Ellen Lee
Singapore
“Madam, I have one supplementary question for the Minister. Given the increasingly heavy responsibilities that our Regular servicewomen have played alongside their male counterparts, will the same opportunities be made available for servicewomen to be appointed the Chiefs of the Army, Navy, Air Force and the Chief of Defence Force, and eve…”
“Singaporeans are savvy in utilising technology to solve problems at work and good at using multimedia to make new friends, show concern for society, entertain themselves and share life experiences. Perhaps, we should use our creativity and think of ways to resolve community disputes without resorting to the use of law.”
“Sir, with more Singaporeans living longer than their parents, being healthy and able to work beyond retirement age becomes a common concern for adults with family commitments.”
“Madam, although much has been done to empower senior citizens to age graciously, there are still many who choose to conform to long-held norms, such as living quietly and modestly at home, reading, exercising and socialising little and focusing their attention on family and children.”
“Madam, with a rapidly ageing population and more people leading a longer life, care for the elderly is inevitable. However, ageing couples who have two or fewer children or no child at all are confronted with the prospect of there being no one to take care of them and their daily needs, especially when they are sick, feeble and weak.”
“Madam, the Community Mental Health Plan had a three-pronged focus: increasing awareness, expanding early intervention capabilities and integrating care with the community care. Could MOH provide an update on progress made so far?”
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“Madam, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] As a lawyer, I have been providing pro-bono legal advice to the community for the past 30 years. At times, I had helped female victims who suffered sexual harassment at the workplace, as well as women who were harassed or sexually harassed by strangers or even people familiar to them; some victims were young girls. Hence, the debate on the Protection from Harassment Bill is one that I have been looking forward to; it is also one that I fully support and is long overdue. At present, the victims of harassment can seek legal recourse or protection under the Miscellaneous Offences (Public Order and Nuisance) Act or the Women's Charter. If the act of harassment includes serious threats or even sexual offences, then offenders would have contravened provisions pertaining to criminal intimidation under the Penal Code. However, to the unfortunate victims whom I know, these provisions are completely useless. The problem is that the victims and their families cannot afford the expensive legal costs involved in applying for a protection order, injunction or expedited protection order to get the offenders to stop harassing them immediately. To the victims, the law puts the onus on them to provide Page: 131 sufficient evidence. This is very challenging, especially when the offenders are their supervisors at the workplace, whose words are unquestionable to others. Colleagues will not dare offend them either. Even if colleagues witness the entire incident, they will generally choose to remain silent to protect their livelihood. As for engaging a private investigator to gather evidence, victims often abandon that option as they cannot afford the high costs.”
“Madam, it has been observed by the PAP Women's Wing members at a dialogue last November that there needs to be more public education on preventive healthcare. As our society ages quickly and as we face more challenges in keeping healthcare costs affordable, it is in the interests of Singaporeans to understand the advantages of a preventive approach towards health. The Healthy Living Master Plan will empower Singaporeans to take ownership of their own health so that they can remain active and mobile for as long as possible even after retirement. What MOH has been sharing on the elements and initiatives related to the Master Plan is reassuring to all of us. When will the entire report be published and what can Singaporeans expect from it?”
“In the PAP Women's Wing's Position Paper on "Seniors in Singapore" which was released in February 2014, the authors highlighted the importance of educating Singaporeans to lead an active and healthy lifestyle from young. This is an increasingly urgent issue, especially for women, as our demographics revealed that women outlive men and according to media reports on women and exercise, a large number of women in Singapore, especially those aged 40 and above, do not exercise regularly. The Budget has provided generously for MediSave top-ups and higher polyclinic subsidies to assure Singaporeans that healthcare costs will be manageable. It is thus important that our national health education programme be rolled out as soon as possible. In this connection, would the Women's Health Advisory Committee be able to update Singaporeans on the milestones achieved so far? What plans does the Committee have to underline its core message of cultivating sustainable healthy lifestyle habits from young?”
“Mdm Chairman, at the PAP Women's Wing Dialogue on "Seniors in Singapore" held on 16 November 2013, Women's Wing members expressed concern for caregivers who often feel overwhelmed by the demands of their patients on a daily basis. But when their patients no longer need their services, some caregivers continue to feel stressed because they cannot find a job. Many of these caregivers are single women, usually daughters or sisters, who acquired caregiving skills and knowledge by trial and error through caring for their aged parents or their siblings. Quite a number of them had received formal training under the Caregivers Training Grant and, as such, they are valuable manpower resources. They often spend many months or even years taking care of their loved ones and when their loved ones have departed, they find themselves in need of a new job and, sometimes, healthcare. The stress caregivers feel is compounded by their lack of savings for housing and retirement, especially high healthcare costs in their own retirement years. Does MOH maintain a database of caregivers in Singapore? What is the profile of trained caregivers? Does MOH provide job matching services for them Page: 92 when their patients no longer require their services? Caregiver Support”
“Madam, the PAP Women's Wing presented its Position Paper at its annual Conference in February 2014 on "Seniors in Singapore". Of great concern to the Women's Wing activists is the growing number of sandwiched Singaporeans who feel overwhelmed trying to balance their career aspirations and their sense of duty towards aged parents who require assistance, both physical and financial, to go for health screenings, regular follow-ups and attend to other health-related matters. Given the need to wait for hours at polyclinics and hospitals, the stress that they feel is aggravated by employers and co-workers who are not always pro-senior in their attitudes. To support Singaporeans who want to play an active part in taking care of their aged parents or relatives and to uphold respect for our elders and filial piety, would MOM agree to mandate paid eldercare leave in the same way that childcare leave for young children is mandated? Parent-care Leave”
“Mdm Speaker, the Minister's comprehensive reply has taken away two out of my three supplementary questions, but I still have one more – thank goodness. Do we still need to buy raw water now that we have our own reservoirs, desalination plants and NEWater?”
“Thank you, Chairman. On defence relationship with major powers, the occurrence of a number of events has contributed to the increasing Page: 162 tension in our region. The spat between the major powers over China's declaration of its Air Identification Zone, the Japanese premier's controversial visit to Yasukuni shrine, the unresolved territorial disputes in the South China Sea and North Korea's threats to declare war if provoked are among the events that warrant serious reflection on how the security of the region is being affected. Singapore has consistently pursued its policy of harmonious coexistence with our neighbours and friendly nations beyond the region. What is MINDEF's assessment of our situation in the wake of these recent events that have attracted attention across the globe? Has MINDEF's review of its current defence relationships with major powers affected plans to advance our defence relationships? Overseas Training Defence Ties On overseas training defence ties, a very significant part of SAF's training is conducted overseas. Over the years, we have been carefully cultivating suitable partners to ensure the effectiveness of our training programmes. It is common knowledge that we have many partners, which include the USA, France, Australia, New Zealand, Germany and others. I would like to request MINDEF to provide an update on our defence ties with key partner countries, especially those with which we have training arrangements. Have the partnerships affected in any way the different aspects of our training programmes, such as the length of training and the impact on SAF officers?”
“My grassroots leaders shared with me their observations about how National Service (NS) is now regarded as a distinctive part of the Singapore identity and an integral part of the change from Ah Boy to Man. The proactive efforts of the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) to engage Singaporeans are commendable. To many young boys, NS is regarded as a rite of passage to adulthood, an important part of their obligation and duty to the nation. At the same time, more Singaporeans are eager to share their ideas on how to make NS more meaningful. What are some of the findings of the CSNS' efforts to engage Singaporeans so far? Are these findings made available to students, especially the "O" level students who offer Social Studies? Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) Proposals”
“Chairman, there has been much media attention on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, in no small measure due to the number of countries involved. Additionally, there is also concern over the presence of pirates. It does not seem likely that these concerns would diminish in a short time. As such, Singapore is clearly vulnerable because we are an island nation. We have been careful in forging meaningful diplomatic ties and strategic relationships in our efforts to ensure homeland security. I would like MINDEF to provide an update on how the SAF is contributing to homeland security efforts, particularly the protection of our maritime waters. Long-term, Steady Investment in Defence”
“Thank you, Chairman. I have a question for the Minister. The Minister mentioned about Ukraine and I am just interested to know how the Minister interprets this situation. The US and almost all of Europe are condemning Russia for what they did in Crimea. But China's President has actually been contacting the Russian President and both have reaffirmed their good relationship. Given what China is doing currently in East China and the South China Sea, would that be taken as a further manifestation of Chinese intention that instead of condemning Russia for what she is doing in Crimea, China is actually supporting what Russia is doing?”
“The rising tensions between these two nations have been manifested not just in the increased frequency of military exercises in the region reported by the media but also by their respective allies' responses as both nations' top ranking officials go around the world to gain support for their respective stands. Singapore has been consistent in its stand that we want to be friends with all countries and that we respect every nation's right to determine its own fate. It is necessary that we remain alert to changes in our external environment in order not to be taken by surprise when adverse changes occur. Page: 126 What is MFA's assessment of the current state of affairs? Is war likely as commentators rush to offer their views on this worrying prospect? How will ASEAN be affected?”
“Mr Chairman, ASEAN's 2015 Community Goal is an ambitious one spanning diverse realms such as ASEAN GDP, ASEAN living conditions, ASEAN as favourite Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) destination and ASEAN trade in goods and services. Good progress has been made in these realms although economic recovery worldwide is slow. As we approach 2015, what is Singapore's focus going to be and how will the ASEAN Community help our economy to grow, particularly when growth is expected to be slow compared with the past few years? In what way does the existing regional architecture enable us to engage the major powers who wield considerable economic power and political influence on the region's affairs? ASEAN Post-2015 The world views ASEAN as having done well. In a world of lacklustre economic growth, especially in EU, growth in ASEAN countries has been the envy of people in the West. ASEAN citizens are growing more affluent despite large income gaps between the haves and the have-nots, more educated and widely travelled. There is a great deal of Foreign Direct Investment and, on the whole, people in ASEAN are young, energetic and hungry for growth. That good progress has been made in achieving ASEAN's 2015 Community Goal is clear. We should now focus on whether ASEAN has plans beyond 2015. What are the implications of these plans for Singapore? Regional Developments On regional developments, China's rapid economic and military growth have been assessed to be a challenge to America's undisputed leadership in the post-war.”
“After their parents pass on, they often face financial difficulties when buying a flat or getting a job. I hope the Government can give more housing grants to these caregivers and help them return to the workforce, so they do not have to worry about their life after retirement. On the other hand, media reports show that more and more Singaporeans are living alone. The reasons are varied, including divorce, widowed and separation. They face many challenges, the foremost being their children's Page: 123 education. For this group of needy Singaporeans, we should give them more attention. At the annual conference of the PAP Women's Wing held on 8 February 2014, I proposed four suggestions in relation to senior care, namely, healthcare, housing, employment and a pro-elderly society. I hereby reiterate the Women's Wing stance and hope that the Government can take them into consideration, so that we can look after our elders' welfare even better. 5.36 pm”
“Placing pioneers at the centre of the Budget underlines our belief that Singapore stands for self-reliance, love for our children, concern for their future and willingness to serve the community. The Budget reflects a country of resilient people who are grateful and determined to thrive on challenges to take Singapore into the next lap. Mr Deputy Speaker, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Deputy Speaker, at the Budget dialogue held at my constituency, many residents expressed their support for the $8 billion Pioneer Generation Package to look after the 450,000 Pioneer Generation Singaporeans. They are our national treasures. The Pioneer Generation Fund symbolises that our society not only pays attention to economic development but also values the importance of cultivating traditional values among our people. Respecting the elderly and being grateful for what we have today are indispensable values for building a sustainable society. I am pleased that the Government is doing it now and, even more so, to see that we have the ability to set aside such a large sum to look after our national treasures because the Government has been practising prudent financial policies over the years. I have two suggestions for the relevant Government agencies to consider. First, there is a group of Singaporeans who do not seem to get any benefits from the Budget and they are none other than the loving caregivers who wholeheartedly look after the elderly parents or grandparents at home. Most of them are single women. Some look after their sick relatives full-time, some part-time. They spend most of their savings on their parents' medical expenses.”
“Many in the sandwiched class worry about depleting their own MediSave accounts because of their parents' increasingly high healthcare costs, which mean that their children may suffer from the same problem looking after them in the future. This is understandably worrying for Singaporeans whose parents are not pioneers and suffer from chronic and other illnesses. More public education is needed to assure Singaporeans that besides MediSave top-ups, there will be more subsidies at the polyclinic and, for large hospitalisation bills, they will get help under MediShield Life. Some residents who are in need but do not come under existing help schemes should approach the community or grassroots leaders to seek assistance. It is clear that we have to work harder on public communication programmes, so that all Singaporeans understand the significance of the Pioneer Generation Package. In simple terms, it benefits both the old and the young as more subsidies for the old would mean a diminished burden for the young looking after them. Our grassroots leaders must be deployed to explain this to residents. At the level of the individual who has to support aged parents, more MediSave and polyclinic subsidies from the Government means that less cash is needed for health-related expenses. In short, younger Singaporeans who are paying for their parents' healthcare costs will benefit from this Page: 122 generous Budget. The Budget delivers a moral message that goes beyond teaching the importance of appreciation and gratitude to our parents and the Pioneer Generation who have given us what we enjoy having today.”
“Let us celebrate their lives wholeheartedly without thoughts about how other efforts to protect or safeguard the nation should also be given credit. Make this gesture of appreciation with genuine gratitude in our hearts, for many of our pioneers have little, practically none, to save for their retirement due to poor education and lowly-paid jobs. Page: 121 This Budget provides support for pioneers financially and reconnects them with society. We, who have benefited from their efforts decades ago, should now support in spirit and thus give meaning to the idea of a compassionate and inclusive society. To younger Singaporeans who do not realise the extent of the self-sacrifice our pioneers made in the extremely tough years following Independence, try to ask if we are serving our country well and not whether our country has served us well. We should emulate our pioneers' example by doing the best we can, for our family, for our children, for Singapore. I am not dismissing the efforts different groups of people are making to defend the country, to grow the economy or to foster a strong cultural identity. I believe that all efforts will be duly recognised by future generations in due course. For Budget 2014, the Pioneer Generation Package is intended to assure pioneers that we are grateful and want to do more to make them healthy and happy in their golden years. It also teaches young Singaporeans to respect and appreciate our elders. A second observation is that many residents asked if the money set aside to top up non-pioneers' MediSave accounts will be adequate.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I am very pleased to inform you that like all my colleagues who spoke before me, most of my residents and I feel that we must support this year's Budget wholeheartedly because it is very special in its inclusion of a Pioneer Generation Package. Many hearts have been won. Most residents say that our Government cares and dares to act boldly, decisively to protect our seniors and help their children bear a financial burden with a master stroke, never seen before. And they applaud it! At our dialogue, some Singaporeans felt left out. These are younger Singaporeans, in particular, NSmen who felt that they, too, should have the benefits provided by the Pioneer Generation Package. Such a response shows a lack of appreciation for our pioneers' spirit when they gritted their teeth and took on any job they could in the early years of Independence. It shows, too, that the Government's aim to remind Singaporeans about how a strong pioneering spirit lies beneath the success we enjoy today has not hit home. Perhaps, this has to do with how our elderly people are being perceived in society and the sudden accolades for our elderly, who are often portrayed as frail and weak, have caught the younger Singaporeans by surprise. The objective of this special package acknowledges our pioneers who embodied DNAs of resilience, sacrifice and mutual help that contributed immeasurably to Singapore's survival in a harsh, hostile world. Without these brave individuals, there would not have been the prosperous Singapore that many of us take for granted today. Let us celebrate the lives of our pioneers as we continue to build on the strong social, economic and cultural foundations which were achieved with their unwavering dedication.”
“Let us give them more trust and continue to support the maintenance of public order. 5.04 pm”
“According to Singapore's laws, the Government could actually invoke the wider ranging Public Order (Preservation) Act, but it did not wish to use such draconian measures. Instead, it chose to introduce a temporary Bill with a validity period of 12 months. This temporary Bill will enable law enforcement officers to take actions against behaviours not amounting to criminal offences. For example, officers can order people to leave the Special Zone before they can even cause any public disturbance. Put simply, these are controlled yet important measures to ensure our safety. Some community leaders feel that in order to lower the risk of similar rioting incidents from happening, we must take different, more proactive measures in educating foreign workers coming from different cultural background on how Singapore laws emphasise public order. One suggestion is to detail what had happened in the riot through a slide presentation shown by employers to their foreign workers and explain to these foreign workers the severe consequences of breaking public order. At the same time, we must encourage more Singaporeans to join community involvement programmes, so as to understand how to react calmly in a crisis and, as much as possible, help to allay the emotions in the community and assist law enforcement officers, Police and SCDF officers to restore public order as soon as possible. Lastly, I would like to commend our law enforcement officers. Facing a bottle-throwing, window-smashing mob, they defied dangers and demonstrated great courage and managed to arrest the rioters without firing a single shot. All these have demonstrated the capability and efficiency of our law enforcement officers. The Bill will give more teeth to their enforcement efforts.”
“[Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I support the Public Order (Additional Temporary Measures) Bill. Based on feedback from my residents and community leaders, many Singaporeans believe we must adopt stricter measures against those who have broken public order, so as to deter similar incidents from happening again. Some media reports say that this Bill seems to be targeting a certain racial group, and, thus, it is discriminatory. I feel this is not what Singaporeans would generally think. In fact, most people are concerned about safety in the community. The rare, large-scale riot occurred last December made many Singaporeans concerned with the possible reoccurrence of a similar event, and the safety of their family and children. Undoubtedly, we have become accustomed to the safe living environment for many years, and have taken good public order for granted, thinking that the situation would never change. In a media interview, Minister Shanmugam once said, "Although this is an isolated incident, can we say for sure that it will not happen again? Or shall we proactively find out the root causes and do everything we can to prevent this from happening again?" His comment has reflected the thoughts of many people. How to make sure riots will not happen again, and how to protect the Police and SCDF officers from injuries while maintaining public order has become something that is of the utmost concern right now. Once the Bill is passed, it will allow law enforcement officers to implement those measures more effectively. For example, upon discovering an offence by a merchant or a suspected offence by him, the Police can immediately suspend or revoke his licence. The Police can also take actions against anyone who is a Page: 78 threat to public order in the Special Zone.”
“These supplies were handed over to the Philippine Embassy in Singapore by the Minister for Foreign Affairs. On the regional front, the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) was proactive in assisting the Philippines. An emergency team was despatched to the Philippines one day before the typhoon made landfall to assess the situation and coordinate relief efforts on the ground. ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh, in his capacity as the ASEAN Humanitarian Assistance Coordinator, also visited the disaster-hit areas and met with Philippine officials to discuss how ASEAN could further contribute to recovery efforts. The Philippines is now embarking on the arduous task of reconstruction and rehabilitation. This will require support from ASEAN and the international community. We will continue to do what is within our means, both bilaterally and through ASEAN, to assist and support the Philippines in its recovery and reconstruction process.”
“Mdm Speaker, Question No 38, please. The Second Minister for Foreign Affairs (Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs): Madam, Singapore was one of the first countries to render assistance on the ground to the Philippines in the immediate aftermath of Typhoon Haiyan. MINDEF deployed two RSAF C-130 aircrafts to bring across and distribute a substantial amount of essential relief supplies like tents, blankets and medical supplies to communities devastated by the typhoon. At the Philippines' request, one C-130 remained behind to support the Philippine government's relief efforts, ferrying relief supplies and personnel between Tacloban, one of the worst-hit cities, and Manila. Our SCDF promptly deployed a two-man team to assist the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) in emergency relief efforts in the affected areas. The Singapore Government also donated S$200,000 to kick-start the Singapore Red Cross' (SRC) fundraising effort for the typhoon victims. The SRC Page: 20 has so far raised S$9.4 million, thanks to the outpouring of generosity from Singaporeans. This was complemented by the fund-raising and humanitarian efforts of Non-governmental Organisations like Mercy Relief, and local groups which organised charity concerts and sporting events. Many of these efforts are still ongoing, which is a testament to the solidarity and deep kinship that Singapore shares with the Philippines. We also asked the Philippines what supplies they most urgently required so that we could send them these items directly. Less than a week after MINDEF's first deployment, the Singapore Government contributed several tonnes of potable water, and 90 boxes of medical supplies.”
“The older the parents are, the higher their expectations of the child. I think many parents are emphasising too much on academic results and this has caused a lot of stress for the children. Meanwhile, they have neglected the holistic character development of their children. Hence, we need to put more emphasis on how to raise our children correctly. My last point is regarding feedback that I have received from my residents. In Woodlands, there is a resident who noted that in January 2013, we announced higher subsidies for procreation and now we are discussing the ART Bill. People get the impression that the Government is focusing too much on procreation measures. He thinks that there is a need to discuss in the community the real reason behind low birth rate – the reason is that young couples in the more fertile age are too focused on their career success, and they do not want to consider marriage, family, children and things that are closely associated with their own happiness. That is why many people are marrying late in life. Late marriages have caused some couples to be unable to conceive; they subsequently pin their hopes on ART. This resident thinks that higher medical subsidies will encourage more young people to marry late. We also have to take note of the possible social problems that ART may bring in the future, and the issues that we discuss in this House may also become more complicated. I agree with that view and I hope that the different Ministries will conduct seminars in the community and focus on the issues that ART may lead to. We should encourage young people to focus on families and children and not just on their career success. Sir, I repeat my support for this Bill. 5.50 pm”
“Once we pass this Bill, the legitimate husband of the wife, as long as he has consented to his wife undergoing ART, even if she were to accept the sperm from another male donor; or if he accepts that the child is his, then he will be specified as the legitimate father of the child. And that means he will have to discharge the legal responsibilities as a father. Singapore is a relatively conservative Asian society. Such a peculiar father-child relationship is something that is quite alien to us. How do the children, when they grow up, understand that there are differences vis-a-vis other children and how will his parents explain their actions for using ART? And if the child wants to know who his father is, will his parents be mentally prepared to answer that question? The Government, in January this year, announced higher subsidies for those who are unable to conceive so that they can make use of ART to fulfil their dream of having children. Personally, I suggest that the Government give further subsidies for these couples to undergo training in child psychology so that they will understand the kind of issues that their children will face in the future. They should also understand the kind of academic pressure that their children will face so that even if they want the best for their children, they should not spend so much time on getting various tuition teachers, piano teachers or swimming coaches for the children. According to media reports, there are some Singaporeans who have gone overseas for ART and they stated that they wanted a son. That is because Singapore does not allow couples to do gender selection. This demonstrates Page: 93 that the conservative mindsets in Singapore are still deep seated.”
“[Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Deputy Speaker, with regard to this Bill, I support it and I have the following comments. According to MOH figures, the number of children born through Assisted Reproduction Technology (ART) rose significantly from 2006 to 2010. Our laws do not have specific stipulations on the legitimacy of parenthood. For example, if a woman gives birth to a child conceived from a sperm donated by a man other than her lawful husband, or if there is a mistake in the insemination process, then it will become difficult to determine who the legitimate father of the child is. Undoubtedly, this is a legal loophole that must be plugged. That is Page: 92 why this Bill is of utmost significance to children born through ART. From the perspective of the unborn child, I agree that the laws must specify who the parents of the child are so that the unborn child can also enjoy the same legal rights of receiving care and protection from his parents. This Bill is a reminder that even as we use technology to solve problems of mankind, we must also spare a thought for the repercussions that technology may bring as well as the implications for our future generations. Our country is built on the premise of fairness and equality and therefore we must use our laws to ensure that children born through ART will also have the equal right of receiving care and love from his parents, just as we do for all citizens. Clearly, this Bill's objective is not to allow any young life, in the absence of his or her voice, to become an option for adults to decide whether they want to fulfil their legal responsibilities or not.”
“Mdm Chair, I have three clarifications for the Minister on the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA). In the LPA, there is a column that asks if there are people to be notified of the making of the LPA. Personally, I do not think this is wise because it gives the persons to be notified the wrong idea that they have a right to stop the LPA from being made for whatever reasons if they are not the ones who are given the LPA. That is the first one. The other thing is also the period of time that is taken to wait for these people to object is six weeks. I think it is very long. There are some instances where people just cannot wait. Also, can Minister consider allowing the age limit of the person to be appointed as "donee" under the LPA, to be set at 18 instead of 21? In certain families, there are really no eligible persons other than their own children and these are children who are teenagers who could be possibly considered to be a donee for the LPA. The other clarification is that although there is a clause that says that the contents of the LPA have to be interpreted to the person making the LPA – maybe because he or she does not understand English – notwithstanding that, the person making the LPA, usually the elderly persons and people who do not understand English, would still like to see them either in Chinese or in languages other than English. Would the Minister consider putting this in place as well so as to facilitate the making of the LPA?”
“According to the OPG's Annual Report 2011, there were about 28,000 dementia patients then and an estimated 80,000 by 2030. The Mental Capacity Act came into effect on 1st March 2010. However, the number of people who Page: 181 registered their LPA was above 1,600 as of 31 March 2012. The take up rate is too slow and too low. Despite publicity efforts by the OPG, why are the numbers not heading north? As this is a form-filling exercise involving a registration fee, I would like to suggest that OPG helps the person to complete the form and waive the registration fee if it is done for the first time. For repeat registrations, it will be fair to impose an appropriate fee to cover the administrative costs. I believe that in so doing, more people will come forward to get their LPA done. More Help for Special Needs Singaporeans”
“Sir, I declare my interest as a practising lawyer in this area. No one is spared from sudden incapacity. Media have carried news of apparently young and healthy people who suddenly collapsed and never regained consciousness, or met with an accident and became incapacitated overnight. However, such misfortune is age and wealth blind and it can happen to anyone, anywhere. The catastrophe is when this person is the sole breadwinner in the family and the suddenness of this misfortune throws the whole family into chaos, especially when all financial matters are controlled by this person alone. There are so many bills to be paid, including medical bills for his surgery and treatment, loans for housing, credit cards, overdraft facilities, insurance, cars, education and renovation, water and utilities bills, Town Council charges and so on. All these are recurring monthly payments and any default would attract demand letters, court actions and cutting off of water and electricity supplies. In order to access the patient's bank accounts, his next of kin must first apply to court for an order to do so as well as to act for the patient in all aspects of his life. This is not only time consuming but also expensive. With advance planning, there is a quicker and cheaper way of protecting one's family from such disaster if it should happen. The Lasting Power of Attorney is the answer to this ordeal. It allows a person above 21 years old and mentally sound to register this legal document with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) so that the person named can legally make decisions on this person's behalf should he become mentally incapacitated, without having to get a court order.”
“Mdm Chair, MOH has consistently been promoting health screening for women. At ground level, I have led a few organisations, including the HPB and the Singapore Cancer Society, to hold at least eight roadshows called "Celebrate Wellness" since 2010 till now to promote healthy lifestyle and wellness in general and breast screening for women aged 50 to 69 years old, in particular. However, despite sending personal invitations to eligible women who need to pay only $25 for a mammogram and another $25 for follow-up screening two years later, the response was disappointing. It seems to me that it may not be an affordability issue but other root causes that have still eluded us. I wonder if a holistic whole-life approach to women's health is to be preferred than a disease, specific intervention approach. Perhaps, it is not affordability of the tests but the changing of health behaviour, lifestyle, addressing risk factors, although the presence of risk factors does not mean the happening of the risk. Would it be more effective or efficient to focus on vulnerable groups, such as those from lower income or low educational level? Can the Minister please share with us the success rate of the screening at national level? Are there new plans in relation to women's health screening Page: 102 programmes? Are there new preventive measures targeted at women?”
“Mdm Chair, Singapore has become a very stressful society where people often demand for instantaneous results. This has to a large extent impacted our physical health, personal well-being, family and inter-personal relationships. For people who can cope or are open to seeking help, they can safely claim to be sane, save perhaps for some idiosyncrasies that may raise eyebrows but cannot be called "insane". But for people who cannot realise their own abilities or cope with the daily stresses of family, work, neighbours and relationships, they may act strangely and be unkindly labelled as "insane"! As they bottle up their anger, frustrations and hurt, they become even more distanced from their family, friends and community. For many years, counselling has become prevalent in Singapore. However, there are still people who view counselling with suspicion as they think it pries into their privacy. Many people still resist counselling as it is perceived to be for people who have done wrong or who are emotionally or mentally weak. In some developed countries, mental health and substance abuse go hand-in-hand. They have affected people from all walks of life, intensify personal suffering and interfere with family and life goals. I would like to ask the Minister if substance abuse is common among the patients who encounter mental health issues. What more can the Ministry do to promote mental wellness and what are the plans the Ministry has to encourage Singaporeans not to stigmatise or discriminate against victims of mental wellness and their caregivers or family members? Page: 98 Mental Healthcare”
“Have the Experts' Working Groups within the ADMM-Plus that were set up to look into humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, counter-terrorism, peace-keeping operations and medical aid expanded their scope of operations? If so, what are the other areas? Which countries were such assistance and relief provided to and how successful were they? Can MINDEF provide an update on the progress of the ADMM-Plus and the extent of MINDEF's contributions to these efforts and what more will MINDEF be doing in this aspect? International Deployments Mdm Chair, on international deployments, the SAF has contributed to international peace-keeping efforts by sending our troops to countries like Afghanistan. So far, our soldiers have done a wonderful job in the peace-keeping process, and worked alongside troops from other participating countries, learning and gaining valuable insights and experiences that would otherwise not be available to us as we live in a relatively combat-free region. 6.00 pm The media reported suicide bombings by the Taleban, which raised questions of the security of troops belonging to nations contributing to the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan. Can MINDEF provide an update on our contributions to the reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan? Our SAF has also been contributing to the anti-piracy efforts at the Gulf of Aden in order to ensure safe passage of ships and vessels passing through the Gulf. The online media have reported a decrease in piracy in the Gulf of Aden this year but this state of affairs is considered fragile. Can the Minister give an update on our contributions to the international counter-piracy efforts in the Page: 151 Gulf of Aden? Prudent and Optimal Use of Resources”
“Mdm Chair, Singapore's security and stability are inevitably dependent on our ties with our neighbours – Malaysia and Indonesia – given our close proximity. What is the state of our bilateral defence relationships with our immediate neighbours and has the recent intrusion of a small group of Filipino militants into Sabah affected these relationships in any way? The major powers play an important role in the security and stability of our region. How has MINDEF continued to advance our defence relationships with major powers like the US and China? Given North Korea's threats to continue with its nuclear tests, does MINDEF intend to change the direction of its efforts? MINDEF previously announced that it had agreed to the US' request to deploy the Littoral Combat Ship to Singapore on a rotational basis. Can MINDEF provide an update on the deployment and the reactions of regional neighbouring countries, including China? The support of key partners like Australia and France is critical to the SAF, given that the SAF conducts a significant portion of its training overseas. Can Page: 150 MINDEF provide an update on our defence ties with key partner countries, particularly those which we have training arrangements with? Regional Security Architecture Next, on regional security architecture. The ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus is an off-shoot of the ADMM. It is an important regional institution established in Hanoi in 2010 that brings together the defence establishments of the 10 ASEAN countries and eight other key regional players, namely, Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the USA for dialogue and practical cooperation.”
“Mdm Chair, through suspending sanctions on Myanmar, acceding to ASEAN's Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, and completing a successful ministerial meeting in April 2012, the EU has shown strong interest in upgrading its relationship with ASEAN. It is widely felt that the EU could do more in economic relations and cultural exchanges. Can the Minister please explain why Singapore seems to have taken a longer time to conclude its FTA negotiations with the EU and how it was clinched? What plans does MFA have to actively encourage people-to-people exchanges or promote cultural ties between the EU and Singaporeans? Next, recently, the media reported that Temasek Holdings paid 1 billion euros for shares in Repsol, Spain's biggest oil company. Repsol sold shares to protect its credit rating and, for Singapore, this purchase represents her biggest investment in Spain. How will this purchase benefit Singapore or improve our bilateral relations? The late President Hugo Chavez of Venezuela, Latin America's symbol of socialism, died on 5 March 2013, after being in office for 14 years. Media reported that the controversial, anti-America leader was much loved by poor Venezuelans for his populist policies funded by the country's vast oil reserves. It is not clear if his appointed successor, Vice President Nicolas Maduro, will win the coming elections and carry on with his populist policies. In what way will Singapore's relations with Venezuela be affected by the political upheaval? Besides Venezuela, what is the extent of Singapore's engagement of emerging markets in Latin America? How does MFA assess the progress, and what more will MFA be doing? Page: 19 12.30 pm Relations with Latin America”
“It will also strengthen family cohesion. The funding for this initiative can follow the framework of the Wage Credit Scheme where those from low-income and single-parent families could attend the courses free of charge. (In English): Mdm Speaker, my final point is about the importance of appreciating the Budget's future-orientation. We should get as many Singaporeans as possible to be engaged in understanding the spirit of the Budget. Let us also involve our youths in schools through their Social Studies programme for the Budget will affect their future a great deal. Highlight to them the importance of balancing income and expenditure. Highlight, too, the Page: 79 importance of planning ahead to ensure our continued prosperity. Much is at stake so we should all be reminded that unless we work together as one people, what we plan so hard for will not happen. Mdm Speaker, I thank the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance for this future-oriented Budget which I support. 3.23 pm”
“Such a statement will mislead children into thinking that learning is like a race with his classmates. If I lose, then others will win. We should not see learning as a race. We want to build an inclusive society where everyone is respected regardless of background or if he has special talents, but rather because we are all Singaporeans, we are one body. I would like to remind parents not to just focus on preschool education. Every stage of learning requires attention as our children are not in a sprint but a marathon full of challenges and uncertainties ahead. It requires more than personal abilities, team work is also needed. Therefore, it is important to learn how to respect one another and work together from a young age. Next, I would like to talk about another topic related to preschool education: the benefits of family support for children. Modern women face many challenges in life and have to balance different roles. Their stress levels were increasing, especially so for those who have to deal with education issues for children from 4 to 12 years old. With rapid changes in technology, society and the environment, students also face higher stress in schools. Faced with these two different types of stress daily, mothers no doubt are in a fix on how to handle the situation. Therefore I urge the Government to put in resources for MOE to conduct courses for mothers to learn how to coach their young children, to conduct effective revision of what children learnt in school, to encourage independent thinking and to help their children build confidence. It is often said that a mother is the first and most important teacher of every child, encouraging mothers to spend more time teaching their children is beneficial to their holistic development.”
“The truth is, we have preschools, but they are not the brand names which some parents aspired to send their children to. The mindset for some of these parents appeared to be that quality preschool means higher fees are charged, more homework assignments are given or longer vocabulary lists are issued weekly. There was also resistance to the idea that learning through play fosters a healthy growth of the child's imagination. The reason for this is that knowing the right answers to test questions is best for getting ahead of others. In Mandarin, Mdm Speaker. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] On one of the long-term objectives of the Budget ‒ to improve social mobility ‒ I suggest that the Government help parents to understand what the Government is doing to improve the quality of preschool education. Some parents may have some misunderstandings in this area as our intention is not to ensure that their children can get admitted to the primary school of their choice, one which they think could help their children do well in examinations. What we want to achieve is to provide a more or less similar foundation for every child, to Page: 78 cultivate good and sustainable learning habits, good values, a strong love for learning, respect their friends, and love for the country. To get into the primary or secondary school of their parents' choice would depend on other factors, which include how parents guide their learning and how they inculcate discipline. I noticed, for this matter, the media chose a stand which I personally disagree with, that is, to describe putting more resources into preschool education as "not to let the children lose out at the starting line".”
“Perhaps Page: 77 we should talk about raising productivity by exploring the use of technology to support self-care and physician substitution for routine and less complex care. We should also tap on community resources to do more to encourage our healthy but not so well-off elderly citizens to go for medical screenings and seek help early for their medical problems. It has been suggested by healthcare professionals that healthy citizens be allowed to use their MediSave funds without the current restrictions and not when they are sick. I think that would make many of my elderly residents happier than some of the Budget announcements mentioned. I would like to comment next on the initiatives to promote inclusiveness and social mobility. Social mobility is close to the hearts of many of my residents, notably the young parents. During the Sembawang GRC Singapore Conversation end of last year, I assured some anxious mothers concerned about the quality of preschool education for their children that the Government would do more to meet their aspirations. Obviously, I welcome the announcement that there will be more preschool Anchor Operators in the market and that by 2017, there will be an additional 16,000 spaces for preschool children. Some of the parents I spoke to, I believe, are not as easily pleased. The concern of many young parents is not about accessible preschools. For some, it is about having a choice of preschools that are perceived as effective in helping their children cope with the demands of a "branded" Primary school, followed by an established Secondary school and eventually a good University. I was asked about the lack of choice of preschools in Woodlands.”
“I have no job, no children to turn to, I can't afford to repeat the last ordeal of having to pay a few hundred dollars in cash for my stomach problems because the Government said I cannot use more money from my MediSave account." In Mandarin, Madam. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Madam, a Grassroots Leader who works as a doctor at a polyclinic shared with me that some low-income patients do not want to undergo medical checkups recommended by doctors because they cannot afford to pay for them. This, to him, is a worrying trend. With an ageing population and rising healthcare cost, many people will face the same plight: they will have less family support as families are smaller, some who do not have children will have no one to turn to when they are old, sickly and need financial help in medical expenses. I think besides providing hospitalisation subsidies, the Government should also help older Singaporeans with expenses of medical screenings, and allow them to use more from their MediSave, so that they could have better knowledge of their ailment and undergo treatment. This is related to another issue, that is, to strengthen our primary care so that elderly citizens will be able to obtain more affordable and accessible medical services. In this way, with their doctor's recommendation and Government-funded medical screenings, elderly Singaporeans from the low-income group could seek medical help before their condition becomes critical. (In English): I also receive feedback about the elderly citizens' polyclinic experience which further discourages them to visit the doctor for medical screening advice. The waiting time is too long. The place is crowded.”
“Mdm Speaker, Budget 2013 is a future-oriented Budget. It reminds Singaporeans that we have to think ahead to a time when we have a lot more senior citizens than now, when competition with developed nations makes it impossible for us to achieve the same stellar economic growth that we associate with the past few decades. More importantly, it reminds us that we have to work together as one people to achieve the Singapore that we want for ourselves, for our children and for their children. Page: 76 I am happy that this year's Budget featured measures to ensure roughly the same foundation for our children and a bigger safety net for the elderly and those in need of medical help. The Government will expand and top up the Senior's Mobility and Enabling Fund by S$40 to S$50 million to cover a much wider range of assistive devices like hearing aids, shower chairs and motorised wheelchairs. To my many elderly residents in Woodlands, this is good news. Medifund will be topped up by S$1 billion, bringing the total fund size to S$4 billion. The ElderCare Fund will also be topped up by S$250 million this year. Well, my elderly residents are not exactly thrilled. To them, Medifund and ElderCare Fund are carts put before the horse! To an elderly resident who has retired from his job due to poor health, visits to the clinic when he has inexplicable pains, swellings, aches all over the body – they are much dreaded because they mean denting his already thin wallet further. To them, "Better not to see the doctor, never mind the pain, my savings will be better protected.”
“Look what happened to Japan; we cannot make a choice that is detrimental to the next generation. Refusing to import foreign labour to supplement the shortfall will not be workable; many companies will close down or leave Singapore due to manpower shortage. Singaporeans, in turn, will lose their jobs. Our children, like many University graduates in Europe, will leave Singapore and seek work elsewhere simply because the Government cannot guarantee a job after their graduation. They live and work alone in a foreign land, much to the pain of their parents. I believe the proposals in the White Paper are to safeguard Singaporeans' and their children's interests, and to ensure a correct path to the future. We can solve the problem of inadequate infrastructure; we have the faith and the ability. I hope Singaporeans can give the Government time and have faith in the White Paper. We can give our children a bright future and shape them into the pillars of the nation to continue Singapore's stability and prosperity.”
“Picture for yourself what the future will look like and get involved in the envisioning process. Another question would be: so what if we do not care about what happens? Think of places like Italy where graduates leave the country in despair to seek their future elsewhere. Think how Japan has to borrow money to take care of its huge number of very old citizens. Enough of thinking, now act. I suggest we ask schools to discuss the White Paper during Character and Citizenship Education class to gather their students' thoughts and feelings, too. Give them a taste of what it means to plan for the future, about which nothing is certain. In short, let us engage our youths, invite them to share their views, for we have begun on a massive project to create the best home for ourselves, together. Mdm Speaker, in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Parents hold high hopes for their children, especially in this fast-changing era where we are facing global competitions. Expectations from the parents are even higher nowadays. Parents pinch and scrape, look for the best school, best teachers, best CCAs, so that children can optimise their potential, acquire a skill and finally stand out. In short, parents put their children's future at the forefront, so do grandparents. I will do the same for my grandchildren. Every one of us must Page: 135 seriously ponder what we must do to ensure our children's future. Facing the challenge posed by a rapidly ageing population, can we still just remain status quo? Can we ignore the impact on economic growth by the ageing population simply because we want to avoid traffic congestion and the feeling of "is this the Singapore I am familiar with?" brought about by the influx of foreign workers?”
“Many arguments about how the Government cares only about making money missed the point that growth makes it possible for us to pay for a nicely renovated flat, wholesome and delicious food on our tables, good books and enrichment Page: 134 classes for our children, good caregivers for our aged parents, grandparents and so on. Money is not the goal, using money wisely to make life better for ourselves and our family is the goal. The logic is straightforward but many Singaporeans failed to appreciate the Government's approach to seizing growth opportunities because there are those who pretend there exist better options which other countries have and trumpet them while ignoring the crucial differences, such as we are uniquely small and without any natural resources to help us in a fiercely competitive world. The next point I would like to raise is the extent to which teenagers and young adults identify with the future presented in the White Paper. The White Paper is their paper and perhaps this should be underlined for them – the future is theirs to shape, to preserve so that, in turn, their children would do the same, too. A simplified White Paper would make a good Youth Day present for all youths to read and appreciate what the country has done for them. Being better informed than youths a generation ago, it may be asked why they should believe what has been proposed would happen. The reply to this is simply that the Government's track record in finding a way out of a tough situation speaks for itself. Think how our NEWater has solved the problem of our having to buy lots of raw water overseas. Think SARS which no one knew much about when it first appeared here except that it could kill you.”
“One good way would be to provide support to help senior citizens achieve their dreams. For instance, if a 56-year-old worker at a hospital wants to be a staff nurse and plans to first take the Normal Maths exam followed by the "O" level Maths exam, the employer – with the Government's help – should give her the support she needs so she can realise her dream and retire at the level she wants. Other senior citizens who share similar dreams will feel encouraged if all employers have the same mindset and, gradually, this lifelong learning culture will set in and become a distinctive part of our society. Yet another reason for the initial reservations expressed could be the refusal of some of our people to accept that, as a small nation state with no natural resources or hinterland to count on, our options are not as many as we might have wished for. We simply have to focus on our people, their brain power and their willingness to work hard and be creative. A caller, responding to a question on the new Marriage and Parenthood Package on a TV show, expressed his concern that if Singaporeans are given too many subsidies, they would lose the incentive to continue working hard. Indeed, working hard and, more importantly, working smart, have helped us to stay ahead in the global competition for growth opportunities. We have to communicate clearly that seizing growth opportunities is not what Singapore's future is about. It is about building a happy home for ourselves.”
“The prospect of less crowded roads or trains may be an attractive one, but without foreign workers, more – not fewer or less – businesses will have to cease operations. If you ask employers to pay more for their workers and they say business costs are too high, the business will move elsewhere. In short, we have to be realistic. The Government will calibrate the foreign labour required and there is no doubt that a realistic mindset will serve Singapore better, as it has always been until recently. Page: 133 Most people would agree that it is hard for any affluent society to maintain a high standard of living if there are few young people and lots of old people. At the personal level, a young family with members all working will live more comfortably than a family of two childless retirees. You do not have to be an expert to see this. Why then do Singaporeans baulk at the thought of more foreign labour needed, more young people targeted? A likely cause is a keenly-felt sense, especially among less well-off senior citizens, that with the rising cost of living each year, the aged cannot afford to be sick in Singapore and before long they will be marginalised. More effort should be put into assuring Singaporeans that while it is true, costs will go up particularly when there is economic growth, things will become more expensive in the years to come, we can, on our part, prepare for the future. Perhaps we can find positive stories to share, of how senior citizens deal with worries about life after retirement, and what keeps them going. Our senior citizens and Singaporeans approaching retirement must feel that they belong here in Singapore, that ours is an inclusive society and that they matter.”
“As for foreign workers, as explained in the White Paper, we need them to do the less skilled work because more Singaporeans will upskill and take on PMET and higher jobs. Lastly, the Government is stepping up efforts to help Singaporeans marry and have children, not slowing down. The question is, should the Government not have said anything on the matter? To me, there is no question of leaving the White Paper alone till people show signs of receiving it well. It is an urgent matter and we cannot wait. This is the spirit of looking at a challenge in the eye and tackling it with all the Government can think of in consultation with the public. Second, it is the spirit of optimism based on realistic judgement. The word I want to stress here is "realistic". To be realistic is to be aware and be able to accept things as they are, not as we wish them to be. To be realistic is to be practical and not deal with what is abstract or what seems ideal. Some views I know of may be summarised as such: "it will be better to persuade Singaporeans to take on jobs which they are now unwilling to do rather than hire foreigners to do them. We can get them to take up these jobs if we make it worth their while to do so." The assumptions made here are not realistic to my mind. There have been many attempts to help Singaporeans who are not in the workforce to find employment, with limited success, for various reasons. We all see these at our MPS. Employers would often say it is difficult to find workers. To assume that the suggested idea will work is to show a lack of awareness of the stark reality. We need to look to foreign labour to help us meet our employment needs and achieve the growth that we want. It is an ideal situation to have all the jobs in Singapore filled by locals.”
“Mdm Speaker, to Singaporeans who take pride in their country being admired by many for its modern and green environment, meritocracy, multi-racial society and hardworking citizens, this White Paper is bold and reassuring. I agree with what the Paper says – that we should act to make the future of our children and grandchildren secure. More importantly, I agree with the spirit of the Paper which, to me, is the essence of what it means to be Singaporean. First, it is the spirit of looking at challenges boldly in the eye, not pretending there exist any easy options, not fearing that what lies ahead may be a very long and tough journey. The White Paper is the result of many people thinking about and trying to overcome a very serious problem which we have, a problem happening in 2030 which I remember first hearing in the 1980s after I just graduated. Simply put, Singapore is ageing fast and we know that fast-ageing societies, notably Japan, find it hard to grow and provide opportunities for their young citizens. So, we want to start thinking now how not to be hit by the same sad situation, which my learned colleague, Dr Lim Wee Kiak, called a tsunami. We owe it to our children, grandchildren and future generations. But telling it straight like this has elicited responses, such as "the aged are seen as a burden to society", "there exist less unpalatable measures than having lots of foreign workers", "the Government has given up asking people to marry and have children". All these are not true at all. As Deputy Prime Minister Teo has Page: 132 repeatedly assured Singaporeans, the White Paper is a roadmap to the future for all Singaporeans, the aged included.”
“It is worth noting that one third of the cases were handled by over 100 pro bono private lawyers, not by staff from the Legal Aid Bureau. These are onerous pro bono duties; and the pro bono spirit of these lawyers is commendable. It should be emulated by younger and new lawyers. Some Singaporeans do not understand that the Bureau must take a calibrated approach in handling these cases, and consider each single detail; and they complain that the Bureau has a bad attitude and do things inefficiently. I suggest that the related departments hold seminars and talks with schools and communities so that more people would understand the importance of pro bono legal work and encourage more practising lawyers to take up. We can then better look after the vulnerable who need legal aid, creating a more inclusive society. Third, I understand that there were more females seeking legal aid in 2011. Among them, those aged between 40 and 50 years old made up 28%, and those 50 years old and above made up 36%. In terms of education, those with Secondary school education but did not attain "O" level qualifications formed 26%; those with only Primary school education formed 28%. Generally speaking, people with low education tend to be ignorant of their legal rights, therefore, are helpless in handling marital or family disputes. I suggest that, subject to available manpower, we should conduct free legal courses for the low-income Page: 66 earners in languages they are familiar with, so that they know how to safeguard their own rights and seek fair treatment when they encounter difficult legal problems. 4.24 pm”
“[Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mdm Speaker, I rise in support of the Amendment Bill. The amended means-testing system would be more beneficial for Singaporeans and PRs who apply for legal aid. For example, the cap of disposable capital is now raised from the current $7,800 to $13,000. We all know that housing prices have been rising rapidly in recent years. For an ordinary Page: 65 home owner, his disposable capital, that is, the house he owns, has increased in value. The increase in housing prices is the equivalent of the rise of disposable capital. The amendments demonstrate the efficiency, flexibility and sensitivity of our legal system. The purpose of legal aid is to help those who need legal support yet lack the financial resources to receive fair and just treatment. The amendments have served this purpose by not depriving those who cannot apply for legal aid due to market reasons from getting the help they deserve, thus protecting their interests. The amendments are good, but I have three points to raise: first, not long ago, the Government announced a slew of generous grants for buying a flat, childcare and education. People now ask: is too much welfare conducive to encouraging people to continue working hard? Some might question the benefits of giving legal aid applicants more financial help. To address these concerns, should the Government not respond by informing the public the scope of legal aid through the media, community and grassroots organisations? Not all legal issues can be solved by free services provided by the Legal Aid Bureau staff. Second, there were 9,775 legal aid cases in 2011, among which over 50% were divorce cases; others were adoption, traffic and industrial accident compensation cases.”
“[Please refer to Vernacular Speech on Pg 1315.] Mr Speaker, I support the Criminal Procedure Code (Amendment) Bill. The saying goes, "A human life is of greater value than anything else." According to the amendment Bill, even if the accused who is sentenced to death did not appeal, the Court of Appeal will still automatically initiate the appeal proceedings. Under the new proceedings, the Public Prosecutor must lodge a petition for confirmation with the Court of Appeal after sentencing. The Court of Appeal will then review the correctness, legality and propriety of the death penalty decision. Without confirmation from the Court of Appeal, no death sentence shall be carried out. This amendment is significant. Many developed and democratic countries have abolished death penalty out of respect for life. Singapore still retains the mandatory death penalty, which appears not in line with the norms of a civil society. Our leaders have always emphasised the importance of building an ideal home, a caring and harmonious society, then why not abolish the death penalty? The most important reason is that the situation in Singapore is different. Singapore maintains the death penalty because it can deter crimes effectively; it is also widely supported by the public. The Government is reviewing the death penalty to ensure that Singapore's judicial system is able to strike a balance between different objectives, so that both the victim and the accused are treated fairly. I believe this move demonstrates respect to each individual life. Sir, I support the amendment Bill. 5.15 pm”
“For example, the view that the Singapore legal system is too stringent, and the penalties are too harsh, and it is not appropriate. On the contrary, these amendments prove that our society has held a consistently clear view of the law – our laws provide a safe, crime-free environment for our citizens, but we also seek consistency in the application of our laws, and will continue to do our best to improve in this aspect. Singapore law is people-oriented, we safeguard human rights and equality. As such, we have to let every Singaporean understand this. I would like to ask the Minister, whether various methods or channels would be used to help Singaporeans fully understand the implications of this amendment Bill, so that they are fully aware that our society will not become less safe, neither will they be subjected to the threat of crime. Page: 1266 4.43 pm”