Desmond Choo
Singapore
“Through these expanded volunteer networks, we are building something more than a collection of programmes. We are strengthening a culture, a culture where service is valued, where sacrifice is understood and where defence is embraced as a shared mission. We are strengthening the very foundation of our national defence.”
“Mr Speaker, I would like to thank Prime Minister for his Ministerial Statement. The Labour Movement has surveyed our unionists. They are rightly worried about growth issues, loss of jobs and cost of living, but they have also expressed confidence that the People's Action Party Government will stay us through these difficult times.”
“Chairman, I would like to thank Minister Tan See Leng, Senior Minister of State Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State Zaqy and Minister of State Gan Siow Huang for their comprehensive responses and driving policy changes; and also Permanent Secretaries Ng Chee Khern, Jeffrey Siow, and their team of MOM officers, for their dedication in b…”
“Mr Chairman, just two clarifications. One, why is the Ministry raising the S Pass qualifying salary despite the labour market being already quite tight and the potential economic headwinds? What is the expected impact on the local workforce's wages?”
“Chairman, we have seen a surge in overseas travel as Singaporeans continue to embrace travelling in the new post-pandemic norm. Singaporeans are no longer sticking to the usual destinations but, increasingly, also to less-travelled destinations.”
“Since our Independence, Singapore has maintained the importance of capacity-building as a pillar of regional cooperation. In 1992, the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP) was established in our effort to pay forward the help we received in our formative years. It serves as a platform to provide technical assistance to the world.”
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Every one of 589 lines we hold for Desmond Choo, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 6 of 12.
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Bill. Every year, more than 10,000 ex-offenders complete their sentences and are released. Upon release, reintegration is the most crucial step and post-release employment is critical to the success of an ex-offender’s reintegration into society. The Employment Preparation Scheme can effectively facilitate this. The proposed scheme is more comprehensive than the Work Release Scheme. Inmates will be able to equip themselves with relevant skillsets, enhancing their post-release employability. Retraining is especially crucial, especially considering the pandemic economy. I will speak on two key areas: the structure of the scheme and the importance of a coordinated, holistic support framework. On the scheme itself, I would like to highlight three points: the need to include as many inmates as possible under it, ensuring quality programmes and the provision of financial support for inmates under the scheme. First, we must seek to include as many eligible inmates into the scheme as possible. Inmates are emplaced into the scheme through a two-tier selection process. SPS first surfaces suitable inmates. Thereafter, they are assessed by an independent advisory committee. I would like to ask what would be the tools used to assess the suitability of an inmate. For example, would the Singapore Prisons Short Risk Scale (SPSRS) be used? Would inmates be told of the assessment criteria so that they can work towards such a programme? Could the Ministry also clarify at which stage are inmates eligible to be emplaced under this scheme? At section 59L(a) of the Bill, an inmate is eligible for the scheme when they have served at least 14 days of their sentence.”
“The quantum of the grant might be insufficient to beef up the genco's appetite to do so. We need to further incentivise and support gencos to switch to greener technologies. Clearly, increasing the quantum of the grant is one way but not the only one. We can also introduce flexibility tied to energy price trends. This can allow the companies to plan and manage their cashflows better. Next, on the OEM, it was introduced in 2018 and many consumers benefited from competitive pricing and innovative offers. However, the price of natural gas in 2018 was half of what it is today. Analysts have suggested that the recent exits from the OEM can be attributed to the high number of retailers in the OEM market. This makes them less able to reap economies of scale. It also makes it more difficult for retailers to build up financial reserves, reducing their ability to weather negative market conditions. The global energy crunch will persist for some time. The volatility will only be worsened by the shifting of investment to renewables and cleaner energy sources. Could the Ministry share on its plans to support these OEMs while developing a more sustainable longer-term framework? Perhaps, there is scope to reduce the number of approved retailers to avoid disruptions to consumers. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill safeguards Singapore's energy security and resilience. This is done alongside our pursuit of combatting climate change by reducing emissions in the energy sector. Yet, there are difficult trade-offs, not the least in terms of higher costs for businesses and consumers. We must develop plans to combat climate change sustainably. Notwithstanding my clarifications and suggestions above, Mr Speaker, I support the Bill. 3.08 pm”
“Next, on empowering EMA to impose requirements to reduce GHG emissions. I have spoken in this House on how critical it is to curb climate change on a few occasions. We must reduce GHG emissions to the greatest extent possible. There is no time to waste. Emissions in Singapore are largely dominated by the energy sector. It accounts for 38% of the nation's carbon emissions in 2018. Thus, to help in combatting climate change, we must lower carbon emissions by promoting energy efficiency within the energy sector. The proposed amendment enables EMA, with more tools, to reduce GHG emissions. For example, it can introduce policies to decarbonise electricity generation and mandate the uptake of cleaner technologies. First, could the Ministry clarify if EMA's efforts to reduce GHG emissions would necessarily translate into higher business costs for companies? If so, what are the scale and extent? And, in turn, does it also mean higher electricity tariffs for consumers? If so, what is the longer-term strategy to soften this impact for consumers and businesses, especially the SMEs and lower-income households? Second, the existing Energy Efficiency Grant for Power Generation Companies or gencos disburses grants of up to 50% of qualifying costs for gencos to invest in energy-efficient technologies. In 2020, three gencos were awarded a total of $23 million for energy-efficient projects. These projects would translate into taking about 9,200 vehicles off the roads annually. However, my concern is that gencos might be constrained by the new policies while grappling with high price volatility. High price volatility makes it difficult for them to forecast revenue streams and apportion funds to adopt greener technology.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I stand in support of the Bill. The world is gripped by an energy crisis. The demand for natural gas has remained at multi-year highs with no clear signs of easing; the same applies for fossil fuels. With 95% of Singapore's electricity generated by natural gas, our electricity market is bearing the full brunt of this energy crunch. Electricity prices were highly volatile. The Uniform Singapore Energy Price (USEP) recorded extremely volatile intra-day figures in the past month. This has also forced several electricity retailers out of the Open Electricity Market (OEM), so it is quite timely for us to discuss this Bill of resilience. This Bill allows the Ministry and EMA to robustly safeguard Singapore's energy security and resilience. The amendments effect this in two ways. First, to enable EMA to acquire, build, own and/or operate critical infrastructure. Second, to empower EMA to require licensees to reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions. I will address these in turn. Mr Speaker, high capex and the great energy transition have diminished investors' appetite to invest in gencos, at least in the short term. Therefore, EMA must be able to address failures in the private electricity market. The proposed amendment to empower EMA to acquire, build and own this critical infrastructure will ensure that this energy supply remains resilient. However, it is not without concerns. There are concerns that the EMA would potentially act both as a regulator and owner or operator of generation units. The Ministry has reiterated its commitment to ensure a competitive wholesale electricity market. I seek the Minister's clarification on the proper governance structures to mitigate against potential conflicts of interest.”
“Thank you to the Senior Minister of State. I have two supplementary questions. The first one is, MWC has been working with MOM to help the management of dormitories. For this particular incident, why were the other agencies or NGOs not brought on board to support ACE for that few days? Is it linked to certain critical priorities that MOM might have? The other supplementary question is on the vaccination of these workers. I know there is a requirement to bring in only vaccinated workers. So, in this instance, why were certain numbers of workers not vaccinated? How can we prevent and enhance the arrival of such unvaccinated workers for future batches?”
“Security officers are our frontline workers who have tirelessly kept Singapore safe and protected. They deserve our respect and protection. The amendment Bill will ensure that our officers can carry out their duties without the fear of repercussions and impose harsher punishments on abusers of our security officers. Quite often, our security officers also face unfriendly behaviours and attitude from the public. I urge that we must all stand up against such disrespect of security officers. Besides their employers, we are all entrusted to preserving respect for our security officers. Say no to disrespect. (In English): Mdm Deputy Speaker, this Bill enhances the protection of our security officers. This is the right thing to do. Security officers are our frontline workers who have tirelessly kept Singapore safe and protected. They deserve our respect and protection. Imposing harsher punishments on abusers of our security officers will ensure that our officers can carry out their duties without the fear of repercussions or reprisals. However, there are subtler forms of abuse faced by our officers which are not captured by the law and probably cannot be done so. Therefore, we, as the public, must also stand up against such disrespect of security officers. Service buyers and employers are entrusted with this role. But we are all entrusted to preserving respect for our essential workers. Say no to disrespect. Mdm Deputy Speaker, the Labour Movement will continue to work with the Ministry to provide our security officers with the respect they deserve. I support the Bill.”
“Second, the elements of section 17C is substantively in pari materia to section 3(1)(a) and (b) of the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA). However, section 3(1)(c) of the POHA, which relates to the offence of doxxing, is not found within the proposed section 17C. This appears to be a gap. Abusers can use social media to publish personal information to harass these officers and their families. Could the Ministry consider including the offence of doxxing in section 3(1)(c) of POHA within the proposed section 17C? Next, will the Ministry consider the inclusion of section 5 of POHA within the amendments as well? This section concerns causing fear, provocation or the facilitation of violence. Like section 3 of POHA, section 5 also relates to abusive behaviour which security officers may face during their course of duty. Next, I would like to speak on the proposed shift to accredit security consultants by the industry. The security consultants must take Continuous Professional Development under the Security Consultants Accreditation Programme (SCAP). They are subject to the yearly renewal of their accreditation. This pivot ensures that Security Consultants are attuned to the new security trends and needs. These consultants can help guide service buyers on outcome-based security contracts as qualified persons by leveraging technology rather than manpower. This can improve security outcomes significantly. We can be more productive. This makes wage increases in the security PWM sustainable. Better jobs and better pay for the longer run. Mdm Deputy Speaker, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mdm Deputy Speaker, this Bill enhances the protection of our security officers and improves their working environment. This is the right thing to do.”
“In clear cases of abuse of security officers, USE assists security officers in lodging Police reports. Why? Because our older security officers may not be aware of their rights. They face more abuses. We must also help to mediate disputes and steer away from litigation as much as possible. USE launched its Mediation Services in 2018 to resolve issues and disputes involving security officers. In recent years, the Services has seen a marked increase in cases. On average, it handles 200 cases yearly. In a recent case, an officer was tasked with managing entry into a club's facilities room. A visitor, apparently upset with the verification process, vented his frustration and dragged the officer from the chair. The matter was reported to the union and investigations are ongoing. But there should not be such disrespect in the first place. We can only hope that this case is the exception rather than the norm. We are taking no chances. We will launch a mobile application by the end of this year for officers to report cases quickly. We must reinforce this protection of our officers. We need enhanced penalties against abusers of security officers. There must be zero-tolerance for abuse. It is even more urgent now during COVID-19. Abusers must not breach our defence of SMMs. I would like to raise two points for the Ministry's consideration. First, the proposed section 17C makes it illegal for an individual to threaten and abuse a security officer. However, it seems that we can only prove liability if the offence is committed while the security officer is doing his duty. What if an abuser abuses and threatens an officer while the latter is off duty because of an earlier incident? Can the abuser be similarly punished?”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I declare my interest as an Advisor to the Union of Security Employees (USE). There are two main features of this Bill. First, enhancing protection for security officers. Second, having the industry accredit security consultants. I will speak on these in turn. First, I would like to share some of USE's findings and efforts regarding the protection of our security officers. No one would disagree that security officers' work is difficult: long hours, physically demanding, mentally challenging, uncomfortably juggling between protecting a site and providing quality customer service. Now, they also help in enforcing safe management measures. Yet, some people see them as an inconvenient presence to bear with at best. The statistics state as such. USE commissioned SUSS to conduct a series of surveys from 2020, the most recent being in September and November of 2020. In the survey released in March 2021, four out of 10 security officers had faced some form of abuse. This is a 10% increase from an earlier survey just eight months ago. This increase has been attributed to security officers enforcing safe management measures (SMMs). And, unfortunately, this seems to be their burden for some time to come. We need to stand by our security officers. They need our respect and they need our protection. We have come a very long way from calling them "jagas" and "guards" and now, rightfully, "security officers". They are no longer just watchmen. They are critical to fighting terrorism. They are critical to combating the spread of COVID-19. The Progressive Wage Model (PWM) has given them their rightful standing in the security landscape. Now, we need to do more for them. USE and MHA have been the vanguard in protecting our security officers.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I just have one last point, just to clarify what Mr Leong Mun Wai has said. He said that we ought to do better. Of course, we definitely want to do better for workers. And that, perhaps in the wages side of the house, we can do better. I think this is something that we always strive to do our best. We do not want to overstate the work that we have done for the Progressive Wage Model, but it is precisely a way that we can implement good wages for workers by making sure that it is sustainable. So to say that NTUC and the Labour Movement are not doing their part on wage policies, I am sure we are as confused as he is in the last eight hours of not doing homework. I think that is important. The second thing that we must note is that NTUC and the Labour Movement have been an important part of the National Wages Council. Year after year, we deliberate, trying to find out what are the best wage policies for our workers across different segments. It is a difficult thing to do. We have fierce exchanges with our employers, with our Government side of the house, but we need to do that because we need wage increases to be sustainable, create a pie, so that our workers can go home and come back to work tomorrow again with their job intact. So, I do appreciate what Mr Leong Mun Wai has done in the financial sector, but I do not want what he has said today to stand as the record for the generations of unionists before me, who have dedicated their time, their blood, their sweat, to better the lot of workers in Singapore. [Applause.]”
“So, I want to seek a clarification from Mr Leong Mun Wai, after the three pointers that I have given to him, does he still agree that NTUC is the weak link? If he still so agrees that NTUC is the weak link, I would very much like to invite him to NTUC and share with him the work that we have done since our founding in 1961. [Applause.]”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I do have to apologise to everybody for holding things up, but Mr Leong Mun Wai had a specific comment. He says that the NTUC, or the Labour Movement, should do some soul-searching. I did some soul-searching and I hope he did as well. I am sure he also benefited from what NTUC has provided over the years through our grocery programme. I am sure he did. But I do want to seek some clarification from him. As he was in the 1980s, building a derivatives platform in Tokyo, was he aware that in the 1985 recession, NTUC and the unions, together with the Government, worked with workers to take a 15% cut in CPF to help Singapore go through a difficult time? Whether he also remembered the Asian Financial Crisis, when the Labour Movement worked with the Government and the people of Singapore to go through a difficult period of time? And during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, under the leadership of then Secretary-General, Mr Lim Swee Say, to upturn the downturn? So, I do not think NTUC is the weak link in tripartism. And I want to also emphasise: we always do deep reflection and soul-searching about what is the best thing that we can do for workers. The best thing that we need to do for workers is to care for them in the long term, we seek to protect workers, we care for their jobs. But protecting workers does not mean a zero-sum game. We are worried that if investments go away, if companies will suffer. If companies suffer, then there will be no jobs for workers. This is something that we think about day and night. This is the soul-searching that I do. I have it here on my phone because this is something that I look at all the time.”
“Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker. Just a few quick questions. We know that we have an increasing number of roadworks, infrastructure works for the next few years. Do we need to toughen up our laws so that contractors know that they will be in serious trouble if they do not comply with the regulations? The second one is: how are we coordinating from an inter-agency perspective so that all agencies, if they are part of the roadworks, can coordinate so that we have less of such occurrences like the one in Tampines in future?”
“At its core, the Bill modernises the form of our judicial system, while retaining its substance and core objective: accessibility to justice for all. I stand in support of the Bill which ensures our judicial system remains highly receptive to the needs of its users. 8.03 pm”
“Unlike traditional deepfake software, it enables users to impose anyone else's face on their own in real-time within applications, such as Zoom. I worry that such software will become increasingly sophisticated with time. This increases the likelihood of manipulation during remote hearings where witnesses, or even parties, may be impersonated. It is thus imperative to ensure the highest level of technical standards in conducting such processes to preserve the integrity of the judicial system. Considering the rapidly evolving forms of such disruptive technologies, how robust are the current technical safeguards within our judicial system in countering such threats? How can video links be protected such that vulnerable persons’ identities would not be revealed via hacking? Lastly, on the Court’s power to order parties to attempt to resolve disputes by amicable resolution under the proposed section 23 in the Supreme Court of Judicature Act, or SCJA. Alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, mechanisms are much more cost-effective in resolving disputes, compared to litigation. Parties can, more often than not, reach an amicable settlement without the need to commence litigious proceedings. It also prevents Singapore from becoming increasingly litigious. However, I would like to clarify if the Court should consider the intention of parties in exercising its powers to order parties to attempt to resolve disputes by amicable resolution. There may be situations where one or both parties do not want to participate in these ADRs in good faith. In such circumstances, ordering parties to do so might be counter-productive. Sir, despite Singapore being consistently ranked highly in the WJP’s Rule of Law Index, we must continue to build on our efforts thus far.”
“COVID-19 has accelerated the use of technology and the Courts are now better prepared to leverage technology in legal proceedings. Perhaps, the most important change is that of the advent of remote hearings. While remote hearings were practically unheard of in the justice system before the pandemic, it is now a ubiquitous feature in various jurisdictions. The amendments formally legislate the practice of remote hearings. This allows the judicial system greater flexibility to dispose of matters efficiently. Evidence may also be given via electronic means, such as live video and television links. This is beneficial for both the Court and litigants. For example, obtaining testimonies from expert witnesses, especially those of experts located out of Singapore, can be extremely costly. The admission of evidence via video links can significantly reduce the costs of calling upon experts. Furthermore, with crimes and civil matters becoming increasingly borderless, witnesses may sometimes be located overseas. The amendments will similarly ensure that matters at hand can be disposed of expediently and reduces costs on litigants in bringing witnesses to Singapore. Notwithstanding the benefits leveraging technology brings to the judicial system, I have one area of concern. As with all forms of technology, the benefits of it are followed by risks of misuse. My concern lies within the rising prevalence of Deepfake Artificial Intelligence. Deepfakes are created using artificial intelligence whereby an existing image or video is manipulated and replaced with someone else's face. While deepfakes have been primarily contained to the manipulation of pre-recorded images and videos, there has been new software, such as Avatarify.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Bill. The cornerstone of our legal system has always been access to justice for all. In pursuit of this aim, the judicial system must be constantly reviewed to remain relevant, robust and efficient. Digital transformation and a citizenry increasingly aware of its legal rights necessitate our legal system to evolve accordingly. The key amendments in this Bill are in the right direction to meet these evolving trends. I will highlight three key areas of the amendments along with a few clarifications. First, I applaud the Ministry's efforts in advancing access to justice for all. Over the years, the Ministry has simplified complex Court processes and improved accessibility to such information. For example, the Insolvency Office's website offers a comprehensive, one-stop suite of information for bankruptcy applications. The information provided on the website is reader-friendly and tailored for laypersons. I fully support the Ministry's move to simplify court terminology within the amendments. An example of such simplification is changing the expression of "subpoena" to "an order to attend court". The simplification of legal terminologies is similar to those undertaken in jurisdictions, such as Britain and Canada. Academics have also advocated for such changes. Complex legal terminology in statutes can exclude the layperson from fully exercising their right of self-representation as they are less able to be cognisant of their legal rights. As we move towards a more accessible judicial system for litigants-in-persons, we must work towards continually revising our laws to ensure that they are easily understandable by an average layperson. Secondly, the digital transformation wave has not spared the judicial system.”
“While the impact of these obligations may not be large for individuals or larger businesses, I fear that SMEs may be adversely impacted in the short run. This is worsened by the fact that some businesses may still be suffering from the effects of the pandemic. The new obligations imposed on related businesses are akin to new skillsets for their workers. An appropriately timed transitionary period will allow businesses the required time to adequately comply with the new obligations and retrain their workers. Secondly, I propose for the Ministry to assist SMEs in complying with the new obligations. The Ministry can explore working with the unions and trade associations in providing practical information to affected SMEs. Furthermore, while the definition of who qualifies as a competent person has yet to be published, the union stands ready to conduct training programmes to ensure affected SMEs can comply with this new obligation with ease. Perhaps the Ministry can also consider making such training courses approved courses under the SkillsFuture scheme for jobseekers who wish to update their skillsets. Deputy Speaker, Sir, notwithstanding the above, I support the Bill. These amendments feature a judicious, multi-pronged approach in targeting a key driver of climate change. Every one of us, businesses and consumers alike, have an important role in creating a sustainable Singapore for our future generations. I am confident that by passing the Bill, the House will further cement its commitment towards a greener future for Singapore. 6.23 pm”
“The falsification of data to the DG would render the objective of the Act nullified. For example, suppliers would be able to supply GHG goods that blatantly fall afoul of the prescribed limits of emissions. Furthermore, to ascertain the accuracy of every piece of information or data received would be operationally burdensome on the Ministry. At present, a conviction for this offence attracts a fine of $5,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding three months, or both. I have two suggestions for the Ministry's consideration. Could the Ministry impose a minimum fine for an offence under section 40X? This will encourage businesses to take extra effort to ensure the accuracy of information to be submitted to the Ministry. Additionally, could the Ministry adjust the maximum term of imprisonment under section 40X from three to six months? This harmonises the maximum term of imprisonment to that of section 177(1) of the Penal Code. The said section prescribes that it is an offence to give false information to a public servant if one is legally bound to do so. Lastly, I am concerned about the hardships SMEs and smaller businesses may face in complying with the amendments. Doing our part for climate change has a cost and the cost could be placed upon these SMEs unduly, especially in the short term. While the obligations under the proposed amendments will help to combat climate change, they will be especially onerous to smaller businesses. For example, section 40D(4)(d) obligates suppliers of GHG goods to ensure that the goods are accompanied by information relating to their environmental impact. To this end, I have two suggestions to make. Firstly, I hope the Ministry will consider a transitionary period in relation to the new obligations under the amendments.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Bill. Climate change is affecting every country in the world and Singapore is not spared. The IPCC report published last month is a sobering reminder of the disastrous outcomes we can expect in 2050 if planet-warming emissions, also known as Greenhouse Gases (GHGs), do not come down to net zero. I believe that the proposed amendments have balanced both the interests of businesses and protecting the environment. For example, the methods to appeal against a Director-General's (DG) decision are not onerous, whereby aggrieved persons may simply apply to the DG by way of a written notice for reconsideration of the decision. Ultimately, the objective of the Bill is to regulate GHG emissions in Singapore and this will eventually benefit all stakeholders. I would like to highlight three areas of the amendments and related suggestions for the Ministry's consideration. I believe that these suggestions will allow for a more calibrated approach in ensuring that businesses comply with the amendments. First, on the implementation of a register of suppliers, regulated goods and registered GHG entities. These provisions ensure that the Ministry retains oversight of all GHG goods and GHG-related stakeholders. This is particularly valuable where GHG goods are subsequently found to have been falsely reported as conforming to prescribed standards. The register will benefit suppliers of GHG goods in allowing them to recalibrate their business models where appropriate. Can we presume that similar to the prescribed regulated goods and suppliers under the Energy Conservation Act, that the register under the amendments will also be made available online? Second, on the offences relating to the falsification of data in the proposed section 40X.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister of State for his clarification. I have three supplementary questions. First, we clearly need to look at it from a demand and supply issue. To tighten the supply of these offensive weapons, what are the age verification checks required of online and brick-and-mortar retailers? Second, are there any plans for these retailers to have to report suspicious transactions? It is not different from what MAS does for suspicious transactions. Third, how would MHA be working with the Ministry of Education (MOE) to strengthen awareness of the dangers of offensive weapons and checks of offensive weapons in schools?”
“At present, liability under section 87(9) is not explicit within the following provisions: sections 87(5), (7) and (8). These subsections are important in ensuring that the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) retains regulatory oversight over how APFs are run. For example, section 87(7) underlines the need for Singaporeans to retain the controlling interests in APF companies. Should we attach legal liabilities for infringing the above-mentioned provisions? Can I also clarify that section 88 also applies to entities and persons with indirect control over the board of the employer of the Auxiliary Police Forces? For example, company A has an indirect control over the employer of the APF via a controlling stake in the parent company owning the employer of the APFs? Ultimately, the Ministry should be afforded greater regulatory oversight over APFs, ensuring that APFs maintain the highest standards expected. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, at its core, passing this Bill will strengthen our ability to keep the people of Singapore safe by judiciously strengthening the operational readiness of the SPF and the Ministry's oversight over APFs. Our officers must be provided with the full armour of the law to take the stand against criminals and discharge their duties. Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Bill. 6.47 pm”
“These regulations should also not be unnecessarily rigid or prescriptive such that they stifles execution in fluid operational situations. Yet, neither could it be so broad as to leave practitioners directionless. Can the Minister share what might some of these regulations be? What were examples of cases that the officers did not act in good faith or reasonable care? Enforcement officers work in a hierarchy with clear chains of command. They are usually either guided by supervisors or Standard Operating Procedures. If there is, indeed, a situation where an officer did not act in good faith and/or reasonable care, then what is also the liability of officers in the chain of command? I hope that officers do not lose operational effectiveness in becoming overly circumspect in guiding their officers or executing their duties. Sir, I also seek a few clarifications and suggestions on the amendments for the Ministry’s consideration. My first suggestion relates to motorists who evade road barriers. Under section 26(8)(a), a person guilty of evading a road barrier faces a fine of up to $10,000, imprisonment of up to a term of seven years, or both. The Mackenzie Road incident in 2017, which left two of our officers injured, has shown us how brazen a minority of motorists can be in evading road barriers. Evasion not only reflects intent to conceal criminality but can also cause considerable danger and inconvenience. Could the Ministry consider imposing a minimum punishment, including a mandatory jail term, for evading road barriers? I believe this would serve as a forceful deterrent, demonstrating the Ministry's zero-tolerance stance towards such acts. My next suggestion relates to the liability of employers of Auxiliary Police Forces, or APFs, under section 87(9).”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I declare my interest as a board director of Surbana Jurong Pte Ltd which owns Aetos Holdings Pte Ltd, an Auxiliary Police Force. The Bill marks another important step ahead in protecting the safety and security of Singaporeans and enforcement officers. It is perhaps also most opportune during the 200th year of the establishment of the Singapore Police Force (SPF). The enhancement of the SPF’s operational capabilities is greatly welcomed. Section 114A now explicitly affirms the protection of Police officers from personal liability. Officers must be assured that they are protected so that they can discharge their duties without the nagging worries of personal liability while legitimately carrying out their duties. We note that this has been carefully calibrated: greater protection is afforded to our officers but balanced by criminal liability and disciplinary actions to prevent and punish those who flagrantly abuse their powers in bad faith. Our officers do not operate in a risk-free, benign and simplistic environment. They often have to rely on their training, exercise judgement and take on certain risks, especially in critical, complex and time-sensitive situations. In my years of running operations in the Police Force, I have seen that even the best officers could and would make mistakes. And these mistakes were crucial to the Police's collective learning. Mistakes can also come from taking well-managed risks. Nothing affects the ability of an officer to discharge his duties more than knowing that the law does not protect them or is even against them. I hope that these considerations can be included in the upcoming regulations to be prescribed by the Ministry in determining what constitutes "good faith" and "reasonable care".”
“Children of single mothers are all of equal importance as children of a married couple. These children all form the future generation of Singaporeans and we must not unduly disadvantage children of single mothers. I urge the Ministry to consider extending more benefits to single mothers, such as the Baby Bonus scheme and the various reliefs, that single mothers are entitled to. Notwithstanding the above calls for supporting single mothers, I rise in support of the Bill. 4.00 pm”
“This is a good move to lean into the needs of our mothers and will encourage companies to go beyond short-term considerations and support our mothers. As the next bound of development, I hope that the Ministry can consider greater support for single mothers. We have come a long way in our support for single mothers. In 2016, the extension of maternity leave for single mothers to 16 weeks marked a positive change in our attitudes towards single mothers. In 2019, MND indicated that all mothers are equal and are welcome to apply for HDB housing. We have, indeed, made headway over the past decade in supporting our single mothers and we must not stop here. I have spoken about the financial and mental hardships that single mothers face on various occasions. Not only do single mothers have less resources, compared to a two-parent family, but they also face the stigma of being unmarried, with the emphasis on parenthood within marriage in Governmental policies. Under the current framework, single mothers are not entitled to various benefits. As Member Louis Ng has pointed out, they are left out of the Baby Bonus scheme which provides a cash entitlement of $8,000 for the first and second child. Furthermore, although many single mothers are in the workforce, they are ineligible for parenthood tax rebates and reliefs, such as the Working Mothers Child Relief (WMCR). Although extending these benefits to single mothers may seemingly deviate from the traditional definition of a family unit, we must remember that the majority of single mothers are in their position due not to reasons within their control. We must ultimately be child-centric. Extending benefits, such as the Baby Bonus scheme to single mothers will benefit the child.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, thank you for allowing me to join the debate. The key message in this Bill is that the Government stands ever-ready to support couples in starting families and having children. The Bill also signals a continuing shift from the traditional notion of mothers being primary caregivers to children, emphasising the role of fathers in parenthood. There are two amendments of special note. First, the extension of benefits to parents of a stillborn child. There have been calls from various organisations to legitimise stillbirths as a significant life event. Many jurisdictions, such as the UK, have related policies to support women through stillbirth pregnancies. The trauma of stillbirth pregnancies cannot be understated; not only is there physical trauma, but what we must focus on is the lasting mental trauma it causes. I join Member Saktiandi Supaat in asking for the Government to support greater mental health support for this group of mothers. The extension of paternity leave and benefits to parents of a stillborn child will go a long way in reassuring couples that the Government acknowledges the mental trauma of stillbirths and will fully support these couples through such adversity. Second, the pandemic has brought forth many job changes. But structurally, accepting a new job meant that some expectant employees may not be statutorily entitled to maternity benefits if they have worked for less than three months. Under the amendments, the Ministry will now reimburse companies which voluntarily offer maternity and adoption leave to local female employees who have worked for less than three months despite not being required to do so.”
“Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank the Minister for his comprehensive answer. I have three clarifications. First, I note his point that the recovery in the aviation- and tourism-related sectors is likely to be weak. I would like to ask if he expects there to be permanent reduction in manpower requirements in these affected sectors. The second clarification is on students in affected sectors. There are students studying hospitality, aerospace, aviation courses. They are likely to have graduated this year, last year and in 2022. They are likely to face an uncertain future. How can we better help them to pivot or do we still continue to encourage them to enter those sectors? The third clarification would be on helping existing workers to transit. Would we be expected to provide grants, noting that many of these workers in these sectors tend to be older and find transition significantly more difficult because they have very limited runway left to transit to other sectors? Would there be a need for more concerted tripartite efforts to help them through their transition process?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I thank the Minister for his assurance and clarification. The need to get a flat urgently for young couples is significant and we also know that there is a significant delay because of COVID-19. I would like to ask the Minister if they can assure younger couples, or couples looking to get a place of their own, if there would be a significant increase in supply; therefore, being able to calm the market down and being able to keep resale flat prices at a reasonable level. I say this because we recognise increased subsidies can also lead to an escalation in resale transaction prices.”
“Mr Speaker, I would like to thank the Senior Minister of State for his very comprehensive reply. The Labour Movement would like to extend our support for the PWM. Of course, central to the Labour Movement has always been the issue of unemployment as we raise wages. So, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State, what are the safeguards that we can put in place to make sure that as we journey to the next milestone for PWM, we do not create undue unemployment? The next question would be —”
“I propose for the Ministry to ensure that the online tests are simple and comprehensible, while retaining the requisite substantive takeaways of the road traffic rules. Like many of the other Members before me who have spoken on the need for vernacular languages, indeed, many of these riders, including the delivery riders, are senior and they may need some support. Additionally, I would like to suggest to the Ministry to establish an online database of every person who has been conferred a theory test certificate. With the certificate being granted in digital form, it would be easier to unlawfully manipulate certificates. To ease transport companies' compliance to the new certificate requirements and perhaps reduce prosecution under section 47K, a database would go a long way towards ensuring that only competent PAB riders are allowed on the roads. Mr Speaker, Sir, the Bill is an important marker in charting the legal roles and responsibilities for PAB users and riders, especially those using or benefiting from PABs commercially. Stakeholders who play a significant role in contributing and benefiting from safe deliveries and road usage must similarly also share in the corresponding legal liabilities. Platform companies play an important role in our economy. Holding them liable and magnifying their role in road safety reflect their growing importance. Notwithstanding the above, I reiterate my support for the Bill.”
“While I do note that section 2 of the Interpretation Act defines "person" to include a "company", it would be helpful for the Ministry to clarify on whom will the liability attach on. The incentive schemes and penalties embedded within the structures of the payouts directly contribute to road safety. A platform company must know a route that a rider must take to deliver its assignment. It must then know the terrain and associated dangers. It must also know the number of hours that a rider has been on the job. This is clearly no different, for example, from a public transport operator knowing and being responsible for the hours worked by a bus captain. A review of the payout structures and time afforded for deliveries must be undertaken to align them with the new rules prescribed by the Ministry. In fact, I suggest that the Ministry review the payout structures and deployment mechanism from a workplace and road safety perspective. Additionally, I would like to call on platform companies to internalise the costs of the theory tests for their delivery riders. This would form part of the company's training efforts and its larger responsibility to other road users. This should be the case whether a delivery rider can afford to pay for the test or otherwise. The underlying rationale behind this is for platform companies to be cognisant of their responsibility to these workers who are indispensable to their operations. I propose for the Ministry, platform companies and the National Delivery Champions Association (NDCA) to work together to ensure the smooth administration of the theory test. We must bear in mind that some delivery riders might not be equipped to navigate these tests with ease.”
“The Bill is clearly in the right direction in pivoting towards greater responsibility on the part of riders. However, it is not so clear with regard to the operative and substantive role played by platform companies in the safety and behaviour of their riders. Delivery riders are themselves also vulnerable road users. They have a limited time to complete their job. It is not uncommon for them to take risks to avoid being penalised. This problem is worsened when riders are unaware of the road traffic rules. These workers also do not enjoy the statutory benefits under the Work Injury Compensation Act, or WICA, in the event of an accident. These companies might purchase third-party liability insurance now. Others might offer personal insurance coverage. However, the compensation amount and protection under WICA is still superior. I believe that platform companies must take on greater responsibility in safeguarding the safety of both their riders and other road users. Taking responsibility over the competency of the riders is the first step. Currently, section 47 imposes liability for allowing untested riders on the roads. Can I clarify and confirm that section 47K also applies to platform companies, such as the food delivery companies, which engage and allow untested riders on the roads? I would presume that these companies have liabilities because of their direct role in causing these untested riders to be on the road. Furthermore, if section 47K is intended to impose liability on platform companies, can the Ministry clarify whether the liability under section 47K attaches to the natural person who grants approval of the untested rider, or the company which the natural person is working for?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Bill. I would like to speak on the need to safeguard the safety of our delivery riders, or sometimes called platform workers, and the impact of the new theory test on these workers. I will also speak on how we can and need to go beyond the current set of amendments to improve the safety and working conditions of these delivery riders using PABs as a working tool. My fellow Labour Members of Parliament and I have spoken in Parliament on various occasions for the protection of platform workers. These workers make up a sizeable proportion of Singapore's growing gig economy. It is necessary to build a better eco-system of support for them. Clearly, more competent delivery riders translate into enhanced safety for all road users, including drivers and pedestrians. The online theory test also underscores the duty of PAB riders to be more responsible to other road users. Our aim is not to unduly penalise delivery riders, but to ensure that they are well-equipped with the requisite knowledge to enhance their safety on the road. Could the Ministry clarify when the requirement for the competency certificate will take place? While the theory test can be taken from 30 June onwards, I am concerned about the potential difficulties that delivery riders may face in meeting this requirement. We must not forget that a day a delivery rider does not have a competency certificate translates into a day without income. To not unduly penalise these workers, could the Ministry consider a transition period before the theory test requirement to ride on the road is effective? This will provide them with some time to comply with this new requirement.”
“Can the Ministry share with us its transition plan that balances our ambitions with support for our workers and economies? Second, it is not only just the oil and gas sector that faces intricate complexities. There are many other companies and their workers who depend on petrochemicals. For example, the logistics sector depend on an extensive fleet of delivery vehicles. The infrastructure and technology for them to transit to electric vehicles is still nascent. The future seems to be one where we seek to reduce carbon footprint progressively. Can the Ministry share how we can help these companies with the transition? Even so, there can also be opportunities within the low-carbon space. New industries and research outfits might be set up or evolved to provide new investments and jobs. Can the Ministry share what are these new jobs and industries that will be created? How can we better prepare our Singaporeans to take up such opportunities? Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage”
“Mdm Chairman, the green economy will significantly impact our SMEs. While larger companies are able to plan for this green future, SMEs might not have the resources to do so. The Government has introduced the Enterprise Sustainability Programme to help enterprises, especially that of SMEs, to grow their green capabilities and benefit from the new opportunities in the green economy. Can the Ministry share whether we will be providing additional support to the SMEs on top of what is provided under the programme? Can the Government also consider support and funds to companies that want to trial or introduce new green technologies to their current business operations? As the majority employer in Singapore, SMEs clearly need to play an outsized role in the green economy. What are the new roles that these SMEs would play in this new economic order? The oil and gas sector has been a fixture in Singapore's economy for more than a century. From having oil storage facilities in the late 1800s to the first oil refinery in the early 1960s to becoming one of the world's most important oil and chemicals hub, Singapore's fortunes have always been somewhat tied to petrochemicals. The sector continues to generate a significant portion of our GDP. It also hires many workers. While there is no doubt that we will move to a low carbon future because of existential climate reasons, that transition is likely to be fraught with complexities. First, we can simply shut the plants and go low carbon. But there will be massive loss of jobs in the oil and gas sectors and those supporting process sector companies. We will need to work with the oil and gas companies to adopt new technologies to transit to a low carbon future.”
“Chairman, I would like to thank Minister Josephine Teo, the public office holders, Permanent Secretary Aubeck Kam and the team of MOM officers for their ceaseless work over the last 14 months. They had been at the frontlines of COVID-19 and most of them still are. We know that many challenges and long hours await them as Singapore seeks to recover from the pandemic and tackle the structural forces. For that, we want to place on record for appreciation for the MOM officers. On that note, Chairman, I beg leave to withdraw my amendment. [(proc text) Amendment, by leave, withdrawn. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $7,075,047,900 for Head S ordered to stand part of the Main Estimates. (proc text)] [(proc text) The sum of $101,951,000 for Head S ordered to stand part of the Development Estimates. (proc text)]”
“Thank you, Mr Chairman. I have two matters for clarification. First of all, I want to thank Minister for acknowledging the work of the Labour Movement and affirmation of the importance of tripartism. The Minister mentioned about the Jobs Transformation Map. It is an important evolution in our transformation journey. Can the Minister update which are these 12 industries or sectors that will be in the first phase of this transformation? How many jobs are expected to be impacted and how can tripartite partners be part of this transformation? Secondly, including private sectors' search firms to assist in job search for PMEs and help SMEs find workers can be a good and an important game-changer for Singapore. How does the Minister see the role of such search firms vis-a-vis the current placement agencies such as WSG and e2i in the longer term development of job placement in Singapore?”
“Sir, in conclusion, as much as our MOM officers have worked extremely hard, I am afraid even more hard work awaits them. Singapore needs MOM to keep its eye focused on implementing our workplace safe management measures right, to implement our employment and workplace safety policies right so that our workers will continue jobs and work safely until Singapore has successfully tackled the COVID-19 pandemic. Sir, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“COVID-19 has also brought to the spotlight an important part of our workforce – which is the Self-Employed Persons (SEPs). SIRS was instrumental in helping our SEPs tide through a very difficult period. I had shared during the Budget debate on the need to level the playing field between the SEPs and the big platform companies and organisations. I would like to ask what are the Ministry's plans to strengthen retirement adequacy. This is a tricky trade-off to manage between their take-home income and preparing for the future. How would the Ministry also involve the companies to provide for these SEPs? Furthermore, many SEPs are not given training and are likely to be stagnant and lose productivity over time. How can we continue to develop and provide training for SEPs so that we can grow this segment of the workforce? Next, I would like to touch on our foreign domestic workers (FDWs) and how we can care for them. Over the last few weeks, we have heard unfortunate stories of FDWs being abused. NTUC's Centre for Domestic Workers or CDE was set up to help our FDWs. It has disbursed nearly $200,000 to 1,630 of them between 2016 and 2020. It has sheltered and supported more than 1,500 of them. It has a network of 1,000 volunteers and ambassadors who engage with them to identify those who require assistance, educate them about their rights, and about resources. What are the Ministry's future plans to further care for FDWs to prevent unfortunate abuse cases from happening again? How can organisations such as CDE complement the Ministry’s work? I hope that employment agencies can play greater roles in safeguarding the welfare of our FDWs even after a successful placement.”
“In the Labour Movement, we know the difficulty of retraining and finding worker another job. According to a New York Times article on 27 February 2021, unemployment is traumatic, affecting mental and physical health, and also erodes skillsets. We see that with our very own retrenched workers. A robust placement system is critical not only during this crisis but also to tackle structural dislocations. How would the Ministry continue to evolve our job placement system to deal with structural changes, especially for our PMEs? The structural forces also beg the question on how shall we evolve our foreign manpower system so that it serves both current and future needs? It has served companies well over the years as they could expand beyond our small local workforce size would allow. The question going ahead is how to help businesses to operate effectively while at the same time, allowing for the Singaporean Core to grow. These challenges can be difficult to balance. It can be difficult to tighten manpower quota without causing disruption to many companies. Industries are more complex now and so are their needs for manpower and talent. Many companies are involved in multiple industries and do not neatly fall into the five major sectors in the current system. Companies also need multi-skilled workers doing multiple roles. While we have critical shortages of local workers in some industries, our local workforce might have supply in many other places. And this can happen within the same sector amongst different job roles. This is not surprising considering how our educational and workforce profiles have changed rapidly over recent years. How can the Ministry balance such needs going forward?”
“Much time, and rightly so, were spent debating supporting our lower wage workers in the Budget debate. A key trend in many other countries has been the disproportionate number of lower income workers losing their jobs. How many low-wage workers did we manage to protect during this COVID-19 crisis? If these jobs are lost, then uplifting lower wage workers will only be doubly difficult. That we are able to moderate unemployment rates and maintain industrial peace even during very difficult times is not a matter of good fortune. The secret weapon we have is our special model of tripartism. Workers and companies are united with the Government to implement difficult cost-cutting measures. This has allowed us to manage costs and save jobs. I remembered representing the unions in the many prolonged and tense National Wage Council discussions last year. While understandably tense and sometimes heated, we were united in trust. That we would do our best to ensure the Singapore economy will survive and as many workers as possible remain in their jobs. I hope that while we look at refining manpower policies, we do not forget tripartism, Singapore's bulwark against debilitating economic forces. It has worked during every one of our crises. It has worked during the deepest of the COVID pandemic. We need to continue to safeguard and invest in it. COVID-19 has surfaced the highly disruptive forces of digitalisation and remote working. These are causing structural employment issues. It goes just beyond workers in Singapore being dislocated but also losing jobs permanently because of the ease of working online. Our decades-long investment in our training and placement system has allowed us to re-deploy workers quickly.”
“Chairman, I beg to move, "That the total sum to be allocated for Head S of the Estimates be reduced by $100". Since the start of the pandemic, the MOM has been charged with protecting the workforce from escalating unemployment and the threat of COVID as workers returned to work. The results are clear. One hundred and fifty-five thousand jobs were saved or created. Nearly 2% shaved off the potential increase in unemployment rate. To further judge the Ministry’s progress, it is perhaps instructive to examine much of our post-recovery Budget debate thus far. We had the chance to look at many longer term plans. But this would not likely have happened if our unemployment rates have tanked and not recovered. This stands in stark contrast to many overseas countries which are still deeply mired in COVID-19 cases and in the deepest of recession. Hong Kong's unemployment is at 7%, the US at 6.3% while Singapore is around 3%. I would like to thank our MOM officers who sacrificed and work day and night to stabilise the threat of COVID-19 in dormitories so that work could proceed safely and services could resume and they also kept our workers employed and the workplaces safe. So many thanks to Minister Josephine Teo and her team of MOM officers. Thank you very much. [Applause.] Even so, we know that we are not out of the woods and recovery is far from certain. We are always a big cluster or two away from falling off the recessionary cliff. In fact, the aviation, aerospace, hospitality and retail sectors still have years before they can recover. How would the Ministry support workers from these hard-hit sectors, especially if the Jobs Support Scheme is slated to end in September this year?”
“But with JSS winding down except for the hard-hit sectors, SMEs will need added relief support through grants and loans. As they are preoccupied with surviving the crisis, investment in capex is likely to take a backseat. This makes longer term survivability ominous. I suggest that we can enhance our enterprise development grant to help SMEs with their capex investment. SMEs must now cope with loan moratoriums and COVID-19-related measures coming to an end. There will be SMEs that have yet to see a material rebound in fortunes. I would like to ask the Ministry if it can continue to provide support for them through extension of loan payments or grant support. Amongst these SMEs could be good young start-ups. Losing such innovative SMEs could mean setting back our entrepreneurship scene. Late last year, Facebook announced a small businesses programme that supported companies with cash and ad credits. The latter help companies to drive business. There is value for us to pursue more of such programmes with our companies to help them drive better revenue growth. Navigating Fractured Globalisation”
“Mr Chairman, the most vexing story of the COVID-19 pandemic has been that economies have to deal with damaging cyclical forces from the virus and accelerated structural changes. Ironically, while the blueprint to manage the virus-related fall-out is perhaps seemingly clearer, that of the large structural forces are less understood. It has also questioned Singapore’s trade hub status. COVID-19 precipitated protectionism as countries critically re-examine the resiliency of their supply chains. Many vulnerabilities from long supply chains were unraveled. Companies would now need to rebalance their supply chains to manage their risks. As a node for global supply chains, Singapore will now need to re-examine how it can stay competitive. There is an added layer of complexity from the US-China tensions. Decisions on how and where to source for products and services are now mired in a web of trade tensions. Air travel and, consequently, aviation and hospitality sectors will change fundamentally. The ease of online collaboration would significantly alter our MICE activities. This has disrupted the eco-system of commercial activities that we had built up over time. Our hub strategy would need to adapt to the new trade climate. I would like to ask the Minister: how will Singapore operate amidst the cyclical challenges and ensure our competitive edge in the longer term? What are the global re-opening opportunities that we must seize now? Larger companies with more resources are better prepared to deal with such changes. Things are much less rosy for the SMEs. The changes will unduly affect them as they have less cash to manage disruptions. The Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) was a key support for these companies.”
“How can the Ministry better share complex foreign policies regularly so that Singaporeans can better understand our bilateral and multilateral initiatives? Strengthening Singapore's Relevance”
“Mr Chairman, there are currently 200,000 Singaporeans living abroad. For these Singaporeans, the MFA's Overseas Mission serves as the primary point of contact when they require any assistance. COVID-19 has placed some of these Singaporeans in a precarious state, especially for those in countries where the virus is less well-contained. Many of them would still be unable to return to Singapore for work or health reasons. COVID-19 has accentuated the need for Overseas Missions. Could the MFA provide an update on how it has provided consular assistance to Singaporeans abroad during the COVID-19 pandemic? What roles do MFA's Overseas Missions play in providing consular assistance and what should Singaporeans in need of such assistance do? What challenges does MFA face that require the public's support? Next, the strategic balance in the world is shifting due to the tussle between the United States and China. The world powers are going through a complex adaption to the new world order. Regional blocs and smaller countries have to similarly find its place in the new system. Furthermore, with Singapore as the fifth largest recipient of foreign direct investment inflows in the world, external developments will have a marked bearing on the future of every Singaporean. The COVID-19 pandemic's impact on critical food, medical supplies and vaccines are a good example of how complex international relations can have acute impact on Singapore's survivability in the longer run. Against the backdrop of a more participative and cosmopolitan citizenry and international relations frequently being played out on social media, can the MFA share how it has engaged with Singaporeans on our foreign policy and how fellow Singaporeans can play their part in it?”
“Over the last one year, the news headlines have understandably been dominated by the COVID-19 pandemic and US-China relations. However, we must not be distracted – terrorism is still present. The UN Office Of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCT) reported earlier this month that ISIS’ efforts to regroup and reinvigorate its activities have been gaining momentum amidst the pandemic. When the world is focused on fighting COVID-19, the terrorists could very well be planning their next attacks. Violent extremism may be closer than imagined, especially with the pandemic shrouding the threat of terrorism. Southeast Asia remains a key target for ISIS recruitment. This was, perhaps, most apparent in August 2020 when two female suicide bombers self-detonated in the Philippine city of Sulu amidst the height of the pandemic. Closer to home, the recent news of the deportation of a Malaysian man with alleged links to ISIS also shows the need to continually guard against external threats. We clearly cannot allow fighting terrorism to take a backseat amongst our priorities. As the world shifts towards a digital one, not only are we plagued by the concern of conventional terrorism, increasingly, that of unconventional ones such as cyberattacks and radicalisation. The latter threats are especially worrisome. The proliferation of various messages platforms which offers anonymity and encryption features also make it easier for terror groups to advance malicious activities. Mr Chairman, as seen from the aforementioned issues, the threat of terrorism is not only increasing, but evolving as we speak. I would be grateful if MINDEF could provide us with an update on how they are maintaining vigilance against terrorist threats, especially in relation to those in cyberspace.”
“Mr Chairman, the SAF plays a vital role in deterring potential aggressors and protecting the nation’s peace and stability. The face of defence is rapidly transforming. Rapid technological advancements have enabled militaries all over the world to become increasingly capable. The pandemic might have slowed down defence spending but it will certainly rebound. Countries will not abandon their efforts to modernise their military. Geo-political tensions demand so. Shifting multilateralism requires so. Conflicts continue to flare up globally, both on the battlefields and in the cyberspace. As a small country, our military size will always be limited. Thus, we need to make up for our size with the constant upgrading of SAF’s capabilities to take our nation into the new era of defence. The Next-Generation SAF vision was first introduced in 2019 by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen with the core objective of enabling the nation to better respond to security threats, especially in the new age of technology. Could MINDEF provide us with an update on the SAF’s progress towards building the Next-Generation SAF to better guard our national interests?”
“Mr Chairman, there has been a growing global emphasis on Environmental, Social and Governance or ESG goals. This reflects expanded role of companies in driving our environmental and social outcomes. And there is still vast potential still to be tapped, especially for private companies. Can the Ministry consider making it a requirement for larger private companies to report on their sustainability and gender diversity efforts in their annual returns? Their customers and business partners can then better decide how their resources can used to pursue our environmental and social aims. I understand that some companies have stayed privately held because of business considerations, some of which might be compliance requirements of public listing. However, there are significant number of private companies compared to listed ones. The latter which already have sustainability reporting requirements. Private companies can provide the added impetus for our Green Plan and gender diversity aims. We can strike a good balance by limiting to companies above a certain level of turnover or manpower size. 8.00 pm Next, can the Ministry also share on how Government grants are also used to drive sustainability and social outcomes? Can the Government share on its longer term plan to leverage on our procurement guidelines for good sustainability and gender diversity outcomes? Sovereign Wealth Funds and Green Investments”