On July 17, I landed at Changi Airport Terminal 2 after a short getaway. Like others, I was expecting the renowned efficiency of our immigration process, especially after a red-eye flight.
However, what greeted us was a single, long queue stretching across the arrival hall, with immigration officers informing incoming passengers that the automated systems were down.
First, when additional counters opened, people bypassed the already-formed single line, running to be at the front of the new queues.
Those who had been queueing patiently in the single line were shocked as people behind them sprinted forward.
The lack of queue organisation by the officers on duty only exacerbated the situation.
Second, when the automated lanes were being tested to see if they could resume operating, many passengers took it as a sign they were back online and again ran to the counters.
Third, people were noticeably envious of the elderly, disabled, pregnant and the young who were invited to the front of the queue along with their travel companions.
Instead of understanding and empathy, there were mutterings and glares.
There were incessant mutterings about how the Government had “failed”. While it is natural to feel frustrated in such situations, the immediate blame game seemed unproductive and ungracious.
I could identify these complaining individuals as fellow Singaporeans by their signature red passports.
This experience made me wonder if we have taken our efficient systems for granted. When these systems falter, do we still uphold the values of patience, kindness, and respect for others?
In contrast, visitors from countries like Japan and Thailand, where the arriving flights were from and which are countries known for their people’s kindness, patience and graciousness, must have been taken aback by the behaviour they witnessed.
As Singaporeans, we pride ourselves on our first-class infrastructure and efficiency. However, true first-class citizenship is reflected in our behaviour, which should match our country’s world-class standards, regardless of the circumstances.
WASHINGTON - Singapore protects its population against disinformation by explaining again and again to its citizens where its national interest lies, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said while addressing an influential American think-tank on Friday.
“Given that we are such a small, open multicultural society, we know that we are susceptible to influences from elsewhere,” he said during a discussion at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies on the last day of his Oct 5 to 15 working visit to the US.
“That is why we are very vigilant about this.”
DPM Wong was asked to spell out the Government’s stance on reports that China is trying to influence ethnic Chinese populations across South-east Asia, including that of Singapore.
“We continually engage our public, educate, explain what is our national interest, why we take certain decisions. Not because of choosing sides or... external influence, but really because of Singapore’s own interest.
“We spend a lot of time doing that,” he said.
He also said it helped that a distinct Singaporean identity, different from cultures in other countries, had evolved over time.
“The majority of our population are ethnic Chinese, so we have ancestral roots going back to China, but we have, over time, evolved our own Singaporean identity.
“We are Singaporean Chinese, and the Singaporean Chinese is very different from the Chinese from China – in values, in outlook, in identity. Just as a Singaporean Malay would be very different from a Malay from Malaysia or Indonesia, or a Singaporean Indian would be very different from someone who comes from India.
“America, being a nation of immigrants, you must understand this very well,” he said,
And influence percolated not just from China; Singapore was equally influenced by ideas originating in the West. A large proportion of Singaporeans consume English-language news and entertainment from the US and Britain, he pointed out.
“There is no shortage of criticism about Singapore in the Western media, no shortage of commentaries and articles highlighting the shortcomings in our system and asking us to be more like Western liberal ideals.”
But the country steered its own course, he said.
“At the end of the day, what is important for us, small though we may be, is that we are our own people, we make our own choices.
“It really comes down to Singaporeans deciding on the future of our country.
Mr Wong said the Chinese-language newspaper had defended its editorial stance and strongly rejected the portrayal by the Post.
“If you were to ask Singaporeans, the vast majority of Singaporeans reading the Chinese newspaper daily will not feel that what was portrayed in The Washington Post was accurate,” he said.
“Because we can read and see for ourselves articles on China, and they cover a wide range, including many articles that criticise Singapore’s perspectives as they have to reflect our society.”
This is as it should be, he added.
“Our newspapers cannot resemble The Washington Post, neither do we ask The Washington Post to become like Singapore newspapers.”
He said the report does not cover the entire economy, but spotlights jobs and skill trends in the three sectors, calling them "key growth areas" for the country.
Globally, there is a huge demand for digital skills, and the Singapore Green Plan and demographic changes will see the local sustainability and care industries expand rapidly in the next few years, he said.
He said: "Today, more than 450 job roles across 17 sectors require green skills in their job tasks... With an ageing population, the demand for local workers in the care economy will continue to grow rapidly.
"We are not here just to figure out which are the growth sectors but, more importantly, we want to help our people plan and figure out which are the skill sets required across the different sectors and across the different job scopes."
The skills highlighted are those that are required by the most number of jobs in the sectors, he added.
The report shows the 20 most important clusters of skills in the three sectors, which it calls "priority skills".
In the digital sector, the top three are technology application, data analysis and market research.
In the green sector, they are green process design, carbon footprint management and environmental management system.
In the care sector, they are conduct and ethics, stakeholder management and inclusive practices.
The report goes on to break down the sectors into sub-sections and highlights the priority skills in these.
For example, for the digital sector, the report shows the priority skills for both tech-heavy and tech-lite jobs, as well as those for digital jobs and skills in financial and retail services.
It also features personal stories from people who have changed careers or sectors, as well as insights from chief executives Wong Kim Yin of Sembcorp Industries and Chin Wei Jia of HMI Group, other business leaders and educators.
Educators The Straits Times spoke to said Singaporeans should focus not only on gaining sector-specific skills, but also the general skills the report highlights.
Risk of foreign interference 'far greater' than risk of Govt abusing its powers: Law and Home Affairs Minister K. Shanmugam
By Justin Ong, Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 5 Oct 2021
A law against foreign interference was on Monday (Oct 4) passed by Singapore's Parliament after a 10-hour airing in the House, three years after it was first raised and three weeks after the extensive, hotly debated legislation was tabled.
During the debate, 16 MPs from both sides of the aisle surfaced criticisms and concerns raised by lawyers, experts and civil society activists in recent days, including over the law's broad language and lack of judicial oversight.
These resulted in a parliamentary petition to delay its passage put forward by Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai, a raft of proposed changes tabled by the Workers' Party (WP), and recorded dissent from opposition MPs at the final vote - but the ruling People's Action Party's supermajority meant Fica's passage was a given.
At around 11.15pm, the Bill was passed with 75 MPs saying "yes", 11 from the WP and Progress Singapore Party objecting, and two Nominated MPs abstaining.
WP chief Pritam Singh had called for a division in which each MP's vote is recorded.
Some proposed amendments to the Bill by the WP were accepted by the Government, including to expand the list of defined politically significant persons to include a member of the executive committee or similar governing body of a political party.
Another accepted modification was to make it obligatory to publicise the designations of these persons, as well as some stepped-up countermeasures against them.
The party had also suggested additional provisions allowing appeals to the court and a public registry of politically significant persons among other changes, which it said would lower the likelihood of abuse of power and lead to greater transparency.
Other MPs had also suggested for greater checks and balances to be incorporated into the law, citing "extensive" discretion granted to the authorities.
Mr Shanmugam offered a biting response, noting that "rhetoric alone doesn't solve problems".
"Parliament is not just a forum for reading out speeches with an intent of putting it out in social media eventually… without offering real suggestions. We need to engage on the issues," he said.
Mr Shanmugam agreed that while executive powers must be subject to checks and balances, the questions are in what form and what are the appropriate and best solutions for Singapore's context.
Earlier, in a speech running more than two hours long to kick off the debate, Mr Shanmugam said Singapore's interracial and inter-religious mix was easily exploitable by foreign actors, who have been steadily building up covert, clever narratives to try an condition Singaporeans' thinking.
"In my view, this is one of the most serious threats we face, and our population and I think most MPs are not really aware of this," he said.
While international media regularly identifies Russia, China, Iran and North Korea as perpetrators, the United States and other Western countries have similar, or in the case of the US, even superior capabilities, added the minister.
He also said foreign interference and the need for legislation have been extensively discussed and debated for more than three years now, dating back to 2018, when a select committee set up to study the issue of fake news gathered detailed evidence on the seriousness of the threat.
Mr Shanmugam also described Fica as offering a more calibrated approach for the Internet age in contrast to blunter levers in other laws, and argued that the risk of rogue foreign interference was far greater than the risk of a rogue government abusing its power.
He also noted that the scope of Fica was narrower than that of laws in America and Australia on political activity by foreign persons or entities, and rejected suggestions by the WP to classify senior civil servants as politically significant persons.
And to protect sensitive information, appeals against directions issued should be heard by an independent reviewing tribunal instead of the courts, he said.
Mr Shanmugam also addressed the law's impact on trust in public institutions.
"Let's get real… Trust doesn't depend on putting in a series of legislation, just copying other (jurisdictions) whose trust levels are abysmally low."
High trust levels in Singapore can be attributed to its performance, probity, leaders' behaviour and exercise of powers, he said, adding that trust would also dissipate quickly in the face of abuse and corruption - particularly in a small place like the Republic.
The minister admitted that in the process of drafting Fica with his officers, there were parts he wished had turned out differently.
"But the threat we face is people armed with bazookas, and I describe this legislation as a toy gun," he said.
"Singapore believes in the law, so we give ourselves legal powers. But in reality the kind of threats we face, the kind of adversaries and the resources they have in terms of manpower, are far greater than what we have.
"Our people haven't even begun to realise what the problem is, and the nature of the problem."
It seeks to break new ground in digital space, collaborate closely with businesses, people
By Grace Ho, Senior Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 18 May 2021
A post-Covid-19 Singapore is one that breaks new ground in the digital space to offer unlimited opportunities for its businesses and people, and collaborates closely with them to be sustainable and stronger together.
They are: Creating new virtual frontiers; seizing growth opportunities from sustainability; enabling global champions and growing an agile and strong Singapore core; institutionalising private-public partnerships through Alliances for Action (AfAs); and strengthening international partnerships, especially in South-east Asia.
Speaking at a media conference yesterday, National Development Minister Desmond Lee, who co-chairs the task force with PSA International group chief executive Tan Chong Meng, said the ongoing crisis reinforces the importance of working closely together. "The crisis (is) affecting countries that initially overcame infections but are now facing a new wave," he said, adding that the technology and capabilities which Singapore now has to overcome Covid-19 challenges would not have existed 10 years ago.
"And so that drive and initiative, that will to survive, to find opportunities - that remains absolutely relevant."
The EST's recommendations were made in the collaborative spirit of the Singapore Together movement launched two years ago, where Singaporeans partner with the Government to shape their shared future, he said.
The 23-member task force was set up under the FEC to give recommendations on how Singapore could refresh its economic strategies.
The recommendations come amid shifts such as growing geopolitical tensions and accelerating digital transformation.
It acknowledged the need to do things differently from previous review committees on the economy, and "pivot towards action". This meant identifying areas of opportunity for Singapore to invest in, and test-bedding new, creative ideas.
Views were sought from about 2,000 individuals across 900 organisations.
The nine AfAs, which involve businesses, unions, government agencies and other experts, and cover areas ranging from supply chain digitalisation to sustainability, helped explore some of the ideas. They also quickly prototyped and executed minimum viable products or pilots which can be scaled up if successful. The task force has recommended that this approach be institutionalised under the FEC.
Mr Lee said: "The AfA approach is valuable in tackling challenges across not just the economic realm, but also in the social space... This collaborative approach also makes for more sustainable and more impactful actions and outcomes."
Mr Heng said the FEC will incorporate the EST recommendations into its current update of the Industry Transformation Maps, or ITM 2025.
It will scale up the AfAs as a more agile and nimble way to undertake industry transformation.
Research, Innovation and Enterprise (RIE) 2025 Plan includes a programme to help nation respond nimbly to future infectious diseases
By Audrey Tan, Science and Environment Correspondent, The Straits Times, 12 Dec 2020
A $25 billion plan charting Singapore's research landscape was launched yesterday, a critical investment that will help the country emerge stronger from the shadow of Covid-19 while ensuring that it shores up its defences against future threats.
This includes a national research programme to help Singapore respond nimbly to future infectious diseases.
"Science, technology and innovation will be critical to overcoming Covid-19 and in enabling us to emerge stronger," added Mr Heng, who also chairs the National Research Foundation (NRF).
The $25 billion is equivalent to around 1 per cent of the nation's gross domestic product (GDP). This proportion has remained relatively constant over the years, and puts Singapore's public investment into research on a par with other small advanced economies such as Sweden and Denmark, said NRF.
One-third of the budget will go towards basic research, whose benefits may not be immediately obvious. The five-year blueprint will focus on four key areas - health, sustainability, the digital economy and manufacturing, with firm support for basic research.
The scope under each domain will be expanded to meet the broader spectrum of national needs, said Mr Heng.
For instance, research into manufacturing will now also include studies into the air and sea links that connect Singapore with the rest of the world, while urban solutions and sustainability will now include research into the new challenges posed by climate change.
Besides the four areas, there will be $3.75 billion set aside for "white space" research, up from $2.5 billion in RIE2020. This is funding dedicated to new or emerging areas of research that may arise and is open to proposals from all agencies.
The commitment underscores the importance of research even during difficult times, said NRF chief Low Teck Seng.
During the current crisis, the scientific community in Singapore rallied even during the early stages of the pandemic, pivoting away from their original research areas and applying their expertise to Covid-19.
"Investments in science and technology are an investment in the future," said Professor Low, noting that such investments could also provide good jobs for Singaporeans, and enhance and contribute to the nation's GDP growth.
For instance, investing in water technologies had not only helped this water-scarce nation overcome its resource constraints, but also built a thriving industry.
In a Facebook post yesterday, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said the scientific mindset is critical. "The scientific mindset - exploring the world and understanding it rationally and empirically - is crucial to Singapore. This is true not just in R&D work, but more fundamentally to the ethos of our whole society."
PM Lee, who chaired the RIE Council meeting on Thursday night, added: "Our continued investments in R&D will sustain our competitiveness and bolster our status as a tech and innovation hub."
7 Singapore Together Alliances for Action (AfA) are working with the Government to act on key growth opportunities
Private, public sectors to work as partners to propel economy; medtech a new area of focus
By Tham Yuen-C, Senior Political Correspondent, The Straits Times, 20 Nov 2020
As Singapore resets its economy to navigate a post-pandemic world, it has decided to take a fresh approach to growth and initiated several projects that could hold the key to the future.
These range from the safe and gradual resumption of large-scale conferences to a trial of autonomous shuttles, revealed the Emerging Stronger Taskforce (EST), six months after it started exploring new ideas to reignite the economy.
The EST is also adding a new area of focus, medical technology, which will look into developing diagnostics for diseases like Covid-19 and cancer. It is also looking at tie-ups with South-east Asian partners.
"This is in keeping with the spirit of Singapore Together, where we work in partnership to achieve more than the sum of our parts," said Mr Heng, referring to the movement he and his fourth-generation colleagues started to give citizens more say in policymaking.
"This new approach to economic growth will propel our economy through Covid into a new normal post-pandemic," he added.
Members of the task force said at a press conference that this has allowed the private and public sectors to work alongside each other as partners - rather than as regulators and the regulated.
PSA International group chief executive officer Tan Chong Meng, an EST co-chair, described it as "crossing the stream while feeling the stones", rather than feeling all the stones and mapping out the way before crossing the stream.
The alliance on robotics has initiated a project which will see early versions of autonomous vehicles deployed by the end of the year.
And the alliance on supply chains has brought together 50 organisations to create a set of data standards that will allow different segments of the supply chain ecosystem to work together.
The other four alliances are looking at sustainability, digitalising the built environment, smart commerce and education technology.
In all, the seven alliances have collectively engaged over 600 people and over 330 businesses, trade associations and chambers, and public agencies, among others.
Minister for National Development Desmond Lee, the other EST co-chair, said this agile approach to collaboration can be a competitive advantage for Singapore and may soon become the norm.
He added that it is key to be nimble as the task force has identified six shifts in the global economy from which opportunities will emerge: A changing global order; a rebalance between efficiency and resilience in supply chains and production; digital transformation and innovation; changes in consumer preferences; greater focus on sustainability; and accelerating industry consolidation and churn.
In navigating these shifts, the task force is guided by two themes, Mr Lee said, that must underpin the future economy: A Singapore that is connected to the world, and one that is sustainable for the environment and inclusive for its people.
He called on people to share their ideas through the EST's new website emergingstronger.sg, saying: "The EST needs both the support and the ideas and creativity of Singaporeans to build a Singapore that enables virtually unlimited possibilities."
Even as the local tech talent pool grows, Singapore has to bring in foreign professionals at mid-to senior levels to build world-class teams, grow the industry and tackle urgent problems, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong yesterday.
He acknowledged the sense of competition and discomfort that can arise from large numbers of foreigners in the industry, and said Singaporeans have to feel assured that they are fairly treated.
They must see that tech companies are bringing in people with expertise and experience, whom Singaporeans can learn from, he said.
Speaking at the Singapore Tech Forum that is being held virtually, PM Lee said that while the country has a supportive environment for technology in terms of infrastructure, the key factor is talent.
"We need more tech talent to grow the industry, and to tackle the urgent problems that we have and that tech can help us to solve."
Local universities and polytechnics are producing more graduates who are in demand, but companies also need to bring in overseas professionals at higher levels who are in short supply here, he noted.
Such professionals help create a virtuous circle by expanding Singapore's talent pool, raising standards and strengthening the tech ecosystem here, said PM Lee.
But he also noted that social frictions can develop, especially if there are large concentrations from a single source and there is an economic downturn. Such tensions are not unique to Singapore, he said, adding that the Government will do its best to address them.
He said foreigners must make the effort to fit in here, and at the same time, Singaporeans have to feel that they are not discriminated against.
"They have got to see the tech companies as bringing in expertise and experience, (and) building up the industry and capabilities," said PM Lee. "So that our own people can learn from them, upgrade themselves and eventually build up our own talent pool."
Singapore has done so in the past with the petrochemical, biomedical and semiconductor industries, he added.
He also held up the Government's new Tech.Pass work pass, which will allow foreigners to start and operate a business, serve on the board of a Singapore-based company or be a shareholder or investor in companies here. They can also take up lecturing roles, serve as an adviser to companies here and conduct corporate training. Candidates must show they are high-level tech professionals.
"The Tech.Pass scheme is aimed at highly accomplished tech talent, the movers and shakers of the tech world - people who usually play different roles at once: founder, investor, employee, consultant, academic. People who can contribute to multiple parts of the ecosystem with their capital, their networks, their knowledge," said PM Lee.
He added that unlike the Employment Pass where an individual is tied to a particular job or employer, Tech.Pass will be personal to the holder and allow them to move between roles and employers - a flexibility meant to make Singapore more attractive to such talent.
At the dialogue that followed, PM Lee was asked about challenges Singapore faces in realising its Smart Nation ambitions. While the "will" to transform digitally is present, the lack of talent is an issue, he said.
He was also asked about Singapore's approach to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people, to which he said they are welcome here and their contributions are greatly appreciated, but that society is still conservative.
Chan Chun Sing clarifies 3 common misconceptions about CECA In an interview on Friday, Trade and Industry Minister Chan Chun Sing debunked three misconceptions about the Singapore-India Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA). The free trade pact has come under attack from some quarters on social media in recent months as well as during the general election.
By Grace Ho, Senior Political Correspondent, The Sunday Times, 30 Aug 2020 MYTH 1: CECA GRANTS INDIAN NATIONALS UNCONDITIONAL ACCESS TO SINGAPORE AND IMMIGRATION PRIVILEGES
It is not true that CECA gives Indian nationals the right to take up citizenship or permanent residency, said Mr Chan. In Chapter 9 of the agreement on movement of natural persons, Article 9.1.2 states: "This Chapter shall not apply to measures pertaining to citizenship, permanent residence, or employment on a permanent basis." The proportion of ethnic Indian citizens in the Singapore population has remained stable, he said. The agreement does not oblige Singapore to automatically grant employment passes (EPs) to Indian nationals. Like all other foreigners, they must meet the prevailing EP criteria, like minimum salary thresholds. A key bone of contention is intra-corporate transferees (ICTs), which refer to transfers of a company's employees from one country to another. In these instances, companies that bring them in do not have to advertise the position to locals as part of the Fair Consideration Framework. But they must still meet the EP criteria, as well as have industry experience and worked in the parent company for a minimum duration, said Mr Chan. Under CECA, such transferees must have worked at least six months in the parent company, among other requirements. They can stay a total term of eight years, at most. Mr Chan said Singapore's CECA commitments are neither unique nor overly broad, as most of the 164 members of the World Trade Organisation have also made commitments on entry of ICTs under the General Agreement on Trade in Services. Local companies tap Singaporean ICTs too, when they expand overseas, he said. "It applies equally to Indian companies coming here and to Singapore companies going overseas - under CECA or under any other (free trade agreements). This is to help them kick-start the overseas operations."
MYTH 2: CECA DOES NOT BENEFIT SINGAPORE ECONOMICALLY Since CECA was signed in 2005, Singapore's trade with India has grown by $7.6 billion and investments, by 34 times. By 2018, more than 650 companies in Singapore had invested in India. Mr Chan said the trade pact not only protects Singapore companies that invest in India, but also attracts foreign investors who invest in India, and employ Singaporeans to manage their investments. In Singapore, these companies employ nearly 100,000 Singaporeans and permanent residents. What this means is that the Indian market, as with other large markets, helps these companies to diversify and make their operations more robust. "Besides having better access to a huge market and all the savings that come with tariff reductions, it also allows us to grow our capabilities," said Mr Chan. Companies such as PSA and engineering firm Meinhardt are also now key players in port management and engineering in India, he added.
MYTH 3: CECA HAS CAUSED OVERCONCENTRATION OF INDIAN NATIONALS IN SOME COMPANIES HERE Mr Chan said the presence of certain nationalities is shaped by the choice of sectors Singapore wants to grow. Currently, these include new and fast-growing sectors, such as info-communications and technology, professional services and financial services. It is not that Singaporeans are not good enough for the jobs in these sectors, but that Singapore does not have enough people for these jobs, he said. "We do not have enough numbers to get to the critical mass." Mr Chan said the profile of Singapore's foreign workforce will evolve over time as its industry profile changes. "In the 1960s and 1970s, when we were building up our petrochemical industries, the top management positions (in companies such as Shell) were not mainly Singaporeans either. But after a few decades, why is it that the top spots are held by Singaporeans? "Because we allowed the previous generation the opportunity to create jobs not only for themselves, but also for this generation." The same thing happened in the 1980s and 1990s, when Singapore's focus was on electronics and semiconductors, he said. "Today, we have a whole generation of precision engineering firms, engineers to support the semiconductor industry, and have many spin-offs."
Moves to help seniors be more tech-savvy so they can connect with others amid pandemic
By Theresa Tan, Senior Social Affairs Correspondent, The Straits Times, 6 Aug 2020
Retired bartender Yong Chow Foo, who has no children, used to visit the Care Corner Senior Activity Centre in Woodlands every weekday to chit-chat and play card games like rummy with other old folks. When the coronavirus pandemic struck and Singapore enforced the two-month-long circuit breaker, senior activity centres were closed and life became boring, particularly so for Mr Yong as he is not tech-savvy. The 80-year-old uses his mobile phone for calls but does not know how to use a computer, surf the Web or send e-mails. Mr Yong, who lives in a one-room rental flat with his wife, recalled in Mandarin: "It felt suffocating as we stayed at home all day, watching TV or staring at the walls." But now that senior activity centres have reopened, a new life is opening up for Mr Yong, as they are teaching seniors how to go online and have some fun. Recently, staff from Care Corner Singapore lent Mr Yong a SIM card with a data plan, installed the Skype app on his phone and taught him how to log on to activities through it. On July 24, he went to the Woodlands senior activity centre to join a virtual tour of Gardens by the Bay with nine other seniors. At the centre, he could either use his phone to take part in the virtual tour or watch it projected onto a screen through a live stream. He chose the latter option. A group of seniors from another Care Corner senior activity centre also joined the virtual tour, and a few others did so from their homes through Skype. Conducted through a live stream by a horticulturist, the virtual tour was the first by Gardens by the Bay.
OCBC Bank employees who volunteer at Care Corner Singapore were also at the senior activity centre to interact with the seniors. Mr Yong described the virtual activities as interesting, though they felt foreign to him. Singapore has 78 senior activity centres, according to the Yearbook of Statistics 2019. These centres usually hold activities such as mass exercises and karaoke sessions for seniors to socialise with one another. Social workers say those who attend the events are poor, often live alone and have little or no support from their families. But at the centres, they can interact with other seniors while staff keep an eye on them. But as large group outings or gatherings are not possible now to keep the coronavirus at bay, the centres have turned to virtual outings and online activities to engage seniors. These centres are teaching seniors how to use communication tools such as WhatsApp and Zoom and to go online for various activities. Ms Sandy Goh, manager at Touch Senior Activity Centre, said: "The pandemic has disrupted the way we do things. We have to rethink the way we deliver our services so that seniors will continue to get the help they need."
One-year plans to be offered by four telcos from July under national scheme; no charges for excess data used
By Lester Wong, The Straits Times, 30 Jun 2020
"Seniors worry about the knowledge part (when going digital) - 'Who can help me'? Another major concern they have is about cost, and I think this subsidised plan addresses that concern," said Communications and Information Minister S. Iswaran yesterday when unveiling the mobile data plans. He added that the absence of excess data charges is an "important source of reassurance" for seniors - that they are not going to be "shocked by a bill" that exceeds what they are committed to. Eligible seniors can register their interest in the mobile plans with Seniors Go Digital digital ambassadors after they have attended digital literacy programmes and acquired at least one basic digital skill, such as using messaging apps like WhatsApp, or scanning QR codes. Separately, the four telcos, along with virtual telco Circles.Life, are also launching low-cost mobile plans available to all seniors. For example, StarHub's four plans include SIM-only plans with 5GB or 30GB of monthly mobile data for $8 or $20, respectively. The other two plans, which come with a bundled smartphone, are priced at $40 or $60 a month for 15GB or 40GB of mobile data, respectively, over two years. Customers can sign up for these plans now at all StarHub outlets. Meanwhile, M1 is offering a 25 per cent discount on its regular device and SIM-only plans for seniors, along with three-month complimentary access to streaming services Viu Premium and TVBAnywhere+.
This means, for instance, that its $25 SIM-only plan with 30GB monthly mobile data will cost $18.75 for seniors. The plans will be available for sign-up from July 24. Singtel said it will launch its plans next month. These will come with data-free messaging on WhatsApp, among other perks. The telco will also hold Seniors Go Digital workshops at eight outlets across the island every Wednesday to give seniors personalised assistance. These will be held from 9am to 11am, two hours before the outlets open. The new Mobile Access for Seniors scheme augments broad-ranging outreach efforts under the Singapore Digital Office(SDO) formed last month, including the Seniors Go Digital movement that aims to reach 100,000 seniors by the end of this year. The SDO will recruit 1,000 digital ambassadors by the end of this month to help seniors as well as stallholders at hawker centres and wet markets to learn how to use digital tools.
Singapore businesses and workers still have opportunities even in a less connected world: Chan Chun Sing Nation will seek to stay connected, but will find opportunities even if world fragments
By Poon Chian Hui, Deputy Business Editor, The Straits Times, 15 Jun 2020
Countries are retreating from globalisation in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Singapore's workers and businesses can tap opportunities even in a less connected world, said Minister for Trade and Industry Chan Chun Sing yesterday. This is because the Republic has its own intangible strengths which are not easily replicated elsewhere, including its connectivity as a trade hub and the trust that it has earned. And while the pandemic has led to more protectionist barriers being erected between countries, Singapore must resist these pressures, said Mr Chan. "A less connected world means a poorer world and fewer opportunities for all. A less connected Singapore means fewer and poorer quality jobs for us," he said in the fourth of six national broadcasts by ministers on Singapore's post-COVID-19 future. Nevertheless, Singapore has developed resilience, such as by building networks, and diversifying supply sources and markets. "Even in a more protectionist, less connected world, we can still make a living and more," he added. Speaking at PSA Singapore's Pasir Panjang Terminal Building 3, Mr Chan also said that Singapore will press on to build connectivity infrastructure to reinforce the country's position as a hub for business, finance, trade and data flows. "We will work to stay connected with the world, even as the world threatens to fragment and regress towards protectionism. Despite our size, we can show the way, if we have good ideas," he said. The immediate focus is on jobs, given that the pandemic-induced downturn has led to falling incomes and job losses among workers, with layoffs expected to rise in the coming months. A key initiative is the creation of 100,000 jobs and training opportunities in the coming year across various sectors, including healthcare and early childhood education. "We may well need to create more jobs, if the situation worsens," he added. Mr Chan noted that even after Singapore reopens its economy, some companies will need to change their business models. Support will be given to help them, he said, such as in hiring and training graduates and mid-career workers. But Singapore must look beyond the immediate challenges and invest in its intangible strengths. Mr Chan noted that investors have chosen to site and expand their businesses here over the years because Singapore is open and connected to the world, is a trusted brand, is a united and stable society, and has a skilled workforce. During the COVID-19 crisis, Singapore has built trust by choosing not to impose export restrictions or nationalise foreign investments. Production lines were kept open for global supply chains, including critical materials for surgical masks. "In uncertain times, our trusted brand counts for even more. Businesses have noticed," said Mr Chan. "When they make their next investments to diversify their global production bases, we will be in the running." Partnerships with other countries in the form of trade agreements will also open up opportunities for businesses and "signal to the world our confidence and determination to press on with regional economic integration", he added. Infrastructure projects, including Changi Airport Terminal 5 and the Tuas Mega Port, will also offer opportunities for the future. Meanwhile, digitalisation and internationalisation will help transform a generation of businesses and people to thrive in the digital world. Businesses can access new markets and form industry partnerships beyond local shores. People can learn new skills and even gain the confidence to launch a business, such as in the case of Carousell's co-founders, who spent a year in Silicon Valley in the United States before they launched the e-commerce platform. More will be done to boost industry partnerships and intensify the overseas exposure of Singaporeans, said Mr Chan. He also noted that the Economic Development Board has captured $13 billion of investment commitments in the first four months of this year. This is despite the uncertain outlook in the next few years. "As you can see, there are still many opportunities for us, but we must be on our toes," said Mr Chan. "Survival favours not the strong, but the agile."
