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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“Could the Ministry highlight some of the key feedback that was garnered from the Public Consultations that were conducted and whether any feedback received from those consultations were incorporated into the Bill that is being debated today? Mdm Speaker, one key component of the proposed Bill is the establishment of the Registry of Geographical Indications (GI Registry) under IPOS. This newly created GI Registry will be responsible for the registration of GIs for wines and spirits, and selected categories of agricultural products and foodstuffs. The proposed GI Registry will adopt a three-stage process for the registration of GIs, similar to that used for trade mark applications. Agricultural products and foodstuffs that are registered with the GI Registry will be accorded enhanced protections beyond the existing regime, beyond the level accorded under Article 22 of TRIPS, while registered GIs for wines and spirits will be afforded the same level of protection that it currently possesses. Further, the point that I want to stress is that the advantage of registration is that owners of registered GIs will have access to augmented border enforcement measures. These improved border enforcement measures will empower customs authorities to carry out active enforcement of the IP protection of GIs, rather than reactionary or passive enforcement. Under the proposed Bill, owners of registered GIs will be able to request the Singapore customs authorities to restrict the import of infringing goods, or to seize and detain suspected infringing goods which are expected to be exported or imported into Singapore.”
“This protection applies to GIs of any country that is a member of the WTO, a party to the Paris Convention for the Protection of Intellectual Property, or a country designated by the Minister as a "qualifying country". Further, interested parties are able to bring civil claims to obtain a court injunction to stop third parties from using their GIs, or obtain compensatory damages or the account of profits from the infringing third party. Beyond the GI Act, interested parties may also be able to obtain protection for a GI as a certification or collective mark under our Trade Marks Act. Mdm Speaker, I support this Bill as the re-enactment of the Geographical Indications Bill enhances and augments the existing legal regime for the protection of GIs under our domestic laws, and provides for clearer rules relating to the protection of goods and products with registered GIs. The impetus for the repeal and re-enactment of this Bill is to ensure that Singapore continues to meet its obligations under the WTO's 1994 Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property (TRIPS), as well as our forthcoming commitments should the EU Parliament ratify under the European Union-Singapore Free Trade Agreement (EUSFTA), which I had the privilege of accompanying the Prime Minister to France and Poland last year to push for. In the lead-up to this re-enactment, MinLaw, MTI and the Intellectual Property Office of Singapore (IPOS) had launched public consultations to garner feedback and views from the public regarding the proposed re-enactment and Page: 85 relevant changes to related legislation.”
“Mdm Speaker, a geographical indication, or GI for short, is a legal term that refers to a sign or indication that identifies a good as originating from a particular location. These GI products are typically characterised by a special quality, reputation or unique characteristic. Well-known examples of GIs include Darjeeling tea, Champagne and Parma ham. It is essential that we respect the geographical origins of these products as they represent a guarantee as to the quality of the products that are being purchased. Beyond that, these GIs may also promise a specific taste, aroma, appearance or characteristic which consumers are willing to pay for. Equally, Page: 84 should there be goods produced in Singapore, their Singapore-linked GI should be respected. What I am about to do to your menu is, well, tongue-in-cheek! For example, if under the starters we had Ghim Moh chwee kway, or under the mains we had Katong laksa, or under the desserts we had Geylang ondeh ondeh, or under the beverages we had wines. The broader point I am making here is we, too, should not only have to protect GIs of other countries but, should the time come, reciprocity should be accorded to our country, Singapore, by countries in terms of relevant goods produced here or eventually produced here. As such, it is essential that we honour the GIs of goods and products that are being sold on our shores or that are being exported or imported through our ports. Under existing laws, GIs are automatically protected under the existing Geographical Indications Act (GI Act), as there is no requirement for parties to file an application to protect a GI.”
“As I see it, there are two limiting factors. The first is the deadline for the LUP project, a nationwide LUP project. The second is the cost cap. My question is, after the deadline, Page: 61 should there be advancements in engineering, advancements in the manner in which we can install lifts, thereby reducing the amount payable per unit to something in the region of the cost cap or, perhaps even below that, would the Government be still willing to consider putting lifts in? And I use as an example, Sunset Way, where it was previously above the cost cap and then we looked at it and we looked at it again. And then a solution was found. So, would there be open-mindedness on the Ministry's part for that?”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the answer. In relation to the replacement contracts, the start-up kit and the settling-in programme, does MOM understand that in some situations, the maids are in unequal bargaining positions and whether these programmes and start-up kits or literature create a buffer needed to put the maids perhaps on a more equal footing in terms of rest days? But I am certainly encouraged by the statistics shared in terms of percentages.”
“This Bill provides clarity as to what constitutes stalking by providing examples of acts and omissions which are typically associated with stalking, as Page: 100 well as useful illustrations of behaviour that could constitute unlawful stalking. Under our current laws, there is arguably a lack of clarity as to what constitutes unlawful stalking, and thus, this is a welcome clarification on the state of the law. Apart from being an effective form of deterrence against potential offenders, by clearly setting out the general characteristics of undesirable social behaviour, this Bill could form a basis for parents and teachers to educate their children and students about acceptable social behaviour in our society. Often times, these individuals might not be aware that their actions could amount to stalking or cyberbullying. Therefore, this could be an opportunity for us to increase awareness and education on the issue of harassment, cyberbullying and unlawful stalking in our community. Lastly, the abolition of the common law tort of harassment will ensure that harassment, cyberbullying and unlawful stalking are dealt with under the proposed Protection from Harassment Bill. This will make certain that a coherent and consistent legal regime is established to deal with these offences firmly and expediently. It will also send a clear message to society about the seriousness of these offences and it provides timely clarification about what constitutes acceptable social behaviour, whether in the real or cyber world. Madam, I support this Bill. 4.26 pm”
“This shows the versatility and efficient nature of the Bill should circumstances merit such orders. These orders could, for example, require an offender to remove any offending communication or post that is causing alarm or distress to the victim. This ensures that harassers will be stopped from taking any further actions that may cause alarm or distress and will help to contain the effect of their harassment. Interestingly, the Bill also empowers the Court to make an order for the publication of a notice that would highlight the facts that the harasser had falsely alleged and to publish the true facts of the relevant situation. This would be particularly important in cases of online harassment or cyberbullying where the offender makes false allegations against or about the victim. This remedy will allow the Court to compel the offender to publish a clarification of any false allegations that have been made. Essentially, this Bill gives the Court the flexibility to grant civil remedies that will be appropriate and necessary in each unique circumstance. These measures will ensure that victims of harassment and cyberbullying will be helpfully relieved of the harassment, alarm and distress that they have been subjected to. Therefore, it can be seen that this two-pronged approach will allow the authorities to deal with offenders effectively while, at the same time, providing the requisite protection to victims of harassment and cyberbullying. Additionally, the creation of a new offence of unlawful stalking would also be effective in ensuring that individuals do not overstep the boundaries of acceptable social behaviour.”
“Mdm Speaker, the enactment of this Bill will help to ensure that our laws are kept up-to-date with modern technological developments, and would allow for the protection of Singaporeans from all forms of unwarranted harassment or bullying. Furthermore, this Bill proposes to adopt a potent two-prong approach to deal, head-on, with the menace of harassment and cyberbullying. First, by imposing tougher penalties on offenders who are found to have committed harassment or cyberbullying, a strong deterrent effect will be created. Offenders will think twice about doing anything that could have the potential of causing harassment, alarm or distress to others. Furthermore, this Bill will allow the Court to impose imprisonment of up to six months, on top of the enhanced $5,000 fine, where the offender has intentionally caused harassment, alarm or distress. Building upon that, enhanced penalties for repeat offenders reflect the seriousness of these offences. The Court would also be empowered to grant a community order, as defined in the Criminal Procedure Code, where it finds it necessary to deal with offenders under special circumstances. An example of orders that could be Page: 99 granted include a mandatory treatment order or a community service order. This shows the Bill to be nuanced and compassionate when the facts merit it. Secondly, this Bill will also provide avenues for victims of harassment or cyber bullying to obtain civil remedies that are required to protect them from further harassment, alarm or distress. Apart from being able to grant compensation in the form of damages to the victims, the Court will also be empowered to grant a Protection Order, or an Expedited Protection Order in cases of urgency.”
“With this evolution of methods utilised by offenders, current safeguards need to be bolstered to deal with the types and forms of harassment that Singaporeans are facing in these times. Page: 98 Therefore, with the expansion of offences relating to harassment to include words, behaviour or communication used or made by "any means", including electronic means, it ensures that offenders who resort to modern means of harassment or cyberbullying can be swiftly and judiciously dealt with. Further, by widening the forms of harassment recognised under the law, the Police and other law enforcement agencies will be empowered to step in and conduct investigations to determine if an offence of online harassment or cyberbullying can be made out. With the manpower and resources to conduct a thorough investigation, Police investigation and enforcement would be an expedient and effective means of dealing with harassment and cyberbullying. On this, I would like to ask the Minister if dedicated Police units will be created to specialise in the investigation and prosecution of this sort of crime. Further, what avenues will be made available to alleged victims to raise possible cases of harassment or cyberbullying to the authorities in an expedient manner? I would also like to seek a clarification on what criteria will be employed by the Police to distinguish genuine cases from unmeritorious cases. I believe that these are important issues to consider as it would allow the authorities to focus their efforts towards investigating and dealing with legitimate cases of online harassment or cyberbullying.”
“In the past, in order for a victim to obtain protection from harassment or cyber bullying, they would need to initiate a civil action against the alleged harasser under the common law tort of harassment, which is often times hard, expensive and could take an extended period of time to be resolved. This is similar to the case of victims of Internet or online defamation – victims currently need to initiate a civil suit in order to obtain some form of compensation – this process is public and can be costly. Some form of Police enforcement or investigation would seem more effective and expedient. However, the only avenue currently available to victims is to obtain the help of authorities to prosecute the alleged harasser under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act (MOA). However, the provisions under that Act are arguably vague and unclear with respect to online harassment and cyberbullying. Additionally, for an offence to be made out, it seems the offender would have had to personally make the alarming or distressing remarks to the victim face-to-face or to have spread rumours or allegations using word of mouth. These days, offenders may perpetuate false rumours and allegations online using websites like Facebook, Twitter or online blogs. Alternatively, they may also resort to modern electronic means of communication like e-mails or smartphone-based instant messaging applications, like WhatsApp, to inundate and annoy their victims, as the Minister had previously explained. The means utilised and the audience that might be exposed to these unwarranted acts are dramatically different from the past. By extending their actions into the realm of the Internet and the virtual world, the magnitude of these actions are amplified.”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the Protection from Harassment Bill before Parliament today. This Bill is certainly a step in the right direction, as it deals with the prevalence of harassment, cyber bullying and unlawful stalking in our community head-on. With the enactment of this Bill, genuine victims of these offences will be given the necessary reprieve from, and compensation for, the distress that they have experienced as a result of the unwarranted actions of their harassers and stalkers. At the same time, with this Bill, offenders that choose to commit these insidious offences can be dealt with judiciously and firmly, reflecting the tough stance that we are taking for such offences. The enactment of this Bill is also a timely and necessary response to the increasing utilisation of the Internet to manipulate and victimise the vulnerable. This issue was first noted by Parliament when the amendments to the Penal Code were debated in 2007, and the enactment of this Bill is an extension of that realisation. With new advancements in technology and the rapid expansion of Internet access in recent years, harassers are now increasingly capable of utilising the Internet as a potent and expedient means of causing alarm or distress to others. As a result, existing measures are no longer sufficient to deal with the threat of Page: 97 online harassment and cyberbullying effectively. I support this Bill for two main reasons: first, as this Bill extends the scope of harassment to include words, behaviour or communication used or made by "any means", including through electronics means. Secondly, because this Bill adopts a potent two-pronged approach to dealing with the objectionable and insidious offences of harassment and unlawful stalking.”
“Madam, we have started the journey to reform our psychological healthcare system. We must continue to strengthen and sustain this. Community Mental Healthcare”
“In that same vein, it is our responsibility to implement measures that would help to alleviate some of the burdens that these caregivers experience on a daily basis and to ensure that their needs are also being met. In conclusion, as our society continues to mature and advance in both age and compassion, those who are relied on to provide care for their loved ones should never be forgotten, and a variety of options could be made available to provide necessary and timely relief to caregivers. Psychological Health and Wellness Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef: Madam, psychological health and mental illness management continues to be an area that needs to be strengthened in our healthcare system and landscape. Much was achieved with our last mental Page: 96 health blueprint, and a collaborative effort is crucial between MOH, IMH, HPB, mental health VWOs, NGOs and community-based groups. Education, awareness creation and destigmatisation continue to be important. Early detection, early intervention, compliance to management and medication, and integration of care within the community are the right strategic moves forward. But the integration part seems to be needing strengthening and enhancement. How will the resources for psychological and mental health be better coordinated and managed in the coming years? Will we be seeing more community-based services, institutions or homes for those who need to be cared for, especially where the families cannot cope with their antics and manifestations, which often cause a variety of disamenities and sometimes unintended crimes? Will MOH also be coming up with a follow-up masterplan aligning with the comprehensive Mental Health Action Plan 2013 to 2020 by the World Health Organization?”
“While existing programmes, such as the Caregivers Always Ready and Empowered (CARE) Page: 95 programme, provide relevant skills and knowledge for caregivers, the well-being of these caregivers also needs to be taken into consideration. Much more can and should be done to alleviate some of the load that these everyday heroes grapple with on a daily basis. Further recommendations have been made to set up a Government-led scheme for the provision of respite care for senior citizens, as well as the provision of eldercare leave. These initiatives would certainly help to alleviate the mental and physical stress and time constraints that caregivers often have to deal with. Respite care options need to be enhanced and expanded further to provide caregivers with the opportunity to have short periods of rest and relief, while not having to worry about their care recipients. One relevant example is a case of a resident in my constituency in Ulu Pandan, who requested respite care so that she could attend her daughter's wedding. She was prepared to forgo the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to attend her daughter's wedding as she knew that she did not want to abandon her home-bound special needs loved one who needed close supervision. We, as a volunteer group, were able to put her in contact with the relevant agencies, and something was able to be done to allow her to attend her daughter's wedding, and to be part of that joyous occasion. How wonderful it was to be able to provide that short time of relief for a caregiver who has already sacrificed much for her loved ones. One thing is clear – without the perseverance and resilience of these caregivers, many in our society would be left alone and without anyone to care for them.”
“Caring for the caregiver. Being a caregiver is not easy. Caregivers are expected to balance both working during the day, and being a primary caregiver at night. These caregivers may carry the responsibility of taking care of an elderly loved one, a family member or child with special needs, or even a relative with mental health problems. The pressure and responsibility that fall on the shoulders of these caregivers, in the form of financial burdens, physical and emotional fatigue and time constraints, are not an easy load to carry alone. Without any support and help from the community, these caregivers may buckle under the pressure and responsibility that they have been loaded with. Therefore, I would like to ask the Minister and his office bearers what measures can be implemented to alleviate some of the struggles that caregivers face on a daily basis. Would the Ministry consider building up manpower capabilities and capacity through the training of individuals with relevant specialised skills to be able to provide home-based care for the elderly, those with special needs or those with mental health issues? By equipping individuals with such skills, there can be greater opportunities and possibilities for caregivers to have access to home-based respite care options and, thus, be able to have some form of relief from caregiving. This temporary reprieve for caregivers can make a world of difference and would give them a chance to refresh themselves and to recharge. As the cornerstone of support within their families, these caregivers often have to sacrifice their own personal time and financial resources to care for their loved ones, possibly without any avenue for help or relief.”
“Furthermore, by having a clear ladder for the increase in wages through skills training and increased productivity, workers will be empowered to take a personal responsibility in the improvement of their own skills and the consequent increase in wages. Progress has certainly been made in recent years to raise the wages of our workers. However, there is still more that can be done to further improve the wages of our workers and to do so the right way. Foreign Manpower”
“However, I wish to ask the Minister for Manpower: what further efforts are being contemplated to continue to raise the wages of our workers the right way, particularly the wages of low-wage workers who have to make ends meet with less than $1,500 a month, through increased productivity and training? With the Government and the public sector taking the lead by implementing best sourcing practices, through supporting programmes like the Best Sourcing Initiative, it is my hope that such best practices will also filter down to the private sector and influence their procurement procedures. I would like to also commend MEWR for championing the recent amendment to the Environmental Public Health Act in Parliament this month. In a sector that is particularly prone to cheap-sourcing measures, the implementation of the new licensing regimes in the cleaning industry will ensure that cleaners are offered better training and employment conditions. Page: 35 This amendment is particularly important as it will operationalise the implementation of the Progressive Wage Model that was recommended by the Tripartite Cluster of Cleaners in late 2012. A further expansion of the Progressive Wage Model should be encouraged across other industries like the security and landscaping sectors as this model provides a fair and transparent means for workers to attain an increase in wages. As these are industries where wages are often suppressed due to the cheap sourcing measures, the implementation of the Progressive Wage model ensures that low-wage workers in these industries have a clear path for career progression and an increase in wages.”
“Mdm Chair, the need for higher wages is most acutely felt by low-wage workers who earn less than $1,500 per month. These workers often struggle to make ends meet and require Page: 34 the assistance of Government schemes to assist them with their daily needs. Therefore, there has been a clear need for the Government to adopt measures that would mitigate the wage disparities in our society, and to ensure that low-wage earning Singaporeans are not left behind. Rather than simply mandating a minimum wage or forcing employers to increase the wages of employees across the board, the Government has rightfully adopted a wider and more comprehensive approach by raising wages the right way. 12.45 pm Initiatives, such as the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS), have been an effective means for low-wage workers to supplement their incomes, be it in the form of cash payouts or CPF top-ups. Similarly, the Workfare Training Support scheme has been implemented to great effect to provide generous subsidies for the continued training of workers and, consequently, raise the wages of these workers. In addition, the Government introduced the Wage Credit Scheme (WCS) and the Inclusive Growth Programme (IGP) to provide support for employers who raise the wages of their local employees, as well as to incentivise employers to share productivity gains with their employees. Taken together, these initiatives have paved the way for low-wage workers to improve their skills through training and to increase their productivity and wages over time.”
“Hence, I would like to ask the Minister for Home Affairs: what feedback had been collated from the public consultations that were conducted and, moving forward, what plans does the Ministry have to operationalise the proposed measures to restrict remote gambling in Singapore. Until and unless the Government implements tough and robust measures to curb the spread of remote gambling in Singapore, there will continue to be an avenue for Singaporeans to get caught in the vicious cycle of problem gambling. Drug Situation”
“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. This spread of remote gambling in Singapore is particularly worrisome as remote gambling websites can be accessed at any time of the day, from anywhere and often without any charge. This is unlike one of Singapore's two casinos where there is a $100 levy imposed on Singaporean seeking to enter the casinos. Therefore, Singaporeans who wanted to gamble but are reluctant to pay the $100 would choose to engage in remote gambling instead. This would allow Singaporeans to circumvent the preventive measures that had justified the implementation of the levy on Singaporeans at the two local casinos, namely to prevent the spread of problem gambling in our community. Another key issue with remote gambling is that remote gambling operations tend to be centred beyond the jurisdiction of Singapore and remote gambling operations may also become a source or conduit of funds for illegal activities or syndicated crimes. Therefore, in November 2013, the Government announced that it would be introducing new laws to allow enforcement agencies to act against those who are involved in the provision or facilitation of remote gambling in Singapore. These new laws are expected to block Singaporeans from accessing gambling websites, prevent them from making payments to remote gambling operators online and to ban advertisements that promote remote gambling sites. Page: 66 Soon after, MHA announced that it would be holding a public consultation exercise to engage with relevant stakeholders to understand how best such legislation can be crafted and implemented.”
“Also, with the introduction of tough measures under the Moneylenders Act and other legislation, the Police have been successful at achieving a consistent reduction in the number of reports of unlicensed moneylending and related harassment cases in Singapore. But as the Police slogan goes, "Low crime doesn't mean no crime". Therefore, tough and robust measures must continue to be utilised to stem the spread of such activities in our community. This is particularly important as unlicensed moneylending is amongst a cluster of crimes that tend to involve large organised crime syndicates and often have a transnational aspect to them. Therefore, I would like to ask the Minister whether existing punitive, legal and enforcement measures to reduce illegal moneylending activities continue to be relevant and effective, and whether there are further enhancements that may be required to augment the Home Teams' ability to fight against such activities, particularly in pursuing upstream offenders who are the puppeteers and masterminds of such activities. With the ever-evolving nature of such crimes, the Home Team and the Police must remain up-to-date with their measures and methods to reduce Page: 65 loansharking in our neighbourhoods, and must be able to adapt to the ever-changing and evolving criminal landscape. Deterring Remote Gambling Mdm Chair, my second cut on remote gambling. In this era of unprecedented Internet broadband access and widespread prevalence of smart phones amongst Singaporeans, a new phenomenon of remote gambling is starting to take root amongst our Singaporean population. Remote gambling is essentially gambling either via the Internet or through a communication device like a smart phone.”
“A close partnership between the Home Team and the wider Singapore community is integral towards ensuring the effectiveness of measures to curb the occurrence of illegal moneylending, or loansharking, activities within our neighbourhoods. With both parties being actively involved in the detection and deterrence of such activities in our heartlands and residential neighbourhoods, we will have peace of mind that our children and families are growing up and living in a safe environment. In light of this, I would like to ask the Minister for Home Affairs to provide an update on what new efforts are being taken to eradicate the prevalence of Page: 64 unlicensed moneylending and related harassment cases, and an update on the progress that these initiatives have made in targeting the scourge of loansharking in our community. Taken together, the Police and MHA have implemented many broad-based measures that are meant to support and complement one another in the fight against unlicensed moneylending in Singapore. These measures, namely, preventive education, enforcement and community engagement, ensure that the Police have robust measures at their disposal to curb the spread of unlicensed moneylending and related harassment incidents. Thus far, initiatives, such as the Community Policing Scheme (COPS) and the Anti-Unlicensed Moneylending Awareness Campaign, enable the Police to tap onto the community as a potent source for surveillance and information gathering in the neighbourhoods. Furthermore, the deployment of Police cameras at HDB blocks has assisted in allaying safety and security concerns of such loansharking activities happening in our communities. Regular reports of the arrests of unlicensed moneylenders are a testimony of the effectiveness of these initiatives.”
“Mdm Chairman, with projections of Asia's and ASEAN's cross border trade and investment expected to triple within the next 10 years, it is inevitable that the number and complexity of cross-border legal disputes will increase in tandem. Therefore, there is a need for a neutral and respected dispute resolution hub in the region that will be able to resolve such cross-border commercial disputes effectively. In light of this, the Minister of Law announced that MinLaw would be facilitating the establishment of two new legal institutions, namely, the Singapore International Commercial Court (SICC) and the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) in the coming year. The establishment of these two dispute resolution institutions are based on the recommendations made by the SICC Committee, co-chaired by Justice V K Rajah, Judge of Appeal and Ms Indranee Rajah SC, Senior Minister of State for Law and Education, and the International Commercial Mediation Working Group. I would like to ask the Minister for Law what tangible outcomes can be hoped to be achieved from the establishment of these two institutions here in Singapore, how the Ministry envisions these two institutions contributing to the growth of our thriving legal sector, and what this would mean for lawyers in Singapore. Page: 100 It would be strategic for Singapore to position itself to also become a premier centre for both mediation and litigation, building upon its current status as the leading arbitration hub in Asia and to be able to offer a full suite of legal solutions for the resolution of commercial disputes both within and beyond Asia. Simplifying Crime Victims' Civil Claims”
“In 2007, ITE won the inaugural global Harvard-IBM Innovations Award in Transforming Government, in recognition of the profound impact that it has made on the lives of Singapore citizens. In 2011, ITE was the first educational institute in Singapore to receive the Singapore Quality Award with Special Commendation. Foreign visitors from other countries and governments regularly come to our ITEs to see how they are able to consistently provide high-quality technical and vocational education to their students. Our ITEs have been pioneers in the provision of consistently high-quality and cutting-edge technical education and relevant vocational training in Singapore – a model that is being replicated and followed around the world. Therefore, it is my hope that graduates from our ITEs will be given greater opportunities to expand and build on the high-quality education that they have received at ITE, and to learn relevant skills that will put them in good stead for their future careers. Page: 130 All of these initiatives require prudent fiscal planning and a healthy Budget. I hope consideration can be given by the various Ministries for the initiatives that I have elaborated on in my speech, when the Ministries are planning and rolling out funding within their relevant fields. With that, Mdm Speaker, I support the Budget. 5.49 pm”
“It is my hope that a values-based education will provide a more holistic and complete education for our students, and will ensure that they are grounded in strong values. On top of building and shaping a values-based education system, it is equally important that we have a system that values each and every one of our students. Our education system must be an open and inclusive one that provides multiple and diverse pathways for our students and must be able to Page: 129 develop the talents and capabilities of each student to their fullest at the right time. In particular, more educational pathways need to be created to provide opportunites to students from our ITEs to further their studies at our local Polytechnics or, eventually, at the University. Less than a month ago, this Parliament passed the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) Act – which I debated on also – which was primarily 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 fields. Similarly, more efforts need to be taken to create similar education pathways from our ITEs, Polytechnic and then to University. Presently, our ITEs provide a wide variety of courses, ranging from applied and health services, to design and media, and even courses in hospitality. There appears to be alignment between the courses being offered at our ITEs and the courses being offered at the Polytechnics. Therefore, more should and can be done to encourage our ITE students to pursue further education at our local Polytechnics, and even at our local Universities like the SIT. The quality of education being provided at our ITEs is high.”
“Lastly, Mdm Speaker, is a topic that I have discussed several times during Budget debates – providing values-based education and more education pathways for our children. It is my firm belief that education is the most important gift that we can give to our children and future generations of Singaporeans. With the right education, Singaporeans will be able to support themselves and their families and will be well placed to make a mark for themselves in society. Hard work has been put in by the MOE and the Education Service to build a fertile and open learning environment in our schools and educational institutions, be it at the Primary, Secondary or tertiary levels. To build upon this hard work, I believe that it is important that we inculcate and build an education system that is values-based and committed towards instilling a strong emphasis on character development and strong values. An example of a programme that would encourage this type of education system is the Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) programme, which has been updated and is being re-introduced in our Primary and Secondary schools in stages from this year onwards. The CCE programme aims to inculcate the importance of values through three overarching ideas, namely, Identity, Relationship and Choices. Through the programme, students will be invited to understand these three key concepts in the context of their self, family, community and beyond. This programme will allow young Singaporeans to understand the values that define our Singapore society, to show concern for the world that they live in and to be capable of showing compassion and empathy in their relationships with one another and the community-at-large.”
“This can be done through increasing awareness regarding trafficking-in-persons among Government agencies, corporations operating in Singapore and members of the public. The early detection of potential TIP cases, through a strong case referral mechanism, will allow for a quicker response to TIP crimes and would minimise the exploitation of TIP victims. In addition to this, Singapore must adopt stringent laws that will act as deterrence against potential traffickers using Singapore as a destination or transit point for the trafficking of people in the surrounding region. Additionally, the protection of these TIP victims has been identified at the Singapore Inter-Agency Taskforce on TIP as another key area in the fight against human trafficking in Singapore. Victim assistance is presently being collectively handled by Government agencies, NGOs and VWOs. These organisations provide a safe environment for the victims of these heinous crimes and provide them with the necessary help that they might require. The Government must continue to support efforts by Government and non-Government organisations to provide avenues for victims of human trafficking to seek protection against harm and to be safely taken care of. Essentially, a variety of measures must be adopted to provide a holistic approach to the eradication of human trafficking in Singapore. Singapore must continue to take the lead in the region and make it clear that we do not condone this heinous crime of human trafficking within or through our island. Ultimately, I believe that it is our responsibility as Singaporeans not to forget the last, the lost and the least in our society, and that we must take note of and initiate measures to take care of and watch out for these vulnerable Page: 128 members of our society.”
“When these released persons are not gainfully employed for extended periods of time, there is the opportunity, time and space for them to gravitate back to old habits and lapse back into the vicious cycle of offending. Therefore, job matching for released persons before their release is essential, and employers should be encouraged to hire qualified and capable released persons who are trying to obtain employment. So, if this is, indeed, going to be an equal and fair and just Budget, perhaps we can also think philosophically. We can also think policy-wise what more we can do to reintegrate our released persons back into our society. An example of such a programme is the Skills Assistance Subsidy Scheme, administered by the Industrial and Services Co-operative Society, which provides released persons with training to upgrade their skills sets and increase their employability. Examples of common courses that are keenly subscribed to are its Building and Construction Supervisor Safety Course and the course for Class 4 Driving Licence, which is required to operate heavy vehicles like lorries and trucks. Similarly, more needs to be done to encourage employers to employ released persons who are determined to turn over a new leaf. Page: 127 Another group of persons that are particularly vulnerable in our society are victims of human trafficking. In order to protect these victims and potential future victims, there is an urgent need to reduce the prevalence of human trafficking in and through Singapore, through preventive measures, tough laws and victim protection. The most effective means of reducing human trafficking is by preventing the occurrence of human trafficking on and through our shores.”
“Third, Mdm Speaker, on caring for the vulnerable in our society. There are some in our society who are often forgotten or marginalised. They are often not heard, and it is our responsibility to act as voices for them in society and to advocate for better conditions and treatment for them. There are two groups of such persons in particular that I wish to highlight today, namely, persons released from prison, and victims of human trafficking and related offences. First, let me discuss persons who have been recently released from prison. Further efforts are needed to help these vulnerable persons rehabilitate Page: 126 themselves and eventually reintegrate back into the Singapore community fold. The Yellow Ribbon Project is but one of the many positive reconciliatory and rehabilitative initiatives that have been adopted to alleviate some of the discrimination and stigma that released persons face today in our society. However, rehabilitation is only the first step of the long and arduous journey of reintegration back into the community. For rehabilitation to be possible, communities and, on a broader level, society, must do their part to help these released persons to re-engage with the public in a constructive, fulfilling and empowering manner. One effective way that we can show care and concern for these released persons is to provide opportunities for them to contribute back to the community, and to utilise the skills and abilities that they possess for the betterment of our society. This could include providing opportunities for released persons to be gainfully employed and to make a go for himself or herself in society.”
“Therefore, like many of my fellow Members, especially during the last COS, I would like to speak about how we can promote the comforting, loving, nurturing and voluntary alternative choice of adoption to pregnant mothers thinking about Page: 125 terminating pregnancies. Many of these women may not be aware of, or might not have thought of the alternative of adoption. I believe that the culture and option of adoption could be publicised more widely, and greater efforts can be made to provide pregnant women with information about the wonderful and voluntary option of adoption. In particular, teenage girls and unwed women who are pregnant should be given the opportunity to learn more about adoption as a comforting and nurturing alternative. A welcome move was also recently announced by the Minister for Health regarding a proposal to make pre-abortion counselling mandatory for all women seeking to terminate their pregnancy in Singapore. I hope that these pre-abortion counselling sessions can also be an avenue to provide pregnant mothers with further information about adoption. By understanding the process and the benefits of adoption better, pregnant mothers will be able to make an informed decision. The promotion of adoption as a comforting, loving and nurturing alternative to abortion could also have the happy result of increasing our TFR, which is low. I have heard stories of Singaporean couples trying hard for a baby for many, many years. They are open to adopting a child. If the option of adoption is publicised more extensively, these Singaporean couples can then adopt and raise the child as a Singaporean. Ultimately, adoption is a voluntary choice that a pregnant mother has to make and we must do all that we can to support her as she makes an informed choice.”
“The introduction of this Package will also assist our younger Singaporeans, as this initiative will help to alleviate the financial concerns of the children and grandchildren of our Pioneer Generation, and will give them peace of mind knowing that their parents and grandparents will be taken care of as they get older. Also of note is the fact that the Government is setting aside $8 billion for the new Pioneer Generation Fund from the outset to finance the Package. The creation of this dedicated fund will be drawn upon over time to fund the Package and will assure the beneficiaries that these important benefits will not be put in jeopardy by future economic circumstances. Secondly, beyond the Pioneer Generation Package, the Government has also adopted prudent and incisive measures to take care of the next generation of Singaporeans and to prepare for an ageing population in the future. In addition to the across-the-board increase in CPF contribution rates for all workers by 1% – to be allocated to the worker's Medisave Account – older workers above the age of 50 will also be eligible to enjoy an added increase in the CPF contribution rates to their Ordinary and Special Accounts. Further, Singaporeans aged 55 years and above in 2014 will also receive Medisave top-ups of between $100 and $200 annually for the next five years. This will help alleviate healthcare expenses. Taken together, these measures will enhance the healthcare and retirement savings of older workers, and will ensure that they, too, will have peace of mind knowing that they will be taken care of in the years to come – in their golden years. The second topic I wish to talk about, Mdm Speaker, is the promotion of adoption. An economy must have manpower. And our TFR has taken a hit.”
“Mdm Speaker, thank you for allowing me to join in the debate. Today, I wish to speak on four issues. First of all, on the timely initiatives that were announced as part of this year's Budget: I wish to speak in particular about two aspects of the Budget – the Pioneer Generation Package and the increased assistance for older workers. First, it is heartening to see that our Pioneer Generation of Singaporeans is being honoured through the Pioneer Generation Package. This Package ensures that healthcare will be affordable for these Singaporeans who have played a key role in building the safe and economically vibrant Singapore we enjoy today; more so, our elders will be taken care of, especially as they reach their golden years. The Package will benefit them in the form of Medisave top-ups, MediShield Life premium subsidies, and enhanced healthcare benefits. In addition, all those eligible for the Pioneer Generation Package will be put on the Community Health Assist Scheme and will also be eligible for benefits under the Pioneer Generation Disability Assistance scheme. It is estimated that about 450,000 first-generation Singaporeans will benefit from this Package. Notably, the Pioneer Generation will receive these regardless of income levels and will receive it for the rest of their lives. As a Member of Parliament in the Bukit Timah area, I think this is a very good step in the right direction, regardless of income levels. This exemplifies and reflects the values that we cherish as a Singaporean society and will assure our elderly Singaporeans that Page: 124 they have not been forgotten, in their golden years.”
“In an advanced society like ours, there must be a multitude of educational avenues available to students to blossom and find themselves at different times and ages. 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, learning preferences and interests. What SIT is able to do is to provide a platform for young Singaporeans, who might have discovered their passion and true abilities at a later age, to be able to attain university education in a relevant discipline of their choice. SIT will be the avenue that allows them to excel at the right time, and would put Page: 125 them in good stead to be successful in their future careers. Ultimately, for the students, the university experience should be challenging, interactive and meaningful, integrating a strong theoretical foundation with real-world industry experience. With the development of this unique blend of a teaching-focused, industry-linked and practice-based university education, it is my firm belief that SIT will be successful in enabling young Singaporeans to realise their full potential and bring Singapore to even greater heights. Therefore, I support this meaningful and courageous Bill.”
“Unlike the degree programmes that are offered by other existing universities, SIT will offer a myriad number of applied degree pathways in Page: 124 disciplines with strong practice orientation, and a university education that is equally grounded in both theory and practice. With the enactment of this Bill, SIT would be empowered to offer its own unique degree programmes, advancing beyond merely offering niche degrees from foreign universities. It has been announced that SIT will start by offering three new full-time degree programmes in the areas of infrastructure engineering, information and communication technology and accountancy. What differentiates SIT from other local universities is its ability to integrate a strong emphasis on theoretical foundations, with an exposure to real-world industry experience. This will be achieved by integrating work experiences into the degree programmes, where students will combine relevant industry attachments with their studies. An example of how such a melding of studies and work might be done is where Accountancy students would do an attachment at an auditing firm on the weekdays, to understand the real-life application of what they are studying, and will then return back for classes on the weekends. It is clear that SIT's degree programmes will be different and distinct from existing degree programmes, effectively adding diversity and dynamism to the university sector, and will provide students with more choices and opportunities to develop themselves holistically. Furthermore, SIT's strength lies in its ability to harness the potential of students at different stages of their educative years, and to allow them to express themselves fully, depending on their own learning abilities and interests.”
“It has created opportunities for university education for our polytechnic diploma holders, effectively increasing the proportion of university graduates in the Singapore workforce. Over time, SIT-based degree programmes have produced exceptional graduates who are equipped with both a strong theoretical foundations in their chosen discipline, as well as a keen understanding of its real-life application in the relevant industry. The proposed Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) Bill that is before Parliament today aims to establish SIT as the fifth autonomous university in Singapore, which will empower SIT with the right to confer and award degrees, diplomas and certificates in its own name. The Bill also seeks to put in place mechanisms to allow the Government to provide public funds for the operation of the university, and to influence the strategic development of SIT in the interest of the public. I support this Bill for two reasons: first, the establishment of SIT as Singapore's fifth publicly funded autonomous university truly reflects the confidence that the Government has in SIT's ability to provide innovative degree programmes that will complement the existing university landscape. Secondly, degree programmes offered by SIT will be able to harness the potential of students at different stages of their educative years, by providing them with opportunities for university education in their chosen disciplines. The introduction of this Bill today is a true reflection of the confidence that the Government has in SIT's unique ability to provide university opportunities to a wider group of students with varying abilities, interests and learning preferences.”
“In August 2010, SIT welcomed its first cohort of students, numbering about 500 students in total. By the start of the next academic year in August 2011, SIT was able to double its intake of students to 1,000 students, and was already offering a total of 17 degree programmes. To facilitate synergy between all the relevant parties, it was imperative that SIT work closely with its overseas university partners to develop a robust and relevant curriculum that would be able to tap onto the strengths of their degree programmes, and the existing polytechnic diploma curriculums. In 2012, the vital role that SIT would play in complementing the existing university landscape was affirmed by the recommendations made by the Committee on University Education Pathways Beyond 2015, or the CUEP for short. In its report released in August 2012, the CUEP highlighted an urgent need to develop a university model that offered degree programmes in niche disciplines that were not being offered by the existing universities, as well as areas that required more skilled manpower, such as hospitality and tourism, Page: 123 social services and healthcare services. The CUEP envisioned a co-operative education model, where academic studies would be fully integrated with practical, hands-on work experience, and where students alternate between semesters of full-time study and relevant paid work. It was their belief that this was necessary in order to preserve the high standards of our university sector and ensure good employment prospects in Singapore for years to come. The SIT that we have today embodies many of the recommendation highlighted in the CUEP Report and caters to a wider group of students with varying abilities, learning preferences and interests.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) Bill. Tracing SIT's history will help explain why. Essentially, it has grown from strength to strength since its inception. In May 2009, MOE announced that a new university would be set up to provide an avenue for deserving polytechnic graduates to obtain industry-relevant degrees, and to provide them access to subsidised degree programmes. At the time, about only one in seven polytechnic graduates Page: 122 matriculated into one of the three autonomous universities (AUs) that we had back then, namely, NUS, NTU and SMU. SIT was slated to accommodate 2,000 full-time university places each year at its steady state, and would allow MOE to achieve its target of raising the university cohort participation rate in Singapore to 30% by 2015. With the inclusion of SIT into Singapore's university landscape, MOE hoped to expand the upgrading opportunities available to polytechnic graduates by attracting industry-related degree programmes from reputable overseas universities, in close partnership with the five local polytechnics. Some key disciplines that were identified include Applied Sciences and Engineering, Digital Media, Health Sciences and Hospitality. Within a short period of time, very short period of time, SIT was able to secure tie-ups with several reputable overseas universities from the US, UK, Australia and Europe that had high academic standing and strong industry reputation – these include the University of Manchester, Technical University of Munich, Newcastle University, University of Glasgow, University of Nevada (Las Vegas), the DigiPen Institute of Technology and the Culinary Institute of America.”
“While it is commendable that the MPA is now entrusted with the power to board and inspect ships suspected of being involved in compulsory or forced labour, the effectiveness of such powers is contingent on the authorities being able to obtain reliable and credible intelligence prior to the arrival of these ships into our coastal waters and at our ports. Therefore, the MPA must also work closely with its Home Team partners like the Police Force and Coast Guard, other ports in the region, as well as regional and international organisations, to build up extensive intelligence networks to obtain reliable information and reports on potential cases of forced or slave labour in the region. Using the intelligence gathered, the MPA will be able to mount focused operations to investigate and deal with suspected cases of forced or slave labour onboard ships calling at our ports. Further to that, with the establishment of the INTERPOL Global Complex in Singapore, local authorities can leverage and tap on their far-reaching intelligence network, and work closely with INTERPOL to combat transnational and syndicated crimes that operate in or around our waters. Ultimately, we must remain vigilant and employ every weapon available in our arsenal in the fight against trafficking syndicates and slave labour networks and that includes such networks onboard ships. For that reason, Sir, I support this Bill. Page: 96 5.48 pm”
“Further, the Bill clearly delineates minimum requirements or standards for working conditions and employment of seafarers onboard these ships. An example of such conditions include requirements relating to their employment agreement (clause 14), hours of rest for seafarers working on board ships (clause 16), the manner and timing in which wages shall be paid (clause 20), and the entitlement to have paid annual leave (clause 22). The inclusion of such requirements into our law would increase the working conditions onboard ships as shipowners are now conferred with an explicit obligation to ensure that these conditions are provided for all seafarers that they employ. Where in the past shipowners were allowed free rein over determining the working conditions implemented onboard their ships, the enactment of this Bill will Page: 95 ensure that errant shipowners will no longer be able to mistreat seafarers employed on their ship without facing consequences. Furthermore, shipowners who resort to forced or compulsory labour onboard their ships can now be prosecuted and dealt with severely and strictly. Thus, with the inclusion of these broad-based powers of boarding and investigation for the MPA and the imposition of minimum requirements for working conditions for seafarers onboard ships, Singapore's ability to combat forced labour happening through Singapore waters will be significantly enhanced. It is my belief, therefore, that this Bill will complement the dedicated legislation that will criminalise the trafficking of persons and minors in and through Singapore for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced incarceration, slave labour and so on.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Merchant Shipping Maritime Labour Convention. Page: 94 The proposed Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) Bill aims to give effect to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, which embodies all up-to-date standards of existing international maritime labour Conventions and Recommendations, as well as the fundamental principles found in other international labour Conventions. As an important member of the international shipping and maritime community, it is essential that we, Singapore, incorporate these requirements into our domestic law and align ourselves with international standards on maritime labour regulations. I support the enactment of this Bill because maritime labour regulations are an issue that is very much related to human trafficking or the ensuring of good work conditions on board ships. Therefore, we must implement tough measures and robust mechanisms to ensure that such crimes do not happen on our watch. As a major trading point in the region, our ports and the surrounding waters are filled with Singapore-registered ships and foreign-registered ships that carry thousands of seafarers. With the enactment of this Bill, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), as our national maritime flag administration, will be authorised to board and inspect the working and living conditions of seafarers onboard these ships calling at our ports. In doing so, the MPA can ensure that shipowners and operators comply with the minimum requirements relating to working conditions and workplace health and safety for seafarers, and be able to judiciously address and deal with issues of forced or compulsory labour that might be occurring onboard ships calling at our ports.”
“These two initiatives will reinforce and enhance existing programmes and resources that are already in place to assist in the rehabilitation and reintegration of released persons back into our Singaporean society, such as the Community-Based Programme (CBP), the CARE Network, and the Singapore Corporation of Rehabilitative Enterprises (SCORE). Ultimately, while it is essential that we remain firm on those who commit crime, there is an equally important need to advocate the rehabilitation and reintegration of these people back into society. Some people have had harder roads in life than others, and we should not be so quick to point fingers and apportion blame or criticism on those who may have made mistakes in their lives. MHA and the Prison Service must be commended for their continued and unwavering effort to encourage the rehabilitation and reintegration of released persons back into our society in Singapore. Ours must be a compassionate society that seeks to welcome back our brothers and sisters who are on that arduous journey of rehabilitation and reconciliation. If these released persons are willing to make amends for their mistakes and are ready to turn over a new leaf, we, as a community, must be ready to support their rehabilitation, to assist in their reintegration into society, and to welcome them back into the community fold with open arms. I support the Bill. 3.29 pm Page: 52”
“Essentially, the success of a released person's rehabilitation is dependent on the effort that they make as an individual to make amends for their mistakes, as well as the openness of the community to welcome them back into society. Hence, I am confident that the MAS will be effective as a stepping-stone for the eventual reintegration of the released person back into society. Secondly, the Conditional Remission System (CRS) ensures that released persons are incentivised to turn over a new leaf, and to break out of the cycle of re-offending. By imposing the basic condition that persons released under the CRS should not be convicted of another offence during the remission period, these released persons will be more cautious and reluctant to re-offend. In the event that they do re-offend during the remission period, the courts will be empowered to sentence the released person for breaching the basic condition, Page: 51 with an imprisonment term capped at the remaining portion of the remission period. However, in sentencing the released person for breaching the basic condition of the Conditional Remission Order, the court may take into account the circumstances and reasons for the re-offence. With the introduction of the CRS, the courts now have flexibility and versatility to take such factors into account when sentencing released persons who breach the basic condition during their remission period. While we must correct the wrongdoing that has been committed by the released persons, we should try to understand the motivation behind their actions and to show them more compassion. Therefore, taken together, the MAS and CRS will strengthen the Prison Service's system of throughcare for released persons in the crucial period immediately after their release.”
“As you would probably have realised, this song serves as the inspiration for the Yellow Ribbon Project, which has become a key programme in the rehabilitation and reintegration of released persons back into our society. As the slogan for the project, "Help Unlock the Second Prison" suggests, many released persons in our midst might be free from the physical state of imprisonment, but yet, they still face the "second prison" of discrimination and being ostracised in society. It is my hope that the MAS will work in conjunction and build upon existing community-driven projects like the Yellow Ribbon Project, which reconciles these released persons with their community and increases their acceptance as part of our society. Until and unless we increase efforts to rehabilitate and reintegrate released persons back into society, they will continue to be imprisoned and face discrimination from the wider community. With this in mind, it is particularly beneficial that the MAS applies to persons who are convicted of drug offences, because the rehabilitation of drug offenders must focus both on the physical and mental aspects in order for it to be effective. The tighter supervision and more structured approach to rehabilitation envisioned under the MAS ensure that released drug offenders have all the necessary assistance and support that they might require to break out of the cycle of drug abuse and imprisonment. Under the MAS, the Prison Service can also closely supervise the progress of their rehabilitation and monitor their movements, through restrictions like curfew hours and electronic monitoring.”
“In recognising them as released persons, we are acknowledging that these individuals are deserving of being conditionally released and reintegrated back into society, based on good behaviour and discipline during their time in prison. First, the Mandatory Aftercare Scheme (MAS) assists in the rehabilitation of released persons back into society by providing enhanced community support, mandatory counselling and case management in the crucial period immediately after their release from imprisonment. The progressive step-down approach envisioned under the MAS facilitates the gradual rehabilitation and reintegration of a released person back into the community fold, and reduces the public stigma that these released persons often face. Furthermore, this initiative provides a released person with the opportunity to be gainfully employed, to be reconciled with his family and loved ones, and to make a go for himself in society. The song, "Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak Tree", describes the tale of a released person at the start of his journey of rehabilitation and forgiveness. The lyrics go, [(proc text) "I'm coming home, I've done my time; and I have to know what is (proc text)] [(proc text) or isn't mine. If you received my letter, telling you I'd soon be free; (proc text)] [(proc text) then you'd know just what to do, if you still want me." (proc text)] Prior to his release, that man in the song had written a message to his wife, asking her to show that she had forgiven him by tying a yellow ribbon around the oak tree. Much to his relief, more than a hundred yellow ribbons greeted him on his return, signifying his forgiveness and acceptance back into the family Page: 50 and the community.”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the Prisons (Amendment) Bill that is before Parliament today. In recent years, the rate of recidivism for released persons has decreased consistently. However, a significant majority of released persons who return to prison are repeat offenders. Once a person is caught in the vicious cycle of re-offending and imprisonment, it is often difficult for that person to break out of the cycle easily. This is especially so for released persons who do not have any support from their families, loved ones or from the community at large. Therefore, in this amendment to the Prisons Act, MHA seeks to introduce two programmes, namely, the Mandatory Aftercare Scheme and Conditional Remission System, that they hope will allow released persons to break out of the cycle of re-offending, and to rehabilitate and reintegrate back into cycle of re-offending, and to rehabilitate and reintegrate back into society after their release from imprisonment. I support this Bill for two reasons: first, the amendments introduced in this Bill are timely, as they seek to introduce programmes that address real problems that repeat offenders face in trying to escape the vicious cycle of re-offending and imprisonment; secondly, these initiatives provide released Page: 49 persons with an incentive to turn over a new leaf and to be rehabilitated and reintegrated back into the wider Singapore fold. After all, everyone makes mistakes, and deserving individuals should be allowed and encouraged by the community to return back into the Singapore community fold, as equal members, and should be given the opportunity to excel and overcome. I think it is important that we refer to such individuals as released persons rather than ex-offenders or ex-inmates.”
“I would like to ask whether MOM would consider informing each worker who receives support of various kinds of the total amount of support provided to the worker in that given Page: 33 year. And possibly, as we are trying to encourage the worker to step up and to move up, in that same letter, would MOM also provide information to these workers of further step-up schemes to enhance their qualifications?”
“Mdm Speaker, to have quelled a riot without a shot fired and to contain it within the vicinity is certainly admirable. The Home Team has worked very swiftly and operationally effectively. My question ready for the Deputy Prime Minister is what if the riot actually turned into a more grave situation? Operationally – and this goes probably beyond the scope of the COI – would MHA be considering whether they needed any further equipment or whether for personal protection of the SOC or any deterrent measures, or deterrent equipment that would be needed? So, arising from the riot, is there going to be an operational post-mortem on what more we need to beef up or assist our anti-riot Police Force.”
“Mdm Speaker, I thank the Minister for the response. My question also had as its intention a system that would create sustainability of prices. Therefore, I just like to ask the Minister whether it is still his position that a collection of different avenues in the form of stamp duties or additional stamp duties would be better than, for example, a restriction on foreign ownership to an extent as in the Australian model. So, I just want to get a sense that it is the versatility of the many tools presently in the system, rather than something a lot more draconian.”
“Further to that, the review mechanism must continue to be robust and great care and caution must be taken each and every time the CLTPA is invoked. Singapore is kept safe because of tough laws, provided they are used judiciously and wisely. Hence, I support the renewal of the CLTPA. 3.26 pm Page: 53”
“The CLTPA also provides law enforcement agencies with the option of using the less invasive Police Supervision Order and allows the suspected criminals to be closely supervised and watched by the Police rather than to be detained under a Detention Order. Undoubtedly, the fact that the Minister for Home Affairs has come before Parliament every five years to seek the renewal of the Act, like he does today, provides Parliament an avenue to hold MHA and law enforcement agencies accountable for the use, past use and continuing use of the Act. This also ensures that at each renewal the CLTPA remains relevant and necessary for the maintenance of law and order in Singapore. Taken together, it is my view that these safeguards ensure that detention or Police supervision orders are not handed out lightly. And that law enforcement agencies only resort to the CLTPA in instances where there are very strong reasons and justifications for doing so. Further to that, accountability in the form of requiring regular renewals of the Act every five years ensures that Parliament is able to maintain an oversight of the use of the CLTPA and to ensure its continued relevance in Singapore law. Looking ahead, the CLTPA is a necessary law that must remain on the books for the next five years to empower local law enforcement agencies and officers to expediently neutralise criminals involved in organised crimes as well as to deter transnational criminal syndicates from operating here or even anchoring here in Singapore. That said, the Minister must continue to ensure that the primary mechanism in securing criminal justice in Singapore should and must continue to be the prosecution of offenders in open Court. And that the CLTPA should only be used as the strongest justification.”