Cheryl Chan Wei Ling
Singapore
“I note that Singapore has been pursing discussions with multiple countries over the past few years, regarding these cooperation activities. Will the Government be able to provide an update on the status of these cross-border discussions and whether they are progressing as expected, and aligned with our infrastructure plans and timelines?”
“Speaker, I have one supplementary question for the Minister of State. I want to ask the Minister of State, given the fact that we do this environmental impact study, will there be a study that will be conducted for every single oil spill and, if so, how long would the monitoring period be?”
“Speaker, I have a supplementary question for the Senior Minister of State. As we go for more resource- and energy-efficient models of agri-tech production, would the Ministry consider taking a more active stand, beyond just grants, to look at areas of R&D, scaling and commercialisation?”
“Speaker, I have a supplementary question for the Minister. I agree with the Minister that these software systems are relatively complex and, generally, you do not just have a single supplier supplying to the overall system.”
“I have got a supplementary question for the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. From now till when the official regulation is in place is still some time away. For home owners, they would not have a means to be able to detect formaldehyde levels because they would not know.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have one supplementary question for the Senior Minister of State. I recognise the challenges and headwinds that the Senior Minister of State has mentioned, but the reality is beyond just capability building and the grants that are given.”
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“From re-purposing rooftop of multi-storey carparks, urban farming buildings to agri-farm cluster, there are certainly ways to raise awareness about our security needs and integrate investments. We should do more to encourage Singaporeans and local companies to be a part of this effort. Besides companies, I believe that more can be done on an individual level. We can actually begin by changing our habits and focusing on reduction of energy usage, increase the amount of conservation and upcycling. NParks's "Gardening with Edibles" initiative during this circuit breaker was well-received, with many still continuing this labour of love for plants and edibles at their home or in the community. How can we encourage more residents and enthusiasts to sustain this interest and be part of the green efforts in the community? Can this attract the younger generation to a new green economy of smart farming. Let us take a leaf from other countries like in South Korea where the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs is launching a US$36 million project to research, develop and demonstrate smart farm technologies and the next-generation core and convergence techs. I am hopeful that we too can encourage the next generation to sustain and manage the farming industry in Singapore. Singapore Green Plan Much has been outlined on a national level for the Singapore Green Plan 2030. The Green Plan is built upon five key pillars, but it encompasses many aspects of sustainability that we wish to frame our policy and actions upon. I would like to highlight three aspects – jobs in the green economy, accounting framework for green financing and ground-up initiatives and collaboration with the Government. First a roadmap on job creation for the green economy.”
“Let us take an example – the Marco Polo Tower in Hamburg. Each floor of the apartment building is sent a few degrees away from the one below, around an axis, which allows for recessed facades that protect residents from direct sun and negates the need for heavy usage of air conditioning. Another notable green feature of this development is the inclusion of heat exchanger on the roof that turns warm air into a cooling system and natural ventilation that implies residents can sleep soundly without being disrupted by external noise. Another example is the Shanghai Tower – the world's second tallest building. It is also architecturally sustainable in design. There is a transparent second skin wrapped around the building creating a buffer of captured air that serves as natural ventilation, thus reducing energy costs. Two hundred and seventy wind turbines are also incorporated into the facade to power its exterior lights. Thanks to measures like these, the tower uses significantly less power than other skyscrapers and has a platinum LEED certification. Will the Ministry legislate the requirement for future public or private developments to align with certain sustainability guidelines in the design process? At Committee of Supply 2020, it was announced that various stakeholders will be invited to co-create the next edition of Green Building Masterplan. Can the Ministry provide an update on this? As we move towards sustainability, there is also a need to ensure our food supply security. This means we need to integrate creative ways of farming in our urban landscape to address the food demand under land scarcity condition.”
“Madam, climate change is an existential challenge to Singapore. To ensure that urban infrastructures are more climate-resilient, it is imperative to adopt the use of existing climate change information and resources for urban planning. An example is the Department of Transportation in Toronto, where they take reference on historical rainfall data to forecast peak discharge flows from two of their local basins that had recently experienced severe flooding affecting several highways. By adopting climate forecasting and re-modelling of the streamflow, they can estimate future flooding using projected climate data for the region. These revised forecasts were then compared to asset inventory, allowing analysis of all transportation infrastructure. This enabled the Department to identify at-risk roads, bridges and other infrastructure and include design elements to reduce their vulnerability to future flooding. The same applies to our infrastructure for goal towards electrification of vehicles. The conversion rate is highly dependent on public education, access to charging infrastructure, comparable cost and more choices of alternative vehicles. There is also need for stronger public-private partnership to establish the full infrastructures on an expedited basis. Recently, the Government shared that our sustainability measures will include nature-based solutions. Can I ask what are these solutions and how will we support research and development in this area? Sustainable Urban Designs For building designs with lower carbon emissions and for sustainable maintenance, we should incorporate innovative design solutions. In Singapore’s tropical weather, the strong rain, wind and sun will have an impact on HDB flats and commercial buildings.”
“Mdm Chairman, may I have your permission to take all three cuts together?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have this question for the Minister for National Development. I would like to ask if Minister can share from an urban planning perspective. Have there been plots of land that was earmarked earlier for industrial or housing development, that is under the masterplan, and was actually traded off in the interest of nature and also environmental protection over the years.”
“Beyond engaging the private sector through the engagement with the Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP), could we have more engagement sessions with the private sector on a jobseeker level? Additionally, as we make the pivot towards a more sustainable focused economy, what would the future green jobs be like? I call that we work closer and define these in the new economy, and better harness the synergy between the public and the private sectors to reimagine how the future of job is like. With the push for businesses and workers to internationalise, the question is "how" for such emerging opportunities. All in all, with greater geopolitical tensions and heightened competition for foreign investments, the perennial question would be how then do we allocate funds optimally given shrinking revenues and increasing costs? There would always be infinite needs and finite resources. It is time that we ask ourselves, how can we do better with this dollar being spent? Solutions need not always to be monetary and grandiose in nature, simpler solutions like creating and enhancing the quality of local and community networks could just be what we need. What is important is for all of us to come together with a "can-do attitude". As a nation, beyond the immediate handouts that many look forward to in the release of Budgets, it is critical that we view the Budget with a lens of strategic importance – preserving our national strategic interests and standing and ensuring that with immediate problems being addressed, it does not come at the cost of future generations and our future relevancy. Mr Speaker, I stand in support of the Budget.”
“Make no mistake that Singaporeans are generous and many of the wealthy are already donating, with some even choosing to do so in their private capacity and keeping this private. These donations are lauded and well appreciated. However, what I am appealing for is a more consolidated effort in philanthropic activities, leveraging on National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre, to act as a better and more sustainable supplement to Government policies. And the second area: stretching our investment dollar. In my previous Budget speeches, I had expounded on the need in measuring investment outcomes beyond just monetary value and instead focus on building a social eco-system for more sustainable and long-lasting positive outcomes. I am heartened that in this Budget, with this industry transformation, more emphasis is being placed on connectivity and value creation – focusing on how local companies can grow and with the creation of partners to build new growing segments of future industry. It will greatly help to bring about a value chain within the industry that can expand beyond our shores. With the extension of SGUnited Jobs and Skills Package, as well as other investments for business transformation and the pivot towards a green economy, how can we better ensure that these investments ultimately create positive spillovers for the economy beyond the basis that it is a wage subsidy? The Straits Times recently reported that, understandably so, fewer new graduates landed full-time jobs last year with MOM looking at ways to link up unemployed fresh graduates with opportunities. Could the private sector be better tapped on for suitable matching of jobs?”
“This is above and beyond the impending loom and anxieties on the uncertainties ahead on where they would live next. Their property does not fetch much value with limited lease and downsizing to public property will also cost them almost just as much as the net sales proceeds if they are able to sell the asset now. While I understand the rationale of having a viable economy and healthy employment rate that supports a broad segment of society, but what happens to those who fall through the cracks and are unable to monetise their assets during crisis due to the policies that are in place, health conditions and family complications. Thus, with these considerations in mind, I would like to ask if the Government can rethink how annual values of properties should be assessed as a criterion, if the applicants actually fulfill all other criteria for each of the benefit schemes. Also, the need for annual property value criteria under means-testing to be differently considered in times of crisis, for example the pandemic. Can the Ministry consider providing support on essentials related to utilities and transport vouchers for this particular group as most are no longer working or have no private transportation means. With finite state resources and funds, the continuation of tax rebates to encourage charity donations is a step in the right direction. Beyond these charity donations, could we explore the development of philanthropic activities in Singapore to plug these gaps, for those that fall through the cracks? Perhaps more engagement with the wealthy naturalised Singaporeans alongside being involved with the community activities of Singapore could also help to ease and connect them to the community.”
“Others who wish to volunteer and contribute through ground-up initiatives, can do so without unnecessarily being incumbered by regulatory frameworks. A recent example is that of a Ghim Moh resident, Ms Looi, who set up a community library for children at the lift landing in front of her HDB flat. It not only highlights the value of kindness and giving, but also strengthens neighbourliness and instill the love for reading at a young age. Such is the society we hope to build. One that gives and one that cares by supporting one another within the community. Another select group of individuals I wish to highlight that requires our help – the elderly who are "asset-rich", cash poor. Traditional thinking conjures up the notion that these elderlies can easily liquidate their existing homes to unlock the cash for retirement needs. However, things are unfortunately not so straightforward. Sociologists have also shared that getting the elderly to uproot and move to an unfamiliar environment can be a traumatising experience for some. In my own constituency, I have some elderly residents living in Chempaka Kuning area whose land lease expires in 2034, just 13 years from now. Some of them live with their spouse, some singles and others living only with support of a domestic helper. Many have shared with me that some inherited the asset from their parents and others actually purchased them decades ago at a very low value. After retirement, they have minimal cash savings and are feeling the pinch from daily expenses and medical bills. Each time, they receive little or no Government support as their property assets mean that they do not meet the qualifying criteria for many of the handouts.”
“For this community, the larger impact they face goes beyond income as their routine was abruptly disrupted, with the mental state for many of them inevitably scarred. With the new and future economy, can we find avenues for more micro jobs to be created for adults with special needs? With wider acceptance of remote working, this model of work shift can well be adapted to support the special needs and residents with specialised skills within the community. Longer term, empowering the special needs community would benefit the society as well, with a reduction in reliance on social spending especially when their care-givers age. Another group that is often neglected is the women who provide care-giving for seniors, young children and those with special needs. Care-giving is a service, a dedication that not many would embark on if they have another alternative. It takes love, patience and commitment to provide for those that are dependent on others to get about their daily needs. Today, as family units shrink and more are dual income families, there is a high reliance on day care centres, foreign domestic helpers and some family members had to give up their careers to care for the vulnerable at home. This trend is likely on the rise in future. But at the same time, the pandemic has changed the way we work and live. With the support of technology and identification of community-based resources, we should consider enabling platforms that augment the needs of families closer to home. Connect the women who can provide part-time services within distance of their home, enable essential workers, especially the low-income families or single mothers to balance care-giving duties and also supplement their income with work within the community.”
“I would ask that we think longer time – how would this Budget, the strategic investments, affect and impact our loved ones, our children and subsequent generations to come? Would they benefit from these investments made or would they have to pay in terms of higher taxes in the future to fund our current expenditure? Fifty-six years on since Independence, we survived not by chance but intentional efforts by our forefathers to ensure that we and future generations would benefit and lead better life than theirs. Against the backdrop of heightened international competition for investments, Government revenues are tightening as costs are escalating especially so when we have an ageing population and the new economic trends. It is important that we first try to think how to stretch our existing resources, our every dollar, instead of cultivating a mentality that we have reserves to dip into. With the concept of fiscal prudence in mind, I would like to touch on two areas. First, exploring alternatives in supplementing social policies to support specific groups. Mr Speaker, it is heartening that even with finite resources, the special needs community are not neglected with the introduction of the pilot Inclusive Support Programme in this Budget. As a nation, we try to level the playing field starting from pre-school, those with special needs are included to enable them to develop social skills and social inclusion. As we look into the longer horizon when this community graduates from formal education and start the next stage of their life – work, how can we better ensure that they are prepared? When circuit breaker happened last year with many businesses shut, many in the special-needs community struggled to find alternative roles.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Budget. Budget 2021, termed a Budget to "Emerge Stronger Together", does indeed try to achieve its objectives through continuing more targeted support for our ailing industries whilst providing large investments to transform the economy to ride on the wave of new opportunities. While spending may appear more tapered when contrasted against 2020's historical spending over five Budgets, I am cheered and look forward to this new wave of growth. However, beyond the initial high over these astronomical investments into new growth areas, I cannot help but to be concerned over our current fiscal position and wonder how Singapore is evolving as a nation when it comes to national spending. It is the third time and second consecutive year that we are dipping into our reserves. Would Deputy Prime Minister Heng be outlining a projected timeline and roadmap on when these amounts would be returned to the reserves? While dipping into our reserves are justified to address the current problems, on a broader scale there have been repeated rallying calls for the Government to be more generous in social spending too. I am heartened that as a nation many are looking out for one another and calling for social changes through greater social support for the lower income, for the frontline workers and for the migrant workers. However, have we envisaged and weighed the trade-offs? Often called a tiny red dot, we must never forget that we are still a small nation with limited resources and no natural resources. I say this not to merely highlight the small size of our country and to think small but rather quite the opposite – to think big, to put this Budget into perspective and not perceive it as an annual ritual on what "goodies" or "penalties" it presents.”
“Further, data pooling will ultimately result in better design of processes, improved efficacy, shorten learning curve, drive fresh investments and reduce the overall carbon footprint. Mr Speaker, Singapore has had past successes of building new industries, ranging from microelectronics, finance, pharmaceuticals to advance engineering, to name a few. I firmly believe we can achieve the same for the sustainability industry. Climate change is indeed a very existential threat to our world and our country today. The pressures will only increase as our demand for energy and as a developed economy continues. It is essential that we cultivate civic consciousness to the extent that sustainability becomes our way of life. So, not only do we need to get everyone on board to fight against climate change, we must lead the way and lay the foundations today. All hands on deck, let us navigate this adventure together! Sir, I stand in support of the Motion.”
“Two, facilitate early or mid-career moves towards jobs focused on environmental sustainability in partnerships with companies through structured mentorship and work transition programmes. Three, work with industries and public sector to outline types of future green jobs and constantly align on skills and competencies that are required for such roles in emerging sectors Four, develop understanding of sustainability as a career and professionalising the Green Economy as the current perception is that green jobs usually exist in non-profit organisations. We can be accelerated at the beginning of this transformation through adding a pillar in the Industry Transformation Map (ITM) with specific focus on sustainability. The industry sectors with more advance capability around sustainability can provide the inputs to our strategies and guidelines on the roadmap for others to take reference. Over time, the sustainability element can then be incorporated directly under each of the 23 ITMs. This hybrid approach will enable MTI to better shape the development of training, programmes and infrastructures to create more eco-friendly business environment that supports inclusion of sustainability within the sectors over time. With a sustainability ITM, sustainability will be put at the forefront and elevating its role and importance within businesses and our society. The public-private sector partnerships through economies of scale can be better deployed when there is visibility and definition of scope as opportunities arise across industries. Greater exchange of best practices, R&D and innovation can also be identified with greater synergy for collaborative work to drive the Green Economy.”
“The larger companies in Singapore can take the lead in adopting the frameworks so at the start, the support will be given to provided induction for SMEs who may have limited knowledge about their supply chains or their production footprint. In the interim, more can be done educating and heighten awareness amongst the local SMEs on the significance of selected frameworks' applicability to their industries and the annual ESG Reporting method. The purpose is to gain their buy-in and not merely treating this as another regulation that needs to be adhered to or increasing cost of business. This way, we exercise prudence to ensure that the smaller SMEs have a roadmap to adopt the frameworks and compliance cost of ESG reporting is taken into consideration for future. Next, getting everyone onboard the fight in climate change. The Green Economy is a new model of sustainable growth and an exciting one. However, there exists a gap today between interests of participants entering this economy and their ability to embark. Much needs to be done to develop Singapore's infrastructure and talent pool for sustainable accounting, should it eventually become legislated and the job opportunities in Green Economy blossom. To bridge this gap, here are some suggestions of immediate actions that can be taken to enhance the quality and understanding of sustainability for those interested to participate in this field. One, provide more variety in the courses at Institutes of Higher Learning for those who are interested in the field of sustainability field as a career. For example, financial accounting for sustainability, low carbon manufacturing and materials, food supply alternatives.”
“It is the collaborative ecosystem approach that we want to encourage in the value chain and bring all parties towards the same goal. Thinking longer term, with a more standardised and quantified approach, we as a nation will be better positioned to continuously review the adequacy of our carbon emission target and adopt technological solutions to accelerate our achievement towards the goal. Two, MAS to provide a list of reporting frameworks that can be mandated for the annual ESG reporting. While there are many GhG accounting standards adopted by industries today, the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) appear to have the largest relevance and ease of adoption across industries. These frameworks are also recommended by UNSDG and the market participants. The frameworks have their respective strengths and identified subsets of ESG issues most applicable to financial performance. Additionally, it recognises that not all sustainability issues have equal weightage to each industry and the same sustainability issue may manifest differently across industries. While the Singapore Exchange or SGX currently mandates ESG reporting, the reporting guidelines are loosely framed, which allows for much flexibility in reporting. Thus, hampering the ability in making meaningful interpretations and comparison of emissions that we urgently require to understand. I am certainly cognisant that it will be tall order for many companies without the ability to administer and comply with a reporting framework. Hence, the suggestion is to begin mandating specific framework of reporting from the larger public listed companies, including the multinational companies.”
“More recently, regulators have begun to introduce ESG reporting obligations for financial market participants and not just companies. Europe is the first jurisdiction to mandate ESG reporting for asset managers. From March 2021, asset managers in Europe will be required to disclose how they integrate ESG factors into their investments. Additionally, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDG) has called for the harmonisation of accounting standards for GhG to facilitate transparency, accuracy and comparability of climate actions. Thus, I would want to propose concrete actions through the following. One, companies must publish an annual ESG Report based on standardised reporting frameworks. Using standardised reporting frameworks, which I will elaborate on later, this would help establish a common criterion of measurement and consequently assessment in the annual carbon footprint of an organisation. Thus, facilitating baseline comparison across different companies and industries. As a next step, companies can establish carbon emission reduction targets against their baseline and the industry's benchmark of an "ideal carbon footprint". This would better help Singapore companies take reference and adjust their goals using the industry benchmark. In a way, companies that are ahead of the curve in their decarbonisation plans and emission measurements can share best practices with those experiencing difficulties in meeting their targets. Further, with industry-wide efforts and Government directive, the focus can be placed in dedicating resources towards assisting companies in finding ways to remedy and improve their situation rather than penalising.”
“The efforts and commitment, however, should not be shy of determination and innovation from different stakeholders in society. Today, I will touch on two themes – the need for sustainability accounting on greenhouse gas emissions (GhG) and carbon emissions and preparing the talent pool to embark on this green economy in Singapore. It is my hope that we can achieve our goals in fighting climate change. Let us begin by discussing how through different aspects we can enable Singapore to be more focused in our actions and obtain more tangible outcomes. First, greater accountability and consistent standards of measursing GhG and carbon emissions. The development of framework to deal with GhG and carbon emissions depends heavily on the ability to measure, account and document emissions. To be fair, many companies and industries have already introduced standards to measure carbon emissions as part of their Environment, Social and Governance (ESG) contributions. However, the pertinent issue is, there are many different standards and accounting practices being used, thereby making it difficult to do a cross-industry assessment or benchmark companies within the same sector. Before the proposals, I will provide an understanding of what other jurisdictions are doing globally. Regulators globally are currently adopting a more prescriptive approach to ESG reporting by making such reporting mandatory rather than voluntary. In 2007, Sweden mandated state-owned companies to publish sustainability reports. In June 2020, the Bank of England also published its first climate risk disclosure report based on the framework by the Task Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures, TCFT.”
“Mr Speaker, I beg to move that after the word "acknowledges" in Mr Tan's first amendment, to leave out the words "a climate emergency" and to insert the words "that climate change is a global emergency and a threat to mankind". Sir, let me explain the rationale to the amendment. Today, Singapore makes up 0.1% of global emissions annually. Hence, declaring a climate emergency in Singapore alone is insufficient. Singapore has done a fair amount of balance of growth development and environmental protection, but actions against climate change must take place in Singapore and beyond our shores. Be it roadmaps, the type of investments, supply chains, energy demand and much more. Singapore is part of a larger international solution. Thus, we need to look into these efforts globally and how they impact mankind. Singapore can certainly contribute our part and we must do so no matter how small or large we are. Having heard many suggestions and views from the Members on both sides of this House, we all agree that this is an area we should focus on and it is the actions and measures taken now that matter. In the spirit of mutual improvement towards the same goal, I hope both sides of the House will support the amendment. This is what the proposed amendments to the Motion reads: "That this House acknowledges that climate change is a global emergency and threat to mankind and calls on the Government in partnership with the private sector, civil society and the people of Singapore to deepen and accelerate efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change and to embrace sustainability in the development of Singapore." Mr Speaker, the decarbonisation journey is a multi-faceted and dynamic one.”
“Yes, Mr Speaker. I have given copies to the Clerk for distribution.”
“Mr Speaker, with your permission, may I propose an amendment to Mr Dennis Tan's first amendment?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I want to thank Minister for the very comprehensive reply. I think Minister touched on a very important concept which is the one about recycling and reuse of land. I think that is critical as we balance the demands and needs of our population across generations. I have two supplementary questions for the Minister. The first is, we know that typically, there is a time lag between the planning and execution of projects, especially for the longer term projects. How does the Ministry make adjustments during this period, between planning and execution, as new factors arise due to the changing social structures, and also for the fact that there is global impact in the short term? The second question is, if further assessments are made at any specific point of time, and we find that the ecological value and connectivity of the green sites have changed, what will the Ministry do with the original plans?”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. Before I begin, let me declare that I am a senior executive for a gas and engineering company that deals with energy sources. I want to thank Minister for his response on the diversification to ensure our energy needs over the years. But with respect to the fourth switch, I have this question for Minister. When it comes to dealing with low carbon energy sources or alternatives, the very key aspects are around policies and the other one around subsidies and fundings. Our current carbon tax programme is actually very low compared to many countries in the world and we have a very low target that we want to achieve by 2030 and beyond. So, I want to know how this lever is going to impact the kind of low-carbon alternatives we will have in future. And for the other aspect around subsidies – will the Government look at more options apart from just funding the technology programmes, but directly subsidising some of the very attractive alternatives in order for us to achieve this target of decarbonisation, earlier than later.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State because my original questions were not being answered. Actually, the main thing around it is this, because as the Senior Minister of State has said, all these patients had gone for recurrent visits to their respective doctors. Certainly, over the entire period of time, something must have been picked up even if the first diagnosis was supposed to be wrong. So, as the Senior Minister of State said, with all these specimens and also all the different processes that are in place, why was there not an earlier trigger? I think that is the key to the issue.”
“Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister for her response. I think we are not disputing the need to put on masks and also to have safe distancing. But I suppose the hardest part is the duty of the safe Distancing Ambassadors because everybody has to play their part. But I have already received quite some feedback from residents, for example, at a very popular hawker centre in the market. The point is, the Safe Distancing Ambassadors use judgement to give advsiories, for example, when exactly must they put on the mask. It is a matter of timing. Some people say immediately; once they put down their chopsticks and utensils, they need to immediately put on the mask; and there were Safe Distancing Ambassadors who told them as such. There are others who used their discretion and felt that some people can some conversation before they put on the mask. As a result of these varying differences, I think it makes it very challenging on the ground, especially as we move towards Phase 3 – I am not sure when that is – and you increase the number of people who can come out to dine. I think this is the biggest challenge that people would face on the ground, including those in exercise corners as well. I just wanted to ask the Minister what other measures can be done to aid the Safe Distancing Ambassadors and also for the public not to make things difficult for the Safe Distancing Ambassadors.”
“The larger impact they face goes beyond income, as a daily routine has already become disrupted and this sort of abrupt disruption has a huge impact on their mental state, especially for those with special needs – they can be inevitably scarred. With the new and future economy, can we find avenues for more micro jobs to create for not only the seniors but also the special needs adults? With wider acceptance of remote working, this model seems to be the work for the future that we are shifting to. Can we better adapt to support the special needs community? Sir, in conclusion, I stand in support of the Third Supplementary Estimates. There is no better time than now for us to work together and create the future workspace and economy that will put Singapore on a better footing as we charge forward. 3.11 pm”
“They are left out from being able to upgrade not due to lack of will, but more a lack of time and the need to first survive. For these groups, the stipend may not be adequate as the opportunity cost of forgoing a job to attend these programs are indeed high. So, I would like to ask the Deputy Prime Minister what can we do to bring different skills and development to them with very specific curriculum that is embedded through funding their employers for in-house upskilling? With that said, I must mention that wages for the worker in some sectors at the 20th percentile in the last five years have, indeed, grown faster than the median worker as it was supported by the Progressive Wage Model or PWM. The Workfare schemes including the Special Employment Credit will also be further enhanced in January 2021 to improve their retirement adequacy through cash as well as CPF top-ups. Further, through incorporating the skills upgrading element into justification of increasing their wages for those in the cleaning, security and landscaping industries, I think beyond this support, I look forward to the expansion of the PWM to other service sectors for more inclusion and coverage on a wider group of individuals. At the same time, I would ask that we rethink about the need and the impact of these workers in service industries when the economy at any point of time has to shut for a period, for example, like our recent circuit breaker. Low-wage workers and even those in the special needs community struggle to find alternative jobs and may end up being displaced from the marketplace for even a longer period after the economy restarts.”
“While we may find that we could see a lack of gumption and probably open attitude to try new things, not so much the lack of opportunities nor the imposition of relevance of tomorrow. And, lastly, Sir, I would like to highlight fostering of inclusive growth in our workforce. In my past speeches, I have spoken on the need to extend holistic aid and uplift the low-wage workers, seniors and special needs community. This pandemic has once again showed us that they are indeed the most vulnerable groups as many of them hold jobs as essential and front-line workers in our economy. Much has been mentioned on seizing opportunities in this challenging time through upskilling to upkeep one’s competitiveness in the workforce. However, the fundamental question is how successful has the upskilling profile been in ensuring Singapore’s workforce remains competitive? Will the Government be tracking statistics of people skills upgrading in relation to job enhancement opportunities or its corresponding ability to remain in the workforce? While “what skills” has been an often-talked subject, “who gets access to training” is another pertinent question. The $500 to $1,000 top-up in SkillsFuture credit is useful to better enable Singaporeans to take up new courses and for them to pick up new skills. However, there always remains groups of individuals like the low-wage workers and special needs community who even before COVID-19, have been unable to take up courses for personal upgrades. Their reasons for not doing so are varied, some because they have to balance multiple jobs, others care-giving duties, lack of funds or lack of suitable courses that is catered to them in language or academic qualifications.”
“As individual and society, we have to better understand the balance and trade-offs involved on how the economics work for public and private sectors, how do societies evolve across time and space and the impact of different aspects of public policies. This would ultimately bring about a different rhythm in our conversations of where and how to spend public funds, understanding the complexity of issues that require addressing at phases or using multi-prong resolutions and recognising interdependencies across many areas of society. This will facilitate more participation and result in more active and balanced discussions that are helpful to tackling increasing multi-faceted issues. Meanwhile, for those currently in the workforce, how can we better prepare them for this green economy? Take for example in the construction industry, there are some bright spots such as green specialists, green building architects and designers, green energy project management, and others that individuals can be trained and certified in. Similarly in agriculture, urban farming would be an avenue for those whose interests lies in food and research. New jobs will be created and even new work scopes that do not exist today can be ready and be available in future markets. Thus, to capture this future growth and ensure we have local talents to meet the job requirements, we have to begin now to adjust and adapt mindsets to changing times. Jobs should not be judged by today’s lenses and how glamorous it may be. With a heavy reliance on technology and science, even mundane roles in traditional farming will excite those that are keen to move beyond laborious work. Moving towards a green economy may take many dimensions.”
“Over the past few years, there has been growing focus on building a sustainable economy for Singapore. The capitalisation on the creation of a green economy for our next generation was also identified. While the vision has been explained on the National Roadmap and some high level plans have been outlined on how to achieve this vision, there remains a need for greater clarity and communication between the Ministry and its citizens to better understand what this green blueprint means, in terms of implication on the economy and the country. By so doing, it would better allow citizens to identify the opportunities, the role each can play and how we can move towards the same goals that is set for the green economy. One of the immediate questions we have would be how do we equip our citizens with the relevant skills in order to capitalise on and that are required for this future green economy? I believe this begins in building the knowledge and pipeline for the future. Looking at the education front, Institutes of Higher Learning have identified that the future economy would be one that requires inter-disciplinary thinking. One example is that of National University of Singapore making a step in that direction with its preliminary consultation on the proposed College of Humanities and Sciences. This is a step in the right direction as we review issues of the likes of climate change. Tackling climate change cannot be addressed by just having a narrow understanding of environmental sciences, but rather an appreciation of economics, anthropology and public policy.”
“For such industries of strategic importance, it is worthy that we can further develop existing companies to grow to the point where substantial economies of scale can be enjoyed and thereby having the financial muscles to weather the volatile changes – similar to what has been done previously in the financial sector with our domestic banks like DBS, OCBC and their peers, and thus becoming a very key pillar in the local economy. So, I would like to say I disagree with what Member Mr Leong Mun Wai has said. He thinks the Government should not be picking the players or the winners, and leave it purely to the private sector. Well, I think the Government has really not quite been doing this and did not pick any of the players. But I would like to say if we want to move forward and have an active participation, I would think the Government needs to play the role of being an active business catalyst, a facilitator and a binder. And why is it important as we move forward to do this? Because without this sort of role in the Government being that player, I think it is probably very difficult for us to create a more comprehensive eco-system, an eco-system where you have a multitude of different players, not only from the private sector, the smaller businesses. It is difficult for them among themselves to decide how exactly to participate within the value chain. So, I would like to say, in contrary, I hope the Government can take a more active role on this aspect. On the next thing about nurturing the green economy, I think the topic of green economy is no longer one about carrying buzzwords or even a feel-good factor to be a part of. It is one of existential needs and one which has both social and political implications.”
“We must create business niche as well as aggregate our capabilities in some core parts of the market segments, in order to have an eco-system that well supports the design, production and associated services of different verticals. Some exist today, but others are areas we have to begin building in our future economy. Let me take an example about agri-food. There is a goal of 30 by 30 local produce to supplement Singapore’s nutritional needs. Some initiatives have been earmarked to support this goal like the NParks Community in Bloom gardens where planting edibles and urban farming are being allowed at rooftops of HDB multi-storey car parks. Additionally, with the mix of efficient use of technology, agriculture in Singapore has also evolved to agri-tech with areas such as aquaculture and stacked farming. I would like to ask what are the other milestones set out for us to assess and track how the industry has successfully transformed in order to make sure that we do really meet this goal? As the UNDP Global Centre for Technology, Innovation and Sustainable Development noted, gaps in the scalability and feasibility could impact the sustainability of agri-tech. How does the Ministry have oversight on greater integration of technology throughout the entire value chain, from production to consumption; and sufficiency of players within the value chain itself?”
“There is a need to relook at the overall business continuity planning of supply chains, both in the public and private sectors. As Deputy Prime Minister Heng mentioned about the need to transform our economy and be ready for a post-COVID-19 world, it is thus timely that we look at strengthening our local start-ups, our SMEs and even the large enterprises to boost our foundation and economic resilience as the world becomes increasingly volatile and uncertain. During the height of the pandemic where A*Star was able to produce the Fortitude test kit and many countries were keen on having the “made in Singapore” label for items, it demonstrated that Singapore, despite being a small nation, we do have the talent pool and resources to build our line of defence and increase our resilience to the best extent possible that can weather this current health crisis and other challenges ahead. So, contrary to what Member Mr Leong Mun Wai has said that he thinks our economic strategy has been a failure, I would like to put it this way. While Singapore’s economy has been diversified with a strong focus towards the tertiary industry of services, take for example financial, intellectual property or healthcare and biotechnology hubs, I think we need to move beyond this as we cope with all the global changes. How can we foster greater resilience in our economy by looking further and developing some things around our primary and secondary industries. for example, our energy or agri-food supply chains? To spur our economic growth, we need more than just innovative business ideas and funding.”
“Mr Speaker, over the past months, the concerted effort put in by the Multi-Ministry Task force, the various agencies and fellow Singaporeans have contributed to flattening the curve and bringing down the number of COVID-19 cases. The importance of the $100 billion financial support cannot be underestimated as it has helped cushion the economic impact of COVID-19 for many individuals and families. Of late, in my weekly house visits, I hear more residents who have been displaced from jobs, unable to restart their work as freelancers in different industries and more company are undergoing restructuring. This impact fallout is hard and real. It will lead to social and economic problems if not addressed for the short to the mid term. This is only the beginning for us as a country and people in gingerly threading the path as we look towards emerging from COVID-19. We must now put extra focus in our efforts on re-opening our borders safely, rebuilding our economy and prepare for the future unpredictability. There are three areas I would like to touch on, with respect to soldiering on for our future, specifically the future of our industries and our workforce. The key areas are: one, creating key verticals eco-system under Singapore Inc.; two, nurturing the green economy; and three, creating an inclusive growth workforce On the first area, during the initial stage of COVID-19 when cases were exploding in some countries and borders begin to shut, the fault-lines in the supply chains globally were apparent. This was not simply a sign of how securing necessities like masks, food products, and so on was critical. It strongly reiterates the pressing importance for Singapore to invest in economic resilience and sustainability as a source of competitive advantage.”
“While I agree for HDB to have direct management of the Board Appointments to better support their plans and also their programmes, so that they are better oversight on their Statutory Board performance, I would like to understand two areas. One, what is the rationale to increase the number of Board Members instead of reviewing the role and the scope of the existing Board? Would this expertise not be available if the right composition of Board members were judiciously selected to have the right diversity and provide the missing areas of expertise? The next is, before the decision to increase the number of board members, were other alternatives explored such as seeking external consultants and industry experts for advice on an ongoing basis rather than to formalise this expertise within the Board members? And the final area, in response to the greater empowerment of HDB to compulsorily acquire a flat, under the fact that there is a false or misleading declaration, I would like to know, since Minister has said the chances of this misrepresentation or even false declaration is very low, then what is the rationale for including this in the amendment, in the terms of HDB flats and private properties, since it is going to be very low in this perspective? Are the current rules not sufficient to ensure that only eligible persons are able to purchase or retain the flats and properties? Mdm Deputy Speaker, notwithstanding the clarifications I have raised, I support the Bill and the broad principles of the amendments made to address the immediate challenges the financial sector and the market needs.”
“When the banks pledge the properties to MAS for loans, are the banks not required to inform the homeowners as part of the notification process even though it is an administrative procedure and I know it does not impact the existing service loan contract between the homeowner and the bank, but just as a notification process, is that still necessary? If homeowners are not informed, how would the following cases be handled? One, I think Minister has already touched in his briefing just now. For example, if the property is bequeathed under the Will to the homeowner's next of kin. In the unfortunate event when the mortgage is still outstanding and the homeowner is demised, then the beneficiary is below 21 years of age and is not of working age to be able to continue servicing the home loan, what are the implications to the property and the beneficiary? I think the Minister touched upon how the property will not be compulsorily repossessed. The second case I want to raise is there is an increasing trend of cross-marriages and in particular, across countries. So some of the homeowners have foreign spouses who are on LTVP or even LTVP+. Some of them we know they are unlikely to be offered Permanent Residency whether it is due to age or other reasons. If the homeowner has passed on or is incarcerated, how will HDB address the situations where the foreign spouse only has LTVP, so they cannot effectively takeover ownership of the home, or for a spouse who is a foreigner but the couple has Singapore-born children? So, from the perspective of MAS, can the property continue to be pledged as collateral given the change in ownership? The third area, this is in respect to the amendment on the Board Appointments.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, with COVID-19's business and individual relief soon expiring in the months ahead and the business climate still remaining sluggish, there is a likelihood that businesses and individuals will require more credit lines to tide over the crisis. For MAS to establish a new Singapore dollar Term Facility to provide liquidity to local banks in Singapore through inclusion of a wider range of collaterals, this would be a welcome move. Hopefully, it will provide another form of credit relief for businesses and individuals alike. With regard to the amendments made to section 6, 51(C) and 56, there are four areas of potential concerns and clarifications, I wish to seek from the Minister. First, the duration and effectiveness of this Facility. Will this Facility be a temporary relief measure and if so, how long will this Facility last? On contrary, if the Facility will continue post-COVID as a permanent scheme, what are some of the benefits to the financial sector and will it be practiced in similar form as other jurisdictions, as the Minister mentioned earlier? Given that the intent is to assist local businesses in obtaining greater liquidity, what financial controls on the Facility will be in place to ensure the extended liquidity will be flowed to local businesses instead of investments that are related to the banks' overseas portfolio? Second, the notification of homeowners on the banks pledging of the properties to MAS for the Facility.”
“(c) Besides HPB, the Singapore Police Force has been exploring and getting ideas from the public and the Institutes of Higher Learning on the use of nudges to prevent the public from falling prey on scams. Could we better understand how effective behavioural sciences have been in policy making? Mr Speaker, Sir, against the backdrop of COVID-19, the seasonal flu, the distant looming threat of Disease X, it is thus of paramount importance and interest that we now start working on preventive instead of reactive measures. COVID-19 is a clear reason why there is no better time than to begin these changes today. As with all societal changes and benefits, it takes collective effort and thoughtfulness of every individual to effect the change over time. In the same vein, ensuring the high standards of sanitation requires joint efforts – from the users to the caretakers of the public facilities. Without which, the actions of a few could thwart the efforts of the broader good. I am positive that we as a nation would be able to come together and unite in working towards this aspiration of social good. 4.47 pm”
“Several national initiatives had shown evidences of such deep thinking and the fusion of exploring behavioural concepts to enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives. This paradigm shift in the way of thinking should be lauded. One such national initiative I would like to highlight is the Health Promotion Board or HPB's National Steps Challenge. Under this challenge, the use of incentives was adopted to encourage development of good habits like exercising. While incentives can be considered as a "carrot" approach, how the challenge was executed revealed signs that it was carefully thought out to ensure that interest in the challenge is sustained and ultimately achieves the objective of encouraging a more active lifestyle. This challenge had a few waves to reignite and sustain interest after the initial novelty wears off. And most recently, HPB will also be partnering Apple to leverage on gamification to continue the excitement in this challenge and achieve its social objective. In line with exploring the use of alternatives and behavioural science to shape societal behaviour, I would like to ask the Minister: (a) Notably, a lot of extrinsic rewards have been used to spur a change in societal behaviour. Have we identified the sweet spot in the use of incentives. For example, the amount of incentives and the length of incentives given in the development of these good habits? (b) Could we explore similar initiatives such as Nudges to encourage the behavioural change of users in public toilets? A well-known example to encourage people to take the stairs instead of the escalators would be the Piano stairs in Stockholm metro where melodious music is played when climbing or going down the stairs.”
“It is also the message that we wish for our next generation to take away – that we care for our younger ones and our seniors and want to do right for them. Let us not falter and begin today by changing our habits in the use of public resources and treat it like it is our own home. And lastly, to rethink the effectiveness of the carrot and stick approach and explore the public health behavioural science to shape societal behaviours and policies. As we emphasise the need for social responsibility, the question then arises on how do we create this sense of social responsibility to encourage users of public facilities to treat all these facilities with care and sanitation? A direct approach would be the traditional use of fines. Fines has often been used to act as a deterrent for individuals to prevent undesirable societal behaviours, such as littering. Fines have been used so often that it has been a common joke that Singapore is nothing but a "Fine" city. While fines can be a quick means to temporary deter an issue, it may not necessarily nip the issue in the bud. As society evolves, there is stronger call for Singapore to be a gracious and more caring society. Perhaps alternate and gentler ways could be explored in shaping positive societal behaviours. UK's Behavioural Insights Team, also known as the Nudge Unit started in 2010 to apply behavioural science to public policy of which one approach would be the nudge which aims to "do more with less", making simple and small changes in the design of the environment to bring about greater change in societal behaviours. The concept of incorporating behavioural sciences into policy-making is not a new one in Singapore.”
“Sometimes I wonder, why are the toilets, such as those in Changi Airport able to keep the high level of sparkling clean conditions whereas toilets in hawker centres and coffee shops leave much to be desired. How are we able to maintain our home toilets clean, yet unable to do so in the public? If I may posit, it boils down to context and our perception when using these public facilities. The mentality that this is not my toilet and thus I am not bothered about ensuring the cleanliness and the state I leave it, as there is someone else who cleans after me. This deplorable mindset must change and has to change now. We are all users of the public good and only through exercising greater social responsibility can all these public facilities become more desirable. Perhaps, it is time we take a leaf from Japan, to adopt more communal attitude and let us be proud users of public facilities. Little actions, such as ensuring that we do not squat on toilet bowls, do not sprinkle water on the floors after washing our hands, proper disposal of papers in the bins go a long way in ensuring the cleanliness of public toilets. If we are constantly mindful of what we are doing and treat this the same as our own home toilets, we should be able to do that in the public areas without any fear and without any issue. For those caring for young children and seniors, we understand these groups are very vulnerable. We show our love and our care for them, and always want to ensure they receive the very best. It is not uncommon to hear of parents lamenting the unsanitary conditions they find in toilets or nursing rooms. And I think my colleague, Mr Louis Ng has expressed this quite well. The impetus to change and care for the public toilets go beyond ourselves.”
“In the establishment of this industry standard metric of assessment, reference can be derived from the grading of hawker stalls based on the sanitation levels and conditions of management. Similarly, the grading of public toilets can be used as an objective assessment. By pegging the grading of public toilets to the Premise Manager's ability in running the entire premise would put some responsibility on these operators in upkeeping the high standards of sanitation in public toilets. And second, to elevate importance of social responsibility and communal attitude. By placing the entire responsibility on cleaning contractors or Premise Managers to raise the overall standards of public hygiene cannot be the only path forward for us. It is not only onerous on them but also not fair as the users play a big part of this eco-system. Thus, a collaborative ownership between the users and caretakers of these public facilities are required. Let us just look 5,000 km beyond our shores. We see the shining example of Japan, a place that many would pride them for cleanliness, precision and advanced technology. When social responsibility is synonymous to a culture, even smart technologies can be incorporated at public facilities without fear of being damaged. Think of automatic flushes, bidet gadgets and recently "see-through" public toilets for people to inspect their cleanliness before using them. This indicates an upkeep of these clean public toilets is not just reliant on technologies alone. The communal mentality is intrinsic and the Japanese way of life appears both in their personal as well as public spaces. Public spaces are used and treated with respect as the Japanese continually places the interests of the larger good before themselves.”
“Amendment to this Act is timely as it introduces the environmental sanitation programmes for premises designated by NEA, regulate aquatic facilities and aerosol-generating systems and mandates the need for registered Environmental Control Coordinators or ECCs and Environmental Control Officers or ECOs to have better oversight at the specified premises. In view of this, I would like to focus on three areas and highlight how we can achieve the aims that are set out. First, a greater emphasis on cleanliness in the public domain with the grading system for toilets. Dirty public toilets are a ubiquitous sight in Singapore and I am sure many of us have experienced this from time to time. As my colleague, Mr Louis Ng has just pointed out, from the recent study by SMU, it has revealed that there has been a dip in public hygiene standards in toilets at coffee shops and hawker centres since 2016. To address this issue, enforcement of environmental sanitation programmes and having standardised cleanliness metrics are necessary. The Happy Toilet Programme, which was introduced or started in 2003, is one of such programmes. However, it does not seem to have a meaningful impact to-date. To reduce the viral gastroenteritis diseases and the related transmission in public spaces, there is a pressing need to markedly improve the conditions of public toilets across Singapore, whether it is from the coffee shops to those in the MRTs, schools, childcare and the eldercare facilities. While public toilets are already required to be cleaned at regular intervals, having an industry standard metric of assessment on the desired level of cleanliness could better align everyone and better achieve the aim of improving public health and hygiene.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Bill. While COVID-19 has caused widespread economic hardships and taken a toll on many individuals, there are silver linings to this pandemic. Some silver linings include the rapid digitalisation of the economy and heightened awareness of public and personal hygiene. If Singaporeans, as a society are able to capitalise on these silver linings, we will be in a good or perhaps even better position after we ride out this pandemic. During the early stages of COVID-19, there were campaigns encouraging the adoption of the 10 Steps Hand Wash, greater conversation on office culture where employees should not fear taking medical leave and not be in the office when unwell. These desirable social behaviours and conversations should be encouraged and continued even post-COVID. As COVID-19 is unlikely to be the last pandemic that the world will see and when the next Disease X may appear, it is a constant worry in the minds of healthcare professionals. In view of this, it is of paramount importance and perhaps timely to take a more proactive and preventive approach in improving public health and hygiene. Afterall, these two areas are deemed as the first line of defence against any disease that we may have. We, as a society should have higher expectations of what being clean and hygienic means. The achievement of this state should also be a collaboration between public users and the care-takers, instead of having the sole responsibility borne by the latter.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have two supplementary questions for Senior Minister of State Khor. The first one is, if the concern is around the data protection, because today, under the OneMotoring.sg, all the details about every driver's particulars as well as the vehicle particulars are already available. Can we consider using the legal framework or data protection framework so that there is no concern in terms of information leakage. The second supplementary question that I have is, because eventually there is a consideration, as Senior Minister of State had pointed out, to push this into the smartphone app, can we bring forward this implementation to make sure that we do not have to put on an additional gadgets on the dashboard or any part of the car frames.”
“We need to encourage and promote volunteerism more actively and include this into the assessment framework of a student's basic learning capabilities. Third, how can we forge ahead constructively? Conversations and exchanges of thoughts and ideas between the Government and citizens over the years are a great starting point. I think we need to deepen the understanding of perspectives raised and effectively listen from all sides. During public consultations, the assumptions used and the basis in which policies are being crafted can be more actively shared. We can then communicate with the people again after feedback has been considered and tell people the reasons for implementation and new circumstances that may arise. (In English): And in conclusion, Sir, this is an inevitable journey we must trod with determination and be inspired to share. Regardless of circumstances, the leaders of the time have to demonstrate leadership in order to gain the trust and respect of fellow Singaporeans. To build a more just, a more fair and a more equal society that is not just idealistic, but one where every Singaporean feels they are a valued member and a country that we can all proudly call our home. Depending on context, it can be a tango, waltz, hip hop or line dance, but this coordination and partnership is exactly what we need to keep the society and country going. I sincerely hope we will take this opportunity to move forward embracing diversity, partner one another in the spirit of putting the country first and taking steps in becoming an inclusive nation. And Sir, with that, I support the Motion. [Applause.]”
“] Mr Speaker, COVID-19 has brought the world into a critical time. Plans cannot keep up with changes. People need to adapt and change in this uncertain environment. Only by doing this can we survive the adversities. COVID-19 will eventually pass. To learn and grow from these difficult times is critical for future crisis management and system reforms. In her Address, the President emphasised that the Government cannot overlook the diverse views and aspirations of each generation. Only when the development is balanced and holistic can the country grow in a healthy manner. I suggest that we make bolder reforms in the following areas. First, foster an open and collaborative spirit between the people, Government and authorities. We need to break some old mindsets and boundaries, create more collaboration opportunities between the people and Government and enable more effective cross-collaboration and platforms, so that we can achieve an outcome with speed, simplicity and accountability. Through this approach, we will develop the attitude of learning, form new rules, build trust with one another at each stage and create a Singapore in a new era. Second, expand the definition of success to step towards an inclusive society. Although the Government has always believed that we should provide more resources to the vulnerable and the low-income groups, have we thought about whether our existing safety nets are strong and suitable enough or have we considered the feelings of the recipients? After COVID-19, people will need not only financial but also emotional support. Additional safety nets will ensure a more secure life for people whose lives have been affected.”
“It is multifaceted, it becomes less superficial and the fanatic race to a top single prize is no longer relevant as more people are champions of their own rights and causes. And lastly, Sir, how can we be more constructive moving forward? Often, we hear feedback that we need to strengthen our Singapore identity as we evolve and even more so now getting through a crisis. This begins from conversations between the Government and the citizens, which have been taking place over the years. While conversations and exchange of thoughts and ideas are a great starting point, I feel we need to deepen the understanding of perspectives that are raised and effectively listen without biasness from all parties. The assumptions used and basis in which policies are being crafted can be more actively shared during public consultations. And whether feedback have been considered, the reasons for implementation or not and new circumstances that may arise from the point of feedback and implementation, we require more flexibility to adapt as we implement. If the flexibility required does not exist today due to a need for compliance, how then should we change? The authorities to take the lead or the community and citizens to share the ownership of ideas and implementation? It is time we relook at our fundamentals and not take all feedback and requests as radical changes or criticisms. Processes do exist but constantly require fine-tuning or removal if it is no longer relevant for the times. But what we should not forego is the need to widely consult and gather diverse views from groups, big or small, and robustly review all options available at each point of time. Sir, next, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“We need to inspire, not calculate or rank, the spirit of volunteerism and acts of kindness. A points system to measure the efforts of one's contributions is counter-intuitive and is fair. If a student in school constantly helps another child who has learning needs and make him or her feel less isolated or different from others, I would say this child has learnt beyond the books and school and is a person that we should celebrate and be exceptionally proud of. It is not the scores or ranks that he or she has achieved, but the values and ability to pay it forward that we should celebrate. Over time, we will hear fewer conversations that children from disadvantaged families are unable to cope to have the same opportunities that they can afford tuition or extra classes. These children will have new starting lines and the ability to break the cycle of poverty as it begun on the day that their own classmates and those with more resources are already partnering them and helping them to get ahead in school or the community. Our society will have a chance to become kinder and cherish every individual for who they are, the values they stand for and recognise that everyone's abilities are essential in this country. Over generations, our measure of success surpasses that of examination scores, school rankings and, in turn, pursue the finer essence of life. And if I may just quote how Minister of State Alvin Tan has put this, he mentioned that this would be a real measure and true shift in the barometer that we measure success. I believe, by then, the stress that many face today will correspondingly reduce as our definition of success has more dimensions.”
“Vulnerable seniors, families with little financial and support, individuals with special needs and people who are mentally challenged and stressed, these groups are particularly displaced in coping with the pressure and stress that is brought about by the external environment. Any impact to their livelihood, their living conditions and financial status will almost leave them hanging by the thread. While state resources had always largely been channelled to assist the vulnerable and the low-income groups, have we considered what other safety nets they require or what may make them feel more comforted in knowing that they are not left behind as Singapore progresses? I think Singaporeans are broadly shy to show open empathy and acts of goodness towards others. However, I am not surprised that many would have thought of helping someone else and doing something to ease their pain and burden if they are aware that someone is suffering or needs help. Why do we not begin to allow these, what I call "silent voices" and acts of kindness to surface naturally and be cheered? From crisis to rebuilding our lives post-COVID-19, we need more than financial aid. The emotional support that is offered and the ground-up initiatives may be unofficial, but they are necessary additional safety nets that will truly make a difference to people's lives. I say schools should acknowledge and reward children who look after other classmates, or co-help one another in areas to excel, depending on their own capabilities and taking care of others who are living in the community. Such self-initiated actions from the students are far more valuable than Values-in-Action programmes that is initiated or school-organised.”