Presidents often reverse US foreign policy — how Trump handles setbacks is what matters most now

Uncategorized

The Independent

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May 8, 2018

The United States will withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal, according to a May 8 announcement by President Donald Trump. The decision reverses a hardwon agreement that President Barack Obama negotiated with European allies, Russia, Iran and other nations in 2015.

This is hardly Trump’s first foreign policy turnaround.

The president plans to meet with North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un, something no sitting U.S. president has ever done. He also scrapped the Trans-Pacific Partnership, relocated the American embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and decreed tariffs on imported steel and aluminum.

All of these decisions have triggered vehement criticism.

But is Trump really such an outlier? As a scholar of American foreign policy, I know that many American presidents have reoriented international relations.

Some of those policies succeeded. Many faced opposition. Ultimately, though, my research shows that what matters more to U.S. national security is how those presidents responded when their foreign policy shifts failed.

From Truman to Bush

History has sometimes redeemed foreign policy shifts that seemed radical at first blush.

In 1947, President Harry Truman, a Democrat who stumbled into the presidency when Franklin Roosevelt died in office, asked Congress to authorize major military and economic assistance to Greece, Turkey and other countries where Communism was making inroads.

Republicans in Congress, who wanted to enact steep federal budget cuts, opposed Truman’s request. Critics on the left said the U.S. should not assist non-democracies.

In the end, the “Truman Doctrine” – which held the U.S. should provide political, military and economic assistance to all nations under threat from authoritarianism – became a cornerstone of U.S. policy.

Three decades later, President Jimmy Carter paid a steep political price for agreeing to return the Panama Canal – at the time owned and operated by the U.S. – to Panama. Polls showed that a majority of respondents opposed the agreement.

The Senate approved the Panama Treaties by one vote. Several lawmakers who supported Carter subsequently lost their seats. In 1980, California governor Ronald Reagan – who criticized Carter’s return of the canal – handily defeated him for the presidency. Today, it seems logical that the Panama Canal belongs to Panama.

Another major shift in foreign policy occurred in 1989, with the fall of the Berlin Wall. President George H.W. Bush had to decide whether the U.S. should support the reunification of Communist East Germany with democratic West Germany.

European allies, vividly remembering that Germany had caused two global wars earlier that century, objected strenuously to reunification. So did Russian President Mikael Gorbachev. U.S. newspapers editorialized caution.

President Bush prevailed. A single, democratic Germany entered NATO. It is now the leader of democratic Europe.

Carter’s risk-taking

Presidents who upend foreign policy do so for different reasons.

Truman was responding to an international crisis. Carter saw himself as an outsider elected to transform America’s global role. Bush wanted to end the Cold War. Some presidential changes are designed to boost approval with core supporters.

Trump’s own policy shifts are probably driven by a variety of such factors.

Whatever his motivation, in my experience the most critical question now is: What happens if a Trump policy goes badly?

History confirms that the wrong reaction can be dangerous.

Take the Iran hostage crisis of 1979, when some 50 U.S. diplomats were detained at the U.S. Embassy in Tehran hostage.

After diplomatic negotiations failed to obtain their release, President Carter’s advisors presented him with several options, including levying sanctions, blockading Iran or attempting a rescue mission estimated to risk significant casualties.

Carter’s chose the rescue attempt, illustrating a well researched insight into human decision-making: When people experience loss, they will take substantial risks in an attempt to recover.

The Iran hostage rescue mission was aborted almost immediately after several helicopters failed to reach the refueling point. Two other aircraft collided, killing eight men and badly burning four others.

Bush’s escalation

George W. Bush’s behavior during the Iraq War demonstrates another kind of potentially dangerous behavior, called escalation of commitment.

When people find that that their initial idea is not working well, they must either double down or change course. Regardless of how bad the news, many opt to increase their commitment.

The Iraq War became extremely unpopular worldwide. Nevertheless Bush persisted.
Alison Hogg/Wikimedia, CC BY

By 2006, the U.S. faced losing the war initiated against Saddam Hussein’s regime in 2003. Fifty-seven percent of voters that year disapproved of Bush’s performance. Roughly the same percentage favored withdrawing from Iraq.

Many of Bush’s top military advisors urged him to reduce military involvement in Iraq and turn most combat over to Iraqi forces. Instead, in 2006, he changed his field commander and “surged” U.S. combat troops. The surge achieved some success, but the war continued.

What will Trump do?

I have identified two forces that help presidents avoid these dangerous decision-making behaviors.

The first is strong, independent-minded advisers. During the Cuban missile crisis, when Soviet offensive missiles were discovered in Cuba, President John F. Kennedy faced an agonizing decision. Should he do air strikes, an invasion or a blockade?

More than a dozen Kennedy advisers vigorously debated the strengths and weaknesses of each possible response. Their willingness to criticize, question and speak out may have saved the U.S. from nuclear war.

Kennedy’s advisers vigorously debated how the U.S. should respond to Soviet missiles in Cuba.
Central Intelligence Agency

Trump, on the other hand, famously demands loyalty of his advisers. Those who question his decisions risk losing their position.

Presidents can also avert crises by flexibly responding to changing facts on the ground.

For example, in 1983, President Reagan ordered U.S. Marines to return to an international peacekeeping mission in Lebanon, which had descended into civil war. Reagan thought neutral troops could restore order.

Instead, the Marines became targets. More than 200 died when their barracks were bombed on October 23, 1983. So Reagan recalculated, pulling out U.S. troops.

In Trump’s Iran decision, I perceive an unwillingness to re-evaluate policy choices when outside evidence contradicts his original cost-benefit analysis.

When Trump first threatened to scrap the multinational agreement, he assumed the other signatories would agree to re-impose sanctions on Iran, as the U.S. will.

But European countries strongly oppose that idea. They even said they would refuse to renew their sanctions. Still, Trump’s analysis did not change.

Presidential history strongly warns of danger for this White House. Inevitably, some of this president’s policies will fail. Attempts to save them could take the U.S. down a deadly path.

Charles Hermann has previously received research funds from numerous government and non-governmental sources, including the U.S. Naval Ordnance Test Station, National Science Foundation, US Arms Control and Disarmament Agency, Defense Intelligence Agency, Hewlett Foundation, MacArthur Foundation and the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

Source: US-Politics

Ending sexual assault in youth detention centers

Uncategorized

The Independent

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May 8, 2018

0

Juvenile residents sit in a classroom at detention center in Atlanta. AP Photo/David Goldman

Rampant violence and civil rights abuses in juvenile prisons are prompting calls to shut them down.

In the wake of scandals in 2017 in Texas and Florida where correctional officers were accused of sexually assaulting youth in custody, the issue has drawn public attention. First-hand accounts tell us that attacks of inmates by other inmates are also frequent occurrences, though they are notably absent from the news.

According to self-reported data collected by the government, about 10 percent of youth in juvenile detention facilities have been sexually assaulted by other youths or staff.

My recent research shows that youth in juvenile detention facilities are at risk of sexual assault for different reasons than adult inmates. Policies and practices should recognize these differences.

Data on assault

At the turn of the 21st century, a Human Rights Watch report detailed the extent of the prison rape problem. Soon after, in 2003, Congress passed the Prison Rape Elimination Act. However, 15 years have passed, and the rates of sexual victimization in youth detention facilities, jails and prisons remain high, particularly among juveniles compared to adults.

The data collection mandated by the 2003 law and spearheaded by the Bureau of Justice Statistics has helped elevate the conversation about prison rape to the national level. However, adults remain the primary focus.

Historically, scholars have mostly used prison data on sexual assault from adult men, and more recently adult women. As a result, most of what we know about sexual assault in correctional facilities is about adult male inmates.

Part of what makes it difficult to gather data on juveniles in custody is that they are considered a vulnerable research population both because of their age and because they are incarcerated. This makes them less able to defend themselves from exploitation and coercion than adults in a free society. Researchers often must obtain youth assent, parental consent and institutional approval in order to collect information.

The lack of data is problematic. As my research and that of others shows, we cannot rely on the body of work among adults to develop measures for protecting youth.

Violence against youth versus adults

I obtained approval from the Department of Justice to access the 2012 National Survey on Youth in Custody data to determine risk factors of sexual victimization among juveniles. I then compared my findings to research conducted by other scholars who collected sexual victimization risk data among adults in prisons.

For example, adults who are “green,” or new to prison, are more likely to be victimized behind bars. But my research shows that the amount of time spent in a detention facility does not affect risk of sexual assault among youth. It is possible that “being green” is normal among youth in custody. Youth may have spent a similar length of time in custody compared to others in their facility.

Gang affiliation often protects adults from sexual assault by other inmates. By contrast, gang membership in a juvenile detention facility increases a young person’s chance of being sexually assaulted by a staff member. Such violence by staff against youth could be preemptive. In adult jails and prisons, gang members are more likely to attack correctional officers. Staff in youth facilities may lack sufficient training for deescalating situations and may strike first for fear of their safety.

Adult inmates who have a slight physical stature are more likely to be victimized. Height and weight are not risk factors among youth in custody. We would expect youth who have smaller body proportions to be more susceptible to victimization. It is interesting that this is not the case because youth develop at different rates and youth of varying builds are placed in the same facility providing opportunity for victimization.

At the same time, there are some similarities in risk among juveniles and adults. Youth and adults are at higher risk of sexual abuse while detained or incarcerated, if they have previously been sexually victimized in a facility or in the community prior to lock-up. People who have been victimized in the past are more likely to be revictimized. They may become priority targets and may be more vulnerable to attack because of trauma and fear of reporting that can prevent help-seeking.

Also, members of the LGBTQ community are prone to sexual abuse in correctional facilities, regardless of age because of prejudice or discrimination.

When differences in supervision and rehabilitation needs between youths and adults were identified, the first juvenile court was created in 1899 in Cook County, Illinois. The same distinctions that led to a separate justice system for youth such as age and vulnerability can also explain differences in preventing sexual assault in correctional facilities.

The juvenile justice system is a model for all criminal justice institutions when dealing with youth. The majority of youth are processed through a different correctional system than adults. An evaluation of risk, independent from adults, could help shape our responses to sexual assault victimization among youth in custody.

Eileen M. Ahlin receives funding from the National Institute of Justice, Department of Justice.

Source: US-Politics

Cryptojacking spreads across the web

Technology

The Independent

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May 8, 2018

0

Is someone else making money on your computer? WICHAI WONGJONGJAIHAN/Shutterstock.com

Right now, your computer might be using its memory and processor power – and your electricity – to generate money for someone else, without you ever knowing. It’s called “cryptojacking,” and it is an offshoot of the rising popularity of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin.

Instead of minting coins or printing paper money, creating new units of cryptocurrencies, which is called “mining,” involves performing complex mathematical calculations. These intentionally difficult calculations securely record transactions among people using the cryptocurrency and provide an objective record of the “order” in which transactions are conducted.

The user who successfully completes each calculation gets a reward in the form of a tiny amount of that cryptocurrency. That helps offset the main costs of mining, which involve buying advanced computer processors and paying for electricity to run them. It is not surprising that enterprising cryptocurrency enthusiasts have found a way to increase their profits, mining currency for themselves by using other people’s processing and electrical power.

Our security research group at Michigan State University is presently focused on researching ransomware and cryptojacking – the two biggest threats to user security in 2018. Our preliminary web crawl identified 212 websites involved in cryptojacking.

Types of cryptojacking

There are two forms of cryptojacking; one is like other malware attacks and involves tricking a user into downloading a mining application to their computer. It’s far easier, however, just to lure visitors to a webpage that includes a script their web browser software runs or to embed a mining script in a common website. Another variant of this latter approach is to inject cryptomining scripts into ad networks that legitimate websites then unknowingly serve to their visitors.

Source code of a cryptojacking website, with a box around the text telling the software where to credit any cryptocurrency earnings.
Screenshot by Pranshu Bajpai, CC BY-ND

The mining script can be very small – just a few lines of text that download a small program from a web server, activate it on the user’s own browser and tell the program where to credit any mined cryptocurrency. The user’s computer and electricity do all the work, and the person who wrote the code gets all the proceeds. The computer’s owner may never even realize what’s going on.

Is all cryptocurrency mining bad?

There are legitimate purposes for this sort of embedded cryptocurrency mining – if it is disclosed to users rather than happening secretly. Salon, for example, is asking its visitors to help provide financial support for the site in one of two ways: Either allow the site to display advertising, for which Salon gets paid, or let the site conduct cryptocurrency mining while reading its articles. That’s a case when the site is making very clear to users what it’s doing, including the effect on their computers’ performance, so there is not a problem. More recently, a UNICEF charity allows people to donate their computer’s processing power to mine cryptocurrency.

However, many sites do not let users know what is happening, so they are engaging in cryptojacking. Our initial analysis indicates that many sites with cryptojacking software are engaged in other dubious practices: Some of them are classified by internet security firm FortiGuard as “malicious websites,” known to be homes for destructive and malicious software. Other cryptojacking sites were classified as “pornography” sites, many of which appeared to be hosting or indexing potentially illegal pornographic content.

The problem is so severe that Google recently announced it would ban all extensions that involved cryptocurrency mining from its Chrome browser – regardless of whether the mining was done openly or in secret.

The longer a person stays on a cryptojacked website, the more cryptocurrency their computer will mine. The most successful cryptojacking efforts are on streaming media sites, because they have lots of visitors who stay a long time. While legitimate streaming websites such as YouTube and Netflix are safe for users, some sites that host pirated videos are targeting visitors for cryptojacking.

Other sites extend a user’s apparent visit time by opening a tiny additional browser window and placing it in a hard-to-spot part of the screen, say, behind the taskbar. So even after a user closes the original window, the site stays connected and continues to mine cryptocurrency.

What harm does cryptojacking do?

The amount of electricity a computer uses depends on what it’s doing. Mining is very processor-intensive – and that activity requires more power. So a laptop’s battery will drain faster if it’s mining, like when it’s displaying a 4K video or handling a 3D rendering.

Similarly, a desktop computer will draw more power from the wall, both to power the processor and to run fans to prevent the machine from overheating. And even with proper cooling, the increased heat can take its own toll over the long term, damaging hardware and slowing down the computer.

This harms not only individuals whose computers are hijacked for cryptocurrency mining, but also universities, companies and other large organizations. A large number of cryptojacked machines across an institution can consume substantial amounts of electricity and damage large numbers of computers.

Protecting against cryptojacking

Users may be able to recognize cryptojacking on their own. Because it involves increasing processor activity, the computer’s temperature can climb – and the computer’s fan may activate or run more quickly in an attempt to cool things down.

People who are concerned their computers may have been subjected to cryptojacking should run an up-to-date antivirus program. While cryptojacking scripts are not necessarily actual computer viruses, most antivirus software packages also check for other types of malicious software. That usually includes identifying and blocking mining malware and even browser-based mining scripts.

A virus-checking program identifies cryptojacking malware.
Screenshot by Pranshu Bajpai, CC BY-ND

Installing software updates may also help users block attacks that try to download cryptojacking software or other malicious programs to their computers. In addition, browser add-ons that block mining scripts can reduce the likelihood of being cryptojacked by code embedded in websites. Further, users should either turn off or use a strong password to secure remote services such as Microsoft’s Remote Desktop Connection or secure shell (SSH) access.

Cryptocurrency mining can be a legitimate source of revenue – but not when done secretly or by hijacking others’ computers to do the work and having them pay the resulting financial costs.

The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Source: Science-Technology

Grab: Looks like the inevitable might actually happen

Singapore News

Obbana Rajah

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May 8, 2018

3

Grab: Looks like the inevitable might actually happen

Obbana Rajah

Grab aims to “evolve from just a taxi app to become a provider of services”, said Head of Grab Singapore, Lim Kell Jay told the media yesterday.

This was before he unveiled the new services that Grab will be offering, that include GrabAssist – for those with disabilities, GrabCar Plus – a premium economy service and Grab Family – for those with children aged one to three.

The above are in addition to GrabFood, GrabCycle, Grab Financial (their loan and money-lending service) and their cashless GrabPay mobile payment service.

It seems that Grab just wants to do it all, and hold an irreplaceable position in the market.

The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) may now have a new set of problems on its hands.

Where previously Grab was on its warpath to dominate the ride-hailing market had regulatory restrictions to prevent it from monopolising the industry, it now offers so many services that it appears to be way ahead of any firm of its kind.

How will the CCCS intervene then?

With Grab’s scale of operation and its rate of growth, how will the other players in the ride-hailing market fare?

With Uber ceasing to operate as of Monday, Uber drivers do not seem to have too many options left.

According to Kell Jay, 80% of active Uber drivers have already moved to Grab. When asked about the remaining 20%, “Hopefully the rest by the end of today”, he told the media.

So yes, Grab is very much aware of the huge position they hold in the market.

This could also be why there is a huge decrease in the incentives available for drivers. “We monitor [the drivers’] income very closely. We make sure the fares they earn continue to grow, giving them as many jobs as possible within the same amount of time”, Kell Jay said, justifying the decrease in incentives for drivers. This is because drivers’ incomes are made up of the revenue from fares and the incentives they get.

Grab is growing, and growing fast. Because of this alone, it would be difficult for other ride-hailing or taxi firms to keep up, likely leading to an eventual monopoly.

The inevitable might actually happen.

[email protected]

President’s address 2018: Key priorities of the Government

Obbana Rajah

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May 8, 2018

31

President’s address 2018: Key priorities of the Government

Obbana Rajah

In her first President’s address, held on Monday evening, President Halimah took the opportunity to lay out the global and local scenes as well as the issues that our government intends to address.

The address was held at the opening of the second session of the 13th Parliament.

Some of the main points that she brought up pertained to:

Securing Singapore’s position among global changes.

President Halimah spoke about how the local military has been preparing itself and how Singapore’s global ties need to be strengthened.

This is in light of global events and changes that are taking place.

Further developing our city.

President Halimah spoke about the upcoming developments taking place with regards to Singapore’s infrastructure. She brought up the latest addition to Changi Airport, its fifth terminal, and the new Tuas Port. President Halimah also spoke about how the expansion of out Central Business District to Tuas will change things in the city. Our ties with our closest neighbour, Malaysia, will be strengthened with the Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link.

For the people

Because Singapore’s greatest asset is her people, the quality of life and education need to be developed. President Halimah said that the quality of pre-schools will be raised and the elderly and those with disabilities will have more aid given where needed.

Looking ahead

Lastly, in looking forward, President Halimah brought up the Singapore Bicentennial, due to happen in 2019, and how plans for it are already in progress.

According to Gov.sg, President Halimah said that Singaporeans need to work together – both the leaders and their people – as they “go through trials and tribulations together, and forge their own bonds afresh”.

[email protected]

President reads from agenda drafted by 4G leaders; tells them that right to lead “cannot be inherited”

Jewel Stolarchuk

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May 7, 2018

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President reads from agenda drafted by 4G leaders; tells them that right to lead “cannot be inherited”

President Halimah Yacob delivered the President’s Address to open the second session of the 13th Parliament this evening. The Address, which was drafted by the fourth generation leaders this year, sets forth the direction of the Government for this session of Parliament. Read the President’s Address in full here:

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ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT HALIMAH YACOB FOR SECOND SESSION OF THE THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT

“A STRONG PEOPLE-GOVERNMENT PARTNERSHIP, TO BUILD OUR FUTURE SINGAPORE”

1. In January 2016, shortly after the SG50 year, my predecessor President Tony Tan opened the 13th Parliament. Dr Tan reviewed how far we had come as a nation. He renewed our commitment to keep Singapore an exceptional nation, with a thriving economy and a caring and inclusive society.

An Eventful First Half of the Term

2. We are now midway through the current term of Government. It has been an eventful 32 months: the United States elected a new President; the Chinese Communist Party held its 19th National Congress; the United Kingdom voted to leave the European Union; and ISIS became a significant menace, though it has since been dealt a severe blow.

3. Singapore has navigated a steady path amidst an uncertain external environment. We deepened our engagement with neighbours, as well as major global powers. We advocated for free trade against rising protectionism, and helped to conclude the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. We continued to uphold ASEAN centrality and unity.

4. We have done well at home too. The economy recorded steady growth, especially in 2017, which we hope will extend into 2018. Real wages rose steadily for all income groups. We are making progress in renewing our economy. The government, industries and unions are partnering one another to implement the recommendations of the Committee on the Future Economy.

5. We upgraded and extended our infrastructure. We opened Changi Terminal 4, launched 46,000 new BTO units, completed the addition of 1,000 more buses and opened new MRT lines. We sped up the upgrading of the North-South and East-West MRT lines. We are improving the reliability of our trains.

6. We continued to strive for a more caring and inclusive society. We strengthened education at all levels – from pre-school for toddlers to lifelong learning opportunities for all ages. We enhanced social safety nets and provided more support for the vulnerable – from KidSTART for at-risk young children to Silver Support for seniors who had earned low incomes.

7. The Singapore spirit shone bright. We rejoiced when Joseph Schooling won Singapore’s first Olympic gold medal, and when Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh triumphed at the Rio Paralympics. We celebrated NS50 and saluted over a million national servicemen who have served their nation through the decades. The National Gallery opened to the public, including a permanent exhibition of the unique Nanyang style of painting.

8. We amended the Constitution to reflect our multi-racial values, by ensuring that all ethnic groups have a chance to be represented in the highest office in the land. I am honoured to serve as the first Malay President in 47 years after Encik Yusof Ishak. I renew today the pledge that I made when I took my oath of office in September last year: I will serve every Singaporean, regardless of race, language or religion.

9. This year’s Budget was a far-reaching one. We had to take some difficult decisions. These steps were necessary to strengthen our long-term fiscal position, ready us for an ageing population, and fund infrastructure investments on a sustainable basis. As your President, I will safeguard our reserves and ensure that they are drawn upon properly and only under exceptional circumstances, or for other very good reasons.

10. Our island-nation is doing well. The Government is fulfilling the tasks it set out to accomplish; relations with partners around the world are good; people live harmoniously with one another; and economic prospects are bright.

We Operate in an Uncertain and Changing Environment

11. But do not assume that Singapore will always continue to be successful. There are significant developments in our external and domestic environments that we must understand and deal with.

12. First, strategic changes. The centre of gravity of the world economy is shifting to Asia, as a result of China rising and India taking off. ASEAN, our immediate neighbourhood, is generating renewed interest among international investors. These trends bode well for Singapore.

13. But much depends on the relationship between the US and China, which underpins regional and global peace and prosperity. Both powers have high stakes in maintaining a stable and healthy relationship. However, their relationship is a dynamic one. As China’s strength grows and America’s interests evolve, both sides will need to manage the inevitable rivalries and disagreements, and exercise foresight and restraint. Trade frictions are just one aspect of US-China bilateral tensions that affect the rest of the world – especially small, open economies like ours.

14. Second, regional tensions. The Korean Peninsula is currently seeing fresh and positive developments, but it is a complex problem with a long history. Negotiations towards a peaceful resolution and ultimately, the denuclearisation of the Peninsula, will be complex and difficult.

15. Terrorism remains a clear and present danger. ISIS has lost the military battle in Iraq and Syria, but the extremist ideology behind it has not been eradicated. Southeast Asian fighters who joined ISIS in the Middle East may return home to mount attacks in and around their home countries. Singapore is a target. We must stay vigilant and united, and never allow a terrorist attack to cause discord and distrust among us. In particular, we must be careful of the dangers of online self-radicalisation.

16. Closer to home, relations with our immediate neighbours – Malaysia and Indonesia – are stable and multi-faceted. Our histories and heritages are intertwined. We have grown our partnerships in recent years, and will continue to strengthen them. We must tend these bilateral relationships carefully, especially during election seasons, and avoid becoming embroiled in their domestic politics.

17. Third, domestic developments. The texture of our society is changing as our population ages. This will place heavier demands on our healthcare and social security systems.

18. We have seen income inequality and social stratification break the social compact in many countries. If the same happens to us, our politics will turn vicious, our society will fracture and our nation will wither. We must tackle inequality, particularly the increasingly dissimilar starting points of children from different family backgrounds, before the problem becomes entrenched in our society.

19. Religious polarisation, xenophobia and extreme nationalism are also divisive forces that have grown stronger in many parts of the world. The cyber space is being used to spread falsehoods and misinformation, and to sow distrust within societies. We must not allow our nation to succumb to these forces.

The Next Phase

20. All these developments that I have outlined can affect us in unexpected ways. We need to watch them closely, tackle them resolutely, and make progress together. We already have policies and programmes to respond to these shifts. These tasks will occupy us beyond this term of Government.

21. In the meantime, the fourth generation leadership team is taking shape, and taking on more responsibilities. They will have to confront the question: “What is next for Singapore?”

22. Like their predecessors, the fourth generation leaders will uphold our foundational values – multi-racialism, meritocracy, incorruptibility, self-reliance, inclusivity and openness to the world. They recognise the constants of Singapore’s existence. A small, multi-cultural city-state, with no natural resources, in the heart of Southeast Asia, must survive and thrive on the wits and will of its people.

23. At the same time, the new leaders are conscious that Singapore is at quite an advanced stage of development. We may feel that we have more to lose now. We may be tempted not to go for bold changes, but instead be content to tweak things at the margins.

24. That would be the wrong approach. Singapore has a lot going for it. It is a vibrant global node in the heart of a thriving Asia; a multi-cultural society with people from diverse backgrounds living harmoniously side by side. We need to keep alive the spirit of our pioneers and be constantly driven to do better, with each generation surpassing the previous.

25. The fourth generation leaders will work with fellow Singaporeans to undertake the next phase of nation building. Together, they will build upon what earlier generations accomplished. They will fashion new ideas and fresh approaches to confront a different future.

26. We are beginning to see the imprint of the new leadership in developing and implementing public policies. Over time, these policies will be elaborated, refined, and will produce results. The work has begun, and will intensify from the second half of this term of Government. Let me outline the key priorities.

Securing a Place in the World for Singapore

27. First, we want to secure Singapore’s place in this changing world. To do so, we are prepared to stand and fight for our nation, defend our vital interests, and work with others in win-win partnerships.

28. The Singapore Armed Forces and Home Team are steadily building up their capabilities, including against unconventional threats like terrorism and cyber-attacks. Beyond equipment and capabilities, our strength ultimately lies in our people’s resolve to defend this country and be masters of our destiny.

29. As a small globalised city, we must uphold international law and the role of supra-national institutions. Against the tide of rising protectionism, we must champion free trade, and explore new opportunities to collaborate with others.

30. We seek to be friends with as many countries as possible. In particular, we will work for good relations with both the US and China.

31. The US has been a constructive and stabilising presence in the region for the past 70 years. It remains an important strategic partner for Singapore. We cooperate with the US in many areas, and will enhance this cooperation in the years ahead.

32. Our relationship with China is deep and productive. Through China’s four decades of reform and opening up, generations of leaders in both countries have worked closely together. We will continue to collaborate with China in its next phase of development, including participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

33. In Southeast Asia, we will strive for an open and inclusive regional order, with all the major powers engaged. We will work with regional partners to strengthen ASEAN centrality and unity, and do our part to prevent the build-up of tensions in the South China Sea. This year, we are the ASEAN chair, but we will sustain our efforts for the long term.

Building a Well-Connected, World-Class City for Singaporeans

34. Second, Singaporeans want to live in a world-class city and an endearing home – clean, green and efficient; fun and connected; and we are prepared to think long term in planning our city and infrastructure, and building for future generations.

35. We will invest in infrastructure to keep Singapore one of the best connected cities in Asia, a hub and conduit for the flow of goods and services, capital and people, information and knowledge. We are building Changi Airport Terminal 5 and a new Tuas Port. The Kuala Lumpur-Singapore High Speed Rail and the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link will open up business opportunities and draw our two peoples closer. Beyond physical links, we will also develop Singapore as a node in the global flow of data.

36. We are renewing our HDB heartlands and investing heavily in new MRT infrastructure. Sustainable development will be a key consideration. We are making this a car-lite city, with vibrant public spaces and pathways for walking and cycling. We are working with Singaporeans to create a greener and better living environment, a City in a Garden. We will do our part to reduce carbon emissions.

37. A far-reaching transformation of Singapore’s cityscape will take shape in the coming decades. When Paya Lebar Air Base moves to Changi, it will free up an area larger than Ang Mo Kio for redevelopment. Moving the city ports to Tuas will double the size of the Central Business District. The possibilities in this new area – the Greater Southern Waterfront – are immense, and limited only by our imagination.

38. With bold thinking, we will create a metropolis that embraces the future.

Developing a Vibrant Economy with More Opportunities for Workers

39. Third, Singaporeans want our city to remain a nation of opportunities, where we can pursue dreams, chart fulfilling careers and lead meaningful lives. To achieve this, we are prepared to adapt to changing economic conditions, embrace technology, and continually upgrade our skills and knowledge.

40. We will continue to renew the economy to keep it productive, enterprising and innovative. Our investment in Research and Development is bearing fruit, and will enable us to exploit deep technology and digitalisation; create a Smart Nation; and conceive, test-bed and scale up new products and services.

41. This innovation ecosystem will strongly support entrepreneurship and further develop the start-up scene – in artificial intelligence, FinTech, advanced manufacturing, bioscience and other areas.

42. New business centres, such as the Jurong Lake District, Punggol Digital District, and Woodlands North Coast, will each have its own character and industry niche.

43. Companies will play a major role in economic restructuring. We will build a strong base of local firms with the capabilities to succeed both at home and abroad. Our enterprises must develop a strong culture of collaboration, especially when overseas. Singapore Inc. must be a force abroad as much as it is at home.

44. Finally, we will invest heavily in our people. In an age of technological disruption, Singaporeans must be flexible, eager to learn, and adventurous to venture beyond our shores.

45. We are changing the way we educate and prepare Singaporeans for life, putting less emphasis on academic grades, and more on skills and the ability to adapt to a dynamic external environment. SkillsFuture will anchor this national culture of lifelong learning for skills mastery. Adapt and Grow will match workers to jobs, and help them stay employable as industries and jobs change.

46. Unions, employers and Government must continue to collaborate closely. Tripartism has been an enduring competitive advantage for Singapore, and we have to continually nurture and strengthen it.

Forging a Cohesive, Caring and Inclusive Society

47. Fourth, Singaporeans want to live in a fair and just society, one based on meritocracy, but at the same time strives to leave no one behind. Thus we are each prepared to do our best, but also to walk alongside fellow citizens who need help to keep up.

48. In Singapore, people must always be able to get ahead through effort and excellence. We must open up more progression pathways, and celebrate a broader range of successes. We are committed to give every child a good start in life, no matter what their family circumstances may be. We will continue to raise the quality of pre-schools and do more for children at risk.

49. We must tackle inequality vigorously. We need to provide the right additional support to those needing it – in housing, education, skills training, and employment – so that meritocracy works well. Only then can everyone do well through hard work, talent and skills, regardless of their backgrounds.

50. We need to pay special attention to the growing population of elderly. We will continue to help older workers stay employed, earn fair wages, and save more, so that they can age with dignity and purpose. We will enhance elderly friendly infrastructure, including new housing options, and healthcare and fitness facilities. We will keep healthcare affordable through well-designed healthcare subsidies, MediShield Life, MediFund and enhancements to ElderShield.

51. The Government will do its part to meet the needs of different segments of Singaporeans. It will provide more support to young families and make Singapore a great place to have children; help families cope with the cost of living; and enable persons with disabilities to lead full and active lives.

52. Most importantly, we need to build a strong culture where the better-off devote time, talent and resources to help the less fortunate. Only when everybody lends a helping hand, can we truly become a compassionate and caring society

Nurturing an Identity we are proud of, with all Singaporeans

53. Above all, Singaporeans want to feel a strong sense of nationhood. That is why we are prepared to participate in and enlarge our common space, while preserving and practising our own ethnic cultures.

54. The public housing estates brought communities together. Through the education system, we adopted a common working language in English. National Service has become a key institution for nation building, and a major part of the Singaporean identity.

55. By living and working side by side, going through ups and downs together, our diverse cultures and traditions are now interwoven. We did not expect this on 8 August 1965, but we have succeeded in nurturing a distinct Singapore identity, a sense of common destiny transcending our individual racial and religious identities. This is still a work in progress, but we have come far.

56. The Singapore Bicentennial in 2019 – 200 years after Stamford Raffles landed in Singapore – will be an occasion to trace our roots, and draw inspiration for the journey ahead. We will reflect on what it means to be Singaporean, and on the common values and beliefs that bind us together.

A New Generation

57. In an uncertain and volatile world, leadership will continue to make a critical difference to Singapore. In responding to the challenges of their times, the fourth generation leaders will work in concert with Singaporeans.

58. A new generation of Singaporeans is coming of age. Their dreams, hopes and fears are different from those of their parents and grandparents.

59. They dream of a bright future, and pour their energies into exploring fresh horizons and building a better world. They want to see their parents age well. They hope for a fairer and more equal society. As proud Singaporeans, they want to see this small island nation stand tall amongst the community of nations. Most of all, they are eager to take on responsibilities, participate in building and guiding Singapore, and step up to serve their community and country.

60. The fourth generation leadership must fire up and mobilise the spirit and energy of young Singaporeans. They must grow with the people they represent; embrace a diversity of views and ideas; and yet forge a clarity of purpose and unity of action.

61. Their duty is clear, but the path will not be easy. There will be times of hardship, when they must demonstrate leadership and resolve. There will be moments of truth, when they have to stand firm on principles and ideals while seeking practical resolutions. They will need to listen to the views and feelings of the people, and by their words and deeds, show that they have heard; yet never fear to lead and mobilise public opinion to support difficult policies in the long-term interest of Singapore.

62. This is how they will earn the right to lead. That right cannot be inherited. The trust between the people and their leaders is not automatically passed on from one generation to the next. In each generation the people and leaders must work with one another, go through trials and tribulations together, and forge their own bonds afresh.

63. After 52 years, we are not done building our nation. The struggle for independence, the journey from third world to first, are gradually fading from our lived memories, as a new generation comes to the fore. Born and raised in post-independence Singapore, they must dedicate themselves to write the next chapter of our story, understanding that becoming Singaporean – “one united people, regardless of race, language or religion” – continues to be an undertaking of conviction and choice.

64. Together, the new generation will keep Singapore an exceptional nation.

SBS Transit claims bus driver in viral video has “neck pains” and did not doze off at the wheel

Singapore News

Jewel Stolarchuk

-

May 7, 2018

44

SBS Transit claims bus driver in viral video has “neck pains” and did not doze off at the wheel

SBS Transit has responded to a viral video of a public bus driver who looks like he is dozing off by claiming that the driver had “neck pains” and was not falling asleep while driving.

SBS Transit claims that the bus driver in the video has neck pains that cause him to “bend more than normal” but added that this does not hamper his driving ability. It added that the bus captain is medically certified fit to drive.

In the viral video, the driver who appears to be middle-aged looks to be drifting in and out of sleep as he drives the bus, with his neck and head moving forward and backwards as though he is drowsy:

这样也可以 ?? ???

Posted by Darius Chan on Sunday, 6 May 2018

Tammy Tan, senior vice president of SBS Transit’s vice president of corporate communications, told reporters: “While the video seems to suggest that our bus captain was dozing off at the wheel, our findings based on the CCTV footage from the bus reveals that this was not the case.”

Adding that the bus captain “kept to his lane, slowed down when approaching bus stops and also stopped safely behind other buses or vehicles,” throughout the journey, Tan also noted that the driver conducted a right turn safely, as well.

Tan said: “All these would not have been possible had he been dozing off at the wheel … We assure our commuters that dozing off while driving is not something we take lightly and will not hesitate to take action against any bus captain found doing so.”

https://theindependent.sg.sg/shocking-video-of-sbs-bus-driver-falling-asleep-at-the-wheel-while-driving-goes-viral/

En bloc condominium foreign owner says collective sale not worth it and won’t make him rich

Property

The Independent

-

May 7, 2018

0

An Australian who is the en bloc condominium owner who is facing the prospect of a collective sale, has taken to a forum to say why the collective sale is at best a “mixed blessing”.

The en bloc condominium owner said that Singaporeans are wrong when they say “oh you’ll be rich” with the en bloc sale. The “reality is that the premium paid (~25 to 35 percent) is not worth the issues it will cause.”

He said that he is a permanent resident and did not pay the Additional Buyer’s Stamp Duty (ABSD) when he bought his current property, but reckoned that he’ll have to pay a hefty ABSD when he buys a new property.

The ABSD was first introduced on 7 December 2011 to cool the residential market and was revised upwards on 12 Jan 2013 due to the further acceleration in the escalation of the price of residential properties. ABSD is applicable to certain groups of people who buy or acquire residential properties (including residential land). This duty, which is in addition to the existing buyer’s stamp duty, is applied as follows in most cases:

Buyer’s Citizen Type	Rate of 1st Property Purchase	2nd Property Purchase	3rd and subsequent Property Purchase
Singapore Citizen	Not Applicable	7%	10%
Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR)	5%	10%	10%
Foreigners & Non-Individuals	15%	15%	15%

The Australian en bloc condominium owner pointed out that even if the property is successfully sold to a bidder, he will not be able to buy right away as he will need to wait for at least a year for payout, and for that one year he faces an uncertainty with “what looks to be a rising market.”

Paul Ho, the chief mortgage officer of icompareloan.com said that the Australian’s expectation of payout after sales completion is an underestimation. “En bloc sales process takes easily 18 to 40 months to complete, and in a rising market, the prices of properties could easily have risen by 5 to 10% a year, rendering the premium obtained from en bloc not worth it,” he said.

Another problem the Australian said he faced was that of getting another attractive long-term bank loan. “At 55, I’ll be lucky to get a 10 year loan, so I’ll be forced to pay cash which is painful and restricts my choices and/or take a mortgage with extremely high payments (e.g. $6,000 in monthly payments instead of $3,000).”

What the en bloc condominium owner is worried about is the Loan-To-Value (LTV) ratio. The LTV ratio is the amount of financing that the bank can provide. An LTV ratio of 80 per cent (the maximum possible for a home loan) means the bank can loan you up to 80 per cent of your property price or valuation, whichever is lower.

Not everyone will get the maximum LTV of 80 per cent. If you have an outstanding home loan, for example, your LTV can fall to 60 per cent. Likewise, older properties, the age of the borrowers, and your credit score can all cause the bank to lower the LTV.

To get the maximum LTV, you must meet two age-related conditions: first, your loan tenure must not exceed 30 years (for Condo and 25 years for EC) . Second, your loan tenure plus your age must not exceed 65 if you want 80% loan.

For example, if you are 43 years old, and you want to get 80 per cent LTV, you must have a loan tenure of only 22 years (43 + 22 = 65). If you are 23 years old and you want to get 80 per cent LTV, your loan tenure still must not exceed 30 years; even if your age plus the loan tenure would fall below 65.

At any rate, note that the maximum loan tenure for private properties is 35 years.

If your loan tenure plus your age would exceed 65, or your loan tenure exceeds 30 years, then the maximum LTV will fall to 60 per cent. If you also have outstanding home loans on top of this, the maximum LTV will fall further to 40 per cent.

Unfortunately, the LTV may not be the only problem the Australian may face. Singapore’s home loan interest rates are expected to be impacted by the recent Monetary Authority of Singapore’s tightening of the Singapore Dollar exchange rate, as well as the Federal interest rates hike.

Home loan interest rates to be impacted by exchange rate tightening

The en bloc condominium owner further said that he does not want to downgrade to a Housing & Development Board (HDB) flat. “HDB is NOT an asset that appreciates (and (Singaporeans) are waking up to this – even their own (Government) admitted it,” he said.

He was probably referring to the the public uproar that ensued following HDB’s chief executive’s suggestion that home buyers should pay less for resale flats with shorter leases. “The price you pay (for your resale HDB flat) should (be) commensurate with the lease,” Dr Cheong Koon Hean said at her 2nd Institute of Policy Studies-Nathan lecture.

HDB chief suggests buyers should pay less for resale flats with shorter leases

Besides all these hassles, the foreign en bloc condominium owner may also be liable for taxes from the Australian Tax Office. Australian residents are generally taxed on any capital gains they make on overseas assets (for example, when they sell an overseas property, they must report the gain in their tax return).

As his wife is an American, he may use his wife’s name to purchase the next property. Under the United States – Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA), American citizens do not pay ABSD on the first property they purchase in Singapore. But he reckons that his wife may have tax issues with the Inland Revenue Authority Of Singapore if she does so.

The biggest problems for the en bloc condominium owner (as are with most buyers affected by the collective sale) are location and the size of his prospective new property. “The location we are in is hard to buy in again, and yet it’s an ideal location near my son and my daughter’s schools,” he said.

He added: “I have a large 1500 sqft place (and such large apartments) barely exist now.”

En Bloc Sales Process Singapore – A Definitive Step-by-step Guide

He pointed out that he would have sold his current apartment at some point in time, bu the en bloc attempt will force him to make a new purchase; and he would have to wait 3 – 4 years more before disposing of the new apartment, as he would be deterred by the Seller’s Stamp Duty.

Being a Permanent Resident, he is also bound by the Central Provident Fund (CPF) rule. This rule will be a big disadvantage for him. He explains:

“The CPF board will grab my housing monies to repay CPF and I will turn 55 in the process which means I cannot use CPF again for the next purchase as my Ordinary Account will become Retirement Account (which I can’t touch). That’s (almost $200,000) of purchasing power gone.”

He laments that his $50,000 renovation for his current condo unit is also wasted.

“The whole en bloc has been highly contentious and emotional, (leading to) broken friendships (which) brought calamity upon our heads,” he said.

He added that although his condo sales committee got 81 per cent to consent to the collective sale, they have forgotten that a relatively large number people in the condo do not want it.

—
If you are home-hunting, our Panel of Property agents and the mortgage consultants at icompareloan.com can help you with affordability assessment and a promotional home loan. Just email our chief mortgage consultant, Paul Ho, with your name, email and phone number at [email protected].

Singapore domestic helper borrows thousands of dollars in employer’s name from five moneylenders

Singapore News

Jewel Stolarchuk

-

May 7, 2018

16

Singapore domestic helper borrows thousands of dollars in employer’s name from five moneylenders

Facebook user Velle Yee has cautioned Singapore residents against hiring her former domestic helper after the helper borrowed thousands of dollars in Yee’s name from not one or two but five moneylenders.

Sharing images of her ex-helper, along with images showing her ex-helper’s passport and work permit, Yee shared on Facebook that she and her family found out about the former helper’s debt in October 2017. Discovering that the helper, 32-year-old Sismar Amor Mae Roma, had borrowed money from a moneylender, Yee lodged a police report to protect herself since Sismar had used Yee’s contact information in the loan application form.

Six months passed. Last month, another moneylender sent a letter to Yee’s home demanding due payment for an outstanding loan. When Yee confronted Sismar, Sismar claimed that she had repaid the loan in full but Yee discovered that this was not the case when she followed up with the moneylender.

Yee shared: “Given her history lying, we made the decision to cancel her work permit and send her home as we have two small kids in the house and were concerned about our family safety. Her work permit was cancelled on April 24, with a ticket purchased to Davao City for April 26.”

However, that was not all. After cancelling Sismar’s permit, Yee received a threat letter addressed to Sismar regarding a past loan. Yee’s family immediately filed a police report, When confronted, Sismar admitted that she had multiple loans outstanding from several licensed and unlicensed moneylenders. When the police paid a visit to Yee’s home and questioned Sismar, they reportedly found that Sismar had accumulated over $2100 in outstanding debt, licensed, unlicensed and installment purchases from at least five money lenders.

According to Yee, the police took Sismar into custody for further investigation and that Sismar remained in custody until she was sent back home on 26 April. She was even escorted to the airport by the police.

After Sismar’s departure, Yee’s family began receiving deliveries of packages that Sismar purchased – from gold jewelry to new phones. Yee has also been receiving letters from pawn shops like Maxicash, leading her to discover that Sismar had bought jewelry on installments and pawned them to send money back home.

Yee added: “FDW has been a habitual liar about everything since joining our family. Any time she was confronted over an error made, work not completed, or as above, the loans, she immediately denied everything or placed blame on someone else. The only reason we tolerated this was due to the effort and cost involved in replacing an FDW in Singapore.”

https://www.facebook.com/petitemignon.velle/posts/10156337601309293

This is not the first time such an incident has happened. Earlier this year, we reported that another domestic helper allegedly borrowed thousands of dollars from loansharks in her employer’s name before absconding.

In that case, the helper’s employer alleged online that her domestic helper returned home under the guise that her husband was shot dead, when in reality she was simply fleeing from loansharks who were after her after she had racked up thousands of dollars in debt:

“In due course of time we have got to know that she has taken loan of thousands of dollars from various unlicensed money lenders who have been threatening us every day till today through calls and whatsapp and sms. (She gave my name and phone number as guarantor.”

https://theindependent.sg.sg/domestic-helper-allegedly-borrows-thousands-of-dollars-from-loansharks-in-employers-name-and-absconds/

Shocking video of SBS bus driver appearing to fall asleep at the wheel while driving goes viral

Jewel Stolarchuk

-

May 7, 2018

24

Shocking video of SBS bus driver appearing to fall asleep at the wheel while driving goes viral

UPDATE: SBS Transit has responded to the viral video by claiming that the driver had “neck pains” and was not falling asleep while driving. SBS Transit claims that the bus driver in the video has neck pains that cause him to “bend more than normal” but added that this does not hamper his driving ability. It added that the bus captain is medically certified fit to drive. Read the full story here.

—

A video of a public bus driver who looks to be dozing off while driving has been going viral since it began circulating in social media this afternoon.

In the viral video, the driver who appears to be middle-aged looks to be drifting in and out of sleep as he drives the bus, with his neck and head moving forward and backwards as though he is drowsy:

https://www.facebook.com/darius.chan.14/videos/1801457846581163/

Public bus drivers typically work six days a week and nine hours per day. The average age of a public bus driver is 55 years – just seven years shy of the national retirement age of 62.

Netizens responding to the shocking video, that has quickly garnered over 1000 shares already, have expressed concerns at the danger falling asleep at the wheel could cause. Others also criticised the person shooting the video for just taking the video and not waking the driver up:

https://theindependent.sg.sg/sbs-transit-claims-bus-driver-in-viral-video-has-neck-pains-and-did-not-doze-off-at-the-wheel/

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ADDRESS BY PRESIDENT HALIMAH YACOB FOR SECOND SESSION OF THE THIRTEENTH PARLIAMENT

An Eventful First Half of the Term

We Operate in an Uncertain and Changing Environment

The Next Phase

Securing a Place in the World for Singapore

Building a Well-Connected, World-Class City for Singaporeans

Developing a Vibrant Economy with More Opportunities for Workers

Forging a Cohesive, Caring and Inclusive Society

A New Generation

The en bloc condominium owner said that Singaporeans are wrong when they say “oh you’ll be rich” with the en bloc sale. The “reality is that the premium paid (~25 to 35 percent) is not worth the issues it will cause.”

The en bloc condominium owner further said that he does not want to downgrade to a Housing & Development Board (HDB) flat. “HDB is NOT an asset that appreciates (and (Singaporeans) are waking up to this – even their own (Government) admitted it,” he said.

“In due course of time we have got to know that she has taken loan of thousands of dollars from various unlicensed money lenders who have been threatening us every day till today through calls and whatsapp and sms. (She gave my name and phone number as guarantor.”

Singapore News

Business

Singapore Politics