REACH 338 - Minister Lawrence Wong has been endorsed as the leader of the 4G team. What are your views on Singapore's leadership transition plans?

(SK)

18 Apr 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:41 am, 18/04/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

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

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Megan 😊

[10:01 am, 18/04/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢

Finance Minister Lawrence Wong has been named as the leader of the 4G team, paving the way for him to be Singapore’s next Prime Minister. This was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 14 Apr (Thu), who said that this decision was crucial one for Singapore, as it would ensure the continuity and stability of leadership that are the hallmarks of our system.

💬 Minister Lawrence Wong has been endorsed as the leader of the 4G team. What are your views on Singapore's leadership transition plans?

In a Facebook post about the leadership transition, PM Lee said that the selection was a thorough and carefully deliberated process, with the strengths and weaknesses of the potential candidates actively sought. 

Speaking at the Press Conference on 16 Apr (Sat), Minister Lawrence Wong emphasised that our model of political leadership has never been about one person, but the team. Noting that everyone on the team brought with them unique capabilities and strengths, he said that he valued the diversity and that collectively, they had a strong team who would do their best for Singapore and Singaporeans. 

👉 PM's statement: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/lawrence-wong-endorsed-as-leader-of-paps-4g-team-full-statement-from-pm-lee-hsien-loong

👉 Minister Lawrence Wong’s Speech: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/ive-never-hankered-for-post-position-or-power-read-paps-4g-leader-lawrence-wongs-speech

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/process-of-selecting-4g-leader-was-thorough-carefully-deliberated-pm-lee

👉🏻 Video: Min Lawrence on challenges for 4G team in addressing concerns of young Singaporeans https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5qtQJj5W7w

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[10:10 am, 18/04/2022] +Caleb: Good.  He looks presentable and can represent well of Singapore.

[10:11 am, 18/04/2022] +Uncle Law: The transition plans could be faster prior to the pandemic.

[10:12 am, 18/04/2022] +Uncle Law: Same leadership for too long may have adverse effect in our country's progression.

[10:13 am, 18/04/2022] +Uncle Law: Similarly with reference to leadership in a school. A principal does not stay there for too long.

[10:13 am, 18/04/2022] +Uncle Law: The duration varies from organisation to organisation, no doubt.

[10:35 am, 18/04/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: Transition plans should happen sooner than the next GE however there is the problem that it will be weird to have PM Lee and the more senior cabinet ministers hanging around for a year in parliament - may get in the way of new leadership (I am assuming they will not run again in the next election). At the same time they can’t really resign as we don’t have the concept of by-elections in the same way as say the UK. Minister Wong should try to open up the selection process the next time around (2030? 2035?) so it is not so secretive - at least there should be some sort of public debate.

[10:36 am, 18/04/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: So that the electorate (and the PAP higher ups who choose their leader) have an idea of how the candidates can express themselves and what their views are.

[10:42 am, 18/04/2022] +BL: Be good for him to get some experience in other departments before taking over - especially foreign affairs right now! He's a good choice and well placed. Looking forward to seeing more of him in action.

[11:02 am, 18/04/2022] +BL: Good start!

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/lawrence-wong-15728a18_arrived-in-the-us-will-be-in-washington-activity-6921473502839529472-6PJU?utm_source=linkedin_share&utm_medium=android_app

[11:08 am, 18/04/2022] +Rama: The inclusion of the DPM and the cabinet reshuffling will give a clearer indication of the strength of the 4G team.

[11:15 am, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: Transiting and Stabilising Process - 

Possible Structure? 

PM - Economics/Finance 

Two DPM

- Law & Health

Council Of Senior Ministers (顾问部长) into 2030

- LHL, TCH, TS, HSK

[11:16 am, 18/04/2022] +Caleb: who is TS?

[11:19 am, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: Tharman

[11:21 am, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: This T&S process must be smooth and stable, it doesn't matter when (before or after GE25) the 4Gs formally take over from 3Gs....importantly is the PROCESS!

[11:23 am, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Two DPM again means no clear front runner to succeed PM

[11:23 am, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Yes

[11:25 am, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: Steady Hands vs Shaky Hands

Domestically and Globally, all eyes starting to watch us...

[11:25 am, 18/04/2022] +Rama: As always

[11:27 am, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatility,_uncertainty,_complexity_and_ambiguity

[11:32 am, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: Planning, Paving And Paying Ahead (超前部署)... minimum into 2030

[11:38 am, 18/04/2022] +BL: That's maybe a good thing.

[11:38 am, 18/04/2022] +BL: For now

[11:41 am, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: Better Tomorrow (明天会更好) 

Just like our PGs and MGs have experiences and exposures of all sorts.

Guiding the energetic, younger and able ones onto the right paths and let it go while watching these new waves in play ( 后浪推前浪). 

Embrace mistakes and same time don't repeat again. Only through mistakes, one will experience, be exposed and learned. 

There is NO perfection but EXCELLENCE will be the driver for a better tomorrow...

[11:43 am, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: “Go ahead and do what you think is right. If you make a mistake, you will learn form it. Just don't make the same mistake twice.

- - Akio Morita

[11:46 am, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: “A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” 

- - Albert Einstein

[11:58 am, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: What is Leadership? 

Be able to Engage and Connect with humans from the bottom and above yourself. It is more than rolling up your sleeves... 

Create more able leaders or deputies at all levels to make things happen in the right ways.

We or Me? 

To sum things, an economy (or a business entity) needs a full spectrum of talents and skilful humans (derivatives of labor) in order to smoothen the daily activities with the least amount of time at an affordable price! Many calls it productivity or lately the least disruptions to a company or a country!

Meantime have a cup of tea, coffee or milk and think who needs who most? This simple cup of beverage evolves and brings about many people, many efforts and most importantly TOGETHER! THAT'S HOW THINGS WORK!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatility,_uncertainty,_complexity_and_ambiguity

[1:57 pm, 18/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Firstly, I will like to congratulate Lawrence Wong to be chosen by the Cabinet Ministers to be our aspirant 4G Prime Minister - and settle the long running process of selecting our next successor.

This settle the anxiety of plan succession.

2. The transition plan for Lawrence Wong to take over from PM Lee - is the next hurdle - and important steps to ensure political stability and continuity.

a. First and foremost, Lawrence Wong must have sufficient time to assemble his core team.

b. Next, his core team must demonstrate results and outcomes - that can convinced Singaporeans to vote for his team to form the next Government in the coming GE.

It is mid-2022 and the next GE need to be called by 2025 - about 3 years time.

The runway is not very long - to demonstrate such capabilities - in such a short space of time.

c. Bearing in mind the complexities of the current voters - that aspire diversity in the Parliament - which means there is very little room for error - and Impression counts.

3. Hence building a steady and stable foundation - to ensure continuity in  governance and political stability become imperative.

a. The best persons to know this is the current PM Lee core team and Lawrence Wong who will be actively assembling his core team.

b. In a short space of time, will they be ready to display the new core team - and produce sufficient political outcome or results in 3 years time - is left to be seen.

c. Also, the challenges facing Singapore - notably, the inflation induced by the pandemic, the Ukraine war, the global supply disruption - how it impact the Singaporean voters and many other unforseen factors that may unfold along the way.

d. The pandemic crisis - demonstrate that Lawrence Wong as co-chair has show a steady pair of hands with sound decision working with his co-chair plus coordination with the rest of the Government Agencies - that bring us out of the pandemic into the current comfortable position.

The Budget 2022 also demonstrate Lawrence Wong sound fiscal policies, notably, safeguarding the hard-earned reserves and yet able to provide sufficient helps to cushion the inflation onslaught brought on by the pandemic and the Ukraine war.

e. Still, sufficient time and space should be given to Lawrence to takeover - in which such decision should be jointly decided by PM Lee and Lawrence Wong - whereby they are in the best position to know whether they are ready and whether the takeover will produce the best result for Singapore.

[2:01 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: 2b. He and his DPM, along with the core team must start to take charge early 2024.

[2:30 pm, 18/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Winning the next GE with comfortable margin and seats - is one of the major consideration.

[2:38 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Yes

[3:14 pm, 18/04/2022] +BL: Yes - for a small country we need stability and unity (at least on the national stage!) - look at the disruption in other countries that are better resourced to cope. UK, US, potentially France. Division is highly damaging to a country, and everyone suffers.

[3:16 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Agree

[4:44 pm, 18/04/2022] +RH: My "two cents worth" ...

Firstly, Congrats to LW being appointed to head the 4G team, 

Secondly,  congrats again to LW on his appt as the DPM.

LW has come a long way and the pandemic has helped to highlight the forerunners. 

However, while we applaud the men,  wat about the women ? 

We now hv a woman president,  wat abt a woman PM in the future? 

I think it would be good if LW can include women ministers in his "future" team , give them a chance to serve in the various ministries as he and several others hv bn given these past few years .

The women deserve a chance to shine too.

Besides IR, GF, upcoming potentials I hv my sights on r SA, LYL,  SXL,  GSH. 

All this talk & getting feedback abt wat we think of gender equality at work ...

It's time for the Gov to walk the talk, dun u think ? 

And lead by example?  

😉

[4:48 pm, 18/04/2022] +jimmy chew: Yeah if the ladies are up to it. Why not. Let it naturally happen. I believe the cabinet will not hesitate if there's an excellent One. It's should based on merits  capabilities and not on heritage or even political correctness

[4:49 pm, 18/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

There are 3 possible ways to go into the election:-

1. PM Lee lead win and handover to Lawrence Wong.

2. Lawrence Wong form a core team - enough runway for him to win the heart and mind of the voters and win convincingly.

3. Co-lead by both PM Lee and Lawrence Wong.

Win and then handover.

[4:50 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Let's give a lady chance as DPM

[4:50 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Worth considering

[4:50 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: IR should helm a ministry

[4:51 pm, 18/04/2022] +RH: Agree.   

It's abt time for her to shine too.

[4:52 pm, 18/04/2022] +RH: From the parliamentary sittings,  she has handled herself very well.

[4:52 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Definitely

[4:52 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Coffee shop talk heard is ET will be the next law minister

[4:53 pm, 18/04/2022] +RH: 🤔🤔🤔

Let's gv the lady a chance,  .... ?

[4:53 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Why not!?

[4:53 pm, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: Indranee for DPM.

[4:54 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Agree

[4:55 pm, 18/04/2022] +RH: Def worth considering...

[4:55 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Elevate the respect for our extremely capable women.

[4:56 pm, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: 3 DPM? Unprecedented, possible?

[4:57 pm, 18/04/2022] +RH: Hear,  hear, yes. 

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[4:57 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Usually the non Chinese DPM will never be acting PM

[4:57 pm, 18/04/2022] +Joseph: I think we need to be careful to differentiate between discrimination, and favouring a candidate because of race, gender etc.

[4:57 pm, 18/04/2022] +RH: As the saying goes,  "there is always a FIRST TIME ..."

[4:59 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Let it be soon!

[4:59 pm, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: Inclusively, if one can see...

PM & 3 Deputies, each deputy has her/his forte at best

[5:00 pm, 18/04/2022] +RH: That said,  again,  we need the gov to 'walk the talk' ...

Each individual needs to be deserving in merit capabilities and commitment, 

Not on heritage, not on race, not on political hierarchy . 

😁

[5:00 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: Outshine each other professionally for the post

[5:03 pm, 18/04/2022] +Joseph: If the candidate is deserving in merit, capabilities and commitment, then why the need to "reserve" a spot and play up the difference in Gender/Race?

If the candidate is not up to scratch, then does it make sense to give extra credit for being the "right" Gender/Race?

[5:05 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: LKY, HSK both said Singapore and elderly Chinese not ready to accept a non Chinese PM

[5:08 pm, 18/04/2022] +Joseph: I can't speak for the rest, but I disagree with what they said.  I am ready for any person who is capable enough to take over the role as PM, regardless of Race/Gender.

The Race (or Gender) of the candidate should not play any part in the selection/decison-making process in my opinion.

[5:08 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: I hope so

[5:11 pm, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: + Religion

[5:14 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: I don't want a malay DPM or PM due to konfrontasi incident with Indonesia way back (including the macdonald building bombing), the fact that our government then chose Israel to build up our military  as this I feel will not sit well with Malaysia and Indonesia

[5:15 pm, 18/04/2022] +Rama: https://mustsharenews.com/lightning-17-apr/

[5:48 pm, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: Simon says...

“Leaders are the ones willing to look out for those to the left of them and those to the right of them. Leaders are the ones who are willing to give up something of their own for us. Their time, their energy, their money, maybe even the food off their plate. When it matters, leaders choose to eat last.”

- - Simon Sinek

[5:49 pm, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://fisher.osu.edu/blogs/leadreadtoday/blog/why-leaders-should-eat-last-a-look-into-simon-sineks-book#:~:text=%E2%80%9CLeaders%20are%20the%20ones%20willing,leaders%20choose%20to%20eat%20last.%E2%80%9D

[5:50 pm, 18/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

3. Co-lead can paint the pictures of 2 important ingredient:-

a. Stability & continuity - by PM Lee

b. New vision to value-add and further strengthen the current foundation - by Lawrence Wong

[5:51 pm, 18/04/2022] +Joseph: https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaelschein/2018/06/13/simon-sinek-is-full-of-fluff-and-other-reasons-you-should-follow-his-lead/?sh=6fd4fc035657    

hmmm........

[5:53 pm, 18/04/2022] +Joseph: There is a saying ... "Those who can, DO. Those who can't, TEACH" or in this case, write books 😜

[5:54 pm, 18/04/2022] +BL: Equal representation isn't political correctness. If the men are choosing, they will naturally base their opinions as men - not always easy to see the benefits a woman brings. We can't just judge based on our own limited views and measures. We should have equal representation (not literally) to start to rebalance.

[5:55 pm, 18/04/2022] +BL: "not always easy to see the benefits a woman brings' - to clarify this - I mean if it's always based on the standards of a man ie a male point of view may not see things as a woman does!

[5:55 pm, 18/04/2022] +Joseph: i propose more female construction workers .. sorely lacking in female representation there ... anyone? 🙋‍♂️

[5:57 pm, 18/04/2022] +BL: Good step forward yes

[6:47 pm, 18/04/2022] +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

[6:58 pm, 18/04/2022] +Smiley face: 18 April, 2022

To: Our Distinguished Leaders And All Honorable Members 

"you needs to be brilliant to win the billions..." 

- - anonymous 

A Better Tomorrow (明天会更好):

Just like our PGs and MGs have experiences and exposures of all sorts.

Guiding the energetic, younger and able ones onto the right paths and let it go while watching these new waves in play (后浪推前浪). 

Embrace mistakes and same time don't repeat again. Only through mistakes, one will experience, be exposed and learned. 

There is NO perfection but EXCELLENCE will be the driver for a better tomorrow...

Whether you are a leader of a country or a company, to win (millions) hearts, you need to constantly listen, comprehend and address the important pointers in good time (don't delay). With these strong attributes achieved, nothing will stop its way to success for many things in life happened consequentially!

Constantly listen - one spark can create a bush fire. 

Comprehend - be curious and investigative on issues from trivial to serious ones. 

Important pointers - resolve them with least delay. 

Consequential - one thing leads to many issues. 

What is Leadership? 

Be able to Engage and Connect with humans from the bottom and above yourself. It is more than rolling up your sleeves... 

Create more able leaders or deputies at all levels to make things happen in the right ways.

We or Me? 

To sum things, an economy (or a business entity) needs a full spectrum of talents and skilful humans (derivatives of labor) in order to smoothen the daily activities with the least amount of time at an affordable price! Many calls it productivity or lately the least disruptions to a company or a country!

Meantime have a cup of tea, coffee or milk and think who needs who most? This simple cup of beverage evolves and brings about many people, many efforts and most importantly TOGETHER! THAT'S HOW THINGS WORK!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volatility,_uncertainty,_complexity_and_ambiguity

Afterwords:

Transiting and Stabilising Process - 

Possible Structure? 

Inclusively, if one can see...

PM & 3 Deputies, each deputy has her/his forte at best, possible? 

PM - Economics/Finance 

Two DPM

- Law & Health

Council Of Senior Ministers (顾问部长) into 2030

- LHL (Chair), TCH, TS, HSK

This T&S process must be smooth and stable, it doesn't matter when (before or after GE25) the 4Gs formally take over from 3Gs....importantly is the PROCESS!

Quotations:

“Go ahead and do what you think is right. If you make a mistake, you will learn form it. Just don't make the same mistake twice.

- - Akio Morita

“A person who never made a mistake never tried anything new.” 

- - Albert Einstein

            - - END - -

[7:00 pm, 18/04/2022] +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 337 - What are your views on the Government’s initiatives to improve the management of sexual offences? What else can be done to reduce such offences and ensure the safety of victims? (SK)

13 Apr 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:57 am, 13/04/2022] +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.

5. Let’s protect each other’s privacy and keep contact details in this group what it should always be - confidential. 

Full set of Terms of Use: https://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms

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 😊

[10:02 am, 13/04/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢

On 12 Apr (Tues), Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam announced several initiatives by the Singapore Police Force (SPF) aimed at improving the handling of sexual offences. This follows an announcement made in Parliament last week that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ministry of Law (MinLaw) are studying a proposal to keep serious sex offenders detained beyond their jail sentence if they are deemed to still pose a threat to the public.

💬 What are your views on the Government’s initiatives to improve the management of sexual offences? What else can be done to reduce such offences and ensure the safety of victims?

The key components of the SPF's sexual crime review are include:

📌 Formation of Sexual Crime and Family Violence Unit

The Police will set up a new Sexual Crime and Family Violence Command to oversee all sexual and family violence cases. The Command will be set up by next year and will be staffed by Police officers who specialise in the investigation of such cases and are equipped with victim management skills. 

📌 Enhanced Training for Police Officers

Investigation Officers and all frontline Police officers who might be first responders will undergo regular training on sexual crime investigations and victim care. They will also attend seminars and sessions organised by the Police, such as the SPF Sexual Assault Awareness Seminar.

📌 Launch of Revamped Sexual Assault Webpage on SPF’s Website

The Police will launch a revamped one-stop webpage to increase public awareness of sexual assault and the investigation processes of sexual crime cases. The webpage will inform the public on the nature of the sexual assault, and also contain information on victim care measures, support services available for victims, as well as videos setting out the Police's investigative processes.

📌 Formation of New Community Partnerships

The Police will continue to strengthen partnerships with NGOs and community partners to better support victims of violence. MHA, MCCY and MSF will also establish a new NGO, SG Her Empowerment LImited, later this month; the NGO will serve as a victim support centre in addition to working with the Law Society to provide pro bono legal advice to victims. 

In addition, the Police will also conduct a survey this year to identify further areas for improvement. Sexual assault victims will be engaged on a voluntary basis to provide feedback on existing processes and victim care measures.

More info on the SPF's sexual crime review can be found here:

https://www.mha.gov.sg/mediaroom/speeches/singapore-police-force-sexual-assault-awareness-seminar

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/new-police-command-for-sexual-crime-and-family-violence-to-be-formed-by-2023-to-help-victims

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mha-minlaw-consider-longer-jail-term-further-detention-for-dangerous-sex-offenders

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sex-offenders-to-be-dealt-with-more-severely-from-march-1-under-amended-laws

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[10:18 am, 13/04/2022] +Rama: The extended incarceration is welcome.  However, the sexual crime unit is staffed by female mostly!?

[10:44 am, 13/04/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors

We’d love to hear more from you on today's topic 😊

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

Megan

[10:51 am, 13/04/2022] +Joseph: Update rules/regulations/laws. Penalties need to be more punitive. Publis, shame and educate.

Tigthen Enforcement. We are good at implementing policies, but execution and enforcement is pathetic. Looks as if the SPF has "flavours of the year" and "campaigns". Whenever there is "drink-driving" campaign, it alwasys seems liem for a month or so - or while the "campaign" is on - there will be more road blocks/checks, more reports in local media about arrests for a while, and then it stops. I have been driving for more than 25 years and in all that time, I encounter our SPF at Hawker Centres buying night snack/supper more often than seeing them patrolling the streets. On the occassions that I had lodged a police report a crime - including Ponzi schemes which eve…

[10:53 am, 13/04/2022] +Joseph: Oh yah .. another thing... hope the SPF can spring into action without the need for a prominent Minister to open his mouth first.

[10:57 am, 13/04/2022] +Rama: Yes!

[11:18 am, 13/04/2022] +BL: Probably for good reason. Most victims are women.

[11:24 am, 13/04/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: There is little in the Minister’s speech about prevention and early detection of sexual and family violence. Perhaps MOE needs to raise awareness amongst students at an early stage that certain behaviours by men are wrong and that it is ok to tell someone (a sister, mother, teacher, etc). This is obviously a very delicate subject. Over the last few years we’ve had a number of cases brought to trial where the abuse of a daughter or relative went on for many years - what could have been done to detect this early? My own view is that in some egregious cases the death penalty should be an option.

[11:29 am, 13/04/2022] +Joseph: 👍

[11:35 am, 13/04/2022] +Rama: Years ago there was talk of castration. Wonder what was the outcome!?

[11:42 am, 13/04/2022] +Rama: A sex offenders register was also talked about found not practical

[11:53 am, 13/04/2022] +Poh Seng Lim: A sex offender registry would be unnecessary if incarceration is extended. Even better if the offender gets a lifetime sentence, so is permanently out of society, right?

[11:54 am, 13/04/2022] +Rama: Lifetime sentencing would be equivalent to other serious crimes so not sure if it will help.

[11:57 am, 13/04/2022] +Poh Seng Lim: Sure would. They would be permanently out of society, so repeat problem solved. And it would be a significant deterrence, so no one would ever dare to take the risk of committing the offence, unless he was out of his mind. Ergo, a permanent solution.

[11:58 am, 13/04/2022] +Rama: The state will have to foot the bill still on top of the court given sentence and the extended incarceration

[11:59 am, 13/04/2022] +Rama: There are social implications for immediate family to factor.

[0:02 pm, 13/04/2022] +Poh Seng Lim: Then a death penalty could solve the bill-footing. See @Guillermo Cabeza comments above to make the death penalty as an option.

[0:03 pm, 13/04/2022] +Rama: This needs very independent consultation with all stakeholders.

[0:05 pm, 13/04/2022] +BL: We need to be careful not to instill an attitude in kids that men behave badly, or wrong. Telling a person they are a theif can sometimes cause them to steal.

[0:06 pm, 13/04/2022] +Poh Seng Lim: So who would these stakeholders be?

[0:06 pm, 13/04/2022] +Poh Seng Lim: Suggestions?

[0:06 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://singaporelegaladvice.com/law-articles/sexual-misconduct-singapore-offences-victims/

[0:08 pm, 13/04/2022] +Rama: Victims for sure, law academics, social workers, law enforcement officers, ag chambers, grc for home affairs/msf/myself.

[0:09 pm, 13/04/2022] +Rama: Omit myself!

[0:17 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.psychologytoday.com/sg/blog/law-disorder/202005/do-sex-offenders-have-mental-illness

[0:24 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/01639625.2016.1197656

Child Abuser

[0:29 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/parliament-passes-bill-toughen-punishment-3-sex-crimes-those-who-obstruct-public-officers-their-duty-2174286

[0:32 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Megan%27s_Law

[0:36 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: South Korea:

On January 3, 2013, the Seoul Southern District Court ordered a sex offender, charged with raping five minors, to be CHEMICALLY castrated for the first time since the Act on Special Cases Concerning the Punishment, etc. of Sexual Violence Crimes went into effect in July 2011. The 30-year-old culprit had to receive hormonal treatment that is intended to suppress his sexual impulses for the next three years. The court also sentenced him to: 15 years in prison; to wear an electronic tracking device on his ankle for 20 years; to post his personal profile with a picture of his face and name on the online sex offender registry for 10 years; and to complete 200 hours of psychotherapy sessions.

[0:36 pm, 13/04/2022] +JC: I think the root cause of the spike in sexual crime is due to the pervasiveness of pornography in our society. It can erode the perception of accepted norms when it comes to sexuality, and potentially cause some individuals to go down the proverbial rabbit hole in which they become trapped in deviant sexual behavior.

[0:36 pm, 13/04/2022] +JC: I don't think more severe punishment will help if the root cause isn't addressed.

[0:40 pm, 13/04/2022] +JC: When I see the many cases/reports of sex crimes on local newspapers, one thing I noticed is that actually many of the sexual offenders are trapped in their own behavior - most are throwing away their future and their lives in pursuit of momentary gratification and that is very similar to mental illness/addictive behavior.

[0:40 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: South Korea:

The tragic victimization of a 9-year-old girl by a sex offender in Tongyeong in July 2012 underscores the danger and risk to which underprivileged children are exposed. These children who need care from the community too often fall prey to social predators.[15] With her father away at work and stepmother having fled, she had no adult to look after her.

A more organized and effective system to protect children from sex offenders is in great need. The community, society and schools should enhance the care and protection of children from poor and broken families. Even if we don’t go so far as prohibiting children from arriving at school unattended by an authorized adult, schools could pair older students to walk younger peers to and from school grounds.

Schools and community centers should work together to provide shelter and after-school programs so that small children are not left alone until adults return home. The entire society should be aware that any of our children can become targets of crime.

[0:49 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: South Korea:

At present, the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family in cooperation with the Ministry of Justice is operating the Sexual Offender Notification Website under the renamed Act on the Protection of Children and Youth against Sex Offenses.

1) barring people convicted of sex offenses against minors from getting jobs in the medical sector or working as private tutors for 10 years after the punishment was served or suspended.

2) personal information of the sex criminals who committed prostitution, rape, forced indecent conduct, arranging for prostitution, etc. against minors with the punishment confirmed, a publicly recorded and accessible information of these sex criminals.

[0:50 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/02/21/national/crime-legal/sex-offenders-schools-child-care-prevention/

[1:29 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Detaining serious sex offenders beyond the jail sentence

1. Sex offenders is a menance to the Society - and put the population at risk. 

2. Thus it is important for the Authority to ensure sex offenders do indeed have repented and will not re-offence once they have served their sentence and go back to the society.

3. Hence the process to evaluate whether the sex offenders have indeed repented and will not re-offence need to be tight, robust and yet fair.

4. Continuous assessment must be made to ensure sex offenders will not re-offence - similar process like monitoring drug addicts.

5. On the other hand, sex offenders that have served their sentences, justice have been administered and they have repented - must be given a 2nd chance to rehabilitate and go back to the Society to contribute constructively. Help to get them back for study or jobs so that they stay engaged and can provide a means of living for themselves and their families must be part of the rehabilitation process - a "Yellow Ribbon" project.

It must not be a death sentence for them - else they may re-offend or commit more serious crime - when they see no future in front of them.

[1:35 pm, 13/04/2022] +Rama: Detaining sex offenders beyond court sentencing should affect a few otherwise yellow ribbon project will be affected.

[1:37 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Yes I think a few will be recalcitrant but the rest should know the gravity of the offences and will repent.

Hence rehabilitation is an important part of the process under the Yellow Ribbon.

[1:37 pm, 13/04/2022] +Rama: Agree

[1:52 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

*Family violence*

1. Family violence is a traumatic life long event for the whole family - if not detected early, stop and resolve.

2. Family violence happens behind close door - and the victims will not only be the spouse, but the children that will suffer long continuous trauma --- that will affect everyone in the family mentally and physically.

In fact the damage and sufferings are the greatest - when it happen within a family - as the fear and sufferings happen everyday with no respite - administerd by a family member that is supposed to provide love, trust and protection - which is all the more heart wrenching.

3. Hence Authority stepping in to stop and resolve family violence --- is imperative and sorely needed --- else the Society will lose the whole family - and worst breed more people with negative traits.

4. Community efforts is needed to detect sign of family violence especially neighbors and neighborhood - to see and hear whether physical abuse happen behind close doors

Medical staff, schools, offices and community also must be alert to sign of abuse - like visible injuries or mental sufferings - and report such suspected family violence.

I think the hotline, web portal to report suspected family violence abuses will be extremely helpful.

[1:56 pm, 13/04/2022] +jimmy chew: Not Easy to detect. Reading from articles the victim was chosen or groom to accept violence. It's a slow process for the victim to realize the abuse.

[1:56 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

5. Publishing the hotline number, URL web link to report family violence - can be done at HDB LED billboard, media or public places - so that victims, community and public can be given the idea or reminded to call for help -- when they witness the family violence abuse or when victims decide to seek help to escape from their sufferings.

[1:58 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: Alcoholism, Abuse of Drugs and childhood experiences such as violence, sexually abused and broken family. These are big topics for sociology and criminology.

[1:58 pm, 13/04/2022] +jimmy chew: The father or brother or even mother may have done it to the child, as she grows to an adult it normalizes until it gets out of control in marriage

[1:59 pm, 13/04/2022] +Rama: The electronic notice board at the void Deck can help.

[1:59 pm, 13/04/2022] +jimmy chew: It's a good start to educate what is proper relationship and behaviour

[2:05 pm, 13/04/2022] +Rama: One spouse will abuse the child and the other will fein ignorance

[2:05 pm, 13/04/2022] +Rama: Get tge grassroots adviser assistance

[2:12 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://smart.ojp.gov/office-sex-offender-sentencing-monitoring-apprehending-registering-and-tracking

[2:20 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://news.cgtn.com/news/3459444e7a514464776c6d636a4e6e62684a4856/index.html

[2:20 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.chinajusticeobserver.com/a/china-bans-sex-offenders-from-working-near-minors

[2:25 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

6. Awareness programme of family violence can be taught in schools, offices, publish in media, billboards - that victims need not suffer in silence, helps can be seek through hotlines, URL web sites etc.

7. In fact, schools and offices can easily pick up students or staff who are reserved, look unhappy, fear, interaction with close friends or colleagues that they have suffered family violence at home or those with visible injuries or periodic interview with students and staff by counsellors, teachers or boss.

8. Neighbors should be attentive to shouting, scolding, beating, verbal abuse, or throwing of objects by their neighbors --- at these are visible sign of suspected family violence.

[2:28 pm, 13/04/2022] +JC: While it is good to focus on protecting society from the harms from sexual crime, we should also devote resources/attention on more intensive R&D to find better ways to support sexual offenders suffering from mental illness to recover from their condition.

[2:34 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://theprint.in/theprint-essential/whats-chemical-castration-the-punishment-pakistan-plans-to-introduce-for-sex-crimes/552877/

[2:38 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Sexual crime - should rehabilitate from the sex offenders mental state.

2. Chemical castration seems to suggest permanently stopping the sex offenders from sex crime by focusing on the sexual organ - but if the sex offenders mental intent is not rehabilitated - what will stop the person to commit sexual crime by using his other parts of his body or objects?

[2:39 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://theprint.in/features/on-international-day-for-elimination-of-violence-against-women-a-look-at-indias-rape-crisis/550953/

[2:53 pm, 13/04/2022] +jimmy chew: Most don't want to report because it's a stigma and also fear of putting parents in prison and the siblings ending in homes. The deliemma they face

[2:55 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

*Sexual crime*

1. Preventing sexual crime - should focus on developing positive mental state.

a. Positive messages like fostering healthy relationship between the opposite sex.

b. Mutual respect between the opposite sex

c. Religious teachings that preach mutual respect between opposite sex

d. Managing sexual desire and channel it to build healthy life long partnership and family.

e. Society effort to promote healthy interaction and relationship among opposite sex.

2. Instill the seriousness of sexual offences - and the law that punish sexual offenders.

3. Deliver the message that sexual crime don't pay.

[2:57 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Hence message for victims of family violence to come forward is not about to punish their family members - but to help the family escape and resolve the family violence - so that fear and suffering will stop.

Social welfare workers jobs become increasingly important.

[4:06 pm, 13/04/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors

We’d love to hear more from you on today's topic 😊

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

Megan

[5:18 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Developing the right mental state to prevent sexual crime and family violence is to develop the Right Mindfulness.

Mindfulness to do the right thing.

Mindfulness that sexual desire arises - that must be channel to the right behaviour and refrain from sexual wrong.

Mindfulness that anger and frustration should not be channel to the family members that you love - but mindful to dissipate anger and look for constructive solutions to problems.

Mindfulness training (正念 ) is the best solution to develop positive mental state.

[5:20 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Mindfulness of thoughts, speeches and actions.

[5:28 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://youtu.be/oBUJREw_aqE

[5:33 pm, 13/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

为何要 - “三思”？

1， 一思 （广东话 - 面个站）- 最原始 （based on senses, consciousness and feelings) - hence if one acted on 一思 - will be most superficial level of understanding - and likely to act on impulse and most likely to be wrong.

2. 二思 - 经过分析 (based on mind analysis - through facts, evidence and logical and reasonable deduction - and conclusion) - come out with rational decision and actions.

Most people stop at this level - which is good at "mundane realm".

3. 三思 -（广东话 - 底个站）- 初心，本性（based on heart) - which is the "most wholesome".

And if using 三思 - in coming out with solutions ---- will be the most 圆满 (Perfection) - optimal solutions.

[5:40 pm, 13/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://youtu.be/tJqRPycWUDg

[6:44 pm, 13/04/2022] +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

[6:59 pm, 13/04/2022] +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 336 - What are your views on the Government’s shift from the traditional focus on illness-based hospital care to patient-centred preventive care? How can we encourage others to adopt a healthier lifestyle as a form of preventive care?

(SK)

11 Apr 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[10:04 am, 11/04/2022] +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.

5. Let’s protect each other’s privacy and keep contact details in this group what it should always be - confidential. 

Full set of Terms of Use: https://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms

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 😊

[10:05 am, 11/04/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢

Dubbed Healthier SG and announced last month during the Ministry of Health's (MOH) budget debate, the initiative aims to get general practitioners, family physicians and the community to play a larger role in spotting diseases earlier and keeping people out of hospital as much as possible. It outlines a “major reform of the healthcare sector”, including the integration of GPs into the public healthcare ecosystem and focus on preventive care.

💬What are your views on the Government’s shift from the traditional focus on illness-based hospital care to patient-centred preventive care? How can we encourage others to adopt a healthier lifestyle as a form of preventive care?

The five core components of the Healthier SG strategy are:-

📌 1: Mobilisation of our network of family physicians

MOH will reorganise care delivery, starting with transforming primary care to be an important pillar of the healthcare system. This requires the integration of primary care providers, especially General Practitioners (GPs), into the public healthcare ecosystem. MOH will partner the three healthcare clusters to better support the GPs who are operating within their region and integrating them more closely with the overall health system, such as by enabling data sharing and building up team-based care.

📌 2: Care Plans

Singaporeans will be encouraged to visit the same family physician clinic regularly for all their care needs and discuss their health goals. This could include completing key preventive care actions, addressing risk factors early and exploring together how to achieve health goals and delay the onset of diseases. Some proposals include exploring how to make recommended health screenings even more affordable, providing better coverage by Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS) subsidies and/or MediSave at their chosen doctor, or offer insurance premium discounts for those who diligently follow their Care Plans.

📌 3: Community partnership to support better health

MOH will leverage community partnerships to strengthen support for residents by partnering agencies such as the Health Promotion Board (HPB) and Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) to provide programmes and services to help residents keep healthy and well in the community. MOH will also explore how we could extend such collaborations to private hospitals.

📌 4: National Healthier SG Enrolment programme

Each resident will be invited to enrol with a family physician of their choice as their first line of care, who would support them across their life-course for different health needs and care episodes, to ensure continuity of care from 2023. Family physicians may work with the polyclinic or hospital in the management of patients with more complex needs. This partnership will allow the care team that is supporting the patient to coordinate an integrated seamless care. A geographical approach will be used to enrol residents so that each individual can get care and support near where they live.

📌 5: Support structures and policies

MOH will put in place structures and policies to support the healthcare reform and shifts needed. These include: further investing in manpower and strengthening the training focus on delivering care in the community; reviewing financing schemes to focus on delivering key health outcomes; and building up critical support pillars in technology and data.

More info on Healthier SG is available on MOH’s website:

https://www.moh.gov.sg/news-highlights/details/promoting-overall-healthier-living-while-targeting-specific-sub-populations

👉🏻https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/family-doctor-gp-healthcare-healthier-sg-2551331

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/after-covid-19-spore-faces-far-more-challenging-pandemic-of-chronic-illnesses-like-diabetes-ong-ye-kung

👉🏻https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/budget-debate-push-to-get-singapore-residents-paired-with-gps-from-2023

-----

[10:38 am, 11/04/2022] +BL: Copy the private insurance companies and do rewards schemes to encourage healthier lifestyle. Also offer discounts on premiums, or 'upgrades': https://www.aia.com.sg/en/our-products/aia-vitality.html

[10:40 am, 11/04/2022] +BL: Already thinking about it! Mr Ong said: "Perhaps we can ....offer insurance premium discounts or vouchers if we diligently follow our care plans, or even better still, show good outcomes."

[10:41 am, 11/04/2022] +BL: Not sure I like this idea: "Once you settle on a doctor, you'll have to commit to see him or her for a period of time, for instance, a year, he added." I don't want to be committed to a Dr if I don't like them or want other opinions. Also creates a closed system for a doctor which can make them complacent.

[10:43 am, 11/04/2022] +BL: And please don't use the UK as an example of Health Care - it's pretty awful over there. Dr are leaving in droves. People are generally very disatisifed: https://www.bma.org.uk/bma-media-centre/thousands-of-overworked-doctors-plan-to-leave-the-nhs-bma-finds

[10:44 am, 11/04/2022] +BL: I'm not sure I agree with this model either: "MOH will provide the healthcare clusters with a pre-determined fee for every resident living in the region that they are looking after, Mr Ong said. This funding shift - from the current workload-based model - will give hospitals a natural incentive to try to keep residents healthy through preventive care."

[10:45 am, 11/04/2022] +BL: If they are getting paid regardless, they might be less likely to provide care.

[10:46 am, 11/04/2022] +BL: How will it be measured independently? Since the Dr themselves are the ones deciding. How will they be held to account?

[10:46 am, 11/04/2022] +Caleb: To see doc will it be a flat rate?

Or polyclinic will be cheaper?

[10:47 am, 11/04/2022] +BL: For example, here is a GP being asked if GPs can do it: The question is whether GPs here can provide this service or not, said Prof Tan who, as a family physician, has patients whom he has seen for 20 years. "And I think we can, if you look at how the GPs have stepped up to help fight Covid-19." - it's like asking someone would you like to be paid regardless of the work you do?  of course everyone will say yes.

[10:49 am, 11/04/2022] +BL: Is it about saving money, or providing appropriate health-care? I believe in preventative measures of course, and appreciate flexibility. I'm not sure being 'locked-in' to a GP for a year to handle all my health care issues is the right approach. How can 1 GP be an expert in everything?

[11:25 am, 11/04/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: I’m not keen on having to choose a GP - too  limiting in terms of one particular doctor’s expertise vs one’s particular ailments. Also in my experience GPs would rather prescribe medicine than talk through healthy alternatives.

[11:32 am, 11/04/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: My GP refers me to the hospital specialist.  Cos he is A GP.. general practitioner.  He cannot be the expert in all diseases and I am not sure if they wld be ready to accept n recalibrate medications of someone who had many chronic illness

[11:49 am, 11/04/2022] +BL: Yes, this is what happens now. If this works, then why change it so that we always have to see the same GP just to get a referral? Not sure I understand the point. Maybe we should focus on more on making information more widely available and using online GPs more, if we just need referrals.

[11:56 am, 11/04/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: agreed

 

[0:39 pm, 11/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Preventive care rather than cure - will be more cost effective to bring down healthcare costs through patient-centred preventive care than illness-based hospital care.

[0:39 pm, 11/04/2022] +Rama: Agree

[0:40 pm, 11/04/2022] +Rama: Definitely

[2:01 pm, 11/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. My close friend suggestion to relook at healthcare reform to bring down the Nation healthcare spendings (and thus reduce the increasing yeatly fiscal budget) - is the right key that will help to arrest the ever escalating healthcare cost :-

Preventive care is a pre-emptive approach to prevent, detect any problem to our health before it happen or become serious - and nip the health problem at its bud.

It will be less costly as early treatment can prevent any problem that manifest into a bigger health problem at a greater healthcare cost - to both the people and the State which offer subsidised co-payment.

2. My close friend suggestion to allow greater autonomy for family physician (or pharmicists) to treat mild conditions - also resonate with the new Government 1st  core component strategy of "1. Mobilisation of our network of family physicians" - of providing care-delivery with a team-based approach at the regional level close to the people residing in the neighborhood.

3. Finally all the rest of the Government 5 core components in preventive healthcare - make alot of sense to prevent serious illness from manifesting ---- which in the long run - the aggregating outcome of hospital needs will be greatly reduced - as many serious illness can be prevented and tackle early before it become serious ---- which thus will prevent our Nation healthcare cost from ballooning year after year as our population ages.

-----

[2:13 pm, 11/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Citing from my experience, my family members enrol in the bi-yearly healthcare screening programme with our nearest polyclinic - look after by a team of GPs.

2. Bi-yearly we will undergo a full-body healthcare check to look at our chloleterol level, blood sugar, blood pressure, blood test, urine test plus other necessary tests to ensure we are at the pink of health.

Any early symptoms will be prescribed with the necessary medications together with advice of appropriate exercises to keep fit, appropriate diet etc.

3. If specialist advice is needed, the GPs will refer the case to the specialists in the hospitals.

4. Though bi-yearly healthcare screening cost are incurred for my family - the cost is much lower than if any serious illness requiring hospital care. 

Also we live with a peace of mind as we live a healthier living.

5. Hence, these Government 5 core component of preventive healthcare strategy resonate with me and my close friend ---- and I believe in the long run will help to arrest the ballooning healthcare cost every year that require a more costly hospital-care plus a less healthy aging population.

----

[2:13 pm, 11/04/2022] +Smiley face: Government healthcare expenditure is estimated at $13.2 billion in 2020, and this is expected to triple to $36 billion by 2029. The Fitch report, however, estimated a modest rise for private healthcare expenditure, from a forecast of $8.2 billion in 2020 to $13.5 billion in 2029.

[2:15 pm, 11/04/2022] +Smiley face: Budget 2022: Healthcare spending to form bulk of increase in social expenditures by 2030

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2022-healthcare-spending-to-form-bulk-of-govt-expenditure-by-2030

[2:16 pm, 11/04/2022] +Smiley face: Already, the country's spending on healthcare has tripled to $11.3 billion in 2019, from $3.7 billion in 2010.

[2:18 pm, 11/04/2022] +BL: Yes, even a basic annual health care screening is the best preventative care.

[2:28 pm, 11/04/2022] +BL: How much is private and how much is public?

[2:35 pm, 11/04/2022] +Anne: Dear G, if your goal in preventive care is to spot disease earlier and keeping people out of hospital, then I’m out, because your mental model is still based on sickcare rather than healthcare. Many medical doctors are trained to focus on diseases and not health. How many hours are they trained on nutrition? I was told, at most 1/2 day out of their 5-year medical course in university. If medical science places so little importance on nutrition, which is one very important aspect on prevention, why should I trust a medical doctor for overall health advice? Also a medical doctor spends like 5-10 min with each patient. How do you expect any form of meaningful health dialogue to take place within 5-10 min? When I’m with a TCM physician, the consultation takes at…

[2:48 pm, 11/04/2022] +Caleb: +1

[3:04 pm, 11/04/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: well said!

[3:08 pm, 11/04/2022] +Sunshine Pooh: polyclinics or GP may not have the expertise or time to do the full evaluation. As Anne pointed out, they only review 1 patient for barely 5mins. many a times not even spending time with the patient to understand other underlying matters. this contributes to diseases not being detected early or mental well-being of patients being neglected. there has to be a holistic review of how healthcare is being adopted and delivered to the pple

[3:09 pm, 11/04/2022] +Rama: So, having a dedicated and GP at Polyclinic cost is better and more productive!?

[3:24 pm, 11/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. To do justice to a team-based approach with a team of GPs (in may case the Polyclinics) - it is not a 5 minutes or 10 minutes affair with the GPs.

2. My family experience is - we spend at least half a day with the polyclinics doing a series of test by medical professionals with the various specialist medical expertise.

3. Eg. blood test are taken by medical professional.

Medical Scientific readings are recorded.

ECG are taken by specialists radiographers.

MRI are taken by MRI specialists.

Blood pressure, BMI etc  are recorded by trained medical professionals.

Notice that polyclinics and even hospitals - are operate in a team-based rather than one GP. The team have consultants on top of the GPs and any peculiar medical anomalies will be refer to their team specialists and even hospitals that have the required expertise.

4. My family experiences (including my extended families experiences) with the Government Polyclinics and Hospital Services are very positive.

And to do justice to the Government medical services - a big Thumb-up.

5. Another important things to note, TCM does perform a secondary role medical care - but not a primary medical care services.

Even China adopt western medical care services as their primary medical care while allowing TCM to play a secondary role.

The sinseh by putting their fingers on a patient pulses even with more than 1 hour - cannot match blood test, ECG, MRI etc specialist medical equipment. ---- This is science.

[3:28 pm, 11/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

6. Eg. By putting a finger on the pulse can detect high cholesterol?

Can detect any growth or anomalies in any organs?

Can detect diabetes?

Etc ?

I only believe in science.

[3:31 pm, 11/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

7. Even sinseh openly advise patients to refer to the polyclinic or hospital when they suspect the health condition is beyond their means of TCM - this is my experience with my Chinese physician when I am younger - as he told me only hospital has the right equipment and specialist.

[4:16 pm, 11/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

My close friend comments:-

When I wrote about prevention-better -than-cure, I was thinking about 养生. 

Health checkups do pick up conditions possibly leading to serious illness or detection of early illness. 

That's ok, still contribute to lowering overall healthcare costs.

A stitch in time saves nine.

养生 emphasizes on living right. Right forms of exercise, nutrition, rest; right amount, right intensity, right balance etc

So we adopt a holistic view about wellness and target different programmes for different age groups, different population profiles.

Chinese saying 寿而康。 Living to good ripe age and still healthy.  

We pride ourselves for living long but we do know that we pay a high price for this longevity.  To cut back is also humanly not right.

[4:51 pm, 11/04/2022] +BL: Education is also helpful. Maybe run some workshops so family members can do simple health checks at home. Perhaps make equipment available that is only needed once or twice per year; and can be borrowed easily.

[4:51 pm, 11/04/2022] +BL: By sharing responsibility we take the pressure off doctors. Only need to see a dr if the results are not normal. Not expecting people to self-diagnose, just to see the Dr when needed, not if all is Normal.

[5:14 pm, 11/04/2022] +Smiley face: 2 in 3 working Singaporeans do not have savings to last them beyond 6 months: OCBC survey

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/2-in-3-working-singaporeans-do-not-have-savings-to-last-them-beyond-6-months-ocbc

[6:16 pm, 11/04/2022] +Smiley face: Additional Reading:

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/2-in-3-working-singaporeans-do-not-have-savings-to-last-them-beyond-6-months-ocbc

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2022-healthcare-spending-to-form-bulk-of-govt-expenditure-by-2030

https://www.straitstimes.com/life/feeding-many-mouths-in-a-time-of-rising-costs-how-do-3-big-families-cope

https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/singapore-healthcare

https://www.mckinsey.com/cn/our-insights/perspectives-on-china-blog/8-reasons-why-china-is-the-most-exciting-healthcare-story-in-the-world-right-now

https://www.gov.sg/article/quiz-how-many-hospitals-and-polyclinics-do-we-have

Mr Lee Kuan Yew's 10 most significant speeches in Parliament

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mr-lee-kuan-yews-10-most-significant-speeches-in-parliament

[6:45 pm, 11/04/2022] +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

[6:48 pm, 11/04/2022] +~N: The shift is good, and important in view of our changing demographic profile and cost trends. One of the issues of public services is that for the end-user experience, sometimes it's too much control. You want to empower for health ownership, but it seems that you want to empower only this and that way. It's like a strict parent may not always have the desired outcome despite the best intentions. All the plans are great, but please allow for some organic development. With regards to internal issues of the healthcare system, do let us know the costs of recruiting private practice GPs. With regards to community partnership, again it's a great concept, but the culture is different, I hope you put in the right leadership.

[6:50 pm, 11/04/2022] +Bioon: Preventive care should not mean lots of medicine to immediately take, strong anti biotics for common illnesses, immediate steroid based medicines  or surgery as an immediate option. Preventive care should not result in doctors frightened to take a gradual approach to medical care. There should be a updated definition of how to interprete preventive care for both patients and doctors.

[6:50 pm, 11/04/2022] +Bioon: doctors.

[6:52 pm, 11/04/2022] +Bioon: Healthier food is a core basis for a healthier lifestyle but today, food is about cheap quantity/GMO food. So, better and more transparent food labeling is important for consumers to make their decisions.

[6:54 pm, 11/04/2022] +~N: What needs less control: The framework for preventive care cannot be too limited

What needs more control: Healthcare and community care system integration

[6:57 pm, 11/04/2022] +Bioon: By enrolling with a family physician, this should not limit a resident’s choice to seek a 2nd or even a 3rd opinion. I personally know of someone who had baterial infection of the eyes that could have caused blindness but 2 GPs dismissed the red eyes as dryness from contact lens (my friend wasn’t wearing contact lens for a while).

[6:57 pm, 11/04/2022] +Darren Chua: On my way.

[6:58 pm, 11/04/2022] +Bioon: GPs need to be re certified to ensure their skills are up to date

[6:59 pm, 11/04/2022] +Rama: I believe there's a ongoing programme

[6:59 pm, 11/04/2022] +Smiley face: 11 April, 2022 

To: Distinguished Ministers And Our Honorable Members 

"Planning, Paving And Paying Ahead (超前部署)...from the first cry to the last breath, your new close friend maybe your doctor...?" 

"Patient's CARE and doctor's CARING, from the consultation rooms to the palliative beds, so important, no money can buy it! 

- - anonymous 

What can we learn from nations that are facing aging population like Japan, South Korea and China? How each country healthcare and social systems working for their aging population? What's their valuable lessons? 

Medical Infrastructure:

There are 10 private hospitals, 1800 GP clinics, 16 public hospitals, 23 Polyclinics. For private healthcare, Raffles, Healthway, Shenton, Parkway, Silver Cross, Q&M are sizeable medical groups and smaller ones making up our PHPC. What's the population and the breakdowns?  Singaporeans 3.50 million, 0.5 million of PRs and 1.6 million non-residents. 

To look further, we can view these private medical groups as 'contractors' that will bid for service contracts that will be based on number of patients assigned and scope of cares within a cluster of housing flats or a town council. It is a 'maintenance' fees model that relieves public clinics from overcrowding. 

The coming total sum of the proposed public/individual from newborns to seniors, this medical heathcare initiative will add ups to higher cost for taxpayers into billion dollars. For the benefits, an increase in early preventions of illness, on timely interventions of illness and better delivery of healthcare services. 

Medical Cost:

Medical Cost is one major sudden or can be a long term burden to many families and individuals should unknown illnesses strike upon any human. These unfortunate medical situations happened not only to the elderly but across all age groups. Can a typical middle class family afford such disruptions? Will employer dismisses an employee (non unionised) based on her/his existing medical conditions and needs? What's the rights of such employee (union or non union) in terms of employability, medical claims and the ultimate 'release' from work? 

Basic consultation for GP is $38 per patient with additional cost for medications and/or further diagnostics. The cost and benefit analysis - the cost of these PHPCs are twice or triple of the Polyclinics. What are the derived benefits? Can the first 25% of Singaporeans especially the FAMILY MEMBERS of lower wage workers/ low family income / the unemployed / handicapped afford frequent medical treatments from simple sicknesses to major illnesses given the existing subsidises to all Singaporeans? What's the minimum expected dollars to foot for BASIC healthcare to COMPLEX treatments? Is the existing means test of affordability a realistic, robust and up to date system of checks and approvals for Singaporeans? 

Perhaps, to save cost, there is a need to identify TOP 100 common illnesses and drugs dispensed for treatments at the GP level. MOH and HSA will have a good knowledge as to what to procure under the GENERIC drugs to lower the overall 'your preferred doctor' costs for all patients and tax payers. For serious or chronic illnesses, these PHPC doctors will refer patient's for further diagnostics or tests to public hospitals or private ones (if patient prefers to self pay or has existing insurance coverage either personal or employer). 

Second consideration is the frequency of clinic visitations and hospitalizations. MOH will have the latest figures and trends for these crucial statistics that will be the service model and costing going forward this personalised medical protocol. 

Below are suggested 4 broad based frequency allocated according to age groups. All Singaporeans will enjoy subsidised fees on these PHPC visits just like Polyclinics. 

Frequency to PHPC Visits- 

A) 65 yrs and above & 18 yrs and below - 24 annual visits to PHPC and unlimited access to Polyclinics. 

B) 19 yrs to 30 yrs - 10 annual visits to PHPC and unlimited access to Polyclinics. 

C) 31 yrs to 50 yrs - 12 annual visits to PHPC and unlimited access to Polyclinics. 

D) 51 yrs to 64 yrs - 18 annual visits to PHPC and umlimited access to Polyclinics. 

For hospitalisation, the subsidies for public hospitals, room types and the existing medisave/medicare shall remain status quo, if need to, can be  changed for better use. Insurance scheme like rider programs for private / public hospitals will remain status quo. How about families with LITTLE or NO emergency funds should a medical crisis arise? How society and policymakers provide any means of 'lending hands' for these families or individuals? 

An excellent and robust healthcare system is important for any nation. One lesson learned from the covid pandemics is a country's abilities to scale up and master resources in extreme crunching times and desperate moments such as capability and capacity within one's healthcare system. 

The past twenty four months of the war on covid have proven that tangibles like facilities, equipments, doctors, nurses and medicines are keys to a strong and ready medical army, the entire public and private healthcare systems working in sync against one immediate threat-Covid! 

What is life? 

At the end of the day, there is a price to pay for everything tangibles and intangibles! Can the medisave saves most of us from financial miseries or serves us comfortably into our golden old age of retirement, all of us will need it sooner or later! 

There is no escapement from aging, sickness and death. One intangible is, a trusting relationship that is patient's CARE and doctor's CARING, from the consultation rooms to the palliative beds, so important, no money can buy it! 

Additional Reading:

https://www.straitstimes.com/business/banking/2-in-3-working-singaporeans-do-not-have-savings-to-last-them-beyond-6-months-ocbc

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/budget-2022-healthcare-spending-to-form-bulk-of-govt-expenditure-by-2030

https://www.straitstimes.com/life/feeding-many-mouths-in-a-time-of-rising-costs-how-do-3-big-families-cope

https://www.trade.gov/market-intelligence/singapore-healthcare

https://www.mckinsey.com/cn/our-insights/perspectives-on-china-blog/8-reasons-why-china-is-the-most-exciting-healthcare-story-in-the-world-right-now

https://www.gov.sg/article/quiz-how-many-hospitals-and-polyclinics-do-we-have

Mr Lee Kuan Yew's 10 most significant speeches in Parliament

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/mr-lee-kuan-yews-10-most-significant-speeches-in-parliament

                 - - END - -

[7:01 pm, 11/04/2022] +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 😊

=====

Ukraine accuses Russia of war crimes as mass graves of ‘executed’ civilians found in Bucha

Ukraine said the shooting of hundreds of bodies near the capital was a ‘deliberate massacre’ and urged G7 nations to impose ‘devastating’ sanctions immediately

The claims came as air strikes targeted key infrastructure in the Black Sea port city of Odesa, which has largely been spared in the conflict

SCMP

Agence France-Presse

Published: 8:00pm, 3 Apr, 2022

User since Mar 2021

Babe B.

1. Right is right. Wrong is wrong.  

2. Invading another Country is wrong.  

3. Russia invading Ukraine is wrong - and violate UN charter.  

4. Similarly, China is protesting against Russia territorial land dispute "“The history of Vladivostok (literally 'Ruler of the East') is from 1860 when Russia built a military harbor.” But the city was Haishenwai as Chinese land, before Russia annexed it via unequal Treaty of Beijing."  

So is China accord the same treatment to Ukraine similar to China protest against Russia?

 5. Measure an action with the same yardstick - else it will become an unprinciple hypocrisy.

Just now

User since Aug 2020

SUBSCRIBER

Eric L.

How many countries were invaded by the US since the UN exist ? Was any of them in violation of the UN Charter...? So... now the same US, is using it against any Country it wishes... because it is above any Charter or any Law... because of its Armada ? Then there was those countries that was before the UN Charter too. Not even talking about the UK... and its colonies.As long as there is 1 Ukrainian, in the Ukraine; the NATO problem will always exist... and, if NATO would attack or Invade... the US would be free to say..." I didn't invade or attack" ...? As far as I am concern... using Europeans, or NATO  to start a War in Europe... Puts Europe in danger. It doesn't protect it...as per the Charter of NATO. OR Using NATO to wage Wars outside of Europe......See More

18h ago • Edited

1

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Richard C.

@Eric L. Could not agree more. Certain people just keep preaching peace without looking back what US has been doing over the last 50 years, and number of innocent people were killed during these US attacks on other overseas countries, etc etc.

13h ago

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User since Mar 2021

Babe B.

@Eric L. US is wrong by invading other Countries. So is Russia. No other Countries support US when it invade Iraq on the false pretext of nuclear weapons. The same yardstick - of moral principle. So is China according the same yardstick to both US and Russia?

1m ago

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Join the conversation...

User since Mar 2021

Babe B.

@Richard C. If don't preach peace, preach war? What US did is wrong - say so. What Russia did is wrong - say the same. Don't use a wrong to justify another wrong - if China want to be credible in the eyes of the World.

Just now

User since Mar 2021

Babe B.

@Babe B. Else the World will be difficult to accept China playing a role in arbitrating World affairs - failure to differentiate what is right from wrong - but only serving self-interest.

Just now

User since Mar 2021

Babe B.

@Babe B. How many people actually practice - li, yi, lian, ci (courtesy, righteousness, honesty, shame). Don't need a moral master to tell you so.

Just now

Richard C.

@Babe B. Let you admit US Government was wrong to commit all those WAR crimes FIRST because it was done over the last 50 years. It must be punished so we know the level of punishment to US Government FIRST before we could know how to handle Russia.

16m ago • Edited

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Babe B.

@Richard C. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2004/sep/16/iraq.iraq 

UN declare that US led war against Iraq is illegal and violated UN charter.

Just now

Iraq war was illegal and breached UN charter, says Annan

The Guardian

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User since Mar 2021

Babe B.

@Richard C. What is China stand on Russia invasion of Ukraine?

Just now

===== https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2003/05/unus-m26.html

=====

User since Feb 2019

Richard C.

@Babe B. UN had also found US drone killing of Afghan family of ten including three children violated UN charter too and what US had responded back to UN, absolutely nothing. You still did not know China had expressed neutral to this crisis but not surprised to new March2022 user name like you.

16h ago

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Eric L.

@Babe B. I give you 1/2 points only... but will had an other point then...If Ukraine is allowed to become a NATO(US) member, what prevent the US, from putting missiles 5 to 8 minutes away from Moscou, or less than 1 mn from their Naval base, on the Black Sea ?Having done so... what prevent then the US from lanching a an attack when ever they feel like it ?Do you really believe that Russians would tolerate that ?Would you tolerate having Russian missiles 2 minutes from your home... ?Don't bother answering me... I know your answer.The US gave Russia its answer on that particular point... and Russia didn't have any other alternative, but to move in... Zelensky wanted the US missiles on its territory.So your Ukrainian invasion, is mainly defensive, to the...See More

9h ago

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Eric L.

@Babe B. The number of fronts the US/UK, or the West has... are not helping.  Spending money on war machines... is not invested toward solutions, but toward more problems... for any body else, on the Globe. Actually it is not even solving the problem facing their own population either, in the West. So tell me were are the benefits... in all that created chaos, and auto-spiralling down vortex ?

9h ago

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Babe B.

@Eric L. 1. Why Ukraine want to join NATO and not Russia? 

2. Is it because NATO offer better economic opportunities and better governance? 

3 So if the other bloc did not pressure Ukraine to join but Ukraine want to join on its own accord - then shouldn't Russia do soul searching how to improve its economic attractiveness and better governance - instead of forcing people at gunpoint? 

4. You can't force people to befriend you with gun. 

5. You only can win over people with your heart, your economic benefits and your good governance.

Just now

EDITSHARE

User since Mar 2021

Babe B.

@Richard C. "China had expressed neutral to this crisis" - Good!

Just now

Babe B.

@Babe B. 

1. Now Russia invade Ukraine - more Countries want to join NATO - namely Finland and Sweden - which are neutral Countries. 

2. So you think forcing people at gunpoint - people scared? 

3. It bring about the exact opposite effect - and in addition, incur the wrath of the majority of the global Countries. 

4. The greater the coeercion - the greater the rebellion. 

5. Only if you can win people's heart - then you inherit the master of softpower.

Just now

=======

REACH 335 - How do you feel about the five areas laid out in the White Paper on Singapore's Women's Development? Which area resonates with you the most? How can we better support women to feel safe and confident at workplaces and at home?

(SK)

08 Apr 2022 (10am - 7pm)

REACH

[9:50 am, 08/04/2022] +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.

5. Let’s protect each other’s privacy and keep contact details in this group what it should always be - confidential. 

Full set of Terms of Use: https://go.gov.sg/reach-whatsapp-terms

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, 08/04/2022] +REACH: 📢 Topic 📢 

A 10-year road map to ensure all Singapore women have greater access to opportunities, and more equal partnerships with men, was endorsed by Parliament on Tuesday (April 5), with 40 MPs speaking on the topic.

💬 How do you feel about the five areas laid out in the White Paper on Singapore's Women's Development? Which area resonates with you the most? How can we better support women to feel safe and confident at workplaces and at home?

Opening the 9½-hour debate, Communications and Information Minister Josephine Teo acknowledged that while women here have made much progress, the country must not shy away from dealing with the various daily challenges they face - from sexual predators to social expectations.

[10:00 am, 08/04/2022] +REACH: Beyond the policies and programmes proposed in the 10-year road map to nudge Singapore towards gender equality, the country needs to also ensure there are effective follow-up and periodic reports on progress made, said President Halimah Yacob on Wednesday (April 6).

📌 Area 1: Equal opportunities in the workplace

1. New laws to ensure fair employment practices, plus ensuring those who come forward to report issues have their identities protected and are not retaliated against.

2. New Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangements by 2024, to require employers to consider employees' flexiwork requests fairly and properly.

3. Career mentorship, networking opportunities and training programmes for women at work and re-entering the workforce.

4. Encouraging greater utilisation of parental leave.

5. Revised Singapore Exchange Listing Rules and Practice Guidance to the Code of Corporate Governance to support greater board diversity, including gender diversity.

6. Council for Board Diversity will lead efforts to increase women's representation on boards.

📌 Area 2: Recognition and support for caregivers

7. Respite care options to be enhanced; Household Services Scheme will be expanded to include basic child- and elder-minding services.

8. Home Caregiving Grant will be increased from $200 a month to up to $400 a month.

9. Greater access to affordable and quality pre-schools; a child and maternal health well-being strategy will be developed.

10. Awareness of caregiver support initiatives will be ramped up, with a push for community-based peer support networks.

11. More support for caregivers of persons with disabilities and children with developmental needs.

📌 Area 3: Protection against violence and harm

12. Penalties for three sexual offences have been raised, and the Attorney-General's Chambers will generally object to rehabilitative sentences for adult offenders who commit sexual and hurt offences.

13. Greater protection for victim-survivors of family violence, including a helpline with expanded capacity and multiple modes of reporting, such as a mobile app.

14. More awareness and accessibility of resources for victims of online harms.

15. Strengthened support and awareness of resources on workplace harassment.

16. New national framework to promote safe sport.

17. Promote values of respect and safety through education - from pre-schools to institutes of higher learning.

📌 Area 4: Other support measures for women

18. Enhanced support for single parents.

19. Greater support for divorcing or divorced women, including the option of divorce by mutual agreement of the irretrievable breakdown of marriage, as well as better enforcement of maintenance orders.

20. More support for low-income families with children, such as piloting a child-minding service out of usual childcare centre operating hours.

21. Elective egg freezing to be allowed in 2023 for women aged 21 to 35 years, but only legally married couples can use this for procreation.

📌 Area 5: Mindset shifts

22. Women's Charter has been updated to better reflect women's equal status to men in marriage.

23. Gender stereotypes about careers will be addressed through education; Character and Citizenship Education curriculum in schools will address equity of familial roles.

24. Develop gender-responsive standards under the Singapore Standardisation Programme.

25. A public garden will be dedicated to honouring and celebrating the pioneering spirit of Singapore women.

More info on the White Paper on Singapore Women’s Development is available on REACH’s website:

https://www.reach.gov.sg/Participate/conversations-on-singapore-womens-development

👉🏻https://str.sg/wnvS

👉🏻https://str.sg/whaa

👉🏻https://str.sg/whEg

👉🏻https://str.sg/whaY

👉🏻https://str.sg/whHx

------

[10:56 am, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: Tan See Leng makes personal contribution of $1m to support women pursuing Stem careers

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tan-see-leng-gives-1m-for-endowment-to-support-women-pursuing-stem-careers

[11:06 am, 08/04/2022] +Rama: Any other cabinet minister to follow!?

[11:15 am, 08/04/2022] +YT: The others must be saying this guy spoil market. Now all under pressure to do the same. Hahaha... 🤣  just joking, just joking.

[11:20 am, 08/04/2022] +Rama: Let our president match!?

[11:29 am, 08/04/2022] +Joseph: Match only? I think at least should Double

[11:32 am, 08/04/2022] +Joseph: She is the shining example of Singapore's commitment to diversity - Highest paid Civil Servant, Woman, "Minority" 😉

[11:41 am, 08/04/2022] +Rama: Total package should adjusted downwards

[11:41 am, 08/04/2022] +Rama: Agree

[0:10 pm, 08/04/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors

We’d love to hear more from you on today's topic 😊

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

Megan

[0:17 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: International Booker Prize 2022: Women writers dominate shortlist

https://www.straitstimes.com/life/arts/international-booker-prize-2022-women-writers-dominate-shortlist

[0:20 pm, 08/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

1. Did not come across any injustice or grievances face by my female community or acquaintance in jobs or social circles.

2. Thus cannot comment which measures resonate with me.

[0:24 pm, 08/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

3. No complains from my female community or acquaintance either.

[0:25 pm, 08/04/2022] +jimmy chew: I worked on a financials institution where the best get the job. 95 percent of my bosses are female and they e 🎉 exhibit excellent leadership on middle and upper management

[0:25 pm, 08/04/2022] +jimmy chew: *at

[0:36 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: At the civil service and public office levels, women should not be viewed as having a 'shorter runway' versus men. Perhaps, for a change, the prestigious President's Scholarship recipients be 3 girls and two boys or equally at 3 each? Possible?

[0:37 pm, 08/04/2022] +Rama: I support this

[1:34 pm, 08/04/2022] +REACH: Dear Contributors

We’d love to hear more from you on today's topic 😊

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

Megan

[2:04 pm, 08/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

France probes 'serious incident' over landing of New York flight. After stopping flight for more than 2 years - many airlines encounter some problem with their airplane. Malaysia, China and now France. SIA to London also fly back when one engine fail.                                                       https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/france-probes-serious-incident-over-landing-of-new-york-flight

[2:06 pm, 08/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Some issues outside this topic - but important enough to bring it up:-

With airlines now back to flying, airlines all over the world should ensure its airworthiness.

[2:09 pm, 08/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/malaysia-airlines-flight-allegedly-dives-then-turn-back-to-kl-airport

[2:15 pm, 08/04/2022] +YT: Maybe pilots rusty.

[2:17 pm, 08/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Pilots not clocking enough flight times.

Maintenance of airplanes not robust enough.

Airplanes like cars need to fly often.

If cars don't start and drive for 2 years - overhaul probably maybe needed before it can hit the road.

[2:17 pm, 08/04/2022] +BL: There are some complications in Singapore because only men are required to take 2 years out at the beginning of their career to do NS. In some ways that puts men at a disadvantage in their professions, just as women taking time out to have children hinders them. Should we see a move whereby men and women both do 1 year NS, which would be a more balanced approach?  Should we recognise the contribution of women and child bearers in the same way we recognise the role of men in NS? We see a parade each year of the military, but there is no parade each year of new mothers. I'm not suggesting this by the way.... just putting it out there for debate!

[2:32 pm, 08/04/2022] +RH: Er... 

I dun think I wud want a parade as a new mother. 

Looking after a newborn is exhausting enuff,  let alone find time for rehearsals!  😰

[2:33 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: A good initiative.

Perhaps girls will serve NS under NON military role.

For National School Games, both girls and boys winners to GROUP photos AFTER they received the respective medals.

[2:34 pm, 08/04/2022] +BL: hahah - yea I can see that. I was being a bit tongue in cheek about the parade really... 🙂

[2:34 pm, 08/04/2022] +RH: 😃 apology accepted.

[2:35 pm, 08/04/2022] +BL: 👍

[2:38 pm, 08/04/2022] +RH: In the past 2 years, my son (a pilot)  has been attending lessons on Zoom to keep in touch. 

They do simulation exercises,  actual route flying exercises,  as well as constant theory & practical exercises to keep in shape. 

They've had occasional flights when scheduled,  tho not much. 

As for maintenance of planes,  I m sure being SG, we hv responsible crew who do their part to upkeep the hardware in the best possible condition. 

It is sad tt machines do age too if not used and certainly ther is still room for improvement.

[2:42 pm, 08/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

Our airlines and pilots should be kept up to shape.

Likewise airlines and pilots all over the world should do similar.

Because passengers can hop into any airlines.

IATA should come out with guidelines post pandemic when air travelling resume.

The recent few air close incidents and China airline that crash - is serious enough for IATA to take note and take actions.

[2:44 pm, 08/04/2022] +RH: Yes,  for SG,  they do. 

Not sure abt wat they do in other countries...  Not within our purview, so can't comment.

[3:24 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: National aviation safety plan to tackle risks that may have arisen from pandemic

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/transport/national-aviation-safety-plan-to-tackle-risks-that-may-have-arisen-from-pandemic

[3:24 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: Cargo plane breaks in two during emergency landing in Costa Rica

https://www.straitstimes.com/world/cargo-plane-breaks-in-two-during-emergency-landing-in-costa-rica

[3:25 pm, 08/04/2022] +Guillermo Cabeza: The measures in the white paper seem sensible to me but I was surprised that there wasn’t more related to elder care. Child care and elder care responsibilities fall disproportionately on women. Only around 20% of households have domestic workers. As our population ages the government should begin to plan for more of us to live independently as we age including in care homes. This will reduce the burden on women.

[4:29 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.csc.gov.sg/articles/successful-ageing-progressive-governance-and-collaborative-communities#:~:text=In%202015%2C%20the%20Ministerial%20Committee,bonds%20with%20family%20and%20community.

[4:51 pm, 08/04/2022] ☸️  Danny 心: 

https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/manhunt-underway-two-men-who-attacked-two-others-weapons-boon-lay-car-park

Police arrest 2 men who attacked 2 others with weapons in Boon Lay car park.

[5:05 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/senate-set-confirm-jackson-first-black-woman-us-supreme-court-2022-04-07/

[5:15 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: Man who punched and kicked pregnant girlfriend gets 2 weeks' jail; court overturns $3,500 fine

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/man-who-punched-and-kicked-pregnant-girlfriend-gets-2-weeks-jail-court-overturns-3500-fine

[5:21 pm, 08/04/2022] +Rama: Stay gay, moron!

[5:23 pm, 08/04/2022] +Ah Heng: started with MH -> AF-> DHL (plane broken in 2) and -> Just Now UA52 turn back cos engine shut down half way

[5:23 pm, 08/04/2022] +Ah Heng: all planes are boeing

[5:23 pm, 08/04/2022] +Ah Heng: MH (787-800) AF (777 i think) DHL (mdel unknown) UA (767)

[5:24 pm, 08/04/2022] +Ah Heng: DHL Boeing 757

[5:25 pm, 08/04/2022] +Ah Heng: some oversea comments says is comment to have issue no worries but if one heard the audio transcript the bells were all going off crazy during the landing phase

[6:43 pm, 08/04/2022] +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

[6:51 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: Man admits to molesting young niece about 10 times a year from 2014 to 2017

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/courts-crime/man-admits-to-molesting-young-niece-about-10-times-a-year-from-2014-to-2017

[6:52 pm, 08/04/2022] +Rama: Sentencing for these crimes currently sufficient deterrence!?

[6:54 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: 1 in 10 women will be abused in underdeveloped nations...

[6:55 pm, 08/04/2022] +Rama: Agree

[6:55 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: Caning or fines or both? For the sanity criminal.

[6:55 pm, 08/04/2022] +Rama: Consider castration

[6:58 pm, 08/04/2022] +Smiley face: 8 April, 2022

To: Distinguished Ministers And All Honorable Members 

"Let's Start From Education...天生我才必有用" 

"old habits die hard... don't let things die harder...?" 

- - anonymous 

Educational Front:

Formative Years - 

The Gifted Education Programme (GEP) is to identify exceptional children at early age of life. With 2 rounds of tests to identify 1% or less from the country's Primary 3 cohort. The program begins at P4 and concludes at the end of Sec 2. What's the class mixed like, girls and boys, 30-70, 40-60, 50-50 from P4 to P6? What's the numbers like at the end of Sec 2?

If we go further down the education paths say into ITE/Polytechnics Pre-U/Post Grad levels. What's the admissions mixed like for Medical/Dental/Law/Engineering/Liberal Arts across our local Universities versus the other top 10 OECD nations? 

Can policymakers eyeball these growing numbers because it will have implications to our future workforce and talents of all spectrum? Are these the crucial 'beginning stations' toward equality, equitable and empowerment of women and social integration? 

Finally, what's the representations at the public service from level up to the top civil servants, what's the gender mixed? Are these Demographics trends the end of the beginning, for "old habits die hard"? 

Afterwords:

At the civil service and public office levels, women should not be viewed as having a 'shorter runway' versus men. Perhaps, for a change, the prestigious President's Scholarship recipients be 3 girls and 2 boys or equally at 3 each? Possible?

"Gender equality is the right thing to do. And it is also smart economics... Leveling the playing field for women would offer huge potential...Empowering women to use their talents and skills can boost countries’ competitiveness and support growth —a valuable, under-used resource in an uncertain global economy."

- -  Robert Zoellick 

News :

https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tan-see-leng-gives-1m-for-endowment-to-support-women-pursuing-stem-careers

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/senate-set-confirm-jackson-first-black-woman-us-supreme-court-2022-04-07/

https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/opinion/2011/09/19/op-ed-empowering-women-powers-nations

https://www.csc.gov.sg/articles/successful-ageing-progressive-governance-and-collaborative-communities#:~:text=In%202015%2C%20the%20Ministerial%20Committee,bonds%20with%20family%20and%20community.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted_Education_Programme_(Singapore)

             - -  END - -

[7:00 pm, 08/04/2022] +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 😊

====