Choo Pei Ling
Singapore
“Technology can process information. People decide what matters. Technology can recommend options. People weigh competing priorities. Technology can improve efficiency. People decide when resilience is worth the additional cost. Technology should never be seen as replacing Singaporeans.”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Minister of State for the response. I have three supplementary questions. First, as a small country that cannot take energy security for granted, could the Minister of State share whether Singapore may increasingly move towards designing future developments and estates to be more solar ready from the ou…”
“Thank you, Speaker, and I thank the Minister for the response. Building on the earlier response, could the Minister share whether Singapore's workforce planning approach is being further adapted for a more persistent state of structural uncertainty, where workers may face overlapping disruptions from trade fragmentation, technological cha…”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, and thank you to Senior Minister of State for the response. In Tengah, many residents have approached me on EV charging infrastructure. Tengah residents who already own EVs have shared that having charging points closer to home would make daily life much more convenient.”
“If we want better outcomes, then we must think ahead in how we structure this wider ecosystem, with clear roles, clear standards and clear accountability. Because good professionals matter, but the system around them matters just as much.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I thank the Minister for the reply. I have three supplementary questions. The first one, beyond awareness, what does the Ministry see as the key reasons why couples are not taking up PREDICT?”
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“Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister for his response. Public engagement is a strategic activity for building trust, understanding and the concerns of the community, and ensuring that local needs and preferences are considered in nuclear project planning. My supplementary question is, could the Ministry elaborate more on plans to enhance public literacy on nuclear technologies, especially among youths and non-technical communities, so that future discussions are informed and inclusive?”
“With this, I would like to conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“I urge relevant departments to continue raising public awareness of this new framework and its corresponding penalties. Internet abusers must understand that they can no longer easily hide behind seemingly anonymous avatars and commit offences, they would be punished if they do so. Under the Bill, individuals may be fined up to $20,000 and jailed for up to 12 months, while entities may be fined up to $500,000 for failing to comply with the OSC’s orders. I urge the Ministries to consider increasing the caps for the fines and jail terms and include caning, to empower judges to have more discretion for particularly egregious crimes. In the UK, the Online Safety Act can impose penalties of up to S$31 million. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] Finally, I would like to ask about adult victims who refuse to lodge complaints with OSC due to fear of the perpetrators, for example. Under special circumstances, can someone else lodge, even if the victims do not give consent? (In English): Mr Speaker, online harm is real, and its impact is deeply personal. This Bill sends a clear message: our digital spaces must be safe, accountable and respectful. Victims deserve swift protection and perpetrators must know – anonymity is not immunity. This new online safety framework enhances protection online and provides an additional option for victims who want quick termination of online harm. We currently have several statutes to deal with harmful online activities, content and interactions – POHA, the Broadcasting Act, POFMA, the Foreign Interference (Countermeasures) Act and OCHA. I hope that there will be public education and awareness campaigns to help Singaporeans and residents understand their uses; and hotlines or centres where victims can approach for advice and assistance.”
“Many people are beginning to self-censor, even choosing to reduce their Internet use to protect themselves and their families. If we do not address this issue promptly, this online environment will further deteriorate. I welcome the establishment of the new OSC to enable victims to seek timely remedies. I cheer the Government's decision to enhance information and identity disclosures. Especially important is the introduction of statutory torts. They will provide victims the legal basis to seek accountability. I understand that enforcement will require significant resources and hence, the OSC will start with five of the 13 types of online harms, focusing on online harassment, doxxing, online stalking, intimate image abuse and image-based child abuse. I support the Ministry's plan to progressively expand coverage. At the same time, I would like to ask, when would the other online harms be progressively included? I would like to express appreciation on behalf of some of my residents who have shared they have been victims of doxxing. They shared that their addresses, car numbers and details of when they are resting are being shared online, as are videos and photos showing their family members, neighbours and visitors. I would like to ask the Minister whether the OSC will address such problems in online private chat groups, such as WhatsApp and Telegram? If so, what actions will the OSC take? In addition, the POHA provide protection from online harassment as well. How can victims decide on when to seek help from OSC or POHA? With this new legislative framework, new standards will be set for online behaviour and communication. Over time, these guidelines will guide our Internet users.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I support the Online Safety (Relief and Accountability) Bill. The Bill is timely. The Bill will empower the newly established OSC to take action against users who abuse the Internet to harm others. Victims of online harassment or malicious disclosure of their privacy will receive more timely and comprehensive protection and will be able to seek compensation. The Commission will be able to instruct distributors of harmful content, platform administrators and platform operators to remove harmful content, restrict perpetrator accounts or publish victim responses. These measures will help curb many forms of online misconduct and are crucial for building a responsible and healthy online ecosystem. The enactment of this Bill is a landmark achievement in shaping a civilised, responsible and trustworthy online environment. I sincerely thank all relevant departments and the public for their efforts and contributions over the past five years. I am gratified and encouraged to see everyone working together to make the online environment safer and more civilised. The Internet's appeal lies in connecting people and ideas around the world, fostering understanding and solidarity. However, it has also been abused for disseminating pornography and violence, cyberbullying and inciting racial or religious conflict. Many of these misdeeds are carried out anonymously and this trend is escalating. Currently, the avenues for help available to Internet victims are extremely limited. Beyond the direct psychological and emotional harm, we are also seeing increasing indirect impacts.”
“I have three supplementary questions. One, as schools differ in size and profile, how does MOE ensure that requests for additional support staff, such as administrative assistants or counsellors, are prioritised fairly and matched to the unique needs of each school? Two, are best practices from schools that have successfully reduced teacher workload being shared so that other schools can learn and adopt these methods? Three, how are insights from these regular workload reviews translated into practical adjustments at the school level, so that teachers feel the impact directly in their day-to-day work?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Senior Minister of State for his elaboration. I have a few questions. As mentioned in my earlier speech, one of the Council's recommendations being considered is tele-assessments for claimants. May I clarify, when does the Ministry expect to conclude the feasibility study on this and how will the assessors guard against fraud and potential misdiagnosis? Separately, I would also like to seek clarification on whether the Ministry would be able to share any cases of appeal it had received in the years since CareShield Life started? And what were the percentages of successful and unsuccessful appeal cases?”
“We must continue to review the scheme periodically to ensure that it serves our people expediently and compassionately in their time of need. I support the Bill.”
“How will the assessors guard against fraud and potential misdiagnoses for tele-assessments? Assessors play a pivotal role in the CareShield Life scheme, serving as the gatekeepers who determine eligibility for payouts based on an individual's ability to perform ADLs. Their assessments directly impact the timeliness and fairness of financial support for those in severe disability, making their expertise and judgment essential to the integrity of the system. As we seek to improve the claims process and make it more claimant-friendly, it is timely to ask: what qualifications and training are required to become an assessor and how are we ensuring that there are enough assessors to meet growing demand? As of 2024, there were 1,821 active claimants under CareShield Life. The age of the claimants ranged from 30 to 93, with about half of them in their 30s and 40s. Would MOH provide a breakdown of the claimants by age groups of 10, for example, starting from age 30 to 40, 40 to 50 and so on; and by types of major causes, such as strokes, hereditary diseases and so on? With these information, would it be possible to implement preventive measures to reduce the number of cases in each age and vulnerability group? In addition, would the Ministry share how many cases of appeal it had received in each of the years since CareShield Life started? What were the percentages of successful and unsuccessful appeal cases? What were the lessons learnt from these appeals and how has the Ministry improved on its assessment process? Mr Speaker, these changes demonstrate our commitment to make CareShield Life financially sustainable and people-centric in its delivery.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to declare that I am a registered member of the Allied Health Professions Council and my work involves assessing, treating and educating on disability. CareShield Life will play an increasingly vital role in our social safety net as we join the ranks of super aged societies. As a cornerstone of our national insurance framework, its financial support ensures that Singaporeans and Permanent Residents with severe disability and who require long-term care will have the funds to meet their care needs. I support the review and recommendations of the CareShield Life Council, which have been timely and necessary. Its stance is balanced, weighing the need for sufficient payouts for essential care against affordable premiums. To be sustainable in the long term, higher payouts have to be backed by corresponding premium increase rates. Hence, the Government's transitional support for policyholders in the form of premium subsidies, is welcomed. After this five-year financial support ends, how would the Government ensure that the premiums remain affordable? Would the MOH consider premium discounts for policyholders who lead healthier lifestyles, such as abstention from smoking? I welcome the Government's decision to improve and simplify the claims process and streamline applications across all national care schemes which the claimants are eligible for, as recommended by the Council. One of the Council's recommendations being considered by MOH is tele-assessments for claimants, in addition to those performed at their own residences, public hospitals and the assessors' places of practice, such as clinics. When does the Ministry expect to conclude its feasibility study on this?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I thank the Senior Minister of State and the Minister of State for their responses. I have three supplementary questions. One, as noise disturbances and hoarding in common areas remain among the most frequent neighbour disputes in HDB estates, would the Ministry consider reviewing and strengthening legislation and enforcement, including setting maximum permissible decibel levels or clearer hoarding thresholds, to address these issues more proactively? Two, has the Ministry explore the use of predictive analytics or risk assessment tools to identify the high-risk neighbour disputes before they escalate? And three, if so, what safeguards are in place to ensure there is fairness, transparency and privacy?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir. I thank the Minister of State for her response. I have two supplementary questions. One, what proportion of Singapore's pharmaceutical exports to the US comprises active pharmaceutical ingredients or intermediates? And two, are these categories subject to the same 100% tariffs or eligible for any exemptions?”
“Let us continue to invest boldly but, also wisely, that our research efforts deliver not just quantity and activity, but authentic, measurable impact. Today, I spoke on healthcare and research. But there is much more to speak on, and beneath these diverse topics, lies a common thread. Let me offer an analogy: Singapore is like a boat. We are all in it together, each with different personalities, backgrounds and perspectives. There is no right or wrong in who we are. What matters is that we row in the same direction. In healthcare, in research, in every policy we shape, we must choose the right way, not the easy way. The right way demands courage, clarity and compassion. It asks us to listen deeply, act boldly and build patiently. And let me end with this reflection. This is inspired by the Prime Minister's National Day Rally speech and the President's Parliamentary address. Mr Speaker, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): We are not passengers — we are crew. Each with a different rhythm, a different strength. But the boat moves only when we row together. Not in circles. Not apart. Forward. Let us choose the right way, not the easy way. Let us move as many, but sail as one.”
“We have committed billions to support research, innovation and enterprise. But the question is not how much we spend; it is what we get from what we spend. We must ensure that funding is not merely meeting check-box criteria, but delivering real impact. Are we solving the problems we set out to solve? Are we plugging the gaps that matter most? We often measure success by volume; papers published, grants awarded, partnerships signed. These are important, but they do not always reflect whether the work is transformative or relevant. We must also be mindful of the administrative workload on researchers. When too much time is spent on compliance and reporting, we risk shifting focus away from innovation. Accountability is essential, but it must be proportionate and purposeful. And we need research-trained professionals, not just those with degrees, but those with deep, discipline-based expertise to manage and evaluate research outcomes. To ensure that every dollar spent delivers maximum value, I propose the following: support early-career scientists with targeted funding that promotes exploration, innovation and breakthrough thinking; shift to impact-driven evaluation by requiring grant programmes to define success upfront in terms of national outcomes, with clear plans for industry partnerships or public sector applications; streamline grant processes – consolidate duplicative calls across agencies and reduce excessive reporting requirements to allow researchers to focus on innovation; ensure funding decisions and outcome assessments are guided by domain experts with deep research expertise and relevant field experience. Mr Speaker, Sir, "我们要把钱花在刀刃上", means spending money where it matters most.”
“Singapore committed $28 billion under the Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 Plan. But investment alone is not vision. We must ask: what are we building and who are we becoming? We cannot simply cruise along with the flow of the waters; we need to accelerate and ride with the waves – as the Chinese saying goes, "不随波逐流，要乘风破浪". In a world of rapid innovation, drifting with the current may seem safe, but it leaves us vulnerable to external tides. If we only follow, we risk becoming dependent on others for the technologies and solutions that shape our future. So, we must define our own direction. We are not striving to be sellers of everything, but we cannot afford to be buyers of everything either. Take the current trend of AI as an example. Instead of focusing only on applications built elsewhere, we must ask, "Can we Singapore lead in artificial intelligence on novel applications, such as, for multilingual societies, for small data environments, or for public trust and governance?" And beyond trends, what is Singapore's own version of artificial intelligence? I appeal to the Government to define and commit to long-term strategic research domains, fields where Singapore can lead – invest in Singapore-branded technologies that enhance national resilience in essential sectors; encourage and enable researchers to pursue high-risk, long-horizon questions through targeted grants; and infrastructure support and collaboration platforms. When policy and innovation move together with clarity and courage, Singapore will not only keep pace with the waves of innovation. We will set our own direction, chart a course others can follow and build capabilities that serve our people and economy for decades to come. And finally, on research expenditure and impact assessment.”
“To enhance its impact, I suggest: moving beyond reactive screening by offering guidance on postural health and ergonomics from early school-going age; embedding early touchpoints into antenatal care to equip first-time parents with tools for building healthy routines from the start; redesigning existing spaces in HDB estates to include multi-use play corners that encourage outdoor activity, family bonding and intergenerational engagement. Besides care recipients, caregivers are an integral part of the healthcare landscape. Singapore has laid the groundwork for caregiving support through subsidies, respite services and community programmes. But the caregiving landscape is evolving and we must elevate our approach. Caregiving is complex. It is not one role, but many – nurse, planner, advocate, emotional anchor. Support must go beyond financial aid. To truly elevate support, we should involve caregiving-trained professionals in policy, programme design and decision-making; and individuals who understand care from the inside out. More spending does not guarantee better outcomes. If done right, caregiving support should be precise, efficient and impactful. To better support caregivers, I propose: expanding flexible work arrangements and caregiving leave to accommodate diverse caregiving needs, starting with the public sector and extending through legislation to the private sector; supporting caregivers in regular health screenings, by integrating them into existing national programmes such as Healthier SG Screening; and incorporating mental health screening for caregivers, leveraging on existing screening providers. Let me now move on to research. I will begin with research strategy, followed by research impact assessment.”
“Importantly, downstream care is not just about ageing. It encompasses a broader spectrum of lived experiences: the young adult recovering from a stroke; the parent managing a child’s autism diagnosis; the worker coping with chronic pain; the caregiver supporting both ageing parents and young children. To meet these diverse and increasing demands while upholding healthcare quality, we need to continually review how care is delivered. One area is manpower efficiency. Perhaps we can draw on current nurse-led models under Healthier SG and expand the autonomy of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in referrals and prescriptions. This is already standard in countries like the UK. Outside hospitals and within our communities, engaging seniors meaningfully can be key to optimising their physical and mental health. Rather than seeing seniors as passive recipients of care, we should recognise senior volunteerism as a strategic asset. Regardless of age, mobility, or technology proficiency; whether they use a wheelchair, a tongkat, or none at all – we can all actively welcome seniors into care initiatives through volunteer networks. This unlocks a win-win: seniors gain purpose and connection, while communities benefit from their care and experience. Yet, to truly future-proof our healthcare system, we must look upstream, well before illness sets in. Healthier SG has laid a strong foundation. We can build on this momentum by focusing on the first 1,000 days of life, perhaps through initiatives like Grow Well SG that centres on child well-being.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, before I begin, I would like to declare that I am an Assistant Professor in imaging neuroscience at the Singapore Institute of Technology and am a registered member of the Allied Health Professions Council. I rise in support of the Motion of Thanks for the President's address. It is a privilege for me to join this debate as a new Member. First, I would like to thank the residents of Tengah and Chua Chu Kang for giving me the opportunity to speak in the 15th Parliament. I am also immensely grateful to my better half and my two-year-old for their unwavering love. And to my team and volunteers, thank you for being my second family. Last week, I watched my two-year-old play with gears, and it reminded me of how healthcare and research are like the hidden gears behind a masterfully crafted clock. You do not always see them, but they keep life moving – quietly, precisely, relentlessly. Each gear must be aligned; each spring must be wound with care. If even one falters, a missed diagnosis, a delayed study, the whole system stutters. Today, I would like to speak on two areas that are deeply intertwined with our future: healthcare and research. First, on healthcare. Singapore's healthcare conversation is evolving. It is no longer solely about life and death. It is about how we live in old age and in sickness, and the quality of life we can sustain across the lifespan. This shift in focus brings urgency to how we manage downstream healthcare, supporting those already living with illness, especially within our growing population of older citizens. Strategic, long-term planning is essential. Judicious allocation of resources will determine whether our healthcare standards remain sustainable and continue to improve.”