Chee Hong Tat
Singapore
“The National Parks Board (NParks) resumed crow shooting operations in March 2026 across nine districts, including Yishun. These sites were prioritised based on several factors, including the volume and severity of public feedback on crow-related issues, as well as the technical feasibility of conducting shooting operations safely at each…”
“To drive sustainable construction and reduce reliance on conventional diesel generators, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) has required the use of battery energy storage systems (BESS) or synchronised generator set systems at Build-to-Order construction worksites for all building tenders called since February 2025.”
“The Housing and Development Board (HDB) tracks resident feedback on maintenance-related issues, including spalling concrete and structural cracks within HDB flats. Such issues are much less common in younger flats, compared to older flats above 30 years old.”
“The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) provides resources on its website to guide building owners and Management Corporations Strata Title (MCSTs) on lift modernisation.”
“Private retail developments sold through the Government Land Sales Programme are intended to complement the commercial offerings in public developments undertaken by agencies, such as the Housing and Development Board.”
“The National Parks Board (NParks) is reviewing both the Animals and Birds Act and the Code of Animal Welfare (COAW). The former will include pet sector businesses and the latter will include and start with pet groomers.”
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“LTA also took on board feedback to improve the user experience for the app, such as enabling push notifications to alert app users when they make fare transactions and when their card balance is low. We also ensured that commuters who are not using the app could check their transactions and account balance using the ticketing machines at bus interchanges and train stations. After observing that more adult commuters were coming on board the SimplyGo ABT system – I have mentioned earlier, two-thirds by December 2023 – LTA assessed that it could proceed to announce its plan to sunset the CBT system for adult commuters by 1 June 2024. It made the announcement on 9 January, with the intention of giving commuters sufficient time to make the transition before 1 June. The 9 January announcement was met with strong reactions from commuters. While many have switched to using SimplyGo, LTA had under-estimated the strong preference of some commuters who wanted to continue seeing their fare deductions and card balances immediately at fare gates and bus card readers. After listening to the feedback from commuters, we understand their concerns and respect their preferences. We therefore decided not to proceed with the earlier decision to sunset the CBT system for adult commuters, so that commuters who prefer to have the option of using CBT EZ-Link cards or NETS FlashPay cards to pay for public transport can still do so. With this change, there is no need for commuters to convert to SimplyGo. Those who find SimplyGo useful can switch over to the ABT system, while those who want to retain their current CBT cards can continue to do so. Commuters have a choice and can decide which system they prefer.”
“Like us, their CBT systems can display fare deductions and card balances, but their ABT systems are currently unable to do so. Sir, I will now explain the considerations for LTA's 9 January 2024 announcement to sunset the CBT system for adult commuters from 1 June 2024. LTA is currently operating three systems: the SimplyGo ABT system and two separate CBT systems developed at different times to support the adult cards and concession cards respectively. The two CBT systems are separate and the cards on each system are not compatible. Like all IT systems, our CBT systems have a finite shelf-life. As the CBT system for adult commuters would reach end-of-life in 2024, LTA had to make a decision whether to extend the system, or to stop operating it after it reaches end-of-life. To extend the system until at least 2030, LTA would need to spend an estimated $40 million to buy new hardware and equipment, and then operate and maintain the system over the next few years. This is a cost that LTA had wanted to avoid incurring by sunsetting the CBT system for adult commuters. Between 2020 and 2023, LTA consulted different groups of commuters to gauge their readiness to transit to an ABT system. LTA also issued SimplyGo ABT cards to seniors, adults and students and gathered their feedback after they used the card for a few months. In total, LTA engaged over 1,000 commuters. During these engagements, one of the feedback we received from seniors in particular, was that they were not very familiar with using the SimplyGo app and preferred to continue viewing fare deductions and card balances at fare gates and bus card readers. Based on this feedback, LTA decided not to shift concession card holders over to SimplyGo and instead retain the concession card CBT system for these commuters.”
“In total, 64% or about two-thirds of adult commuters were using the SimplyGo ABT system in December 2023. The proportion of adult commuters using SimplyGo has continued to increase after our announcement on 22 January 2024, when the public was informed that LTA would extend the CBT system for adult commuters till at least 2030. From 23 to 31 January 2024, about 9,000 adult commuters, or around 1,000 per day, have converted their CBT cards to the SimplyGo system. We now have close to 70% of adult commuters using SimplyGo in end January, with 44% using bank cards and mobile wallets and 25% using SimplyGo stored value cards. Many commuters chose to use SimplyGo because of its benefits. For example, it allows commuters to use bank cards and mobile wallets for public transport, instead of carrying an additional card. If a registered user loses his SimplyGo stored value card, he can block it and protect the value in his account. Users can also top-up their SimplyGo cards for their family members via the app, without having the card physically present. However, SimplyGo has its limitations too. It operates on the ABT system and hence it cannot display the fare deduction and card balance information at the fare gates and bus card readers, without causing delays to the flow of commuters. Commuters are able to view their transactions and balance by using the SimplyGo app or the ticketing machines at train stations and bus interchanges. LTA is not aware of any current technical solutions to overcome the latency problem for ABT cards. Other public transport systems around the world, such as London and Hong Kong, face the same limitation with their ABT systems.”
“Thank you, Sir. Mr Speaker, I will first provide a background on why we implemented the SimplyGo account-based ticketing (ABT) system since 2019. Next, I will go through the considerations for the Land Transport Authority (LTA)’s announcement on 9 January 2024 to sunset the card-based ticketing (CBT) system for adult commuters. Finally, I will explain why we decided on 22 January not to proceed with this original plan and how we move forward from here. Before we had SimplyGo, commuters used stored value cards like EZ-Link cards and NETS FlashPay cards to pay their public transport fares. These cards work on a CBT system, where information like the card balance is stored on the card itself. In 2016, LTA observed that more commuters were using contactless bank cards and mobile wallets for retail payments. Other major public transport systems were also starting to offer commuters the option of using these payment modes. Our existing CBT system is unable to support bank cards and mobile wallets because these do not hold stored value, and transactions cannot be processed on the CBT card reader. To enable such payments, we needed an ABT system. In an ABT system, when commuters tap their card or smart device, their fares are computed at the backend, and not at the fare gates or bus card readers. LTA started a pilot in March 2017 to allow payments by bank card via a new ABT system, which was subsequently scaled up into the SimplyGo system in 2019. Since its launch in 2019, more commuters used SimplyGo over time. In December 2023, 41% of adult commuters were using bank cards and mobile wallets for public transport, while another 23% of adult commuters were using SimplyGo ABT stored value cards.”
“Mr Speaker, may I have your permission to take Question Nos 2 to 22 together? My reply will also address Written Question Nos 56 to 59 for today’s Sitting and related questions from Mr Christopher de Souza1,2, Mr Edward Chia3, Mr Mohd Fahmi4,5 and Mr Zhulkarnain Abdul Rahim6 for subsequent Sittings.”
“The Active Mobility Advisory Panel’s recommended speed limit of six kilometres per hour for personal mobility aids (PMAs) takes reference from normal walking speeds, which are typically not more than four to six kilometres per hour. Just as pedestrians have enough time to cross our roads safely, so can PMA users.”
“Currently, 13 Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations have sheltered bicycle parking within the station premises. There are also stations with sheltered bicycle parking provided by adjacent developments. Sheltered bicycle parking lots are provided within stations when there is available space, but this is not always possible as there are site constraints.”
“The Land Transport Authority (LTA) publishes new road network map data on LTA Data Mall. This data is consolidated from LTA, Government agencies, such as the Housing and Development Board, JTC Corporation and private developers. LTA also informs online map providers of road network changes prior to road openings to allow them time to update their maps. LTA will continue to work closely with agencies, private developers and online map providers to ensure updated map information is provided in a timely manner.”
“West Scape at Bukit Batok is currently served by service Nos 160, 180, 947 and 993. These services connect residents to the transport nodes and amenities at Bukit Batok and Jurong East. In particular, service No 993 was introduced in September 2023 to replace the former service No 160M and extended to ply a longer route along Bukit Batok West Avenue 8 to enhance connectivity between West Scape and Jurong East. There are no plans to extend service No 992 to serve West Scape as service No 947 already provides a direct alternative for residents travelling to the transport node and amenities at Bukit Batok. Extending service No 992 to serve West Scape will result in longer travel times and higher fares for other commuters, including residents of Tengah town.”
“Currently, bus service Nos 870 and 992 provide Tengah residents direct connection to schools in Bukit Batok, such as Princess Elizabeth Primary School and Bukit Batok Secondary School. Tengah residents travelling to schools in Bukit Gombak, such as Dazhong Primary School and St Anthony’s Primary, can also take service No 870 or 992 before connecting to service No 188. With the completion of more Build-To-Order flats and schools within Tengah, the Land Transport Authority will monitor changes in travel patterns and make further adjustments where necessary.”
“Point-to-point (P2P) transport operators must ensure that fares collected from passengers comply with the Public Transport Council’s Street Hail and Ride Hail Fare Pricing Policy Orders. The Land Transport Authority does not prescribe how P2P transport operators should comply with these regulatory standards. Operators who fail to do so will be guilty of an offence and shall be liable to penalties such as fines of up to $100,000.”
“Taxi and private hire car drivers choose their working hours and break times and whether to accept bookings. As such, time between trips is not a meaningful indicator and is not tracked.”
“Over the last five years, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) has received 86 requests from condominiums for covered linkways to transport nodes, of which 28 were approved. After the request is approved, it takes approximately six to 10 months for LTA to conduct technical feasibility studies and site investigations and obtain approvals from relevant agencies before commencing works.”
“It can cost up to $8,000 to include an automated ramp on each new bus. Since 2018, we have introduced the bus kneeling mechanism, which costs about $5,000 per bus, as a standard feature on all new public buses. To date, about 70% of our fleet has been equipped with this mechanism.”
“Registered vehicle owners must ensure that their vehicle licence plates comply with requirements set out in the Road Traffic (Motor Vehicles, Registration and Licensing) Rules. It is an offence to display vehicle licence plates that do not conform to the prescribed specifications. For first-time offenders, it carries a fine of up to $1,000, or imprisonment of up to three months, or both. The penalties are doubled for repeat offenders. Vehicle licence plates are checked during periodic inspections at authorised inspection centres for all vehicles. In addition, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) enforces the rules against errant vehicles through conducting regular patrols and receiving feedback from members of public and other agencies. From January to October 2023, LTA has taken enforcement actions against more than 2,000 vehicles with licence plate offences.”
“When considering whether to build new Mass Rapid Transit lines, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) reviews public transport plans by looking at existing and future land use developments, current public transport options and engineering considerations. Studies by LTA are ongoing and updates will be provided when ready. At present, residents in Fernvale, Seletar and Jalan Kayu can access the North-South, North-East and Circle lines via bus and Light Rail Transit. They will also be served by the upcoming Cross Island Line.”
“In our engagements, stakeholders have shared that some of their considerations include the availability of drivers and buses, regularity of the trips, distance of the destinations and the number of workers to be transported for each trip.”
“The Green Link Determining (GLIDE) system allows the Land Transport Authority (LTA) to adjust traffic light timings dynamically and optimise motorist and pedestrian flows based on detector loops that can sense vehicular traffic flow and buttons that pedestrians can push when they wish to cross the road. LTA is exploring improvements to the system through collaborations with industry and research partners. These will need to be rigorously tested before they are assessed for deployment.”
“Our trains and buses, as well as stations and interchanges, are accessible and equipped with family-friendly features to encourage families to use public transport. Families can also use point-to-point services, such as a taxi or a private hire car, as well as car-sharing services to meet their commuting needs.”
“We do not set a regulatory limit on the number of hours a taxi or private hire car driver can work continuously, as this is a personal decision for drivers to make. Instead, we work with tripartite partners to reinforce a culture of safe driving and promote good practices to prevent driver fatigue. The Tripartite Workplace Safety and Health Council has a set of Guidelines on Fatigue Management which encourage drivers, including taxi and private hire car drivers, to limit their shifts to no more than 12 hours. All taxi and ride-hail platform operators provide guidelines for drivers to have sufficient rest and remind them through the taxi's Mobile Data Terminal or the ride-hail mobile application to take breaks after long shifts. Some operators have also deployed various forms of driver assistance technology and anti-fatigue system to promote safe driving. All taxi and private hire car drivers undergo training on occupational health hazards as part of their Vocational Licence courses, during which they are recommended to take short breaks after every two hours of driving.”
“The "Long Island" project will help to protect the East Coast from sea level rise and flooding, enhance our long-term water supply and cater to long-term land use needs. To facilitate these plans, anchorages in the Eastern Sector of the Port of Singapore will need to be reconfigured. The details will be studied further as part of upcoming technical studies, taking into consideration the sea space required for anchorages and fairways to support maritime operations, both during and after the development of "Long Island". The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore is also progressively rolling out initiatives to further enhance the efficiency of port calls, reduce idling time and optimise anchorage space utilisation. These include a Just-in-Time Platform to coordinate vessels' arrival and departure with the provision of maritime services, Active Anchorage Management System to efficiently allocate anchorage space to vessels and the simultaneous operation of marine services at terminals during cargo operations. The "Long Island" project will not impact the Traffic Separation Scheme and navigational safety of vessels transiting between the Singapore Strait and the Port of Singapore.”
“The amendments to the VRB provisions include removing outdated references, such as the requirement to lodge the notice of appeal in "duplicate", which is no longer relevant where documents are sent digitally. The amendments also move various Act-level procedural provisions to subsidiary legislation and clarify the Minister's regulation-making powers on VRB appeals, as well as case management powers of the VRB and the Chairperson. In addition, the amendments will confer a discretion on the Chairperson to convene a one-member coram to adjudicate VRB hearings, instead of the usual three-member coram. In deciding whether or not to convene a one-member coram, the Chairperson will consider the parties' submissions, as well as the facts and circumstances of the case. Taken together, these amendments will align the VRB provisions with other tax Boards of Review provisions to allow greater flexibility and ensure that tax appeals are resolved in a more timely and efficient manner. Mr Deputy Speaker, I beg to move. 3.45 pm [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. (proc text)] [(proc text) The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Mr Chee Hong Tat]. (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill considered in Committee. (proc text)] [Mr Deputy Speaker in the Chair]”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, on behalf of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, I beg to move, “That the Bill be now read a Second time.” Sir, this Bill proposes amendments to several Acts, which are technical in nature. Let me take Members through the key amendments. Clause 2(b) of the Bill amends section 24(1) of the Business Names Registration Act 2014 to allow the Registrar of Business Names to restore a registration that has been cancelled because the person failed to make Medisave contributions required under section 9A of the Central Provident Fund Act 1953. This will speed up the process for restoring business name registrations, for example, where the business owner has already rectified the non-compliance, without the need to lodge a statutory appeal to the Minister. Next, on the Property Tax Act 1960, or PTA, there are two groups of amendments. First, clauses 6(a) and (b) of the Bill amend sections 20A(2) and 22(2) of the PTA, to confer the Chief Assessor and the Comptroller of Property Tax with the discretion to admit late objections to the valuation list and to property tax respectively. This is in line with the respective Comptrollers' powers to admit late objections under other tax legislation. The second group of amendments in clauses 6(c) to (j) of the Bill amend the PTA to update and streamline provisions relating to the Valuation Review Board, or VRB, which is a tribunal under the PTA that hears and adjudicates property tax-related disputes between taxpayers and the Comptroller or the Chief Assessor. These amendments are aligned with those already made under the Income Tax (Amendment) Act 2022 to the Income Tax Board of Review and the Goods and Services Tax Board of Review.”
“This information can be found at LTA's website: www.lta.gov.sg.”
“The number of enforcement actions taken for vehicle registration number plate or identification mark offences over the last five years, broken down by vehicle type, is in Table 1 below.”
“All cars, including private hire cars (PHCs), must have the requisite Certificates of Entitlement (COE) and Additional Registration Fees (ARF) paid for. An exception is given for cars purchased under the Disabled Persons Scheme (DPS). To support the commuting needs of persons with disabilities, the DPS exempts Singapore Citizens with permanent disabilities who cannot take public transport, from paying COE premiums and ARF when they purchase a vehicle for the primary purpose of travelling to and from work. This exemption does not apply to vehicles used as PHCs.”
“Over the last 12 months, 4,206 Open Category E Certificates of Entitlement (COE) were used to register new vehicles in other COE categories.”
“The number of registered personal mobility devices (PMDs) decreased from about 12,300 as at end-2020 to about 5,100 as at October 2023. Personal mobility aids (PMAs) are currently not required to be registered with the Land Transport Authority. Between January and October 2023, there were about 1,200 PMD-related offences and four PMA-related offences, compared to an average of about 1,600 PMD-related offences and three PMA-related offences between January and October each year between 2020 and 2022. The Active Mobility Advisory Panel (AMAP) is reviewing the rules for safe and proper use of PMAs and has engaged various stakeholders. AMAP will announce its recommendations after the review.”
“For all new major developments, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) requires the developer to conduct a Transport Impact Assessment (TIA), including the need for any additional infrastructural improvements or mitigation measures. In March 2019, a TIA was carried out in view of the new housing development in the Faber Hills estate. To meet the expected increase in vehicular traffic, road improvement measures were identified and have been progressively implemented. These include widening roads and improving junctions so that traffic performance will not be significantly affected. LTA will continue to monitor the traffic conditions for the Faber Hills estate after the completion of the new development.”
“Ride-hail fares for trips on private hire cars are not set by the Land Transport Authority; they are dynamically priced based on demand and supply. When demand is high, fares rise, attracting more drivers to take up jobs to meet the increased demand from commuters. Conversely, during periods of lower demand, commuters benefit from lower fares. Capping fares for private hire cars will affect the incomes of drivers and inadvertently lead to a bad outcome for commuters. If fares are artificially capped and do not accurately reflect the demand and supply situation, there will be insufficient drivers during periods of high demand and commuters will, in turn, find it more difficult to secure rides.”
“This question has been addressed in the Oral reply to Question Nos 55 to 58 at the 6 November 2023 Parliament Sitting. [Please refer to "Cost, Lifespan and Expected Outcomes for Installation of Next Generation ERP 2.0 System On-Board Units in Vehicles", Official Report, 6 November 2023, Vol 95, Issue 115, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“On the KTM Tebrau shuttle, Singapore and Malaysia have an agreement that all Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) railway services in Singapore will cease operations within six months from the commencement of passenger services for the Johor Bahru-Singapore Rapid Transit System Link (RTS Link). The RTS Link will have a peak capacity of 10,000 people per hour per direction. In comparison, the KTM Tebrau shuttle currently has a maximum capacity of less than 10,000 people per day. Beyond the RTS Link, cross-border bus and ferry services will continue to be available to commuters after RTS Link service commencement, as alternative travel modes.”
“The Land Transport Authority and Public Transport Council have a range of programmes, such as our annual Graciousness Campaign and the Caring Commuter Champion programme to encourage positive commuter behaviour. To inculcate gracious and caring norms from young, we work with partners, such as Social Service Agencies, the Ministry of Education and the Singapore Kindness Movement, to develop educational content for school children. These programmes and campaigns are continually reviewed and refreshed. Public transport workers, such as station staff and bus captains, are also trained to handle commuters who are being a nuisance to others. Beyond efforts by the Government and transport operators, building a gracious and caring commuting culture is a shared responsibility for all commuters. We encourage all Singaporeans to play a part to collectively shape a good commuting experience for everyone.”
“There will be covered linkways provided within the Founders’ Memorial area, that link Gardens by The Bay, the Founders’ Memorial development and the Founders’ Memorial MRT station. These covered linkways will be designed to be functional and aesthetically appropriate to this area.”
“The Land Transport Authority (LTA) awarded the ERP 2.0 project to the consortium formed by NCS Pte Ltd and MHI Engine System Asia Pte Ltd at a cost of $556 million in 2016. As the project is still ongoing, details of the project costs will only be finalised upon completion. LTA had assessed that it is less costly to replace the current ERP system with ERP 2.0 based on Global Navigation Satellite System technology, compared to extending the existing system. The On-Board Unit installation exercise is expected to be completed by end 2025.”
“This question has been addressed in the reply to Questions 8 and 9 at the 7 November 2023 Parliament sitting. [Please refer to "Impact of Thailand’s Proposed Land Bridge Project on Singapore’s Competitiveness as Global Seaport", Official Report, 7 November 2023, Vol 95, Issue 116, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
“As stated in our previous response, the Government is committed to improving safety for all road users. We are working together with relevant stakeholders, including the industry and the civil society, to develop practical solutions. We will provide further updates when ready.”
“Traffic at Seletar Airport has surpassed pre-COVID levels. Runway utilisation is also near capacity. There are no plans to attract more commercial airlines to use the airport.”
“On capacity, the new formula includes a Capacity Adjustment Factor, based on the smoothened growth rate in public transport capacity, fixed at 1.1% for five years, from 2023 to 2027. This replaced the NCF in the previous formula. The NCF was intended to track cost movements due to changes in public transport capacity, relative to changes in commuter demand. In its first three years, the NCF ranged from 1.6% to 3.9%. However, the NCF was not designed for exceptional situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when ridership fell sharply and the NCF spiked to 50% in 2021. As such, the NCF was suspended from the onset of the pandemic and has now been replaced by the fixed Capacity Adjustment Factor.”
“The Public Transport Council (PTC) reviewed the fare adjustment formula and mechanism in April this year. As explained by the PTC and in this House, the new formula accounts for productivity and network capacity differently. Mr Giam's questions on past productivity gains and the Network Capacity Factor (NCF), pertain to the old fare formula, which is not meaningful in the current context. On productivity, the PTC has reaffirmed the role played by operators in ensuring that our public transport system is cost-efficient and this is reflected in both the previous and current fare formulas. The previous formula included a Productivity Extraction, which shared half of operators' actual productivity gains over the previous five years, measured by growth in value added per employee, with commuters. As outlined in the PTC's Fare Adjustment Formula and Mechanism Review Report available on its website, there were exceptional circumstances during the last five years, which had an impact on productivity. During the pandemic, there was a sharp drop in public transport ridership, which has yet to fully recover. This resulted in lower fare revenue and significant losses for the operators, as well as productivity losses. Based on the previous formula, the Productivity Extraction would have been set at 0% and commuters would not benefit from a lower fare adjustment quantum. Hence, the PTC recommended to replace the Productivity Extraction with a Productivity Contribution, set at 0.1% in the new formula, which is at the same level as the Productivity Extraction applied for the preceding five-year period. This sets the expectation for operators to improve productivity, which in turn reduces the fare adjustment quantum for commuters.”
“The Weekend Car Scheme, launched in 1991, aimed to make car ownership more affordable for those who do not need to use their cars during peak hours. In the current version since 2010, the Revised Off-Peak Car Scheme (ROPC) allows owners to use the vehicles for the full day on Saturdays, Sundays, Public Holidays and on the eve of five Public Holidays. Car ownership is but one part of our land transport system. Singaporeans will continue to enjoy a more extensive and better-connected public transport network over time. For those who still wish to own a car and use it generally during off-peak periods, the ROPC remains a viable alternative. We will continue to conduct regular reviews of the ROPC scheme and introduce more options, if necessary, to meet the transport needs of Singaporeans.”
“Since December 2017, commuters who tap in at any train station before 7.45 am on weekdays, excluding Public Holidays, enjoy a discount of up to 50 cents on their train journey. The objective of this initiative, which costs about $40 million per year, and equivalent to about 2% of fare revenue collected, is to reduce crowding at peak times. To ensure public transport remains affordable, the Government provides more than $2 billion per year to subsidise public transport operating costs, and will be providing an additional $300 million to defer the bulk of the fare increase this year. Concessionary fares of up to 70% discount are available to one in two Singaporeans, including seniors and students. On top of this, we also provide Public Transport Vouchers to lower-income households. Lowering pre-peak fares further will have to be made up for through the fares paid by all commuters travelling later in the day, including those who cannot change their work hours and those making the return commute home. Therefore, the Member's suggestions of increasing the pre-peak discount or offering free pre-peak travel will require other commuters to pay higher fares.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. Mr Speaker, I have checked and would like to confirm that if we look at the total water consumption in Singapore, 45% comes from the domestic sector and 55% is from the non-domestic sector. I apologise for my error earlier. Sir, for potable water, the split is 60% domestic and 40% non-domestic.”
“Sir, I am sorry if I mis-spoke and I got my facts wrong. I need to go back and double check this. But if the data is the other way round, I apologise for the factual error. But it does not change the point I was making and I hope Mr Leong can agree with me on that, that we charge businesses and households the true cost of water from the first drop and we do not provide U-Save rebates to the businesses. That part I can confirm and double confirm.”
“Sir, the buses are running because they provide an essential service, they are not making money and we are providing subsidies to the tune of $1 billion every year. I do not know which advertising firm Ms Poa has in mind but if you think you can make $1 billion dollars in advertising revenue, please let me know.”
“Mr Speaker, I think first, we have to get our facts correct. The demand for water in Singapore is predominantly actually from households. The majority is actually not from businesses. So, when we look at businesses, we charge them the full price of water from the first drop and we do not give them any U-Save rebates unlike households. So, that is the difference. Contrary to what Mr Leong seems to have understood, it is actually the other way round. We charge everyone the full price of water from the first drop and then we give means-tested subsidies through U-Save rebates to households, lower-income households getting more but for businesses, they do not get any U-Save rebates. What we do with them is to help them to improve their energy and water efficiency.”
“So, again, Sir, I reject the way that Mr Leong has characterised the Government's way of working to say that we only care about profits and there is no social aspect in our policymaking. It is absolutely untrue. Sir, I now turn to the point that Mr Leong mentioned about water, and I am not sure whether I heard him correctly. He said that we should have a different category from 40 cubic metres to 80 cubic metres. Sir, I explained earlier, and I think Mr Singh also mentioned in his speech, that, today, 96% of households consume below 40 cubic metres. So, I am a bit puzzled why Mr Leong is proposing that we should have a different category between 40 cubic metres to 80 cubic metres, catering to some of this 4% and then to provide subsidies for them. I find it quite strange why he is proposing something like this. I thought the right thing to do, Sir, is to price the water correctly from the first drop, starting from the first drop. But we understand that there are different families with different needs, different financial circumstances and we want to then provide more help and support to the lower- and middle-income families. And the way to do this, the most effective way, in our view, is to then provide means-tested U-Save rebates that are fixed in a the quantity, so that if you consume more, actually beyond that, you pay. So, there is a strong element, strong incentive to encourage people to save water. I think that is the better way to do it and not to create a new category between 40 cubic metres to 80 cubic metres.”
“Sir, since Mr Leong has refused to withdraw, I would have to put on record that we reject the way he has characterised the way the Government operates and then I can give many more examples. But in the interest of time, maybe just allow me to comment on one thing. Sir, the bus contracting model that Mr Leong mentioned, I do not know if Mr Leong is aware that, at the moment, for bus services, LTA, as I mentioned earlier, provides $1 billion every year because it is loss-making. Almost all the bus services that are running on our roads today are not making profit. They are all losing money. Why do we continue to run them? Because they meet the needs of our residents. Because they meet the connectivity, commuting needs of Singaporeans. So, even when the bus service is not making money, we know this is a public good. This is a public service. It is an essential service. We continue to run that service even though it is not making money. And then to make sure that we are able to run this on a sustained basis, the Government then provides the subsidies to the tune of $1 billion for bus and $1 billion for MRT. So, Sir, we are looking for financially and fiscally sustainable outcomes. It is different from profit-seeking. Sir, the social aspect in policy formulation, I think it is very much top-of-mind for the Government. If you listen to different generations of Finance Ministers during Budget, there will always be one segment on the economy because we do need to grow the economy to earn a living, to create jobs. But there is always an important segment also on social policies. National Day Rally – the Prime Minister has always focused as well on different ways of improving our social policies – housing, education, healthcare.”
“Mr Speaker, I first need to say that I reject the way that Mr Leong has characterised the way the Government operates. I think that is quite uncalled for. I just spent a good 40 to 45 minutes explaining our approach to helping Singaporeans cope with the rising cost of living and what we are doing through different ways in a fair, effective and sustainable manner. We can debate about different ideas. We can discuss different possibilities, like what the Leader of Opposition and I have done just now on water. That is okay, Sir. But I reject what Mr Leong has said, that the Government is profit-seeking. Sir, if we look at public transport, just now Mr Giam mentioned, if we are indeed profit-seeking, the way to do it is to pass through all 22.6%, as recommended by the formula. Did we do that? No, we did not. We passed through less than one third and we absorbed the rest, because we understand that in this current environment, we do not want to add further stresses on Singaporean families. And this cost the Government $300 million to plug the delta, the 15.6%. And on top of that, every year we give $2 billion for public transport, $1 billion thereabouts for bus, $1 billion for MRT. Again, this is profit-seeking? So, Sir, I respectfully ask Mr Leong to withdraw that comment as I think it is not fair and it is not the right way to describe the way the Government operates or to conduct this debate. Can I pause here to ask if the Member agrees to withdraw that comment first before I answer the rest of his questions.”
“And it will include families that Ms Poa and others have highlighted, where there is a genuine need for point-to-point service and instead of just relying on car ownership alone. Some of them can own a car but some of them may not be able to own a car. Can we help them in other ways? Point-to-point service, car sharing, and I think it takes a whole-of-society approach, not just the Government because for many of these families that need help, sometimes they also receive some help from the community and from voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs). So, it is a whole-of-society effort; that we do our best to support these families.”