Baey Yam Keng
Singapore
“Our next generation will have far greater opportunities to make their mark here. The Government will also guide them into the transport sector through scholarships, training and career development pathways, so that they can put their talents to good use and contribute to society.”
“I would say that the greening of bus stop roofs may not be something that is practical across all bus stops. I do not have the exact figures, but I am sure we must have tens of thousands of bus stops in Singapore. So, there is a cost element.”
“Based on earlier trials conducted by the Land Transport Authority (LTA), fans have a limited impact on the ambient temperature in an exposed bus stop environment. Commuter feedback from the trials was also unfavourable. Most bus stops are also shaded by surrounding buildings and trees, reducing the effectiveness of solar installations.”
“Certainly. Members would remember that over the years and decades, our bus stop designs have evolved. We have to take into consideration various factors, not just the comfort of commuters who are waiting there but also the practicality of sighting of buses coming ahead as well as maintenance, safety and different factors like that.”
“I thank Ms Gho for her concern for the arts and the artists. Indeed, it is part of our commitment to provide affordable, accessible spaces for artists and arts groups. We have announced last year that we are doing a study on how the arts spaces provision can be better improved and the study is ongoing.”
“Speaker, the median and maximum waiting time for pedestrians at signalised junctions are 120 seconds and 140 seconds respectively. Wait times for pedestrians depend on the nature of road, junction size and configuration, as well as prevailing traffic volume.”
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“Thank you. I will also respond to Question No 27 for written reply raised by Mr Melvin Yong and Question No 28 for written reply raised by Dr Wan Rizal from the Order Paper on 8 May 2023. The Bloobox initiative was launched in November 2022 as part of our national Recycle Right campaign. Blooboxes carry labels to help households identify what can and cannot be recycled. By facilitating and encouraging households to set up a recycling corner, we hope to encourage recycling and raise the recycling rate. By the end of the distribution period on 30 April 2023, about 530,000 or 93% of the Blooboxes have been distributed. To facilitate the distribution of Blooboxes, vending machines were placed across Singapore, including at community clubs and bus interchanges. Distribution booths were also set up at community events, shopping malls and hawker centres. These distribution efforts were publicised through flyers, posters and digital notifications via the Singpass mobile application. Blooboxes were also distributed to interested primary and secondary schools to encourage students to recycle in school and at home. The strong and positive response by the public reflects the community's interest in recycling at home or offices, and their appreciation of the utility of the Blooboxes. Nevertheless, not every household requires a Bloobox as many may already have existing recycling corners using other containers, and this was taken into consideration when we planned for the number of Blooboxes to be distributed in this initiative. Following the end of the Bloobox distribution period, the National Environment Agency (NEA) will continue to collaborate with our various partners to encourage households to recycle as part of the Recycle Right campaign.”
“Yes, indeed, we did look into it. And since then, we have checked with the agencies to understand that currently the Traffic Police has partnered KK Women's and Children's Hospital (KKH) to educate the public on road safety, including road safety for child passengers. For example, the Traffic Police provided input for KKH's educational collaterals on the use of use of child car seats. Such collaborations have been increasing awareness among parents, especially new parents, about the requirements for child restraints and their correct use. These current arrangements already are helping parents and we know many parents are concerned about the safety of their children. As for the Ministry of Health (MOH), MOH's budget subsidises healthcare with the aim of ensuring that basic healthcare remains affordable and accessible for the general population. This includes healthcare services, drugs, devices and various therapeutics and medical technology. Infant car seats are not within the scope of healthcare subsidies.”
“Mr Speaker, please allow me, on behalf of the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Public Utilities Board, to wish everybody a Happy Water Day. Now, back to the Ministry of Transport (MOT). Sir, the requirement for the use of appropriate child restraints in private vehicles, such as infant car seats, is a long-standing one which parents are generally aware of. A range of child restraint solutions are available in the market. We have no plans to work with hospitals to further increase access to the use of infant car seats.”
“As part of our Zero Waste Nation vision, we would like to encourage all consumers and users to reduce, reuse and recycle. So, we do welcome companies or non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to promote to every one of us to do more of reducing, reusing and recycling. So, that is why NEA looks at supporting local capabilities, for example, in recycling. Grants are provided for facilities to build our capabilities, like in this case, we supported BT Sports, one of the project's partners, in building the facility to convert the sport shoes into granules for use in rubber flooring. On top of that, we also have funds like the SG Eco Fund that will provide financial resources for both corporate as well as community organisations to promote environmental sustainability and the likes of rubber shoe recycling would certainly be something we would be happy to support. Corporations and organisations are welcome to apply or talk to NEA and the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) about their interest, and we can see how we can facilitate that.”
“For the export of recyclables that are not covered by the Basel Convention, such as sorted streams of ferrous, non-ferrous metals and textiles, companies would have to adhere to the relevant domestic regulations of the importing countries. The companies would also have to be accountable to the organisers of the recycling programme and the donors of the recyclables, based on contractual agreements and conditions that were agreed upon. All segments of society have a part to play in recycling right to achieve our vision of a zero-waste nation. We need to strike a balance between ensuring appropriate levels of regulation and governance, and not imposing overly onerous requirements which would inadvertently discourage voluntary recycling initiatives. My Ministry and NEA will continue to monitor our recycling landscape and strengthen our processes as necessary.”
“Thank you. Mr Speaker, Singapore's recycling landscape includes both national programmes led by the National Environment Agency (NEA) and non-governmental programmes led by corporations and community organisations. Under the National Recycling Programme, Public Waste Collectors licensed by NEA are required to send collected recyclables to licensed materials recovery facilities for sorting, processing and recycling. Recycling facilities are licensed by NEA and must meet requirements, such as ensuring that their operations do not endanger public health, only receiving and processing the waste stream approved in its licence and submitting records to NEA on the amount of waste received and processed. Under the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for e-waste, NEA requires the scheme operator to send the collected e-waste for proper treatment at licensed e-waste recycling facilities. The recyclers contracted by the scheme operators are not allowed to transfer e-waste collected under the scheme overseas unless they are able to demonstrate that the foreign recycler is able to treat the e-waste to a similar or better standard. They must also submit regular reports to NEA on the amount of e-waste received and processed. Under the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movement of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, which Singapore is a party to, it is illegal to export hazardous and other wastes as defined by the Basel Convention, without Prior Informed Consent from the state of import or transit. Relevant permits are also required from NEA under the Hazardous Waste (Control of Export, Import and Transit) Act.”
“Sir, the plan to develop Somerset Belt was first announced in May 2020. It aims to be a vibrant youth precinct to build youth identity and to support their aspirations. I had the privilege to co-lead the Somerset Belt Working Panel and the team worked with various stakeholders and held many engagement sessions to put up a Somerset Belt Masterplan in 2020. I, and I am sure that other Singapore youth as well, will be very interested to hear from the Ministry on what are the upcoming developments of Somerset Belt and the programmes that we can look forward to. 2.30 pm”
“Chairman, since 2011, I have been holding monthly KopiTalk sessions in a food court in Tampines North. For two hours each time, residents and members of the public can join and participate in the conversation. I would like to thank the venue operator, Koufu, for allowing us to use its space all these years, and even sponsoring coffee, tea and cakes. The refreshments offered do attract some interest, but I believe that the discussion also gave us a lot of food for thought. Participants can raise any topics on top of their mind, and I will give my take and share what I know. Anyone present can also chip in to add to the discussion. I find it very useful to know what people are thinking of, worried about and concerned with, as well as their views and opinions on estate matters, current topics and national issues. Last month's session was held a few days after Budget Day. I used the opportunity to share the key parts of the Budget and what residents can look forward to. In fact, when one retired resident was unsure of the benefits he could enjoy, I used the Support for You Calculator and showed him that he could expect $2,800 this year. He was very pleasantly surprised. Besides such topical matters, what I found most useful is when we discuss community issues like corridor clutter, cat and bird feeding, noise pollution and so on where the community needs to come together to solve problems. On a much larger level and wider platform, we have initiatives like Forward Singapore exercise and Singapore Together movement over the past few years. They aim to strengthen Government-citizen bonds and partnerships for citizen participation. So, I would like to ask MCCY to share the effectiveness of these initiatives and the key outcomes that have emerged from these exercises.”
“I agree with Mr Dennis Tan that, indeed, when we restricted the usage of PMDs, more will then use PABs. But looking at the data that we have, on the offences where we have caught people using non-compliant PABs, they have come down since 2020. Last year, we had about 600 summonses given for non-compliant PABs. That would include those, which the Member had also observed, where they were not pedalling but they were able to move. Probably, they have made some illegal modifications. So, if these are caught, they would be confiscated. As for enforcement on the roads – speeding, beating red lights and so on – we hold joint enforcement with the Traffic Police. In areas like Park Connector Networks (PCNs), we hold joint operations with the National Parks Board officers as well. So, we will continue to do enforcement. We want all users to understand the rules and abide by the rules.”
“I thank Ms Poh Li San for her interest in the road cycling lane. This is a time-based cycling lane, so it is actually a road lane for normal vehicles at other times. As we have limited land space, road space, we cannot always build dedicated paths. Therefore, we came up with this first time ever time-based lane at West Camp Road. So, for six hours a week, it is open to cyclists and buses only. So far, it has been five months since we started it. As I have said, the feedback and the observations have been positive. We are also going to do a proper survey among the users to get feedback on how the scheme could be improved. If all things go well, I hope the cycling lane at Seletar will become a permanent one. That would give us the confidence to explore other areas. These would be areas that are already used by road cyclists, because we want them to go where they want, but at the same time, at a time or day where normal road traffic is already low, so that it does not have a high potential for clashes to happen. For the Lim Chu Kang area, yes, we will look at that and we hope that we will be able to do more in other areas as well.”
“" to help commuters be aware of those who need a seat more, especially those whose medical conditions may not be obvious. This message has been expanded to the entire bus and train network across all PTOs, and commuters who need these stickers or cards may request for them at bus interchanges and MRT stations. We encourage commuters to exercise graciousness and give up their seats – and not just priority seats – to fellow commuters who need them more and will put up posters at prominent locations as visual reminders. From April 2023 onwards, we will expand the Helping Hand scheme by adding more messages to assist the special needs of other commuters. The new messages will be progressively rolled out, starting with the bus network, and publicity will be done on various online and out-of-home platforms. Chairman, Sir, we have made good progress in our AM landscape over the past few years. We will keep up the momentum to provide more inclusive and sustainable modes of transport. Nonetheless, more can be done to achieve our goal for a gracious and sharing community. No matter your mode of transport – whether you choose AM or public transport – let us look out for one another, so that everyone can move around Singapore safely and with ease.”
“Typically, a new MRT station brings about 800 metres of covered linkways. With more than 60 new MRT stations, including interchanges, coming up in the next decade, our network of covered linkways will only continue to grow. We will continue to work closely with other agencies to enhance the walking experiences of Singaporeans. While we make improvements in hardware, we have also continued to foster a caring commuting culture in public transport, primarily through the Caring SG Commuters movement. In 2022, we had a new initiative to spread awareness to more people. I am glad to share that more than 900 people have undergone training to assist commuters in need under the Caring Commuter Champion initiative. Another 700 volunteers are undergoing the online training course at their own pace. Anyone can enrol for the online training for free at the Caring Commuters website. Mr Eric Chua may be glad to learn that we will expand the Caring Commuter Champion initiative. This year, we are developing content that is suitable for primary school children to enlarge our pool of young Caring Commuter Champions. Moving forward, we will actively increase outreach efforts and engage our existing partners to promote inclusivity on public transport and enhance outreach to private sector organisations, to raise awareness and recruit more Caring Commuter Champions. Our Public Transport Operators (PTOs), who are the frontline touchpoint for commuters, are our close partners. They have worked closely with Social Service Agencies to develop inclusive initiatives. One of the initiatives was the Helping Hand scheme. We started with a sticker or card displaying "May I have a seat please?”
“Moving forward, LTA is studying other stretches which are frequented by on-road cyclists and where vehicular traffic is relatively low. This would also be subject to consultation with other agencies and engagements with relevant stakeholders. Mr Chair, we are also stepping up efforts on inclusivity in public transport. As Mr Ang Wei Neng notes, many Singaporeans are keen for our transport system to be more inclusive. Let me give a few updates. First, I am happy to share that all MRT stations, bus interchanges and Integrated Transport Hubs have been designated as Dementia Go-To Points. Members of the public can bring people who lose their way to any of these major public transport nodes and enlist the help of our public transport staff. Beginning last year, we have also fitted Braille signs at the queue rails of each boarding berth at bus interchanges. These signs allow commuters with visual impairments to know which bus services are available at the berth. For the elderly and families with young children, we have built accessible changing rooms and family toilets. All these rooms with automatic sliding doors will come with audio announcements. These will be useful for visually-impaired commuters who can also just wave a hand to lock the door. These infrastructure upgrades have been included in new bus interchanges since last year and will be added to existing bus interchanges that are slated for upgrading where practicable. Sir, we are providing Singaporeans with sheltered connections from our public transport nodes to key amenities nearby. Over 2019 to 2022, we expanded our network of covered linkways by about 72 kilometres. Today, we have a total of 275 kilometres of covered linkways built by LTA.”
“During construction, we will also take the opportunity to dovetail with other infrastructural works where possible. So, as much as we are trying to accelerate the programme, we seek Members' and Singaporeans' patience and understanding. Apart from these intra-town paths, we are also looking into options for cyclists who prefer longer-distance cycling commutes. One such example is the North-South Corridor, designed with a cycling trunk route that would connect AM device users directly from the Northern region to the city. Ms Poh Li San and Mr Saktiandi Supaat may wish to know that where space allows, we try to have dedicated cycling paths for AM device users. The Central Business District (CBD) is a good place to do so and Senior Minister of State Amy Khor had previously mentioned about our plans to rejuvenate Tanjong Pagar. However, given Singapore's land constraints, it is not possible to always build separate paths for different users. We will all need to be prepared to share our spaces, and to do so graciously and safely. Last year, LTA launched the Sunday Cycling Lane trial along West Camp Road in Seletar. This is to facilitate larger-group road cycling. A 4.6-kilometre on-road cycling lane was demarcated and set aside for buses and cyclists only, on Sundays from 5.00 am to 11.00 am. Five months into the trial, we observed that cyclists and motorists have co-existed well by keeping to their respective lanes, and the journey time of buses and other vehicles travelling along West Camp Road have also not been affected. Into the last month of the trial, LTA will conduct surveys with stakeholders and gather feedback, before deciding whether the lane would be permanent or enhanced further.”
“The limits were put in place in consideration of the power of such devices and the potential dangers that they pose to other users in the event of an accident. To support greener commutes, we are pressing ahead to implement more cycling paths islandwide. They will be constructed progressively across all towns over the coming years. With the launch of about 30 kilometres of cycling paths in various towns across Singapore recently, we now have about 550 kilometres of cycling paths in total. Residents living in the East and North-east regions can expect more comprehensive cycling path networks from 2024. On Ms Ng Ling Ling's request, we will first prioritise connectivity to transport nodes and key amenities, before expanding to other areas progressively. Nonetheless, the relevant agencies are studying the area and would be happy to work with her. For those living in the West and Central areas, including the Nanyang Division which Mr Ang Wei Neng had asked about, we will be rolling out plans to build cycling paths there as well. Residents in these areas can look forward to better connectivity within and between these towns when these are progressively implemented. With this, all 27 HDB towns and estates can look forward to having some cycling paths by the end of next year, up from the current 13. This is an ambitious programme, especially when we have to construct most of the paths in estates which are already very built up and where space is scarce. Finding space can be a challenge, and in some cases, we need stakeholders' support to make way for new cycling paths. For example, LTA recently worked with five different schools in Bukit Panjang to reconstruct their school boundary walls and fences to create space for cycling paths.”
“We want to ensure that these devices remain accessible to those who need them, but at the same time, it is also important to ensure that they are being used safely on our paths and that they do not detract from encouraging healthier lifestyles, such as walking. AMAP is in the midst of engaging stakeholders and will submit its recommendations later this year. Chairman, I will now say a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] This year, we will review the regulations of PMAs, such as motorised wheelchairs. Thus far, we have taken a light touch on regulations in order to remain inclusive, to cater for elderly who may have mobility issues and require such devices to commute. However, there have been recent feedback that seemingly fit and younger people were seen riding motorised wheelchairs in the neighbourhood and even on the roads. There are also concerns on fire safety when modified PMAs are being charged. To ensure public safety, we will review the regulations of PMAs. We will strike a balance between ensuring the safety of public paths and the accessibility of people who need these devices. I also urge everyone to walk when you can. The less we walk, the weaker our legs will become. Even if our legs are weak, do not become over-reliant on motorised wheelchairs. The key is to stay healthy and strong. (In English): Ms Yeo Wan Ling shared some concerns of delivery riders and asked if we could consider allowing different classes of AM devices, such as heavier ones, to be used on roads and paths. We note these concerns and will continue to review our existing regulations. But they have to be balanced with concerns of safety raised by other path and road users, and also by Members of the House.”
“As earlier mentioned by Minister Iswaran, the Government has accepted AMAP's recommendations. In our evaluation, we have aimed to balance between facilitating the use of more devices and ensuring the safety of all path and road users. Non-motorised devices will be subject to the existing device criteria when used on paths, including weight and width limits. Motorised versions of these devices will continue to be disallowed on paths and roads until recognised safety standards are available. In consultation with MHA and the Traffic Police, we will also be introducing new limits for all AM devices used on roads. This is to address concerns that overly wide or long devices are less manoeuvrable and may pose safety risks. We will introduce a width limit of 1.3 metres and length limit of 2.6 metres on all AM devices used on roads. These limits are pegged to the largest AM devices being used in Singapore today: 1.3 metres is about the width limit of a trishaw, while 2.6 metres is the length of a two-seater tandem bicycle. We hope to continue facilitating such devices that have been used on the roads in Singapore for a long time with no major safety issues, while preventing proliferation of overly large devices. We will raise public awareness and safe use of these newer devices, and I thank all stakeholders who have contributed to this review. 12.15 pm AMAP is currently reviewing the safe and responsible use of personal mobility aids, or PMAs. PMAs help individuals with mobility challenges, including those who have non-visible medical conditions, such as arthritis, that prevents them from walking long distances. However, there have been reports of potential abuse and misuse.”
“The number of accidents on paths fell from 155 to 101, while the number of fires involving motorised AM devices fell from 63 in 2021 to 42 in 2022. But we need to sustain this good progress. We will continue to work closely with our partners and communities to do so, such as the AM Community Ambassadors. Since our call for volunteers last November, a few cycling interest groups, such as BPR Cycling Club and RIDERS Arena, have registered their interest with us. LTA has started to onboard these new volunteers last month and I look forward to the contributions from all our ambassadors. Moving forward, we will work closely with new and existing ambassador teams to expand outreach activities. For those who are interested to join us, you can indicate your interest through the LTA website. As the AM landscape continues to grow rapidly, we are monitoring new trends closely. Together with the Active Mobility Advisory Panel, or AMAP, we are strengthening our regulatory framework while building a more inclusive culture. AMAP comprises a diverse mix of representatives of different stakeholder groups, such as seniors, youths, people with disabilities, cyclists and motorists. This allows us to consider various perspectives to ensure that our rules remain relevant and effective. As Mr Eric Chua mentioned, AMAP recently reviewed the use of cargo bikes, trikes, rider-only tricycles and recumbents. These are gaining popularity overseas. While these devices are still used in small numbers locally, it is timely for our regulations to be reviewed, to ensure that the rules of usage are clear and that they can be used safely in Singapore. The Panel engaged a wide range of stakeholders and has provided a set of balanced recommendations.”
“Mr Chairman, I will first provide an update on the progress of our Active Mobility, or AM, landscape, before elaborating on our efforts to promote inclusive journeys and a sharing culture. Over the last few years, the AM landscape has evolved significantly, with more people taking up active modes of transport, such as walking and cycling. This is a good thing, as AM is the greenest, cheapest and healthiest mode of transport available. Mr Dennis Tan asked how we intend to curb the illegal use of Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs). First, we have implemented various regulations. E-scooters have been required to be registered since 2019 and be inspected every two years since 2020. In 2021, we also introduced import controls to stem the inflow of non-compliant motorised devices. E-scooter and power-assisted bicycle, or PAB users, are required to pass the mandatory theory test before they can ride their devices in public spaces. As at end-2022, we have 39,000 passes, which is an increase of 8,000 from the previous year and accounts for almost 93% of the existing registered device population. Second, through active enforcement. Our AM enforcement officers are deployed daily to ensure that our paths remain safe and to take action against errant riders. LTA also leverages technology, such as mobile closed-circuit television cameras, to augment its enforcement efforts, and conducts joint operations with other agencies. With that, I am glad to say that we have made good progress in improving AM safety over the years. The number of AM-related accidents on public paths and fire incidents have dropped significantly, each by more than 30% since 2021.”
“Moving forward, I would like to know how MND intends to proceed with the pilot. Will this operator-run scheme be extended to more operators and locations, whether it will be further tweaked?”
“Chairman, I would like to address the issue of public rental flats and the difficulties faced by those who do not have someone else to co-apply with for a rental unit. Some of them will get a list of people in similar situations from HDB and try to find someone to co-apply. But according to them, some of these people in the list do not respond, they are not interested or they are not suitable. And for those who manage to find a suitable person, I have come across cases where, sometime later, they will face problems staying together and one of them will end up wanting to get the other person out of the flat. 2.00 pm Everyone has their own habits, lifestyles and sharing a common living space with a stranger is really not easy. Therefore, I would like to propose that HDB consider a new Single Singles Scheme in addition to the Joint Singles Scheme. This scheme would accommodate those who do not have someone to apply with, or do not want to live with a stranger. The flats could be smaller to cater to a single person. To ensure fairness, the rental for these flats could be higher, to justify the greater privacy that they enjoy. Allowing this will also prevent many social problems further downstream. Notwithstanding my proposal for the Single Singles Scheme, I do support the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-run pilot that was launched in 2021. I believe operators would have expertise or would have built expertise to help match suitable tenants to live together and there are people who prefer living with someone for company and mutual support. I would like to request for an update of the pilot after two years. Out of the 158 units in the pilot, what number of tenants are still living together? Have we met the objective of helping these singles with their living needs?”
“I thank Ms Hany Soh for the question. Indeed, I think for us to cover all residential premises, private condominiums will be part of it. And we will need to work with the Management Corporation Strata Titles (MCSTs) because we need access to the premises. Currently, we are looking at releases twice a week. So, we will need such a collaboration with MCSTs and the condominium residents. But at the moment, we are looking at how we can put our resources to bring benefits to more people. Therefore, HDB estates will be our primary interest, because with that, we are able to scale-up, hopefully we can scale-up and then protect more people from dengue. Let us take one step at a time; but certainly, the condominium residents would be on our radar screen as well.”
“Sir, I am heartened to hear Ms Poh Li San's interest in Project Wolbachia and how it will be scaled up. Right now, we are covering about 30% of HDB blocks but just 9% of landed homes; and we already need five million mosquitoes every week. So, imagine if we cover the whole of Singapore, we will easily need about 15 to 20 million mosquitoes a week. So, we need to see how we are able to do this in a cost-effective way, with the large-scale production and release of these mosquitoes in these public areas. But at the same time, before that, we must also determine scientifically how effective this technology that is being rolled out and whether it is effective at a large scale, across the whole of Singapore. We need to look at the dynamics of the Wolbachia mosquitoes with the wild-type mosquitoes out there, how they survive, how they continue to find the female mosquitoes to mate. And also, how they are released and distributed across the dense urban setting we have in Singapore, both high-rise HDB blocks, including 50 storeys that we have and that we are building, as well as landed property estates. We need to justify that we are able to use our resources prudently in a cost-effective way so that we can achieve the desired outcome. I would like ask for Members' patience as NEA, with the Environmental Health Institute, work on studying the different roll-outs that we have so far, establishing the scientific basis of the effectiveness and also getting the resources to scale up production accordingly.”
“More importantly, we see that grant recipients come from all walks of life. As Prof Koh Lian Pin pointed out, there are various funding schemes besides the SG Eco Fund that enable communities to take action. Each scheme is designed to encourage action with varying thematic or stakeholder considerations and is assessed accordingly. 12.15 pm As what Prof Koh said so well: "Everyone from every sector has important contributions to make." We need everyone to work together towards a sustainable Singapore. With the various funding support schemes available, we hope that whether you are young or old, an individual or an organisation, you can all play a part to build our green nation. We all have a shared responsibility in achieving our climate goals. We must come together as a nation to work towards this important and urgent matter. I urge all Singaporeans to join forces on climate action. We must act together now for a greener and more sustainable Singapore.”
“Singaporeans can join international visitors in more lifestyle programming to learn more about sustainability through fun and meaningful immersive experiences. Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked about the SG Eco Fund and engaging youths to encourage more ground-up sustainability initiatives. SG Eco Fund was launched in November 2020 to support ground-up solutions for a greener and more sustainable Singapore. For the most recent grant call, I am pleased to announce that $2.4 million will be awarded to 77 worthy projects that span various sectors and topics. Among them, we have a group of students that are using food scraps to breed crickets as an ingredient for making pet food and a project to teach women from vulnerable backgrounds to upcycle unwanted clothing donations into useful items. Golden Cap Farm, a local startup, will run a pilot progamme to collect used coffee grounds from cafes and re-use it as a substrate for growing mushrooms. They will also organise mushroom farm tours and composting workshops. Social enterprise, Two Glasses, is raising awareness about the impact of fast fashion and overconsumption through its short films and community discussions. They are also developing a counter for people to track new clothing purchased and the number of times they wear each piece of clothing. These aim to encourage a shift in behaviour of overconsumption. Just from this sampling of projects, we see ideas for food waste used to produce food for either humans or pets and those that evolve around the clothes we wear, stop excessive buying and up-cycle unwanted clothes. To-date, 182 individuals and organisations have been awarded $9 million under SG Eco Fund. The range of topics covered by them will help to move us towards our climate and Green Plan goals.”
“I thank all community partners for their commitment and passion in driving this movement. I hope we will see many more Community Eco-Days and other green initiatives like what Ms Nadia Samdin and her team have done. Through MSE's annual Climate Action Week (CAW), we have been working with our partners to encourage communities to take collective climate action towards a sustainable future for Singapore. We are happy to see increasing participation from the People, Private and Public sectors. Last year's CAW saw over 140 activities organised by 80 partners; the highest numbers since its launch in 2019. The activities, which aimed to increase awareness of and spur action against climate change included community events, workshops, talks, learning journeys, school and youth activities, clean-ups, promotions, and green challenges. This year, we are excited to rebrand CAW as Go Green SG. This will better reflect the wide range of sustainability initiatives and programmes it encompasses. I urge our People, Private and Public sector partners to join this community movement and organise sustainability-related activities beyond just a week, to rally even more Singaporeans towards a sustainable lifestyle. There will be a wide range of activities for everyone when Go Green SG is launched in early July this year. As Minister of State Mr Alvin Tan announced, Singapore has been certified as a sustainable urban destination by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council. To strengthen our position as a sustainable urban destination, I am pleased to announce that Go Green SG we will be collaborating closely with the Singapore Tourism Board to showcase to the world the various sustainable experiences that Singapore has to offer.”
“To cultivate a culture of sustainability within the community, my Ministry, together with the Ministry of National Development (MND) and Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), launched the Green Action for Communities (GAC) movement last year. The nationwide movement brings together community leaders and residents to plan, organise and co-implement sustainability initiatives in their communities to support the Singapore Green Plan. Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked about the support and resources provided for GAC groups. We have held capacity workshops for GAC groups in all five districts and are rolling out localised deep dives where community leaders discuss in smaller groups to formulate plans that best meet the unique needs and conditions of their communities. Residents and volunteers who are passionate about sustainability come together and are empowered to develop their own action plans to rally their communities and champion sustainability initiatives in their neighbourhoods. We have also published a GAC guidebook for GAC groups to look for ideas, funding and partners for sustainability initiatives. The workshops have been very fruitful with great ideas that meet the community’s needs. For example, repairing, proper recycling of e-waste, composting of food waste, having a car-free day and more community involvement in tree-planting activities. I am happy that residents are passionate about rallying communities and spreading the sustainability message in their neighbourhoods. We will embark on the next phase this year to galvanise community participation in the action plans and showcase some of the key programmes. Residents will be able to contribute their ideas and participate in the programmes.”
“We will continue to collect data for rigorous evaluation of the Wolbachia technology and to refine deployment and strategies to allow cost-effective expansion in the next few years. Regardless, the Wolbachia technology is not a silver bullet. Profuse breeding of Aedes mosquitoes could reverse the success effected by the Wolbachia technology. NEA will continue to work with partner agencies and stakeholders to detect and remove potential mosquito breeding habitats and will take firm enforcement action where necessary. Our community must continue to play an active part in upkeeping our environment to prevent mosquito breeding and to curb transmission of the dengue virus. This is why NEA has been working closely with community partners. For example, NEA collaborated with the West Coast and Pioneer grassroots organisations to tackle several large dengue clusters in the area last year. Roadshows were organised to educate residents on measures to prevent mosquito breeding and to protect themselves from dengue. Grassroots volunteers also conducted house visits and distributed educational flyers and insect repellent. The concerted efforts helped to slow down the transmission of dengue infections from almost 40 cases a week at the peak, to the eventual successful closure of the clusters. I would like to thank all residents and grassroots volunteers for their continued support for Project Wolbachia and playing their part in our fight against dengue. Chairman, Minister Fu shared how the Government is leading our nation’s green transition. To succeed in our goal, we will need communities and individuals to step up and step forward. We are committed to partnering the community to foster a more liveable and sustainable society. This is the only way for us to meet our climate goals.”
“To Ms Hany Soh, Mr Gan Thiam Poh and Ms Poh Li San’s queries on the progress of this pilot project, I am pleased to report that results thus far have been encouraging. Initial studies have shown that continued releases of male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes can successfully suppress the urban Aedes aegypti mosquito population in release sites. In the initial field studies in Tampines, Yishun, Choa Chu Kang and Bukit Batok, where there have been more than one year of releases, we have observed up to 98% drop in the Aedes aegypti mosquito population and up to 88% reduction of dengue cases. During the 2022 outbreak, the technology has prevented large clusters in these areas, where dengue transmission used to be high historically. In the second half of last year, NEA expanded Project Wolbachia pilot to eight additional sites. This is part of a multi-site field study to further evaluate the impact of Wolbachia technology on dengue cases and clusters. Alongside HDB blocks, NEA has also been carrying out releases at landed residential estates to determine the most effective and impactful approach for wider-scale deployment. Based on early data, declining Aedes aegypti mosquito populations have also been observed in these areas. With the expansion last year, the Project Wolbachia pilot now covers more than 300,000 households, which is about 30% of all HDB blocks and 9% of all landed homes across Singapore. NEA will continue to collaborate with commercial partners to enhance automation and scale up both in-house and outsourced Wolbachia-Aedes mosquito production and release capacity to support the ongoing study.”
“Chairman, dengue continues to pose a serious threat to Singapore. In fact, this situation is also due to our success in tackling dengue over the decades. In the sixties and seventies, dengue was prevalent and was a major cause of childhood death. While we have significantly reduced the local population's exposure to the disease, it has also resulted in low population dengue immunity today. That is why we must continue to step up efforts in the fight against dengue. NEA adopts a holistic dengue control strategy. This includes one, surveillance of the Aedes aegypti mosquito population and circulating dengue virus; two, working with premises managers and residents to eliminate mosquito breeding; and three, publicity campaigns and outreach. This includes the use of purple alert banners we introduced last year to inform residents of areas with high mosquito population. NEA also partners key stakeholders such as Town Councils in mosquito control efforts. In addition, the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA) monitor the development of and evaluate dengue vaccines and therapeutics. The evaluation of the TAK-003 vaccine, which Ms Sylvia asked about, is currently ongoing. Last year, more than 32,000 dengue cases were reported locally, the second highest in Singapore’s recorded history. While dengue cases have decreased from the peak in the middle of last year, weekly cases remain high, with the potential for another surge in cases. NEA has been leveraging technology to strengthen our existing dengue control regime. One example is Project Wolbachia, where non-biting male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes, are released at selected dengue high-risk areas to suppress the local mosquito population.”
“Sir, LTA conducts the retrofitting of POBs in phases. We are now in Phase 4 and we aim to complete Phase 4 by 2028. So, currently we are reviewing the POBs among the approximately 600 POBs in Singapore to see how we can prioritise the various POBs. The POB in the Member's constituency as I said will be accorded due priority. It would be accorded higher priority than other POBs with a lower number of senior residents living nearby. We also note that there are clinics and also the Hougang Central Market that would be served by this POB. That would be given due priority in our assessment. I seek the Member's and his residents' patience.”
“Mr Speaker, for the retrofitting of lifts, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) prioritises pedestrian overhead bridges (POBs) at locations which benefit large numbers of seniors and commuters with mobility challenges, and which are near public transport nodes and healthcare institutions. The POB highlighted by the Member will be accorded due priority in LTA’s future reviews based on the above criteria.”
“Within two years, students have to take two mid-year examinations, more promo and one prelims exam, on top of their common tests. Will we be able to relieve some of the examination preparation and stresses? GCE "A" Levels”
“Therefore, may I know what MOE has observed about our students' school experience under full SBB? When students are used to be able to study different subjects at different bands, they will need to follow through in terms of similar flexibility in learning and accessibility to more pathways and learning opportunities to the post-secondary education. I know that for A-Level subjects that we have offered at H1, H2 or even H3 levels. How about Polytechnic and ITE curriculum? I would appreciate if the Ministry could share any plan in this area. Review of A-level Curriculum With easy access to the wealth of information on the Internet and availability of Artificial Intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT, education has to go beyond acquisition of knowledge. We have to learn how to find information, process information, turn the information into knowledge and learn how to apply the knowledge. Our students need a wide range of 21st century skills and competencies to thrive in a complex and fast-changing world of today. I am glad that MOE has been progressive in its education philosophies. The recent reviews of curriculum content and assessment demand has led to the removal of mid-year examinations for all primary and secondary levels from 2023. I believe this has been very much welcomed by students but perhaps only by some parents. This is when I urge parents to support MOE in this and fill up the freed up time and space that the kids have with more tuition and enrichment. I would like to ask MOE whether the curriculum review will also be extended to post-secondary levels, the A Levels is already a much shorter course of two years compared to primary and secondary schools.”
“Sir, I commend MOE's introduction of Subject-based Banding (SBB) in 2014. It recognises that each of us could have a different attitude towards different subjects. These allow students to learn at a pace and level according to their academic abilities in specific subjects rather than their overall academic performance. More importantly, it will help our students nurture the joy of learning. In 2020, full SBB was piloted in 28 schools and will be implemented in all secondary schools from 2024. MOE has taken a careful and measured approach in rolling out this programme. Indeed, it should be so, as we must be sure of the benefits of any change in policy. One of the major challenges of full subject-based banding is the availability of resources to cater to the specific needs of each band. Different bands may require different teaching resources such as textbooks, laboratory equipment and teaching staff, which may be difficult to provide for all students in each band. I would like to ask MOE to share their experience of full SBB and how the challenges would be overcome when it is rolled out to all secondary schools. Compared to the past when students stay within their own class for all subjects, full SBB means that students could have different classmates for different subjects. While these will allow students to learn with different schoolmates and make more friends, it could have an impact on the forging of a form class spirit. After we graduate, we tend to have class gatherings, now students might need to have gatherings by subject band classes, or would they not even feel close enough with their classmates in different band classes. I feel that a dilution or even loss of affinity towards a class would be a sad consequence of full SBB.”
“Hence, I was heartened that Minister Josephine Teo spoke about the "Digital first, but not Digital-only" approach as a kinder and more appropriate position to take. I fully applaud that. While we should go as far as what the digital world could take us, the Government should lead by example to still make essential services available through non-digital means. The Government will have to allocate some manpower resources to offer counter services, a hotline manned by a real person, process cheque payment and so on. I would like to ask the Minister to elaborate how we are preparing Singaporeans in a "Digital first, but not Digital-only" approach.”
“Sir, I had my first mobile phone in 1995 when I started working. At that time, it was technically a portable wireless telephone that people used for making calls and sending short messages (SMSes). Today, the mobile phone is a lot more than that. In fact, I do not think many people use their mobile phones just to make a call or send an SMS today. We use it to check our social media, do our shopping, make our bank transfers, play games, take photos, among the many things that we multitask in modern day life. The handheld device connects us to a whole digital world. The spaces we can reach through digital means have become larger, as we perform almost all transactions, connect with anyone anywhere in the world, through a small screen at a fingertip. However, there are individuals in Singapore who find difficulty navigating a small screen. To them, their world has become smaller. Recently, I attended a session conducted by Infocomm Media Development Agency's (IMDA) digital ambassadors at Brahm Centre in Tampines. A mock-up grocery store was set up for senior residents to make purchases via e-payment. The ambassadors were very patient and provided one-on-one service to show the seniors step by step. I know my residents found it useful. But I just hope that they will have the confidence to do e-payments in real life. However, I also noticed that some residents were still hesitant. I remember years ago, when automated teller machines (ATMs) became available, it also took me a while to trust that the machine would dispense the right amount of money and update my bank account accordingly. And I was a young man then. Imagine the apprehension of a much older person facing the digital world today.”
“While there were many voices of encouragement for him, I understand that unfortunately, Keegan also experienced online hate speech and attacks. Overall, harmful online content can have a significant impact on vulnerable groups. The groups span a wide spectrum and their challenges and needs could be very specific. The Government should raise general awareness of these issues and take steps to protect vulnerable individuals from online harm. It is also important to work with the respective communities and organisations which are familiar with the subject matter. May I ask the Ministry for its strategies and plans in this area? Archives for Legislative Use”
“Vulnerable groups are disproportionately affected by harmful online content which can include hate speech, cyberbullying, online harassment, disinformation, scams and fraud, and predatory behaviour. We tend to assume that the vulnerable are the elderly who are digital dinosaurs. However, according to recent data released by the Singapore Police Force, young adults aged 20 to 39 made up 53.5% of all scam victims who were cheated of $660.7 million in 2022. Young people may be familiar with technology, using it every day but they may lack the maturity, life experiences and alertness to protect themselves. The frequent exposure will also increase the opportunities for those with malicious intent. For example, children are at risk of being exposed to inappropriate content, such as violence, pornography, and extremist propaganda. We just learnt of the 15-year-old self-radicalised student who wanted to carry out knife attacks and behead non-Muslims in Singapore, as well as becoming a suicide bomber. Women can also be targeted with online harassment and abuse, including threats of violence, sexual harassment and revenge porn. People with disabilities may be targeted with online abuse and hate speech. They may also face barriers in accessing online content and services due to inaccessible web design and digital platforms. LGBTQ+ individuals are also at risk of being targeted with hate speech and discrimination online. This can lead to feelings of isolation and distress and can contribute to mental health issues, such as anxiety and depression. In 2020, I did an IG live chat with Keegan, a 19-year-old resident of mine who was undergoing hormone replacement therapy. Keegan was brave enough to want to share his journey in gender transition and how his family had supported him.”
“I thank the Member for pushing for reducing waste and, indeed, our ambition is to do that. But I would like to further clarify that our priority is on implementing impactful moves that will reduce waste and increase recycling at these events. Because complete elimination of single-use items is not possible at all catering events, as it depends on the venue, operational considerations and limitations. So, we will take a holistic approach, a measured approach in our push for change and contextualise ideas that are suited to our local waste management system. If the Member can share with me, offline, which event he went to that offered those cups, we can nudge our sister agency or Ministry to understand the concerns and constraints.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, may I have your permission for the Minister for Transport to take Question No 4 in the Ministerial Statement later in the Sitting, please?”
“Of course, we hope that more vehicle owners will switch to cleaner vehicles. That is the purpose of the scheme. We are happy to see that 6,700 vehicle owners have benefited from that and we hope that the momentum will carry on. That is why we are extending the scheme even though it was due to expire in a few months' time. We have considered the option of extending the scheme without changing any of the scheme parameters, but there was a need to adjust the pollutant thresholds, to account for the new and more stringent emissions test cycle – which is called the Worldwide Harmonised Light Duty Test Procedure, which will be solely adopted from 1 April 2023. This is to ensure that there is sufficient variety of price competitive vehicle models across all the three bands, while continuing to spur the adoption of cleaner energy vehicles. So, we would like to urge all light commercial vehicles owners to make good use of this extension and help us towards achieving a cleaner target for Singapore.”
“When members of the public report such cases, it could be through a video, a photograph or just information about the incident via the MyTransport.SG app. LTA will collate the information based on the locations where these errant users are or non-compliant devices are used. LTA will identify these hotspot areas where they will step up enforcement actions on the ground. I hope for Members and public's understanding that LTA will not be able to deploy and enforce immediately because, by the time they reach the spots, the riders would already not be there. But the information is very useful for us to know which are the hotspot areas so that more enforcement could be deployed there.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, we want to make personal mobility aids, or PMAs, accessible for the many Singaporeans who rely on them for diverse daily commuting needs. Rather than regulate ownership, LTA has regulations to ensure that PMAs are safe for use on public paths. All PMAs, which include mobility scooters and motorised wheelchairs, have a maximum speed of 10 kilometres per hour (km/h) and mobility scooters must only have a single seat, among other requirements. LTA conducts regular enforcement efforts islandwide and users found to be using non-compliant devices may face a fine of up to $10,000 and imprisonment of up to six months, and also have their devices impounded. Members of the public may report incidents of errant device users on public paths to LTA through the MyTransport.SG mobile application, or at feedback@lta.gov.sg. Nonetheless, we acknowledge that there are cases of misuse or abuse of these devices, which we want to prevent as it affects public safety as well as safety for the riders. As part of the workplan of the Active Mobility Advisory Panel, which started its new term in January 2022, there will be a review of the rules and restrictions applicable to PMAs, such as setting pre-conditions for a person to use PMAs.”
“The current programme is designed to help low-income HDB households to make the switch to more energy-efficient appliances while saving costs. This current phase of programme will end on 31 December 2023. NEA and PUB are currently conducting a review of the programme and will look at whether we could extend the programme to cover more appliances. Ultimately, we are looking at electrical appliances, so whether the likes of bicycles can be covered, yes, it is an energy zero device for mobility, but we will look at it and announce further details when ready.”
“Could I clarify? Are you looking to other appliances or activities? Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim: The actual Parliamentary Question mentioned the possibility of offering vouchers for bicycles.”
“The Climate-Friendly Households Programme aims to encourage 1-, 2- and 3-room HDB households to make the switch to resource-efficient and climate-friendly appliances – refrigerators, LED lighting and shower fittings. In this way, the HDB households can also enjoy savings in utilities costs. From NEA’s earlier market survey on refrigerators, a $150 voucher amount was sufficient to defray the average incremental cost of energy efficient models. To improve the programme take-up rate, NEA and PUB have been working with community partners to conduct outreach activities to residents. Posters on the Programme have also been displayed at Community Clubs and digital display panels at some HDB blocks. We will continue to monitor the take-up rate of the vouchers and review the Programme at an appropriate juncture.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. Yes, LTA does track the utilisation of the bicycle lots at MRT stations. We do it annually. In particular for Mr Louis Chua's area, based on a survey in 2022, the bicycle parking at Sengkang and Buangkok MRT stations has utilisation rates of about 65% and 77% respectively. However, these numbers have fluctuated over the past few years, given the COVID-19 situation may have affected daily commutes. Yes, as part of our LTMP target, we do hope to provide public transport accessibility for our public. The first and last mile journeys are important and we do hope that more people can take to walking or cycling to reach these nodes. LTA has published broad planning parameters for MRT stations under the Walking and Cycling Design Guide, which will be applied for new MRT stations. These were developed considering factors such as MRT ridership, the number of dwelling units served and existing data and surveys. So, whether that station is a first mile or last mile station, whether it is near to, for example, foreign workers dormitories, the range of parking lot provisions will have a certain spectrum. So, for example, the range for first mile station is between 250 and 800; it is quite a big range depending on each locality. LTA will continue to monitor the usage and to promote active mobility, so the provision for such infrastructure such as bicycle parking lots is critical and we will continue to work towards our vision of a car-lite Society.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, currently, there are about 27,000 bicycle parking lots across 127 MRT stations and Integrated Transport Hubs. In general, we do not look at a single fixed or target ratio for bicycle parking lots per MRT station. The number of lots ranges for different stations due to the different levels of demand near these transport nodes. Based on this assessed demand, LTA aims to provide sufficient parking capacity plus a built-in buffer, to address the trends of cyclist behaviour and needs in different parts of Singapore. Given the limited space in MRT stations, LTA also works with developments in the vicinity, such as shopping malls, to provide more bicycle parking. In line with our broad push for active mobility, LTA will continue to monitor areas with growing demand and build more bicycle parking lots over time.”
“NEA works with the community and grassroots to carry out these outreach programmes, as with all the various Government initiatives. In addition to that, particularly for Project Wolbachia, we work directly with the various Town Councils on operational issues, and the Town Councils also maintain the general cleanliness of the estate and to reduce mosquito breeding grounds. We will continue to work on both fronts.”