Alex Yam
Singapore
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I know the Minister of State indicated that while it is still undergoing investigation, we should not speculate. I know also from her reply that they have removed the wrong classification of our trade deficit with the US.”
“Thank you, Speaker. Building on the point that the Minister-in-charge of energy had raised earlier about fixed rates. There is concern amongst consumers that the gencos and the electricity suppliers may, at some point, invoke a force majeure, and that would affect the supply contracts that are signed with consumers.”
“Chairman, therefore, I look forward to hearing how MCCY intends to further embed the ethos of "we first" across multiple aspects of society so that our national identity is formed through participation, not just persuasion.”
“Thank you, Chairman, 41 questions and 330 minutes later, I certainly think the Ministry deserves the $100 back. So, I seek leave to withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $2,407,711,100 for Head X ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates.”
“Thank you, Chairman. The Minister updated the House earlier about the importance of keeping pace with technological advancements as well as hybrid threats, especially in the cyber domain.”
“If we are intentional in leveraging the reach and influence of institutions like SAFRA, we can ensure that Total Defence can remain a lived national commitment and not confined to the uniformed services or to our schools.”
The complete record
Every one of 592 lines we hold for Alex Yam, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 12.
“To help households in rental housing to move to home ownership is certainly not straightforward. There are multiple issues that rental families face. We have experimented with different schemes before, such as the Home Ownership with Education (HOPE) scheme, which I previously raised issues with. We now have the Fresh Start Housing Scheme, which the Senior Parliamentary Secretary also updated the House that 74 families have now been emplaced. Yet, with a scheme that has been in place since December 2016, the numbers seem to indicate a fresh but not so fast start. I took a look at the available numbers. In December 2017, 56 applied, 33 were successful. In December 2018, the Minister announced that 70 were placed. Today, in March 2019, we have 74. If we look at the figures of the number of families which have progressed from rental to home ownership of 3,500 over the last six years, 74 seem very small, indeed. And 3,500 households across 56,000 rental units seem to indicate that the journey, though encouraged, is honestly quite fraught. [Deputy Speaker (Mr Charles Chong) in the Chair] Most of us would have rental households in our constituencies. We are certainly proud and happy for our residents who have successfully progressed to purchasing their own homes. But do we also shed a tear for the many who are left behind? We have seen their struggles first-hand trying to hold a job, fight ill health, balance family needs, pay debts and, for some of them, stay on the straight and narrow. For us and many community partners, we do whatever we can to help them. Yet, often, challenges remain and continue to surface that keep them from completely lifting themselves up. 5.”
“Mr Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head T of the Estimates be reduced by $100". As a Member of the Class of 2011 in Parliament, like me, many Members of this House would have personally experienced the volume of appeals by our residents regarding housing matters from 2009 through to 2013. Many were young couples, and even their parents who came to Meet-the-People Sessions were anxious and perhaps also perplexed by the housing situation then. Many try and try but were constantly unsuccessful in their applications for a flat. Fast forward to today, we can mostly agree that the situation has gotten much better. Just by volume of cases, you can tell that the increase in supply and the multiple improvements that have been made and introduced by then Minister Khaw Boon Wan and, more recently, by Minister Lawrence Wong and the Ministry of National Development (MND) team have made a difference. This is a Ministry that has listened intently to feedback from the public and suggestions from backbenchers for a re-emphasis on the centrality of housing to the social compact that we have with fellow Singaporeans, and that there are housing options for Singaporeans at every life-stage. While the appeals on purchased flats have dropped, there is still work required on the other end of the housing spectrum, and this is rental housing. At last year's Committee of Supply (COS), I spoke on the issue of co-living, as well as our public rental flat schemes. I am thankful that the Ministry has made improvements on many fronts, yet it is still an issue that vexes. I, therefore, welcome the Senior Parliamentary Secretary's reiteration yesterday that public rental should be temporary.”
“Chairman, my clarification is for the Senior Minister of State Amy Khor. I hope she can address my cut on reviewing the medical evidence on preterm viability.”
“Mr Chairman, I first asked in 2014 if the Ministry will consider adjusting the threshold of gestational age for abortion from 24 weeks to 22 weeks, based on the increasing viability of even extreme preterm babies. I have made the same request consistently since then. As early as in 1991, the viability limit defined in the Motherhood Protection Act in Japan was amended from 24 weeks to 22 weeks based on medical advances. I am certain that if we look at the numbers in our own hospitals, there will be similar medical justifications. In Mandarin, Japanese and Korean, the written word for the womb translates to "the palace of the child". In Hebrew, the word Rakh'am is used to refer to the womb and translates to compassion and protection from harm. And I do hope that the unborn children of Singapore will truly find it a palace for them to develop well and a place of mercy for them who do not have a voice. I, therefore, repeat my request for the Ministry's careful consideration, based on medical evidence, if a review of the gestational limit is due and an adjustment to the term limit be adopted. Women's Health”
“Mr Chairman, as small countries and, more importantly, as neighbours , Singapore and Brunei shared many similarities and a strategic outlook on many regional and international issues. It is this that has led to a special relationship between our two countries, one that has been built over many years and on a foundation of deep, personal and institutional ties dating back to the close relationships shared from the 1960s by the late Seri Begawan and Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew. Having had the honour to visit Brunei on a number of occasions as part of official delegations, including that of then President Dr Tony Tan's State visit in 2013, I must attest that the genuine warmth and welcome that our Bruneians extend to us is extraordinary. It is also noteworthy that President Halimah Yacob chose Brunei as a destination of her first State Visit in May 2018 and we have a steady stream of high-level mutual visits every year, including the Annual Singapore-Brunei Young Leaders Programme. In her toast speech at the State banquet hosted by Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah for her State visit, President Halimah emphasised that future generations of leaders on both sides have the responsibility to build on the existing relations between Singapore and Brunei and to bring those ties to greater heights. The Currency Interchangeability Agreement which has been embraced since 1967 and our strong defence cooperation also underpin the robust ties between our two nations. What then are the steps that the Singapore Government is taking to continue strengthening the special relationship? It is, perhaps, also opportune for us to congratulate our Bruneian friends on the occasion of their 35th National Day this day and may our relations continue to grow ever stronger. Cultural Diplomacy”
“We pretend to engage with one another, but actually we ignore one another. We think we speak to many people but, actually, we are just talking to ourselves. On the work front, this happens as well. Technology meant to make work easier, literally ties us to our desk, even if we are away from the office. So, employers must also see more and more the importance that family plays in having a happy workforce. A purely transactional relationship only engenders stress, where parents fear even taking time off for family. We need to do more to encourage a change in work culture and not just through incentives like the Enhanced Work-Life Grant. More can be done at the cultural level. For all the generosity of our Marriage and Parenthood Package, there must also be whole-of-society issues that need to be addressed like cost of living and aspirations. How can we ensure that, as a society, we continue to value the family and will be willing to help families achieve their aspirations? These take more than just policy, programmes or grants, but the whole society and a relook of our culture. We must do what we can to avoid what some called the "systematic humiliation, apathy-inducing neglect and soul-killing cruelty" against the role of families in our society. Enhancing Family-friendly Culture”
“We all want to work hard, produce better results and aim for the next rung up in our careers. That is not inherently wrong. But it has unfortunately become a key part of our new culture today. This leaves young Singaporeans breathless. This work ethic subconsciously makes us stay longer in the office and often even when there is no real reason to do so. Great for the companies, but at what cost to society? We end up having no time to date, no time to go out, no time for ourselves, no time to get married, no time to have children. We cannot be indifferent to this problem as a society. Our very fabric as a nation depends of the family nucleus. Families play a vital role in determining the welfare of children, in meeting our deepest needs for meaning and solidarity with one another, and in shaping the economic and political fortunes of nations. When the family is not flourishing and no longer serves as the central organising feature of society, the nation begins to lose its basic unit. 2.15 pm So, it is not just about the money. The more money we throw at the problem, the more monetised and mercantile this most natural of building blocks becomes, reinforcing the growing stereotype that families are commodities. What we need to do today is to reinforce a culture that is centred around the family. From our very childhood, we should imbue in our young the importance of family, encouraging them to have quality time with their own families. For parents of this generation to reset the pace and reset the tempo of our culture. Part of it is our auto-reverential culture caused by technology. Many of us can attest to the fact that when we are at home, we may be with one another but we are really not with one another, we are with your phones.”
“Mr Chairman, as a nation, we strive to be the best. But, sometimes, we have to take a cold hard look at ourselves to take stock. We are a city in a garden, but are we truly green? We are fast becoming a Smart Nation, but can this nation also continue to grow a heart? We have a highly productive workforce, but what are we truly producing? We can be No 1 on many fronts, but if we allow our most basic of building blocks to start to crumble and weaken, how long more can we keep it up? Chairman, as Singapore continues to progress economically, it also seems that, like the rest of the developed world, we are beginning to face what is an increasingly post-familist future, one where that basic building block, the family, is becoming more sidelined and threatened. Singlehood, childlessness and instability of the institution of the family are growing in many countries around the world and Singapore has not been spared. And while not in the extreme, some anti-natalist propaganda has also recently appeared on our shores. In 2017, our TFR was a dismal 1.16. It was a seven-year low and the second lowest on record. This is despite the billions that we have committed to promoting marriage and parenthood over the years. Surveys tell us that over 80% of young Singaporeans intend to get married and have children, but that intention seems not to be reflected in the actual numbers getting married and also having children. Perhaps it is opportune for us to ask ourselves again what is it that we are not doing enough of? What I feel is missing from the narrative is addressing the slow unfortunate change in culture and its threat to the family. Today, we live in a stressful world. We can always admit that – one whose pace is breakneck.”
“These pieces of equipment are huge. Although we go through vigorous training and ensure that there is always a vehicle commander or a safety officer to ensure that when we reverse these vehicles, there are occasions where lapses do occur and minor accidents do happen, fortunately not involving human lives. So, I do ask if SAF will consider installing these cameras in all our SAF vehicles eventually, so that it includes an additional safety element for the driver, on top of all the other safety features, as well as the vehicle commander and safety officers that we already practise today.”
“I thank the Minister for his comprehensive response and Ministerial Statement. I have three supplementary questions. With regard to the safety timeout called this time for CFC(NS) Aloysius Pang, how does this compare to the length of time of safety timeout called for previous training incidents, and whether there were any reasons for calling for a longer or shorter timeout? I also understand that from 7 February, the safety timeout is progressively being lifted. With the time that has passed since the incident and the timeout was originally called for, I do hope that SAF and the commanders will also observe as much safety precautions as possible as men catch up on the training that they have missed out during this period of time. The second question is with regard to further assuring Singaporean parents. CFC(NS) Aloysius Pang was my resident. Fellow residents in my constituency knew him well. Over the course of the last few weeks, as I visited families in their flats as we held gatherings, many parents have come up to me and asked about safety, about reassurances for their children. But what I am heartened by is that none of the parents that have spoken to me have ever said we should do away with NS. Many of them prefaced their statement by saying that we have also served and we know that SAF takes safety seriously. But with four recent incidents, they are worried. So, how do we reassure them that safety is paramount, that their children will be taken care of? Lastly, I welcome the Minister's announcement that rear-view cameras, reverse cameras, will be installed in the Bionix as well as the five-tonners. I was previously with the Transport Section of the 328th Battalion Singapore Combat Engineers. I looked after the five-tonners as well as other transport equipment.”
“Mr Speaker, I add my voice to commend the firm, measured response so far. And Malaysia has certainly provided Singaporeans with a valuable national education lesson. However, amongst some Singaporeans, there is confusion. Because provocation after provocation, so far, what we seem to be doing is, every time something happens, we say, "Don't do it again." We are firm about it, but then it happens again, and we say, "Don't do it again." Dozens of red lines may have been crossed. To use the same popular parlance that the Minister had used earlier, will there be a point in time that this good cop has to be a bit of a bad cop, for our northern neighbours to understand clearer and beyond doubt that any further provocation will be met with an equal reaction on our part?”
“Mr Speaker, I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for a very comprehensive reply. Just two very quick supplementary questions. One, since the revision in 2012, in percentage terms, has the average income of our Ministers increased or decreased? Secondly, on the issue of pensions, which has also appeared in the public discourse, can the Deputy Prime Minister clarify once and for all, how many Political Office Holders still qualify for pension?”
“I thank the Minister and I understand many details need to be worked out. So, I will ask a question in reverse of the hon Member Mr Saktiandi's. How long would this study take and when can we expect that the Ministry will come back to the House to share more details once the study is concluded?”
“For the Joint Single Scheme, for those unable to find an appropriate, related family member or friend to stay with them, but still prefer to stay alone, what options are available to them?”
“I thank the Parliamentary Secretary. Two follow-ups. One is with regard to a point on the citizenship criterion. I think a number of Members in this House have mentioned this before, especially those who are undergoing a divorce and come from a Permanent Resident (PR) background, so the mother is a PR. And because of the Court requirement to sell the flat, they then have an issue of housing their children, especially if they are young. Does HDB guide these families in the process of application or point them in the right direction, especially if they do not qualify for a rental flat? A second issue is with regard to the Joint Single Scheme where quite a number of people have also given feedback that they prefer to stay on their own. What advice does HDB provide to them because they are unable to find an appropriate, related family member or friend to stay with them, but still prefer to stay on their own?”
“I thank the Minister for his reassurance. Just one very quick factual clarification. The Minister mentioned that larger family units can rent two separate rental flats. How many of these families have applied for them, and how many have been approved so far?”
“Mr Speaker, without belabouring the point, I add my support to the hon Member Mr Louis Ng's suggestions. Does the Ministry work together with the Family Courts in terms of coming to a mutual set of guidelines? Because, in recent months, there have been more cases of shared care and control that I have seen and we also have cases that we have come across with limited tenure shared care and control. For example, a resident of mine was given shared care and control of the children with her spouse for only 10 months and she was told by the Courts that she needs to resolve her housing situation within these 10 months. This was quite distinct from all the other judgments, in terms of divorce cases that I have seen in the last decade or so. So, does the Ministry work closely with the Family Courts advising and coming up with these guidelines, so that we do not have situations where the couple and the children end up suffering?”
“Mr Speaker, just two clarifications to seek from the Minister. The hon Member Er Dr Lee Bee Wah and I had raised the question on short-term lease websites that are currently operating. Are there any plans to police them, or to regulate them before the new regulations come into place? The second, as the Minister has mentioned earlier, the number of cases under URA and HDB, they come close to about 2,200 cases. Of these reports, how many have actually proceeded to prosecution?”
“I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. Just a very quick clarification. If and when the HSR Project is terminated, will there be any delays to the surrounding areas of the site set aside for the terminus, as well as the depot?”
“To the disadvantaged and the disabled, may this metropolis be one designed with them in mind from the beginning, but not as an afterthought. To those as yet unborn, may this metropolis be a beacon of hope and light for future generations of Singaporeans, where every child, every life, is valued, protected, embraced and encouraged. Only then will this metropolis shine even brighter as a little red dot. [Applause.] 5.34 pm”
“While we pursue to become a modern and advanced metropolis, we must continue to keep in mind Du Fu’s poem and adopt a people-centric approach by putting people’s interest and welfare at the centre of our development efforts. The Government has built multi-generation flats in HDB towns to enable three generations to live under one roof and also to allow different races of Singaporeans to live harmoniously together. In terms of urban planning, I hope the Government will continue to maintain our unique Southeast Asian characteristics and history and promote the development of the unique culture of our various ethnic groups. As we develop, we must not forget our roots. We must build a future city which can give the people a sense of belonging and identity. Only by doing this can we demonstrate that Singapore is not just a modern and advanced city but also an endearing home. (In English): Mr Deputy Speaker, Mdm President, in her Address to this House, said and I quote, "With bold thinking, we will create a metropolis that will embrace the future." This metropolis must, indeed, embrace the future for Singapore to progress. Yet, more importantly, this metropolis must embrace all Singaporeans in that journey of progress or we risk becoming no more than one of many cities in the world – cold, utilitarian and unwelcoming. So, even as we embrace progress, let us not forget that in our role as stewards of the future, we are also our brother's keeper. In a built environment, we must look after people and have them at the core. To the lonely elderly, may this new metropolis bring warmth and the comfort of friendship of care. To young families, may this metropolis provide opportunities to excel in their work and also to raise a family in a supportive environment.”
“I have encountered enough examples of singles, especially divorcees, who face sometimes unsurmountable barriers to their next housing option. Extending this additional option to them and other singles will, similarly, give them an opportunity to have a continued stake in Singapore. Mr Deputy Speaker, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] This is a poem that was written by a famous poet Du Fu from the Tang Dynasty and the title is “The song of my thatched cottage being destroyed by the autumn wind”. It demonstrated his concern for the country and people. To explain in modern language, the poet asked himself in the poem that, when the thatch on his cottage roof had been blown away, “How can we provide thousands of big and bright houses to house all the poor in the country so that they can live happily?” The houses will not be shaken by rain and wind, as steady as a mountain. Mr Pan Shou, our famous local calligrapher, has written this poem, which is now displayed in the foyer of HDB Hub. This has shown the commitment and the resolve of our Government to improve our people’s living environment. We can say that Singapore has achieved the dream of Du Fu to allow everyone to have a place to live. The older generation of Singaporeans will be familiar with the housing shortage situation around 1959, which led to social instability. The PAP Government decided to treat the housing issue as one of its fundamental national policies. Today, Singapore is probably the only country in the world that has achieved close to 100% homeownership. This is something which we should be proud of. We must not forget this in the next phase of our national development.”
“Items, such as home monitoring systems, home alarms, elements that allow the home itself to take care of you, preparing communal facilities in advance are also an important step. Let us take my constituency again as an example. Yew Tee is usually regarded as a relatively young town by our total population. So, when I made the decision to convert one of our early childhood education centres to a senior care centre a number of years ago, I was asked why. But as I had alluded to earlier, though we are statistically quite young, the transition to the silver years will occur in bulk once the first generation of home owners enters their late 50s and 60s. Today, our Senior Care Centre is already up and running and almost at full capacity. So, if we had waited till the demographics changed, we would have had to play catch-up. Over the last few years, I have also been urging the Government to do more for Singapore. I am, therefore, heartened that MND has made significant changes to address the housing needs of our singles, including single parents and divorcees. Yet, there are those who continue to find it a challenge. I, therefore, suggest that the Government extend the short-lease flats currently available under the Fresh Start Housing Scheme and 2-room Flexi Scheme for elders to also younger singles. They must, however, adhere to the minimum 20-year occupancy period. Certain additional conditions contingent on employment and income can also be factored in. This will allow those who are lower- to lower-medium income earners who are singles to obtain a flat which might be out of reach for them on a single-income based on the longer leases.”
“While retirement communities are one way forward, I urge the Government to also put serious consideration into helping more elders age inplace. My constituency of Yew Tee is an upgraders' town, which means that many of our residents moved in in their late 30s and early 40s just about two decades ago. These are their second flats, upgraded from their first matrimonial homes. After 20 years, these first generation of owners have aged as our town has matured. They like it here. It is a quiet town, homely. But they also worry. They want to stay where they are. Majority, however, are 5-roomers. They look at their 4-room neighbours and ask why the Government will not extend the Lease-Buyback Scheme (LBS) to them. Indeed, why not? Extend the LBS to 5-roomers. The Government has already revised the flat sizes once before, they say. Attachment to a place gives a greater sense of belonging, especially to older Singaporeans. It is a place that they are familiar with, comfortable with. As more of these naturally occurring retirement communities are formed, early identification of demographic shifts will allow the Government to plan ahead to put in place resources and facilities to cater for the needs of our elders. Of course, ageing-in-place requires changes to be made. So, the enhanced EASE programme will transform existing flats into those suited for our elders and the infirm. From my visit to older residents, some areas to consider include suggestions of lower wash areas, kitchen tops for elders dependent on mobility aids or wheelchairs. Like other hon Members, I also believe that technology will play a big part in our next lap. Beyond the grab-bars, ramps and accessibility ramps connecting our elders to the wider world through technology should also be explored.”
“There have been a number of suggestions from hon Members of the House. I would suggest that a modified SERS system be considered in the future for expansion. Let us take this from the view that we are a land-scarce city state. Even the recent projects that we have announced means that we take over land from areas set aside for other developments in the past like in Tengah, Paya Lebar, an airbase, and Bidadari, a former cemetery, for housing development. At some point in time, we will have to consider how much of land is left and it may make more sense and be more cost-effective to eventually SERS some of the flats at the 60-year mark and re-intensify the land with topped-up leases. Older flats do take more to maintain. Those of us who look after Town Councils can attest to that. Constant piecemeal upgrading might not be the most cost-efficient method beyond a certain age. China, for example, faces a situation similar to us and their leases are shorter – 20 years and 70 years – some of which are coming up by 2030. Last year, Premier Li Keqiang, announced that the government of China would be seriously considering a Real-estate Protection Provision, a change in the law to automatically renew the leases, but because it is such a complex issue, they have set up a committee to review this over three years. For us in Singapore, we are still some way from that magical age. But it does not hurt to consider long-term solutions now and reassure Singaporeans of their stake in the country. Related to the issue of leases is also housing for our elders. These are the builders of our nation. I, therefore, again, welcome MND's Addendum that a new model of assisted living will be piloted. We have seen one example of early success with the completion of Kampung Admiralty.”
“In the context of the recent collective sale bubble, lease decay has also led to the unfortunate comparison of parity – that a 20-year-old apartment or a 40-year-old HUDC project can undergo collective sale and thus monetise the asset for the owners and turn back the clock for developers, seems somewhat unfair. Of course, there are major differences between both. But, in situations like these, no amount of rational explanation can address the perceived unfairness completely. What was perhaps a non-issue just not so long ago, has made a number of Singaporeans unduly worried. One homeowner I met recently shared how she was worried about not being able to sell the family flat in the future. She had never contemplated it previously. All of a sudden, in response to media articles, the family is now making actual plans to sell their 30-plus-year-old flat to purchase a newer one. Just yesterday, during my block visit, I caught up with two families. One was worried that their flat value will decline rapidly soon. Another mother told me that she was contemplating applying for the new projects in Tengah in view of her children growing up. Given their worries, you would be forgiven for thinking that this block I visited is quite old. In fact, it is all of only 21 years old. It is a very, very young flat. So, this reaction to this decay has perhaps taken on a life of its own. Ultimately, we all know that housing is, fundamentally, a depreciating asset in the long run. But with such widespread concern, I think some clarity from the Ministry and the Government is called for at this point in time. Because we cannot, on the one hand, say that home ownership offers a tangible stake but, at the same time, have homeowners wondering how stable and lasting that stake will be for them.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion of thanks to the President. Please allow me to return to the theme that I have focused on in the last few years and, at the risk of repeating this ad nauseam, housing was, is and remains the key pillar of our social compact with Singaporeans. Therefore, in our pursuit of a world-class city, one that is well-connected and admired, we cannot forsake the fundamentals. Our development in the last 50 years has been to place the survival of Singapore and the benefit to Singaporeans at the core. This we must not forsake in our next lap. I welcome MND's Addendum to Mdm President's speech, especially the reiteration that home ownership gives Singaporeans a tangible stake in our country and a critical sense of belonging. However, I wish to jump in immediately to address a hot potato that has resurfaced in recent months, especially in media opinion pieces. And this is the issue of 99-year leases. While it arose because of the collective sale fever at the tail end of last year, I think we should take the opportunity to address this issue now and head on. The furore that has surrounded it reflects how much home ownership has become part of the Singaporean identity. The passions that have heated up around its discussion recently are not so much a reflection of angst but perhaps of genuine worry on the ground about how lease decay might fundamentally change the way we view our assets. For a long time, Singaporeans have known that leases will run down eventually. It is also not that a majority of flats will be reaching the end of their lifespan anytime soon. Only about 7% or 70,000 flats will reach the 50-year mark at the tail end of the next decade.”
“Has there been an increase in the initial investment costs for laying of cables and pipes compared to the usual trench burial method? It is right that with such a large capital investment and the large number of utilities that a CST supports, that the Government regulates and sets down as law the guidelines for access and adoption of use by building owners and utility-providers. However, CSTs are not new in the international sphere and have been planned for in Singapore since the late 1990s. Is there a reason for the long time lapse before the introduction of this Bill before the House? Is it in response to violations or potential violations? Last year, the Minister also announced that by 2019, the URA will be releasing the pilot projects under the underground masterplan. Does the Ministry see the CST as a future model for new developments, both commercial and residential, as well as redevelopment sites? Jurong Lake District has been identified as one such area for the introduction of the CST, together with the Punggol Digital Corridor. Will the Ministry also consider residential towns, such as Bidadari, Tengah and the freed-up Paya Lebar airbase, as new areas for the introduction of CST, in place of the traditional trench burial techniques? How will the Ministry ensure that there can be economies of scale, considering the very high upfront infrastructure costs that accompany CST projects?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I support this Bill. Urban planning engineers often refer to the maze of pipes and conduits and shallow urban underground spaces as the spaghetti subsurface problem: a criss-crossing, multi-layered mess of water pipes, sewers, gas conduits, power lines, telephone and television cables that sit below many of our road surfaces today. Many would also have encountered the constant sight of digging, resurfacing and re-digging of the subsurface by multiple agencies and companies in the past. So, the CST, or multi-utilities tunnel, as they are called overseas, offers a sustainable solution that permits simple and safe operations on the infrastructures, avoiding recurring street works that are necessary for direct burial trenches. However, CSTs face a key barrier. The high upfront infrastructure capital cost involved, as well as the time required to build such a structure. I am given to understand that the two phases of the Marina Bay CST (MBCST) had planning begin as early as 1998 and, coupled with the district cooling plant, base infrastructure cost has amounted to over $330 million so far. As such, I would like to ask the Minister what the key challenges for the construction of the MBCST have been, as the construction face difficulties, thus, leading to the prolonged construction period. Has maintenance of the tunnels been difficult for a largely reclaimed bay area? If the area is also fast developing, has right of access been an issue so far that the Ministry has had to deal with? What has been the feedback from current building owners that have to provide access to ancillary facilities of the CST through their buildings? Has there been resistance from utility providers?”
“Mr Chairman, our heritage is our touchstone, our point of reference, a mark of identity. As Jackie Kennedy once said: "If we don’t care about our past, we cannot hope for the future". Access to Arts and Heritage”
“Mr Chairman, having an appreciation for our shared culture and heritage as Singaporeans is key in developing a sense of national identity and pride. It underpins our very confidence as a nation. But as we experience rapid growth, it can be challenging balancing between heritage and development. What is most visible of heritage is seen in the buildings and our cityscape. It is also in our landscape and nature. It can be experienced in the language that we speak, the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the books we read, the traditions we follow. But most often, heritage is what is inside us, what makes us who we are. It is intangible, immaterial, but felt most keenly inside. The then-CEO of English Heritage Prof Simon Thurley described what is called the heritage cycle to incorporate culture and heritage into daily life. He describes the four-step process as, first, understanding our culture and heritage. Only then, will we begin to value it. It is from valuing our heritage that we can learn to care for it and eventually find enjoyment or fulfilment from it. With more enjoyment, we will then want to learn and understand more. And so, the cycle continues. That is something we may consider emulating as we seek to preserve our own heritage in Singapore. Do we do enough to educate ourselves of the importance of our local heritage? Do we value enough our heritage to do more and allow it to thrive again? Do we find fulfilment from our culture and heritage beyond the superficial? In this light, can the Ministry share how it plans to safeguard, enliven and promote understanding of our heritage, so that we can develop a stronger and more rooted sense of identity in our people? How will the Ministry get more Singaporeans on board and be involved and interested in our heritage plan?”
“Another is the tension that is becoming more obvious in what can be described broadly as liberal and conservative views in our society. As we contend with political instability and terror threats globally, what can the Ministry do to increase social mixing, especially amongst the young, so that we can continue to grow shared experiences and understanding? Class Divide”
“Mr Chairman, having lived abroad and encountered casual racism on a regular basis, I understand how difficult it is to reach what we call race and perhaps creed blindness. We are all different people, we have our own perspectives, but what can unite us is a common purpose, nationality and pride in our community. As a nation in constant transition, each generation brings with it new challenges. In the early days, you not only had inter-community tensions but also intra-community ones, too. However, our focus on a meritocratic system and also careful management of social interactions and mixing of the population has erased the most obvious fault lines. We can, therefore, safely say that Singapore does have a multiracial, multicultural harmonious society to a point. But despite all our efforts, fault lines do not disappear completely. As we continue to grow as a country, become more educated, we also risk becoming more diverse and divisive. Today, we have issues of self-radicalisation, class divides and ideological tensions to deal with. I met a young resident earlier in the month who caught me quite off-guard. We were trying to assist him with a difficult appeal on a family matter. He was well-spoken and articulate, but stridently aggressive in his view. Despite calmly explaining to him the situation, he then said that he did not acknowledge the law of the land as he only believed in the sanctity of his own religious laws. On a separate matter, a grassroots leader also shared with me about his daughter's experience in what some would term as an "elite girls' school". They came from a middle-class background and he was shocked by the bullying that his daughter encountered from more well-to-do peers.”
“Termination of pregnancy is not an easy decision. I remember still the words of a 68-year-old lady who told me, "The procedure itself did not hurt much but my heart has been aching for the last 47 years." Gestational Diabetes”
“Chairman, I am heartened to note that the number of unwanted pregnancies is decreasing in Singapore. According to figures by MOH, the number of abortions between 2007 and 2017 has dropped nearly 40% to 7,217 last year. Medical advances, the easing of stigma over unwed mothers, the availability of contraception, and the support available for unwed parents could be contributing factors for the decline in the numbers. But let us put things in context. In the same time period in 2017, there was 39,605 life-births in Singapore. Therefore, it is a proportion that means at least 15% of pregnancies were terminated. Under the 1974 Termination of Pregnancy (Amendment) Bill, abortions are currently allowed up to 24 weeks of pregnancy without restriction. This was based on the scientific norms of the time where 24 weeks were considered the justification age by which babies have a chance of survival. The same Act of 1974 removed the previous stipulations of parental consent rallied round abortion and approval by the Termination of Pregnancy (ToP) Authorisation Board. As we look at the basis of the 1974 Termination of Pregnancy Act, we have progressed on many fronts since then. We no longer have a population explosion. We have access to proper and high-quality healthcare. Gone, too, are backstreet quack doctors. Science and medical care have advanced greatly, too, and evidence shows that survival rates for extremely early pre-term babies have improved dramatically in the last 15 years. In 1995, practically no children survived when born at 22 weeks of gestation age, while in 2008, 21% survived. A 2015 report in a New England Journal of Medicine also found that infants born at 22 weeks could have a good chance of survival without severe health problems if hospitals treated them.”
“Mr Chairman, it leaves me to thank my three favourite Ministers and Senior Minister of State, Permanent Secretary Foong Pheng as well as all the colleagues at MND and the seven Statutory Boards for answering our 32 cuts. With that, Mr Chairman, I beg move to withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $2,665,913,000 for Head T ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $9,438,305,000 for Head T ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”
“Mr Chairman, I thank the Ministers for their replies to our cuts. Just two clarifications. A number of Members have raised this point but pardon me if I missed the response amidst all the answers. The first is with regard to rental and this is directed to the Senior Minister of State. Many of our rental precincts tend to be a little bit sparse in terms of facilities and design. A number of Members spoke about the impact the living environment has on families as well as their children. Is there more that the Ministry can do to provide better facilities for some of these existing precincts because the newer ones are seeing better facilities? The second has to do with our older, single Singaporeans living in rental flats. I think three Members raised this point that co-living together can sometimes bring about a lot of stress because of a lack of privacy. Is the Ministry studying ways to provide a greater measure of privacy, especially for some of the older flats?”
“According to the Climate Action Plan of 2016, sea levels are expected to rise, and with 30% of Singapore just five metres above sea level, what does this mean for our built infrastructures? How are we preparing for it? Part of this has been answered by the earlier Committee of Supply (COS) on the environment. To achieve our vision of a future city and home for all Singaporeans, we need the right professionals and know-how to achieve this. How else will the Ministry also grow the pool of local talents that we have in the fields of engineering, design, architecture and technology? Mr Chairman, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“Can the Ministry consider better case management of complex cases like these, if only for the children? I am happy to report, for this particular case, her mother and her two children now have a flat to call their own. As we strive for a compassionate system, it is also timely for us to look forward. One of the topics that occupied the space last year was the issue of diminishing leases. Along with those reducing leases, means that many of our flats – buildings and estate as a whole – are getting older. Therefore, there is definitely a need for upgrading, renewal and rejuvenation. Today, we have the Neighbourhood Renewal Programme (NRP) and the Housing Improvement Programme (HIP) for our residential estates and the Remaking Our Heartlands Programme for neighbourhood centres. As more flats come of age, what else is the Ministry looking at to rejuvenate and refresh our estates? While the future excites us, we need the past to also remind us of where we have come from. So, amidst a future skyline, we need signs of our past to be preserved as our built heritage. I spoke about this over the last two years of the Budget and hope that we can continue to do more. Singapore's first tallest residential condominium, Pearl Bank Apartments, will be meeting up with the wrecker's ball very soon. Sold recently for $728 million, the apartments will, unfortunately, not be conserved. However, it is good to note that the developers have heeded the calls of heritage lovers and agreed to consider blending heritage elements into the new development. What we can control, we do, but there are also clouds on the future horizon.”
“However, while we continue to advocate strongly for more marriages and also strengthen parenthood benefits, society is evolving quickly. I have come across many single Singaporeans who face challenges in securing their flats because we have fixed the age base as 35 years of age. Younger Singaporeans are becoming financially independent earlier, and are marrying later, how then can the Ministry reiterate the reasons for setting the bar at 35 years of age, or will the Ministry consider reviewing this in the future? A separate group of singles also deserve our attention and a compassionate hand in addressing their difficulties. These are divorced parents. Today, our policies perhaps are seen as compounding the difficulties of those already undergoing divorce, especially those who have custody of their children. While our HDB frontline staff do their best, it is perhaps time for us to take a better and closer look at how we respond to complex cases. To give an example. One of my residents saw me almost a year and a half ago. Hers was a complex custody case. She had full custody of her two children, but only for a limited time, and then joint custody after that. She and her children were without a place to stay, moving from friend to friend, or renting short term from the open market. I empathised with her and we worked on multiple solutions, yet each time that we tried, we were faced with a brick wall. Replies were factual but offering no real solace for a mother desperate to provide a better environment for her two young children and a safe haven for herself. In Chinese, we have a saying, jing guan nan ban jia wu shi (清官难办家务事), even the most upright of judges will find it hard to settle family disputes, but try we must, and I think we can do better.”
“I fully accept the Ministry’s stand that rental HDB flats are but an interim measure for families and they should be encouraged to move on to their own purchased flats. It would do wonders for the families living in these flats, particularly for their self-esteem and family relationships, if more can be done for them. What more can the Ministry do, in tandem with perhaps other Ministries, to do more for such residents and to give them that boost-up in social mobility? There are also our elders who are living in rental flats. Those without kin, those who are single. Their silver years can be difficult, too. Often, they end up sharing a small flat with a complete stranger, with no privacy whatsoever. Some even endure abuse from their flat mates, living uncomfortably in silence because they are afraid of having no other place to stay. Yesterday morning, the Ministry of National Development (MND) Facebook page also posted a link to an article on co-living. It is perhaps telling that the quote extracted for the post was this: "As it turns out, people do not really want to share bathrooms or bedrooms for that matter. But are fine perhaps with sharing kitchens, workspaces, gardens and the Internet". So, how does the Ministry, therefore, respond to the changing needs even within our rental populations, in this case, for our lower-income families and, especially for our elders? Another group of singles that the Ministry has made progress on is our younger singles. The newly enhanced Proximity Housing Grant also includes a higher grant of $15,000 for singles staying with their parents and $10,000 for those staying near their parents. Since 2013, the Single Singaporean Citizen Scheme has also been enhanced to allow for direct purchase from HDB.”
“This brings us to the opportunity to also look inwards, at a housing policy that seeks to be both practical and efficient, and also one that is compassionate. We have much to be grateful for. Flats for different people, different life stages, different incomes. Buy a home with your parents or stay near your parents, you get a grant. First-time applicants get a grant when buying a brand new or resale flat. Rental flats have been made available to young married couples waiting for their new flats to be ready. Flats for the elderly, to allow seniors to monetise their flats. These are but some of the schemes that promulgate social equity in Singapore. It is something which we should rightly be proud of. I am also glad that the Fresh Start Housing scheme which allows families living in rental flats to be able to buy their own flats has taken off well. At the same time, I feel for those who continue to live in rental flats. I refer to an opinion piece in The Straits Times dated 16 February this year, and it is titled, "The Housing and Development Board (HDB) should apply its own occupancy rules to rental housing". The writers of the article highlighted the fact that though the occupancy cap for the number of tenants allowed in larger flats have been brought down to six, the cap for 1-room and 2-room flats remains at four. They argue that this cap should also apply to those living in HDB's 1-room to 2-room rental flats. In their survey, they claimed that 15% of those living in rental flats had more than four household members. They also state that overcrowding affects the well-being of children, family relationships and health. I have seen this first-hand and I am sure many of us in this House have residents like that, too.”
“Mr Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head X of the Estimates be reduced by $100". A verdant oasis, and nestled within it, flats, public and private, with smart features – elderly-friendly, family-focused, well interconnected, with clean air with minimal vehicular traffic. A city-state comprising other self-contained mini-cities, each a distinctive regional hub with their own commercial, business, social and educational facilities. A vision for a future Singapore, one that we can all be proud of. This is not a pipe dream; this is work-in-progress. We already see signs of it in Punggol and Sengkang, also in the future developments for the Jurong Lake district, Bidadari and Tengah. As we journey towards that vision, it is perhaps helpful for us to look back, look inwards and also look forward. In looking back, it is important to remind ourselves that home ownership has been and continues to be a key component of our national policy and a key pillar of our social compact with Singaporeans. We have gone from Third World to First World, as one of the key movers of social mobility has been our provision of affordable, quality public housing for the vast majority of Singaporeans. Our housing policy is one that is much lauded internationally, one that has allowed generations of Singaporeans to move up the social ladder. Compared to many other countries like the United Kingdom (UK), Taiwan, Hong Kong and even Australia, just to name a few, the young there find it hard to rent a place, not to say afford to buy their own homes. All these remind us of the purpose of development in our country: to provide better lives for our people.”
“Mr Chairman, one clarification to seek from Minister Josephine Teo. Before having children, the first most important step is getting married. I understand from an NPTD survey that was commissioned in 2016 − the Marriage and Parenthood Survey − showed that 83% of young Singaporeans want to settle down. However, if you look slightly further down in the survey, it is a little bit more worrying because 59% of singles are not seriously dating and 41% have never dated seriously before. And of those not dating seriously, 42% prefer to leave dating to chance. It means, if it comes along, it comes along. Is there more that the Government can do to promote the environment and to encourage young Singaporeans to perhaps date more with a mind of settling down and then, eventually, having children and, perhaps, having seven children? 5.30 pm”
“This discriminates between both groups who are equally noble in their duties as mothers. Can we do more for adoption and thus perhaps reduce abortion rates? Most of all, apart from the policies we have in place, which are useful nonetheless, how do we let young couples know that despite the sacrifices involved in parenthood, our society, our country, our Government recognise and support it.”
“The Government has provided lots of practical assistance which I do not have to repeat. With all the grants and support extended to young Singaporeans, this ought to be the best time to have children. But are these measures enough? I think what is glaring in the conversation, not just in Singapore, but in many other countries facing low TFR, is just how overtly nationalistic and wider societal demands there are to justify families having more children. In Russia, they launched a "Give Birth to a Patriot" scheme and Taiwan politicians refer to the low TFR as a "threat to national security". Even in Denmark, a government-sponsored advertising campaign went even further by simply asking Danes to, forgive me if I pronounce this wrongly, "Knald for Danmark", which I will not attempt to translate for fear of the hon Speaker's censure. The country's survival, economic growth, national duty, patriotic mission – all big words. Important but missing in all of these campaigns is, most important of which, the love that parenthood truly brings, the importance of marriage, the joy of family life. How do we encourage fruitful marriages without relying on focus on national needs? How do we emphasise the joy of family without the need to refer to tax burdens and incentives? Those are perhaps more critical questions for us. How do we, therefore, support young Singaporeans in their very personal parenthood journeys without being too intrusive? How do we build a city and a culture that will both value the career aspirations of the young and yet have a strong support network for parenthood and family life? Can we reduce the unequalness of our grants and schemes that segregate mothers between those who are working and those who are not?”
“Mr Chairman, on the contrary, my wife and I were blessed to welcome our third new addition to our family in December. So, apart from sleep deprivation that has once again visited upon my house, longer nights, messier clothes and a much rowdier house, I must say, with all honesty, that having our three boys has made our love stronger and our home happier, our troubles forgotten and our future so much more worth living and fighting for. So, congratulations are in order to Mr Henry Kwek Hian Chuan in advance. Indeed, parenthood is not just a diaper-changing experience, it is a life-changing one. You learn how sacred and special it is to have given life, to have in your responsibility the care of a new life that is not just a part of your life but quite literally part of you. Parenthood should not be scary or difficult. Yes, admittedly your life changes, it is no longer yours alone as your vocation becomes one of a steward of a precious life. Things change, sometimes dramatically so. Yet, despite all the joys of extolling the wonders of parenting, our TFR continues to be low in Singapore. That said, this is not one of those Uniquely Singapore problems. TFR has been in decline worldwide for the last 50 years. The question is, has joy gone out from parenthood? Or is there just too much pressure in society? If we look at the Department of Statistics numbers, it is clear that a larger cohort of young Singaporeans will be entering their peak marriage and childbearing ages in the next decade. The question that some would definitely ask will centre around what further support or money will the Government be able to provide to encourage Singaporeans to marry earlier and to help build stronger families for Singapore's continued survival. Let us be honest.”
“The Committee to Review the Ministerial Salaries that recommended benchmarks also recommended a review at the five-year mark, which we have since crossed. It is, therefore, perhaps opportune for the Deputy Prime Minister to update if a review has been conducted and adjustments, if any, will be made to this benchmark? Deepening Skills of Our Public Agencies”
“Singapore needs good leaders, leaders that can steer the country to the forefront of innovation, create opportunities for growth, delicately manoeuvre the path of diplomacy to ensure the nation’s continued survival. To achieve that, we need capable, dedicated men and women of integrity to step up to the plate. But how do we attract these people, who often are already established or are establishing a steady career path, to forgo their attractive remuneration, perks and benefits to join the Government? To ensure an honest and competent government, a benchmark for Ministerial salaries was first introduced in 1994 to ensure that salaries were kept competitive to attract people of the right calibre to step forward to lead the country. Political service and public service require sacrifice, and many of our past and present Ministers are good examples of this. Most importantly, we have been practising a system that promotes transparency with no hidden perks. These principles have been the cornerstone of our Government, which has always espoused a clean and transparent governance model. But there is a need to be realistic as well. While many heads of banks, industries and businesses often earn more than our Ministers in terms of salaries, bonuses, perks and allowances because of their responsibilities, our public officeholders, who handle Ministries with larger budgets and an even greater impact on the country and the population, should also be paid fairly. The benchmark for public officeholders was finetuned subsequently and the last review was carried out in this House in 2012, agreed to by this House. The details were laid out earlier by our hon Member Mr Vikram Nair and I will not repeat them. This has remained unchanged since.”
“Further, to prevent conflict of interest in the running of co-operatives, I would further like to suggest that there be no duplication in the composition of the Committee of Management membership in credit co-ops and that persons related to the Committee of Management be barred from holding management positions in the respective co-operatives as well. By doing so, we can prevent the diktat of a particular Committee of Management member prevailing over other co-operatives that he or she may be involved in. Notwithstanding the clarifications I seek, Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Bill.”