Welcome to the REACH Portal.

i-REACH (April 2012) is out now!

Making HDB Homes Safe for Seniors

How can we make HDB Homes of senior citizens safer? Watch the clip on the new Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) scheme introduced by the Housing & Development Board, which proposes improvements such as grab bars and non-slip toilet floors. For more information on EASE, visit www.hdb.gov.sg/EASE.

GDP Growth Forecast Maintained at 1.0 to 3.0 Per Cent

The Ministry of Trade & Industry said that it will maintain the GDP growth forecast for 2012 at 1.0 to 3.0 per cent. Singapore’s economy growth momentum has picked up, supported by a strong showing in the manufacturing sector. However, recovery of the global economy remains fragile and vulnerable to downside risks and a disorderly sovereign debt default in the Eurozone may pose serious downsides if it materialises.

Straight fight between WP & PAP for Hougang SMC

Returning Officer Yam Ah Mee announced Workers’ Party’s Png Eng Huat and People’s Action Party’s Desmond Choo as the two candidates contesting for the Hougang by-election. Nomination Day took place this morning at Serangoon Junior College. Hougang residents will go to the polls on 26th May.

A shout-out to all Singapore students!

Join us in a discussion on Singapore’s immigration policy this Saturday, 19 May, 3.30pm – 5.30pm!

Find out more now!

New signs to guide commuters at stations

As a pilot, signs will be put up at Chinatown and City Hall MRT Stations to guide commuters during service disruptions, with information on routes of buses that serve bus stops outside the stations. The LTA is collecting feedback to improve the signs before implementation by end of year.

Most of Hawker Panel’s ideas accepted

The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources has agreed with most of the proposals by the Hawker Centre Public Consultation Panel, and is reviewing key suggestions such as equipping new hawkers with culinary know-how and having one single agency manage cleaning services. It also welcomes proposals from non-profit organisations to co-manage hawker centres, while it retains oversight of the hawker centre management. Share your views with us!

Consultation to Impose Tougher Laws on Errant Employers

MOM invites members of the public to provide their views in a consultation exercise on amendments to the Employment of Foreign Manpower Act (EFMA). Proposed changes include raising penalties and the introduction of minimum fines for offences such as illegal employment of foreign workers, and the authorisation to forcibly search company premises for wrongdoing. Share your views!

Thoughts on healthcare affordability

In her latest blog post, Minister of State for Health Dr Amy Khor addresses the issue of healthcare affordability. Noting that there is no magic formula, Dr Khor provides an insight into why our 3M system - Medisave, MediShield and Medifund - is a responsible yet compassionate approach to healthcare financing, even though it may not be a perfect system. Check out Dr Khor’s blog post to find out more.

Latest on Hougang By-election

Hougang voters may be going to the polls for the second time, if there is more than one candidate standing for the by-election. Nomination Day will take place on 16 May and Polling Day is scheduled for 26 May.

Join in the discussion!

Commuters get more help during rail breakdown

SMRT and LTA are rolling out a slew of measures to assist commuters during a train breakdown. These include an automatic refund mechanism that credits back fares of affected commuters, LCD screens that provide alternative travel information and leaflets on what to do during a train disruption, etc.

Share your views with us!

Replies to Feedback

MEWR Agrees with Most of Panel’s Hawker Centre recommendations
The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) has agreed with most of the proposals in the Final Report submitted by the Hawker Centre ...

Differentiation by Citizenship for Primary 1 Registration
The primary school years are an important phase in a child’s education, as they lay the foundation for his or her learning. The Ministry of Education ...

HDB responds to queries on design of flats for elderly
Some contributors point out that some older Housing and Development Board (HDB) flats are not elderly or disabled-friendly as their doorways are too n...

Round up of Discussions on Smoking Prohibitions
Between 25 Nov and 31 Dec 2011, National Environment Agency (NEA) with the support of the Health Promotion Board (HPB) conducted an e-poll, as part of...

Contributors’ Budget ‘Wishlist’: What has been addressed in Budget 2012?
REACH contributors have shared with us their 'wishlist' for Budget 2012 from December 2011 to February 2012, with social issues, employment and the ec...

In Support of Eldercare Facilities in Neighbourhoods
REACH contributors are overwhelmingly supportive of the need for eldercare facilities that are integrated with the neighbourhoods. This is their respo...

Discussion Topics

Direct Admission to Secondary Schools, JCs & Polytechnics
Students with special talents and achievements can apply for admission to secondary schools, junior colleges (JC) and polytechnics through the Direct ...

GDP Growth Forecast Maintained at 1.0 to 3.0 Per Cent
With the global economy starting on a firmer footing compared to the second half of 2011, Singapore’s growth momentum has picked up, supported by a st...

Investing in Polytechnics
The government will keep investing in polytechnics, pledged Education Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat. $7 billion will be pumped into polytechnics over the...

Train disruptions caused by a combination of factors: Experts
A panel of six experts have put forth possible factors that caused the train disruptions last December, in the ongoing Committee of Inquiry (COI) he...

Straight fight between WP & PAP for Hougang SMC
The Hougang by-election will be a straight fight between Mr Png Eng Huat of the Workers’ Party and Mr Desmond Choo of the People’s Action Party. ...

Justice Must Be Seen To Be Done
In a written reply to the Parliamentary question by MP Lim Biow Chuan on publishing accused persons’ photographs and details, Minister for Law K Shanm...