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 [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.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.”
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“If they are not, what further follow-up action will be required, other than instituting qualifications and training requirements? Will the records of the co-ops be audited to ensure that their assets were managed competently by qualified officials? In view of the large amount of funds and assets in the care of co-operatives, besides categorising them according into small, medium and large co-ops, will there be the possibility of introducing ratings for them? If so, how will they be pegged? Will they compared against banks, which also offer loans and take in deposits? I ask these questions because if we throw back our minds to 2013, the largest credit co-op of the time, NTUC Thrift and Loan, which was well managed and I was a member of, with 29,000 members and over $17 million in deposits, decided to close their operations because they had struggled for years to offer their co-op members competitive returns in a low interest environment that continues to prevail today. So, for the rest of the smaller co-operatives, they would definitely be under the same strain. Mr Deputy Speaker, I am asking for these changes to take place for the sake of the common man, for whom the co-operatives were set up in the first place. Where else, besides chit funds, could you squirrel away a small amount of money monthly and get to enjoy loans, bursaries and even, back then, buy household items in instalments? Co-ops used to provide ease of mind to its members, who were assured that their hard-earned money was slowly growing. But these days, the landscape has changed and, therefore, harder measures are required. I am therefore pleased that the Ministry is putting in place safeguards to protect members' interests in credit co-operatives.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, there are 85 co-operatives in Singapore, under three different categories and have nearly 1.5 million members with total assets of nearly $8.8 billion. For the purposes of this speech, I shall confine myself with regards to credit co-ops. Meeting economic and social objectives were the causes for the setting up of these co-operatives in the past but their relevance are being challenged and many new co-operatives and new causes are being explored. Mr Deputy Speaker, the funds handled by co-ops is no small sum and there is a clear need to protect the hard-earned savings and deposits of its members. The recent case pertaining to the embezzlement of funds totalling $1.5 million at the Singapore Statutory Boards Employee's Co-operative Thrift and Loan Society is wake-up call for all of us. In fact, for the same Thrift and Loan Society, the first wake-up call for them was actually sounded back in 2003, but the amount that was misused at that time was only $40,000 and perhaps did not register on the radar. Clearly, this is a case of once bitten, twice still not very shy! However, it is never too late to reset the button and to prevent such financial mismanagement at any co-operatives. What is more of a concern is the huge amount of money that is deposited with our credit co-ops. There are 23 such active co-operatives, with assets totalling nearly $1 billion serving 138,000 members. These assets in question are large, and one misstep could have the funds could get wiped off. The question I would like to ask is how are we certain that the people who are currently running our credit co-operatives qualified or trained financially? If they are, well and good.”
“That is where accountability and verification of facts come in handy. The Commissioner of Charities, Dr Ang Hak Seng, had stated very clearly, "If you declared that you did not get Government aid but you did, it is a misrepresentation. You did not tell people the whole picture when you asked for donations. If your need is fake, you bet I will look into the matter." By according the Commissioner of Charities more power, misconduct will and can be prevented, and the people's trust and faith in their fellow Singaporeans will be preserved, and the willingness to share and give more will become more widespread and the Singapore society, in general, will become all the more richer. Thank you very much and I support the amendments.”
“I welcome the amendments, which have been tweaked to prevent person or persons of dubious standing and with integrity issues from holding key positions or indirectly managing the affairs of another charity-linked entity. In this respect, and in view of the global security climate, charities and persons associated with them who are convicted of terrorism or of its financing and/or money laundering, will be disqualified from positions of authority. However, I would be grateful if the Minister could share with the House if there have been such cases and how many have come under the Ministry's view? How much has been collected by these so-called charities? I am asking this because many Singaporeans may have contributed to such charities or initiatives unwittingly, borne out of emotion and parochialism. Those preying on the naivete of Singaporeans who come forward to share what they have, should be taken to task. Trust should not be penalised. Fundraising appeals are evolving as quickly as the social landscape. On 31 December, The Sunday Times reported that crowdfunding sites will be issued with a code of practice, and this the Minister had mentioned earlier. But I seek clarification on when, which date this will be specifically issued, and how much force it would have under the law to regulate these sites. By doing so, it will ensure transparency and accountability because much-needed social values when soliciting funds from the public must be upheld. It will also be made incumbent upon recipients to declare that they are not receiving state funds to alleviate their plight under the new guidelines. A recipient who is getting crowdfunding support in addition to state support may deprive another more deserving client from obtaining funds.”
“There was a recent newspaper report of a senior citizen who was sponsored on a trip to Paris simply for him to see the Eiffel Tower by a very generous but anonymous donor. He came back realising, however, that his own plywood version of the Eiffel Tower that he had spent many months making was, in fact, structurally incorrect. Amusing though the story may be, it highlights the fact that many Singaporeans are willing to give to different needs and different wants. They also do not want to be made known that they are the donors. This, in my view, is perhaps the mark of an altruistic donor. But it can also lead to abuse by unscrupulous canvassers of donations and the recipients themselves. Perhaps, even worse, the situation may be worse if the person or persons in charge of collecting and disbursing funds is/are caught with their hands in the till! As an example, many of us in this House, perhaps, have worked with an organisation called Project Awareness, a social initiative for the needy, and they came under the spotlight about four years ago. At that time, its project coordinator, an undischarged bankrupt, had his bank number listed as a repository for donations. Rightfully so, the Commissioner of Charities stepped in at the right moment and made sure that Project Awareness set their house in order, and issued an order to stop them from canvassing for funds while they were rectifying their internal structures. Today, Project Awareness continues to do good work and has a professional team managing their funds. It is, therefore, timely that we ensure that our charities and fundraising efforts are well run, and with their stakeholders exercising and executing their fiduciary duties as per the rules and regulations.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, it is difficult to follow after such a passionate speech, but I shall attempt to do so. Mr Deputy Speaker, every charity claims to do good work but not all charities are good charities. Some are mismanaged and fail to deliver what they promised to their clients and their donors. How would you define a charity as a good one? Good governance and management, competence and transparency in the way it handles its operations and in the way it disburses its funds to its clients and serves the community. I therefore welcome and support the amendments to this Bill. However, I have a few clarifications which I hope the Minister could clarify. First, the objectives of the proposed amendments are rather broad-based, that is, (a) to better protect charities and donors by strengthening the governance, accountability and transparency of charities and fundraisers and (b) enhancing the statutory powers of the Commissioner of Charities to maintain public trust and confidence. Charities generally work for the good of the society, and they work together with State institutions to ensure that funds are channelled to the right cause or beneficiaries. Without charities − good charities − our society would be poorer. As Singapore and Singaporeans become more affluent, the culture of paying it forward and giving back to society is gaining greater traction. It is heartening, therefore, to note that fellow Singaporeans are stepping up to help those who have fallen through the cracks and those who are in dire need. Media reports of Singaporeans coming forward to help and assist, both in Singapore and overseas, is heartwarming and it could take many different forms.”
“” The writer stated that “proposed restrictions will only drive more of those desperate for cash into the clutches of unlicensed moneylenders.” She goes on to suggest that Government-administered lending, combined with counselling, rather than mere legislative changes to borrowing amounts, will be more helpful. I tend to agree with the counselling part. But Government-administered lending is something I am not comfortable with. The onus is on the borrower to exercise due diligence and to ascertain if the loan required is necessary. And if it is, will it be possible for them to repay the sum within the stipulated period? This is where the Government can perhaps lend a hand by making available counsellors who would advise people in need of their options. Perhaps a dedicated unit within the Registry would go a long way in advising people who would like to seek the services of a moneylender. My last clarification has to do with debt recovery. I wish to ask the Ministry if there are acceptable standards of debt recovery that are set and how they are being policed. I have come across feedback that there are sometimes methods that border on criminal intimidation. How many moneylenders employ their own debt recovery agents and how many make use of third-party debt recovery companies? How many cases of intimidation have been prosecuted or reported? While we also need to protect the interests of honest moneylenders dealing with difficult clients, we must also similarly ensure that less than scrupulous moneylenders do not intimidate vulnerable clients. Despite that, I support the Bill fully.”
“But are those who are borrowing aware of the costs involved and consequences of getting a loan from the moneylenders? Will the moneylenders be required to advise them accordingly and will the Registrar ensure that they do? As stated earlier, educating vulnerable groups, especially low-income families, of the pitfalls of failure to repay loans to moneylenders, is important. The "O$P$" signs that were, perhaps, more common in the past, are fast becoming a thing of the past. But we still read of isolated cases of paint being splashed on doors and debtors being intimidated and even other debtors being forced to become runners for illegal moneylenders. We must not be complacent in our Home Team efforts to crack down on illegal moneylending but it is also important that we regulate the legal and licensed moneylender industry to prevent any abuse. It would perhaps be educational for Members present in this House if the Senior Minister of State could share with us if any studies have been conducted to ascertain the reasons as to why people borrow from moneylenders. What are the causes and what are the costs? What is the average amount borrowed and the interest rates levied? Are those interest rates explained to the borrower and are those rates acceptable to the borrower? Because many of them take loans perhaps in desperate situations and agree to almost everything under the sun. Mr Deputy Speaker, there was a recent letter to the Straits Times Forum page on 10 November 2017 asking if “a loan facility administered by a Government body could be implemented, which borrowers are likely to trust more and approach for assistance rather than private moneylenders?”
“No more hopping around moneylenders. We will not have a situation where Moneylender A will not know that Moneylender B is loaning the same amount to the same family. The move to obtain credit reports before issuing a loan is perhaps long overdue, and this, taken in tandem with the measures undertaken by banks and credit card companies, will be welcomed. MLCB will act perhaps like a goalkeeper and verify lenders’ loan statuses before a loan is granted. But will the imposition of a nominal fee for the checking of records put off moneylenders from exercising due diligence, no matter how small the amount may be? What if they do not check the records and continue to issue loans more than the cap that is stipulated within the Act? Will the Registrar have the necessary powers to enforce that moneylenders fall in line and that they will have the power to take punitive and deterrent action against such errant moneylenders? The call for regulation in this Bill is timely. Seeking the Registrar’s approval before employing assistants will enhance professionalism in the industry. Likewise, getting approval before increasing shareholding or becoming a shareholder will put the brakes on unsavoury characters entering into this industry. We have about 160 licensed moneylenders in Singapore and more than 100 of them have registered themselves as companies, whereby they are required to submit annual audited accounts to the Registrar. I would, however, like to ask the Senior Minister of State what are the measures being taken to get the remaining one-third of moneylenders to comply and register? What if they do not comply? Will the Registrar also have the powers to get them to fall in line? Accountability and transparency are the keywords of the amendments tabled in this Bill.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise to support the amendments to the Bill to better protect borrowers and also for closer regulation of the industry. Many seek moneylenders over the banks because of their ease and convenience. Some do not qualify for bank loans and, therefore, resort to moneylending services for short-term credit. These people are often vulnerable and every effort must be taken to ensure that they know what they are getting themselves into. Education is timely, and counselling in the management of finances is perhaps important as the total outstanding amount in licensed moneylending and the number of borrowers is on the rise. In 2016, it was tabulated that $367 million was borrowed by close to 40,000 borrowers. A year before that, the amount was $239 million for 35,000 borrowers. Although the proposed regulations will protect low-income families and prevent them from borrowing beyond their means, I wonder if our efforts to regulate the industry may also inadvertently push some of these borrowers into the outstretched arms of illegal moneylenders. This may lead to another set of issues. As a Member of Parliament (MP), I am sure many of us in this House have met families who have borrowed from illegal moneylenders and have their lives turned upside down. In my own town and our effort to drive home the message against illegal moneylending, our own branch office became a target of intimidation. As for licensed moneylenders, many of us have also come across a growing number of residents who are facing problems with their repayments. Paying the principal amount borrowed, together with the interest, is enough to break many. Therefore, the new loan cap to protect borrowers, especially from licensed moneylenders, is, of course, a welcome one.”
“There are juices and there are juice drinks and there are fruit cordials and there is nectar. There is an amazing number of different names for products when you go to a supermarket. Foods gaze at you from the bottles or boxes. But hidden within them may be extremely high sugar content, preservatives and the confusing list of E-numbers. Truth be told, reported health benefits might be outweighed simply by the sugar content. With regard to the recall of food items, I hope the Senior Minister of State can also update the House and the public on the current processes and how the new process will better guarantee food safety for Singaporeans. How often are tests done on imported food items and how much control is there, especially with the advent of online shopping? The old adage of "buyer beware" may still hold true but the online shopping bonanza that has opened up means that individual consumers are also befuddled by the attractiveness of importing small quantities of food items, perhaps for their own consumption or to share with friends but which may be contravening AVA's guidelines or be extremely harmful. For example, the recent instant hotpot recall is telling. So much is being transacted online today that it will perhaps be very difficult for the agencies to be able to check every arriving parcel for food contraband. How then will the agencies or the Ministry respond to the changing consumer landscape? Mr Deputy Speaker, food safety is important for Singapore and we must not take it for granted. Notwithstanding the concerns I have raised, which I believe that the Ministry will address comprehensively, I support the amendments to the Bill. 5.43 pm”
“Much of the information on food products today and their nutrition or reported health benefits no longer occur at the shop fronts or on traditional advertising platforms. Many purchasers/consumers do their research online and this is where policing of misleading information may find its limits. While a manufacturer may conform to standards required under our strengthened labelling regime, its claims online may paint a completely different story. How will AVA, therefore, enforce proper standards, especially if the claims are made through third party advocates or perhaps influencers that are seemingly at arms-length to the manufacturer but may well be paid for by them to promote their products in a misleading way? Labelling extends beyond just words as we now live in a very visual world. A can of beans might just be a can of beans. But plonking a guy in a lab coat on a can and the advert suddenly makes the can, a can of super beans. The same has befallen the infant milk industry previously. As parents, we naturally want the best for our children which makes us the perfect candidates to make rash but carefully considered choices after being bedazzled by the claims in infant food products. WHO international food standards already has guidelines discouraging mislabelling practices for infant milk formula, health claims and over-hyping nutritional values based on the purchasing psyche of parents. Section 16(a) addresses this but I wish to seek clarity on how this policing can be achieved, as many of the claims that are stated by these products cannot be adequately tested or disproven. Another case in point is fruit juices. Most of us think "fruit", and we think "healthy". But is "fruit juice" really fruit juice? One hundred percent pure juice? Are we very sure?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, please allow me to, first, place on record our thanks to the formula milk task force which has given a greater impetus to the passing of this amendment Bill so that tighter and clearer labelling requirements are put in place for infant formula and, by extension, to all food items in Singapore. Sir, we are a nation of foodies. We go to the greatest extent to enjoy our food. But we are also a nation that is time-strapped, which means that we also rely heavily on processed foods. This has given rise to many challenges, including those relating to both food safety as well as health concerns due to the sub-nutritional content of many processed foods. So, it is most opportune that the Act seeks to expand beyond just food safety and also take a big step forward in promoting public health, especially as we embark on the war on diabetes. The new regulations on food labelling will also help to demystify that cloud of misinformation that surfaces occasionally with fantastical claims on the properties of certain foods. As a parent myself, trying to understand the jargon on some infant-food items, it is perhaps more challenging than putting together a bicycle from scratch. Expanding the powers of the Act in effective recalls of food items suspected of contamination rather than only after confirmation will also further boost public confidence in our already strict food safety regime. The licensing of food storage warehouses would also strengthen oversight on our supply chain. Having said that, I have a number of clarifications for the Senior Minister of State. First, for food labelling and advertising.”
“— a ban and we no longer have the problem. Back to the point on the staggered system of introducing the increase in the age limit, can I ask the Parliamentary Secretary what exactly are the numbers that would be affected if we introduce an immediate ban? I understand that it is hard to break the habit. But if it is a relatively small number between the ages of 18 and 21, why not introduce it now?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir. I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his response and I am happy to hear that the Government will not rule out consideration for a ban. But, perhaps, if we could take the lead in this and set the standard for the international community and, perhaps, proceed on a ban at a far earlier stage. Opium use was quite entrenched in the early days in Singapore. We bit the bullet and we introduced —”
“So, I am highly doubtful that an initial study conducted with a very small group of respondents can be relied on for us to make exceptions to the rules that we are setting here today in this House. Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe all of us in this House can agree that tobacco is harmful and a tremendous burden on families, for those suffering from the ill-effects of smoking, as well as a danger to the well-being of Singaporeans. I, therefore ask, why we should not be considering a complete ban on a product that we deem as having no benefit. Maybe not now, but perhaps at some point in the near future, such as the regulations that had been put in place by Bhutan since 2004. I support any efforts to safeguard the health of Singaporeans and to discourage smoking. I, therefore, add my voice to call for the Ministry to consider all the possibilities to lead to an eventual ban on tobacco in Singapore. Perhaps, a rolling system of bans. But, that being said, with the current proposals in this TCASA, I support the amendments to the Bill. 3.43 pm”
“Should we not have immediate implementation as the best way forward? Who does the phased approach benefit? If we believe that smoking is inherently unhealthy, should we not introduce the MLA with immediate effect? In fact, as I have mentioned earlier, if we believe that a burden on public health is a major one caused by smoking, should we not ban tobacco completely? With regard to the use of ENDS, I applaud the Bill's response to these emerging products. However, I would like to ask how exactly will the Ministry police the import and use of these products, especially when travel is now very much a part of the Singaporean lifestyle. Many travel abroad and purchase items, such as vaporisers and nicotine substitutes, many of which are unregulated overseas and may contain harmful additives. Just a few weeks ago, I was at Mount Alvernia Hospital and I saw a vape being used openly. When the user spotted me looking at him, he stuffed his vaporiser into his bag – something where you cannot really do with a lit cigarette – and boarded the shuttle bus. He is just one of those I have seen using vapes and e-cigarettes around Singapore. While we do not want to be inspecting every single online shopping parcel entering Singapore or to check every bag of a returning Singaporean at our ports or airports, how will we prevent such items from entering Singapore and being used? The hon Member Leon Perera quoted a study in the UK on the low risk of vaporisers. The National Institute for Health in the US studied this particular report and came to the conclusion that only 181 self-selected respondents participated in this particular study and many other factors were not included in coming up with the results.”
“He had said that it was appendicitis so we flew him home and he almost wanted to down some Po Chi Pills and just head home to rest. By sheer willpower, we managed to get him to hospital. During the pre-surgery checks, the doctors noticed that there was something wrong with their ECG results. They changed to another machine and got the exact same results. He had had a major heart attack. What happened next was 24 hours of being in surgery for his appendicitis and, more importantly, for a major heart bypass. We are thankful that the doctors saved him. He is leading a healthy life with his grandchildren right now. But others do not have the same benefit like he had. I have also seen friends suffering from lung cancer, a slow lingering death, suffocating, painful, tragic. These are just some examples, and there are many, of how something sometimes seen as cool or hip to have a cigarette in your hand, can lead to personal health risks and a major burden on our healthcare system. It is also a risk not borne just by the smoker himself, but also by those around them. We have one of the strictest regimes in tobacco control in the world. We ban tobacco advertisements, we limit tar and nicotine, we ban shishas, we were the first in Asia to introduce graphic warning labels and we also have a strict Point of Sale Display (POSD) ban. Yet, while numbers have fallen, as pointed out by the Parliamentary Secretary, we are still amongst the highest in smoking rates amongst OECD countries. I, therefore, welcome the efforts of the TCASA to further tighten regulations. The MLA has been raised to 21 in response to the statistics that show that the majority of smokers have their first experimentation before that age. Yet, I am confused as to why we should decide on a phased approach to this.”
“Mr Speaker, if I had a choice, I would very much prefer that we be introducing a replacement to this Act called the Tobacco (Prohibition) Act. Cigarette smoking is the second highest risk factor contributing to the burden of disease in Singapore. I have seen first-hand how the bane of cigarettes has led to many health problems. In fact, according to the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of deaths, directly or indirectly related to cigarette smoking causes one out of every five deaths in the US every year. That is more than 480,000 deaths in the US alone. This, compared to drug deaths, which only record a total of 64,000. That gives an idea of the scale. I have seen it first-hand as well. My paternal grandmother was a heavy smoker. State Express 555 was her brand of choice. She was an opera singer by training and led an otherwise healthy life. But the puffs she took was to lead to a major heart attack and her untimely passing before she could undergo surgery. My dad was also a heavy smoker. He smoked packs, not a pack, but packs daily. Just before my grandmother passed away, he was trying to give up smoking. But perhaps the grief of losing his mother started him on cigarettes again. I remember hiding his cigarettes in the garden, doing everything we could to convince him to give up smoking. He tried, but, like most smokers will tell you, it is hard to break the habit once it has started. Then, one day, while he was working in Shanghai, he broke out in cold sweat and had chest pains. He ignored it and slept over it. A few weeks later, he travelled to Macau. I was still in the army at that time. I remember receiving a call from my mother saying something had happened to him.”
“I have seen a proliferation of reported TCM establishments operating as tui-na or massage centres, some with rather dubious operators. As such TCM clinics are not registered with the Ministry of Health, is this a potential loophole for such operators? Also, there are many such massage establishments in plain sight. In fact, many are advertising openly in tabloids online and many are still operating, despite this open knowledge. I, therefore, hope that with this renewed Bill, there will be greater impetus to shut down such shady establishments.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Massage Establishments Bill. I would like to touch on three main points. Firstly, the Bill has spelt out and detailed the actions and penalties against offenders, including the owners of those properties used as massage establishments. What about the so-called masseuses who provide non-massage services? I would like to seek a clarification from the Minister what action will be taken against that in the context of this new Bill. The new Bill states that landlords of unlicensed massage establishments should evict the operator. Landlords who take "reasonable steps to do so will not be penalised", states the Bill. Could the Second Minister elaborate on the term "reasonable steps" and what it will constitute? During the course of investigations, massage establishments could also be closed till the end of Court proceedings under clause 19. This is a welcome move but I would like to further urge the Minister to take one step further to confiscate properties used for vice activities if the landlord is found complicit in the activities at the conclusion of the investigation. Only then would we be able to send a strong signal to owners and operators of such illicit massage establishments that their activities are not tolerated. Also, making a distinction between massage establishments and low-risk activity centres, like nail salons and hair removal centres, is noteworthy and removes the requirement for licensing for low-risk massage establishments. However, I wish to seek clarification from the Second Minister with regard to TCM clinics offering therapeutic massage, whether they are also similarly covered under the Bill.”
“I would like to draw attention to the fact that if two teams are working on the findings − one, to draw up an incident learning report and another to determine criminal liability − how would the agencies concerned separate the different findings if they should draw different conclusions? Therefore, I would like to hear the Ministry's views on this. A higher deterrent, as introduced in the supplementary legislation, raising from $200,000 to $500,000, is a step in the right direction. Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, at the Official Opening of the World Congress of Safety and Health at Work on 3 September this year, said that Singapore hopes to reduce the number of incidents at the workplace to less than one worker per 100,000 in 10 years' time. Today, the UK, Sweden, the Netherlands and Finland have already achieved that target. Singapore's workplace fatality rate currently stands at 1.9 deaths per 100,000 workers. Therefore, we have a lot of catching up to do. The integration of WSH training standards is laudable. I would be grateful if the Ministry could advise if the transfer of accreditation to SSG is smooth at the current moment and if the numbers are on track. Do the companies meet the requirements as set out by SSG and how many training providers are we looking at, at a steady state? Mr Speaker, Sir, safety concerns all workers in Singapore. Families want assurances that their loved ones return home safe from work every day. The amendment Bill is a step in the right direction and, while I support the Bill, I would appreciate if the Ministry could address my concerns, as stated in my speech earlier. And while some of the suggestions I have made may lie outside the ambit of this current Bill, I hope that they will be considered under WSH 2028 for future amendments.”
“I understand that several training centres are already set up in countries, such as India, Bangladesh and Myanmar, to introduce workers to basic construction techniques. Does the Ministry know how successful the scheme has been and how many workers have benefited from this training? Also, how many of them are still in Singapore, working in industries relevant to the training that they had received? I also wonder if the Ministry conducts aptitude tests for our registered foreign workers here in Singapore, especially those in the construction industry, to see if they have the right fit. These workers are hardworking, I have no doubt about it, but would it not be better if we could ascertain that they are also up to the task, both mentally and physically, as well as technically? If they are prepared to voice concerns regarding safety at their workplaces, because they are adequately equipped with such information, it would make for a better and safer work environment. However, I am certain that many, in fear of preserving their own rice bowls, may muzzle their comments or feedback in fear of reprisals from their supervisors, managers or employers. If only a worker had voiced concerns about unsafe practices, many industrial accidents and loss of lives could have been prevented. I would like to believe that the recent collapse of the Tampines viaduct could have been prevented if one worker had raised the alarm. I am suggesting that unsafe workplace practices have been carried out on different worksites, and perhaps with the knowledge of workers. Therefore, the incident learning report, as required under this amendment to the Bill, would be a welcome one. However, I have concerns on this.”
“Mr Speaker, I stand in support of this Bill. Let me speak, in particular, for a group of workers who are more at risk in terms of workplace injuries, and these are our foreign workers. This House that we are debating in, this very Chamber, was built by many foreign workers who come to Singapore in search of a better life for their own loved ones back in their own countries. They come with hopes and aspirations, after having paid their agents exorbitant amounts of money or perhaps having sold off jewellery, ancestral land, just to get here, they slog day and night, forgoing days off and working countless hours of overtime, just to earn that little extra. But when it all comes crashing down, their dreams die – theirs and their loved ones' as well. The loss of a life is irreplaceable, whoever it may be. As the Minister of State said in his opening statement, one is too many. Therefore, I welcome and support the changes proposed in the WSH amendment Bill. Workplace safety is for all workers in Singapore. I, therefore, stand fully behind the Ministry's decision to set up Total WSH Service Centres in Singapore. And I hope that the pilot project at Woodlands would be successful in implementing WSH programmes for workers. If it takes off, we can look forward to more of such centres in industrial areas around Singapore. However, returning to the case of foreign workers, I believe that they are also eligible for more training. I wish to ask the Ministry if the training provided for our foreign workers at their countries of origin is sufficient at the current moment. How are the courses conducted and do we do sufficient audits that the workers have adequate understanding of the materials provided to them?”
“I still wear the flag as a reminder that there is much work for us to do. How do our brother and sister Singaporeans from minority races cope because I am sure they faced the same difficulties I did overseas and, perhaps, even to a deeper level because it is not violent, it is not always in your face. It is not always apparent but it is there. I have also discovered that the worst that we can do is to retreat into our own false security of our small racial and religious circles. Because it is only when we reach out that we can reach in to strengthen our own identities. We can have pride in who we are, but it is in the sharing and learning of others' cultures and practices that we can fully appreciate our very own. The strength of our own conviction should not come from the denigrating of another's. Mr Speaker, we have come a long way as a nation, a nation that almost should not exist in some people's books. Yet, we do and we thrive. But we must not pay lip service to the harmony that we enjoy, our multiculturalism and multiracialism, because terror can strike at any point. We are buffeted on all sides by deviant thoughts, we are drawn towards the seductive call of separatism, of living apart from others. But I also see in Singapore a horizon filled with bright lights. If only we work hard at it. While our very existence as an oasis of harmony is also the reason for us to be targets but it is also our harmony that will bind us closer together should something happen because we are Singapore. As One People United, we can weather any storm. So, Mr Speaker, Sir, I support this Motion wholeheartedly and I pledge to do my own small part so that all of us can stay united against any threat.”
“It is quite one thing to be proud of what you believe in and quite another to use that pride to deride another's beliefs. Casual racism and religious chauvinism are just one step shy of hate speech. For many of us in this Chamber, as members of the majority race, it may seem hard to comprehend. Some people have asked me why I have constantly worn a lapel pin of the Singapore flag. I have done this since I was in university. I studied in the United Kingdom (UK) and it was in the university overseas that, for the first time, I was not the majority race. It was also the first time I experienced what it meant to be a minority. It was not violent, it was not always in your face, but it was always there lurking. Regardless of my actual surname, to many of the shopkeepers in town, I was a Ching, Chang and Chong and they never did it with any sort of malice, it was always with a smile. It almost seemed normal to them. Regardless of my actual nationality, I have been called a communist from the mainland or a boat boy from Saigon. And regardless of my faith, I was a papist practising popery in the Anglican heartland. Again, none of this was in your face, but it was always there. People spoke about you. It was always slightly percolating beneath the surface. I found comfort in the community in church but I did not retreat away. To be honest, I was angry when I first experienced this, but I was encouraged to do something positive about it. And so, I ran for the Students Union as the Ethnic Minorities Officer, won the seat and then served on the Chaplaincy reaching out to other minorities. And because of those experiences, I also started wearing the flag as a visible sign to others and also a reminder to myself. Today, back here, in Singapore, I belong to the majority race.”
“Schools could take a greater lead in this by encouraging students to interact with students of other races not just on the surface, but more in-depth and an understanding of the cultures and traditions and what motivates them. This really needs to start at a young age. Our leaders have also been emphasising Singapore's potential as a prime target for terrorists. We talk about "when", not "if". Minister Shanmugam's recent statement that there is still some way to go for terror preparedness among Singaporeans is also worrying. The SGSecure movement is already a year old. Yet, a recent Sunday Times poll shows that four in five Singaporeans are not prepared for the eventuality of a terror attack. Preparation for any eventuality has been a way of life for Singapore. A good example of this is our concept of Total Defence. It focuses on five key areas − military, civil, economic, social and psychological. Many of my fellow hon Members have mentioned different aspects of this. So, these five key areas have stood us in good stead over the years but how prepared will we be for the actual event, when it happens? How strong will be our social fabric? So, we need to focus also a lot on psychological preparedness which needs a lot of work. We talk about unity in diversity in Singapore. It sounds very nice, warm and fuzzy but, in reality, it is a concept that needs lots of practice to make perfect. We have to admit that even in Singapore, casual and sometimes even overt racism is still an ugly fact. Religious chauvinism is also becoming part of our landscape, yet this is often hidden away in the relative safety of inner sanctums. It is these that we must be weary of.”
“Keeping Muslims informed and ensuring that their need for proper and religious knowledge is not compromised as well, MUIS introduced the ARS last year. To this end, registering religious teachers to ensure proper qualifications and training, and within the context of our multiracial and multi-religious society, is a welcome move. One can only imagine the havoc that can be created by self-serving rouge teachers. The ARS' emphasis on contextualising around a multiracial and multi-religious societal core is also an important development. I hope that other religious communities in Singapore would also be able to mould their own religious teachings in the same way. Ultimately, deviant teachings serve two purposes: to turn the follower against the world and the world against the followers. Feeding the cycle of hate and fundamentalism only makes the world a far more restive and tense place, where every action can spark the tinder box of suspicion and violence. Mr Speaker, Sir, multiracial and multi-religious Singapore was a hard-fought prize that is to be treasured by all Singaporeans. But even after more than 50 years of nationhood, this is still fragile. This calls for all of us to think very hard. The Prime Minister, in his recent Kopi Talk, highlights this concern aptly. The social cohesion and racial harmony that we are enjoying now are not a given. It needs nurturing; it needs tender loving care because harmony, Mr Speaker, Sir, is not a luxury for Singapore. It is an absolute necessity for our very existence as a nation, as a people. So, how do we go about nurturing racial harmony among Singaporeans? By getting them more involved and interacting with Singaporeans of all races and religions.”
“In the Friday sermon on 29 September at all mosques in Singapore, MUIS did the right thing by explaining that verses contained in the Quran should not be tweaked for convenience and for setting of an alternative agenda. This is a very apt reminder under the present circumstances where a Singaporean, reported to have been recruited by ISIS, is misleading Muslims in Singapore and in the region with false statements to follow his path of terror. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing, they say. This terrorist, who was neither religiously inclined nor formally trained, was infused with deviant thoughts and teachings while in the Middle East. But, if we consider this very carefully, he is but one of the many Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Buddhist or Hindu youths who are now being influenced by deviant teachings widely available on social media and the Dark Web. It is, therefore, incumbent upon all Singaporeans to be on a look-out to report family members, friends and individuals who display signs of having been radicalised in their thoughts and actions. They will be doing not only themselves and our nation a favour but also the affected individuals as well. Betterment of society is the key word and I am glad that MUIS, in the same sermon on 29 September, preached that Muslims will continue to contribute to the prosperity and development of the community that they are living in. Singapore is blessed that it has enlightened Muslim leaders who are in sync with the larger good of the community. Their enlightened and progressive approach to many issues, such as organ donations, the Milk Bank, cord blood donations, only serves to strengthen our social fabric.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, terror has many faces, many names and many causes. It has no nationality, race, religion, language nor gender. Terror has been around for many centuries. But perhaps none has been more potent or devastating than those who have espoused their warped cause, falsely and illegitimately, in the name of religion in recent times. Yet, we must make an important distinction. Terrorism cannot claim to represent any particular religion, it has nothing to do with religion, it is plain and simply born out of warped human fundamentalism. Islam, like all mainstream religions, is a religion of peace. Yet, various groups like Al-Qaeda, ISIS, all claim the right to inflict wrongs and inflict it on their Muslim brothers and sisters and establish an Islamic Caliphate, which they promise will be heaven on earth, but it is more like hell. Mr Speaker, I am not a Muslim myself and I do not claim to be a subject matter expert. But from what I have read and learnt from my Muslim friends, Islam does not support terrorism. Islam calls upon Muslims to submit to the will of God. Yet, terrorists have misappropriated the words of the Quran for their own agenda. Their actions are completely at odds with the message contained in the Quran. Fundamentalism, therefore, has no place in our present world. Adherence to a strict, literal interpretation of scripture does more harm than good to mankind. And just because we can pick and choose and memorise particular verses from the Quran, the Bible, the Torah and any other religious text does not make us religious at all. Religion, in fact, provides all of us with a pathway to be better human beings. Fundamentalism, on the other hand, leads one towards the corruption of the human soul.”
“Question No 14, please. The Second Minister for Defence (Mr Ong Ye Kung) (for the Minister for Defence): Mr Speaker, Sir, the relocation of Paya Lebar Airbase (PLAB) is scheduled at 2030 —”
“Mdm Speaker, to conclude, I wish to commend the Muslim community for partnering the Government closely to address its challenges and to ask the Government to continue to stand ready to assist the community, as it does for all other communities. I reiterate my support for the proposals in this amendment Bill, which reflect a Singapore Muslim community that is open to diversity, progressive, modern and confident of its place in Singapore. 3.44 pm”
“These efforts show that the community is progressive and realistic in its challenges, and how it has always been keen to strengthen itself. It is this progressiveness and desire to improve that have seen so many positive trends on the social front, as were highlighted by the Minister earlier. Third, to encapsulate the unity and progressiveness of the community is its resilience. All communities in Singapore have their unique challenges as well as issues. The Muslim community has never backed down from those challenges. It has always been able to dig deep to find innovative solutions to challenges. The creation of MBMF is just one of these, but so, too, are the various proposals in the Bill before us today. Where necessary, the community has also been more than willing to work closely with the Government to support. I recall that MCCY and MUIS introduced subsidiary legislation, the Administration of Muslim Law (Muslim Religious Schools) Rules, that came into force in January this year. The Rules seek to strengthen the religious sector through better regulation of Islamic education centres and providers, as well as to provide a guide of conduct of the religious teachers, through a Code of Ethics for asatizahs. All these are intended to strengthen the resilience of the community against the threats of extremism. The Muslim community has always worked closely with the Government and the rest of the communities in Singapore to address some of these challenges. It has been a partnership, not an adversarial or combative one. The Government must and will continue to stand ready to help, as it does for other communities as well. And for all communities in Singapore, regardless of race or religion, we should all stay united as Singaporeans.”
“We have seen leaders of the community, such as the Mufti, condemn extremist violence in other parts of the world and state firmly that these actions do not reflect the values of peace and understanding in Islam. The Religious Rehabilitation Group (RRG) has also done excellent work in advising the community to be discerning about what they read online and to seek counselling early for their friends or loved ones who may be exposed to extremist views. All these efforts are particularly important, especially when there are preachers out there who seek to de-stabilise societies with their problematic exclusivist and extremist views as well as skewed doctrines and ideology. We are fortunate, therefore, to have an asatizah fraternity who appreciate Singapore's unique context and believe in the importance of preserving our social harmony. The amendments to the Bill which clarify the use of the MBMF for mosque building and religious education should thus be supported. I also congratulate the community for reaping the fruits of their contributions over the years to MBMF. Second, the progressiveness of the Muslim community. I note that AMLA was amended in 2008 to raise the minimum age for marriage from 16 to 18 years of age. The amendments in the Bill today provide for more measures to better support minor couples, including requiring parental consent to the marriage and mandatory participation in a marriage preparation programme. We also see an increased child-centric approach in various proposals to enhance guidance for divorcing couples, which is important not just for the Muslim community but for all marriages in Singapore. The efforts will also lead towards the further strengthening of the institution of marriage.”
“Mdm Speaker, please allow me to thank the Minister for the introduction of this amendment Bill. While I am not a Muslim myself, I wish, as an outsider and a friend of the community, to express my support for the Bill as it highlights three important traits of the Singapore Muslim community that I have come to admire and respect. First, the united spirit of the Muslim community. The Singapore Muslim community has been contributing to MBMF since its inception as the Mosque Building Fund in 1975. The contributions of the community have given rise to beautiful new and upgraded mosques, which add to our vibrant, multi-religious landscape, including the new Masjid Yusof Ishak, as well as the An Nur and Al-Khair Mosque, which serves the residents of Marsiling-Yew Tee GRC. While these mosques primarily serve the socio-religious needs of the Singapore Muslim community, they have also been active players in inter-faith initiatives. These include inviting other faith groups to the mosque to learn more about Islam, or just coming together to build bonds over an Iftar meal during the fasting month of Ramadan. As an example, Al-Khair Mosque in Chua Chu Kang will be hosting the IRCC Appointment Ceremony this Saturday. Masjid An Nur in Marsiling also hosted a networking tea for community leaders on the morning of Hari Raya Puasa itself. I also note that our full-time madrasahs have also endeavoured to produce wise, grounded and competent asatizahs, or religious teachers, who are able to guide fellow Muslims in a diverse, multi-racial and multi-religious country, such as Singapore.”
“Madam, could I ask the Minister would the Police be working closer with car rental companies, specifically for commercial goods vehicles, for security screening of people renting these vehicles?”
“Allow me to conclude by saying that as we examine the Motion which asks us to think harder on being tough against drug crimes, we must also think of humanising those people who are drug offenders, especially those who are young, first-time Singaporean drug offenders. I support the Motion and hope that the hon proposer as well as the Ministry will take these comments into consideration as the law is amended. 8.16 pm”
“Two, how should options for rehabilitation, including but not limited to the drug rehabilitation centre, be approached? I note that Mr Christopher de Souza has some very intelligent ideas in the paper that he has provided. I would like to ask whether we would actually be using this very soon. Third, would the Ministry support a "rehabilitate-first" approach towards drug trafficking for young first-time drug offenders? If there were refinements to the Misuse of Drugs Act, could we also involve lawyers who have represented these young first-time drug offenders from the Law Society, from the Association of Criminal Lawyers and other organisations and law firms? Will we be able to invite social workers and probation officers to also be involved in how these amendments are being included or proposals being put forward? Three, should CNB investigators and misuse of drugs prosecutors be sent for sensitisation training and diversity management training so that when they first meet or deal with young offenders, they take a "rehabilitate first" approach instead of an approach which tends towards "prosecute at all costs"? Will they be required to spend time conversing with under-privileged people and those who are most prone to substance abuse? Finally, Mr Deputy Speaker, I note that academics at NUS and SMU have recently, on the basis of empirical research, asked whether capital punishment should remain on the books and whether that ultimate deterrent should still be relevant for every case for which it is put forward.”
“" This was how the prosecution had characterised him. It was just not the prosecutors. It would be the investigators and everybody who was part of the criminal justice system looking at one young first-time drug offender who was standing before them. I take issue with this, Mr Deputy Speaker, with conflating the crime, as reprehensible as it may be, with the prospects of the young offender. Unfortunately, once you label a crime as being "evil", it is a short step before you demonise the criminal as well, regardless of his young age. Should the young offender's prospects of reform and rehabilitation be a foregone conclusion that prosecutors alone can make? My response would be an emphatic "no". We must be wary, Mr Deputy Speaker, of what the Judge of Appeal Chao Hick Tin cautioned just last month in a case that Mr Kok Heng Leun referred to earlier. In a Court of Appeal case, Judge of Appeal Chao held that "it was vitally important not to view the actions and words of an accused person in a case like this in the lenses of someone who is familiar with the practices of the drug trade, unless there are facts warranting that conclusion." With young first-time Singaporean drug offenders, we cannot assume that all of them are familiar with the practices of the drug trade. That was only one of two cases just held last month by the High Court and the Court of Appeal where the charges were found to be unsubstantiated and the cases were ultimately found to be unwarranted. Both of them were acquitted after lengthy trials. Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to ask the Minister a few questions. How will young potential offenders be better encouraged to abstain from resorting to drugs in the first place and before the criminal justice system itself is involved?”
“His youngest sister was willing to defer her overseas education just to take care of him. The Probation Officer also looked at the unwavering reports from his superiors in National Service. Ultimately, Ridzuan was convicted and sentenced by the District Judge and placed under two years' probation, six months of which were intensive, 18 months of which were supervisory. The prosecution, of course, appealed against this decision at that time. I draw attention to this not because the prosecutors were doing something wrong. It was their job to appeal against it because it was the first time probation had been awarded against a drug trafficking charge. But I take issue with the way in which the sentence and the offender were characterised. In the Magistrate's Appeal, this is what the prosecutors said and these were their words, not mine, Mr Deputy Speaker: "The drug menace still abounds in Singapore even though our drug laws are enforced vigorously. Drug trafficking is the scourge of our society, family and the individual drug abuser. As such, peddlers in this evil trade must be dealt with severely to alert those in this pernicious enterprise that they too will be prosecuted and punished severely." By itself, there is not something too greatly wrong with that paragraph. But the next paragraph is stark: "[Ridzuan] has a dismal academic track record. He shows excessive indulgence in clubbing, has sold cigarettes in his army camp to his friends in order to support his clubbing habit. There is hardly any evidence that he has a bright future ahead of him unless a fledging interest in sound engineering (which is a euphemism for being a music disc-jockey) constitutes a potentially sound career or a safe life choice that would not throw him back into the clubbing culture.”
“He confessed to selling the ecstasy pills for cash and we learnt all of this from several visits to his home, to Queenstown Remand Prison, where he was also serving pre-trial detention at the place and we asked in Court for probation as the appropriate sentence for the sentencing judge to consider and to sentence him. When determining whether or not an order of probation is required or appropriate, a sentencing judge may call for a pre-sentence or probation report, as the judge did in Ridzuan's case. A probation report provides a comprehensive profile of the offender and is obtained mainly from interviews with the offender, his family, significant people which, in this case, included people he was working with in National Service, his superior officers, social service agencies and so on. It gives a picture of that drug offender so that the drug offender is not just a digit, not just one person accused of a crime of consumption or trafficking, but there is a larger contextual, social and historical nature to the offence and the offender. Sir, probation is not a gesture of leniency. It provides the Court with an alternative method of dealing with that first-time young offender who may otherwise have to be committed to a corrective penal institution. It involves the conditional suspension of punishment when the offender is released under supervision and the personal care of a probation officer. A probation order imposes on the probationer certain obligations in the form of conditions. If any of those conditions are not met, the probation order lapses and the probationer has to face real jail time. Ridzuan's Probation Officer found his family members were willing and stable to assist in his rehabilitation.”
“Rehabilitation does not only mean sending an offender to the DRC. In deserving cases, it can and should involve, Sir, probation or reformative training. A decade ago, I had the privilege of being the defence co-counsel in one such case. We represented Mr Ridzuan bin Hanafi on a pro bono basis against his charge of trafficking 20 tablets of ecstasy. A 20-year-old NSF at that time, Ridzuan took responsibility for his mistake. We met his family at the hawker centre where his mother ran a nasi campur stall. We learned that Ridzuan's eldest sister had been diagnosed with cancer and that, to supplement his NSF stipend, he worked two other odd jobs. His unwavering care and support for his family was clear. He saved this money prudently and contributed in whatever way he could. After realising that this was not enough to take care of his sister, he slipped. His heart was set on equipping himself to provide a good future for himself and his family. Despite not having completed his course of study at ITE, he had expressed a genuine wish to further his studies in the field of audio engineering upon completion of National Service. Ridzuan then obtained a deferment and enrolled in the Singapore Audio Engineering Institute. As a filial son to his mum, Ridzuan's greatest concern had been to ensure that his ageing mother, who has sacrificed the better part of her life to take care of her children, did not have to continue to work so hard at her nasi campur stall and, therefore, jeopardise her health as well in supporting herself and her daughter. Ridzuan loathed the idea of depending on his mother and his family.”
“I support the hon Members' suggestion of including new offences within the Misuse of Drugs Act which are aimed at these new ways for kingpins to peddle in drugs and to take decisive action against them. I would, however, Sir, like to add a note of caution when it comes to young Singaporean offenders. They deserve not only to be seen through the battle-hardened prosecutor's lens of specific deterrence, but also with a keen eye towards rehabilitation, which is why I am happy that rehabilitation is also a part of this particular Motion. This Motion has been characterised as involving different imperatives. Mr Christopher de Souza spoke of the importance of law and order; of weeding out a transnational scourge: drug addiction; of having muscular laws. At the same time, young first-time drug offenders deserve to be treated fairly and, in appropriate cases, compassionately as well. It is the duty of the sentencing judge in a Misuse of Drugs Act case to assess and balance these competing concerns and to strike an appropriate balance between the two. In the final analysis, the public interest to be tough on drug crimes and the interests of young first-time offenders are not mutually exclusive. Our Courts give special regard to cases involving young offenders and it is about this that I would like to speak about today. First, I recall that as early as in 1999, the Singapore High Court held that, in cases of a young first-time offender, there can rarely be any conflict between his interest and that of the public's. The public have no greater interest than that he become a good citizen. For young, first-time offenders, inclusive of drug offenders, rehabilitation should often play a dominant role in determining the appropriate sentencing option.”
“The older sister took it upon herself to look after her younger siblings. Although the mother is out of prison today, she feels and suffers from withdrawal symptoms and we do what we can. But the thing that really inspires her is her younger daughter who has never given up on her parents. And when I last met them, she simply said to me, "There are many things I love in life. Sweet red watermelons and my parents, whatever they have done." Family support is important. A society that accepts them for their weaknesses is important. A society that tempers justice with mercy is also important. Singapore has remained relatively drug-free and we should endeavour to remain so and do whatever we can to do so. What works elsewhere would not necessarily work here. Tough deterrent measures have kept us and our families safe. But we must continue to do more to break the supply chain, ensure that we do not go soft on drug use, reminding our young Singaporeans that drugs have a tremendous negative impact on them. Targeting international criminal gangs and ensuring the uplift of vulnerable communities outside of Singapore and coupled with a robust rehab and reintegration regime – these will continue to keep us safe for the long haul. Sir, I support the Motion. 8.02 pm Asst Prof Mahdev Mohan (Nominated Member): Mr Deputy Speaker, after hearing the hon Members who have spoken before me, I am reminded that we live in a scary world. An addictions specialist − his name was Dr Munidasa Winslow − recently noted that an increase has happened in clients buying drugs on the Internet and receiving them by postal mail. He suspects that the numbers of persons purchasing synthetic drugs online will rise in the coming years. Drug abuse should not be taken lightly.”
“At the recent Narcotics: Problems and Solutions of this Global Issue Conference, Pope Francis was the keynote speaker, he said, "Every addicted person brings with them a distinct personal history, which should be listened to, understood, loved, and, where possible, cured. We cannot fall into the injustice of classifying them as if they were objects or broken junk; rather, they should be valued and appreciated in their dignity in order to be cured. They continue to have, despite their crimes, more than ever, dignity as persons." There is a lot of good work done by the Youth Enhanced Supervision Scheme, community rehabilitation centres, drug rehabilitation centres and our halfway houses, but society itself must be able to see our drug abusers beyond their mistakes and ensure that they do not just recover but also reintegrate into society and, therefore, have no reasons to return to drugs. Examples, such as Asher Quek, who recovered from an early life of drugs. His first encounter with drugs was at the age of 13, spent time in prison. But because he was inspired and challenged by counsellors in prison, he now volunteers himself as a counsellor to other drug abusers. This perhaps is one example of how a good rehabilitation and support system can work. Deputy Speaker, Sir, watermelons. Not related to drugs. But in 2014, I met three young children in my estate. One very young girl, just started Primary 1, her brother was in Primary 2 and older sister was in Secondary 1. I met them because their uncle came to approach me, asking for a job. I realised that these three children were not his. Probing deeper, it was revealed that their parents, both mother and father, were incarcerated because of drug offences.”
“I must state very clearly at this point that I believe that capital punishment has been one reason that has kept us free from the worst of the drug problems that have plagued other countries, but I also have a strong personal moral dilemma in not wanting capital punishment to be enforced, especially when the ultimate perpetrators of the crime are often not the ones standing frightened at the gallows. As the trap doors open, the absoluteness of this punishment cannot be turned back. When you look at the jurisdictions that mandate the death penalty for drug crimes, I think we can also conclude that it is not just the threat of capital punishment that prevents drug trafficking and reduces drug crime in a country. But in Singapore's example, it is a strong, trustworthy and effective Police force, an incorrupt system of Government, a general intolerance of drug culture and a fair society where no one needs to resort to drugs as a first recourse for problems they face in life. Other countries have capital punishment, too. But they are still plagued. I, therefore, welcome the 2012 amendments to our laws such that the mandatory death penalty for those convicted of drug trafficking or murder was lifted under certain specific conditions, with discretionary powers provided to judges to sentence such offenders to life imprisonment. I also, therefore, urge the Government to do more to rehabilitate our drug addicts and free them from this new form of slavery. Many of them are wounded by circumstances or bad choices in life and, therefore, the most important reassurance we can give to them is that they have a place at the table, that they are not abandoned by society, cast aside because of a bad choice.”
“Their proliferation and easy availability have made them the second most widely used drugs in the world, with levels exceeding those of heroin and even cocaine, so says the World Drug Report. Although some say that they are not considered as dangerous as heroin or cocaine, sustained consumption still causes damage to oneself and loved ones. Many of us would have come across drug addicts, drug abusers in our communities and the damage that it causes to them and their health, as well as to their families. Therefore, we should have more prevention and education measures, especially for our young, to stem the tide of synthetic drugs as well and tighten the regulations. Justice is important. It is important that there is just punishment for those who traffick drugs for those who use drugs that they have an opportunity to recover. While I urge the Government to be firm in maintaining deterrence, I also believe that justice must be tempered with mercy. Many traffickers, for example, are far down the hierarchy of crime syndicates and some are forced by circumstances. I, therefore, urge the Government to do whatever is in its power to combat the drug problem at the source and also step up efforts to target the drug barons, the people who truly benefit exclusively from this illicit trade and yet are unremorseful at the fate of their helpless and often hapless runners who take on all the risks.”
“And, so, I add my voice to the many Members, including the hon Member, Mr Christopher de Souza, in calling on the Government to continue to apply tough laws to deter drug trafficking into Singapore and combating the scourge of drugs. While we are relatively safe from drugs, I am still worried. The idea of soft drugs, as many Members have mentioned, recreational drugs, as some people call them, I think we must acknowledge drugs cause harm, whether they are soft or hard, whatever name you call it, they are drugs. The National Council Against Drug Abuse reported that many more of our younger Singaporeans below the age of 30 are now open-minded about experimenting with drugs as opposed to a few years ago. You look at programmes, you look at drama series from overseas, the glamorisation of a lifestyle filled with drugs, perhaps that is affecting mindsets as well. The increase in the number of new drug users attests to this as well. Therefore, I do not believe there is a difference between hard drugs and soft drugs. There are only drugs. They both cause harm and should be prevented with equal measure and equal vigour. In our open data age, availability of drugs online and its ease of shipment are something we should really be concerned about. Many have spoken about the Dark Net and, therefore, I hope that the Government will be able to look more at the measures to stem this rot to prevent more younger Singaporeans from taking the easy route in obtaining drugs. Another cause for concern is the trafficking and consumption of synthetic drugs, including stimulants like amphetamine, methamphetamine and ecstasy-types of substances.”
“Deputy Speaker, the recent United Nations Committee on Narcotic Drugs (CND) meeting in Vienna in the middle of March threw up several interesting perspectives on how the East and the West view drugs and laws regarding its consumption and trafficking. The facts are on the table. Drug trafficking is a multi-billion dollar global illicit trade. According to the World Drug Report, heroin consumption alone amounts to a staggering 340 tonnes and it is estimated that a total of almost 246 million people between the ages of 15 and 64, use illicit drugs. This dependence on drugs places a heavy burden not only on the individual but also their loved ones, public healthcare systems and security agencies. At that same meeting, it was galling to note the nonchalance towards the drug menace displayed by some countries. Some European countries took turns to conflate drug use with human rights. Such lofty words and ideals! At the same conference, Russia talked about compulsory drug tests for teenagers while the US and Canada talked about reconciling the legislation and legalisation of marijuana with UN's drug conventions. Canada and Uruguay even spent long hours discussing the important issue of quotas for how marijuana bushes should be allowed to be grown per household! There are those who justify that softening the drug stance is because current drug control policies are failing and the rising numbers of drug consumers − you cannot even call them addicts anymore − drug consumers. But I say, just because your system has failed does not mean your next solution is something everyone else should accept. In Singapore, our strict laws against drug consumption and trafficking have kept us safe over the years. Our streets are safe from drugs and crime.”
“Therefore, we, both men and women, must ensure the aspirations of Singapore women, as well as men, should be met. Mdm Speaker, I support the Motion. 3.02 pm”