REACH (Telegram) 67 - What are your views on Singapore’s fiscal planning since 2020? How well do you think the Government is steering Singapore through today’s increasingly complex and difficult challenges?
(SK)
11 Mar 2025 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
REACH Singapore, [11/3/2025 10:46 AM]
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REACH Singapore, [11/3/2025 11:00 AM]
📢 Topic 📢
In a customary speech at the end of the budget process on March 10, Minister Indranee Rajah noted that Singapore had passed an unprecedented 12 Budgets over the past five years, including five in 2020 to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic and chart a new way forward.
The Budgets approved in this term of government have “steadfastly steered Singapore through uncharted and choppy waters with decisiveness, agility and forward planning,” said Ms Indranee.
💬 What are your views on Singapore’s fiscal planning since 2020? How well do you think the Government is steering Singapore through today’s increasingly complex and difficult challenges?
📌 Five COVID-19 Budgets in 2020 and Three More in 2021
Ms Indranee called these years the “dark and bleak” start to the 14th Parliament when Singapore was still not fully out of lockdowns.
In 2020, the Government rolled out several Budgets named Unity, Resilience, Solidarity and Fortitude in the 13th term of Parliament and additional Budget measures in October at the height of the pandemic. Measures included a $6.6 billion Assurance Package and a $1.6 billion Care and Support Package to help ordinary Singaporeans cope.
The Emerging Stronger Together Budget in 2021 outlined a $107 billion plan to continue to cushion the effects of the pandemic.
“The Budgets of 2020 to 2021 enabled us to mount a strong public health response, secure early access to vaccines, and protect both lives and livelihoods,” said Ms Indranee. As a result, we achieved one of the lowest fatality rates and highest vaccination rates in the world, she noted.
📌2022 – 2023: Emerging from the Pandemic into an Unstable World
As the country emerged from the pandemic in 2022, battered but generally safe and ready to embark on its plans for reopening, it encountered global troubles such as the war in Ukraine and in the Middle East, which led to global inflation spiking and energy and food prices going up.
In 2022, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong topped up the Assurance Package to $640 million to help Singaporeans cope with the rising GST, which would increase to 9% by 2024. He also announced a $560 million Household Support Package.
In 2023, he again topped up the Assurance Package to $9.6 billion, to help Singaporeans deal with rising prices.
📌 2024 – 2025: Singapore in Transition and SG60
The Budgets in 2024 and 2025 “breathed life into the ideas co-created with Singaporeans in the Forward Singapore road map”, said Ms Indranee. These included making public housing more affordable and accessible, helping Singaporeans bounce back from career setbacks and pressing on with the nation’s green transition, she noted.
In 2024, Prime Minister Wong, who was deputy prime minister then, boosted the Assurance Package again by another $1.9 billion. This included an addition $600 in CDC vouchers for all Singaporean households. All Singaporeans aged 40 and above were given a $4,000 top-up in SkillsFuture Credit to help mid-career workers retool for the future.
Budget 2025 celebrated Singapore’s 60th year of independence with a SG60 package to recognise the contributions of all Singaporeans and share the benefits of the nation’s progress. In July, all Singaporeans aged 21 to 50 will receive $600 in SG60 vouchers, while those above 60 will get $800. To alleviate rising costs, PM Wong announced another $800 in CDC vouchers for all Singaporean households.
The latest two Budgets also returned to a projected surplus amid higher-than-expected takings from corporate taxes.
📌 A Future of Possibilities for All
As Singapore celebrates SG60, Ms Indranee said the country “can take quiet pride in how far (it has) come through the efforts of past and present generations of Singaporeans.”
She noted how Singapore was recently named the world’s most innovative country in a biennial ranking of 74 countries and how the country’s passport is “consistently ranked among the most powerful”.
REACH Singapore, [11/3/2025 11:00 AM]
Singapore’s Gini coefficient, after accounting for government taxes and transfers, is also “at its lowest in two decades”, while the country continues to “retain top spots globally in home ownership, PISA scores, healthy life expectancies and other important metrics”.
🔗 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/12-budgets-over-the-past-5-years-from-tackling-the-covid-19-pandemic-to-charting-the-future
🔗 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/budgets-approved-term-government-steered-singapore-through-uncharted-waters-indranee-4990776?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_11032025_cna
----
Adam, [11/3/2025 11:21 AM]
My eyes glazed over from the gaslighting
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:00 PM]
1. Singapore is the best performing government since 2020 covid until now.
2. The results speak for itself.
3. The accumulated budget surplus of more than $10 billion for the last 5 years in these trying time speak well as a prudent and responsible government - without incurring debt and yet able to dish out sufficient fiscal budget to help the population.
4. Many global governance indicators put us in the top spot.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:17 PM]
5. However going forward, the geopolitical landscape will not be so rosy.
6. US could experience a recession soon.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:18 PM]
"Trump declines to rule out 2025 US recession".
This is "own goal" - self inflicted damage.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/donald-trump-declines-rule-2025-us-recession-4989336#:~:text=Trump%20declines%20to%20rule%20out%202025%20US%20recession
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 12:19 PM]
It seems like trump wants to turn over the country and rebuild it
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 12:19 PM]
不破不立
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:19 PM]
He is doing something very dangerous.
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:23 PM]
People have been hugely dissatisfied with the way things has been going for a long time
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:23 PM]
You might say what hes doing is dangerous. But he promised change and is arguably delivering it
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:24 PM]
For better or worse. Change is coming
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:24 PM]
Thats what the americans voted for
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:25 PM]
The want change because they believe the current policies are working against them
Joomua Tng, [11/3/2025 12:25 PM]
what's going on? why suddenly mention trump.
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:25 PM]
Would only make sense. Wouldnt you vote for change if status quo feels horrible?
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:26 PM]
Somehow geopolitics came to discussion. Singapore will need to respond to whatever trump does
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:27 PM]
But also, perhaps pap might worry too that the trump ideologies of nativism and such might take root here.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:27 PM]
1. Singapore cannot rely fully on the US market and need to navigate ourselves out of the troubled water.
2. We need to find other brighter spots for growth.
Joomua Tng, [11/3/2025 12:28 PM]
let me read the articles shared by admin.
lets focus on the issue concerning us.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:29 PM]
3. We should take care of our own locals but yet gracious enough to welcome foreign talents that value add to our growth as our tfr fall.
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:29 PM]
We always known this. You can see we trade with all. However, the world is becoming more divisive. USA is starting to put teams of Us vs Them.
Will singapore risk us chip restrictions by cozying up more to mainland china?
365, [11/3/2025 12:31 PM]
I wouldn't complain about the past few years of budget, but I feel spending should be more conservative given the unstable geopolitics right now.
Need to be prepared for a big emergency, possibly one that is more impactful and longer than the pandemic.
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:32 PM]
Yeah we need focus on bread and butter
Adam, [11/3/2025 12:33 PM]
Feels like a waste when we are building founders memorial or doing big fireworks for ndp
365, [11/3/2025 12:34 PM]
Looking at possible recession, leading to lots of unemployment, or another round of high inflation again.
I suppose there are already efforts used to mitigate these, but is it sufficient or not its hard to tell for now.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:40 PM]
1. We need to find alternative market to sell our chips with US sanctions. Cannot sell to China which is our big market.
2. In longer term, we need to focus on R&D in chip design - so that we can manufacture our own chips and sell to China market without the threat of sanctions hanging on our neck.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:41 PM]
1. The possibility of stagflation is very real.
2. The phenomenon of stagnant growth and high inflation.
3. It could turn worst.
G, [11/3/2025 12:41 PM]
"today's increasingly complex and difficult challenges"
This phrase is often overused. When was the last time the world SG needed to navigate in wasn't complex nor difficult?
But this has been the backdrop and excuse for which to keep increasing govt spending, and relation to that, to keep increasing taxes resulting in increased costs of living
We often get news of this govt spending more on the claims of helping more. But the converse needs to happen too. Govt spend less so as to tax less, and this will help more
Let's paraphrase, and go from "teach less, learn more" to "spend less, help more"
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:43 PM]
1. If recession comes, one strategy is to increase government spending to stimulate multiplier effects - not to reduce spendings.
Reducing government spending will hasten the process of recession.
Trump and Elon Musk DOGE do irrational spending cuts that accelerated the looming recession.
2. Other parameters is to attract investment, spur consumption, increase exports and increase imports to spur production.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:44 PM]
1. Stagnant growth - is the indicator of recession looming.
2. Inflation is due to disruption of global supply chain - like what Trump did to the world with its ill informed tariffs.
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 12:46 PM]
I think America doesn't affect us much for now as we don't import our daily necessity much from us
365, [11/3/2025 12:46 PM]
Responding to point 1, that is when recession hits. For now, be conservative with the spending, so when recession hits, they have more leeway for spending to stimulate the market. It really is an observation stage right now, need to see how the geopolitics move and respond accordingly.
With the recent developments, really cannot fault anyone for not forseeing what is going to happen
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:48 PM]
America is the largest consumption country in the World.
Our exports of intermediate goods to China, ASEAN and other countries to facilitate manufacturing mostly ended up in US market.
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 12:48 PM]
What affect us more is the Ukraine Russia war where the price of food directly got impacted
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:49 PM]
I think our current government spendings with a few billion budget surplus is about right.
This few billions can be our reserve to spend if global recession hit.
365, [11/3/2025 12:51 PM]
The past year have been well, and I hope it can continue before the impending major shifts in the economy
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:51 PM]
Food prices indeed is trigger by war, supply disruption and global climate.
But manufacturing is one of our largest engine for growth - form a big part of our economy.
The manufacturing sector contributes roughly 20-25% to Singapore's GDP.
So if US recession hit, the impact can be quite big.
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 12:51 PM]
At most another great depression
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 12:53 PM]
Cannot be great depression - too pessimistic. Double digits percentage dip in GDP.
But recession - single percent dip is possible and bad enough.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:09 PM]
1. What did Trump do wrong that could trigger a growing healthy US economy into a looming recession?
2. Trump appointed Elon Musk to do a massive cut in government spendings - target about $2 trillion.
Government spending is a multipler variable for growth.
The moment spendings are cut in which productive spending (instead of targeted right sizing) that spur economic growth, demultiplier effects kicks in - causing circular flow of income to implode inwards - as business activities, business confidence and consumer confidence take a hit.
Consumers refuse or unable to spend, business refuse to produce more and refuse to hire as consumption fall, investors refuse to invest as economy stop growing.
3. Trade - export is the factor for spurring manufacturing activities within US. Because order will be manufactured for export - creating jobs.
If tariffs are imposed on other countries, other countries retaliate and will curb US exports to other countries.
As Tariffs are levy on US imports, prices of intermediate goods for production will also get hit - reducing manufacturing activities.
All these will trigger a domino effects on production activities and race towards recession.
Because trade - export and import are 2 big multiplier effects that spur GDP growth.
4. So with government spending hit, trade - export and import hit, consumer spending drop, investment stop - all 5 multiplier variables that spur economic growth implode inwards - a recipe for a big recession to come.
All begin with Trump big government spending cuts and his tariff war.
One lead to another.
A country run by someone who don't know economic but act like a dictator - is a sure way for the country to die faster.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:13 PM]
1. So what Trump did is dangerous - he singlehandedly hammer US economy into a possible recession.
2. And he fires many federal staff who are technocrats that can run the economy.
3. Trump and Elon Musk are businessmen and not economists.
What they do go against all economic principles.
And will plunge US into an economic abyss pulling down the Global economy with him.
365, [11/3/2025 1:15 PM]
Ideally we want to avoid any single country holding a majority of our trade, need to diversify our trade partners.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:16 PM]
This is the long term goal we need to achieve.
Currently our trade, investment, finances in dollars are too dependent on US.
365, [11/3/2025 1:19 PM]
From singstat website, 2023 import from us is 108 bil, while the next highest is EU at 42.2 bil
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:20 PM]
You mean we import from US?
365, [11/3/2025 1:20 PM]
It's higher than EU, China and Japan combined
365, [11/3/2025 1:20 PM]
Yes
365, [11/3/2025 1:20 PM]
Export is at 51.1 bil
365, [11/3/2025 1:20 PM]
Export is not so lop-sided
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:21 PM]
I think we import alot of high end products and intermediate goods that will enhance our manufacturing activities and productivity.
This will be good for us.
But going forward, we don't know what will happen.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:22 PM]
Our services to US is bigger than export.
365, [11/3/2025 1:22 PM]
Yeah, can't depend on this to go on long term, given how unstable it is in US now
365, [11/3/2025 1:23 PM]
If I'm reading it correctly, the value is inclusive of services exported
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:23 PM]
Oh is it?
365, [11/3/2025 1:23 PM]
It's how I interpret the website, it's not so clear
365, [11/3/2025 1:24 PM]
Top import by commodity is machinery and transport equipment, makes sense
365, [11/3/2025 1:26 PM]
Actually, 51.1 bil is services only, my bad
365, [11/3/2025 1:26 PM]
Same for the export figure I gave just now
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:27 PM]
So we are still the net importer from US.
But US products are high tech.
Good for our productivity.
365, [11/3/2025 1:28 PM]
Net export actually, is just service side we are net importer
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:29 PM]
I read from Google and Meta AI, they also give me conflicting figures.
I can't interpret correctly.
365, [11/3/2025 1:29 PM]
I wonder what's the government's position on brics, US is threatening countries not to join brics, yet they've proven to be unfriendly to even their closest ally this year
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:30 PM]
Singapore's services exports to the US are significant, but whether they're bigger than exports depends on the specific year and data.
In 2017, Singapore's services exports to the US were valued at $13.2 billion, with transportation, other business services, and insurance services being the largest components ¹. On the other hand, Singapore's goods exports to the US were $32.9 billion in 2023 ¹.
However, the US services exports to Singapore were worth $21.6 billion in 2017, with other business services, royalties, and license fees being the largest components ¹. This suggests that the US services exports to Singapore might be larger than Singapore's services exports to the US.
To get a clearer picture, we'd need more up-to-date data on services exports. Nevertheless, it's evident that both countries have significant trade relationships, with goods exports playing a substantial role ¹.
Source :- Meta AI
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:31 PM]
I think for now, we don't step in to BRICS first.
Because now not conducive.
Also upside not alot.
Downside very big.
Because we have already sign FTA with almost all the nations in BRICS.
No point to join now.
365, [11/3/2025 1:33 PM]
Personally don't like the US throwing their weight around just because USD is the main trading currency, but no choice still have to acknowledge that we are heavily impacted by them now.
Joomua Tng, [11/3/2025 1:40 PM]
Right, as the world goes, is only in question between equals in power, while the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.
- Thucydides
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 1:54 PM]
1. That is why I say, we must support our government and ensure all the best Ministers are elected come election.
2. We cannot afford to play around with our votes - just want more opposing voices in the government or just to irritate the government because we are not happy with some policies.
3. We need all the best brains in the Government to ride the rough seas ahead of us.
4. Find new market, new investment, new sources for growth, continue to create jobs for us as the geopolitical scene are turning more and more nasty.
Shield and cushion us from inflation and stagnant growth - Stagflation.
5. Opposing voices can come from the NMP and NCMP.
As well as check and balance from REACH participants.
6. I think what we are facing ahead of us - can be seismic that need the best brains to anchor us into a calmer water.
7. Because if we want to punish our government using our votes, we could be punishing ourselves, our future and our children.
Trump and Brexit are good example of voters' regrets at a seismic scale.
여자친구, 첫사랑 🏆, [11/3/2025 2:11 PM]
Point 5 😭😭??!?!
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 2:31 PM]
Compared with many other advanced economies, Singapore’s public sector is lean with government spending under 20 per cent of gross domestic product.
The Singapore Public Service also has a Manpower Management Framework that constrains overall public sector headcount growth in line with resident labour force growth.
As of 2023, there were around 152,000 public officers working in ministries and statutory boards, a modest 9 per cent increase from about 139,000 a decade before.
Source:- CNA news
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 2:35 PM]
"US stocks plunge on recession fears, Nasdaq sees worst day since 2022"
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-stock-market-recession-nasdaq-worst-new-york-trump-4991666#:~:text=US%20stocks%20plunge%20on%20recession%20fears%2C%20Nasdaq%20sees%20worst%20day%20since%202022
Adam, [11/3/2025 2:45 PM]
Who says people are playing around with their votes. If you think people are 'playing around' why even have a democracy? If gov is always right we can have the benevolent dictatorship.
The gov serves the people. If the people are not satisfied, or dont think the gov is serving them, then what is the gov for.
Yes we want the best minds, but can we trust the best minds to serve us? Thats why we vote. Not just on paper qualifications but their character too. We dont want corporate interests and conflict or corrupt politicians 'serving' the nation.
Just look at what they argue for. Do they talk down to citizens? Maybe think their school is superior? Perform intellectual dishonesty to their stakeholders? We need a govt that is not just smart, but responsible and accountable for its citizens. Sure they might not be perfect but at least take responsibility for mistakes and work to fix them instead of pretending things are ok
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 2:55 PM]
Government needs to win the trust of the people.
And people need to assess whether the government is indeed working for the good of the people.
This is how we decide whether we want the government to represent us - which in turn determine the basis on how we vote.
At the same time, we need to assess the credibility of the oppositions.
Are they credible, are their alternative policies able to benefit us or make us worst.
This is the basis of whether voters should give them our votes or not.
Votes should not be given to oppositions as a free ride just because people are unhappy with some aspects of government policies even though oppositions' policies could make us worse.
Hence only then a mature democracy will serve our purpose.
Throwing a reject vote will be better than giving to oppositions if the oppositions policies are no better or worst off.
This is my real message about "not playing with our votes" in a mature democracy.
We demand high standard from our government.
Equally and fairly, we should demand the same high standard from our oppositions.
If oppositions win through free rides just because we are unhappy with some aspects of the government policies, and not through the merits of the oppositions, then we are shooting ourselves on our foot - and not the hallmark of a mature democracy.
Because oppositions policies will harm us and government will be forced to implement populist policies to retain governance - that will be detrimental to us, our future and our children.
This is the biggest trap of malfunction democracy and not a mature democracy.
Trump and Brexit are full blown shining examples of the product of a malfunction democracy.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 2:58 PM]
Look at what happen to US.
US economy is booming and people having full employment under Biden administration.
But many voters not happy with Biden administration because of high inflation.
Voters decide to give the vote to Trump to want inflation to be lowered instead of spoiling their votes.
End up now seismic voters' regrets - it backfire on the voters that want lower inflation.
Now end up:-
1. Voters lose their jobs.
2. Even Higher inflation.
3. World turn hostile towards them.
4. Stock market crash.
5. Economy going down with looming inflation.
6. Welfare benefits cut.
Backfire very badly.
REACH Singapore, [11/3/2025 3:04 PM]
📢 Topic 📢
Xtra, [11/3/2025 3:14 PM]
Wow lots of changes to the electoral boundaries! Anyone here affected? 🤔
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/ge2025-ebrc-grc-smc-general-election-boundary-changes-4992551?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_11032025_cna
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:25 PM]
I disagree with only nmp and ncmp as opposition
I do agree to vote by people not by party. The party may be opposition but if the member of it is good why not elect him. One example is jamus. I find that he is a standard MP, giving good opposition voice.
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:26 PM]
While some opposition only knows how to attack gov which I will not vote
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 3:27 PM]
Jamus economic policies are flaw by a few count - and if implemented will harm us.
He could be a good mp but a bad policy maker.
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:28 PM]
I am not economist but I feel that there is an alternative voice which prompt gov to explain better their rationale and why they did not take up the suggestions.
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:29 PM]
What gov bad in explaining their policy
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:31 PM]
We need more junior professionals in parliament to debate different solutions
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:45 PM]
What say you about lawrance wong strategies while he was in mnd to prevent oversupply in hdb?
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:46 PM]
Or the chairman of smrt not wanting to 'overmaintain'
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:47 PM]
Maybe they really are doing whats best for the country
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:48 PM]
Idk what this country is to them, but to those on the ground, they are out of touch
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:50 PM]
Maybe what we need is them riding in trains, or trying to budget their meals and rent
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:50 PM]
Ofc the smartest in society wont face these issues
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:50 PM]
Maybe they should try surviving with a monthly salary of 3000
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:53 PM]
Working 9-5 in office ot to meet the people... Etc
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:53 PM]
Force to attend parliament session
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:54 PM]
If not every time parliament looks empty
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:54 PM]
Does parliament needs to be that big anyway?
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:54 PM]
Why do we have so much mayors?
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:55 PM]
Do we even need mayor
Kai Bin, [11/3/2025 3:55 PM]
Don’t think so
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:55 PM]
Also we have best minds in gov, but they are working part time job being directors
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:55 PM]
Poor thing need extra income
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:56 PM]
I also nsf cannot work outside
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:56 PM]
Wonder if they can fully commit to governance
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 3:58 PM]
What are the roles of mayor
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 3:58 PM]
I have jotted a few alternative policies proposed by Jamus in which he champion in Parliament and a few by WP MPs (some are economic policies he can influence as economist but he supported them).
They are:-
1. Minimum wages (without productivity growth) - make our labor forces uncompetitive and drive up business cost and consumer cost.
2. Use more nirc 60% - no GST hike. And use up reserves meant for our future generations.
3. Retrenchment insurance (with no incentive or push for re-employment and training). End up more workers will drop out of the workforce.
4. Use Land sales to finance recurrent fiscal budget & raiding our reserves as land supply is finite.
5. No GST tax - lose Government tax transfer and redistribution of wealth to lower Gini coefficient. And impact our fiscal sufficiency.
6. Nationalisation of public transport during MRT fault - drain taxpayers money, lead to inefficiency, lose opportunities to venture into overseas market.
7. Use money laundering confiscated proceeds to compensate scam victims instead of setting up Trust fund to earn income to fight scam and compensate scam victims.
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:59 PM]
Copilot:
In Singapore, mayors oversee the Community Development Councils (CDCs), which are responsible for fostering community bonds and supporting residents within their respective districts.
Adam, [11/3/2025 3:59 PM]
Tbh i havent really made good use of community resources
Adam, [11/3/2025 4:00 PM]
I cant really bond with my neighbours either. They change every 6 months
Adam, [11/3/2025 4:02 PM]
These are probably a start of discussion. Sure they may be flawed but you have pap to keep in check. They will not wholesale take it.
What pap will do is take segments and make their own new policy that is similar so they can take credit. Overall singapore still benefits from oppo doing this
Adam, [11/3/2025 4:04 PM]
Another issue is the current gov keeps a tight lip on its resources and reasons. Yeah it may be for harmony or national defence or whatever excuse but really how to counter them when all they argue is 'father knows best'
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 4:05 PM]
REACH participants can question and do check and balance.
NCMP and NMP can question them in Parliament and can vote to support or oppose.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 4:06 PM]
If the policies are flaw, don't raise it - because gullible people are fool to support - like what happens to Trump and Brexit.
It will harm us.
Like Trump tariffs, mass firing of federal staff, drive out foreign workers, high inflation still cut interest, cut tax and make inflation higher.
Brexit, politicians sell self governance and exit from EU a big market - now backfire.
Voters vote for their flaw policies that backfire on them and harm them.
If we demand high standard from the government, similarly we must demand high standard from the oppositions especially elected oppositions.
Don't expect a free ride from the oppositions and expect PAP to correct them, because one fluke election - WP is going to govern using all their flaw policies - and it will be the end of everyone here.
If we want to uphold a mature democracy, we better set high standards for the government and the oppositions.
No free ride.
If they cannot make the mark of an elected MP then stay as NCMP or NMP.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 4:08 PM]
In Singapore, a Member of Parliament (MP) who is also a Mayor plays a significant role in serving the residents in their respective districts. There are five districts in Singapore, each helmed by a Mayor who also serves as the Chairman of the Community Development Council (CDC) in that district ¹.
The roles of a Mayor in Singapore include:
- *Chairing the Community Development Council*: The Mayor chairs the CDC, which aims to promote community development and social cohesion in their district.
- *Serving as a Member of Parliament*: Mayors are also MPs, representing their constituents' interests in Parliament.
- *Community Engagement*: Mayors engage with residents, community groups, and voluntary welfare organizations to understand their needs and concerns.
- *Promoting Community Development*: Mayors promote community development initiatives, such as education, healthcare, and social welfare programs.
- *Budget Management*: Mayors oversee the budget of their CDC, allocating resources to support community development projects.
Some notable Mayors in Singapore include:
- *Ms Low Yen Ling*: Mayor of South West District and Chairman of South West CDC
- *Ms Denise Phua Lay Peng*: Mayor of Central Singapore District and Chairman of Central Singapore CDC
- *Mr Desmond Choo*: Mayor of North East District and Chairman of North East CDC ¹
Source :- Meta AI
Adam, [11/3/2025 4:13 PM]
If we dont raise proposal until its perfect then when? In covid the gov has to make quick action. Sure its not perfect but there is choices to be made and the gov is looking at options
Adam, [11/3/2025 4:13 PM]
Now perhaps it is 'peace" for you, but for many they are dissatisfied
Adam, [11/3/2025 4:14 PM]
Is the gov gonna MONITOR the situation?
Adam, [11/3/2025 4:14 PM]
Maybe those who complain that hdb too expensive can wait patiently for gov to fix things in a decade then start a family in their 40s
Adam, [11/3/2025 4:15 PM]
Or those that complain met not maintained enough can wait for new lines to come for redundancy
Adam, [11/3/2025 4:16 PM]
The oppo is not perfect, but at least they are trying to solve things. Maybe thats why they have supporters.
Pap seems to pretend things are ok. Then if its not ok they try to deflect. Dunno if its dome internal culture to avoid getting fired
G, [11/3/2025 4:16 PM]
Yeah.. we have seen since 2020, parliament and representation was ok despite so many vacant MP seats. If anything, total number of MPs should have stayed the same as 2020
Adam, [11/3/2025 4:16 PM]
See the response of the nric issue. At least now they are acknowledging it ill give them that
G, [11/3/2025 4:19 PM]
Quite rich, since you have, on numerous occasions, made disparaging remarks on those who questioned😏
G, [11/3/2025 4:21 PM]
Not just that, but we can also see that when oppos ask pointed clarification questions, they get gaslit and / or mocked and / or having their character questioned, and then their questions go unanswered
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 4:23 PM]
Of all the oppositions that I find really good are Low Thia Kiang and Chiam See Tong.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 4:24 PM]
Of course, the best and most outstanding oppositions in Singapore history that I really respect is Lee Kuan Yew and his fellow colleagues.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 4:24 PM]
These are oppositions that deserves to be the elected MPs.
G, [11/3/2025 4:26 PM]
Too bad those days of solid PAP politicians are well over.
They battled in SMCs, no such thing as GRCs, they had to prove their worth by themselves, no option of riding on coat tails
Hanny, [11/3/2025 4:34 PM]
The world is charting into unknown territories.
We don’t know what will happen economically and politically.
AI is making extreme progress in many directions. I know because I’m into AI.
We need stability in the house. We need cool heads to manage our resources.
We need cool heads to lead the ministries.
Smart talk is not enough.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 4:37 PM]
Yes.
AI will be a formidable challenge to our workforce.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 4:39 PM]
If Agentic AI (AGI) (Artificial General Intelligence) is to come into force, our workforce really need to be ready to secure our jobs.
Now we are in the era of GAI (Generative AI), AI trained in datasets - already replacing 4,000 temp jobs in banking that have impacted customer service, compliance, marketing.
AGI could be more challenging.
For information, AGI is the branch of AI that can think, learn and solve problems without the need to be trained on preset datasets example could be through Reinforcement Learning, Deep Learning, Multi-Modal AI or other means whereby AI scientists are still experimenting.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 4:41 PM]
Our government is beefing up training and providing solutions to such AI challenges.
Wonder what is the opposition's solutions and response to the AI challenges?
Berry R, [11/3/2025 4:41 PM]
https://www.straitstimes.com/multimedia/graphics/2025/03/singapore-general-election-ward/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=telegram&utm_campaign=sttg
Berry R, [11/3/2025 4:42 PM]
major changes in both east and west
Berry R, [11/3/2025 4:44 PM]
apparently due to increase in voter numbers. wonder if the population growth in the redrawn regions were significant enough for all these changes 🤷♀️
G, [11/3/2025 5:10 PM]
This is true all the time, at every election
We don't need stability in the house, we need people who can best navigate the unknown without spending excessively.
The 1G PAP were brilliant at navigating the unknown without excessive spending.
The same can't be said of this 4G PAP
Adam, [11/3/2025 5:11 PM]
Yeah i heard this being repeated so much times
Adam, [11/3/2025 5:11 PM]
Every year got something new
Adam, [11/3/2025 5:11 PM]
Current gov did some good some bad
Adam, [11/3/2025 5:12 PM]
Buy sometimes the bad are so glaringly obvious, one wonders where were the check and balances
Adam, [11/3/2025 5:13 PM]
Or is the gov run by yes men who just do things blindly
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 5:18 PM]
A balanced budget is not spending excessively.
A surplus budget is a prudent budget with savings.
Spending excessively is one that is budget deficits finance by debts.
In fact Singapore is one of the rare few countries in the world that has budget surplus in this government term.
Many countries are budget in deficit finance by large debts. Some running into trillions of dollars. And the debt load to be bear by the younger generations.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 5:22 PM]
A large fiscal budget spendings with surplus indicate that our economy has grown overtime into a bigger economy with healthy savings.
That means, our population are wealthier.
Small spendings indicate lesser government revenue and smaller economy.
It means our population is less well off as our revenue draw from tax from the economy is smaller.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 5:29 PM]
In layman term,
1. If last time, I earn $4,000 a month, I spend less $2,000. And $2,000 go into my savings.
2. If now I earn more eg. $10,000 a month, I can afford to spend more $5,000. And yet I can save more $5,000.
That means, our government is doing well, grow our reserves and yet benefitting the population with more spendings.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 5:37 PM]
1. Hence right analogy, right critical thinking - right conclusion.
2. Wrong analogy, wrong analysis - wrong conclusion. Misled readers.
Black become White. White become Black.
ChewyRuza, [11/3/2025 5:41 PM]
Now I think that’s shallow. What I would agree is that in general, we have very tight control of the way we spend money. That doesn’t equate to a more wealthy population. It could simply mean very deliberate policies to control spending.
We do need to recognise that wealth inequality is present and may be getting wider. That’s something that needs to be looked into.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 5:45 PM]
Yes agree.
My comments is in general.
Means overall wealth of the country grow.
But income inequality could be present. Some are wealthier than others.
Agree to the response.
ChewyRuza, [11/3/2025 5:57 PM]
Yup. But we gotta admit really that the government did pretty well in many things. However, as we talk about how some opposition members are not suitable for MP, we also need to recognise not all PAP MPs are very good as well.
My side, I am very glad because I see a lot of activity and people are being helped so… all good for me :)
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 5:59 PM]
We set high standards for our politicians - it must apply to both sides - incumbent or oppositions - not one sided.
We must be critical but also must provide some leeways for improvement and allow experimentation mistake especially in new uncharted areas.
This apply to both incumbent and oppositions.
ChewyRuza, [11/3/2025 6:05 PM]
That’s very fair. Let’s hope our government contributes to be of good standing and have strong values and foresight guiding the country. The upcoming elections will be pretty exciting I feel
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 6:08 PM]
The reason, both incumbent or oppositions can form the government.
Eg. Lky and his colleagues in the early days are oppositions and win the government from Lim yew hock whose policies are flaw that lead to unrest in Singapore.
Hence we cannot lower our standards for politicians (be it the incumbent or oppositions) and civil service.
Because they are elected to govern us.
We deserve the best.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 6:43 PM]
I think we also need to be reasonable in our expectations and demands.
We cannot ask for the sky when good progress is made by the government.
If genuine mistakes are made along the way, admit the mistake and allow improvement to be made without resorting to witch hunting.
This apply the same to the oppositions.
Likewise I hope to see a more enlightened oppositions that can propose genuine workable policies in Parliament, not just only asking questions, check only.
To date I have yet to see one that excite me.
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 6:47 PM]
Does the minister or anyone reply directly here. Does our feedback actually value?
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 6:48 PM]
Yes they do read.
And in fact some ideas are adopted.
I keep a record of it.
But minister don't reply to this forum.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 6:54 PM]
However I do meet ministers in town hall and over zoom.
In fact in one instance provide feedback directly to minister appointed ministry staff when the minister assign a staff during the town hall after she find the idea workable.
Which is the money lock.
Also cloth face mask input come from REACH - to prevent covid from spreading and protecting population in general. When surgical face masks in short supply and vaccine not yet ready.
Government adopted. Thanks to Mdm Ho Ching who step up to support the improvised cloth face mask. She say something to the tune that "good enough is better than perfect" under the situation of mask shortage. (Can't remember the exact phrase she used).
My close friend submitted many scientific studies and data to support cloth mask can prevent the spread of covid. Up to 95% and even 99% if put up more filter and layers in the cloth face masks.
Subsequently the world follow Singapore example begin with shinzo abe cute white cloth mask. And issue 2 to each household by the Japan government.
This improvised cloth face masks save millions of human lives globally while waiting for the vaccines and availability of more surgical masks.
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 6:56 PM]
Other input are more subtle, only see the adoption over the news.
Eg. Budget meal from food stall $3, $3.50 type. Adopt wholesale. Up to the label decal.
Vending machine budget meal in HDB void deck. But use central kitchen instead of aggregator collecting from food stalls - could be fearful of bacteria lead to food poisoning in the process of collection and packaging. Central kitchen packaging and food handling more controlled and more hygiene I guess.
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 6:56 PM]
Actually for voting wise what people on ground looking at is bread and butter issue. Not too much of politics. Small things such as how fast faulty things get changed and repair impact voting
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 6:58 PM]
For example if your corridor light bulb faulty how fast they change your light bulb when you report it.
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 6:59 PM]
Mine change within 2days but I heard from my friends 2 weeks they haven't change yet in other constituency
LCL (Danny 心), [11/3/2025 6:59 PM]
One service apps report - change within 2 days.
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 7:00 PM]
It goes down all the way to RC chairman willing to fight for the residents
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 7:01 PM]
Willing to take extra mile
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 7:02 PM]
For example my RC every block have a WhatsApp group
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 7:02 PM]
I am proud
Adam, [11/3/2025 7:03 PM]
Where is my whatsapp group😭
Adam, [11/3/2025 7:03 PM]
Idk what my one is doing
Khai Mun L., [11/3/2025 7:06 PM]
Start one or volunteer at your RC.
Same concept in work, if things not moving, might as well do it myself. Haha
Adam, [11/3/2025 7:07 PM]
I got my own family to support where got time to volunteer
Jun Ming, [11/3/2025 7:09 PM]
Got verification process pdpa need RC then can do
Khai Mun L., [11/3/2025 7:12 PM]
Then wait lor.. just like my promotion/bonus. Haha
REACH Singapore, [11/3/2025 8:45 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, [11/3/2025 9:01 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 😊
====
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