REACH 327 - What are your views on the rising cost of living? How have you been affected by the Ukraine-Russia crisis?

(SK)

16 Mar 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[6:10 pm, 15/03/2022] +65 8248 8959: 

More: https://str.sg/weED

[9:43 am, 16/03/2022] +65 8637 0487: Dear Contributors,

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[10:00 am, 16/03/2022] +65 8637 0487: 📢 Topic 📢 

In January, core inflation rose to 2.4 per cent year on year, highest since September 2012. 

Food prices have been rising due to Covid-19 pandemic, supply chain disruptions and increasing energy prices, and is now exacerbated by the Russia-Ukraine crisis which has pushed up prices in commodity markets.

💬 What are your views on the rising cost of living? How have you been affected by the Ukraine-Russia crisis?

While Singapore does import some foods, such as eggs and cooking oil, from Ukraine, as well as seafood and alcoholic beverages from Russia, volumes are low, said the Singapore Food Agency.

Supermarket chains here, including FairPrice, Dairy Farm and Sheng Siong, play it safe by relying on a diverse supplier base to ensure that their warehouses remain stocked and prices for essential items stay affordable.

But while food supply, such as egg, is adequate, consumers will have to continue to bear with rising prices due to market factors in the current volatile environment, such as demand and supply, feed prices, logistic costs and general manpower shortages. 

Likewise, the impact of rising food costs and the Russia-Ukraine crisis have slowly trickled down to hawkers, with ten of the hawkers had raised their prices recently.

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/why-you-can-expect-to-pay-more-for-food-in-singapore

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/spore-food-manufacturers-importers-feel-the-heat-of-rising-prices-of-ingredients-exported-by-russia-ukraine

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/consumer/no-shortage-of-eggs-in-singapore-but-prices-likely-to-remain-high

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/consumer/hawkers-mull-over-raising-food-prices-as-russia-ukraine-crisis-adds-to-cost-burden

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[10:15 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/

[10:18 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/03/business/economy/food-prices-inflation-world.html

[10:23 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: The Fed is expected to start raising rates, but challenges may slow its pace

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/15/the-federal-reserve-is-expected-to-raise-rates-but-unique-challenges-could-slow-its-pace.html?__source=androidappshare

[10:24 am, 16/03/2022] +JC: I'll b keeping an eye on how NTUC prices food products. As a cooperative, I sure hope it plays it's role of keeping prices low 🤔

[10:25 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Expected to be higher than other supermarkets

[10:34 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: How have you been affected by the Ukraine-Russia crisis - just read from somewhere Singapore urge China to use its influence on Russia? well i think is better we keep our stance clear and NOT teach other country to do things ... is good we show where we stand but let's be neutral about things somethings

[10:39 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: nobody likes war or conflict but neither does any country likes his nemesis setup military bases in front of his door step , so 2 sides to the coin. This war is not a issue of 1 or 2 day notice it is something that had been brewing in eastern europe for years and in the last quarter of 2021 it came to media stage .. so personnel take stay out of it

[11:02 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: 2014 Russia invaded Crimea, so yes this has been going on for a while. Ukraine army was not setting up bases on the border, that was Russia. Ukraine tried to diffuse situation while West was talking of invasion. Russian military action is entirely unjustified,  whatever Ukraine said about joining NATO. I agree its good we make our position clear, but also not to pressure other countries the same way we would not like to be pressured.

[11:03 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/hawkers-mull-over-raising-food-prices-russia-ukraine-crisis-adds-cost-burden

[11:03 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: Regards food prices, let's help inform each other about what food is healthy but cheaper. Less meat, less processed food, less waste. So much food is thrown away. Smaller portions would benefit us economically and physically.

[11:03 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Our FM better maintain our long standing neutrality

[11:04 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: Chicken Rice at hawker center 

Was - $2.50 & $3.50

Now - $3.50 & $4.50

This is MORE than 20% jumped in prices.

[11:04 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: We are not neutral, since we have imposed sanctions.

[11:04 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: From when to when? That is indeed a huge 40% rise!

[11:05 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Accept as they too have bills to pay and mouth to feed.

[11:07 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: Prior to oil price up...

Today chichen rice prices are up...

Chickens & Eggs issue

[11:08 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: Among Asean countries, how many actually imposed sanctions etc? Count...

[11:10 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: is call inflation , even if oil dun up other things also up

[11:10 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: Be known, there is a sizeable Russians community in Phuket...

Likewise, the Russians have set foot in Asean since Vietnam War time, that's 50 years long or longer.

[11:11 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Exactly

[11:11 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: unless unless we have our own core supply which is impossible ...(let's not compare with other country)

[11:11 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Seems ruskies are leaving Thailand in droves

[11:12 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: "Don't Play with fire unless one is a fire engine".... Old Chinatown saying...

[11:12 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: 👍

[11:12 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Our FM VB must have a extraordinary fire extinguisher

[11:13 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: The main concern now is possible entry into the war by China,India or NATO (who are already arming Ukraine)

[11:13 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: With NATO sending arms, Russia may well ask China for equal support.

[11:13 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: One needs to THROUGHLY read the beginning of KGB into today's FSB.

How it evolves and the structural form never change!

[11:13 am, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: your abbreviation is FM is foreign ministry, VB is ?

[11:14 am, 16/03/2022] +Dan: I wonder if MOF had anticipated the inflation because of the war and with the GST raise, will the support given to the poor sufficient?

[11:14 am, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: There is a price to pay for (一切都要付出代价), that's itself is war!.. A Perfect Storm? "

"as long as oil is up, all things will be up too...? "

- - Anonymous

[11:15 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: China might test Asean solidarity on the south China Sea and Taiwan issue  unexpectedly soon to stress the international community

[11:15 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Another round of opening the piggy bank!?

[11:17 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: If ever there is a time, now it is. I sincerely hope they do not.

[11:17 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: Although maybe best to let the dust settle on this conflict, see how it plays out.

[11:18 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Intelligence gathering is of the utmost importance on military hardware and manpower movement

[11:19 am, 16/03/2022] +Smiley face: Put a book bind on PAKISTAN, next chapter of chaos and hopefully no conflict...

[11:20 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Exactly

[11:21 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: one of the root cause is every govt is arse about each other for some reason

[11:21 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: some wanna be big brother

[11:21 am, 16/03/2022] +Smiley face: Compared to CIA, it's more grounding and organic structurally organised, like a roulette player that spread its chips..

[11:21 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Yup

[11:21 am, 16/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: Agree

[11:21 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: some not happy about how other countries are run because is not their style and gang of friends

[11:21 am, 16/03/2022] +Smiley face: Then comes DARPA.... Highly highly secretive and...

[11:22 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: some are just ancient nemesis for some reason

[11:22 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: end of the day all these leaders forget when war or conflict is also their people fighting

[11:22 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: maybe the world shoudl change and make the govt people go MMA themselves and NOT the citizens

[11:23 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: since these govts are the one that wants the war

[11:23 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: that way geneva convention sure to be in good use aka civilians will not be attack same for basic infra

[11:25 am, 16/03/2022] +Smiley face: Comes May 22, the 193 countries will vote to adopt WHO future pandemic management. Simply, all future pandemic of large scale will be managed by WHO, its protocols etc...

[11:25 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: How many citizens ever want war? It is always power crazy, egotistical, wannabe leaders. It's the people who suffer.

[11:26 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: so the people should revolt and find a way to make the leaders go mma with each other hahahahaha

[11:26 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: I want a peaceful planet

[11:26 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: 7 billion people on the planet. Destruction caused by a tiny fraction of a percent.

[11:26 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: imagine a world where war and conflict is settle the brutal way MMA (death or life).. no need for military equipment

[11:26 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Bloodsucking idiots

[11:27 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: ooooo wait USA will be in shambles cos no more defence sales

[11:27 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: Historical arguments. Broken promises. Pretence of religion or racism. They are the causes of war.... oh and economic gain through acquisition of natural resources. That's the main one

[11:28 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Great

[11:29 am, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Agreements are pointless unless enforcement is without prejudice

[11:29 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: humans should learn to respect this is the basis

[11:30 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: does not mean a country which is not run like some big brother basis beliefs and system is an enemy

[11:30 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: or a curse to man kind

[11:31 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: in short power and money corrupts

[11:31 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: values and ethics of 4 sides of the world are different and some sides refuse to accept Rather they prefer to instill

[11:32 am, 16/03/2022] +Ah Heng: and the trend can be send no one day of peace after korean and vietnam war .....

[11:35 am, 16/03/2022] +Smiley face: TWO F&B metrics of play to sustain inflation . 

Either downsize PORTION 

Or increase PRICES

[11:35 am, 16/03/2022] +Dan: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/budget-debate-new-hawker-centres-to-open-this-year-more-support-for-hawkers

[11:35 am, 16/03/2022] +Dan: I look forward to the opening of 4 new hawker centres and is heartened by the govt's efforts to keep the hawker culture alive.

[11:37 am, 16/03/2022] +Dan: However, with the inflation, we have seen many price surges across the island. Ppl are complaining of the price increase. Hawkers have no choice but to wind their business.

[11:39 am, 16/03/2022] +BL: 👍👏

[11:53 am, 16/03/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: Agree 100% with this comment.

[11:54 am, 16/03/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: Re food security and prices: I haven’t experienced a change in my grocery bill in the last two years. If anything the logistics seem to have improved since the start of Covid. Mostly I shop for groceries online from large and small shops with occasional trips to the supermarket for last minute items.

[0:00 pm, 16/03/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: We don’t eat out or get takeaways ever so I appreciate my experience is not the same as those who do.

[0:07 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: so far, 16k protestors in prison protesting against the war. 3 years imprisonment. Not so easy to stand up to oppose the war.  there was a video of someone taken away for talking to foreign journalist. reminded of Nelson Mandela 20 years in prison to fight apartheid

[0:17 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: What if these hawker stores are allowed to operate up to 20 hours daily (10 hrs per shift), will it cannibalises into nearby coffee shops livelihoods and revenue takings?

[0:18 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: Co-sharing of hawker store -

"finding ways & means to fight this inflation..."

[0:31 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: Looking back :

Decades back, one young mind had lunch in the Peak's home with one of the taipans ..

This young one asked 'how to deal with inflation and unhappiness' in the world? The experienced taipan simply said... "create more JOBS and employability!", this young one wonders as he digested the sumptuous meal and continued listening...

[0:35 pm, 16/03/2022] +Umar M: Are you referring to taipans as in the world's most venomous snake?

[0:38 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tai-pan

[0:42 pm, 16/03/2022] +Umar M: Ah okay. Tai-pan. I thought taipan.

[1:32 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: Does anyone has knowledge of the import taxes for these staples?

If there are, can relevant govt agencies like MTI level down on import taxes?

Having said so, there will be an element of profiteering at the B to B and consumers may not enjoy such tax breaks should it happens?

What's our FTA with other countries for importation of foods?

"finding ways & means to survive this extended plays, this case inflation of goods and services.

 [1:39 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. The inflation in Singapore - the price increases are currently quite widespread notably in :-

a. Cooked food prices in neighborhood coffeeshops, food courts and hawker centres - in many stalls. 

b. Groceries in supermarket

c. Power utilities bill

d. Transport prices - bus, mrt, taxi

e. Car fuel prices

2. For eg.

a. Cook food prices increases range from 20cents, 50 cents, $1, $1.50 per plate or per bowl --- Thus if eat out over the weekend - a family with few family members - are a big price hike for 2 weekends.

b. Notice that many groceries in supermarket also increases - many promotion discount not offered.

c. Power utilities bill see a big jump as old contract end. 1 kilowatt increase from $1.68 to $2.38 ---- awaiting the final bill to come.

d. Transport prices in bus, mrt and especially taxi - see the biggest jump in taxi fare for the same distance.

e. Car fuel prices jump from $2 plus per litres to more than $3 per litres.

3. To summarise, the price inflation for this year is very widespread across the board in many good and services and food, energy, transport and the price increases very steep.

4. Big impact to retirees, unemployed and those workers whose salaries have not increased.

5. Except for some fortunate workers, their salaries increase can cushion the price hike but not the above groups.

[1:50 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Views on the ongoing Russia invasion of Ukraine :-

1. The current trajectory is going well for Ukraine. The will of Ukrainians to fight the Russia invaders are rock solid and has managed to drag out the war - with guerilla tactics, ambush - that have greatly impact the war outcomes.

Russia has failed to takeover major cities now 4 week after the invasion - except some small cities.

Russia invasion forces of 150,000 versus Ukraine 200,000 army and reservists plus the citizens taking up arms against the invaders ---- is a wrong move by Russia.

2. Everything go wrong with Russia war strategy, logistics, execution, very few precision weapons to take out strategic Ukraine military assets and poor morale of the Russian troops :-

3. The fear threat of launching nuclear missiles by Russia did not materialise.

4. I think the momentum of the brave Ukrainians at the war front spell good for Ukraine - and if held up a few more weeks and months - Russia invasion will come to not much gain and have to retreat --- as the World biting sanctions come into effect that drain the Russia resources to be put into the war.

[2:03 pm, 16/03/2022]Smiley face: "Forcing the tiger to jump over the wall... 逼虎跳墙?"

[2:11 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: Putin may be testing the world community. How long can you stay together before fatigue seeps in 🤣 he did that for many other special operations 🤣

[2:13 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: The Cities are being flattened and civilians are attacked no one bothers. We can only cry and pray. Putin will do what he has to do to keep his name. Like Trump others live for them

[2:20 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

I always believe in :-

Do good, get good outcomes.

Do evil, get bad outcomes.

[2:29 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: Yeah. Putin to him is doing good. Old glory and authority of Soviet Union 🤣🤣🤣

[2:29 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: The three Superpowers. USA, Russia and China

[2:30 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: Like Trump MAGA crowd 🤣

[2:32 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Don't discount the possibility of biological or chemical weapons or nerve gas in place of a nuclear strike

[2:33 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: He could not be accept the break up of USSR in 1991.

[2:35 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: "During dangerous time, the safest place is the most dangerous, vice versa, that's a deception tactic ! "

“危险的时候，最安全的地方就是最危险的地方，反之亦然，这就是欺骗战术! "

Prolonged battle (车轮战)

[2:36 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: Yeah. He can't accept it. That people want freedom and blame USA for undermining them. Haha see all the games (modern warfare) and movies (007) . 🤣 USA the good guys and  Russia villains 🤣

[2:37 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: https://time.com/6157712/singapore-calls-china-end-russia-invasion-ukraine/

[2:37 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Backlash possible

[2:38 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Not sure. The article is not as inflammatory as the headline

[2:38 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: “I hope they will assert their influence with Chinese characteristics, which means quietly and discreetly, but effectively,” Balakrishnan said of President Xi Jinping’s government.

[2:39 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Quite complementary actually

[2:40 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: https://theindependent.sg/traceforever-suspicions-arise-that-tracetogether-is-here-for-the-long-haul-after-govtech-job-ad/

[2:46 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: What Is the Balance of Payments (BOP)?

The balance of payments (BOP), also known as the balance of international payments, is a statement of all transactions made between entities in one country and the rest of the world over a defined period, such as a quarter or a year. It summarizes all transactions that a country's individuals, companies, and government bodies complete with individuals, companies, and government bodies outside the country.

What if a country intensionally default all debts?

[2:46 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: "Forcing the tiger to jump over the wall... 逼虎跳墙?"

[2:47 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: An old wallstreet banker said, " go for the broke...? "

[3:01 pm, 16/03/2022] +Smiley face: What's Russia's economy worth? $1.7 trillion with +30% on oil, gas and grains. How about Germany, China and EU, not forgetting the Latin countries?

In totality, what if China's GDP shrinks by 10% YTY, FY 22/23? What are the implications and convergence to global trades and supplies, the ultimate inflation like?

[3:09 pm, 16/03/2022]Smiley face: https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/atlantic-council-strategy-paper-series/the-longer-telegram/

[3:33 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Fed meeting ongoing.

Maybank interest rate increase from 1.2% to 1.4%.

[3:35 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

So Singapore is indeed an interest rate taker.

When Fed increase interest rate, Singapore banks do increase interest rate.

Our SSB also increase interest rate.

This is despite MAS making our currency exchange rate strong.

[3:36 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

SSB increase interest rate close to 2%.

[3:47 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: Maybank (or any Bank) raising deposit interest rate is not necessarily because US FED rate hikes... Banks may offer higher deposit rates because they need to attract funds for various reasons. Icelandic Banks in the UK used to offer much higher deposit rates to depositors before they collapsed aas well 😉

[3:49 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

OCBC interest rate also increase.

[3:52 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: As i have said before, I am not disagreeing with you that SGD rates will rise, but rather, pointing out that the mechanism for how SGD i/r moves is not the way you understand it to be. Correlation and Causation are not to be confused. You seem to be a meticulous guy. If you spend some time researching/understanding how this works, you will see what i mean.

[3:52 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

I understand.

I also understand how the market work

[3:53 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: This is a structured deposit not a pure deposit. Please read the fine print.

[3:53 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: There are risk involved

[3:53 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: More banks will announce interest rate increase soon

[3:54 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: and this is a “Structures Note” not a term/fixed deposit. Again, the mechanism and underlying factors that affect the i/r are different

[3:55 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

I understand.

Anyway more banks will announce interest rate increase soon.

[3:55 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: That is not what the disagreement is about. It’s about WHY the i/r is rising.  Not “IF”.

[3:56 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: Normally in tandem with Feb rates but not necessarily

[3:57 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: Ok… you are probably going to be right that SGD i/r will be rising… 

It is also important to understand WHY (what is the cause/mechanism) driving the change. Because if you don’t, then you risk  being nothing more than a broken clock .. which although is not working, can still be right twice a day 😉

[3:58 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Hahaha.

A simple theory of demand and supply.

[4:02 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: Don’t mean to be rude … but from what you have been saying.. it’s quite obvious that there is a mid-understanding about how it works  😅  

Anyway, i am not here to conduct a lesson .. just pointing out a factual inaccuracy. Smart guy like you will figure it out eventually 👍

[4:02 pm, 16/03/2022] +KSFoong: I don’t think there is any import tax for these items.

[4:04 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: DBS lost 10% of my savings (investment) last year, citing a turbulent market. However... https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/dbs-ceo-piyush-guptas-2021-salary-jumps-48-to-136-million

[4:05 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Is it right that a CEO be rewarded so heavily when his company loses money for his customers?

[4:05 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Now we see the Banks benefit from increased interest rates, which penalise business and households.

[4:06 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Private company leh lol

[4:06 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Not happy don’t invest in them.. no guarantee in returns 😅

[4:06 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Yes, and we have regulations to prevent abuse of private companies on the citizens.

[4:07 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: As long as KPI hit he gets his bonus.. just like how we hit KPI. As long as company set KPI hit.

[4:07 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: I agree, no gurantee. Not complaining about the loss. I'm highlighting that the Bank makes huge profits and pays crazy salaries at a time they are losing money for their customers.

[4:07 pm, 16/03/2022] +REACH: 👉Committee reconvened to address concerns that businesses could use GST hike to raise prices

More: https://str.sg/werw

[4:07 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: if their deposit interest is too low, then don’t save with then. If loan interest rate is too high, then don’t borrrow from them lor. How are they abusing citizens? 😂

[4:08 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

When our exchange rate is stronger, investors will cash out their deposit in Singapore for US dollars when mature and place in US when US interest rate increase.

So investors will earn :-

a. Currency exchange

b. Higher interest rate in US.

This will lead to capital outflow from Singapore.

Singapore as a financial hub, in order to keep the foreign capital in Singapore will have to increase the interest rate - not to match - but at least a premium of exchange rate gain plus interest rate increase to out match US interest rate.

This is a simple theory of profit and loss - and maintain ourselves as a competitive financial hub.

[4:09 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Companies in the end goal is to earn money.. CEO as well. Do your own home work and diversify if not really sure. Or just buy index which is STI already up 20%

[4:09 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: And maybe should check out who the biggest shareholders of DBS is/are 😜

[4:09 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: At a time when prices are going up, people are being penalised through higher costs - is it right that a bank who we rely on like electricity and water, should be paying such high salaries increases at the same time as losing money for its customers?

[4:10 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: So, we should stop talking about energy costs, hawker food etc? Just go elsewhere.

[4:10 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: Losing $ from investments is completely different from raising interest rates on your loans. don’t confuse the 2

[4:10 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: No more talk about chicken rice inflation. Just buy rice instead.

[4:11 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Just afraid for my kids 😔

[4:11 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: I didn't mention loans.

[4:11 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: The competition get steeper over time

[4:12 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: then what cost are you referring to that is costing you more when internet rate is rising? 😂

[4:12 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: interest*

[4:12 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Overpaid

[4:12 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Exactly.

[4:13 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: We talk about 50c here and there for Hawker food, but ignore the scandal of overpaid Bankers. How much chicken rice does $7m buy each year?

[4:13 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: This forum also has a lot of people spending a lot of time “sharing” away during office hours when they are being paid to work 😜

[4:13 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: and his company is making money but losing money for its customers.

[4:14 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: how so? in investments?

[4:14 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Time to replace the imported Singaporean

[4:14 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: It's not about nationality. It's about a system that is broken.

[4:15 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: his mandate as CEO - just like any other CEOs - is to make money for the company .. not the customer

[4:15 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: No one needs $7m a year to run a bank.

[4:15 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: So on that basis why do we talk about Hawker food prices, energy prices etc etc. Just accept it is what it is and move on.

[4:17 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: If you had ever saw my comments about food/hawker prices, you will realise that whenever i reply/comment about prices, is tell whoever is complaining about the price of his chicken rice going up, to open a competing stall and sell the same thing at half the price.

[4:18 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Not very practical though and defeats the point of a forum where people highlight areas in society that could be improved.

[4:18 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: It just becomes the stock answer to anything. "You don't like it, do it better yourself"

[4:19 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Exactly

[4:20 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: Where I think the Govt can do something to relieve price pressures, is to have a look at how to change policies so that rental costs do not rise indiscriminately - REITs, Oligopolies like Breadtalk group etc … i commented about this recently. So no point repeating.

[4:21 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Yes, so policies are effective when implemented on Private Companies for the benefit of society and to prevent abuse especially in Monopolies, Cartels and other closed markets.

[4:22 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: 😅 when you are in the position. Then you decide if that pay is enough.. 

But CEO pay has increase yearly… even during bad times. 

How many willing to get paid enough to do so much work 😅

[4:22 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: Not really .. but in the case of hawkers/f&b, i have friends and relatives who were hawkers and some are still in the trade, so I do have  some insights into their challenges which, from my observations, many people who complain, do not appreciate.

[4:23 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Just like many people say our MPs are overpaid.. but are they? 😅

[4:23 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: When you see the things they do.. and really know the details 😅

[4:25 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: I think the ruling Party should just pay every Opp Politician the same salary and give them the same benefits as PAP Ministers/MPs .. would be interesting to see if how voters feel about their performance then 😜

[4:26 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: They do… just that without allowance of a cabinet minister.

[4:27 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: https://www.reuters.com/business/jpmorgan-board-lifts-ceo-dimons-pay-345-million-2022-01-20/

Err if we pay less expect to get good talent 😅

We all want good pay.. so does all the top executive

[4:27 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: If they are elected or NMP

[4:29 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: Govt’s role is to implement policies to guide/influence Investors/Corporations to provide the services that the citizens need.  Easy to say, infinitely complex and difficult to execute.

[4:31 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Very different job, and they don't get $7m. Also open for anyone to become an MP!

[4:32 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: Yup.. so my suggestion is .. pay the same. And then watch whether the voters will still be as forgiving/understanding 😜 Justvlike how people are baying for blood because Mr Gupta is getting paid $7M instead of $7k 😂

[4:32 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Guessing no one here gets $5m a year. Does that mean we are not talented?

[4:33 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: I wouldn’t pay $5 to most of the people here 😉

[4:34 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: I don’t even get 100k a year 🤣

If not won’t have time to chit chat here

[4:34 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Ridiculous

[4:35 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Sgd10 for me

[4:35 pm, 16/03/2022] +jimmy chew: Agree 🤣

[4:35 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Just a side note… most director level civil servants are about 10k a month

[4:35 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Go search you see how many lor

[4:35 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Lol

[4:36 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Cannot be PS, CE or Minister lower than them right?

[4:36 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: The people who would easily agree to taking on the role of an MP/Minister for $100k/1M are the last people I want, to be my MP/Minister … conversely, people whom I think are capable to be MP/Ministers, would not do it even if you offer them that kind of money, if not for a sense of duty (or some other non-monetary reasons)

[4:38 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: The thing is not so simple.. unless you are opposition. The ease to get into a party and ask to be elected really.. not so simple bah

[4:38 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Likewise

[4:38 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: the US is a totally different animal .. the country, the people .. the politics/politicians … i pray hard we never go in that direction

[4:38 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Not likely

[4:39 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: They work Atleast 10 hours a day.. and weekends and major event all have to attend not PH for them. 

Can’t say for all MPs but cabinets ones not so simple. 😔 if you guys want to have a feel go help at your local Meet the people session.

[4:40 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Any takers!?

[4:40 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: And with us microscoping their life…

[4:40 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Lol meet the people session if you volunteer you see another side of Singapore 🤣🤣

[4:41 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: That’s exactly my point. That I think most of our Ministers are doing it not just for the money. I for one, would not do it for a million dollars 😂

[4:41 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: or even 2 😂

[4:42 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: MP ok… minister really not worth.. you see them in cabinet turn hair white so fast

[4:42 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: there are easier ways to make an MP’s salary 😂

[4:43 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: If you are capable any job will get high pay. MNC get high pay and no one know who you are so much better

[4:43 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: SM TCH

[4:44 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Current now… I also looking to be a bit more hybrid for future economy

[4:44 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Looking at IOT or digital related course

[4:45 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Many will have to reskill so time in their life just when

[4:46 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/11/jpmorgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-details-the-2008-financial-crisis.html

[4:47 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna36858911

[4:48 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: https://amp.theguardian.com/business/2018/sep/11/lehman-brothers-collapse-where-are-the-key-figures-now

[4:50 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: It will repeat just when… but in the meanwhile the games continues on 🤷🏻♂️

[5:02 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: https://youtu.be/QozGSS7QY_U

[5:03 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: https://youtu.be/hZ3TI8KQKK8

[5:23 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/15/russia-could-be-about-to-default-on-its-debt-heres-what-you-need-to-know.html

Russia 1st sovereign debt default.

[5:23 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

The biting sanctions - bringing down Russia Economy.

[5:24 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: How much can China help!?

[5:24 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: Not much.

China also not helping - else they can get themselves into trouble.

That is why evil don't pay.

[5:25 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: So, xi jin ping will eventually wash hie hands from putin!

[5:27 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

China president is not stupid.

He is smarter than any body thought.

[5:27 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Rasputin is blind!

[5:28 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Btw I think GIC may have invest in some Russia bonds.

Not sure true or not.

We may suffer some collateral lost.

[5:29 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Definitely

[5:30 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: To begin, how would the German's economy and its SMEs be affected if there comes a shortage of LNG? 

Secondly. GERMANY is a wholesaler and distributor of the Russian's LNG to neighboring countries. The LNG pipeline was a legacy project to the Former Chancellor Angela Merkel. It is an economically viable model for the Germans. 

On global scale, how many ocean going LNG carriers are there? What's the total capacity to fulfill continental Europe needs, 600 vessels, shipping cost and turnaround time? 

Point of Interest - 

Finland & Russian War of 1936?

[5:36 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: Geo politics

[5:42 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: It's happened many times before: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_sovereign_debt_crises

[5:43 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Russia 1998 was the last time they defaulted.

[5:44 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: Even Australia defaulted in 1931, but rare for Developed Economies

[5:45 pm, 16/03/2022] +BL: And usually triggered by war.... of course

[5:47 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Rare not impossible..

[5:47 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Just hope that it will not happen

[5:48 pm, 16/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Even Hyflux bankrupt 🥲

[5:49 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: Yup

[5:51 pm, 16/03/2022] +Boon: Sg rising cost of living started before the Ukraine-Russia war and therefore, the war should not be made out as a key driver of our higher cost of living. Views: our MPs should actively raise challenges and solutions to manage base cost drivers like rents, energy prices, foreign labour involved in hawkers and food transportation costs. Particularly, keeping hawker prices affordable  to Sg greying populace, and having affordable prices in community stores like NTUC, are key reasons why SG is not even more expensive to live in. Active visible govt agency focus to assist these community providers of daily necessities - eg/ keeping hawker rents and select foreign labour costs (levies!) low could already mitigate some of rising daily living costs.

[5:54 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: You got it.... "go for the broke..."

[6:02 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: So the exposures can amount to $7.0 trillions... If default comes into full play.

[6:03 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: What was the experienced of Lehman collapsed? Impact?

[6:10 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: How many trillions? 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-luxembourg-moneylaundering-tax-idUSKBN22Q1S4

[6:19 pm, 16/03/2022] +Joseph: Yes. Totally agree. 

Other than rental costs, the other component within our Govt’s control is employment costs. 

Review the EP/WP scheme. If it is not bringing down the number of foreign workers as intended - which any fool can see because there are many jobs that Singaporeans simply DO NOT WANT TO DO - while the ever increasing minimum wage requirement for renewing the Ep/WP pass is just adding on the cost of goods and services, then scrap it and think of a better solution!

[6:28 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: The problem is there are no LNG terminals in Germany for freighters to feed their cargo into the national pipeline system. But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to change that as fast as possible. In response to Russia's war against Ukraine, he has announced the building of two LNG terminals in the country.

[6:29 pm, 16/03/2022] +Rama: No foresight previously!?

[6:29 pm, 16/03/2022] Smiley face: What Is War? 

101 of war - 

Billions of people have not experience what is war like? Just when billions experienced what's a pandemic like covid is, war is happening now and the impact on our daily living cost and livelihoods. The supply and demand of goods and services will just go up and up as long as this battle goes!

There is a price to pay for (一切都要付出代价) , that's itself is war!

[6:30 pm, 16/03/2022] +Smiley face: Never DEPEND too much from others or else.... There will be a price to pay!

WHO NEEDS WHO MOST?

[6:32 pm, 16/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/business/committee-against-profiteering-reconvenes-gst-hike-raise-prices-daily-essentials-2567951                                                                                                   But prices increases is now everywhere.....

[6:45 pm, 16/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan

[6:58 pm, 16/03/2022] +Smiley face: 16 March, 2022

To: Our Distinguished Ministers and All Our Honorable Members 

"There is a price to pay for (一切都要付出代价), that's itself is war!.. A Perfect Storm? "

"as long as oil is up, all things will be up too...? "

- - Anonymous 

Street Walk:

Chicken Rice at hawker center 

Was - $2.50 & $3.50

Now - $3.50 & $4.50

This is MORE than 20% jumped in prices. 

How about Varieties Rice at Coffee Shop? Can we assume similar increased in prices vary on combinations of meat and vegetable? 

What was the intended GST vouchers and all spectrum of assistances to cushion these impact of inflation? Can we recap, RELOOK and perhaps to recalibrate?

Households:

Can we expand the 'safety net' and 'assistance' to beyond 5000 households, can MSF attempts up to 25,000 households? 

What are the existing methods in reaching these 5,000 households? Any other ways to stretch these social reach out efforts? 

What about hawkers?:

Co-sharing of hawker store -

"finding ways & means to fight this inflation..." 

In totality, what's the breakeven for the cost of foods (ingredients), wastage, salaries, electricity, water and maintenance? 

What's the weekly and monthly revenues like? Working on a worse scenario in terms of net revenue?

What if these hawker stores are allowed to operate up to 20 hours daily (10 hrs per shift), will it cannibalises into nearby coffee shops livelihoods and revenue takings? 

Where are the sweet spots for consumers and operators? Afterall, convenience and affordable foods are what Singapore is known for unlike other countries food outlets that close after 6pm?

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/budget-debate-new-hawker-centres-to-open-this-year-more-support-for-hawkers

Opening Up:

To scale up by how many percentage point prior to pre covid normalcy in anticipation of an upward swing in the economics activities? What if you scaled things up and the actual volume served is 50%? 

With the sky rocketing oil and gas prices, transportations sector will be heavily affected in the short run cost especially airlines, shipping and logistics companies. How much impact and significance will this metrics of increase weigh into the running cost of the sector? It will be a dampening effect towards opening up one's economies to others. 

Afterwords:

What Is War? 

101 of war - 

Billions of people have not experience what is war like? Just when billions experienced what's a pandemic like covid is, war is happening now and the impact on our daily living cost and livelihoods. The supply and demand of goods and services will just go up and up as long as this battle goes!

There is a price to pay for (一切都要付出代价) , that's itself is war!

LNG? 

To begin, how would the German's economy and its SMEs be affected if there comes a shortage of LNG? 

Secondly. GERMANY is a wholesaler and distributor of the Russian's LNG to neighboring countries. The LNG pipeline was a legacy project to the Former Chancellor Angela Merkel. It is an economically viable model for the Germans. 

The problem is there are no LNG terminals in Germany for freighters to feed their cargo into the national pipeline system. But German Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to change that as fast as possible. In response to Russia's war against Ukraine, he has announced the building of two LNG terminals in the country.

On global scale, how many ocean going LNG carriers are there? What's the total capacity to fulfill continental Europe needs, 600 vessels, shipping cost and turnaround time? 

Point of Interest? 

Finland & Russian War of 1936? 

News:

https://www.fao.org/worldfoodsituation/foodpricesindex/en/

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/02/03/business/economy/food-prices-inflation-world.html

https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore/hawkers-mull-over-raising-food-prices-russia-ukraine-crisis-adds-cost-burden

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/content-series/atlantic-council-strategy-paper-series/the-longer-telegram/

              - - END - -

[7:00 pm, 16/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

=====

REACH 326 - What are your views on the progress of Singapore women's development so far? How can we better support women at workplaces, and at home?

(SK)

09 Mar 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:38 am, 09/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10am to 7pm today. ⏰

House Rules (short version of our Terms of Use) to keep in mind: 

1. Be kind and respectful. We all want to be in a safe space to share our views. 

2. Any and all threatening, abusive, vulgar or racially, religiously and ethnically objectionable content is prohibited.

3. Consider the quiet ones among us and give them a chance to comment.

4. No need to repeat your comment or in different forms (including caps) - we heard you loud and clear the first time.

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We will strive to uphold these rules to ensure this is a safe space for all.

Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies.

The topic will be posted shortly.

Thank you

Megan 😊

[9:57 am, 09/03/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢

Several recommendations including enshrining fairness at the workplace, support for caregivers, as well as strengthening protection for victims of sexual offences and family violence will be part of a White Paper on women's issues that will be "presented soon", said Minister for Communications and Information Josephine Teo on Tuesday (Mar 8). She went on to highlight three recommendations in the White Paper that were "particularly responsive to what women have told us last year".

💬 What are your views on the progress of Singapore women's development so far? How can we better support women at workplaces, and at home?

The White Paper was first set forth by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the closing session of Conversations on Singapore Women's Development in September last year, where he outlined three broad areas in which Government policies and programmes can help level the playing field for women. 

📌 More equal workplace opportunities

The first is enshrining fairness in the workplace, whether it is in terms of recruitment, advancement or how harassment is being dealt with, Mrs Teo said. For example, results from a study conducted by women's rights group Association of Women for Action and Research last year showed that women who experience sexual harassment at work often go through extended periods of low work productivity and have lower job satisfaction due to strained relationships with colleagues.

📌 More caregiver support

The second recommendation is enhancing support for home-based caregiving. "The majority of caregivers are still women, and this is absolutely necessary because families that have to deal with frail seniors for the long term need better support and more relief," said Mrs Teo.

📌 Increased protection for women, both physically and online.

The third recommendation will address violence against women, sexual offences, and family violence. "It would be in strengthening protection for victims of sexual offences and violence and making it absolutely clear that there is no place for such things in Singapore, and women should really not have to bear with it," she said.

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/fairness-at-workplace-caregiver-support-among-recommendations-in-white-paper-on-womens-issues

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/concrete-proposals-to-tackle-womens-issues-to-be-presented-in-early-2022-pm-lee

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/infectious-disease-expert-leo-yee-sin-and-music-icon-nona-asiah-among-seven-women-to-join-singapore-womens-hall-of-fame

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/smes-partner-ntuc-to-fight-workplace-gender-bias-and-harassment

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/women-who-take-on-caregiving-duties-need-better-financial-and-emotional-support-pm-lee

-----

[9:59 am, 09/03/2022] +BL: Why is it the only in extreme circumstances that Foreign Domestic Helpers can be male? Does that send the wrong message that a woman's place is in the home?

[9:59 am, 09/03/2022] +BL: Or rather, domestic work should be done by women?

[10:00 am, 09/03/2022] +BL: I'm delighted to see a focus on improvement for women in the workplace, protection against abuse, and more caregiver support. These are good initiatives.

[10:02 am, 09/03/2022] +Caleb: +1

[10:02 am, 09/03/2022] +BL: Is it illegal to ask a woman about her family life during an interview, for example - when does she plan on having a baby...?

[10:04 am, 09/03/2022] +BL: Perhaps some marketing, education and training for men on how to contribute more towards domestic chores could be useful?

[10:05 am, 09/03/2022] +BL: As a man, I know I could do better and I would like my son to grow up being more aware and helpful around the house.

[10:05 am, 09/03/2022] +BL: Speaking for myself of course, I'm sure many men do a better job than me!

[10:06 am, 09/03/2022] +BL: More of this please! Our history has been dominated around the world by stories about male achievements.

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/infectious-disease-expert-leo-yee-sin-and-music-icon-nona-asiah-among-seven-women-to-join-singapore-womens-hall-of-fame

[10:08 am, 09/03/2022] +BL: This makes sense.... listening to what women want, need and expect. "It's also important to recognise that in putting together the White Paper, what matters most is what our women want, and what they tell us is important in their lives," she said.

[10:08 am, 09/03/2022] +BL: I'll be quiet now 😁

[10:59 am, 09/03/2022] +REACHDear Contributors,

The chat is now open! 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!

Megan 😊

[0:54 pm, 09/03/2022] +Anthony: Do I given more salary or scheme from my employer or from MOH or G ,

The answer is definelly No

So call Caregiver support means the background for the family must be fragile or complicated one 

Nice to hear ,hard to given support to Caregiver

No volunteering support from transport to daliy neccecsties for those physical disable &  mental issue

I suggest the scheme doesn't look like hard to Get scheme 等久就有了

[1:00 pm, 09/03/2022] +Rama: Agree

[1:06 pm, 09/03/2022] +Smiley face: https://youtu.be/vDNAzq4qgiM

[1:27 pm, 09/03/2022] +Anthony: Hospital, Social Service Office should have more transportation & driver & employ worker who help to buy neccecsties for those unfortunate ones , Given food Given Access at all corner should be fundamental not just simply said giving help to Care-giver sounds not nice at all

If Government willing to do from top to toe plan,

It would be 一条龙，service & 天下太平

[1:29 pm, 09/03/2022] +Anthony: In Hokkien call, Shui Shui 

Doing it (  Beautifully )

[1:29 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: Slight aside...  Good to see VTL ending so we can open up, but people won't want to come and wear masks outside. When will we see that come to an end?

[2:05 pm, 09/03/2022] +Rama: 🤷‍♂️

[2:13 pm, 09/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. My experience with women in the workforce - is that women are in a superior position and predominantly dominate the middle and senior hierarachy of management.

2. My 1st job lasted me for 12 years (which I planned to retire with) - was recruited by a good lady boss.

3. However my 1st job ended by another lady boss who stay for barely less than 1 year.

4. In my 2nd job that I lasted for 8 years (which I also hope to retire with), another lady boss ended my 2nd career who lasted less than 1 year.

5. So how to support, comment and feedback on today's topic - about giving more protection to women in the workforce when my career experience demonstrate otherwise?

[2:13 pm, 09/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. However I must say I do enjoy working with women colleagues and good women bosses.

2. I enjoy the carmaderie with my women colleagues like my male collaegues - in many projects.

3. I also have good female bosses and good male bosses.

4. Throughout my career experiences, I did not see women bosses, peer colleagues or lower level staff - in a disadvantage position or being harass or bullied at the workplace.

Hence I am unable to provide feedback, comment or support more protection for the womem in the workplace - as my experience suggest otherwise.

5. However my wife told me that in private sectors, this is not the case.

Women are often harass. Maybe this topic is more relevant to women in the private sectors in which I did not come across.

[3:24 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: I think we need to be careful not to set an agenda based on 1 or 2 personal experiences. I've had good male and good female bosses, as well as bad male and bad female bosses. The point isn't to base this on our own subjective experience, where we ourselves are at mercy of our own Gender Biases.

[3:26 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: What do you feel is demonstrated by their resignations in the context of this topic?  I wasn't clear what you meant about your 'career experience demonstrating otherwise'

[3:50 pm, 09/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

I will support something that I feel is relevant in my context.

I cannot be supporting something that it does not happen - in this case woman inequality - which my previous organisation don't practice

[3:52 pm, 09/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Also I don't set agenda - this topic is set by REACH.

I merely say it does not apply to what I experience and I can't be commenting or supporting this topic that is contrary to what I experience.

[3:55 pm, 09/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心:

And contrary to what you say about gender bias - I respect women and I have good relationship with my wife and my ex-colleagues.

Gender bias is not in my dictionary.

I treat everyone equally and with respect.

[3:55 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: I see, and understand your point

[3:57 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: It's fair to say, and there is a lot of evidence that we all hold unconscious bias. The point is that we are not aware of it. It's worth understanding what that means and how to combat it. https://diversity.ucsf.edu/programs-resources/training/unconscious-bias-training#item-89

[4:04 pm, 09/03/2022] +Noraini: Why a person behave such & such is based on one's enneagram.  The gender's perspective is another angle when female make-up 9heart & 1 brain vs male 1 heart & 9 brain

[4:21 pm, 09/03/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/gender-gap-equality-women-parity-countries/

[4:49 pm, 09/03/2022] +jimmy chew: Were I worked in an MNC I don't sense any gender bias. The best will take the job. The bad ones don't last.

[4:51 pm, 09/03/2022] +jimmy chewI think it depends on the industry. Eg in construction is there gender bias? I think there is men can carry More. In healthcare are there gender bias I think so. Female nurses can serve all patients.

[5:09 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: Worth taking 5 minutes to see: https://www.aauw.org/resources/article/iat/

[5:09 pm, 09/03/2022]BL Gender Bias quiz!

[5:11 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: And general unconscious bias in the workplace. Can you spot it?  https://stem4all.eurasia.undp.org/test-yourself/can-you-recognize-unconscious-gender-bias-in-the-workplace

[5:14 pm, 09/03/2022] +BLNot sure if you are observing this,or think it yourself. Both are good examples of unconscious bias in the workplace. A construction worker might get hired based on how much they can carry. They is nothing to do with their gender.

[5:30 pm, 09/03/2022]BLInteresting perspective on Strength: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/jun/11/the-weaker-sex-science-that-shows-women-are-stronger-than-men

[5:30 pm, 09/03/2022 jimmy chew Agree with you. A lady can carry as much as a man but these are exceptions. The argument is that generally the we're restricted by human body. In general a woman would not have as much strength as a man, nor a man has much care and gentleness as a women.

[5:31 pm, 09/03/2022] +jimmy chewAll the marathon runners best times are held by women. Speed is by man.

[5:32 pm, 09/03/2022] BLYes I think that is true. The point here though is we should not make decisions based on that assumption. There should be equal opportunity for men and women.

[5:32 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: Unconscious Bias means that Managers may be making decisions about men and women's suitability that is detrimental to women, without realising it.

[5:33 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: Such as - she will have a baby, she looks after the family can't work late, she is not strong enough to handle the banter, etc

[5:34 pm, 09/03/2022] BL: Genetically, Men can be stronger than women, but plenty of men are not.

[5:36 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: Nearly 10% of US Marines are women. Clearly, women can be Marines. Doesn't mean all women can be, just as not all men can be. But enough are and that shows they can. The barriers for women should be the same as for men.

[5:39 pm, 09/03/2022] +BLSingapore is quite a conservative nation, for many reasons. It's welcoming to see our senior politicians address this problem. We have many stairs to climb, including how we treat domestic workers and the LGBTQ community. However, Gender Equality is very important, so its encouraging to see this on the agenda.

[5:39 pm, 09/03/2022] +BL: Nice article here about Female US Marines: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/breaking-barrier-women-become-us-marines-after-surviving-crucible-2021-04-26/

[6:50 pm, 09/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 10 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan

[6:56 pm, 09/03/2022] +Smiley face: 9 March, 2022

To: Our Distinguished Leaders, All Our Honorables, Ladies & Gentlemen 

"A Level Playing World, Please (纸上谈兵) ?" 

"Don't take women for granted or as wallpapers or else...! "

- - anonymous 

So What? 

A happy belated International Women's Day! 

1) Women are the "hidden hero" of a family unit.

2) Women are as well educated and as intelligent/capable/talented as men. What's the economics lifespan of women and men? 

3) Women have two extra chores,  child bearing and child bearing years .

4) Women regardless of working or home caregiver, be given a tax break as a way of appreciation/recognition to all women. 

5) Big Corporations and Public listed ones senior positions and guildlines for board membership with a 30% or more women in it. Gender disparity in terms of Compensation? 

6) To identify, nurture and encourage capable women to take up leadership or management roles. Tax break to tie into this 'equal opportunity' scheme. 

7) How societies MINDSET towards a LEVEL UP playing field for women? It is not me versus you or I'm stronger than you! Is societies ready, willing and to accept these equitable adjustments? 

8) How about Public offices both political and civil societies?  Will it be a good posture for all to adapt/transit towards gender equality?  A woman Deputy PM? 

9) Its about the BEST person for the job/role. It is no longer relevant that solid muscle and huge stamina holds the job (Exception for rough & tough jobs) !  

10) Collectively to stop hiring bias, to cancel gender discrimination, to give the disabled more chances? 

So How? 

Without hesitation, now is the best time to reset these gender preference/role issues. Let's balanced the gender scale and implement new rules, dares to change/challenge while others still pending, that's uniquely Singapore! We all know that 'it takes TWO hands to clap!' So important, that's becoming equitable and that's visible to all ! 

Additionals:

https://www.un.org/en/observances/womens-day

https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2019/12/gender-gap-equality-women-parity-countries/

https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2008/08/25/men-or-women-whos-the-better-leader/

                 - - END - -

[7:00 pm, 09/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

====

REACH 325 - In your view, have anti-scam measures implemented earlier this year, such as removing links from SMSes, been effective? How can we continue to remain vigilant and guard vulnerable groups against scams?

(SK)

07 Mar 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:56 am, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10am to 7pm today. ⏰

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We will strive to uphold these rules to ensure this is a safe space for all.

Please be assured that the points made by participants during the chat are aggregated and shared with relevant agencies.

The topic will be posted shortly.

Thank you

Megan 😊

[10:00 am, 07/03/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢

People in Singapore lost at least $633.3 million to scams in 2021, more than double that of the previous year. Investment, impersonation, and love scams were among the biggest contributors to the rise.

The annual figure has been on the increase over the past few years, with investment, impersonation, and love scams among the biggest contributors to the rise.

💬 In your view, have anti-scam measures implemented earlier this year, such as removing links from SMSes, been effective? How can we continue to remain vigilant and guard vulnerable groups against scams?

In response, the Government is doubling down on efforts to stop scams here, said Minister for Home Affairs and Law K. Shanmugam on 27 Feb (Sun). 

"We are redoubling our efforts. The police are taking on more powers to stop certain types of transactions but you know, the multiplicity of transactions and the digitisation mean that the challenge grows exponentially," said Mr Shanmugam.

He listed ScamShield - a mobile app that filters out scam messages using artificial intelligence and blocks calls from phone numbers that were used in other scam cases or reported by ScamShield users - and anti-scam campaigns as examples of preventive measures. "A very substantial number of scams were prevented from taking place through all these efforts," he added.

Community Policing Units in neighbourhoods also spend time visiting various Housing Board blocks and engaging the community to educate the public about scams.

Earlier this year, banks in Singapore have also put in place more stringent measures to bolster the security of digital banking, such as removing clickable links in SMSes or e-mails sent to retail customers. 

👉 https://str.sg/wsUb

👉 https://str.sg/wsuk

👉 https://str.sg/wszq

👉 https://str.sg/wWt2

👉 https://str.sg/wQyQ

-----

[10:02 am, 07/03/2022] +Noraini: What does 're-doubling' means

[10:03 am, 07/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Should have done long ago 🤦🏻‍♂️

Wait Till so much money got scam then start

[10:04 am, 07/03/2022] +Ken Loh: All the countermeasure setup should have done long ago.. special those that don’t need a lot of effort like sms and link removal

[10:05 am, 07/03/2022] +JC: Wahhhh didn't know Singaporeans so rich can b scammed for half a billion in one year. 😅 No wonder all e crime syndicates target us...

[10:05 am, 07/03/2022] +Sugeng Shi: I think we should have pursued the scam much earlier especially when the scammed money is being transferred by involving the financial institutions, unless we are talking about scammers asking for hard cash or something not monetary. MAS as the highest authority could have implemented stricter measure to deter the scammers from utilizing the service of financial institutions.

[10:06 am, 07/03/2022] +Ken Loh: We are rich and more gullible… relatively easy to scam.. not street smart

[10:07 am, 07/03/2022] +Timothy Low: Recently there are a lot of job scams, the relevant authorities should take actions against the scammers in this field as well

[10:08 am, 07/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Being straight forward and growing up in a friendly community.. is a double edge 😔

[10:49 am, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Carousel website leaves much bad taste for numerous short change vendors fleecing buyers.

[11:50 am, 07/03/2022] +REACH: 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!

Megan 😊

[11:58 am, 07/03/2022] +Angelica: I think more reminders and campaigns on possible scam tactics...

[11:58 am, 07/03/2022] +Angelica: I still have friends that don't know SG number shouldnt have +65 infront

[0:03 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: Can it be communicated via gov.sg WhatsApp and telegram communication. 

Else it's just a platform about covid

[0:04 pm, 07/03/2022] +Angelica: i think that would be good, but also usually the people who get scammed aren't very tech savvy are they...

[0:09 pm, 07/03/2022] +~RH: Means 'put in more effort '  ...

[0:11 pm, 07/03/2022] +~RH: Good point. 

🤷‍♀️  So,  talking abt it isn't gg to do much good,  since the ppl who are most r risk r unlikely to be here! 🤔

[0:21 pm, 07/03/2022] +~typing.......: I think the vast majority of people in Singapore don't know that and that it would be helpful for something to be done to raise awareness: it is a very simple (and virtually guaranteed) indicator of a scam.

[0:22 pm, 07/03/2022] +~typing.......: Sorry - of a scam phone call

[0:51 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: At least 13 people lost over $38k to new travel review job scam this year

More: https://str.sg/wsC5

[1:14 pm, 07/03/2022] +~N: Not effective. 

Suggestions: 

Improve data protection of all organizations that collects and uses personal data. This includes monitoring and restricting internal access of personal data. 

Incoming call filter option to filter calls that are not on contact list. 

A ScamShield equivalent for mobile apps to filter apps that collect unnecessary data of the app user.

Provide proper channels to each of the root cause. For example job scams targeting people looking for jobs or side income?

Perhaps a scam check hotline to make verification and reporting easier.

[1:23 pm, 07/03/2022] +~typing.......: There is a big difference between SMSs and phone calls which prey on people who are less tech-savvy and more trusting, and which give the impression that they are from legitimate businesses like banks and phone companies, and websites like this. 

Most sensible people know that if you have to initially pay money to secure a commission based job it's almost certainly a scam.

Government should protect those in need; it should not have to protect those who are greedy and foolish.

[1:29 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. The removal of clickable URL links send by SMS from banks and business has been effective in greatly reducing scam.

2. It is important that Telcos also block SMS send with clickable links that are sent locally or overseas - so that users will not received any such SMS with bait links.

3. Expediting the Scamshield for Android users will be useful - as majority of the handphone users carry Android phones rather than iPhone.

4. Notice that scam SMS and even phone calls with +65 or other "+" calls have been reduced significantly - which means Telcos have build up its database to block scam calls especially coming from overseas.

5. MAS requiring banks to introduce more stringent measures in performing bank transactions over the Internet also seems to be particularly helpful in reducing scam via digital bank transactions over the Internet.

[1:36 pm, 07/03/2022] +Suma pamu: As we discussing scams i just received Call from this number

In whtsapp

Said Singapore police force and Crime investigation department 😃

[1:37 pm, 07/03/2022] +Suma pamu: Their DP is Singapore Police 😉

[1:38 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

WhatsApp are coming from data line not from phone line.

[1:38 pm, 07/03/2022] +Suma pamu: I askd wch police station

He said Marina bay

And I asked whats the postal code😂😂

He is googling i guess

I scolder n cut off pho e

[1:39 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: Email also coming from data line

[1:39 pm, 07/03/2022] +Suma pamu: So many scam call

Especially in the name of

MOH, DBS banks

[1:40 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: SMS and phone call coming from phone line.

[1:40 pm, 07/03/2022] +Suma pamu: Yes

[1:41 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

The current government measures and Scamshield are only protecting the phone line.

[1:49 pm, 07/03/2022] +BL: Some software systems unfortunately do put the +65 even from Singalore companies. I ignore them though. 🤣

[1:52 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Currently the government is concentrating the effort to protect and block the PSTN network (Public Switched Telephony Network).

2. The PSTN network has a gateway link to Internet network.

3. The effort is now trying to block and manage the SMS and voice calls coming from PSTN network - so that scam voice call will not float over via clickable URL link to the internet data network to steal money from the bank via the internet.

4. WhatsApp, email, clickable URL link are in the data network that access the internet directly.

5. Thus important for people to note that all current efforts are to protect the voice network and not the data network.

[2:02 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Protecting the voice line is possible because voice line are under the control of our Telcos eg. Singtel, Starhub, M1.

2. Protecting the data link is a nightmare because:-

- WhatsApp is under meta or Facebook

- telegram under telegram

- email under Yahoo, Microsoft, Google etc

A nightmare to control scam coming from data lines.

So low trust should be accorded to data link tools.

[2:14 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Some people may ask how come WhatsApp can make phone calls - isn't WhatsApp coming from voice line?

2. WhatsApp are using VoIP - IP telephony that uses Internet network tcpip and sip protocol - which is a data line.

3. Hence when scammers scam people using voice call via WhatsApp - scamshield or voice call protection from PSTN is not effective because the scam call is coming from data line using VoIP not PSTN network.

So don't talk to "police" via WhatsApp voice call - very likely to be a scammer.

[2:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Scamshield for android still pending for roll out.

[3:26 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: 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!

Megan 😊

[3:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: https://www.business-standard.com/article/beyond-business/one-hack-of-a-job-115101601285_1.html

[3:34 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Government should also consider heavier jail sentence and fine for scammers who are caught to serve as a deterrent.

Very difficult to catch digital scammers.

[3:40 pm, 07/03/2022] +~...https://mothership.sg/2022/03/severed-leg-margaret-drive/

[3:52 pm, 07/03/2022] +Anthony: The scams only show more that Singapore is Vulnerable when facing all this scammer the Police & Commoner out of ideas to dealing with this worsen situation🙅‍♂️🙅‍♂️

[3:54 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Jill Biden 'holding her breath' that the Russia-Ukraine crisis does not turn into 'world war.

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/jill-biden-holding-her-breath-235906094.html

[3:54 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Chilling message from the US 1st Lady.

[3:57 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/singapore-gravely-concerned-cyber-attacks-ukraine-josephine-teo-104959793.html

Singapore ‘gravely concerned’ over cyber attacks against Ukraine: Josephine Teo

[4:13 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/cisa-and-fbi-warn-of-potential-data-wiping-attacks-spillover/

CISA and FBI warn of potential data wiping attacks spillover.

[5:15 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: Expect oil to hit & $145-$148 level, sooner than later

[5:15 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: 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!

Megan 😊

[5:17 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: Look at Wheat price now!

[5:17 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: Russia claims it will hold fire for Ukraine evacuations; oil prices soar to 13-year highs. Follow our live updates

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/07/possible-russian-energy-ban-sends-oil-soaring-poland-us-in-jet-talks.html?__source=androidappshare

[5:19 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: High chance petrol price will reach up to $3.30 for 95 octane...

[5:20 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: Inflation will reach higher than 40 years level, economics history...

[5:27 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: 'Hackers' may disrupt monetary value by means of ZEROING (erasing) KEY tradings, financials and banking digital infrastructures.

Have hard copies of balances backups READY should such despicable acts happen? Let not these possibilities happen!

[5:43 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Shoppers to pay at least 5 cents per disposable bag at most supermarkets from mid-2023

Consumers will from mid-2023 have to pay at least five cents for every disposable bag - regardless of material - they take at most supermarket outlets here, said Minister of Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Monday (March 7).

➡️ More: https://str.sg/wsyu

[5:44 pm, 07/03/2022] +Vivian: Shoppers to pay at least 5 cents per disposable bag at most supermarkets from mid-2023

Consumers will from mid-2023 have to pay at least five cents for every disposable bag - regardless of material - they take at most supermarket outlets here, said Minister of Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu on Monday (March 7).

➡️ More: https://str.sg/wsyu

[5:44 pm, 07/03/2022] +Vivian: isnt we paying 10 cents for it now for some super markets?

[5:45 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: who are the biggest carbon emitting countries in the world....

[5:45 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: check that and all will balance up

[5:50 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://www.businessinsider.com/russia-cuts-self-off-from-global-internet-tests-defenses-rbc-2021-7

Russia exit Internet.

[5:55 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: 👎👎

[6:03 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: +1

[6:03 pm, 07/03/2022] +JC: This is cost-shifting, making consumers pay for what supermarkets used to give for free. Note that the proceeds from the plastic bags are not "taxes" collected by the government but $ that are kept by the supermarkets. 

Why is the government not taking ownership of the proceeds? What are the measures that we will be keeping track of so that the public will know whether this policy is indeed having the intended impact?

[6:05 pm, 07/03/2022] +JC: If you require the public to cough up hard earned money, however small the sum, and putting the money in the hands of corporations - of which NTUC is the largest one - there should be some public accounting if the policy does not deliver the outcome as intended.

[6:09 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: agree. ultimately the pockets or profit of the supermarkets like NTUC will increase but worst off for the consumer

[6:10 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: and it isnt the case that NTUC or SS are not making $$$ just that the profit margin is not higher each year

[6:10 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: let this corporation play a part and let them pay for it

[6:16 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

So this signal a start for household not to bag their liquid and solid wastes at home - and just throw the waste down the rubbish chutes come mid 2023?

The news article did not address this environmental need nor did the ministry mention this need.

[6:22 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: Just flush down the chute!

[6:22 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Why is Giant supermarket not participating!?

[6:28 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Buying plastic bags to bag waste cost money and deem to be environmental unfriendly.

So imply that in future no need to bag the home waste and just throw them down the rubbish chutes.

[6:29 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: then supermarkets should start giving biodegradable bags which are strong to withhold liquid too

[6:29 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: 😵‍💫😧😮😂😅🤣🤷‍♂️

[6:29 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: science & tech has advance much - i m sure the supermkts can dip into their profits to do this

[6:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: with no cost to consumers

[6:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Yes but at what cost!?

[6:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: u mean the profits by the supermarkets not sufficient?

[6:30 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: y is the consumer at the receiving end for everything

[6:30 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Come mid 2023 the household habit to bag home waste will change.

[6:31 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: when prices of oil or flour goes up ... eveything goes up by 20cents min... but when the same commodities normalises... does the price normalises and comes down?

[6:31 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: no

[6:32 pm, 07/03/2022] +JC: Maybe supermarkets just throw away bags of plastic bags in the rubbish to pad profits, easy money. I am sure it costs less than $0.05 per bag to buy.

[6:34 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Consumers end up picking the tab

[6:45 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan

[6:47 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: Dairy Farm is giant and cold storage

[6:49 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: So!.

[6:51 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Very interesting.

A policy solve one problem and create another problem - and yet let it hanging in the air - instead of addressing it.

[6:51 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: So we shld demand for paper bags

[6:51 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: 😂😅🤣

[6:51 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: Or any other bags other then plastic. 🤣

[6:53 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: With zero cost to consumers

[6:53 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[6:53 pm, 07/03/2022] +Caleb: Ya

[6:54 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: And no MP ask this question.

[6:54 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: On behalf of the household.

[6:55 pm, 07/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: Despite raising this concern many times.

[6:56 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: Hv u heard any1 raising matters affecting the mid income? Or most households? 

Best suggestion will be another incentive for the low income

[6:56 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: Then we r back to the same situation...

[6:57 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: Subsidies for the lower income to cushion this charge.. n mid income community pays subsidises for evryone..

[6:58 pm, 07/03/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: In fact ntuc should be leading this cause and volunteer some new and bold steps to either using plastic substitutes or other schemes

[6:59 pm, 07/03/2022] +Smile face: 7  March, 2022 

To: Our Distinguished Ministers and All Honorable Members 

"Making the codes, Storing the codes, Transition of codes and Breaking the codes War,... from analog to digital" 

Area of Concerns & Leakages:

Internal -  within company or country 

1) Source of leaked data

2) Outsource of data processing

3) Outdated or Weaker Security walls and level of access by internal staffs and outside parties

External -  outside of company or country 

1) Personal ID such as NRIC, SingPass, Bank details are common data 

2) Cloud security levels, physical location and access points 

3) Public & Private data minings caused leakages and duplications of vital personal data

Banking - 

KISS - "Keep It Simple & Safe"

Why ATM cards of yesterdays were safer …

[6:59 pm, 07/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[6:59 pm, 07/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

REACH 324 - What are your views on Singapore’s stance in the Russia-Ukraine crisis? What important lessons can Singapore draw from Russia's invasion of Ukraine?

(SK)

04 Mar 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:41 am, 04/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ We will be opening the chat from 10am to 7pm today. ⏰

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Megan 😊

[9:58 am, 04/03/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is a "clear and gross" violation of international norms and sets a completely unacceptable precedent, said Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan. Speaking in Parliament on Monday (Feb 28), Dr Balakrishnan said the invasion goes to the heart of the fundamental norms of international law, with the United Nations Charter prohibiting the use of force and acts of aggression against another sovereign state.

💬 What are your views on Singapore’s stance in the Russia-Ukraine crisis? What important lessons can Singapore draw from Russia's invasion of Ukraine?

Dr Balakrishnan reiterated that Singapore does not take sides, but upholds principles. "And in this case, the principles at stake are independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity." The Republic's foreign policy is consistent, coherent, and "almost always predictable", he added, noting that since he became foreign minister seven years ago, he has had to say no on occasion to every superpower.

"We cannot accept one country attacking another without justification, arguing that its independence was the result of 'historical errors and crazy decisions'. Such a rationale would go against the internationally recognised legitimacy and territorial integrity of many countries, including Singapore."

The ongoing crisis demonstrates how quickly a vulnerable country can be overrun, especially when confronting a larger and more powerful opponent, he said.  “This is the acute reality for all small countries, and Singapore is no exception.”

Singapore cannot depend on others for protection and must never lose the ability to defend and look after itself, added Dr Balakrishnan. The country has thus invested consistently in defence to build up the strength and credibility of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and maintained national service as a fundamental element.

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/singapore-will-impose-export-controls-on-items-that-can-be-used-as-weapons-in-ukraine-vivian

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/russias-invasion-of-ukraine-a-clear-and-gross-violation-of-international-norms-vivian-balakrishnan

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/world/uns-historic-vote-to-deplore-russian-invasion-this-is-how-the-countries-voted

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/eastern-europeans-in-spore-fret-over-loved-ones-back-home-offer-financial-help-to-ukraine-amid-war

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/ukrainians-say-they-are-fighting-on-in-kherson-biggest-city-yet-claimed-by-russia

[10:02 am, 04/03/2022] +Smiley face: Russian troops are shelling Europe’s largest nuclear power station in Ukraine, officials say

https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/03/russia-ukraine-live-updates.html?__source=androidappshare

----

[10:04 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: In terms of size… Ukraine is so much bigger..

In comparison, Singapore is really just too small. 

No natural resource, just people. Even if any country were to attack Singapore, the damage done will be so much that nothing they gain from it.

The deterrence is there so that it makes it hard for them to just pluck us down when they want. 

Those that serve however small role, do agreed it is a must to have NS. Or Atleast among my peers.

[10:13 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Most of our assets are soft assets. Cannot be touch or stolen. And only be worth if the country is stable without any conflict. Rebuilding takes time so annex is also not possible.  

Hard assets like gold are really min. To retain certain value. We hold mainly overseas assets that are globalised. Bound by contracts and shares. 

It is really interesting as we have a deep dive into our core and how we remain competitive and relevant at the same time. While making ourselves less attractive to be taken over.

[10:17 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Russia fully Invasion of Ukraine  it's was only a matter  of time  if without the troops from NATO & US  should already send millions of troops to Ukraine from emergency instead all this Alliance just  punish the Russia Economy it wasn't good enough ,

The common people of Russian Wil suffering the economic pinch day after day

I urge the Singapore MFA could do even more not just sanction on Russia but as well Belarus the country whom support War more then Dialogue should join Russia to get Sanction from the global world community's

Stop this two countries Governor from visiting Singapore as well rest of the world

Which we could send this strong messages at the UN assembly meeting

Nobody would welcome all this War maniac

Act now MFA

[10:19 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Already done..

[10:20 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Not harsh enough

[10:22 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Err we are giving our stand, but we can’t totally make enemies with them😅

[10:24 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Singapore should tell Asean counterpart pls do more to  condemn all this War Maniac

It's was a shame

[10:26 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Otherwise Japan might follow them if no countries in the world see this seriously

Japan may think it's all right to have another ✌️War ✌️

[10:30 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Our future generations wil starting counting the days 三年八个月 

Just like our grandpa generation

Here we go again

[10:42 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Right move

[10:44 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Russia can claim this is domestic territory as Ukraine did not ratify nor sought approval from various international bodies when the USSR broke off in pieces in 1991.

[10:49 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: This could be happens to Singapore too ,if Malaysia like Russia said Singapore part of Malaysia even after Independence🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🙅‍♂️🙅‍♂️

[10:50 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Never ending story

[10:50 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[10:50 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Agree

[10:51 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: We have to be thankfully Tunku Adult Rahman, for his mature point of view

[10:52 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: So, Singapore support unilateral but non UN sanctions against Russia settling their own internal conflicts!?

[10:52 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[10:52 am, 04/03/2022] +JC: As long as the politicians from all our neighbouring countries, both incumbent and opposition, are hiding their $$$ in Singapore.... I think we'll be pretty safe 😅

[10:53 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: They too much $$

[10:53 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: 🤣🤣

[10:54 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: The world is standing for a non sovereign country defined borders

[10:56 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: I was worry Putin wanted to taking back all ex Soviet state from Europe to Asian

[10:58 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: I wondering LHL did he talk to  Putin before when ahh🤔🤔

[11:26 am, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Singapore cannot depend on others for our protection - we must have a strong armed forces based on national service - so that numerically we have a large armed forces. And a well trained armed forces.

2. We should also invest in cutting edge military technology to stay ahead - and the military technologies should help us to prevent the war as deterrence and win the war if we need to fight it.

3. Most important, our people must have the will to defend our Country like the Ukrainians.

4. Most important, we must have a strong Economy before we can have a strong armed forces.

5. Pick the right capable government in every elections.

6. And Singapore must do well in foreign diplomacy - maintaining good relationship with our 2 closest neighbors as well as with the rest of the world.

7. And finally uphold the principles as defined in the UN charter - to ensure sovereign countries like us must not be invaded by whatever pretext.

[11:29 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Read his mind

[11:29 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: No point

[11:30 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Totally agree and think thus is already happening

[11:30 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Singapore has come a long way…

From poison shrimp to porcupine now dolphins.

[11:30 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[11:30 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Hope that we don’t need to deploy

[11:31 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Hence the tons of money on Air Force

[11:31 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[11:32 am, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Putin won't stop after Ukraine.

He is too absorb in the USSR dream.

Some analysts feel that his ambition will keep him going - and the whole global situation can turn nasty.

[11:32 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: If Singapore cannot broker a ceasefire for the Myanmar conflict,  don't try for Ukraine

[11:33 am, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

And Putin backup of his ambition is his big nuclear arsenal.

Biden has lost the psychological initiative to stop him.

[11:34 am, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Biden didn't learn from the lesson of the Cuban crisis that have stop USSR cold war ambition.

[11:34 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: If dotard is a joke,  Biden is a clown

[11:37 am, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/cuban-missile-crisis

[11:37 am, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

If Biden take the right approach what Kennedy has taken - Ukraine crisis won't happen.

[11:37 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Anything learn from this?

[11:38 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Don’t think is broker anything… but to give our stand. Cause if it happens to Singapore, we would want someone out there that can ensure our safety. 

Is a ground for us to work with. If something similar happens in future.

[11:38 am, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

You need a master strategist.

Putin outclass Biden.

[11:38 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Onset possibly of partial dementia and or alzeimer

[11:39 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[11:39 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: If there is a community that can ensure it is painful enough for no countries to try it. We will support the clause it is at our best interest to ensure it comes possible

[11:40 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Agree but is there!?

[11:40 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: There is no interest for US to be involved… hence the approach. Unless Putin wants to force US hands to get them involved easy just hit any NATO countries

[11:40 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Haha got sound no teeth 🤣🤣

[11:42 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: One thing for sure Putin the dictator of the year

[11:42 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: So, if the nordic/Scandinavian countries can broker a peace between Arabs and Jews, will they he able between Russia and Ukraine!?

[11:42 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Cover picture of of all major prints and online news.

[11:42 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: UN is the new version of treaty of Versailles… got sound no teeth. 

It will only work when there is a big brother. But if there is no interest to the big brother why they even bother to be involved for the sake of freedom? 🤣

[11:43 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Is about Putin Big Soviet Union dream nothing to do with races & religion

[11:43 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Exactly

[11:44 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Nothing to do with the right government except 爱国的心

[11:45 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Any country that wants to grow strong will go that approach… 

Ukraine just too tasty and strategically good for Russia. 

They have weight the pros and cons of WAR. And Putin thinks is overall good for the country.

[11:46 am, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Ukraine is like Cuba.

Cuba is not a NATO state .

But strategically vitally important to stop USSR ambition.

Ukraine is right at the doorstep of NATO like Cuba to US.

Once this initiative is lost, Putin ambition will grow and become unstoppable.

[11:46 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: China on the side line to enjoy the spoils

[11:47 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: But for US, like in WW2, till they determine it is the right time for them to go in…

[11:47 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Almost the whole Europe was gone when Germany go to WAR

[11:47 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: China just a cat & not tiger

[11:48 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: China and India just observing… they didn’t agree but also not condemn

[11:48 am, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Cause they might want to use same excuse 😅

[11:48 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Means WW3 nearby future liao

[11:48 am, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Not go to war, is how US position themselves and the will to act to stop a war.

Now the initiative is gone - and the war is unstoppable.

[11:48 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: I thought it is referred as a woken sleeping dragon

[11:49 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Possibly

[11:50 am, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Try WP or PSP - and Singapore will go downhill very quickly.

[11:51 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: In your world, maybe😅😅

[11:51 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: But to me nothing to do with the party👍👍

[11:53 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: UN should arrest Putin as War Criminal by now

[11:53 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: We won't go to WW3

[11:57 am, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: So many idiots countries supporting Putin ,

That why the world turning upside down

[11:58 am, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yeah!

[0:00 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Investigation just started so have to Wait

[0:01 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: When come to Eat nothing to do with the Party anymore,

It's about the Wil the weapon the tactical strategy to win a WAR

[0:02 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yup

[0:03 pm, 04/03/2022] +KSFoong: Who can do it?

[0:08 pm, 04/03/2022] +Timothy Low: I beg to differ

[0:08 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Singapore is at risk from Economic War rather than Military War. We are at Risk from being drawn into taking Sides. It's important to remain largely neutral as we are quite vulnerable actually, not physically, but economically partly because we have limited natural resources

[0:09 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: ICC or ICJ!?

[0:09 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[0:10 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: I oppose, strongly, Russians actions. Regardless of their reasons, taking offensive military action is never justified without being attacked first. Ukraine is a democracy and talking about Nato and the EU doesn't justify invasion.

[0:10 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: The corner stone of our foreign policy is neutrality

[0:10 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: We are not being Neutral in this case, and rightly so. This is not a 'normal' case in my view.

[0:11 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Agree

[0:12 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Good to stand united with our Allies and make clear our position that Offensive Military Action against a Nation that didn't not attack, nor suggest attack, is wrong and cannot be ignored.

[0:13 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: It's important that all nations see that the World can unite in the face of such Tyranny.

[0:13 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Russia is very, but not completely, isolated.

[0:15 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Also for China to take note on our agreement with

[0:16 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Also for China to take note on our agreement of the unclos ruling supporting Philippines claim to part of the South China Sea.

[0:17 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Unity seems to be selective if arab/Israeli conflict is debated.

[0:20 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Or of china's treatment of urghuys in xinjiang.

[0:20 pm, 04/03/2022] +Timothy Low: In order to stop the war, Russia’s

requests have to be met as well.

[0:21 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Yes, it is interested that Ukraine's case is being handled differently, presumably through individual country's self interest. There are many unprovoked wars around the world, and no one else gets involved.

[0:21 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: This will involve lengthy negotiations

[0:22 pm, 04/03/2022] +Poh Seng Lim: The war may affect ALL of us. So look what’s happening here. 

Fire breaks out at nuclear plant in Ukraine after Russia attacks facility

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/russian-troops-are-firing-europes-largest-nuclear-power-plant-ukrainia-rcna18668

[0:25 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Prepare for the worst!

[0:36 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/zelenky-ukraine-russia-end-of-the-world-180049216.html?ncid=other_sgnewstele_ecrrmd5rec8

[0:36 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: https://sg.news.yahoo.com/frances-macron-thinks-worst-yet-153003084.html?ncid=other_sgnewstele_ecrrmd5rec8

[0:49 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/world/europe/a-war-the-kremlin-tried-to-disguise-becomes-a-hard-reality-for-russians.html

A War the Kremlin Tried to Disguise Becomes a Hard Reality for Russians.

[0:51 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Now only Russia domestic pressure can stop Russia ambition.

[0:57 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Guess the if they WAR drag will be a problem for Putin

[0:57 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Some soldiers are confuse according to reports.. they thought were going to drills

[1:00 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Some are deserting 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/craighooper/2022/03/01/shaken-russian-army-conscripts-make-perfect-targets-for-morale-crushing-operations/amp/

According to Forbes

[1:02 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Some are sabotaging their military equipment in an attempt to be court martial and be sent home.  Their families thought the children were on exercise in crime but shocking to find out,  attacking a neighbour!

[1:03 pm, 04/03/2022] +REACH: Singapore to co-sponsor resolution on human rights situation in Ukraine

👉🏼 https://str.sg/ws2h

Lessons from Ukraine and questions on succession: What politicians are talking about

👉🏼 https://str.sg/ws2i

[1:03 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Stand up for Singapore

[1:05 pm, 04/03/2022] +Noraini: I care about our neighbour.  Felt sad that time when Ukraine shot down Malaysia MH370

[1:05 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Likewise

[1:06 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Most people know war means to kill or being killed. 

Peace time for long.. not many will want to go war.

[1:06 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Unless force to

[1:19 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Do you mean met or discussed? Is it right to negotiate while being bombed and your citizens killed and your cities destroyed?

[1:19 pm, 04/03/2022] +Poh Seng Lim: It is obvious that Putin lied to his citizens and continue to lie to them. The media is controlled by him, and he just shut down any media that criticises his actions

[1:19 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Hope SFA is monitoring our food imports from that part of the world for possible contamination from any kind.

[1:20 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Yes, this can be seen as double standards. Quite a mess in many parts of the world. It does not justify Russias attack though.

[1:22 pm, 04/03/2022] +Timothy Low: Need to hear Russia’s side as well. Russia seems to think that NATO has been extending their influence in Eastern Europe and threaten their stability, and thus feel threaten. Even though Ukraine is a Democratic country and has the right to decide their own fate, and Russia is wrong to invade another country unprovoked, but if Russia’s requests are not met and reassured that it’s stability won’t be threaten, it’s hard to end the war now

[1:23 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Ukraine? Maybe check before writing that. https://www.britannica.com/event/Malaysia-Airlines-flight-370-disappearance

[1:24 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Think wrong plane.. 🤣🤣 but I do remember something got shot down on the same year

[1:25 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Yes, agreed. It's complicated, and agreements were not kept to. Unfortunately for Russia, and Ukrainians a bloody invasion was a terrible judgment call in response.

[1:25 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Right plane but unofficially Russia supplied the missile.

[1:26 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: 🤷🏻‍♂️ oh hit by rebels?

[1:27 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Yes, it was shot down over Ukraine. We don’t know who by. Seems unlikely it was the Ukraine Gov. "determined to be a Russian-made missile launcher fired by Russian-backed rebels"

[1:27 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Pro Russia rebels

[1:27 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Seems something on the plane cargo manifest is the culprit

[1:27 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: It was MH17, not MH370

[1:28 pm, 04/03/2022] +Timothy Low: Need to re examine US’ role on this as well. Need to see what role they are playing - are they adding oil to fire?

[1:28 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Inevitably. That's the sad fact of international politics.

[1:30 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: OK

[1:31 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: So, in politics,  no such thing as a friend.  Today, we scratch each others back. Tomorrow   if you back stab me, likewise.

[1:42 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/ukraines-un-ambassador-tweets-majulah-singapura-thanks-singapores-support-russia-conflict

[1:45 pm, 04/03/2022] +Eunice Chia: brave as a lion lar!  😄

[1:45 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: China buying up US corn, soybeans as Ukraine war roils trade

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/china-buying-up-us-corn-soybeans-as-ukraine-war-roils-trade

[1:46 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: 👍🤟👏👌🙏

[2:01 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: https://www.ft.com/cms/s/5cdc910e-7a8a-4a3b-8c37-b831a0699cfb,s01=1.html?ftcamp=traffic/partner/feed_headline/us_yahoo/auddev

China-based AIIB freezes lending to Russia and Belarus over Ukraine war.

[2:01 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/former-cia-chief-says-russia-163918399.html

Former CIA chief says Russia’s economy could collapse and Moscow scared of even opening stock exchange.

[2:07 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Middle-class Russians banned from fleeing with their wealth as sanctions start to bite. Russia Economy collapsing.                                                                                                                         https://sg.yahoo.com/news/vladimir-putin-bans-middle-class-184720767.html

[2:09 pm, 04/03/2022] +~typing: This is a quite good article which gives an explanation of the history and has a bit more depth of perspective than most articles have.

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/28/nato-expansion-war-russia-ukraine

[2:10 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Only domestic pressure anti-war.

2. Collapsing Economy.

3. Financial sanctions.

4. International isolation

Can stop Putin ambition.

[2:12 pm, 04/03/2022] +Thomas: Problem is that if Russia push to limit and no where to go. They might trigger WW3 as they have nothing to lose. If I die, I bring u along

[2:13 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: Can't see the Generals going along with that.

[2:16 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/04/ex-nato-head-says-putin-wanted-to-join-alliance-early-on-in-his-rule

Ex NATO head says Putin wanted to join NATO but was rejected.

[2:16 pm, 04/03/2022] +Thomas: All he needs is to fire a nuclear warhead to a NATO country and it will start it off.  All you need a compliant General and they have nothing to lose. If all Russians feel they have nothing to lose as they lost alot. That’s why the West didn’t completely shut the oil

[2:18 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: I think they kept the oil flowing to prevent their own economies running out of control. If Russia was invaded he might resort to Nukes. Putting them on standby was a warning to everyone not to attack Russia.

[2:21 pm, 04/03/2022] +Thomas: We r living in a dangerous time and it is right that Singapore take a stand or else our neighbour can just attack without warning and justification. Fortunately we have strong army and we are on our own. Remember Mahathir almost trigger a conflict with Singapore when he send a ship into our waters? So don’t reduce NS or training of our army

[2:24 pm, 04/03/2022] +Thomas: Mahathir only back down when he realised his army not strong

[2:25 pm, 04/03/2022] +Smiley face: Nobody should have any illusion about the possibility of gaining military superiority over Russia. We will never allow this to happen.

 - -  Vladimir Putin

[2:26 pm, 04/03/2022] +Smiley face: "The United Nations' founders understood that decisions affecting war and peace should happen only by consensus, and with America's consent, the veto by Security Council permanent members was enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The profound wisdom of this has underpinned the stability of international relations for decades."

- -  Vladimir Putin

[2:33 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Indranee tests positive for Covid-19: 'Hope to be back in Parliament next week'

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/minister-indranee-rajah-tests-positive-for-covid-19-has-to-skip-sakura-floral-display-launch

[2:34 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Mahabharata was never a match for LKY

[2:35 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

There are only 4 options to counter Putin ambition:-

1. Gain psychological posture to prevent the war from taking place.

2. Economic sanctions and international isolation.

3. Do nothing and let Putin ambition grow and do further damage.

4. Western force join the fight to stop the aggression.

Since option 1 initiative is lost - which is the best option.

The west is weak and no stomach to join the fight and stop the aggression - and this eliminate option 4.

Then option 2 is the next best option.

Else by default it will fall into option 3 - like Hitler unstoppable force to completely take over Europe.

[2:36 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: How prepared is our civilian and military medical community to handle a fallout from biological,  chemical and unclear weapons!?

[2:37 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Possible with a euro defence command without America

[2:38 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

This is exactly the reason why US and the West have lose their initiative to prevent the war from taking place - because of psychological fear - what if he fire the nuclear missile.

[2:38 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Just like America lost a intelligence goldmine when sleeper agents in China was massacred.

[2:45 pm, 04/03/2022] +Smiley face: "The United States and Russian security services regularly exchange information."

- -  Vladimir Putin

[2:51 pm, 04/03/2022] +Smiley face: https://youtu.be/Yw5lzKVn3sc

The real ex 007, listen to what he said...

[2:55 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Racism during conflict!😵‍💫🤦‍♂️😔

[3:19 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

The US and the West fail to seize 6 lessons. And Putin exploited their inertia.

And now US and the West have to respond with 2nd best option.

[3:20 pm, 04/03/2022] +BL: very interesting! thanks for sharing

[3:37 pm, 04/03/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: 💬 What are your views on Singapore’s stance in the Russia-Ukraine crisis? Our government and diplomats are making the right responses and navigating this terrible time well. I think it is important for them to continue to distinguish between the actions of the Russian government, and the Russian people. It would be disheartening to see the zenophobia which is consuming the West vis a vis Russians come to Singapore. The 20th century is full of examples of how punishing entire populations during and after wars has been ineffective at regime change in the short-term and has had long-term detrimental consequences globally – our government should bear these history lessons in mind.

[3:38 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: I support the Singapore government in its neutral approach on the international stage to address the situation.

[3:54 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Ukraine says Russian forces seize Europe's largest nuclear power plant https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/russian-column-heads-towards-zaporizhzhia-nuclear-power-plant-says-local-mayor

[3:54 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

If they accidentally hit the nuclear plant and lead to nuclear leak - then Europe and Russia will subject to nuclear radiation.

[3:56 pm, 04/03/2022] +Poh Seng Lim: Maybe Putin will live in a bunker hardened against radiation?

[3:57 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: What's making  Putin to go all out for WAR  which bring the whole world upside down,

Now if the situation goes beyond to uncharted territories

What wil happened it may triggered down to nuclear war. Putin & Kim Jong un become a Tag Team to haunt the world with Nuclear Bomb

We will heading to unprecedented future

[3:59 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: +1 agree that punishing Russian citizens would not b right. They didn't sign up for this craziness.

[4:02 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Maybe we have another summit like the Trump & Kim few years ago

Which Putin & Zenisky summit in SG

LHL can invite them

However don't spend our taxpayer money ask hotel to volunteer the accommodation & F&B🤣🤣

[4:05 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: EU & Western World should accept the Russian to move aboard no status or background required as long individual like freedom of speech & have a heart to do well in their second home country

[4:31 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[4:34 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Met her over zoom meeting last week.

Thought she looks alright.

[4:39 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: 🤷‍♂️

[4:41 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Russia’s Ukraine invasion could push US and China to mend ties.

The Ukraine invasion has put China on the spot.

ut China does need to hedge its bets, and that means working on its relationship with the US, says Bo Zhiyue.

Even President Xi is wary of Putin who is looking dangerous.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/us-china-improve-bilateral-ties-xi-biden-collaboration-ukraine-invasion-2535326

[4:42 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: So, xi jin ping seems to have misunderstood putin!?

[4:42 pm, 04/03/2022] +Angelica: Not Russia's Ukraine invasion encourage China to take over taiwan?'

[4:43 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: I believe the thought did criss xi jin ping mind

[4:45 pm, 04/03/2022] +Smiley face: https://youtu.be/ZtFp7Vj3fh8

[4:45 pm, 04/03/2022] +Smiley face: https://youtu.be/FbkZq8klAlE

[4:46 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Not surprising from India!

[4:46 pm, 04/03/2022] +Angelica: Idk what lessons can be learned since SGP and UKR are in very differnt situations. UKR and RUS share very close cultural ties and UKR historically was part of RUS. UKR angered RUS by wanting to join NATO/more western. How would SGP anger MY? 

Also while SGP did join MY for a short while SGP was never really belonged to MY.

[4:46 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: "Could". Maybe. maybe not. Sound and fury, signifying nothing 🌝

[4:47 pm, 04/03/2022] +Angelica: i heard that its hard for some countries to act out against RUS as well since RUS supplys them with power/electricity etc..

[4:48 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: We were never really welcome in the federation due to our Chinese majority population,  lky believe everyone will be given an equal opportunity and no race based policy.

[4:48 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: That's the catch!

[4:49 pm, 04/03/2022] +Smiley face: https://youtu.be/Xnogig4JCUg

[4:55 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: On the news.. this morning on pressure from the QUAD group

[4:55 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Keep the pressure!

[4:55 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: But India relayed on Russia for their weapons 😅

[4:55 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: So they also hands tie

[4:56 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Friendship has been for decades

[4:56 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: So not so easy to break

[4:57 pm, 04/03/2022] +Dan: Is sanctions sufficient to stop Russia? 

From the looks of it, nothing is gg to stop Russia until their objective is achieved. If their attack on nuclear reactor is successful, the radiation damage will be catastrophic for the whole world. 

Are the rest of the world gg to sit back and let it happen and rely on sanctions to curb Russia? 

No matter what Russia say, about defending their rights, the damage done to the environment and the deaths of these innocent people is irreversible.

[4:58 pm, 04/03/2022] +Vivian: stop quoting us already... lol

[4:59 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: When Russia turn back to us 😂

[4:59 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Catch 22 situation

[4:59 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: No

[4:59 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Leader made collectively right decision,

 tension during 1963-1965 MY & SG was consider bad 

However Dato Tungku Adul Rahman see that Singapore shouldn't be in  Malaysia it will escalate more tension 

Dato Tungku decided SG should leave MY rather become problem to MY internal issue

But unlike Putin by using force to conquer the land of Ukraine

[5:00 pm, 04/03/2022] +Vivian: As quoted, we are teeny country... Ignore us please~

[5:03 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Why not we having referendum to see our national want to sanction Russia for me  of course must punish Russia unkind & inhumanity 

+10

[5:04 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: For China diplomacy is sickening

[5:04 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: No right or wrong except Grey🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[5:08 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Small countries also must acknowledge what is right & what's wrongdoing

For Russia case absolutely nuisance

Of course we stand together with the people of Ukraine

Size doesn't matter

Rightfulness come first

[5:16 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Right move by MY made us what we are today

[5:17 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: I hope our LHL cannot afraid of Putin revenge back to SG

If we afraid of Russia we wasn't a country anymore

[5:18 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Agree

[5:19 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: A country must adopt the rightfulness decision which the happening in Ukraine it was outrageous

[5:22 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: UN should knock Russia out of UN until Putin adminstration members who involved in Ukraine massacre all being arrest for Warcrime

[5:23 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: If no veto in unsc and general assembly,  simple majority should be enough

[5:23 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Government 'will not hesitate' to roll out more measures if needed to support consumers as electricity prices rise: Tan See Leng

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/government-more-measures-support-consumers-high-electricity-prices-2538466

[5:25 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: But already feeling the pinch for quite some time

[5:25 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Every single little thing costly then few months ago

[5:28 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: eh govt "will not hesitate" wor...  are you saying they are hesitating? 😅

[5:30 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: A lot of increase for consumers since bus fare started the ball rolling 261221!

[5:30 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: Hesitate to subsidy

[5:30 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: OR maybe the key words in that article are "if needed"... now that's a very subjective statement.

[5:30 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: With conditions

[5:30 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Akan datang

[5:30 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: I will not hesitate to buy roses for my wife on valentine's day... if needed.

[5:30 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: lol

[5:31 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: 999!?

[5:33 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/covid-19-art-self-test-kits-fda-warns-against-use-sd-biosensor-flowflex-2530591

Side note is HSA gonna reply on this? 😅

[5:34 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: All my kids are from SD biosensor 😅

[5:34 pm, 04/03/2022] +Ken Loh: Kits”

[5:34 pm, 04/03/2022] +Anthony: We being use this for almost a year ,We all become blacklisted in US🤔🤔

[5:37 pm, 04/03/2022] +Caleb: I prefer abbott brand, the swab is more comfortable

[5:47 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/central-bank-russia-launches-swift-154004953.html

Central Bank of Russia Launches SWIFT Replacement With 399 Users.

[5:50 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://www.businessinsider.com/russian-billionaires-wealth-lose-84-billion-dollars-under-a-week-2022-3

Russian billionaires' losses, now totaling $84 billion this year, have more than doubled since Russia invaded Ukraine less than a week ago.

[5:50 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: https://sg.yahoo.com/finance/news/isolated-russians-scramble-hard-currency-154359931.html

Isolated Russians scramble for hard currency, fear worse is yet to come.

[5:50 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/panicked-russians-flee-west-fall-185554481.html

Panicked Russians flee to the West before fall of new Iron Curtain.

[5:50 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Analysis: China’s CIPS Won’t Rescue Russian Banks From SWIFT Ban.

https://www.caixinglobal.com/2022-03-02/analysis-chinas-cips-wont-rescue-russian-banks-from-swift-ban-101849104.html

[5:50 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: https://sg.yahoo.com/finance/news/430billion-wipeout-russian-stocks-crash-151847691.html

£430billion wipeout: Russian stocks crash 98% on London indexes as sanctions bite.

[5:52 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Russia economy and financial system collapsing very quickly.

[5:53 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Putin unfazed!?

[5:54 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Run on banks in Russia.

Soon Russian people can no longer tolerate.

[5:55 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Civil unrest leading to unseat of government!?

[5:55 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Putin may have to rely on marital law - using army to put down home unrest.

[5:57 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Most probably but what about desertion amongst the rank and file!?

[5:58 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Will have to see if Ukrainian can drag out the war long enough.

And the west sanctions go hard enough.

[5:58 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[6:00 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Time is not on the side of Russia.

They can't go on without business, jobs, money, food, and international isolation for too long.

[6:02 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Putin might be played out by China!

[6:03 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: I tot Putin is master strategist that outclass Biden? hmmmmmmm

[6:03 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: 🤔

[6:04 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Russian troops in Ukraine morale will continue to dip - if Ukrainian troops continue to harass them, wear them out using guerilla tactics, cut off their logistics supply and play propaganda to the Russia people how Russia troops suffer in Ukraine.

The tide could turn against Putin.

[6:05 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Take chess for example,  a child prodigy beats his grandmaster!?

[6:05 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Exactly so putin will threatened with nuclear annihilation!?

[6:07 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: Maybe, just maybe, US is the master strategist here... lure Russia into a war they cannot win, reinvigorate NATO, put China in tough spot, distract population from inflation woes...... 🌝

[6:07 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Yes

[6:07 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: all these is done without much spending or troops.

[6:07 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: 3-D chess

[6:07 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Psychological warfare

[6:08 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Well he can threaten all he wants.

Pressing that button means he wants to kill himself and Russia as well.

Russian generals will weigh whether they want to go along with him.

[6:09 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Hope for a mutiny!

[6:09 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: US pre-emptively informed the whole world about the invasion, and highlighted all the potential "false flag" approach that Russia may use to confuse the world.

[6:09 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Right on the money!

[6:10 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: So that when Russia invasion starts, the whole world is ready to condemn and psychological primed to ignore fake news from Russia.

[6:10 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: that is a grandmaster move right there....

[6:10 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

If US is so smart, the world won't have to clean up the current mess.

[6:10 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Working so far

[6:11 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: yep, US don't have great minds like you to help them... can't be too smart 🤣

[6:12 pm, 04/03/2022] +JC: the only people that are cleaning up the mess are Ukrainians and Russians... and Europeans who will need to diversify their energy supply by buying US oil.... 🌝

[6:14 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Middle Eastern and South American too

[6:21 pm, 04/03/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Soviet submarine officer who averted nuclear war honoured with prize.

Previous military officer defy order to launch nuclear missile.

https://www.theguardian.com/science/2017/oct/27/vasili-arkhipov-soviet-submarine-captain-who-averted-nuclear-war-awarded-future-of-life-prize

[6:22 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Mutiny on the high seas!

[6:37 pm, 04/03/2022] +En: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/banks-remove-clickable-links-emails-sms-sent-customers-part-new-security-measures-1794446

Have y’all seen this? What do u think?

[6:45 pm, 04/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan

[6:50 pm, 04/03/2022] +Rama: Will be taxing to do multiple transactions but what is the realistic alternative!?

[6:58 pm, 04/03/2022] +Smiley face: 4 March, 2022 

To: All Our Distinguished and All Our Honorables

"Who's luring who, The Hunt For Red October Has Started...? "

It just started, this extended play of power and survival! The Russians threat escalating to a new high as the fight for Europe latest nuclear power plant is unfolding! 

In Ukraine, now, as the world's waking up to an even bigger N day threat that is the Ukrainian city of Enerhodar, Europe's largest nuclear power plant.. “if it blows up, it will be 10 times larger than Chernobyl!” This is a military strategic asset for the Russians pitch and strike towards having an upper hand, fact is, in this war NOBODY wins! A peace time power generator becoming a wartime threats! 

Unknowns:

In Bering sea, the Russia's latest nuclear class submarines are hidden under the sea no deeper than 500m for launching of N bombs. Each of these subs (3 or more? ) are designed to arm up to 80 N warheads. These subs bomb has an effective range covering the entire Europe continent. Are there Russian N Subs in the Pacific ocean? The Hollywood movie 'The Hunt For Red October' may have long gone,  this time this REAL Red alert, hopefully will be a happy ending? 

In the snowy forest of Siberia, known and hidden, the Russians have mobile ICBMs ready aiming at the entire0plll Pacific ocean up to the continent of North America.

Unorthodox Moves:

As the Ukraine conflict unfolding, one starts wondering why the Russians pitstops and struggles along each city its set foot onto, especially Kiev?

For one, there is an underlying electronics and intelligences warfare in play by outside/within forces not origin from Ukraine. 

Two, is smart phones carry by the Russians soldiers may have (early stage) unintentionally been tracked by these electronics warfare and signal interferences that positioned more than 80% of these conquering troops and their communications too. It's more than military GPS, maybe this time is DARPA and Starlink (Star Gate project)? 

Three, do not be fooled by the grandma posing with her AK47 or a nobody firing a handheld rocket launcher! It is known that the SAS elite force has been training in Ukraine a decade or more with the Ukrainians own elite Alpha force? How about the Delta force? 

Finally, images of Russians military assets lining in several kms long may be a decoy setup by the Ukraine or the Russians and/or a possibility of a shortage of (money) oil & foods supply line. It may not be a pictured sitting ducks in wait to be slaughtered? Where are all the air exhibits such as SU, MIG and F15 to F35 dogfighting each other for air supremacy? 

D Day:

What if the Russians starts RETREATING its army? Next imminent threat is a Nuclear warfare and/or Biological Warfare will be on the execution table! Simply in the Russians mindset, the conflict of Ukraine is to stop the EU or/and NATO to extend their "membership drive" to Ukraine and a few other European countries such as Denmark, Finland, Sweden and Norway? 

Perhaps, one of the possible outcomes is to turn Ukraine into a Nuclear/Bio Hazard (like Chernobyl) country so much so for the next 3 decades, no country will enter nor mention it, this place called Ukraine. For the Russians, one less threat to its border dispute and EU or NATO shall stop its membership effort too. Is this a breathing space for the Russians, the Chinese and the world? 

Should the Ukrainians farm belt is contaminated, it will be a big problem for over  600 million people whom are dependents on these naturally furtile lands for food security. The immediate consequence is a big jump in foods across the world for a long haul ! Something needs to happen to deescalate any larger damages and deaths from happening, that's real! 

Summary:

In short, this Ukraine experiences so far, briefly - 

1) Psychological warfare using propaganda through news, videos, global diplomacy and leadership. 

2) Electronics warfare gaining enemy's live positions, distorting signals, decoding communications and airspace command. 

3) An internally strong and willing civil & military defence to counter  insurgency. 

4) Use of military experts and consultants already in existence inland and especially in strategic cities and critical infrastructures. 

5) A well prepared defence plan,  infrastructures and international interventions. 

6) Please don't bring smart phones to the battlefield, use paper maps and analog compass, please. 

7) Where is that sizzling Omicron? 

Latest:

https://www.foxnews.com/world/russia-troops-ukraine-nuclear-plant

Sir John Sawers 

https://youtu.be/Yw5lzKVn3sc

Afterwords:

"Two Is Accompany, Three Is Too Crowded!"

Satire of A Village: 

Recalling the last decade of the two big fights, eversince, for the last seven years, the Big village has three separate chief A, B and C. It has aways been these arrangements of things, businesses and arguments of yours and mine. Of late, the last 3 years, there were territorial disputes that led to some fencing collapsed and tore into many pieces, this big village. 

Now the latest argument has started in the small town named kiln, this time, it is about kicking one of the chiefs out of the big village and into retirement. Of lately, it is coming to clear that perhaps two is a company! 

The longer these arguments persist, the more painful it will be for the thousands of villagers whom are beginning to complaint over the expensive foods and cooking oil. Some will soon distance their ties with each other and quarrels, tightening their waist belts and breaking their piggybanks to buy these necessities of life. 

Meantime these two old chiefs have silently fight it out for the SPOT, that's the last mohican standing shall be the ONE! It will be a long argument because it is more than 7 years of cumulated hatred and betrayal, that's for sure! 

After all is over, this time, perhaps the sole chief with the help of his trusted handymen will tear all old defences and refence the big village into one big circle leaving the villagers to wonder if it is real that only ONE chief left? 

Quotations:

"Nobody should have any illusion about the possibility of gaining military superiority over Russia. We will never allow this to happen."

 - -  Vladimir Putin

"The United Nations' founders understood that decisions affecting war and peace should happen only by consensus, and with America's consent, the veto by Security Council permanent members was enshrined in the United Nations Charter. The profound wisdom of this has underpinned the stability of international relations for decades."

- -  Vladimir Putin

"The United States and Russian security services regularly exchange information."

- -  Vladimir Putin

  - - END - -

[7:00 pm, 04/03/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

Thank you very much for being part of our WhatsApp chat and participating actively.

Goodnight!

Megan 😊

[8:41 pm, 04/03/2022] +REACH: No changes to Safe Management Measures for now but govt monitoring situation closely: MOH

There will be no changes to Safe Management Measures (SMMs) for now given the high number of daily local Covid-19 cases in the past week, but the authorities are monitoring the situation.

The Ministry of Health (MOH), in a statement on Friday (March 4), said the number of hospitalised cases remain high, and healthcare workers are still under significant pressure.

More: https://str.sg/wsLd

=======