REACH (Telegram) 41 - What are your thoughts on the amendments to the Community Disputes Resolution Act? How else should community disputes be resolved amongst neighbours?

(SK)

13 Nov 2024 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

REACH Singapore, [13/11/2024 9:46 AM]

Dear contributors,

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REACH Singapore, [13/11/2024 10:05 AM]

📢 Topic 📢

In Parliament on 12 November, Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Edwin Tong explained why the Government was amending the Community Disputes Resolution Act to allow authorised officers to order neighbours to go for mediation.

He said that it would encourage disputes to be amicably resolved, and address cases of neighbours who refuse to consider mediation, or do not show up for the mediation session despite agreeing to do so. 

This amendment was among the other changes to the Act meant to curb spats between neighbours.

💬 What are your thoughts on the amendments to the Community Disputes Resolution Act? How else should community disputes be resolved amongst neighbours?

📌 Establishing a new Community Relations Unit (CRU)

Under the changes, a new Community Relations Unit (CRU) will be established, where officers will be given investigatory and enforcement powers to intervene in neighbour disputes.

Minister Tong said that the Community Relations Unit (CRU) will focus resources only on severe neighbour noise and hoarding cases that are causing “disamenity” to the community. It will have the discretion to judge the severity of cases with the specific facts and circumstances of each case, he added.

“I would also like to caution that we must strike a balance between the CRU stepping in to manage a dispute, and also at the same time leaving enough room for neighbours to settle the private disputes between themselves,” added Minister Tong.

Senior Minister of State for National Development Sim Ann also said that the CRU is aiming to begin pilot operations in Tampines from the second quarter of 2025.

📌 Enhancing the powers of the Community Disputes Resolution Tribunals (CDRT)

The CDRT, which remains an avenue of last resort for severe disputes, will have its powers enhanced so that it can deliver "quicker and more effective relief", Minister Tong said. 

These include having a general requirement that residents must attempt mediation before filing a CDRT claim. 

The CDRT will also be able to issue mandatory treatment orders or interim orders. The mandatory treatment order which requires an offender to undergo psychiatric treatment can be issued if the CDRT has reason to believe that the respondent’s acts of unreasonable interference stem from an underlying psychiatric condition. 

An interim order could be issued if acts of unreasonable interference appear as if they are likely to continue, and are likely to have a substantial negative impact on the claimant. The order will allow claimants with serious cases to obtain relief more quickly.  

📌 Reconciliation should be the first priority

While the government is introducing these changes, the aim remains to build a “strong, resilient, cohesive community”, said Minister Tong.

Although there have been steps taken to foster a shared understanding of community norms among residents when it comes to noise, disputes will still arise, and the “guiding principle” is that neighbours should “proactively and constructively” engage with one another, and try to reach a workable compromise, he said.

Even with the new framework, this is the best way to resolve a dispute between neighbours, he added, and pointed out that around 90 per cent of neighbour noise feedback is resolved after grassroots and other community leaders, or HDB officers, help both sides reach an amicable compromise. 

“Ultimately, I call on all members to help us through our interactions with our residents. To build a gracious society, where neighbours are conscious of their role in the community, to exercise mutual consideration for one another, and where differences are best bridged through discussion and compromise, and not necessarily direction or order,” Minister Tong said.

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/mandatory-mediation-a-first-step-in-settling-disputes-between-neighbours-edwin-tong 

👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/community-relations-unit-dispute-management-mediation-bill-4742921

----

Khai Mun L., [13/11/2024 11:04 AM]

Seems to be limited to houses itself. What about noise from outside houses?

Such as coffeeshops, parks, void decks etc. Managed by the respective agencies such as nparks, town council etc?

Would face similar issue of collecting 'weak' evidence from phones of sound levels and enforcement actions.

REACH Singapore, [13/11/2024 11:14 AM]

[ Poll : 1) I support the amendments to the Community Disputes Resolution Act. (Please share your thoughts in the chats!) ]

- Yes

- No

- Unsure

REACH Singapore, [13/11/2024 11:14 AM]

[ Poll : 2) What other issues raised in Parliament on 12 Nov are you concerned about? (Choose as many as you wish. Please share your concerns in the chats!) ]

- Boosting COE supply before projected peak in 2026

- Proposal of new workplace fairness legislation

- New canteen models for schools

- Others

Steven Ong, [13/11/2024 11:14 AM]

A good step forward to manage undesirable neighbours' behaviours. But at the same time, it'll be good to continue to have regular/permanent notices in lifts and lift landings to remind everyone to observe good habits and be considerate. Door-to-door regular education should be done to reduce any conflicts. Last resort is to let courts decide. By then, relationships are broken.. 远亲不如近邻.

Steven Ong, [13/11/2024 11:17 AM]

The effective policing and enforcement of the proposed workplace fairness may not easy. Thus whisperblowing has to be encouraged as well. Not easy for SMEs..

Khai Mun L., [13/11/2024 11:21 AM]

I don't agree with increasing COE supply. They would take up more space, cars still need to be parked. Cannot force drivers not to be out at certain hours, only encouraged.

There's too much pandering to potential car owners this year.

REACH Singapore, [13/11/2024 12:27 PM]

Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

💬 What are your thoughts on the amendments to the Community Disputes Resolution Act? How else should community disputes be resolved amongst neighbours?

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 😊

G, [13/11/2024 1:12 PM]

How to reconcile the transport minister comments?

In Sep, he said public transport fares should not be linked to service levels and disruptions:

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/east-west-line-train-disruption-chee-hong-tat-4678956

Then now in Nov he said raise reliability means taxpayer and commuters could bear cost:

https://mothership.sg/2024/11/rail-reliability-targets-mrt-raise/

Is he taking us for a ride?

Muhamed Shadiq, [13/11/2024 1:22 PM]

It would make sense to link quality of service/ service level to certain key indicators to justify any adjustments to the public transport fare. Should performance be one of the key indicators? Inflation? Economic conditions? Profit levels over a period of years?

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 1:45 PM]

Correction note:-

HSRP and VRRP are for "Active-Passive" mode.

GLBP (Gateway Load Balancing Protocol) are for "Active-Active" mode.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 1:58 PM]

I don't like some minister who just want to suck our money

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 2:01 PM]

Anyway would just ask gov for more alternative lines and methods that is on the West and north south and the north east side

REACH Singapore, [13/11/2024 2:01 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 2:05 PM]

Hope it's not police officer style where it escalate the problem

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 2:06 PM]

1. Government has raise issuance of govt securities to $1.5 trillion to grow CPF, local debt market.

2. Wonder will the government raise the limit of Singapore Saving Bond of $200,000 to $300,000 per account holder or not since government will abolish the CPF SA account for 55 years old that attract 4% interest.

3. These will offer more choice for CPF account holders to want to move their SA savings to OA of 2.5% or to a similar safe financial security instrument like the long term 10 years higher interest SSB government bond.

4. T-bill duration too short, only few months.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 2:13 PM]

Also notice too many important topics in Parliament to discuss.

Wonder will REACH be open tomorrow again so that more topics can be discussed.

G, [13/11/2024 2:17 PM]

Don't forget about the 5 expensive mayors too

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 2:18 PM]

1. Minister Shagmugam mention in Parliament that foreign driving instructors will be engaged for class 4 licences for driving lessons for conversion of migrants workers.

2. But no mention of Class 3 licences that face similar predicament - many learners cannot book driving lessons slots in the 3 driving lessons for 6 months and the PDL licence expired already through no fault of them.

a. Can extend the PDL licence of such learners?

b. Can more foreign driving instructors be engaged and extend to class 3 licence driving learners as well?

Muhamed Shadiq, [13/11/2024 2:46 PM]

That could be one of the ways to hold public transport accountable to the commuters and keep them on their toes to consistently maintain optimal standard.

Khai Mun L., [13/11/2024 2:47 PM]

But any KPI stated would be arbitrary, and how would it be calculated against money?

1km=10cents?

Why choose 250km vs 100km

Khai Mun L., [13/11/2024 2:48 PM]

Select any figure, people would also question

Khai Mun L., [13/11/2024 2:49 PM]

After pick figure, then need to adjust yearly/monthly for inflation?😂

Would be never ending cycle

Muhamed Shadiq, [13/11/2024 3:14 PM]

The mandatory mediation: 

The Gov took a step in the right direction. It's long overdue. Would provide the much needed support from the legal empowerment perspective to the officers attending to such cases.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:24 PM]

1. As our power and water capacity are under strain, multi billion $ investment new Data Centre investors have move to Johor.

2. This DC investment create many high value high income IT jobs for Singaporeans.

3. Will our government consider more effective and cost effective power sources such as safe nuclear SMB reactors or nuclear fusion to power the DCs and continue to attract high value added DC investment into Singapore?

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:28 PM]

Special praise for :-

1. Anti-scam responsibility framework co-bear by banks, Telco, customers.

2. Pre-emptive freezing of fund transfers by stubborn victims to scammers.

This will prevent more money lost suffer by scam victims.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:30 PM]

Also special kudos to bringing more housing into fruition and keeping price affordable for new BTO flats as well as extending to single who needs a flat of their own.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:33 PM]

1. Finance need to watch out for holding of US Treasury as Elon Musk is proposing using Bitcoin to repay US public debt of US$35 trillions dollars with Bitcoins.

2. How will this impact us?

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:35 PM]

"Bitcoin surges above record $81,000 as Elon Musk warns of ‘financial emergency’".

Toying using Bitcoins to repay the mammoth US$35 trillion public debt. https://www.independent.co.uk/tech/bitcoin-record-musk-cryptocurrency-financial-emergency-b2645391.html#:~:text=at%20any%20time-,Bitcoin%20surges%20above%20record%20%2481%2C000%20as%20Elon%20Musk%20warns%20of%20%E2%80%98financial%20emergency%E2%80%99,-Vishwam%20Sankaran

xXx.SCAR.xXx, [13/11/2024 3:38 PM]

We have Project Ubin+, won't be taken by surprise.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:42 PM]

But Bitcoin is cryptocurrency in the wild.

Many dark sides in Bitcoin investment - money lauderers, terrorist, drug trafficking money, arm smugglers, kidnappers, tax evaders, money crocodile swindlers, gamblers etc are using Bitcoin as digital heaven.

If Bitcoin are use for mainstream money supply to resolve Treasury debts - I think the whole world could move into an unchartered water.

Sleazy dark money - that can wildly swing global financial system and disrupt the world money supply.

I think is no joke.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:45 PM]

It may trigger the similar currency speculation in Asia financial crisis - by money speculators bringing down Thai baht, Malaysia ringgit, Indonesia rupiah - causing hot money outflow and bringing down Asia economies in one big swap.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:46 PM]

In Bitcoin - it will be global financial crisis.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:47 PM]

That's why, there are too many important topics to discuss in this Parliament sitting.

But time too short.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:49 PM]

Limited Bitcoin, US $35 trillions too big amount.

1 Bitcoin value $100 million?

Mind boggling.

And values can swing up and down very wildly.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:51 PM]

For the next 4 years - I think the whole world will witness a very turbulent world - whether in economy, finance, diplomacy, geopolitical or military clashes.

Sit tight.

Meanwhile, our government need to carefully safeguard our national interest all rounded.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 3:53 PM]

As voters, we need to keep our best, bright mind Cabinet safe.

No joke.

REACH Singapore, [13/11/2024 4:01 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 4:01 PM]

1. The new workplace fairness legislation protect all our workers whether senior, gender, disabilities, nationality.

It cover the ground comprehensively.

2. But on the ground, I am not sure how it will play out? Because business very smart in exploiting loopholes and even legislation can't hold them.

3. It apply not only to SME, but also MNCs, big enterprise and even GLCs.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 4:18 PM]

Also project ubin is issue by Central Bank under its management and control.

Our money supply are properly regulated.

So as other countries cryptocurrency.

But Bitcoin is a wild wild west.

No one control, in fact exploited by many sleazy players.

It will be akin to sleeping with the devil the moment our mainstram money supply go into Bitcoin.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 4:18 PM]

I think crypto will be very common in the future world

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 4:19 PM]

Ok if run by Central Banks of the respective countries.

But not the cryptocurrency in the wild.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 4:19 PM]

Using crypto to pay for service will be the norm

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 4:19 PM]

Of course there will be token that is regulated by central banks

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 4:20 PM]

But not many will use it

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 4:21 PM]

Or maybe Singapore dollar can replace by something similar like usdt

xXx.SCAR.xXx, [13/11/2024 4:21 PM]

The world will eventually settle down to a digital currency standard that is legal tender & backed by sovereign authority.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 4:22 PM]

But people will still use things that is not regulated. This is the trend

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 4:24 PM]

Maybe the world may unify into one currency eventually

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 4:27 PM]

Also converting US$35 trillion into Bitcoin is like printing US$35 trillion.

How will this impact US currency - a free fall in US $ value? Become banana money.

Bitcoin must be back by something - else it has no value.

If Bitcoin is back by US$, then US$100 become US$1 - because suddenly printing US$35 trillion is no joke.

The world will experience  unprecedented inflation.

And the world will experience the Monster - hyperinflation - more than 100% increase in prices.

That's too much money chasing too few goods.

Muhamed Shadiq, [13/11/2024 4:33 PM]

I agree that the world will slowly creep towards digital currency where it will the next medium of international exchange / the world's reserve currency which will be controlled by the superpower of the day just like the current greenback.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 4:52 PM]

1. Errant neighbors causing unnecessary noises and nuisances as well as hoarding things that block the passage is quite a challenge to the victims.

2. Examples noise deliberately or unintentionally created in wee hours that disturb the sleep and peace of neighbors causing sufferings.

3. Normally mediation and peaceful communication to stop such disturbance will be the best approach.

But unfortunately, for some rare cases, the personalities of some or some with mental disorders can be a big challenge to achieve amicable solution.

4. Hence I support Government policy with more teeth to permanently resolved such neighbor nuisance and disputes.

It is warranted.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 4:59 PM]

We need to maintain our Singapore dollars.

Cannot be replaced by common currency.

Because the moment we lose our control of our own currency, we lose our arm to manage our economy.

We cannot just depend on fiscal policy to manage our economy.

We also need our $S to regulate our economy.

Else we cannot control our inflation today - and will be at the mercy of other countries.

We will lose our trade advantage, financial hub, fail to attract investment, lose our jobs and many financial and economic fallout.

No countries in the world want to lose their own currency.

It will lose their sovereignty and their means to manage their economy. It is suicidal.

This Bitcoin saga is moving towards losing our control of our own currency and our sovereignty.

That's why we need to ensure our best brains Cabinet intact come the coming election.

We can go from boom to bust if we make a wrong decision or wrong policy.

Not a joke!

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 5:14 PM]

Even our sovereignty over our CPF, sovereign wealth and our own wealth will be gone if we lose our Singapore dollars.

I think is madness.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 5:15 PM]

Imagine all our Singapore currency suddenly convert to Bitcoin - run behind by sneaky figures.

All our money safe or not?

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 5:20 PM]

If one day the world decide to devalue the common currency due to mismanagement, all our wealth, sovereign reserves, CPF gone in one day.

Our elected government cannot do anything.

Madness, suicidal.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 5:32 PM]

Eg. Assuming our US treasury multi billion $ suddenly become useless - don't know what coin - we lose all our treasury money.

If we convert all $S into a common currency - and in future another rouge person do similar thing.

All our CPF, sovereign funds and our wealth become useless banana money.

We lose all our wealth overnight.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 5:32 PM]

Crazy right?

Local, [13/11/2024 5:46 PM]

I don’t believe in fair mediation. There are conflicts of interest when the mediator and other side of the neighbor are not Singaporean.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 5:48 PM]

​​As of April 2024, Singapore held approximately $200 billion in U.S. Treasury securities.​​ ​​ ​​This positions Singapore among the top foreign holders of U.S. Treasury debt, reflecting its strategy to invest in stable, liquid assets.​​​​

Source:- Chatgpt

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:01 PM]

Even all EU countries that use euro common currency keep their own country currency eg. Pound, Deutsch, etc.

While the Euro is the official currency of the European Union, not all EU countries use it. In fact, seven EU countries have chosen to keep their own currencies, and they are:

- *Denmark*: Uses the Danish krone (DKK), and is legally exempt from adopting the Euro despite meeting all requirements ¹.

- *Sweden*: Uses the Swedish krona (SEK), and has chosen not to adopt the Euro ¹.

- *Bulgaria*: Uses the Bulgarian lev (BGN), but is expected to adopt the Euro in the future ¹ ².

- *Czech Republic*: Uses the Czech koruna (CZK), and has no immediate plans to adopt the Euro ¹.

- *Hungary*: Uses the Hungarian forint (HUF), and has no immediate plans to adopt the Euro ¹.

- *Poland*: Uses the Polish zloty (PLN), and has no immediate plans to adopt the Euro ¹.

- *Romania*: Uses the Romanian leu (RON), but is expected to adopt the Euro in the future ¹ ².

Source :- Meta AI

REACH Singapore, [13/11/2024 6:02 PM]

📢 Topic 📢

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:33 PM]

Imagine if us Change their currency to bit coin.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:33 PM]

I think crazy.

They better don't do silly things.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:34 PM]

Or maybe a crypto currency. Since Elon musk have pair up with Donald trump

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:34 PM]

See China so big, they control their yuan very well.

Because they don't want outsiders to mess up their financial system and their economy.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:35 PM]

Since they are in debt they want to play cheat

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:35 PM]

So anything can happen

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:36 PM]

We better be on our toes and navigate from storm to calm sea.

We need all the best brains in Cabinet to do it.

Else we all die.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:36 PM]

Stable country won't do anything but those instable countries see crypto as a saver

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:36 PM]

We better stay clear.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:38 PM]

Think about it as corrupted agencies won't know how much you have 

There's privacy to avoid abusive people from taking hard earn money and chances of increase their wealth

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:39 PM]

That's why we need to be smart to escape from damages from rouge people.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:41 PM]

If one country take foots in using crypto as a common currency, more countries will follow. Singapore need to follow as well strategically

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:41 PM]

They are trying to write off their mammoth debt from creditors.

And we are one of their big creditor US$200 billion 债主。

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:42 PM]

Then it become suicidal.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:44 PM]

Project ubin our cryptocurrency is back by S$ not common currency.

REACH Singapore, [13/11/2024 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), [13/11/2024 6:51 PM]

Singapore manage our $S through exchange rate against a basket of currency - make our economy grow very well.

Whereby trade is 3 times our size of our GDP.

About $1.5 trillion.

The moment we go common currency - we lose all our advantage.

And many people',s jobs that deal with trade will be gone.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:51 PM]

Yup as a government, you would need a centralised system

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:52 PM]

But many people would prefer using decentralised system for crypto. For example axs and grab accepting bit coin

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:53 PM]

So in future there might have 2 currency systems in Singapore

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:55 PM]

I wonder in Singapore if it is illegal to not accept Singapore currency?

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:55 PM]

Business consideration is totally different from governance.

And business people usually don't understand how economic monetary policy works.

That's why there are so much friction between the new president and Fed.

Now Elon and new president try to meddle with fed, its monetary policy and the wild idea of repaying Treasury debt by Bitcoin --- is madness.

I don't know how the world will become after 4 years.

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:56 PM]

Some business may just sell items and only accept a certain coin as payment

Jun Ming, [13/11/2024 6:57 PM]

This is how businesses may override gov in the future

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:57 PM]

Well project ubin in future is the right direction.

Now Bitcoin, and other non mainstream will still be relevant.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 6:58 PM]

Then government all over the world will lose sovereignty and cannot run their own country because they lose financial management sovereignty.

LCL (Danny 心), [13/11/2024 7:00 PM]

Cannot even proposed Budget to run the country.

REACH Singapore, [13/11/2024 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 😊

====