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Survey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school students claim they have been bulliedSurvey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school students claim... I refer to the CNA report, “An underreported problem? Survey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school students claim they have been bullied.” (May 30) and “Jail for man who punched taxi driver for overtaking him” (June 05). Most of us don’t like to see the occurrences of bullying in schools, as it reflects where...

Trump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in the clearTrump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in the clear I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: Trump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in the clear. (May 15) One deniable fact: There are no winners on either side (between China and the United States) in the trade and tariff war. Yet, Trump still persists to do it. It is not surprising that Trump has increased China's...

Podcasts didn't decide GE2025Podcasts didn't decide GE2025 I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: Podcasts didn't decide GE2025, but they changed how Singaporeans engage with politics (May 9). The 2025 General Election has several features/characteristics that deserve our attention, discussion and reflection: In today era, technological revolution, innovation and advancement...

GE2025: Stunning victory for PAPGE2025: Stunning victory for PAP I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher national vote share in PM Wong's first electoral test” (May 4). GE2025 has clearly delivered the following key messages/notes from the vast majority of voters: The Workers’ Party (WP) has done a fantastic good...

This is not a game of cardsThis is not a game of cards I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors games on nominations day, the shuffling of the DPM from a seat he had openly been declared to be defending, and other ministers shuffling constituencies leaves one feeling the PAP thinks it is playing a game of cards. Constituency...

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans? I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?” - (April 14), and “The Straits Times’ report, “GE2025: Singaporeans will go to the polls on May 3, Nomination Day on April 23” (April 15), and The Online Citizen GE2025 report,...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐞𝐝 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐜𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝... Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification for the highest salaries in the world. Let’s look at its more recent track record. Large numbers of NRIC numbers were recently unmasked, leaving Singaporeans exposed to identity theft, fraud, abuse and scams....

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit TimahGE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make way for Singapore Democratic Party” (April 10), “More opposition 'star catches' are emerging. Is Singapore's political scene maturing?” (April 10) and “PSP says government response to Trump tariffs 'overblown',...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politicsGE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited... I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics” (Mar 28). It is not surprised to notice that in recent weeks, two NMPs and top ministry officials have resigned, fuelling speculation they could be fielded as potential candidates for the ruling People's Action...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote in GE2025 I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar 25). As Singapore’s General Election is due to be held within this year, the following factors will more or less influence the election situation this year: A)The general mentality of voters Voters are generally...

How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US supportHow the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning... I refer to the CNA’s commentaries, “How the end of Ukraine war could be secured, even with waning US support” (Mar 4), “Lessons from the Trump-Zelenskyy meltdown- for friends and foes” (Mar 1) and “Will Trump tariffs push China to change economic tack?” (Mar 3). Foremost, we need to recognise the reality...

Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum WageSingapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage Singapore Army Recruits Deserve a Minimum Wage: National Service Should Not Come at the Expense of Opportunity Costs Singapore’s National Service (NS) has long been a cornerstone of the nation’s defense, requiring young men to dedicate two years of their lives to military, civil defense, or police service. While...

Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoningTrump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of... I refer to the CNA’s Commentaries, “Trump-Putin deal on Ukraine will be Europe’s moment of reckoning” (Feb 20) and “Ukraine can survive with the ‘least worst’ peace” (Feb 22). Now, In the eyes of European Union, they have lost trust and confidence in the United States, it is solely due to the flip flop...

From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiringFrom Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are... I refer to the CNA’s Commentary, “From Deepseek to Huawei, US tech restrictions on China are backfiring” (Jan 31). Would it be practical, useful and effective for the United States to continually pursue an aggressive containment strategy to hobble China’s tech push? Undoubtedly, the answer is obviously not. There...

Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picksDon't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: “Don't get distracted by Trump's outlandish Cabinet picks” (Nov 25), and “'No one will win a trade war’, China says after Trump tariff threat” (Nov 26). As everyone knows, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will return to power on January 20, 2025. Trump has dismissed...

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Editorials
Iran’s 'Terrifying' New Arsenal Brings Israel To...

Iran’s 'Terrifying' New Arsenal Brings Israel To...

Iran’s military might continues to keep the world guessing. No one truly knows the full extent of its...
Iran unleashes

Iran unleashes "Doomsday Weapon" the Khorramshahr

After firing 'Fattah 1' hypersonic missiles toward Israel, Iran has now reportedly unleashed the "Doomsday...
Pakistan to nuke Israel if...

Pakistan to nuke Israel if...

Pakistan has conveyed to Iran that if Israel nukes Tehran, Islamabad will launch a nuclear weapon against...
Iran rejects ceasefire, vows retaliation that would...

Iran rejects ceasefire, vows retaliation that would...

Tensions in the Middle East have reached a boiling point as Iran firmly rejects ceasefire negotiations...
Iran burns Tel Aviv with fresh barrage of missiles

Iran burns Tel Aviv with fresh barrage of missiles

In a dramatic escalation, Iran launched a fresh barrage of over 100 missiles targeting the Israeli city...
Iran targets multiple cities in Israel after pounding...

Iran targets multiple cities in Israel after pounding...

Iran dealt a severe blow on Israel for the second straight night on June 14-15. Israel was hit by a barrage...
Iran targets Israel's Dimona Nuclear Power Plant

Iran targets Israel's Dimona Nuclear Power Plant

In a dramatic and unverified claim, Lebanon’s Al Mayadeen news outlet reports that Iran has launched...
Iran's pulverises Tel Aviv with barrage of Hypersonic...

Iran's pulverises Tel Aviv with barrage of Hypersonic...

Iran launched a powerful third wave of overnight missile strikes on Tel Aviv, targeting military bases...
Israel's air defenses breached by Iran's missile barrage

Israel's air defenses breached by Iran's missile barrage

Operation True Promise III intensifies as Iran launches multiple waves of missile attacks targeting major...
Iran launches major retaliatory missile strikes at...

Iran launches major retaliatory missile strikes at...

Iran has launched a significant ballistic missile attack on Israel, with hundreds of missiles raining...
Iran launches hundreds of drones at Israel

Iran launches hundreds of drones at Israel

Following the unprovoked air strikes by Israel on Iran's nuclear facilities, Iran has retaliated by launching...
Israel launches air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities

Israel launches air strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities

Explosions have been reported northeast of Iran’s capital Tehran, according to the state-run news agency...
Real Footage of China's 2025 Flood Crisis in Yunnan...

Real Footage of China's 2025 Flood Crisis in Yunnan...

Devastating floods and geological disasters have struck Gongshan County, Nujiang Prefecture in Yunnan...
Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

Strong hailstorm strikes China's Xi'an causing airport...

On the evening of May 8, Xi’an, the capital city of China’s Shaanxi Province, was struck by a powerful...
Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

Four parties lost their election deposits in GE2025

A total of four opposition parties, the Singapore United Party (SUP), People's Power Party (PPP), People’s...
Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Level 16 super typhoon devastates multiple cities in...

Northern China was hit by an extreme weather event on Thursday as a massive cold front swept south, colliding...
Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

Level 15 winds destroy buildings rooftops and cause...

On April 30, northern China was struck by an extreme weather event as a massive cold vortex surged southward,...
TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

TR Emeritus to 'shut-up' on 2nd May 2025

Please be informed that TR Emeritus (TRE) will shut down its comment function site-wide at 0000 hours...
Opinions
Don’t Rock The Boat

Don’t Rock The Boat

Singaporeans are, by and large, practical people, being mainly immigrant stock. They value security,...
Trump and his ilk are at it again

Trump and his ilk are at it again

Trump and his ilk are at it again. They are not going to back down. Yes, it’s Harvard, his eyesore,...
我们是否该重新思考国防开支的优先顺序?

我们是否该重新思考国防开支的优先顺序?

新加坡政府近日宣布将采购两艘额外的“无畏级”潜艇,引发了一个重要问题:我们的国防力量,到底需要多强? 毫无疑问,一个强大且可信的军队对于保障国家主权与威慑潜在威胁是不可或缺的。新加坡地处战略要冲,国土面积有限,因此需要一支现代化的武装部队。然而,当我们对比邻国——马来西亚拥有两艘潜艇、印尼正逐步扩展至十二艘——新加坡在水下战力上已处于领先地位。这不禁让人质疑,我们是否正引领着一场无声的区域军备竞赛? 问题在于:当威慑的需求被满足后,继续扩军是否已经超出必要? 一艘“无畏级”潜艇的估价超过十亿新元,还不包括长期的运营与维护成本。这两艘新潜艇的资金,若能转用于迫切的民生需求,例如医疗保健、老龄化支援、教育及弱势群体扶助,或许对社会的整体韧性更具意义。 政府一再强调国防开支是经过审慎规划的,但当生活成本日益上升,政府却仍需将消费税(Gst)提高至9%甚至更多,这种矛盾不禁令人困惑。如果某些战略性国防项目能够延后或循序推进,节省下来的资源是否可以用于社会发展呢? “全面防卫”不仅仅是硬件实力,更是要赢得人民的心与信任。让人民感到安心、有保障、受到重视,这种安全感无法靠潜艇来衡量,而是通过每一位国人的生活实感体现出来。 这并非是在呼吁削弱我们的国防,而是呼吁我们重新思考国家的优先事项。当我们继续推进军事现代化的同时,也不要忽视同样重要的任务——巩固社会契约、增强国民凝聚力。   Cwc-Ai  
The three of threes about DPM Heng Swee Kiat

The three of threes about DPM Heng Swee Kiat

The first part of the threes is about the when, the how and the why? And it is about his retirement...
我们是否该重新思考国防开支的优先顺序?

我们是否该重新思考国防开支的优先顺序?

新加坡政府近日宣布将采购两艘额外的“无畏级”潜艇,引发了一个重要问题:我们的国防力量,到底需要多强? 毫无疑问,一个强大且可信的军队对于保障国家主权与威慑潜在威胁是不可或缺的。新加坡地处战略要冲,国土面积有限,因此需要一支现代化的武装部队。然而,当我们对比邻国——马来西亚拥有两艘潜艇、印尼正逐步扩展至十二艘——新加坡在水下战力上已处于领先地位。这不禁让人质疑,我们是否正引领着一场无声的区域军备竞赛? 问题在于:当威慑的需求被满足后,继续扩军是否已经超出必要? 一艘“无畏级”潜艇的估价超过十亿新元,还不包括长期的运营与维护成本。这两艘新潜艇的资金,若能转用于迫切的民生需求,例如医疗保健、老龄化支援、教育及弱势群体扶助,或许对社会的整体韧性更具意义。 政府一再强调国防开支是经过审慎规划的,但当生活成本日益上升,政府却仍需将消费税(Gst)提高至9%甚至更多,这种矛盾不禁令人困惑。如果某些战略性国防项目能够延后或循序推进,节省下来的资源是否可以用于社会发展呢? “全面防卫”不仅仅是硬件实力,更是要赢得人民的心与信任。让人民感到安心、有保障、受到重视,这种安全感无法靠潜艇来衡量,而是通过每一位国人的生活实感体现出来。 这并非是在呼吁削弱我们的国防,而是呼吁我们重新思考国家的优先事项。当我们继续推进军事现代化的同时,也不要忽视同样重要的任务——巩固社会契约、增强国民凝聚力。   Cwc-Ai  
Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

Cutting down reliance on US military equipment

There is a rampant rumor going around that claims Egypt has ordered 48 J10C with a price tag of USD$25B...
2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025大选—明确授权,变化中的政治格局

2025年大选结果无可争议,政府再次赢得了强有力的授权,稳固了其在新加坡政治格局中的主导地位。尽管选举结果并不令人意外,但胜利的过程却并非没有争议和复杂性。 值得注意的是,选区划分的变化在本次选战中发挥了重要作用。陈清木医生与徐顺全医生等资深反对派人物,因选区重划而受到显著影响——传统支持基础被分割或并入他区,无疑左右了某些关键选区的最终结果。虽然选区调整在新加坡选举历史上并不罕见,但其公平性与透明度仍持续引发讨论。 工人党虽稳守东北区的传统堡垒,但未能在本届大选中攻下新的选区。不过,该党仍获得两个非选区议员(Ncmp)席位,虽属安慰性质,却在象征意义上维持了国会内多元声音的存在。 更值得关注的是,本届大选所处的人口背景正经历剧烈变化。新加坡人口从2000年的约300万增长至2025年的超过500万。考虑到多年来出生率持续偏低,这一增长几乎可以肯定主要归因于移民流入,尤其可能在华人群体中增长显著。这一趋势对国家的社会结构和政治生态产生了深远影响。 展望2030年大选,各政党不仅要面对一如既往的选区调整与突发的全球事件,更需正视一个不断演变的社会结构。随着越来越多新移民成为国民,选民构成日益多元,政党在政策制定与信息传递上必须更具包容性与前瞻性。他们必须同时争取老一代公民与新加坡新公民的认同,回应共同关切,并跨越代际与文化差异的鸿沟。 在新加坡持续向前迈进的过程中,其政治也必须与时俱进——反映日益多元的人口现实,同时坚守国家的核心价值观:团结、韧性与务实。 Cwc-Ai
A jaw-dropping election

A jaw-dropping election

This is a jaw-dropping election. For the opposition. SDP’s Dr Chee and PSP’s Leong were deeply disappointed....
The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

The Nation has rejected multi-party Parliamentary representation

Our party suffered great losses and I personally have suffered the greatest hit. But these personal losses...
A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

A False Analogy That Insults the Intelligence of Singaporeans

Minister Ong Ye Kung’s recent assertion that a “co-driver” bears no responsibility if a car crashes...
There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing

There is a cost to losing. At least in PAP’s books. And one of the costs is a policy of priority. That...
Hougang Belongs to the People

Hougang Belongs to the People

Thank You for the Reminder, Mr Marshall Lim. It is with no small measure of amusement that one reads...
Its all about trust

Its all about trust

Dr Ng Eng Hen from PAP has pointed out the most important key point about this General Elections, it...
Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

Misunderstanding What Singaporeans Truly Expect from...

The government's repeated assertion that it is "easy for the opposition to ask the government to give...
Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC

Punggol GRC is without question one of the most hotly watched, followed and contested constituency in...
Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Should Singapore Be Concerned About David Neo’s “Action-Takers,...

Singaporeans should pause and reflect on the recent remark by PAP candidate David Neo, who said that...
Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

Why Singaporeans Must Reconsider the Dismissal of SDP’s...

The Singapore government’s blunt assertion that the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP)’s proposals...
Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

Expect the exchange of barbs in politics

In a political contest, expect the exchange of barbs. And we do not lack any of it in the rallies held...
Letters
Survey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school students...

Survey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school students...

I refer to the CNA report, “An underreported problem? Survey finds 30% of Singapore secondary school...
Trump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in...

Trump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in...

I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: Trump blinked again on tariffs, but China isn't in the clear. (May...
Podcasts didn't decide GE2025

Podcasts didn't decide GE2025

I refer to the CNA’s Commentary: Podcasts didn't decide GE2025, but they changed how Singaporeans engage...
GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP

I refer to the CNA’s report, “GE2025: Stunning victory for PAP, winning 87 of 97 seats with higher...
Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs really better for Singaporeans?

I refer to The Online Citizen GE2025 news report, “Lee Hsien Yang: Is a Parliament full of PAP MPs...
GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit...

I refer to the CNA news, “GE2025: Red Dot United to contest in Holland-Bukit Timah GRC but may make...
GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are...

I refer to CNA’s news, “GE2025: Why Singapore's high-flying bureaucrats are recruited into politics”...
More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote...

I refer to The CNA’s News, “GE2025: More than 2.75 million Singaporeans eligible to vote” (Mar...
Snippets
Risk and Bonus Management | Strategies at 1Win Casino

Risk and Bonus Management | Strategies at 1Win Casino

Top Casino Strategies Singaporean Players Use on 1Win Users of the 1win platform are increasingly...
Why More Singaporeans Want to Stay Single and Child-Free

Why More Singaporeans Want to Stay Single and Child-Free

Singapore is full of individuals living life in this fast-paced world. The social shift of many individuals...
Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s Sports Industry: A Rising Powerhouse...

Singapore’s sports industry is on the cusp of greatness, leveraging cutting-edge infrastructure and...
What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

What are the most popular hobbies in Singapore in 2025?

As work-life balance remains a constant talking point in the fast-paced city-state of Singapore, residents...
10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

10 Most Popular Mobile Games in Singapore

Singaporeans can't get enough of their phones these days, spending tons of time battling opponents, building...
Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Langkawi to Koh Lipe Ferry: Complete Travel Guide

Planning a tropical escape from Malaysia to Thailand? The journey from Langkawi to Koh Lipe offers a...
This is not a game of cards

This is not a game of cards

I can appreciate parties wanting to hold their cards close to their chest, but the smoke and mirrors...
𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

𝐈𝐧𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝...

Is the PAP of today exceptional, with unmatched competence and delivery? Afterall, that is their justification...
Sticky & Recent Articles

Vaccine Injuries, Disabilities and Deaths

Vaccine Injuries, Disabilities and Deaths

Dr. William Makis Unveils Alarming Numbers on Vaccine Injuries, Disabilities, and Deaths. • About 10% to 15% of people who took the C19 shots have suffered an injury (V-Safe) • 1% have been permanently disabled (US Insurance Data) • 0.1% have been killed (or 1000 per million) More insights from Dr. Makis (coming soon): 1. Children's Hearts Are Being Destroyed by mRNA COVID-19 "Vaccines" — And Their Heart Transplants Are Not Going Well. [LINK] 2. Masks Are Ruining Children's Lives: Dr. Makis Uncovers How Bad It is 3. Teachers Are Being Decimated by Aggressive and Metastatic Cancers After COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates. 4. Do 50% of Pfizer & Moderna-Vaccinated People Produce Spike Protein Forever? 5. TURBO CANCER - Nurses are developing advanced (usually Stage 4) turbo cancers after being forced into taking COVID-19 mRNA vaccines. * Dr. William Makis has been covering and reporting on C19 vaccines' injuried and deaths for years.  Read More →

Olam’s $50b fraud in Nigeria false or auditors in SG HQ blur?

Olam’s $50b fraud in Nigeria false or auditors in SG HQ blur?

On Friday 8 Sep 2023, The Daily Nigerian reported an exclusive on State Security Services (SSS) investigating a massive US$50b economic fraud involving Olam Nigeria Limited, Olam International and their nine subsidiaries. The Daily Nigerian: In a chain of round-tripping foreign exchange deals since 2015, the company, through its Special Purpose Vehicles, SPVs, had booked about $34 billion with the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, as capital importation at official rates. But instead of investing the money into the Nigerian economy, sources said the company round-tripped the forex and sold to business men, especially oil and gas marketers and industries such Indorama and Fouani, at parallel market rates. This news have been peddled around online in Nigeria and it seems The Daily Nigerian is the single original source. On Sep 11 Olam Group Singapore has spoken out [LINK]. It refuted the report as fake news, that there was no investigation of their operation in Nigeria, that Olam Nigeria never has the huge turnover anywhere near US$50b. Everyone has got it wrong – The Daily Nigerian, Olam Singapore, and just about everyone who has pushed the story. SSS was not investigating Olam Nigeria. It was investigating Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). Is it possible Olam Nigeria’s infraction came to light in the course of the investigation into the central bank? And is it possible there is fraudulent implication on Olam in a manner their auditor and Singapore HQ is unable to detect? To explore this possibility, we have to understand what is The Daily Nigerian claim of ‘round tripping’ all about. Godwin Emefiele took office of Governor of CBN in June 2014. USD/NGN was relatively stable from 2009 to Oct 2014 at about 160s level. With decline in oil revenues, Nigerian naira had been under pressure for years. Under Godwin Emefiele, CBN’s effort to shore up the naira had depleted the country’s foreign reserves, brought on high inflation and deficit trade balances. Nigeria had to deal with a massive foreign currency liquidity problem. CBN resorted to hotchpot brew of monetary policies that bordered on FX controls in one form or another. One of Godwin’s initiative was to have exporters price their products in foreign currencies designed to increase inflow of hard cash. Unfortunately, as is often the case with capital controls, a dual system soon evolved – an official interbank rate controlled by the central bank and a black market rate. CBN maintained stability by keeping the rate within a secretive wide band resulting in rising interest rates. Lack of liquidity soon widened the rate disparities between interbank and black market rates. At some point, the difference could be has high as 100%. It was a situation ripe for the financially creative movers and shakers. If one can buy foreign currencies from interbank and sell in the black market, massive FX profits are possible. Olam Nigeria Plc was set up in 1989 in London by the Indian Kewalram Chanrai Group. It was originally meant to export non-oil based products of Nigeria to amass hard currency earnings to meet the foreign exchange requirements of the group’s other operations in Nigeria. Soon Olam’s agri-business and commodities trading itself became a huge success story and moved way beyond it’s original mission. With Nigerian products priced in foreign currencies, exporters like Olam bring in much needed hard currencies into the Nigerian banking system thus helping to provide liquidity to meet importers’ needs. That was the basic idea. Exporters convert the foreign currencies at official rates from banks and obtain nairas for their local needs. Instead of selling at the interbank FX market, if exporters can sell in the black market at much higher rates, substantial gains can be made. Capital control involves substantial form filing, registration, permits and reporting. Exporters have no choice but sell their foreign currencies interbank and receive nairas at official rates, in accordance with FX control regulations. Now, with collaboration of CBN and commercial bank personnel, arrangements could be made for the bank to sell back to controlled shell entities which can then sell in the black market and make huge gains. This is the ‘round tripping’ The Daily Nigerian was referring to. Under such a scheme, Olam Nigeria would have received nairas at the official rate and auditors would be none the wiser as all proceeds would be accounted for. The sell back by bank to shell companies involved no one within Olam thus would have gone unnoticed. The exchange profits would be massive enough to split amongst the collaborators including the controlled shell entities. Olam Singapore has denied having any “network of shell companies”. But what if Olam Singapore HQ is not privy to the scheme, they would remain as blissfully unaware as the auditors. I am not saying that actually happened, but certainly is not to be discounted. All FX capital control are inefficient systems which sooner or latter is subject to exploitation. Is there any evidence of such shenanigans going on? Yes indeed. Central bank Governor Godwin Emefiele was under investigation by SSS in 2022 for terrorism funding. By Dec 2022 SSS was unable to indict Emefiele for terrorism funding. That investigation had placed the entire central bank’s operations and activities of its top officials under intense scrutiny. A CBN staff member Mrs Sa'adatu Ramallan Yaro have been charged for various corrupt acts including money laundering. Her account at a Zenith bank has been identified as a conduit for moving illegal funds. She has been charged together with Emefiele for corrupt procurement contracts. She is the wife of Alhaji Aminu Yaro, leader of Hausa tribe of Lagos, who is a long time good friend of Emefiele. There are reports of Nigeria’s anti-corruption body, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, having uncovered massive bank balances in Mrs Yaro’s accounts that are conduits for FX differential fraud facilitated by Emefiele who has been suspended and under arrest on 9 June. It seems Mrs Yaro is Emefiele’s bagman in FX differential fraud schemes. The investigation into CBN is a big deal as Nigeria is the largest African economy, and 30th in the world. Whilst it as been all quiet on the Eastern Front with denials of wrong doing by Olam Singapore, the arrest of the CBN Governor and the decision by the new government to put the naira on free float in June saw the Nigerian currency collapse from 461 to 820 to the USD within a week. The black market rate is currently about 940 to the dollar. President Bola Tinubu, who came to office on 29 May 2023, inherited an economic mess. Tinubu came with a good reputation as a competent Governor of Lagos state from 1999 – 2007. He has advised his countrymen they need to bite the bullet as he implements painful reforms and anti-corruption drives. Are Tinubu’s acts politically driven? Even if it isn’t, his political foes will claim it is. As it is, the arrest of tribal leader Yaro is already on dangerous grounds. Emefiele himself had political ambitions and had joined the party of the preceding President Muhammadu Buhari. There is in fact some suggestion that rumours of Tinubu having amassed a warehouse full of cash for the 2023 elections motivated Emefiele to take CBN on a failed attempt to implement Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) called e-naira, concurrently with a new currency. The demonetization attempt failed and had the same consequences as India’s Modi infamy. Only 40% of the population had mobile phones killed the idea of a cashless economy before it even started. Very little new currencies were printed in anticipation of a cashless economy led to the demonetisation project causing financial turmoil as people had no access to cash. It caused great hardship and riots in banks and streets. As a consequence Emeciele faced charges of economic terrorism. President Buhari distanced himself from Emeciele and SSS started investigations into CBN. Throughout all the problems, IMF and WEF prodded Emeciele with the CBDC project. The globalists would have loved Nigeria’s CBDC to propel the whole of Africa to go cashless. Singapore Trade Development Board enticed Olam to relocate from London to Singapore in 1996. Olam International Limited was incorporated in Singapore on 4 July 1995 as a public limited company for this purpose. The sweetener was a concessionary tax rate of 10%, further reduced to 5% in 2004. Olam Group is headquartered in Singapore and listed on the SGX. Temasek once had 80% controlling ownership but has divested down to current 54%. The infractions went back to 2015 when Ho Ching held responsibility over Temasek. It does not seem this latest massive fraud case has been processed by investors in Singapore up to this point. The market is in fact in high expectations of the US$1b Olam’s agri-unit IPO some time early 2024. Will the collapse of the Nigerian Naira bear down on the IPO or will investment gurus still put out buy advices.   Patrick Low * Article first appeared on Down The Rabbit Hole.      Read More →

Free Trade Agreements are not about freeing up trade

Free Trade Agreements are not about freeing up trade

Contrary to its name, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are not about freeing up trade. Prior to the signing of the United States - Singapore Free Trade Agreement (USSFTA) in 2003, Singapore imposed tariffs on only three products - beer, stout and samsoo. Trade was already free. Why then would the Americans want to sign a Free Trade Agreement with us? To be more precise, Free Trade Agreements are actually, Investor Rights Agreements. Their main purpose is to protect the profits of foreign investors. The game is to open the country up for mutual investment. In this case, US companies will invest in Singapore and Singapore companies will invest in the US. Naturally, each country will try to protect its politically and economically sensitive entities before opening itself for competition. Nonetheless, some segments of society will win, and some will lose. (Usually, the rich will win and the poor will lose). Nonetheless, both the Singapore and US governments were very pleased when the USSFTA was signed. For Singapore, it gained enhanced access to a huge market. In addition, a very high ranking member of the Singapore negotiating team emphasized that the USSFTA “enhanced the prospects of peace and stability in the region because the US underpins security for the whole of Asia-Pacific”. (Is not the US currently forming alliances to encircle China, provoking a major war in our backyard?) For the US, it was its first FTA with an Asian country and was a “high quality” treaty in terms of protection for investors. It hoped that other countries would follow suit using the USSFTA as a template. But twenty years on, only its staunch allies in the region have signed an FTA with them - Australia, S. Korea and Japan. The negotiations with Malaysia and Thailand did not succeed because large sections of poor people would be adversely affected and the governments could not force the deals over their heads when the people got wind of them. The other countries noted that the US is a far bigger political and economic power, and any bilateral trade negotiation would be unequal. Instead, they have opted for multilateral negotiations via the World Trade Organization (WTO). The USSFTA protects, even enhances, the profits of American companies by various ways: - having the government enforce extended patents, copyrights and prohibit parallel imports, thus pushing prices up. - allows an unlimited number of American professionals to work here so long as they meet customs and employment criteria (But only 5400 Singapore professionals can enter the US market per year via this route). - claims to uphold high labour standards but implicitly encourages otherwise. - grants American companies the power to sue the government if they deem their profits compromised by domestic policies. - restricts the government’s control of speculative capital seeking arbitrage gains, wrecking havoc on asset prices. Of course, Singapore companies, including Temasek and GIC linked companies, enjoy reciprocal benefits in America. The USSFTA set the benchmark for protection of investors in Singapore. Since then, more than 20 FTAs have been signed with many other countries, including Australia, Japan, Korea, India, the EU, UK, China. Our laws have been amended to enforce protection for foreign MNCs, affecting the lives of all Singaporeans. FTAs have their advantages and disadvantages. We cannot say that they are good for us just because they attract investors and thus bring jobs to Singaporeans and that they help companies based here to trade and invest freely with other countries. Their effects on the country have to be viewed holistically. After more than 20 years when the first FTA was signed and with 27 FTAs currently in force, - are the good jobs created justifiable given the displacement of Singaporeans in many other jobs? - has real wages of lower to middle income Singaporeans increased, stagnated or decreased? - has working conditions improved? - is the demise of many local companies in the face of foreign competition justifiable? - is the high cost of branded medicine making healthcare increasingly unaffordable justifiable? - has inequality improved or gotten worse? - has life become better or more difficult for the majority? Trade agreements are good if they are used to improve the lives of the majority of people and not just the rich. They should not take away our right to decide what is good for ourselves and our children. Importantly, the people and the labour unions should have a voice equal to that of business lobbies when negotiating trade agreements as these treaties affect our livelihoods fundamentally, although they operate silently in the background.   Foong Swee Fong      Read More →

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