In his own words: Highlights from PM Lee’s final interview before handover
MANAGING FOREIGN Ties Since the transfer is drawing near and there will be a portfolio of new leaders present, Mr. Lee was asked if Singapore would be tested. ” I would not be surprised. People may want to see how the new officials are, what their plan is, and whatContinue Reading
Singapore has ‘moved very far towards better social safety nets’ over last 20 years, says PM Lee
SINGAPORE: Singapore has “moved quite way towards better interpersonal health nets” over the last 20 years, said Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
ComCare, which was launched in 2005, combines existing societal programs to better assist those in need, as an example.
Workfare was introduced in 2007 to substitute lower-wage staff ‘ wages, and the Progressive Wage Model followed in 2012 to support both income and career advancement.
Other initiatives, according to Mr. Lee, include strengthening security measures under the Central Provident Fund ( CPF)-mandated mandatory insurance plan MediShield Life, which assists Singaporeans with hospital bills.
A national disability insurance program focusing on long-term treatment costs, CareShield Life, and CPF Life, both have their own retirement suitability programs.
” These are all ( the ) things which we have done, all within the last 20 years. It is very considerable”, said Mr Lee, who has been Prime Minister since 2004.
” Of course, individuals will often state’ Please complete more’ and we will stay on improving”.
” IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE MONEY, YOU CANNOT DO IT”
Before handing the league to Lawrence Wong and his successor, Mr. Lee, he was speaking to the local press in his last interview as prime minister on May 15.
When asked what prevents Singapore from achieving a welfare state in its effort to become a more diverse culture, Mr. Lee cited financial boundaries as one factor.
” You ca n’t do it if you do n’t have the money,” he said. You might want it, you might think it’s good, but you ca n’t afford it.
Singapore’s 4G leadership will be tested by other countries, has to stand its ground, says PM Lee
” The new staff will be probed surely. Tested, well, even lightly. Some people may experience problems and squeeze a little bit more. Or even not”, he said.
” But we must be prepared to answer and anticipate some investigation.” Never in a terrible manner, but silently to stand our ground. And letting people know that, while there may have been a changing of the guard, the new soldiers are prepared, and the former guards are however, finally giving the new team some insight on how to proceed.
DEFINING SINGAPORE’S NATIONAL INTEREST
What constitutes national interest is still a hot topic, according to Mr. Lee, even though foreign policy may be influenced by national attention.
Some concerns include wealth, safety and security, defending oneself, being able to do business with other nations, and its independence or freedom.
You have national passions in particular, such as having access to aircraft to allow your planes to fly into and out of Singapore, or to be able to choose your own business partners and what you want to stand for in the world, according to Mr. Lee.
He said that beyond breads- and- cheese issues, values and ideals subject to, such as multiracialism, politics and integrity of the system.
According to Mr. Lee, the controversy over national interests does not revolve around just one philosophical process, like whether to weigh the economy’s or sovereign’s.
When, for example, one group is examining your sea limitations while offering to do business with you, he said, things get more complicated.
” Do you get angry? Do you make the decision to ignore this before I go about doing firm and resign? There is no magic solution, he said, adding that the state will have to make a decision and take a walk in each case and that each one must be evaluated independently.
The government will need to consider that see, and the individuals will also have to do so. And we will talk about this with the authorities, who will hopefully include a considered perspective and speak with the population.
Noting that this has always been the technique, Mr Lee cited the case of his 2004 journey to Taiwan about a month before taking office as Singapore’s next Prime Minister.
His journey to the isle was secret and illegal. However, Mr. Lee claimed that it sparked” a rumpus,” making him appear at his first National Day rally the following month.
Mr. Lee explained that he traveled to the area to know his Chinese counterparts ‘ thinking and the changes in Taiwanese culture, in order to make an objective analysis of the cross-straits situation during the protest, which is considered Singapore’s most significant political conversation of the year.
Singapore has to bring in more foreign talent, but crucial to integrate them into society: PM Lee
He cited as an example the changing role of bank clerks in the banking sector.
” They sit it, you come, they smile, they trim your lender text, and then they do the deal. But then, nobody is on ATMs”, he said.
Instead of just letting them leave, businesses have been instructing clerks to redeploy them to different positions within the structure. Some of them, for instance, turn customer service officials, shared Mr Lee.
” You need them because Banks are nice, but you want a specific touch”, he said.
Press two if the ATM frustrates you and you use the support button; instead, you want someone to smile it. Then you become extremely frustrated because you are speaking in a mechanical tone. They are it, a mouth comes off, smiles, says’ How can I assist you’ as a true man, and talks you through it”.
Mr. Lee predicted that the employment environment would continue to change. For instance, the advent of synthetic intelligence , may open up a real man from a certain task to do something else.
He declared,” We did work very hard to ensure that he or she can do something else.”
He cited the work of the nation’s in this area, including the establishment of a specialized organization SkillsFuture Singapore.
Mr Lee also pointed to a S$ 4, 000 ( US$ 3, 000 ) SkillsFuture grant in this year’s Budget, which Singaporeans aged 40 and above will receive from this month. When they reach the age of 40, younger Singaporeans will get the similar sum.
The S$ 4, 000 will be more focused in range and can only be used for selected education initiatives, Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who is also Finance Minister, announced in February.
This includes component- time and complete- day diploma, post- diploma and academic programmes, as well as courses for the Progressive Wage Model sectors, he said.
A wide range of courses can be taken with the current fundamental level of S$ 500 in funds.
It is not a small sum of money, but it is a sign of how serious we are about it and how eager to see you taking things to boost yourself and your chances, according to Mr. Lee.
‘If he arrows me to do it, I will take the arrow’: PM Lee on his role after leadership handover
Premier Lee Hsien Loong said he would do everything in his power to assist Lawrence Wong, but the new leader will have to “lead in ( his ) own way” when he becomes senior minister.
In his last appointment as prime minister, Mr. Lee, 72, addressed the media on May 15, almost 20 years after taking office in August 2004.
Mr Wong, who will be Singapore’s third Prime Minister, has said that Mr Lee may take on the role of Senior Minister in his new Cabinet. A few days before the command transition, details of a Cabinet change will be revealed.
Asked if he has discussed his new position with Mr Wong, Mr Lee said: “ Well, I talked to him. I promised to do everything I can to help you achieve.
“You have to be your unique people. You have to make the choices. I will use my experience and my opinions to benefit you, but you must result in your own way and inspire others. ”
The retiring Prime Minister said he is definitely tap into the community of people who know him during his time in office to see if there are certain areas where he believes he could make more contributions.
I hope that the folks I know, the system of leaders I’ve met, and those who know me will remain there for some time. They are also getting older, he said, citing former officials like erstwhile British Prime Minister Tony Blair and past German chancellor Angela Merkel.
Indonesian President Joko Widodo, whom Mr Lee met last month for a final officials ’ surrender, is also handing over the management reigns this time, he added.
However, Mr. Lee said,” I will definitely make use of that and join them if I have people who know me and who I can talk to.”
“Specific, delicate policy – that is up to the Prime Minister to decide, ” he added. “If he arrows me to do it, I did get the bow. ”
Singaporean identity strengthened by global crises, dealing with sensitive issues but tackling racism requires more work: PM Lee
ON RACISM AND XENOPHOBIA Therefore, according to Mr. Lee, racism is essential across all levels of society because we are a multicultural and multicultural society. Mr. Lee reaffirmed that the state will continue to work in the right direction, despite the fact that this is less prevalent in Singapore thanContinue Reading
‘I envy young men and women’: PM Lee believes youths today start from a better position than past generations
HIGHER STARTING POINT YOUTHS ARE OTHER THAN PREVIOUS GENERATIONS Mr. Lee said it is crucial for today’s youth to understand that they are starting from a higher level than the previous decades when it comes to advancing and progressing in life.  , Earlier generations underwent rapid growth as they wentContinue Reading
Male model arrested in forex scam
Buyers lured by beautiful online account lost at least B10 million, say officers
PUBLISHED: 10 May 2024 at 16: 56
A wealthy Bangkok apartment has been detained by a female model who is accused of creating an attractive social media profile to entice foreign exchange traders to make money off of them.
Suraphit Pakahan, 30, was wanted on a police officer’s arrest warrant for a cheque-related offence, according to Metropolitan Police Bureau ( MPB) investigative officer Pol Maj Gen Theeradet Thumsuthee, an officer in charge of investigations.
He still had 16 arrest warrants for allegedly he had 16 remarkable for cheque fraud and other crimes, according to a criminal record check.
Many people complained to the officers via the IDMB Facebook page, and on Thursday, the Thon Buri property was made. They said the suspect, who was a famous design, had persuaded them into investing in a financial trading system.
The complainants claimed he had years of experience in international investing and that he had created a stylish report that showed him attending seminars and training at different locations.
Yet, he did not use the plaintiffs ‘ money to invest in international currency as claimed, said authorities. More than 10 million baht in damages were caused by those who suffered, according to Pol Maj Gen Theeradet, who was unable to obtain their money back.
The think left Turkey on November 30, 2022, and headed for Istanbul, Turkey. No traveling records indicated that he had returned to Thailand after that.
However, a suspect recently shared a story with the desired man who was staying in a high-end condo in Thon Buri. Before attempting to break into the property room on Thursday, officials carefully monitored his behavior, according to Pol Maj Gen Theeradet.
Mr. Suraphit testified to the authorities that he had been in the entertainment industry since he was 19 years old during questioning. Before starting a business offering services involving website applications, online games, and other media, he was a model. Before bringing in friends to handle those tasks, he presided over the control of this business and received payment from customers.
He eventually experienced economic difficulties after making stock trading investments and using the money to finance his lavish lifestyle.
He claimed to have left the country in 2022 to enroll in a one-year English language program in the UK. He afterward returned to Thailand after becoming restless. Nevertheless, he grew worried after learning there were jail warrants out against him, he told police.
A middle-aged Malaysian woman in England, according to the think, offered to assist him in getting back home via Malaysia without going through immigration screenings.
At the Don Mueang Kwaeng Court, the arresting group filed a legal action against him.
US Replicator drone drive to pack suicidal Switchblades – Asia Times
In order to rapidly advance automatic systems and stop China’s military development in the Indo-Pacific, the US is accelerating its Replicator effort by integrating suicide drones as part of the task.
Many media outlets reported this month that the US Pentagon had confirmed that its Replicator program, which aims to quickly add automatic systems to the US military, includes AeroVironment’s Switchblade 600 drone.
Replicator, a plan released by US Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks in August 2023, aims to build hundreds of unmanned aerial and surface cars within two decades to bolster US military presence in the Indo-Pacific and stop China’s military development.
Numerous drones and autonomous systems from a mix of traditional and modern defense contractors are included in the second set of technologies under Replicator, with many details not being made public for safety reasons.
Significantly sized is the Switchblade 600, which has proven its value in Ukraine by successfully engaging armoured vehicles at distances greater than 38 meters.
The Pentagon’s plan is to quickly solve functional needs using commercial technology, which is supported by a budget of about US$ 500 million for this fiscal year and an additional request that will match this quantity for the following fiscal year.
Through the Production-Ready Inexpensive Maritime Expeditionary ( PRIME) program, the program also aims to diversify its maritime helicopter merchant base, indicating a strong push to incorporate commercial innovations into protection operations.
In order to maintain proper superiority and agility in the face of changing near-peer threats, this action emphasizes the rapid advancement and deployment of technologically advanced automatic systems.
In September 2023, Asia Times reported that the US Department of Defense ( DOD ) launched Replicator as a strategic response to China’s military advancements, focusing on a potential conflict over Taiwan and an 18 to 24- month timeline for deployment.
Replicator is a project that the Pentagon’s Defence Innovation Unit ( DIU) is working with technology companies to quickly create low-cost autonomous drones. Replicator is now a reality thanks to recent advances in AI and fabric sites.
Replicator drones are envisioned to operate independently and in tight speed settings, bringing military advantage deployment faster and more easily than ever.
In terms of operations, Replicator is expected to patrol coastal areas, launch aircraft swarming attacks, and destroy enemy drones, according to Kris Osborne’s article in Warrior Maven this month.
According to Osborne, the Pentagon has termed Replicator’s military parts” All- Domain- Related- Freedom” ( ADA2 ). This idea aims to promote the implementation of low-cost, co-ordinated autonomous methods across a range of industries while ensuring the delivery of missions at a high-speed and with ease.
He notes that to make an “attritable” aircraft force, engineers are developing little, low- cost drones that can be lost with much impact. Resiliency is another factor, as many drones can transmit data even when some are damaged or disabled, keeping the mission going.
Osborne points out that using multiple networks to support the same location with various security techniques is effective at tracking and capturing enemies.
As stated by Hicks, Replicator encompasses different US drone jobs away from Switchblade. Based on the success of operations in conflict-stricken areas like the Ukraine conflict, the Pentagon is looking for low-cost autonomous aircraft boat designs to enhance sea capabilities, according to Asia Times ‘ report from February 2024.
The Pentagon is looking for ideas for the PRIME Small Unmanned Surface Vehicle ( SUSV ) project, which aims to build low-cost, highly autonomous unmanned boats capable of pursuing and attacking non-cooperative ships.
The designs may be able to traveling between 500 and 1, 000 coastal miles, carry 450 kilograms of load and manage freely, even in GPS- denied environments.
By accepting various modular payloads and working with proximate drones, the PRIME project also aims to increase the capabilities of international allies and partners, with an emphasis on potential conflict in the Taiwan Strait.
Despite the push for Replicator to get up to speed, it faces numerous challenges including bureaucracy, cultural barriers, a weak US drone production base and China’s advancements in drone technology.
Noah Robertson points out that Replicator is faced with the bureaucratic “valley of death” in a Defense News article from December 2023 when the Pentagon actually approves an idea.
Robertson also inquires about whether Replicator can overcome its internal bureaucratic and cultural barriers in the US military, such as the US military’s reliance on large, conventional projects rather than fully adopting unmanned systems. Such challenges, he says, make US military circles view Replicator with more caution than optimism.
Unshin Lee Harpley mentions in an October 2023 Air and Space Forces Magazine article that Replicator’s main obstacle is integrating unmanned systems to communicate, manage and operate together. Additionally, according to Hardy, Replicator can use limited resources without getting additional money from other projects.
Replicator’s expansion of US drone production is also difficult. Joshua Keating claims in a March 2024 Vox article that while Replicator is attempting to modernize the outdated Pentagon’s acquisition and development processes, it typically takes the US 16 years to implement a new idea. China takes fewer than seven years to operationalize a new concept, he writes.
Keating also makes note of the fact that China dominates the market for dual-use commercial drones, leaving the US drone industry behind. He notes, for instance, that Ukraine is buying 60 % of Shenzhen- based DJI’s output of Mavic quadcopter drones.
China is also utilizing Replicator’s expendable swarming drone technology advancements. For instance, in March 2024, Asia Times reported that Chinese scientists developed a new military drone that can fly quickly, acting as a tactical show of force against potential adversaries.
These drones have a maple seed-like one-blade rotor design. They can fly, communicate with each other, and perform different roles such as commanding, surveying, tracking and attacking to complete a mission.
These drones can be positioned in a missile and transformed into intelligent bomblets capable of autonomously searching and destroying targets if they are properly equipped. They can be combined with the extended range of missiles, first-person view ( FPV ) drones, and the precision of AI.
Auxiliary police officer arrested for not returning service revolver after duty at Changi Airport
Before beginning his rollout at Changi Airport, the man reported to work and drawn his revolver, according to preliminary investigations.  ,
He therefore changed out of his dress after work and left his office with the pistol, weapons and stick without authorisation, said the authorities.  ,
According to the police, the pistol was not discharged or used against people during the event, but the things were recovered from the person.  ,
The man may face a charge of unlawfully carrying a firearm in court on Saturday.  ,
Between five and fourteen years in prison are possible penalties for the crime, as well as at least six wood breaths.
Zhang Weihan, the acting deputy commissioner of police, said the person involved in the unlawful holding of a rifle has shown a flagrant disregard for the law and abused the weapons he was given to perform his duties.  ,
Acting DC Zhang, who is also the producer of the Criminal Investigation Department, continued,” Police officers worked tirelessly to ensure his quick imprisonment and ensured that people safety was maintained.”  ,
” The police may not tolerate such acts that harm the government’s health” . ,