJAZYnQ?si=ZNxo2tf7JlVbUluw

Mutual benefits and Cordial relationships.

(Alangkah baik dan berterusannya hubungan kedua-dua negara dan Perdana Menteri yang kedua-duanya memberi manfaat kepada pembangunan ekonomi Singapura dan Malaysia.)

30/10/23, 3:14 pm - +~L: Sorry to go off topic..... 

re using a mobile phone speaker on the bus or train should be classified as a public nuisance: "In the case where the offender knows that the act or omission constituting the public nuisance will cause or will probably cause any common injury, danger or annoyance to the public, the offender may be liable upon conviction to an imprisonment term of up to three months, a fine up to $2,000, or both."

I won't comment again on this, because I know today's topic is different, and I don't want to be annoying.

30/10/23, 3:14 pm - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 3:27 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Firstly, I will like to comment on our Government stand position in the UN Resolution on the Israel and Hamas conflict.

I applaud our Government position as a "Voice of Reasons".

We need to state our position in International Stage - and help to shape the International directions towards "Voice of Reasons" --- so that member states in the World - will abide by International Laws and Charters - to preserve Peace and Mutual Prosperity.

"Amendment to UN Resolution"

2. First I will want to highlight the Canada amendment to the UN Resolution (that has not gather 2/3 votes in the UN) because this is what has trigger the current conflict :-

a. Hamas militants launch a surprise attack on Israel, kill many civlians and Israel soldiers, take 220 hostages - which is a terrorist act ---- because they are shooting many unarm innocents cold-blooded, enter into their houses, burn their houses down, mutilate many innocents and take many innocent civilians hostages.

This is a henious unacceptable terrorism - which grossly infringe International Law.

3. Hence in this context, Israel has a right to defense under the International Law - against terrorism.

Rescuing hostages, and punishing terrorists is permitted under the International Law.

But it must be done under the context of International Law - whereby actions should be taken against the militants and not the Palestine civilians.

4. Unfortunately, this amendment to the UN Resolution did not make it to the 2/3 votes - but Singapore vote supporting this Resolution is an appropriate vote - to project the "Voice of Reasons".

30/10/23, 3:35 pm - +Rama: Noraini, your comments!?

30/10/23, 3:51 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

"UN Resolution on the need for humanitarian aids"

1. Next I will like to highlight Singapore vote to support the UN Resolution.

2. Continuation from the above comments, though Israel has the right to defend themselves against terrorism, Israel must do so according to International Law - and not conduct "collective punishment" against the Palestinian civilians in Gaza that don't represent Hamas terrorist acts.

3. Depriving Palestinian civilians from water, food and medical aids - will make the uncivilians unsurvivable and bombings of civilian houses will deprive them of places to live.

4. Hence I support our Government vote to support the UN Resolution on the needs to ensure humanitarian aids and needs must be accorded to the Palestinian civilians - and ensure civilians are not targeted in Israel self-defense to hold Hama militants responsible.

5. Next, I support our Government vote - that there is a need to find a permanent solutions to the Israel and Palestine conflict - because without looking at the "Israel-Palestine" 2 States solution to coexist and live peacefully side-by-side - the vicious cycle of round-and-round violence will erupt now and then --- imperil both Israelists and Palestinians.

Both cannot live in peace and build prosperity.

The conflict between them has been centuries --- and now need the "Collective Wisdom to end it once and for all" --- then there will be Global "Religious Peace".

6. I support our Government stands and votes on both UN Resolution --- which is a more complete and holistic "Voices of Reasons".

7. However, in my heart and my mind, to effectively forge "Permanent Peace and Resolution" ---- the World, specifically the West and the Muslim World --- in fact, all the Abrahamic Lineage -- that make up of Judaism, Catholism, Christianity, Protestants, Islam ----- will need to setup a UN Religious Abrahamic Forum - laying out all their respective Holy Books --- to hash out a "Final Resolution of the Holy Lands" in Israel and Palestine.

Only through "Objective, Fairness, Justice, Even-Handness and Finall Empathy" ---- to analyse and agree on all the Holy scriptures and Holy Lands ---- can the World finally settle the "Conflicts of the Abrahamic Lineage - of all the religions under it".

Then UN after the resolution of this Abrahamic Lingeage ended with a "Final Agreement" --- can then sit down to baseline - the 2 State Solutions --- to allocated lands, governance and economy.

8. Only then, Middle East conflict can come to a "Wholesome Chapter Closure of Abrahamic conflict".

Om...

30/10/23, 4:08 pm - +Rama: My desire is to see point 7 become reality.

30/10/23, 4:08 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

"Don't import other Countries problem into Singapore"

1. Though we are mindful our the Israel-Hama conflict unfold - will affect Singapore indirectly - because it is a conflict of Abrahamic lineage and the Holy Lands --- in which many people including Singapore belong to one of the religious lineage.

2. Hence, taking sides is inevitable - because it is close to their hearts in how they practice their religions.

This is understandable.

3. But it is important that as Singaporeans - we are make up of multi-racial and multi-religious Society - whereby we live, we work, we worship, we play, we coexist peacefully and we prosper together - regardless of race, religions, languages and culture.

4. We cannot allow our diversity, our different viewpoints to divide us - because we are One Singaporean, and One Country.

5. Hence we need to project the "Voice of Reason", "Have Empathy", "Have Compassion" and always look for "Win-Win Mutual Beneficial Solutions".

Heart Willing - there will be a Mutually Acceptable Solutions.

6. Hence we will have to voice and move the World towards such solutions if we can.

Else domestically, this must be our Position and our Stand --- "Unity in Diversity".

Only then, Peace and Prosperity and Unity can be assured in our Society.

7. Our racial harmony and our religious harmony - has come a long way - and now it must be able to withstand the "Most difficult test of our time - since bibical time".

30/10/23, 4:11 pm - +Jimmy Chew: It's the fanatics that says it's okay to kill civilians to forward their cause. Started with the PLO hijackings

30/10/23, 4:12 pm - +Smiley face: Idealistically on a positive tone, it is a good start towards a multi-religious discussions at the world stage with the backdrops of the existential contestations, a highly complicated and a complex and on-going geopolitical tension. 

On the negative aspect of idealism, perhaps it will be an opportunity to open a 'canned history' in the Middle-East of Asia and thereon to the rest of the world and religions!

30/10/23, 4:12 pm - +Jimmy Chew: They are guerillas when they engage the military folks

30/10/23, 4:14 pm - +Jimmy Chew: Nowadays believers will do anything to provoke emotions. Like the just oil protestors and the LGBT movement

30/10/23, 4:14 pm - +Jimmy Chew: Or feminism when they burn their bras

30/10/23, 4:14 pm - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢 

30/10/23, 4:15 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

The solution is "Heart  Willing".

大地万法唯心造。

由因缘生。

有因缘灭。

When heart willing, all universal phenomenon will come into place.

When conditions ripen, solutions will be acceptable.

When conditions are not ripen, good solutions will come to naught. <This message was edited>

30/10/23, 4:19 pm - +Rama: This message is for those who wanted but not allowed to hold rallies.

30/10/23, 4:19 pm - +Rama: Agree

30/10/23, 4:20 pm - +Rama: First world countries

30/10/23, 4:22 pm - Your security code with +65 9021 8230 changed. Tap to learn more.

30/10/23, 4:22 pm - +Rama: One thing I stand for is that Jerusalem is the rightful capital of Israel.

30/10/23, 4:48 pm - +Noraini: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/bKBSBWZN5mnV6ZbD/?mibextid=qi2Omg

30/10/23, 4:50 pm - +Noraini: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/RX9U6DNVUsr7XkqR/?mibextid=qi2Omg

30/10/23, 4:51 pm - +Rama: Get in touch with Shanmugam personally on this!?

30/10/23, 4:53 pm - +Noraini: He is same like you

30/10/23, 4:54 pm - +Rama: Then, you have yet to know him!

30/10/23, 5:04 pm - +Rama: Your best bet is Faisal Manap from the WP. He once said religion and politics go together but got a good discussion with Shanmugam who put him in his place during a live sitting of parliament.  None of the PAP malay MP Ministers will.

30/10/23, 5:17 pm - +Noraini: You mean Sam more childish than you

30/10/23, 5:24 pm - +Frankie Wee: Who can stop the war?

30/10/23, 5:25 pm - +Noraini: It is predicted there will be WW3

30/10/23, 5:25 pm - +Smiley face: Distinguished Henry Kissinger...

30/10/23, 5:26 pm - +Frankie Wee: Both side need to understand humanity and respect each other region between religions

30/10/23, 5:29 pm - +Frankie Wee: He can order command to withdraw war and f both side country must negotiate peace talk.

30/10/23, 5:30 pm - +Frankie Wee: North Korean and USA did come in Singapore summit peace withdraw nuclear. But both disagreed

30/10/23, 5:31 pm - +Rama: Sam who!?😳

30/10/23, 5:31 pm - +Smiley face: Integrity without competition...

30/10/23, 5:32 pm - +Rama: This message was deleted

30/10/23, 5:32 pm - +Frankie Wee: Russia and Ukraine didn’t have a good negotiating keep on insulting each other

30/10/23, 5:32 pm - +Rama: All those who are willing

30/10/23, 5:32 pm - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 5:33 pm - +Rama: Not alone no matter how distinguished

30/10/23, 5:34 pm - +Rama: Nonsense

30/10/23, 5:34 pm - +Rama: China and Russia assist North Korea so difficult

30/10/23, 5:35 pm - +Rama: Ye

30/10/23, 5:42 pm - +Thomas: Russia decided not to recognise any international agreement of Ukraine and their rights to exist and invade them. Singapore has to take a stand on this else whatever agreement we have with other countries will be a problem, cause we are small. Now Russia got more than they can chew and sacrifice their young and future

30/10/23, 5:43 pm - +Rama: Yes

30/10/23, 5:43 pm - +Rama: But not Israel!

30/10/23, 5:48 pm - +Rama: Minister Shanmugam, MP Faisal Manap & MP Pritam Singh Debate ...

YouTube · govsg

08-Oct-2019

30/10/23, 5:48 pm - +Rama: This is where Faisal Manap got a dressing down from K Shanmugam on religion and politics which should not mix!

30/10/23, 6:00 pm - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢 

30/10/23, 6:45 pm - +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 😊

30/10/23, 6:45 pm - +Smiley face: "Iran's nuclear program was launched in the 1950s with the help of the United States. On 5 March 1957, a "proposed agreement for cooperation in research in the peaceful uses of atomic energy" was announced under the Eisenhower administration's Atoms for Peace program...."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_program_of_Iran

https://www.eisenhowerlibrary.gov/research/online-documents/atoms-peace#:~:text=In%20his%20Atoms%20for%20Peace,into%20a%20benefit%20for%20mankind.

30/10/23, 6:46 pm - +Smiley face: 📌 *Singapore’s support for the UN resolution* 

It is correct, a humane thing to do.

📌 *Regulating discourse on the Israel-Hamas conflict*

It is wiser to avoid and be measured all heated and at times highly emotional geopolitics video and overseas news that skews especially involving race and/or religion and/or gender.

📌 *Humanitarian efforts for the conflict*

It is correct to continue all humanitarian help and thereafter to chip-in to the rebuilding of the damaged homes and shops so that lives of the young and the old people can carry on living.

30/10/23, 6:50 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Singapore's diplomatic relations with Israel 'no reason' to cause difficulty with Malaysia: PM Lee.

Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said his country and Singapore share a common position in that they both voted in favour of a United Nations resolution to protect civilians amid the Israel-Hamas war.    https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/israel-hamas-palestinian-war-malaysia-singapore-3883071

30/10/23, 6:51 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

As long as it is a "Voice of reasons" - no one will dispute our position and our stand.

30/10/23, 6:52 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

"PM Lee visits new multi-faith complex and Burj Khalifa on first official trip to UAE".

UAE coexistence of 3 faiths (Islam, Christianity and Judaism).

PM Lee write "Unity in Diversity".

 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pm-lee-visits-new-multi-faith-complex-and-burj-khalifa-on-first-official-trip-to-uae#:~:text=PM%20Lee%20visits%20new%20multi%2Dfaith%20complex%20and%20Burj%20Khalifa%20on%20first%20official%20trip%20to%20UAE

30/10/23, 6:54 pm - +~L: Let's not make the Israel/Hamas conflict about religion. I really don't believe it is about religion.

30/10/23, 6:56 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

30/10/23, 6:56 pm - +Rama: Unfortunately, it is!

30/10/23, 6:57 pm - +Rama: Agree

30/10/23, 6:57 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Temple Mount vs Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem.

30/10/23, 6:57 pm - +Rama: Wth USA!?

30/10/23, 6:57 pm - +Rama: Yes.

30/10/23, 6:58 pm - +Rama: Our reason doesn't resonate with some!

30/10/23, 6:58 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Unless people live there and visit there.

Then people will know exactly what happen.

30/10/23, 6:58 pm - +Smiley face: Pls read the attached information....aka datang a longer essay on IRAN....

30/10/23, 6:58 pm - +Rama: Pen pal helps update those who cannot visit

30/10/23, 6:59 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

30/10/23, 6:59 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

They fight over this.

30/10/23, 6:59 pm - +Rama: Just like USA help Osama once against Russia and Osama eventually turn on USA!

30/10/23, 6:59 pm - +Smiley face: This message was deleted

30/10/23, 7:00 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

30/10/23, 7:00 pm - +Smiley face: How about...

30/10/23, 7:01 pm - +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 😊

30/10/23, 7:01 pm - ~ REACH Singapore changed this group's settings to allow only admins to send messages to this group

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REACH 507 - What are your views on the Forward Singapore (Forward SG) Report? How can we ensure that we continue to be an inclusive, fair, thriving, resilient and united society? 

(SK)

27 Oct 2023 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

27/10/23, 10:15 am - +REACH: *Dear Contributors,*

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from *1030am 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://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms

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 😊

27/10/23, 10:28 am - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢

The fourth-generation (4G) leadership of Singapore presented a strategic plan for a more equitable and thriving Singapore. This plan outlines the steps Singapore will take in the upcoming years to maintain unity in the face of ongoing change.

It also included recommendations and key policy shifts that were built on the suggestions from more than 200 000 Singaporeans during the Forward SG engagement sessions started since 2022. 

 💬 *What are your views on the Forward Singapore (Forward SG) Report? How can we ensure that we continue to be an inclusive, fair, thriving, resilient and united society?* 

Across the Forward SG engagements, Singaporeans shared that they want a society that is vibrant and inclusive, fair and thriving, and resilient and united. 

These are some of the announcements from the Forward SG report:

📌 *1) Embracing learning beyond grades*

Broaden the definition of merit and develop more diverse pathways, such as the move to Full Subject Based-Banding. Provide “significant boost” to SkillsFuture to help mature mid-career Singaporeans reskill and upskill. 

📌 *2)Respect and reward every job*

Support Singaporeans’ growing desire for meaningful jobs and provide them with opportunities to develop mastery of skills. This includes further reducing wage gaps for those in “hands” and “hearts” jobs.

📌 *3) Support families through every stage of life*

Providing family assurance, including affordable HDB housing, enhanced infant support, improved mental well-being, and increased support for caregivers by increasing affordability for early intervention, education, and care services. 

📌 *4) Enable seniors to age well through Healthier SG and Age Well SG*

Encourage active aging in the community by expanding the network of Active Ageing Centres and revamping their operations. Strengthen the community-based aged care system and ensure seniors retire with peace of mind through enhance existing scheme.

📌 *5) Empower those in need*

Uplift lower-income families towards sustained progress, closing early gaps for children from lower-income families and making our society more inclusive for persons with disabilities.

📌 *6) Invest in a shared tomorrow*

Singapore can deal with today’s challenges while providing a strong foundation for the future, by "stewarding our limited resources responsibly and sustainably".

📌 *7) Do our part as one united people*

The collective strength of Singapore’s society depends on its unity and how people care for each other. Hence the need to nurture a stronger culture of giving. It also requires strengthening multi-racialism and the Singaporean identity as well as create more avenues for civic participation. 

👉🏼 'Embrace wider definitions of success': Forward SG report lays out roadmap for a new Singapore vision: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/forward-sg-report-success-singapore-dream-lawrence-wong-3861386 

👉🏼 Forward SG report unveils social support plans, lays out mindset shifts needed amid changing times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/forward-sg-report-unveils-social-support-plans-lays-out-mindset-shifts-needed-amid-changing-times 

👉🏼 Here’s what Forward Singapore means for you: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/here-s-what-forward-singapore-means-for-you

👉🏼 Forward SG full report : http://go.gov.sg/forwardsg-report

27/10/23, 10:30 am - ~ REACH Singapore changed the group description

27/10/23, 10:30 am - ~ REACH Singapore changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group

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27/10/23, 11:30 am - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Before wrapping up the ForwardSG report, hope it is not the end of REACH@WhatsApp - but the continuation.

2. Because this REACH channel is a good way for public to reach out to the Government in providing constructive feedback, ideas and suggestions to support or suggest improvement to government policies.

3. At the same time, to partake joint government-and-people policy formulation - which will facilitate buy-in for important policies that impact people's lives and livelihoods.

27/10/23, 11:41 am - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Embracing learning beyond grades - significant boost is given to SkillsFuture to help mature mid-career Singaporeans reskill and upskill - it is a good policy as technology and business disruption occurs more and more frequent.

2. Will hope government highlight more life cases of such successful training and placement scheme through SkillsFuture - so that Singapore workforce will feel confident that it is a mainstream programme to ensure mid career workers are ensure of continuous training and career - without fear of losing jobs but unable to recover.

3. Training allowance given to trainee during training in SkillsFuture will thus be necessary - as they still can put food on their table for the family without a job and paid daily expenses without worry and anxiety.

4. Successful placement upon training in skillset that are trained - will signify SkillsFuture is a success - and a recognition by industries that SkillsFuture is mainstream training conduit for mid-career to train, recognise and change jobs.

27/10/23, 11:45 am - +Frankie Wee: Living for better tomorrow and every  cost matter step we have learned to achieve our dreams where we called a home and family.

27/10/23, 11:46 am - +Frankie Wee: Singapore next generation new era.

27/10/23, 11:59 am - +Rama: Yes

27/10/23, 12:03 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Hands and Heart jobs - I presume are blue collar jobs and social services jobs.

2. This are not the academic pathways jobs but more of the non-academic pathways jobs.

3. These jobs previously are done mainly by foreign workers.

4. But we have to recognise that not all Singaporeans are academically inclined and need to reserve jobs for local Singaporeans.

5. Hence there is a need to make such hands and hearts job more respectable and upskill such jobs so that local Singaporeans who are not academically incline can take over the job with dignity and higher pay.

27/10/23, 12:37 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Birth rate to replace population TFR is our National goal.

2. Only a cradle to grave approach can provide assurance and reduce anxiety among Singaporeans to get married, buy a house, give birth to more babies, educate the youngs and become a useful contributing members of the society.

3. Hence, affordable housing become important.

For some bigger flat eg. 5 room flats so as to accommodate more family members become important.

Notice that those flats in mature areas don't have 5 rooms flats - 4 room or smaller.

4. Having flats nearer to the parents will alleviate young couples anxiety to take care of their young children and yet both couples can work to earn income - as cost of living is getting higher and higher.

5. If this is not possible, then flexible working arrangements - hybrid WFH and WFO will become necessary as young couples can stagger their working arrangements to work from home and at the same time become a caretaker of the young children.

6. Only then will young couples have more babies.

7. Having varied career Pathways other than brain works, now have hands works and heart works - certainly go a long way to reassure parents that academic career pathway is not the only career conduits.

Then less stress for parents to have more children as excelling in schools are not the only way to earn a living.

27/10/23, 12:41 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. HealthierSG and ActiveAgeing SG are good initiatives for elderly to age well and ensure healthcare services are taken care of.

2. I have enrol in the HealthierSG and look forward to reading benefits from the healthcare program.

27/10/23, 1:02 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

3. Singapore health care services are very well managed and medical treatment are of high standards.

4. Polyclinics, hospitals and specialists clinic as well as private clinics and hospitals are of high standards.

Healthcare program very thoughtful .

5. Only 2 areas need attention.

a. Got to watch out for cost and ensure healthcare services are affordable.

b. Looking to cut short waiting time - especially to see specialists.

27/10/23, 1:09 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. To empower those in needs - always important to provide them "fishing rods to fish and not focus on giving them fish".

2. For families of the underclass, important to identify the breadwinners as well as their young ones - to train them in skillsets to get jobs to feed their families.

Provide education and financial help to their children to ensure that they have qualifications to do well in schools and then get jobs with good income to pull their underclass families out and up.

3. For disabilities, important to be inclusive to train them in skillsets and get social enterprises to employ them and help them to be able to earn a living.

27/10/23, 1:10 pm - +Rama: Yes

27/10/23, 1:24 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. And finally, to invest in a shared future, we must be one united people - regardless of races, languages, cultures or religions - we are one Singaporean.

2. Looking afar, we have seen intolerance among different races and religions - getting at one another throat;

- or for some xenophobia bent whereby far-right nationalism look at foreigners with unwelcome and sometimes hostile eyes.

- or social division whereby lower and middle class separation and upper class tension manifest.

3. We must be very careful that the above social fabric must not unravel - and we must constantly remind ourselves as one united people :- 

- and not let racial/religious differences tear us apart - looking at what had unravel in the middle east, races politicking become more and more apparent in our north neighbour.

- far right nationalism and globalisation phobia from the previous US politics rear its ugly head.

- the ultra rich - vis-a-vis our middle and lower class become apparent.

- or let foreigners taking away our jobs or make our cost of living high - take root.

We must be mindful that foreigners are here to help us live better as they provide services to us.

4. We must watch out for these trends and not let such division - divide us.

5. Our unified goal is One Singaporean despite the differences - "Unity in diversity". <This message was edited>

27/10/23, 1:31 pm - +Rama: The most affordable route for enhanced medical treatment for the low or no income ground is through the Polyclinic for the best subsidies possible.

27/10/23, 1:32 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Agree.

But notice that the cost also slowly creeping up.

27/10/23, 1:35 pm - +Frankie Wee: CHAS card subsidy any clinic

27/10/23, 1:36 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Chas cards only available to private clinics but not Polyclinics or public hospitals.

27/10/23, 1:38 pm - +Rama: Yes

27/10/23, 1:39 pm - +Frankie Wee: Yes

27/10/23, 1:40 pm - +Rama: Subsidies must go up to match inflation and gst with appropriate means testing

27/10/23, 1:40 pm - +Frankie Wee: I see different clinic cost billed

27/10/23, 1:41 pm - +Frankie Wee: Some people get sick night no choice to wait tomorrow open polytechnic

27/10/23, 1:41 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

So far the following are the only ways to cushion our higher cost of living:-

1. Improve our income every year.

2. Else reduce spendings that may impact our standard of living.

3. So far government 3 years of GST and COL voucher have help us cushion the high inflation.

But not sure whether this is sustainable going forward. <This message was edited>

27/10/23, 1:42 pm - +Rama: Sad

27/10/23, 1:44 pm - +Frankie Wee: I have watchwd true story homeless in Singapore and S3P is trying best to help them shelter home

27/10/23, 1:44 pm - +Frankie Wee: Very sad

27/10/23, 1:44 pm - +Frankie Wee: Fact they don’t have money to see doctor but go for Chinese free treatment

27/10/23, 1:45 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Young and healthy folks have less worry in healthcare costs.

2. But older folks or those who need regular medical treatment - will feel more pinches as health care costs creep up.

27/10/23, 1:45 pm - +Frankie Wee: Singapore homeless has 1000 I am very shock 😮 it’s can’t be

27/10/23, 1:46 pm - +REACH: 📢 *Here's what Forward Singapore means for you.*

Find out more about what ForwardSG means for students, technical and community care workers, mid-career workers, parents, caregivers, persons with disabilities, and senior citizens. 

👉https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/here-s-what-forward-singapore-means-for-you

27/10/23, 1:47 pm - +Frankie Wee: https://youtu.be/zdNX-PBOzFE?si=IJY2TgSulhlrCJ6Z

27/10/23, 1:48 pm - +Rama: 😞😢

27/10/23, 1:48 pm - +Rama: 😞😢

27/10/23, 2:03 pm - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢

27/10/23, 2:05 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Finally, what is on every one's mind is how to effectively tackle "online scam" that have plunder some unfortunate people life savings.

2. This people work like hell to save themselves for retirement - but scam away within hours or days - their entire life savings.

3. Hence very important to protect people from online scams - even when we have identified digital economy as one important sector to grow our economy.

4. Convenience in online transaction must not come at the expense of online scams that steal away people's life savings. <This message was edited>

27/10/23, 2:07 pm - +KL: I  wonder who the 200,000 ppl ?

27/10/23, 2:08 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

5. Effective safeguard and measures must be implemented to check, verify and catch online scams - as we go along online digital transaction.

6. If full digital authentication and security measures are not sufficient or fully effective in protecting innocent people - we must not shy away from "air-gap" or "manual checks" - before approving money or fund transfer.

27/10/23, 2:11 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

27/10/23, 2:13 pm - +Rama: Yes

27/10/23, 2:13 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

See the number of scam calls I get in the past few days?

Last time, telcos can alert people with +65 - to indicate they are suspected scam call and come from overseas.

Now, scammers can suppress the +65.

And people receiving calls have no clue they are scam calls.

27/10/23, 2:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Wonder under the new Anti-scam framework - is this under the "Telco responsibility" if victims Kenna scam?

Understand that only phishing links through SMS - Telco is responsible.

But how about suspected scam phone calls?

27/10/23, 2:17 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

27/10/23, 2:19 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Telcos are only responsible for SMS filter in phishing scams.

But phone calls?

Look like not covered under the framework.

So does it means that "public" will be held accountable for scams via phone call - in which phone calls are also fall under the purview of Telcos.

27/10/23, 2:19 pm - +KL: Actually in 2006 there already these type of issue and telcos always push to consumer and those poorer ppl don't know their right will pay those  junk sms like Sybase 365 or  colour me tone etc  . Which telco I wont name it.  The sms will write please unsubscribe if u don't want but once u unsubscribe  then u linked to it and pay it. <This message was edited>

27/10/23, 2:28 pm - +KL: frankly the policies  above wont help them as they are now and the policies above are future . How do future policies , help the poor now ? by the time they do it already the past .

27/10/23, 2:29 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. I can understand that WhatsApp and Telegram are not covered under the framework for Telcos - because Telcos cannot filter WhatsApp from Meta social media platform and Telegram from telegram social media messenger platform.

Though there are security tools that can do that.

2. Nor Telcos can be held responsible for phishing email such as Yahoo, Gmail from Googles and others.

Though some content filtering apps or deep inspection tools can do that.

3. The logical thinking is to held social media platform or email providers responsible.

Of course the difficult part is how a country arm-twist MNCs with financial power equal or higher than a country GDP to do it.

So far only superpowers like US, China, EU and India can do it

27/10/23, 2:30 pm - +Rama: For banks, malware not covered. For telco!?

27/10/23, 2:31 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

I think is coming, not yet.

Anti-malware - banks have good solutions.

27/10/23, 2:31 pm - +Rama: Great

27/10/23, 2:31 pm - +Frankie Wee: Keep on move round another place there is a way to help them shelter home. But policies don’t affect them as there is no change in future.

27/10/23, 2:39 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

27/10/23, 2:40 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

27/10/23, 2:44 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Eg. Banks mobile apps (such as DBS, OCBC, UOB and Citibank) - can detect all these APK files and deem that they are malwares or dangerous "side-loaded apps" without verification and checks by Google protect.

Hence, users will have to remove all these APK files or apps that do screen splitting or apps that request for dangerous permission that allow remote control.

Else bank anti-malware apps will stop users from accessing their bank apps until the malwares are removed.

27/10/23, 2:48 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

The bad news of such security measures - are for many mobile apps developers that have developed many Android mobile apps.

They no longer can push such side loaded apps to users - unless they are subjected to Google protect checks.

Many universities and polytechnic undergraduates scratching their heads how to test their mobile apps when the bank anti-malware apps checkmate them.

My son told me now all his development mobile apps APK files which he has done and uploaded in his handphone cannot run already. <This message was edited>

27/10/23, 2:59 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Then I say let Google protect check your mobile apps lor.

Then you still can use your mobile apps.

He say, mobile apps development for Android must pay one er.

Not free....

I say huh....

Undergraduates where got so much money....

27/10/23, 2:59 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

27/10/23, 3:11 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Then my son say, now parents must buy 2 handphones for their children.

One to do mobile mWallet payment and accessing bank apps.

Another to do their computer science projects.

I say aiyoh, now parents got to buy 2 handphones for their Uni and poly children.

And at the same time subscribe and pay 2 monthly prepaid or postpaid SIM cards for their children.

Aiyoh....

Money not enough... <This message was edited>

27/10/23, 3:20 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. 2 5G phones $300 x 2 = $600 (cheapest China brand 5G phones).

2. Gomo 5G plan SIM only $26 (to the nearest $).

M1 5G plan SIM only $19 (to the nearest $).

2. Parents heavy burden.

Money not enough... <This message was edited>

27/10/23, 4:00 pm - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢

27/10/23, 4:05 pm - +Frankie Wee: Use SIMBA $10 for 100GB and 1GB roam 

Smartphone cheaper android phones Mi, Oppo if kids love gamer also available cheap Redmagic

27/10/23, 4:12 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Oh is it.

Now got $10 5G plan..

That's good.

27/10/23, 4:14 pm - +Frankie Wee: Yes I got it SIMBA 5G

27/10/23, 4:14 pm - +Frankie Wee: <Media omitted>

27/10/23, 4:14 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Simba under which Telco?

27/10/23, 4:14 pm - +Frankie Wee: TPG

27/10/23, 4:15 pm - +Frankie Wee: Big boss from Australia

27/10/23, 4:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Oh I see.

Signal in some places good?

I use to have M1 - but go to certain places, reception quite bad, transmission intermittent.

27/10/23, 4:16 pm - +Frankie Wee: Go to JB testing roam not bad

27/10/23, 4:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Until I change to Singtel gomo - everywhere no problem.

27/10/23, 4:16 pm - +Frankie Wee: Not 100% coverage 😅

27/10/23, 4:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

I see...

27/10/23, 4:16 pm - +Frankie Wee: Yes it’s one is good

27/10/23, 4:17 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

But more expensive.

27/10/23, 4:17 pm - +Frankie Wee: M1 cheaper

27/10/23, 4:17 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

But poor reception in some places.

27/10/23, 4:17 pm - +Frankie Wee: Yes

27/10/23, 4:48 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: Actually the ball can be passed back to media platform providers.

If WhatsApp or telegram don't filter phishing links, then our authority use security tools to filter and prevent such malicious links from reaching our people - then social media platform cannot make noise because they are not properly doing their jobs.

If email providers are not filtering phishing email, then our Telcos can use content filtering apps or deep inspection tools to peek into the content of the email and use AI to remove suspected phishing emails with dangerous phishing links.

Technical wise, technology wise - it can be done.

Only politically, whether got muscle or bigger biceps to arm-twist these providers who are providing tools to facilitate the scammers from scamming our people. <This message was edited>

27/10/23, 4:50 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: I know dealing with this big tech is not an easy meat.

Have taste their medicine before.

Only the government of US, EU, China and India can arm-twist them and fine them - and they submit meekly.

They bully other non-superpower countries. <This message was edited>

27/10/23, 5:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

27/10/23, 5:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

27/10/23, 5:55 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: So actually if think deeply, phishing links can be eradicated at the sources - if we are determined enough and show those platform media - look you as facility providers are not cleaning up your malicious contents and causing harm to our people.

Since you are not doing the work to clean up your systems, we clean up your malicious links for you.

Else any loss, you compensate the loss through the scam links.

I am sure such subtle arm-twisting may work.

Then phishing links coming from WhatsApp, telegram, email, Facebook, carousel, SMS, phone calls will be intercepted at the sources.

And protect our people from any online scams or call scams.

This online scams is the current issue that make everyone quite nervous - and hopefully we can greatly reduce and effectively tackle it. <This message was edited>

27/10/23, 6:00 pm - +65 9297 3029: 📢 *Topic* 📢

The fourth-generation (4G) leadership of Singapore presented a strategic plan for a more equitable and thriving Singapore. This plan outlines the steps Singapore will take in the upcoming years to maintain unity in the face of ongoing change.

It also included recommendations and key policy shifts that were built on the suggestions from more than 200 000 Singaporeans during the Forward SG engagement sessions started since 2022. 

 💬 *What are your views on the Forward Singapore (Forward SG) Report? How can we ensure that we continue to be an inclusive, fair, thriving, resilient and united society?* 

Across the Forward SG engagements, Singaporeans shared that they want a society that is vibrant and inclusive, fair and thriving, and resilient and united. 

These are some of the announcements from the Forward SG report:

📌 *1) Embracing learning beyond grades*

Broaden the definition of merit and develop more diverse pathways, such as the move to Full Subject Based-Banding. Provide “significant boost” to SkillsFuture to help mature mid-career Singaporeans reskill and upskill. 

📌 *2)Respect and reward every job*

Support Singaporeans’ growing desire for meaningful jobs and provide them with opportunities to develop mastery of skills. This includes further reducing wage gaps for those in “hands” and “hearts” jobs.

📌 *3) Support families through every stage of life*

Providing family assurance, including affordable HDB housing, enhanced infant support, improved mental well-being, and increased support for caregivers by increasing affordability for early intervention, education, and care services. 

📌 *4) Enable seniors to age well through Healthier SG and Age Well SG*

Encourage active aging in the community by expanding the network of Active Ageing Centres and revamping their operations. Strengthen the community-based aged care system and ensure seniors retire with peace of mind through enhance existing scheme.

📌 *5) Empower those in need*

Uplift lower-income families towards sustained progress, closing early gaps for children from lower-income families and making our society more inclusive for persons with disabilities.

📌 *6) Invest in a shared tomorrow*

Singapore can deal with today’s challenges while providing a strong foundation for the future, by "stewarding our limited resources responsibly and sustainably".

📌 *7) Do our part as one united people*

The collective strength of Singapore’s society depends on its unity and how people care for each other. Hence the need to nurture a stronger culture of giving. It also requires strengthening multi-racialism and the Singaporean identity as well as create more avenues for civic participation. 

👉🏼 'Embrace wider definitions of success': Forward SG report lays out roadmap for a new Singapore vision: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/forward-sg-report-success-singapore-dream-lawrence-wong-3861386 

👉🏼 Forward SG report unveils social support plans, lays out mindset shifts needed amid changing times: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/forward-sg-report-unveils-social-support-plans-lays-out-mindset-shifts-needed-amid-changing-times 

👉🏼 Here’s what Forward Singapore means for you: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/here-s-what-forward-singapore-means-for-you

👉🏼 Forward SG full report : http://go.gov.sg/forwardsg-report

27/10/23, 6:02 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 1. Having say so, I am actually very please with the conduct of this Forward SG exercise from its beginning to the end.

2. The heavy involvement between the government and the public in the co-share exercise - see many join implementation of important policies that affect all Singaporeans.

3. Hope it will continue after the ForwardSG report - in the same format or otherwise.

27/10/23, 6:14 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: Some people say, how to know whether those online sellers are scammers or legitimate sellers?

Many Facebook, carousel, Instagram, WhatsApp , telegram host many of the scammers.

My answer is how come shoppe, Lazada, Amazon, Alibaba, taobao, q100 etc knows?

How come those scammers disguise as durian sellers, fish sellers, tickets sellers, moonkcake sellers etc advertise in Facebook, Instagram, carousel, WhatsApp, telegram don't know?

It is whether the social media platform want to do a good job to verify whether the sellers are legitimate sellers or scammers.

So to protect our people, filter off suspicious scammers using AI and content filtering apps from these platforms who are not doing a good jobs in verifying the legitimacy of these sellers who are actually scammers.

Then can protect many of our people life savings.

27/10/23, 6:32 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

My friend ask, where can download and read the 180 page ForwardSG report?

27/10/23, 6:35 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://www.forwardsingapore.gov.sg/

27/10/23, 6:35 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Maybe this could be the full report website.

27/10/23, 6:45 pm - +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 😊

27/10/23, 6:55 pm - +Smiley face: 27 October, 2023

"The Change: Chances and Reciprocation!"

A New Beginning:

"The Forward SG report is a trajectory, a reinvention into the next twenty years or one generational visions and aspirations that will transform into yet another era of growth, peace and prosperity. How to go forward? Without incremental growth, any nation will face the inevitable challenges of its domestic policies, the politics of incompletion, segments of dissatisfying and a fast ageing population. Perhaps a new etho to be embraced is the awareness of the limitation of individuals in terms of capacities, abilities and attitudes that can be categorised into tangibles success and intangibles temperament and sentiment. Both instances are instinctively attachable and detachable given an existential conditions and solutions. Money alone will not solved problems; it is the will of the people, the enable policies and effective problem solving. These are the three important gearing system for any nation in achieving a common mindset and good attitudes of 'consideration for one another' and a friendlier learning & working environments. Two crucial harmonic elements are bond and trust at different levels of the society, the effects at the common ground and among the common men and women living in communities. It is not a simple and compact efforts, in a highly complex and complicated social settings to open up each human mind barrier of trusting and to each their beliefs. The entire book of truth is perhaps beyond race and religion, it is instinctively human that will drive an inactive group or an active group of humans to enact and come forward as one united people!"

- - anonymity 

The Silver Bullet:

📌 *1) Embracing learning beyond grades*

Do not kill the instinct of self renewal or self improvement. A deeper understanding of the limitations of humanity.

📌 *2)Respect and reward every job*

Respect and dignity are two psychological ratio to balance the reward and to recognise each individual contributions to the family, the society and the nation. It takes millions to create and to sustain a multi-millions lives.

📌 *3) Support families through every stage of life*

The family cannot be broken, like a porcelain rice bowl, it is fragile and society must know it through and well above all other existential needs and wants. The state of mental wellness is important to strike a balanced thoughts and actions, any imbalanced will result in unintended consequences with no safety net could rescue the victims of the failure or fallen.

📌 *4) Enable seniors to age well through Healthier SG and Age Well SG*

A machine with thousands of parts will not function well compared to the next machinery with hundred moving parts.

📌 *5) Empower those in need*

Encourage those on the way up and Ensure those that are failing, to not fall.

📌 *6) Invest in a shared tomorrow*

What are the common ground of concerns and unsolved challenges from the daily matters into the longer time frame of more equality that itself also means a higher quality of comforts?

📌 *7) Do our part as one united people*

The culture of "Give & Take & Give'; it is not a one way traffic but a multi ways of reaching out to the millions of lives regardless of status and stations in life. And never to look down and disregard the failures but to acknowledge that failures in life is a norm and not an abnormality to human!  And the tenacity to stand up after a fall and walk again, that's a success!

"Living in the garden of abundance; your little steps will uncover each small corner and enclave of scent and vivid spots, do not stop and sit but rest and continue these small steps with good purposes. Success and Money are just two lonely means at the end but the ending are full of meanings in this garden of life, perhaps you will discover the meanings of life. And miracles do happened."

- - anonymity 

           - - in progress - -

27/10/23, 6:56 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://vulcanpost.com/843379/team-of-ai-bots-develops-software-in-7-minutes-instead-of-4-weeks/

Goodbye programmers: Team of AI bots develops software in 7 minutes instead of 4 weeks.

27/10/23, 6:56 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

My goodness.

Will it take away programming jobs?

27/10/23, 7:00 pm - +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 😊

27/10/23, 7:00 pm - ~ REACH Singapore changed this group's settings to allow only admins to send messages to this group

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REACH 506 - What are your views on rewarding the reduction of electricity usage? How can we better manage electricity demand and supply in homes and businesses as part of managing our daily cost of living?

(SK)

25 Oct 2023 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

25/10/23, 9:45 am - +REACH: *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://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms

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 😊

25/10/23, 10:00 am - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢 

In a first-of-its-kind initiative to get households to help manage the load on the electricity grid, residents in homes equipped with smart meters will be called upon to adjust their electricity usage during peak demand periods.

The initiative, called Residential Demand Response (R-DR), is targeted to start by the second half of 2024 and will tentatively involve about 1,000 households that have smart electricity meters provided by utilities firm SP Group, said the Energy Market Authority (EMA).

💬 *What are your views on rewarding the reduction of electricity usage? How can we better manage electricity demand and supply in homes and businesses as part of managing our daily cost of living?*

These households will receive alerts from the SP app to temporarily cut down or defer their electricity usage during demand peaks in the power system. Once alerted, residents can postpone usage of high energy-consuming appliances such as washing machines or dishwashers, or adjust the temperature of their air-conditioner, or turn it off.

This programme for residents follows a similar initiative for commercial firms and industries. Under the two-year Demand Side Management regulatory sandbox launched in late 2022, commercial consumers in the programme receive payment as an incentive for reducing their electricity usage at certain times of the day, or using their own generators to meet their electricity needs. The efforts of the commercial and industrial consumers led to a reduction in wholesale electricity prices in the first half of 2023.

Minister Tan See Leng spoke about the need for a resilient electricity grid amid the energy transition. “Today, the flow in the grid is primarily one-way. It brings electricity from our natural gas power plants to the rest of Singapore,” he noted. In the future, there will be a wider mix of energy sources – from power plants, solar panels, electricity imports and battery storage systems, for example – and Singapore’s grid will need to cope with multi-directional flows across the island, he explained.

Minister Tan added: “Some countries experience grid congestion and are unable to cope with the introduction of new renewable energy sources. Their grids cannot bring clean energy to cities and industries where it is needed most.”

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/residents-to-be-rewarded-for-cutting-electricity-usage-during-peak-periods-under-new-pilot

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/pub-joins-scheme-that-will-reward-businesses-for-lowering-electricity-usage

25/10/23, 10:00 am - ~ REACH Singapore changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group

25/10/23, 10:03 am - ~ REACH Singapore changed the group description

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25/10/23, 10:22 am - +~L: Great to see this. Why do the malls and shops blast their air-con so much. Maybe an incentive to better manage this would see a substantial benefit. It would be good to get Smart controllers that switch off air-con at home and work for just 6 minutes per hour. That would cut electricity usage by 10% and would barely be noticed.

25/10/23, 10:27 am - +Rama: Subsidies for energy saving appliances must go hand in hand with responsible purchases.

25/10/23, 10:35 am - +Frankie Wee: I heard Tengah area got system cooling is helping reduce hot heat

25/10/23, 10:35 am - +Kelvin Ang: As questioned...what incentives....

25/10/23, 10:35 am - +Frankie Wee: Why not all HDB should have it better

25/10/23, 10:37 am - +Coconut Tree: The tengah one is a massive failur

25/10/23, 10:37 am - +Coconut Tree: Failure

25/10/23, 10:38 am - +Coconut Tree: Looks ugly, underpowered. 

This is what happens when you shoehorn in a system as an afterthought. All the trunking running in areas that were not planned for them

25/10/23, 10:41 am - +Frankie Wee: I think HDB design is basic first next project will new development

25/10/23, 10:42 am - +Frankie Wee: Too many compressor will temp over heat

25/10/23, 10:47 am - +Frankie Wee: https://youtu.be/UigOJcSRIpQ?si=cJSbEnO-42UCVkgb

25/10/23, 10:49 am - +Frankie Wee: https://youtu.be/kuy4d_xzDyg?si=AaZp0VBny35VTJFm

25/10/23, 10:50 am - +Frankie Wee: In future Singapore is going temp 40 degree. Because we have building too many flat and landscaping plants are less.

25/10/23, 10:51 am - +Rama: 😳🤦‍♂️😞 Green buildings is must !

25/10/23, 10:52 am - +Frankie Wee: Weather 🌦️ change climate very fast when its raining turn sun suddenly over heat

25/10/23, 10:52 am - +Frankie Wee: Too fast too hot get sweat when on air con indoors while outdoor overheat 4-6 times

25/10/23, 10:54 am - +Frankie Wee: Garden by the bay we need east, west and north building plant to help reduce the climate

25/10/23, 10:55 am - +Rama: How can smart meters with responsible purchase help to decrease electricity usage when the weather is ridiculously hot!?

25/10/23, 10:56 am - +Frankie Wee: Even midnight still hot there is less winding because bto and EC building blocked

25/10/23, 10:57 am - +Frankie Wee: Pay and pay what we need cooling

25/10/23, 10:58 am - +Rama: So, should home appliances be discarded if less than five ticks after  10 years just like vehicle COE!?

25/10/23, 10:58 am - +Frankie Wee: By 2030 new carbon emissions in the world is changed

25/10/23, 10:58 am - +Frankie Wee: EV batteries and electric vehicles

25/10/23, 11:00 am - +Frankie Wee: I wonder how Singapore land hit 40 degree then all rivers will going dry and more mosquitoes 🦟

25/10/23, 11:00 am - +Rama: No more surface reservoirs!?

25/10/23, 11:02 am - +Frankie Wee: If Singapore hit 40 degree then people couldn’t going to work overheating warning healthy faint

25/10/23, 11:03 am - +Rama: Is the economy ready for below surface function!?

25/10/23, 11:04 am - +Frankie Wee: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-weather-40-degrees-celsius-heatwave-global-warming-aircon-3597176

25/10/23, 11:06 am - +Frankie Wee: Our human normal temp is 35 below

25/10/23, 11:15 am - +KL: Frankly the poor suffer again :))

25/10/23, 11:15 am - +KL: When ppl install tower aircon at bungalow

25/10/23, 11:16 am - +KL: So let me guess , SG need to install new electricity generator or need to cut usage so can negotiate better gas price ? Thus start to ask ppl to cut electricity use during peak hours ? Last innovation of open market elecity I think is good but seem going down hill liao <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 11:16 am - +KL: Even Salvation Army install tower class aircon but they don’t use at night ( peak ) I guess <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 11:19 am - +KL: Well say , the articles say peak hours mean there maybe chance of blackout during peak right ? Cos normally to cut electricity during peak mean the electricity generate may not cover all peak usage . <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 12:08 pm - +Rama: Yes

25/10/23, 12:09 pm - +Rama: 😳🤦‍♂️😆

25/10/23, 12:18 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Checking power metre every day to ensure prudent electricity spending is a norm for me.

But unfortunately, my power metre is an analogue metre not a smart IT metre.

I need to physically check it and photo the meter to check the reading.

Wonder when will smart metre be rolled out to all household?

2. Notice that without checking daily meter, there is tendency to overuse the electricity such as switching on the aircon for too long.

25/10/23, 12:30 pm - +Frankie Wee: Smart hub home

25/10/23, 12:30 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. I develop this habit during COVID-19 time, whereby everyone work at home, all switch on aircon throughout the day, and there is a change in electricity service provider due to end of electricity contract and when the open market electricity price per KW jump 100% from previous contract.

2. Indeed for 3 months, I almost fall off the chair when I received my electricity bill, when the bill reflect more than 100% increase in prices.

For a while, I thought someone tap my electricity.

3. On the advice of the service provider, I manually check the power meter and submit the meter reading monthly - then I managed to control the electricity usage and hence the price of my electricity bill come back to sanity.

25/10/23, 12:39 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. But, being smart hub means IP based, it is susceptible to being hacked by hackers from the internet - if it can be access by mobile apps or web based device.

2. I am not sure whether the smart meter come with firewall or at least ACL (access control list) capabilities to protect against internet hackers.

Else hackers could alter the smart meter reading - and consumers will have to pay through the nose.

25/10/23, 12:42 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

3. Also the connection and meter reading should be encrypted - so that hackers can't see, alter and change the meter readings.

25/10/23, 12:49 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Another thing, the Minister mention that with more energy mix due to introduction of varied renewable energy sources - energy grid could face congestion.

2. Does this mean that in future, electricity supply will be less reliable?

3. Our recent experience whereby the Equnix data center got shutdown, trigger a data center wide malfunction of IT services for the banks eg. DBS, Citibank etc.

Many bank services eg. mWallet, ATM, internet banking etc are down for at least 1 day.

4. Wonder whether Government will ensure the electricity power reliability as we move towards renewable energy?

Because our entire economy rely on reliable electricity source to function well.

Any hiccups in the electricity supplies will cripple our economy.

25/10/23, 12:52 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Hence our various critical economic sectors IT services need to be resilient and fully redundant to prevent such service downtime.

2. Eg. Banks, manufacturing, security, vital infrastructure, services etc <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 12:53 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

'This is not supposed to happen': Experts on DBS, Citi outage caused by data centre failure.

Most banks have two or more data centres and redundancies at multiple levels if a primary data centre goes offline, industry experts say.                                                                                                                https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/dbs-citibank-outage-data-centre-cooling-system-down-3861076

25/10/23, 12:53 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 12:53 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 12:53 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 12:53 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 12:53 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 12:53 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 12:53 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 1:04 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Note:- Electricity is a Critical Information Infrastructure that need to be carefully protected.

2. Smart infra which means IT enabled - is also a subject to Internet hacking by hackers (similar in vein to online scam).

3. It has become an easy, juicy target for Terrorists or State actors - to cripple the electricity infrastructure first (as seen in the Ukraine war and Gaza war).

4. Hence a very resilient and well protected energy grid infrastructure become imperative.

5. I am sure those who have seen the movie "Diehard 4" - will have seen the impact of terrorists attacking the State electricity infrastructure - and its devastating impact.

It is not just a movie, but can happen during tension.

The hacking is so multi facet and widespread - coming from internet, satellite, GPS spoofing, RF (radio frequency), wireless and wired. <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 1:10 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

To protect against such risk, minimally, electricity infrastructure should not be connected to Internet.

A close architecture, with no connection to internet will prevent such hacking.

(That's smart electricity infrastructure must sit within an intranet).

25/10/23, 1:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 1:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 1:16 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 1:17 pm - +Rama: This message was deleted

25/10/23, 1:19 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Taking the cue from Stuxnet cyber attack that cripple the nuclear plant infrastructure.

The nuclear plant infrastructure is not connected to the internet.

But the cyberworm was planted in a USB drive.

One engineer pick up the USB drive purposely drop in front of the nuclear plant, plug it into his computer in the plant, and trigger a massive cyberattack to the nuclear plant IT infrastructure.

Imagine if our electricity infrastructure is plug into the internet exposed to the world hackers at large?

25/10/23, 1:47 pm - +Rose M K Ho: As u hv illustrated,  Danny,

Even without being connected to the Internet, terrorists / arsonists / attackers wl always find _another_ way in.

We hv to find _foolproof_ solutions.

Employees need to be trustworthy too & not decide to "take revenge" suddenly becos of some personal issue ... 

🤔

25/10/23, 1:49 pm - +Rose M K Ho: That said, I agree tt an important infrastructure such as our electricity grid shd not be connected to the Internet. 

This is the first & most important security consideration. 

Thereafter, we add on other layers of security.

25/10/23, 1:50 pm - +Frankie Wee: I think Singapore technically is too complex and need more advanced infrastructure. It’s going to study the case how to develop and cybersecurity

25/10/23, 1:50 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Now there are protection against such USB drive attack.

Many companies disable USB drive plugin.

Only registered USB drive can plugin.

Such attack currently is neutralised - based on the Stuxnet scenario.

Cll infrastructure not connecting to public internet is an important safeguard.

25/10/23, 1:51 pm - +Frankie Wee: IT system project will work on case innovation

25/10/23, 1:54 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Eg. The current pilot 1,000 home smart metre reading are accessible through internet via mobile apps or web based device.

That's it could be read only but probably no write access.

Means introducing cyberworms will be difficult.

But still, it is an internet access.

Well cybersecurity experts will have to study it carefully - is it safe in the long run.

Based on current usage, it doesn't look dangerous.

But in future,  how AI evolved, I don't know.

25/10/23, 1:56 pm - +Frankie Wee: The world trying make Ai basic it’s going to change experiences from wasted bad habits.

25/10/23, 1:58 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Worst come to worst, the electricity infrastructure can be subjected to:-

1. DDOS attack (distributed denial of service attack) - as IP addresses, DNS (IP address to URL) are exposed to the internet.

2. IP scan, TCP scan, SNMP...

3. IP reconnaissance

Etc.

Read spoofing...

But no risk of more malicious write access.

Eg. SQL injection, cyberworms/malware injection etc. <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 2:01 pm - +Frankie Wee: I have ever seemed in Toa Payoh Hub interchange in basement foods courts they use Ai robot to service collect cup/plate 🍽️ self and also Vivo city in Starbucks coffee

25/10/23, 2:04 pm - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢 

25/10/23, 2:27 pm - +Rose M K Ho: 👍🏻good to know.

Reach shd take this into consideration  .

25/10/23, 2:31 pm - +Rose M K Ho: Exactly!

With the use of AI now available,  having an Internet connection to anything out ther is dangerous !

If AI were to be used in any way w controlling or monitoring our electricity,  tt is _not_ a viable option!

25/10/23, 2:31 pm - +~L: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 2:31 pm - +~L: I don't usually forward things like this, but with all the talk of scams out there, I thought it appropriate!

25/10/23, 2:34 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

But having say so, even if read access but no write access is allowed, having public internet connection still pose some risk.

Eg. 1. State hackers can compromise internet routers (by compromising the firmware of the routers) even though extremely safe router configuration are implemented.

Then hackers can access the internal electricity infrastructure network creating havoc.

Eg. 2. Break server password and hack into a vulnerable server and assign itself privilege root access.

25/10/23, 2:34 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

So as long as connected into a public internet, the security risk is there.

25/10/23, 2:35 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://www.securityweek.com/chinese-gov-hackers-caught-hiding-in-cisco-router-firmware/

25/10/23, 2:35 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: Yes.

This news I see before.

Very jialat.

The whole network can be hacked.

25/10/23, 2:35 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

The moment the router is compromised, it can go anywhere inside the network.

25/10/23, 2:35 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Unless defense in depth is deployed within the internal network - such as firewalls, proxy, IPS, etc.

25/10/23, 2:35 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

This APT attack - even CCIE (experts) cannot stop and protect because CCIE experts can only protect at the configuration level.

This APT hackers attack at the firmware level - whereby only Cisco factory developers can protect and secure.

It needs Cisco factory expert developer that develop the firmware, secure boots to secure the iOS of the Cisco routers.

Else all Cisco routers will get hacked and can jump from routers to routers within the network undetected - because the APT hackers can remove all entries in the syslog configure in the routers - and leave no trace of hacking.

This is a State hackers attack not any traditional hackers out there - very highly skilled.

Only Cisco factory developers can match.

25/10/23, 2:40 pm - +Vivian: It is related to some insurance one... don't bother... please don't send in this group.. thanks

25/10/23, 3:24 pm - +Kenneth Lee WM: Bravo!  Being *rewarded* for using less is a great move for changing consumer behaviour.

In the past it has always been punitive means. Ie always pay more!

I would be interested to find out more details of how consumers are going to be rewarded. <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 3:50 pm - +~L: Good point - it really frustrates me that we are encouraged to consume more and often waste more, by lower prices, 2 for 1 etc....

25/10/23, 4:00 pm - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢 

25/10/23, 4:08 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://innovd.stengg.com/data-diode?gclid=CjwKCAjws9ipBhB1EiwAccEi1DkQWE6SNOLbQccYWsQTXu6T-Yt0N5r2XLADDAmhyqmNkR9Z47zFKxoCaDAQAvD_BwE

ST Engineering

Data Diode.

One Way Flow,

Zero Data Loss

ST Engineering Data Diode is a unidirectional data transfer gateway that enables organisations to transfer data securely from highly secured networks to external network systems without any file loss.

25/10/23, 4:08 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Maybe this can help

25/10/23, 4:11 pm - +Rama: Copy right for government use only!?

25/10/23, 4:13 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

I think this could be a very secured way to connect to CII electricity infrastructure.

Because data diode operate in the physical layer hard wire.

Lower layer than the firmware - and it push uni-directional data eg. Internal network to external network (public internet).

And will not allow reverse direction into the CII electricity infrastructure network. <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 4:17 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Don't know whether our electricity infrastructure network use this solution or not.

If not worth exploring.

25/10/23, 4:23 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Because this look like a military grade cybersecurity IT device - anti-hacking proof.

25/10/23, 4:43 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

That's even APT State hackers cannot hack.

25/10/23, 4:51 pm - +Rama: The phrase anti-hacking proof is a challenge for hackers

25/10/23, 4:56 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Because it operates in bits and bytes - wired at 0 and 1.

Transmit at 0 and 1 - electrical pulse and receive as 0 and 1.

There are no higher layer padding of for example:-

1. Mac address - source and destination layer 2 address.

2. Or IP address, source and destination IP address.

3. Or URL.

All the above can be hacked.

0 and 1 are raw electrical pulses - what you transmit, what you get.

No way any hackers can intercept or inject any malware in layer 2, layer 3 or higher layer.

So it is anti-hacking proof.

25/10/23, 4:57 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Any attempt to inject or remove even one additional electrical pulses - will raise an alert and fail the checksum test. <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 4:58 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Because this is physics.

25/10/23, 5:01 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Using electrical engineering to plug the vulnerabilities of IT (IP protocols).

25/10/23, 5:06 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

So now understand why STEM education so important for Singapore?

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering, Math.

Science cannot solve, technology solve.

Technology cannot solve, engineering solve.

Engineering cannot solve, math solve.

25/10/23, 5:13 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

"Negligent banks, telcos may be held responsible for scam victims’ losses as part of proposed measures.

The shared responsibility framework will focus on “a defined scope” of phishing scams as a start."

If banks and telcos have carried out their duties, consumers will have to bear the full loss.

 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/financial-institutions-telcos-share-liability-consumers-scam-losses-mas-framework-3871356#:~:text=Negligent%20banks%2C%20telcos,as%20a%20start. <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 5:53 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: <Media omitted>

25/10/23, 5:55 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

"Air gap" - betwen physically separated source and destination network - used for data transfer.

This is physics.

Anti-hacking proof.

25/10/23, 5:57 pm - +Frankie Wee: Not for public sale only offer by ST engineering under cybersecurity

25/10/23, 6:00 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

Sell to corporate I think.

Public won't buy it because it is use to secure large network.

Also for specific functions, not for open internet surfing I think. <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 6:01 pm - +REACH: 📢 *Topic* 📢 

25/10/23, 6:12 pm - ☸️  Danny 心: 

This solution seems to appropriately present the smart IT power metre readings to consumers and at the same time protect hacking from internet.

The function of pushing information and not pulling information - seems to be the right secure solution for this product.

I not ST engineering salesman selling "koyoh" here.

I purely come from cybersecurity angle whereby during peace time or tension period, it will be among the 1st infrastructure to hit by any bad actors. <This message was edited>

25/10/23, 6:13 pm - +Smiley face: 25 October, 2023

"How to build a Super Computer; Apple or Android?"

"End-users wise: Android based devices are quicker in graphic processing whereas Apple is much stable algorithm from security to processing both graphics and alphameric/codes/strings, fastest!"

- - anonymity

What are the past experiences from millions of dollars scammed out of individual bank accounts and how about our CPF accounts (hope not)? What's the common path of break-ins for these highly smart hackers? We are not referring to those "love" crimes nor "shopping" scams, these are small timers. More sophisticated hackers will go for bigger and valuable tangibles in exchange for other interests. It is a global horse tradings of data for money or for access to other domains that are economically accountable and of national strategic interests. An example of a defence domain is a submarine unit or a drone unit.

Where are the cyber loopholes?

Your historical activities & frequency from WhatsApp chats, your internet banking accounts, your previous vacations, your emails, your utilities payments, your engagements with the public offices and more, all of these are gateways for hackers to reach out and swam to bookmark in digital format and can be resold to other groups for their intended uses! 

Simply to say, the entire cyber and cloud is the BIG hole, unless otherwise, our digital protocols may include facial and/or thumb recognitions coupled with security tags/layerings as gateways of checking activities and unique transactions. Is it good enough?

Perhaps, these hackers are unstoppable because there will always be one loophole to enter, simulates and to transact! How to resecure?

So how to begin the beguine?

Key areas are banking, shopping and public services. These three big providers of services and goods must DESIGN a uncommon layered security platform so deep to the extend of DE-STANDARDIZING critical information policing through AI without third party especially not to "outsource" in parts or "friend source" in small leak these highly strategic data assets! What is standard?

All security measures are temporary fences because it will be hacked in just a matter of time and/or the ripe timing (embedded)! High flow of data and low volume both have vulnerable spots in the digital highways. What is patterns recognition?

Another exception to prevent hacking is a super computer using the fastest micro processors which the Chinese, the Russians, the Israelis and the Americans are currently driving their national securities from tradings to sensitive documents are all secured in these deep "freezers" not in the clouds! Cloud computing can be simulated/tracked/traced as well as easier to breach and compromised with copied key attributes aka codes!

            - - in progress - -

25/10/23, 6:45 pm - +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 😊

25/10/23, 6:53 pm - +Smiley face: 25 October, 2023

"Peak Hoursv& Off-Peak Hours"

What is the Peak hours for most households; weekdays and weekends?

What is the Off-peak hours/days for Primary and Secondary schools and Public Offices? Any plans to reduce electricity consumption on all Public offices/places?

How to save electric Consumptions?

Common sense will say, "the rising cost of electricity will alert consumers to start looking for ways to save cost."

Businesses like F&B, hospitality, hospitals and manufacturings; it is harder to optimise and manage the usage of electricity. 

Reward and Surcharge?

The benchmark of average usage varies from household to household and types of housing. Likewise for all businesses and public places.

The reward system should be clearly defined to each of these users based on average taken within the vicinity or cluster, related industries. How much is the reward in terms of direct discount on the utilities bill?

The Surcharge will be applicable if the user surpass the range or percentage above the average consumption. If there is an intention to surcharge for over using, what is the calculation and additional money payable?

The future?

Are there plans to reward the savings of water usage and also a surcharge for over using water? Both private and public. It might as well be a work-in-progress and the next item to save for all goodness.

          - - in progress - -

25/10/23, 6:54 pm - +Rama: Shift work is another consideration

25/10/23, 7:00 pm - +Smiley face: Optimus both electric and water!

25/10/23, 7:00 pm - +Smiley face: Double reward system!

25/10/23, 7:01 pm - +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 😊

25/10/23, 7:02 pm - ~ REACH Singapore changed this group's settings to allow only admins to send messages to this group

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