Christopher de Souza
Singapore
“I thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. My supplementary question arises out of our deployment of our Multi-Role Tankers Transport. I think our airmen and soldiers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and MINDEF should be commended. It was a complex high-altitude mission, and it was successful.”
“Much obliged, Sir. My supplementary questions draw from the fact that the situation displays: one, how Singapore has agency; and two, how Singapore can use the situation as a catalyst.”
“It cannot be allowed to be the master. It does not moralise. Thus, as we embrace AI, we must do so with discernment. We should use it to the extent that it facilitates decision-making, but it cannot be allowed to usurp our decision-making. Innovation cannot come at the expense of trespassing on some existing IP rights.”
“In relation to the study on the drug trafficking and the death penalty. In fact, in response to that, I think there is a very good statistic that we should elaborate on in this House and also out there in education that 15 grams of diamorphine feeds 180 drug abuses for one week.”
“The Singapore Land Authority plays an important role in unlocking the value of state land for community use. As a sportsman, I have personally seen with immense joy how underutilised spaces, such as areas under flyovers, can be transformed into safe and vibrant places for sport and recreation, whether for pickleball, futsal, badminton, te…”
“To propel our status as a hub, Singapore will need infrastructure, such as exhibition facilities, to showcase mediation capabilities, breakout rooms, bilateral mediation hearing rooms as well as printers, laptops and screens for settlement agreements to be typed out.”
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“Taken together, these provisions will provide a holistic and comprehensive approach to criminalising remote gambling in Singapore. However, could the Minister clarify how the provisions of the Remote Gambling Bill will be enforced in practice? Will a specialised unit be set up to monitor and deal with remote gambling activities? Also, will the Police engage in proactive policing of unlawful remote gambling activities through active surveillance, or will enforcement be reactionary in nature, based on complaints received? Moving on to a separate subject, the Bill augments the criminalisation of illegal remote gambling activities in Singapore by introducing two main forms of blocking measures – Page: 92 website access blocking and payment blocking. First, the Bill will implement website access blocking measures, which will empower an authorised officer to direct MDA to issue an Internet Service Provider (ISP) with an access blocking order. This order will require the ISP to take reasonable steps to disable access to a particular website or online location, which has the purpose of providing Internet users in Singapore with access to an "unlawful remote gambling activity", publishes remote gambling service advertisements or promotes unlawful remote gambling activities. The Bill also provides that if an authorised officer is satisfied that a person is participating or has participated in any unlawful remote gambling activity, the officer may direct MAS to issue a financial institution a payment blocking order or may directly issue a payment blocking order to a financial transaction provider, that will freeze and block all financial payments being transacted through the bank accounts of that person.”
“By outlining what forms of remote gambling activities are prohibited, the Bill will provide clarity on the scope of offences and will act as a clear sign of the Government's stance against remote gambling in Singapore. For example, the Bill makes it an arrestable offence for an individual to engage in gambling within Singapore using a remote communication device and with the use of a remote gambling service that is not provided by an exempt operator and imposes a penalty of a fine or imprisonment, or both, for individuals found to have contravened these provisions. Beyond just going after the individuals that engage in remote gambling, the Bill also seeks to empower the Police with more powers to deal with agents, operators and syndicates all along the criminal value chain, which are operating both inside and outside of Singapore. First, the Bill will cover persons that organise, facilitate or assist in the participation of illegal remote gambling activities, as well as those involved in the distribution of prizes or money in connection with remote gambling activities. The Bill will also allow authorities to go after persons outside of Singapore who provide a remote gambling service with "a Singapore-customer link." Lastly, to protect young persons, who are particularly vulnerable to remote gambling, a separate and more stiff penalty is imposed on offenders that invite or facilitate young persons below the age of 21 to engage in remote gambling, or those that employ such young persons in the provision of remote gambling services in Singapore. This is in recognition of the particularly vulnerable disposition of young persons to such activities and reflects the greater severity of such offenses.”
“Unless parents are vigilant and create safeguards, as Er Dr Lee Bee Wah has just said, against their children accessing such sites, youths can easily get caught in the vicious cycle of online gambling without fully understanding the consequences. Secondly, companies currently providing remote gambling services in Singapore tend to be located beyond the jurisdiction of Singapore, allowing them to escape local regulation and restrictions. There is also a risk that these sites may also become a source or conduit of funds for illegal activities like money laundering or syndicated crimes. Lastly, the nature and design of games that are commonly provided on remote gambling sites, like poker and blackjack, lend themselves to repetitive play and addictive behaviour. As such, remote gamblers may find themselves in a vicious cycle, inescapable cycle, of problem gambling that they find difficult to break out from. Taken together, it is clear that remote gambling has become an increasing concern that cannot be ignored. Therefore, to address this gap, the proposed Remote Gambling Bill outlines the legislative framework that will help to regulate remote gambling activities in Singapore. First, it will define and prohibit remote gambling activities in Singapore. Moreover, it will maintain Page: 91 law and order with respect to remote gambling and will try to protect vulnerable person, like youths, from being harmed or exploited by remote gambling. This Bill sends a clear signal and decisive signal – these Parts 1 to 4 – regarding the regulatory stance of Singapore against remote gambling and its negative consequences.”
“Mdm Speaker, gambling is recognised as an activity that needs to be monitored and regulated closely by the authorities. It has been of particular concern due to its addictive nature, especially when it involves vulnerable persons like youths. Therefore, I am in broad support for the Bill but seek clarification as to the thinking, justification and rationale behind the exemption, which under Part 5, which I will return to Page: 90 towards the end of my speech. In recent years, with the unprecedented access to Internet broadband and the widespread prevalence of smartphones amongst Singaporeans, remote gambling is starting to take root amongst our Singaporean population. Remote gambling is essentially gambling through electronic means such as the Internet, telephone or other kinds of technology for facilitating communication. It was noted in 2013, that the size of the remote gambling market in Singapore was estimated at around $375 million and was expected to grow by about 6% to 7% annually. However, our current laws, this Bill notwithstanding, do not expressly cover remote gambling. This unchecked proliferation of remote gambling and the unregulated access to it is of particular concern for three reasons. First, unlike traditional forms of terrestrial gambling like 4D or Toto, remote gambling websites can be accessed at any time of the day, from anywhere and often without any charge. This is unlike gambling at one of Singapore's two casinos where there is an age-requirement and a $100 levy imposed on Singaporeans seeking to enter the casinos. Further, with younger generations being more tech-savvy and connected to the Internet, the issue of remote gambling amongst youths is an even greater concern.”
“Mdm Speaker, I beg to introduce a Bill intituled "An Act to deter and punish trafficking in persons and to protect and assist trafficked persons, and to make consequential amendments to the Children and Young Persons Act (Chapter 38 of the 2001 Revised Edition)." [(proc text) Bill read the First time. (proc text)]”
“Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That leave be given to introduce a Private Member's Bill to make provisions to prevent the trafficking in persons, to punish offenders who carry out such acts and to protect the victims of human trafficking." [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, (proc text)] [(proc text) "That leave be given to introduce a Private Member's Bill to make provisions to prevent the trafficking in persons, to punish offenders who carry out such acts and to protect the victims of human trafficking." (proc text)]”
“I was also hoping the Minister would also share his thoughts on en blocs within a mature estate. My follow-up question really was also in relation to the elderly in mature estates worrying that due to a lack of space, if they were to undergo en bloc, they will be moved outside the precinct. Would one of the considerations, or major considerations, for MND be to have the en bloc flats within the same area as far as possible, because location is actually the top priority for these elderly people?”
“I thank the Minister for the response. Perhaps, living in mature estates presents more difficulty for children to want to move in close to their parents. May I ask the Minister's clarification on this particular issue, where in a mature estate, for example, the constituency I serve, Ulu Pandan, there is limited space to build more flats. HDB is good at finding pockets of space and building flats, and children would move into those flats to be close to their parents. But the parents usually live in older flats which are possibly coming up for en bloc development. My question is: would HDB look at it in a considered fashion to try to find space even for the older flats to undergo en bloc within that mature estate setting? I know it may be a tall order, but I would be grateful if consideration could be given for that.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the encouraging statistics – a reduction of 31.6% over the last six months. I would like to ask a clarification in relation to licensed moneylenders. I have seen quite a number of residents with debts owed to licensed moneylenders, and these moneylenders, as the Senior Minister of State alluded to in his response, sometimes harassed them at the door, at the office, through many phone calls, in order to recover the debts. Can there be more done to eyeball the licensed moneylenders who may be carrying out the tactics of unlicensed Page: 24 moneylenders, in terms of harassment, because I do see my residents having this experience?”
“Academic qualifications should not be the only way to further one's dreams and this is the message that the Government and our education system need to make clear. Sir, I support the Motion. Page: 113”
“Perhaps, such scepticism and disapproval also stems from the deeply ingrained belief that academic achievements in school are the only proven and sure means to succeed in life. How many parents will encourage their children to pursue their dreams, in sports, for example? Occasionally, we are inspired by the likes of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs who found immense success despite not attending university, but ultimately, parents still find greater Page: 112 security and solace in having their children stick to the apparently long proven route to success – attending renowned educational institutions from the very moment they begin their academic life. It is courageous of the Government, and a long-awaited measure, to take a stride away from this belief, but it will take a long time for Singaporeans to cease being cynical about it. Another way to distance from the elitist mindset that qualifications are everything, is to start giving due recognition to all deserving jobs on a non-professional level, particularly those in the service, retail and hospitality industries. When there is respect all around, the reduction in discrepancy of statuses and financial achievements will help to put a curb on an aggressive and unnecessary paper chase. To many Singaporeans, success in life is largely defined by landing top jobs and having the means to get by comfortably. These are certainly fine aspirations, but we want our citizens to be able to lead richer lives by having the courage and support to pursue their dream careers. We need to get to a stage when parents stop using lowly regarded jobs to scare their children into studying.”
“I always feel that experience and qualifications are equally important. With regard to education, the ASPIRE report has specifically mentioned teachers. According to my knowledge, MOE announced in 2008 that they would only hire degree holders from 2015 onwards. Is this policy going to be changed? In addition, we all know that we are facing a shortage of qualified kindergarten and childcare teachers. Will the Government apply this policy in the preschool sector? Similarly, will the selection process for civil servants be changed accordingly? For the longest time, people always feel that these positions, especially those very senior ones, only belong to scholarship holders who may not be the ones who know the ground sentiment best. Although academic qualifications are important for certain positions, it should not be the most important factor. (In English): I also hear residents saying, "Does it mean that degrees are now useless?", "Does it mean that Government has changed its position?", "Does it mean that my children who have a degree will have more competition when it comes to promotion?", "Is it unfair for those children who have worked so hard to get a degree, and their parents who have spent so much money on their children's education?" The actual intentions and benefits of the changes must be effectively communicated to garner the support of the people. Citizens need to realise that this is not about nullifying the abilities of degree holders, or discouraging Singaporeans from furthering their studies. It is about creating additional options and better opportunities for those who do not possess paper qualifications, but shine in other ways.”
“These are the best motivators for people to perform well and improve themselves. We may also be able to discover hidden talents who have the same passion, skills and experience but lack academic qualifications. Creating a workforce combining graduates and non-graduates can help get rid of some of the unnecessary elitist mindset. To draw a line based on academic qualifications at the workplace is not conducive for the overall environment. The response from my residents is mixed. The move has lifted the spirits and the morale of students from polytechnics, ITE and some other educational institutions. They feel they have more to look forward to in the future. They have the various professional skills. Although they do not have a degree, their skills are more practical at the workplace. I am delighted to see that our younger generation will enjoy equal opportunities and be rewarded based on their skills. More importantly, we should continue to work with educational institutions to ensure that their staff can improve themselves continuously. Of course, these staff must be provided with comprehensive learning opportunities. Page: 111 We have all heard of the story that for a civil servant to be hired, promoted or get a pay increase, he has to have high academic qualifications. We must remove this kind of career restrictions to have a more equal local workforce. Many private enterprises have already done so. I remember the time when I had just graduated and was working at a construction site. My teacher was a very experienced supervisor. Although he did not have a degree, I learnt a lot from him. After I finished my work there and went back to the design department, I also learnt a lot from some of my colleagues who had rich experiences in design, but no degrees.”
“Further, Nigel affirmed that his ability to make the step from ITE to polytechnic was only made possible because of the help and support that was rendered to him from the teachers and staff at ITE West. I believe, Mr Deputy Speaker, that with the new initiatives and recommendations that have been outlined in the ASPIRE Committee report, more young Singaporeans like Ridzwan and Nigel will be able to pursue their studies and realise their full potential. Page: 110 Ultimately, our education system must remain an open and inclusive system that provides multiple and diverse pathways for our students to develop their talents and capabilities to their fullest. Care must be taken to ensure that students are given the right information to make the right career choices not just as students, but also throughout their working life. Opportunities must be presented to Singaporeans at every stage of their life and chances to upgrade their skills and qualifications must be made available along the way. We can no longer adopt a one-size-fits-all approach to education and must strive to adopt innovative educational methods and pedagogies to ensure that there are distinct pathways to help young Singaporeans to excel, based on their own unique abilities. Sir, I support this Motion. 6.41 pm Er Dr Lee Bee Wah: Mr Deputy Speaker, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.]: I would like to commend and thank the Government for taking a bold step towards a society that rewards individuals based on performance and experience, instead of qualifications alone. Measures include narrowing the starting salary difference between graduates and non-graduates and providing more career progression opportunities for non-graduates.”
“I would like to share with you the stories of two young residents in the constituency I am responsible for, Ulu Pandan, who have faced challenges, but have persevered to pursue their studies in these applied educational pathways. These are two young men who have made the effort to prioritise their education and have perservered against the odds to further their studies. They have also given me permission to quote their names in full. Muhammad Ridzwan is a self-motivated 21-year-old student who just recently advanced from ITE to polytechnic. Ridzwan began his tertiary education in ITE Central, where he completed his Nitec and Higher Nitec courses before he was accepted to the Electronics, Computer and Communication course at Nanyang Polytechnic. Over the years, it was the constant support and encouragement of his parents, his teachers and fellow classmates at ITE Central that enabled Ridzwan to bravely make that step from ITE to polytechnic. Although at times it was challenging for Ridzwan to continue pursuing his studies given the opportunity costs for him to study instead of starting work, he never gave up. Instead, Ridzwan continued to relentlessly pursue his education and now has an even brighter future ahead of him. Next, we have Nigel Chua. Nigel is currently a first-year polytechnic student at Republic Polytechnic, who is pursuing a diploma in Information Technology. Similar to Ridzwan, Nigel began his tertiary education at ITE West, where he studied hospitality. Although Nigel was unable to further his studies in hospitality due to the keen competition, Nigel refused to be deterred and decided to pursue a diploma in Information Technology instead. Most would have given up, but Nigel was committed to pursuing his studies courageously.”
“Further, it will facilitate a closer link between a student's education and career, while allowing the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) and the Home Team to harness existing skills of these graduates to meet its operational needs. Lastly, another aspect of the report that bears noting is the Committee's recommendation to leverage the latest technological advances to expand opportunities for learning online. It is clear that the Internet, mobile computing and education technology offer a powerful combination that may be useful to augment the traditional academic teaching and learning methods. By expanding the quantum and types of online learning opportunities that are made available, it will now be easier for students to learn nearly anywhere and at any time. This is particularly beneficial for polytechnic and ITE students who may be on internships or who may be enrolled in the proposed place-and-train programmes, as it will allow them to have their academic materials easily accessible and would likely reduce the amount of travel time spent going to and from school. However, a careful balance must be struck between the essential need for practical hands-on learning and practice, and the ease and potential benefits of expanding online Page: 109 learning opportunities at the polytechnic and ITE. Overall, I firmly support the recommendations that have been proposed by the ASPIRE Committee as I believe that they have identified key aspects of our education system where more can and should be done to allow young Singaporeans in our polytechnics and ITEs to realise their full potential.”
“One aspect of the ASPIRE Committee report that I would like to highlight is its recommendation for the development of new education programmes that will integrate work and study, such as place-and-train programmes. It is envisaged that under these place- Page: 108 and-train programmes, polytechnic and ITE graduates will be matched to employers committed to supporting on-the-job learning and further upgrading. These employers will provide opportunities for graduates to put their skills into practice while concurrently allowing them to upgrade themselves through learning on-the-job and at the workplace. I believe that such programmes are important, as they will equip polytechnic and ITE graduates with a strong theoretical foundation in their chosen discipline, as well as a keen understanding of its real-life application in the relevant industry. Further, such programmes will inject diversity and dynamism into existing polytechnic and ITE programmes and will demonstrate the importance and value of learning beyond the classroom. It is my hope that by developing a unique blend of teaching-focused, industry-linked and practice-based programmes, polytechnic and ITE graduates will be given the opportunity to push the boundaries of the existing education system and develop themselves more holistically. Another aspect of the report that I wish to highlight is, its recommendation to take into consideration the skills and prior training of full-time NSmen in their deployment during NS. I believe that this initiative should be welcomed as it will enable polytechnic and ITE graduates to maintain their specialised skills during NS and might also offer opportunities for them to obtain industry-recognised accreditation for the related vocational specialisations.”
“Further, in 2012, the Government formed the Committee on University Education Pathways Beyond 2015 (CUEP), which submitted several key recommendations on how to develop new applied degree pathways that will provide more opportunities and choices for students in a diverse university landscape. One of the important recommendations that was highlighted was the need to develop a university model that offered degrees programmes in niche disciplines that were not being offered by the existing universities, as well as areas that required more skilled manpower. As a result of this, the Singapore Institute of Technology was set up and it focused on establishing and pioneering new educational pathways for students in our polytechnics to expand the upgrading opportunities available to them and to enable them to attain industry-relevant degrees in their chosen disciplines. This demonstrates MOE's continued commitment to regularly augment and enhance our education system to meet the changing needs of each individual student, and to anticipate future educational landscapes. Therefore, I rise in support of this Motion today, as I believe that the recommendations set out in the ASPIRE Committee report are timely, as it will help to initiate the next phase of the transformation of our education system, particularly with respect to the polytechnics and ITEs, as the recommendations seek to address how best to strengthen the existing applied education pathways in our polytechnics and ITEs, and to provide adequate support and assistance to students that hail from diverse backgrounds, interests and abilities.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion for the Applied Study in polytechnics and ITE Review, or the ASPIRE report. Singapore’s education system has been and continues to be, a key driving force behind the consistent growth and development that Singapore has enjoyed. Further, education is an essential stepping-stone that creates opportunities for social mobility and enables young Singaporeans to pursue their dreams. As such, the Government has consistently made efforts to introduce initiatives that provide opportunities for Singaporeans to receive a quality education and obtain new skills. For example, the MOE's campaign to make "Every School a Good School" must be lauded for Page: 107 creating a conducive environment for holistic learning opportunities for our students from a young age. To achieve this, the Ministry made efforts to shape an educational eco-system that creates a positive learning experience for each student, that enables teachers to be caring educators and one that nurtures supportive partnerships with parents and the community Further, the Ministry has also shared of its plans to develop rich learning programmes in our schools that will cater to the diverse talents and interests of our students, like the proposed Applied Learning Programme (ALP) and Learning for Life Programme (LLP). These programmes will enable students to apply what they have learnt in the classroom in practical ways and will also teach them important life skills that will benefit them in the long term.”
“Although the Bill does empower the President to amend the Schedule by order published in the Government Gazette, it is unclear as to why just these two Statutory Boards have been identified at the enactment of this Bill. On the whole, Mdm Speaker, I support the overall objective of this Bill and believe that it would be beneficial to provide a means for the relevant Statutory Boards to have the AG or his deputies represent them in judicial review and related Court proceedings. Page: 75 The framework that has been created with this proposed Bill ensures that Statutory Boards continue to have the flexibility to request the AG and/or his or her officers to represent them in judicial review and relevant Court proceedings while maintaining the present option to engage a private law firm should there be a conflict of interest. In a legal system that is premised on the rule of law, judicial review actions in respect of administrative decisions or instruments of legislative character of the relevant Statutory Boards are inevitable. With the enactment of this Bill, the relevant Statutory Boards will now be better positioned to respond to judicial review applications, through its representation by the AG. Ultimately, the Court will decide on the merits or demerits of any application. I support the Bill.”
“At the same time, it ensures that there is a clear framework for the Statutory Board to first obtain approval from the relevant Minister to engage the assistance of the AG, and also makes it necessary for the AGC to do its due diligence to ensure that its involvement in the judicial review (JR) and relevant Court proceedings is not in conflict with the Government's interest and is not contrary to public interest. Taken together, the Bill provides an avenue for greater synergy between the AGC and the relevant Statutory Boards and could create overall cost savings. It is important that, from a resource angle, this arrangement of having the AG represent Statutory Boards in judicial review and relevant Court proceedings must be sustainable in the long term. While I support the overall aim of this Bill, I would appreciate if the Minister could clarify a few aspects of the mechanics of the Bill. First, from a manpower point of view, would the legal service officer assigned to assist the relevant Statutory Boards in these judicial review and relevant Court proceedings be solely focused on such judicial proceedings, or would it be one of several responsibilities within the officer's portfolio? It is important that we ensure that our legal service officers are deployed effectively while at the same time ensuring that they are not overly burdened by multiple roles and responsibilities. Further, could the Minister explain the rationale for the inclusion of just two Statutory Boards in the Schedule to the Bill, which specifies the relevant Statutory Boards that may be represented by the AG – namely, MAS and SLA? Those were the only two currently in the Schedule.”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the Attorney-General (Additional Functions) Bill. Presently, where Statutory Boards in Singapore are involved in judicial review and related Court proceedings, they engage private law firms to act on their behalf. This Bill, if enacted, will empower the AG to represent the relevant Statutory Boards in judicial review cases, related Court proceedings and even, where it is a matter of public importance, in other Court proceedings as well. I rise in support of this Bill because the Bill sets out clearly a framework and the requirements for the AG to represent the relevant Statutory Boards in judicial review and related Court proceedings. However, of equal importance is that the Bill does not inadvertently incentivise the initiation of frivolous judicial review applications. The proposed Bill adopts a four-fold requirement before the AG is empowered to represent the relevant Statutory Board in Court proceedings. First, the Statutory Board must make a request to the AG for such representation; secondly, the Minister charged with the responsibility for the relevant Statutory Board must consent to such representation; next, the AG must be of the opinion that the Government and the requesting Statutory Board do not have conflicting interests in the matter; and lastly, Page: 74 the AG must be of the opinion that such representation is not contrary to public interest. These four prerequisites for the representation of the Statutory Boards by the AG ensure that the core role and purpose of the AG to act as Public Prosecutor and State Counsel for the Government, as set out in our Constitution, are not compromised.”
“In fact, the haze affects the health of Indonesians much more. I still remember seeing a photograph which showed Indonesians wearing normal surgical masks and the haze was so serious that they could not see what was in front of them. I cannot help but pity those Indonesians who have to live in such an unhealthy environment for many months in a year. If the Indonesian government does not have the willpower to solve this problem, does not care about the health of their own people, does not care about their neighbouring countries, the problem of haze can never be solved. Let us hope that the new Indonesian leaders are wiser and can put in action to douse the fires and, hence, the haze. I support the Bill, Madam. Page: 98”
“Worse is the loss of health, or even life, which money cannot buy. In order to complement our efforts, we should also have a provision to encourage whistle-blowers to come forward with evidence to book the culprits. To gather evidence overseas is not easy, especially given that we have to respect the sovereignty of our neighbours. It is timely that the Singapore Law Review raised this question in its latest edition. The writer, Eugene Ang, noted that even with the best of audits, we have seen how fraud was committed over a period of time, as evident in the recent corruption case at the Singapore Land Authority. Indeed, the writer noted that there are provisions in the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Companies Act which offer protection to whistle-blowers. So, should we consider such provisions for this Bill also? I feel that this Bill is a good start, though it would have to be tested when it becomes law. The haze problem, I hope, will be somewhat contained. People should not be deprived of a fresh and clean environment. Much would depend on nimble diplomacy and a political Page: 97 leadership that is truly willing to address this pollution issue. I am encouraged by efforts among ASEAN leaders to put in place a monitoring system and to work closely to tackle this problem. I hope Indonesia will give all its support to address this problem and provide official concession maps to help in tracking those who practise the slash-and-burn tactic. I hope good sense will prevail. There should be sufficient goodwill between neighbours to look into how our behaviour and action are depriving others of their health. Lastly, there is only so much that we can do from our side. The source of haze is in Indonesia's land.”
“We have seen the situation in Beijing where it is a different cause of air pollution – industrial and traffic pollution – causing thick smog to descend on the city's population. We have read of rivers where the water is poisoned by toxic waste. Ours is a different type of pollution and I feel this Bill is timely. I understand the challenges facing the Singapore Government as it has to delicately walk the narrow path between fostering good relations with our neighbours and in protecting the interests of our people. I feel there are provisions in the Bill which should be enhanced. For example, the fines imposed may not be sufficiently deterrent against offenders, who will weigh the cost of risking a fine if they are caught against the profits that they can reap. We should double the fines imposed, if not triple, so that those who are snared will feel the bite. Why is there a cap of $2 million fine? There should also be a progressively higher fine for repeat offenders. We have to remember that the Government has to deploy resources in order to monitor and locate the hotspots. It has to investigate, gather evidence and take the culprits through the whole process of law to bring them to justice. Thus, the fines imposed may not commensurate with the time and effort that have to be invested to stop those responsible for causing the haze. I am, in fact, inclined to regard these people as criminals who rob the innocent people, especially the children and the elderly, of their health. There is a cost to our economy as we have to give out masks, cope with those affected by the haze, disruption to schools and daily lives of our workers and even aeroplanes cannot land or take-off. The loss is in millions of dollars from the economic standpoint.”
“The only sure way to ensure that these errant companies adopt cleaner and less environmentally harmful practices is to pressure them economically and to make it clear that Singaporeans are not willing to derive small price savings at the expense of the economy, their health and, most importantly, the environment. On the whole, while I support the main tenets and aims of this Bill, I believe that there needs to be some clarity on how it will be enforced, as well as some consideration as to how consumers can get involved to apply strong economic pressure to discourage environmentally harmful practices, like slash-and-burn. Moving forward, as haze pollution is a transboundary issue, Singapore must work together with our fellow ASEAN members to curb and manage the harmful and debilitating effects that haze pollution has on the health of Singaporeans, as well as on our economy. With a concerted effort by all ASEAN members to strongly condemn the use of slash-and-burn tactics within our respective countries, haze pollution in Southeast Asia can be managed and deterred effectively. So, the real antidote to haze pollution lies in the political will of ASEAN countries, robust enforcement through legislation and an informed consumer body which supports environmentally clean products. I support this Bill. 5.54 pm Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Mdm Speaker, I think Singapore, more than many other countries in this region, has always showed itself to be pro-business in its policies. But being pro-business cannot mean we are willing to close an eye and allow businesses which do not show responsibility towards the larger interests of the community, especially the health and Page: 96 well-being of the people.”
“However, until and unless consumers are made aware that certain products that they purchase are a product of these irresponsible actions then, based on a cost-benefit analysis, these companies are merely going to continue fairly undeterred by the harmful environmental effects of their actions. While the criminal penalties imposed by this Bill may have a short-term deterrent effect on their conduct and appear punitive, the financial penalties may actually represent a small sum to these agroforestry firms, which typically earn considerably more in profits every year. With this in mind, may I ask the Minister to propose how consumers can be made more aware of products that are produced by errant companies which adopt environmentally Page: 95 harmful methods like slash-and-burn? Beyond the issue of empowering consumers, there is also the issue of enforcement. While having criminal penalties and civil liability clearly set out in legislation is certainly a step forward, it really is a step forward. Having said that, the real issue is whether these penalties can actually be enforced against companies and individuals that are operating beyond our jurisdiction. Therefore, could the good Minister outline how these errant foreign companies and individuals will be taken to task, and how provisions of this Bill will be enforced in Singapore courts for acts of "slash-and-burn" that are committed entirely overseas? Coming back to consumer empowerment, if information is made known that certain products are not "environmentally clean", I think that Singaporeans will be discerning enough to make an informed choice about the type of products that they eventually purchase. With more information, consumers will be in a better position to discern what to buy and what not to buy.”
“The scope of liability under this Bill falls not only on companies or firms that cause the haze in Singapore by allowing the use of such tactics on their land, but also extends to a second company that is engaged or instructed to start the forest fires. Also, the Bill provides that these errant companies could also be liable to civil claims, where a person in Singapore sustains any personal injury, physical damage to property in Singapore, or sustains any economic loss in Singapore, in consequence to that wrongful act. This ensures that Singaporeans who are affected personally by the irresponsible conduct of these errant companies will be provided with an avenue to make a direct claim and be compensated for their own personal losses. Lastly, the extraterritorial reach of these provisions will ensure that the criminal penalties and civil liability provided in this Bill will extend to the conduct of companies and individuals operating outside of Singapore that may cause or contribute to any haze pollution in Singapore. Taken together, errant companies will be punished for their role in causing haze pollution, and will be levied with seemingly punitive financial penalties for their environmentally irresponsible actions. However, while the Bill creates a clear framework to impose criminal penalties and civil liability to punish companies from engaging in conduct that cause haze pollution, more still needs to be done so that haze pollution can be tackled economically. Presently, companies continue to resort to the slash-and-burn tactics because it is less costly. To these companies, the slash-and-burn method is economically more rewarding and beneficial.”
“The number of residents who came in for haze-related symptoms was a significant number and cannot be so easily forgotten. The community haze clinic also became an avenue for us to share with the community as to how best to minimise their exposure to the haze and how to adequately protect themselves and their families. Beyond health issues, vehicular traffic on our roads and air traffic in our skies were also affected due to poor visibility and caused safety concerns. Popular outdoor tourist landmarks were shrouded in haze, much to the dismay of tourists who were disappointed by the poor visibility and weather conditions. MOE announced that schools would continue to open as planned after the June school holidays, but made clear that it would be taking several mitigating measures to ensure the health of students were not compromised or affected. It also had contingency plans in place to close schools if the air quality remained at hazardous levels before the starting of term. From this, it is clear that haze pollution is a serious issue that affects Singapore and we should rightfully be vested with this. Therefore, it is timely and appropriate that this Bill be enacted to deal with companies causing or contributing to the haze pollution. I support the enactment of this Bill as it provides an avenue for errant companies to be taken to task for cheaply clearing land using environmentally hazardous methods, like slash-and-burn. First, the Bill provides that errant companies and individuals that engage in conduct or condone any conduct which causes or contributes to any haze pollution in Singapore would be liable on conviction to a fine of $100,000 for every day that there is haze pollution in Page: 94 Singapore, up to a maximum aggregate fine of $2 million.”
“This was an unprecedented level of haze pollution in Singapore, with PSI levels reaching more than 150 index points higher than record PSI levels from previous years. By then, it was clear that the PSI levels were well within the "hazardous" zone. PSI levels continued to fluctuate between the "very unhealthy" and "hazardous" zones for the next day, before eventually tapering off into the moderate zone by 24 June. During the course of the haze, everyday aspects of life in Singapore were affected. Many experienced the inconvenience of being confined indoors at home or at their workplace due to the hazardous PSI levels. The productivity of local companies was affected and construction projects had, in some cases, come to a standstill, as the high levels of haze pollution made working outdoors for prolonged periods too hazardous and harmful to health. Page: 93 The Government stopped short of issuing a Stop Work Order, but made it clear that it would do so if the haze situation were to worsen severely. The unprecedented levels of haze pollution shrouding Singapore clearly had an adverse effect on our economy. Further, the hazardous levels of haze caused many Singaporeans, both young and old, to periodically experience watery eyes and coughing. The elderly and those with heart and lung problems were particularly susceptible to respiratory difficulties. In the constituency that I am responsible for – Ulu Pandan – we ran a free community haze clinic to help residents cope with the debilitating health effects of the haze. Volunteer doctors and residents came together to provide medical consultations and assistance to residents who were experiencing respiratory problems and breathing difficulties.”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the Transboundary Haze Pollution Bill. The Bill that is before Parliament today is a clear indication of the Government's determination and effort to try to put an end to the increasingly hazardous and harmful haze pollution that has enveloped Singapore at various points in the past few years. By enacting this piece of dedicated legislation, the Government hopes to punish errant companies that insist on engaging in illegal means of clearing their land, through the traditional slash-and-burn method, by imposing stiff criminal penalties and civil liability for their irresponsible actions. This firm and decisive approach by the Government to punish these companies is necessary because if such actions are left undeterred, the haze pollution situation in Singapore will only get worse in the coming years. Although the yearly haze has been a reality that Singaporeans have had to cope with in the past, typically during the months of May to August, the unprecedented levels of the haze pollution that blanketed Singapore in 2013 and its consequent effects are still fresh in the minds of Singaporeans. Beginning on 13 June 2013, just a little more than a year ago, mild haze began to be seen over parts of Singapore. Before long, air quality worsened and rapidly entered the "unhealthy" and "very unhealthy" zones of the PSI Index. By 10.00 pm on 19 June, the PSI reading of 321 breached the "hazardous" zone for the first time in Singapore's history, surpassing the previous record PSI level of 226, in 1997. Although PSI levels began to fall temporarily, the PSI reading once again reached a new record level with a reading of 371 at 1.00 pm on 20 June. After further fluctuations, the PSI levels eventually hit a record of 401 at 12.00 pm on 21 June 2013.”
“This public education element will ensure that Singaporeans have a better understanding of our healthcare system, and it will also empower them to play an active role in planning for their own and their family's long-term healthcare needs. On the whole, MediShield Life and the other proposed changes to the healthcare system will, indeed, provide better protection for all Singaporeans, for life. As we continue to build a compassionate and caring society, we are reminded that each of us has a part to play in sharing in the modest cost to expand the coverage of MediShield to include all Singaporeans, under MediShield Life. By working together and helping one another, we can ensure that all Singaporeans can look forward to their golden years with peace of mind knowing that they will not be overwhelmed by rising medical healthcare costs or left without adequate medical protection. With MediShield Life, all Singaporeans will have the assurance that they will be adequately protected, for life. Madam, I would like to register my firm support for MediShield Life. 4.54 pm”
“I think this reflects the responsibility of this Government. Over and above special premium subsidies, Singaporeans will receive Page: 68 transitional subsidies for the first four years to help them with the increase in premiums by offsetting the net increase in their premiums. The wide scope of coverage for the subsidies illustrates how seriously the Government is committed to ensuring basic healthcare protection remains affordable and attainable for all Singaporeans. However, Mdm Speaker, while I support the main tenets of the proposed MediShield Life scheme, could the Minister explain how this scheme will continue to be funded for generations to come, such that it is a coverage that Singaporeans can rely on some 30, 40 years down the road? Further, given the rapidly ageing population of Singapore, could the Minister explain if that projected demographic will affect MediShield Life premiums in the longer term? Essentially, this looks good and feels good now, but how will it be funded to ensure it is a financially sustainable endeavour that will remain in existence 30 or 40 years down the road when there will be Singaporeans relying on MediShield Life coverage? Lastly, to ensure that there is greater awareness and understanding of the above-mentioned changes, the Government and the community as a whole must make consistent efforts to ensure that all Singaporeans, young and old, understand the upcoming changes to and the intricacies of MediShield Life, and how it will provide them with lifetime basic protection against rising medical costs. All of us in this House have a role to play in that regard.”
“Other groups of individuals who will also benefit from the MediShield Life scheme are Singaporeans from our Pioneer Generation, as well as Singaporeans who are from lower-to-middle income households or who are needy. These are Singaporeans who are also in need of better protection, healthcare wise, but may need more help in the near term to ease the shift from MediShield to MediShield Life. Therefore, these individuals will be given additional premium subsidies to tide them over in the transition over to MediShield Life. Therefore, no Singaporean will be left behind and everyone will be afforded basic healthcare protection. As Singapore continues to develop into a global hub and grows from strength-to-strength economically, it is heartening to see that all Singaporeans will be able to have a share in the economic pie of Singapore's success, and that a robust social safety net will be created or is being created to better protect Singaporeans. Further, I support the Motion as it outlines how the Government will provide better healthcare protection for all Singaporeans, while ensuring that MediShield Life premiums remain affordable for all. As a whole, in order to ease the shift to coverage under MediShield Life, particularly for the cost of bringing those with pre-existing conditions into MediShield Life, the Government will be bearing the bulk of the costs to ensure that the impact of premiums are kept manageable for all. To this end, the Government has earmarked close to $4 billion in subsidies and other forms of financial support to operationalise the proposed MediShield Life scheme in the next five years. Funds, which have been set aside already, will be channelled to bring Singaporeans with pre-existing conditions onboard the national scheme.”
“Second, the White Paper outlines how the Government will ensure that the proposed changes to our healthcare system will be effective in providing better healthcare protection, while remaining affordable for all Singaporeans. First, I support the Motion as the proposed MediShield Life scheme will benefit all Singaporeans for life, regardless of age, financial background or if they are currently suffering from a pre-existing medical condition. Page: 67 As many Singaporeans have had a part to play in the economic prosperity that we have enjoyed, especially our Pioneer Generation, it is only fitting that all Singaporeans are included as part of the MediShield Life scheme and will be able to share in the fruits of Singapore's economic prosperity. This effort to include all Singaporeans as part of what some argue is a national insurance scheme will ensure that no one is left behind. Further, all Singaporeans will be able to share in the economic success of our nation. One important group of individuals that will benefit under the MediShield Life scheme are Singaporeans who suffer from pre-existing conditions. These are individuals who may not be covered by the existing MediShield scheme but are, in fact, the ones who are most in need of protection. These Singaporeans have had to bear the brunt of rising healthcare costs likely on their own, and would have often times struggled to pay hospital bills for the treatment of unexpected illnesses or even expected illnesses. With MediShield Life, these fellow Singaporeans will now be provided with basic healthcare protection that will help to significantly reduce their long-term healthcare costs and hospital bills.”
“Therefore, to ensure that MediShield Life will provide better protection for all Singaporeans for life, the Committee's recommendations strike a careful and delicate balance between providing more benefits for MediShield Life and keeping it affordable, while ensuring that the healthcare system is sustainable in the long run. By calibrating the MediShield Life scheme with these factors at the forefront of their minds, what is envisioned is a healthcare scheme which provides stronger protection for all Singaporeans against large hospital bills, especially those at the B2 and C levels – and a system which will provide them with peace of mind against large healthcare bills, for life. Although not within their original mandate, the Committee also made suggestions to the Government to review the landscapes and features of Integrated Shield Plans (IPs), including the possible development of a standard IP with B1-level coverage, which will enhance healthcare protection for Singaporeans beyond the basic MediShield Life levels. As a whole, the proposed MediShield Life scheme will provide a more holistic approach to healthcare for Singaporeans and, together with other levers in our existing healthcare system like Medisave, it will ensure that Singaporeans have a stronger and more robust protection for their healthcare needs, throughout their lifetime. I firmly support the Motion for two main reasons. First, the recommendations of the MLRC on MediShield Life exemplify how the fruits of Singapore's economic success and growth will be shared amongst all Singaporeans.”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion. Better Protection. For All. For Life. These three simple yet powerful phrases exemplify the impact that MediShield Life will have on the lives of Singaporeans. First, MediShield Life will provide better protection for Singaporeans against large hospital bills and rising medical costs, now and in the years to come. Second, MediShield Life will cover all Singaporeans, regardless of whether they suffer from pre-existing conditions, or their financial situation. Thirdly, MediShield Life will be available and will provide medical coverage for Singaporeans for life, regardless of age or background. Better Protection. For All. For Life. Further, the Government has committed to ensuring that the proposed increase in premiums for MediShield Life remains affordable and manageable for all Singaporeans, by providing help to them with their MediShield Life premiums. To ensure that all Singaporeans will be a part of and will benefit from this insurance scheme, the Government will provide Page: 66 close to $4 billion in subsidies and financial support over the next five years. What is before Parliament today is a product of the recommendations of the MediShield Life Review Committee (MLRC) that was tasked to provide recommendations on the proposed MediShield Life scheme. The impetus for the Committee was to allow the Government to put into action its commitment to allay concerns of Singaporeans about healthcare – and there were many concerns about healthcare and continue to be – to address gaps in the existing MediShield scheme and to study the shift to universal and lifelong insurance coverage under MediShield Life.”
“Madam, it is encouraging that the statistics has moved from 10% to about 25% over 20 years for ITE students going into Polytechnics. My question really is borne out of discussions with ITE students who, if you ask them a question of whether they want to go to Polytechnic, by and large, almost all of them put up their hands. My question then is, does MOE envision that 25% is going to increase over the next five to 10 years? And for Universities, my question is, is it envisioned that the SIT gathers more Polytechnic students within its corridors so as to decrease the number of students having to pay for private degrees, and that can be quite a hefty sum at the age of early 20s or mid 20s? Those are my two questions.”
“Mdm Speaker, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State this question: would MOE allow for a heritage fund, or enhanced one if it already exists, to be allocated to each school so that each school can record and display its own heritage within the school. This would allow every school to establish its own identity, entrench in its own unique history and heritage. Why I say this is that parents and potential students can then see the rich identity of the school and that could draw them to that particular school. This could augment the drive words, "Every School A Good School".”
“Thank you, Mdm Speaker, I appreciate that I have two minutes. My supplementary question is: in light of some retirement surveys about potential financial adequacy or rather inadequacy in retirement in Singapore – for example, the Aviva and Manulife surveys – is it the Minister's view that CPF is all the more an important avenue for retirement savings in Singapore? And if so, how does the Minister intend to continue using the CPF tool to enhance the retirement savings of Singaporeans?”
“By being able to cut off and confiscate the financial benefit of such crimes, while also preserving Singapore's status as a banking hub, which is the position taken by Ms Tan Su Shan, local authorities will be able to deter and curb the prevalence of these transnational crimes on our shores and in the region. Essentially, the Bill that is before Parliament today is but a piece of a much larger effort by the Government to combat transnational and syndicated crimes. Moving forward, in order for Singapore to maintain its leading role in the fight against serious crimes like drug trafficking, terrorist financing and money laundering, or even corruption, we must ensure that our laws are kept current and relevant, as we are doing today, towards dealing with the emerging and fast-changing criminal landscape. Mr Deputy Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“With the enactment of this Bill, STRO, together with other local intelligence units, will be able to work alongside foreign financial intelligence units to confront and stop the proliferation of such serious transnational financial crimes in Singapore and the surrounding region. Further, a collaborative approach to investigation and information sharing provides an opportunity for the sharing of best practices amongst various units, which will serve to Page: 108 enhance the capabilities and capacity of STRO and other local intelligence units. While the creation of a collaborative framework between local and foreign financial intelligence units must be applauded, could the Minister kindly clarify as to what safeguards will be put in place to ensure that information obtained and shared by our STRO is not abused or wrongfully disclosed? Given that the investigation and enforcement of such crimes and the proposed collaborative framework come under the purview of various Ministries, such as MHA, MinLaw and MFA, I would like to ask the Minister for clarification on which Ministry STRO will be established under and which Ministry will spearhead the Government's effort to deter the relevant crimes? Taken together, the proposed amendments to the CDSA and the Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Act (MACMA), and the enactment of the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act in August 2013, enhance Singapore's leading role in the wider global effort to curb money laundering and terrorist financing.”
“All in all, the CDS (Amendment) Bill provides a two-pronged approach to ensuring that our laws continue to be relevant and effective in combating the scourge of transnational financial crimes like money laundering and terrorist financing, especially in the fast-paced and ever-changing criminal landscape. Secondly, the CDS (Amendment) Bill goes further in facilitating a focused and coordinated transnational effort to investigate and deal with offenders of such crimes. Beyond merely increasing the investigation and enforcement powers of enforcement agencies in Singapore, the Bill creates and facilitates avenues for STRO and its officers to share information and intelligence with foreign financial intelligence units. This will assist in creating a fertile and collaborative environment for enforcement agencies to clamp down on transnational financial crimes through free and open intelligence sharing among intelligence units. This further step will be particularly important in light of the establishment of the INTERPOL Global Complex for Innovation in Singapore and its expected operationalisation in 2014. And if possible, with respect, I would like the Minister's views on whether INTERPOL Global Complex being in Singapore will actually augment STRO in this regard. With the increasingly challenging and fast-paced operational landscape, local and foreign enforcement agencies and intelligence units must ensure that there is a collaborative framework in place to facilitate the timely exchange, the quick exchange and the vital exchange of information and intelligence. Without such an exchange, without the fluidity of information sharing, this Bill will not achieve its purpose.”
“Taken together, the harsher penalties for money laundering offences and the wider ambit of power given to the Courts to tackle syndicated crimes will have a firm and effective deterrent effect on offenders who will now, I think, think twice before committing such offences on our shores. Further, the proposed amendments provide robust investigation and enforcement powers for regulatory and enforcement authorities. This is facilitated through the establishment of STRO, which is primarily responsible for the receipt and analysis of any information that would be relevant towards the investigation of serious crimes like corruption, drug trafficking and money laundering. By creating a specialised team that focuses on the investigation and enforcement of such crimes, there can be a focused and coordinated effort to monitor, investigate and deal with the offenders of such crimes. The proposed Bill also empowers officers attached to STRO with the power to require any person to disclose documents and information for the purposes of analysis and investigation. This will be an important tool to enable investigation authorities to obtain key information that would expedite its investigations and to act quickly in dealing with Page: 107 suspected offenders. This is particularly essential when dealing with complex financial crimes. However, despite the wide-ranging powers entrusted to STRO and its officers, the Bill ensures that these investigations respect legal professional privilege, except where any such communication, item or document was made, prepared or held with the intention of furthering a criminal purpose. This will ensure consistency of the proposed amendments to the CDSA with existing evidential laws.”
“In order to achieve this, this Bill provides for a two-pronged approach to effectively deal with these serious transnational crimes; through strong and firm deterrent penalties and the provision of robust investigation Page: 106 and enforcement powers for regulatory and enforcement authorities. In terms of deterrence, this Bill proposes to increase the maximum imprisonment term for money laundering offences from seven to 10 years, consistent with the maximum penalty for terrorist financing under the Terrorism (Suppression of Financing) Act. The increased penalties for an offender convicted of money laundering offences indicate how firm and decisively offenders of such crimes will be dealt with. Further, the proposed amendments aim to empower the Courts to order the confiscation of any property of an equivalent value belonging to the offender if he dissipates or disposes such instruments of crime. Essentially, with this proposed amendment, the Courts will have the power to issue a substitute property confiscation order against an offender, if it finds that the offender had used or intended to use any instrumentality for the commission of an offence, and the instrumentality, which is a phrase gleaned from clause 5 of the Bill, is no longer available for forfeiture. This enables the Courts to effectively cut off the financial links of these transnational syndicates and to deprive offenders of their ill-gotten gains. This is essential to counter the recent increase in occurrence of syndicated financial crimes and will serve to minimise and possibly eliminate the occurrence of these offences and crimes and syndicates in the longer term.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of this Bill. Presently, the Corruption, Drug Trafficking and Other Serious Crimes (Confiscation of Benefits) Act or CDSA criminalises the laundering of benefits derived from proceeds of criminal offences and provides the relevant authorities with the power to investigate and confiscate such proceeds of crime. This entrusts enforcement authorities with the power and authority to clamp down on the use of these criminal proceeds to perpetuate further crimes in and around Singapore. In an effort to ensure consistency in our laws and to step up measures to combat the increasing scourge of transnational financial crimes in Singapore and the surrounding region, MHA has tabled an amendment to CDSA to enhance the detection and prosecution of money laundering offences, increase the deterrent effect of our laws and facilitate information sharing with foreign financial intelligence units. I support this Bill for two reasons. First, the amendments that have been proposed in this Bill are timely. They ensure that Singapore's laws remain relevant in combating transnational financial crimes like money laundering. Secondly, the establishment of the Suspicious Transaction Reporting Office (STRO) ensures that there is a focused and coordinated effort to monitor, investigate and deal with offenders. It also facilitates information sharing between local and foreign financial intelligence units. Such information sharing is key to deterring transnational crime. First, the Government must ensure that our laws are relevant and effective in combating the scourge of transnational financial crimes like money laundering and terrorist financing, and reducing their prevalence on our shores.”
“Mdm Speaker, at four different paragraphs – paras 150, 157, 158 and 199 – the COI stated that SCDF performed its duties well on that night. Overall, SCDF responded to the riot relatively swiftly. The responding officers, led by ASP Tang and Lieutenant Neo, did a commendable job and, lastly, there was also effective command. My point is that while we debate what more could have been done, what improvements can be made, I believe it is important that this House also puts on record the bravery of the officers who conducted themselves courageously on that night. To this end, I would like to clarify whether it is the intention of MHA, in its post-mortem of the COI report, to commend the officers who carried out their duties professionally and bravely.”
“The Minister discussed eventual subsidies. How will the Minister ensure that this endeavour is financially sustainable in the long term? Lower fares could mean higher subsidies. How will the Minister attempt to ensure higher productivity among service providers to allow for affordable fares and, therefore, sustainable subsidies in the long term?”
“Further amendments will be made to allow users of trade marks identical or similar to a registered GI to continue using their respective terms, if they are able to show that they have been applying for or have been continuously using the term in good faith for trade, before the application for the registration of the GI was lodged or before GI became protected in its country of origin. Mdm Speaker, the flexible approach adopted ensures that the protection of GIs and intellectual property rights is stringent, yet ensures that it does not hamper trade through Singapore. Taken together, all these proposed changes and augmentations will ensure that Singapore remains a champion for the protection of intellectual property rights in the region, if not globally, and will ensure that goods and products that are being sold, imported or exported through our shores are accorded the requisite protection that they deserve. Madam, I support the Bill. 5.10 pm”
“Customs authorities will also be vested with the authority to search, examine and inspect vehicles and the baggage and belongings of persons entering into Singapore by land, sea or air. Mdm Speaker, this pre-emptive approach to the protection of intellectual property rights is preferable as it ensures that infringing products are kept out of the market early, rather than relying on after-the-fact enforcement by the authorities. In the event that these IP infringements fall through the cracks or go undetected at our borders, the Bill also provides adequate and effective remedies for owners and interested parties of registered GIs to obtain relief and Page: 86 remedies against infringing parties. Lastly, the proposed amendments to the Trade Marks Act allows for the alignment of the two registries in areas where there is potential for conflict. Specifically, the proposed amendment to the Trade Marks Act would prevent the registration of a trade mark that contains a GI that is already registered under the GI Registry, or if an application for the registration of the GI was lodged before the application for the registration of the trade mark. This is particularly important in cases where the trade mark is intended to be used for goods or products that are in the same category as the good for which the GI relates to, and such goods or products do not originate from the place indicated in the geographical indication.”