Why Singapore cannot cut down on foreign workers the way other countries have

Click HERE

Singapore cannot cut down on foreign workers the way some other countries have done because of its small size and lack of natural resources.

what proportion of our labour force is prepared to do a job in this sector?

Singapore cannot shut itself off from globalisation, as it would not be possible for the Republic to survive without trade....even though Singapore can produce some things domestically, it does not have many natural resources and still depends on foreign supply of materials.

So instead of turning away from international trade, the key is for Singapore to position itself as a critical part of the supply chain and leverage its competitive advantages in production, so it will have something to trade even in the worst of times

resilience means diversity and interdependence, it doesn't mean autarky and independence.

Qn: How far should countries aim to be self-sufficient? (Cam. 2011)

Economics of quality of life and not dying

Click HERE

Note the term is 'quality of life', not life quality or life's quality or living quality or quality of living

Never mind GDP; the most fundamental job of any leader is to keep his people alive. Unfortunately, that's a job Mr Trump doesn't seem interested in doing.

Qn: The key criterion for good government is how well the economy is managed. Is this a fair assessment? (Cam. 2012)

S'pore approach prioritises lives and livelihoods: Lawrence Wong

Click HERE

Note the dichotomy btw lives vs livelihoods, where the latter refers to jobs. To save lives, many govts are now sacrificing jobs by imposing a lockdown to contain the virus, which means businesses are affected. Lives are seen as more important as they are irreversible, unlike jobs.
BUT the irony is that for some countries or people, lives and livelihoods are not that separate as their lives are tied to their livelihoods. Without jobs, the poor cannot put food on the table and cannot pay back their debts, and this can drive them to despair and eventually suicide. In fact, it was reported that in some countries, the number who died from suicide during this crisis period is actually higher than those who died from contracting the virus. Take their livelidhoods (i.e. jobs) away from the people, and u risk taking away their lives as well......

For the qn below, focus on the word 'continuous' to argue that sometimes, 'continuous' growth may not be tenable; we may have to slow down or even stop it temporarily, as seen in the current lockdown in many countries or the 'circuit breaker' in S'pore....BUT possible rebuttal is seen in how ironically, sacrificing growth temporarily to save lives may acutally result in the sacrifice of the very lives we are trying to protect......

Qn: To what extent is the pursuit of continuous economic growth a desirable goal? 

Thailand enters vaccine race with trials on monkeys

Click HERE

Qn: Can the use of animals for scientific research ever be justified? (Cam. 2017)

S'poreans ready to give up some privacy for safety: IPS study

Click HERE

Singaporeans are willing to sacrifice some level of privacy amid the coronavirus pandemic in order to keep safe and resume their normal activities as soon as possible, but the type of technology and how it is used determine public acceptability

CCTV cameras may be more acceptable, for example, as their use is widespread and they are associated with general safety. ['general' here is taken to mean it does not target a specific person, but the general public] 

"When you think about mobile phones, you think of something personal and private. The thought that this device can also be tracking your movements, who you come into contact with, and all this information may be accessible to someone else, can be unnerving

Qns:

1. How far should a state have a right to monitor the actions of people within its borders? (Cam. 2007)

2. To what extent has technology had an impact on both privacy and security in your country? (Cam. 2009)

Stars hand social media spotlight to health experts

Click HERE

a good example of how what happened in other parts of the world we also need to care about from a moral standpoint, esp the stronger party towards the weak and needy. Morality is about being OTHER-centred as opposed to SELF-centred. But the same example below obviously can also be SELF-centred coz unless the US is prepared to lockdown the entire country, preventg pple from coming in and ocming out of the country, then continued growing problem of Covid-19 will sooner or later end up at the doorstep of the US and infiltrate into the country. So helping others is in a sense helping oneself too (Think the kindness AQ we discussed recently). In otherwords, international issues can become national issues....
A more clear-cut example the Rohingyas crisis coz whatever happens to them actually does not affect other countries much, except perhaps Bangladesh, coz the more the Rohingyas are persecuted, the more they will escape to seek asylum in nearby Bangladesh, so Bangladesh will have a personal self-interest in ensuring this international issue is resolves so that it does not become a national issue....But for the larger part of the world (esp if they are too far for the Rohingyas to escape to) has little stake in what happens to the Rohingyas. So caring for them will be from a purely moral stand point, based on the idea that we are all part of the same humanity (i.e. the international issue of Rohingyas has little chance of becoming a national issue)...

"Right now, if you take southern Africa, sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Asia, South America and even parts of the Caribbean as areas that don't have the healthcare system to be able to respond the way one can respond in New York, Los Angeles, New Orleans or Chicago, we have really a moral responsibility for people throughout the world,"

Qn: Discuss the claim that in the modern world people should care more about international than national issues. (Cam. 2013)

A new opportunity for arts and culture

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE

Local theatre company Wild Rice's decision to upload its musical production, Monkey Goes West, on YouTube is an example of the creative use of new mediums to broaden outreach and attract fresh audiences. 

Museums and libraries, too, are stepping up to provide an alternative menu of leisure, educational and entertainment options, given that a night on the town to cinemas, theatres and entertainment spots is not possible.

The imaginative use of technology is a chance for cultural entities to win over larger or new audiences so that entertainment and exhibitions do not need to be the privilege of a few.

Note how the use of CDs/DVDs and audio/video tapes make music and films available to us, giving pple convenient access to the arts....and this is way before social media came upon the scene....

For qns on technology and the impact of technology on the arts.....

Coronavirus: In grim times, music to bring hope and joy

Click HERE

If can't access above link, click HERE

Little wonder then that many are turning to music ... in an effort to lift moods, inspire hope, and perhaps ignite that spark which binds all men ....

music can be a conduit for children to discover the world, and to develop skills such as listening, respect and empathy. It helps to deepen the power of imagination in our children

the power of music in a child's development. Apart from the obvious benefit of appreciating music or the ability to play an instrument, the process has been said to boost children's language and social skills, raise their IQ, develop discipline as well as the powers of listening and observation, and perhaps even a deeper understanding of themselves and their world.

In these bewildering times, when so much conflict and contradiction, uncertainty and unknowns, lie all around, and possibly ahead, of us, I believe that we would do well to turn to great music - regardless of whatever your tastes might be; mine range eclectically from Beethoven to The Beatles, Tchaikovsky to Coldplay and Puccini to Pink - as a source of solace, inspiration, hope and joy.

For Qns on the arts and music....

Qn: 'For the majority of people, the Arts are irrelevant to their daily lives.’ How true is this of your society? (Cam. 2014)

Innovative, resilient kids in a new world

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE

one of the greatest challenges facing mankind today and is obsessed with how to prepare the world, especially our children, for a world of radical transformation and untold uncertainties.

the best two things to teach children to prepare them for an uncertain future are reinvention and resilience.

teaching "the four Cs - critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity". He believes that schools should over-emphasise general-purpose life skills - which will help a child deal with the coming changes and uncertainties - over technical skills, which are easily outdated, for example, learning a programming language or how to use a specific computer application

reinvention requires people to hone the ability to make sense of vast amounts of information and develop the ability to tell the difference between what is important and unimportant. .... "In a world deluged by irrelevant information, clarity is power."

Reinvention will inevitably mean there will be failures along the way. The inherent uncertainty of these activities will require children to have an ability to keep pushing on, despite facing challenges and setbacks along the way, leading to the second area of focus - the need for resilience.

Qns:
1. To what extent are young people in your society prepared for a world that is constantly changing? (RI Prelim 2019)
2. Education should only be concerned with what is useful in life. Discuss. (Cam. 2013)

Steps taken to shore up Singapore's resilience

Click HERE

Singapore's supply chains are under pressure for four main reasons...First, production levels in supplier countries have dropped; second, these countries have also had their own supply chains disrupted; third, some countries have stopped exports owing to political pressure; and fourth, the frequency of international air and sea freight has been reduced.

The Government has taken a five-pronged approach in tackling these challenges:

1)First, it is diversifying sources of supply, and although this could lead to costlier goods, this is the "price to pay for greater resilience"..."We cannot guarantee that every product won't have price fluctuations, but for the main categories such as rice and vegetables, we will try to limit fluctuations."

2)The Government is also boosting stockpiles, 

3)ramping up local production for certain goods 

4)and also signing long-term contracts with suppliers, he added.

5)Lastly, Singapore is working with like-minded countries to protect the global trading system, and ensure trade and supply chains remain open during the Covid-19 crisis.

Qn: How far should countries aim to be self-sufficient? (Cam. 2011)

Trump campaign pours millions into ad blitz targeting Biden

Click HERE

Two downsides to democracy can be seen here:
-excessive amounts of money poured into campaigns which could be otherwise put to better use
-mudslinging of opponents, which can involve cahracter assassination, fabrication of untruths to discredit opponents, or resulting in even the kind of gutter politics we see in Malaysia where sex videos of Azmin in bed with a guy went circulating, and of course, the infamous allegations of sodomy againt opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.....

 This month alone, the Trump campaign has spent or reserved about US$7 million (S$10 million) on television airtime in local markets

The campaign's ads on Facebook have taken their own dark turn. Videos on the platform declare "Geriatric Health is No Laughing Matter" or "Joe Biden: Old and Out of It", then use selective edits of Mr Biden's verbal stumbles and meandering soliloquies to make less-than-subtle suggestions about his mental acuity.

Qn: Consider the view that efficient government is more important than democracy. (Cam. 2011)

Veggies to be grown at more HDB carpark rooftops

Click HERE

The launch is one of the strategies adopted by the SFA to increase local food production as part of Singapore's "30 by 30" goal - to produce 30 per cent of the country's nutritional needs locally by 2030

Local farms produced about 14 per cent of leafy vegetables, 26 per cent of eggs and 10 per cent of fish consumed in the country last year.

The Covid-19 battle and the lockdowns in many countries have put the spotlight on Singapore's dependence on food imports and its vulnerability to global supply shocks.

The Republic currently imports over 90 per cent of its food supply.

more multi-storey carpark rooftop sites for urban farming by public tender in the second half of this year, a move also in line with HDB's Green Towns programme which seeks to cool HDB towns through the use of greenery.

"It also builds up the spirit of self-sufficiency and valuing fresher produce with low-energy footprints."

Qn: How far should countries aim to be self-sufficient? (Cam. 2011)

Fate of divisive school course to be settled this year: Lam

Click HERE

Liberal studies, one of four compulsory subjects at senior secondary school level, has been blamed for radicalising the younger generation - the key force behind last year's unrest.

Other critics said the subject had been used as a tool to spread the extreme views of some opposition voices even though its intent was to equip students with critical thinking abilities.

likened the current teaching of the course to an unlocked chicken coop with the birds able to move in and out freely.

Qns: 
1. Can we eliminate violence with education? (CJC Prelim 2018)
2. Discuss the claim that education guarantees progress. (ACJC Prelim 2015)

Dengue fight goes to Choa Chu Kang, Bukit Batok

Click HERE
If u think about it, it is almost like forced sterilization without knowledge and consent given....uncanny resemblance to what some govts had done to prevent an expanding brood of what they considered inferior species....eugenics and social engineering comes to mind....

As part of the project, male mosquitoes carrying the Wolbachia bacterium are released to mate with female mosquitoes, causing them to lay eggs that do not hatch. The National Environment Agency (NEA) has been studying the programme since 2012.

A preliminary analysis of last year's data by the NEA showed a 65 per cent to 80 per cent drop in dengue cases in sites where the male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes were released.


Qns:

1. Can the use of animals for scientific research ever be justified? (Cam. 2017)

2. To what extent are the rights of animals protected in your society? (Cam. 2012)

No other way but to make use of TraceTogether mandatory

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE

Although footage from the thousands of closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras installed islandwide has been useful in mapping the infection path and finding those at risk, what is still lacking today is an accurate log of all interactions. People forget who they met and do not have contact details of strangers they spoke to.

State surveillance is also not new here; CCTV cameras are ubiquitous and there are plans to turn lamp posts into smart fixtures that can analyse faces and match them against databases.

The spate of public sector data breaches over the last two years might not have inspired public confidence. Notable cases include leaks of the data of 800,000 blood donors last year and 1.5 million SingHealth patients in 2018.

Keep your privacy and the partial shutdown is prolonged, or lose it and you may see punishing bans on social gatherings and non-essential businesses be lifted sooner.


Some issues to ponder:
-Should govt be allowed to track movements of ANYONE or only highly suspected people (e.g. suspects of terrorists and criminals?) Does it depend on what kind of crime also? If it's petty crimes, do we allow govt to invade the privacy of that person even if he is confirmed a suspect?
-Can the monitoring be limted to just random people passing by within the range of the CCTV, or can it be TARGETTED persons?
-to critics who say that if u have done nothing wrong and have nothing to hide, u do not have to fear...BUT do we not do things which are NOT against the law per se, but which we do not want people to know as it will bring unwanted attention, be potentially embarrassing, and subject one to ridicule, bullying, discrimination, etc...even though it is not against the law? e.g. ur medical condition, sexual orientation, money issues, the kind of underwear u buy, sex toys, blah blah blah....the hotel u spent the night at with someone, ur sexual fetish, how much money u donated, u personal views about certain races or groups.....which political party we support...Many of these are not against the law or criminal, but if disclosed, can affect the way others perceive and treat us, whether it's the public or the govt...... 


For Q6, below, note the idea that the effectiveness of tech in solving problems depends not just in the function of the tech itself, but also in its accessibility (e.g. cost and availability in certain regions/areas) as well people's willingness to use it (e.g. convenience, infringement on privacy, cultural reasons, etc...)

Qns:
1.How far should a state have a right to monitor the actions of people within its borders? (Cam. 2007)
2.Does modern technology always improve the quality of people’s lives? (Cam. 2006)

3. People, not the government, should decide how to organize their lives. Is this a fair comment? (Cam. 2004)

How South Korea used tech to track down coronavirus and curb spread

Click HERE
If can't access above link, click HERE

Mass testing was more efficient through the use of artificial intelligence to read chest X-rays, drive-through test stations which can complete a test in 10 minutes, and a self-diagnosis mobile app to keep track of the health of foreign visitors.

A global positioning system-enabled app monitors the movement of people to enforce quarantines at home or at designated facilities.

An emergency broadcasting service allows the authorities to send messages to mobile phone users to warn them to avoid areas visited by confirmed patients as part of social distancing measures.

The wide use of invasive surveillance technology, however, has raised concerns over privacy infringement, stigmatisation and cyber bullying, as patient data went viral.

The revised law also allows the authorities to access patient data - including credit card transactions and travel, medical and location records - from public and private organisations.

For qns on privacy and Govt's intervention into freedom and rights....

Coronavirus: Fake news used to stir up unhappiness in dorms, says Shanmugam

Click HERE

Some people have been spreading fake news about the situation in foreign worker dormitories here, to incite fear, panic and hopefully, violence

For qns on justification of censorship....use of pofma....downsides of social media....examples of fake news....