REACH (Telegram) 153 - What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which issue interests you the most?
(SK)
04 Aug 2026 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
[4/8/2026 9:45 am] REACH Singapore: Dear contributors,
Welcome back! π
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Megan π
[4/8/2026 9:59 am] REACH Singapore: π’ Topic π’
Parliament will sit today (4 August) at 12.00 pm. Planned housing developments in Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks, as well as the retrenchment at the Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) will be discussed.
π¬ What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which issue interests you the most?
π Planned redevelopment of Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks
At least 18 questions have been filed on the planned redevelopment of Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks, following public discussion sparked by Housing and Development Board's release of accompanying environmental and heritage reports for the areas on July 10.
Under the plans, some areas of the Maju Forest along Sunset Way are proposed for public housing, while the remaining areas will be retained as wildlife refuges and ecological corridors. Gillman Barracks, a former military site with heritage buildings, has been proposed as a mixed-use residential neighbourhood comprising both public and private housing.
π GovTech layoffs
Eight questions have been tabled on the recent retrenchment of 93 GovTech staff. As the agency is moving away from relying on vendors, it is restructuring to develop and operate more of its own products, so that it can respond more quickly to national needs.
The retrenchment, announced on July 15, is the first phase of the exercise that will eventually see some 7 per cent to 9 per cent of roles affected over the next two years.
π WP motion on "economy of the future"
The Workers' Party has filed a motion to present its vision for Singapore's economy and its response to the Government's economic plans.
π Other Issues
Other parliamentary questions will cover findings by the Auditor-General’s Office, the adoption and impact of artificial intelligence in Singapore. New Bills that will be introduced include the Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill, Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, among others.
π https://www.parliament.gov.sg/api/media/14effa11-ada1-42d1-ab1a-aad2794f165a/Order-Paper---7July2026.pdf
π https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/parliament-to-discuss-maju-forest-redevelopment-and-govtech-retrenchments-on-aug-4
π https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/parliament-gillman-barracks-maju-forest-govtech-layoffs-6294751
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[4/8/2026 10:59 am] REACH Singapore: [ Poll : 1) 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.) ]
- Planned redevelopment of Maju Forest and Gillman Barracks
- GovTech layoffs
- WP motion on “economy of the future”
- Motion on compensation packages of parliamentary staff
- Adoption and impact of artificial intelligence
- Scams (Countermeasures) and Other Matters Bill
- Road Traffic (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill
- Others (please share your views in the chats below)
[4/8/2026 11:28 am] Jun Ming: The rate of demand of housing is abnormal. We have seen news that say we need to remove camp and forest to build.
[4/8/2026 11:28 am] Jun Ming: So we come to a conclusion that we are over populated
[4/8/2026 11:31 am] REACH Singapore: 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.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!
π¬ What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which issue interests you the most?
Thank you.
Megan π
[4/8/2026 12:03 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear contributors,
Parliament sitting is now live.
Catch the livestream of today's Parliament sitting here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WNR8d4bLus
[4/8/2026 1:37 pm] G in reply to REACH Singapore:
> π’ Topic π’ Parliament will sit today (4 August) at 12.00 pm....
Deforestation to build more BTOs in a country with dropping TFR just means 1 thing:
More and more foreigners gonna be naturalised
[4/8/2026 1:39 pm] Daniel in reply to G:
> Deforestation to build more BTOs in a country with dropping...
Or less people per household. Less and less multi generational households, more and more singles and couples without kids. So same amount or less people overall will still need more flats.
[4/8/2026 2:01 pm] REACH Singapore: π’ Topic π’
[4/8/2026 2:03 pm] REACH Singapore: Dear Contributors,
We want to HEAR MORE from you!
π¬ What are your thoughts on the issues to be discussed in Parliament today? Which issue 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 π
[4/8/2026 2:21 pm] Andy: My thoughts:
Happy to have more land redeveloped in such a prime area. Forests are unusable space and land is better used for housing, malls, places of worship. Greenery is usually incorporated into estates anyway for heat regulation. I just know the preservationists will come at me π
Retrenchment is part of the corporate cycle. It's necessary to build a stronger business, for sustainability for long term growth and then increasing jobs again. It's unfortunate for those retrenched but I believe the assistance given after and package is reasonable.
I'm excited for WP's vision... please be good!
[4/8/2026 2:25 pm] Adam: It is necessary and more environmentally friendly if sg clears forest to develop its land.
If not here then where? You see how many gas guzzling cars clog the causeway. Because dont clear forest here, okay to clear forest to buy house in malaysia, burn petrol to drive here? And the houses in malaysia even less dense, so clear more forest for a single household.
All the excuse of environmentalism is simply nimby behavoir and wanting to protect their property prices.
[4/8/2026 2:27 pm] Adam: So much people in singapore and many dont even have a house here. So where they stay? How they get here? Did they walk here or burn more fuel. Do they disappear at night or have a house on cleared land somewhere?
[4/8/2026 2:32 pm] Daniel: Yeah, maybe can consider clearing some landed estates as well for more high density housing. Seems a more efficient use of space.
[4/8/2026 3:13 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ):
1. There are few natural reserves that are earmarked to be preserved.
2. Other areas even some with forested trees are gazetted for housing development.
3. So as long as housing development does not intrude into the reserve forested areas, I don't have an objection to the plan housing development as long as heritage sites are preserved and trees are regrow to blend into the housing estates.
[4/8/2026 3:19 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ):
1. Concerning the adoption of AI, I understand that there is a need to pay for token if the basic threshold of usage is exceeded.
2. Some companies do pay for the basic plan.
3. But some heavy AI users will normally exceed the maximum token in the basic plan.
4. Hence, monthly, staff pay out of their own pocket to Anthropic to use the Claude AI.
5. Wonder can companies pool together to negotiate for a favourable price so that individual staff don't need to pay out of their pockets as they are using the AI to do the company's work.
[4/8/2026 3:22 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ):
Btw Anthropic Claude AI is the most expensive among all the other AI models as it is a Frontier AI.
[4/8/2026 3:22 pm] Adam: I hope sg gov can nego so that AI is strong here
[4/8/2026 3:22 pm] Adam: From both consumer side and provider side
[4/8/2026 3:23 pm] Adam: If gov want give ai to all citizens. Dont make it such that the corp have a wasteful mindset. Charge through the nose for models because they know gov is footing the bill
[4/8/2026 3:23 pm] Ahin in reply to Adam:
> It is necessary and more environmentally friendly if sg clears...
I think we need to strike balance. No doubt forest do have effect on global warming temperature and sea rise level... Use technology to find solution...
[4/8/2026 3:24 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ):
Source:- CNA news
Artificial Analysis estimated V4-Flash's average cost at 3 cents per test, compared with 86 cents for Kimi K3, US$1.86 for OpenAI's GPT-5.6 Sol and US$3.15 for Claude Fable 5.
"Alibaba unveils its largest AI model yet, DeepSeek's latest model is ultra-low cost.
The developments highlight the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence by Chinese tech firms as Alibaba and DeepSeek aim to gain traction among global developers."
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/alibaba-ai-model-deepseek-low-cost-6294501#:~:text=Alibaba%20unveils%20its,among%20global%20developers.
[4/8/2026 3:25 pm] Adam in reply to LCL (Danny εΏ):
> Source:- CNA news Artificial Analysis estimated V4-Flash's...
Cannot just compare based on price. Have to balance with quality too. if the ai is free, you wouldnt trust it with quality code compared to paid model.
[4/8/2026 3:25 pm] Adam: Also there are security concerns. Dont want our IP and secrets leaked to external parties
[4/8/2026 3:26 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ) in reply to LCL (Danny εΏ):
> Source:- CNA news Artificial Analysis estimated V4-Flash's...
The least costly is China Alibaba Qwen, DeepSeek, and Moonshot Kimi
[4/8/2026 3:27 pm] Adam: I wonder if trump and usa will raise a fuss if singapore takes a neutral approach to ai and ends up mainly using chinese models.
Already many defense contracts with them later end up like turkey trying to get f35
[4/8/2026 3:27 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ) in reply to Adam:
> Also there are security concerns....
Understand.
Companies with need for protection of intellectual property use close architecture by negotiating with AI company to build a closed AI - datasets are not leaked to outside.
But normal usage uses the Open model. It is this that the staff pay out of pockets as the token for Anthropic Claude AI - is the most expensive.
[4/8/2026 3:28 pm] Andy in reply to Daniel:
> Yeah, maybe can consider clearing some landed estates as well...
I am all for clearing landed... π there are too many old ones deserted in core areas, just rotting away. There are actually so many landed enclaves around SG
[4/8/2026 3:30 pm] Andy in reply to Ahin:
> I think we need to strike balance....
Agree on striking balance, although 'balance' can mean different things to different people, we all have our own set of scales π€·.
IMO we are a grain of sand on a beach - take care of national interest before global interest. Adhering to global guidelines of course.
[4/8/2026 3:35 pm] Adam: When i was working around cbd a decade ago, i notice some places are not at full occupancy. Now my office in the east also not really that full. I also see many shops empty along the streets. Some close down too.
We might feel very crowded in malls or mrt, but actually much of singapore is pretty quiet if you walk away from the core areas.
[4/8/2026 3:36 pm] Adam: Singapore can probably optimise its space more. A lot of people wfh these days. My house every day packed because got at least one person doing their stuff
[4/8/2026 3:37 pm] Ahin: Rather than salvaging forest for residential which is irreversible.... Why not - redesign the scape to be more efficient?
[4/8/2026 3:37 pm] Adam: Can look to business areas. Industrial areas. Are they using space efficiently? Even in the army areas feels like they dont maximise their space. Also have the kiasu mindset to waste money or not get budget next time.
[4/8/2026 3:39 pm] Adam in reply to Ahin:
> Rather than salvaging forest for residential which is...
Yes. Both can be true. Imo singapore can still retain its greenery while building high. Unfortunately big trees and forest are not compatible with large buildings
[4/8/2026 3:39 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ) in reply to Adam:
> I wonder if trump and usa will raise a fuss if singapore takes...
Security cannot use.
[4/8/2026 3:40 pm] Adam in reply to LCL (Danny εΏ):
> Security cannot use.
Can. Run Kimi local is more safer that giving trust to a foreign entity that they wont do anything funny.
[4/8/2026 3:40 pm] Adam: The chinese models can be wholly owned in our own computers
[4/8/2026 3:41 pm] Adam: Assuming you have a million dollar computer to run it. We cant but a big org can.
[4/8/2026 3:41 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ) in reply to Adam:
> Can. Run Kimi local is more safer that giving trust to a...
Don't know up to the company and government to do the security assessment.
I cannot comment on security issues.
[4/8/2026 3:42 pm] Adam: Only problem with chinese model is they block certain topics. But it can be sidestepped
[4/8/2026 3:43 pm] Adam: Actually all public models got some guardrails. Cannot talk about cbrn amongst other stuff so our military will be handicapped if we rely on closed source models. And claude is the worst at this.
[4/8/2026 3:44 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ):
I think there are some areas that we work with Chinese models.
Others work with US models.
But they don't mixed.
Security classification are also separated.
But I not in a position to know and comments how they are segregated.
[4/8/2026 3:48 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ):
Source:- Google Gemini AI
Official land use allocations in Singapore designate 8% of total land area for public housing (HDB) and 7% for private housing (condominiums and landed properties combined).
The allocation of land for :-
1. HDB flats
2. Private Condos
3. Landed properties
Have been planned out with leasehold and freehold.
[4/8/2026 3:54 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ):
1. Another thing, I want to see what WP vision on our future economy will be.
I have roughly read what they have proposed at high level.
But it didn't excite me, because at high level, in early 2000s we have already been talking about it.
Some part have been implemented - like the startup, venture capital, private entrepreneurship, SMEs tagging along with GICs into overseas markets.
Only some SMEs are successful to venture overseas and grow, not too many.
Nothing new. More like ηε·ι₯。(Fried cooked cold rice).
Probably WP can provide more details in the Parliament, then we can discuss with more depth.
[4/8/2026 3:55 pm] Ahin in reply to Adam:
> Yes. Both can be true. Imo singapore can still retain its...
Not to mention the wild animal environment... surely, they will extinct
[4/8/2026 3:56 pm] LCL (Danny εΏ):
I will also like to attach another global ranking - in which Singapore also scored top global ranking.
----
"Which Countries Think They’re on the Right Track?" in 2026.
Singapore rank top.
Confidence level 86%.
https://www.visualcapitalist.com/how-people-around-the-world-feel-about-their-countries-in-2026/#:~:text=SUBSCRIBE-,Which%20Countries%20Think%20They%E2%80%99re%20on%20the%20Right%20Track%3F,-Published
[4/8/2026 4:01 pm] REACH Singapore: In case you missed it, here are some updates from the parliamentary proceedings so far:
➡️ Gillman Barracks, Sunset Way plans not fixed as government weighs competing needs: Alvin Tan
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/sunset-way-maju-forest-gillman-barracks-parliament-alvin-tan-6296786
➡️ New law proposed to lower en bloc thresholds for older condominiums
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/en-bloc-condominiums-property-thresholds-parliament-6296691?cid=telegram_cna_social_28112017_cna
➡️ New anti-scam laws target Carousell, TikTok account mules; online harms order fine up from $1m to $10m
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/new-anti-scam-laws-target-carousell-tiktok-account-mules-online-harms-order-fine-up-from-1m-to-10m?ref=top-stories
➡️ Of GovTech’s 93 retrenched staff, 42% are in their 40s: Jasmin Lau
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/of-govtechs-93-retrenched-staff-42-are-in-their-40s-jasmin-lau
➡️ Proposed changes to law for SCDF to prosecute suppliers of non-compliant bomb shelter products
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/proposed-changes-to-law-for-scdf-to-prosecute-suppliers-of-non-compliant-bomb-shelter-products
[4/8/2026 4:01 pm] REACH Singapore: π’ Topic π’
[4/8/2026 5:04 pm] μ¬μμΉκ΅¬, 첫μ¬λ π: The grace fu response to the forest question was absolutely terrible. Every day I'm more and more convinced MSE is just the embodiment of greenwashing. What is the point of the ministry if you can't protect natural carbon sinks.
[4/8/2026 5:04 pm] μ¬μμΉκ΅¬, 첫μ¬λ π: No one even asked for a fight. We want you to do what the ministry is supposed to do yet you act all haughty high and mighty, trying to score political points as we plead you to save the forest.
[4/8/2026 5:05 pm] μ¬μμΉκ΅¬, 첫μ¬λ π: Not the first time grace fu acts like that in parliament already.
[4/8/2026 5:05 pm] μ¬μμΉκ΅¬, 첫μ¬λ π: I think the scariest thing is that PAP puts their worst candidates in the Central and West yet they make decisions to actively harm us, and at every cycle they just get rubber stamped to go back in again. Is all so hopeless.
[4/8/2026 5:06 pm] Jun Ming in reply to Adam:
> So much people in singapore and many dont even have a house...
Then reduce the people in Singapore
[4/8/2026 5:13 pm] Jun Ming: I think it's a slap to our Paris agreement on deforestation if they proceed
