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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“I hope that in and amongst these changes, Singaporeans will still, indeed, be permitted to exterminate pests, such as termites. Another way in which the Bill makes the Wild Animals and Birds Act more comprehensive is by including trapping under the law. This is good. It is to be commended. Currently, under section 5, the Act includes taking, killing and keeping, but not trapping. It is good that this gap is being plugged. Additionally, this Bill makes the enforcement of the Act more robust. Not only are there enhanced penalties across the board, there are also enhanced penalties for subsequent offenders. There are also enhanced penalties for animal-related business owners if they were to kill, trap, take or keep wildlife without written approval. It is good that, along with the increase in potential punishments under the offences of the Act that directly impact wildlife, the Bill also increases the punishment for certain offences that hinder certain investigations. Under the current section 12(3), failing to comply with a request for a name and address or for giving a false name or incomplete address to the officer could lead to a fine of up to $1,000 upon conviction. The Bill increases this 10-fold to $10,000 and even adds on a possible custodial sentence of up to six months. This is to be commended. If I may, Sir, I wish to seek clarification that the authorised officer in the new section 12K in clause 13 is intended to refer to an authorised officer who is authorised by the Director-General to compound offences and is not referring to authorised officers generally.”
“Sir, Singapore is home to many rare species. It is also a popular transit point for migratory birds. Even to this day, scientists and naturalists are finding out more and more about the treasure we have living among nature in Singapore. I wish to commend Mr Louis Ng for tabling this Bill in Parliament. In the Southern Islands, there are sandy white beaches; there is an eco-system of coral reefs. There are fascinating sea creatures, such as sea sponges and sea horses. On land, rare birds and animals have been spotted in places like the Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Some examples are the great slaty woodpecker and the mousedeer. This piece of legislation shines a spotlight on the importance of wildlife to humanity, here in Singapore. Firstly, the Bill makes the Wild Animals and Birds Act more comprehensive. One of the ways it does this is by regulating, not just vertebrates, but also invertebrates, through clause 4. That clause amends the definition of “animal” to include, among many others, invertebrates. But there is a risk that the law becomes over-inclusive. For example, would it hamper or prevent the extermination of pests, such as termites, cockroaches and silver fish? I certainly hope Singaporeans will not be prevented from exterminating pests and rodents. Having said this, this change has also provided for the important inclusion of invertebrates, such as star fish, sea cucumbers, horseshoe crabs and sea sponges – all creatures that inhabit Chek Jawa on Pulau Ubin. I understand from news reports that the Singapore Pest Association has been consulted in the process of drafting this Bill. My question to Mr Louis Ng is, has the Director-General also been consulted?”
“Sir, I thank the Ministers for their heartfelt statements. It looks to be obvious – the COVID-19 outbreak will be long drawn. Singapore's next General Election must be held by April 2021. However, Dr Tan Cheng Bock has suggested that the President can exercise her soft power and form a caretaker government with some of the current Members of Parliament. Then, Dr Tan says, call fresh elections when COVID is no longer a crisis. In my view, having a caretaker government is not an answer to the long drawn crisis. So, my question is: from the standpoint of the Constitution, what is the Government's position on such a caretaker proposal? I have a second question: should the GE be held while COVID-19 is still in Singapore, what measures can be put in place to ensure the safety of Singaporeans during the election?”
“A lot of strain and pressure is felt by care-givers,especially those who are caring for an elder in the family while working. These responsibilities sometimes fall on a sibling who is single and staying with a parent or both parents. They need to work at the workplace, come home to care for their elderly and make significant decisions for the person they care for. As such, what measures have we put in place to provide respite care and how effective have these measures been? Assisted Living”
“Allied healthcare workers such as physiotherapists, speech therapists, nurses, medical support staff all play a significant role in the overall care for the patient. Methods to increase opportunities and training for their career and wage advancements are also key. This will ensure that a strong, core body of well-trained allied healthcare workers can pass down their experiences and knowledge to successive cohorts. How has the MOH prioritised their career and wage advancement and training?”
“Singapore has a formidable healthcare force – the manner in which the COVID-19 outbreak is being dealt with reflects the dedication and professionalism of our healthcare workers. How is a precedent – a standard operating procedure of sorts – being presently developed by the Ministry such that the current operational experiences can be referenced by future healthcare workers in the event of a future outbreak of similar or different magnitude? This will bolster our fight in any future outbreak. Healthcare Financing”
“The Healthcare 2020 Masterplan aimed for improvements in accessibility, affordability and quality of healthcare. These included plans to build new, general and community hospitals, increase the number of subsidised drugs and to make primary healthcare more affordable and accessible through the Community Healthcare Assist Scheme (CHAS) and also the building of new polyclinics. Indeed, the COVID-19 outbreak has put into focus the high quality of healthcare system. Our healthcare workforce has truly shown courage and determination. Would there be further investment needed in the healthcare system, over and above the 2020 goals so as to have the extra capacity needed to deal with a future outbreak, if one was to occur? Healthcare 2030”
“I would like to thank the Ministers and the office holders for their comprehensive replies. We all know Home Team is a master at multi-tasking, having to deal with COVID-19 now, new and emerging threats and over and above that, keeping law and order in Singapore. So, on behalf of my fellow Parliamentarians, we put on record our thanks and appreciation to all the arms and bodies that report to MHA. With that Mr Chairman, I seek leave to withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $6,184,681,500 for Head P ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $814,275,900 for Head P ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman, I have two clarifications. First is on illegal scams. I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for her answer. In these sorts of situations where a person is victimised and been made to part with money, in fact, there are two legal recourses. The first is the civil recourse in the courts for misrepresentation or fraudulent misrepresentation, and the second is criminal prosecution under section 420 of the Penal Code, which is cheating. Given the number of scams that Members of the House have seen, life savings being parted, my clarification is, really, of those two options, would the Attorney-General's Chambers and the Police, in appropriate circumstances, prefer the criminal prosecution route under the Penal Code? This is much more convenient for the victim who has already lost a lot of money and does not require the victim to go and take out a separate civil suit. That is the first clarification. The second clarification is on human trafficking. It was unfortunate to see the first case of labour trafficking in Singapore, but it is also good to see that there was a prosecution for labour trafficking. I understand the statistics to be that most of the human trafficking prosecutions are sex trafficking. What can we do to prioritise more prosecutions and investigations under labour trafficking?”
“During this COVID-19 crisis, how does the Home Team plan to garner community and public support in crisis preparedness and coordination such that Singapore society becomes stronger in the aftermath of a crisis? SG Secure”
“Sir, the number of online and telephone scams is of concern. Besides online "love" scams and online shopping scams, concerns have been raised regarding the solicitation of donations through false representations. Such perpetrators tug on and exploit people’s altruistic intentions and they to rob them. In such situations, instead of leaving the victim to pursue civil recourse in the Courts, would it not be better to charge the perpetrator – assuming he can be identified – in Court under section 420 of the Penal Code, that is, for cheating? This would show that the state is taking the scams seriously. My next cut. Fight against Human Trafficking In February 2020, two persons were sentenced to five and a half years' imprisonment for, amongst others, labour trafficking under the Prevention of Human Trafficking Act. Will the Minister share what can be done to tighten detection of potential human trafficking cases across the different types of trafficking, for example, labour and sex trafficking. How is Singapore working with enforcement agencies overseas to track and punish cross- border illicit trafficking syndicates? Next cut. Deterring Unlicensed Moneylending Harassment at the hands of runners belonging to unlicensed moneylending syndicates is mentally and physically draining. The number of harassment cases related to unlicensed moneylending increased by 15% from 2018 to 2019. The majority of these cases were via electronic means but nonetheless harrowing. What are the plans of the Home Team to deter and reduce the incidences of such harassment? Last cut. Crisis Preparedness and Coordination Crises can impact societies quickly. The impact can leave negative ill-effects or positive and lasting consequences of unity and common mission.”
“My last cut on drugs, Sir. The Singapore Prisons Service plays an important role in helping criminals have a second chance in society through supporting the inmate's rehabilitation and reintegration into society. Aided by the amendments to the Misuse of Drugs Act in 2019, the Prisons Service has been able to further differentiate offenders risks of reoffending, reduce lower risk offenders from being negatively influenced by more recalcitrant offenders and better support drug offenders in a way that is calibrated to their situation. Would the Minister provide an update, on how and whether this better calibration has reduced the inmates' risks of re-offending. Rehabilitating and Reintegrating Inmates”
“Next cut on drugs. Syndicates and criminal outfits are concocting new psychoactive substances at a fast pace. This is a continuing threat. The substances are finding their way into markets around the region. CNB is staffed with dedicated and professional officers – it should be ahead of the game by detecting New Psychoactive Substances (NPSes) early. Also, the regime under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) should be quick enough to classify newly concocted NPSes as illegal, thereby adding an extra legal deterrent effect. Prisons – Enhancing Rehabilitation of Drug Addicts”
“My next cut, also on drugs. A number of countries have legalised the consumption of cannabis. An increasing number of cannabis abusers worldwide is concerning. What are plans to keep Singapore free from the scourge of cannabis abuse, especially given the mental and physical ill-effects of cannabis use and its dangerous characteristic as a gateway to harder and more deadly drugs? Drugs – Battling Psychoactive Substances”
“In order to keep up the fight against drugs, we should deter both its supply and demand. Drug trafficking harms many individuals. Where possible, the CNB should regularly broadcast data of how many drug abusers would be fed with the quantum of drugs found on a suspected drug trafficker. This will enable the many, who are following the global drug debate to have a clear and accurate understanding as to the immense destruction that drug trafficking causes to human beings, families and children. This will also provide the rationale behind why we, in Parliament, take strong positions against drug trafficking in and through Singapore and the consumption of drugs on our shores. Drugs – Deterring Cannabis Use”
“Thank you, Chairman. Leveraging on science and technology will aid our Home Team officers in ensuring we have the capability to deter, fend off and overcome new threats. Technology has the benefit of allowing officers to perform critical roles with greater time and focus. Would the Minister please provide us an update on how the Science and Technology Agency (HTX) will enhance our Home Team’s fight against new and emerging threats?”
“How can our Home Team guard Singapore and its essential services against such dangerous security risks? Security Operations Surrounding COVID-19 Next cut. Over and above its everyday duties to keep law and order in Singapore, the Home Team has stepped up to the plate to ensure many quarantine centres are manned and protected and contact tracing carried out effectively. My question is: would the Minister provide an update on the deployment of our Home Team officers towards the national fight against COVID-19 and whether we can build a precedent or a standard operating procedure (SOP) arising from current operational experiences that officers can refer to in a future outbreak? Public Trust”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman. My next cut, the SPF 200 Exhibition "Frontier Town to Safest City" captured the essence of SPF's remarkable journey from a 12-man team to a formidable and effective force of 15,000 today. As Minister Shanmugam said at the launch of the exhibition, over the years, the Singapore Police Force has had to deal with the relevant threats of the times – opium, gambling, secret societies, prostitution, conflicts and unrest between different groups. The security landscape has changed in those 200 years, but the Police Force’s values and mission remain the same – integrity in maintaining law and order. It is only right that in the course of this year’s COS debate that we use the opportunity to thank the dedicated officers of our Singapore Police Force for their professionalism and readiness to protect law and order in Singapore. 10.45 am It is only right that in the course of this year's COS debate that we use the opportunity to thank the dedicated officers of our Singapore Police Force for their professionalism and readiness to protect law and order in Singapore. Looking ahead, in today’s fast-changing security landscape, would the Minister share how the Home Team would transform to ensure that it continues its relevance, operational-readiness and efficiency? Managing Security Risks such as Riots Next cut. Recently, we have seen a proliferation of large-scale chaos and riots in other countries. These have caused immense damage and disruption to essential services in those societies. In fact, Maplecroft, a company that specialises in global risk data and country risk analysis, estimated that nearly 40% of the world’s 195 countries will see civil unrest during 2020.”
“In fact, when fake news is bandied around on WhatsApp, during very important security operations by the Home Team, it does impact the operational ability of that exercise and that operation. This list of threats stands to get longer as the world becomes smaller. Consequently, the threats become closer. The Home Team can remain effective and operational notwithstanding these pressures. For example, our Home Team can leverage on science and technology, intelligence gathering, cooperation with other enforcement agencies, predicting future threats early and recruiting dedicated officers. Would the Minister elaborate on how the Home Team is leveraging on each of these aspects to ensure it continues to safeguard Singapore from new and emerging threats in addition to its important everyday functions of maintaining law and order? [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“Mr Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head P of the Estimates be reduced by $100". The Home Team plays an important role in keeping Singapore safe from terror threats. Last year, two Singaporeans were charged with terrorism financing, transmitting money to fund terrorist causes overseas. Our TransCom officers conduct high-visibility patrols at bus interchanges and MRT stations. In 2018 alone, they made 723 arrests, with most offenders possessing dangerous weapons and drugs. Not just called upon in day-to-day operations to keep Singaporeans safe, the Home Team also does an excellent job during times of heightened security risks such as hosting of key international meetings. In 2018, we hosted the Trump-Kim summit and the 33rd ASEAN Summit. In 2019, we hosted the signing of the Singapore Convention on Mediation which required large scale operations to protect the many dignitaries from different countries and to maintain law and order during the large scale event. The changing global landscape of crime and crime-related activities have an impact on Singapore. Through the Internet, crime is no longer confined to the physical territorial boundaries of a country and much harm can be done by a person even without stepping onto our shores. The Home Team has proven itself as a formidable force – having to deal with the global threat of terrorism and its implications on Singapore; increasing recreational drug use in the region and the world; and having to deal with the ensuring of law and order for multiple high-key international events hosted in Singapore. There is also the threat of foreign interference in our domestic politics. There is also the threat which fake news can pose on on-going security operations conducted by the Home Team.”
“I am grateful, Chairman. I join my fellow parliamentarians in thanking the Senior Minister of State for his comprehensive responses and also all the hardworking officers in MinLaw and the various arms and bodies which report to MinLaw. With that, I seek your leave, Mr Chairman, to withdraw my cut. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $283,293,800 for Head R ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $145,379,100 for Head R ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman. I thank the Senior Minister of State for the response. My next question is on a different cut, which is – Singapore as a formidable IP fortress. I think we can protect a lot of protection and enforcement, but how is IPOS and MinLaw working with the R&D outfits to ensure that commercialisation of the IP? So, it is not only a portcullis or a fortress where we protect it but where we can enhance it into commercial terms.”
“I was hoping to ask for another clarification, but that is all right, I can withdraw the cut.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for his comprehensive responses. On my particular cut about Singapore being a leading international dispute resolution hub, I think one of the flagships we have, apart, obviously, from our court system, is the SIAC. The Minister would know, my question is really a nuts and bolts on how we get the model clause out. In a model clause, there is the centre, there is the rules, there is the seat and there is Singapore law being the relevant law. So, my question really is – how are we able to advance Singapore law, advance the seat of Singapore, through these clauses such that international parties come? And when international parties come, they do not come with lawyers, they come with their experts, they come with their decision-makers and their witnesses. So how can we use that space to enhance Singapore law and Singapore as an international legal hub?”
“Sir, land is a valuable resource. Would the Minister elaborate on how we can optimise state properties to meet social and community needs? One excellent example is what was done to the former Henderson Secondary School. This state property has been transformed into an integrated space comprising a childcare centre, a nursing home and dialysis centre as well as an urban farm. How can we optimise state properties to meet social and community needs?”
“[(proc text) Question again proposed. (proc text)] Intellectual Property”
“More than just a tool for ensuring that law be abided by and that there be order in Singapore, the criminal justice system is important for justice to be carried out, meted out in Singapore. The state has the proper mandate to mete out penal justice, punishing those who do wrong; otherwise, there may be increased vigilantism, mob justice and a descent into chaos and disorder. The corollary of that mandate is preventing the injustice of punishing persons for wrongs they did not commit; otherwise, law may be seen as arbitrary. It is therefore important that trust in our criminal justice system is maintained. Will the Minister therefore explain what has been done to ensure the continued efficacy of our criminal justice system here in Singapore? Singapore – A Formidable Fortress for Intellectual Property My fourth cut, although is not my last cut for the COS, is on a formidable fortress for Intellectual Property (IP), being Singapore. The Industrial Revolution 4.0 and the Digital, or Information Age rely heavily on intangible property rights, that is, intellectual property rights – to protect the way systems are designed, codes are written, products are created. Intellectual property rights or IP rights allow innovation to be sold, bought, traded and incentivises research and development of technology. IP rights also allow businesses to protect their reputation and reap from investments made in the quality of their products and services. Would the Minister elaborate on how the intellectual property regime will be used as a means to help our companies remain competitive in a challenging global environment? And, importantly, how will Singapore further fortify its position as a country and jurisdiction in which IP rights can be well protected and enforced?”
“The INSOL International Asia Hub in Maxwell Chambers Suite is INSOL International's first ever physical expansion since the establishment of its London headquarters in 1982. Would the Minister share with us how the Ministry plans to help Singapore as a legal services hub, drawing to Singapore the demand for international legal services across key practice areas? Civil, Community and Family Justice My next cut, Sir, is on civil, community and family justice. In a country where the rule of law is a bedrock of society, maintaining the people's trust in the justice system and increasing access to justice are key. To further these objectives, our civil, community and family justice systems have gone through several refinements. Launched in 2017, the State Court's Community Justice and Tribunals System (CJTS) is an electronic case filing and management system which helps promote access to justice by allowing parts of the legal system to be accessed by lay persons online. Through it, claims at the Small Claims Tribunal may be filed and negotiated, reducing the need to appear in court where an e-settlement is reached. Without needing to go to court, neighbours can also try to resolve disputes with the help of a court mediator through e-mediation. We also passed the Protection from Harassment Act so that victims obtain protection from harassment more easily. Will the Minister elaborate on what has been and will be done to further enhance our civil, community and family justice systems? Enhancing Our Criminal Justice System My next cut, Mr Chairman, is on enhancing our criminal justice system. The criminal justice system is critical in maintaining law and order in Singapore.”
“Mr Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head R of the estimates be reduced by $100." MinLaw plays an important role in developing Singapore as a hub for international legal services. In 2018, the Singapore International Arbitration Center (SIAC) emerged as the third most preferred arbitral institution in the world and the most preferred arbitral institution based in Asia. While SIAC draws a strong demand for arbitration from parties in Asia, there are trends and developments that indicate that the demand for arbitration in Singapore will move beyond Asia. For instance, in 2018, the United States topped the foreign user rankings for the first time. Last year, the field of arbitration in Singapore was given a further boost to widen its global influence through the opening of Maxwell Chambers Suites with a whole suite of arbitration offices and facilities. Dignitaries from 12 countries and more than 350 guests from various facets of the legal industry attended the official opening. It houses the local offices of top international dispute resolution institutions such as the International Chamber of Commerce's, International Court of Arbitration (ICC) as well as the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA). Allow me, Sir, at this point to declare for the purposes of this COS debate, this cut and all cuts after this, that I am a lawyer whose practice covers arbitration, litigation, advisory work and intellectual property. Moving back to the cut, Maxwell Chambers Suites currently has the highest concentration of case management offices in the world. It also houses INSOL International Asia Hub. INSOL is the International is the International Association for restructuring, insolvency and bankruptcy professionals.”
“Marriage and parenthood can be a joyful journey. Yes, there are challenges, but the joy of bringing up children is fulfilling and lasting. Last year, the Government conducted public consultations on the needs and concerns relevant to marriage and parenthood. Some areas that are often talked of are flexible work arrangements, having a conducive work culture, parental leave, and importantly, increased childcare leave and more childcare leave for the mothers and the fathers who have more children. How have the enhancements, provided by the Government, to support marriage and parenthood benefited young Singaporeans and their families? And will there be further enhancements based on feedback received? What measures are we putting in place to encourage an increase in our TFR? Next cut. A Culture of Support for Families Younger Singaporeans may be delaying marriage and parenthood in pursuit of other life goals. Of course, these are very personal choices. But, how can the whole-of-society contribute to building a culture that emphasises the importance and significance of family and, in so doing, foster an environment that is supportive of families in Singapore? This will help also, to promote the desire to have children – a joy for the parents and, also, importantly for our country. Progress of M&P Enhancements”
“I will take two, Sir, leaving one spare. Thank you. Because of the dire consequences rising sea levels have on Singapore's future, it is good that the Budget takes these longer-term challenges into account and prepares for them. The $5 billion investment to ameliorate the effect that sea levels have on Singapore is thus commendable and far-sighted. In my speech, Sir, I compared Singapore to a steady ship in the ocean. As a country, we have weathered storms together. The Budget Statement and the debate on it are important to train our focus on how to ensure we get through the storm as one united people. As Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Heng Swee Keat wrote on his Facebook page the day before he delivered the speech, "we would not have been able to act quickly and decisively if not for our deep Reserves. I do not mean only our financial Reserves... I also mean the reserves of strength, resilience, empathy and resourcefulness among our public servants and fellow Singaporeans". It is such resilience that allows us to plan well into the future, well beyond this storm. It is our Singapore way – responding as one people, tirelessly safeguarding our country’s Reserves and future. It is for these reasons that I stand in support of the Motion. [Applause.]”
“Under "communities", students discover Singapore's Asian context through courses under the areas of economy and society, technology and society, cultures of the modern world and community service. SMU's core curriculum was designed to nurture a generation of "adaptive and adroit graduates who are technically competent and agile, socially conscious and adept in their communities and inspired by the timeless puzzles and challenges confronting humanity." This instills in students the aptitude for and attitude of lifelong learning. That is something other schools could consider so that their students will not be theorists only but be able to handle both theory and practical, having the dexterity to apply strong foundations of theory into new real-world applications. Sir, I move on to my third and last topic – climate change – and why I stand in strong support of the $5 billion set aside to shore up our coastal defences. Although there are some in Singapore who disagree with the use of the phrase "climate change" as they are of the view that the climate is and always has been changing, allow me to just use the phrase to point out some trends we should be concerned with, particularly relating to the rise in sea levels. Historical data measuring average sea levels of the Singapore Strait from four research-quality data points at Tanjong Pagar, Raffles Lighthouse, Sultan Shoal and Sembawang, indicate that there was a 2.9-millimetre yearly increase of our sea levels from 1984 to 2011. So, sea levels have risen and ice in the ocean has been melting and physics will say that there will be an increase in sea levels. What this means is that low-lying small nations, such as the Maldives and Tuvalu may face, or, in fact, are facing existential crisis.”
“We also need, however, to instil measures that make learning something that is embedded in the way things are done in Singapore long term. This is crucial as we are facing an economy characterised by disruptive technology. Change will come. Just like COVID-19 presented itself to us as a disruption, or another phrase by Deputy Prime Minister Heng, as "a spur and a test" that COVID-19 has presented to us, we cannot run away from such a change, disruption, spur or test. We need to change the way we think about learning. Year after year, we cite the Chinese saying "live until old, learn until old", that is, lifelong learning. We learn that in primary schools, too. But do we really live it? Do we see learning as a chore rather than a joy? Do we see learning as a burden rather than a privilege? I would like to suggest that we think about the way we can build lifelong learning into the curriculum of students. It is not just a good attitude to have in life but necessary in the kind of economy Singaporeans will face in the future. A good example of what could be done is what is already being done at SMU. We could broaden what is being done at SMU. At SMU, disruption is built into part of the syllabus through the way the core curriculum is designed. The core curriculum has three pillars: capabilities, communities and civilisations. Under "capabilities", students pick up skills, such as numeracy and management lessons, to navigate the modern world. Internships are integrated with the other pillars, with a work-study scheme available so students can take up longer internships and earn credits at the same time.”
“As Business Continuity Plans already need to be in place, it may also be a good opportunity for businesses to test and hopefully prove that flexible working arrangements work. If it works, more firms may be ready and confident to try adopting it as an available standard practice to support our working parents with young children and working caregivers. For some of the enterprises which want to take this opportunity to change the way they work, this Enterprise SkillsFuture Credit may come in useful. Furthermore, in relation to using this crisis as a place to plan for the future, there is one particular area that we have announced our intention to look for new sources of supply and look into the capabilities for local manufacturing, that, is, masks. It would be especially useful since epidemics will spread among countries more quickly. But the issue of masks also points to a larger priority, namely, the diversification of our supply sources. I have spoken about food security before. Currently, the coronavirus or COVID-19 is affecting the world trade of goods and supplies. In light of this, we need to take stock of what other items, besides masks, we potentially need to manufacture on our own in the future, and if we do manufacture them, whether our supply sources for the materials are sufficiently diverse. Secondly, for our businesses which are facing problems with diversification of supply sources, what support from the Government is available for them to facilitate the making and establishing of connections with more diverse trade partners? Budget 2020 also has its eye on the future. Businesses have been given incentive measures to take this opportunity to reskill and retrain workers to increase future productivity.”
“And I hope that we will also retain this experience, that everyone in our society is important, even after we overcome this crisis, as we forge our collective future. Sir, even as we are in a ship together, we need to ensure that the Budget has in place measures that are of practical help to our people. This is especially important to the hotel, tourism and F&B industry. According to a snap survey done by Restaurant Association Singapore, close to 60% of restaurants in Singapore stated that they are not prepared and equipped enough to deal with the impact of COVID-19 on their operations. For those who rely heavily on tourists, the estimated loss could go up to 80%. To help the food and services sector during this period, the Adapt and Grow initiative was expanded. In relation to rental costs, for F&B and retailers, it is good that there are full month rental waivers for some hawkers and half a month of rental waivers for commercial tenants of Government agencies. However, for those on private property, it is the landlords of those retailers on private properties who are given property tax rebates and encouraged to pass on to the retailers. Instead of relying on the goodwill of landlords to pass on savings to their lessees, is there no other more direct way we can alleviate the challenges that those in the F&B industry are facing? For example, will the Ministry consider requiring landlords to declare whether they have passed on the rebate to their lessees? And if so, how much has been passed down in dollar terms? Already, it has been reported by the Restaurant Association Singapore that 200,000 employees have been affected since the outbreak.”
“Other measures that have been taken are the increased cleaning and disinfecting of places, such as playgrounds and high touchpoints, such as lifts and hotel rooms. Our housekeeping staff, uncles and aunties in the hotel industries, frontline staff, cleaners – they all play such an important role in the prevention of the spread of the virus. Many have had to work overtime due to the crisis to meet the increased rate of cleaning common areas. And yes, these diligent and determined workers also put themselves at risk. In a Straits Times' interview entitled, "Coronavirus: It’s a dirty job, but if I don’t do it, who will?", one of the cleaning companies has had their teams work seven days a week these few weeks, all hands on deck, including the manager Mdm Tay. I quote from the article, "Few Singaporeans are interested in working in the cleaning industry, but Madam Tay hopes that through the work they do, especially during this outbreak, people will learn to respect the job. We are helping to prevent the spread of the virus in Singapore", says Mdm Tay. The immigration officers are on the frontline. So, are the enforcement operations managers of MOM. The nurses and those working at the service counters at hospitals and healthcare institutions play a crucial and important role. Their professionalism is inspiring. All workers on the frontline should be appreciated. None of us asked for this to happen. None of us wants this to happen. But since it has happened, we need all hands on deck. There should be an appreciation that everyone, even those who play less visible roles, is important to our society. We should be less focused on hierarchy and more focused on appreciating each member of our society, especially as we battle COVID-19 in a singular and united determination.”
“If I may be bold enough to say, it is the same framework that we see being deployed within the COVID-19 task force – sharing the infection numbers, the discharged numbers, the intensive care unit (ICU) numbers, sharing information about the clusters and, importantly, readying Singaporeans for the method we will use to deal with the virus in the longer time, whichever of the scenarios plays out. So, as with Budget 2020, as with the debate of the 47 speakers before me, as with the manner in which the Ministerial task force in COVID-19 is addressing the difficulties facing our country today, facts discussed candidly and openly, and a sharing of ideas and suggestions and then, importantly, decisions. This is what we are doing in this Chamber. This is our Singapore way. Singapore is like a steady ship in the ocean. We have gone through storms together before and we can go through them again. Perhaps, in this moment of the COVID-19 outbreak, we should also take the opportunity to try to remove the hierarchical way that some in our society view jobs and professions, with certain professions viewed as more prestigious while other jobs are viewed as less dignified. In my view, such stratification is not the way it should be. This was also a point raised by Prof Yaacob Ibrahim and Mr Alex Yam, and I agree with them. If anything, the COVID-19 crisis is proof to all of us that everyone is important, everyone has a role to play, everyone is needed. Allow me to explain. In order to stem the spread of the COVID-19 virus, office buildings carry out temperature-taking. Those manning the temperature booths, often security guards, are important as they provide a first line of defence. But the guards are putting themselves at risk.”
“Ms Denise Phua shared how these opportunities should be extended to SMEs. Mr Desmond Choo talked about giving working mothers and mothers on maternity leave the best shot in their careers. And you see characteristics of each in Budget 2020 – the umbrella of opportunities for reskilling, retraining and advancement for the Singaporean workforce. You see the undercurrent of unity in so many of the speeches. You see that in Mr Png Eng Huat's speech where he talked about the need to unite rather than point fingers and stigmatise, how we should not ostracise China, and that it was good that we sent them a second humanitarian shipment. So, the BBC documentary sought to point to the danger of disunity. Yet, in this House, through the 47 speeches before me, you see an overarching priority to unite, and that is quite novel in the world today. And it is, in fact, inspiring and encouraging. Hence, the Unity Budget. If we look at the globe, there is sectarianism, I versus you, hardly any effort to build the common ground or common paths forward. Yet, so many of the speeches in this debate here have had as their foundation the topic of unity. But it is not only about unity. There is also the need for transparency, honesty, as Mr Cedric Foo emphasised, and being open with difficult facts, too. A "framework of honesty", if you like. And I see how that framework is being deployed in the Budget. For example, being upfront with Singaporeans early about the future hike in GST, being open about why over reliance on the NIRC may not be fiscally prudent and why, at this stage, we need to think of raising GST in the future. This is being open and mature. It makes for the politics of trust and honesty. It makes for a reliable decision-making process.”
“Sir, I had my speech finalised on Tuesday night. On Wednesday, I found out that I was speaker number 48 out of 48. What can you say after a list of 47 esteemed speakers? So, I decided to rework my speech. The past two days' speeches – many made passionately – reminded me of a British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) documentary which I had listened to last month while I was on the way to work. The documentary was called "disagreeing better". No. It was not a guide about how to better disagreements. Rather, it was a guide about how to resolve disagreements better. Hence, the title "disagreeing better". Why is this relevant at all? Because the documentary touched on the negative repercussions on societies when they are polarised. The danger the BCC documentary sought to point out is the very danger so many of us in this House seek to battle. In short, in Singapore, we do things quite differently. We seek unity here. Hence, the Unity Budget. Why is this important, especially at this time? Because the crisis can bring out the best or the worst in society. Will there be disagreements along the way? Of course. These will relate to fiscal measures, social policy and issues of societal values. But how we resolve these differences, and come out of a large crisis or mini crisis, is key. The willingness to listen, to be open with one another, to share and risk empathy, and then to decide. These are all essential for an efficient decision-making body and have been so aptly displayed by so many of the 47 speakers before me. So, many of us in the Chamber regard the unity of Singapore and the united response to the crisis as the priority. Ms Jessica Tan gave real-life examples from her constituency as to why providing opportunities in education is key.”
“Would the Senior Minister of State elaborate on what the Ministry is doing to encourage and equip Singapore lawyers to be active and effective members in the mediation industry as well as to develop strong thought leadership in this area – whether in the academics, whether as a practitioner or whether as a mediator – him or herself? Would the Senior Minister of State kindly clarify that, please? Even as it is anticipated that the use of mediation as an alternative dispute resolution mechanism will pick up around the world following commencement and ratification of the Singapore Convention, it is commendable that law students are also looking to further their interests and passions in this area already. For example, the "National SMUSIMI Collaborative Dispute Resolution Award" recognises law students from the local universities – Singapore Management University (SMU), National University of Singapore (NUS) and Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) – who have excelled in international collaborative dispute resolution competitions or who have contributed significantly to the mediation and negotiation in Singapore. Last year, Singapore held its first-ever international moot for university students that focuses on mediation advocacy and mediation proper. Therefore, I ask the Senior Minister of State: would the Senior Minister of State share with us what efforts are being done to sustain interest in development in this area of mediation? In conclusion, Sir, this Bill furthers our interests as an international dispute resolution hub, and it provides for alternative dispute resolution means and mechanisms and, therefore, I stand in support of the Bill.”
“In the event that they do not wish to allow their international settlement agreement to be recorded before the Court, there still is flexibility to do so. Clause 8 is interesting in that it addresses a situation where an already mediated international settlement agreement is recorded as an order of Court but the other party to the settlement agreement does not appear before the Court. Court proceedings are mandatory in the sense that they force the other party to participate and appear in Court, otherwise a judgment may be entered against them, for example, a judgment in default of appearance situations. On the other hand, voluntariness of both parties to a certain extent is necessary in order to resolve the dispute via mediation. But clause 8 does not require a Court to refuse to record a settlement agreement simply because the other party is absent. This prevents a person from running away from what he had agreed to in the mediation settlement. On the other hand, to ensure that a mere procedural lapse will not prevent justice from being done, clause 8 allows for an order recorded in the absence of a party to be set aside on the application of the absent party based on substantive arguments, that is, grounds on which the Court may refuse to grant an application to record an order. This Bill also includes the entire text of the Singapore Convention in the schedule. Following the commencement of the Convention, the jurisprudence and scholarship relating to mediation will probably continue to grow.”
“What is required is the mediator's signature on the international settlement agreement, a document signed by the mediator indicating that mediation was carried out and an attestation by the institution that administered the mediation or any other evidence acceptable to the Court per clause 6(1)(b). Unlike the Mediation Act 2017, which allows for the mediation to be carried out either by a designated mediation service provider or conducted by a certified mediator in section 12(3)(a), clause 6(b)(iii) of the Bill requires that the mediation be administered by an institution and not merely a certified mediator. Therefore, my question for the Senior Minister of State is: would the Senior Minister of State kindly elaborate on how institutions for mediation in Singapore are building up their capacity and capabilities in preparation for the commencement of the Singapore Convention? Besides the formal requirements for the application listed in clause 6, clause 7 sets out substantive grounds for refusing an application to record an international settlement agreement as an order of the High Court. Clause 7(2)(c)(i) provides that evidence that the obligations in the international settlement agreement have been performed can be a ground for refusing an application to record it as a Court order. Because an application to record an order may be to prove that the matter has already been resolved and not just for enforcement of the agreement, it is good that ultimately it is up to the Court’s discretion whether to refuse the application notwithstanding there is such evidence. Clause 7(2)(d) retains flexibility for parties to agree to opt out of this statutory enforcement regime.”
“These conventions provide for foreign recognition and enforcement of Singapore Court orders and arbitration awards made in Singapore. Through this, Singapore is better positioned to be a dispute resolution hub as parties are able to resolve their disputes either through the Court, through arbitration or even voluntarily through mediation. What this Bill does is that it provides that an international settlement agreement formed through mediation of a dispute may be recorded in Singapore as a Court order for the purposes of enforcement or defence, set-off or otherwise rely on it in a Court proceeding. Clause 4 allows for such an application by a party to the settlement agreement, and clause 5 provides that the High Court may grant such leave to record the order as an order of Court. In order for parties to utilise this regime, clause 6 sets out that the two following documents and evidence are necessary: one, the international settlement agreement signed by the parties; and two, evidence that the international settlement agreement resulted from mediation. The second criterion is important as it helps distinguish between a contractual agreement and a mediation settlement. Although both are formed only when parties consent voluntarily to something, a mediation settlement requires there to have been a dispute and may even be directly enforced as a Court order and not merely a contractual agreement. If this distinction were to be blurred, the special statutory regime that elevates private agreements to Court orders may be abused.”
“Sir, the Singapore Convention on Mediation Bill implements the United Nations (UN) Convention on International Settlement Agreements Resulting from Mediation, also known as the Singapore Convention on Mediation. This Bill is important for Singapore’s ratification of the Convention. On 7 August 2019, 70 countries attended the signing ceremony of the Singapore Convention with a total of 46 signing it. Subsequently, another five states signed it, bringing the total current signatures to 51. Among the signatories were the United States, China, India and South Korea. While there are currently 51 signatures to the Singapore Convention, the Singapore Convention will only commence operations six months after the third ratification. What is needed is for states to align international processes with its international obligation and then ratify the Convention. My questions are: is the Ministry aware of other states’ progress in this process? And how has Singapore been engaging other countries in encouraging them to ratify? The Convention plays a key role in Singapore's future in the international sphere. Not only is this Convention the first UN treaty named after Singapore, but it is also in line with Singapore’s role as an international dispute resolution hub. As an international dispute resolution hub, Singapore has many dispute resolution tools available. Allow me at this stage, Sir, to declare that I am a practising lawyer. Singapore has a strong presence in arbitration and also offers a special judicial process through the Singapore International Commercial Court. Singapore is also a party to the Hague Convention on Choice of Court Agreements and the Convention on the Recognition and Enforcement of Foreign Arbitral Awards.”
“It will bolster our commitment towards tackling the problem of plastic pollution and reducing the ill-effects of hazardous waste. Therefore, I stand in support of the Bill.”
“Is there a level beyond which the plastic pollution in the food is unacceptable? In other words, how is Singapore working towards food security and less dependency on other countries specifically in relation to seafood and other food products from the marine environment and ensuring the plastic contaminants in such food remains low or negligible? Additionally, as the economic impact of plastic pollution on marine ecosystems is estimated by the UN Environment Programme to be at least US$8 billion a year, it would make sense for nations, including Singapore, to work towards reducing plastic pollution, not just by reducing new entrants, but also looking into innovative possibilities to remove what has already entered the marine environment. How has Singapore contributed to innovative solutions to clean up the ocean? What is Singapore doing to encourage a global push to adopt a good plastic waste management system that reduces plastic pollution? This indirectly contributes to Singapore's food security if our food sources are threatened by other countries’ plastic pollution. Looking at the facts, plastic pollution is a problem that we need to address. Even though half of all plastics ever manufactured have been made in the last 15 years, there are already around 100 million tonnes of plastic in the oceans, 80% to 90% from land. In 2019, it was reported in National Geographic that plastic production has increased exponentially, from 2.3 million tonnes in 1950 to 450 million tonnes by 2015 and which is expected to double by 2050. These facts bring to bear the importance of the Bill we are debating today. This Bill, when enacted, will help Singapore fulfil its obligations under the Basel Convention.”
“Even though Singapore treats our used water such that a substantial portion of microbeads and microplastics are dealt with, would it not be better if there were less plastic to deal with by reducing the use and/or release of such plastics into the water? Instead of merely removing plastics, we should work towards reducing them. Firstly, this conserves resources used to make plastics. Secondly, this reduces the energy needed to process its waste. Thirdly, with less plastic in our used water, there would be less incinerated ash to be disposed of. Fourthly, there will be less microplastics potentially released into the environment. Fifthly, we would be encouraging responsible use of plastics and would also deter the thinking that someone else will clean up the consequences of our actions. Taking into account these issues, what is the Minister's view on the question of whether we should ban the use of microplastics or microbeads in personal care products and cosmetics? This Bill addresses one part of the problem related to plastic waste. But the bigger question is how are we tackling this pollutant holistically? The effect of plastic contamination is felt across national borders. Plastics and toxic-contaminated plastic in the water can enter the food chain when marine life ingest it. Another possible way is via larvae of insects, such as mosquitoes, and then their being eaten by other creatures in the food chain and so on. Research combining the results of more than 50 studies globally have estimated that an individual ingests about one credit card worth of plastic each week. As much of our food is imported from overseas, how does the Ministry monitor the level of plastic pollutant in our food and its impact?”
“Previously, the Minister had to declare it so via notification on the Gazette. Would the Minister explain how Singapore handles our plastic waste? Do we have the capacity and capabilities to deal with our plastic waste? Besides tackling the way plastic waste is handled, we can also reduce the amount of plastic pollutants released into the environment. Although it has been said that "only a miniscule amount of microplastics is discharged into the sea," would the Ministry elaborate on what are the likely sources for the microplastics found on the Singapore beaches and what will be done to reduce it? One commonly discussed source for microplastics is microbeads. Microbeads do not disappear even though they get flushed down the sink and out of sight. Plastic microbeads have been banned in personal care products and cosmetics in the United States (US) and United Kingdom (UK). While plastic straws are needed by some for medical conditions, some personal care products and cosmetics have been able to substitute plastic microbeads with biodegradable microbeads or even natural alternatives. In 2016, it was reported in the Straits Times that the National Parks Board (NParks) was "currently looking into assessing the status and impact of marine debris and microplastics on Singapore's marine environment” and that "NEA [was] monitoring international developments in legislation and domestic research on microplastics." Would the Minister kindly provide an update on the findings and whether any updated studies have been done since then to understand the impact of microplastics on Singapore’s marine environment?”
“Sir, researchers have discovered plastic debris at the deepest point on earth, the Marina Trench. On seemingly pristine ice floes near the Northwest Passage, scientists, too, have discovered plastic filaments and beads. In fact, in May 2019, the United Nations (UN) estimated that 100 million tonnes of plastic have been dumped in the oceans thus far. Vivid and graphic pictures have become iconic symbols of the impact plastic has had on marine life and have rallied nations around the world to strengthen regulations relating to the global trade in plastic waste. This Bill is based on the amendments made to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal in 2019 to target plastic waste. This treaty was acceded to by Singapore in 1996 and was implemented in 1998 by the enactment of the HWA Act. The amendment to the Convention classified plastic waste more clearly. Certain annexes of the convention require prior informed consent before importing such waste can be initiated. Annex IV does not require prior consent and previously classified only non-harmful plastic without specifying whether they were immediately recyclable. Following the changes to the Convention in 2019, two kinds of plastic waste are subject to prior informed consent: plastic waste mixed with hazardous materials, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles containing pesticides, and plastic waste that can be recycled only after undergoing the cleaning process due to contamination of foreign materials. This is reflected in clause 7. Additionally, clause 4 of the Bill allows our law to directly reference the prescribed website of the Secretariat of the Basel Convention as to what is considered hazardous waste.”
“However, there are times when the nickname may not be as widely known or accepted. Under those circumstances, would such "unofficial" nicknames be accepted? Clause 3 allows an application for a variant to be separate from the main application or together with it. This flexibility is welcomed and allows for the accommodation of market forces, for instance, where the demand for goods change such that the GI should be translated into a different language in order to have the full benefit of the IP right in question. Clause 4 of the Bill clarifies that variants need to fulfil the criteria of GI in order to be registered. This ensures that variants are not a back-door option for registering what was otherwise not registrable. In conclusion, Mr Speaker, GIs help guarantee the origin of a produce or food product, implying a certain standard or quality to it. In short, this Bill makes the regime clearer. Therefore, I support the Bill.”