Highly-paid ministers and civil servants ask you to think for them

[k1976]

Please do not look down on yourself. The real bottom feeders are the grassroots leaders and volunteers who feed off the crumbs from the MPs' dining table.
View attachment 204701

为国为民like Boss John...really a few good man de

 

[rocket]

为国为民like Boss John...really a few good man de

See pap ib again, 为to fug u pap dog 为go home suck mother nipple

 

[True Believer]

Our Ministers say that if we wish to buy a car or motorbike, nobody is stopping us as long as we are able to afford the COE and vehicle. The trouble is that some bikers may not be able to afford clothing after that.

 

[dr.wailing]

Time to bring in the new talents and turn it into a New Kampong

Like the 300 Vietnamese university graduates who are allowed to work here and eventually qualify for PR or Sinkie citizenship which will then enable them to buy HDB flats.

 

[k1976]

Like the 300 Vietnamese university graduates who are allowed to work here and eventually qualify for PR or Sinkie citizenship which will then enable them to buy HDB flats.

Cum here to huat big big in new kampong Tengah

Heng Ong Huat to All

 

[k1976]

Like the 300 Vietnamese university graduates who are allowed to work here and eventually qualify for PR or Sinkie citizenship which will then enable them to buy HDB flats.

Evergreen our HDB Hardlander Overnight Millionaire Dream mah

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

URA seeks input on plans to use old Kallang Airport for lifestyle and recreational activities​

The main terminal building of the old Kallang Airport, pictured on June 8. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Ng Keng Gene
Correspondent
Updated

Jun 10, 2024

SINGAPORE – In the Dutch city of Tilburg, the bookshelves and tables in public library De Bibliotheek LocHal fill a vast shed where locomotives once sat.
Opened in 2019, the library sits in a former train depot that dates back to 1932.
The library is one of two repurposed old buildings cited at an ongoing exhibition that seeks public feedback on future plans for the old Kallang Airport, among other current and future recreational facilities and amenities in Singapore’s central region.
The other example, the London Transport Museum, opened in 1980 in the former Covent Garden Flower Market, which began operations in 1872.
Organised by the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), the roving exhibition – currently at Kallang Wave Mall – is part of the agency’s public engagement for its upcoming recreation masterplan, which will be incorporated into the next draft masterplan to be launched in 2025.
The latter masterplan will guide Singapore’s development over the next 10 to 15 years.
Responding to queries from The Straits Times, URA and the Singapore Land Authority (SLA) said that the old Kallang Airport site “is envisioned to feature lifestyle and recreational offerings amid mixed uses in future”, adding that these uses will leverage the site’s “rich heritage as Singapore’s first purpose-built civil international airport”.

Officially opened on June 12, 1937, the airport served Singapore from that year till 1955, when its functions were replaced by the former Paya Lebar Airport.
Several buildings and structures of Kallang Airport were gazetted for conservation on Dec 5, 2008, including its terminal building, two administrative blocks and a hangar.

The hangars of the old Kallang Airport, including one that has been conserved (right, white facade), pictured on June 8. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
The authorities are seeking feedback on activities the public wants to see and do on the approximately 10ha site, which also includes conserved gateposts and lamp posts.

Ideas on how the former airport – currently undergoing refurbishment works – can be made accessible and exciting for locals and tourists are also being sought.
URA and SLA said that, in previous engagements with industry stakeholders, repurposing the site for “lifestyle, recreational and community uses” were among the key suggestions raised.
The agencies added that they will build on such suggestions, as well as ideas submitted during the recreation masterplan exhibition, in reviewing plans for the former airport.
Heritage author and blogger Jerome Lim suggested a transportation gallery could be set up on the airport site, adding that future public access is necessary for the buildings to be better appreciated and their stories told.
Asked if there are concerns over whether future developments in the area might overwhelm the former airport site, Mr Lim said: “There certainly would be concerns, especially in view of the scale of development that the URA masterplan indicates.”
Plots in and near the airport site have been zoned for commercial, mixed-use and hotel developments.
Mr Lim said it would be especially important to retain the view of the terminal building from Nicoll Highway and the Singapore Sports Hub, adding that it offers the best angle to appreciate the beauty of the terminal, which was modelled after a biplane.
“It was the view anyone arriving at the airport would have gotten,” he said, adding that the Sports Hub was where the airport’s airfield was located.

Besides the former airport’s buildings, structures such as its lamp posts and gateposts have also been conserved. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI
He suggested that other aspects of the area’s history should also be commemorated, including its possible ties to maritime trade in the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as the Happy World amusement park – later known as Gay World – from which aviation pioneer Amelia Earhart heard Chinese opera music when she landed in Kallang on June 20, 1937 – eight days after the airport was opened.
It was also in Happy World’s stadium that the second Thomas Cup badminton final was held in 1952, said Mr Lim, adding that it was the “first truly international sporting competition that Singapore hosted”.
URA is also seeking feedback on an ongoing study to assess the feasibility of extending the 10km Southern Ridges’ connections westwards.
Referred to as the Ridge to Coast Loop in the exhibition, this route could connect parks such as West Coast Park and historical sites such as Pasir Panjang Power District to Kent Ridge Park and Mount Faber.

The authorities are studying the possibility of linking West Coast Park (pictured) to the Southern Ridges, as part of a Ridge to Coast Loop that links green and coastal spaces in Singapore’s south-west. PHOTO: ST FILE
URA and the National Parks Board (NParks) said that “agencies are studying the potential of extending the connectivity westwards from the Southern Ridges to connect to the foothills and waterfront, forming a loop with a series of attractions such as heritage sites and repurposed buildings along the way”, when asked for more details on these plans.
“This route would include plans by NParks to connect the 13 parks in south-western Singapore through paths and trails, to provide more nature-based recreation opportunities and enhance connectivity,” they said, adding that other possibilities for the route that are suggested by the public will be assessed.
URA said that Pasir Panjang Power District “can potentially be planned for a mix of uses, including workspaces, residential, lifestyle and entertainment activities”, given “its rich industrial heritage, distinctive character and waterfront setting”.

Located by the sea, the former power station and its accompanying buildings in Pasir Panjang Power District could have a mix of uses such as workspaces, homes and lifestyle amenities in the future. PHOTO: URBAN REDEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
The district’s two decommissioned power station buildings are currently tenanted out for use as an events and entertainment venue, and a virtual production studio.
The agency added that it will consider proposals from an earlier ideas competition as it studies long-term plans for the district, adding that it is – as part of the ongoing recreation masterplan exhibition – seeking feedback “on how we can activate the waterfront to enrich the overall experience”.
Also being sought are ideas for how colonial bungalows in the Mount Faber mid-hills area and Alexandra Park – most of which are currently tenanted out for residential use by SLA – can be repurposed for public use as part of the proposed Ridge to Coast Loop.
Examples of such bungalows cited at the exhibition are 6 Hyderabad Road in Alexandra Park, and 11 Keppel Hill – formerly known as Keppel House and thought to be built in the second half of the 1800s for a senior manager of Keppel Harbour.

The former Keppel House at 11 Keppel Hill, which was built to house a senior manager of the former Keppel Harbour. PHOTO: SINGAPORE LAND AUTHORITY
Singapore Heritage Society president Fauzy Ismail said the society hopes that the function and history of each heritage site and structure in the proposed Ridge to Coast Loop will be captured and adapted to current times, amid potential new uses.
Calling the proposed route “ambitious” due to its diversity of attractions, Mr Fauzy said the society hopes that the individual identity of each neighbourhood in the loop will be highlighted, and that the existing heritage of the areas will be incorporated into future growth and development.
He added that these sites will make for a “stimulating residential environment” in the future Greater Southern Waterfront – which comprises 30km of coastline from Pasir Panjang to Marina East – as residents will have a range of activities and sites to get involved in and visit.

Referring to plans for other recreational attractions in the central region, Mr Fauzy said the society hopes that future plans for the former Tanjong Pagar Railway Station “will be thoughtfully considered such that they hold spaces that enhance human lives”, instead of being overly commercialised.
He added that the unique traditions, people and culture of the Southern Islands and Pulau Brani can be brought forth more to honour the heritage and the communities that previously inhabited them.
Showcasing the diversity and using the island’s spaces sensitively will make ecotourism more authentic and inviting, he said, adding that the islands should be affordable to get to and easy to access.
Apart from land-based activities, the authorities also want to know what water-based activities the public are keen to engage in at Kallang River – Singapore’s longest river, which spans about 10km from Lower Peirce Reservoir to Kallang Basin.
One possibility might be allowing more to kayak between Kolam Ayer Kayak Shed – closed since 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic – and Kallang Basin. The route is currently available only to those on guided expeditions, with safety measures in place.
The public can find out more about the recreation masterplan and submit their ideas on URA’s website.

Recreation masterplan roving exhibition stops​

• Kallang Wave Mall (till June 16, 10.30am to 9pm)
• One Punggol (June 22 to 30)
• Canberra Plaza (July 6 to 14)
• The URA Centre (July 18 to 27; closed on Sundays)

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Modify drain grilles to prevent rainwater from being trapped by litter​

Jul 26, 2024

I refer to the article “Over 10,000 dengue cases so far in 2024, exceeding total number of infections in 2023” (July 24).
Drains in public areas are among the top breeding habitats for mosquitoes.
Leaf litter and other debris often drop in between drain grilles into the drains, trapping and causing rainwater to stagnate there.
If we could retrofit drain grilles with a criss-cross pattern with openings that can allow surface water, but not leaf litter, to pass through, this would prevent rainwater from being trapped and stagnating inside drains.
This would mean fewer breeding sites for mosquitoes.
Cleaners would then be able to clear debris more easily by sweeping, blowing or vacuuming the debris from above these drain grilles, instead of having to lift every drain grille manually to clear the bottom of the drains.
Recently, I chanced upon a drain in Ghim Moh that had a thin layer of netting affixed underneath the drain grilles, which trapped lots of debris.

The town council staff told me this netting was supposedly put in to prevent rats from climbing out of the drain. I thought this was a good idea to prevent debris from dropping into drains, too.
Changing drain grilles or adding such netting would have far-reaching benefits in our dengue-favouring tropical climate with abundant rainfall. The investment would be a worthwhile one. It could also complement Project Wolbachia, which was launched in 2016.
I am making this suggestion in response to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s call to engage Singaporeans to make our country a better place.
I hope the authorities can consider this suggestion as part of efforts to stem dengue outbreaks.

Candice Yeo Chay Hoon

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

MAS sets up review group to revitalise Singapore’s stock market​

The review group will assess the current state of the local equities market and examine measures to address identified challenges. PHOTO: ST FILE

Timothy Goh

Aug 03, 2024

SINGAPORE - A new review group with representatives from both the private and public sectors will propose measures to revitalise Singapore’s struggling stock market.
Announced by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) on Aug 2, the panel will be chaired by Second Minister for Finance and MAS board member Chee Hong Tat.
Other members are MAS managing director Chia Der Jiun, Temasek chief executive Dilhan Pillay, Singapore Institute of Management chairman Euleen Goh, Singapore Exchange (SGX) chairman Koh Boon Hwee, Singapore Business Federation chairman Lim Ming Yan, and Mr Neil Parekh, who is a partner at investment firm Tikehau Capital.
Senior representatives from the Ministry of Finance, Enterprise Singapore and the Economic Development Board will also be on board.
The group will assess the current state of the local equities market, and examine measures to address identified challenges.
It will propose strategies to support and encourage SGX-listed companies to build capabilities and expand internationally.
It will also review the key elements of Singapore’s regulatory approach to foster an enabling ecosystem, including the listing regime.

Recommendations will be made to attract primary and secondary listings to the Republic. The group will suggest targeted measures to facilitate product offerings and improve liquidity in Singapore’s equity market, broadening the pool of potential initial public offerings.
It will also propose outreach and communication strategies to enhance the attractiveness of the local equities market, promoting it to issuers and investors.
MAS noted that a “deep and liquid” public equities market enables companies to access capital for regional and global expansion. It also allows asset owners and the investing public to participate in the growth of quality companies.

“Improving the attractiveness of Singapore’s equities market can therefore enhance Singapore’s standing as a vibrant enterprise and financial hub,” the central bank said.
“This, in turn, complements Singapore’s innovation and start-up ecosystem, private markets, as well as asset and wealth management sectors.”
MAS said that the review group will be supported by two work streams: The enterprise and markets work stream will address market challenges, foster listings and facilitate market revitalisation, while the regulatory work stream will focus on enhancing the regulatory regime to promote market growth and foster investor confidence.
Through the two work streams, the review process will involve stakeholders with experience in areas such as corporate finance, investment banking, asset management, legal services and corporate governance.
The group will recommend a set of measures and complete its report within 12 months.
Speaking to the media at the SGX on Aug 2, Mr Chee said that the Government has been engaging different stakeholders in recent months.
“I think everyone can see that there is a need for us to do something to improve the situation that we face today in Singapore, to make listing in Singapore a more attractive option for companies.
“This includes companies that are home-grown, start-ups that have grown and expanded in Singapore, and also companies that come from abroad that we want to attract and groom into a pipeline of good companies that we can list on the SGX.”

The move comes three years after a $1.5 billion fund called Anchor Fund @ 65 was established in 2021 by the Government and Temasek – Singapore’s investment company – to attract fast-growing companies to list on the local bourse.
When asked about the role that Temasek will play in the review group, Mr Chee said: “If there are good companies and good opportunities to invest in Singapore, both GIC and Temasek are able to do so.”
Regarding the market’s preference for certain SGX equities, such as Temasek-backed companies or real estate investment trusts, Mr Chee said: “We want to, as part of this review, look at how we can expand those opportunities and options for investors.”
An SGX spokesperson told The Straits Times that the bourse welcomes the announcement of the review group.
“Only a ‘whole-of-ecosystem’ approach can lead to transformative actions that will give fresh impetus to improving liquidity and listings in Singapore’s equities market.
“We will work closely with the review group, alongside our ongoing efforts to enhance our marketplace through new products, research and education, issuer and investor outreach, as well as regional partnerships.”
However, stockbrokers told ST that there are still potential issues, including concerns that 12 months to complete a report is too long, as well as the lack of public consultation and industry participation in the committee.
Mr Tng Kim Bock, a former stockbroker at Lim & Tan Securities, said about the new review group: “It’s more of the same thing, not a breakthrough.
“There is no market practitioner in the panel, and this may lead nowhere as the panel becomes an echo chamber... I think if the panel includes stockbrokers, the market will see a flip up.”
Other market players expressed support for the review group, but urged the committee to do more and work quickly to draw investors.
Mr Shane Chesson, vice-chairman of the Singapore Venture Capital and Private Equity Association, said the association will continue to highlight the quality of potential new listing candidates that can participate as part of a “rejuvenated SGX”.
The association in May submitted suggestions to MAS on how to boost trading on the local bourse and attract more firms to list in Singapore. These include requiring the private capital sector to participate in the stock market, and allowing money from pension and sovereign funds to be invested in locally listed companies.
Mr Chesson said: “We would emphasise that private capital participants, including many global players covering private equity, venture capital, limited partners, as well as legal and advisory groups, have increased on-ground resources and applied capital in Singapore in recent years and are aligned to this (market revitalisation) initiative.
“Timing is important to take advantage of this opportunity and not lose momentum.”
Securities Investors Association (Singapore) president David Gerald said that the retail investor watchdog is “encouraged” by the Government’s attention to issues such as low liquidity, the absence of quality listings, and underperformance relative to other developed markets, which have plagued the local stock market for several years.
“We hope the regulators can enhance the regulatory regime to foster investor confidence and facilitate market growth because it is good to have a vibrant and liquid market,” Mr Gerald said.
“One area which the new review group might consider is to follow the lead of Japan and South Korea, where listed companies are required to do more to unlock value from the perspective of investors.
“Another area for consideration would be to provide more investor education and free research findings on companies for all investors as a public service.”
Mr Gerald also noted that Temasek and sovereign wealth fund GIC should not be ruled out from investing in good companies in the local market.
“If good companies trading at good valuations exist on the SGX, Temasek and GIC should consider them.”
Mr Gavin Chia, chief executive of digital brokerage Moomoo, said that stock exchanges across the region have “upped their game” in recent years to attract more retail participation and enhance the quality of their offerings, which is why Singapore has to do more to ensure that it stands out in an increasingly competitive space.
He added: “While the challenges facing the local equities market are well documented, trading data from Moomoo Singapore shows that it remains an attractive market for investors in Singapore, given its relative stability and their familiarity with the listed entities.”

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Have an idea to improve the Kallang River area? Kayak first, then give feedback​

Participants kayaked along Kallang River starting from Kolam Ayer Kayaking Centre to PAssion Wave @ Marina Bay. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY

Ng Keng Gene
Correspondent

Aug 18, 2024

SINGAPORE – For Geylang Bahru residents, sighting otters in the Kallang River is par for the course. But on a Sunday morning in July, residents were greeted by a somewhat less familiar sight – more than 30 members of the public paddling on the river in bright red kayaks.
Many were in the river for the first time. They had signed up for the Urban Redevelopment Authority’s (URA) public engagement on its upcoming Draft Master Plan 2025. Each masterplan, reviewed once every five years, guides development for the next 10 to 15 years.
A far cry from a typical focus group discussion, the kayaking expedition gave participants a first-hand look at the area for which their views on public spaces and recreational options were being sought.
Participants, aged 12 and up, were from all walks of life, with teenagers, groups of friends and a middle-aged couple among those who showed up on July 21. No prior kayaking experience was required, and life vests were provided.
They paddled about 3km from the Kolam Ayer Kayak Shed in Geylang Bahru to PAssion Wave@Marina Bay in Marina East.
Mr Nicholas Li, URA’s director of urban design for Singapore’s east, said: “Even for us as planners and urban designers, how we feel about a place totally changes when we go down to observe people over the day at different times of the day, and how they use spaces.
“It is important that the participants also get to experience it this way rather than meeting them straight away in a closed room.”

The kayakers could be invited back to focus group discussions on the corridor that are slated for November.

Participants at the start of the kayaking expedition, near the Kolam Ayer Kayak Shed. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Among the draft masterplan’s facets are five identity corridors, or stretches across the island that have rich heritage, one of which is the Thomson-Kallang Corridor, including the river.
Running 10km long, the Kallang River is Singapore’s longest river and passes historical sites such as the old Kallang Airport and the former Kallang Gasworks.

The other four corridors are the Historic East Corridor, the Rail Corridor, Southern Ridges and Coast, and Inner Ring, which includes neighbourhoods on the city fringe such as Balestier.
Before setting off on the kayaking expedition, participants heard from Mr Li and other URA officers about the history of the Kallang River, and about key sites such as Bishan-Ang Mo Kio Park, Moonstone Lane estate and Kolam Ayer.
Along the way, they saw and heard about other interesting sites, such as the Chwee Kang Beo, a riverine Chinese temple that was started after World War II, and Merdeka Bridge, a symbol of Singapore’s aspirations for independence when it was completed in 1956.
Participants were encouraged to think about improvements in three areas: opportunities for connectivity, improved public spaces, and recreational activities. Afterwards, they filled in a feedback form.

Participants kayaking past Chinese temple Chwee Kang Beo (background) during the session on July 21. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Architect Steve Qwek was on the expedition with his 13-year-old daughter.
The 49-year-old, who was kayaking in the river for the first time, said Kallang River is an undiscovered gem – known to and used by residents in the estates along it, but underutilised by other Singaporeans.
Mr Qwek said walking beneath many residential blocks from an MRT station to reach the river “felt like finding light at the end of a tunnel” as he emerged into an attractive recreational space that was hidden by housing blocks.
He suggested that navigation signage could be improved so that more people could be drawn to the river, which is lined by park connectors.
Citing the Rail Corridor’s Bukit Timah Railway Station community node, he said similar nodes could be set up along the river as entry points.

Mr Steve Qwek (foreground, in blue) and his daughter kayaking past the National Stadium (background) near the Kallang Basin. ST PHOTO: GIN TAY
Ms Alison Wong, who works in public relations, joined the expedition with three friends.
The 38-year-old, who chanced on an invitation to participate in the expedition while viewing a URA exhibition in Kallang Wave Mall, said she was not aware that the public could rent kayaks and paddle in the Kallang River until the expedition.
She benefited most from hearing about the history of various sites along the route, which she said most Singaporeans would otherwise not have heard about in their schooling years.
Commenting on the novel form of public engagement, Mr Larry Yeung, executive director of community design non-profit Participate in Design, said the increasing use of more hands-on and experiential public engagement opportunities by government agencies “illustrates a broader shift in the citizen engagement landscape”.
The public now has a wider variety of platforms to offer its input and ideas. He cited recent projects such as the Somerset Belt Masterplan, which had photo walks as part of its youth engagement, and pop-up markets by the Land Transport Authority on the repurposing of Tanah Merah MRT Viaduct for community use.
More On This Topic
URA seeks input on plans to use old Kallang Airport for lifestyle and recreational activities
A paean to Singapore's other river
Noting that experiential engagements allow participants to “express themselves more freely and authentically”, Mr Yeung said: “Not everyone excels at articulating their thoughts in writing or on sticky notes, so these interactive formats provide a more dynamic way for individuals to communicate.”
He said it was important that engagement processes include various methods so that people have meaningful opportunities to contribute, no matter their background or preferences.
Participants should also be told how their feedback and ideas eventually shape outcomes, said Mr Yeung, as this will strengthen the trust between the community and government agencies.

URA’s Mr Li said the authority is thinking about site walks for other identity corridors such as the Historic East and Inner Ring, adding that the exact format of focus group discussions for the corridors is still being planned.
He added that the public can already take part in discussions at go.gov.sg/identity-corridors by pinning their stories, suggestions and ideas to virtual maps.
They can also register for future kayaking sessions on the river. Three sessions have taken place so far, and more may be afoot in October and November.
Said the architect Mr Qwek: “It’s very exciting to have URA officers come out from the institution to be with the public and go through the full experience on the ground. And for us, it’s one thing to look at plans in pictures and text, but another to experience it physically.”

 

[steffychun]

All should be stripped naked bound and let non-PAP citizens to throw stuff at them.

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Forum: Incentivise battery-swopping services to spur more to buy EVs​

Aug 21, 2024

I refer to the article “Over 3,000 EV charging points now available at nearly half of all HDB carparks, Aug 5”.
I understand the need to build more EV charging stations to encourage the use of electric vehicles. The plan is to have 60,000 EV charging stations by 2030 and the cost may come up to millions of dollars.
There are indications that, in future, swopping EV batteries may be a growing trend for electric vehicles as more EV car manufacturers and battery makers are joining in and standardising battery specifications.
This trend is seen in China. Profitability and investment hurdles are some reasons for battery swopping not being widespread outside China.
I hope the relevant authorities can consider incentivising the EV industry to promote battery-swopping services.
Battery swopping can be done quickly compared with battery charging and this could spur more drivers to switch to EVs.

Foo Sing Kheng

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

LTA calls for public feedback to make buses safer​

In 2023, 3.75 million public bus rides were taken each day, on average. PHOTO: ST FILE

Isabelle Liew

Aug 23, 2024

SINGAPORE – Public feedback is being sought to improve the safety of public buses following a recent spate of accidents involving these vehicles.
The Land Transport Authority on Aug 23 launched an online survey inviting the public to rate how safe they feel when travelling on public buses and to send in suggestions for how safety can be improved.
In a Facebook post on Aug 23, Minister of State for Transport Murali Pillai encouraged Singaporeans to share their frank feedback, which he said would help the authorities find solutions that would “benefit bus captains, commuters and other road users”.
The survey is one of the measures by the Bus Safety Tripartite Taskforce headed by Mr Murali, which seeks to identify ways for the bus industry to make further improvements, and build on safety initiatives and practices.
“In the months ahead, the task force will be engaging different stakeholders, including commuters and bus captains, for their views on what more we can do to improve bus safety,” Mr Murali wrote on Facebook.

The task force comprises representatives from government agencies, the National Transport Workers’ Union, all four public bus operators and the Singapore Road Safety Council. The four operators are SBS Transit, SMRT Buses, Go-Ahead Singapore and Tower Transit Singapore. In all, they operate about 5,800 public buses.
The latest effort follows a number of accidents involving public buses. In June, there were at least five such accidents.

The Government had said previously that the number of serious accidents involving public buses has remained stable each year over the past few years.
There were 75 such accidents in the first five months of 2024, compared with 207 in the whole of 2023 and 207 in the whole of 2022.
In 2023, 3.75 million public bus rides were taken each day, on average.
Mr Murali also pointed out that the number of workplace injuries for rail and bus operations has dropped. There were 37 such cases in the first half of 2024, down from 49 over the same period in 2023, said Mr Murali, who also spoke at a ceremony for the Public Transport Safety and Security Awards on Aug 23.
“While these trends are moving in the right direction, we must stay humble, remain vigilant and build on these improvements, to reduce workplace injuries further,” he said in his speech.
Mr Murali also said it is important to have the mindset that “every accident is an accident too many”.
“This is why whenever any accident occurs, it is extremely important for us to come together to investigate root causes and implement improvements, so that we can move closer to our collective target of zero accidents,” he added.
The survey can be found at https://go.gov.sg/bussafetyfeedback

 

[LITTLEREDDOT]

Singapore sets new national climate target for 2035, Govt invites public feedback​

Singapore has so far already committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. ST PHOTO: LIM YAOHUI

Cheryl Tan
Correspondent

SINGAPORE – A public consultation exercise on Singapore’s current decarbonisation plans was launched on Oct 8, with the Government seeking feedback ahead of submitting new climate targets for 2035 to the UN.
The National Climate Change Secretariat (NCCS) is asking the public about some key measures Singapore is taking to reduce its carbon emissions, such as its move to import clean electricity from its neighbours, and whether they agree that a low-carbon economy would provide good jobs for Singaporeans.
The questionnaire can be found on the website of the Government’s feedback unit Reach. People are invited to share their views on the next phase of this “decarbonisation journey”.
The NCCS said that Singapore’s decarbonisation journey involves three transitions: a carbon transition to reduce emissions across all sectors; an energy transition to achieve a resilient, net-zero electricity grid; and an economic transition to remain competitive in a low-carbon future.
In the questionnaire, people are asked to rate their support for policies such as the use of solar in the energy transition, and whether they understand some of these policies, such as the need for importing low-carbon electricity, and how carbon credits can contribute to decarbonisation.
They are also asked whether Singapore should put in place policies that would provide companies with stronger disincentives to emit carbon, such as a higher carbon tax, or impose regulations on emissions.
Under the UN’s Paris Agreement, countries are required to submit their climate targets, which are reflective of their “highest possible ambition”, every five years. The next targets, which will be set for 2035, are due for submission by February 2025.

Called nationally determined contributions (NDC), these targets should help the world get to net-zero emissions by 2050, and cap global warming at 1.5 deg C.
The world has already warmed by around 1.2 deg C compared with pre-industrial levels.
Singapore has so far already committed to net-zero emissions by 2050. In the interim, its latest NDC aim is to slash emissions to 60 million tonnes by 2030, after peaking emissions earlier.

With domestic emissions still growing, Singapore’s emissions will likely grow to around 65 million tonnes between 2025 and 2028, before starting to fall towards the end of the decade, and reach net zero by 2050.
In September, the Republic announced plans to import up to six gigawatts of low-carbon electricity from neighbouring countries such as Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam by 2035, up from 4GW previously.
Singapore currently has a carbon tax of $25 per tonne of carbon dioxide, which will be further raised to $45 per tonne by 2026 and 2027, with a view of reaching $50 to $80 per tonne by 2030.
The current carbon tax kicked in in 2024, from a prior rate of $5 per tonne.
Asked how public feedback could aid in the development of a more ambitious climate target for 2035, an NCCS spokeswoman said that the consultation will help the agency get a sense of public support for the overall pace of the carbon transition, as well as how the public views the opportunities and challenges presented by climate change and its impact on the economy, their jobs and their daily lives.
“We will take into consideration these views as we develop our next bound of climate targets, measures and policies,” she said.
She added that NCCS is also considering the package of mitigation measures for its 2035 NDC, which may include enhancing measures that it is pursuing to meet its 2030 target.

NCCS previously conducted a public consultation in 2022, raising its ambition to reduce emissions to around 60 million tonnes in 2030, and get to net zero by 2050.
The previous target was to cut emissions to around 65 million tonnes in 2030 after peaking earlier, and reach net zero by around mid-century.
According to the last available data from November 2023, Singapore emitted 57.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2021 – a 9 per cent increase from 2020 levels.
When asked what would be a realistic climate target for 2035, Ms Melissa Low, a research fellow at the NUS Centre for Nature-based Climate Solutions, said that based on a simple linear trajectory, getting from 60 million tonnes in 2030 to absolute zero emissions in 2050 would mean that the next NDC in 2035 should be set at 45 million tonnes.
But Singapore has set a target of net-zero emissions by 2050, which would allow it leeway to exhaust all possible means of slashing domestic emissions before using international carbon credits to offset the remainder.
“The next NDC target will need to be determined more carefully, taking into consideration our pace of emissions increase from now till 2028, and whether we can decarbonise from the peak level of 65 million tonnes to 60 million tonnes in 2030, or if we plan to use international carbon credits to help us get there,” Ms Low added.
This would hinge on the feasibility of low-carbon technology while considering potential trade-offs, given that many climate technology solutions, such as carbon capture and storage, are still expensive.
One question to consider would be whether Singapore should accelerate decarbonisation now, from 2025 to 2035, or wait until some of these technologies become cheaper to deploy or some of its international partnerships have matured, said Ms Low.
For example, Singapore has signed only two international carbon credit agreements with Papua New Guinea and Ghana, with other potential partnerships in the pipeline.
This would mean that emissions will likely stay at a higher fixed level for longer, before a sharper decline after 2035 or in 2040, added Ms Low.
Singapore will be submitting its new climate targets in early 2025, said NCCS.
The consultation period, which opened on Oct 8, will close on Nov 5. The public can submit their feedback here.

 

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