Cheng Li Hui
Singapore
“To be fair to ourselves, despite the mistakes and inadequacies we see, when you take a few steps back, you would realise that relative to so many other countries, we have done pretty well. Please give ourselves a pat on the back.”
“Chairman, harmonious neighbourhoods are what we all hope for and work towards. However, having some disputes is unavoidable. While we work towards minimising such disputes, we must also pay attention to improving the ways we manage disputes such as the CDMF.”
“Chairman, in 2016, the Disability Sports Master Plan (DSMP) was launched to further improve Persons with Disabilities' access to sports. PwDs deserve the same level of access to the sports that they wish to pursue as non-PwDs.”
“Chairman, motherhood is one of, if not the most, noble of aspirations. While I thank MOH for the steps it has taken in the right direction with respect to Elective Egg Freezing (EEF), I feel that the ideal destination is still some distance away.”
“Chairman, every Singaporean has a part to play in our whole-of-society effort to build a strong, secure and cohesive nation. New threats continuously emerge, while existing threats evolve and re-invent themselves. The addition of Digital Defence is timely, which forms the sixth pillar of Total Defence.”
“Mr Chairman, the safety of our service men and women is paramount. At last year's Committee of Supply (COS), Senior Minister of State Heng Chee How spoke about emphasising a strong safety culture in the SAF through audits and inspections.”
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“Question for the Minister. Will MK be taking in and have more progress for mild to moderate special needs children? It is sometimes hard for parents of special needs children to find preschools that are willing to take in their children. For example, we have some special needs children in my PAP Community Foundation (PCF) centres in Tampines, but they are no longer Tampines residents. They have moved out but when they moved to a new estate, they have problems finding another preschool which is willing to take in their children. Since MK is extending to more estates, can MK play a bigger role in this? 6.30 pm After checking with some teachers, they say that MK does not have enough special needs programmes as well. So, can the Minister just clarify on this? I also have another question that is a bit more for the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) and the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), but it is about preschools. Can there be more funding and training for teachers who care for and teach special needs children? Because they have some problems in terms of the timing as the core curriculum is only four hours, but the DSP programme comes in during the four hours and takes the children out for one hour. The teachers feel that they can actually do that after-hours.”
“Chairman, with the changing economy and technological disruptions, it is important for adult learners to continue to reskill and upskill themselves to face the needs of our future economy. IHLs have been ramping up their delivery of CET, by providing short training courses for adults to acquire the right skills that can be applied in their respective jobs. More industry-relevant modular courses have also been introduced to provide both undergraduates and postgraduates to learn new skills and develop deeper skills. Beyond clearly skills-based and industry relevant courses, it is also important to continue support for postgraduate programmes like Masters programmes since they cater to a different group of Singaporeans who might prefer a more structured approach to training. Minister Ong Ye Kung had mentioned that MOE was going to review the funding for such postgraduate programmes. I would like to ask for the outcome of the review. Micro-credentials at Universities”
“Sir, Budget 2018 enhances the MOE FAS by raising the annual bursary quantum for pre-university student from $750 to $900 as well as updating the income eligibility criteria. I would like to know what are the determinants used by the Ministry to decide the bursary quantum and the increase. I am glad to see the announcement in Budget 2018 to cover more meals for secondary school students under the School Meals Programme. Under the current scheme, primary school pupils receive subsidies of $2 per meal for seven times a week while secondary school students will receive subsidies of $2.50 a meal; $2.50 would seem insufficient for secondary school students. I would like to ask what the considerations behind the decision are to increase the school meals fund and are the current subsidy amounts sufficient. Increasing Edusave Contributions”
“I welcome the decision in Budget 2018 to increase support for education. Indeed, every Singaporean should have access to quality education, regardless of their background. I applaud the efforts over the years to assimilate special needs children into mainstream schools. We have the Early Intervention Programme for Infants and Children (EIPIC), Focused Language Assistance in Reading (FLAiR) programme for those who need additional help in English and Development Support Programme (DSP) to help mild to moderate special needs children to have a smoother transition to primary school. DSP educators gave feedback that once a week with the children is insufficient for those who need more intervention. Another teacher said that she has three special needs kids out of 24 in her preschool class. It would be good if preschools which are willing to take in kids with special needs can have additional funding and training. Can we expect future enhancements to existing schemes and also for these programmes to be available in MKs, if there is not any now? There are allied educators in primary school. Is it time to work out something so that some of these children can have a seamless transition from preschool to primary as well? Stressed Students and Parents”
“Chairman, given the drug situation worsening regionally and worldwide, Singapore remains largely drug-free. Our drug abuse rate is very low, compared to other countries. Based on the statistics released by CNB in February, the total number of drug abusers arrested in 2017 decreased by about 5% from the previous year. CNB has been effective in their enforcement efforts and their fight against drugs. Nevertheless, there are still worrying trends. One of them is the use of drugs among the young. About two-thirds of the new drug offenders arrested last year were below the age of 30, similar to that of 2016. This is a worrying trend. New drug abusers formed 40% of all drug abusers arrested in 2017. There is also a rise in online drug pedalling, with the number of people arrested for buying drugs online increasing over the last few years. The figure was 13 in 2015 and 201 in 2016. Most of those who engaged in online drug pedalling were between the ages of 20 and 39. The change in mindset among the young, and the convenience offered by cyberspace, are perhaps important factors contributing to the rise in youth drug abuse. My worry is that if such trends hold up, new young abusers may form the next generation of drug addicts. Once a youth is enslaved by drugs, it potentially means many years of hidden suffering for him and his loved ones. I would, therefore, like to ask how MHA intends to better engage youths who are on drugs and tackle the high proportion of new young drug abusers. Given the preference and habits of our youths, does the Ministry intend to make use of the new and relevant engagement platforms, for example, social media, as part of its outreach? Partnership with Community Organisations”
“Singaporeans are increasingly well travelled. Many Singaporeans work and study overseas and based in foreign lands for many months and even years. Many also make short business trips and holidays. When we are abroad, we are largely on our own and would have to be alert and careful. But despite our best plans, our overseas trips can often be thwarted by unforeseen circumstances that could range from natural disasters to terror attacks. These are beyond the control of any of us and it can create stress for Singaporeans overseas and even pose dangers to their lives. The affected Singaporeans would then require assistance and support, and their families and friends back home will also be concerned with their status and well-being. We do not need to look far for past examples. Many Singaporeans who had made travel plans to Bali last December were unable to proceed due to Mount Agung's eruption. Terrorist attacks in European countries, as well as unrest in other parts of the world, will require Singaporeans to be ever vigilant when abroad. In view of the potential dangers that Singaporeans may face overseas, what are some of the measures that MFA has taken or is planning to take to assist Singaporeans in such circumstances?”
“But instead of making the situation clearer, people read the tea leaves and speculate even further. Sir, I think we are all asking the wrong question. Why do I say this? Because I think that the Prime Minister and his colleagues have been steadily building up a strong team to take us into the future. As the BBC commentator suggested, we are quite a unique democracy. We have been planning for leadership succession of the team for many years. It is not just about one man or woman. It is about the team. And we should ask ourselves, is the team ready to take over? Mr Speaker, Sir, Budget 2018 follows the three cardinal principles I mentioned earlier. It gives us a road map on how to grow, given the challenges we face. It spends less than it earns and, where money may not be enough, it proposes an increase in GST, not now but in four years' time. And it continues to build up our Reserves. What Budget 2018 does not touch on is leadership succession. However, the Finance Minister has said in an interview with The Straits Times on 20 February that Budget 2018 is a team effort, involving the whole-of-Government. He has consulted the 4G Ministers who have backed the Budget, including the GST increase. They are the ones who will have to implement this difficult decision and follow through on all the other difficult steps on this road map to a better Singapore. Mr Speaker, Sir, I believe we have a strong team to take us forward. It is a team that is prepared to take difficult decisions and to take a long-term view. It is a team that has a vision for Singapore. Leadership succession is in place. I am confident that we are in good hands. Sir, I support the Budget.”
“The answer, of course, is that it was the hard work of our Pioneer Generations working hand in hand with the Government to grow our economy and create wealth, and to spend within our means, and always putting something away for a rainy day. These three cardinal principles – growth, surplus, savings – have been followed faithfully by successive People's Action Party (PAP) Governments for over 50 years since Independence. It has not been easy. I remember during General Elections (GE), some Opposition members would come out with many ideas about how to spend the Reserves while the Government tries hard to convince the people to work hard and save. Fortunately, the people have kept faith with the PAP. This is why good leaders are critical for Singapore. We are a small country. But because of good leaders, we are a strong country. If we want to continue to grow, we need leaders who are prepared to tell people the not-so-nice things, leaders who take a long-term view, leaders who must convince people that they do care, but care in a responsible way. We need leaders with vision, who can plan for a future Singapore which is more beautiful, sustainable and liveable than today. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Prime Minister has publicly stated many times that he intends to retire after the next GE when he turns 70. Now, I personally feel that 70 is still too young to retire but that is not for me to decide. The question of who will be our next Prime Minister has been the subject of much talk, from coffee shops to board rooms. There has been speculation as to why a decision has not been made yet. The Prime Minister, the Emeritus Senior Minister and the 4th generation (4G) team have all said something.”
“I spoke about this last month during the Motion on the Elderly. We should aim to be one of the global leaders in technology-assisted elderly living. Sir, I would like to applaud the Finance Minister for the very strong support of the elderly in Singapore. The road ahead is still long, but I believe this Budget has taken some important steps towards making Singapore a good place to grow old in. Mr Speaker, this Budget is an unusual Budget. Most Budgets looked at how to meet next year’s needs or, at most, the next few years. This Budget looks at the future needs of Singapore beyond the term of this Government. A British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) World Service Report dated 20 February 2018 put it this way: “Where else do you get a democratically elected government that puts a tax increase in, in four years' time? …. This is a very mature democracy which takes medium- to long-term decisions, in a way in which governments in the UK and America are not able to do because they are always worried about the next election…. It’s a nice Budget because it has a good medium- to long-term view”. After the Budget was presented last week, I sat down with my volunteers and asked them what they thought. I explained that we will be spending more, especially on healthcare, education and infrastructure. I said we will need more money in future, hence the need for an increase in GST. They asked why the Government is raising GST when we have so much money. Why not spend some of our Reserves? This is a valid question which the Prime Minister and the Ministers have answered and must continue to explain. As their Member of Parliament (MP), I will try to convince them, too. But what we need to do is to ask ourselves where did the Reserves come from in the first place?”
“There are five areas we should think about: (a) healthcare, (b) communities, (c) education, (d) volunteerism, and (e) connecting the four is technology. First, healthcare. In his Budget Statement, the Finance Minister has put the focus on infrastructure – more hospitals, eldercare centres and so on. While this is definitely necessary now, the future elderly in Singapore will need soft skills, especially an increased shift towards self-sufficiency. I hope that more attention and resources will be spent to drive the improvement of soft skills in the healthcare sector. Second, communities. We need to provide the elderly with the means to connect, engage and encourage one another. The Minister has outlined three areas that contribute to this: the Silver Generation Office, the Community Silver Trust and the focus on Social Services Offices (SSOs). I support these enhanced initiatives. Third, education. I hope we can encourage our elderly to continue their lifelong journey of learning. But the areas of study, objectives and methods of teaching for the elderly are different, especially as the number of highly educated and enabled elderly increases. Next, volunteerism. There exists among our elderly a pool of talent and skills that is largely untapped. They are our retirees from the Civil Service as well as from industry. They are professionals, managers, skilled workers and so on. They should be encouraged to contribute not just to earn some extra pocket money, but also to pass on their skills, experience and wisdom. Finally, technology. The Finance Minister has announced a $100-million top-up to the Seniors Mobility and Enabling Fund. This is an area that will grow fast and we will need to review the scope of this Fund.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise to speak in response to the Budget that the Minister for Finance has presented. I wish to address two issues: one, the elderly, and two, leadership. The Minister has identified ageing as one of the major shifts that will affect our future. He has rolled out a whole series of initiatives to address the issue, including more money for hospitals and senior care centres; strengthening the Agency for Integrated Care (AIC) and expanding the scope of the Pioneer Generation Office (PGO) and the Community Network for Seniors (CNS). These initiatives will have a direct impact on the elderly over the coming months and years. I have spoken about them several times in this House and I am glad that this is happening. However, I believe there is more we can do. For a start, can we look at the issue a little differently? We know the statistics. By 2030, 27% of the population will be above 65 years old. One out of four persons will be over 65. But I wonder, is it time for us to reconsider the definition of elderly as those being 65? Should it be 70 or even 75? If we look around us, we can begin to observe many in their late 60s and 70s who are still healthy, active and gainfully employed. I believe that the elderly of today is not a good proxy for the elderly of tomorrow. In 20 years’ time, many Members in this House would be in their 60s and 70s. Using ourselves as examples, the 40-year-olds of today are smart, tech-savvy and self-sufficient. In 20 years' time, we will have a host of capable people who are mobile and independent. The challenge for us is to build a society that encourages our seniors of the future to thrive and live active lives.”
“Since then, many policies, programmes and initiatives have been implemented and many more Ministries and agencies involved – active ageing under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY), Pioneer Generation Office (PGO) under MOF, Ageing Planning Office under MOH, Silver Support Scheme under the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and so on. Much has been done, but I believe much more can and must be done. For example, there are many exciting new technologies to assist the elderly, from wearable devices to remote monitoring. Can we do more to encourage this sector? Can we aspire to be a global leader in technology-assisted elderly living and active ageing? Is it time to consider setting up a new Ministry that will be able to coordinate all the developments, drive policy and innovation, and implement the programmes smoothly and efficiently? Should we coordinate all the efforts and resources to see how we can make better use of our seniors' experience and wisdom? How do we tap on our retirees to continue to play active roles in the country that they have given so much to, and for them to live the rest of their lives in Singapore in a dignified and fruitful manner? Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Government, in partnership with the community and public institutions, have made important steps towards making active ageing a very attractive reality in Singapore. While the issue of active ageing is a never-ending one, it has not yet quite reached maturity. Like a freshly retired person, there is still some way to go. It is also a complex one, and my remarks today do not fully express what I have to say on this topic. I shall save it for another day.”
“When I saw the design of the nursing home, I advocated for the fence between the two buildings to be removed in order to remove physical barriers between the nursing home and the school. I do not like the fenced-up feeling in nursing homes. It is uninviting and isolates them from the community. I wanted the school field to be available to the nursing home for exercises and activities and also to make it convenient for parents and grandparents to drop in after dropping off their children in school. Recently, I was delighted to hear from MOH that there will be no fencing around the nursing home and residents can look forward to both daycare and homecare services, such as home nursing and home personal care. I cannot wait. And I mean it. I really cannot wait. It was in December 2015 that we saw the artist's impression and we are still waiting for an operator to be appointed and no ground breaking yet. I know it is happening soon but I feel we need to move things faster. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, as more eldercare facilities are set up in housing estates, I hope we can consider the model of pairing up these facilities with schools in the vicinity to create long-term partnerships for more interactions. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am very encouraged by the commitment of our Government in preparing for an ageing population. I note that the Inter-Ministerial Committee for Ageing was set up 20 years ago in 1998 to review healthcare needs of the elderly and to ensure that the healthcare cost remains affordable.”
“Madam Nadesan stays with her son and is well taken care of. But what the PG Ambassadors realised during their visit is that she suffers from frequent falls. So, they followed up with a home fall risk assessment, got a ramp fixed under the HDB's Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE) programme and got her on board the Disability Assistance Scheme. Many people are unaware of the schemes available to them. There are many, and some are complex. House visits by PG Ambassadors really help to raise awareness and dispel some of their worries. So, CNS closes gaps and works closely with the local community to help residents. There is a whole network of agencies from the Red Cross, St Andrews Community Hospital, Singhealth, Lion Befrienders, HPB, RCs and so on supporting this. Passionate individuals also play a role. Jacelyn, aged 60, is passionate about line dancing and conducts free weekly classes in Tampines for about 60 residents. There are many individuals out there who care about the community. Let us tap on them, encourage them, motivate them. CNS is working well, and I read that it will be expanded to more areas soon. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in my maiden speech in Parliament, I spoke about the importance of intergeneration bonding and how it was important for the elderly and the young to have more opportunities to interact. I also suggested building eldercare and childcare centres in our parks and schools then. I drew from our positive experience in our 3-in-1 Family Centre in Tampines which was set up in 1990, incorporating childcare, student care and eldercare. A couple of years ago, I learnt that there will be a new nursing home on Tampines Avenue 2 that is situated next to Angsana Primary School.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Motion. This is a topic that is especially close to my heart. I have spoken on this several times. In my first General Election rally speech, I spoke about active ageing and what it meant for me personally and for my constituents. I shared how I was inspired by my grandmother and my wish for our elderly to lead fulfilling lives after they retire, to carry on with pride and dignity. This is a primary driver for many of the programmes that I introduce for my residents in Tampines. During the debate on Budget 2016, I expressed my hope to see seniors who are not on the PG package to be visited by the PG Ambassadors, too, so that they are more aware of the programmes and help available to them. I was, therefore, heartened when Minister Heng announced the Community Network for Seniors. Its stated mission is to build active networks amongst the elderly, to actively engage the community and provide them with a path to seek help in times of need. I am glad that Tampines is selected to pilot the programme. Today, we have over 26 RCs with weekly wellness programmes, from healthy cooking to exercise classes and health talks, with an average of 650 elderly attending the sessions. Some told me they have made new friends and are enjoying their retirement. Others said they have got stronger. One Mr K, 82 years old, is less reliant on the wheelchair and uses his walking stick to come for classes. Under the Community Network for Seniors (CNS), there is also Eastern Health Alliance’s Care Line Programme. This is a tele-befriending service targeting the elderly who stay alone or require a befriender. But it is not just about isolated seniors. Many of our seniors live with their children or near them.”
“I would like to ask the Minister this: the Court of Appeal noted that the review of the law is long overdue. Why did the Government not amend the law earlier?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Minister highlighted the work of individuals and agencies behind the scenes. I would like to acknowledge their efforts and that of MOT, LTA in enhancing commuters' experience. My clarifications are: on these deep-seated cultural issues within SMRT, can the Minister shed some light on the rough make-up of the 10%? For a large workforce, 10% is a large number; it is not a small number. Are there also some in management? As the Minister mentioned, the culture and tone are set by management. On increasing the frequency of maintenance from quarterly to monthly, it was mentioned in the press conference that the crew has problems getting access to the tracks because of other maintenance. So, by increasing frequency, would other works be compromised? During the media conference, SMRT had also mentioned that they will be using technology and CCTV to monitor the sump pump area in future. The cause of the sump pump failure is because of no maintenance and not because of lack of frequency. As mentioned, the heavy rainfall would have only filled 30% of the reservoir that day. So, increasing the frequency, is that the way forward? After the new revelation last week on the falsified maintenance records, would the Ministry review its earlier recommendation of not fining SMRT? How would this also impact the incentive and disincentive framework that is part of the Thomson-East Coast Line contract? SMRT management has also accepted full responsibility over this sad episode. Can the Minister provide some clarity to this statement as well? My last clarification is on the faulty pumps found in the other four stations. Is the training provided for the crew sufficient for them to meet their job duties?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State. I have just one supplementary question. In view of the prevalence of family planning, will the Ministry once again consider allowing egg freezing for young healthy women with no medical needs? Singapore is a premier healthcare service provider in the region and countries like the United States, Australia, Thailand and Malaysia allow this. So, I hope that our health policy can reflect the changing trends and allow this with proper counselling.”
“Just wanted to check, would there be any measures that might be taken for the upcoming Presidential Election? I understand that there would be more education on fake news, but what really can we do more to educate Singaporeans to be more vigilant to recognise fake news, but what really can we do more to educate Singaporeans to be more vigilant to recognise fake news?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State. I have some questions. For design-and-build tenders, I know a good track record is important, but how do we evaluate the technical competency of the project site team and the contractors, such as the one involved in the erection of the working platform and temporary works? There were also reports of 11 cracks that were discovered after the incident. Can the Senior Minister of State share the investigations that are still ongoing? The third question is whether there is a process in place to brief the site team for the temporary work, such as the loading, the PE design and the risk assessment for it.”
“" Madam, like this young man, many others ended their notes promising that they will carry on his legacy; they will build a stronger nation, one that he will be proud of. That is why we need 38 Oxley Road to remind future generations of what he and his team have gone through, and to inspire them to write the next chapter of our Singapore Story. I believe if Mr Lee Kuan Yew were to leave a will for Singapore, his wish would be for our Singapore Story to continue, strong and vibrant, for many generations to come. 2.05 pm”
“Is there any chance for reconciliation? I really hope that this sitting can clear Singaporeans' doubt and restore confidence and they can move on to more pressing national issues. Mdm Speaker, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The subject of 38 Oxley Road is causing discord in our society. Many elderly residents told me that they hoped we could fulfil the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew's wish and demolish the house. However, we all know that the biggest wish of Mr Lee was Singapore's prosperity. Thirty-eight Oxley Road has witnessed many historical moments of Singapore. The house has accompanied Mr Lee and the Singapore society through that turbulent era. Hence, 38 Oxley Road may well represent a spirit which should be passed down to the future generations. It represents the unwavering spirit and perseverance of the Singapore society. I hope we can think it through and do not rush to demolish the house. Instead, we should first discuss this matter calmly and reach a conclusion afterwards. After all, once the house is demolished, it can never be reversed. (In English): Mdm Speaker, in March 2015, when news broke of Mr Lee Kuan Yew's passing, the nation reacted. Many of us cried. I was manning the Tampines tribute site. I saw tens of thousands of people queuing to pay their last respects. They left cards and notes. Allow me to read one of the notes I came across from a young Singaporean: "Dear Sir, thank you so much for dedicating your life to building this nation. Without you, there wouldn't be a generation of youths like us, and our aspirations to continue bringing our nation to greater progress. As youths, we will do you proud and not let you down. Thank you, Sir, you've been an inspiration and will continue doing so. Rest in peace.”
“I respectfully suggest to the Government that 38 Oxley Road be preserved to remind us of our Founding Father and what he stood for. I know there are some who favour demolishing the house, to honour and respect Mr Lee's last wish in his will. May I ask the Deputy Prime Minister, who is chairing the Ministerial Committee, since demolition of the house is irreversible, since there are different views about how we should proceed, since no action will be taken while the house is being occupied by Dr Lee Wei Ling and since there are so many raw emotions involved, would the Ministerial Committee take into account current sentiments, engage the public widely and take their time to study all possible options before putting up a recommendation paper for a future government to consider? Let us take time to decide. Let time heal the wounds. Mdm Speaker, my residents and I are also deeply concerned about the allegations of abuse of power by our Prime Minister and his team. Successive generations of leaders have worked so hard to establish our reputation as a country which upholds the rule of law. Mr Lee Kuan Yew himself set the example. I am one of those who were inspired by him to be a grassroots volunteer and later to join politics. I do not fully agree with all Government policies but I believe this is a good Government led by honest leaders and I want to help win as much support as I can. So, the allegations of abuse of power are damaging people's trust and have to be answered fully. Like other Members, I want to ask the Prime Minister why did he offer to transfer the house to his sister for $1 and why did he sell it to his brother at full value? Did he deceive his father? And if the late Mr Lee believed that the house was gazetted, what is going to happen next?”
“Mdm Speaker, what happened over the last two weeks has shaken, confused and divided us. It was not so long ago that we celebrated SG50, a landmark year for our young nation. That year, we also witnessed the passing of our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. To say that Mr Lee Kuan Yew played an important role in building Singapore is an understatement. Together with his outstanding team, including Dr Goh Keng Swee, Dr Toh Chin Chye and Mrs Rajaratnam, he laid the foundation for modern Singapore. He gave us values that would make Singapore strong and robust ─ values like taking a long-term view and putting national interest before self-interest, like honesty and integrity, and, most importantly, upholding the rule of law. He encouraged us to know our past, our humble beginnings and how we got here. He led by example, living simply and frugally at 38 Oxley Road. Therefore, the future of 38 Oxley Road, the home of our founding Prime Minister, and the centre of the current dispute between our Prime Minister and his siblings, is not a private matter but one which is of major public interest. Mdm Speaker, the home I am residing in was the first house bought for my grandmother in 1972 after they moved out from the kampong. I chose to stay at this house as it holds precious memories and also reminds me of my grandmother's values and struggles in life. It holds meaning for me. But only for me. Thirty-eight Oxley Road is not just the house of our founding Prime Minister but also the place where our Pioneer leaders planned the founding of the PAP, Singapore's Independence, fought key general elections and so on. Part of the Singapore story was written there. It is a part of Singapore's history. It has meaning for all Singaporeans – past, present and future.”
“Could the Ministry share the plans to handle waste in future?”
“Madam, Singapore generates 140 kg of food waste per person each year but combustion of food waste is inefficient. At Our Tampines Hub, we have an Eco-digester Centre. Every month, the hub generates about 10 tonnes of food waste. From this, we are able to derive approximately 100 kg of fertilizer, 1,000 litres of non-portable water and 600 litres of liquid nutrients. The water is used for general cleaning of the Eco-digester centre and the nutrients are used for landscapes in our hub. In 2016, the Ministry announced its plans for a district-level food waste recycling pilot. Could the Ministry give an update on its plans to promote food waste recycling on a larger scale? And will we involve more children in these programmes to raise their awareness of food wastage? Improving Recycling The domestic recycling rates in Singapore have stagnated at around 19% to 20% for many years and our contamination rate is high. This is possibly because the rubbish chutes in our housing estates are so convenient. What is the plan to tackle this problem going forward and how can we encourage more people to recycle? Waste Management There is much potential to improve waste collection in Singapore. I frequently see cleaners manually moving garbage from the chutes to the bin centre. Sometimes, we get complaints from residents about the smell and the pests when these activities are not properly carried out. What is the Ministry's plan to improve waste collection? As Singapore becomes more affluent and as our population grows, we also generate more waste. Furthermore, waste is getting more complex to process, and many residents replace household electronic items that come in different packaging. How can we educate the public on better ways of disposal?”
“Madam, the water price increase is applied across-the-board to all households and businesses. However, industries that use large amounts of water, such as food, paper and chemicals, may be more adversely affected. As water is a basic cost for these industries, this cost may then be transferred to consumers. Can the Ministry consider a "Tiered Pricing System" to help those industries which are more reliant on water? Fair and Equitable Water Pricing”
“Madam, Malaysia's Port of Tanjung Pelapas and Port Klang are of lower cost, compared to our port. In addition, a new Malacca harbour, the Melaka Gateway, is being developed. What will be the impact of these ports on our sea hub status? Would the Ministry also share an update on how we can strengthen Singapore's competitiveness as an air and sea hub? How will the Industry Transformation Maps for Air Transport and Sea Transport help Singapore to stay ahead, and when will these ITMs be launched? China, India and Indonesia are three of the five fastest-growing markets in terms of additional passengers. How are we tapping into the growth of these markets? Aviation Hub”
“In Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mdm Chairman, the high number of unhired taxis and rental cars is worrying. Currently, more than 1,700 taxis are sitting idle. To compete, taxi operators are introducing the dynamic pricing model. What is the way forward to balance traditional taxis and new market players? Today, we have two pilot programmes for driverless vehicles running. Widespread deployment of self-driving vehicles is expected in 10 to 15 years. Can the Ministry elaborate on our future plans for driverless cars and buses? What kind of future is there for today's drivers? Driverless Technology”
“Sir, in recent years, our 117 coastal fish farms in the Southern waters, east and west Johor Straits have had to deal with an increasing number of oil spills and harmful algae blooms. What measures have been implemented to prevent their reoccurrence and assist these farms? What have been the long- and short-term impact on our coastal seawater, beaches and marine life due to these spills? What measures can we take to mitigate the impact of global warming on our marine life? 6.45 pm Landscape Architecture Industry”
“I would like to propose a SkillsFuture Mommy Award to be made available to women while they are on maternity leave. The award would be valid for one year, which should coincide with the no-pay leave period during the baby's first year, an idea mooted by the Government last year and is currently being explored. This award will encourage mothers to take up training that may help them remain relevant to their industries, keep their skills sharp and make re-entry into the workforce a little less challenging. Retraining and Professional Education”
“Forty-two percent of our labour force aged 15 to 64 attended training over the year ending June 2016, a record high, compared to 35% the previous year. It is clear they were aware of the need to retrain and upgrade themselves. What is worrying is that the increase was driven by professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs). However, it is even more urgent for the lower-skilled workers to upskill and retrain. I am very concerned about those whose jobs will likely be eliminated due to technological advances, such as drivers, receptionists, telemarketers and waiters. How does the Ministry reach out to these groups of Singaporeans? How do MOE and SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) ensure the provision of high-quality SkillsFuture courses that are relevant to market needs and help individuals make informed decisions on training and careers? SkillsFuture Mommy Awards Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong (Non-Constituency Member): Madam, Singapore's total fertility rate has hovered around 1.2 to 1.3 for some time. We are struggling to reach the 1.4 to 1.5 mark that Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean set as the target back in 2013 when launching the Marriage and Parenthood package. An oft-cited reason given by young women for putting off having children is that they are concerned that parenthood may permanently derail their careers. This is not an unjustified concern. Women tend to find it more difficult to re-enter the workforce after having children. Now, with the constant stress to upgrade one's skills so as to remain competitive and stay relevant, more pressure is placed upon women who question if they can afford to take time off and still be able to keep up with their peers when they return.”
“Chairman, the Committee on the Future Economy (CFE) suggested that in our next phase of internationalisation, Singaporeans need to spend more time in regional markets to understand them at a deeper level. It urged the Government to "ease the concerns of Singaporean parents over their children's education while taking on overseas assignments". Hence, I would like to ask MOE to consider setting up more Singapore International Schools (SIS) overseas, especially in cities where there are significant Singaporean communities. At the moment, the only overseas school run by MOE is in Hong Kong. It has an excellent reputation and attracts non-Singaporean parents as well, who are drawn to our academic formula, and these schools also provide chances for our teachers to gain overseas exposure. NurtureSG The education system in Singapore has been focusing on academic grades, sports and the arts. Due to affluence, we understand that dietary habits have become a problem for young children. Will the Ministry share with the House the progress of NurtureSG in inculcating healthy behaviours in our young? What kind of skills are they taught and how is the Ministry working with parents, caregivers, schools and community institutions to create a conducive environment for them to embrace healthy dietary habits and lifestyles? School Attendance of Neglected Children”
“Mdm Chairman, one of the challenges faced by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is finding local talent. It is common knowledge that companies need high-quality staff to extend their businesses. Many SMEs want to employ local talents, but some locals prefer to work for multinational corporations (MNCs), whether for prestige or better human resource (HR) benefits. I would like to propose two ways to help our SMEs. Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) and trade associations and chambers (TACs) have to work closely together to meet market needs. For example, many locals stay away from construction-related work. However, there are areas that pay well and need local talent. For example, quantity surveyors (QSs) with three or more years of experience earn from $3,000 to $6,000. But our polytechnics no longer conduct QS courses. The Building and Construction Authority (BCA) conducts QS diploma courses with few local takers. One, can our Institutes of Technical Education (ITEs) fill this gap? Enhancing the skills and expertise of our local talent will allow us to rely on a larger and more stable workforce, compared to a foreign, transient workforce. Two, can we also help with the marketing of SMEs by sectors, such as furniture, food and construction industries? Help them with the brand imaging to make the industries more appealing. Poster boys and girls, inspirational stories, pride and mastery of skills, passion in doing a meaningful job − all these can help to build up the image of our important industries like construction and tourism. Workforce Competitiveness”
“However, this may not help the smaller companies. Let me explain why. CRS is further divided into seven major categories − Construction (CW), Maintenance (MW), Supply (SY) and so on. In total, there are 63 workheads, and each of them has their own special requirements. Smaller construction companies may find it difficult to find the right heads, let alone fulfil the strict requirements. As a result, many construction companies have resorted to collaborating with one another to make use of their professional certificates to tender for projects. This may sound like a joint venture, but it is not. Borrowing of certificates drives up costs and compromises the intended objectives of CRS. This is just one aspect. There are many regulations from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), JTC, the Urban Redevelopment Authority (URA), BCA, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the National Environment Agency that the business owner must try to understand and comply with. For the large companies, they have the infrastructure and the capital. However, for smaller companies, the multitude of regulations take capital and energy away from innovation. I am not suggesting that we do away with regulations but they are there for a purpose. But surely, there must be cost efficiencies if we scrutinise and optimise the myriad of regulations that is imposed by agencies today. I would, therefore, like to propose that we initiate a study to identify and consolidate regulations while ensuring that we continue to protect and guard the interests and safety of the public. In doing so, we could lower the compliance costs for some SMEs. Business Space and Rental”
“Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) today are faced with a number of cost pressures, from the water price increase, diesel tax increase, annual JTC land rent adjustments and so on. Today, I would like to focus on the cost of regulations. An SME owner Mr Ong told me this story. One day, as he drove past some roadworks, he saw two men digging a pit, two men supervising, one with a blue helmet, another with a white helmet. A guy sitting on the excavator waiting to start work, with a signalman and a rigger man on standby for the excavator to start digging, plus two signalmen to direct traffic. Nine men in total to dig a hole. He asked if this was productive. I explained that this work process seemed to comply with the Building and Construction Authority's (BCA's) requirements. I am sure some of us have heard construction company owners speaking of their frustrations keeping up with regulations, mandatory training for their workforce, shortage of labour quota and so on. I am not so familiar with the construction industry. So, I did a check on some of the compliance requirements. Please bear with me as I run through some of them. Under the Contractors' Registration System (CRS), there are seven major groups of registration heads, namely, Construction Workheads (CW), Construction-Related Workheads (CR), Mechanical and Electrical (ME), Maintenance (MW), Trade (TR), Supply (SY) and Regulatory (RW). Contractors and subcontractors only need to register in CRS if they wish to participate in public works and tenders. During this economic slowdown, many companies do rely on Government jobs. I am sure the Minister of State's announcement that the Government will bring forward $700 million of infrastructure works in the next two years will be welcomed by the construction industry.”
“Sir, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development was adopted by the United Nations in 2015 to replace the Millennium Development Goals. It charts out 17 Sustainable Development Goals that provide a framework for countries to address global issues, such as poverty, gender equality, climate change and sustainable development, among others. While the Goals are aspirational in nature and not legally binding, achieving these goals is no small feat and will require all countries to work together, including Singapore. As a small country with limited land and resources, we understand first-hand both the imperative and the challenges of sustainable development. What we are able to achieve on our own is limited in the grand scheme of things, as the outcome of global climate change will hinge on decisions taken by all countries, especially the major economies. Nonetheless, as an active and responsible member of the international community, it is important that we play a constructive role to help forge a global consensus and to contribute in small but meaningful ways. In this regard, how is Singapore cooperating with other countries and international agencies to tackle global issues, such as sustainable development and climate change? Relations with Emerging Markets”
“The HDB tab, loan details and application status. The MOH tab could possibly become a platform for Singaporeans to access their critical health records and medical history. And we could even monitor our health with this app. Our recent SG Secure app's key functions can also be syncronised with this main app and key crucial notifications can be pushed out to all users in the event of an emergency or MFA travel alerts. Mdm Chairman, Singapore's transition to a Smart Nation will help us maintain our competitive edge and be an attractive location for businesses and talents. But also important is the real productivity and convenience it brings to our lives. After all, one key goal of the Smart Nation is to enhance the lives of our citizens. The Prime Minister also mentioned the possibility of a National Identity system at the Camp Sequoia dialogue last month. Can the Ministry share with us if this plan is already in the pipeline and what we can expect in the near future with regard to this system?”
“Mdm Chairman, Prime Minister Lee launched our Smart Nation initiative in 2014. Since then, we have been investing in infrastructure and implemented policies to build a supportive ecosystem and develop capabilities to ride upon the digital revolution. However, there are two specific areas where I feel we can do more to enhance the experience of our people. First, our many smart cards. Thirty years ago, we started cashless transactions with NETS. Today, it can get quite complex and troublesome: take a bus or train, use the EZ-Link card; go through the ERP, insert the Cashcard; pay for lunch, wave your credit card. And sometimes, we get stuck in the carpark because the car in front cannot clear the gantry due to incompatible card. Of course, consumers have more options for payment methods. But does it really mean more convenience? Would it be possible for us to streamline these? Can the Government take the lead to do so? Second, mobile apps. A quick look on the App Store shows mobile applications available for download by HDB, OneService, LTA, CPF, NEA, SG-Secure and not forgetting our Singapore Parliament app. 3.30 pm How much money have our Ministries spent to develop and market these apps and what is the actual monthly usage of them? Is it practical and convenient for people to have to download so many apps to access different key functions offered by the Government? Would it be more useful if we have one single main app that allows Singaporeans to retrieve key information from various Government agencies? We can log in to this app using our SingPass and -factor authentication (2FA) and there will be various tabs for different Ministries and agencies. For example, the CPF tab could feature the member's account information and transaction history.”
“May I, therefore, suggest that the Government look into the following: one, have more checks in place to control healthcare cost inflation. I understand there is no straightforward and easy solution. Perhaps MOH and the Singapore Medical Council can study and regulate doctors' fees and hospital charges. Two, educate patients on healthcare options so that they can be more discerning in their choices. Three, improve hospital productivity. During last year's Budget Debate, I spoke about coordinated care. We should streamline some of this care from hospitals to primary care for more efficiency and effectiveness. Our family doctors can play a greater role in the long-term care of the patient. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I hope we spare no efforts in ensuring that our healthcare system remains truly affordable for Singaporeans, especially when our people are ageing rapidly. With that, I support the Budget.”
“He went for the second option − surgery. The bill came up to $24,000. He paid nothing because he had an IP rider. Another spoke of his father's cataract day surgery for one eye. He showed me the bill. The Ministry of Health (MOH) website shows that the 75th percentile bill size in private hospital for this surgery is between $4,000 and $9,000. His bill was $27,000. I verified with two other eye specialists and they commented that, from the bill, it looks like a standard cataract surgery. I am afraid some people might wonder if doctors are charging more because the insurance companies are footing the bill and not the patients. With IP riders and patients paying next to zero dollars, the patients are less likely to scrutinise their bills as thoroughly and this is not helpful. I do not doubt that doctors are specialists in their field and do offer the best medical advice. My point here is not to question their competence. It is also not a bad thing if wider and more comprehensive health insurance means patients could have more treatment options. What worries me is that additional treatment options are sometimes made available to the patients not because they are essential but because the patients are now able to afford them, thanks to their insurance coverage. If this happens on a large scale, will this over-burden our healthcare system and infrastructure and increase costs? Over-consumption and increased medical cost will definitely lead to an increase in insurance premiums. Another concern will be, will this result in a widening of disparity between private and public hospital bills? If so, this disparity might cause more people to shift to public hospitals, leading to overcrowding and longer waits.”
“He and his siblings are all below 30 years old and starting out in their careers. It would have been difficult for them if they had to pay the full bill. His mother is now well and resting back at home. Our 3M and PG Package have done well in helping families reduce their anxiety over medical bills. So, why are my residents so concerned about healthcare costs? Are our medical fees truly unaffordable? According to a study, global medical inflation in 2015 was 10% but, in Singapore, it was 15%. I believe there are several reasons why healthcare costs are escalating. One is the moral hazard of health insurance. My concern is whether more comprehensive insurance coverage might lead to over-consumption of healthcare. Are patients tempted to use more resources than they otherwise would have, because they think someone else is paying the bill? MediShield Life, which currently covers all Singaporeans, has a deductible and co-insurance portion. In recent years, more Singaporeans are enhancing their coverage with Integrated Shield Plans (IPs) for additional private insurance. Riders are available to cover both the deductible and co-insurance portion. Here comes a potential problem: are Singaporeans with better IP coverage more likely to spend substantially more and consume more healthcare than those who merely have basic MediShield coverage? Let me give Members two examples. A resident in his 40s recently hurt his knee while playing soccer. He was sent for a magnetic resonance imaging scan at a reputable private hospital. The scan revealed a Grade 1 sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament. He was given two options by the doctor. One was to undergo physiotherapy. Two, he could go for a relatively quick minor keyhole surgery with a night's stay in an A-class ward.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I welcome and support the Budget. Our nation is at a critical transition point. We must seize the opportunities brought about by the disruptive technologies erupting all around us or risk being irrelevant. We must help our local companies, including our SMEs, survive and grow. The plans outlined in the Budget will go some way, but companies must also help themselves. Our schools, companies and people have to be ready for change. Lifelong learning and training will be an integral part of our lives. Over the last two days, my colleagues have touched on these topics, so I will not go there. But I want to talk about something that is equally important from the medium to long term, something which bothers me and my residents and, that is, the issue of healthcare. Our healthcare services in the public and private sectors are lauded around the world as progressive, high quality yet cost-effective. Our unique MediSave, MediShield and MediFund (3M) system and Pioneer Generation (PG) Package have served us well. Many more have benefited as the enhanced MediShield Life now covers everyone, regardless of age and health status. During house visits, my residents would chat about many things and one recurring topic is their worries about becoming a burden to their loved ones, especially when it comes to medical bills. Allow me to share some stories. Last year, Mr Tok's mother was hospitalised for two separate brain tumour surgeries at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. She was hospitalised for 58 days and her medical bill was about $102,000. She stayed in a B2 ward and, after Government subsidies, MediShield Life and MediSave deductions, his family's cash outlay was zero. He is very grateful to the Government and the system.”
“More worrying, it could give rise to the electorate being misled by candidates who make promises that are not within the constitutional authority of the President. Second, I suggest that the Government strengthen the rules governing how Presidential election campaigns are conducted. The last Presidential election in 2011 showed us that it is necessary to prevent misinformation concerning the proper role of the President and the function of the office. It is dangerous for Presidential candidates to make promises or even take positions that are incompatible with the office of the President. This would create expectations that, once elected, the promises would be fulfilled whereas, in fact, it is not constitutionally permitted. Mdm Speaker, yesterday, Members of the WP said that they would be elaborating on their proposal on having an eight-member Senate. Today, after hearing them for the entire day, we have yet to hear any details from them. This is a major proposal to have a second House in our country. I hope that Members can have more details on their proposal. Mdm Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“If we agree that the President is a symbol of unity and the personification of the state, then the proposed amendment to ensure minority representation in the Presidency is a timely and long overdue move that I strongly support. Mdm Speaker, even as this proposed amendment is an important and necessary step in ensuring that all racial groups are represented in the Presidency, I hope that one day, this mechanism will no longer be needed, that from time to time, representatives from different races will be voted into office. When that happens, the need for "reserved elections" will no longer be needed. But until that day comes, I support the move to put in the safeguard mechanism. Mdm Speaker, many Members in this Chamber have spoken about other amendments to strengthen the eligibility criteria for Presidential candidates. If we agree that our Elected President must have the necessary qualifications, experience and knowledge to exercise his or her responsibilities effectively, then there should be no dispute that the eligibility criteria for all Presidential candidates must be updated from time to time to reflect our current economic context. Finally, I would like to make two suggestions. First, I suggest that the Government conduct more public education on the Elected Presidency. As noted in the Constitutional Commission report, "only 42% of the respondents were able to correctly identify the proper ambit of the President's role". This is perhaps not surprising, considering that a voter who voted in the first Presidential Election in 1993 only had the chance to elect a President again in 2011. During this 18-year gap, he could have voted in five GEs. I believe this could have contributed to the lack of awareness of the Elected Presidency system.”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise to support the proposed amendments to the Elected Presidency Bill. It has been an intense three days of debate. Members have discussed in detail amendments to this Bill. Of all the proposed amendments, I feel that the most important is ensuring minority representation in the Presidency. Multiracialism is our defining value. It is at the core of our existence. We chose independence in 1965 because we chose to be a multiracial society, where all races feel that we are a part of this country. Since then, our policies, such as our education and housing policies, have always been guided by this key principle. We are Malay Singaporeans, Chinese Singaporeans, Indian Singaporeans but, most importantly, we are all Singaporeans. It is easy to take the unique situation we have today for granted. But we must all constantly remind ourselves that this peace and harmony that we enjoy did not come by chance. This is something we should treasure and we should do everything we can to preserve this core value. Mdm Speaker, the importance of having minority representation in the Presidency may have been overlooked since much focus has been placed on the President's custodial and protective functions. The Elected President is our Head of State. He is also the symbol of the unity of our country and the personification of our multiracial state. As such, it is important that he represents all races and his office is also an office for all races. Our last Malay President was our first President, Mr Yusof Ishak who held this highest office from 1965 to 1970. In other words, it has been 46 years since we last had a President from the Malay race. It is a long time, considering that our nation celebrated its 50th birthday last year.”
“I thank the Minister. My supplementary question is: will the Ministry also check the buildings built by the same contractor and of similar age? And considering that the dislodged structure could weigh up to one tonne, are there insurance policies in place for public liability, hospitalisation and other compensation?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. I would like to know what the costs and benefits of using the alternative materials are, since cost was mentioned, and when is the Ministry targeting for hawkers to be using the alternatives?”
“Yes, plans for the existing Adventure Camp Sites.”
“I had asked about the $250 million cost for OBS. Can the Ministry provide a breakdown of the costs? What are the plans for the existing OBS and Adventure Camp Sites? Finally, in view of the rare flora and fauna that are found on Coney Island, will we be conducting an Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)?”