Arthur Fong
Singapore
“Mdm Speaker, I thank the Senior Minister of State for the response. A supplementary question. Would the Ministry of National Development (MND) or HDB consider putting double-glazed windows for bedrooms into the Home Improvement Programme (HIP) options in the future?”
“Mdm Chair, the Sports Master Plan of 2011 is bearing fruit. Since the inaugural Marathon Race in 1982, our sports calendar is now filled with several marathon runs, catering to a variety of running enthusiasts, from novices to Olympic champions.”
“Mdm Chair, in just under three months, we will be hosting the 28th SEA Games and, in nine months, we will have the honour of hosting some 1,300 to 1,500 para-athletes from ASEAN countries. We hosted the SEA Games some 12 years ago and we are hosting the ASEAN Para Games for the first time.”
“Mdm Speaker, I would like to thank Mr Chen for his clarification and I hope that Mr Cedric Foo would read it in the Hansard. But my point was on foreign workers, as he prevaricated from his answer to Mr Foo. But I hear him. It is good to have a peek into the Workers' Party's attempt on policy on foreign workers.”
“Sir, the Sports Facilities Masterplan costing $250 million was unveiled last year. The main objective would be to build facilities to cater for future sporting needs and sports development. Are there any updates in terms of new community-based sporting facilities to be built in the coming years, aside from a new stadium in Sembawang?”
“I hope this can be extended to other male national athletes as well. The Olympics is not the only prestigious sports event, even if it is indeed the most prestigious. Our athletes require more opportunities to participate in as many regional sporting events as possible.”
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“All our infrastructures are first class - our roads, power stations, airports, housing. Everything is first class. They have all been paid for and they are all sunk cost. Once we adjust the CPF, total wage costs for employers go down, and when Government adjusts its fees downwards, I think we will become very competitive. And our neighbours better fear for their shirts. Because whatever we earn belongs to us. We do not have to service interest payments which our neighbours have to do. Hence, I am very confident that cutting the CPF is the right policy. Even though using the CPF to adjust total wage cost is a very blunt instrument, as Mdm Deputy Speaker had spoken yesterday, it is effective, like the mountaineer who used a Swiss army knife to cut off his arm. The Swiss army knife was a very blunt instrument, but it worked at the right time and at the right place. Madam, I am supporting this policy, not just because I am in Government - I have supported many Government policies - but on this point, I am supporting it for my children. I am supporting it for our children, for our friends and for our relatives. I know of people - friends, colleagues, relatives - who have been unemployed for a long time. About two years ago, one of my very good MPS helper told me, "Mr Koo, I can't help you any more." So, I said, "What happened?" He said, "I am going to Australia." I said, "Why would you want to leave?" He said, "Actually, I have been unemployed for a long time. I have been looking for a job but I can't find a job. I wound down my business. I sold my car. I sold my flat. I am left with a little bit of money. My children are studying there. They are working there. It's cheaper for me to go there and rent a small flat.”
“And we must not forget that we had it good for a long time. The 40% CPF was riding on the back of endless waves of economic tsunami. So, in absolute terms, we have been getting a lot more from our employers. In percentage terms, it had always been 40% for some time. But the question is: how soon can we recover? First, the good news from my perspective is that we have not reached the point of no return. Our official unemployment rate is 4.5%. They say it might go to 5.5% later this year or sometime next year. But this is still a small figure by developed world standards. Let us look at Hong Kong, the worst case in this part of the world. Hong Kong's unemployment rate, officially, is about 8.7%. It is in a severe recession. Of course, that is no comfort to us, comparing Singapore to Hong Kong. Let us look at somewhere down south - Australia. Many Singaporeans have been making a beeline to go to Australia for holiday. Indeed, many have emigrated there in the last few years. Australia is one of the few bright economic spots anywhere in the world today. Its currency has gone up by something like 25% to 30%, depending at what point we compare. Sydney property prices have really shot through the roof. In fact, they sold more million dollar homes than we have ever sold in the last three years. Yet, it may surprise Singaporeans to learn that unemployment in boom town Australia is 6.2% today. They are at the height of economic prosperity and yet unemployment is 6.2%. We are almost at the trough of the recession, but our unemployment is only 4.5%. So, we can only improve on 4.5%. It might go to 5.5%, but I think we can improve on this very soon. The second good news is that we truly have all the resources. What we lack today is the resolve.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I would like to tell this real life human story to people who are worried that the proposed CPF cut will cause pain and suffering. Certainly, there will be pain. In fact, even without the CPF cut, employers can always cut salaries. So, it is either CPF cut or a cut of total wages through salaries and bonuses, or through variable bonuses. And we all have to make adjustments. All of us have committed our CPF to housing loans, to our children's study loans and so on and so forth. Therefore, we have to rearrange our finances. But this is not the end of the world. It might be if we do not do anything. The key question we have to ask ourselves is similar to the question which the mountaineer had to ask. He asked, "Would cutting my arm off save my life?" We have to ask a similar question, whether cutting the CPF will resuscitate the economy. To the mountaineer, the answer is obvious. Similarly, the answer stares us in the face. The analogy is not quite complete because we do not lose an arm. He cannot grow back his arm. He can only use an artificial arm to climb the next mountain. But, collectively, we can recover our losses. If cutting the CPF restores the economy and the economy grows over time, then total wage would rise and 33% of a higher base would probably recover the 3% loss. So, the faster we implement the CPF cut, the faster we can extricate ourselves from this economic quagmire. The analogy of the mountaineer is useful. If the mountaineer had been indecisive and cut off his arm later, he would certainly have bled to death or he would have starved to death. To him, it was a very small price to pay - an arm for a life. For us, the consequences are not so severe. Over time, I am sure the economy will restore itself.”
“Madam, I decided therefore that instead of going through many of the comments that Members of the House have spoken on, I would look for something inspiring. I do not know whether you have heard this story. But a few months ago, a true life human story of courage and endurance made the headlines around the world. An accomplished mountain climber was climbing a mountain cliff. Unfortunately, he got one arm caught in the crevice. He was unable to extricate himself from the mountain face. So he waited and waited, waiting for help. Days turned into nights, nights turned into days. Help did not come. People were looking for him but they could not locate him. Hope turned to despair. He was cold, he was hungry, he was tired and his body was beginning to weaken. He knew that if help did not come within one or two days, he would be a suspended corpse on the mountain face. He hallucinated very often. But in his moment of sanity, he decided to do one thing. He decided that only he could save himself. So he took out his Swiss army knife and decided to cut away his arm. Cutting the skin was the easy part. Then, he began to cut his flesh. When he reached the bone, the pain was excruciating. The Swiss army knife was a very blunt instrument for cutting an arm. But because he wanted to live, survival was on his mind, his family was on his mind, the pain was nothing. His will prevailed. Eventually, he freed himself. But that was not the end of the story, because he was still in the middle of nowhere. He had to walk for miles in the snow. He crawled, he limped and, finally, help came. Today, he lives to tell his tale with a smile. Tomorrow, he will climb another mountain.”
“I urge all Members to listen to the feedback programme around 5.30-6.30 pm. It gives honest feedback from Chinese-speaking HDB heartlanders. I heard my friend, Kwek Teng Swee, who said that this 3% CPF cut does not cut any ice with SMEs. In fact, I read in Zaobao today and he was quoted to have said that the CPF cut will save him a few hundred dollars but, in turn, he has to pay a few thousand dollars, because of the 1% GST increase next year. Then the DJ decided, I think, to get more employees to speak on the channel. One employee said that he did not agree with these employers as they were looking at their perspective. 3% was a lot to him. As he was a wage earner, a few hundred dollars cut sometimes means life and death, whether he could send his child to school or whether he could cut back on his tuition. The debate goes on in spite of comments by some newspaper analysts. One in Today saying that it was almost a non-event, when people expected a 6% CPF cut, the Prime Minister announced 3%. The debate in the House yesterday simmered down to a low ebb. Sir, the debate goes on outside this House. 3% is a lot of money to many people. When PSA retrenched the workers earlier this year, I was one of the MPs who was involved directly. Not only was I the advisor to the Singapore Port Workers' Union (SPWU), many of the retrenched workers actually live in Tiong Bahru and the Tanjong Pagar GRC area. In fact, one of my RC Chairmen was retrenched. Another Vice-Chairman was also retrenched. Many residents were also retrenched. I feel very sad for them because many of them are in their 40s. And in their 40s, as my friend, Mr Nithiah Nandan said, it is quite hard to find a job because jobs are hard to come by and the cost of doing business is high.”
“There may be periods where the interest rate increase may overlap with the reduction in the income due to a reduction in employer's CPF and a reduction in the monthly variable component. People should take this time to refocus and to look at prudent spending. There would be no formula in place to indicate when the employer's CPF would be increased or decreased. It will mean that Singaporeans must be realistic in their budgeting for housing costs. I understand that it may be difficult to have a formula in place, as well as to stipulate a definite notice period. Having this formula or a stipulated period of notice will hem in and inhibit the Government's responses in case when our economy is threatened once again. So Singaporeans should create a buffer in their finances in good years and it can be done by spending prudently, and to make changes to their lifestyles. Mdm Deputy Speaker, I support the CPF retuning. The Senior Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for National Development and Minister for Defence (Assoc. Prof. Koo Tsai Kee): Mdm Deputy Speaker, so many speakers have spoken. So much has been said. The analysts have dissected all the figures. The Prime Minister gave an excellent overview. DPM gave a very comprehensive review of the relief measures that would cushion the impact of this proposed CPF cut. So I asked myself whether I should speak. One less speaker out of 51 speakers makes no difference. But I thought to myself: maybe I should speak. So I asked my good friend here, Dr Tan Cheng Bock, "Shall I speak or not? I would sound like a broken record." He said, "No, you must speak." And he will also be speaking on Monday. Last night, on the way back home from this House, I tuned in to the Chinese radio programme, FM95.8.”
“With impending changes to HDB's policy that are to be announced, it is clear that the Government is serious and leaving no stones unturned to help our people. This is an unwavering fundamental commitment of the PAP Government. Just like the SARS battle, Singaporeans rallied to the Government's call for action and to forge a strong bond that the international community held us in high regard. Mdm Deputy Speaker, though the sacred cow of the CPF has been adjusted and tampered with, the Government's bond and trust with the people, to this Singaporean, has not been broken. Singaporeans will once again be lauded for taking hard knocks and rolling with the punches whenever necessary to keep the Singapore ship ship-shape, sea-worthy and sailing on. Fundamentally, we will all get together and push on. Madam, I had prepared a long speech, asking the Government to do this and that. After DPM's statement, I am glad that the programmes that will be put in place will address the people's concerns and that help will be delivered. However, I would like to touch on PM's message yesterday about changing our lifestyles and to be prudent in our spending. The Government is encouraging more employers to adopt the monthly variable wage component. In future, the employer's CPF contribution can also vary in accordance with how the economy performs. Both of these components, taking effect at the same time, might be a double-whammy for some people, if they do not do their financial planning well. At present, the mortgage interest rates are at historic lows. As sure as the rates have come down in recent years, these rates will once again rise.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, as PM revealed the CPF retuning measures yesterday, he likened the measures that we have to take as bitter pills. As I sat listening to DPM this afternoon, laying out the assistance and relief programmes, it was like listening to a Budget statement delivery in a form of sweets for Singaporeans affected by the CPF changes. The Prime Minister's National Day Rally speech provided a sombre backdrop to our workers today - the difficulty in finding jobs for school-leavers and graduates, the fear of retrenchment, the realities of being retrenched, the difficulty of securing re-employment, the face of international terrorism, the deadly SARS outbreak. With all these before us, some were worried that the Singapore dream has broken. We will be beaten if we allow ourselves to fall into this mindset. Singaporeans were asked to rally around the Government in these difficult times. Singaporeans and Members of this House asked what the Government could do to help us rise out of this valley of gloom. Today, we have heard from DPM the programmes that would help Singaporeans taking the bitter pill, much more palatable. DPM's analogy of the boiled frog is that we have to act now. The changes to the CPF will help us. The saving of jobs is the key objective here. The signal to investors and employers is clear. We all agree on that. Many Singaporeans, who have been holding their breath since the National Day Rally, were a little relieved yesterday when the CPF retuning measures were revealed. Then, there were those who have been worrying about the top-ups to pay for their mortgages. We now know that they number 76,000, although big, but manageable and will be assisted.”
“The unit can also arrange for our graduates or undergraduates to be attached to work with the production crew of world-class performances that we are now able to attract to our stages. Then, our own creative cultural capital, in the form of these graduates, can learn from the best sound and stage managers, special effects directors, set designers, lighting managers as well as performers. I urge the Minister to consider these suggestions as this will not only increase the skills and exposure of our arts cluster students but also create employment opportunities when they complete their courses. I believe that the value added to this human capital will truly enhance the cultural capital that we are creating that will, in time, make Singapore the premier cultural hub, not only in the region but in the world.”
“Sir, a vibrant, creative arts environment is integral to realising Singapore's dream to be the premier Asian cultural hub. The Government has already invested $1 billion in building a world-class arts and culture infrastructure. Our investments are paying off. The creative arts sector had value-added of almost $5 billion in 2002 or about 3% of GDP. We seem to be on the right track for success. For instance, the creative cluster employs about 72,000 employees in Singapore, representing about 3.5% of the workforce. Every year, an estimated 1,500 new creative arts cluster graduates who are trained in the performance arts and related management services will be available to the creative cluster. Granted, some may end up in jobs or even careers that may have little or nothing to do with their training. There would be those who will be looking towards being employed in their disciplines. Sir, we have a feeder of people who are trained in specific areas to support the arts cluster. Sir, as we invest and increase in our cultural capital, I wonder if there are enough jobs for such graduates upon completion of their arts courses. Perhaps, some scrutiny may be timely, to see if courses are turning out too many for too few jobs. Perhaps, an inter-ministry unit can be set up between MITA and the institutions to oversee this. The unit can look at specific clusters that will require certain talents, work with institutions to design courses, have an industry player to sit in the unit to advise on such courses, to ensure that they are relevant and updated. This will also give a heads-up as to the employment of such people in the respective areas of the arts cluster.”
“For example, I have come across several instances where some minority race constituents are not aware of the reasons why the Community Health Screening Programme is conducted, much less how they can go about getting a health screening done. This was primarily because it was not explained to them in a manner they could understand or, more specifically, in a language they could understand through the various media forms employed now. I urge the Minister to consider how healthcare promotions can better reach the minority races in Singapore. Perhaps, it would be helpful if the ethnic self-help groups' assistance could be enlisted. Having more promotional materials in Malay and Tamil would certainly help.”
“Sir, I propose that the Ministry of Health re-examine and explore more ways in which minority races can learn about the importance of good health in Singapore. Healthcare promotion plays an integral part in ensuring that Singaporeans are better equipped with knowledge critical to living a healthy lifestyle well into their golden years. It is important for Singaporeans to develop healthy habits through health promotion programmes. The nation-wide Community Health Screening Programme is not only a good exercise but an important one at that. It would at the very least ensure that our people are able to manage their health in a proper and educated manner. Through health screening, Singaporeans will then be able to spot the tell-tale signs warning of possible illness early and to seek treatment in time. This is especially true for cases of hypertension and diabetes. We have a variety of healthcare promotion programmes initiated by the Health Promotion Board. However, I was disappointed to learn that a significant proportion of minority races do not know enough about these health promotion programmes. I discovered that this was because the methods used to disseminate information to the general public, although widespread, could be better targeted. It is critical for us to reach out to our non-mainstream language speaking minorities. Sir, the health promotion exercise in Singapore assumes that the audience is proficient in English. It assumes this of the many elderly targeted by the Community Health Screening Programme. As many Members in this House will attest to, most of these individuals are usually conversant in dialects and speak little or no English.”
“If we have 90% or so of our employees covered by it, that would meet the requirement of having a broad-based nation-wide basic medical insurance to cover all our employees. 2.30 pm Mr Arthur Fong suggested job sharing as an option to deal with this present economic downturn and hardship imposed by the lack of employment opportunities. I agree with him. Job sharing is one way. Some companies have implemented such ideas of job sharing and part-time work. It is not new. We have actually actively encouraged companies to do so. We have a group in the Ministry of Manpower which advises companies that have indicated that they may have to downsize by retrenchment, to look at alternatives. One alternative is to put workers on part-time employment instead of outright retrenchment. I understand that some hospitals have already introduced job-sharing. In fact, NTUC Fairprice is another major employer who offers part-time or job sharing options for people who want to work in the supermarket retail sector. So, this practice is already in existence. If need be, we will, of course, publicise it more widely, so that more employers are aware of the opportunities available to have workers who can come in on a part-time basis, maybe help them to meet their demand for workers and yet, at the same time, keep costs manageable. Sir, I think I have addressed the points raised by the Members.”
“However, employers who choose to remain status quo, in other words, do not join any of these schemes, do not adopt any of these schemes, and just continue to offer to their employees medical benefits, they would only be allowed to make a deduction of 1% for their expenses. We hope that, with this tax change, more employers will shift to the portable medical benefit scheme. Mdm Halimah also asked whether we should have a floor with regard to the additional 1% Medisave contribution. I agree with her. It is a concern because if you say 1% and you earn $600, then it is only $6. It is very low. So what should we do? We should provide for a minimum amount that allows them to buy a reasonable insurance coverage. These are details that will be worked out. But you will note that in making the tax refinements, the Minister for Finance has generously agreed not to fix it at 1%, but at a cap of $1,500 a year. With the $1,500 tax deductible cap, the employers will find it much easier to adopt a floor wage for contribution to Medisave. Mr Yeo Guat Kwang and Mr Heng Chee How mentioned the need for a basic medical insurance scheme that will cover all workers. We already do have such a basic medical insurance scheme operated under MediShield by the CPF Board on behalf of the Ministry of Health. Already, I understand about 90% of our workers are covered under MediShield. So, once we move towards the portable medical benefit system, there is an opportunity for us to enhance the MediShield coverage. Of course, premiums will have to be adjusted accordingly. But with the additional Medisave contribution made by the employers, I believe, most employees would be able to afford this enhanced MediShield scheme.”
“The idea of this portable medical benefit system is that, in lieu of an employer-provided medical benefit, the employer will make additional contribution to the employee's Medisave every month, which will allow him to purchase medical insurance to cover his in-patient needs. The ERC also recommended an alternative which is called transferable medical insurance scheme, whereby employers will sponsor group insurance for the employees. But this group insurance will have a special feature, an enhancement whereby even if the employee is retrenched or laid off, the coverage will continue for at least another year, as long as the employee is able to continue to service the premium on his own. As far as the transferable medical insurance scheme is concerned, the insurance industry is working with my Ministry and other agencies to develop this product to meet the needs of the employers. Implementation of the portable medical benefit system and the transferable medical insurance scheme, as Mdm Halimah has pointed out, will be voluntary. The Government has decided to encourage employers to take this route, instead of remaining with the present system of employer-provided medical benefit. The way we have done it is to adjust or to refine the tax system with regard to employers' medical expenses. From 1st April 2004, employers who implement either of the two portable medical benefit systems will continue to enjoy a 2% tax deduction on their expenses, in other words, on the contribution to Medisave or on their contribution to the transferable medical insurance scheme, and any other allowable outpatient expenses.”
“But now that we have decided, in the course of the ERC's discussion, and we have also got the support of the union movement to use the existing basic wage to help to build up a monthly variable component, I am confident that we will be able to move faster on this implementation. Mr Gan Kim Yong asked whether there are clear schedules to achieve a widespread application of the monthly variable component. As I said, with this change, we hope to move a lot faster than what we did before. But, nevertheless, it is difficult to now state a deadline when we would want to convert all the companies onto monthly variable component. He also asked whether we could exempt certain portions of the monthly variable component from tax or CPF contributions. It would be unwise to introduce more distortions in this sense. The monthly variable component should still remain as part of the wages of the worker, and that we should not treat it differently. All it means is that it is a portion that could be adjusted in times of need - easier to adjust - than to resort to CPF reduction or other tax cuts. Mr Yeo Guat Kwang, Mdm Halimah and Mr Heng Chee How spoke about the portable medical benefit system. Mr Yeo asked how many companies have so far implemented the portable medical benefit system. From what I have got here, as of now, about 100 companies in the private sector had already implemented the portable medical benefit system. Of course, Members will remember that in the case of the public sector, the civil service has already implemented this portable medical benefit system since 1994 because many civil servants, especially those who were recruited post-1994 were placed on what is known as the Medisave-cum-Outpatient Scheme, and that is a form of portable medical benefit.”
“We should be adopting a more flexible wage system, where the monthly variable component could form 10% or even more of a person's monthly pay. This will allow companies to make adjustments, as and when business environment changes and, in the process, help the companies survive and hopefully reduce the need for retrenchments. The monthly variable component was first suggested in 1999. Yes, we have not made very dramatic progress in the interim. Overall, progress has been slow, except for the unionised companies, where in 2002, about 39% of the unionised companies have already implemented the monthly variable component. This is an increase from 29% in 2000 and 34% in 2001. However, in the non-unionised sector, the implementation has been rather slow, only about 3.9% of the non-unionised companies are using the monthly variable component. To speed up the implementation of the monthly variable component, ERC has recommended that for companies that have yet to implement the monthly variable component, or where the monthly variable component is presently less than 2% of the worker's basic wage, up to 2% of the basic wage can be set aside gradually to build up the monthly variable component of about 10%. This is a very significant recommendation, because, if you remember, in 1999 when the idea of monthly variable component was first mooted, the assumption was that we would use future wage increases to build up a monthly variable component. But since then we have gone into a roller-coaster ride in the economy, up and down, and there has been very little wage increase. So it was difficult to build up a monthly variable component.”
“I notice that he has just stepped in. It is very good for him to be here to hear the response. In fact, he has already got the response to his question. Mdm Halimah has adequately rebutted his unjustified and totally unfair allegations against NTUC. That is an example of NTUC and the PAP Government working in a symbiotic relationship. The reason why we should be supporting the NTUC is quite obvious, and Mdm Halimah has made it clear that the funding that NTUC receives from the Government is a small part of its total budget. It signifies Government's desire and concern in supporting a strong and vibrant labour movement so that the NTUC, through its affiliate unions, will be able to better serve our workers. He also questioned the benefits of having NTUC cooperatives. Mdm Halimah has also addressed that point. I just want to add that, in fact, NTUC cooperatives are doing very good work, serving members of the NTUC and workers in general. The fact that they have NTUC FoodFair is a measure to help moderate the price of food for many of our workers. They set benchmarks. If you do not have such a cooperative in the market place setting benchmark prices, you could have runaway prices, and workers will suffer. So what does he prefer? I think having the NTUC cooperative in the business helps to moderate price increases in many sectors, and they do serve a useful purpose. Mdm Halimah and Mr Gan Kim Yong both spoke about the importance of the monthly variable component. I agree with them completely. This is a very important step. The ERC has recommended that we push harder on this. We will promote the monthly variable component to companies and we will move away from the seniority-based wage structure, which is too rigid.”
“It had recognised the need to come up with a solution that took full advantage of personnel flexibility and resources available. Sir, I propose that we implement a one-year trial. During this trial, we can test how effective this alternative is in providing continued employment for those who will otherwise be retrenched. This will allow some of these workers to spend some time at home with their children, whilst still fulfilling the goals of their station. Indeed, teams comprising two or three workers can undertake a single job. Firstly, it will provide employment to a team of workers who would now fulfil the functions of the job. Secondly, companies would be able to retrain workers they would otherwise lose, as job sharing will allow flexibility for both employees and employers, or union-sponsored training to upskilling or retrain outside of the work time. Sir, the results of job sharing in countries like the United States and UK show that this flexibility has addressed the growing problems of unemployment and, at the same time, created family-friendly workplaces. Our workers should be given this option so that we can keep them gainfully employed, albeit at wages which are commensurate with the number of hours they work. At the same time, a family-friendly schedule would provide more flexible working arrangements for those workers who want to start a family or have young children to care for. This may even reduce dependency on domestic maids for some families, as well as possible savings from child minding services. Job sharing can present a win-win situation for everyone concerned. Dr Lee Boon Yang: Thank you, Sir, for exercising a sharp knife, otherwise we will all be delayed. Let me first take up the point raised by Mr Steve Chia.”
“Sir, it has already been pointed out that our current unemployment rate is at 4.8% and is likely to get worse in view of several uncertainties, such as a war that may begin in hours or in days, and its impact on the global economies. In the event that war breaks out, the price of crude oil will skyrocket, causing whatever economic recovery that we hope to see towards the end of this year, retard. It is bad enough that we are experiencing high unemployment, but we also have to contend with structural unemployment. When we view structural unemployment against the backdrop of the profile of some 660,000 of our workforce having a Secondary Two and lower education, and getting older, Sir, we have a serious problem. Granted we have taken steps to help our unemployed and needy through these hard times with a slew of programmes, like the New Singapore Shares, ERS and assistance programmes availed through the CDCs, the problems we are facing over the last two years or so have never been experienced before. Sir, we need an alternative that addresses both these problems, ie, create work opportunities such that more people can be gainfully employed and, at the same time, provide family-friendly options for the existing workers. Sir, as the Minister for Manpower has said, the Ministry cannot be the magic bullet to solve unemployment. It takes two hands to clap. Sir, I propose that we encourage employers to explore job sharing in the workplace. This is not something new. It has been successfully deployed in many developed countries with problems similar to what we are facing now, with excellent results. For example, the US Federal Government actively promotes job sharing in the different agencies.”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw the amendment. Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.”
“I can tell you this, because I am involved in it: SBF has expressed great interest to explain to its members the FTAs which we have concluded and to collect views from its members on what we should demand of the FTAs that we are negotiating. In the coming months, SBF will be carrying out a whole series of measures to explain and do work on the FTAs. MTI has told the SBF that we will support them fully in these activities.”
“I propose the Minister consider setting up an independent body, call it ombudsman if you like, to assess the performance of the Singapore Business Federation in promoting business for Singapore business over a specific timeframe. Perhaps, the Minister of State in charge of Entrepreneurship could take this review under his wing. BG George Yong-Boon Yeo: Sir, I answer Mr Arthur Fong's question with a certain reluctance. SBF is an autonomous federation. It is under parliamentary oversight only to the extent that we have under law provided for compulsory membership. In order to buffer the Federation from us, when we legislated, we provided for a board of trustees. I am reluctant to be telling SBF what they should do. I do not think it is right that we should set up an ombudsman or some such facility to oversee what the SBF does. It should be an autonomous independent federation, looking after the interest of its members and operating independently from the Government and, if necessary, criticising us. But having said that, I would certainly convey to the SBF the views raised by Mr Arthur Fong, but as a postbox. I think that is the type of relationship for us to establish with the SBF. We took the decision to put it under legislation with great reluctance because, for years, we tried to create an apex body but we could not break through the existing chambers which have been established over time. So, finally, at their request, we moved legislation and since it has only been a year, we should give the SBF some time to find its footing and to establish a pattern of activities.”
“Sir, I beg to move, That the sum to be allocated for Head V of the Main Estimates be reduced by $10 in respect of Code VA 1500. Sir, I shall share your views with the House as well. The formation of the Singapore Business Federation has led to some disquiet in the business community. Many felt that the aim for the business community to speak with one voice has not been achieved. Some in the business community felt that there was little that the Singapore Business Federation could do for them and were confused by what seems to be overlapping roles of the Singapore Business Federation and other chambers of commerce. Others felt that they could not afford to feast in this economic downturn but, in the main, many are questioning, especially in this poor economic environment, what has the Singapore Business Federation done to spur business. Sir, we had a meeting with the GPC Resource Panel for MTI and they have also expressed similar views. For instance, many businessmen are wondering, in the light of the world expo to be held in Shanghai, what has the Singapore Business Federation done to ensure that Singapore businesses are well-represented there. What leg work has the Singapore Business Federation done to give Singapore business a leg-up on the competition from other countries? Sir, the Singapore Business Federation's annual budget for membership fees alone is expected to be about $6 million. We have a moral obligation to take extra measures to ensure that the activities undertaken by the Singapore Business Federation are in the interest of all its members. We should put in place an apparatus to ensure that the Singapore Business Federation has fully met the expectations of its members.”
“Because I think the attendant banks, who are assessing these loan applications, are assessing them based on a lot of programme lending and credit scoring. There should be people who have experience looking at business from the business perspective - from the different valuation model, business order books, management audit and the experience of the people running the business. So, in this respect, maybe, instead of just going to the SME bank, we should have people with these experiences in the attendant banks. Sir, I am afraid that the best intentions of our Government may be thwarted by what is actually happening on the ground. Sir, I call on the Minister of State in charge of Enterpreneurship to assure the House that the original spirit of whatever assistance schemes that we have in place is carried out to their intent on the ground.”
“Sir, in this economic climate, we hear of many businessmen saying that our Government is not sympathetic to helping them tide over the slowdown. I too initially believe this to be so. But I have seen many viable small and medium enterprises being forced out of business because of the chain of debts. Although these SMEs are viable, their obligations to their employees and suppliers are often compromised, because of their own debtors who too are holding them up. But a quick look at the SPRING Singapore's shows - they have a whole coterie of financial assistance schemes to help SMEs to tide over the short-term difficult cashflow situation. Sir, an example is the micro loan scheme that helps SMEs to overcome their short-term cashflow problems. It allows the local companies concerned to borrow up to $50,000 at a favourable interest rate of 5% repayable over four years. Let us be clear about our intention here. Any business organisation that is not able to balance its cash in the long term has no business to be in business. But I understand SPRING Singapore is not the only agency that assists our business. There are others and, given the shortness of time, I will address my concern. Sir, I understand that a company has its application for a micro loan rejected by an attendant bank on the grounds that the company had previously issued cheques that bounced. I am afraid this is not the first or the only case. It is common knowledge that even many of the successful entrepreneurs faced all kinds of cashflow problems in their struggling days. Coming to Mr Gan Kim Yong's point on the SME bank, perhaps, it does merit some look at his suggestion.”
“I will move forward. I look towards Hong Kong and what our very own Singaporeans, who have visited and shopped in Hong Kong over the last few years, have to say is testimony to the improvement of service quality there. Just as our Minister for Trade and Industry has mentioned, there must be a fundamental reorientation in the service attitudes of our retail workforce. I hope the Retail Academy will fulfil this.”
“30 pm Singapore consumers are becoming increasingly sophisticated. They are becoming more and more demanding and discerning, whether in terms of service, quality, convenience and variety. I myself have been astounded by the poor service quality demonstrated by some retail workers here. There is very little customer-centric mentality among our sales people, a lack of product knowledge and a correspondingly poor service level. I have no doubt that leaving things as they are in the retail industry will mark the beginning of the end for retailers. I hope that the Retail Academy of Singapore will add value on top of the national skills recognition system for the retail industry. I hope that it will increase service standards and provide the blueprint for hands-on training on the job. Combined with the various assistance schemes, ranging from the Retail Essential Assistance Scheme and the Franchise 21 Assistance Scheme, we are moving in the right direction to professionalise and revitalise the retail industry in Singapore. I would like to emphasise, however, that no amount of training would do when it comes to service, if the service provider has a bad service attitude. A waitress who scores five A1s in subjects of table setting, service techniques, order taking, familiarity of the menu and hygiene, but puts on a long face, and comes across grouchy will do no service to the restaurant. It would then be ludicrous and, indeed, laughable to have offered a course titled "When to Smile" or a course titled "How to Seem Friendly" to address this deficiency. Sir, I would like to relate ---”
“Sir, I speak in support of raising the service standards of the retail sector in Singapore. The state of the retail industry has been much lamented during this economic downturn. The retailing industry is an important one for Singapore. The retail sector contributed $5.2 billion to GDP in the fourth quarter of 2002, and employs close to 75,000 workers, between 3-4% of our workforce. Most retailers attribute the drop in consumer spending to the economic downturn. This would not be totally untrue seeing how Singaporeans have been cast under the gloom and doom of sustained economic hardship, structural unemployment and the possibility of war. However, I propose that we take a closer look at the problem. Aside from the economic downturn that had contributed to lower consumer spending, I believe that the service standards in the retail industry are equally to blame. As it stands, overall value added per worker in the retail trade sector is about $30,000. This is a third of the manufacturing sector. A survey conducted by SPRING Singapore has revealed that 60% of service companies do not have clear work performance standards and procedures in place. In fact, most companies only have broad guidelines, resulting in different standards of service across the industry. Retail workers are often left to their own devices. The situation is no better for retailers in the HDB heartlands. I commend the Minister's decision to push through the formation of the Retail Academy of Singapore. I believe that we need to retrain our retail workers as fast as possible. We cannot afford to leave service standards as they are. Otherwise, consumers here will shop elsewhere, like Malaysia, Thailand and other popular holiday destinations. 3.”
“Sir, I would like to propose that an urgent review of the ceiling for means-testing used by the Legal Aid Bureau be initiated. The review should look towards raising the ceiling so that more individuals who need legal aid can gain access to it. The current ceilings for an individual's disposable income of not more than $10,000 and disposable capital of not more than $7,000, although reviewed two years ago, are restrictive. I would like to relate an example from my MPS. Under the ceiling, it discriminates against a working mother earning a salary of about $2,000 contesting for custody of a child in a divorce case. The conditions stipulated under the means-test need review. It is becoming disconnected from the current changes in the socio-economic situation of our working population. We need a more realistic formula to measure disposable income. In the interest of making justice accessible to the low income families or individuals, we should use the merits test, ie, based on the merits of the case, as the primary method to qualify for the legal aid. The merits test should then be supported by a more realistic means test measure to ensure deserving recipients receive legal aid.”
“In my opinion, this does not solve the problem, but rather create an impossible situation for individuals burdened by debt in the first place. If the debtor does not pay off any of the banks, he is made a bankrupt, in which case, it is a no-win situation for all concerned. More importantly, Sir, it would send a very negative signal to all budding entrepreneurs, that you try at your own peril. Can we find a solution that satisfies both parties? In my humble opinion, we can. I am suggesting that the Ministry of Finance could take the lead and set up a mediator agency between the good debtors and their lenders, the consumer debt counselling agency. This is especially important for budding entrepreneurs. Some failed and found lower paying jobs. Others lost their jobs or businesses. These individuals have learnt a hard lesson. Let us not stifle their good intentions to build a better life for themselves and contribute to the economy. Let me state in clear terms that I do not advocate bailing out consumers' burden by debt. I propose we look at ways in which we can help individuals avoid bankruptcy. Bankruptcy would be equal to a death warrant for the entrepreneur. No bank would extend loans or facilities to him. He cannot be a director of a company. We should allow such good debtors another chance to get back in their life, and the formation of a consumer debt counselling agency would allow that by mediating on their behalf with the lending agencies.”
“Sir, I speak in favour of establishing a consumer debt counselling agency. In our drive to promote entrepreneurship, we can expect some would succeed and some would fail. We must create an environment where those who fail can come back to fight another day. A staggering $124 million in credit charges were not repaid last year forcing banks to write off the entire amount. And with $2.4 billion of roll-over debts still outstanding at the end of last year, industry players say the chances of further debt defaults are even greater. This is indeed high and worrisome, because it demonstrates a lack of financial discipline and prudence. 2.15 pm The ability for consumers to repay personal loans and credit card advances in these times is of great concern. We know that, in most cases, such loans or advances are unsecured and are aimed at financing consumption. To mitigate the risk, they charge high interest rates. With the establishment of the Central Credit Bureau, these recalcitrant borrowers' ability to do more damage is curtailed. However, in the past few years, many budding entrepreneurs in the SME sector may have resorted to personal loans to tide over the economic downturn. However, the economic climate turned from a rainy day to a rainy season. This was the beginning of the problem for businessmen who resorted to high interest loans and credit cards to finance their business. The economic downturn has turned some of the human capital in this group that we need into helpless victims. Many individuals found themselves facing debts when their businesses failed. Lending institutions try to recover their loans as much as possible, and quite rightly so too.”
“Sir, I beg leave to withdraw my cut as the Minister for Finance had covered that substantially during the Budget debate.”
“" We cannot be a young nation of pessimists, if what the ERC recommendations and the implementation of such imperatives are anything to go by. There is much hope. Yes, we are facing serious challenges in the economic downturn. However, we must make all efforts to ensure that Singaporeans do not lose heart. If that happens, then no amount of remaking will help us get to where we need to be in the New Economy of a changed world. Sir, we have the brains, we have the passion and the will. But we need to have a heart and the guts to move forward. EXEMPTED BUSINESS (Motion) Resolved, That the debate on the Budget Statement be proceeded with beyond 4.30 pm and the proceedings thereon be exempted at this day's sitting from the provisions of Standing Order No. 1. - [Mr Mah Bow Tan]. ANNUAL BUDGET STATEMENT Debate resumed. 3.42 pm”
“As our Prime Minister so succinctly put it - we should philosophise and see how things are not all bad. Let us look at the Finns and see how they dealt with a dramatic upheaval in their economic environment. Up until the early 1990s, Finland had been part of the Eastern bloc and went unnoticed in the global economy. With the collapse of the Soviet Union, Finland's economy underwent a major transformation. Practically overnight, it lost a quarter of its major export market. This resulted in massive unemployment in many sectors of the Finnish economy. However, despite this economic hardship, the Finnish people did not despair. The Finnish Parliament agreed that its government should invest heavily in education and research. These investments paid off. Today, 10 years after the crisis, Finland is the world's most competitive economy, according to a ranking by the World Economic Forum. Average economic growth since 1994 has been 5%, and this is significant for an industrialised country. It is ironic that it took a serious economic crisis for Finland to realise its potential. We have the benefit of a strong open market economy that has stood us in good stead for many years. But given the success of previous years, Singaporeans were not prepared for this sustained downturn. It was a shock to the system. Like the Finns, Singaporeans need to be flexible, innovative and turn a deep adversity into a grand challenge. Unity of purpose across the sectors and interests, and planning with perspective even in the midst of a crisis are important. Look at the Finns and the remarkable Nokia their people have created. Singapore is geared in the same way. Sir, we need to raise the morale of Singaporeans. As Mark Twain once said, "There is nothing sadder than a young pessimist.”
“We cannot let our energies ebb. Singaporeans have to recognise whatever creative effort and energy that are present in us, and draw on them. We cannot lose the sense of urgency to move on. Singaporeans must see this. I think in this area, Government leaders must do more cheer leading along with their grand plans. Without a high morale, we will find ourselves at the bottom of the cliff and without voice. Then, we cannot say we have a great this or a great that, or we are ranked this or that, or how clean and green our city is. For we will no longer be any of these, but a nation of pessimists doomed to fail. Investors will not come to our shores and people will leave once the people of Singapore lose their drive and desire to succeed, most of all, the guts to try and try again. Sir, the morale of our people must be high. The Government has the leadership quality, the resolve and experience to tip the morale scales in Singapore's favour. The ERC Report is just one of the avenues, or tool kits, to address and pre-empt the challenges we are facing and will encounter in the near and foreseeable future. The Government has always been upfront and direct about the problems we have. We acknowledge what and where the problems are. In this respect, we need to reassure Singaporeans that we will ride the challenges and come out with our heads high, just as we did in the 1970s. I was encouraged and felt a sense of pride as I read in the Sunday Times' report on the four Singaporeans who ventured to India. Their indomitable spirit to succeed and try something new came through clearly. Sir, we need to hear and see more of such instances of a fighting spirit. We need to celebrate and give cheer to such instances of entrepreneurship and pioneering spirit.”
“Legal services, banking services, financial management, financial planning and private banking are all services that depend heavily on the skills and abilities of the persons supplying these services. These services are skill-intensive and require a high level of understanding and some experience. We will see a magnet for talent flow from this. In addition, the information technology requirements are very sophisticated and the development of information systems can provide an opportunity to service the industry worldwide. Best practices are evolving in this area as well. An opportunity exists here. Skilful and hardworking people are providing conscientious service to global clients. This is a recipe for success that augurs well for Singapore's plan to be a pre-eminent financial centre. I spoke of taking a double-barrel approach. It is clear from my elaboration of the wealth management area, addressed by the ERC, that we have one barrel fully loaded and armed. Let us consider the other barrel. The other barrel should be loaded with a call to Singaporeans to rise to the challenge we face. Government leaders, while persisting in encouraging changing mindsets of Singaporeans, must also continue to reassure Singaporeans that we will have our day in the sun. Sir, just like in banking, when a client's investment portfolio is down as a result of market action, bankers will, along with working out strategies, also handhold their clients through a difficult period. In so doing, it will allow continued focus on the longer term investment objectives and avoid hasty knee-jerk reactions. Sir, while we want individuals to be more self-reliant, we must ensure that the fighting spirit of Singaporeans cannot and must not wane. Singaporeans cannot be pessimistic.”
“This reputation will be a plus to develop Singapore to be a pre-eminent financial centre. This supervision is best done by way of a cooperative effort and could be spearheaded by the MAS. Respect for confidentiality might also lead to a desire to enact provisions for trusts that mirror those of banking information. That would further demonstrate our seriousness with which Singapore banks, financial and wealth management institutions treat their clients' information. The current changes to the trust provisions, which were announced in the most recent Budget, clarify certain areas so that one avoids ambiguity. In fact, something of a non-NUTS approach is evident in the ERC. An exclusion list of what cannot be done is proposed and anything outside that list is a green light. This will spur the creative and innovative culture we have been lamenting that is so lacking or subdued. The current changes have also expanded the availability of the benefits to foreign trusts managed by all trust companies in Singapore, details of which can be found in the Budget Statement. As the Minister mentioned, one other component that will be put in place soon is the review of legislation. This will bring the statutes current. This was recently done in relation to the companies legislation. Now it is the turn of the trust legislation. We need to create an environment where the fiduciary service providers want to locate to Singapore. This is high value work. We will see the concept of clusters at work here. Significantly, ancillary services would flow from the development of wealth management services in Singapore.”
“Singapore has taken further initiatives in the field of wealth management. These build on those initiatives announced last year. Singapore recognises that we need to position ourselves to provide these kinds of wealth management services to successful families. Singapore is well suited to deliver such services at a high level. There is competition, but the competitors do not have the advantages that Singapore has. Among the advantages are our sound banking and financial regulatory system. Presently, too much of the wealth management service industry, undertaken globally, is shrouded in secrecy. There is already a drive for change as advocated by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and other financial sector watchdogs. Singapore must be a first mover. There is an opportunity to take advantage of a significant shift in an industry that will learn to depend on service levels and confidentiality, rather than on secrecy. Singapore is uniquely placed to take advantage of this opportunity. We have developed into one of the top tier financial services centres in Asia. The infrastructure is basically in place. To pre-empt or address any concerns on the standards applied in Singapore, we must put a supervisory framework in place. Some Members have, over the last two days, talked about the Singapore brand. The supervisory framework will safeguard our reputation as a Wealth Management Centre Par Excellence. This framework will respect the confidentiality of the clients of the service providers while ensuring that those service providers fully understand their clients, and the source of funds being managed. Singapore is noted, among financial watchdogs, for taking a tough stand in areas of money-laundering.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to join in the debate. Sir, since the release of the ERC Report, there has been much debate on the means through which we can improve the competitiveness of Singapore in this fast changing global economy. We have talked about how we should remake Singapore, and have drafted plans to restructure our economy, to make our education system more responsive to the demands of the economy and to innovate in ways that will sustain development and wealth generation for all Singaporeans. Indeed, we have seen some of these imperatives of economic restructuring being put in place through last year's Budget. And in this year's Budget, delivered on 28th February by the Minister for Finance, we see more initiatives, vital to our survival, which are recommended by the ERC, being implemented. Sir, aside from the wealth of quality ideas from the various stakeholders from all quarters, an able Government and a dependable infrastructure to execute the well-crafted grand plans, the people of Singapore must play their part. The economic slowdown and the threat of terrorism have cast a gloom on our people. It has put an austere mood over many a Singaporean. While it is a good thing to be austere and to revere the virtues of frugality, as Senior Minister of State, Mr Khaw, spoke about yesterday, in such times, the flip side is a dip in our morale. I want to speak on the ways in which we can improve the morale of Singaporeans in these hard times. We need to quickly adopt a double-barrel approach. We already have one barrel pinned down quite well, and that is, the ERC's recommendations are refreshing and hold promise. I would like to make some comments on the practical examples of the forward-looking character of our growth strategy.”
“In fact, Mr Speaker, Sir, I dare venture that even for some of these new types of schools, a closer, more deliberate attempt to involve the community should be made by MOE and the schools so that all these very useful suggestions that we have made will not just end up as records for us to look through, but actually, where we will put our words where our mouth is and get us involved with the schools in making sure that some of those ideas that we champion could actually be realised. At the same time, I realise that when we create a more thinking population, it is a double-edged sword. There are also other societal changes that we must be prepared to put up with because a more thinking and creative educated citizenry of the future might also mean a certain amount of critical feedback and action, and demand for more individual choice, more freedom of action. This is all part and parcel of fostering a climate of intelligently thinking citizens so that even though there is divergent thinking, we have convergent interests that will propel Singapore as a first-world nation and we will continue our stride, and we can take our rightful place in this new world order. As Mr Chan Soo Sen has mentioned yesterday, there are many roads to Rome. In this set of recommendations, we are allowing some students to take the road less travelled. We wish them well.”
“We have heard that it is easier to start at the JC level and the upper secondary rather than to revamp all the way since we have resource constraints. Nevertheless, we need to build up our cadre of expertise, we need to have the experience and we need to change mindsets from educationalists all the way down to the employers and the public. I would like to emphasise that we have started something that is needed, and it is something that we are grappling with. In some respects, we are going into the unknown as to how we can transform our education system whereby multiple intelligences would be recognised and nurtured and not just focusing on a uni-dimension concept of intelligence. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, Sir, the "streaming" and "stress" issues that we have, in a way, with all these changes going on, will force a rethink, hopefully in the parents' minds of the misplaced importance that they place on just academic achievements. Hopefully, we will take pains to explain to the public how a common tool now on ranking will no longer be relevant. New forms of ranking will, in fact, take place. How do you evaluate someone who comes through on a specialised school system or a private school and rank him lineally from top to bottom? Probably, you will have different categories and we will have to include efforts for project work and co-curricular activities. This is probably a way to force a crisis in the parents' minds. So they will say, "I need new guidance". That is where the role of MOE and the schools becomes very important now. We have to take pains to guide the parents along. We need, in fact, some steering committee, some coordination, a better network of schools with the grassroots bodies and the VWOs coming in.”
“Even though they are specialised, private or through-train, can we ensure that they form part of an all-rounded education - life skills on interpersonal relationship building, effective interpersonal communication skills, problem-solving, mediation, negotiation, etc? I know that elements of these are taught in the primary and secondary schools at different stages, but we should ensure that they continue and, in fact, go on even to the universities. Sir, much has been said that we need to have a mindset change for us to comprehend the profound implications of such changes for the future of our children. In this regard, the changes that we see around us, the new global effect of terrorism, the need for us to go regional and to go global, require us that we also have a good understanding of our neighbours, their history, their literature, their culture. In this regard, some of these should be incorporated, especially for those who are going on to JCs and universities. Even for those who do not, if we want to create entrepreneurs, they will also need to have a good knowledge of the market conditions in the neighbouring countries and the world, and these are subjected to social, political and economic forces. Another thread I would like to emphasise, and I share this with many of my parliamentary colleagues, is that we should look at how, at the pre-primary level, kindergartens and child care centres have actually incorporated project work. If you look at some of the child care centres' curriculum, they are very imaginative. Can we continue to ensure that this kind of active learning will not be stifled at the primary level? In this, I share the sentiments of my colleagues that we should not just stop with the IP and JC changes.”
“But I hope we can retain the best of both because we need both work horses as well as show horses. So it is important that students should be given the opportunities in this new revamped curriculum to be show horses but not at the expense of being able to do the work. An example of some of the dangers we have of form over substance would be, as my colleague, Dr Maliki mentioned yesterday, the danger of students wanting to be spoon-fed and not being original in their answers. In fact, they just 'cut and paste' from the Internet. They plagiarised. This is becoming an increasing concern for us. How do we get them to be able to craft essays well and project work well? So the communication skills are important. But I think some aspects of literature and the humanities should also be grounded in our students even though they are in the Science or Mathematics stream. In this regard, having to cross disciplines would be very welcoming. But more importantly, Sir, how would different groups of stakeholders - the parents, principals, teachers, students and employers and the public at large - take to all these proposed changes? There would be differential impact among the stakeholders here for the different types of recommendations mentioned. I think MOE needs to look into what the various stakeholders would feel and understand in terms of the various recommendations. The JC curriculum change is one; having the through-train is another; and then having specialised schools. Probably, you will not find a uniform consensus on all the changes. It will differ. I think we need to look into that. For instance, can there be room for more life skill subjects to be taught, to be incorporated into the new curriculum for the JCs and the various secondary school structures?”
“Whenever we think about education, we tend to recall what we had gone through and use that as part of the reference point. We need to understand what should be the overall educational goals for the whole education system and in this, I even include the pre-schools and not just primary, secondary, JC or tertiary institutions. In the light of this new world economic order, we have to find out whether the desired outcomes of education that MOE has spelt out some years back do need revisiting and updating in this globalised world. I would say that, whilst we are mindful of the need to have thinking students, a learning nation, the kind of education that we are striving for should not negate those earlier concerns we have about what a true education should be. And I recall many, many years back, SM Lee mentioning that we can be a literate nation, but not necessarily an educated one. I think that also needs restating. In this regard, I have three main concerns. One, the education outcomes of this revamp on the curriculum and new secondary school structures. We are trying to redress some of the over-emphasis we have on rote learning so that now we can be more creative, we can be thinking more imaginatively, we would have the means to be able to be adaptable and flexible in the new workforce, and so on and so forth. However, I would like to caution that in doing so, we do not go for form over substance as a result. We have heard how in comparison with overseas graduates, our local graduates are good in following or executing orders, that is we have content knowledge. But we are not so good when it comes to the showmanship, the ability to present, the ability to bring issues up, debate them, discuss them, and so forth.”
“The revision to the JC curriculum and the inclusion of the three new types of secondary school structures are not all there is to the educational reforms we need for our country. They form but part of the bigger picture called the learning revolution, in which active learning and lifelong education are the key words to signal the type of education required in an innovation-driven and knowledge-based new economy. We have heard, and sometimes robustly explained, that MOE has actually been overhauling Singapore's education system over the years, the latest being this set of recommendations. As such, the Review Committee came up with this new JC curriculum, the additional types of secondary education structures so as to offer more choices for students to receive an appropriate education at a pace suited to their learning abilities and aptitudes. Clearly, this is in response to past criticisms about our rigid educational structure and system. Nor in my mind would this be the last of the series of major changes to our education system. Given this background, Sir, I think it is important that the public should understand where the changes to the JC curriculum and secondary structures are coming from. Unfortunately - this is not the fault of the Review Committee - the White Paper did not provide this larger backdrop of how the proposed changes will fit into the overall education system for Singapore. That is why we have a lot of ideas that sometimes touch on areas which are not fair for the Committee to have commented on. I do not think that was in their terms of reference. We need to explain to the public, and even to Members of this House, since we all may not have been keeping up with all the changes.”
“It will have major significance on how the universities will carry out their mission, as well as on how university faculty members like myself will discharge our responsibilities. I am therefore delighted to rise in support of the motion in principle and, like my fellow parliamentarians who have spoken before me, wish to see the successful transformation of these and other changes that will make JC and the diversified secondary school education truly meaningful and fulfilling for generations of students to come. Mr Speaker, Sir, I wish to congratulate the Review Committee for its bold views, vision and ideas to transform part of the education system. In any major change effort, there is always the danger that a gap will emerge between policy intention and implementation action. Hence, it is necessary, indeed vital, for pro-active consultation, feedback and revisions to occur at the conceptual and planning stages, and not wait until implementation time before improvements will be made. Fortunately, we have heard many thoughtful and useful comments and ideas in this House on what can and should be done to bridge or narrow the gap between system ideal and action realities. It is in this spirit and with the welcoming invitation of the Minister for Education that I offer my take on the matter. Much has been said in the past two days, and I will not belabour some of the same points that I had originally thought of but which have since been brought up. Some of my friends said that this should be my maiden speech. But I feel that actually I am making a page-boy speech, since I am only left with a little bit to say, so as not to repeat myself and those of my colleagues. Instead, I would like to touch on the bigger picture about our educational reforms.”
“Sir, I understand that, presently, a secondary school teacher spends more than 50 hours on average per week on teaching and related activities. In a year, they spend close to 500 hours on non-teaching related activities, such as Sports Day or Speech Day. I wonder if we had thought about over-stretching our teachers a little bit too much. The teachers are an important resource; in fact, very important in achieving the goals set out in the White Paper. Sir, education is a key to having a competitive and highly qualified workforce. One thing is certain: as sure as there are jobs that have vanished forever, it is also correct to say that there are jobs that have not been configured yet. It is vital, then, to prepare our nation and our people with a wide exposure through education, so that the fit into tomorrow's job evolution is possible. I think this is very important, where we can add to the talent pool that is culturally connected, especially for our leaders-to-be. As a Singaporean, I urge all to support this initiative to ensure that we stay ahead of the curve, in order that we may survive in a fast-changing and uncertain world. As a parent, I urge all to understand the importance of these changes in order that our children may have an opportunity to enjoy a more diverse and broader education, and for our country's survival. Sir, I support the motion. 1.25 pm Assoc. Prof. Ngiam Tee Liang (Nominated Member): Thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir, for allowing me to join in this debate. At the outset, let me declare that, as a university educator, I am very interested in the motion for obvious reasons. The recommendations of the Review Committee in the White Paper, when implemented, will have a direct bearing and significant impact on university education in Singapore.”
“The recommendation to allow for private schools is a step in the right direction. In the area of knowledge acquisition and the quest for wisdom, no one can claim to have the right of monopolistic hold on it, not the least the Government. It does not do any good to have only one system of education in a country. The existence of private schools would spur greater performance all round. In the US, on a standardised achievement test, ie, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, private school students generally perform higher than their public school counterparts. We already have a high-quality public school system. Certainly, the private schools will also add to setting new benchmarks that we may at some stage consider for yet another White Paper. I would urge then for the Ministry to govern private schools with a light hand and to let the market find its own level in terms of operations, pricing and curriculum. The private schools will then play a value-added role in promoting Singapore as an education hub. The White Paper calls for a reduction in the teaching hours for the students to be reduced by 10%, but with an increase in the intensity of the curriculum of 25%. I understand that the teaching staff in the schools that applied for IP is ready to take on the prescribed load. This is not surprising, considering those schools such as the Raffles cluster and ACS(I) had been doing their IP-similar programmes for some years. My fear is for the readiness of the teachers - whom some of my parliamentary colleagues have talked about over the last two days - whether those who are expected to teach the increased intensity subjects as recommended in the White Paper, although at a reduced 1,300-1,700 hours, are prepared.”
“This is especially true in a meritocratic and academic-driven Singapore. If you have good academic results, you are almost certain of a good employment which, in turn, would provide a good and comfortable life. Thus, having a good employment is a motivating factor for almost every Singaporean in their academic pursuit. And in the area of employment, the civil service sends the signal on what is important. In most of the senior positions in our civil service, the minimum entry requirement is at least an Honours (Second Upper). For a student in Singapore, studying hard and aspiring to be amply compensated, his or her work is cut out for him or her, and the route to be taken clearly marked out. They will be singled-minded and study to sit for the examination subjects that will count towards entering the university, never mind that the intent of the White Paper on education calls for a thinking person. Sir, in many fields, compensation does drive behaviour. Am I going to spend much time in other co-curricular activities, such as sports or music? Maybe. And only if I have some spare time left after studying the rest. Sir, one of the most important determinants that drives students' performance must be university admission. Since the White Paper leaves it to the university/campus to decide on the weighting to be given to co-curricular activities and, at the same time, calls for a downgrading to a 15% SAT, the university/campuses must review their admission criteria too. It would appear that when the recommendations of the White Paper come into play, the admission criteria would be outdated. University admission criteria will have to be redrawn, in line with the proposed changes in the White Paper. Perhaps, there will be another debate then.”