5 S’pore News That You Should Know About That Were Reported Yesterday (1 January 2020)

Let’s face it: in this social media world, exciting and viral news like a cat feeding a baby bear would often appear in your Facebook news feed, while important news like the GDP growth of Singapore this year wouldn’t get the same reach.

It’s understandable since social media platforms would prioritise engaging and viral content to keep users in their platform.

In order to ensure that you’d still know about important news instead just social news, below are the top five Singapore news that was reported yesterday which you should know, simplified for you in a bite-sized format:

Singapore’s Second Chief Of Defence Force Ng Jui Ping Dies At 71

Lieutenant-General Ng Jui Ping, Singapore’s second Chief of Defence Force (CDF), died on Wednesday (1 Jan) at the age of 71.

Mr Ng had been suffering from pancreatic cancer but decided to stay quiet about his illness.

In a Facebook post, the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said that during Mr Ng’s tenure as CDF, he emphasised “leadership by example” where commanders at various levels personally led and executed training.

Current CDF Lt-Gen Melvyn Ong said Mr Ng was “an exemplary leader and laid the foundation for the SAF to be as it is today.”

For more info, tap here.

Budget 2020 Will Be Delivered On Feb 18

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat will present the annual Budget in Parliament on Tuesday, 18 Feb, 2020.

Live television and radio coverage of the Budget will be available, as well as a live webcast on the Singapore Budget website.

The Ministry of Finance (MOF) said that the ongoing public feedback exercise will end on 10 Jan, 2020.

But the public can still give feedback to the ministry till then through the Singapore Budget website at www.singaporebudget.gov.sg, the Reach Budget microsite at www.reach.gov.sg/budget2020 and Reach’s social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.

For more info, tap here.

MOM To Update Government Rules That Deters Employers From Discriminating Against S’porean Workers

The Fair Consideration Framework, a scheme that ensures that employers do not discriminate against Singaporean workers by hiring foreigners will be updated this year.

Minister for Manpower Josephine Teo announced the change in a Facebook post on Wednesday (1 Jan).

The minister did not give details of the update, but said there will be “stronger deterrence for discrimination against Singaporeans when hiring” and “stronger support for employers who are committed to giving our people a fair chance”.

For more info, tap here. 

Singapore Defends Online Falsehoods Law In Response To Articles By SCMP & Bloomberg

Singapore’s consul-general in Hong Kong has defended Singapore’s laws against online falsehoods after the laws were criticised by foreign media.

Ms Foo Teow Lee said that an South China Morning Post (SCMP) article reported untrue accusations that the Singapore Government has wielded the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) “indiscriminately and without cause, to restrict the freedom of speech”.

“We have not restricted free debate. None of the statements subjected to POFMA directions has been removed,” said Ms Foo.

Along with SCMP, Bloomberg, the Washington Post, and the Economist, which have questioned if the law may be used to suppress political dissent.

For more info, tap here. 

PM Lee: Budget 2020 Will Help Households, Workers, And Businesses Cope With Uncertainties

The new Budget will help workers, managers, engineers, and technicians (PMETs), to retrain, acquire new skills, find new jobs and stay employable, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said on Tuesday (31 Dec) at Fort Canning Centre.

“We will help households with their cost of living. We will improve social safety nets that protect the poor, the elderly, and the vulnerable”, he said.

Mr Lee noted that while the country avoided a recession this year, its economy is growing “less vigorously than we would like”.

For more info, tap here.

Do come back tomorrow to the Goody Feed app so you’ll always stay informed!