REACH (Telegram) 40 - Over the course of the sitting, we will be sharing articles on key issues discussed. Please share with us what areas you might be interested in and let us have your views on them.

(SK)

11 Nov 2024 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 10:07 AM]

Dear contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10:15am to 7pm today. ⏰

House Rules (short version of our Terms of Use) to keep in mind:

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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 😊

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 10:15 AM]

📢 Topic📢

Parliament will sit today (11 Nov) at 12pm. Parliamentary questions regarding the recent oil spill incidents, the disruption of Singtel landline services, telemedicine standards in Singapore in the wake of a probe into MaNaDr Clinic and the recent Bukit Panjang LRT disruption will be raised. 

💬 Over the course of the sitting, we will be sharing articles on key issues discussed. Please share with us what areas you might be interested in and let us have your views on them.

📌 Oil Spills in October

• On 20 Oct, oil spill containment measures were activated after a leak from a pipeline belonging to major energy company Shell occurred. On 29 Oct, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) was alerted to an oil spill off Changi during bunkering operations between a Bahamas-flagged bulk carrier and a licensed bunker tanker. 

• MPs have asked whether a review is required for oil sighting and alert mechanisms given Singapore's status as a global bunkering hub, the impact of the spills on Singapore’s seawater quality and marine ecosystem, whether the government will be checking the structural integrity of all oil pipelines in Singapore’s waters, and whether any penalties will be imposed on companies that cause such issues.  

📌 Disruption of Singtel landline services

• An hours-long Singtel landline outage on Oct 8 disrupted calls to emergency services, healthcare institutions, banks and businesses in what the telco said was an "isolated incident".

• MPs asked about what could have caused the landline disruption, whether existing business continuity requirements are adequate for instances where a telco supports essential services, how such an incident could be prevented in future, and whether any action will be taken against Singtel.

📌Telemedicine Standards in Singapore

• MPs asked about the measures in place to ensure telehealth providers consistently meet patient care standards, whether additional regulatory frameworks will be developed, whether teleconsultation services meet the appropriate standards, and whether MOH has received feedback on potentially errant medical clinics

📌 Bukit Panjang LRT

• MPs asked when the Bukit Panjang LRT services would be resumed, the current progress of its upgrade project and the status of the replacement of its first-generation trains.

👉🏻 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/parliament-order-paper-singtel-landline-outage-oil-spill-telemedicine-oxley-road-4735506  

👉🏻 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singtel-phone-line-users-report-service-outage

👉🏻 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/oil-spill-in-singapore-waters-after-leakage-in-shell-s-land-based-pipeline

 👉🏻 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/oil-spill-bunkering-operations-changi-bahamas-flagged-bulk-carrier-bunker-tanker-4708711 

👉🏻 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/manadr-clinic-lapses-flag-importance-of-good-clinical-governance-telehealth-players  

👉🏻 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/lrt-bukit-panjang-disruption-train-fault-stall-4695971

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 10:15 AM]

Other Salient issues

• PM Wong’s 8 Nov Press Conference

• Pritam Singh’s trial

• Priest stabbed during Mass on 10 Nov

• Expansion of National Electronic Health Record

----

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 11:04 AM]

[ Poll : Which issue are you most interested in for today’s Parliament sitting? ]

- Oil Spills in October 

- Disruption of Singtel landline services

- Telemedicine Standards in Singapore 

- Bukit Panjang LRT disruption

Dr. Goh, [11/11/2024 11:10 AM]

None. Plenty of backlog regarding job data and employment of local born.

May Ong, [11/11/2024 11:45 AM]

What about DACs for post-18 students?  There's a great lack of supply for many years.

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 12:53 PM]

Telemedicine is just too much limitations

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 12:57 PM]

You expect to diagnose people with just online meetings without doctors looking at your throat and pressing your body hearing your lungs?

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 1:01 PM]

I think to ensure standard 5 minutes at least for consultation

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 2:01 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 2:14 PM]

Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

💬 Over the course of the sitting, we will be sharing articles on key issues discussed. Please share with us what areas you might be interested in and let us have your views on them.

We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active! 

Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

Thank you!

Megan 😊

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 2:33 PM]

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/telemedicine-standards-valid-enforcement-ong-ye-kung-manadr-clinic-moh-4740151

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 2:39 PM]

*Disruption of Singtel ISDN landline services*

1. ISDN landline - which are usually PRI (Primary Rate Interface) are used for hotline voice 23 concurrent call 64Kbps.

It also can be used for video conferencing, data transmission etc.

ISDN PRI is usually used by enterprise.

2. ISDN BRI (Basic Rate Interface) with 2 channels is used for SME voice and data transmission.

3. Looking at so many enterprise voice hotlines down, likely Singtel ISDN PRI is affected that trigger downtime.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 2:44 PM]

1. With the advent of advanced data technology like SONET, DWDM backbone and GE (Gigabit Ethernet), MPLS VPN, router, LAN switches, Optical technologies - it has replaced ISDN PRI and BRI - to transmit data, voice, image, video, video conferencing etc.

2. But ISDN PRI are still used by voice hotlines in many enterprises such as the 999, 995 and other public services or private enterprises as dedicated voice hotlines.

3. Redundancy, resilient system in any IT systems are usually very important - because if the primary system is down, rightfully the backup system should be able to take over - to ensure there are no downtime.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 2:50 PM]

1. In the case of police, civil defense, hospital and other voice hotlines, usually it is a good practice to connect 50% of the voice hotline to a primary Singtel ISDN PRI and 50% to a secondary Singtel ISDN PRI (if Singtel has 2 ISDN PRI system).

2. Else, it is more prudent for police, civil defense, hospital and other voice hotlines, to subscribe to 50% of the voice hotline to a primary Singtel ISDN PRI and 50% to a secondary Starhub ISDN PRI.

I believe Starhub does have a ISDN PRI system.

3. In this way, if Singtel primary ISDN PRI is down, only 50% of the voice hotline is affected, while the other 50% secondary ISDN PRI is still up and can service the voice hotline -- with no downtime to the public.

Singtel can then take its time to bring up its down ISDN PRI line - and is transparent to the public.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 2:52 PM]

1. But of course for the public sectors and private enterprise to subscribe to 2 ISDN PRI systems - likely it will involve higher costs - as it lack Economies of Scale.

2. But balancing the consequences of downtime to critical voice hotlines to public services that can be life threatening, the higher cost maybe warranted.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 2:59 PM]

*Telemedicine Standards in Singapore*

1. It is shocking to read so many doctors involved in this telemedicine malpractice (whereas some doctors are even employed in public hospitals or clinics).

2. More than 6 years of study and medical practice go down the drain for these doctors - and their licences could be suspended.

Very sad that these doctors unable to observe the Medical Hippocratic Oath that they swear upon - to benefits patients with medical ethics and hurt themselves and their livelihood.

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 3:02 PM]

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore-proposes-laws-to-stop-stubborn-scam-victims-from-sending-money-to-syndicates

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 3:07 PM]

3. An errant boss in the medical service providers can set poor examples to the medical doctors he employed.

4. But as a trained professional doctors, they must stay strong and abide by their professional medical ethics and human moral ethics - what they do are right or wrong, and whether they have break the laws.

If what they are told to do is wrong, they must resist from wrong moral ethics and whistle-blow --- so that they will not hurt the patients they serve and eventually bad medical practices will be discovered - and their licences will be imperil.

5. Don't take chances and always be mindful to human inherent conscience that if a malpractice are force upon them, the doctors must stand up and not succumb to wrong practices - that will eventually hurt them and others.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 3:15 PM]

1. During the covid, we have 1st experience on telemedicine with a polyclinc.

2. The telemedicine session is conducted in a professional manner (as it is a repeat consultation).

3. During the telemedicine via a Zoom video conferencing, the doctor go through the history, ask about symptoms, refer to previous medication given, visually eyeballs the patient (short of physical examination) and then prescribe the medicine (that are deliver to my house).

4. Patient recover after taking the medication and the telemedicine save travelling time and cost and is effective for repeat consultation (though I have some reservation about illness that are not follow-up consultation).

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 3:16 PM]

1. After covid, I will still prefer physical consultation at the clinics or hospitals - rather than telemedicine - as the doctors can do physical examination and checks - that cannot be done by telemedicine.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 3:21 PM]

1. Just saw the CNA news flash - that the backup system kick in did not work when the primary ISDN PRI system go down.

2. If the ISDN PRI system (Primary and Secondary) are configured as "Active/Backup" - then chances is that the failover may fail - if contingency exercise are not conducted or the failover protocol may sometimes fail.

3. Good practice is to configure the ISDN PRI to be "Active-Active" - that is 50% on primary system, and 50% on secondary system.

If primary system is down, 50% of call is down. But 50% of the secondary system configure in "Active" mode still serve the public - no downtime - and transparent to the public.

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 3:28 PM]

Removing mandatory minimum sentences for first time traffic offender. 

Which smart fellar come out with this idea

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 3:30 PM]

Proposed changes to traffic rules to prevent some offenders from being overly punished

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/proposed-changes-to-traffic-rules-to-prevent-some-offenders-from-being-overly-punished

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 3:34 PM]

1. Using a network analogy to illustrate the "Active-Backup" concept versus the "Active-Active" concept.

2. Eg. 2 network systems are configured as HSRP "Hot Standby Routing Protocol" - as the name suggest:- Primary network system is configured as active to serve the public, and Secondary network system is configure as passive on standby mode.

Only when primary network system go down, then HSRP protocol will be activated and kick in to start up the passive Secondary network system.

But if HSRP protocol fails, then the backup network system will not start up.

Public will encounter the following downtime :-

a. Primary network system downtime

b. HSRP failover downtime

c. If failover fails, backup system unable to start up ---- then long downtime.

3. However if the 2 network system are configured as "Active-Active" - then VRRP (Virtual Router Redundancy Protocol) will be needed to ensure both Primary network system and Secondary network system are active.

If primary system is down, secondary system still serving the public - no downtime - primary system downtime is transparent to the public.

4. So ISDN PRI should similarly configure on an "Active-Active" mode - and should not rely on an "Active-Backup" mode.

xXx.SCAR.xXx, [11/11/2024 3:35 PM]

Learnt something new today

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 3:35 PM]

Hahaha

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 3:43 PM]

*Oil spills*

1. Singapore is a regional hub for oil bunkering - and due to previous covid pandemic follow by Mediterranean war and Middle East war - Singapore port and oil bunkering service grow phenomenally as many ships berth around our ports.

2. Hence as our ports get more and more congested, ships accidents and oil spills will become more likely.

3. Not sure if AI, maritime systems and technologies can make berthing and bunkering of ships more efficient to prevent accidents and oil spills.

Steven Ong, [11/11/2024 3:52 PM]

IMO, the landline disruption is unacceptable as we should have some kind of backup system to maintain seamless operations, especially for essential services. At the same time, it's a learning opportunity to prevent major issues in communication when unforeseen national level circumstances happen.

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 4:04 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 4:05 PM]

*PM Wong's 8 Nov Press Conference*

1. PM Lawrence Wong bring up a very worrying issue - geopolitical tensions - that will have a longterm profound effect on Singapore.

2. I feel the same, and in fact, if we analyse and look deep the challenges ahead of us ---- it is quite worrying.

3. The new US President in his election campaign has bring up a few policies that he intend to roll out if he wins - which are basically massive inflationary economic policies to booster the US Economy in an explosive manner :-

a. 60% tariff for China imported goods, 10 - 20% tariff to all other Countries import, 100% tariff to Canada and Mexico.

b. Tax cut

c. Deport illegal immigrants enmass that form the backbone of low cost blue collars work

d. Conjure American MNCs to come back to US.

e. Easing financial regulations.

f. Interest rate cut.

4. Let us examine the outcome and impact of such massive inflationary economic policies measures - and how it will impact us.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 4:20 PM]

*Tariff war against all other Countries*

1. US has just recovered from the high inflation during covid 9.06% to the current 2.44% (Source:- Meta AI) - due to FED prudent intervention in regulating interest rate, quantitative tightening --- through Monetary Policy.

2. The reasons why US inflation shoot up to almost double digit (in which the Worlds also face such high inflation) are due to :-

a. Covid pandemic - disrupt production of goods, services, food and logistic supply chain.

b. War in Ukraine, Middle East war - disrupt shipping and production.

c. Global climate conditions that disrupt crops production.

d. US quantitative easing (printing money), very low interest rate, tax cuts, ramping up tariff war with China, EU and other countries (pre Biden times) --- whereby too much money chasing too little goods and services.

--- that cause inflation worldwide to spike during Biden's time.

3. Now, the factors that trigger the last inflation again surface - and will be double down or triple down.

4. 60% tariff, 10-20% tariff and 100% tariff are no joke.

$1 become $1.60, $1.20, $2.

5. American consumers will have to pay for the high tariff.

6. American consumers will reduce consumption, World export greatly impacted.

Singapore trade with US - about $120 billion will be impacted. And our export to US will likely to go down.

7. Other countries may retaliate with tariff on US, and the imported goods from US will also rise - leading to imported inflation.

8. Hence our inflation that we have controlled to about 2.5% will again spike.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 4:22 PM]

*Tax Cut*

1. Tax cut will means more American companies and individuals to have more disposable income to invest and spend - boosting Economic Activities.

2. This means, more money will flow into the market to buy goods and services - to chase up limited supply - again trigger inflation to spike.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 4:26 PM]

*Deport illegal immigrants working in blue collar*

1. Many American companies and SMEs are relying on low wage illegal immigrants (millions of them) to work and sustain their business.

2. Mass deportation will means labour shortage for US business, jack up high wages to employ locals (but many locals don't want to work eg. in construction, oil drilling, manufacturing etc).

3. Triggering wage-induced inflation - and inflation spike.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 4:32 PM]

*Conjuring MNCs to on-shore*

1. Policies such as high tariff to make MNCs more expensive to export goods to US, BEPS (Global Minimum tax rate), sanctions etc --- are meant to conjure MNCs that wish to sell to US Economy from cheap production outside US to come onshore.

2. US is a very big consumption economy with $27.36 trillion (Source :- Google).

Hence some MNCs which predominantly sell to US Economy may force to uproot.

3. But the Global Economy GDP is $100 trillion minus $27.36 million - about $62 trillion.

4. Many MNCs may decide to stay and continue production to outside US Economy to the rest of the World - while pulling back some manufacturing capacities to US.

And US labour costs are very high as many skilled manufacturing workers are lost - and may lack skilled workers.

5. This lead to higher manufacturing overhead and costs --- and lead to higher prices goods and services --- again trigger inflation

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 4:40 PM]

*Easing financial regulations*

1. The Democrats and Biden administration have tighten financial regulations - to ensure sufficient financial reserves set aside in banks, prevent risky investment products, protect banking consumers - but this will limit banks and financial institutions in earning, higher compliance costs and lost opportunities.

2. By easing financial regulations in banks and financial institutions - that means banks and financial institutions will undertake more risky investment, less financial reserves to prevent run-on banks ---- and again subject banking customers to financial risks - as well as global lenders to US treasury.

3. Easing financial regulations is in effect a quantitative easing policy - and again will flush hot money into US economy as well as to Global financial market ---- again triggering runaway inflation -- as there will be too much money floating to the Global Financial System.

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 4:48 PM]

*Pressuring FED to reduce interest rate*

1. FED is a central bank - and is instrumental in using Monetary Policy to regulate the Economy (another arm to Government Fiscal Policy) - to keep US economy on even keel --- and should work independently to prevent on board Government from influencing the Monetary Policy - a check and balance measure to prevent US economy from going the wrong path - and cause catastrophic economic failure.

2. But the new President insist to intervene, want to sit as chairman and even insist on putting a pliant FED chief if the term ends for the current chief in 2026.

3. Basically the new President want the FED chief to keep interest rate low - so that business and individuals can borrow more loans and money --- to boost consumption -- causing more money supply to flow into the Economy ---- and trigger a phenomenal spike in inflation.

4. In so doing, the President business that depends on high leverage, debt and borrowing to run his business - will have more money to run his business.

5. But the consequences of all the above inflationary meausres will be the phenomenon call "Hyperinflation" --- a monster that result in Deep Depression in 1930s and trigger the WW2.

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 5:36 PM]

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/rail-reliability-target-mrt-lrt-cost-taxpayer-commuters-chee-hong-tat-4740341

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 5:38 PM]

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/recent-bukit-panjang-lrt-disruption-due-to-gear-failure-in-faulty-trains-wheel-assembly

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 5:49 PM]

Have you ever wondered why failure rate of smrt is so high

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 5:51 PM]

I think we don't mind mrt break down what we cannot accept is the lack of efficient alternative

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 5:52 PM]

Especially the west side there is no Tel downtown line that run parallel to east west line

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 5:53 PM]

And north south line there's no other alternatives so far that are parallel

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 5:56 PM]

And north east line from punggol to little india I can't imagine if this section breaks down

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 6:02 PM]

For free bus service during disruption it is not enough 

 notice not all mrt stations are connected directly with a car route. They often need to go a big round.

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 6:04 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

Jun Ming, [11/11/2024 6:06 PM]

So my suggestion is 

1.)build more roads that are parallel to mrt 

2.)More intersection in mrt tracks so mrt can terminate at more station 

3.) allocate more resources on stations with limited alternative in terms of maintenance

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 6:46 PM]

Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

LCL (Danny 心), [11/11/2024 6:48 PM]

Channel 8 news Minister Sun Xueling say, government also exploring Telco diversity.

Means looking at Starhub ISDN PRI as secondary network system for example as part of resiliency strategy.

REACH Singapore, [11/11/2024 6:59 PM]

Dear Contributors

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

====

佛，神， 魔。

08 Nov 2024

* 无我，自我(善), 自我(恶)。

* 涅槃，天堂，地狱。

* 空，起心动念(善), 起心动念(恶)。

* 因果(不赏罚), 赏罚(善) - 招因果，赏罚(恶) - 招因果。

* 不起心动念(没因果), 赏罚不圆满 - 误判，赏罚不圆满 - 恶判。

* 毗卢遮那佛 - 法身佛, 宇宙 - 沙婆世界 - 天堂 - 六道众生，宇宙 - 沙婆世界 - 地狱 - 六道众生。

*无我/慈悲/智慧，贪嗔痴(善),

贪嗔痴(恶)。

*不生不灭，六道轮回(善), 六道轮回(恶)。

Buddha, God, Mara (Devil)

* No-Self, Self/Ego(Wholesome), Self/Ego(Unwholesome).

* Nirvana, Heaven, Hell.

* Emptiness, Stray thoughts (Wholesome), Stray thoughts (Unwholesome).

* Rely on Universal Law of Karma (Don't administer reward/punishment), Administer reward/punishment (Wholesome) based on perceived what is wrong or right - but possibility of mis-judgement, ), Administer reward/punishment (Unwholesome) for self-interest and mostly evil.

* No stray thoughts (No Karma - hence no Samsara), Stray thoughts - evolution of Universe/Samsara (Wholesome) - possible misjudgement, Stray thoughts - evolution of Universe/Samsara (Unwholesome).

* Vairocana Buddha - Dharmakaya Buddha. (Origin of All Buddhas, All Enlightened Ones - that emerge from this Body), Universe/Samsara/Heaven - Evolution of 3 Wholesome realms sentinent beings (Heavenly Beings, Humans, Asura), Universe/Samsara/Hell - Evolution of 3 Evil realms (Animals, Hungry Ghosts, Hell beings).

* No-Self/Compassion/Panna Wisdom, Greed/Anger/Ignorance(Wholesome), Greed/Anger/Ignorance(Unwholesome).

* No birth/No death, Happy States in Samsara (Adam/Eve lead to evolution of Lifes in Samsara/Universe), Woeful States in Samsara (Hell beings). 

* Eternal, Celestial Lifespan, Hell Lifespan.

====

Note:- Quantum Physics prove - 1 stray thought of consciousess trigger a rippling effect throughout the Universe.

(Imply, Emptiness or no stray thought, no ripple effects through the Universe).

====

REACH (Telegram) 39 - What are your thoughts on the upcoming SG60 celebrations and efforts to engage the public? What do you look forward to for SG60?

(SK)

06 Nov 2024 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

REACH Singapore, [6/11/2024 10:23 AM]

Dear contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10:30am 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 differnet forms (including caps) - we heard you loud and clear the first time. 

5. Let's protect each other's privacy and keep contact details in this group what it should always be - confidential. 

Full set of Terms of Use: https://www.reach.gov.sg/Participate/reach-telegram-group/REACH-Telegram-Group-Chat-Terms-of-Use/

We will strive to uphold these rules to ensure this is a safe space for all. 

Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies. 

The topic will be posted shortly. 

Thank you. 

Megan 😊

REACH Singapore, [6/11/2024 10:30 AM]

📢 Topic 📢

Singapore will mark 60 years of independence in 2025 with a series of celebratory events.

The milestone is also an opportunity for Singaporeans to connect with one another, reflect on shared values and renew their commitment to the country, said Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Nov 4.

PM Wong, who is also Finance Minister, soft-launched the SG60 celebrations at an event to mark the 60th anniversary of Community Club Management Committees (CCMCs).  

💬 What are your thoughts on the upcoming SG60 celebrations and efforts to engage the public? What do you look forward to for SG60?

📌 SG60’s theme and goals

The theme of SG60 is Building Our Singapore Together, according to the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY).

It is meant to build on the Forward Singapore exercise, while celebrating the nation-building journey and allowing citizens to reflect on shared values such as multiculturalism, boldness, resilience and openness.

Programmes throughout the year will encourage Singaporeans to reflect, uphold and live out these values, said MCCY.

Examples include Chingay, Exercise SG Ready, Singapore World Water Day, Racial and Religious Harmony Month, the Singapore Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, and Project Citizens – The First Million, a Founders’ Memorial tribute to the founding generation.

There are also platforms to engage the public, such as the SG60 Youth Engagements organised by the National Youth Council and PA, and consultations under the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s Draft Master Plan Exhibition.

📌 Everyone’s participation is welcomed

Referring to the SG60 programme, PM Wong said: “All this is core and central to the work of PA, the CCs [Community Clubs], and the CCMCs, so naturally all of you will be among our key partners for SG60.

“Beyond PA, there will be other organisations… who would like to do something for SG60. We welcome your participation too.”

He announced two PA initiatives that will launch in 2025 to foster community-led innovation, and support more ground-up initiatives.

First, 10 CCs will be part of a pilot to develop community innovation spaces. These can be used for activities like brainstorming sessions and capacity-building workshops, to develop creative solutions to local issues, said PM Wong.

In addition, PA and the CCMCs will organise a Community Innovation Hackathon in the first quarter of 2025.

Residents, volunteers, tech experts and others will work together to identify and analyse local issues, and develop innovative and practical solutions.

“I hope that SG60 will be a time for all of us to renew our commitment to Singapore and to take our nation forward towards a better and brighter shared future,” PM Wong said.

📌 Special gift for SG60 babies

In a Facebook post on Nov 5, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah, who is also Second Minister for Finance and National Development, said that couples who have babies in 2025 can look forward to receiving a special gift for their little ones, as the nation marks 60 years of independence in 2025.

The milestone year will be a celebration of shared Singaporean values, including “that indefinable sense of family” despite the different races, religions and backgrounds here, she added.

“For Singapore to remain strong and thrive in the years to come, we will need more Singaporean families and, of course, more Singaporean babies to write the next chapter of our Singapore story,” she said.

“As a signal of the importance of marriage and parenthood to our future as we cross into our 60th year of nationhood, we are planning a special gift for our SG60 babies next year.”

More details will be revealed later, she said.

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sg60-an-opportunity-for-sporeans-to-reflect-on-shared-values-renew-commitment-to-country-pm-wong  

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/babies-born-in-2025-can-expect-a-special-gift-as-singapore-marks-sg60-indranee

----

G, [6/11/2024 10:50 AM]

😂 all the freebies coming in to entice people to vote PAP?

Jun Ming, [6/11/2024 10:57 AM]

Is there gift for people who born in the year of independence

REACH Singapore, [6/11/2024 11:00 AM]

[ Poll : 1) I look forward to the SG60 celebrations. (Share your suggestions in the chats!) ]

- Strongly agree

- Agree

- Neutral

- Disagree

- Strongly Disagree

REACH Singapore, [6/11/2024 11:00 AM]

[ Poll : 2) What would you like to see for SG60? (Choose as many options as you like!) ]

- Festive performances and exhibitions

- Community-led initiatives

- SG60-related gifts 

- Others (Please specify in the chats below!)

Jun Ming, [6/11/2024 11:04 AM]

How do organisations participate and is there other gifts for non sg 60 babies

Jun Ming, [6/11/2024 11:04 AM]

As we are all babies

Hanny, [6/11/2024 11:12 AM]

We are living in a troubled world. People need to realize what we have and our challenges. We should use this 60 year anniversary as an opportunity to galvanize the society. Give community more opportunities n flexibility to organize.

G, [6/11/2024 11:17 AM]

Would very much like to see a reduction in cost of living through

1. Reverting GST to 3% or removed

2. Cutting lots of unnecessary recurring govt spending (e.g. mayors)

3. Cutting unnecessary govt vanity projects (e.g. white elephant founders memorial) that require future unnecessary recurring spending

Khai Mun L., [6/11/2024 11:24 AM]

Celebration of nature improvements, continued protection of wildlife and coastal environment.

Everything high tech means nothing if it is electric intensive and climate changes make survival difficult

G, [6/11/2024 11:34 AM]

Would also like to see an amicable resolution to 38 Oxley road saga without resorting to vendetta, name calling, character assassinations against private citizens

G, [6/11/2024 11:51 AM]

Celebratory spending should come from existing govt surpluses and should not be extravagantly budgeted for, and hence taxed for

Steven Ong, [6/11/2024 12:44 PM]

1) Important to practice Sustainability in events planning and organisation so that we can practice what we had been encouraging. Too much wastage after events and celebrations.

2) Initiate some community level activities for family bonding.

3) Recognise efforts done by various local communities, self help groups, nonprofits in advancing various causes.

REACH Singapore, [6/11/2024 2:01 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

REACH Singapore, [6/11/2024 2:44 PM]

Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

💬 What are your thoughts on the upcoming SG60 celebrations and efforts to engage the public? What do you look forward to for SG60?

We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active! 

Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

Thank you!

Megan 😊

LCL (Danny 心), [6/11/2024 2:57 PM]

1. Our internal unity and internal cohesion are becoming more important - as it look like we are going into an uncharted water and external geopolitical environment will be turning more and more challenging.

2. Trade tension, decoupling, tariifs and other unpredictable external factors that will affect our Economy will be intensified.

3. Hence our SG60 celebration will have to highlight increasingly more and more difficult and challenging external environment - while focusing on internal harmony, unity and cohesion to ride the challenges, navigate unchartered water, while planning for unexpected contingencies - that can cause mammoth turmoil be it economically, politically or even regional military clashes.

LCL (Danny 心), [6/11/2024 3:04 PM]

4. We have to find niches and look into untraditional uncharted path to sustain our Economic Growth and ensure our trading Economy will not be adversely impacted - while sustaining our GDP, our business and creating/maintain good jobs for our people.

5. The global GDP is about US$100 trillion.

6. Hence, we have to navigate our path of about $67 trillion to find our oasis of economic growth through trade with these Economies and ensure our trade-fuel economy will not be too much impacted.

This means our trade ministry, EDB, IE, foreign affairs will have to work harder - to navigate and find this niches.

Steven Ong, [6/11/2024 3:19 PM]

Celebrate the unsung heros last 60 yrs that make SG proud and our many successes on world stages. Recognise SG companies and organisations which had also went thru the challenges and growth of SG last 60 yrs and earlier..

Jun Ming, [6/11/2024 3:31 PM]

I suggest a one time gift for people who are older than 60 year old that grow with Singapore

Jun Ming, [6/11/2024 3:31 PM]

It doesn't make sense to have sg 60 gift for babies and not for people who actually build the country

Jun Ming, [6/11/2024 3:32 PM]

New citizen forget it

REACH Singapore, [6/11/2024 4:00 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

LCL (Danny 心), [6/11/2024 4:45 PM]

1. A good celebration should preferably be hybrid :-

a. Event(s) to commemorate the SG60 independence - to bring people together.

b. SG60 related gifts to keep for remembrance.

Adam, [6/11/2024 5:20 PM]

One time gift for 60 and above when sg 60. Then one time gift for 61 and above when sg 61. So on and so forth. People born before 1965 very huat.

Adam, [6/11/2024 5:22 PM]

I dont care about one time token gifts. And please dont waste money on celebrations. Give small chicken wing of ns voucher or gst but take the whole chicken back with gst rising

Adam, [6/11/2024 5:24 PM]

Instead of giving one off things, how about make 2025 a year to remember.

X policy enacted on 2025.

X target acheived 2025.

sure to remain on the history books better than some firework plus voucher.

Noor Naffissah, [6/11/2024 5:24 PM]

Yup I agreed as once they gave everything increases

Jun Ming, [6/11/2024 5:35 PM]

25% increase of salary of every Singaporean

Jun Ming, [6/11/2024 5:35 PM]

25% of decrease of all prices

REACH Singapore, [6/11/2024 6:00 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

G, [6/11/2024 6:28 PM]

Don't waste more tax money on frivolous vote buying things please

REACH Singapore, [6/11/2024 6:45 PM]

Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

REACH Singapore, [6/11/2024 7:00 PM]

Dear Contributors

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

====

REACH (Telegram) 38 - What are your views on the Singapore Public Sector Outcomes Review? How can we ensure Singapore continues to progress?

(SK)

04 Nov 2024 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 9:45 AM]

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 differnet forms (including caps) - we heard you loud and clear the first time. 

5. Let's protect each other's privacy and keep contact details in this group what it should always be - confidential. 

Full set of Terms of Use: https://www.reach.gov.sg/Participate/reach-telegram-group/REACH-Telegram-Group-Chat-Terms-of-Use/

We will strive to uphold these rules to ensure this is a safe space for all. 

Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies. 

The topic will be posted shortly. 

Thank you. 

Megan 😊

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 10:00 AM]

📢 Topic 📢

The Singapore Public Sector Outcomes Review 2024, cited progress in key areas of national interest from early education to employment and retirement.

💬 What are your views on the Singapore Public Sector Outcomes Review? How can we ensure Singapore continues to progress?

📌 Opportunities for all, at every stage of life

The employment rate of residents aged 25 to 64 was 82.6 per cent in 2023 compared with the pre-Covid-19 pandemic level of 80.8 per cent in 2019. There was also a steady supply of jobs in growth sectors, with 56.3 per cent of newly created positions in 2023 for PMET workers.

About 7 in 10 active CPF members turning 55 were able to meet their Basic Retirement Sum in 2023. A total of 388,000 lower-income workers and 260,000 seniors were supported in their retirement under the Workfare Income Supplement scheme and Silver Support Scheme, respectively, in 2023.

Singaporeans continued to have one of the longest life expectancies in the world, with life expectancy at birth at 87.7 for females and 83.6 for males. Progress has also been made in reducing the prevalence of high cholesterol and diabetes between 2017 and 2022, though the prevalence of obesity and high blood pressure went up during the same period.

Full-day pre-school places were increased to over 200,000 spots in 2023 to meet increased demand, while fees have become more affordable due to lowered fee caps for anchor operator and partner operator pre-schools in 2023.

📌 Quality and sustainable living

The median wait time for BTO flats improved from about five years in 2022, to three years and 10 months in 2023. There were 2,800 flats with shorter wait times launched in 2024, a year ahead of the Government’s targeted timeline.

More than 9 in 10 residents could walk, cycle or ride to their neighbourhood centres within 20 minutes, and two-thirds could commute to work within 45 minutes during peak periods using these transport options.

📌 The shared future and Singapore’s place in the world

This year’s review also highlighted some areas in which Singaporeans have partnered one another and the Government to “own, shape and act on our shared future together”, following from the Forward SG exercise to renew Singapore’s social compact. Through the Mentoring SG movement, individuals, businesses and other organisations have also come together to make mentoring more accessible to young people.

Crime rates in Singapore remained low, with reported physical crimes falling by 1.1 per cent between 2022 and 2023. Singapore’s recidivism rate is also among the lowest in the world, at 22 per cent for the 2021 release cohort.

📌 A strong and resilient economy

Singapore’s real GDP grew at an annualised rate of 2.6 per cent between 2019 and 2023. Real GDP growth for 2024 is expected to be at the upper end of the 2 per cent to 3 per cent forecast range, improving on the 1.1 per cent achieved in 2023.

Inflation slowed significantly in 2024, after having stayed high in the preceding two years. This is partly due to the appreciation of the Singapore dollar, a fall in food commodity prices and less labour market tightness, said MOF.

👉 https://str.sg/fGBc

👉 https://str.sg/sNPA

The Singapore Public Sector Outcome Review can be found at go.gov.sg/SPOR

====

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 11:00 AM]

[ Poll : 1. I agree with the Review that Singapore has made progress in key areas of national interest. Please share the reason for your answer in the chats!

 ]

- Yes

- No

- To some extent

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 11:00 AM]

[ Poll : 2. Which of the following themes do you feel are most important to you as Singapore progresses? Please share the reason for your answer in the chats! ]

- Opportunities for all

- Quality and sustainable living

- The shared future and Singapore’s place in the world

- A strong and resilient economy

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 11:26 AM]

*Opportunities for All*

1. Especially like the concept of Government Policies that shape the population lives "From cradle to grave".

2. Specifically, from pre-school, all the way to University education, jobs, housing, healthcare until retirement.

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 11:33 AM]

*The shared future and Singapore's place in the World*

1. Particularly like the Forward SG exercise - that allow participants to provide timely feedback to Government policies, help to smoothen rough edges and shape the policies more in line with the population needs renewing our social compact.

2. Agree that crime rates are low and rehabilitation rates are good.

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 11:36 AM]

*A strong and resilient Economy*

1. A strong economy is important for Singapore - as it will make businesses vibrant, create jobs, provide high income jobs, and create plenty of opportunities for the population as well as provide high tax revenue to the government that can benefit the population through government spendings.

2. This is achieved despite the challenging geopolitical landscape mark by geopolitical tensions, tariffs, sanctions, decoupling, friend shoring, near shoring, on-shoring etc.

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 12:39 PM]

Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

💬 What are your views on the Singapore Public Sector Outcomes Review? How can we ensure Singapore continues to progress?

We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active! 

Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

Thank you!

Megan 😊

Adam, [4/11/2024 12:55 PM]

Most of the stuff the are ok. However the gov should keep a very close eye on whether the performance metrics is correct.

Like bto wait time. It might decrease, but could it be that we just have fewer people applying due to decreasing marraige rates. Or what is the start point of calculating wait time? If we already prep the foundation and gonna confirm build but only let people apply much later on, we could reduce wait time even more.

For the walking and cycling, im sure you have seen the developments of cycling and pedestrian infrastucture. Imo its kinda underwhelming but better than nothing. Wish there was a more better solution like those cycling centric cities. But hey, at least some minister hit the kpi i guess.

What gets measured gets done. We might hit all the metrics but if people on the ground are dissatisfied, we need to look into more than numbers

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 12:56 PM]

Wonder why some people are still unhappy?

What issues make them unhappy?

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:18 PM]

Erm I don't think the crime rates are low though

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:19 PM]

Although compared to others it may seems low but based on news reporting rate it doesn't look low

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 1:20 PM]

Online scam rate is relatively high.

I think physical crime is respectable.

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:22 PM]

I see a rise of reporting in murder quite recently

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:22 PM]

Physical bullying and fighting

Adam, [4/11/2024 1:23 PM]

About crimes, it seems that many small things these days dont get police attention. People morelikely to post on social media and then maybe someone report. Idk if police will even do anything if they come

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:24 PM]

I doubt police care about happy ending massage haha

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:26 PM]

If police cares 70% of massage establishment will kena

Adam, [4/11/2024 1:26 PM]

Personally, i care more about white collar crime. Going after corrupt and rich is good

Adam, [4/11/2024 1:27 PM]

Hmm, but will it impact the 'strong and resilient economy' we care about

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:28 PM]

I think those lose end police can clear de just don't cut the artery

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:28 PM]

First...

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:29 PM]

We can clear those parasites that sucks our money

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:31 PM]

Took the train or bus to the office today? 💼

Fewer commuters are taking public transport on Monday and Friday. Experts say this reflects the rise of hybrid work arrangements among many companies in Singapore. https://str.sg/LJtB

Adam, [4/11/2024 1:31 PM]

Speaking of... we need to audit our gov spending. From construction cost of various project. Or the cookhouse food in saf. Are we getting our moneys worth, or is some cronies sucking up the finances.

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 1:31 PM]

Another misleading article as 2019 COVID have not started in Singapore

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 2:00 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

Jun Ming, [4/11/2024 2:29 PM]

I think the definition of success to Singaporean is living less stressful instead of materialistic success. 

Now the challenge is how to live with lesser stress

Adam, [4/11/2024 2:32 PM]

Saying living less stress is cope

Adam, [4/11/2024 2:32 PM]

Less pie for singaporeans to go around so gov telling us to appreciate what crumbs we have

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 2:33 PM]

In our lifetime, there are few stressors along the way:-

1. Raising a child 

2. Study stress

3. Looking for job

4. Job stress

5. Adequate income

6. Cost of living 

7. Enough savings 

8. Marriage & raising a family

9. Occasion illness

10. Buying a house

11. Adequate retirement 

There will be occasional stress along our lifetime at different points in time.

It is how we see stress and manage them as it comes.

Successful management of life stressors will make us less unhappy as we live and grow out of it.

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 2:35 PM]

Managing expectations is one important aspect of managing stressors.

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 4:02 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 5:25 PM]

Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

💬 What are your views on the Singapore Public Sector Outcomes Review? How can we ensure Singapore continues to progress?

We have had good feedback from this group, and we hope that we can keep the discussion robust and active! 

Do also share your opinion by participating in our polls! The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.

Thank you!

Megan 😊

Steven Ong, [4/11/2024 5:46 PM]

IMO, it'll be good for agencies to continue to create opportunities and environment to support more SMEs to grow so that more jobs can be created and allow more Singaporeans to venture into entrepreneurship and venture overseas, especially ASEAN where many opportunities exist for local businesses to take advantage.

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 5:52 PM]

1. Food security is an area that may have problem meeting 30 X 30.

2. Cell culture meat, fish farm, plant based meat, vertical high tech agriculture - seems to have been hitting some snags.

3. In view of challenging geopolitical landscape, disruption of food supplies maybe possible not too far down the road.

Wonder if there any counter measures to ensure our 30 X 30 food security is intact.

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 6:00 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 6:04 PM]

1. On the diplomatic front, another financial bloc is forming specifically the BRICS that is touted to be an alternative to Swift.

2. The economic bloc GDP is fairly huge and is not an obstacle to trade unlike US which is not very trade friendly.

But nevertheless, diplomatic front, we are still not conducive to join for the obvious reasons of our stand in Ukraine war.

3. But in the long run if Ukraine war is resolved, whether should we put a leg in.

Just to understand how it operates, whether we can benefit from it.

Or are there initiatives that may be detrimental to us if we fully rely on Swift system.

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 6:35 PM]

1. In stock exchange front, our number of listings pale in comparison to the regional markets.

2. Our share prices and trading activities across the board are quite stagnant for a number of years.

3. Wonder any initiatives to drive up vibrancy in the stock market - without relying on sovereign funds dumping money to prop up the stock exchange.

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 6:45 PM]

Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

LCL (Danny 心), [4/11/2024 6:55 PM]

1. Come 5 Nov 2024 (tomorrow), will be a critical date to watch.

2. Whether will we see a candidate that propose 60% tariff on China's goods and across the board 10% tariff on all other countries including our export.

3. It may or may not happen.

But trade will be a challenge whether to a bigger extent or a smaller extent.

4. Will need to prepare how to overcome trade challenges if it becomes more and more difficult for us to trade and ensure we still can enjoy progressive economic growth as trade is 3 times the size of our GDP (close to $1.5 trillion).

REACH Singapore, [4/11/2024 7:00 PM]

Dear Contributors

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

====