REACH (Telegram) 98 - What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which area interests you the most?
(SK)
24 Sep 2025 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 10:45 am]
Dear Contributors,
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Megan 😊
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 11:01 am]
📢 Topic 📢
Parliament will sit today (24 Sep) at 11.30am. Members of Parliament will be raising questions on a number of issues including healthcare costs, the current socially-conscious enterprise hawker centre model, and Autonomous Vehicles (AVs).
💬 What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which area interests you the most?
📌Healthcare Costs📌
Integrated Shield Plan (IP) is a private medical insurance plan, offered by private insurers, that provides additional coverage on top of what is under MediShield Life.
In a press release by the Ministry of Health (MOH) on 15 October 2024, the Government accepted recommendations to enhance the MediShield Life scheme to better protect Singaporeans against major health episodes that result in large medical bills. The premiums to support the enhancements would also need to increase starting from April 2025.
Members of Parliament (MPs) submitted questions on whether the Government will consider reviewing the regulatory framework for Integrated Shield Plans, what the Government’s follow ups are from recent unilateral changes by Integrated Shield Plan insurers, and how the Ministry of Health intends to address issues of escalating private healthcare costs, insurance premiums, and insurers refusing pre-authorisation certificates at certain hospitals.
📌Socially-Conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres (SEHC)📌
SEHCs are hawker centres run by socially-conscious enterprises, who leverage their expertise in food & beverage and lease management, and introduce new ideas and innovative practices to achieve the social mission of hawker centres. Operators of SEHCs have committed that all stalls will provide at least one affordable meal option as part of their tender commitment. Hawkers have the flexibility to price other food items.
In Parliament on 13 November 2024, then Senior Minister of State for Sustainability and the Environment Koh Poh Koon said that the context for the SEHC model was to help newer hawkers succeed, which required good visitorship, a diverse food mix that responded to evolving needs, and long-term viability.
MPs filed questions on whether there will be a review of the practice of SEHC operators requiring hawkers to absorb the 10 percent discount offered to customers paying via the operator apps, if the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) would review the current responsibility distributed for providing affordable and nutritious meals to low-income patrons between SEHC operators, their stallholders, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and consumers, and whether NEA intends to review the current SEHC model and contractual terms with operators and stallholders.
📌 Transport: Autonomous Vehicles (AV) Trials 📌
Self-driving vehicles will be deployed across the island in the next five years, to strengthen the public transport network. It is a key plank in Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow’s plan to make public transport more attractive by reducing journey times to work, especially for those living in Housing Board estates farther from the city centre. Autonomous vehicles (AVs) will be trialled in Punggol from the fourth quarter of this year. A 17-member steering committee chaired by Acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow has been formed to guide the progressive roll-out of AVs in Singapore.
MPs submitted questions on success and safety measures of the AV trials, what benefits there are to Singapore’s public transport system from deploying AVs in the future, and how driving-related jobs and job roles are affected by the AV strategy.
👉 https://www.moh.gov.sg/managing-expenses/schemes-and-subsidies/integrated-shield-plans/about-integrated-shield-plans
👉 https://www.moh.gov.sg/newsroom/government-accepts-medishield-life-council-s-recommendations-to-enhance-medishield-life-scheme---government-support-more-than-offsets-premium-increases
👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/what-social-enterprise-hawker-centre-mp-asks-parliament-920906
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 11:01 am]
👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/government-sets-out-ways-it-helps-sustain-hawker-culture-alleviate-cost-pressures-on-sporeans
👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/autonomous-vehicles-public-transport-punggol-5209136
👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/singapore-aims-to-ramp-up-autonomous-vehicle-use-to-boost-public-transport-network?ref=inline-article
👉 https://www.parliament.gov.sg/docs/default-source/order-paper/orderpaper---24sep2025.pdf
----
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 11:02 am]
[ Poll : Which issue(s) are you most interested in for today's Parliament sitting? Share your reasons in the chat! (You may choose more than one option.) ]
- Healthcare Costs
- Socially-Conscious Enterprise Hawker Centres
- Autonomous Vehicles Trials
- Others (please share your views in the chats below)
G, [24/9/2025 11:29 am]
Autonomous vehicles:
Hard to reach places in Punggol: wait for "driverless" with on board "safety operator" shuttles that you have to pay
Hard to reach places in marine parade: we hear you. Here. Free shuttle.
😂
G, [24/9/2025 11:41 am]
SEHC
It seems like the impetus for having SEHC is to be more socially conscious, keeping food more affordable.
But looking at KF seetoh's posts, it seems there are more "misc" line item costs to doing business compared to if hawkers rent from NEA.. things like mandatory rental of POS equipment, installing CCTVs at hawkers' cost etc, leading to highe cost of doing business compared to renting from NEA
How does higher business cost to hawkers translate to keeping food more affordable?
How is SEHC still relevant?
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 11:44 am]
Further illustration using examples to show HDB flats is a 2 generations flat - VERs or no VERs for clarity.
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 11:44 am]
*Without VERs*
1. Couple married at 30 years old, get BTO flat 99 years lease buy 5-room flat at $500,000.
2. Assume have 1 child 3 years later and 2nd child 1 year later.
3. Couple passed on at 95 years old, lease used remaining 34 years.
4. Both children will be 63 years old and 62 years old respectively.
5. With 34 years lease, both children can stay at the flat up to 96 years old and 95 years old and pass on.
6. This is 2 generation inheritance serve by HDB flat without VERs.
7. Total capital outlay $500,000 for 2 generation - 4 persons shelter.
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 11:44 am]
*With VERs*
1. Couple married at 30 years old, get BTO flat 99 years lease buy 5-room flat at $500,000.
2. Assume have 1 child 3 years later and 2nd child 1 year later.
3. Assume VERs kick in with 20 years remaining lease by law.
4. Couple passed on at 95 years old, lease used remaining 34 years.
5. Both children will be 74 years old and 73 years old respectively at 20 years remaining lease.
6. Assume VERs law say only original couple can stay on VERs flat, no inheritance to children allow.
7. This means both children at advanced age of 74 years and 73 years old will have to apply for 2 single flats at $300,000 x 2 and will kick out from the VERs flat by VERs law.
8. Total capital outlay $500,000 + $300,000 + $300,000 = $1.1 million for 2 generation - 4 persons shelter.
9. That means this 4-person household don't get any benefits from VERs but suffer double whammy loss:-
a. Losing the right to stay in VERs house if VERs.
b. Cough out additional $300,000 x 2 = $600,000 at advanced age of 70 years plus of money to live through end of life.
A couple have to spend a lifetime to accumulate enough money to pay off a flat.
How to expect 2 children of advanced age to cough out their life saving (or even have such a huge savings) to buy 2 additional single flats just to stay for another decade before passing because of Vers?
c. 99 years lease shorten to 79 years due to 20 years Vers kick in to relocate - and displacing the children's right to shelter because of no inheritance right.
10. So anyone think can government of the day survive the political fallout from VERs under such VERs law or not?
11. Does VERs benefit Singaporeans or make Singaporeans life more difficult and much worst off?
12. Then should there even be VERs at all?
As VERs shortchange household badly rather than provide equal benefits or improvement over no VERs.
1 small policy mistake - but can cause 1 big consequence.
13. Then why not let the 99 years lease decay and lapse - whereby the parents and children will have enjoy the 2 generation shelter benefits as compare to VERs.
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 11:45 am]
Confirmation by HDB that HDB flats is a 2 generations flat.
VERs or no VERs cannot compromise this principle - the original mission and intent of HDB flats.
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 11:46 am]
Source:- Google AI
AI Overview
A 99-year lease on a Housing Development Board (HDB) flat in Singapore is designed to serve at least two generations, ensuring that land can be redeveloped for the needs of future generations, and maintain affordability in the long term. When a flat is sold, a new 99-year lease typically starts for the new owner, allowing the property to be passed down or sold to the next generation before the lease expires. However, the value of the flat decreases significantly as the lease dwindles.
How it serves two generations
Initial Purchase:
A 30-year-old homeowner, for example, would have ample time to live in the flat with their family for their lifetime.
Inheritance:
The remaining lease can then be passed down to the next generation, who can also use it for their lifetime, effectively extending the property's use over two generations.
The purpose of the 99-year lease
Land Recycling:
The lease allows the land to be returned to the state for redevelopment after the lease expires, ensuring new housing is available for future Singaporeans.
Affordability:
This system helps to keep public housing affordable by preventing the land from becoming freehold and limiting access to property ownership, which would lead to social division and inequality.
Rejuvenation:
It allows older housing estates to be rejuvenated and redeveloped to meet evolving needs, ensuring that Singapore's housing stock remains relevant.
Considerations for homeowners
Lease Depreciation: The value of an HDB flat diminishes as its lease runs down.
Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (https://www.google.com/search?client=ms-android-vivo-rvo3&hl=en-SG&cs=0&sca_esv=cb6c6d70115ecea7&sxsrf=AE3TifM1BNarzSSAU-T2z9_Mb6cpDwHxYg%3A1758658846789&q=Selective+En+bloc+Redevelopment+Scheme&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiIiqje2u-PAxX_yzgGHTX0AKkQxccNegQINBAB&mstk=AUtExfD8J_8xm0wiCDPZwZOcgk6WYChMLTA_mOwTdacE93pAaWmq0mP4iCw-5FSBoL_J0EMW5xd1__mgU-oqRtKF72MbQY4RsmBJuNDWysfhOBZXRlQT6RGN-K1jY3RIsp7_DJ-Uus5wESiyo7zVY7HTOuPlzcYyXSjaPc8I3s08KDPAFtQ&csui=3) (SERS): In some cases, older estates selected for SERS are acquired by the government for redevelopment, with compensation for owners, but this is a highly selective process.
A home for everyone: Maintaining the quality and value of your flat - gov.sg
21 Nov 2024 — HDB flats are sold on a 99-year lease to serve the needs of owners and their children, while ensuring that land can be redeveloped and new flats whic...
gov.sg
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 11:46 am]
This means VERs objective must not compromise HDB original intent and mission of using HDB flats to shelter 2 generations of our population.
And a 99 year lease flat come with the intent of inheritance from parents to children.
VERs cannot compromise this principle.
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 11:46 am]
HDB website
A home for everyone: Maintaining the quality and value of your flat | gov.sg
HDB flats are sold on a 99-year lease to serve the needs of owners and their children, while ensuring that land can be redeveloped and new flats which cater to the needs of future generations can be built on them.
https://share.google/yP4n1yetzFYVcn9e6
Jun Ming, [24/9/2025 1:08 pm]
For hawker centre I heard the budget meal comes out on the hawker own expense
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 1:12 pm]
Dear Contributors,
Please take a moment to participate in our polls and share your opinion. The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous and you can choose more than one option.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!
💬 What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which area interests you the most?
Thank you.
Megan 😊
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 2:02 pm]
📢 Topic 📢
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 2:40 pm]
Private healthcare insurers urged to relook overly generous products: MOH
👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/private-healthcare-insurers-urged-to-relook-overly-generous-products-moh
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 2:49 pm]
Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR MORE from you!
💬 What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which area interests you the most?
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 😊
RY, [24/9/2025 2:52 pm]
Parliament Sitting 24 September 2025
https://youtube.com/live/N797yVCogXM?si=YIQHPxlY2LnI1STV
RY, [24/9/2025 2:53 pm]
Listening to the live in YT
Adam, [24/9/2025 2:55 pm]
"However, as insurers are the one paying for almost the entire bill, there is a tendency for over-servicing and unnecessary treatments.
Ms Rahayu said that data backs this up. The likelihood of a patient with a private hospital rider making a claim is 1.4 times that of one without a rider. The size of the claim is also, on average, about 1.4 times that of a claim from somebody without a rider.
Adam, [24/9/2025 2:55 pm]
What argument is this? Is she telling people to go doctor less even if we feel sick?
Adam, [24/9/2025 2:56 pm]
Argh got accident. But cannot go doctor because wait time too long. Too expensive
Adam, [24/9/2025 2:56 pm]
Oh no got cold. Dun go doctor otherwise got covid and cannot travel
Adam, [24/9/2025 2:57 pm]
Dun go doctor to test for aids. Govt wont support and you will be in registry
Adam, [24/9/2025 2:59 pm]
Of course people will claim if they have the coverage. Otherwise why pay extra. We need to be concerned if they are unable to claim too
Adam, [24/9/2025 3:00 pm]
If they want to continue with this, i hope they elaborate on what this over-servicing and unnecessary treatments are
Adam, [24/9/2025 3:00 pm]
I would consider tcm as unecessary
Adam, [24/9/2025 3:00 pm]
Imagine if the gov tells singapore tcm is not necessary treatment
Adam, [24/9/2025 3:02 pm]
Overservicing? Im not sure what they mean too. Maybe private patients are entitled to the service of a personal room and toilet. Wholly unnecessary. Singaporeans only need a bunk and shared toilet like in army. No overservice
Adam, [24/9/2025 3:04 pm]
I also think the gov is focusing way too much on elderly and associated hospital cost
Adam, [24/9/2025 3:05 pm]
If the gov allows medisave to be spent on stuff for well being during adult years, maybe will be good
Adam, [24/9/2025 3:05 pm]
Its hard to keep healthy. Vegetable and fruit so expensive these days
Adam, [24/9/2025 3:06 pm]
What if cdc voucher exclusive for fruit and veg and healthy stuff redemption. Vet stores so that it serves at budget like at wet market. Not those hipster soy milk chia seed places
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 3:10 pm]
Socially conscious hawker centre model balances stallholder needs and operator flexibility: MSE
👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/hawkers-sehc-socially-conscious-bukit-canberra-5365701
RY, [24/9/2025 3:23 pm]
MOH may examine the rationale of the rising medishield premiums
Is the private hospitals/clinics/Dr over-charging to certain extend ?
It is impt that MOH step forward to build a cost framework guide, so as to reduce some private enterprise overcharging ....
Example - when patient discharge, the Discharge Memo shd be part of the discharge documents. However based on my personal experience, this private hospital did not pass to me upon discharge, and bec it is my 1st major surgery in private hospital, I didnt cross my mind that I have to ask, bec in govt hospitals discharge docs is auto-given upon discharge and dont require to ask. And I only realise it later when I require the discharge docs for some claimts. When I went back to this private hospital after my discharge, and request for my Discharge Memo, this private hospital ask me to pay hundreds for this Discharge Memo, and reason stating that I should have request for my discharge docs upon my hospital discharge day and not after, which I think is quite ridiculous. I learnt how profit-oriented is our SG private hospital, and to me this is over-charging to the patient
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 3:49 pm]
*Socially-Conscious Enterprise Hawker Centre (SEHC)*
1. I feel the SEHC objectives are to achieve :-
a. Social outcomes - to provide affordable food to lower income groups or vulnerables.
b. Make sufficient profit to sustain the SEHC business and make a living.
2. The 2 objectives are not mutually exclusive based on my observations around my neighbourhood. In fact, the 2 objectives complement one another.
3. Let me explain my observations.
4. Though my neighborhood food stalls are not SEHC operated, 3 stalls operate in SEHC mode - that is, they provide 1 budget meal ($3.50) - one nasi lemak, one bak chor mee stall and one wan tun mee stall.
5. I observe that both the nasi lemak and bak chor mees stall - that provide both budget meal and regular meal are doing very well. Reasons being :-
a. Budget conscious customers will buy budget meal.
As the price is quite affordable, many customers are attracted to the budget meal.
I noticed that the budget meal ingredients are minimal but still nutritious.
i. Nasi lemak budget meal is $3.50 (before covid it price at $3.40) - that comprise of coconut rice, 1 fried chicken wing, 1 fried egg and sprinkler of peauts plus lemak chilli. Very tasty and filling.
ii. Budget meal bak chor mee price at $3.50 (before covid $3) - comprise of kuay teow, mee por or mee kia with a few fish ball and some meat with a slice of vegetable plus soup - taste ok and filling.
Both stalls still make profit (long queue - I observe) because they operate at high volume, low price but still make profit.
iii. The wan tun mee stall budget meal ($3.50) - comprise of dry mee, few wan tung, 1 slice of vegetable --- though filling, don't taste as well.
Hence business is not doing as well compare to the above 2 stalls.
6. I also noticed that other customers also join the queue to buy higher price regular meal - eg. nasi lemak with other offerings like sausage, vege long bean, otak, fish cake, etc --- that can cost $5, $6, $7 etc depending on offerings.
Bak chor mee also sell other atas offerings like premium topups that can cost $5, $6 etc.
7. So my observation is that both SEHC mode of operation make these 2 stalls very profitable - nasi lemak employ 5 staff (& 1 lady boss).
Bak Chor mee has 2 staff and 1 boss.
These 2 stalls always long queue --- and I think they make good profit even though operating at SEHC mode.
Of course their foods also taste nice.
8. For me I bought hybrid - both budget meal and regular meal.
Budget meal for myself - to support the stall SEHC social-conscious cause.
Regular meal for my family members.
9. So some food activists conclusion that SEHC work against food stall owners interest and profitablility when commiting to social cause is not true based on my observations at my neighborhood.
10. SEHC food stall owners can achieve 2 objectives :-
a. Noble objective - to help lower income group and vulnerable --- the intent of noble cause must come from the "Heart".
b. Make sufficient profit to earn a living and continue with sustainable food business and provide good regular food to other customers that can afford.
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 4:01 pm]
📢 Topic 📢
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 4:11 pm]
*Affordable HealthCare Cost*
1. As all how human beings behaved with inherent 5 unwholesome streak (贪嗔痴慢疑) - as long as human don't have to pay or co-pay - human will abuse the services provided - akin to a buffet style.
(That is, have tendency to over-eat, over-service as long as we don't pay, eat until you are full, over full - as long as you don't have to pay or co-pay the excess) ---- because of human greed.
2. Likewise, for healthcare services (which are costly) - whether medical test, medication or supplies - as long as patients don't have to pay or co-pay - patients will demand all sort of tests, medication or supplies - just to be safe, just want a peace of mind, just want some medication as backup even though doctor's professional assessment deem not necessary.
1 MRI screening can cost $1,100 even in public hospital.
3. Public hospital doctors are more professional, appropriate and have a tendency not to overservice - in fact advise against overservicing even though patients demand it, and will issue discharge (not keeping patients in bed longer than necessary) or even end the treatment when patients has recovered.
4. Notice that private doctors and hospitals are doing the opposite - that have a tendency to overservice, overcharge - as profit is at the top of their mind in addition to treating patients.
5. So if private insurers provide whole bill payment (with no element of co-payment by the patients) --- it will be a recipe of runaway healhcare cost :-
a. Private hospital and doctors will over service - because patients agree (since I don't pay mah - insurers pay).
b. Private hospital and doctors laughing into the bank - the more service though some are not necessary, the longer the hospital stay - they earned more.
c. Insurers with the inital objective to gain more customer and dominate the market share --- suddenly see a sharp spike in medical claims.
6. End up, to be profitable, insurers will drastically hike their annual premium.
This time, the patients lose - because every year they pay higher and higher premium.
Insurers will come to a point not to honour their medical insurance - because it is a runaway cost and poke big holes into their profit.
7. Finally it will hit the private hospital and doctors, and the patients and the insurers - all lose as the runaway healthcare cost is unsustainable.
End up patients cannot get affordable healthcare.
8. Hence the Government stamping its foot down on overgenerous healthcare insurance is a timely to arrest the healthcare abuse trigger by overgenerous medical insurance that is not sustainable.
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 4:37 pm]
*Autonomous Driverless AV vehicles*
1. The Acting Minister focusing on AV vehicles, MRT and public hires --- are the right focus in providing affordable transport to the whole public at large.
2. In fact, if our transport system do well in a reliable MRT and bus services - that can transport high volume of commuters.
3. Easy accessible private hires like AV vehicles, taxis and private hires 24 hours - for commuters that need private dedicated services on call :- eg.
a. Household that need to transport elderly or disabled for medical cares, to dedicated places.
b. Transport children to pre-schools, schools.
c. Buying groceries
d. Whole family go outing to any part of Singapore
4. Then it will be more superior than WP opposition alternative policy proposal to want the Nation and taxpayers to subsidise these groups for cheaper COE to own cars at the expenses of the whole population and taxpayers.
5. Imagine WP proposal that :-
a. COE bidders got to reduce COE quota and set aside COE to accomodate - household for elderly, school children, household that needs to buy groceries.
Which famiilies don't have elderly, school children and household that need to buy groceries?
Also what make these 3 categories of household special that need special treatment at the expense of the rest of taxpayers that need to subsidise their COEs while they enjoy their car ownership privilege and clog the roads?
Other needs not important? Eg. business or workers that need cars to travel excessively to bid for business and contribute to the Economy and GDP not important?
b. WP logic of carving out the COE needs for 3 special categories are flaw.
c. If special subsdies are accorded to these 3 categories for cheaper COE, it means :-
i. Lesser COE revenues are collected from COE - that means less money to improve the MRT, buses, AV vehicles, more MRT lines, newer buses and more AV vehicles to benefit the majority of the population - when these 3 categories enjoy the car ownership privilege.
ii. That means taxpayers money pay more tax - as tax revenue are channel to these WP identified 3 privilege groups - for car ownership.
iii. Other COE bidders will have even more reduced COE - due to quota eaten up by these 3 categories - resulting in even higher COE prices.
iv. More congestion to the roads contributed by the 3 categories - when they can take taxi, private hire, AV for specialised services shared by the public rather than have the whole car by themselves - and most of the time not used - unlike private hires.
v. Deprive business users and workers that need the cars to contribute to our GDP and Economy and keep many workers employed with jobs.
No jobs everyone suffer.
d. If these 3 categories feel strongly that only private cars can meet their needs - and even 24 hours on call taxis, private hire, AV cannot meet their dedicated specialised needs --- then they should be like other COE bidders - bid in the open COE bid.
Else just use the 24 hours oncall taxis, private hires or AV - cheaper, services available 24 hours - don't be a spoil brat to demand special privilege treatment at others' expense - because the excuse is very weak.
If want special privilege, pay for it like others.
Don't insist on letting others that do not have such privileges to subsidize your car ownership privileges with weak sob stories.
WP in a jest to be socially compassionate has in fact introduced social injustice for the entire Nation by breaching the sound economic principles of allocation of scarce resources through fair competition that are used to meet social needs through easy and heavily subsidies public transport services benefiting everyone.
Sigh... WP alternative policy cannot make it.
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 4:47 pm]
Another issue that I wish to address - AI replacing human jobs:-
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 4:47 pm]
[23/09, 10:26 pm] Close friend: Tech Layoffs 2025: Google, Intel, Salesforce, Oracle lead job cuts as AI reshapes tech industry - Technology News | The Financial Express https://share.google/flVNSIY836XUlbJyO
[23/09, 10:26 pm] Close friend: Sad!
[23/09, 10:31 pm] ☸️ Danny 心: I think in US, CEOs using AI as an excuse to fire staff are getting serious.
They adopt a full techno pessimistic stance - that AI can fully replace staff which in reality is not true.
Because they spend huge money - billions of $ to invest in AI, and need to show shareholders the investment in AI bring productivity and profit.
That's why they fire staff to cut cost to show profit.
But in reality, AI have not bring out the productivity and outcome that can justify cutting of so many staff.
In fact, the quality in medium and long term output may deteriorate as AI hallucinate and produce errorneous output with no staff to rectify them.
The rectification cost later on could be mammoth not to mention reputation damage.
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 5:12 pm]
📺 Prime Minister Lawrence Wong is speaking in parliament during the debate on the President's address. This is the first time he is addressing Parliament at the start of the government term since becoming the Prime Minister.
Watch it here:
https://www.youtube.com/live/N797yVCogXM?si=P6PDLuYv629txTOV
RY, [24/9/2025 5:48 pm]
SEHC
So far, I only see 1 SEHC stall in most markets that I went to
And bec it is economical value meal, hence most no choice in food selection
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 6:15 pm]
🎙️ Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke at Parliament earlier
👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/guard-against-temptation-to-play-race-religion-card-in-future-elections-pm-wong
👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/singapore-must-guard-against-temptation-play-race-religion-card-lawrence-wong-5366111
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 6:18 pm]
[ Poll : Which part(s) of Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's speech resonate most with you? (You may choose more than one option.) ]
- Building a “We-First” society
- Guarding against attempted racial and religious divisions
- Engaging Singaporeans to shape the future together
- Recognising that people have different gifts in jobs and education
- Conducting politics with seriousness, integrity and responsibility for longer-term interests
- Others (please state in the chat)
Jun Ming, [24/9/2025 6:39 pm]
My interpretation of We first society that gov may wants to consider
1.) build good infrastructure for good convenience ( mrt, pathway)
2.) make Singaporean life easier so Singaporean can pursue non materialistic things like higher value etc
Jun Ming, [24/9/2025 6:40 pm]
Perhaps define what includes in the we
Jun Ming, [24/9/2025 6:40 pm]
Does we include foreigners
Jun Ming, [24/9/2025 6:41 pm]
Everybody?
Jun Ming, [24/9/2025 6:41 pm]
Then what the purpose of we first
Jun Ming, [24/9/2025 6:42 pm]
Is this more of a tagline or what do gov indent to do for we first
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 6:51 pm]
Dear Contributors,
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LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 6:51 pm]
I think the "we" tell us to reflect when proposing or coining a policy:-
1. Should not think of self, me, I.
2. But should include "All of us in Singapore" - "We".
The starting point should be:-
1. Mutual benefits.
2. Win-win outcomes.
Not:-
1. I benefits only.
2. Win-lose outcome (I win, everyone lose).
If such "We" mindset is inherent in everyone, then every policy coin or propose will achieve the benefits of:-
1. Mutual benefits.
2. Win-win outcomes.
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 6:53 pm]
1. It is not a literal interpretation - confine to which group.
2. It is a wholesome mindset independent of literal groups.
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 6:56 pm]
If this topic is raised tomorrow, a more in-depth discussion can take place.
It is a profound mindset.
Not a literal interpretation based on the word.
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 6:57 pm]
上度，下度。
横度， 竖度。
LCL (Danny 心), [24/9/2025 6:58 pm]
Up, down.
Horizontal, vertical.
REACH Singapore, [24/9/2025 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 😊
====
1. Let us discuss the concept of "We" in policy formulation coin by our Government for Parliament 2025.
2. "We" in layman terms can also be referred to as "Empathy" - ability to stand into others' shoes while standing in your own shoes to look at issues and coining solutions or policies taking into consideration our own interests and others' interests into account as a starting point.
Hence any solutions and policies coming from the "We mindset" will benefits everyone including ourselves.
3. This encompasses the virtue of understanding and employing the "Larger whole" (the Greater Wheel) is more important than our own "selfish interest - that benefits only me or I (the Smaller Wheel).
4. Hence, we can visualise the extrapolation of "We" thoughts:-
a. Beginning with one point (Self interest) 。(one-pointedness)
b. Extend upwards, downwards, horizontally, vertically (上度，下度。横度， 竖度。) + (Cross)
i. top people that can make decision and higher income groups;
ii. lower hierarchy that include lower income groups;
(both form the verticals),
iii. horizontally - our peers, middle income groups
c. And then transform into extending into the well beings of ( 三百六十度，无所不度。）🛞 (Greater Wheel)
i. all rounded considerations 360 degree - a wheel - every residents, citizens, PRs &/or foreigners.
ii. also include animals, cats, dogs, wild animals.
iii. extending into global climate, coastal protection
iv. relationship and well being with foreign Countries, leaders and their countrymen.
5. In profound form, "We" concept of a person must encompass 3 important attributes :-
a. Selfless (ability to empathise not only with self, but also others)
b. Compassion (all policies must be compassionate - to bring positive outcomes to self and others, and must not cause harm or miseries to others while benefitting self)
c. Anchor on Wisdom - hence coming out with wholesome solutions or policies that is a workable one, balanced ones, based on merits and trade off (with selfless and compassion disposition).
The Enlightened Mind.
6. And if a person is able to consistently, inherently, mindfully employing the "We" concept based on all the above considerations - then policies and solutions coined - will be a wholesome one that include the merits of :
i. Win-win outcomes
ii. Mutual benefits
iii. Ability to competently resolve issues with minimal adverse side effects.
This is the profound explanation of "We" concept in respond to PM Lawrence Wong statement in Parliament.
Addressing parliament in his first speech at the start of the term of government since becoming prime minister, Mr Wong added: “We will strive to create more fulfilling lives for you. And not just for a few among you, but for all of you."
The PM spoke about a “we first” society at his National Day Rally speech in August, Mr Wong urged Singaporeans to embrace their individuality and help everyone be the best possible versions of themselves.
“At the same time, we have to look out for one another and lift each other up. Only then can we be greater than the sum of our parts,” he added.
Source :- CNA news
Compassion - & We (No Self) - the 2 Enlightenment attributes - become Parliament 2025 ethos.
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However, I will like to propose a complete 3 Enlightenment attributes that form the Greater Wheel in policy making.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/kindess-bullying-jobs-youth-young-parents-technology-president-address-debate-5366731#:~:text=Revolution%20for%20kindness%3F%20MPs%20suggest%20support%20for%20Singapore%E2%80%99s%20youth%20on%20day%203%20of%20President%E2%80%99s%20Address%20debate
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Wis. No. Compa. Great
dom. Self. ssion. Wheel
The Enlightened Mind ("We" Concept).
Visualization on Singapore coast line - the MBS 3 Towers + Skywheel as inspiration on the "We Concept".
(No intention to offend anyone)
3 examples for illustration only.
1. Eg. Coe cars for 3 privileged categories -
got *compassion* but misplaced.
Lack *selfless* (empathy) for the rest that are subsidizing the few privilege groups, reduce coe revenue to build more public transport infrastructure like more MRT lines, buses and AV that will benefit everyone.
Lack *wisdom* - fail to realise business and workers need cars to seal business deals and secure jobs. Without jobs, the 3 categories will not have money to pay for transport not to mention subsidized coe car.
Fail to realise the 3 categories have access to chauffeured dedicated service provided by taxi, private hires and in future AV without the need to buy high price cars and subsidized by taxpayers for privilege coe.
2. Healthcare insurance abuse.
Lack *selflessness* (empathy for others) - benefits self only through buffet style service.
Lack *compassion* - drive up health cost until become unsustainable - others suffer.
Lack *wisdom* - fail to understand - self indulgence backfire until premium driven sky high, insurers refuse to honour payment - self left with nothing or get shortchange by the insurers eventually. End up insurers, private hospitals, patients that pay high premium all lose. Lose-Lose-Lose outcome.
3. VERs for 1st generation -
*Selflessness* - ensure fiscal budget sustainability.
Lack *compassion* for 2nd generation that will be homeless when VERs kick in.
*Wisdom* - lack foresight of the needs for 2nd generation that have been paid for in the parents purchase of house - but when VERs kick in got shortchange, lose shelter and need to cough out big amount of money for another shelter at advanced age losing their life savings to service their remaining life.
Hence the above illustration demonstrate the importance interplay of the 3 vital Enlightenment attributes *(Selflessness, Compassion, Wisdom)* to achieve the *Greater Wheel* (Nation & the Society's needs) - the "We mindset" - that if fulfillment of the larger whole - will achieve the sums of all the parts (including our own interests).
This is the profound concept of the "We" mindset.
2. But to effectively explain the profound concept of "We mindset" to enhance public understanding - there is a need to use real life examples of the process of policy making - dissect it, break it down to such level of details - because the "We mindset" is a mental cognitive psychological process that encompass the interplay of 3 subtle wholesome mental faculties - Selfless, Compassion and Wisdom to achieve the larger goal of the Greater Wheel.
3. However to emphasize, the discussion focus on the respective topics - the merits and pitfalls of each solutions (when the 3 attributes interplay at the background) that result in the outcomes and make no reference to any personality.
4. Thinking aloud, the "We" mindset when dissect into the 3 discrete faculties - can help policy makers perform structured decision making using various case studies in Civil Service College for every policies formulation and then subject to peer review, robust debate, challenges and verification to ensure all coined policies can withstand the test when benchmark against the 3 attributes - Selflessness, Compassion and Wisdom - that contribute to the Greater Goal (Greater Wheel).
5. Then the final baseline policy will be able to withstand the veracity of the"We" mindset comprising the attributes of :-
a. Empathy - through Selflessness.
b. Compassion
c. Workable solution - through Wisdom (Competency)
d. That meets the larger goal of the entire population - through the Greater Wheel - whereby benefits are not confine to a small privileged group or few individuals (the Smaller Wheel).
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