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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“And unless more enforcement agencies are able to deal with them swiftly and forcefully, these syndicates would establish a foothold in Singapore, much to the detriment of our society. Therefore, Mdm Speaker, it is clear that the CLTPA continues to be an essential part of the arsenal of weaponry available to local law enforcement agencies to efficiently and judiciously deter criminal syndicates and cross-border crimes in Singapore. However, in order to ensure that these far-reaching powers are not abused by local enforcement agencies, the review mechanisms and safeguards that are currently in place must continue to be adhered to and utilised robustly. The CLTPA must continue to have robust review and accountability mechanisms in place. Presently, before a person is detained under the Detention Order pursuant to section 30 of the Act, there are substantial safeguards and administrative procedures that must be adhered to. The safeguards include the necessary consent of both the Minister for Home Affairs and the Attorney-General, the examination of potential detainees before an independent Criminal Law Advisory Committee, the detainees being informed of the reasons for their detention and have the opportunity to present their defence in response to the case against them, and the express approval of the President. Page: 52 Detention Orders are reviewed annually by a separate Review Committee that will, if necessary, make recommendations on the extension of the Detention Order for a further 12-month period. The President ensures that the detainees are not detained indefinitely without any proper justification.”
“As such, without a versatile tool like the CLTPA, local enforcement agencies will be left without an effective means of handling such crimes and this would undermine their ability to maintain public safety, peace and good order in Singapore. On a related note, it has been reported that in Queensland, Australia, in a bid to deal with the growing menace of biker gangs involved in organised crimes, the state parliament has passed new legislation that imposes mandatory sentences of 15 years or more for crimes committed as part of organised gang activities, in addition to the existing penalties for the offences. Page: 51 The legislation was enacted in response to the increasing problem of organised crimes across Australia, particularly relating to drugs and guns by outlawed motorcycle gangs. However, these new laws are reactive in nature as they only seek to punish and prosecute offenders after the damage has already been done after a trend of harm has hit society. It is not a proactive tool. It does not allow for law enforcement agencies to neutralise the threat that these offenders seek to inflict. On the other hand, the CLTPA provides local enforcement agencies with an important proactive tool to actively tackle the menace of organised crimes, even before any serious damage has been done. This is particularly important in situations where new and novel harmful behaviour is being conducted, or where witnesses are less than forthcoming to testify against individuals known to be involved in criminal syndicates. Furthermore, modern-day criminal syndicates are able to adapt their operations quickly to evade detection and prosecution.”
“Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the CLTPA Bill that is before Parliament today. The Act or CLTPA, has been renewed 12 times since it was first enacted by Parliament in October 1955. Since then, the CLTPA has proven to have been an effective tool in suppressing the surge of drug trafficking, syndicated criminal activities and secret societies. In more recent years, the Minister for Home Affairs and local enforcement agencies have used the CLTPA to effectively deal with modern menaces like match-fixing and human trafficking. More specifically, last month, the CLTPA was used to detain four persons who were involved in a match-fixing syndicate here in Singapore. This exemplifies the versatile nature of the CLTPA which provides local enforcement agencies the ability to effectively handle a myriad or a range of crimes. I support this Bill for two reasons. First, because this law remains to be relevant in Singapore's context today, in light of the recent transnational crimes involving match-fixing and loan sharking. And, secondly, because there are robust review mechanisms that ensure that powers provided for under the CLTPA are not abused. Singapore must have a tool to dismantle and guard against organised crime syndicates. Criminal networks that engage in criminal activities like human trafficking and match-fixing have a detrimental effect on society. The CLTPA is essential in dealing with such networks. Further, due to the hierarchical nature of these crime syndicates, accomplices, witnesses and victims are sometimes unwilling to cooperate or testify against these offenders in open Court for fear of future reprisals.”
“Thank you, Minister. I have questions specifically on our disabled Singaporeans; that was my Parliamentary Question. So, I will restrict it to that. Are the subsidies envisioned for our disabled Singaporeans distinct from the intent not to have fare increases beyond the NWC wage increase for 2013? Are they distinct concessions that will be given to our disabled Singaporeans?”
“Mdm Speaker, just one more supplementary question. The process cuts through various areas of enforcement, for example, MHA for enforcement and investigation, Immigration because it is cross-border, MOH because of the need to deter exploitation and trafficking in terms of organs, as well as MSF because we need to see what we can do for victims. So, I hope that the Senior Minister of State's response really is to allow me to work with all of these different Government departments, in addition to a public consultation with NGOs, VWOs and Singaporeans of the same value and who are like-minded. I would just like that confirmation from the Senior Minister of State.”
“Mdm Speaker, I thank the Senior Minister of State for the response. I believe there should be zero tolerance for human trafficking, especially the trafficking of minors. What is needed is a dedicated piece of legislation to criminalise the trafficking of persons and minors for the purpose of sexual exploitation, forced incarceration, slave labour and forced organ trafficking. Such legislation will enhance Singapore's arsenal to combat trafficking in and through Singapore. Therefore, Mdm Speaker, I have drafted a proposed private Member's Bill on the prevention of human trafficking and I would like to know MHA's position, as to whether it would be open to working with me, in partnership, on this private Member's Bill for me to better understand the needs of the investigative and enforcement officers on the ground, and what legal powers and tools they need to ensure that we can deter this strongly, potently, through a dedicated piece of legislation, for example, like what we have in the Misuse of Drugs Act. I have brought it here today, in Parliament. It is a "work in progress" and I wanted to know whether there can be some collaboration from the Government.”
“I would like to thank the Minister for his comprehensive reply. I have seen some of the views of NGOs. In fact, I spoke with one NGO, made up of Catholic nuns, and they gave me a paper which they did research on, and they came up with some proposals on how to help the accused trafficker. Therefore, would the Ministry be open to more cooperation with impartial NGOs to reach out to the vulnerable ones – vulnerable women and children – because I think it would be easier for them, especially if they are trafficked on vulnerable positions, to speak with a disarming NGO rather than a Government officer who perhaps wants to interview them rather than just receive sharing from these vulnerable people? The second supplementary question is on legal tools for extra-jurisdictional reach. Many of these are cross-border crimes. Would we be open to creating an Act or a Bill with extra-jurisdictional reach, where the aiding and the abetting of the crime happen overseas? The third supplementary question is this. The Misuse of Drugs Act is feared in Singapore. And I think we need, in my humble view, something similar in the form of legislature to deter and attack the scourge of human trafficking within ASEAN, especially if it comes through our corridors. Therefore, would there be open consideration for a similar Act, say, an Organised Crime Act, which would go upstream and tackle the people who are actually behind this horrible trade? Page: 66”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the tutorial of the delineation of the two Ministries. I would like to ask, therefore, that the MSF considers this very seriously on a whole-of-Government approach, that the MSF takes this very seriously because there has been quite a lot of feedback from young parents with pre-school-going children that whenever there is an added contribution from the Government into the CDA, somehow, magically, the fees increase downstream. I do think that we need perhaps a little bit more teeth to ensure that the minority, unscrupulous private childcare operators do not have a free rein on increase of fees.”
“Mdm Speaker, I would like to thank the Senior Minister of State for her comprehensive reply. Page: 33 Indeed, MOE kindergartens are a very good place to start and it is an excellent initiative. I have spoken with young parents and they welcome the added contributions to Child Development Accounts (CDAs). Unfortunately, some of the same young parents say that unscrupulous private operators in the forms of kindergartens and childcare centres use the increase in the CDA to raid and justify to themselves an increase in fees. So, sometimes, it is sort of like a dog catching its tail. More subsidies go into the CDA, and then the private childcare operators are sometimes unscrupulous to raise fees. That catches some parents off-guard. My question is, could there be some form of fee justification that can be built into the industry, especially for the private, for-profit operators, and submission of those fee increases to MOE, and some form of general justification as to why. If it is for increase in salaries for teachers, then that may be a good reason. But if it is just to increase profit, it may not be a good reason.”
“I would like to thank the Minister for his answer. Post-National Day Rally discussions with the residents in Ulu Pandan have received warm acceptance for us taking care of the Pioneer Generation. My question is: many of them are advanced in years and, therefore, many would have pre-existing conditions. Would we try to keep premiums low, even for those who have pre-existing conditions, and also spread it out for those younger than that? Would the Minister do his best to keep premiums low? That is really the nub.”
“Mdm Speaker, I thank the Minister for the announcement that the HAWK system would be upgraded. I am a HAWK officer. In fact, a whole squadron of men and women has been dedicated to manning the system for many years. Therefore, my question is, how much overlap would there be to ensure that a whole squadron of men and women are equipped with the new upgraded system that the Minister talked about.”
“Madam, why I filed the question is because there are many schools involved. The three stations are Tan Kah Kee station, Sixth Avenue station and King Albert Park station. King Albert Park feeds MGS; Tan Kah Kee feeds NJC, Chinese High as well as Nanyang. My concern is the number of students and parents who would have relied or put in their plans, the fact that they could be sending their children to school via the MRT, and thereby alleviating the Bukit Timah corridor of traffic congestion. Therefore, it is an appeal, not only for the constituents but the parents of these students who live beyond the constituencies, for LTA to work with the alternative contractor to try to achieve a completion deadline on time. That is an assurance I hope to receive from the Minister.”
“In relation to my supplementary question on space, I am given to understand that there are some shelters, certainly one shelter in particular, which are being given concessionary rates for rent from the Singapore Land Authority (SLA). But with many of these territories belonging to SLA, the leases are coming to an end and the territory is being used for some other development. So, my question or my request, on behalf of these organisations, is whether MSF could facilitate an appropriate re-housing of these shelters so that the charities' work can continue notwithstanding a short lease.”
“I thank the Minister for his response. One of the shelters called DaySpring is within Holland-Bukit Timah GRC Constituency and it fulfils the task of putting abused women and children back into school or at work, and I have visited them. Arising from the response and my visit, I would like to ask a supplementary question whether the Government or, in particular, MSF, would provide more space in terms of the shelter accommodation. Secondly, whether they would be able to work with support networks to facilitate the reintegration of the abused women and children either in school or at work. And, thirdly, whether more could be done to partner between the Government and charities or the private sector to provide the support that these children and women need.”
“I thank the Minister for the reply. It is heartening to note that there is an increase of 29% of residents who assist COPS on the bicycles and on the beat. My supplementary question is: while it is good to deter harassment, that is at the end of the game. Would COPS and Police on bicycles work with the community on the ground to deter borrowing, especially if the borrowing happens within the community, within the borders of the area that COPS patrols? So, a deterrence upstream rather than a deterrence downstream.”
“Chairman, my clarification really is, on the one hand, we have a good engine with the Wage Credit Scheme; and on the other hand, we have another engine which is the productivity incentives. I did raise in my cut how we could synergise the two for the benefit of Singapore companies and Singaporean workers. Therefore, would MOM and its officers consider organising roadshows to SMEs and to the companies where they can show the synergy between these two engines for the sake of higher wages and advanced skills for Singaporean workers? 6.45 pm”
“The Government's introduction of the Wage Credit Scheme and its pledge to co-fund 40% of wage increases given to Singaporean employees up to $4,000 is encouraging, especially as we shift to productivity, rather than an overly labour-driven trajectory of growth. How can we ensure that the companies actually utilise this opportunity, together with the productivity incentives, to reap maximum returns? In sum, it would be helpful if the Government could clarify and flesh out the details as to how this Wage Credit Scheme, coupled with the Productivity Page: 129 Incentives, would translate into a formula to (i) upgrade and equip Singaporean workers with advanced skills and (ii) thereafter, pay Singaporean workers higher. Workers Gaining from Wage Credit Scheme”
“Younger Singaporean couples can be further encouraged to start families of their own when there are flexi- and part-time work arrangements in place to facilitate the balancing of their work and family commitments. This also means that companies that are supportive and sensitive to the needs of employees who are mothers or fathers will, in turn, be best placed to recruit and retain them, in particular, mothers returning to work after spending time with the children. We should encourage and incentivise employers to provide part-time or flexible working arrangements for our working mothers or mothers considering returning to work. The child benefits; the parents benefit from more flexibility; and the company benefits from greater staff loyalty. Let us do more for our working mothers who are Singaporeans with flexi- and part-time work arrangements. Page: 106 Flexi-work and Pro-family Work Environment”
“The Government's introduction of the Wage Credit Scheme is an encouraging step towards motivating companies to pay higher wages to Singaporean workers. One of the essential benefits to be reaped from the scheme is the Government's pledge to co-fund 40% of wage increases up to $4,000 given to Singaporean employees, in a bid to provide support for employers to raise their local employees' wages while incentivising them to share productivity gains with their employees. The Wage Credits are estimated to cost approximately $3.6 billion over the three years. Since the Government is investing this large pool of money to give both companies and workers a leg up, how can we ensure that the companies actually utilise this opportunity to reach the maximum returns or to reap the maximum returns? The projected Wage Credit Scheme needs to achieve its aim of encouraging employers to share the fruits of productivity gains. If the goals of this scheme are actualised, it would smoothen our companies' transition into higher value, less labour-intensive operations, while advancing the skills of our Singaporean workforce. Higher wages could result – and this must be encouraged. Therefore, I would like to ask if the Government would be able to share its vision as to how the productivity incentive schemes, coupled with the Wage Credits scheme, would achieve the goal of higher wages and advanced skills for our Singaporean workforce. Professionals, Managers and Executives (PMEs)”
“Mdm Chair, would the good Minister agree that the culture of adopting children could be advertised more fully in the public domain so that Singaporeans do know that they could consider adopting a child, then take steps to find out more? So, promotion of adoption as a culture.”
“30 pm The promotion of adoption does not only involve couples who are unable to conceive, as there are many couples who already have birth children of their own who are open to adopting another child. Indeed, there are many wholesome, loving and beautiful traits in adoption – not just for the family seeking to adopt, but also for the adopted child, who can grow and be nurtured in a loving environment. Therefore, would the Government consider our proposal? Page: 39 Enhance Adoption Rate”
“Madam, there are Singaporean couples who would love to have children but are unable to. Notwithstanding many fertility treatments, some couples are unable to Page: 38 conceive. Therefore, would the Ministry seriously consider promoting the adoption of Singaporean babies, who are unable to be taken care of by their birth mothers, by Singaporean couples who are seeking earnestly to have a child? If we can promote the comforting, loving, nurturing and voluntary alternative of adoption to mothers thinking about abortion, we could possibly make many, many families wanting children very happy, and also give the newborn baby a chance at life within a loving and nurturing family. This could have the happy result of also increasing our TFR, which is at an all-time low. I wish to emphasise the word "voluntary" in this proposal. Presently, there are 12,000 abortions per year. I strongly believe that if adoption is publicised as a comforting, loving, nurturing and voluntary alternative, there will be a reduced number of abortions in Singapore. If just 20% of the 12,000 are adopted into Singaporean families, that would mean an increase of 2,400 Singaporean babies – and a chance at life for a newborn, within a nurturing and loving family. Therefore, would the Ministry actively consider promoting adoption as a voluntary option for a mother who is thinking of abortion? The culture of adopting children could be advertised more fully in the public domain so that Singaporeans do know that they could consider adopting a child, and then take steps to find out more. This would also allow mothers considering abortion to know more about the wonderful and voluntary option of adoption. Naturally, for the sake of the families, the children's and parents' names will remain confidential. 12.”
“Madam, the Ministry's roadmap for a more geographically connected public transport infrastructure is to be welcomed. We can build on this and make public transport connected to, and accessible by, our disabled Singaporeans. This is in line with calls by the disabled community for fare concessions. Given last year's depiction of the Budget as an "inclusive" one, with the Government pumping $1.1 billion into the operation of new buses, it is once more timely to ask if the Ministry would consider specially discounted public transport fares for disabled Singaporeans who apply. Of course, should a disabled person not want a concessionary fare, then that decision would also be respected. But my view is that there are some with disabilities who would indeed find such a concessionary rate helpful, especially in getting to and from work. We should bear in mind that the disabled community is by no means asking for entitlements with these concessionary fares, but for some basic help. It is important to take into account several differentiating factors that set the disabled person apart from an able-bodied one. Fare concessions for the disabled are a commonly implemented practice in many other countries. It is simple and compassionate, and the Government would do well to demonstrate its "inclusivity" by implementing such a concessionary scheme for the welfare of Singapore's disabled community – our community. Page: 161 Bus Concessions for Polytechnic Students”
“Given the many residential developments, including condominiums, Housing Development Board estates, landed property as well as schools along the Bukit Timah-Dunearn Road corridor, would the Ministry kindly provide an update on the progress of the Downtown Line 2, especially for the following stations: King Albert Park, Sixth Avenue, Tan Kah Kee, Bukit Panjang, Cashew, Beauty World and Hillview? Residents I have met have requested for an update on progress. With its completion, the Downtown Line 2 which runs beneath Bukit Timah Road will assist so many students to reach their schools and families to return home while also reducing the need for vehicular traffic along Dunearn and Bukit Timah roads. Hence, its timely and safe completion is a priority to our residents and to me. Would MOT provide an update on the line's progress? Environment Impact Assessment”
“The Yellow Ribbon Project reconciles an offender with his community. It is a positive and warm initiative; rightly so. It couples the need for incarceration with the eventual need for rehabilitation. How then are we to further help ex-offenders in obtaining jobs which they can dovetail into upon release or early release from prison? ln Ulu Pandan, the constituency in which l serve, my experience has been that offenders, especially drug offenders, have a greater chance of keeping away from drugs if they get into jobs immediately after their release from prison. When they are not employed, there is room, time and space to gravitate back to addiction and they sadly lapse. I know it must also be a decision that the former offender "owns" himself or herself, but would there be a greater push Page: 143 by the Ministry to have ex-offenders matched with jobs before their release? Would we be able to honour and recognise the employers for their contributions towards employing the former offenders? Rehabilitation is an on-going process. Rehabilitation constitutes only the first step of the long and arduous journey to reintegration to society. For it to be sustainable, communities and, on a broader level, society must be roped in to help the ex-offender re-engage with the public in a constructive way. In conclusion, the ex-offender also has a huge role to play in starting afresh – he must have the willingness to do so. And with the community behind him, he can overcome.”
“Sometimes, we see drivers behave aggressively to other drivers on the roads. Sometimes, even pedestrians are put in harm's way. I would like to ask the Ministry: could there be a relook at the enforcement regime in order to promote healthier and more courteous driving on our roads? I would also like to raise a separate point based on concerns shared with me by residents. I have received a range of genuine and sincere concerns as to the behaviour of some of our cyclists on the roads. Some cyclists do not dismount when crossing pedestrian crossings. Some simply cycle through red lights. There are also those who ride two or three abreast so they can continue chatting with each other while riding. This puts motorists, pedestrians and also the cyclists themselves in danger. I would like to ask the Ministry if they could possibly have a relook at the enforcement regime, and consider reinstating as a priority some measure or degree of enforcement against some cyclists who put themselves, drivers and pedestrians in such danger. Traffic Enforcement”
“In light of the aspiration towards increased collaboration between the Police and public, I would like to add that the COPS initiative is an excellent and heart-warming one because it shows the closeness between a Police officer's mission and the community's well-being, a warm connection, and rightly so. I would like to raise a final point with respect to the curbing of gambling addictions. Would the Ministry consider reducing the waiting time for an exclusion order from either of the casinos? This is in light of the often vulnerable and irrational state of the subject to an exclusion order, and it would benefit all parties to the process if the objective of more efficiency is met. 6.00 pm”
“MHA has recently taken positive steps in attempting to deter prostitutes from operating within the heartland homely neighbourhoods. One initiative I would like to highlight is the Community Policing System (COPS). I see this as an excellent opportunity for enhanced interaction and communication between the Police and public, as well as more efficient collaboration to achieve our shared goal of crime reduction. The value-add of such a scheme is particularly evident in the two areas of vice which I would like to draw to Parliament's attention today: prostitution and loan shark harassment. First, the problem of prostitution. We need to deter the presence of prostitutes who operate in the heartlands and residential neighbourhoods. Our Police force periodically carries out crackdowns on prostitutes, particularly those operating outside of informally designated red-light areas. I would like to ask if the new COPS initiative, which has been warmly received by residents, has as one of its priorities to deter these prostitutes from doing so. Page: 133 Our heartlands and residential neighbourhoods are spaces in which families and young children grow up and play in. Such vice activities, on the other hand, worry parents; rightly so. Because of the dispersed nature of such activities, the COPS scheme would enable Police to tap on residents in their neighbourhoods as surveillance sources. The value-add the scheme would bring to the deterrence of loan shark harassment is also substantial. Would the Police work with local community groups, such as the grassroots volunteers, to provide a method of detection and prevention of loan shark harassment?”
“The Additional Buyer's Stamp Duty introduced in December 2011 is a good step forward to curb excessive investment by foreign buyers and cool investment demand, but it does not go far enough. I would like to raise the Australian model for our consideration. In Australia, all acquisitions of residential real estate by foreign interests require prior foreign investment approval. The Australian model essentially allows foreigners to buy new developments while restricting their subsequent sale to Australian residents at a price they can reasonably afford. We can institute this double-prevention model in Singapore as it both tempers investment demand and restricts the resale incentive. It is a nuanced and sophisticated alternative that could address the real challenges faced in Singapore today. Mdm Speaker, with those four points, I support the Budget. 2.19 pm”
“The need to empower and equip our caregivers was likewise echoed in the launch of a pilot programme called Caregivers Always Ready and Empowered (CARE), which aims to give practical solutions to seniors and their caregivers, as well as larger monthly contributions under Government assistance schemes. The sacrifices made by family caregivers are significant. We can recognise and support their indispensable role. The fourth and last point, Mdm Speaker, is the private property housing regulation. Property prices must be kept in check. Foreign demand for property must be regulated. The Australian model should be considered. Using that model would mean that foreigners are allowed to only buy homes in select new developments and can, subsequently, only sell to Singaporeans. This allows Singaporeans to dictate the demand in the resale market and hold the reins on prices. It is a logical move. This is the fourth time I am raising this in Parliament, and I hope it underscores the priority the Government should attach to curbing foreigner speculation of property and ensuring that Singaporeans, especially young couples looking to start families, are able to buy an affordable home. These worries are not unfounded, with statistics showing that home prices were 16% higher than the peak in the second quarter of 2008, with foreign purchases accounting for 19% of all private residential property purchases in the second half of 2011. As mentioned on previous occasions, the Government should − in revising and analysing Singapore's property policies − have regard to existing policy Page: 56 frameworks that have been implemented in other countries facing similar supply crunches and booms in demand.”
“Would the Government consider offering a caregiver's allowance or respite care so that the caregiver can have a well deserved day off a week? Even as we speak about incentivising employers to offer part-time and flexible work options for working mothers juggling both career and family commitments, we must remember the often "forgotten army" of workers who have two jobs every single day, as an employee and as a caregiver. Such flexible work options would also benefit employees who play the simultaneous role of caregiver of elderly parents or disabled family members. This is especially important as our elderly Singaporeans, who built the Singapore we have today, need to be, rightfully, cared for. The pressures imposed on caregivers – which include financial, physical and mental fatigue, in addition to time constraints – are not small. The Government thus has a crucial role to play in Page: 55 extending recognition and support to our caregivers. One of the ways to accord this recognition and assistance is by allocating a caregiver allowance that would help families struggling with caring for their bedridden or bed-bound elderly or physically disabled relatives. The Government could help in heralding a paradigm shift in changing the perception of the caregiver's role. Caregiving is a vocation, not a career, and should be supported and respected. Unlike countries like Australia and Finland which have professional carer support and even carer-recognition legislation, the fact that our caregivers are often family members themselves calls, all the more, for a positive shift in terms of the recognition and assistance that the State can be awarding to them – the caregivers. I have raised this previously.”
“Page: 54 A good initiative in recent years that I would like to highlight today would be the "Back2Work With U" job fair organised by the NTUC Women's Development Secretariat (WDS), which aimed to attract both young and older women back into the workforce, both through flexible work arrangements and even more creative solutions like home-based work opportunities. In a survey of 300 women jobseekers by NTUC WDS, almost 40% were found to have registered for the fair because of the home-based work available, with more than half of them citing childcare and eldercare as reasons for wanting to work from home. The "requests and demand for home-based work are obviously there", as the Speaker of the House Mdm Halimah Yacob herself acknowledged previously, while calling on the Government to provide for funding for companies to develop this segment of home-based jobs by leveraging on infocomm technology in our networked city. Significantly, these part-time and flexible work arrangements do not just benefit working mothers. Employers themselves enjoy access to a large and diverse talent pool of employees, as well as greater loyalty from staff. It is about being family- and employee-centric. "Caring and nurturing" – those ingredients make a company grow and make the workplace family-friendly. What is needed is a comprehensive approach that encompasses flexible working options, training, innovative recruitment and support in childcare to create an environment conducive for families and businesses to flourish in. Third point, Mdm Speaker, caregiver allowances for those caring for the elderly and disabled. The strains felt by caregivers of the disabled and bed-bound are immense.”
“Incentivising companies to have mothers return to work on flexi, part-time or work-from-home arrangement initiatives should be on the Government's radar. Much good will come out of it. Besides raising the current standards of preschool education and ensuring that such education remains affordable and accessible not just to families who can afford it, young Singaporean couples can be further encouraged to start families of their own when there are flexi and part-time work arrangements in place to facilitate the balancing of their work and family commitments. The Government is serious about encouraging Singaporeans to get married earlier and have more children – to achieve a sustainable population and maintain Singapore's economic vitality – and for that it must be commended. The recent initiatives are certainly a step in the right direction, and a timely and welcome boost to making Singapore more family-friendly. Many mothers have expressed the desire to combine both career and family commitments. This means that companies that are supportive and sensitive to the needs of employees who are mothers or fathers, will in turn be best placed to recruit and retain them, in particular, mothers returning to work after spending time with the children. Besides improving before- and after-school care facilities for young children – an infrastructural issue which will take a longer time to implement – a more cost- and time-efficient solution would simply be to encourage and incentivise employers to provide part-time or flexible working arrangements for our working mothers or mothers considering returning to work.”
“How we work towards building up such a culture could either involve tapping on the synergy generated by private-public initiatives – such as that by the welfare organisation Care Corner to give disadvantaged children access to high-quality preschool education – or by subsidies or by going the broad way and nationalising preschool education altogether. The main objective in any one of these options is to level the playing field. One way of looking at this recommendation that preschool education could conceivably be nationalised would simply be to see it as an extension of the educative years in our schools. Although the Government's previous responses have typically included fears of an over emphasis on academic instruction over social skills and character-building, as well as uniformity over the diversity availed to parents by allowing them to choose from a variety of early childhood education models that best fits the needs of their children, I believe these assumptions can and should be challenged and that we should apply fresh lenses to the issue before us. Page: 53 Nationalising preschool education, for example, would allow the Government greater control and regulation over the content of the curriculum, which could be tailored such that social skills and moral values, rather than numeracy and literacy skills, are the developmental goals emphasised. I would be happy to work with the Government to think out of the box for further preschool permutations in order to level the playing field. Next, Mdm Speaker, flexi, part-time and work-from-home arrangements for mothers. Many mothers express the desire to combine both career and family commitments. Mothers are a major resource of talent.”
“Mdm Speaker, today I wish to speak on four issues: (1) The need for wider access and more funding for preschool education; (2) Flexi and part-time work arrangements for mothers; (3) Caregiver allowance for those caring for elderly and disabled; and (4) Private property housing regulation, and how we can borrow from the Australian model. Page: 52 And I thank you, Mdm Speaker, for giving me the chance to speak on these four issues. First, preschool education: quality preschool education should not be a privilege of the well-off in society, but should be made available to all. Subsidies through child development accounts are helpful but we must consider going the broad way and nationalising preschool education altogether. Level the playing field – that should be our focus. To achieve these aspirations, holistic support is needed. In line with this, the foremost point I will be raising today concerns the preschool sector and the importance of ensuring the affordability and quality of preschool education – not just for Singaporeans who can afford it, but even more so, for those who cannot. What I want to stress is the significance of levelling the playing field. Research has shown that a child's early years are absolutely critical to their development and subsequent progression into adulthood. While the Baby Bonus initiative increases the cash gift quantum for children as part of the Marriage and Parenthood Package 2013 and should be welcomed, its benefit could be nullified should private preschool agencies simply decide to increase their school fees commensurately. What we need, then, is a culture of affordable, good-quality preschool education.”
“Mdm Speaker, the discussion so far has been on the wages and when we discuss low-wage workers, we all want to increase their wages, in earnest, we do. The unfortunate thing when we discuss about wages is that we are fixated on a numeral, on a figure. What I would find helpful for the wider population as well as those who are interested in this topic is for MOM to list down all the other measures which it takes and implements in order to increase the real wage of the workers. That can be in the form of a Medifund, in the form of Workfare, rental rebates. As a Member of Parliament, I do find that these measures are kicked in and improve lives. MOM could come out with a poster or pamphlet to show all else, besides wages, that is help for the workers.”
“Mdm Speaker, I thank the Minister of State for the response. I was just wondering, as a supplementary question, whether we could also target the childcare centres. For example, in my constituency, a childcare centre has opened up specifically targeting mothers who want to go back to work, whether full-time or part-time. If they are putting their children or infants in part-time childcare for half a day, perhaps a role of these ladies could be had or drawn up, and then somehow MOM contact them to see whether or not they have broached the idea of flexible work with the employers. The point that I am trying to get at is: Employment is one thing, and childcare services are another thing, but they are complementary to each other. So would the MOM and possibly the MSF speak with each other?”
“Mdm Speaker, I thank the Minister of State for the response. As a follow-up question, and to raise the issue that I raised two days ago again, if there could be a re-consideration for those who treat the road as their livelihood. Therefore, commercial vehicles, companies, SMEs, who are requiring transport or transport of their workers and tools for their trade, and if there is a review of the COE system or a tweak of it, could priority or consideration be had to this group? I understand that there are two auction processes for the COE, but if that could be tweaked, I would be every grateful for that.”
“Mdm Speaker, I would like to speak as a sportsman. I had the privilege of representing Singapore for over 16 years in hockey. When the Singapore Hockey Federation was well-staffed by administrative assistants and manpower assistants, the Singapore Team performed better. It has a direct impact on how we performed on the pitch for our country. And therefore, I would like to ask whether more can be done to give grants – whether full grants or partial grants – especially for administrative assistants or manpower assistants to manage fixtures, overseas trainings, friendly matches, personal development of players, and so on. A good and well-staffed federation, from personal experience, translates into more goals on the scoreboard for Singapore and more podium finishes for our country.”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for her response. The question relates to those who are in special schools. For example, we had within our constituency children who would not qualify for SPED schools but are being taken care of by their mothers, predominantly single mothers. We surfaced this to MOE. Would there be some form of support that MOE could give to the students, whether financial or some form of care, or some form of encouragement? In my constituency, we give book prizes from funds raised by the community to this group. But it would be nice to have the Government come in and also say, "Well done, keep on being courageous." Is this possible? Page: 31”
“The road is a livelihood for many. And for construction companies, food sellers and logistics companies, they have fed back to me that they do find the COE prices quite high and it does eat into their bottom line considerably, if not very considerably. I appreciate the Minster of State stating that there are existing schemes to help this group and they are grateful for it. However, I would like further thought − hence, my supplementary question – on the current segregated bidding mechanism for these commercial vehicles. If we are focused on road usage and the number of vehicles on the road and part of that computation includes sedan cars and household cars, then would it be possible to disincentivise through a higher COE for households which have Page: 27 three or more vehicles, such that there is more space on the road for people who need roads because of their livelihoods? If this could be at least considered, we may have some room to reduce COE prices for those who really need the roads for a living.”
“Thank you, Mdm Speaker. Minister, when we look at the figures, they are very assuring because Singapore runs the cheapest average fare for bus and rail journeys over 10 km, compared to four other metropolises, and considerably lower than Hong Kong and Tokyo. Therefore, for me ,it is not a debate between whether we should privatise or nationalise, but how we could make our privatised model even better, and that is why I ask two questions. The first question is in relation to the rentals received and also the advertising revenue, and whether or not Mr Richard Magnus' Fare Review Page: 22 Mechanism Committee will at least be given the liberty to look at how much this yields and whether that justifies a slower pace of increased fares or a capping of fees, or possibly even a reduction of fees. Would that at least be in the liberty of the Committee to deliberate? Secondly, while I fully appreciate that we cannot be overly profit-driven, one of the concerns that is on the ground is whether there is too much focus on profit and that takes our glance away from the essential service of providing good and predictable rail transport to Singaporeans. The last point is: I echo Er Dr Lee Bee Wah's call for subsidies for Singaporean Polytechnic students. This is a feedback that has come to me and I hope that Mr Richard Magnus' Committee will also look into this.”
“Yes, fewer are getting married. Yes, we have to convert to being a global city. Yes, I say this again, the Government has the guts to push a necessary but unpopular measure through. But, let us not dilute ourselves into an identity-less group of Singaporeans. The Singaporean core must remain strong, vibrant – that core must be the impassioned driving force. If we hold the reins, together, as one united people, then Singapore's definition of what is possible will continue to ensure our continued and relevant sovereignty in a rapidly changing world. Then ratios and figures are much easier to manage and justify as being to the Republic's advantage. Page: 123”
“We need a predictable system which allows Singaporean demand to predominantly dictate the prices of resale private and HDB homes. How? One possible way is tailoring the Australian model to our local needs. I have spoken about this twice in Parliament and three times counting to date. Foreigners there can only buy select new developments Page: 122 and, thereafter, can only sell to locals. This way, a large foreign resident population will not be able to hijack control of property prices. Presently, our policies are reactive. What we need is a forward foot stance – anticipatory, predictable and sustainable regulation. We must get this right. The mega increase in the supply of flats is again an excellent cure. But, my point here is, let us be armed with a predictable regulatory regime. Sixth, which is my last point, Mdm Speaker, if the Government believes this slew of policies, including a possible 6.9 million by 2030, is necessary for the Republic's very survival, then couple that belief with a concerted effort to allow Singaporeans to enjoy the fruits of the policy by ensuring more than adequate public infrastructure built in advance of demand. Otherwise, we will just be chasing our tail right through to 2030. Chasing one's tail is a meaningless pursuit. So, let us ensure we do not. As mentioned earlier, we need to focus on building good and affordable housing, and implementing creative solutions to work around our space constraints. We should strive for greater mobility with enhanced transport capacity and connectivity. Above all, we need also to ensure that different groups across society are well-protected and taken care of. Singapore must continue to be a city for all ages and a place we are proud to call our home. In conclusion, Mdm Speaker, yes, our TFR is low.”
“However, if we accept that economic growth fuelled in part by population growth is an objective of the White Paper, then it goes without saying that such growth must translate into tangible benefits for the Singaporean core. At the most basic level, we must ensure that our domestic infrastructure and amenities have sufficient inbuilt capacity to take on the projected increase in population without being unduly strained. Good and affordable housing must continue to be one of our top priorities. We must keep in line with our aspirations to build one of the best public transport systems in the world – a key feature being the doubling of our public transport network to about 360 km by 2030, so that eight in 10 homes will be within a 10-minute walk of an MRT station. This is an excellent aim – and timely. While improvements to the system cannot be made overnight, the Government must also take into account the legitimate concerns of the people and provide concrete benchmarks and timelines against which our progress on this front can be measured. Given Singapore's unique space constraints, we must continue to invest resources to tackle our land challenge and come up with practical solutions to create new land capacity while keeping Singapore a highly liveable Garden City for work and recreation. Fifth, Mdm Speaker, with a flood of non-Singaporeans beaching on our shores, the demand for property will sky rocket. If left unregulated, prices will gallop away, leaving Singaporeans who may not have as much liquid cash left unable to afford such high prices. This will be foolish. We need a stringent way of regulating the property market beyond the combination of Additional Buyers Stamp Duties (ABSDs) and loan-to-capital ratio.”
“As our Prime Minister Lee put it when some Singaporeans questioned the value of meritocracy during the debate on the academic system of the PSLE last December, "If we're not looking at merit, what are you going to look at?" It is this system that allows individuals and communities to progress regardless of their disadvantages or disabilities and, more importantly, levels the playing field across the different ethnic and racial groups that make up the core of our Singaporean society. Crucially, this principle of meritocracy must apply without discrimination to Singaporeans and foreigners. Third, Mdm Speaker, Armed Forces and Police, and the Civil Service must be staffed with Singaporeans of high calibre. Foreigners cannot dominate – even indirectly – the heart of defence or policy making. No compromise must be made here, even as we move to the next lap, 2030. I am sure the Government and I are on the same page on this. Page: 121 Fourth, the Singaporean core must benefit – roads must get better, not worse. Rail lines must get better, not worse. Public transport must over accommodate high load, not fall short. The Singaporean must feel he or she is benefiting – otherwise why are we doing this? To add some balance, I add that before we can talk about raising our standard of living, we must realistically acknowledge that a higher standard of living that goes towards the welfare of all Singaporeans can be achieved only if there is a strong foundation for sustainable economic growth. So, growth – it is a pre-requisite. This will, in turn, ensure that the nation is able to thrive and compete amidst the challenges of an increasingly globalised world.”
“We want Singapore to continue to remain one of the best cities in the world to live in, and a country we can proudly call home. Important questions to be asked are: how are we going to continue to build and nurture a strong Singaporean core that retains the nation's values of resilience and hard work? How do we do this while being held together by a strong and cohesive national identity that will stand us in good stead against Page: 120 the challenges of a global world? While economic growth is essential to our continued survival and thriving as a nation, we have to ensure that such growth is sustainable. Topping up our population with foreigners cannot be the sole or even main means by which this is achieved. An unregulated population explosion will bring with it attendant ills, such as the dilution of our Singaporean identity and heritage, not to mention longer term economic disadvantages, such as lowered productivity and suppressed wages for lower income Singaporeans, if left unchecked. The second point, Mdm Speaker, the key tenets of meritocracy and multi-racialism cannot be harmed. In a large population, people will try to climb to the top through contacts or clan-nish ways. I have seen this in Europe in my time there spent over four years. This segregates rather than unites. Meritocracy, that is, hard work, honesty, perseverance – must continue to be a cornerstone of the Singapore way; it should be applicable to foreigners in the exact way it applies to Singaporeans. No two paths. The importance of meritocracy as a guiding principle for Singapore's public policy formulation must be underscored especially in the context of our multi-racial society where perceived racial inequality can give rise to unwanted tensions and divisions.”
“Yes, our TFR is low. Yes, fewer are getting married. Yes, we have to convert to being a global city. Yes, the Government has the guts to push a necessary though unpopular measure through. But, let us not dilute ourselves into an identity-less group of Singaporeans. The Singaporean core must remain strong, vibrant; that core must be in the cockpit, that core must be the driving force, not in the passenger seat. If we achieve that, then ratios and figures are much easier to manage and justify as being to the Republic's advantage. Mdm Speaker, we need to preserve, nurture and progress a Singaporean core as we move to converting our island into a significant global city. We must not dilute our Singaporean identity – Singaporeans must be the key ingredient to how Singapore is portrayed to and understood by the rest of the world. This responsibility and privilege must be accorded to Singaporeans, with PRs and residents playing a complementary role. Every few years, Singaporeans must be able to look back and say "My life, my family's life has improved; there is a happy future for us." We cannot just become stronger economically. We need to become stronger as a people, as a Nation of Singaporeans. Many Singaporeans have understandably raised their concerns as to the projected 6.9 million population by 2030. These include increased competition for jobs, an influx of foreigners to the possible erosion of our unique Singaporean heritage and identity, as well as very real infrastructure constraints, especially in housing and transport. This is why it is essential to stress from the outset of the debate that what we also want to preserve is a high quality living environment for all Singaporeans.”
“Also clause 4 (a) which amends section 22A(8) states that the amendment allows the consideration to be reduced by an amount considered as attributable to any part of the specified immovable property which may be used under the Masterplan for a non-prescribed purpose. Second point on section 15A, pertaining to the acquiring companies and its acquiring subsidiaries, will it be managed differently if they were local or Singapore companies versus if they were foreign or non-local companies? And my final point, Madam, also on section 22A, when zoning under the Masterplan is altered, the SSD will also be affected accordingly. How soon will the change be effected? Will it be immediate or will the owners or the acquiring companies be given some lead time to acknowledge this change and do the needful? Page: 80”
“These measures have altogether helped home buyers to purchase their own residential property and it is certainly a step in the right direction. One group which I have in mind when Page: 79 making the speech is genuine first-time Singaporean home buyers. As we continue to debate the proposed amendments to the Stamp Duties Act, it is important for us to constantly take a step back and have in mind the overarching objective of maintaining a sustainable residential property market, where investment demand is moderated and local ownership of residential property promoted. The positive effect of these cooling measures on reining in property prices should be considered in conjunction with measures to ramp up supply to meet such demand. Above all, the Government should remain vigilant in monitoring the property market and adjusting its policies in step with changes in the market and economy. The bottomline is property market prices must be sustainable. With that, I support the Bill. 5.01 pm Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade): I stand in support of the Bill. I have three short points to make. On the first point, let me first declare that it concerns me as I am the Member of Parliament for the Geylang Serai area where there are many religious institutions and also premises being used as religious institutions. It is stated that the SSD is levied only on the sale of the part of a property used for a "prescribed purpose". What happens in the event when a residential premise or part of it is being used as a place of worship which is strictly, not a prescribed use. What will the transaction be like in this case and can the SSD then be reduced?”