Singapore open to increasing security cooperation with Malaysia around Middle Rocks, Pedra Branca: Ng Eng Hen

By Aqil Haziq Mahmud@AqilHaziqCNA
30 Jun 2018 06:00PM (Updated: 30 Jun 2018 07:57PM)

Ricky Lim

On a lighter note, Dr Ng said relations between Malaysians and Singaporeans are “still very good”.
“I would approach the first few months of a Malaysian government with maturity, respect and understanding,” Dr Ng said. “Mature to know that with a new boss and new government, they will do it differently. And not to jump up and down when styles and priorities change.”

To that end, Dr Ng said Singapore need not “respond to every articulation”, adding that Malaysia could be dealing with an “internal audience”.

“You live in an HDB flat, a new neighbour comes in, you can hear through the walls what he says to his family, don’t keep knocking at your neighbour’s door to give inputs,” Dr Ng said. “Sometimes, it’s for his family, not yours.”

Nevertheless, Dr Ng said the two countries should have mutual respect for agreements and international law.
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As long as the message about water and HSR is for "internal audience" - and not directed to us --- we should just listen and not react to it --- as long as both sides have mutual respect for agreements and international law.

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Short of real war, Trump-Kim summit was a test that proved SAF’s capabilities: Ng Eng Hen

By Aqil Haziq Mahmud@AqilHaziqCNA
30 Jun 2018 06:00PM (Updated: 30 Jun 2018 06:12PM)

Ricky Lim

“Short of a real war or terror attack, this is a real threat that the SAF can respond to,” Dr Ng told reporters on Friday (Jun 29) ahead of SAF Day. “I guess in exam terms, this is the prelim test which I think we scored an ‘A’.”

About 2,000 personnel and a wide array of assets, including fighter jets, surface-to-air missiles and a landing ship tank, were deployed for the Jun 12 summit.
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Posted on :-10 May 2018

12 Jun 2018 09:07AM (Updated: 12 Jun 2018 11:25PM)

Ricky Lim ·
Singapore
想不到，传媒也可以调兵遣将。
用兵如神，出神入化。
不可思议 。。。。。。
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Ricky Lim ·
Singapore
Actually if the Summit is held in Sentosa - then it will be easy to protect and secure.
Also it will not choke up the city traffic.

Sentosa also have very posh convention centre, hotel and nice sea view.
Also think that Sentosa has helipad for landing.

Only need to secure the Sentosa gateway (1 main road).
Can also be surrounded by warships for quick exit.
Or can be helipad to Changi Airport.
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Ricky Lim ·
Singapore
When Trump Air Force 1 and Kim Airplane land in Changi Airport - 3 possible path to reach Sentosa :-
(1) Limousine land route - via east cost to nicholl highway to Keppel to Sentosa.
(2) Warship to Sentosa
(3) Heliborne from Changi Airport to Sentosa.
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Temasek Green

Don't forget to score an 'A' for spending taxpayers money which helped put on the show for the world to prove that we mean business. Unfortunately some gaps were still found in the act which could caused an embarrassment, not to mention the stink which the world media would have let off about us.

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Ricky Lim

Behind the backdrops of :-
(1) terrorism
(2) people wanting to cut our water supply
(3) some locals and some foreign say we are paper general or paper army

--- it is a heaven-send opportunity to demonstrate our SAF capabilities - that we mean business and cannot be trifle with.

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Temasek Green

Ricky Lim Your backdrops are still real and remain real despite the capabilities of the saf and its might.

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Ricky Lim

Temasek Green - at the least, they will not make any silly move.

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Tony Gan

Thats what the SAF for what ? Putting up a good show....the biggest show production company in the world...with unlimited funding....no money raise gst...so easy....so the our paper generals..can have more toys and prop to play with .

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Ricky Lim

What show?

This is a live exercise - with live round, missile and bombs.

And the mission - is to prevent a nuclear war from exploding 3,500 km away from Singapore - that will threaten millions of lives in Asia Pacific region and disrupting the Asia Pacific Economy and the Global Economy.

The goal is to prevent nuclear fallout - by protecting everyone's live - including yours from nuclear explosion.

One nuclear bomb explode - is 10 to 15 times more powerful than the atomic bomb explosion in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
A B1 or B52 can drop 16 nuclear bombs - and the whole world will be covered by nuclear winter - where all humans on Earth will perish.

A show? really?

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Chang Keng Chian

We have this common notion among netizens that the army is lead by a team of inexperienced leaders.. untested. Do you really want them to be tested in an actual battle so that they are no longer the 'paper generals'? Do you want to see your friends or brothers or sons to join a battle? Do you also know that it is better to win a battle without firing at all?

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Ricky Lim

Chang Keng Chian - the best generals and army is not the one that fight and win a war.

The best generals and army is one that prevent a war from ever happening - without firing a shot.

The best commander in chief - is one that is typing away on a computer - to win the Human's heart and mind and that persuade the humans from ever fighting a war.

The best commander in chief - is in fact a "Paper General" !

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Eng Hong Ong

Ricky Lim so cute.. I thought that is politicians job and not armed defense job..

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Ricky Lim

Eng Hong Ong - Isn't the commander in chief a Defense Minister?
Isn't the US commander in chief a President?
Isn't the China President the commander in chief?

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Ricky Lim

“The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.” - Suntze Art of War

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Eng Hong Ong

Wah lau.. I agree the summit was good for rasing Singapore, good training etc..

But comparing it to war?? Give you a feather and you become a peacock... It's close to one month and you are stull patting yourself on the back?

no need to solve war lah, just solve the small things like MRT, PMD, water security, rising costs..

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Breeke Lo

Sorry but I don't quite follow, the armed forces responded to what threat? Wasn't it just a very expensive drill?

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Ricky Lim

“The art of war is of vital importance to the State. It is a matter of life and death, a road either to safety or to ruin. Hence it is a subject of inquiry which can on no account be neglected.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War

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Canada hits back on US tariffs; Mnuchin denies Trump wants to quit WTO

Canada struck back at the Trump administration on Friday over U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, vowing to impose punitive measures on CUS$16.6 billion (US$12.63 billion) worth of American goods until Washington relents.

Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/business/canada-hits-back-on-us-tariffs--mnuchin-denies-trump-wants-to-quit-wto-10485368
30 Jun 2018 05:30AM

Ricky Lim

Even if automakers opted not to pass along higher costs to consumers, "this could still lead to less investment, fewer jobs, and lower wages for our employees. The carry-on effect of less investment and a smaller workforce could delay breakthrough technologies," GM savid.

Canada trade tariff measures are designed to pressure Trump by focusing on goods from states where his Republican party is fighting to hold Congressional seats in the November miterm elections. They were announced just as America's largest automaker warned that overly broad tariffs could isolate U.S. businesses and cut jobs.
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Canada is now fighting back on Trump led US in trade tariff.
EU is fighting back on Trump led US in trade tariff.
China is fighting back on Trump led US in trade tariff.

Trump can really succeed in his trade war?
Trump may have triggered massive business loss and job loss in US and jobs in many Countries.
When this happen, his voters will turn around and get back at Trump.

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Singapore, China reaffirm 'longstanding, strong and substantive relations': MFA
Read more at https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/singapore-china-reaffirm-longstanding-strong-and-substantive-10484474

By Olivia Siong@OliviaSiongCNA

29 Jun 2018 09:28PM (Updated: 29 Jun 2018 09:52PM)

Ricky Lim

Let analyse China growing influence vis-a-vis how it interact with the World :-

(1) Geopolitical influence - China vs US
- Before China's growing influence, US has been the dorminant power in Asia Pacific.
- With China growing in economic strength and political clout, China is seeing that US dominant power in Asia Pacific is encroaching into China's growing influence and China is "pushing back" to create a buffer against US influence.
--- This is the Cold War mentality that both China and US is vying against one another ---- and it will bring about economic competition, political jostling and military push back ---- that can turn ugly if not carefully managed.

Now what should be Singapore's position against this backdrop?

In my personal view --- Singapore should adopt a neutral position, and play an honest broker - to foster positive engagement rather than adopting and fueling negative sentiment.

Constructive engagement include :-
(1) Fostering trade ties, economic development, economic integration.
By advocating prosperity rather than negative power jostling - there is less incentive for both China and US to turn confrontational - as trade, business and economic integration will mutually benefit both China and US economically - and there will be less incentive to fight one another.

(2) Encourage the development of framework and forum for China and US - to engage one another to have constant dialogue and communication.

eg. (i) Shangri-La Security Forum is a good forum for China and US to engage one another constructively.
(ii) Joint military drill
(iii) Engaging US and China at all official level and military engagement at all level
(iv) Emphasizing common interest and downplay differences.

This is what I believe Singapore's position should be in China and US geopolitical influences and Cold War jostling.

Singapore can be a trusted, reliable, trustworthy and honest broker - to foster constructive engagement between China and US - and play down negative confrontation.

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Ricky Lim

What should be our position in South China Sea territorial dispute?

I personally feel that Singapore should not be involved in taking position in territorial dispute of other Countries in which we are not a part - as 公说公有理，婆说婆有理.

The disputing parties should adopt any conflict resolution methods that resolve their territorial claim peacefully - and not by force.
The resolution methods can be negotiation, arbitration, consultation, counselling, court resolution etc - as long as disputing parties both agree to the method.

We should note that :-
(1) Philippines has submit to the International Court for resolution and the Court award the case to Philippines - in which China has refuse to participate.
(2) China put forth the resolution method should be negotiation instead of resolution through Court citing that it has historical backing but feel that Court will not attest significance to its historical backing and thus prefer to settle it through negotiation.

- Given that ASEAN claimants and China are still in the process of negotiating --- then what should be Singapore's position in South China Sea?

I personally feel that Singapore should :-
(1) Should not be involved in the territorial dispute that we are not a part of and start to take sides. Territorial claim is an emotional issue that involve the claimants and other parties should not interfere in. It is best for the claimants to resolve it themselves peacefully and not through force.

(2) Singapore can help to develop a framework - for claimants to resolve their territorial dispute peacefully - such as the Code of Conduct - to prevent accidental conflict.

(3) Singapore can through security forum such as the Shangri-La Security dialogue to keep dialogue and communication open - to prevent confrontation and conflict.
Ultimately, everyone should leave it to the claimants to negotiate between themselves to resolve the territorial dispute peacefully and not through force.

(4) At all times, the sea and air lane for trade should be kept open and not let conflict close up the sea and air lane.

This I feel should be Singapore's position.

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Ricky Lim

View on Global trade, investment, travel and business.

Given that Global Trade, Investment and Business --- are important tools to foster peace and prosperity ---- preventing conflict, confrontation and war from erupting ------> promoting Global Trade, Investment and Business should be a priority.

Giving the backdrop that US and some parts of the World are growing protectionist, nationalists that curb Global trade, investment, travel and business ---- I personally feel that Singapore should promote Global trade and investment - through bilateral trade deals and multi-lateral trade deals.

This will send a signals to trade protectionists that --- curbing Global trade, investment, travel and business ---- is a sure way of moving the Globe into confrontation, conflict and even World War ---- the same ingredients that have trigger World War 1 and World War 2.

I feel that Singapore should promote the view that Countries should not adopt :-
(1) Cold War mentality by taking sides in 2 Global Bloc (the US led Bloc and the China/Russia Bloc).

Singapore should promote the view that SuperPowers and Countries should avoid forming political Blocs similar to the Cold War Bloc ---- that will bring about confrontation, conflict and eventually World War.

Singapore should promote the view of more bilateral trades, multi-lateral trades --- to promote trade, business, investment and travel ---- that will help SuperPowers and Countries to be seamlessly integrated with one another Economically to help one another prosper.

This will prevent World War 3 from breaking out.

Also personally, I will like Singapore to promote our foreign policies to the World :-
"Friends with All.
Adversaries with None.
Forge mutual benefits and win-win outcome".

This will be the best way to prevent World War 3 from breaking out.

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Ricky Lim

View on China and Taiwan.

Personally, I will not want China and Taiwan to spiral into war --- as both China and Taiwan are from the same ancestor root.
Likewise, S Korea and N Korea are from the same ancestor root.

Personally, I hope that China and Taiwan can resolve their differences peacefully one day.
This is same with S Korea and N Korea - where hopefully both S Korea and N Korea can move along the path for peace, instead of confrontation.

So what should be Singapore's position on China and Taiwan?

I feel that China and Taiwan have historical baggage going back to the China civil war.
Currently, it will be difficult for Taiwan to talk to China - given the fact that China is viewing Taiwan as adopting an independence stance that China will be difficult to accept.

As long as Taiwan does not publicly announce independence, China is unlikely to attack Taiwan and Taiwan is also cautious not to put itself into such a position.

Likewise China and Taiwan issue is an internal issue - and I feel that Singapore should not interfere in the internal politics of China and Taiwan ----- they should resolve their differences peacefully and should avoid using force.

If however, if the political clinate between China and Taiwan has turn for the better and are ready for talk and they feel that Singapore can play a positive role - to bring them together, I believe Singapore will not hesitate to host them (just like the US and N Korea nuclear summit).

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Ricky Lim

Singapore as a little red dot - can play a constructive role in International affairs ---- as long as our views are sought after, neutral, sincere, able to resolve difficult issues, unbias, honest, trustworthy and reliable.

I personally feel that Singapore diplomacy can be useful in promoting World peace and prosperity as long as we are pragmatic, constructive and useful.

Most importantly, Singapore must not take sides - to play one side against another - that fuel conflict.

Singapore can be a neutral party - to help the Globe to work for peace and prosperity - and prevent fueling of conflict and confrontaion, jostling of power and geopolitical influences, power play, brinkmanship and all other negative traits - that will trigger war especially World War.

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Ricky Lim

心理素质要到位 (mental quality in the right place)，should have the following attributes for both China and USA :-

1、智者不锐，慧者不傲，谋者不露，强者不暴。
2、身做好事，言说好话，心存好念。
3、大悲无泪，大悟无言，大喜无声，大爱无言。
4、君子 随方就圆，无处不自在。
5、示弱而不逞强，示拙而不逞能。缘来要惜，缘尽就放。
6、忍人之所不能忍，方能为人之所不能为。
7. 遇事先沉心。静中自得悟。
8. 淡定于心。从容于行。

1. The Wise not sharp to hurt, The Smart not Arrogant, The One who get things done is Anonymous, The Strong is not Forceful.
2. Body do good things, Speak good words, Think good things.
3. Great Grief for those who suffer, Enlightened without words, Great Empathy for those who suffer, Universal Compassion in the Heart for those who suffer.
4. The Enlightened will round those sharp edges that hurt, Eveywhere the Enlightened Go, He/She has let go of cravings and clingings.
5. Appear weak and don't act tough, Look stupid (buah bodoh) and don't act smart, When fate destined, treasure it, When fate ended, let go.
6. Able to endure, when no one can, Able to achieve what others can't.
7. Any situation arise, One need to be calm. In stillness and calmness, Enlightened solution will arise.
8. Calm in the mind and heart. Expounded in thoughts, speeches and actions.

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