Lowyat.NET: Latest topics by knwong

SG has existential threat <30k babies born in 2025

knwong — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:02:30 +0800

Babies born in 2025 fall below 30,000 for the first time in post-independence Singapore

The Straits Times

QUOTE

A total of 29,864 babies were born in 2025, 11.4 per cent fewer than the 33,703 births in 2024, according to the Report on Registration of Births and Deaths 2025.

Meanwhile, the number of deaths continues to rise in a rapidly ageing society, with the twin demographic challenges of falling births and rising deaths posing what the Government has described as an existential challenge

Johor x enuf energy for Data Centres. Still approv

knwong — Sun, 26 Jul 2026 08:47:35 +0800

Had a great catch up with group of ex-course mates last night. Once of them had a brother that works in data centre

According to him many years ago local gomen happily approve construction for so many data centres. After construct they start to realise there’s not enuf incoming electricity to run them

Some are constructed too near the residential area, the residents started to feel drop in water pressure. There’s one that currently still under construction created so much dusts that the data centre agreed to provide free car washes for residents.

Just start to realise data centres are nuisance

All 3 pilot suffer food poisoning after India stop

knwong — Sat, 25 Jul 2026 07:21:52 +0800

All three British Airways pilots fall ill with suspected food poisoning during 11-hour flight

https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/361010045/a...-11-hour-flight

QUOTE

All three pilots aboard a British Airways flight from India to the UK reportedly became violently ill with suspected food poisoning, with one becoming incapacitated mid-flight.

The incident occurred aboard flight BA276, a Boeing 777-200ER flying from Hyderabad to London Heathrow, according to reports.

Three pilots were rostered for the roughly 11-hour flight, allowing them to take turns resting.

However, one of the first officers reportedly became so unwell during the flight that they were considered incapacitated and required oxygen.

The other two pilots were also said to have developed symptoms consistent with food poisoning but remained able to operate the aircraft. Their conditions reportedly worsened after the plane landed in the UK.

British Airways said passenger safety was not compromised.

All three pilots reportedly filed Air Safety Reports following the incident and were asked to provide samples to help establish what caused their illness.

Attention has reportedly turned to food eaten by the pilots before the flight.

The three crew members are understood to have eaten breakfast together at their layover hotel’s club lounge in Hyderabad on the morning of the journey.

Union officials have reportedly raised concerns about previous complaints about hygiene at the hotel.

British Airways said it was investigating the reports and reviewing its crew accommodation arrangements in Hyderabad.

“The welfare of our colleagues is a top priority and we are reviewing crew accommodation in this location following some isolated reports of sickness,” the airline said.

It has not been confirmed that food at the hotel caused the pilots’ illness.

Trump: SG use forced labour. Now kena 12.5% tariff

knwong — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:35:09 +0800

Trump imposes new 12.5% tariff on Singapore on alleged forced labour ban violation

TheStar

QUOTE

SINGAPORE: A significant part of Singapore’s exports to the US are now subject to a new 12.5 per cent levy aimed at rebuilding President Donald Trump’s tariff regime that a court decision had undermined earlier in 2026.

A US Federal Register notice published on July 23 (Washington time) listed Singapore among dozens of other countries that now face duties of between 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent after a probe by the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) found them allegedly trading in goods produced with forced labour.

Announcing the new levy US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said: “The United States has had a forced labour import ban for nearly a century, and rigorously enforces it; it’s well past time for our trading partners to do the same.”

The USTR investigation - which started in March and concluded in July - placed Singapore among the 45 economies that will face higher duties of 12.5 per cent claiming that they have failed to both adopt and effectively enforce the prohibition on trading in goods produced with forced labour.

The Straits Times has contacted the Ministry of Trade and Industry for comments.

Goods from some 10 trading partners deemed to have adopted forced-labour restrictions will be subject to 10 per cent tariffs, including Mexico, the UK, Canada and India.

Goods from Japan, Switzerland and South Korea will also be taxed at 12.5 per cent, but in a way that complies with the trade agreements they reached with the US.

Singapore has rejected suggestions that it engages in unfair trade practices, including the use of forced labour in supply chains, and has told the US that it does not condone such practises.

Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan told reporters on July 23, after wrapping up a week of meetings at the Asean Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Manila, that he had raised the matter during a bilateral meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

In June, the Ministry of Trade and Industry said that some exports will remain exempted, such as energy and energy products, pharmaceuticals and pharmaceutical ingredients, certain electronics, certain aerospace products, semiconductors, and metals used in currency and bullion.

It also said that about one-third of Singapore’s domestic exports to the US will be subject to the new duty.

However, since the US Federal Register notice issued on July 23 has updated the exemption list, Singapore’s exposure to the new tariff has to be recalculated.

According to a Presidential memorandum issued by the White House, goods already facing Trump’s sector-specific tariffs – like steel and aluminium – will not be impacted. Certain energy products and fertilisers will be exempt too, alongside goods covered by the US-Mexico-Canada free trade pact.

The new tariff is part of a series of measures initiated to impose new and harsher tariffs after the US Supreme Court in February struck down the legal basis of Trump’s signature reciprocal tariffs, imposed in 2025.

The new tariff replaces a 10 per cent global levy under Section 122 – imposed immediately after the court’s decision - which expired earlier this week.

Singapore, along with 15 other economies, is also subject to USTR’s investigations under Section 301 into acts, policies, and practises relating to structural excess capacity and production in manufacturing sectors.

It is unclear when the findings of that probe will be released, or whether any future duties from that investigation would be stacked on top of those proposed under the forced labour investigation.

Last week, Greer said in a Bloomberg Television interview that the excess capacity investigation is taking longer than the that into forced labour as the USTR is trying to make sure that the measure lives up to the letter of the law.

Experts believe the Trump administration used Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 as the legal basis for imposing the new tariff on trade in forced labour goods because it has no statutory expiration date or maximum percentage cap.

Historically, measures imposed under this law have also proven far more resilient against judicial overturns.

However, using the statute as a dragnet to apply blanket universal or multilateral tariffs to dozens of countries stretches the law beyond Congress’ intent. Hence, the experts anticipate immediate lawsuits once the tariff takes effect. - The Straits Times/ANN

Srwk's RM1.4 tril worth of gold remains untapped

knwong — Fri, 24 Jul 2026 12:27:25 +0800

Bau’s gold wealth remains untapped, says Henry

Sarawak Tribune

QUOTE

BAU: An estimated RM1.4 trillion worth of gold remains beneath Bau, but large scale mining is unlikely to resume due to concerns over land subsidence and the need to protect the historic district.

Tasik Biru assemblyman Datuk Henry Harry Jinep said Bau’s long association with gold mining dates back more than 200 years, with the industry playing a key role in the district’s development.

“To this day, significant gold reserves remain beneath the ground in Bau, estimated to be worth around RM1.4 trillion. However, we cannot simply continue mining activities because this area is underlain by limestone formations.

“Excessive excavation could result in land subsidence,” he said when officiating the Ngaruom Rami Borneo dinner held in conjunction with the official launching of the Bidayuh Cultural Centre Bau (DCCB) on Monday (Jun 22).

Henry said Bau became known as a gold mining district following the arrival of mining communities from Sambas and other parts of West Kalimantan in the early 1800s.

According to him, mining activities that began around 1820 helped shape the district’s growth and identity, making Bau synonymous with gold mining in Sarawak.

However, he said authorities had decided against continuing mining activities within Bau town due to concerns over the long term impact on the landscape and surrounding communities.

“We do not want to risk losing the entire town due to such dangers,” he said.

Henry added that while mining may have defined Bau’s early history, the district is now placing greater emphasis on preserving its cultural and historical heritage through initiatives such as the Bidayuh Cultural Centre Bau.

He said Bau’s history reflects not only its mining legacy but also the movement of communities across Borneo that contributed to the district’s growth and development over the past two centuries.

Note: Oversea recreational gold prospecting is allowed like in Tasmania. This guy has done a great job looking for gold nuggets

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Srwk doin 4E right- Economy, Edu, Energy, Environm

knwong — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 08:36:29 +0800

Sarawak’s push for the "4 Es" (Economy, Education, Energy, and Environment) is widely seen as a successful and progressive strategy driving the state's rapid development. Benefits will be felt in the long run

No wonder many are admiring Sarawak

[fb]https://www.facebook.com/reel/2446343249165003[/fb]

Petros begin Srwk onshore oil production in >50 yr

knwong — Thu, 23 Jul 2026 07:50:00 +0800

Petros begins Sarawak’s first onshore oil production in more than 50 years

The state-owned O&G company started producing 800 barrels of oil a day at the Adong Kechil West field near Marudi earlier this week.

FMT

QUOTE

PETALING JAYA: Sarawak-owned Petros has begun oil production at the Adong Kechil West field near Marudi, marking the state’s first onshore oil production in more than 50 years.
Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg said the field, which has an initial production capacity of 800 barrels a day or about 24,000 barrels a month, demonstrated Sarawak’s capabilities in engineering and oil and gas industry management, TV Sarawak reported.

Abang Johari said the commencement of oil production placed Sarawak on the right track to further expand its downstream industries, particularly in ammonia and blue hydrogen production, which are among the state’s future economic priorities.

“I would like to announce, as a gift to all Sarawakians, that Petros began its first oil production earlier this week at the AKW field near Marudi,” he said during a Sarawak Day celebration in Sibu tonight.

“This is a major gift for Sarawak, and we have emerged as a major player in the oil and gas industry.”

He said the milestone was in line with the Sarawak government’s policy of developing natural resources comprehensively, with the aim of expanding industries, creating more high-skilled jobs, and opening up more business opportunities.

“In the past, our natural resources were exported in raw form, while value-added activities, job opportunities and technology development took place elsewhere.

“Today, our approach is different. We want every resource owned by Sarawak to be processed, developed and given added value within the state so that its wealth can directly benefit the people,” he said.

Petros and Petra Energy began their first drilling operation at Block SK433 in Miri in October 2023, which includes the AKW field, after the onshore petroleum contract was awarded to Petros in 2021.

Study: Narcissist boss reluctant WFH cos of ego

knwong — Tue, 21 Jul 2026 10:59:06 +0800

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Want to work from home? Make sure your boss isn’t a narcissist
Sos: CNA

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RTS open:SG suggest JB to roll out congestion toll

knwong — Mon, 20 Jul 2026 14:37:07 +0800

Commentary: Why Johor Bahru should roll out congestion pricing when RTS opens

If congestion pricing saves time, improves buses and funds better infrastructure, support will follow, says NUS’ Timothy Wong

TLDR;
- There will be big surge of commuters from RTS, but plans to upgrade JB's public transport e-ART network will take another 4 years to complete
- Buses are needed to divert commuters in the interim while the e-ART is built
- But buses become useless and unreliable if traffic congestion in JB persist
- To ensure buses can travel smoothly, need to impose congestion pricing like Singapore
- Public will oppose at first but oversea study has shown after rakyat experience cleaner air & shorter commutes...majority vote to keep the toll

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/...EmsgBwd-qxYb8Tw

SG residents to spend >S$1 bil in JB after RTS ope

knwong — Thu, 16 Jul 2026 11:34:20 +0800

Singapore residents set to spend S$1 billion more a year in JB after RTS Link opens: Study

Channel News Asia

TLDR;

- Singapore consumers are projected to spend S$1.05 billion more a year in Johor Bahru once the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link opens, a study has found.
- This outweighs the S$756 million more that Johor Bahru visitors are expected to spend in Singapore annually.
- Groceries are expected to account for the largest share of outbound spend, followed by drug stores, dining and beauty services.

SG gomen announce layoffs. Rare

knwong — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 21:47:54 +0800

GovTech cuts 93 jobs in ‘first phase’ of transition to new operating model

Channel News Asia
TLDR;
- The Government Technology Agency of Singapore (GovTech) said on Wednesday (Jul 15) it has retrenched 93 officers as it completes the first phase of its transition to a new operating model.
- It expects to let go of 7 to 9 per cent - or about 300 workers - of its workforce over the next two years as it shifts from a "one-off project-delivery model" to a "continuous product-ownership model".
- Public sector layoffs in Singapore are rare: The last publicly reported retrenchments in the civil service date back to 2006 to 2010, when 20 officers were laid off under a Special Resignation Scheme.
- Compensation is one month's salary for every year of service capped at 25 years, on top of a three-month ex-gratia payment, salary and benefits through a six-week handover and notice period, and an additional completion payment for those asked to stay on to complete handovers or operate critical systems.

China EV on road average 1.8yr, less than hp

knwong — Mon, 13 Jul 2026 00:45:55 +0800

China EVs on Road Have Average Age of 1.8 Years, Newspaper Says

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/202...d-checkout=true

QUOTE

Chinese electric vehicles on the road are on average just 1.8 years old, compared with 8.2 years for gasoline-powered cars, 21st Century Business Herald reported, citing a report by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers and Hejun Consulting.

The newspaper said the figure is shorter than the period many consumers keep their cell phones.

Rapid advances in batteries, software and chips have helped accelerate model upgrades, while lower resale values may also be encouraging owners to switch vehicles sooner, the newspaper said. The average EV after three years is worth 43.35% of its original price, below the equivalent for conventional vehicles, it reported.

Buyers under 35 are the core customer base for new-energy vehicles and tend to place a high priority on smart-driving features and digital experiences, the newspaper reported. It cited data from Dongchedi, a Chinese automotive platform, showing 43% of EV owners replace vehicles primarily to upgrade intelligent features and user experience.

Will Srwk get new BMW iX5 Hydrogen when it launch?

knwong — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 21:10:39 +0800

Petros has the refueling station operational already

QUOTE

BMW iX5 Hydrogeen uses a new Hydrogen Flat Storage system that holds about 7 kg of hydrogen, allowing for a targeted WLTP range of up to 750 km and refueling in just 3 to 5 minutes.

Why chase scene in movies x use reliable cars one?

knwong — Thu, 09 Jul 2026 13:26:42 +0800

Just finished watching Jason Statham movie Shelter in the flight.

I like watching action thriller films. In most of them, Hollywood always like to use the likes of Volvo, Audi, BMW, Land Rover in the chasing scene. In reality these cars break down easily with air bag deploys after kena knock. Why no use more reliable vehicle like Hilux ah?

M’sia vs Cape Verde drew 1-1

knwong — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 12:05:44 +0800

Malaysia held the 72nd-ranked Cape Verde to a hard-fought 1-1 draw during a Tier 1 International Friendly at the Kuala Lumpur Football Stadium in Cheras on May 29, 2025

YT comment says M’sia setaraf Argentina

Srwk study on gas & H2 resource to be ready tis yr

knwong — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 20:12:18 +0800

Sarawak study on gas and hydrogen resources to be ready this year
Deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan said the study also covered the area in Kuala Lawas where methane gas was discovered in June

QUOTE

LAWAS: A comprehensive study to determine the potential of natural gas and naturally occurring hydrogen resources in several areas of Sarawak is expected to be completed by the end of this year, says Sarawak deputy premier Awang Tengah Ali Hasan.
Awang Tengah said the study, conducted by Sarawak’s petroleum company Petros, also covered the site where methane gas was discovered in Kampung Datuk, Kuala Lawas, in June.

“We have yet to receive the full report, but Petros has been granted a licence to carry out oil and gas exploration studies. I have been informed that the study is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

“We hope there will be stable reserves so that the industry can be developed and become a game-changer for the people in this area,” he said in Lawas after opening the Irau Aco Lun Bawang festival.

He said the methane gas discovery in Kampung Datuk had the potential to become a new catalyst for the development of the energy industry in northern Sarawak if the study confirmed the existence of sufficient reserves.

Sarawak premier Abang Johari Openg has previously stated that the state government, through Petros, would undertake a detailed study into natural gas and hydrogen resources in Gedong, Dalat and Lawas. Research was needed to determine the actual size of the reserves and whether they had the potential to be commercially developed.

On June 10, the fire and rescue department’s hazmat team confirmed that flammable methane gas had been detected at the Northern Coastal Highway construction site in Kuala Lawas.

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Now sudah ada EV halfcut di Malaysia

knwong — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 19:31:39 +0800

Note: BYD Seal 6 EV was officially launched in Malaysia on September 26, 2025. Just 9 months old

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PH manifesto: Make Johor become Shenzhen of SEA

knwong — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 17:42:15 +0800

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Why company only hire UK & EU graduates?

knwong — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 17:11:23 +0800

Do u think LZJ = Haaland of badminton world?

knwong — Sat, 04 Jul 2026 12:24:31 +0800

Always mencuri tumpuan, has killer touch and goofy at times? Win or lose medias and spectators all like to follow their every movement

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