Chong Kee Hiong
Singapore
“Chairman, I have two clarifications. The first one for Senior Minister of State Sim Ann. How will MND ensure that the expansion of the Budget Meal Initiative is sustainable for operators and individual stall owners?”
“In addition to crow attacks, frequent and longstanding complaints include bird droppings on laundry, windows and ledges, food and rubbish messes created by their scavenging, and noise nuisance. The bird droppings are hygiene and health concerns. They affect the general aesthetics of the town and lead to higher maintenance costs.”
“Chairman, the world is going through a phase of greater contestation, fragmentation and bifurcation on the global stage. This was born out of a fundamental lack of strategic trust between the major powers.”
“Mdm Chair, Singapore and Indonesia enjoy warm ties and has had a long history of strong cooperation across a range of sectors, including health, defence, education, culture and the environment. Singapore has been a top foreign investor in Indonesia in the last decade.”
“Mdm Chair, Singapore and Malaysia celebrate the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic ties this year. As close neighbours, our relations with Malaysia are built on a strong foundation of mutual trust and win-win cooperation.”
“Mr Chairman, Total Defence is the cornerstone of Singapore’s national security strategy. Total Defence is premised on the understanding that our security, stability and prosperity depend on the collective commitment and efforts of all Singaporeans and sectors of our country. Each of us has a part to play to defend Singapore.”
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Every one of 209 lines we hold for Chong Kee Hiong, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 1 of 5.
“Chairman, I have two clarifications. The first one for Senior Minister of State Sim Ann. How will MND ensure that the expansion of the Budget Meal Initiative is sustainable for operators and individual stall owners? My second clarification is for Senior Minister of State Tan Kiat How, in his speech, he mentioned that MND has exceeded their target of developing 130 hectares of new parks by 2026, and have made good progress in restoring habitats and establishing park connectors. Does NParks intend to review the next bound of these targets?”
“In addition to crow attacks, frequent and longstanding complaints include bird droppings on laundry, windows and ledges, food and rubbish messes created by their scavenging, and noise nuisance. The bird droppings are hygiene and health concerns. They affect the general aesthetics of the town and lead to higher maintenance costs. Town Councils need more assistance, resources and expertise from the National Parks Board (NParks) to remove nests, reduce shelters and food sources for these birds. To curb the population of these birds, which have become pests due to their numbers, would NParks please devise a new, holistic strategy? We also want to ensure that we are not chasing the flocks to other estates. Safer, Healthier and More Active Living”
“Chairman, a study by the Centre for Research on Successful Ageing (Rosa) at the Singapore Management University (SMU) found that eight in 10 older adults in Singapore prefer to age in their current homes, indicating a desire for familiarity and stability. For seniors living in private estates and who can afford it, ageing-in-place can be achieved through renovations to make their homes more elderly-friendly. However, for the group that is asset-rich and does not have sufficient cash resources, home improvements to suit their needs may not be an option. We are glad that MND has implemented EASE 2.0 to ensure that all seniors are able to age-in-place. With the successful implementation of the HDB Lease Buyback Scheme since 2009, has MND distilled learnings from the programme that can be applied to the private home market? While there are reverse mortgage packages available in the open market, would it be possible for MND to work with the banks to come up with reverse mortgage packages designed to suit the needs of seniors in private estates? City in Nature Singapore is well-known internationally as a clean and green city. However, as a "City in Nature", we face the challenge of needing to balance the protection of ecosystems with the safety, cleanliness and comfort of residents. The increasing number of human-wildlife conflicts is one of the main problems highlighted by my constituents. I shared in this House two years ago, the problems of crows, mynahs and chickens in my estates. Today, the growing populations of crows and mynahs continue to disturb my residents. They are noisy, dirty and aggressive, and attack bewildered passers-by and residents. Over the years, Bishan-Toa Payoh Town Council has received hundreds of reports and feedback about these birds.”
“Chairman, the Ministry and HDB announced the Budget Meal initiative in March 2023 to provide Singaporeans with more affordable food options. HDB had set the target to have all coffee shops leased from HDB to offer budget meals by 2026. Under this initiative, all HDB coffee shops that are renewing their tenancies from May 2023 will be required to offer at least four budget meals and two budget drink options. Budget meals include lunch or dinner options that are typically priced at $3.50 and below, and drinks priced at $1.20 and below. May I ask the number and percentage of coffee shops leased from HDB which have come onboard to date? Are we on track to have all of the coffee shops leased from HDB offering budget meals? In a number of older HDB estates, many coffee shops there are bought and sold in the open market, and not leased from HDB. Hence, MND will need to work with the private operators to come onboard the Budget Meal initiative. How will MND encourage and incentivise them? So far, how many and what is the proportion of privately-owned coffee shops have joined the scheme? Finally, would the Ministry provide an update on the BudgetMealGoWhere portal, an online platform that helps the public find coffee shops offering budget meals and drinks? What has been the feedback on its usefulness so far? For senior citizens who have difficulty going online, how does the Ministry share with them updated information on where to go for budget meals? Community Improvement Projects Committee Funding for all Town Councils”
“Mdm Chair, Singapore and Indonesia enjoy warm ties and has had a long history of strong cooperation across a range of sectors, including health, defence, education, culture and the environment. Singapore has been a top foreign investor in Indonesia in the last decade. We had several high-level exchanges with Indonesia last year, under the new administration of Indonesian President Prabowo Sudianto. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong visited Indonesia twice and met with President Prabowo. During Prime Minister Wong's last visit in November 2024, both sides discussed deepening cooperation in defence, trade and investments, digital technologies and healthcare in addition to Indonesia's priority sectors, such as food security, energy security and human capital development. Will the Ministry provide an update on the major initiatives for bilateral cooperation following the entry into force of the agreements under the expanded framework in March 2024 and what are the next major initiatives for bilateral cooperation that we can look forward to? Singapore's Relations with Brunei”
“Mdm Chair, Singapore and Malaysia celebrate the 60th anniversary of our diplomatic ties this year. As close neighbours, our relations with Malaysia are built on a strong foundation of mutual trust and win-win cooperation. At the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat co-chaired by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in January 2025, a host of agreements was signed, including an MOU on higher education and an exchange of letters on the Malaysia-Singapore English Volunteers Programme. Both prime ministers also witnessed the exchange of an agreement on the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone, which will harness the complementary strengths of Singapore and Johor to attract new investment projects globally. Could MFA share what are some of the other key areas covered at the 11th Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat and what other areas are both sides committed to cooperate on? Singapore's Relations with Indonesia”
“Chairman, the world is going through a phase of greater contestation, fragmentation and bifurcation on the global stage. This was born out of a fundamental lack of strategic trust between the major powers. A number of countries are also turning to protectionist and nationalist policies, as they become more insular in their outlook and transactional in their foreign policy. These developments are detrimental to international trade, relations and cooperation among nations, especially for important issues which we need to work together on, like climate change. Singapore has consistently sought to play a constructive and relevant role on the global stage. As a small nation-state and open economy highly dependent on global trade, we need to do our best to join hands with countries with similar outlooks on mutual cooperation and partnerships. To better safeguard Singapore's interest, can MFA share how we have been able to build ties with like-minded partners to expand our common interest and amplify our voice and impact in the international arena? Fate of Small States in New Global Order”
“Chairman, since the end of World War II, the world has benefited from a stable rules-based international order. As a result, the relative peace and order in most parts of the world have enabled development and economic growth, uplifting millions from poverty and raising the standards of living for people around the globe. As a small state with no natural resources and whose economy is highly dependent on trade, Singapore has benefited greatly from the conducive global environment brought about by the rules-based international order too. Since our Independence 60 years ago, Singapore has been a keen supporter of globalisation and free trade. We have also participated actively in international organisations, such as the UN and the World Trade Organization. These have fostered Singapore's economic advances and national development over the years and contributed to higher living standards and prosperity for many Singaporeans. However, the global environment is now changing, with the rules-based international order under immense stress from developments, such as the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, tensions in the Middle East and recent tariff conflicts. These developments are detrimental to the interests of small states like Singapore. Against this backdrop, what is Singapore doing to support the upholding of the rules-based international order which is under tremendous stress? With declining support for globalisation, how are we supporting international bodies that promote globalisation which is critical for Singapore's survival and prosperity?”
“Mr Chairman, Total Defence is the cornerstone of Singapore’s national security strategy. Total Defence is premised on the understanding that our security, stability and prosperity depend on the collective commitment and efforts of all Singaporeans and sectors of our country. Each of us has a part to play to defend Singapore. We are facing complex security threats and challenges even during peacetime, from terrorism and cyberattacks, to pandemics and climate change. We must build our resilience as a people. We need to be prepared through exercises and drills to cope with the potential disruptions from emergencies and crises. We commemorated 40 years of Total Defence last year. Would MINDEF provide a summary of the outcomes of the activities? Update on ACCORD Initiatives”
“Mr Chairman, Singapore's birth rate has been on a downward trend for years, similar to the situation in many other developed nations. While this is not news, it is important that we continue with our endeavour to address the implications for our national defence. It is a major challenge to maintain a robust defence force with a smaller pool of young Singaporeans eligible for military service. In addition, as our population ages, the proportion of those of prime age that can continue to be part of the reservist pool also decreases. Given the unpredictable state of global affairs, we must be on our guard against potential conflicts or wars. Apart from the countries directly involved, there will be impact on many other countries indirectly, as we have observed from the Russian-Ukrainian War and Israel-Hamas conflict. Our people have always been our greatest asset for national defence. SAF should explore innovative solutions and policies to ensure that we can continue to tap on our key resource pool to maximise their potential. It is in this context that I request MINDEF to share more about how SAF is optimising the deployment of our National Servicemen (NSmen) given our declining cohorts. For example, will SAF tap on technology or even medical advances to augment the capabilities, health or stamina of each NSman?”
“In an earlier Parliamentary Question response, Minister Ng Eng Hen indicated that RSAF will continue to monitor such technologies. Will the Ministry be able to provide an update on its monitoring efforts? Are there any plans to devote a budget toward researching and incorporating noise reduction technologies into military aircraft here? While I understand that defensive capability and safety considerations should always remain priorities for the Armed Forces, surely the impact that achieving such capabilities have on the daily life of Singaporeans should matter, too. Defence Spending and Sustainability”
“Mufflers on RSAF Jets Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang): Almost every day, the residents of Sengkang GRC are forced to pause what they are doing as military jets scream past overhead. What is worse, the location of the town, close to the northeastern edge of the island, means that they must endure the noise for an extended period as the planes circle round again after making a U-turn to avoid entry into Malaysian airspace. Such disturbances are especially disruptive, given how an increasingly larger number of Singaporeans now work from home, at least part of the time. Some residents even suggest that the frequency of such incidents may number as many as seven flights an hour. Over the years, I and my Parliamentary colleagues have implored RSAF to consider various alternatives to their overflights, to cluster take-offs more, to consider alternative flight paths, to take breaks in the early mornings or during exam periods, and to respect quiet hours. The responses, while lengthy and varied, have largely retained the same thrust that the Air Force needs to maintain operational readiness for the good of national defence and that there will eventually be relief after the decommissioning of Paya Lebar Air Base sometime in 2030. In the meantime, however, our residents continue to experience disruptions to their daily activities. Technology, however, has now offered a tested solution, fin line nozzles that can be incorporated into engine design, much like dimples on a golf ball. This advance in aerospace technology offers potentially quieter jet engines with minimal reductions in performance. Other technologies, like micro vortex generators, acoustic liners and other types of modifications to engine nozzles, also appear to hold promise.”
“Mr Chairman, finding land available for training is a major challenge for many militaries, especially for a small and densely populated country like Singapore. As we all know, effective military training requires large and open spaces for high-end live firing exercises and large-scale manoeuvres. I was glad to hear about the SAFTI City development from the Minister for Defence last year, especially on how SAF is doing more with less to enhance training experiences for our Servicemen, in spite of our limited land availability. Training locally is important so that SAF is familiar with our terrain to be proficient in urban operations. It is also equally important to train overseas for the exposure and experience to build our military forces’ ability to adapt to a wide range of unfamiliar conditions. They need training under a variety of different situations and terrains to enhance their resilience and abilities. This is how we ensure that we have a well-rounded and prepared fighting force. SAF has also been training abroad for many years and we are very appreciative to our foreign partners for the opportunities. Training overseas also helps to foster strong defence ties with our key defence partners, improve bilateral cooperation and allow us to benchmark ourselves against other professional militaries. I am sure my Parliamentary colleagues would agree that the importance of training both locally and overseas cannot be overstated, as each offers unique benefits that contribute to the overall effectiveness and adaptability of SAF. I would like to ask the Minister for Defence if he would share how SAF is further improving training locally and overseas for our Servicemen.”
“Without reasonable accommodation, PwDs are disadvantaged at every stage of the employment process. For example, wheelchair users who are denied interviews because the venue of the interview is not wheelchair accessible. Therefore, the denial of such essential reasonable accommodation would constitute an "adverse employment decision" as defined in the Workplace Fairness Final Report. Deputy Speaker, Sir, Singapore ratified the United Nations Conventions on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in 2013 and participated in the Constructive Dialogue with the UNCRPD Committee in 2022. It would be timely for our Government to set a timeline and work towards legislating the prohibition of indirect discrimination and denial of reasonable accommodation. Doing so will help us move closer to achieving the Enabling MasterPlan 2030's goal of 40% PwD employment rate and upholding the UNCRPD principles. There is more work to be done to build greater inclusion in the workplace. Singapore has reached a commendable milestone in introducing the Workplace Fairness Bill. Our PwDs and persons with other conditions would be heartened that the Government has heard their concerns and taken the first steps to improve their employment opportunities and work environment. Hence, I would like to conclude with my full support for the Bill.”
“As for the issue of reasonable accommodations in the workplace, the Ministry can consider referencing comparative legislation and studying the experience of other countries. For example, the US Department of Labor has established reasonable accommodation as a legal concept with clear criteria. Many jurisdictions' laws also include the intertwined concept of "undue burden" where employers are not required to grant accommodation that impose "undue burden”. Hence, employers are protected from making accommodation which they cannot make with reasonable resource allocation. In Singapore, employers can approach MOM and disability organisations, such as SG Enable, Disabled People's Association, Autism Resource Centre (Singapore), Serving People with Disabilities and the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled for assistance and guidance on reasonable accommodation. Would the Ministry consider providing greater incentives to encourage employers to proactively work with these organisations to support staff who are PwDs? How would the Ministry boost awareness and utilisation of the Open Door Programme, Assistive Technology Fund and the Accessibility Fund by employers to fund the costs of reasonable accommodation? Reasonable accommodation is essential and necessary for PwDs to perform their jobs and is not a matter of personal preferences. For example, blind persons need screen readers, deaf people need written communication, autistics need environments that accommodate their sensory sensitivity. Hence, it is important to recognise that by issuing an advisory instead of legislation on reasonable accommodation, employers would interpret them as optional provisions, when, in fact, they are necessary and indispensable means for PwDs to perform their daily tasks.”
“Under Part IV of the section on Recommendations, paragraph 19, I quote, "Some employees may hesitate to come forward to report workplace discrimination or harassment within the company or to MOM or TAFEP, out of fear of subsequently being disadvantaged in the workplace. This sentiment was raised by participants during the 2020-2021 Conversations on Singapore Women's Development. In addition, the MOM Fair Employment Practices Survey 2022 showed that only one in three employees who experienced workplace discrimination sought help." In August 2022, the gender equality group, AWARE in partnership with a consumer research company Milieu Insight, conducted a comprehensive survey on workplace discrimination. They polled about 1,000 respondents on their experiences of workplace discrimination. The results showed approximately 55% of respondents had experienced at least one form of discrimination in the preceding five years. For disability-based discrimination, the survey showed that PwDs experienced discrimination at a significantly higher rate of 78%, compared to persons without disabilities who have experienced discrimination of 50%. The Ministry has stated that it is worried about employee-employer relationship becoming more legalistic if it starts prohibiting indirect discrimination. This is highly unlikely. As it is now, many employees are afraid of reporting the discrimination they face. Most employees would seek to resolve the issue internally through internal channels and avenues, such as by reporting the issue to their manager or the HR department and try to resolve the issue amicably first. This is why it is important to mandate mediation first, before further action, such as litigation, can be taken.”
“Deputy Speaker, Sir, the Workplace Fairness Bill is an important milestone in Singapore's journey to update employment practices and improve the work environment. I would like to appeal to the Ministry to consider including more measures in the interest of employees, such as prohibiting indirect discrimination and requiring employers to provide reasonable accommodation in the workplace. These measures are necessary to enable more PwDs to find, maintain and advance in employment. For those who wish to work, they should be encouraged and supported in their endeavours to earn their own living and gain financial independence. Many PwDs want to participate in the workforce, make use of their skillsets and education and contribute to our economy. Workplace accommodation will benefit employers too, as a more diverse and inclusive workplace can add benefits to businesses. The Ministry's responses to prior feedback on indirect discrimination highlighted its concerns over the wider legal obligations for employers and potential uncertainty for both employers and employees. Would the Ministry consider this issue from another angle, that legislation is necessary to minimise such workplace uncertainties? Presently, affected employees face the uncertainty of whether the indirect discrimination they experience would be taken seriously, which results in unreported cases. There are grey areas where errant employers exhibit a range of indirect discriminatory behaviours. The number of cases of discrimination, direct and indirect, are under-reported. The Tripartite Committee on Workplace Fairness Final Report took note of this.”
“Thank you, Chairman. I have three short clarifications. For Minister Desmond Lee, can I have your views on intensification of land use and the Integrated Hub for Bishan to free up more land and also to improve connectivity and accessibility? The second clarification is that there have been several announcements on the redevelopment of brownfield, which the Minister mentioned again, such as Kranji Turf Club and Bukit Timah Turf City in the past year. So, why is the Government redeveloping Gillman Barracks, which is another brownfield site? My final clarification is for Minister Indranee. What new recreational options can Singaporeans expect under the recreation master plan? Are recreational options limited to activities that do not take up large tracks of land?”
“Would the Minister provide an update on the progress of the Ministry's deliberations over the details for the criteria and implementation of the VERS Scheme? Inclusive Housing Policies for PwDs”
“Such integration would enhance connectivity and accessibility, especially for the ageing cohorts. Green plots in the vicinity could be included as part of the land intensification and integration project. From an environmental perspective, this considered approach can potentially reduce new construction requirements whilst the reduced commute for residents can also lower the carbon footprint from the use of transport. Given that the holistic planning of a precinct will likely have impact on existing buildings, the Government can consider the selective application of Selective Enbloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS) and Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) where relevant. VERS is presently reserved for select precincts that are 70 years or older. As the objectives of the redevelopment are intensification of land use and bringing more convenience to residents rather than rejuvenation, is it possible to have more flexibility in terms of the eligibility criteria for the age of the estate? Other criteria, such as current density of the estate versus the ideal intensity and accessibility and availability of amenities, should be considered more relevant. Prime Minister Lee had announced VERS in his 2018 National Day Rally speech. In his speech, Prime Minister Lee had mentioned that VERS would allow HDB to redevelop older estates in an orderly way, paced over 20 to 30 years, instead of four or five years at the end of the leases of many old HDB towns. Prime Minister Lee noted that the Government needs to work out the selection of the precincts, the timing of the redevelopments, compensations and how to afford the Scheme. It has been six years since the announcement.”
“Intensification of land use is also achieved, where there is an integration of various public and commercial amenities. Take, for example, Tampines Hub, which hosts multiple Government agencies and a range of amenities, from medical to social, such as community health centre; family medicine clinic; sports facilities, including a gym and swimming pools; library; hawker centre; retail shops; and a community club. Development of a town has been done mostly in a linear manner in the past. For example, the Bishan estate where I serve has many standalone amenities housed in mainly single-purpose buildings. Junction 8 shopping mall, which opened in 1994, is situated between the Bishan MRT interchange and the 35-year-old bus interchange. Within the vicinity are two old buildings: the Central Provident Fund (CPF) Bishan, completed in 1997; and Bishan National Library, completed in 2006. Bishan Swimming Complex was built in 1991. Bishan estate currently has no wet market or a hawker centre while a polyclinic is planned to be up by 2030. A few condominiums were completed in Bishan in recent years. In the next two to three years, another 2,000 HDB flats will be added. With more households moving into Bishan, the redevelopment of the central Bishan area into an amenities hub would be highly desirable. As the Bishan estate moves into its fifth decade, it is an opportune time to regenerate Bishan Town Centre with an enlarged modern shopping mall that will incorporate the uniquely Singapore feature of wet market and hawker centre. Medical, social and sports facilities, such as swimming complex, CPF Building, library and a polyclinic, could be further integrated with a bimodal transport interchanges of the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) and bus.”
“Mr Chairman, in 2021, the Ministry invited Singaporeans to join in the Long-Term Plan Review to share their views on their vision for Singapore's development for the next 50 years and beyond. Based on the collected feedback from that exercise, MND is now working on the detailed land use plans for the next 10 to 15 years in the Draft Master Plan (DMP) 2025. For DMP 2025, the Ministry is also conducting a public engagement exercise to gain a better understanding of the needs and aspirations of our people for their estates and our nation. Would the Ministry share the criteria for incorporating their suggestions and ideas for Singapore's land use plans? How will MND take into account the feedback from the public while drafting DMP 2025? Can MND provide an update on the main developments that we can look forward to? How is DMP 2025 different from previous master plans? Given Singapore's limited land, with increasingly more competing uses and development priorities, such as for the expanding agri-food sector, housing, commercial buildings, light and heavy industries, greenery and parks, intensification of land use is the only way forward. We need to build up so that we can free up the land for our farms, reservoirs, parks and retain our nature reserves. The convenience of being able to complete multiple tasks at the same location will allow residents to save on time as well as cost for commuting. Planning more mixed-use zones within our residential communities will allow us to achieve these objectives. During a previous debate for Committee of Supply MND, I had advocated for "whole-of-precinct" and "whole-of-estate" redevelopment concepts for older estates. This approach would improve the land parcellation and road network for more optimal accessibility and connectivity.”
“Chairman, during these turbulent times, it is important for Singapore to keep our existing partnerships strong while seeking to expand our network. Singapore has strong people-to-people and economic ties with Indonesia across many sectors. How is the Government supporting and nurturing these relationships? In view of the upcoming change in leadership, how will we continue to pursue a positive agenda with Indonesia? Singapore is an important gateway for foreign investments into Indonesia. We are also exploring emerging areas of cooperation in areas, such as renewable energy, healthcare and carbon capture and storage. Both our countries have signed and ratified the three agreements under the Expanded Framework, which covers key issues, such as airspace, defence and extradition. Amidst shifting global supply chains, we should do more with Indonesia on food security cooperation. With so much potential at hand, how can we ensure that our relationship with Indonesia remains robust and that both sides continue to work together in the spirit of cooperation?”
“Chairman, the current international state of affairs has been marked by multiple sources of disruption and turbulence. There are ongoing conflicts in various regions of the world, including Europe and the Middle East. In an interconnected world, these conflicts have had a significant economic and emotional impact on our people. Geopolitical competition between large powers have created centrifugal forces that are affecting many countries in a major way. We have shifted away from a unipolar world order – as it was in the 1990s and 2000s. We are entering a period of reduced strategic trust and increased suspicion between the large powers. The global economic outlook is also changing. The large powers have imposed restrictions on their exports of raw materials and technology and have begun to use "friend-shoring" and "near-shoring" to bring critical supply chains closer to home. This has increased the need for Singapore to diversify our economic partnerships with the rest of the world. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) has also become a major source of technological disruption. It is clear that even in the arena of international affairs, it cannot be business as usual. Singapore must be nimble and identify the opportunities and risks that AI and other frontier technologies will bring. The international rules for AI are also nascent. Singapore should work to position ourselves as a thought-leader on AI; and play a constructive role in the development of international rules that will govern the use and development of AI. As a small but highly globalised city-state, how can we ensure that Singapore's foreign policy remains independent and is future-proofed and fit for purpose to overcome these challenges in this new age? Conflict in Middle East”
“Chairman, today's security challenges bear little resemblance to those of the past. Aside from armed conflicts, we have seen the proliferation of hybrid threats – from the likes of dis- and misinformation to well-coordinated online and offline influence campaigns. These will have a profound and undesirable impact on our defence and security, as they seek to undermine our social fabric and weaken the resilience of our society. It is thus important for us to provide the platform for Singaporeans to understand the various defence and security issues as well as the roles they can play. It is also important to encourage Singaporeans to participate proactively in initiatives in bringing Total Defence into action. In particular, we should involve younger Singaporeans, who may not fully appreciate the extent of these developments and may find the topic of defence unfamiliar, distant and unrelatable. It is important to encourage their participation, so that we can nurture and tap on their potential to contribute in different areas of defence. When they have gained a deeper understanding, they would be more interested in how they can play a part in defending their homeland at different stages of their lives as they grow up. On this note, I would like to request MINDEF to elaborate on their efforts in ensuring that our youths are engaged on defence issues. Navy Vessels”
“Chairman, I had briefly mentioned in my earlier cut about the insecurity of our global operating environment that has spurred many governments to invest in defence. Another important issue that I would like to elaborate on is about the preparedness of our people in times of such uncertainties. I spoke on the topic of civic preparedness through Total Defence during my cut for last year's Committee of Supply debate and I think it is timely to revisit this topic. Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recently launched the inaugural Total Defence Exercise – Exercise SG Ready. We need to enhance Singapore's readiness and build our nation's resilience to cope with potential crises and disruptions. In his message, he said that the most critical factor in upholding our security is the determination and will of our people; and that all of us have a part to play to defend Singapore. I would like to ask MINDEF if it would provide an update on Exercise SG Ready and how this and other related activities are helping to prepare Singaporeans for possible disruptions in the event of an emergency or crisis? How would MINDEF heighten public awareness and increase participation of our civilians in regular preparation exercises? How will MINDEF ensure that as many Singaporeans as possible, equip themselves with the necessary knowledge and skills to cope with potential disruptions and attacks?”
“Chairman, the world is unfortunately experiencing more political turbulence and military strife. We have witnessed two major conflicts in the last few years and despite many international appeasement attempts, there are no signs of abatement. The rising temperature of US-China relations further adds to the global woes. Wary of the implications and the undercurrents of all these discords, many governments have increased their defence spending and some have gone on defence shopping sprees to fill their capability gaps. In Singapore's case, we have always put national defence as our priority. It has always been a non-negotiable since our Independence. In spite of the trade-offs and opportunity cost, our Government – with the trust and confidence of our citizens – has made steady investments in defence, as we have understood the importance of self-reliance. It is in this light that I would like to ask the Minister for Defence about our defence expenditure. What are the projections for our defence spending this year and what are the Ministry's priorities? What are the main issues or challenges in the process of procurement and maintenance and how is the Ministry overcoming these constraints? SAF's Transformation Plans”
“I would also like to reiterate my appeal for the Government to consider more risk co-sharing with investors and banks for green and sustainability-linked projects. Most of these will continue to be pioneering initiatives lacking track records. The Government's support will provide green start-ups higher chances of bringing their visions to fruition. Lastly, I would like to ask about the progress and impact on Flexible Work Arrangements (FWAs) on our workplace and economy. The Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests (TG-FWAR) are expected to be released later this year. The guidelines could include examples of reasonable and unreasonable business grounds to justify why requested FWAs can or cannot be provided. I understand that for most of the public sector, working up to two days a week from home is the norm. Has the Government conducted any measurement of the effectiveness and efficiency of this arrangement on public service delivery standards to date? What have been the benefits and challenges of FWAs which had arisen in the past couple of years? In particular, as multiple members of the family from different organisations may be working from home at the same time, how do we safeguard against the inadvertent exchange of confidential information and the potential misuse of such information? What are the lessons the public sector had learnt which can be shared with private enterprises and organisations? A deeper understanding of the relationship between FWAs and efficiency, information security and productivity can help us to come up with FWA policies that support and reinforce our global competitiveness. With this, I would like to conclude with my support for the Budget.”
“What public awareness and education programmes are in place to build up this knowledge and boost demand from our local consumers? At Budget 2017, I appealed to the Government to do more to boost local demand by including a "Buy Singapore" requirement in their sourcing contracts. I would like to urge the Government to consider this again. A stronger official mandate will go a long way to boost demand. This will also send a signal to the market and consumers to support our own and encourage our local companies to keep improving. In addition, are we on track in the development of local expertise for this sector? From agrifood practitioners to researchers, we need to nurture a new generation of talents in our technical institutions, polytechnics and universities to support the development of this relatively nascent sector, especially when we include the more cutting-edge developments, such as lab-grown protein and meat. Would the Government provide an update on the progress of $60 million Agri-Food Cluster Transformation Fund? It was announced at Budget 2021 to help us move towards the "30 by 30" goal of producing 30% of Singapore's nutritional needs by 2030. Are we on track to meet this target? How much of the fund has been disbursed and what kind of projects does it support? At the Budget debate in 2021, I had suggested that the Government includes agrifood developments in its green bond and loan issuances, and sizing them such that even small investors can participate in and do their part to support the growth of Singapore's agrifood sector. Would the Government share an update on what has been done to include our agrifood sector in our green finance market?”
“Hence, there are opportunities to tap on the experience and skillsets of older professionals, managers, executives and technicians (PMETs) to assist SMEs in these aspects. For senior PMETs who seek changes in their careers or who are not employed, will the Government consider designing a systematic, structured framework to match them with SMEs which require their experience, knowledge and skills in the relevant markets and sectors? SMEs can leverage on their know-how, prior exposure to and familiarity with foreign markets to better navigate through the complexities and avoid potential pitfalls. Next, I would like to speak on a topic which I have been following up on over the last few years, "Buy Singapore". I would like to focus on our agrifood sector today. This is because it is a key pillar of our national food security, an issue which had been brought to the fore during the COVID-19 pandemic. We must be prepared for other crises in the future and the more local food production services we have, the less vulnerable we are to supply disruptions. We must continue to support and boost this sector, and ensuring its viability, alongside others, such as manufacturing and financial services. To strengthen food security, besides sector-friendly Government policies and financial support, we need to develop a whole ecosystem to make the agrifood sector a significant economic sector. Given a higher cost structure and lack of economy of scale, the strength of the Singapore dollar, our local produce is more expensive than imported produce. To differentiate our local produce and justify their premium, we need to increase consumer awareness about the advantages and benefits of our local vegetables, fruits, eggs and fish, among others.”
“The $1.3 billion Enterprise Support Package will go a long way to help companies tide over current challenges and build long-term capabilities. The increase in the maximum loan quantum under the EFS-SME Working Capital Loan to $500,000 will help them meet higher capital and cashflow requirements in an environment of rising costs. Some SMEs find it increasingly challenging to participate in Government projects as project scales increase, translating into higher capital and cashflow outlay and tender specifications. The Government can be more thoughtful in running the tender process to be more inclusive. Regarding the additional $3 billion commitment to the $25 billion RIE2025 plan and over $1 billion investment in the next five years into AI compute, talent and industry development, may I suggest that a portion of both be ringfenced for SMEs or collaborations involving SMEs? We all know it is not easy for our SMEs to do R&D and incorporate AI development into their enterprises on their own, due to their smaller sizes and resource constraints. They need Government support for funding and collaboration with researchers and universities, as well as partner companies upstream and downstream. Otherwise, the digital divide between SMEs and MNCs will become wider. Singapore is a small economy, and our economy is expected to grow at a slower pace going forward. It has become more urgent and important for our SMEs to source for more business and revenue overseas. To develop their businesses beyond our shores, SMEs need to understand and adapt to the dynamics of foreign jurisdictions, with all their different jurisdictions and ways of doing business.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this is a forward-looking Budget with a balance of measures to help households and companies deal with rising costs and to make longer term preparations for the future. One of the highlights of this Budget is the strong support for the upskilling and reskilling of our ITE graduates and middle-age and older Singaporeans. Reinforcing a continuous learning mindset and identifying improvement opportunities among Singaporeans will enable the population and Singapore to remain relevant in the evolving global economic landscape. The education top-ups, subsidies and monthly training allowances are unprecedented in scope and scale. This is a huge investment in our people. I have two suggestions. Firstly, the Government should consider tying up with the relevant industries to co-create curriculum and encourage pre-graduation job confirmations, so that upon completion of the courses, the graduates can have a higher rate of success of being hired by companies needing their newly acquired skills. One of the common feedback from some graduates of "train-and-place" programmes is that they have difficulties in finding jobs on their own. Secondly, the Government should track the graduates of these courses and their subsequent employment and salaries to evaluate the effectiveness of this policy. As this is intended to be a long-term policy, at substantial recurring cost to our country, the Government should measure if the investment is yielding satisfactory results. If not, reviews, adjustments and changes will have to be made along the way. Next, I would like to speak on support for SMEs. The underlying cost structure of our SMEs has changed significantly over the years. I appreciate the near-term relief measures in the Budget to help them cope with the rising costs.”
“Thank you, Madam. MND and HDB have committed to building faster and building more. I would like to ask the Minister how MND and HDB plan to sustain the ramp-up in the supply of housing.”
“However, the issue has continued for far too long and has incurred too much time, effort and resources and it is therefore time to step up efforts. Currently, the task force has to look for farms that are prepared to accept these chickens, build a cage of a suitable size to house them and with each farm only allowed to have ten chickens, this entire process cannot be an efficient solution to the situation. I would like to request NParks to be more proactive to relocate more of the chickens as they have done so for other constituencies. We all know that feeding of chickens is a major contributor to the overpopulation. NParks will engage the feeders but there is no deterrence as feeding of chickens is not an offence. Would the Ministry consider including chickens in the Wildlife Act so that those caught feeding them will be deterred by the fines?”
“Chickens and Roosters Overpopulation Wild, free roaming chickens have multiplied so fast at one of my estates, Thomson Sin Ming Court, that a task force comprising mainly residents, with representatives from NParks, Town Council and Acres in support, was set up to attend to the feedback from two groups of residents with opposing views. At last count, we had about 60 chickens, down from around 100 in December 2021, after a few exercises to relocate some. One group of residents have been severely affected by the loud crowing made by roosters regardless of day or night. The residents may be working from home, preparing for exams, taking a rest from shift work, or elderlies who need rest. Some have resorted to installing expensive sound-proof windows. Others send me videos or sound files as evidence of how noisy the roosters are. They are unable to rest or sleep well due to the constant disturbances. They are deeply frustrated, despite the various measures the task force has taken. These include relocating some roosters, pruning trees, placing nets over trees at hotspots, an ongoing egg hunt-and-collection and public education through walkabouts and talks by my grassroots leaders, volunteers and agencies' staff about not feeding the chickens. The other group of residents is very protective of these chickens, literally losing sleep over missing chickens. Some residents continue to feed the chickens against our advice to let them forage naturally. This has contributed to overpopulation and attracted other pests. Recently, a fight even broke out between residents due to chicken feeding and a police report was lodged. The task force strives to find a balance between having some chickens in the estate while reducing the inconveniences brought about by the overpopulation.”
“Chairman, there has been frequent feedback on birds causing a nuisance in our estates in Bishan and Toa Payoh. Since February 2022, the Town Council has received more than a thousand reports about birds. The most recent reports are mainly of crow attacks. Other common and longstanding complaints include bird droppings on laundry, windows and ledges, and noise nuisance created by the cawing and crowing of the birds. On the other hand, there are also residents who, for reasons of biodiversity, object to actions such as tree pruning, trapping and culling, to reduce the populations of crows, mynahs and pigeons. The bird droppings cause hygiene and health concerns, affect the general aesthetics of the town and lead to higher maintenance costs. The most effective method to manage the bird population is to eliminate their shelter and food sources. In NParks' regular crow surveys, NParks would highlight areas in HDB estates with crows' nests to the Town Council for removal. Would it be more effective and efficient if NParks were to remove the nests instantly when spotted instead? Could NParks increase the frequency of crow trapping and set more traps at different locations in the estates at the same time to increase the effectiveness of the actions? Could NParks be the implementing agency on these issues, take the lead with NEA and waste collection companies to develop more effective waste disposal measures to minimise exposed food waste for birds to feed on? Besides public education, we also need heavier penalties for bird feeding and improper waste disposal so that the offenders will be deterred from re-offending so as to be fair to other residents who have to suffer the inconveniences brought about by their actions. Second cut.”
“The Ministry shared that around 44% of building projects by gross floor area adopted DfMA in 2021 and the target was to reach 70% by 2025. May I ask if this is the same target for HDB flats’ construction? Integrated Digital Delivery (IDD) is another way to boost productivity, whereby all stakeholders involved in a building project collaborate through digital platforms. IDD helps to improve accuracy and communication. The Productivity Innovation Project (PIP) and the Productivity Solutions Grant (PSG) are two of the schemes under the Construction Productivity and Capability Fund. Under PIP, applicants can benefit from support of up to 70% of the cost of adopting solutions like DfMA and IDD technologies. Companies can also apply for the PSG, which co-funds up to 70% of the cost of adopting off-the-shelf digital solutions. Would MND share what are the take-up rates of these schemes and how they have translated into expediting the building of our HDB flats? Bike Racks in Multi-storey Car Parks Assoc Prof Jamus Jerome Lim (Sengkang): In the 2021 COS debate, I suggested the multi-storey car parks (MSCPs) in many non-mature states are under-utilised and asked a part of them be repurposed. HDB declined to redesignate the MSCP space for coffee shops or cloud kitchens, but many MSCPs remain under-utilised. More and more families are purchasing bicycles in pursuit of healthy lifestyles, but face parking constraints. Delivery riders also find little space to park while making drop-offs. I propose that we redesignate the ground floor of under-utilised MSCPs for bike and delivery parking and shift vehicle parking one floor up. Town Council Funding”
“While there is no correlation to indicate the fire cases were due to age of flats, the installation of HFAD would help in response time if such fires were to occur within the flat. Could SCDF share information on the causes of fires following the investigations with the relevant agencies such as HDB and Town Council for knowledge management? Adequate fire insurance coverage is also necessary. Would the Ministry consider subsidising comprehensive fire insurance for lower-income families? If HDB can act as a “bulk” insurance purchaser with co-payments from these households, the negotiated premiums would likely be much more affordable. Building HDB Flats Faster At the recent debate over public housing, I appealed to HDB to invest more resources to build flats faster to catch up on the time lost due to the COVID-19. pandemic. It is vital to shorten the waiting times for BTO flats. HDB should continue to work with the construction sector to utilise new and faster building techniques to reduce time for completion of projects. This will naturally increase the supply of flats in the market to alleviate supply and demand pressures and moderate price increases as the competition for resale flats is lowered. At the COS debate last year, I spoke on adopting the Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction (PPVC) method more widely to improve building productivity. With constraints on skilled manpower, increased productivity through better technological solutions is key to building our flats faster. Besides PPVC, what other forms of Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), where some construction work is moved off-site into factories to prefabricate building modules, are utilised for the construction of our HDB flats?”
“The Public Rental Scheme (PRS) assists Singaporeans with no alternative housing options by providing them with heavily subsidised rental flats. There are four schemes under PRS: Family Scheme, ComLink Rental Scheme, Joint Singles Scheme and Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) Pilot. I would like to ask the Ministry for an update on the PRS. How does HDB apportion the number of flats to each of the four schemes under PRS? Does HDB prioritise applications where there are children involved? Has HDB received more applications for these flats in recent months? The increasing rental rates in the open market would have made it more challenging for those who are renting. With the general increase in pay, would the household income cap of $1,500 be reviewed? When was the last revision? Will HDB also share an update on the Joint Singles Scheme Operator-Run (JSS-OR) Pilot rolled out in end-2021, where HDB helps to match flat mates based on their common factors? It is meant as an alternative to the Joint Singles Scheme. What is the demand and supply for JSS-OR and are there plans to expand this pilot to more sites? Fire in HDB Flats There were 934 cases of residential fires last year, of which about a third were of electrical origin. How many were in HDB flats and does MND have a breakdown of flat types, including public rental flats? If public rental and smaller flats account for more of the fires, would the Ministry consider more targeted public education programmes to increase awareness of fire safety and prevention? Timely reminders and advisories can potentially save lives. Would HDB also consider including the Home Fire Alarm Device (HFAD) as an essential item under the Home Improvement Programme’s (HIP) - Essential Improvements scheme?”
“Chairman, Indonesia is one of Singapore's closest neighbours. Singapore and Indonesia are connected through family ties, social and commercial relationships. As one of our most important bilateral partners, we enjoy a high level of cooperation across a wide range of sectors. Singapore has consistently been Indonesia's top source of FDI since 2014. According to Ministry of Trade and Industry (MTI)'s figures released last year, Indonesia is Singapore's sixth largest trading partner. In June 2022, our Minister for Trade and Industry visited Indonesia to meet with his counterpart among others. Both sides expressed interest in deepening bilateral cooperation in the areas of energy, infrastructure development and the digital economy. On the bilateral front, Indonesia's ratification of all three agreements, covering FIR, Defence Cooperation and Fugitives Extradition, under the Expanded Framework between Singapore and Indonesia in 2022, was a clear sign of the strength and maturity of our relationship and our commitment to work together as close neighbours. Would the Minister share with the House an update on how Singapore is stepping up cooperation with Indonesia, especially from the economic perspective? Relations with Indonesia”
“Chairman, last year, the World Economic Forum recognised the contributions of one Ukrainian, Fedir Serdiuk, who had founded the First Aid Special Training, or FAST, organisation in 2016 to provide first aid training to ordinary Ukrainians. His organisation has reportedly trained more than 50,000 Ukrainians with the skills needed to render first aid, which has been particularly useful amidst the current hostilities. I hope that Singaporeans continue to be inspired by such stories and that more Singaporeans are encouraged to learn about how they can prepare themselves to respond in the event of a national crisis. How is MINDEF working with other agencies to enhance Singaporeans' civic preparedness? What are the measures planned to increase participation and the range of skills learnt by each participant? Preparing Singapore for Crises”
“Chairman, last year, we commemorated 55 years of NS. This was a meaningful opportunity to pay tribute to the contributions of our past and present NSmen. Their contributions and personal sacrifices have ensured the SAF has remained strong, and have kept Singapore safe and secure. While NS55 activities have concluded, recognition and support for our NSmen should continue. Our Singaporean sons devote two full years of their time, away from their families and loved ones, for the defence of Singapore. They put their studies and career aspirations on hold and serve with passion and commitment. After full-time NS, our NSmen continue to make sacrifices juggling family, work and NS commitments. I was, therefore, glad to hear that the NS Review Committee had prioritised recognition and support for our NSmen as one of the Committee's three thrusts. I appreciated that Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How talked about NS recognition in his COS speech last year, including about the enhancement of the NS HOME awards. What are MINDEF and the SAF doing to ensure that our NSmen continue to feel appreciated for their contributions to our national defence? How can MINDEF and the SAF better support our NSmen's families as well? Reducing Administration Processes for NS”
“Chairman, the attack on Ukraine was a wake-up call that we should never take peace and stability for granted. While such violent conflicts may seem far from our realities here in Singapore, they serve as a stark reminder that we must be able to defend ourselves and deter threats that may come our way. The war in Ukraine has shown that even in the age of hybrid warfare and grey zone tactics, conventional warfare remains a real possibility. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had to appeal for tanks, fighter aircraft and long-range heavy weaponry from its allies and partners. In addition, the digital terrain has become as real as the air, land and sea domains. The Financial Times had reported on Russia’s use of malware to infiltrate Ukrainian government and financial systems to create disruption in the early days of the war and even to disrupt crucial satellite connectivity. Singapore must be prepared for threats from all sources. The SAF must therefore maintain its ability to deter and defend against threats in both the physical and digital realms. At last year’s Committee of Supply debate, Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen talked about the SAF’s transformation efforts to meet future security threats and challenges. I am glad that we have taken incremental steps to build up and transform the SAF over the years, not just to meet current security threats, but also to anticipate potential new threats that we may face in the future. One of the biggest challenges is our low fertility rate which affects the future number of NSmen. SAF would have to adapt through technology utilisation or policy changes, leading to further transformation. Can MINDEF provide an update on the progress of the SAF’s transformation?”
“I would like to conclude with my support for the MND Motion.”
“Supposing we are able to improve the supply situation, the question of affordability is also top on the minds of flat buyers. HDB has done well over the years to ensure availability of a good mix of different flat types in a wide range of prices. Together with the relevance of subsidies and assistance schemes, home ownership is within reach for a broad spectrum of budgets. However, there will be a group of applicants who need or want to stay close to the parents but are worried about whether the prices of BTO flats in these areas are within their budget, especially if their parents are residing in matured states, which command level of pricing that is on the higher range due to their prime or central location. How do we create a situation where we can achieve a good outcome for this group of applicants? To maintain a fair market, HDB would have to differentiate pricing of flats according to their location in line with how real estate is priced. While bridging the aspirations of multi-generational families who want to stay in close proximity, we also need to be cognizant of market forces at play as HDB flats are also bought and sold on the secondary market. Increasing supply of BTO flats indiscriminately and skewing pricing to the low end would create downward pressure under the resale HDB flat market and impact existing home owners. Aside from the forces of supply and demand and location, the lease tenure of a property would also be a factor in his pricing or value. Perhaps HDB can review the suitability of assigning leases of varying durations and pricing to augment the affordability to first-timers who really need to or want to stay close to their parents in mature estate BTO flats that are in central locations.”
“Madam Deputy Speaker, I declare my interests as my family has interest in private real estate development. Singapore has one of the highest rates of home ownership in the world, proving that HDB policies have been working well over the generations. Of course, these housing measures have to evolve to adapt to changing needs. We have done so before and must continue with our efforts to adjust our housing policies to suit new population requirements and social norms. It is important for our HDB flats to be more accessible to all Singaporeans. First and foremost, we need to shorten the waiting times for BTO Flats. HDB should continue to work with the construction sector on new and faster building techniques such as Prefabricated Prefinished Volumetric Construction, or PPVC method, to reduce time for completion of projects. This will naturally increase the supply of flats in the market to alleviate supply and demand pressures, First and foremost, it will moderate price increases as the competition for resale flats is lowered. Second, it will allow better family planning for couples who prefer to have their own homes before starting a family. Existing priority schemes should be regularly reviewed and calibrated to suit prevailing demand requirements, giving consideration to demographics and existing supply conditions. And I appeal to the Ministry to provide further priority for first timers who need their flats more urgently. These include married couples trying for a child and those with young children. HDB may need to look into their family situation, such as proximity to the parents' home, the couple's age, number of unsuccessful HDB applications and allocate higher priority.”
“Thank you, Chairman. I thank Minister Desmond Lee for buying back flats from EIP-constrained owners under certain conditions. I have the following clarifications: would these flats be added to the PPHS or Public Rental Scheme to meet rental demand from singles or families in the eligible minority ethnic groups? My second clarification is for Minister of State Faishal Ibrahim. Could the Minister of State provide an update on the current situation of EIP-constrained owners? Has the number of appeals increased?”
“Chairman, prefabricated prefinished volumetric construction (PPVC) is attractive as it has been assessed to improve building productivity by up to 40%, resulting in substantial onsite manpower and time savings. It is green and sustainable since it reduces construction material wastage and can incorporate green features, such as green concrete. It is popular because it reduces all the disamenities of a construction environment, such as noise and dust. Since most of the installation works and related manpower are offsite, this also results in improved safety on the construction site. It costs about 10% more than conventional building methods, but is expected to come down in price as more projects use this method, which has been experienced in overseas markets. I would like to ask the Minister, with higher labour costs and lower number of foreign workers, have the overall cost gaps been breached? Would MND provide an update on the status of PPVC adoption in all categories of construction, including for HDB projects? The use of PPVC has been required for some residential, non-landed Government land sales sites since 2014. Why is it required only for these selected sites? Would MND consider requiring more builders to use PPVC and speed up its adoption? What are the constraints which are preventing wider adoption? Sustainable Buildings”
“A few owners had complained that they could not even get a single offer to negotiate upon. This situation causes hardship for families who need to move for personal reasons, such as those that need to be nearer other family members who can be caregivers, or who need money for retirement or family emergencies and, hence, are downgrading. Will HDB consider helping them out and facilitate such sales by providing a grant or subsidy to a buyer from the eligible minority group? This will help to plug the difference between the sellers' asking price and what the eligible buyer can afford. This grant can be piloted in areas where there are more mismatches and where the gaps are more significant. Alternatively, HDB can act as a buyer of last resort for such flats and purchase the flats from the sellers. These flats can then be leased to singles or families in the eligible minority ethnic groups under the parenthood provisional housing scheme or public rental scheme. Similarly, BTO and sale of balance flats, which have been reserved for certain ethnic groups under the EIP and which have remained unsold for an extended period of time can be included under PPHS and the public rental scheme. Ethnic Integration Programme”
“According to HDB, most new flat buyers use less than 25% of their monthly household income to service their monthly instalments for a 25-year loan. This is viable, provided that the buyers are able to keep their jobs and maintain uninterrupted employment. I spoke about this during the debate on the President's Address in September 2020. The employment situation today is less favourable for holding long mortgage tenures, compared to the past when people used to hold jobs for life. Going forward, people will change jobs more frequently and quite a number are making a living from the gig economy. This new job trend and the higher macroeconomic risk backdrop should be captured in the analysis of the affordability of HDB flats. With lower employment security and reduced market predictability, affordability of HDB flat prices should be measured based on a tenure that is less than 25 years. HDB flat prices should, therefore, be priced lower to adequately reflect this new normal. This would also provide flexibility to structure lower instalment payments by stretching the loan tenure should financial circumstances of the buyer change over time. Alternatively, HDB should find ways to increase affordability, such as giving more grants, to help first-time owners with their BTO flats, especially those from the lower-income group. HDB should continue to tap on technology and improve building techniques to keep the cost of construction of BTO flats low, as it confronts rising labour and material costs. 3.00 pm Would the Ministry share what measures HDB is implementing to improve affordability of its BTO flats? Ethnic Integration Policy Some owners have difficulty selling their flats due to the Ethnic Integration Policy. They are mostly from the minority ethnic groups.”