WOTC - Harmful content on social media

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 60 % of the respondents said that social media platform should not be asked to take down harmful content as it will harm freedom of speech as the relevant authority may be politically inclined.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2746

End of the Ukraine conflict

 I give this suggestion to a possible settlement of the Ukraine conflict.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5544

WOTC - Prime minister of Malaysia

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 67 % of respondents expect Anwar Ibrahim, PKR, to be the next prime minister of Malaysia.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2744

WOTC - General election in Malaysia

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 53 % of respondents said that Pakatan Harapan (Anwar Ibrahim) is most likely to win the general election. They have the highest score.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=2745

Set a fair wage for each occupation

 The government should set a fair wage based on market data

We cannot rely on the market to fix wages. The market wages depend largely on bargaining power. The worker is at a weaker position relative to the employer and has to accept a wage that is lower than a "fair rate".

To overcome this weakness, the workers have to join a trade union and bargain for better wages and working conditions. In some cases, they have to go on strike. This is a destructive process.

What is a better way?

The government can use the data of the wage levels for different occupations fix the recommendation wage for each occupation and skill level. This is a "fair wage" and takes into account the supply and demand for the occupation. It overcomes the distortion caused by the relative bargaining power.

When I describe this system to a friend, he asked - are you advocating a communist system?

I replied - I am advocating common prosperity.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5543

Voting in a general election

 I suggest a secure and efficient platform to handle voting in a general election.

https://s3.tklcloud.com/T99/221118202556583_Voting%20in%20a%20general%20election.pdf

WOTC - Talk between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 31% of the respondents said that Joe Biden and Xi Jinping will have a lengthy talk at the G20 summit in Bali.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2743

Chinese RMB as a reserve currency

 The Chinese RMB will become more accepted as a reserve currency over the next few years.

http://www.tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5541

Marketing of FTX

 Why was an unlicensed platform allowed to market their platform to Singapore residents?

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5540

Regulate licensed payment providers

 MAS said that they ensure that licensed payment platforms comply with anti-money laundering and terrorism financing operations and have risk management practices. However, MAS does not regulate these platforms for "safety and soundness".

I am puzzled by this stand by MAS.

Surely, the key duty of a regulator is to ensure that the platforms are operated safely and soundly?

For example, the platform should not use customers' deposits to pay their operating expenses or to invest the deposits in risky investments?

While the regulator cannot ensure that the investments are totally safe, it should carry out regular audits and inspections to ensure that the platforms comply with their internal standards (which they announce to their customers) and to regulatory controls .

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5539

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Will Donald Trump win the 2024 Presidential Election?
2. Did Joe Biden hold talks with many world leaders?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Meeting between Biden and Putin

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 79 % of the respondents said that Joe Biden and Valdimir Putin will avoid meeting each other at the G20 summit in Bali.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2742

WOTC - G20 summit

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 57 %of the respondents said that President Putin will attend the G20 Summit and meet other world leaders.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2741

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. What is the key roles of a regulator in a licensed exchange?
2. How can the regulator act against unlicensed exchange?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Business prospects for Grab

 The business prospects for Grab is quite discouraging. The financials are worse than Uber.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1260

My view on Uber

 I share my views on Uber (ride hailing and food delivery).

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1259

WOTC - Debate with Richard Branson

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 40% of the respondents said that Richard Branson does not want to waste his time in debating with minister Shanmugam over the mandatory death penalty. 33% said that he prefers to debate over social media.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=2740

My view on Netlink NBN Trust

 My friend asked for my views about this stock. It pays an attractive dividend yield of 5.85%.

I studied the financials of this stock at the Yahoo Finance website.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1258

WOTC - Mandatory death sentence

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 65 % of respondents said that Singapoer should remove the mandatory sentence for drug trafficking and leave the discretion to the judge.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2739

Advice on a crypto investment

 Six months ago, a friend asked for my advice about a crypto product. He invested in the product and asked for my opinion if it is a good investment. 

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1256

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Is America putting pressure on Ukraine to enter peace negotiation with Russia?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Business mail

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 55 % of respondents prefer to register their mailing address in a platform to receive all business mail sent in PDF to this virtual address. 45% prefer to receive the physical mail sent to their home.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2737

My investment in Country Garden (2007.HK)

 The turnaround in the stock price of Country Garden (2007.HK) turned my loss of $61,705 SGD to a net gain of $43,620 SGD.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1255

WOTC - US dollar

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 64 % of the respondents said that the US dollar is like a ponzi scheme because it pays a high return by printing more useless money.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2736

The Seven Years of China and the United States

 Thomas Friedman, a famous columnist of the New York Times, wrote an article titled "The Seven Years of China and the United States". It was published in The New York Times and shocked the White House !

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5538

Voting in America

 The democratic process in America is quite backward and shameful.

The voting was closed more than 24 hours ago, and they have still not completed the vote counting in many districts.

With modern technology, it should be possible to count the votes automatically and transmit the results for aggregation within 1 hour of closing of polling station.

Some states refused to upgrade their vote counting process, so that they can continue to "control" the voting results. No wonder Donald Trump complained that there is cheating.

I do not agree with Donald Trump, but I do not agree with the outdated and inefficient process either.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5537

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Should social media platforms be required to take down harmful content?
2. Who should decide on what is harmful content on social media?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Surge pricing

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 56% of the respondents said that surge pricing for ride hailing is a bad practice, because it encourages the drivers to take advantage of the system to push up the price of rides.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2735

Pay to send out message

 If Twitter charges the sender 0.1 cent for each message sent to their fans, it will be a cheap way for politicians, entertainers and public figures to send their message to their followers. It also ensures that the messages are serious and genuine. https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5533

WOTC - Former president Hu

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 60% of the respondents said that former President Hu was sick and assisted out of the CPC Congress. The other 40% said that President Xi want to show that he was removed from power.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2734

WOTC - Different factions in a leadership

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 64 % of respondents said that it is bad for the leaders in China to come from different factions as it will lead to infighting and politicking, and will be bad for the country.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2733

Call someone by phone

 Be considerate when you call someone by phone.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5535

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Who is likely to be the next prime minister in Malaysia
2. Which political coalition is likely to win the most seats in Malaysia GE15

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC: Promotions in e-commerce websites

Wisdom of the Crowd: 100 % of the respondents prefer to have lower prices, instead of many coins, points and other promotions when they shop at e-commerce websites.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2731

WOTC - Pricing for online purchases

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 100 % of the respondents prefer good quality products at low prices for their online purchases. They do not want to pay more to participate in contests and lucky draws.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2730

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Will President Putin attend the G20 summit?
2. Will Joe Biden and Valdimir Putin meet in Bali?
3. Will Joe Biden meet with Xi Jinping in Bali?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Shortage of hospital beds

Wisdom of the Crowd: 92 % of the respondents said that the government should set aside a special treatment center for covid patients, as they account for the increase in hospital cases.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2728

WOTC - Immunity for past presidents

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 83 % of the respondents said that a past president should be accountable for his past crimes like any ordinary citizen.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2727

WOTC - Governance of China

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 80% of the respondence said that the governance of China is better than the western countries.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2726

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Should Singapore abolish the mandatory death sentence for drug offences?
2. Why does Richard Branson decline the rebate with minister Shanmugam?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Travel through checkpoints

 Wisdom of the crowd: 50 % of the respondents said that the authority should segregate the daily travelers (who live in Johore and work in Singapore) to make it easy for them to pass the checkpoints.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2725

Review of PayPal

 I made a review of PayPal as Elon Musk wants to introduce a payment service in Twitter. This service will compete with PayPal.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1253

Will Elon Musk sue Twitter board?

 Will Elon Musk sue the previous board of Twitter for damages, if he has prove that the bots represent (say) 25% of the reported users?

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5530

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Which method do you prefer to receive mail from businesses
2. Should the NRIC be kept confidential?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Receive business mail virtually

 I suggest that the IMDA set up a platform for recipients to receive their business mail virtually.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5528

WOTC - China's approach to regional countries

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 92% of the respondents said that China does not want to be bullied by America and seeks peaceful cooperation with other countries.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2724

NRIC as an identity

 Singapore had a good system to identify a resident using an identity card (i.e. NRIC). We should strengthen this system and use it to our advantage.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5527

Elon Musk takes over Twitter

 After completing the purchase of Twitter, Elon Musk removed 4 top executives of Twitter.

Analysts asked - how is Musk going to manage Twitter? He already has too many matters that need his personal attention in Tesla and other companies.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5526

WOTC - Removal of term limit

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 90% of the respondents said that the removal of the term limit for Xi Jinping does not mean that China is becoming more authoritarian.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2723

WOTC - Queues at checkpoint

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 82 % of the respondents said that the Immigration and Checkpoint Authority (ICA) should improve the system to reduce the long queue, which is bad for travelers.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2722

WOTC - Prime Minister of UK

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 40% of the respondents expect Rishi Sunak to be the next prime minister of the United Kingdom. Although it is less than 50%, he has the highest score among the 4 potential contenders.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2721

Why does Xi Jinping remove his rivals?

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5525

Drop in REIT price

 This article shows the drop in REITS prices for the past year to 26 Oct 2022.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1251

Drop in bond and stock prices

 30 year US treasury bond yield 2% at the start of 2022.

10 months later, the yield jumped to 4.23%.
The bond price dropped by 38%.
For the same period, Nasdaq dropped by 33%, Dow Jones Industrial by 20% and S&P by 22%.

Bonds are not safe. They can drop in price sharply, due to higher interest rate.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1250 

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Is the USD a ponzi scheme?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Is the USD a ponzi scheme?

http://www.tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5524

How does the Communist Party run China?

 In this short article, I describe how the Communist Party of China runs the country through its Politburo.

http://www.tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5523

WOTC - General election in Malaysia

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 55.6% of the respondents expect a coalition to form the next government of Malaysia. The remainder expect the Barisan Nasional to form the government.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart.aspx?ID=2720

Alternative reserve currencies

 The role of the USD as the dominant reserve currency may change soon.

http://www.tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5522

How to resolve labor dispute

 I disagree with the idea that organized labor can solve dispute with employers through strikes. It is a costly way to resolve disputes.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5521

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Why was former President Hu removed from the CPC congress?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Is Xi Jinping getting rid of rivals?

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5520

Premium for integrated plans - age 61 to 90

In this article, I compare the premium for integrated plan for private ward (public and private hospital) for policyholders from age 61 to 90.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1249 

Premium for integrated plans (for non-subsidized wards)

 In this article, I compare the premium rate for the integrated plans for non-subsidized wards (in public hospitals and private hospitals).

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1248

Shortage of hospital beds

 What is the reason for the recent shortage of beds in the general hospitals?

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5519

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Will Xi Jinping become a dictator and is a danger to China and the world?
2. Is it better for the top leaders in China to comprise of different factions?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Sharp drop in Hong Kong market

 I bought more shares due to the sharp drop in the Hong Kong market. 
https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1247

Integrated plan that covers private hospital

 Singaporeans are caught in a dilemma. They are advised to stay with Medishield Life, as the premium is affordable. Lately, Singaporeans read that there is a shortage of bed in public hospitals and it could take a few days before a bed becomes available.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1246

Xi Jinping appoint his allies into PSC

 Many western media reported that Xi Jinping has consolidated his power and appointed his allies into the Politburo Standing Committee, which is the top decision making body of the Communist Party of China.

I find this narrative to be dishonest.
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5518

Who sabotaged the Nordstream pipelines?

I have evidence

https://youtu.be/Kk-PImIEV7E

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Where do you prefer to buy daily necessities?

2. Which pricing model do you prefer?
3. How do you find the promotions in online websites?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Shortage of hospital beds

 Here is my suggestion to cope with the shortage of hospital beds.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5517

Hyflux could have been saved

 Hyflux went bankrupt in 2019. 34,000 small investors lost nearly $1 billion in investing in their preference shares and perpetual bonds.

I gave many reasons in 2019 why Hyflux should be saved. They are stated in these articles:
https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/latest.aspx?idorg=294

If Hyflux was saved in 2019, they would have been a very profitable company today. Singapore would have retained a prized asset - a home grown company that is a world leader in water desalination.

34,000 small investors would have not lost their savings.

This episode is a sad reflection of the poor state of leadership by our ministers in charge.

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Should a past president be given immunity against past crimes?
2. What should be done about the overcrowding of hospital beds?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - President of Singapore

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 75% of the respondents said that Lee HY has a good chance to win if he stands for election as president of Singapore.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2719

WOTC - Neighbors

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 80% of the respondents said that it is useful to know the neighbors and build contacts with people who live nearby.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2717

WOTC - President of Singapore

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 86% of the respondents said that Lee HY is not likely to stand for election as President of Singapore.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2718

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

 

1. Do we need detailed checking at land checkpoints?
2. Is the governance of China better than "democratic countries"?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

Boost the birth rate in Singapore

 This is my proposal to provide $1,100 a month to the mother for each child up to 6 yo. This is an incentive to boost the birth rate in Singapore.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5516

Increase birth rate in Singapore

http://www.tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5515

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Should ICA improve the system to reduce long queue at the checkpoints?
2. Is China being more authoritarian by allowing XJP to be president for life?
3. Is China becoming more aggressive towards other countries?

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Know your neighbors

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 69% of the respondents only know their neighbors who live next door. 31% hardly know their neighbors.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2716

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Who will form the next government in Malaysia
2. Who will be the next prime minister of UK

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Peaceful demonstration

Wisdom of the Crowd: 78 % of the respondents said that people should be allowed to demonstrate (without a police permit), as long as it is peaceful and involve less than 50 people.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2715

Review of Baidu (9888.HK)

 Here is my review of my holding in Baidu (9888.HK). So far, it is showing a big loss.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1244

WOTC - Display a placard

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 95% of the respondents said that people should be allowed to display a placard to advocate change so long as it does not cause public disorder or hurt the sensitivity of other people.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2714

Covid zero policy

 My friend explained that China adopts a practical approach to its covid zero policy and minimize the disruption to the economy.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5514

WOTC - War in Ukraine

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 93% of the respondents said that Russia is not losing the way in Ukraine; it is making a tactical retreat to consolidate their forces and wait for reinforcement.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2712

WOTC - Use of nuclear weapons

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 69% of the respondents said that Russia will use nuclear weapons if it loses the war in Ukraine.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2713

End of war in Ukraine

 My crystal ball CB said that the war in Ukraine will end by March 2023.

Why?

- Ukraine does not want to continue fighting, as most of their infrastructure are destroyed.

- The European countries are tried of supporting Ukraine, after their people suffered a freezing winter.

- America wants to focus on bringing down inflation. Biden has indicated a willingness to talk to "rationale" Putin.

- Russia continues to state that they are open to negotiations.

What will happen to the annexed regions?

CB said that Ukraine and Russia will agree to an armistice and a demilitarized zone will be set up to separate the territories that they each occupy. Russia will keep the annexed regions, but it will not be recognized by Ukraine or the western nations. This is similar to the situation between North and South Korea, which did not have any hostility for 70 years.

What if the war does not end by March 2023? CB promised to revise his prediction.

Hospital escorts

 I learned from this video an interesting story about how China creates jobs for unemployed young people.

One new job category is an "escort" in the hospital. The escort helps the patient to find the way to get various tests and treatments. https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5513

Volatile price movement of Tesla stock

 Here is my post on the volatile price movement of Tesla stock during the past one year.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1243

How to deal with stolen identity

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5512

Paranoia over personal data

 I consider our paranoia over personal data to be out of place.

https://tklcloud.com/Feedback/feedback2.aspx?id=5510

WOTC - Trust Bank

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 50% of the respondents said that customers will join Trust Bank (set up by Fairprice) to enjoy better interest rates on savings.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2711

WOTC - F1 in Singapore

 Wisdom of the Crowd - 80% of the respondents voted against holding the F1 race in Singapore.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2710

WOTC - Cost of HDB flats

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 65 % of the respondents said that it is too costly for Singaporeans to own a HDB flat now.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2709

Wisdom of the Crowd - New Issues

1. Will Lee Hsien Yang stand for election as President in 2023?
2. What is Lee Hsien Yang's chance if he stands for election as President in 2023.

Vote in
https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/vote.aspx

WOTC - Settlement of Ukraine conflict

 Wisdom of the Crowd: 79% of the respondents said that America is blocking a settlement of the Ukraine conflict.

https://tklcloud.com/Crowd2/chart3.aspx?id=2708

Motor insurance in Singapore for 2019 to 2021

 Most people have the impression that motor insurance is unprofitable for the insurance companies in Singapore. This is not the case.

The eight companies show a total profit of $91.7 million for 2021. The average for the three years is $90.3 million.

https://fisca.sg/ArticleDisplay.aspx?ID=1242