Attended the NDR REACH Forum as per last few years happening without fail on the 3rd day after.
Minister Josephine Teoh n Reach Chairman Mr Sam Tan fronted the forum.
Interesting observations:
1. Smart nation
Most who spoke felt we hv missed the opportunities to lead in epayment given NET was set up years ago to promote a cashless society.
Both panellists shared how far China has come in this area n other adoption n creation of technologies in their daily lives.
For me:
a. while innovations r best left to the pr8vate sectors, government must move the needles if the private sectors r not. e.g. reluctant construction companies who resist adoption of modular method;
b. had someone in Sgp did what AliPay or TencentPay, it is not unimagainble that the government will stop them n said this is the territory of banks!! So, government must know when to act. N when nor to interfere!!;
c. risk appetite low n instead of tackling how to minimise the risks of "deposits" or "security" of the non-bank accompanies, we tend to focus on: eliminate the risk by NOT DOING IT!!
2. Fight against diabetes
Some questioned why bother with this topic at the NDR! Both panellists took pain to explain it is a pending national disaster if those above 60 had diabetes n live for another 20 or 25 or 30 yrs with huge medical bills! Also the condition, type 2 non-genetic one, among the younger generation is increasing rapidly.
For me, the questions r: will help be given to those above 60 with diabetes who can't afford the medical costs. Answer us Yes with Medifund!
As for the young n also existing patients, it is exercising their individual choice to control their conditions though the government can, n do, provide incentives n infrastructure to promote healthy living.
Cost of healthier foods was not asked. Yet, it may be needed for the really poor while the rest should exercise their choices on what to open their wallets for!
3. Preschool - start right
Most r still fuzzy abt what this is abt. IT is hopefully not hit-bedding the 2-6 to be ready for primary education or start coding (a particularly touted most hv skill for digital age)!! Rather it should be abt instilling values like: honesty, hardwork, team work, compassion, sacrifice, dealing with not always getting your own way, cleaning after oneself, etc.
With these strong values, they can learn universal skills like: learning to learn, creative individual n team problems solving, read/write/add n effective communication (including presentation n persuasion).
They can then learn the ever changing technical skills in their own industries n companies, who will be keen to keep them up to date.
4. finally, the BIG QUESTION that was not asked is:
How will a smart nation with a strong value-based citizens live their lives with robots n AI, etc. doing most human work? assuming we will continue to hv a falling total fertility rate despite desparate n generous incentives being waved ard!!
Minister Josephine Teoh n Reach Chairman Mr Sam Tan fronted the forum.
Interesting observations:
1. Smart nation
Most who spoke felt we hv missed the opportunities to lead in epayment given NET was set up years ago to promote a cashless society.
Both panellists shared how far China has come in this area n other adoption n creation of technologies in their daily lives.
For me:
a. while innovations r best left to the pr8vate sectors, government must move the needles if the private sectors r not. e.g. reluctant construction companies who resist adoption of modular method;
b. had someone in Sgp did what AliPay or TencentPay, it is not unimagainble that the government will stop them n said this is the territory of banks!! So, government must know when to act. N when nor to interfere!!;
c. risk appetite low n instead of tackling how to minimise the risks of "deposits" or "security" of the non-bank accompanies, we tend to focus on: eliminate the risk by NOT DOING IT!!
2. Fight against diabetes
Some questioned why bother with this topic at the NDR! Both panellists took pain to explain it is a pending national disaster if those above 60 had diabetes n live for another 20 or 25 or 30 yrs with huge medical bills! Also the condition, type 2 non-genetic one, among the younger generation is increasing rapidly.
For me, the questions r: will help be given to those above 60 with diabetes who can't afford the medical costs. Answer us Yes with Medifund!
As for the young n also existing patients, it is exercising their individual choice to control their conditions though the government can, n do, provide incentives n infrastructure to promote healthy living.
Cost of healthier foods was not asked. Yet, it may be needed for the really poor while the rest should exercise their choices on what to open their wallets for!
3. Preschool - start right
Most r still fuzzy abt what this is abt. IT is hopefully not hit-bedding the 2-6 to be ready for primary education or start coding (a particularly touted most hv skill for digital age)!! Rather it should be abt instilling values like: honesty, hardwork, team work, compassion, sacrifice, dealing with not always getting your own way, cleaning after oneself, etc.
With these strong values, they can learn universal skills like: learning to learn, creative individual n team problems solving, read/write/add n effective communication (including presentation n persuasion).
They can then learn the ever changing technical skills in their own industries n companies, who will be keen to keep them up to date.
4. finally, the BIG QUESTION that was not asked is:
How will a smart nation with a strong value-based citizens live their lives with robots n AI, etc. doing most human work? assuming we will continue to hv a falling total fertility rate despite desparate n generous incentives being waved ard!!
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