💻 Bytes Of This Week (10 Jun - 16 Jun)

📊 Market bytes

⬇️ Straits Times Index down from 3336.86 on Monday (10th Jun) to 3297.55 before closing on Friday (14th Jun)
→ This was down from 3330.77 which was closed on the previous week

📈 Top Performing Stocks of the week includes

1. Jardine Cycle & Carriage SGX:C07

2. Azeus Systems Holdings SGX:BBW

3. Plato Capital SGX:YYN

4. Soilbuild Construction GRP SGX:S7P

5. United Overseas Insurance SGX:U13

6. Yongmao Holdings SGX:BKX

7. Haw Par Corp SGX:H02

8. Pharmesis International SGX:BFK

🇸🇬 Main bytes

1️⃣ New Government SMS Sender ID to Combat Scams

Starting July 1, all SMS messages from Singapore government agencies will display a unified sender ID, "gov.sg," making it easier for the public to identify legitimate communications.

This change aims to combat impersonation scams and enhance public trust in government messages.

During the transition period beginning June 18, messages will gradually adopt the new sender ID, with full implementation by July 1. However, SMS from the Defence and Home Affairs ministries regarding national service and emergencies will maintain different sender IDs.

Each message will also include the agency's full name at the start and a note at the end indicating it is an automated government message.

The initiative, developed by Open Government Products, is part of broader efforts to prevent phishing and impersonation scams.

In recent years, measures like removing clickable links in bank communications and the Singapore SMS Sender ID Registry have been introduced to safeguard against scams.

Currently, over 4,000 businesses, including major financial institutions and e-commerce platforms, are registered to protect consumers from fraudulent messages.

In December 2023 alone, government impersonation scams led to losses exceeding $13 million.

The new sender ID aims to restore public confidence in official communications. While this change applies to SMS, the government is exploring similar measures for other communication channels like WhatsApp and Telegram.

The government is collaborating with telecom providers and SMS aggregators to ensure the security of the gov.sg sender ID.

A multi-tiered system will prevent scammers from using deceptive variations of the ID.

Efforts continue to enhance security across all communication channels, reinforcing the government's commitment to combating cybercrime and protecting the public.

2️⃣ PM Lawrence Wong's Island-Wide Visits to Engage Singaporeans

Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, newly sworn into his role, plans to visit various constituencies across Singapore in the coming months.

His objective is to engage with citizens directly, gather feedback on policies, and support community initiatives.

PM Wong kicked off this initiative with a visit to Tampines on June 15, emphasising that these visits are not politically timed but aimed at fostering stronger connections with Singaporeans.

PM Wong underscored the importance of being present in all districts, not just his own constituency, to listen to citizens' ideas for improving neighbourhoods.

He highlighted his commitment to a consultative approach, aiming to collaborate on ground-up initiatives and projects.

This approach aligns with his earlier promises to enhance two-way dialogue with the public, made during a six-month exercise to refresh the People's Action Party (PAP).

During his visit to Tampines, PM Wong participated in a community event, interacted with residents, and held a dialogue session with grassroots leaders and volunteers.

He addressed various issues, including family and environmental concerns, demonstrating his interest in diverse community perspectives.

PM Wong's proactive approach aims to translate public aspirations into concrete actions and partnerships, reinforcing his commitment to engaging widely with the populace.

🚗 Transport bytes

1️⃣ Autonomous Road Sweepers Set to Hit Marina Coastal Area by End-2024

Chye Thiam Maintenance is set to trial two driverless road sweepers in the Marina coastal area by the end of 2024.

These autonomous sweepers will operate 24/7 under remote supervision, ensuring safety and efficiency.

Initially, each vehicle will have an on-board driver for safety.

The trial follows earlier tests conducted in limited environments at one-north, NTU, and CleanTech Park.

Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat emphasised that if successful, this technology could help cleaning companies like Chye Thiam Maintenance address manpower challenges in a tight labor market.

The electric sweepers are equipped with 12 cameras and five Lidar systems, providing a 360-degree view and the ability to detect objects up to 1m away.

This ensures the vehicles can navigate and stop to avoid collisions. Before deployment, two staff members received training and conducted checks at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Guangzhou.

One sweeper is currently undergoing rigorous safety tests at NTU’s Centre of Excellence for Testing and Research of Autonomous Vehicles.

These tests, developed by LTA and Cetran, include simulation, closed-course, and on-road testing to ensure safety and compliance with regulatory standards.

During the initial trial phase, a trained driver will be present to take control if needed.

Once the sweepers demonstrate their capabilities, they may transition to remote operation. Chye Thiam Maintenance plans to up-skill drivers for remote operation, potentially making the job more attractive to younger employees.

In the long term, the company aims to fully electrify its fleet and redesign the job to enable one remote operator to monitor multiple sweepers simultaneously.

NEA is supporting this industry transformation, aiming to integrate autonomous vehicle technology into public cleaning contracts, pending successful trials.

2️⃣ Speeding Up: More Fast EV Chargers at Public Carparks by 2025

By 2025, electric vehicle (EV) owners will have more access to fast chargers in public carparks owned by the Housing Board.

These chargers, rated at either 30kW or 50kW, will be installed at locations such as Taman Jurong Shopping Centre and Woodlands Civic Centre.

The initiative is part of contracts awarded to ComfortDelGro-owned CDG Engie and Keppel-owned Volt Singapore.

These contracts, covering 20 sites primarily at HDB commercial complexes, aim to enhance the EV charging infrastructure in Singapore.

Fast chargers, which use direct current (DC) to power EV batteries quickly, will be installed at 11 locations.

Drivers can expect a half charge in about 30 minutes, compared to six to eight hours with slower, alternating current (AC) chargers.

The rollout will begin by the end of 2024, with the first site expected to be operational by then.

This move follows the government's plan to install 120 fast chargers at about 60 carparks in HDB commercial buildings, town centres, and JTC industrial premises.

The initiative aims to cater to high-mileage EV drivers, such as cabbies and private-hire drivers, who need fast charging solutions at affordable public carparks with amenities.

The overall goal is to install at least 12,000 EV chargers in 2,000 HDB carparks by 2025, with a broader target of 60,000 charging points across the island by 2030.

As of end-May, Singapore has around 3,550 publicly accessible charging points, with more fast chargers primarily located at private commercial premises.

Derek Tan, CEO of EV-Electric Charging (EVe), emphasised the importance of fast charging to minimise downtime for EV drivers, ensuring they can quickly recharge while taking short breaks.

This expansion is a significant step toward supporting Singapore’s growing EV community and advancing the country’s green transportation goals.

💬 Editor’s byte

Thank you for sticking with us! We are looking forward to provide you with more exciting coverage and exclusive bytes!

As always, your continued readership is greatly appreciated. If you have any feedback, whether it pertains to the content or any other aspect of bytedot, please don't hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected]

We're excited to bring you more insightful content in the next newsletter. Until then, stay safe and well-informed!

Cheers, D from bytedot

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