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.”
The complete record
Every one of 455 lines we hold for Cheryl Chan Wei Ling, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 5 of 10.
“At the end of the day, it is the people who need the help the most that we do not want to disadvantage. And through the process, we can ensure that the benefits are fairly distributed. And the second area, Sir, would be the need to expand our definition of merit and success, as I think it is a necessary step towards becoming an inclusive society. COVID-19 had brought out the best, the good and the ugly of individuals and society. Social media had enabled actually many thoughtful ground-up initiatives that strengthened the cohesion in our country during this crisis. But what truly made the difference are the people who stepped forward. Those who had the heart and those who cared enough to make us realise there is always someone or some other families who need the help more than ourselves. These kind-hearted souls put their skills to good use for good causes and rallied their family, friends and also strangers to join them. I am sure all of you felt the same as me – our hearts and spirits were uplifted each time we hear of all these heartwarming stories amid the daily numbers of infected COVID-19 patients being reported and announced. The fallouts and negative situations that COVID-19 brought about had actually set us thinking about the larger meaning of life, family, aspirations and social needs. For many of us, we have experienced so many firsts in 2020 that yet another first will not really surprise us. Despite the rumblings, I think we pulled through it, with the hope that COVID-19 will soon pass. But if we look deeper in our society, there equally exists many individuals who can barely survive this episode or are further disadvantaged against their own situation pre-COVID-19.”
“But in good times when employment rates are low, it is understandably hard for people to be willing to pay the premiums for such an insurance. Of course, in a more volatile future, this idea should be revisited. But first, we need to understand what we seek to address with such an insurance. For example, unemployment that is arising from structural skills mismatches may not be easily insurable. So, what are the costs that are involved, whom to pay, the willingness of the parties to pay them and the trade-offs that are tied to the proposal, all these have to be studied carefully. We need to be honest and upfront to see if the insurance can be effective and to understand if the math really works. For a crisis like COVID-19, the negative impact on the economy and jobs are wide and deep. How long will it take to recover? No one will quite have the answer now. Will an insurance alone sufficiently cover the needs? I do not think so. A crisis of this scale needs to have other aspects of immediate support, just like what is offered in the Budgets that we have had in this year, if we want to cushion the impact more broadly for the different individuals and the families that are being affected. So, I believe we do need to look at the additional options to strengthen the safety net for our citizens in the long run. It is even more relevant post-COVID-19 as the nature of jobs change, the movement patterns of people and businesses globally will deviate from the past and the geopolitical tensions will result in different business decisions. So, I suggest we look at solutions more holistically, on whether the proposed solutions aim to resolve the structural of fundamentals if they exist or whether they serve to complement and fill the gaps.”
“There was a possibility to trial a combination of different approaches to find a balance, where the residents living in the area could leave for work and parents could drop off their children and expeditiously exit without increasing the congestions within the area. However, when the agencies and schools came together to work on options, there was little breakthrough as each seem bound by their rule book. The issue still exists today. In my view, we need to break some imaginary boundaries and enable more effective cross-collaboration between the agencies and the public to achieve an outcome with speed, simplicity and accountability. When resolving community issues, we must depart from the mindset of “it is not in my backyard” and focus on the community that is affected. We have to empower the agencies and community partners, allow them to solicit external advice and resources if not found within the Ministries and open to pilot new and unproven methods without fear of violation, as long as the interest of the public and the community affected is being placed first. Without which, any strategy will only remain a paper strategy when it cannot be executed with tangible ground impact. Through this approach, we will develop the attitude of experimentation, learn and form new rules and build trust with each other at different stages. In time to come, we will better appreciate and value the fact that we do not simply ask for change but understand why the need for change and how exactly to change. Sir, on this note, I would like to raise the point on unemployment insurance and redundancy insurance which has been raised several times in this House. The idea is not new, and I understand that NTUC, too, has explored this as far back as the early 2000s.”
“In good spirit, some of my residents and community gardeners offered to do the grass cutting in case the overgrown fields may become sources of dengue cluster, which is another trend that we worry amid COVID-19. However, their kind offer was declined as there were concerns they may injure themselves in the process and there is no insurance coverage for them as they are not officially contracted essential workers. Further, the agencies were worried of the liability in case the community gardeners made claims against them in the event of any incident. While I can understand all this, I felt it is a pity that under such circumstances, our constraint is confined by the "business as usual" operating procedures instead of focusing on the outcome or community needs. If we take a look at the work nature of grass cutting and gardeners tending to designated plots of gardens, there is subtle differences and they probably hold the same level of injury if they were conducted in an unsafe manner. Looking at the larger scheme of things, such community effort is in fact commendable. It is not only a good sign of heightened social responsibility. It also opens an opportunity for the SG Together movement and for people to feel the sense of belonging and that they are valued individuals in the community. Another example is how projects involving collaboration can be lost in effectiveness when there is a lack of leadership and accountability. Citing a case in my constituency when a neighbourhood school turned into single session, it further heightened the traffic congestions in the area during peak morning hours.”
“Mr Speaker, we are living in extraordinary times today. One that departs from our daily routine, one which calls for constant adaptation and one where we have no reference except to figure our own way to overcome the challenges brought about by COVID-19. COVID-19, however, will eventually pass. When that time comes, we will ask ourselves what we have learnt, what can we improve structurally to prevent fallouts that we see today and what we can do better than before. All these are valid questions, and we should seek to find the answers together as a country. In Mdm President’s Address, she highlighted the challenges we faced from COVID-19 to global instability that resulted in the issues ahead of us as a nation and how we can evolve as a greater diversity of views emerge and aspirations of each generation change. Some issues that now surfaced probably existed even before COVID-19, but quickly came under the spotlight when the natural order of things was disrupted, and everyone had to adjust to the new interim rules. For me, there are three areas which stood out, which I believe we firmly should have bolder change and further building of trust. First, the need to foster an open and collaborative spirit between the people, Government and the authorities. During COVID-19, we recognise the heavy dependence we had on essential workers who manage many aspects of our lives and keep our country going. During the circuit breaker, when landscaping works were unable to go ahead, the fields of grass and trees in the neighbourhood flourished abundantly. To some extent, some of my residents felt it is unkempt and must be immediately tidied once allowed to.”
“In my view, there is no better time to put Our Singapore Conversation and the making of our future economy to the test than now by bringing people with direct experience and deep trade insights together – people from all walks of life – and partnering them as we promised. Likewise, the trade associations and merchant groups can now rise to the challenge and revamp their industries of which we hope the Industry Transformation Roadmaps would bring about. This will truly give a fresh breath of life to the industries at an accelerated pace – one which adapts to the new environment and concurrently creates new jobs, revamps job scopes, provides upskilling and new customer experiences that are sustainable. Sir, I am certain that as fellow Singaporeans, we all feel and understand where we are in this downturn. But in every crisis, there lies opportunities. There will also come a time when an upturn will occur. It is a matter of when. Today, we know deeply that we need to roll up our sleeves and work together through all these challenges unflinchingly with one another. Thus, my clarion call for a whole-of-society involvement. The five core aspirations that emerged from Our Singapore Conversations earlier are: purpose, opportunities, assurance, spirit and trust. I trust this Government does not shy away from making the right decisions and moves for our future generations. As Prime Minister Lee said on the COVID-19 situation, "If there is any country that can see this through, it is Singapore." Sir, I cannot agree more. We are all in it together and we will get there. With this, I support the Fortitude Budget.”
“Also, if there is a need for certifications, the workers who are trained can individually do the assessments online using their mobile phones and be certified via these platforms. This would be more efficient and enable more companies to harness their resources which are already hard strapped, given the need for workers to be cohorted or put on segregated teams. And lastly, collective wisdom of the society will bring us further in this marathon of nation building. As seen in this fight against COVID-19, organisations, institutions, trade associations and individuals have demonstrated that much of this knowledge exist within different groups. In preparation for business resumption, there are companies which are not classified for opening under Phase 1 but have detailed plans of how they have modified their business models to fit the new normal and can operate safely. Some even expressed their willingness to take the lead to begin operations earlier if allowed to, adjust quickly and share their experiences with fellow sector operators on how they can also embark on this change and be ready. As much as adjustments should be made to businesses, we need to recognise there are some service industries which inevitably require a human and not robots or online transactions to deliver the service or experience. Other industries like the automotive industry have trade nature in which huge capital commitment is involved and are dependent on the local regulatory system that significantly impacts its product sales and volume. To enable these businesses and industries to restart in the new normal, the Ministries must be prepared to solicit inputs, take onboard the industries' proposals and make specific adjustments instead of broad measures.”
“Before COVID-19, we would not imagine it possible for many hawkers and stallholders to be willing to sell their products and take orders online. In Singapore’s digitalisation push over the years, the agencies collaborated with the private sector to encourage more takers to come onboard. Though it gained traction, it was not progressing swiftly at the adoption rate we hope to achieve. But it took a crisis to absolutely move the needle. The sheer need to survive made it possible, as what Minister Iswaran has just said, from online wet marketing to incessant online food deliveries, it has become a much needed change in traditional business models and the merchants recognise this. They are willing to try for efficiency and for a larger share of the market. So, we must not let this opportunity slip and should do more henceforth. I am glad that Minister Iswaran has just mentioned the national push for this effort is no longer optional and the need for it to be inclusive. The Digital Ambassadors can bring more to this partnership for business owners and to help our seniors in the community navigate this digital giant. For those who are willing to support our hawker and wet market culture, this is the time to help the community. On this note of digitalisation, I would like to ask the Minister about the Safe Management Officers mandated training by BCA. There is ground feedback of insufficient training slots available until early July. Given the pervasiveness of technology and the ease of setting virtual meetings, is it not possible for several mass online training sessions to be conducted for workers even if they do not belong to the same company?”
“Instead, it hinges upon whether their network of suppliers is allowed to provide them services, the ability to obtain approval for start work order from the different Government agencies and whether they have the financial means to survive without a definite start date. Most of these SMEs have on-going liabilities like stocks, worker levy, rental, utilities and general expenses. In short, taking a SME loan or having tax deferment do not help a company that cannot generate revenue in the short term or when the visibility to begin work is beyond their control. Second, mindset change is pivotal in this recovery process. We need positivity and adaptability to adjust to this changing landscape and imbue resilience to emerge stronger when the pandemic passes. With the right mindset to face and overcome this pandemic is the starting point for most of us. This includes how we sustain and apply current changes to a new normal in life, people’s willingness to learn and adapt constantly on their own free will and those in society who will step forward to help others with less resources. Over the past months, we have seen living examples of individuals and companies in Singapore who played their part actively in society. Some ingeniously came up with new ideas, roped in others within their sector or amongst their friends and made good use of the lull period to help others financially and in kind. This is the Singapore spirit we aspire to promote and uphold. In order to achieve this, the thought and act of it must largely come from ourselves. The Government can act as a catalyst, but we ourselves must be the change makers. Just take a look at the F&B sector.”
“An example of this is the construction, landscaping and renovation sector, in which many of our SMEs are affected. It is typical in these sectors for a single project to be fulfilled by a pool of suppliers and workers of varying skillsets from different companies. Main contractors outsource some parts of the project, have workers from different companies, staying in different dormitories to provide service at the same work site. This scenario, though typical in the past, have now become an insurmountable management task due to the new measures in place. Even if the companies understand and wish to comply with the new rules, some of the rules are impractical, or they would reduce productivity owing to its long roll-out period and further exacerbated by the inconsistency of the new measures that is detailed across the agencies. Citing one of the new measures on mandating workers to be sent for swab test every fortnight before they are allowed on the work site, cost being one concern, but the ability to have enough testing and rapid results made available would likely be the bottleneck in the months ahead. Based on current test rate, we only managed to test over 10% of the total foreign worker population mainly residing in the dormitories. With the added test requirement, how should the construction sector manage their schedule? Some of the works are also physically unviable to be done by a sole worker at the site under reasonable safe distance. How then can these companies work in compliance with all the new measures. While the manifestation of COVID-19 amongst the foreign workers is an unfortunate situation, the biggest challenge any business owner faced is a restart date that is not determined by the end of circuit breaker.”
“Having done these in a quick and calibrated manner, reaching out to the public, social sectors and the business groups, putting in place step measures as we continue our fight against COVID-19. I associate this to Our Singapore Conversation, which was first initiated in 2012. However, this time it had taken place in a much condensed timeframe of about four months. Are we done with the conversation? I do not think so. While many measures spelt out in the Budget serve its primary intent of rescuing situations in a downturn, I think it is pertinent for us to look at how to approach such resolutions through a whole-of-society involvement. Let me highlight a few areas to explain why it is inadequate for the Government or agencies alone to navigate these challenges. First, the trade classification on resumption of business after circuit breaker. It is understandable why the need for us to re-open in three phases but the rationale of why one trade is allowed to open in Phase One while another quite similar in nature is not allowed to do so had raised brows on how MTI decided the trade classification for business resumption. Take an example – after 2 June, the pet owners can bring their pets for grooming services but certain vet services are not allowed like the routine elective preventive care services or vaccines for their pets. It is not surprising some of these pet owners who are puzzled as to which is more important – the health condition or the looks of their pets. And while some companies are allowed to open in Phase One, their suppliers are placed in a different phase for re-opening or their sub-contractors could not receive approval to resume operations from Government agencies.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, today, there is still much uncertainty around COVID-19. Will there be a second wave locally or globally? What would the transmission rate be like after circuit breaker? How long would the downturn last? There are many questions that will still be left unanswered even if the entire nation is COVID-19 tested, assuming no mutation of the virus or until an effective vaccine against COVID-19 is found. However, what is certain at this point is we cannot afford to be in a standstill indefinitely. Reduced global trade has taken a toll on the global economy and businesses are struggling to stay afloat and retain their workers. The current situation is not just about economy, it greatly impacts lives. The central question is: how will we as a country recover from this pandemic and ensure we learn to put continuity in place if we ever face the next crisis. Budget 2020 is an unprecedented one in history both in magnitude and the support coverage across all segments in Singapore. In the Fortitude Budget, a further $33 billion is set aside to ensure livelihoods are broadly sustained and it seeks to provide a lifeline for businesses to resume in small steps. For many SMEs, sectors affected due to the nature of their trade and companies impacted by global restrictions, these grants are certainly welcome but they are still insufficient. At the same time, we also hear calls from concerned citizens to exercise prudence as they are worried the country’s reserves may be depleted before a full recovery is in sight. Personally, I am heartened that the Government has listened and continue to make adjustments to bridge and support the gaps in society through all subsequent Budgets from February.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have got two supplementary questions. The first one is for Minister Gan. Some individuals who are in the Community Isolation Facilities (CIFs), they are clinically well but they continue to be tested positive in repeated tests. And some of them have been in the CIFs for more than a month. Understandably, they themselves or even their family members are anxious. What more can be done medically to assist their discharge, especially those who are asymptomatic? The second supplementary question is for Minister Josephine Teo. How does MOM keep track of the residential locations of all the work permit holders or the S Pass holders? Will contact tracing still be required in future on the group of foreign workers who are in the essential services due to their proximity at their workplace and also their social culture? How can we better implement the tracing of these workers and ringfence any possible issues that may arise from the workers who are living outside the dormitories?”
“In anticipation of the high likelihood in project delays, BCA is urging developers not to penalise contractors. How is this possible if developers are bounded by the five-year ABSD remission deadline which is very punitive? At the same time, the sale of residential units has slowed down sharply, almost to a stop. I hope MND can understand the challenges faced by property and construction industry and lend a helping hand. Let us show solidarity and Singapore together spirit. Building Works”
“With emphasis on Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFMA) and Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC), we need more S Pass workers than ever before, as they are more skillful. Another problem is that Singapore is no longer attractive to some foreign skilled carpenters and tilers. They choose to go elsewhere. Perhaps BCA can help to investigate the reasons and implement measures to solve this issue. For example, are they finding it too tedious or too expensive to sit for the Core Trade Skills test? With the current push for DFMA and PPVC, are these tests still relevant? As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, the construction industry is facing the full impact of labour shortage, material delays, threat of site lock down and so on, delaying progress of projects. Can the Government do more to help the construction industry? For example, waive the workers' levy during this difficult period. We also believe that some of the Government policies can be re-examined. The current crisis could be an opportune time to review and tweak the ABSD regime to make it more equitable and effective as the current regime is not calibrated, to some extent, it is a one size fits all. This is not a call for an easing of the cooling measure but an appeal for a temporary relief for the real estate industry to cope with the current situation. The following two changes could be considered: first, a re-instatement of the Practical Completion Period (PCP) to six years. Contractors need more time to complete the projects; and secondly, an extension of the five-year ABSD deadline to say six years. Alternatively, the ABSD penalty to be pro-rated based on the number of unsold units, similar to the QC principle.”
“Transforming the Construction Industry Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Sir, before I proceed, I would like to declare my interest as a PE and my involvement in property development and construction. Many contractors told me that they feel discriminated against in recent field contract awards. In the LTA Jurong Regional Line Projects, for example, four out of seven contracts were awarded to foreign contractors. Another example, LTA awarded N112 tender to a foreign contractor, even though our local contractor submitted the lowest quote. The lowest tenderer is an established homegrown contractor. Why pay $6 million more to a foreign contractor whose company is registered in the Virgin Islands? We have about 140 A1 local contractors who have all built up very strong capabilities. If we do not even support our own contractors, who else will support them? Can we consistently apply the policy of "Buy Singapore First"? Contractors also shared that they always face payment delays, and hence cause cash flow problems. Some of the causes are: (a) Variation Orders (VO) – the valuation and certification of VOs can drag on for years before they are finally settled; (b) Liquidated Damages (LD) – contractors are imposed LD even before claims for Extension of Time (EOT) and VOs are assessed; and (c) Under-certified payment – it could be due to our "kiasuism" culture, so, the work done on site is often under certified. While it is commendable that the Government has taken a long-term view to reducing Singapore's reliance on foreign labour, it should place more emphasis on the quotas of those sectors that Singaporeans would like to work in, which are certainly not in construction or shipyard.”
“I suggest the following: One, intentional efforts to adapt designs in our common spaces like the neighbourhood playground, the gardens, to enable their outreach in the community and with designated relief areas for people with special needs to have their private moments. Two, to create the digital apps with information on venues and services that are friendly to people with special needs. Three, to collaborate or create travel journey tools that shows real live routes which are barrier-free access, wheelchair accessible and leads to reachable areas that are not dead ends. Further, I want to know whether there are plans to review areas that can improve people with special needs' daily assisted living in the public housing. Familiarity with surroundings and having the right aids in place amongst their living compound are of utmost importance for them. I hope we can look into using design and technology to ease their burden on the long run. 5.15 pm For example within their home, there can be adjustable household fixtures that are designed to accommodate different physical conditions, hoist to facilitate movements in the toilet and bedroom, voice activated or push controls to automate management of the living environment, sensors within the home that are linked to service care centres or family members and robotic enabled devices that can aid daily activities. Many people with special needs have hopes and goals in life just like any of us. Some of these can be achieved through thoughtful designs aided by technology. We can certainly help to close the gaps in their development journey and enable them to scale new heights, live more independently and fit with greater ease at our shared public spaces.”
“Chairman, we sometimes wonder why we do not frequently come across people with disabilities and special needs in our community. They surely exist even if they are not the majority in our population. I would imagine like everyone else, they too need a place to live, learn, relax, move about freely and socialise. I believe this may be the wish of some them, but they do face challenges of not being able to do so in a carefree manner. First, their family. People with disabilities and special needs often require the care of a guardian who can assist with their daily needs. It is natural for their family members to be protective to reduce the likelihood of them being mistreated by strangers who are not aware of their special needs' conditions. To minimise awkward situations, people with special needs are often confined to their home, school or places where they can be fully accompanied. Second, mental barriers and confidence in own abilities. With lesser exposure to the broader community, there are fewer opportunities for people with special needs to experience and understand how to manage social interactions or overcome some living issues. This has an impact on their self-confidence and their willingness to break the silence in seeking help. Third, the existing public amenities in the process of being modified to accommodate people with special needs are largely not fully equipped as it was not designed with them in mind at the early stage. Earlier in the Budget debate, I have raised the need to rally society to be inclusive from young. But, beside the soft aspects, I would like to ask MND what efforts are taken in our living environment to enable people with disabilities and special needs to socialise and engage in the community.”
“Lastly, equality in terms and conditions of work. It is not uncommon to hear that people with special needs are often grateful that they are being offered a job and would remain in the job for a long time. But they are, in fact, no different from other workers when they put their heart to the tasks. For that matter, they should be entitled to receive the same contractual coverage and benefits offered by the companies like any other permanent or contractual staff under the same work conditions. I hope to see stronger support and move towards levelling the playing field for people with special needs in the area of employment and lifelong learning.”
“Employers and colleagues can create the right work culture, one that focuses on establishing shared interests and values, building bridges with them and connect through common grounds. They need to be treated as people, not labour. By not emphasising their conditions also means inclusion as all are accepted as one. Second, flexi-work arrangement. There needs to be a better match in mutual expectations, understanding the intrinsic ability of the staff and assigning appropriate task, recognising the contribution and lending emotional support are important. Unfair judgement or bias treatment will only result in clashes or poor work performance. Sometimes, special needs people also require occasional medical treatments throughout their life. Being flexible in work arrangements or time off will help them when annual leave is limited and for those whose physique or stamina are constrained by the number of hours they can put in each day. Third, enhance the dedicated resources of job referral and training organisations. Job coaching, preparatory for workplace and re-skilling are fundamental for people with special needs to continue being in the workforce and remain in the industries. Some form of assistance do exist today but the period of support is short. If the Government and the agencies can play a more prominent role in matching their skills and appropriate employers, this acts as a safeguard for them to remain connected in the industries. Employers and job coaches who value such employees should also be ready to provide testimonials and be willing to offer as their referrals for future jobs. The Government should also look at and consider funding some of these training and provide more wage credit offsets for the employers who hire people with special needs.”
“Chairman, in Budget 2020, we have the SkillsFuture Support Package for all Singaporeans aged above 25 and one specific to the mid-career so as to encourage and remind them to always stay relevant and keep learning for life. As Minister Josephine Teo has just mentioned, there is also a suite of other support measures on jobs support, wage credit, enterprise grants and so on. It is clear that re-skilling and staying relevant is applicable to everyone and an effort played by all – individual, employers, society and Government. But what does this mean to the people with special needs or disabilities? Some that I spoke to raised the challenges they face at the workplace. For example, they are assigned menial jobs that are not wanted by others; they encounter a lack of jobs after trial employment; SPED schools' academic qualifications are not recognised by the employers, amongst others. In a nutshell, finding and sustaining employment in life for them is a constant challenge. In this regard, I would like to ask MOM what can be done to better facilitate job design and assignment of jobs for people with special needs? Which policy area can be improved to raise awareness and protect their rights at work? Let me share my thoughts on a few areas that the employers, society and Government can do to assist. First, societal mindset change and prevent discrimination at hiring. I think this begins from the design of job application forms where disclosure of medical conditions is required before interviews are granted. How much to disclose and when to do so are always key concerns for these individuals who feel they are disadvantaged from the start.”
“Recent schemes include the Productivity Solutions Grant, Enterprise Development Grant and Automation Support Package. Budget 2020's Transformation and Growth strategies continue these efforts. How effective are each of the recent productivity growth grant schemes, in terms of the marginal return to public spending and the impact on industry and jobs? To what extent can we attribute recent improvements in Total Factor Productivity growth to these policies? MTI's Economist Service publishes excellent research on the effects of various industry policies. Could the Ministry develop a mandatory programme evaluation framework for all major productivity enhancement schemes? Each scheme should have a logic model that defines target outcomes prior to implementation. Evaluation results should be published at clear intervals, such as at the mid-term and shortly after the conclusion of the scheme. The most important schemes should have their evaluation results subjected to academic peer review to enhance credibility. Technology-driven innovation can improve productivity, worker welfare and make jobs more desirable to Singaporeans. In a recent working paper, Prof Ivan Png from NUS studied a supermarket chain in Singapore that redesigned the cashier's job to focus only on scanning groceries. Payments were handled by automation. Switching to a scan-only job format improved worker welfare and boosted local recruitment. It also improved scanning-speed productivity by 9%. Prof Png's research highlights the importance of carefully scrutinising the effects of technology improvements. We should not spend such significant sums on productivity transformation without an equally strong commitment to understanding whether such efforts are cost-effective and meaningful.”
“Further, we have to ask if the industries invest in new technologies that drive operational efficiency, thereby reducing GHG, adopt usage of renewable energy sources in their production that shape the energy transformation, re-use the waste streams or capture the carbon emitted for alternate usage. Whether the industries are working towards decarbonisation that contributes towards managing climate change is key. Planning and facilitating transitions towards "cleaner" modes of operation and to cleaner industries would result in significant economic impact in terms of jobs, cost and overall operations. No industry is spared from the effects of climate change and all sectors have to play their part in mitigating the effects of climate change. As such, our ITMs, which are the roadmaps for growth and competitiveness for our industries, should include sustainability as an essential component of their workplan and transformation. I would like to ask how can we prepare our economy for the ramifications of climate change and reduce our carbon emissions in a sustainable manner? Will MTI consider including sustainability as a fifth pillar of the ITMs? Relatedly, will MTI consider creating a platform to facilitate exchange of best practices for emission reduction across all major sectors of Singapore's economy, given the success of tripartite collaborations like the Singapore Packaging Agreement? Through this, companies can harness the best knowledge, balance their obligations to all stakeholders to continue driving their financial performance while being a good steward of our environment. Marginal Return to Productivity Spending Assoc Prof Walter Theseira (Nominated Member): Mr Chairman, the Government has implemented many policies to boost productivity growth.”
“Chairman, let me begin by declaring that I am a senior executive with an industrial gas and engineering company. The physical effects of climate change are increasingly visible on the environment, society and the global economy. Climate change is not a distant threat; it is happening now. Increasingly, people want to know if you are part of the problem or part of the solution. To achieve the commitment in the 2015 Paris Accord of reducing Greenhouse Gases (GHG), it will require changes in societal behaviours, Government regulations, industrial engagement and technology development. There has been much discussion on emission reductions focused primarily on high carbon footprint industries, specifically the petrochemical and manufacturing industries. Before we focus on any individual, we must first put in perspective and recognise there are many parts in the entire value chain before the GHG emissions. Take, for example, hydrogen gas. Energy is required to produce hydrogen. But hydrogen is an essential ingredient to produce low-sulfur fuels to meet even stricter environmental standards, thereby reducing the sulfur emissions into our environment. Hydrogen technology can also be used as a transformative energy carrier or as clean fuel for mobility and transportation. It is important to understand whether the products being produced, the manufacturing processes used and the industry value chain on the whole actually have a larger benefit to the society in terms of carbon productivity, support sustainability and how they help to avoid more GHG emissions on a net basis.”
“Chairman, Sir, the pace of change had taken speed like no other in the past decade and even more so, in recent years. This is not only a result of globalisation but also technological disruptions, adaptability to changes and dynamics in geopolitical situations. The world today is interconnected in many ways. The recent COVID-19 has shown just how one key aspect, the disruption of supply chain, can have global impact on trade. Despite the intense connectivity between countries on many fronts, there are signs of bifurcation and turbulence constantly seen globally. Amidst growing uncertainties in our region, it is important that we keep our engagement with key regional and strategic partners outside our immediate neighbourhood and forge closer links with countries that share similar strategic perspective as us and will offer economic and other opportunities for cooperation. As Singapore continues to be heavily dependent on trade and partnerships, we need to renew our efforts in maintaining relationships and explore new areas of cooperation with different countries. For instance, Singapore shares close people-to-people ties and multifaceted cooperation with Japan and the Republic of Korea. With Australia, we also share similar views on the importance of an open rules-based and inclusive multilateral system. Further, there are opportunities for cooperation with India, which is also a growing market in Asia with tremendous economic potential and promising democratic dividends. In this regard, I would like to ask how MFA intends to strengthen our engagement with such key partners in the region to ensure that Singapore remains a relevant stakeholder. Helping Repatriate Rohingyas”
“It is not easy for them to get coverage for some basic investment policies, much less medical coverage. By precluding them, they are not just financially worse off but it makes it even harder for them to take stewardship of their health at old age. MediShield Life and soon to be introduced CareShield Life will help but they may not apply for all depending on conditions and further not all their health issues require hospitalisation. Finally, for regular check-ups and therapies, what additional funding and support are available? Third, financial management. Planning is of utmost importance and how to do it becomes critical for people with special needs to learn in order to minimise risk and disruption in their lives. Before investments and housing needs, they could require lessons on financial budgeting around necessities versus good to have. Understanding what is genuinely good for their well-being and prioritise to prevent straining their own resources. Lastly, social life. Moving out of comfort zone in communal setting is not the easiest for many of them. We should try to breakthrough social stigma at workplace, community and family and increasingly integrate them in our society. Build emotional and relational connections with people of special needs and give them a safe and respected environment to be in.”
“Chairman, Sir, the number of ground-up initiatives supporting the community and underprivileged have increased over the years. In part, it was contributed by greater social awareness, corporate social responsibility and more funding channelled to support these causes. I commend all the immense good efforts and initiatives that everyone across the country have contributed to benefit the different individuals amongst us. I ask that we do not stop here and continue to do more. We have been on the journey of promoting digital services. For a while, the focus had been on our seniors and keeping them abreast of digital application. As we continue to bring more on board this digital journey, I feel that another group of people who will benefit immensely is people with special needs. Under the Singapore Together movement, how can the Ministry enable more partnerships with the community and businesses to co-create, deliver solutions and build a more caring and resilient society? I encourage the community and businesses to use their knowledge, technology, tools and people network to strengthen this partnership in helping people with special needs. I ask we particularly look at some aspects in their life journey. First, life skills for independent living. People’s adaptability to changes vary. For those with special needs, more patience and efforts are even required on their part. To assume responsibility in managing their life, they need more intuitive systems and aid. With big data, there can be analysis done to provide reference for them on how to do certain things or automate it for them. Second, healthcare insurance. Today, people with special needs face insurance discrimination for declaration of their medical conditions.”
“It is uncommon today for each special needs person to have been assigned to a social worker or being supported in network groups. When their legal guardians are no longer able to extend the help in organising their life needs, this will be an escalating concern and possibly more pressing for them apart from financial aids. Mr Speaker, as a country and Government, we always begin with good intent to support and provide the best possible care for our citizens. This continues to be the guiding principle in our process of extending financial and broad-based support to the society. But as we progress in our nation-building, it is also our responsibility to deliberate how much more we can do, whether a fiscally sustainable assessment is made for support packages and how do we address the future state of support that we hope it to be. My concerns, notwithstanding, Sir, I stand in support of the Budget.”
“As a start, we must recognise the presence of people with special needs and their ability as an individual. Preschools and formal schools can do more to educate the children in embracing differences and welcoming them from within the school community. As individuals, all of us, too, can be more gracious, accepting and forgiving to families who have children of special needs. They deserve a place in our community, from the neighbourhood playgrounds to public transport and common dining places. There is no need for cold stares, harsh words or social media commentaries for any special needs individual. They are individuals with their own rights and well-deserved to be treated with dignity like any other person. We should have campaigns that counter such negativity and give more room for families with special needs to be out in our community to share our common spaces and feel at ease that they are one of us. Second, provision of affordable legal support and streamline the search process of assistance schemes suitable for their needs. For special needs individuals, some may have disabilities or are cognitively challenged to handle legal matters on their own when their legal guardians are no longer around with them. Be it a Will, having an acting Attorney-in-fact or managing other legal matters that involve their daily lives, they are more likely to need better access and support at affordable cost on a regular basis. Having trusted parties who have a long-standing relationship with them and being able to defend their interests are crucial for those with special needs. With the extensive assistance schemes available across the Ministries or specific to their special needs, it is not an easy task for them to navigate and know how to seek help.”
“The Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) has also continuously engaged different groups to understand and assist through provision of integrated support services aimed at promoting inclusion of persons with disabilities in the community and to enhance their quality of life. The third Enabling Masterplan for 2017 to 2021 spells out some of these enhancements. In my conversations with my residents and having attended focus group discussions for people with special needs, their families, caregivers and employers, I realised that there is still much we can do as a society to assist them. How are we ensuring opportunities for all via our social strategies in education, healthcare and housing? While some would argue that many recognise the need to include people with special needs and acknowledge their existence, I cannot agree that we have truly taken actions to be more inclusive in embracing people with special needs. There seems to be a lack of in-depth lifecycle planning support pillars for people with special needs from childhood to adulthood to their old age. If we must begin the process, it starts from helping and partnering them, allowing them to be a part of our community from young. Indeed, this is a much-needed step to provide their parents, family and themselves a little more comfort that they can live, work and socialise as a part of the community while comfortably being themselves. There are a number of supports that we can provide for them. I will cover more of this in the COS debate on their living environment in public housing, their employment post-schooling age and how the community and businesses can partner them. Here, I will focus on two aspects. One, rally the society to be inclusive from young.”
“As working and income patterns change, increased exposure of living or working in more than just the home country before retirement, and investments in the next generation burgeoning for each family, I cannot help but ask if our citizens should plan their financial and retirement needs more holistically and earlier. Sir, I would advocate that, as a nation, we should begin this awareness on financial retirement planning when each worker still has an active income and as they begin different stages of their lifecycle decisions. This has consequences on how and when we provide subsidies for those who cannot afford or those who are more vulnerable. How can we measure who qualifies or not for any scheme? That may need redefinition in future. Simply means testing by per capita income for each household may see the need for a different yardstick, or how intrusive would it be for the state to assess deeper on their situation beyond funds availability or even immediate family support. These are areas worth pondering and better sooner than later. On this issue of retirement adequacy, I would also like to draw attention to the group of special needs individuals. There is a large spectrum of people with varying needs and the type of support required. As able-bodied persons, it is typical for us to have our own concerns about growing up, education, livelihood, family and occasional thoughts of what life might be like in our senior years. But for individuals with special needs, these may not even be fleeting thoughts for some of them. Some lack the ability to plan and fend for themselves, others could be limited for different reasons, thus, becoming an added worry for their parents who are ageing.”
“While the general income level has risen and, theoretically, should be more for dual income families, it appears that meeting immediate financial needs are already a problem for some. To plan for retirement which may be two to three decades down the road, may be a tall order for many of them. For some, the necessity to plan is just before they are about to enter retirement or have less certainty in being employed. The issue will be further exacerbated with fewer children in each family and for those whose children may be able to but are less willing to provide financially for their parents. Second, an increasing proportion of our younger generation are gaining overseas exposures at study or work, and some are involved in the gig economy. For their benefit, we encourage more to internationalise to learn and capture broader experiences and opportunities globally. But with a rising percentage of such families living overseas, their retirement support pillars will inevitably change. For those living and working overseas early in their career, they may not have invested in housing within Singapore, and the CPF contributions differ depending on their compensation package or the nature of their work. When they choose to return to Singapore in the later years, the cost of building their retirement nest will take a different starting point. By then, some may face different challenges in their ability to accumulate sufficiently for their retirement. On one hand, I support and feel it is necessary for the country to continue to provide for its citizens. But on the other hand, I think it is time for us to consider if and how we can continue to afford these long term, larger support packages for every generation.”
“In 2017, MoneySENSE commissioned a Financial Planning Attitudes Survey that showed only one in five surveyed felt they are knowledgeable about investing. Some Singaporeans also had misconceptions about when to start planning for their finances. Half of the young working adults aged between 17 and 29 have not started thinking about financial planning because they think it is still too early to do so. And just 20% of those surveyed felt the need to do financial planning only when they are looking at retirement. Whether the number of survey respondents were in the thousands or less, this is reflective of a worrying trend and the existing mindset of the young working class. It is totally understandable that our current Pioneers and some Merdekas will need all the support that can be given as they earn lower wages in their lifetime and thus limited savings, much less a decent CPF savings to depend upon. But this cannot be the case for the younger generation. Today, most seniors rely on their CPF, housing, personal savings and some income from work if they are still gainfully employed or if their children are willing or able to provide for them. However, we need to recognise that this landscape is changing for the middle-aged individuals. First, family sizes have shrunk, with each family having at most one to two children. Parents are naturally more indulgent in their expenditures for every child. From enrichment classes, tuition, gifts, holidays and more, it is impossible to imagine any parent will give less to their offspring even if they do not compare with others in society. Through growing affluence, changing lifestyles and personal aspirations, it is par for the course today that each family has more expenses outlay over time.”
“Mr Speaker, by now, it is no surprise to hear many saying that Budget 2020 is a timely relief for workers and some specific business sectors impacted by COVID-19. It also addresses short-term inadequacies while setting out plans for our strategic long term. I am thus encouraged by this Budget and glad the Government has prioritised assistance for different groups of citizens across our society. Over the years, we have seen significant financial packages announced to address long-term healthcare needs for our ageing population, GST offsets for the lower-income groups, housing support, education subsidies to level the playing field for improved social equality and much more. These packages seek to enhance social mobility, provide care for those more in need and promote greater wealth distribution across society. Without doubt, these packages, which have a long tail, will have a hefty price tag as they cater for increasingly larger groups of Singaporeans. In this regard, I wholeheartedly agree that the responsibility of the Government is to provide for those who have less resources and are less able to sustain their daily needs. But the cost of living has been a perennial concern amongst Singaporeans, and even more so as we age. How can we better address this in the current uncertain times? Are the financial packages that we see now an indicator of the Government on what is to come in future? Are we moving towards more of a welfare state? And to what extent can the society safety net provide if self-sufficiency from family and personal means remain as the first line of support in our country? This is a topic that we should begin to consider – retirement adequacy.”
“Speaker, I have to first commend MOH for putting up a lot of timely information and good information for people's use. But, as the Minister rightly pointed out, rumours and also misinformation can create unnecessary fear and panic. There are, of course, a lot of closed chat groups now. I just wonder if the Minister can shed some light as to whether any actions will be taken against those who intentionally spread some of the information that creates the panic that goes around. I was actually asked to evacuate my building the other day because the office building apparently had an ambulance that came by. But what we found out was that there was no COVID-19, the person actually was choked. If the Minister could shed some light.”
“Mr Speaker, I have a follow-up question for the Senior Parliamentary Secretary. The issue is that MCSTs are basically made up of volunteers who live within the condominium or estate. They are not professionals by any nature to be able to have a sense whether what has been checked or what was outsourced as an audit review as being accurate. Therein lies the challenge. If there is anything that might have gone wrong, and it was certified and they managed to get their annual certificate renewed, there will be a possibility that the fire hoses are not performing when there is an emergency.”
“However, clause 20 does indemnify the healthcare institutions or service providers by those with disabilities, wherein they can have access to their patients' funds after providing the service. On this note, I hope more clarity can be offered if any audit process will be instituted to verify the sums charged by the healthcare institutions or service providers are within the affordable range. Also, that their services rendered are duly monitored to ensure the vulnerable is receiving proper care, especially if the vulnerable does not have a next-of-kin. Fifth, when the need arises for an assessment of an individual's condition of disabilities, it is stated that the charges will be based on per type of disability assessed. Will the Ministry then provide the public with a reference cost range for each disability assessment service and are there any requirements that prevent an individual from being fully assessed by the same doctor for all conditions on ADLs? Lastly, apart from those who are turning 30 and would be automatically enrolled in CareShield Life scheme, there are Merdekas whose age is between 60 and 65 that hope to enrol for CareShield Life as well. Can the Minister provide more information on how the Merdekas can enrol for CareShield Life and what are the criteria for them to qualify if they had previously opted out of the ElderShield scheme? Sir, having these long-term care scheme and funds are a progressive step forward in ensuring that our population will have a safety net. It is pertinent that we implement the schemes well and provide reprieve for families who may face untimely and unfortunate health conditions in any of their family members. I look forward to more details on the scheme and clarifications on the points raised.”
“Second, under clause 6(b), it specifies that for all Singaporeans and PRs born before 1980 who are not severely disabled before becoming citizens or PRs will automatically qualify for CareShield Life. I would like to ask if the Ministry can consider including coverage for all individuals in this age group who, by birth, have physical disability and/or lack the mental capacity to function in their daily activities. This group of individuals in Singapore are not the bulk of the population. However, a universal insurance coverage of this nature will form a necessary and central support for them and, financially, it is more manageable for their families. Earlier in the speech, the Minister just mentioned about the Long-term Care Fund that will provide them the access to their own MediSave or that of their spouses. But we should also be cognisant that these individuals may be unlikely to have worked by that age, or they might not even have sufficient funds in their CPF to have this coverage and may not even have a spouse or a spouse who have that fund to help them. Third, when a compulsory insurance scheme is implemented, it is understandable for low-income families to be anxious about whether they can reasonably afford the annual premiums. Since details of the premiums are not yet announced by MOH, can the Minister share how and what may be done to address the concerns of these low-income families, as the CareShield Life premium adds on to other premiums like MediShield Life that the individuals must afford? Fourth, for schemes that look into the long-term needs of individuals, it is judicious for a strong governance process to be established. This Bill addresses several aspects and clause 50 seeks to focus on preventing the misuse of funds.”
“In other encounters with people who needed long-term care, it is those children or youths who are born with physical disabilities or lack the mental capacity to care for themselves. Parents that I met with children of special needs are genuinely concerned. The parents are worried that if they themselves grow older, physically and financially taking care of their children will become a significant task. It is a worry they grapple with constantly. What more can they do to have peace of mind that their children will not be left to fend for themselves when they are unable to care for them in the long run? Thus, I believe the CareShield Life and Long-Term Care fund will play a pivotal role in bridging at least some aspects of the caregiving. While the Bill provides details around the implementation and governance of the funds in the interest of the beneficiaries, I wish to raise a few areas for consideration and some questions for further clarification. First, for those who are automatically covered under CareShield Life from 2021 onwards, is there a concurrent requirement for them to also apply for the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA)? Whilst the financial aspect of their caregiving may be taken care of through CareShield Life, but if they do not have an LPA in place, in the event that they become unable to make decisions for themselves, there presents a risk that their family members will have to fork out additional legal fees to act on their behalf. While clause 16 provides an option for the family members to act on their behalf if a donee or a deputy is not in place, but would it not be better if they have an LPA from the onset of joining the scheme? This would mean a less likely potential lapse in their coverage if the family is unable to afford the legal fees.”
“Mr Speaker, I stand in support of the Bill. When a friend of mine turned 40, she received a letter informing about the ElderShield scheme. She shared some thoughts that crossed her mind when she first saw the letter. Soon, the CareShield Life scheme will be compulsory for those turning 30. I can imagine what many at that age would be thinking as they read the collaterals. Why the need for such a scheme at this age? They are healthy, have an active income and ageing is certainly a distant concept for them. But what many fail to think of is that health issues can take many forms and impact anyone regardless of age, in particular, when one suffers disabilities as a result of illness or become mentally incapacitated. The real challenge is what happens if one is not financially prepared or does not have the means to take care of themselves in the long term? This burden inevitably falls on the family and not on themselves. Take dementia as a classic example. Dementia does not impact only the elderly. One can be physically normal, not disabled, but simply fails to get about their daily activities once dementia sets in. I came across a resident who, unfortunately, suffered dementia at the age of 52. Fifty-two years old, in today's context, is not old age, especially not so, given the longer life expectancy. However, this resident who had dementia will have to depend on another person to manage his daily activities for the rest of his life. Having to care for him not only raises concerns about the cost of care in the long run, but also who in the family would become the primary caregiver from then on.”
“Mr Speaker, I actually concur with the Member Mr Seah Kian Peng's comments earlier on enforcement. I just have two other supplementary questions for the Senior Minister of State. The first is whether we will consider mandating the licensing registration at the point of sale so that we are actually tackling both the retailers who have the onus or responsibility of sending the different products they are bringing in to Enterprise Singapore for that Safety Mark, but also to enable the users to know that what they are purchasing is of good quality or has already been certified. Next, with regard to the use of technology, it is always possible with technology that we can mount gadgets on the PMD sets for sale since we are also asking the users to pay a licensing or registration fee. The main thing is that, with technology, it can help to track the speed of the individual PMDs so that we do not have to triple or quadruple the number of enforcers on the ground. The issue is very similar to that of high-rise littering or even pigeon-feeding. There can never be enough enforcers on the ground to help out with all this enforcement. With that technology, they can automatically trigger if there is any violation on the part of the PMD users.”
“I would like to thank the Senior Minister of State. I have one supplementary question. We know that enforcement is not the easiest of tasks, but it is a necessary step to ensure there are compliance and smooth operations. Is it possible for the Ministry to conduct active enforcement 24/7, like intercepting the drones at the boundary of the no-fly zone, because it seems like it is a very tedious task? How will the Ministry go about it?”
“It is true. The thing is that if this incident was not taken to social media and had not gained that much attention, would the Ministry and the AUs already have undertaken this review since in the last three years, there was no increase in rates?”
“I have two questions for Minister Ong Ye Kung. The first is, had this incident not been taken on social media and gained so much attention, would the Ministry and AUs have taken actions to review the disciplinary framework? The second question is, the Minister mentioned that the AUs are now undergoing this full review. When they are ready, would the Ministry ensure that the revisions are adequate and serve their purpose?”
“Two, to connect the Silver Generation Office, the Neighbourhood Community Police Post or other voluntary welfare organisations in closer connection with the caregiver or the seniors' family members who are at work to provide the extended support if required. Should this be successful and have more capability in future, we can connect our seniors to be a part of the app. Many would say it is difficult to get the elderly to be digitally inclined. This could be true for the Pioneers today, but this will not be the case for the Merdekas and the younger cohorts in future. It is useful for us to think on a longer horizon and more effectively utilise the technology space. Smart Services for a Smart Nation”
“I would like to ask MSO, if it has not been done, whether it is possible to link the cross-agency information and have the data analysed to provide preventive maintenance or implementation of more effective solutions that fix the root causes. Second, expand the app's capability beyond a feedback tool. Besides providing feedback on municipal issues observed on the ground, consideration should be made for the tool to also serve as a channel for ideas from the ground on how we can improve situations or designs. I have heard thoughtful feedback from residents on municipal matters due to their work expertise or experience in similar situations. While we understand not all ideas are feasible due to different constraints, but it can become a useful platform for the community and the agencies to share and evolve ideas which are practical for the local context. Third, connectivity of app to community resources for the elderly. Today, a caregiver or the family member probably has to download many apps or search online for information on suitable services for their seniors in the community. The idea I am raising is to provide more convenience for the caregivers and for them to understand or be notified if there are upcoming municipal works or unintended disruptions which may cause difficulties for the seniors who are less mobile. As a first step, I would encourage MSO to think of how we can put community resource information on the app based on regions. This has a two-fold purpose. One, to enable the community to know what services are available in the vicinity that are suitable for seniors.”
“Sir, since the OneService App was launched, I have heard residents’ positive feedback on its ease of use and found the single point of contact helpful. In today’s context, where people are pressed for time and have little patience in waiting for things to get resolved, can MSO provide an update on how wide the adoption of the OneService App has been since its inception and in which specific areas has the app assisted its users most effectively? Why is this important as we continue to encourage adoption of the app for more widespread usage? It is not because we do it for the sake of becoming a digital nation, but truly to reap the benefits of big data, efficiency in response and to bring it further by involving community and agency resources in the vicinity. In that respect, I have a few areas to highlight for consideration. First, focus resources on the critical or frequently raised topics. For example, today, the lift is a common facility that is widely used in HDB. While it falls under the purview of the Town Council, the usual feedback route is through the Town Council service hotline. If there is a case of a man trapped in the lift, it will take longer for support to arrive on site as it needs multiple calls at the backend. This, compared to if the app is already connected to the lift service provider or the rescue unit to seek help in case there are emergencies or medical conditions for the person trapped, the latter would have been more efficient. To take this further, a lot of data that is collected based on the feedback through many channels, can be more effectively analysed and applied for future designs, maintenance regimes or to reduce recurrence of incidents.”
“I feel that this needs to be reviewed more holistically or taken into account with a different treatment for each condition. For example, families that have once-off bonus, jobs that are commissioned based, odd jobs on project basis, families with sons who are serving National Service; these incomes cannot be treated in the same manner as a regular full-time source of income. Moving forward, if we want to enable social mobility for them, we need to look at the efforts of these families in stepping up and over different periods of their lifecycle. The third area, invest in upkeeping of public rental flats. As we try to integrate public rental flats with regular flats in the newer housing estates, I would like to ask MND to also consider investing in upkeeping older rental flats. The exterior facades are now refreshed through the regular Town Council Maintenance Repair and Redecoration programmes. However, there are many seniors living in these rental flats who are not only unable to afford interior renovation of their units, they are most likely going to live there for good as they have no next-of-kin. Existing programmes like the Enhancement for Active Seniors (EASE), spalling concrete treatment and leakage treatment should be extended to these tenants readily without any difference compared to regular flat owners. I hope that MND's goal in helping these families will continue and would also like to know how many target households we are looking at.”
“Sir, among the estimated 50,000 households that are living in public rental flats, I believe it is MND’s intention to focus on a segment of these public rental tenants and help them improve their social mobility by eventually owning their own homes. From my observations, the public rental flat occupiers are mainly the single parents with children, seniors with no extended family, families with foreign spouse, families with interim issues and singles as co-tenants. I would like to point out three areas for MND's consideration to enhance the primary objective of encouraging social mobility of this group and also to help those families that do not qualify under the current Fresh Start Housing. The first area, enhance guidance on the home ownership process. We should consider a few aspects that will be helpful for the families which had low income for an extended period. First, to provide more financial planning and more detailed assistance in guiding them on their first purchase so that they can make more informed decisions of flats that are within their buying power. Second, their home loan eligibility limit with HDB has to be increased as it is unlikely they can qualify for a loan from the private banks. Third, as many of these public rental tenants are low-income workers, they are usually on freelance jobs which do not contribute much to their CPF. So, CPF should not be part of their mortgage payment plan until they are able to build some sufficient funds. The second area, review rental rate based on more factors beyond household income. Rental rate review today takes into account all household income of the occupiers in the flat. Sometimes, the rate is increased as it is based on the most recent payslip before tenancy renewal.”
“I would like to understand what other initiatives MOM intends to put in place to assist special needs people and increase their work opportunities so as to give them peace of mind and have a sustainable social integration as they age. Employment of Vulnerable Persons”