REACH (Telegram) 134 -  What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which issue interests you the most?

(SK)

08 Apr 2026 (10am - 7pm)

REACH (Telegram)

[8/4/2026 10:01 am] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

Welcome Back! 😊

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Megan 😊

[8/4/2026 10:32 am] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

Parliament will sit today (8 Apr) at 12:00pm. Parliament questions will cover the central kitchen model, support for platform workers, support for parents & the impact of Middle East crisis. The bills on amending the Energy Conservation Act and regulating the veterinary practice industry will continue to be discussed.

💬 What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which issue interests you the most?

📌Central Kitchen Model

Questions were filed on Central Kitchen Model ranging from palatability and freshness of meals, food waste, and student satisfaction. 

Minister of State for Education Jasmin Lau said in Parliament on February 3 that the central kitchen meal model will be explored only with schools facing difficulties securing sufficient stallholders. Ms Lau said the government did not introduce the scheme to replace the traditional canteen model. Instead the Government wanted to explore alternative models to help schools that were struggling to attract stallholders and to avoid putting students in these schools that were at risk of not having good access to affordable, nutritious and balanced meals. She added that MOE provides support to stallholders but that the challenges go deeper than just costs. She also noted that the Government will continue to explore new ways to support stallholders.

📌 Impact of Middle East crisis

Questions were filed on the impact of the Middle East. MP Dr. Wan Rizal filed a question on the current status of this year’s Haj arrangements for Singapore pilgrims and the contingency plans that are put in place in place to safeguard and support pilgrims. MP Mr Yip Hon Weng raised a question on whether there are targeted measures to ease short-term financial strain on heavily leveraged homeowners, particularly recent buyers and for affected homeowners. MP Patrick Tay also raised a question on the impact of on job security and retrenchment risk in sectors with significant fuel and freight cost exposure such as aviation and maritime and port operations.

📌 Support for Platform Workers

Questions were filed on platform worker safety and support, ranging from protection for affected workers, safety hazards, injury rates, and measures to improve safety.

Acting Minister for Transport Jeffrey Siow announced additional support for the domestic transport sector and businesses during his ministerial statement in Parliament on April 7. He highlighted the Government's awareness that sharp fuel price increases have hit the earnings of platform workers, private-hire car drivers and taxi drivers.  Platform workers eligible for the support are those with net earnings from platform work exceeding S$500 a month across all platform operators for each month from December 2025 to February 2026. The cash relief also applies to all taxi drivers who held a vehicle hire agreement with a taxi operator from December 2025 to February 2026. 

📌 Support for Parents and Families

Questions were filed on the marriage and parenthood workgroup, support for low-income families and mothers returning to work, and implementation of the parental leave policies.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Office Indranee Rajah announced in Parliament on Feb 26 that a new work group will be formed look into marriage and parenthood issues, amid Singapore hitting its lowest resident total fertility rate (TFR) to date at 0.87 in 2025, to call for a societywide reset on how marriage and parenthood are viewed and supported.

👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/school-canteen-central-kitchen-model-moe-parliament-5903076

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/unprecedented-energy-disruption-from-middle-east-conflict-govt-announces-support-measures

👉 https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/middle-east-conflict-iran-jeffrey-siow-parliament-support-businesses-6040511

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/spores-total-fertility-rate-sinks-to-new-low-of-0-87?ref=inline-article

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[8/4/2026 10:36 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 1. Which issue(s) are you interested in for today’s Parliament sitting? (You may choose more than one option) ]

- Central Kitchen Model

- Support for Platform Workers

- Support for Parents

- Impact of Middle East crisis

- Others (Share them in the chat!)

[8/4/2026 10:36 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 2. The impact of the conflict in the Middle East has affected my daily routine. Share your reasons in the chat! ]

- To a small extent

- To a moderate extent

- To a large extent

[8/4/2026 11:01 am] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,

We want to HEAR MORE from you!

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

💬 What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which issue interests you the most?

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 😊

[8/4/2026 11:30 am] Jun Ming: Can we improve central kitchen model. I understand fried food is not allowed in canteen vendor but is there recipe for nice food

[8/4/2026 11:30 am] Jun Ming: Cause I see in cna food is just wasted as it is not nice

[8/4/2026 11:32 am] Jun Ming: No canteen vendor wanted to bid as they are losing money

[8/4/2026 11:32 am] Jun Ming: We need a balance between healthy eating and profit

[8/4/2026 11:34 am] Jun Ming: The taste of central model need to improve. For faster feedback you need to force all staff to eat it everyday

[8/4/2026 11:35 am] Jun Ming: Including kitchen staff

[8/4/2026 11:39 am] Jun Ming: So I suggest instead of mass central kitchen, school to hire chef to replace original kitchen vendor

[8/4/2026 11:41 am] Jun Ming: You can hire interns from  shatec and students from culinary school

[8/4/2026 11:41 am] Jun Ming: I think they might cook better

[8/4/2026 11:56 am] Joomua Tng: school canteen vendor does not earn much.

will you want to be school food vendor? 

please...the old days of thinking

want it cheap (ai pi)

want it fresh (ai ci)

and want it big (ai dua liap ni)

is not realistic and unfair to the vendor.

........

central kitchen, is because the younger generation does not want to be school canteem vendor 

all these effort with "little" return.

honestly, who would willingly do it?

......

hire interns from shatec? students fron culinary school? realistic? practical? will you do it if you are the student? sustainable long term?

[8/4/2026 11:59 am] Jun Ming: Because the guidelines are getting more stringent. Last time can sell fried food

[8/4/2026 12:00 pm] Jun Ming: Maybe school can pay a salary to chefs. And problem solve. Increase school fees slightly and problem solve

[8/4/2026 12:00 pm] Jun Ming: If there is 1 k student and each buy $3 food then It will be 3k profit per day

[8/4/2026 12:01 pm] Jun Ming: It's the skill of chefs to attract student to buy their food

[8/4/2026 12:02 pm] Jun Ming: And working hours from 6-3 I think it's practical

[8/4/2026 12:06 pm] Jun Ming: And imagine school hires 5 chef and 3k/ month then it will be 15 k

60k-15k

And food ingredients I pretty sure there will be profit

[8/4/2026 12:07 pm] Jun Ming: Instead of individual vendor we combine it into one and cook different varieties of food

[8/4/2026 12:11 pm] Jun Ming: This is just my suggestion lah

[8/4/2026 12:22 pm] Joomua Tng: https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSHaPpQPa/

i just happened to encounter this cna tiktok...the canteen vendor claims to be losing money operating.

[8/4/2026 12:23 pm] RY: Sch canteen stalls are not easy and also not as profitable like outside hawker, as their pricing has to be affordable to children, the food has to be nutritious for the still growing up child

If the central kitchen trial at Yusof Ishak Secondary School is effective, may extend the trial to other sch also

https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/20241112-school-canteen 

Unsure if sch canteen may learn from our airport successful CAAS meal model for plane and her experience ... 

Alternatively, may explore to work with the food catering operators into sch 

Or would it be feasible to operate like restaurant-model, meaning engage a main chef for the sch canteen to cook for the different cuisine for the children 

Maybe study other country eg japan model whereby preparing bento fm home. However this maybe difficult, as SG parents mostly working 

Lastly, I notice many interesting food & beverage vending machine popping up in SG nowsaday eg sugarcane & fresh orange juice drink/sandwich and etc vending machine 

Is there any possibility to have food & beverage vending machine in school ? 

Sametime have the Recycling machine eg the new Beverage Recycling machine into sch, so as to involve the sch children into Recycling concept

[8/4/2026 1:00 pm] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 1. Which issue(s) are you interested in for today’s Parliament sitting? (You may choose more than one option) ]

- Central Kitchen Model

- Support for Platform Workers

- Support for Parents

- Impact of Middle East crisis

- Others (Share them in the chat!)

[8/4/2026 1:00 pm] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 2. The impact of the conflict in the Middle East has affected my daily routine. Share your reasons in the chat! ]

- To a small extent

- To a moderate extent

- To a large extent

[8/4/2026 1:21 pm] Jun Ming: Can have vending machine. My school have

[8/4/2026 1:21 pm] Jun Ming: But drink stall shouldn't be a problem as everyone buy from there

[8/4/2026 1:35 pm] Joomua Tng: more parents will complain.

and vending machine cannot replace human touch.

canteen vendor, regardless making profits or losses, can say to the student....

you didn't have money never mind ...here is your food, e.g  nasi lemak, you can pay me another time

[8/4/2026 2:08 pm] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 3. I have made the following lifestyle changes in response to the Middle East situation. (Select all that apply) ]

- Reduce electricity and utility usage (e.g. using air-con less, turning off standby appliances)

- Cut back on food and grocery spending (e.g. cooking at home more, reducing meat consumption)

- Lower transport and mobility costs (e.g. taking public transport, carpooling)

- Reduce discretionary spending (e.g. cutting down on dining out, bubble tea)

- Tighten budgeting and financial management (e.g. tracking expenses, prioritising essentials)

- Adjust daily lifestyle habits to save costs (e.g. bringing lunch to work, working from home)

- Adopt energy-efficient and cost-saving practices (e.g. using LED lighting)

- Others (Please share more in the chat!)

[8/4/2026 2:10 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear contributors,

Parliament sitting is now live.

Catch the livestream of today's Parliament sitting here: 

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=DQpP-c3jsTM&pp=0gcJCdkKAYcqIYzv&ra=m

Follow the live updates here:

https://www.straitstimes.com/live-singapore-parliament-april-2026

[8/4/2026 2:39 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

1. Taste is an acquired taste.

2. Initially when it deviate from habitual taste, tendency is to reject.

3. But as children get used to it when hungry, the new taste become acquired taste.

[8/4/2026 2:41 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

4. Hence important to get the basic right first.

5. That is, nutrition must not be compromised - because health to children is important.

6. Then work on the taste with alternative spices to replace salt and sugar.

[8/4/2026 2:44 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

1. I quote my experience with how acquire taste can change.

a. In army is a central kitchen that previously not operated by commercial professional central kitchen - but downgraded soldiers trained to work as chef.

b. Initial taste, it was shocking because this amateur chef are not experience cook, need to conform to nutritious values as prescribed by Mindef, no fried stuff - so can see many recruits dumping food like this young school children.

c. But as recruits stay and train in the camp longer, their hunger, their initial shock from the deviation of habitual taste become acquired taste - and many young recruits start to get used to the amateur army chef cook food - the rejection rate become lower as they get use to the new acquire taste.

d. As recruits go to field camp and feast on combat ration, dried biscuits, canned food - their return to cookhouse for fresh food suddenly become 5 stars Shangrila gourmet food.

The magic of acquired taste.

[8/4/2026 2:53 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

2. Another example of acquired taste.

a. Register to join a 10 days meditation retreat.

b. Food only 1 meal before noon and then no food for the rest of the days and need to fast - as the focus is on 12 hours solid meditation.

c. Food are vegetarian donated by sponsors.

So imagine how bland the food can be.

d. But yogi received the food with gratitude because it is the only source of food to keep the yogi going for the 10 days - and be grateful for the lifeline to keep the yogi alive.

e. It is a new acquired taste, and yogi consume it and relish the lifeline.

This is the magic of acquired taste.

[8/4/2026 2:57 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Hence we must trained our young folks to be grateful and show gratitude - and not waste food.

Because those food are nutritious food that keep them healthy.

Also a right moral values not to waste food.

Food don't come easy.

心法:

锄禾日当午，汗滴禾下土。

谁知盘中餐，粒粒皆辛苦。

“粒粒皆辛苦”出自唐代诗人李绅的《悯农二首》之二，这首诗旨在同情农民劳作的艰辛，教育人们珍惜粮食。全诗家喻户晓，通过描述烈日下农民耕作的场景，揭示了每一粒米都饱含汗水的道理

[8/4/2026 3:00 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

When young, my father taught all my siblings.

Every drop of food come from the hardwork - sweat and blood of farmers and all down the road of food chain.

So even 1 piece of rice must not be wasted.

Until now, my siblings, myself, my son, my spouse will ensure our plates will not leave even 1 piece of rice on the plate.

Not even talking about edible food been thrown away because it is not tasty.

[8/4/2026 3:04 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

And having watch NTU students throwing food in LoHei.

Property agents throwing food in LoHei.

Seeing students throwing a full tray of cooked food into the dustbin.

Certainly make me shake my head.

Where are the wholesome values nowadays in our young ones?

Some countries don't even have food to eat....

[8/4/2026 3:05 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

造业。

Karma.

[8/4/2026 3:06 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSmfu2a89/

PropertyLimBrothers throw food at one another in LoHei.

[8/4/2026 3:06 pm] LCL (Danny 心):

https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSmUqPJsW/

NTU lohei throw food.

[8/4/2026 3:16 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

So it make me wonder now:-

1. Has our young gone soft?

2. Are our young becoming too pampered?

3. Are our young learning the wholesome values of that was past down from generation to generation?

4. Or have Singaporeans become too prosperous and overlook what make Singapore successful?

[8/4/2026 3:18 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

5. Did our education in addition to imparting knowledge, also imparting character building?

[8/4/2026 3:19 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[8/4/2026 3:20 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

6. Did the energy crisis, the Hormuz straits squeeze crisis that translates into food crisis - has taught our population, our younger generation - that wholesome values to treasure whatever food we received with gratitude - rather than throwing away food in the jest for fun or bland food?

[8/4/2026 3:21 pm] LCL (Danny 心):

 锄禾日当午： 在正午烈日下锄禾（锄草、松土）。

汗滴禾下土： 汗水滴落在庄稼下的泥土中，形容劳动非常辛苦。

谁知盘中餐： 有谁想到我们平时碗里的米饭。

粒粒皆辛苦： 每一粒都是农夫辛苦劳作得来的。

[8/4/2026 3:22 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Google Translate :- Hoeing the fields under the scorching midday sun: This describes the arduous labor of farmers, involving weeding and loosening the soil.

Sweat dripping onto the soil beneath the crops: Sweat dripping onto the soil beneath the crops, illustrating the hardship of labor.

Who knows the food on the plate: Who thinks about the rice in our bowls every day?

Every grain is the result of hard work: Every grain represents the farmer's labor.

[8/4/2026 3:39 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

1. And before we eat the food presented to us.

2. We express gratitude to sponsor who provide food to us - to keep us going.

3. We also offer our wish that all people at large that they will not suffer through hunger and have food to eat.

4. Before we heartily tuck in the food offer to us in gratitude.

This is the hardcore method to teach the young how to appreciate food - and not waste it.

[8/4/2026 3:42 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Schools could emulate such approach to train our students after getting the food from the central kitchen in a group according to class.

Students can be trained and instil with discipline and wholesome behaviours.

[8/4/2026 3:43 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Sometimes ancient teachings can be effective in a modern world.

[8/4/2026 4:03 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[8/4/2026 4:16 pm] Jun Ming: This is to support the vendors instead of replacing them

[8/4/2026 4:16 pm] Jun Ming: I think a lot of school have vending machine

[8/4/2026 4:18 pm] REACH Singapore: In case you missed it, here are some updates from the parliamentary proceedings so far:

- MAS to work with banks to review safeguards in using GIRO: Alvin Tan: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/mas-to-work-with-banks-to-review-safeguards-in-using-giro-alvin-tan?ref=latest-headlines

- Singapore develops contingency plans in case of disruptions to 2026 haj pilgrimage: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/singapore-develops-contingency-plans-in-case-of-disruptions-to-2026-haj-pilgrimage?ref=latest-headlines

[8/4/2026 4:43 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

1. Also by giving in to negotiate and pay tolls - it is akin to giving ransom money to kidnappers and hostage takers.

2. This will embolden others to follow suit - and become lawless, the law of the jungle 无法无天。

[8/4/2026 4:44 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

"Both sides claim victory after US, Iran agree to 11th-hour truce.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi confirmed safe passage for two weeks for ships through the Strait of Hormuz."

It stop Trump's threat of ending Iran civilization.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/trump-iran-war-suspend-attack-two-week-ceasefire-6042301#:~:text=Both%20sides%20claim,Strait%20of%20Hormuz.

[8/4/2026 4:45 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

2 weeks free passage through Hormuz straits.

Hence the right approach is not to negotiate to pay tolls for free passage.

[8/4/2026 4:48 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

"Singapore ranks first for regional leadership as Trump tops Southeast Asia concerns: Survey.

For the first time, more respondents have confidence in ASEAN upholding the rules-based order than the United States, according to an annual poll by Singapore think tank ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute."

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/singapore-tops-asean-regional-challenges-climate-change-us-leadership-trump-6038701#:~:text=Singapore%20ranks%20first,Yusof%20Ishak%20Institute.

[8/4/2026 4:49 pm] Jun Ming: Children will not get use to it as after school they can buy tasty food

[8/4/2026 4:50 pm] Jun Ming: Macdonald, KFC you name it. Some might do revenge eating

[8/4/2026 4:51 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Kudos to our government leadership.

Always doing the right things.

So that the world can fallback to the right bearings - law and order that make the world peaceful and prosperous.

Not falling waywards, not going towards jungle law, not might is right.

And suffer the backlash of collective karmas - and the demise of humanity.

[8/4/2026 4:51 pm] Jun Ming: As a result more obesity to come

[8/4/2026 4:52 pm] Jun Ming: When I was on school the vegetarian stall have good business as they sell fries. After they ban the fries business significantly drop

[8/4/2026 4:52 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Understand.

We may not be able to teach all students and change every students.

Most important, schools can 1st impart the right values.

Once students inherited the right values, they will automatically, inherently do the right things with their heart.

[8/4/2026 4:53 pm] Jun Ming: The situation now is they throwing all the food which is not the desire outcome

[8/4/2026 4:55 pm] 365: Maybe the access to funds is a contributor

[8/4/2026 4:55 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

When I influence my close circles, I don't do it by rituals or by discipline.

I explain the logic and reason behind it.

Then I do by example.

Initially, people don't follow even though in their heart, they know what is right, what is wrong.

In longer run, most transform and change.

This is the power of influencing by wholesome values through the heart.

心法。

[8/4/2026 4:55 pm] 365: Who has enough money in the past during primary school to buy fast food

[8/4/2026 4:57 pm] 365: Too soft already now. Don't give them enough funds to buy outside food until they have proven themselves capable to financially control themselves.

Then if you are provided food and you don't want to it or you waste it, you starve is your own problem.

[8/4/2026 4:57 pm] Jun Ming: And from what I understand central kitchen food is not cheap either

[8/4/2026 4:58 pm] Jun Ming: $3-5 I think

[8/4/2026 4:59 pm] 365: Think should set a programme for parents to pay upfront, then issue the food to them. Or trade for tokens that can only be used in schools.

[8/4/2026 5:00 pm] Jun Ming: I think parents do pay upfront

[8/4/2026 5:00 pm] Jun Ming: As it's pre ordered

[8/4/2026 5:00 pm] 365: Then how come still need to give that much allowance that kids can afford fast food themselves

[8/4/2026 5:01 pm] 365: This one depends on parents themselves already, you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink

[8/4/2026 5:02 pm] LCL (Danny 心): 

Singapore, though tiny, a little red dot, is strong and powerful in the world stage - not because we have a mighty military or the biggest economy.

It is because we have the right moral values.

The values that carry the right bearings of humanity.

The lighthouse, the beacon of hope for humanity in the globe of darkness.

Hence we inherit the world leadership through 心法。

[8/4/2026 5:04 pm] Jun Ming: You think about it, the food is too bad and there's a choice why would people still choose the bad option

[8/4/2026 5:04 pm] Jun Ming: Parents also want their kid to eat good food

[8/4/2026 5:05 pm] 365: I think we'd have to define what is "good" food. Nutritious? Tasty? Till what extent for each, this for each individual families to decide for themselves. We can offer solutions, they will have to deal with the consequences of their decisions.

[8/4/2026 5:06 pm] Jun Ming: Now we are looking at 色香味俱全 so what nutrition is there but not nice. It affects the mood badly to study also. And feedback are slow

[8/4/2026 5:06 pm] 365: For the hwa Chong saga, honestly I'd have no issue with the food. If anything, what I've gathered when people compare it to prison food is that our prison food is actually decent.

[8/4/2026 5:07 pm] Jun Ming: And if it's actually tasty and nutritious are the teacher having it? Are the principals leading by example eating eat everyday?

[8/4/2026 5:07 pm] Jun Ming: And the comment given by reporter is it actually good?

[8/4/2026 5:08 pm] Jun Ming: From the picture I will say worse than army food

[8/4/2026 5:09 pm] Jun Ming: So why are we resorting to such a bad standard when we can do better?

[8/4/2026 5:11 pm] Jun Ming: So I will recommend school to hire chefs and cook a variety of food instead and offer people to buy. I think this is a better option. Student will not lose on touch with life skills and can feedback to chef immediately

[8/4/2026 5:14 pm] Jun Ming: As profit shouldn't be a problem as what I have analyse above. If cost is a problem then hire one head chef and cheap interns. Just nice internship period is 5 months and can skip the school holidays period.

[8/4/2026 5:16 pm] Jun Ming: During holidays the head chef shall continue to cook at a more relax pace as staff are still working and ccas are going on. The chef can do innovation on new recipe

[8/4/2026 5:16 pm] Jun Ming: It's a win win situation

[8/4/2026 5:17 pm] Jun Ming: Taste will not be a problem as the grading of internship will be graded by the student and staff from the school.

[8/4/2026 5:18 pm] Jun Ming: Just like army 5 star service

[8/4/2026 5:26 pm] 365: Perhaps we just have different standards of what is sufficiently good or bad. 

I think the point on having school staff consuming the same food is valid, from my memory they used to just eat from the same canteen as students, not sure since when did they start eating outside.

Not sure about the internship part, parents sure to complain as they do not want their child to be guinea pigs.

[8/4/2026 5:49 pm] G: Can govt seriously lead the way in reducing energy usage. 

Time for gan to walk the talk and use fans in his offices instead of aircon

Perhaps let's start cutting govt energy use in parliament. Stop aircon usage in parliament and switch to fans

Nowadays got that hugeass fans. Let's use that for parliament

[8/4/2026 6:03 pm] Nicholas: Noticed work from home is listed as a way to reduce cost, which is true. Perhaps the government could recommend that companies allow more work from home this year.

[8/4/2026 6:04 pm] RY: Appreciate SG Govt yesterday announcement, extending further support to individuals/workers/low-income/biz, to cope with middle east energy crisis 

As energy crisis has very broad implications in all industries/business/household/country lvl (natl security)/military/individuals/job/economy/trading/logistics and etc, as all required electricity to run 

Even agriculture also largely affected due to shortage of fertilisers (ingredient fm oil), hence will lead to food shortage very shortly

[8/4/2026 6:04 pm] REACH Singapore: 📢 Topic 📢

[8/4/2026 6:05 pm] Jun Ming: From a company perspective maybe but from a employee perspective no.

[8/4/2026 6:06 pm] Jun Ming: Maybe from a border perspective you don't travel as much you save energy

[8/4/2026 6:07 pm] Jun Ming: But in terms of reducing cost idk as using my own electricity to do work for the company

[8/4/2026 6:15 pm] G: The cost is just transferred to the employee

[8/4/2026 6:18 pm] Nicholas: Save on transport and food cost, and a lot of travelling time.

[8/4/2026 6:27 pm] RY: It is a gd initiative to set up a Work Group to look into marriage and parenthood, due to SG low fertility rate (TFR), as country population may have to maintain/grow especially for small country like SG, 

Bec every country economy/growth will require humans to achieve ultimately

Govt already come up with incentives/rebates/work leave, to encourage residents birth rates in recent years, but seems not as promising 

Hopefully the new Work Group may devise other policy, that may increase local birth rate in future

[8/4/2026 6:35 pm] RY: Another gd analysis by another professor in taiwan, with rdgs to the middle east war and latest developments - 

https://youtu.be/aalb-s7xCvc?si=HZeiV2oNDlFMY7kk 

Looking at these crisis created by  USA Trump, it is impt to vote the right leader for the country 

Instead of spending money wisely  helping the americans, Trump is spending unnecessary on invading other countries/trade wars and etc

[8/4/2026 6:36 pm] Nicholas: Agree, hope the work group comprises people with new ideas to increase the local birth rate. Generally when people feel stressed, the birth rate drops. There must be a holistic conducive environment for increase in pregnancies and births.

[8/4/2026 6:38 pm] RY: Maybe SG govt may study countries that have gd birth rates eg philippines/vietnam/aussie/european countries and etc

[8/4/2026 6:40 pm] Jun Ming: Low education is a way

[8/4/2026 6:40 pm] G: Yes. Don't forget netanhayu too. Many people forget he's the original troublemaker

[8/4/2026 6:42 pm] Jun Ming: Hard to improve birthrate unless quality of life improve

[8/4/2026 6:42 pm] Nicholas: Really glad the government is leading the way on this by setting aircon temperature at 25 degrees celsius for government buildings, this will influence commercial buildings operations, something I had suggested before. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/middle-east-conflict-energy-conservation-6043821?cid=internal_sharetool_androidphone_08042026_cna

[8/4/2026 6:44 pm] Jun Ming: Such as bigger house, stable job more freedom. Good lifestyle. When only we have excess resources then people will give birth

[8/4/2026 6:44 pm] G: It's very concerning that SG is not sanctioning Israel for breaking international law like it did sanction Russia

SG's reputation will take a hit. And since SG doesn't have natural resources, SG's positive reputation as a consistent law follower, and reputation in urging others to follow law is it's biggest effect natural resource

By not sanctioning Israel, it very strongly hints that Israel has leverage SG, and SG only urges when convenient

[8/4/2026 6:45 pm] G: They need to do better. Start walking the talk. Turn off their aircons and turn on their fans

[8/4/2026 6:45 pm] REACH Singapore: 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 😊

[8/4/2026 6:46 pm] Jun Ming: Even canteen cannot survive in school how to give birth

[8/4/2026 6:47 pm] Nicholas: So many people working in the government won't agree with you 😂 Government workers should be treated well too, nice aircon and office, just at 25 degrees celsius is fine.

[8/4/2026 6:47 pm] RY: Yes, I know 

Netanhayu is another evil, always invading his neighbouring countries over the years, creating/spreading fake news in social media, geonocide palestine people and etc 

This guy will sure have bad karma as his hand is very bloody

[8/4/2026 6:47 pm] G: Govt also better walk the talk with TFR. 

All politicians with less than 3 kids should pay extra tax

😂

[8/4/2026 6:48 pm] Jun Ming: One good example is our prime minister. May I ask him why he didn't have kids

[8/4/2026 6:48 pm] RY: Already doing even b4 the start of energy crisis

[8/4/2026 6:48 pm] G: Then that means govt not willing to to walk the talk lor

Anyway, how come in EMA's energy consumption graphs there's no indication of govt energy usage?

Only got household, commercial, industrial etc

[8/4/2026 6:49 pm] G: No leh. They still using aircon. 

Gan say stop aircon and use fan one. 

Walk the talk now means use fan.

[8/4/2026 6:50 pm] G: They need to show "we first"

Action need to match with promised words

[8/4/2026 6:50 pm] Nicholas: In SG, mostly flats are shrinking, more job instability, long working hours affecting lifestyle. Things can improve for sure.

[8/4/2026 6:51 pm] Jun Ming: Trends is things getting worse so don't expect us to give birth

[8/4/2026 6:51 pm] Jun Ming: Even if I give birth I can afford to have one can I afford 2?

[8/4/2026 6:52 pm] Jun Ming: Even our prime minister is married yet having no child

[8/4/2026 6:53 pm] Nicholas: Can, it's about love and companionship for your 1 child, affordability is a lesser consideration :)

[8/4/2026 6:53 pm] RY: Hmmm, maybe the new Work Group may 'interview" our PM and get his feedback/opinion also 😉

[8/4/2026 6:55 pm] RY: SG near equator, to totally stop aircon may not be possible 

I use fan most time, and get 5tick aircon, to save electricity costs

[8/4/2026 6:56 pm] G: Very easy for govt to talk about "we first"

But if they don't walk the talk about not using aircon and use fan instead, then it's just empty words lor

Especially now when times are harder. Can govt give up personal comforts like aircon to stand in solidarity with the people they asked to switch off aircons and use fans?

[8/4/2026 6:57 pm] G: Else just empty words

When hard times come, govt don't even want to stand with Singaporeans on no aircon usage..

Very hypocritical

[8/4/2026 6:57 pm] Nicholas: Hybrid works, aircon at higher temperature and turn on the fan. Read about this method in the Straits Times recently and tried it, works well.

[8/4/2026 6:58 pm] RY: Thanks Megan and GdNite !

[8/4/2026 6:59 pm] REACH Singapore: 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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