#171 He Has Enough CPF for a BTO Flat.Why Could S$2,000 Still Cost His Family a Home? 一个家 • 2,000新元 • 四次求助
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#171 He Has Enough CPF for a BTO Flat.Why Could S$2,000 Still Cost His Family a Home? 一个家 • 2,000新元 • 四次求助

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中文版在下方 A reader’s journey through HDB, MND, e2i, SkillsFuture and Singapore’s public-private ecosystem asks a simple question: when help is advertised, can citizens see how decisions are made—and does anyone own the outcome? By Mar Vin Foo | 24 August 2026 The National Day Rally promised to help families thrive. The next morning, one family…

It was inspiring to be part of Franchising & Licensing Asia 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. #169
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It was inspiring to be part of Franchising & Licensing Asia 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. #169

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It was inspiring to be part of Franchising & Licensing Asia 2026 at Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre. #169 Across F&B, education, fashion and other sectors, one message came through clearly: as brand owners expand into Southeast Asia, they are seeking trusted partners who can drive sustainable revenue while creating meaningful benefits for…

Beyond Partnerships: Where Growth Comes Next #168
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Beyond Partnerships: Where Growth Comes Next #168

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Beyond Partnerships: Where Growth Comes Next #168 I had the privilege of attending the SMEICC Conference Series 2026, organised by the Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI). The conference reinforced that we are navigating a world that is increasingly fragmented, geopolitically contested and being reshaped by AI. Yet amidst these challenges, ASEAN continues…

Are We Ready for a New World? | Reflections from the 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026 #167
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Are We Ready for a New World? | Reflections from the 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026 #167

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Are We Ready for a New World? | Reflections from the 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026 #167 It was a privilege to attend Dr Patrick Liew’s 7th Annual GEX Conference 2026, where diplomats, economists and business leaders shared their perspectives on navigating an increasingly uncertain world. A key takeaway was that today’s geopolitical landscape bears…

#166 When Subsidies Fail to Reach the Vulnerable: Why Public Healthcare Vendor Relationships Deserve an Independent Audit 当补贴无法惠及弱势群体：为何公共医疗机构与供应商的关系值得接受独立审计
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#166 When Subsidies Fail to Reach the Vulnerable: Why Public Healthcare Vendor Relationships Deserve an Independent Audit 当补贴无法惠及弱势群体：为何公共医疗机构与供应商的关系值得接受独立审计

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Outsourcing may transfer work, but it must never transfer accountability Outsourcing is frequently promoted as a solution. It is supposed to reduce costs, bring in specialist expertise and allow public institutions to focus on their core responsibilities. But outsourcing can also become a convenient way to move responsibility out of sight. The contractor blames the…

HR Learning Fest 2026 Executive Masterclass at Singapore Polytechnic #165
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HR Learning Fest 2026 Executive Masterclass at Singapore Polytechnic #165

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Spent the morning at the HR Learning Fest 2026 Executive Masterclass at Singapore Polytechnic on the theme:“Work, Reimagined. People, Elevated.” A few takeaways stood out: #165 🔹 Only 28.5% of firms in Singapore have adopted AI, while just 3.8% have actively integrated it into business processes. 🔹 Among firms adopting AI, more are redesigning roles,…

#163 Charity Deserves Reliable Technology Too — And So Do Public Services 慈善机构也值得拥有可靠的科技——公共服务亦然
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#163 Charity Deserves Reliable Technology Too — And So Do Public Services 慈善机构也值得拥有可靠的科技——公共服务亦然

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What a food bank’s single point of failure and a library’s “haunted seat” reveal about digital resilience, dignity and trust Technology does not have to be sophisticated to be important. Sometimes, it is a barcode scanner recording groceries collected by a family in need. Sometimes, it is a booking portal helping a student find a…

#161 AI Disrupted My Career. Is Singapore’s Legal and Professional Ecosystem Ready for Independent Consultants? AI 改变了我的职业生涯。新加坡的法律与专业生态系统，是否已经准备好迎接独立顾问时代？
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#161 AI Disrupted My Career. Is Singapore’s Legal and Professional Ecosystem Ready for Independent Consultants? AI 改变了我的职业生涯。新加坡的法律与专业生态系统，是否已经准备好迎接独立顾问时代？

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中文版在下方 Singapore is entering a new era. Artificial intelligence, automation and corporate restructuring are reshaping the workforce. Thousands of experienced professionals—engineers, transformation specialists, project managers, consultants and executives—are leaving corporate employment, whether voluntarily or through retrenchment, to build independent consulting practices. Government agencies encourage lifelong learning. SkillsFuture encourages us to reskill. Industry bodies encourage us…

Polymer Compression May Trigger the Next Consolidation Wave #160
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Polymer Compression May Trigger the Next Consolidation Wave #160

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📉 Southeast Asia’s plastics market is now showing deeper signs of stress. Recent regional data suggests PE and PP prices continue moving sharply lower, driven by weak downstream demand, aggressive US / Chinese / South Korean cargoes, falling crude and feedstock costs, and buyers maintaining hand-to-mouth purchasing strategies. For manufacturers and converters, cheaper virgin resin…

#159 Lee Hsien Loong’s Twenty Years: Leadership, Information and the Greatest Challenge of Governance
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#159 Lee Hsien Loong’s Twenty Years: Leadership, Information and the Greatest Challenge of Governance

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For two decades, Singapore was led by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong through one of the most challenging periods in modern history. He inherited a nation already admired for its stability and transformed it through the Global Financial Crisis, the rise of China, increasing geopolitical competition, digital disruption, an ageing population, COVID-19, and an increasingly…