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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“Mr Faisal Manap asked about the developments in local football. Football is a sport with mass appeal and potential to bring Singaporeans from different backgrounds together. Like many Singaporeans, we would like to see improvement in the standard of Singapore football and the performance of our national teams. The revamped local professional league, the Singapore Premier League (SPL), is part of FAS' efforts to improve local football, with emphasis on youth development, as well as raising the coaching standards and professionalism of the football clubs. We have seen some improvements in the past year, such as a stronger focus on player fitness, resulting in higher standards of play. The exposure given to U-23 players will also strengthen our major games squads and provide a stronger foundation to build the national team. For the 2019 SPL season, the matches will be consolidated at four ActiveSG stadia, namely, Bishan, Jalan Besar, Jurong East and Tampines. SportSG has been progressively upgrading these stadia to improve spectator experience at football matches. Fans can look forward to LED scoreboards, electronic A-boards, improved sound systems, and stronger club branding at these venues, while the SPL teams can look forward to better changing room facilities. The Singapore Sports School is also doing its part to develop a pool of young talents, by following the FAS coaching syllabus for its football academy. Student-footballers are also provided with overseas exposure through competitions and training exchanges. One example is national footballer, Adam Swandi, who went to Japan for training stints during his time in the Sports School. This contributed to his long-term development as a professional footballer.”
“One encouraging example is fencer Ahmad Huzaifah. As part of his preparations, he is receiving additional funding to defray his full-time training expenses, including equipment costs, as well as his participation in more overseas competitions and training stints. We hope that the enhanced campaign support will benefit Ahmad's long-term high performance sports development, which will put him in good stead for the upcoming SEA Games. Mr Yee Chia Hsing also asked how we are developing our HPS ecosystem to meet the challenges of the future. We are committed to supporting our athletes' personal development, helping them balance the demands of high performance sports with education goals, and preparing them for a smooth transition to a post-sport career. Under the spexEducation Scheme, the Singapore Sport Institute (SSI) has partnered 13 IHLs to support student-athletes with flexible academic arrangements, benefiting over 400 student-athletes. Under the spexBusiness Network, SSI works with corporate partners to offer professional development opportunities with flexible work arrangements, as well as mentorship on starting a business. Since 2013, the network has grown from seven to 61 companies, benefiting over 230 Team Singapore athletes. One example is Chelsea Ann Sim, a three-time SEA Games medallist in taekwondo. Through the spexBusiness Network, OSIM and Deloitte offered her internships in 2016 and 2018, respectively. Such opportunities enabled Chelsea to gain work experience while juggling her sporting goals. Chelsea graduated from the Singapore Management University last year and is now working full time with Deloitte as a Clients and Markets Executive, while concurrently training for the upcoming SEA Games.”
“Their successes, amidst each achievement, provide Singaporeans occasions to come together as one nation and ignite our sense of optimism and "can-do" spirit, and this is what Mr Lee Yi Shyan has also spoken about. For many national athletes, the road to success has multiple entry points and pathways. It is crucial that we have a strong sports ecosystem to support them at every stage of their journey. Mr Darryl David and Mr Yee Chia Hsing asked about Team Singapore's preparations for upcoming major games, the 30th SEA Games and 10th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Para Games this year in the Philippines, and the 32nd Olympic Games and 16th Paralympic Games in Japan next year. We continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure that our HPS system nurtures our athletes to greater heights and maximises their potential. This is something which Mr Lee Yi Shyan also raised, and I agree that more can be done to help our national athletes achieve their best. In addition to the Government's annual investment of $70 million, we will sharpen our HPS strategies and support to our athletes in their sporting pursuits. SportSG will set aside $3 million this year to provide extended campaign support for up to two years for selected Team Singapore athletes preparing for the upcoming major games. This is 50% more than before, giving our athletes enhanced programme support tailored to their training needs, which also covers the costs of overseas training and competitions for the athletes which Er Dr Lee Bee Wah has asked about. Athletes also enjoy a higher quantum of spexGrants, such as spex Training Assistance Grant (spexTAG), which help defray training equipment and other costs incurred by our national athletes, and the Sports Excellence Grant for Loss of Wages.”
“So, 2016, three years ago, was already very different from Ms Yip Pin Xiu's experience in the 1990s. For Wee Boon, he has since gone on to try out a lot of different sports, including scuba diving under our SportCares programmes. Through such opportunities and exposure, Whee Boon discovered his passion and talent for rugby and has since gone on to pursue competitive rugby as a part of Singapore's first wheelchair rugby team. When it comes to disability sports, some International Sports Federations integrate the development of able-bodied athletes and those with disabilities, whilst others prefer to do it separately. In Singapore, the NSAs for Cycling, Equestrian and Sailing oversee the development of athletes of all abilities, with Table Tennis set to join their ranks. We would want to see more NSAs adopt an inclusive approach in developing our national athletes. We aim to achieve what is best for all athletes, regardless of ability. While integrating able-bodied and para sports in a single NSA has its benefits, we understand there might be concerns from the disability sports fraternity that doing so may dilute attention on para sports. For sports that are exclusive to athletes with disabilities, such as goalball, SportSG will continue to support the work of the Singapore Disability Sports Council, which partners the respective National Disability Sports Associations to realise synergies in outreach and public education. 2.45 pm Whether in able-bodied or disability sports, whether they are integrated in the same NSA or not, MCCY will continue to support our Team Singapore athletes.”
“The International Olympic Committee and the International Paralympic Committee oversee the various National Olympic and Paralympic Committees. These include the Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) and the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) which, in turn, oversee the development and promotion of the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in Singapore, as well as the selection of Team Singapore athletes for the major games. The NSAs not only have to align with the SNOC and SNPC, but also their respective International Sports Federations. They take reference from their parent bodies in how they organise themselves, and are also accountable to them for the development of the sport in Singapore. In this regard, the NSAs play an important role in leading their fraternities in the development and promotion of their sports as well as supporting the high-performance development of their national athletes through coaching and competition opportunities. While respecting that NSAs are independent organisations, SportSG partners them to develop their sports. For example, SportSG provides eligible NSAs facilities, funding and technical support to implement their Multi-Year Sports Plans, which address the development of top athletes and grow the sport’s participation base. It also works with NSAs to strengthen their organisational capabilities and governance standards. In addition, SportSG provides all Singaporeans with opportunities to develop their sporting potential through programmes, such as ActiveSG Academies and Clubs. One encouraging example is Mr Tan Whee Boon, who lost part of his limbs to an unfortunate bacterial infection in 2015. Like Leonard Lu, he started at our Yes! I Can Swim programme in 2016 when we launched the first Centre of Expertise.”
“This year, SportSG will expand Play Inclusive, Singapore’s largest unified sports competition, which is organised by Special Olympics Singapore and supported by MOE's Special Education Branch. The two-day event will pair athletes from special education schools and adult disability centres with students from neighbouring mainstream schools to form more inclusive teams. Altogether, SportSG's programmes have introduced sports ranging from swimming to wheelchair rugby to over 500 persons with disabilities over the last three years. Leonard Lu, a wheelchair user, is one of our programme participants who is now leading a much more active lifestyle, after joining the Yes! I Can swimming programme at Heartbeat@Bedok. He now makes weekly visits to the inclusive gym, accompanied by his mother, Natalie. He has built up strength and is walking more during his exercise sessions. As Leonard gets stronger, he is enjoying more sports activities, such as canoeing and kayaking. SportSG will continue its outreach efforts to raise awareness in the community and develop organisational and professional capabilities in disability sports. Currently, plans are underway to build the capabilities of teachers and staff at special education schools and disability centres in conducting sporting activities. They will work with sport coaches to co-create and tailor sport activities that meet the needs of their students. Ms Yip Pin Xiu asked if we can make sports more inclusive in Singapore by integrating our NSAs to oversee able-bodied and disability sports. This has to be decided by the sports fraternities themselves and their NSAs, which are non-government organisations that operate firmly on the principle of independence.”
“Beyond our museums and heritage institutions, we also recognise the importance of community-led events in celebrating and safeguarding our heritage and traditions. Mr Yee Chia Hsing spoke on the success of the recent River Hongbao, an event organised by the Chinese community since 1987. We have supported the event as part of the Chinese New Year celebrations, as well as the Hari Raya and Deepavali light-ups in past years. This year’s River Hongbao was a successful commemoration of our Bicentennial. Kudos to the Organising Chair Mr Ang Wei Neng and his team. We are heartened that community support for these cultural events has been strong and hope that such support will continue to grow. Finally, I will share on Vision 2030 (V2030), which was launched in 2012 as a national blueprint to help all Singaporeans live better through sports. Mr Lee Yi Shyan and Mr Henry Kwek asked for an update on V2030. In the past seven years, recommendations had been progressively implemented in the form of ActiveSG, Team Nila, our Disability Sports Master Plan, and the HPS system, just to name a few. Last year, we conducted over 60 stakeholder engagement and focus group sessions involving 1,500 people from various sectors. We will share the updated V2030 recommendations later this year. A major part of V2030 is about bringing Singaporeans from all walks of life together through sports. In 2016, we launched the Disability Sports Master Plan, which has, to date, seen the opening of five Inclusive Gyms by ActiveSG. Our annual Inclusive Sports Festival also saw a doubling in participants with disabilities last year.”
“The inaugural edition will be held in late 2019 and will feature a race with stops at our National Monuments along the Singapore River. NHB will also continue working with MOE to enhance the various education programmes at our museums. For example, pilots of the Museum Educators Programme were conducted at the Asian Civilisations Museum and National Museum of Singapore last year, which included the engagement of 20 retired educators and museum docents to support interactive learning experiences for over 2,100 primary and secondary school students from nine schools. We are reviewing the pilots and refining the programme. This year, the Singapore Bicentennial Office and NHB will offer a twinned programme for secondary school students as part of our Bicentennial commemoration. It will run from May to August and provide students with the opportunity to visit the National Museum of Singapore and the upcoming Bicentennial Experience at Fort Canning Centre. The content presented in both experiences will reinforce learning points about our history and the Singapore Story. The Minister and Senior Minister of State spoke about reaching underserved communities through our Heritage Institutions and programmes like HeritageCares. We will also be leveraging technology to transform the way we engage. For example, NHB will be implementing House of Memories, an app-based programme that aims to improve the care experience for persons with dementia and their caregivers. The app will allow users to view objects from the National Collection, reflect on their memories, remain connected with people around them, and affirm their sense of personhood. This will be piloted by Khoo Teck Puat Hospital later this year.”
“(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] We will help our writers secure developmental opportunities overseas. This will help our homegrown talents to hone their skills and take Singapore's literary offerings abroad. For example, NAC has secured a three-year partnership with Lu Xun Academy of Literature, with two month-long residency places at Lu Xun Academy of Literature for Singapore writers. Lu Xun Academy of Literature is a top-rated academy based in Beijing which hosted notable Chinese writers, such as Wang Anyi and the winner of 2012 Nobel Prize in Literature, Mo Yan. Through this residency programme, our artists will have the opportunities to learn from best practices and advance in their craft. (In English) Let me now move on to our shared heritage. Since the launch of Our SG Heritage Plan in 2018, we have made progress across its four pillars: Our Places, Our Cultures, Our Treasures, Our Communities. Our tangible heritage remains important markers of the Singapore Story. NHB's 18 heritage trails help us to document and increase awareness of the heritage of the places where we live, work and play. Last year, NHB launched the Orchard Heritage Trail and refreshed the Bukit Timah Heritage Trail. In 2019, NHB and HDB will be launching the Pasir Ris Heritage Trail as part of HDB’s “Remaking Our Heartland” programme. The public can look out for an open call for community contributions of stories. To promote awareness and appreciation of our 72 National Monuments, NHB will introduce a new annual programme "Milestones through Monuments". It will highlight the roles of these monuments during significant episodes in our history and encourage the public to have meaningful experiences at our historic sites.”
“Over the last five years, MCCY and our agencies have supported the participation of more than 1,000 artists and arts groups in over 300 international platforms. We will continue to facilitate such efforts by building our overseas networks. For example, our cultural institutions participate in platforms, such as the International Committee for Museums and Collections of Modern Art, Association of Asia Pacific Performing Arts, and the International Society for the Performing Arts (ISPA). In addition, MCCY signed cultural cooperation agreements with China and Indonesia in 2018 to deepen and broaden cultural exchanges. In addition, we will emphasise the development of visual arts residencies in Southeast Asia. For example, under NAC’s partnership with the Cemeti Institute for Art and Society, we will begin sending Singaporean artists for residencies in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, starting from September. NAC is also exploring similar opportunities in the Philippines and Thailand. With a deeper understanding of this vibrant region’s shared heritage and future, our artists will be well-placed to produce even more compelling works. We will also support our performing artists in countries, such as Australia, China, Japan, the UK and France. An example is Shaza Ishak, Teater Ekamatra’s General Manager and Company Director, who was funded by NAC to represent Singapore at the prestigious ISPA Fellowship Programme from 2017 to 2019, and the Australian Performing Arts Market in 2018. Arising from this, Teater Ekamatra, DramaBox and Australia's PVI collective are now developing TOPIA – an international residency exchange programme in Singapore and Perth. These will explore experiential theatre-making. Mr Chairman, I will now speak in Mandarin.”
“One key group is our youths, who are important as arts enthusiasts and practitioners not only of today but for the future. NAC, the National Youth Council (NYC) and *SCAPE will create more platforms for our youths to develop and showcase their talents. Last year, diverse music acts from NAC's Noise Singapore performed at NYC’s YOUTHx, thereby reinforcing our youths’ interests and aspirations in music. NAC and NYC will strengthen the dedicated arts track in YOUTHx from this year. This will elevate the profile of our young artists and help them grow a larger audience base. NAC will also work with *SCAPE under its Arts and Culture Nodes network. Our existing nodes enrich and enliven neighbourhoods around Singapore through regular and accessible arts programmes. *SCAPE will be our next node and will showcase more art that resonates with young people and give our youths more chances to exhibit their works. For the wider public, our signature showcases, such as the Singapore International Festival of Arts, Singapore Writers Festival, and Singapore Biennale, bring art closer to the community. For example, the 7th edition of the Singapore Art Week in January showcased over 100 diverse programmes in venues, such as the Singapore Art Museum, Gillman Barracks, Little India and Sim Lim Square. Dr Lim Wee Kiak, Mr Saktiandi Supaat and Mr Terence Ho spoke about the importance of promoting Singapore’s cultural talents overseas. We are proud of our arts practitioners who venture overseas. This not only helps artists hone their skills and develop new markets but also showcases Singapore’s culture internationally and promotes people-to-people links.”
“These include insurance coverage, connecting freelancers with relevant service providers, and making available jobs, contracts and projects as well as a database of talents and expertise. As part of this effort, NAC will launch an online portal in the second half of 2019, with more services and resources to be introduced progressively. In addition, we would like freelancers to benefit from national schemes, such as SkillsFuture, to enhance their employability. Earlier, the Ministry of Manpower announced that the Government, as a service buyer, will pilot the Contribute-as-You-Earn (CAYE) model early next year. This will allow for smaller but regular contributions to MediSave, instead of bigger lumpsums at year-end. MCCY, NAC and NHB are looking forward to participating in this pilot, so that our freelancers can better save for their healthcare. Some people may think that artists create works based on a single moment of inspiration but, in reality, many artworks are based on a deep understanding of the subject matter, presented from a well thought through perspective. Therefore, NAC will strengthen research support in the arts so that artists can further grow their practice. Research can also help arts groups better understand and develop their audiences. In addition, we want to better understand the long-term value and impact of arts engagement on different population segments. NAC will support more research studies in these areas and publish a monthly e-newsletter to share relevant research with the arts community. NAC is also organising a research symposium next week that brings academics and artists together to discuss the impact of the arts on space, people and communities. The second thrust of Our SG Arts Plan seeks to connect diverse groups with the arts.”
“NAC will partner Nanyang Technological University to introduce the Asia Creative Writing Programme later this year. Writers in English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil will benefit from masterclasses by international, regional and local talents. Our writers will also benefit from peer-learning and opportunities to build communities across cultures. To support our artists, we will continue the Community Arts Residency programme, just piloted last year. It aims to reflect the collective stories of our people by providing artists with spaces in the community to develop arts collaborations with residents. Over four months in 2018, the residency supported visual artist Terence Lin, who organised house visits, invited residents to his open house, and facilitated artmaking sessions with seniors and youths living in and around Taman Jurong. The project culminated in an exhibition of residents’ artworks, items and audio interviews at the Taman Jurong CC. From now to 2022, NAC will support as many as 40 artists in various community settings, from void decks to nursing homes, to engage residents in co-creating artworks and telling their stories. It is also important that we help arts practitioners, including our arts freelancers, build sustainable careers. NAC consulted over 370 members of our arts community last year to understand the specific needs of freelancers that will enable them to be more self-sufficient and financially independent, not just during their working life, but prepare them for retirement. To address some of the findings, NAC will establish freelance resource hubs and work with partners to offer shared resources and services.”
“Mr Chairman, the arts, heritage and sports are integral to making Singapore a vibrant and liveable city, and for Singaporeans to lead well-rounded and fulfilling lives. They can inspire us, affirm our shared values and make us proud of what we stand for. They provide opportunities for Singaporeans of all backgrounds to showcase their talents, pursue their dreams and come together to create shared memories. Our SG Arts Plan, Our SG Heritage Plan, and Vision 2030 are roadmaps that provide multi-year directions and guide the development of our sectors. I will talk about some key focus areas for this year, beginning with the arts and heritage. Mr Henry Kwek asked about our Arts and Culture Strategic Review (ACSR). Since 2012, ACSR has led to an injection of over $350 million into the sector to support community engagement, arts education and capability development. In the same period, our arts and heritage activities have seen increases in number, variety and attendance. However, we recognise that our strategies and approaches must be updated to address new developments that have taken place since then. These are reflected in Our SG Arts and Heritage Plans, introduced in 2018. They were done in consultation with about 1,500 stakeholders across the public, private and people sectors. Our SG Arts Plan comprises three strategic thrusts of (a) inspiring our people, (b) connecting our communities and (c) positioning Singapore globally. I will touch on the key initiatives that will support each thrust. To inspire audiences, our artists must be able to produce high-quality and impactful work. We will provide capability development platforms for our artists across various artforms. One example is in the literary arts.”
“Okay. Sure. I believe Mr Chan Chun Sing, in his earlier speech, had talked about how the Public Service should adapt with changing times and technologies but, at the same time, balancing the different needs of various stakeholders.”
“On Er Dr Lee Bee Wah's question, as a regulator, the Government plays a role in meeting the needs of various stakeholders, including end consumers, users of public transport and the industry. Public safety, the interests of the public as well as business commercial interests will have to be balanced. Maybe I would just like to ask Er Dr Lee Bee Wah when she talked about architects and engineers, is it in any particular area under LTA's or any of our Statutory Boards' purview? Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: For any new project, architects and engineers will have to make plan submissions, including to LTA and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) and many other Government agencies. So, when we talk about productivity, we hope that we can work together to see how best to expedite the approval rather than a lot of resubmissions that cause a lot of time delay.”
“In response to the Member's speech last week, perhaps he was just quoting the specific example. But LTA is committed to streamlining homologation regulations and, not just that, but also in all processes so that we can provide better services to the public.”
“For a sustained change in behaviour, we need commuters to look out for one another. I encourage Singaporeans to be positive influences to others in their daily lives. We can do so by caring for fellow commuters, pedestrians and transport workers when we use public transport, footpaths or roads. Put others before yourself, lend a hand to those who need help. For example, even if you are not on a "reserved seat", you can still give up your seat to those who need it more than you do. When on the road, drive safely and look out for pedestrians. Slow down at all areas, not just at Silver Zones. Together, I believe we can create a safe and inclusive land transport system where every journey can be more comfortable, heart-warming and pleasant. Lastly, I hope to encourage all of us towards this vision with this short poem: "Commuting in Singapore Moving together as one Without caring for others around you It will be a difficult journey Show that you care And we will all feel the warmth Be it driving, riding or walking We can all be safe and happy!"”
“LTA began Graciousness Campaigns for public transport in 2009, to promote simple acts of thoughtful behaviour, such as giving up seats and queueing. LTA has been progressively replacing the reserved seat stickers on trains with new stickers featuring the Thoughtful Character, Stand-Up Stacey. I thank Mr Yee Chia Hsing for his interest in our campaigns and their effectiveness. LTA's perception study showed that the new stickers have helped to sustain interest in terms of commuters giving up their seats. Indeed, Singaporeans are willing to go the extra mile to help fellow commuters. At the Heart Zones at Jurong East, Novena and Outram Park MRT stations, the community readily come forward to help patients who need assistance to get to the nearby hospitals. Later this year, PTC will implement Heart Zone at Yishun MRT station, in partnership with Yishun Health. PTC aims to have Heart Zones at all MRT stations near every restructured hospital, for example, in Sengkang and Simei. We want to encourage a culture where small caring gestures can make a difference. Some of my Parliamentary colleagues told me they are interested to offer needy residents credits to top up their fare cards, very much like how the National Trades Union Congress FairPrice vouchers are used to help them purchase daily necessities. We will look into this suggestion. Mr Chairman, please allow me a few more minutes to complete the last part of my speech in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Building a safe and inclusive land transport system requires everyone − the Government, transport workers and commuters – to play their part. Infrastructure and campaigns alone are not enough to build a more gracious society.”
“Land transport workers work hard daily to bring millions of Singaporeans safely to their destinations and they also offer assistance regularly for those in need to make their journeys easier. Bus captains start their day as early as 4.00 am and rail technicians work throughout the night to carry out maintenance works. They are working while we are sleeping. We should appreciate and support them. The Public Transport Workers’ Appreciation Day was launched in 2017. Last year, the event was held at the Istana for the very first time. This emphasises the important contributions by our public transport workers. Beyond formal recognition, a simple "hello" or "thank you" or just a smile when we meet a transport worker, can brighten their days. We will continue to work with operators and unions to improve working conditions and training opportunities for our transport workers. New and upgraded bus depots and interchanges will have more comfortable staff canteens and lounges. The Singapore Bus Academy and the Singapore Rail Academy are also working with NTWU, industry partners and voluntary welfare organisations to enhance training content to build capabilities of public transport workers to better serve commuters in need. Mr Chairman, an inclusive land transport system requires everyone to play their part. The Government will continue to invest in inclusive infrastructure. The public transport workers also play an important role to support more vulnerable commuters. Lastly, commuters must contribute in creating a safe community space, fostering positive social norms and a caring commuting culture. This is the third strategy recommended by the LTMP Advisory Panel.”
“In January 2019, LTA started a trial on Mobility Assistance for the Visually Impaired and Special Users mobile app. This provides audio announcements both on the bus and at the bus stop to help bus commuters with special needs. The trial started with three buses on Service 139, which serves the Enabling Village. These three buses will subsequently be redeployed in May 2019 to Service 141, which serves the Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped. This will help us to study the feasibility of such assistive technologies on more public bus services. Next, let us look at families. Last year, the Government received recommendations from the Family Friendly Transport Advisory Panel. I am happy to announce that the Government accepts the Panel’s recommendations and we are already implementing some of the measures. For example, LTA started a one-year trial for the stroller restraint system on Service 69 in June 2017. We received positive feedback and will progressively install the system on all buses by 2020. LTA will be conducting a pilot on one rail line, to designate priority cabins for vulnerable commuters, such as seniors, persons with disabilities and families with young children. These cabins will be located near the station lifts where possible. Beyond mass public transport, we will also make P2P transport more accessible by designing all new taxi stands to be barrier-free. Mr Chairman, our second strategy is to develop the capabilities of our public transport workers as they make important contributions. I agree with Mr Melvin Yong that a first-class transport system needs a first-class transport workforce.”
“We are on track to achieve our target of 50 Silver Zones by 2023. As LTA continues to work with the community on design of these identified locations, we are also adopting innovative solutions. In December 2018, LTA tested three-dimensional traffic calming markings along Whampoa Drive to slow down traffic. LTA has also installed light emitting diode (LED) road studs at zebra crossings to alert motorists of pedestrians at night. I urge all motorists to slow down and be even more alert to look out for pedestrians when approaching these areas. Besides infrastructure enhancements, we also need to have a robust vehicle homologation regime. This refers to LTA’s process to ensure that new vehicle models meet all technical and safety requirements before they can be used on our roads. During last week’s Budget Debate, Mr Ang Wei Neng said that the process takes eight weeks. I checked and I am glad to find that this is not correct. The average processing time taken by LTA was two weeks in 2018. Even if we include the time to clarify an incomplete application, the average total time taken was five weeks in 2018. The regime is aligned with internationally recognised standards, such as the UN Economic Commission for Europe Regulations. LTA will continue to engage industry stakeholders to streamline the process to reduce business costs, while ensuring safety. We will also make land transport more accessible for commuters with disabilities. We have committed to making all our public buses wheelchair-accessible by 2020. Besides physical accessibility, we also want to make information, such as service number and bus stop destination, more accessible to commuters with special needs.”
“Mr Chairman, during the Land Transport Master Plan 2040 public engagement, many Singaporeans came forward to share their aspirations and concerns. We hear them and we will plan for a future-ready land transport system. Mr Yee Chia Hsing would be pleased to know that we are aspiring towards a more inclusive land transport system, which caters to the diverse mobility needs of all Singaporeans. The LTMP Advisory Panel recommended three strategies to help us achieve this. On the first strategy, to design an inclusive land transport infrastructure, all MRT stations and bus interchanges are already barrier-free. Last year, we completed a five-year programme to add 200 km of sheltered walkways to make walking to our public transport nodes more convenient and pleasant. Ms Low Yen Ling requested for sheltered walkways. LTA will continue to provide the same extent of sheltered walkway connectivity between all public transport nodes and developments, whenever new MRT lines or developments are built. With more than 60 new MRT stations underway, we expect another 100 km of sheltered walkways to be added by 2029. We must be careful in considering other locations to ensure that limited resources are focused on areas which can benefit more people. We will continue to do more for our seniors and take steps to enhance road safety for them. In 2014, we introduced Silver Zones which featured narrower roads and speed humps to reduce traffic speed, and two-stage crossings to allow senior pedestrians to rest at the midpoint. We have completed 15 Silver Zones, and I am glad that accident rates in these areas have dropped by 75%. We are building another 20 Silver Zones by 2020 at areas, including Ang Mo Kio Avenue 10, Potong Pasir Avenue 1 and Tampines Street 81.”
“With the information, we can then decide on the necessary intervention. For example, in the case of littering, it could mean a closer monitoring of the work of the cleaner, or public education on responsible disposal of littering, or, perhaps, the National Environment Agency (NEA) should be putting up CCTV cameras to catch errant litterbugs in areas where littering is very prevalent. Sir, when MSO was set up, it was to help the public report on a municipal issue without having to navigate through the system and identify the agency in charge of taking action. I am glad that MSO, with its OneService app, has made the process much easier, effective and hassle-free. However, there are municipal issues which clearly warrant enforcement leading to prosecution, for example, illegal parking, whether is it at season parking lots, handicap-accessible lots, loading and unloading bays, along double yellow lines or at the void deck. There are also cases of motorcycles riding on pavements, sheltered linkways and void decks. For such cases, depending on the exact location, it could be HDB, LTA, Traffic Police or the Town Council which has the power to issue a summons against the errant motorist. This is equally confusing to the public. So, can MSO enhance the OneService app for the public to provide conclusive evidence of the offence, whether in the form of photographs or video? This could then help to alert the relevant agency to take the necessary enforcement action?”
“Mr Chairman, like fellow Members of the House, I get my fair share of feedback on municipal issues from residents, whether face-to-face or through emails and social media. Common ones include littering, bird and cat feeding, not cleaning up after their pet dogs, noise nuisance and so on. I do appreciate these feedback because they help us understand the ground better and relevant agencies can target their attention and actions towards more specific areas. After all, residents are naturally more familiar with their own environment as they use the area on a daily basis. They are the best eyes, ears and closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras. I would like to use the following examples to illustrate two points and ask MSO these two things. One, how do we encourage greater community ownership of the shared living environment? Two, how have MSO and the municipal agencies been partnering residents to tackle municipal issues in the community? Sir, when an area is clean and free of litter, it means two things: either the cleaner just swept the floor or there is no littering. In other words, an area is full of litter because of two possible reasons: the cleaner has not done his work properly, or the public are not disposing of their litter properly. For most common areas in the estate, sweeping is done once in the morning. Therefore, if someone throws a piece of litter after the cleaner has swept the floor, it will be there till the next morning. When I receive feedback on littering, I am interested to know whether is it not clean, not cleaned or not cleaned yet. Through the feedback data received by MSO, I wonder whether MSO is able to help analyse the information to assess the situation and identify the main root cause of issues that are happening on the ground.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, over the years, our processes and regulations have provided a safe and predictable environment for our people and enterprises. With the emergence of new technologies and business models, it is important to ensure that our rules keep pace. If we are not flexible in our approach, we could easily lose our competitive advantage. A regulatory environment that supports innovation and risk-taking is, therefore, vital for our future economy. However, there will be tradeoffs involved and difficult decisions to make. Different regulatory agencies have their reasons for imposing rules and regulations. Some rules are needed to ensure safety, while others are needed to protect public interests. But over-regulation could lead to high regulatory and compliance costs, and unnecessary delays in the processing of licence applications and maximising of business opportunities. Our regulatory framework must, therefore, strike a good and fair balance, so that our businesses can be competitive and our economy can create more good jobs. I note that the Pro-Enterprise Panel has worked with public agencies and companies to address many of these regulatory concerns that businesses face. How does it ensure that our regulations are kept up-to-date and do not add unnecessary compliance costs for our businesses? More broadly, will our regulatory agencies be able to keep pace with the changes and develop regulatory frameworks that are needed for the future economy? Will there be more sandboxes to allow and promote new business models? What is our strategy to ensure that the Government regulations do not encumber the growth of enterprises? Cutting Red Tape”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, I spent the first eight years of my working life in the Economic Development Board (EDB) and am aware that the manufacturing sector has always been a strong anchor of economy. The Committee on the Future Economy recommended building a globally competitive manufacturing sector, at around 20% of GDP, over the medium term. This underscores the continued importance of manufacturing in our economy. We need to press on with this sector's transformation in order to seize opportunities offered by technology and changing market demands and value chains. The nature of manufacturing is changing. It increasingly encapsulates a value chain of activities, including services, such as design, research and development (R&D), logistics, marketing and after-sales services. The closer nexus between manufacturing and services has encouraged manufacturers to incorporate services elements into their businesses to differentiate their products and enhance their competitiveness. In MTI's Committee of Supply (COS) last year, Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon spoke about how the global manufacturing landscape is evolving due to rapid technological developments, and quoted areas, such as robotics and industrial Internet-of-Things. What are some of the promising growth areas which our manufacturing companies can tap on as a result? Given the pace of change, what can our companies do to capitalise on these technological developments and stay ahead as we transit to Industry 4.0? What is the Government doing to support the growth of our manufacturing sector? Local Enterprises Development”
“Mr Chairman, when offenders are released from the prisons, many leave with a desire to change, to reconnect with their families and to contribute to the community. Securing employment is a critical step for ex-offenders to start afresh. Having and being able to keep a job gives one a sense of purpose and self-confidence. It also gives one meaning and satisfaction from being able to provide for their family and themselves. However, the transition from prison to work is not easy. With limited work experience or the gap from previous work experience and some with low or no educational qualifications, many inmates may only be able to qualify for entry-level positions when they re-enter the workforce. For many individuals, the fast-changing labour market is a concern. This is especially challenging for ex-offenders as they must adapt to a job environment that may have changed from the time when they went into prison. Employers’ support for ex-offenders in the workforce is key to enhancing inmates' employability. The Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises' (SCORE’s) efforts to enhance inmates’ employability would be futile if employers are not receptive to offering inmates jobs when they are released. I have met several ex-offenders at my Meet-People-Session asking for help to find a job, and because of not being gainfully employed, they have to seek financial assistance to help their daily needs. What are MHA's plans to further enhance inmates' employability as part of the rehabilitation efforts? In particular, how will MHA be working with employers to strengthen the employment outcomes of our ex-offenders? Helping Prison Inmates without a Home”
“Mr Chairman, religious harmony is vital for peace and prosperity in our multiracial and multi-religious nation. Over the years, the Government and religious community have made great strides in safeguarding our religious harmony. We have continuously affirmed the need to foster a culture of mutual understanding and the attitude of live and let live, as well as to build strong bonds among different faiths. Building and maintaining religious harmony are an ongoing effort since our Independence, and we cannot be complacent. In that regard, we need to guard against the rise of narrow-minded and segregationist ideologies. We have seen examples of segregationist ideologies being propagated overseas, such as religious leaders telling their followers not to convey well-wishes to others on their religious holidays. Even though these segregationist ideologies may not cause immediate harm, like violence, they can divide society over time. I urge the Government to work more closely with our religious communities to take steps to prevent such segregationist tendencies from taking root in Singapore. Can MHA share its plans to do so?”
“Mr Chairman, Singapore is a small and open country and economy. It is important for us to maintain strong linkages with all our Southeast Asian neighbours and have strong and reliable partners in the region. Singaporeans are also living and working abroad in these countries in greater numbers. Some years ago, I was part of an official delegation led by then-Speaker Halimah Yacob to Laos. We met Singaporeans who were working and living there. I was surprised to meet one who has been living there for more than 20 years. Southeast Asia’s growth outlook is extremely optimistic. There is a young population and a growing middle class. There are many work and career opportunities for Singaporeans to contribute towards and learn from. Given the growth trajectory and potential of Southeast Asia, there is space to expand our trade, investment and business links with these countries. We are more familiar with our immediate neighbours, Indonesia and Malaysia, with whom we enjoy close and long-standing partnerships. Beyond them, could MFA provide an update on what Singapore is doing to enhance our political and economic engagement of fellow ASEAN countries, in particular, Thailand, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, the Philippines and Laos? Relations with India”
“NS was and continues to be essential for the defence of our nation. Fifty-two years on, our country has benefited from relative peace and stability, achieved by a strong SAF that protects Singapore's interests, and supported by generations of NSmen. Recent tensions with our neighbour over sea and air boundaries are a reminder of why we need a credible SAF, one that conducts realistic military training so that our soldiers are operationally-ready. NS has fulfilled a critical need for defence and security and also provided the peace and stability facilitating Singapore's development and progress. Arguably, few national policies affect the Singaporean way of life to the extent that NS does. For many Singaporean men, NS is a rite of passage, where he takes on the commitment of defending his country at a young age of 18 and, regardless of social standing, race or religion, to be trained and to serve with one another as a unit. I would like MINDEF to provide an update on its efforts to maximise the potential of NSmen and how we can enhance their NS experience.”
“Finally, allow me to sum up this year's Budget with this 100-word Chinese poem: "The Pioneer Generation Package surpasses the Merdeka Generation Package because the Merdeka Generation led a better life thanks to our Pioneer Generation. The Finance Minister faced the difficult task of allocating resources but did not forget the Government's responsibility to the people, from meeting our basic needs to following the latest trends from Raffles' arrival to the One Belt, One Road plan. Our population is ageing but agile as we shape a uniquely Singaporean culture and voice and continue to do our part for the environment. A wonderful future awaits us all."”
“To encourage more companies to use cleaner technologies, the Government can provide incentives or subsidies and implement measures, such as regulations and taxes, to address environmental pollution. In the process, costs will inevitably increase and must be borne by all stakeholders. Taxi rental and diesel make up the bulk of taxi drivers' operating costs, while their income is determined by the taxi fare structure, all of which are factors beyond their control, and they are caught in the middle. I sympathise with their situation. In this regard, I am heartened to note that all taxi operators have pledged to pass on the entire savings resulting from the Special Tax reductions to their drivers. This will go some way in reducing their burden. Nonetheless, as the cost of diesel rises, passengers may need to be prepared to pay higher fares in future. Consumers, too, have to play their part in shouldering the cost of cleaner air. Within our communities, all of us can do our part to show care for one another. Even coffee shops can play a significant role. To cite an example: under "Project 215" in Tampines, seniors get to enjoy 50-cent coffee every Tuesday morning. Since the launch of "Project 215", the number of participating coffee shops and drink stalls has grown from nine in 2016, to 20 today. The scheme is now into its third year and the promotional price of each cup of coffee remains at 50 cents. In 2018 alone, more than 45,000 discounted cups of coffee were sold. The original price of each cup is at least $1, which means the participating stallholders have contributed more than $22,000 to the community. These piping hot cups of coffee warm the hearts of our seniors and allow them to feel the close-knit community spirit of Tampines.”
“The additional cash rebate for the first year is $1,600 for school buses, and up to $1,800 for diesel private hire or excursion buses ferrying school children. Third, school buses continue to enjoy Certificates of Entitlement (COE) exemption, on top of the offset measures shared earlier. Taken together, these measures will help school bus operators maintain financial sustainability and keep costs down for parents. Even if it may not be possible for school bus operators to transfer all these savings to every single student or parent, they can look at ways to improve service delivery. I would like to suggest for them to offer perhaps free bus trips for students and their families during school holidays to events, such as the Children's Biennale at National Gallery Singapore. For our public bus industry, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) is already shifting from pure diesel public buses, with the introduction of 50 diesel-hybrid buses and 60 electric buses to our fleet. Some commercial vehicle fleet owners have also expressed their intentions to progressively convert their fleets to electric or hybrid vehicles, as part of their fleet renewal plans. We are encouraged by these industry-led efforts as we make the transition towards cleaner vehicles together. Such efforts cannot be solely achieved by the Government. Everyone must chip in. The costs of adopting and using cleaner technologies may also have to be borne by consumers, too, alongside businesses and the Government. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Singapore's clean and green environment is our source of pride. To ensure that our future generations enjoy a quality living environment, we must continue to do our part for the environment.”
“While this may not fully cover the cost increase faced by some drivers, it does go some way in reducing their overheads while nudging drivers to be more conscious of the impact of diesel consumption on the environment. I also note that taxi companies which operate diesel pumps are already offering lower prices than retail pumps. However, I do echo Er Dr Lee Bee Wah's call to taxi companies to do more by absorbing part of the diesel tax. Second, I am happy to note that for cabbies who are driving a diesel taxi which is five years and above, ComfortDelGro is offering a $100 voucher if they convert to a hybrid taxi by end of March this year. The rental rates of such hybrid vehicles may be slightly higher, but they are more environmentally friendly and fuel-efficient, which could lead to savings for taxi drivers overall. About 30% of the entire taxi fleet in Singapore is non-diesel. I urge taxi companies to play their part towards a cleaner environment and add more non-diesel vehicles as they renew their fleet. Learn from ComfortDelGro, offer more incentives to encourage drivers to switch from diesel taxis. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, some parents have expressed concern about rising school bus fares. Let me share how the Government is helping school bus operators. First, all diesel buses will receive a new road tax rebate for three years from 1 August 2019. This new rebate will start at 100% for the first year, 75% for the second year, and 50% for the third year. Diesel private hire or excursion buses used to ferry school children can continue to apply for a further 50% rebate on their road tax. Second, all diesel school buses, diesel private hire buses and excursion buses ferrying school children will get an additional cash rebate for a three-year period from 1 August 2019.”
“Remember, senior citizens 60 years and above, which include all MG members, can make a journey on the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and public bus to anywhere within two hours, which is more than enough time to travel between any two places in Singapore; senior citizens just pay a maximum of 88 cents. Mr Deputy Speaker, another key theme in Budget 2019 is how we can improve the quality of life for all by promoting a greener environment. A greener environment means cleaner air and thus healthier living. Today, the land transport sector is the second largest source of emissions in Singapore. As our land transport sector grows, we have to address emissions. This will be done by promoting public, active and shared mobility and managing the growth and use of vehicles. We also encourage the adoption of cleaner and more carbon-efficient vehicles. The additional diesel tax will help to discourage diesel consumption and create a better and healthier living environment for all Singaporeans. However, I agree with Member, Mr Ang Hin Kee, that for those who drive for a living, in particular, diesel taxi drivers, they will feel the impact of the additional diesel tax. That is why the Government has announced measures to help cushion the impact on businesses and drivers, including a permanent reduction in the annual Special Tax on diesel taxis by $850. I am very glad that taxi companies have stepped forward with concrete measures. First, all taxi operators have pledged to pass on the entire savings resulting from the Special Tax reductions to their drivers, in terms of rental reduction and, for some, MediSave top-ups.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I stand to support the Budget. Budget Statement 2019 outlines the Government's strategic plans to build a strong and united Singapore – a nation that is safe and secure, powered by a vibrant economy and inclusive society, prepared for the future through sound fiscal policies and, above all, a global city we can call home. While the Government takes the lead in creating useful policies, systems and platforms for businesses and individuals to succeed, every one of us can and must do our part to build Singapore together. Budget 2019 is an inclusive Budget that highlights our commitment to ensuring that all Singaporeans, particularly the most vulnerable groups, have universal access to healthcare. In this regard, I am happy to note that the MGP will provide Singaporeans born in the 1950s with special subsidies for common illnesses, chronic conditions and dental procedures under CHAS, in addition to MediSave top-ups and subsidies for MediShield Life premiums. Beyond this, I am pleased to note that this group will also receive a $100 top-up to their Passion Silver cards which they can use for public transport, activities at Community Clubs, and entry to public pools. I urge all seniors to continue to take good care of their health, and also keep themselves socially active through sports, arts, volunteerism and lifelong learning. Make good use of your senior concession travel passes to catch up with your relatives and friends, and explore various parts of Singapore.”
“Under Our SG Arts Plan, NAC will continue to work with MFA to (a) establish Singapore as a valuable collaborative partner for arts and culture in the region; (b) develop international residencies and capability building programmes; and (c) extend an effective Singapore presence overseas. We will support our artists to grow and scale new heights and help profile Singapore overseas. In conclusion, I would like to thank Mr Ho for his views and suggestions. The Government will do our best and find new and better ways to provide resources, infrastructure and platforms. I look forward to our arts community doing its part to develop diverse, rich and engaging works that can connect with and inspire audience groups across different backgrounds, including the under-served, whether arts enthusiasts or novices, at home or abroad. Let us work together to achieve our shared vision for the arts and culture in Singapore. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." (proc text)] Adjourned accordingly at 7.42 pm.”
“(In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Terence Ho highlighted the importance of deepening understanding, appreciation and promotion of the traditional arts. I agree that the traditional arts help tell our Singapore story, bring people from different backgrounds together, and enhance mutual understanding among different communities. NAC will build capabilities and enhance research on the traditional arts under Our SG Arts Plan. For example, the newly revamped Stamford Arts Centre (SAC) will house a mix of traditional arts groups from our multi-ethnic communities who can bring our rich cultural traditions closer to the community. SAC complements NAC’s existing work with traditional arts groups to add to the vibrancy of districts, such as our historic Kampong Glam, and introduce more audiences to the traditional arts. With such support, we hope that traditional arts groups will develop the skills and capabilities to present even more engaging offerings for all audiences. In addition, NAC will partner institutions, such as the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre, to research the development of traditional practices and forms in Singapore. This will help spur innovation and creativity and encourage greater appreciation and critical discourse. NAC will work with NHB to explore other areas of research in the traditional arts. In addition, NAC will engage MOE and ECDA to develop interest in the traditional arts from a young age. (In English): Mr Terence Ho noted that our arts and culture is one way we can showcase Singapore internationally.”
“Our aspiration is for these spaces to foster audience growth, provide opportunities for interaction and inspire our people through the presentation of homegrown, Southeast Asian and international works. As we continue our investment into infrastructural developments and platforms to showcase artistic works, we look to the arts community to create quality content which can engage new and existing audiences. In this context, I thank Mr Terence Ho for his suggestion of a "Culture Pass” mobile application. MCCY and NAC will consider this as part of ongoing efforts to grow audiences and enhance the accessibility of our arts and culture, by leveraging technology. Mr Terence Ho rightly highlighted the importance of arts education. Under Our SG Arts Plan, we continue to prioritise arts education efforts to nurture audiences of the future. Early exposure to the arts fosters creative thinking and imagination, helps our children develop empathy and confidence, and makes art appreciation and participation a way of life. Arts education also helps our youths better appreciate Singapore’s cultural heritage and develop a stronger sense of national identity. MCCY and NAC work closely with partners like MOE and the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) for our youths to engage more with the arts. These include the Artist-in-School Scheme, Arts Education Programme, museum-based and performing arts-based learning experiences, the School of the Arts (SOTA) as well as undergraduate and postgraduate courses in the arts and culture. MCCY and NAC will continue to work with MOE to incorporate the arts into other learning areas, and with the arts community to create content that will inspire and develop our young minds. Deputy Speaker, in Mandarin, please.”
“I will elaborate more on the areas of growing audiences, building capabilities, strengthening research, and taking our arts beyond our shores, which are relevant to the points that Mr Terence Ho has raised. Strategies for sustained audience development must cater to different groups of Singaporeans. I, therefore, agree with Mr Terence Ho on the importance of providing Singaporeans of all ages and backgrounds with greater access to our arts and culture. Singaporeans already enjoy a year-round calendar of diverse cultural offerings, including exhibitions, performances and activities, as well as free access to our national museums and heritage institutions. These include popular events like our annual Singapore Art Week, Singapore Heritage Festival, PAssionArts Festival, and Singapore Night Festival. MCCY and NAC also partner organisations, such as the National Library Board and People's Association, to bring quality programmes directly to neighbourhood libraries, community clubs and other community spaces. In addition, NAC brings together thought leaders, stakeholders and practitioners at platforms, such as the Arts in Eldercare Seminar and Arts and Disability Forum, to discuss how different communities can be better engaged through the arts and culture. NAC will continue to strengthen partnerships with the social service and healthcare sectors to implement innovative programmes that can best benefit under-reached communities. Beyond programmes, the Government has invested significantly in new cultural infrastructure. The year 2015 alone saw the opening of the National Gallery Singapore and the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. We are currently revamping the Singapore Art Museum and developing a new waterfront theatre at the Esplanade.”
“However, that year, there were more non-ticketed performing arts activities than ever before, with attendances also the highest on record since 2012. MCCY and NAC are working on increasing both ticketed and non-ticketed attendance, as both types of events contribute to the vibrancy and sustainability of our arts and culture landscape. We hope that non-ticketed arts activities will create accessible entry points to the arts, while artists and arts groups will build on the increased awareness, and create works that could interest and attract more people to become paying audience. I agree with Mr Terence Ho that recognition of our arts practitioners helps develop role models. Singapore has been privileged to have outstanding artists, able to capture and transmit the essence of what it means to be Singaporean through their work. This is why since 1979, 125 have been awarded with the Cultural Medallion, which is Singapore’s highest artistic accolade. Notable artistic achievement and significant contributions to the community are also recognised through National Day Awards. MCCY and NAC hope that award recipients will continue to give back to the community through education and mentorship, create works that resonate with both local and international audiences and inspire us through the pursuit of excellence. NAC launched Our SG Arts Plan in October 2018 to build on these existing efforts and chart strategies and policies over the next five years. The Plan was developed in close consultation with the arts community and seeks to make Singapore "home to diverse and distinctive arts that inspire our people, connect our communities and position Singapore globally". NAC has identified eight priorities where it will work with our arts practitioners to achieve our shared objectives.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I congratulate Mr Terence Ho on his maiden speech and thank him for his long-standing contributions and ardent support for the arts and culture in Singapore. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) agrees that a vibrant and sustainable arts and culture scene brings diverse communities together, adds to our overall well-being, and roots us as a people and a nation. Our cultural offerings can also inspire us and show the world who we are and what we stand for and deepen our sense of national identity. Our arts and culture play a critical role in MCCY's efforts to foster a more caring, cohesive and confident Singapore and Singaporeans. MCCY, NAC and the National Heritage Board (NHB) partner the public, private and people sectors to make arts and culture an integral part of the lives of all Singaporeans. We support and facilitate our arts community's instrumental role in developing a flourishing arts ecosystem. More people now enjoy, appreciate and benefit from varied and diverse arts and culture programmes since we expanded access and grew these offerings. The 2017 Population Survey on the Arts indicated that attendance is on an upward trend, with 54% of Singaporeans attending arts events. This is the highest on record since 2005, not including the peak in 2015 when there was a surge in events to celebrate SG50. Moreover, three in four respondents said that the arts and culture improved the quality of life for everyone and agreed that our arts and culture are something that Singaporeans can be proud of. Mr Terence Ho noted that ticketed attendances had fallen from 2012 to 2016. According to the Singapore Cultural Statistics, there were 1.8 million ticketed attendances in 2016.”
“I think I can hear some murmurs among Members here who have direct experience of travelling along the CTE in the evening. But, if I could just use the example for the north-bound traffic along the CTE after the PIE, in the third quarter of 2016 and the first quarter of 2017, we did raise the ERP charges because we observed that traffic has come down below the optimum range of 45 km/h, way below 45 km/h. When the ERP rates were adjusted, it did help to lessen the traffic and the speeds went up. So, with that, motorists have been able to reach home faster and we see a direct impact on the motorists' behaviour with the pricing policy. But we note Er Dr Lee's concern for her constituents and I think, in general, Singaporeans' family time, and we will continue to look at ways to manage our traffic conditions better.”
“In addition, my Ministry has been working very hard to improve these other options. For example, we are constructing the North-South Corridor and the MRT resignalling works will help to increase train frequencies. So, even though we live in a very densely populated city, it is our commitment to provide Singaporeans with a quality living environment. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: Thank you, Sir. Precisely because of work-life balance, a lot of my residents say "Why not we just get rid of the evening ERP?" because many of them stay longer in the office and go home only after ERP. So, I would like to urge the Minister to seriously reconsider because the fact that the speed along the CTE did not change much over these few years says that it is no longer effective.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, Er Dr Lee had asked the same question in January 2016. However, over the last two and a half years, the journey speeds on the north-bound CTE in the evening have not changed much. It has not become much worse, nor has it improved significantly. While I agree with Er Dr Lee that, to some people, going home in the evening is not so critical and maybe we should not need the ERP, but I think, with the aspiration for better work-life balance, family time is important to many people nowadays. So, for the tens of thousands of motorists who are enjoying lighter traffic and higher speeds when they travel along CTE in the evening, they have been able to reach home quicker, in time for dinner and to spend quality time with their families. So, I am not sure whether they will share the same views. Speed will affect the time required for the journeys. LTA's main mandate is to ensure that motorists are able to enjoy smooth and safe journeys on the roads and expressways. Without the ERP, all motorists on the north-bound CTE are more likely to experience jams in the evening. This is expected, as our northern areas are more densely populated, which includes Nee Soon South, where the Member's constituency is. But with ERP, it alleviates this traffic congestion. We have data to show that, with ERP or when ERP rates are adjusted accordingly, it does shape motorists' behaviour and it alleviates the situation and, at the same time, provides options for commuters. So, those who are willing to pay the ERP charges can enjoy a shorter journey home while others can choose other routes. For example, going up north, they can choose Thomson Road which is not a priced road, or they can take public transport.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Electronic Road Pricing (ERP) policy helps to manage traffic congestion and maintain optimal traffic speeds. Currently, evening ERP is only imposed along the northbound Central Expressway (CTE), where traffic speeds range between 48 kilometre per hour and 56 kilometre per hour. This is near the lower bound of the optimal expressway speeds. Evening ERP is, therefore, still required there to prevent further congestion. The Land Transport Authority (LTA) will continue to monitor the situation and review the ERP charges where necessary. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Sir, I have one supplementary question. I find that this is very unfair to those residents who are living in the north. They have to pay ERP in the morning and ERP in the evening. Many residents can understand the need for having ERP in the morning. But many feel that the evening one is not acceptable and they feel that speed is not critical when they are going home. So, I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether MOT can review the purpose of the ERP and see how effective it is in mitigating the traffic jam.”
“I thank Member for the questions. The concession schemes are decided by the Public Transport Council (PTC) and reviewed by it regularly. So, PTC will ensure that our public transport fares remain affordable. Looking at the past decade, when we look at the low-income residents, the monthly expenditure on public transport as a proportion of their household income has come down from 4.2% to 2.7%. Of course, besides the low-income groups, there will be other segments of the population that require support. And PTC will continue to review and, if necessary, enhance the concession schemes to take care of these various groups, including senior citizens, students and persons with disabilities. Miss Cheng is right that there is cost to these concessions. Except for the Workfare Transport Scheme and the persons with disabilities scheme, which are funded by the Government, the others are cross-funded by other full-fare paying commuters. So, there is cross-subsidy by other full-fare paying commuters. Ultimately, PTC has to take into consideration and to strike a balance between ensuring the financial sustainability of the land transport system and the fare affordability for our commuters.”
“Mr Speaker, over the last five years, the number of Singapore Residents holding concession cards increased from 1.4 million to 1.8 million. These include students, full-time National Servicemen and senior citizens. We have also recently included persons with disabilities and Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) beneficiaries to the concessions framework in 2014. The concession scheme for senior citizens, which accounts for more than 40% of residents with concession cards, aims to recognise their contributions towards our nation. By 2020, we expect that there will be close to 900,000 Singapore Residents aged 60 and above who will qualify. Over the last five years, the average number of journeys made by senior citizens has increased by around 50% while the number of senior citizen concession pass holders rose by around 30%. This suggests that senior citizens are making more trips, which could be due to reasons other than the concession.”
“For each grant approval, there will be a contract between NAC and the artist. I am sure, with valid reasons, requesting a longer period beyond one year, that could be negotiated and agreed upon. As long as the work contributes towards the Singapore Arts scene, I cannot see any reason why NAC would have any objection to that.”