Babe Blog - Insights on News Events

Tuesday, October 6, 2020

REACH 148 - Return to office slowly for Phase 3 (SK)

07 Oct 2020 (12pm - 7pm)

REACH

[10:57 am, 07/10/2020] +: Dear contributors,

Welcome back! 😊

⏰ Chats will be opened to 7pm today. ⏰

Please be reminded to be respectful and considerate to others in this WhatsApp chat group. 🙏🏼

REACH

[11:39 am, 07/10/2020] +: 📢 Topic 📢

How have you adapted to going to back your work places and keeping safe? Are there practical tips that you can share? 😃

Last month, the Government announced that more people will be allowed to return to the office from Sept 28.

Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung is encouraging employers to allow staff who are now working from home to start their day in the morning at home. Flexible hours for those who need to be in the office should be considered as public transport passenger volume climbs with the easing of restrictions at workplaces.

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/bosses-urged-to-offer-flexi-hours-to-avoid-crowding-on-public-transport

👉 https://www.facebook.com/ongyekung/posts/3894234680591105

+ changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group.

+ changed the group description. Click to view.

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[11:46 am, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

1. Keep face masks on.

2. Maintain social distancing at work.

3. Maintain hygiene by washing hands.

4. Interperse work from home and office.

5. Check in with SafeEntry for location based tracking.

6. Bring along Bluetooth tracetogether token for contact tracing.

Then it should be safe to slowly progress into phase 3 reopening.

[11:47 am, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

CNA

Air travel bubbles, more green lanes part of plans for Singapore to ‘revive’ Changi Air Hub amid COVID-19: Ong Ye Kung

By Matthew Mohan @MatthewMohanCNA

06 Oct 2020 01:41PM (Updated: 06 Oct 2020 02:50PM)

Pursuing more green lane arrangements and negotiating air travel bubbles with countries whose COVID-19 infection rates are low were among the plans outlined by Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung on Tuesday (Oct 6) to "revive" Changi Air Hub.

These travellers will also have "controlled itineraries" to minimise any residual risk of community spread, the minister said.

Singapore will also* negotiate air travel bubbles with safe countries and regions*, said Mr Ong.

These air travel bubbles are for general travellers and have no requirements for a "controlled itinerary". These are different from reciprocal green lanes, which are for official and essential business travel.

"While we should establish (air travel bubbles) only with safe countries and regions, we can further manage risks by setting a quota on the number of travellers per day and ensuring that everyone abides by COVID-19 test protocols," said Mr Ong.

"In particular, we recognise that the requirement of having to serve a full 14-day (stay-home notice) in a hotel, will deter most travellers from wanting to come to Singapore. So we have to facilitate the visits without such an onerous restriction," Mr Ong added.

"For example, we can replace the 14-day (stay-home notice) in a hotel with new requirements, such as a more stringent and repeated test protocol ... we can segregate them from the rest of the community ... we can closely track their movements while they are here."

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[5:57 pm, 14/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

My close friend say: It's also about 抢位 and position sg

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Yes.

Singapore got no big hinterland and big godfather to help us.

We must look out and seize opportunity for ourselves.

HK kenna sanction by US. No problem.

HK got big hinterland behind and big godfather China - pour in multi billion dollars into HK to make up lost ground.

Singapore don't have such luxury and we need to stay alert and fight for our survival and rice bowl.

7:58 pm, 31/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

If no hub.

We will have nothing.

[7:58 pm, 31/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

We will be bypass.

[6:00 pm, 14/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Got to open up but do so safely.

Once people bypass our hub - we got no hubby - and we will permanently lose hub business and jobs.

[5:01 pm, 24/08/2020 ] ☸️ Danny 心:

Our tourism and air hub use to generate $25 billion to our economy every year.

Can we target a step up approach to hit $10 billion first.

Then 3 months later to $15 billion.

Another 3 months to $20 billion.

And then finally to $25 billion by using:-

1. "Ring-fence" air bubbles - from each events at each place of activities.

2. "Safe tunneling" air corridors - end to end tunneling approach from airport, to various places like hotels, food, tourists spots and back home.

[12:26 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

We have to maintain our air hub, air travel through organised travel, group insurance and health test - through bilateral arrangements with countries - to ensure covid will not be imported - but targeted MICE, tourism, retail, f&b can be safely arranged for foreign tours to preserve our air hub, aviation sector and our retail.

Else our air hub may demise.

[2:10 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Eg. Government can work with aviation and tourism sector to organise targeted, covid health check tours and MICE :-

1. Insure for covid test, hospitalisation, quarantine

2. SIA, silkair travel

3. Escorted, targeted check in to eg. MBS or Resort World hotels or Orchard Hotel, targeted retail, F&B, tourist spots, MICE events - with all social distancing in place.

Right from airport to hotel to tourist spots to few days guided tours and then back to airport.

This will help to re-boot our tourism and air travel.

Of course govt to govt arrangements need to be make.

[2:26 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Only organised and targeted tours or MICE allowed.

Not free roaming tourists.

This is our compromise step to open up tourism step by step.

Only when vaccines is successful, will we allow free roaming tourists.

[2:29 pm, 17/08/2020 ] ☸️ Danny 心:

Yes for the time being, organised tours instead of free roaming tourists - is the compromise calculated risk that we must take to reboot our aviation and tourism sector.

[2:30 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

All got to wear mask right?

Singaporeans also roam around freely now but still wearing masks.

All these tourists are tested negative before coming in.

We need to take calculated risks.

Else economically we will die.

We can't draw on more reserves - as it will dry up.

[2:36 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Only those tourists who meet the right requirements can come in.

[3:23 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Our keyword, our strategy is known as "ring-fence".

Ring-fence tours, ring-fence MICE.

Singapore did very well in ring-fencing our dorms, aged home, hospitals, schools, work place, air transit, malls etc - to prevent infection spreading.

Similarly, we can extend our ring-fence expertise into organised tours and MICE - so as to reboot our air hub and tourism sector.

[3:26 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Many overseas tourists are dying to go out for tour.

If we are able to package a well insured, covid-safe or covered organised tours - where tourists sign up and agreed to the arranged tours with no free roaming - guarantee our air hub and tourism sector will again buzz with economic activities - and yet safe for local community - because the organised tours are ring- fence.

[3:30 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Hotel will have safeguard to prevent tourists from leaving the organised agenda or they may even need to wear wearable devices to track their movement.

N Korea have many organised tours with very strict restrictions - and yet many tourists sign up to tour n Korea.

So Singapore can have a niche - an orthodox tours that can attract tourists.

Tourists can accept the inconvenience because they know this virus pandemic is no joke - and we protect them and yet allow them to have fun.

[3:32 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

And tourists need to sign up and accept the inconvenience before they can enrol in our ring-fence tours.

This will work and will reboot our aviation and tourism sector.

[3:58 pm, 17/08/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Tourists must be tested before they come Vs many Singaporeans who are not tested but only rely on wearing masks to stay safe.

Wonder tested and ring-fence tourists are safer or non-tested Singaporeans are safer?

Do we have to be paranoid to the extreme - at the expense of our economy and our air hub?

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[11:51 am, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Because notice that city area food courts and shopping areas are crippled with very little business - as workers stay at home.

If more people can be in office when need to, city area business, shipping malls, food courts can survive.

Else even estate developers with many empty office, spaces and shops cannot survive, as business stop renting lease space with estate developers.

[11:55 am, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Also public transport, like bus, taxi, private hire, train etc can also see more business - and earn more income for themselves.

In fact allowing more workers to travel back to office - is a multiplier effect of generating transport business, retail business, shopping business, food and beverages business in downtown area.

Which will contribute to the economy and GDP.

[12:12 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/covid-19-vaccine-who-covax-tedros-year-end-2020-13213088

Rama

[12:12 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Great!

Ken

[12:13 pm, 07/10/2020] +: I doubt it will be successful.. takes time to see

[12:14 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Just hope it works well. 🙏

[12:14 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

No one can tell until and unless mass vaccination is in progress and no one reported major side effects.

[12:15 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

In general, many vaccines have been trial on big group of people and they look promising.

Rama

[12:16 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yes

[12:16 pm, 07/10/2020] +: 🤷‍♀️

[12:16 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yes

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[12:27 pm, 07/10/2020] +: If carry the bluetooth tracetogether token, izzit can just show the token and dont need to show hp check-in/check-out??

[12:28 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Understand,,currently selective location can use the sevice so?

[12:29 pm, 07/10/2020] +: I think some places must do check in and out also. Rules not very clear

[12:30 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yes

[12:35 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Thanks Jimmy, thanks Andrew for the clarification. Then I will tell the lao nang accordingly. I dun think they will be too happy with the grey area and that the token is not giving them better convenience.

[12:39 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Unless they give a immediate directive that the tokens are accepted and don't have to use the check in and out 😃

[12:39 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Or whenever you issue the token give a notice signed as evidence don't need to use

REACH

[12:41 pm, 07/10/2020] +: 33,000 local job seekers in Singapore have found jobs and training places since onset of Covid-19: MOM report

Despite the onset ofthe Covid-19 pandemic, 33,100 local job seekers have found jobs and training spots through the different government initiatives.

They were part of 117,500 new jobs, training and attachment opportunities that the SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package created by the end of August.

More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/jobs/33000-local-job-seekers-in-singapore-have-found-jobs-and-training-places-since-onset

[12:41 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Stella, alot of eldery, lowly educated citizens will still face problems even with this.

[12:42 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Token is to trace who you contact with - it doesn't tell the location you contacted.

SafeEntry tell the location you infected.

Both are needed - not just one.

[12:42 pm, 07/10/2020] +: That would be great.

[12:43 pm, 07/10/2020] +: We still have citizens who think they can be tracked!?🤷‍♀️😞

[12:45 pm, 07/10/2020] +: If never do bad things, why worry that G knows where u go and who u meet? Many people already volunteer such info on their social media accounts.

[12:45 pm, 07/10/2020] +: actually, on the "tracking" and release of personal data issue which was raised by many, I found it amusing and unjustified

[12:46 pm, 07/10/2020] +: 1. U apply for job, u give out all your details

2. Your social media has most of your details

3. Your "smartphone" which you frequently use, has most of your details

Item 1-3 no complains, but when government need some small little detail, people cry father cry mother

[12:47 pm, 07/10/2020] +: It's true 🤣

[12:47 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Thought trace together token is much better than the check in check out apps. It will help detect who the pax has come into contact or close proximity even along the open streets, bus stops, just about everywhere

[12:48 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Many places got no scanner

[12:49 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yeah already mentioned before, some people are just straight up dumb

[12:49 pm, 07/10/2020] +: and to add on ya, u take transport (bus, mrt, drive own car/bike), gahment also can track u via erp or ez link card tapping

[12:50 pm, 07/10/2020] +: all they ask for, is for people to dl a simple app for the sake of the nation, people kpkb and refuse to dl

[12:50 pm, 07/10/2020] +: when they offer alternative like the token, people complain again, say waste money

[12:50 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Just that they don't want to "weaponise" that data against you because I'm sure that can be easily done 🤭

[12:50 pm, 07/10/2020] +: aiya, never do anything wrong need to scared goverment do something funny meh?

[12:51 pm, 07/10/2020] +: i would be more worried about private org than goverment holding my data tbh

[12:51 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Exactly, I think these people just troublemakers la or they really are troublemakers that's why avoiding gahmen

[12:51 pm, 07/10/2020] +: but someone enlighten me, what can those "data" be used for?

[12:51 pm, 07/10/2020] +: like, why are some people so scared of it?

[12:52 pm, 07/10/2020] +: In other countries the trust in gahmen is worse so they would rather gahmen not have it either but personally, I'd rather gahmen than private companies as well

[12:52 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Exactly

[12:52 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Data is a huge collection of things, and depending on the extent of data collected, it can form a profile of who you are, which can be frightening to some people

[12:54 pm, 07/10/2020] +: give me some examples to visualise the rationale

REACH

[12:54 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Singapore’s overall unemployment rate in August climbs past global financial crisis’ high

Singapore’s overall unemployment rate rose to 3.4 per cent in August, climbing past the high of 3.3 per cent recorded in September 2009 during the global financial crisis.

The latest jobs situation report from the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) on Wednesday (Oct 7) showed the overall unemployment rate for August climbed 0.4 percentage points from July.

MOM said it has started to track the unemployment rate on a monthly basis to “monitor the labour situation more closely”. Unemployment rates are usually released on a quarterly basis.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/unemployment-rate-singapore-august-covid-19-13218836

[12:54 pm, 07/10/2020] +: back in the older days people scared to hand out their ic, I can understand, people scared others use that ic to borrow ah long

[12:54 pm, 07/10/2020] +: but now the digital era, what can those info do?

[12:54 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Think of it as an even easier way to do so

[12:54 pm, 07/10/2020] +: 🤷‍♀️

[12:55 pm, 07/10/2020] +: still doesnt make sense to me, maybe I'm too naive, or dense

[12:55 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yes

[12:55 pm, 07/10/2020] +: like, i give u my ic number and address, what can people with malicious intent do about it?

[12:56 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Agree

[12:56 pm, 07/10/2020] +: worst case scenario I can think of is like google ads, spam your address

[12:56 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Identity theft, heard of it?

[12:56 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yes

[12:56 pm, 07/10/2020] +: yup, but i doubt anyone want to steal my identity though

[12:57 pm, 07/10/2020] +: unless maybe if im hiding a gold bar under my pillow or khong guan tin

[12:57 pm, 07/10/2020] +: 😂😅🤣

[12:57 pm, 07/10/2020] +: You think of it that way, but you never know what malicious intent people may have so don't be complacent

[12:58 pm, 07/10/2020] +: that's true la, but i'm pretty sure 99% of the civil servants won't have those intents

[12:58 pm, 07/10/2020] +: 1% is those bad apples who do something funny and appear on headlines

[1:00 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yeah like Trump and his administration. 🤣

[1:01 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Some companies in discussion about retrenchment exercise after March next year when no more G support.

[1:01 pm, 07/10/2020] +: This local job seekers, are they Sporeans.

Because in this initial stage companies are retrenching those on contract & work passes which are foreigners. So they fall in the category of local job seekers.

The next step when Singaporeans get retrenched, will we be able to find jobs?

[1:01 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Well you've been given the answer you need, do what you will with it

Identity theft is not a joke, remember how some FWs managed to register themselves under someone else's address without the owners even knowing?

[1:02 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yes

[1:02 pm, 07/10/2020] +: I've seen plenty of this previously, mostly illegal tenants

[1:02 pm, 07/10/2020] +: but end up there's no penalty to anyone anyway

[1:02 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Use MOM website to verify if taken advantage of

[1:05 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

1. Eg a person infected a group of people in mall A.

2. If use only token, only the group of people he come into contact with is traced.

But those things he touch, the toilet, the lift, the food court he go, sneeze and infected is not known.

3. Only SafeEntry can tell the mall he go and disinfect the mall.

4. Else the mall will also start infecting people.

[1:05 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Should try to cut pay don't cut jobs. We must stay united together. Better for all to go half full than for some to be full and others to starve.

[1:06 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Can't trace location?

[1:07 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

No SafeEntry cannot trace location - because the token don't have a GPS chip.

[1:07 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Cannot, the token is just like the TraceTogether app, it only reports contact with other Bluetooth devices with TT enabled

[1:07 pm, 07/10/2020] +: SaferTogether is the GPS-enabled alternative

[1:08 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

SafeEntry - location based.

Token - contact based.

[1:08 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Whether covid will kill us, we don't know, 50-50. No jobs... That is going to be devastating for the paxs affected plus their families.

[1:10 pm, 07/10/2020] +: I think this have to inform those who take tokens. Token used if you are walking on the streets and not location based 👍

[1:18 pm, 07/10/2020] +: What trace together? Not location based?

[1:18 pm, 07/10/2020] +: It uses Bluetooth technology to "talk" with other TT-enabled Bluetooth devices and exchange information which is then logged onto the device

[1:19 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Bluetooth cannot be location based.

Because it is pairing communication system.

[1:20 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Only GPS chip that communicate with satellite can be location based.

[1:20 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Location based must track the longitude and latitude - than can plot coordinate and determine the location.

[1:21 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Your handphone have GPS chip - it can plot your precise location and track everywhere you go.

[1:22 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Good explanation

[1:23 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Basic precautions, please!

[1:23 pm, 07/10/2020] +: lol not everyone like google to track them

[1:23 pm, 07/10/2020] +: I do on it myself also

[1:24 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

The above is location based tracking system using GPS chip that track the location you go with precise time and date.

[1:25 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Well even you check off Google map, your Telco GPS extender can still track you as your handphone got GPS chip.

[1:26 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

How anti terrorism unit track terrorist with predator drone is to track terrorist that carry handphone with GPS chip.

[1:26 pm, 07/10/2020] +: long story short, dont like to be tracked? take bus 11 (walk) and dont use "smart phone"

[1:28 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Help lah, simple explanation become your session to preach -.-

[1:36 pm, 07/10/2020] +: 🤭

[1:37 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Now, back to this, this pandemic only reminds us that we need to keep upgrading and upskilling if we want to remain "viable" and relevant and to ensure that we won't "die" so easily

[1:37 pm, 07/10/2020] +: 😂😅😅

[1:38 pm, 07/10/2020] +: which, I think that was the message since a few years ago but not many understand the rationale, especially on the skillsfuture credit

[1:40 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Oh and that reminds me, I think recently I saw this article on how MP Louis is trying to push for the change in act for keeping pets at home (Cats for his proposal)

[1:43 pm, 07/10/2020] +: With that in mind, I think it is about time HDB relook into the approved list of dog breeds allowed, most of the breeds that I see are specific breed dogs, eg. pomeranian, chihuahua. With the "pet industry" trying to be "creative", more and more cross breeds are surfacing in the market (eg. Pomsky = Pomeranian + husky) and although they may fit the size and weight requirements that HDB sets out (I remember there's a guide to the size and weight to be allowed to be kept in HDB), the specific cross breed isn't allowed to be kept in HDB as pet as it is a cross breed and not listed in the approved list

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[3:18 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yes

[3:20 pm, 07/10/2020] +: in the future many other jobs can be automated and probably only essential services, entertainment and infra still need manpower

[3:20 pm, 07/10/2020] +: ppl will have to pay more for hands-on services

[3:21 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Or government pay us to spend when robots do all the work 🤣🤣

[3:21 pm, 07/10/2020] +: unless you want robots to entertain u hahahaha

[3:24 pm, 07/10/2020] +: well if you watch battlestar galatica it's possible :3

[3:31 pm, 07/10/2020] +: May the force be with you

[3:45 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Robotics and Computerisation should not be used to replace humans but instead to complement, assist or supplement. Like in the case of Boeing 737 Max where the internal automation counted and took control causing the plane to nose dive.

[3:46 pm, 07/10/2020] +: That's not fully due to technology though, it's more of mismanagement and how Boeing hid many things from the FAA

[3:48 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yes

[3:50 pm, 07/10/2020] +: The part about robotics and computerisation was mentioned by Minister Lawrence Wong.

[3:54 pm, 07/10/2020] +: This

[3:55 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Our ATM is automation too. Are you worried it dispenses wrong amount of cash?

[3:55 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Hahahaha imagine it shooting money out

Money goes pew pew!

[4:04 pm, 07/10/2020] +: 10 new COVID-19 cases in Singapore, including 6 imported infections

Singapore reported 10 new COVID-19 cases as of noon on Wednesday (Oct 7), said the Ministry of Health (MOH) in its daily preliminary update.

Four of the new cases reside in dormitories. The other six are imported cases, all of whom were placed on stay-home notice upon their arrival in Singapore.

More details of the new cases will be given on Wednesday night, said MOH.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-new-cases-oct-7-community-imported-dormitory-moh-13217892

[4:05 pm, 07/10/2020] +: More CCAs, school activities to resume from mid-October: MOE

More programmes are set to resume in schools from mid-October, as Singapore improves its capabilities to detect and trace COVID-19 cases, the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on Wednesday (Oct 7).

Programmes that can resume include co-curricular activities (CCAs) at external venues such as bowling and swimming, activities organised by the headquarters of uniformed groups, inter-school CCA collaborations and the Singapore National Youth Orchestra.

More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-moe-schools-cca-activities-resumption-october-2020-13219196

[4:26 pm, 07/10/2020] +: This happened and is due to poor testings and due to poor codings. Such of importance must be taken ownership locally by the banks themselves and not to be outsourced.

[4:28 pm, 07/10/2020] +: True but no assurance of correct mindset and concept.

[4:28 pm, 07/10/2020] +: Yes

[4:46 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心: F35 is a computer in the sky.

Everything run by computer and sensors.

Including mission - MDF ( mission data file)

[4:47 pm, 07/10/2020] +: ...

[4:47 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心: It is more sophisticated than Boeing max.

[4:48 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心: Most stealth planes are fly by computer.

[4:52 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心: Btw driverless cars are drive by computers aka AI, machine learning, image processing, sensors, augmented reality etc.

[4:53 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心: And 5G network communication is the underlying enabler infrastructure.

[4:54 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心: Similarly F35 communication are also enable by wireless secure communications.

[4:54 pm, 07/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心: F35 capabilities is software upgradeable.

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REACH 147 - Easing of measures impending Phase 3 (SK)

06 Oct 2020 (12pm - 7pm)

REACH

[12:11 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Dear REACH contributors,

Welcome back! ☺️

⏰ Our chat will be open until 7pm today.

Please be reminded to be respectful and considerate to others in this WhatsApp chat group. 🙏🏼

- Megan

REACH

[12:12 pm, 06/10/2020] +: 📢 Topic 📢

What are your views on the progressive easing of the COVID-19 control measures?

There can be more easing of pandemic control measures, including the limit of five people for social gatherings, if everyone continues to work together and keep their guard up, Health Minister Gan Kim Yong said in Parliament on Monday (Oct 5).

Allowing larger groups to meet would allow bigger families or groups of friends to meet and have meals together, he said in response to questions from several MPs on the loosening of Covid-19 rules here.

Singapore has gradually eased some of its pandemic control measures over the past few months, leading some to question when the cap of five people for social activities - especially when eating out together - would be lifted.

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/parliament-5-person-limit-for-gatherings-could-be-removed-but-all-must-cooperate-to-keep

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/parliament-govt-to-release-details-on-roadmap-to-phase-3-in-coming-weeks-including-changes

+ changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group.

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Blue and White Flag Guy

[12:13 pm, 06/10/2020] +: I already have my comments on this

Encourage is one thing, how many of them are actually doing so?

Rama

[12:15 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Expect wide spread violation!

Valli

[12:17 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Companies that discontinued transport for staff, should reinstate this.

Now MRT & buses are crowded early morning , all rushing to work.

Caleb

[12:19 pm, 06/10/2020] +: This should be made compulsory for all companies to comply.

[12:22 pm, 06/10/2020] +: We should step up education of basic hygiene like washing of hands.

i.e. Pasting poster on how to wash hands properly for 20 seconds.

Rama

[12:23 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Yes

[12:24 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Need further in depth study

Suping

[12:24 pm, 06/10/2020] +: the email out to all staffs is working from home will be the default, only return to office when you need to. BUT they are making us go back every alternate weeks.

[12:25 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Opening up the economy safely, is the only way to reboot the economy, boost business activities, create jobs and secure jobs.

[12:25 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

CNA

Singapore’s revenue position to be 'weak' in coming years, spending strategy one of 'prudence, not austerity': DPM Heng

By Rachel Phua@RachelPhuaCNA

05 Oct 2020 03:53PM (Updated: 05 Oct 2020 04:00PM)

Delivering his ministerial statement on Singapore's response to the COVID-19 crisis, Mr Heng said close to S$100 billion has been set aside for support measures.

“We must be careful not to spend in a way that squanders what generations before us had painstakingly built up,” said Mr Heng who is also Finance Minister.

“Our guiding principle is prudence, not austerity. We will continue to invest decisively in our national priorities, with a deep commitment to* leave behind a better future for our children*."

New measures and extensions to several support initiatives were announced on Monday, and they fall within the S$8 billion spending stated in August, said the minister, as the extra expenditure will be funded by reallocating money from areas where spending went down, such as development projects that have been delayed due to COVID-19.

This means there is no additional draw from the reserves for the latest round of measures, and the total draw on the reserves remains within S$52 billion.

Mr Heng warned that other countries’ governments have committed trillions of dollars in response to COVID-19, and their debt levels have risen to record highs, which will take “generations to pay off”.

“We have avoided this outcome, because successive generations have built up strong reserves ahead of this crisis,” he said.

“We must have the discipline to start earning, saving, and investing for the future again,” he added. “COVID-19 is not our first crisis, and certainly will not be the last.”

--------

[ 1:29 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

It is a relief that DPM is only reallocating resources to fund the relief and will not further draw on the reserves.

We need to prevent depleting our reserves as far as possible - as it is the only resources we possess and earn through many generations of hard work to accumulate.

To boost our Economy and protect jobs, we need to systematically and surgically but safely open up the economy - not further draw on reserves.

[1:33 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Temasek Holdings seed fund is about $60 billion and take 40 over years to grow the fund to $306 billion.

In this covid-19, we have spent $100 billion in just 6 months. This is 1/3 of Temasek Holdings sovereign fund.

Thus we need to open up our economy to earn income, and not further draw into our savings - which is unsustainable.

[1:35 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Else we can lose all our sovereign wealth overnight.

[2:34 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Furthermore, by preserving our sovereign wealth, it will help to earn investment income contributing to our NIRC.

NIRC is used to fund our government spending every year. As a result, we don't have to pay higher taxes to fund government spending.

If we deplete our sovereign capital, our ability to earn investment income with also be depleted. And this means, our NIRC will also reduced.

To make up for the short fall in government revenue, we have to pay higher taxes eg. Gst, income tax, corporate tax and other taxes.

This will drive away business and talents - and will negatively impacts our economy, business and jobs creation will be affected.

[2:51 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

We have spend $100 billion.

Further draw on the reserves is not the solution.

Opening up the economy safely is the solution.

Now our export, manufacturing and retail have picked up.

This is the right trajectory.

[2:53 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Reallocate funds from less urgent projects to fund the relief is the right move.

Rama

[12:26 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Agree

----

[12:30 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Employer side wise there needs to be an established trust

Otherwise bosses will keep asking people to go back to office

[12:32 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Hahaha 😆 encourage lol

[12:32 pm, 06/10/2020] +: See how many cities and countries which have allowed activities back to normal are now having subsequent lockdowns again?

[12:33 pm, 06/10/2020] +: I dun need to say anything more

[12:34 pm, 06/10/2020] +: https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/10/02/europe/paris-lockdown-coronavirus-europe-intl/index.html

[12:34 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Yes

[12:35 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Things aren't looking good in Spain and in Germany too

[12:35 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Entire Europe is at risk for 3rd wave

[12:35 pm, 06/10/2020] +: And the virus is mutating to show less symptoms

[12:36 pm, 06/10/2020] +: You will have superspreaders if you allow many things back to normal

[12:36 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Meanwhile in the U.S., the DOT rejected a proposal by some alliances to mandate the wearing of masks

[12:37 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Idiots!

[12:40 pm, 06/10/2020] +: don't think will be completely back to normal, safe management measures should still be in place

[12:40 pm, 06/10/2020] +: To further reopen safely in the coming months, Singapore is adopting a four-pronged strategy to put itself in the best position to fight Covid-19, he said.

These four areas are: securing early access to effective vaccines, enhancing testing capabilities, conducting swift contact tracing and isolation of infected individuals, and adhering to safe management measures.

Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/parliament-govt-to-release-details-on-roadmap-to-phase-3-in-coming-weeks-including-changes

[12:42 pm, 06/10/2020] +: You been out recently? I see the crowds at lunch places and shopping malls like life have resumed normal. All are wearing masks yes but restaurants and ppl walking while eating finger food still take off their masks outside. It could spread from there.

[12:44 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Drinking as well

Heck I even saw some bodoh take off mask just to eat on PT

Like isn't the mask supposed to be a reminder to you to not do that in the first place?

[12:45 pm, 06/10/2020] +: haha not even supposed to eat on PT... 🙊

[12:45 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Health Minister requests to cooperate will fall on deaf ears!

[12:50 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

We are slowly progressing into Phase 3.

As we do so, individuals still need to adopt precautions like as though we are in phase 1 and 2.

[12:52 pm, 06/10/2020] +: The best thing is no one knows if this is allowed (exclude eating or drinking on PT that one even bodoh also know :3 ) so lots of grey areas and no SDA around to catch them.

[12:52 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Make TT as compulsory by end of this year. For fast contact tracing.

[12:55 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Regarding the eat/drink while walking, aiya it was stricter at first then now people just do it lor

But I'm more concerned about those areas where you can take off your mask because you're doing strenuous activities, I think some people just suka suka take off even when walking

As for me I try to tahan until I feel like cannot then take off

[1:18 pm, 06/10/2020] +: I came across an interesting article few days back, it happened in Malaysia. Basically their SDA will go around eateries and check if anyone did not check in, those who didnt will get a fine on the spot

[1:19 pm, 06/10/2020] +: I think its good to have it here, especially at area with lower control (outside shopping centre and office building)

[1:19 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Adjust ours to follow suit!

[1:20 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Perhaps, but I dont think we ever enforce on no check-in so far

[1:27 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Hence I try to go for runs late at night

[1:29 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Encourage means "eh, garmen encouraging you leh. No not me, I need my staff in because this this and that. But you. You should make way to make life easier, better and less crowded for me". 🤭

[1:30 pm, 06/10/2020] +: If we are still on dorscon orange because of the worldwide situation, mere words will not do!

REACH

[1:30 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Parliament: Changi drops from 7th to 58th on busiest airport list, now serving 1.5% of usual passenger volume

Covid-19 has decimated Changi Airport's business. Compared to pre-pandemic times, the airport is now serving just 1.5 per cent of its usual passenger volume and 17 per cent of the total number of flights.

More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/parliament-changi-has-dropped-from-7th-to-58th-on-worlds-busiest-airport-list-now

Rama

[1:33 pm, 06/10/2020] +: This has to improve!

[1:39 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Singapore don't have domestic flights.

That's why we drop from 7th to 58th.

Bigger countries have domestic flights. That's why their airlines still flying. And their airports still busy.

[1:42 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Unless the virus pandemic is curb by vaccines, else no countries will open their airports for tourists.

Rama

[1:45 pm, 06/10/2020] +: We might be looking at 2022!

Berny

[1:48 pm, 06/10/2020] +: I dont understand this

Rama

[1:49 pm, 06/10/2020] +: STB commented tourists levels will raje 3 to 5 years to normalize.

REACH

[1:49 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Parliament: S'pore to negotiate air travel bubbles with safe countries for general travellers, says Ong Ye Kung

Singapore will negotiate Air Travel Bubbles with safe countries or regions - an arrangement meant for general travellers that does not require a controlled itinerary, said Transport Minister Ong Ye Kung.

More: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/parliament-spore-to-negotiate-air-travel-bubbles-with-safe-countries-for-general

[2:05 pm, 06/10/2020] +: I mean, reality is that everyone is eager to go back ASAP, how they enforce is another issue. But you can't enforce a rule when you issue a statement that's "encourage", and you can't enforce it because it's not a rule. So this kind of statement is really might as well don't say.

Rama

[3:14 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Singapore ‘cruises to nowhere’ plan sparks virus fears

https://theindependent.sg/singapore-cruises-to-nowhere-plan-sparks-virus-fears/

Poh S Lim

[3:43 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Actually, before Covid19 forced us to WFH, many people were advocating for work-life balance, so now it’s thrust upon us, there seems to be a backlash and some of the same people are uncomfortable with a full WFH environment. Can’t really please them 😂😂😂

Ben

[3:45 pm, 06/10/2020] +: yes, maybe people didn't anticipate WFH being a 4 hour extension of the working day lol. I'm not complaining by the way; there is more flexibility and less time commuting. It's the boundary between home and work space that is challenging, especially after school hours.

Poh S Lim

[3:45 pm, 06/10/2020] +: I believe the thing to keep us from going crazy having to WFH as the new normal is to pace yourself throughout the day and leverage on communication technologies and techniques as much as possible .

Ken

[3:51 pm, 06/10/2020] +: 🤦‍♂️ same here

[3:52 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Time working from home get more blurred.. any people expect you to do it after office hours since you have access

Rama

[3:53 pm, 06/10/2020] +: A line must be drawn still!

REACH

[4:58 pm, 06/10/2020] +: [Sent by Gov.sg – 6 Oct]

As of 12pm, MOH has preliminarily confirmed 7 new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19 infection.

Based on investigations so far, there are 2 cases in the community, and 5 cases reside in dormitories.

In addition, there are 4 imported cases who had been placed on Stay-Home Notice upon arrival in Singapore. In total, there are 11 new cases of COVID-19 infection in Singapore today.

MOH will share further updates in its press release that will be issued later tonight.

go.gov.sg/moh6octupdate

-----

[5:02 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/police-clarify-yishun-stalker-case-shawn-rodrigues-59-reports-13205094

Remember someone complain about a harassment case.

If harassment is not properly closed and address - unfortunate incidents can happen.

[5:17 pm, 06/10/2020] +: They're not answering the public's questions... Poha was enacted in 2014, unlawful stalking and causing alarm/distress is already a criminal offence. I know it's not an arrestable offence and the police followed their standard procedure to refer the victim to file a mag's complaint, but 50+ reports were filed. Surely the police must do something more than just saying it's a private matter. There should not have to be a need for threats, actual damage or actual hurt caused before the police steps in especially in this case of repeated behaviour.

Rama

[5:18 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Law needs to be updated!

Blue and White Flag Guy

[5:19 pm, 06/10/2020] +: It really is more about inaction rather than an "outdated" law

[5:19 pm, 06/10/2020] +: It's not the law that has to be updated, but the police SOP that needs to be relooked at. This isn't a failure of the law but a failure of the police to take action.

Rama

[5:22 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Can the police SOP be relooked without due consideration to legislation?

Stella

[5:22 pm, 06/10/2020] +: We need police and lawyers to join GRL(s) to help the people on such matters

Blue and White Flag Guy

[5:23 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Honestly, what does this have to do with law and legislation? It's all about the police simply dismissing matters so it has nothing to do with the law

Berny

[5:24 pm, 06/10/2020] +: POHA isn't very well enforced imo, remember the harassment case I brought up previously?

Rama

[5:24 pm, 06/10/2020] +: AGC and MInLaw needs to advise if more can be done to improve process. I would like to hear opinions from the law society too.

Berny

[5:25 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Imagine if i lose my cool 1 day, and gave him the beating he deserves, end of the day, the victim of POHA becomes the culprit of another case

Stella

[5:25 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Need restraining order or court order for such matters so that police can act on it.

Berny

[5:26 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Problem is, court simply dismiss it, IO doesn't even want to invest time to investigate

[5:26 pm, 06/10/2020] +: I'm pretty sure it is worse for this family

[5:26 pm, 06/10/2020] +: It depends on what you're trying to achieve. To make something arrestable, criminal procedure code needs to be amended to it's legislative. But even for non-arrestable offences, the police have a discretion after initial investigation whether to proceed on their end or tell you to go away cos it's a private dispute. This discretion part is the police SOP, which they can dictate when a matter should cross the line into discretion being exercised to proceed.

[5:28 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Poha is largely viewed as a private dispute currently, only in "worthy" cases that it becomes criminal. But what crosses into that threshold? For most kachang putih cases, victims are expected to file your own complaint and get a PO

Berny

[5:28 pm, 06/10/2020] +: having said that, I know it isn't easy being a law enforcer (eg. police, IO, any staff of court) and time is always tight for them, but if that's the case, then might as well repeal the act totally

[5:28 pm, 06/10/2020] +: I did, i filed magistrate complain, consult our in house lawyer, consulted MP who is also a lawyer

[5:29 pm, 06/10/2020] +: but magistrate court simply dismiss that and didnt even give PO

[5:29 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Police set up a scam unit supported by bank officials specifically to handle scam - and have been effective in nabbing scammers.

Wonder what's the harassment number in Singapore - is it a serious problem that warrant setting up a harassment unit supported by psychiatrists?

This unfortunate incident won't happen - and certainly 50 over police reports will not occur and no progress is made until the harasser got bash up until dead.

Berny

[5:30 pm, 06/10/2020] +: If u see my name on headline one day, you know that this bugger had crossed the line 😊

[5:30 pm, 06/10/2020] +: and remember to dig out all the complains I've made about POHA and how it was dismissed

[5:31 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Then that's a separate consideration. Perhaps on the facts, the court didn't find enough reason to grant the PO maybe cos the behaviour had stopped by then. That one is fact dependent lah. But I'm saying there has to be a clearer line of when the police HAS to step in.

Berny

[5:31 pm, 06/10/2020] +: I asked the IO on how i can appeal to the decision, and was told to simply lodge another magistrate complain, i.e. start again from square 1

[5:32 pm, 06/10/2020] +: the first complain already took like 6 months to conclude, plus the harassment for the past 1.5 years

Rama

[5:32 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Worth looking into.

[5:34 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Tbh the 2nd one should be easier to succeed cos after the initial dismissal, there was continued harassment...

Berny

[5:35 pm, 06/10/2020] +: 心灰意冷 already

[5:35 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

I am a problem solver - and will not let any problems left hanging unresolved - as all problems can be solved.

If things are going round and round in circles - then something is wrong - and someone, some agencies or some authority must seize the issue and solve it decisively.

It can't be left hanging in the air and go into an endless loop unresolved.

Blue and White Flag Guy

[5:36 pm, 06/10/2020] +: There was this crazy fella who consistently harassed me on Instagram (PT hobby nonsense and all...) and so one day I made a police report. Of course nothing was resolved as the SIO simply asked me to file a Magistrate's Complaint but the takeaway thing is the SIO shared with me that he's rather curious about the hobby and that his son likes basically the same stuff as I do so that was a pleasant experience

I didn't make file the Complaint because it was back then when we had CB and I kinda just let it be because the annoying bodoh doesn't annoy me anymore

Berny

[5:36 pm, 06/10/2020] +: So many complains from residents and staff for the past few years on this guy, finally someone be the bad guy and try to bring this guy to court and it was dismissed

[5:38 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Awwwww....... Yah, i think back to what my ex did (showing up at my workplace unannounced to try to see if he could bump into me after work), I don't think I would be able to get a PO myself either. The threshold is high-ish, but I feel it shouldn't be set at such a high bar.

[5:41 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

If police cannot solve it. courts must solve it.

If courts cannot solve it, law must solve it.

If law cannot solve it, parliament must solve it.

If parliament cannot solve it, agencies such as imh, psychiatrists can solve it.

This is about preserving law and order, citizens right, peace coexistence in a society.

Berny

[5:41 pm, 06/10/2020] +: But to be fair to the police, there are other areas which they handled it very well imo.

2018 I saw this group of kids throwing basketball down from a HDB for fun, I tried to persuade them to stop and they got aggressive so I called 999.

Police came and round them up and instead of just asking their parents to come settle, the police educated them on the risk and danger of doing so. During the private interview with me, 1 of the kid's elder sister found out about the incident, came down and yell at me, saying that Im destroying their future. Seeing that, the police made her join the group in the "education" session.

[5:42 pm, 06/10/2020] +: "Parliament" part ya, MP is aware, I even told MP that I going to lodge a magistrate complaon

Berny

[5:44 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Imho, on 1 hand, we are trying to advocate "mental health awareness" by doing the push up stunts on fb, on the other hand, people are getting harassed and the victim cant do much other than calling 999, which will simply be brushed off

[5:44 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Some are not bad. But my personal encounter with them was horrid. Had a domestic helper run off on the wee hours of the morning, the police report took 2 hours because if it's not theft, rape or murder, they dunno how to write the damn report.

1 week later, she was found next to the big canal dividing Jurong East and west. So call police. Instead of them going there directly, the 2 chiefs were haggling over the phone whether she's on the Jurong East or Jurong West Side, you catch or I catch. They were haggling for over half an hour!!! Like wah lau eh.... Catch first talk later can???

Berny

[5:46 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Which agency clean it up? Sometimes, things can be solved quickly if the line is blurred

[5:47 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Or best, trying to insinuate that my mom was abusing the maid so she escape. Simisai...

[5:48 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Then set up a harassment unit supported by psychiatrists will have focus unit to resolve harassment cases.

This will prevent harrasment cases from side line and go into an endless loop.

This unfortunate harrased and harrasser bash to death can be used as a catalyst to set up such focus unit.

This is similar to setting up the anti-scam unit.

Rama

[5:48 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Government has to get its act together!

[5:49 pm, 06/10/2020] +: PS 21 still lagging far behind!

Berny

[5:51 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Tbh, PSD has lots of works to catch up

[5:53 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Perhaps it would be good to have a PSD open house, to let people like me know their mission, vision and purpose

[6:24 pm, 06/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Once a case file is open, the harassment should follow through from its opening until its proper closure.

This is how to resolve a case from beginning to end.

REACH

[6:51 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Hello REACH 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

REACH

[7:00 pm, 06/10/2020] +: Hi REACH Contributors,

We will be closing the chat for today.

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

Good Night!😴

Megan ☺

+changed this group's settings to allow only admins to send messages to this group.

+changed the group description. Click to view.

Only admins can send messages

Sunday, October 4, 2020

REACH 146 - Reallocate resource to fund covid relief (SK)

05 Oct 2020 (12pm - 7pm)

REACH

[1:23 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Dear REACH contributors,

Welcome back! ☺️

⏰ Our chat will be open until 7pm today.

Please be reminded to be respectful and considerate to others in this WhatsApp chat group. 🙏🏼

- Megan

REACH

[1:24 pm, 05/10/2020] +: At 1:30pm later today (05 Oct), Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr. Heng Swee Keat will deliver a ministerial statement in Parliament on how resources will be allocated to fund the measures already announced.

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/no-new-round-of-support-tomorrow-says-dpm-heng

👉 https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/dpm-heng-to-speak-on-covid-19-spores-fiscal-position

+ changed this group's settings to allow all participants to send messages to this group.

----

Caleb

[1:26 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Give live telecast?

[1:29 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

It is a relief that DPM is only reallocating resources to fund the relief and will not further draw on the reserves.

We need to prevent depleting our reserves as far as possible - as it is the only resources we possess and earn through many generations of hard work to accumulate.

To boost our Economy and protect jobs, we need to systematically and surgically but safely open up the economy - not further draw on reserves.

[1:33 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Temasek Holdings seed fund is about $60 billion and take 40 over years to grow the fund to $306 billion.

In this covid-19, we have spent $100 billion in just 6 months. This is 1/3 of Temasek Holdings sovereign fund.

Thus we need to open up our economy to earn income, and not further draw into our savings - which is unsustainable.

[1:35 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Else we can lose all our sovereign wealth overnight.

REACH

[1:48 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Hi REACH contributors, thank you for your interest! We will share the statement when it is available. Thank you for your patience.

Rama

[1:51 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Agree

REACH

[2:18 pm, 05/10/2020] +: https://str.sg/J2Jr

[2:34 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Furthermore, by preserving our sovereign wealth, it will help to earn investment income contributing to our NIRC.

NIRC is used to fund our government spending every year. As a result, we don't have to pay higher taxes to fund government spending.

If we deplete our sovereign capital, our ability to earn investment income with also be depleted. And this means, our NIRC will also reduced.

To make up for the short fall in government revenue, we have to pay higher taxes eg. Gst, income tax, corporate tax and other taxes.

This will drive away business and talents - and will negatively impacts our economy, business and jobs creation will be affected.

Rama

[2:39 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Something gotta give

[2:40 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

By having a strong sovereign fund, we can keep our tax low vis a vis other countries.

We do not need to :-

1. Borrow and hence incur public debt. Dispense with the need to service loan interest.

2. We can keep our tax low - and hence attract investment, business and create jobs.

3. We can continue to grow our wealth by earning healthy passive income through good investment in our sovereign fund.

All these will put less pressure for the government and the people to generate revenue to keep the economy growing.

Rama

[2:41 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Yes

[2:47 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

And have a strong sovereign fund - make our country competitive world wide.

As we can buy

1. Strategic companies and build our domestic capabilities through knowledge transfer.

2. Keep our tax base low and attract high tech niche companies, attract talents and build our local expertise.

3. Grow our economy without the need to borrow loans and incur debt.

Thus preserving our sovereign fund is not only for rainy day, but is growing the strength of our internal economy in which many other countries do not have such luxury.

Ben

[2:49 pm, 05/10/2020] +: We need to balance ensuring social stability is not at risk through unemployment, hunger, homelessness, and healthcare. At the same time we need to ensure long term economic success. This is the hard balance that ministers are responsible and how they earn their substantial salaries :) Its a difficult and important job.

[2:49 pm, 05/10/2020] +: One cannot look in isolation at either problem.

[2:51 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

We have spend $100 billion.

Further draw on the reserves is not the solution.

Opening up the economy safely is the solution.

Now our export, manufacturing and retail have picked up.

This is the right trajectory.

Ben

[2:52 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Yes agreed. Opening up is important, with an ability to apply brakes where needed.

[2:52 pm, 05/10/2020] +: I worry about easing the measures for non economic activity, is that really needed?

[2:53 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Reallocate funds from less urgent projects to fund the relief is the right move.

Rama

[2:53 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Striking a balance is tough!

Ben

[2:53 pm, 05/10/2020] +: I'm assuming the $100bn was spent on local people and industry so that money is retained in Singapore?

[2:54 pm, 05/10/2020] +: There will of course be leakage for imports, but the majority stays here.

Bobby Tan

[2:54 pm, 05/10/2020] +: This is all about self discipline and education

Rama

[2:54 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Agree

Ben

[2:55 pm, 05/10/2020] +: What the cost of that 100bn equates to is loss of growth. 100bn at 7% is worth 200bn in 10 years.

Rama

[2:55 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Astronomical figure@

REACH

[2:59 pm, 05/10/2020] +: https://www.straitstimes.com/politics/parliament-govt-to-provide-additional-support-for-newborns-to-help-aspiring-parents-cope

[3:27 pm, 05/10/2020] +: 📢 Topic 📢

Which part of DPM Heng's ministerial statement was most meaningful for you?

Berny

[3:33 pm, 05/10/2020] +: This will come in handy for those who are expecting

Rama

[3:35 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Population incentives for a future Singapore core

[3:37 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Not sure when the effective date is right?

Caleb

[3:37 pm, 05/10/2020] +: No detailed news on it. So can't comment

Rama

[3:42 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Should have been live telecast from the begining to comment later. No prior notification\

Caleb

[3:43 pm, 05/10/2020] +: No meaningful news on it, so Can't give any meaningful comment. Lol

[3:48 pm, 05/10/2020] +: To all here , may I check those who may have lost their job and tried to apply for the covid support grant, if you don’t have physical letter or email but left through verbal communication by your bosses or hr , are we still eligible to apply for this grant?

Rama

[3:50 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Need to get union support if possible and check with MOM

Alvin

[3:50 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Need letter or email

Murphy Choy

[3:50 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Not to my knowledge. Helped a few friends. All got rejected.

Alvin

[3:51 pm, 05/10/2020] +: So this is today’s topic? Lol

Berny

[4:14 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Last time can I think, until someone cheated the system and posted online

[4:18 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Ty guys

REACH

[4:18 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Singapore in 'stable position' in COVID-19 fight but must remain vigilant, says DPM Heng

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-stable-position-singapore-heng-swee-keat-vigilant-13202540

Rama

[4:20 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Must have been an idiot!

[4:20 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Agree

Berny

[4:20 pm, 05/10/2020] +: he is, he was subsequently invited to coffee session with Min. Shanmugam

[4:21 pm, 05/10/2020] +: and because of him, applications got delayed due to the thorough checks put in place instead of "on the spot disbursement of cash"

[4:21 pm, 05/10/2020] +: so... yea, Singaporeans can't have good things

[4:24 pm, 05/10/2020] +: where there are rules, there will always be people trying to circumvent those rules... case in point: Trump's taxes

Berny

[4:26 pm, 05/10/2020] +: to add on, the mobike and obike, nice things to add on, but people abuse them

richard Wong

[4:28 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Sales in the motor vehicles industry rose by 12.1 per cent amid strong demand for both new and used cars. This extracted from the August 20 retail sales!

On one hand we are appealing to Govt for more goodies as large number of people are losing their jobs but the new and pte owned cars are doing roaring business !!!!

Rama

[4:36 pm, 05/10/2020] +: 🤷‍♀️😔😞😟

Berny

[4:37 pm, 05/10/2020] +: I'm happy for the new vehicle owners

Valli

[4:40 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Mostly people are going into delivery service

Berny

[4:41 pm, 05/10/2020] +: still new vehicle owner though, not matter what, it is still better than renting in a long run

[4:41 pm, 05/10/2020] +: at least they are still injecting money into the economy to keep it moving

Boon

[4:42 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Great observations. It is amazing. Considering too that the COE didn’t really drop - what’s keeping the COE prices up during Covid, or is there a minimum level? https://www.aas.com.sg/resources/coe/coe-prices.html

REACH

[4:42 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Singapore’s revenue position to be 'weak' in coming years, spending strategy one of 'prudence, not austerity': DPM Heng

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/covid-19-singapore-fiscal-position-spending-heng-swee-keat-13202956

Boon

[4:43 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Yup. I seem to see more BMWs and Mercs on the road .. 😆

Boon

[4:45 pm, 05/10/2020] +: https://www.straitstimes.com/business/economy/temasek-prices-longest-dated-us1-billion-50-year-bond-at-25

We have to think of our aging population needs too

Rama

[4:46 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Yes

Blue and White Flag Guy

[4:46 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Probably just those who have the luxury to be in their own cars as compared to being on PT

REACH

[4:46 pm, 05/10/2020] +: [Sent by Gov.sg – 5 Oct]

As of 12pm, MOH has preliminarily confirmed 6 new cases of locally transmitted COVID-19 infection.

Based on investigations so far, there is 1 case in the community, and 5 cases reside in dormitories.

In addition, there is 1 imported case who had been placed on Stay-Home Notice upon arrival in Singapore.

MOH will share further updates in its press release that will be issued later tonight.

go.gov.sg/moh5octupdate

[4:48 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Good assessment by DPM.

Prudent and not austerity is the key to spending.

Open and boost the economy, promote business and create jobs should be the right strategy - not further throwing reserves.

Boon

[4:51 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Yup probably 🤔😆

[4:53 pm, 05/10/2020] +: 👍👍 measured and reasonable.

[4:53 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Temasek Holdings borrowing very long term US bonds is strategic - because interest rate is extremely low.

Our Singapore currency is expected to be strong and US currency value is dropping in long term.

Temasek Holdings can used this borrowed money to invest in good return investment and bring good investment income.

In long term, we will earn :-

1. Good ROI on investment

2. Favourable exchange rate as our currency is strong.

3. Pay low interest on bond but bigger revenue return.

[4:58 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

US currency value is expected to keep dropping because:-

1. China is doing a dual currency track - by building its yuan digital currency - less likely to hold US currency as reserves.

2. Many currency are doing bilateral currency swap - and less likely to use US currency for trade.

3. US debt is $27 trillion, many budget deficits, current account deficit, do too many quantitative easing.

So Temasek Holdings borrowing US currency into long term is strategic to finance investment.

richard Wong

[5:00 pm, 05/10/2020] +: I had expected the COE to drop to $10k or $20k instead it went up !!!! My friend brought a new car in Feb 20 costing $90k. The same car now selling for almost $100k after CB and depressing world economy !!!!

Rama

[5:00 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Agree

[5:01 pm, 05/10/2020] +: 😔😞😟🤷‍♀️😱😨

Anne

[5:06 pm, 05/10/2020] +: The US government has been spending and borrowing like a profligate, so we can expect that in the long term USD will depreciate by a lot. That’s why those who borrow prudently to invest wisely become rich. This type of economic environment it is the prudent ‘spender’ who becomes richer and the saver becomes poorer. Also now with super low interest rates it is good news for the borrower, and if rates goes negative borrowers will celebrate 🎉🍻

Boon

[5:07 pm, 05/10/2020] +: On your point about Is debt, this is from IMF on countries gross debt to GDP ratio. Check it out. It includes Singapore - and a reminder not to take our reserves support lightly.

A https://www.imf.org/external/datamapper/G_XWDG_G01_GDP_PT@FM/ADVEC/FM_EMG/FM_LIDC/MYS/IDN

[5:07 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

Interest rate cannot go negative.

It will cripple the banks and consequently economy suffer.

Anne

[5:08 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Our G does not control interest rate, only exchange rate, unless they change the law. Interest rates depend on market forces. Europe and Japan are already having negative interest rates.

Rama

[5:09 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Yes

[5:09 pm, 05/10/2020] ☸️ Danny 心:

People will take out their deposit and invest in toxic assets, bubble will form and economy collapse.

Banks got no deposit to loan to business, banks fail and business fail and no jobs will be created.

Rama

[5:09 pm, 05/10/2020] +: Yes