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MTI and COVID19 - AN EXISTENTIAL CRISIS YOU DID NOT SEE
If you paid attention to PM Lee's speech just now, you would not have missed the part that we are now getting eggs from Poland. And shrimps from Saudi Arabia.
This is one of the important things that have been happening behind the scenes that Singaporeans do not see.
All many see are dorms, masks and number of cases and think those are the most important problems that Singapore and Singaporeans are facing.
No.
Behind the scenes, Singapore was, and still is facing an existential crisis.
Supply lines were collapsing as every country started to think only of themselves, and halted the export of food and medical supplies.
Singapore is self-sufficient for neither.
And although we have stockpiled, it was in expectation of short, localised shortages, not a global collapse of supplies.
Not like this.
For example, Vietnam, the second largest exporter of rice, stopped exports.
The MCO in Malaysia greatly reduced our supply of vegetables, poultry and eggs.
It was here that the men and women of the Ministry of Trade and Industry worked day and night to secure Singapore's existence.
To keep us fed.
A team led by Minister Chan Chun Sing, SMSes Koh Poh Koon and Chee Hong Tat.
Ably assisted by Permanent Secretaries Gabriel Lim and Lee Chuan Teck.
The thing about working behind the scenes is that it is something nobody appreciates.
So they laugh at Min Chan's gaffes.
But the critics do not and cannot appreciate his sleepless nights working to ensure that Singapore has enough food and other critical supplies.
We have been busy negotiating with far flung places to diversify our food supply.
Poland and Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine is another.
The crisis is not over.
After months of lockdowns worldwide, global harvests and even livestock are threatened.
The world is facing an imminent food shortage.
This is NOT A JOKE.
Unlike Taiwan and New Zealand who can shut their borders and be food independent, we cannot.
Min Chan and his team continue day and night to ensure Singaporeans don't starve.
You may think I am exaggerating.
I assure you I am not.
So instead of laughing at Min Chan, these people should be thanking him, regardless of how much he is being paid.
And pray that he succeeds.
If he doesn't, we are all in trouble.
- Calvin Cheng
If you paid attention to PM Lee's speech just now, you would not have missed the part that we are now getting eggs from Poland. And shrimps from Saudi Arabia.
This is one of the important things that have been happening behind the scenes that Singaporeans do not see.
All many see are dorms, masks and number of cases and think those are the most important problems that Singapore and Singaporeans are facing.
No.
Behind the scenes, Singapore was, and still is facing an existential crisis.
Supply lines were collapsing as every country started to think only of themselves, and halted the export of food and medical supplies.
Singapore is self-sufficient for neither.
And although we have stockpiled, it was in expectation of short, localised shortages, not a global collapse of supplies.
Not like this.
For example, Vietnam, the second largest exporter of rice, stopped exports.
The MCO in Malaysia greatly reduced our supply of vegetables, poultry and eggs.
It was here that the men and women of the Ministry of Trade and Industry worked day and night to secure Singapore's existence.
To keep us fed.
A team led by Minister Chan Chun Sing, SMSes Koh Poh Koon and Chee Hong Tat.
Ably assisted by Permanent Secretaries Gabriel Lim and Lee Chuan Teck.
The thing about working behind the scenes is that it is something nobody appreciates.
So they laugh at Min Chan's gaffes.
But the critics do not and cannot appreciate his sleepless nights working to ensure that Singapore has enough food and other critical supplies.
We have been busy negotiating with far flung places to diversify our food supply.
Poland and Saudi Arabia.
Ukraine is another.
The crisis is not over.
After months of lockdowns worldwide, global harvests and even livestock are threatened.
The world is facing an imminent food shortage.
This is NOT A JOKE.
Unlike Taiwan and New Zealand who can shut their borders and be food independent, we cannot.
Min Chan and his team continue day and night to ensure Singaporeans don't starve.
You may think I am exaggerating.
I assure you I am not.
So instead of laughing at Min Chan, these people should be thanking him, regardless of how much he is being paid.
And pray that he succeeds.
If he doesn't, we are all in trouble.
- Calvin Cheng
