Ganesh Rajaram
Singapore
“Mr Chairman, I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his responses on the state of football in Singapore. A year ago, when I made my speech about how bad things were, I think the Parliamentary Secretary's response at that time was that the new council was about to be elected, let us give them some time.”
“Mr Chairman, Sir, the first competitive match for the Lions this year will be against the Maldives on 23 March at the National Stadium. I do hope that a win for the Lions will be the beginning of a good year for Singapore football. And I hope very, very much that my next speech on sport will be a celebration of our football successes.”
“Perhaps this could be the opportunity for Mediacorp to embark on a long-term partnership with pay platforms StarHub and Singtel to go after these rights together. In today’s world, content is platform-agnostic. Nobody cares where they watch content. If it is quality content, they will find a way to watch it.”
“They will also realise their dreams progressively. (In English): Mr Speaker, Sir, Singapore was built on the values and hard work of our fathers and mothers. In striving to narrow inequality and class divisions, we need an all-in, whole-of-Singapore approach.”
“Disruption and the digital revolution have shown that conventional approaches can quickly become obstacles to growth. So, while we must uphold corporate governance at all times, we should also be nimble enough to work fast and smart and be free of red tape.”
“Mdm Chairman, as FAS gears up for its first-ever open elections later this year, my hope is that real leaders with real passion and no hidden agendas would step forward and get the game back to where it should be. At our height, we were ranked number 73 in the world, and this was only in 1993. I am sure we can get there again.”
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“But beyond this, we must aim to groom leaders who will shape the future of good governance, leaders who will have the industry insights, experience, relationships, perhaps some "battle scars" to speak from positions of credibility, respect and trust. And they can only do this if they have spent enough time to fully understand the business and the community they operate in. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, beyond this, there is also room to consider making the accountability of leaders more transparent to the public. Leadership begins from the top. I feel that the boards of Statutory Boards should also be made more accountable for the performance of the entities they lead. For if we are to truly embrace private sector practices – and not just borrow chunks that we might deem useful – we must also hold our boards and CEOs accountable when Statutory Boards run afoul of corporate governance. When we have seen leaders of Statutory Boards fail to deliver, or act improperly, the Government has always been very swift in acknowledging and rectifying mistakes. However, it is not always clear what becomes of the errant leaders and Boards that were in place when these mistakes were made. This leads to unwarranted speculation that leaders are just rotated to another Statutory Board or Government position. Perhaps a little more transparency over Board and leadership appointments, as well as leadership performance, is warranted. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill is a sign that the Government is moving in the right direction. However, it is also important that in aiming to improve corporate governance, it does not create more layers of guidelines, rules and regulations that will surely stifle creativity and growth.”
“Indeed, there will be some leaders who will be exceptional in whichever industry they may be placed, but such leaders are few and far between, even in the corporate world. By and large, leaders need time to understand the industry, its people and culture. Leaders could spend up to three years to fully comprehend the complexities of the sectors they operate in, before they can even begin to make an impact. As we were informed late last year, the CEO of Singapore Mass Rapid Transit is still grappling with internal culture issues, this, after five years on the job! Each time a Statutory Board CEO is rotated, it is like hitting a reset button: industry leaders would have to rebuild relationships and reorientate each new CEO, and SMEs in the industry would have to start building the relationship from scratch again. And as good as the new CEO may be, there will be industry initiatives that are left in limbo while he or she comes up to speed. For a good six months to a year, things would not move, because it is not just the CEO who is learning the ropes. It is also his or her management team, because these appointments would also be rotated, though at different times. What we need to avoid, Mr Deputy Speaker, is a mentality that these rotating appointments are treated as a rite of passage that would lead almost automatically to bigger and better things. Breeding a culture of ambition, apathy and fleeting commitment impacts the quality of leadership in our Statutory Boards and has serious implications for corporate governance and Singapore. Strong corporate governance stems from quality leadership. We want leaders who will observe the spirit and principles of good governance outlined in this Bill.”
“Thank you, Deputy Speaker, Sir, for the opportunity to speak on the Public Sector (Governance) Bill. Given the recent unfortunate incidents of impropriety amongst Government-linked companies, such as Keppel, this Bill provides a most timely reinforcement and strengthening of corporate governance processes across all Statutory Boards. I stand in support of all the provisions and amendments to the Bill but would like to urge the Government to pay special attention to two key aspects which I feel are at the heart of corporate governance, which are quality of leadership and transparency in the area of accountability. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, our Statutory Boards are very well-run and led by strong CEOs. I have witnessed this first-hand when I served as a board member on IMDA from 2010 to 2016. Our Statutory Board CEOs have stellar pedigrees. Yet, some are not, in my view, given the opportunity to fully test their potential in their brief stints at the various Statutory Boards. In some sectors, these CEOs – and members of their leadership teams – are rotated perhaps a little too frequently. From a Civil Service career perspective, this may be intended to expose and stretch these leaders in a variety of sectors and experiences. However, there is concern that in some sectors, a two- or three-year stint might not provide enough time for a CEO to fully understand the industry and to build a strong corporate culture and governance ethos. In certain sectors, might we consider a longer stint for CEOs? Perhaps feedback from industry and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the various sectors could be used when deciding on leadership and succession.”
“Mdm Chairman, as FAS gears up for its first-ever open elections later this year, my hope is that real leaders with real passion and no hidden agendas would step forward and get the game back to where it should be. At our height, we were ranked number 73 in the world, and this was only in 1993. I am sure we can get there again. Promoting Sporting Excellence”
“When Mr Mah briefed the media about the setting up of the S-League, there was a steely determination and resolve that said, "We will make this work". And he did! It was an unenviable task during a difficult time. Would we be able to replicate the success of the Malaysia Cup with our own fledgling league? But after just a year of planning, Mr Mah oversaw the launch of the S-League in 1996. The 1996 S-League grand final was played at the National Stadium between Geylang International and the Singapore Armed Forces Football Club (SAFFC) in front of 30,000 fans! Against all odds, Mr Mah had delivered on his promise, and our own professional football league was born. So, why have we come to where we are today? To me, there is a dearth of strong passionate leaders like the late Mr Ganesan and Mr Mah in local football. What we do not need is fair weather leadership. Over the last few years, we have seen members of the FAS leadership team donning their jerseys and attending only big-ticket matches, but they are nowhere to be seen during training sessions or regular games. We have seen high-ranking FAS officials making trips across the globe and taking selfies with football superstars while the S-League is floundering. We have seen S-League clubs sign on washed-up, has-been, ill-disciplined foreign stars, garnering lots of press, but little else. These same clubs were having financial woes when they realised they had bitten off more than they can chew. They would do well to remember the likes of Mohammed Khakpour and Hamid Reza Estili, the Iranian footballers who were foreign signings in the early days of the S-League. They were unknowns who became household names because of their dedication and quality. Both players went on to represent Iran in the 1998 World Cup.”
“He was credited with numerous achievements, including winning the Malaysia Cup in 1977 and 1980, starting the Lion City Cup tournament for the under 16s, inspiring the Kallang Roar at the National Stadium by building a national team that was feared in the region. 4.30 pm Mr Ganesan was a full-time lawyer but was at the Jalan Besar Stadium every day to watch the Lions train. He was omnipresent, always available to speak to anyone, from players to coaches and staff at FAS. His leadership style was down-to-earth and accessible. And he created an air of camaraderie and family at FAS. And because his passion was so infectious, it caught on, creating a culture of volunteerism and selflessness that resulted in one of the most successful periods for local football. The other more recent golden era of local football was the 1990s when Singapore won the Malaysia Cup in 1994. We saw the birth of the S-League in 1996, and our famous Tiger Cup win in 1998. All of these were under the leadership of one individual, former Cabinet Minister Mr Mah Bow Tan, who oversaw FAS for a period of 13 years, from 1991 to 2004. I covered the 1993 and 1994 Malaysia Cup campaigns as well as the inaugural S-League season of 1996 as a journalist. I remember Mr Mah as a quiet, stern leader, quite the opposite of Mr Ganesan in terms of personality. But Mr Mah was a leader who got things done. He brought a sense of purpose, discipline and work ethic to FAS. Despite his hectic Ministerial duties, he would be present at most matches and training sessions. He ran a very tight ship, and this flowed through right down to the administration of the S-League and the clubs. Things worked like clockwork − schedules, fixtures, press briefings.”
“Mdm Chairman, Singapore football has been hogging the headlines for all the wrong reasons. In October last year, we sank to our lowest ever world ranking of 171. Currently, we are at 164 and things do not look like they are going to get better anytime soon. The S-League is dying a slow and painful death. It was not long ago that 60,000 Singaporeans were cheering on the national football team. Where did it all go wrong? As a fan and a journalist who covered the sport in the 1990s, I would like to suggest the reasons for this sad state of affairs are a lack of leadership and passion. Mdm Chairman, I think most of us in this House are familiar with the glory days of Singapore football. The 1970s and the 1990s were the golden era of local football, when the National Stadium was packed to the rafters and families were glued to their television (TVs) for "live" telecasts. We idolised the players, legends like Quah Kim Song, the late Dollah Kassim, Mohammed Noor, Eric Paine, Fandi Ahmad and V Sundramoorthy. To me, however, both these periods owe their success primarily to two leaders. In the 1970s and 1980s, it was the late Mr N Ganesan and, in the 1990s, it was former Cabinet Minister Mr Mah Bow Tan. I had the privilege of knowing both these gentlemen. Let me give Members an insight into why they succeeded. I first met Mr N Ganesan in the early 1970s when I was about six or seven. Mr Ganesan was a family friend and he would be a frequent visitor to our home. I used to look forward to his visits as he was fiercely passionate about football and told me endless stories about my local football idols. Mr Ganesan was Chairman of FAS from 1974 to 1981.”
“Singapore can then be an attractive option for broadcasters and platforms, as we will not just have the hardware, but the software, too. Mdm Chairman, I am also encouraged by the Ministry's efforts to strengthen PSB, thereby delivering quality programming to Singaporeans. Last year, I spoke about programmes like the daily drama series "Tanglin" on Channel 5, which seems to have struck a chord with Singaporeans. Another highlight for me was the documentary "Regardless of Race". Produced by CNA, the one-hour documentary aired in August last year. It made a very tough topic, perceptions of race in multicultural Singapore, accessible and entertaining. I congratulate the commissioning editors of the programme as it was curated beautifully. Of course, one of the key standouts of the programme was the presenter, Minister of State Dr Janil Puthucheary. Minister of State Janil was not just credible, but a natural in front of the camera. Other Channel 5 programmes like "Renovaid" and "You Deserve a Break" are great examples of how impactful PSB programmes can be. However, while we have had a few successes, there is still a lack of consistency in the quality of programming, particularly on Channel 5. Dramas like "P.I." still suffer from loose plots, bad acting and inferior production quality. And while programmes like "OK Chope!" can be lauded for their innovativeness and daring, once you start watching, it is hard to continue. The commissioning process needs to be strengthened, particularly with increased funding for online content through the new content development fund that is being set up. The on-demand digital world is even more picky than the linear world. Commissioners have to know exactly what their audiences are after.”
“The Government has invested millions into Mediapolis, which is Singapore's media hub. The centrepiece of this ecosystem is Infinite Studios, which houses Singapore's largest sound stages. The sound stages face stiff competition from the likes of Pinewood Studios in Iskandar, Johor. As such, the sound stages in Singapore have not seen the expected scale of projects. And to make viable use of the space, these state-of-the-art stages are now being leased out for alternative uses like Fashion Shows and Corporate events. One big issue is the lack of skilled Singaporean manpower to operate these sound stages. Most Singapore film students and practitioners prefer to go down the art film route, the route which has unearthed world-class talent, such as Anthony Chen, Boo Junfeng, K Rajagopal and Kirsten Tan, just to name a few. And while we must encourage our filmmakers to pursue their dreams, there are also massive job opportunities in mass market, commercial projects. We need to help educate and incentivise Singaporeans to fill these jobs. More and more film studios and television platforms are looking to produce their mega projects in this region. In fact, pan regional pay television networks and digital platforms are specifically looking to produce original content in this region, as this is becoming a requirement for the renewal of their carriage licences in many markets. So, given the infrastructure available, there is a real opportunity for our talents to scale up to international industry standards and become familiar with production facilities like sound stages. Perhaps, IMDA can look into this and see how we can help with incentives and training schemes to fill this gap.”
“Mdm Chairman, firstly, let me declare my interests as I run the Asian business of a multinational media company, Fremantlemedia International. MCI has had a busy 2016. MCI tackled the impact of convergence head-on by realigning itself to face the challenges thrown up by disruption. IDA and MDA were restructured into GovTech and IMDA. This restructure is critical in the evolution of our media landscape and our collective Smart Nation ambitions. Already, we have seen a slew of measures that include the creation of thousands of jobs in the ICT sector, the launch of the 2025 Design Masterplan, strengthening of our cybersecurity sector and the digitisation of Government services, just to name a few. Mdm Chairman, at last year's COS debates, I spoke about the need for the freelance community to be more structured and regulated, given the increasing number of freelancers in the media sector. As such, I am very heartened and appreciative of MCI's various measures to support the freelance community. These measures, which include the setting up of a portal to assist in job matching, will definitely help the sector, given the slowing economy. However, I do feel that the freelance community itself needs to be more proactive to take advantage of these initiatives. I urge the community to put aside their individual interests and come together as a community, so that the entire ecosystem can benefit from these measures. IMDA has introduced talent assistance schemes for freelancers to deepen their expertise. But I feel more can be done to broaden the skillsets to fully benefit from the impressive infrastructure we have at Mediapolis @ one-north. In some sectors, there seems to be a disconnect between the talent available and industry needs. Let me cite one example.”
“Remember that the person you are criticising and abusing is someone's father, mother, son, daughter, brother or sister. Put yourself in their shoes − how would you or your family feel if it were you who was being abused online, or your photo shared without reservation? In this fragmented, polarised world where "alternative facts" and "fake news" are celebrated and validated, it is all the more important that we work together to foster a more caring and inclusive society by exercising empathy and grace. Singaporeans have much to be thankful for and even more to look forward to the in future if we can embrace these virtues. Thank you, Mdm Speaker, I support the measures outlined in the Government's Budget.”
“Social media has created a community of self-styled "experts" in crisis management − individuals who seem to be waiting in the wings to freely offer their opinions on everything from politics to PR, from sports to poultry. While some of the commentary has been constructive, much has been conjecture and assumptions that are not necessarily based on facts. These opinions and comments are shared and repeated often enough on social media that they become the "truth" in the eyes of many. This is not constructive. Take the recent example of the Singapore Armed Forces Terrex vehicles that were detained in Hong Kong. Social media was rife with callous and irresponsible conspiracy theories and conjecture. In my humble opinion, I felt that the Government's approach and handling of this delicate situation was spot on. I commend Minister for Foreign Affairs Vivian Balakrishnan and Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen for their gracious and measured approach on this issue. Quiet diplomacy was the key here. And after a few weeks, we got our tanks back, safe and sound. Social media, of course, was rife with criticisms and even comparisons to governments of a bygone era, completely ignorant of the current state of geopolitics in the world. Much of the vitriol might have been predicated on an arrogance stemming from a history of accelerated development and success. Instead, what we needed from social media was balance, a sense of gratitude and support for the way in which the Government dealt with the issue. It has become almost unfashionable to credit the Government on a job well done. It would be a shame if this self-defeating sentiment continues. Mdm Speaker, my hope is that armchair critics and self-styled experts can learn to be constructive, not personal and abusive.”
“Earlier this year, Minister for Education (Schools) Mr Ng Chee Meng spoke to The Straits Times about his journey in his life from fighter pilot to Cabinet Minister. There was one particular phrase the Minister used which caught my attention − and the attention of many others, too. He used the colloquial term "chiong", and urged students to "dare to 'chiong'". Loosely translated, what this means is to go after opportunities and to make the most of opportunities. Of course, the Minister explained at length that "chionging", and I quote, "was about breaking boundaries, creating value and having that x-factor". Sadly though, we seem to have created a system of "chiong kings" − people who "chiong" at all costs − at the expense of important values like empathy, graciousness and compassion. For a lot of parents, "chionging" means winning at all costs. This is not a bad trait if children are also taught how to moderate the amount of "chionging" because what we want to hire in industry are people who are both independent workers and team players. The key to tempering this over-enthusiastic drive to be the best is for parents and schools to ensure an equal emphasis on graciousness and compassion. The signal must be sent that gracious and compassionate behaviour are as important as good grades and impressive CCAs, for it is these values that will ultimately guide them through their adulthood and careers. Mdm Speaker, lastly, let me touch on gratitude. There is much that Singaporeans have to be thankful for. However, these days, thanks to social media, as a society, all we seem to be doing is to complain and criticise.”
“He sorted out the issue in less than 15 minutes and even gave me his personal handphone number so that I could call him if I encountered any further issues. This senior technician had about six months to go before retirement and wanted to continue working. Unfortunately, it was cheaper for the company to use external vendors for his position. These attitudes are prevalent in other industries, too. In the local media industry, we see a diminishing representation of experienced anchors and veteran journalists. Newsrooms have become very young. On international cable networks, we watch Christiane Amanpour, Wolf Blitzer, Richard Quest and natural historian Sir David Attenborough − who is in his 90s now, many of us have followed them for decades. They have paid their dues and earned their credibility. When they give an opinion, it is backed by decades of experience and stories. In Singapore, we seem to be losing experienced talent, both in front and behind the camera, as well as in print newsrooms. The common comment I get from international media colleagues is that the newsrooms in Singapore are very "young". While there is need for a balance in the composition of the newsrooms, I do wonder, as do many older Singaporeans, if we might have a better representation of experienced news anchors and journalists. We may have an ageing population, but that does not mean that we should hide them away from public view. Instead, age, experience and credibility should be treasured, celebrated and embraced, somewhat like fine wine, and rewarded accordingly, particularly in this era of "fake news" and "alternative reality". Mdm Speaker, teaching the value of graciousness must begin in the home, and be reinforced in the schools.”
“We will welcome more and more new Singaporeans and friends of Singapore who will join us in our transition to the economy of the future. We will need to give them time to adapt and understand our norms and the values we hold dear. We will need to be gracious, compassionate and kind, as was my mother all those years ago. Because that is what Singaporeans do. Mdm Speaker, another area that we need to pay special attention to is the way we treat our elderly workers. By 2030, one in every five Singaporeans will be aged 65 and above. We are an ageing population and we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. While the Government has done a tremendous amount of work in drafting legislation and schemes that protect the rights of the elderly and promote re-employment, more can be done to ensure that the elderly remain as a core driving force of our economy. The challenge we see in industry is a worrying trend of employers who seem to favour the young because of lower wages. The logic behind this thinking is that, for a fraction of the cost, a young worker can actually take on a lot more than an older worker leading to a perception of increased productivity. That is not always the case. Let me illustrate this with a real example. A few years ago when a local telco launched its digital television service, as with any new service, there were teething problems. On two separate occasions, rather young and inexperienced technicians were sent to my home. On both occasions, after several hours, the technicians could not resolve the problem. On the third try, I asked the telco to send someone a little more senior, someone with experience, to help resolve the matter. They sent me a senior gentleman in his early 60s.”
“I grew up thinking we were all the same − it did not matter whether we were Malay, Indian, Chinese or Eurasian. And I suspect that a lot of us from that generation grew up in similar communities. So, when the Government introduced the Elected Presidency Bill late last year, I had thought that most Singaporeans would, like me, share similar views. The ethnicity of the President does not matter to me as long as he or she is qualified for the role and deserved to be there. However, I soon realised after attending a few community dialogue sessions that the Singapore of today is very different from the one that I grew up in. I was shocked that the community that I belonged to had some serious and deep prejudices about sub-communities within the group, perceived divisions carved along the different dialects spoken. Let me clarify that these views are held by a very, very small portion of our society, but, even then, it is worrying. The Government has made great progress in fostering unity in the community and continues to take the lead. But surely, the rest of the unity-building must be undertaken by members of the community. Parents must still be the main role models for children to learn about graciousness and understanding. Our young learn from us and it is vital now, more than ever, that we step up and behave in a manner befitting citizens of a proudly multi-racial society. We live in an age where the world is becoming more polarised, and communities and countries are becoming more inward-looking. Singapore's strength and resilience as a nation has always centred on our multi-racial unity. This foundation will be crucial as the nation moves into the next phase of rapid development.”
“Key social values, such as graciousness, compassion and kindness will help address issues, such as the unity of our society, our attitudes toward the elderly and the development of our youth − all crucial factors in achieving the goals set out in Budget 2017. Let me explain how. Unity as a people. Some in this House may find it surprising that I have never felt like a minority in Singapore. Yes, it is true, and it is not because I am delusional as I am fully aware that the Indians are a minority in Singapore. But the reason I have never felt like a minority is because of a life lesson I learned in an HDB lift when I was about five years old. My mother had been walking me home from kindergarten to our 1-room rented flat in Margaret Drive. We lived on the seventh floor and had entered the lift to go up. The two middle-aged Chinese women in the lift immediately pinched their noses as soon as my mother and I entered the lift. I tugged at my mum's saree and wanted to know what was going on. She gave me a look that said "Keep quiet and behave", so I stayed silent. When we got out of the lift, I asked my mother why the women had pinched their noses. She said, "Didn't you smell it, Ganesh? Someone had spilt something in the lift and it was very smelly." I insisted that there had been no such smell in the lift, to which she replied that it was probably because I had been hiding under her saree. I was a lot smaller back then. That incident took place about 45 years ago and her graciousness in the face of deliberate prejudice taught me a life lesson I will never forget. It shaped my deep appreciation for diversity and understanding in Singapore. Consequently, my childhood was spent running in and out of my neighbours' flats along the common corridor.”
“There are people who now drive against the flow of traffic on Singapore roads, block your way out of a lift or MRT train and complain about everything – from the noise that kids make playing football to harmless neighbourhood chickens that remind us of our kampongs. And we must surely be one of the few countries in the world where a car indicator signal to change lanes almost always results in other drivers who speed up to prevent you from making that switch. We are not short on daily anecdotes of ungracious behaviour. We just seem to be short on patience, courtesy and kindness. Ten years ago, in May 2007, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave a speech at the 10th anniversary of the Singapore Kindness Movement. He said, and I quote, that our efforts to build a vibrant, global city "will be in vain unless we complement them with social development, to build a Singapore with a heart. As we grow and globalise, the values of care, compassion and neighbourliness will become even more important." Mdm Speaker, Singaporeans have been trying to be a kinder people − at least officially − for the past 20 years. I am not quite sure that we are succeeding. We have made tremendous achievements as a country along the political and economic fronts in those two decades. Can we say the same for our social development as a gracious society? Performance and graciousness are not mutually exclusive. Graciousness is a building block of a strong community and is as important as productivity, resilience and all those other qualities that define us as Singaporeans. Research has shown, many times, that attention to the social development of a community results in deeper bonds, improved health and a culture of paying it forward.”
“Mdm Speaker, thank you for allowing me the privilege of speaking in these Budget Debates. I think I speak for everyone in this House when I say that perhaps the best thing about this year's Budget Speech was to see it being delivered by Finance Minister Heng Swee Keat. Welcome back, Sir! I speak in support of the Government's Budget and its various initiatives that I believe are necessary in these uncertain times. They include: the promotion of digitalisation for Small and Medium Enterprises, the International Partnership Fund that encourages companies to internationalise, as well as the various public sector productivity funds that encourage innovation. These are all measures that will be crucial for businesses that need to dial up their innovation in the face of ever-faster disruptions arising from technological advances. Mdm Speaker, while these are vital issues of concern for the livelihood of Singapore and Singaporeans, I would like to address an equally important matter: the social development of Singapore, in particular, graciousness. Or the increasing lack thereof. Singaporeans want to be the best at whatever we do and strive hard to achieve this. It is that drive that has brought us this far and will take us further. But I wonder if this almost instinctive need to compete, to be the best, has come at the expense of graciousness, compassion and kindness. It seems to me that the more achievements and accolades we collect as a country, the harder we drive ourselves. It is a relentless drive for excellence that, in my view, has some Singaporeans climbing up the scale of increasing ungraciousness. How else can we even begin to understand ungracious behaviour that has become everyday experiences?”
“Resolution of these issues would also help Singapore as a regional and global production hub, as international productions need a vibrant and quality freelance community to help support their projects. Sir, in summary, the establishment of IMDA is a timely move and will help Singapore better address the many challenges that convergence throws up. However, it is also an opportune time to relook and address some of the issues that have been around for a while now, as I have stated in my speech. I would like to end my speech, Sir, by reaffirming my support for this Bill. Page: 127”
“These talents span the gamut of the media sector, from film and video, broadcasting, publishing, online media to games. Beyond supporting local platforms, the freelance community is also very involved in big-scale regional and global productions, such as Amazing Race Asia and Masterchef Asia, as well as several feature films. We expect to see this pool grow as many of the new generation of media practitioners prefer to work on their own schedules on a project-by-project basis. MDA and the Workforce Development Agency (WDA) have made much progress in working with the freelance community. Programmes, such as the Attach-and-Train programme, which subsidises employers to pay 70% of freelancers' pay for six months, have helped provide some stability to the community. There are still, however, serious issues confronting the community, such as insurance coverage for freelancers. I am heartened to hear that a few of my colleagues in this House have been working tirelessly with the freelance community, as well as agencies like MDA, WDA and the NTUC to find viable solutions. Sir, there is a pressing need for these issues to be fast-tracked and to be dealt with in a holistic manner. I would like to suggest that IMDA facilitate the setting up of a guild that would champion the interests of the freelance community. Singapore is too small, in my view, to have separate bodies representing writers, producers or camera crew. A media freelancers' guild would address issues, such as insurance, talent standards, payment, pipelines and structure. These have all been the bane of the freelance community for many years now, and IMDA has to urgently help find solutions.”
“There is also the contestable funding initiative that is open to all platforms in Singapore, as long as they make available their content to the public for free. In a recent dialogue session with independent producers, some of the feedback centred on inconsistencies in commissioning policies, particularly with cable operator StarHub. There have Page: 126 also been calls from the industry for several years now, asking for more transparency with regard to the quantum and projects. There is much expectation that with the establishment of IMDA, the agency can now finally make public, projects that are commissioned under the PSB framework, as well as the contestable fund initiative. This should include details like genres, durations and production budgets. This is a move in the right direction and will create more transparency and trust between broadcasters and production entities and build a more balanced and robust competitive environment that can only be good for the marketplace. It will definitely put paid to nagging rumours about broadcasters and their perceived favouring of inhouse producers vis-a-vis independent production entities. With more players entering the market because of digital platforms, transparency and openness are essential to creating more quality content and a more market-friendly Government positioning. This brings me to my final point on the high-value freelance community in the media industry, and the role IMDA can play to regulate and foster growth. The media manpower sector has an extremely large pool of freelance talents. There are thousands of freelances employed in the media sector with most companies employing them, as many of our SMEs are not capable of carrying big overheads.”
“But it was done in the spirit of national interest and they secured the rights in good time to be able to publish schedules in advance, as well as sell sponsorship and airtime around the Olympics to help recoup part of the cost. But after what happened with the TV rights for the Rio Olympics in Singapore, it is obvious that this cannot be left to chance. If Singapore broadcasters will not work together in the spirit of national interest, then this Bill must include safeguards to ensure that this never happens again. It is the very least the Government can do to honour the years of sacrifices made by our national sportsmen and women and their families. In fact, a strong case can be made for the Olympic Games' telecast rights in Singapore to be funded by IMDA as part of the PSB funds that are disbursed annually. The Olympics will certainly generate far more ratings and viewership numbers than most of our current PSB programmes. And, more importantly, create a sense of unity and national pride that is not tangible, and these values more than qualify as being of public service. The next summer Olympic Games in 2020 will be held in Tokyo, in four years' time. With Tokyo just an hour ahead of us, most of the events will be telecast during our prime time, making it even more accessible to a bigger audience in Singapore. Having witnessed the impact of the Rio Olympics on Singaporeans of all walks of life, I would urge IMDA to secure these rights as soon as possible. Sir, that brings me to an issue that I have raised before – transparency in public service-funded initiatives. Our national free-to-air broadcaster, Mediacorp, today outsources 40% of public service-funded projects to independent production companies in the private sector.”
“Why else do we really spend Page: 125 millions on world-class sporting facilities? Why bother funding sporting associations, sportsmen and sportswomen? Why do we hire the best coaches and sporting administrators in the world? If we say that we support Team Singapore and that we have built world-class facilities in support of our sporting dream, does this not extend to creating access to their moment of reckoning and glory for Singaporeans to support and celebrate? What if we had missed out on arguably Singapore's most significant 50 seconds of sporting history as it unfolded? So, when there was almost a three-year impasse between the negotiating parties, why did MDA not step in in the interest of the nation? Singapore broadcasters have spent hundreds of millions of dollars so that we can watch Manchester United on TV, week-in, week-out. The rights to watch the Rio Olympics was a miniscule fraction of that amount for Singapore's fathers, mothers, brothers and sisters to watch their family members – the nation's best sportsmen and women on the world stage. Perhaps, we can learn from our immediate neighbour, Malaysia, and how they approached securing the rights for the Olympics. Radio Televisyen Malaysia, Malaysia's national free-to-air broadcaster; ASTRO, Malaysia's biggest cable broadcaster; and Telekom Malaysia – not just a telco but they also run an Internet platform – all came together to create a TV pool. Each of these parties paid an equal one-third share of the costs. I am told that even with the split, it would be difficult for them to recoup their investment.”
“It is extremely puzzling to me that a deal to broadcast the Olympics in Singapore could not be reached over almost a three-year period, and this was achieved only at the eleventh hour. Many of us watched Joseph's dad, Colin Schooling's emotional interview right after watching his son win the Olympic Gold on "live" TV. As did hundreds of thousands of Singaporeans all across the island, the raw pride and joy were heard and felt across the island, not just among Singaporeans, but by many others, too, who live and work in Singapore. So, why were we just hours away from not having access to a "live" telecast in a country that positions itself to the world as a modern, connected city, a "Smart Nation"? High content costs were cited as the main reason. "It's a commercial decision", some said. As someone who works in the industry and who has had the experience of being both a buyer and a seller of such content and rights, I would like to very politely disagree with the reasoning put out, and the manner and approach to securing the 2016 Rio Olympics television rights. Content costs, particularly sports rights, are expensive and have been for a while now. This is a global trend, and one that is not unique to Singapore. But the Rio Olympics, or any Olympics for that matter, carry a significance beyond a commercial price point. Its value lies in that cloud of pride and joy that still hovers over the island. We felt it in this House even yesterday. This is a sense of unity and spirit of invincibility of superhero proportions – that you can do anything if you work hard enough and persevere; that you could be the only person in the world to outswim your childhood hero and the most bemedalled Olympian in history.”
“These examples clearly illustrate that IMDA has to be equipped and prepared to deal with these issues in a fast and expedient manner. However, Sir, there are also areas where I feel IMDA can take a more proactive role. One example is the recent issue over the securing of television broadcast rights for the Olympics that are currently being held in Rio. I am sure most of us in this House have been cheering on our Team Singapore athletes, such as Feng Tian Wei in table tennis, Quah Zheng Wen and Joseph Schooling in swimming, or Jasmine Ser in shooting, just to name a few. Last week, the family and I stayed up to watch Schooling go head-to-head against Michael Phelps in the heats of the 100-metre Butterfly, and I was watching him again on Mediacorp's Toggle in the office when he clocked the fastest time in the semi-finals. We also watched Joseph make history in the pool by claiming our first-ever Olympic Gold! For those of us who watched the race, seeing a Singaporean from our tiny nation take on and beat the world's best brought about such great pride and joy and unity in spirit as Singaporeans. These are emotions you cannot put a value to. This is not just about sport at the highest level. This is about bringing people together, building national pride and identity among both sport and non-sport fans. Now, imagine what would have happened if we were deprived of watching this "live". We would have missed seeing a Singaporean beat the world's best swimmer and greatest Olympian of all time, missed seeing him touch the wall for a new Olympic record, missed seeing him receive the Gold medal, missed seeing our flag flying high, ahead of others, at the world's greatest sporting games, and missed hearing our National Anthem being played for the first time in Olympic history.”
“Another more recent example is the Pokemon Go! game, which my colleague Darryl David alluded to. I think most of us in this House are familiar with this interactive augmented reality game that has taken Singapore and the rest of the world by storm. While personally I have yet to try the game – for fear that I would get addicted to it – in my household, the game is a hit not just with my 16-year-old son but with my wife, who has never been a fan of any game, virtual or physical. From a regulatory standpoint, again, MDA has approached the phenomenon in a calibrated, prudent manner. Despite the initial furore in some quarters predicting that the game would be banned by authorities because of safety concerns, the game was launched with advice from the Police on personal safety and issues like trespass. This is not any different from the approach taken in most countries or even the alerts built in within the game itself. Again, and increasingly, consumers have to accept responsibility for playing the game. The reality is that more games like Pokemon Go! will be coming on stream, and much of the responsibility has to fall on the consumers and not the regulators like MDA. I, for one, have already seen positives from the latest Pokemon craze. Over the last couple of weeks, I have never seen as many people gathering together or walking around playgrounds, parks Page: 124 and shopping malls. The game has made people get out of their homes, interact with others, particularly when they are exchanging tips on where and how to catch a Snorlax or Exeggutor ‒ forgive me, I do not know what it is, my wife put it there ‒ and it is clearly contributing to a healthier, outdoor lifestyle which can only be good for Singapore.”
“Netflix's biggest attractions are its critically-acclaimed original productions. Titles like "Orange is the New Black", "Narco" and "Marco Polo" are meant for mature audiences; and under local censorship guidelines, would be restricted to Restricted 21 (R21), or audiences over 21 years of age. Some of our neighbours like Indonesia and Vietnam had initially banned Netflix from operating in their territories and would only issue an operating licence if their censorship fears are allayed. In my view, MDA's stand on Netflix should be commended. Early last month, MDA introduced a new regulation which said that online content providers – the likes of Netflix and others like Viu, which offers Korean content, and even Singapore's very own Toggle, just to name a few – must provide age check firewalls for R21 content. This marks a watershed in media regulations in Singapore as it acknowledges the fact that, in this new digital world, you cannot have blanket censorship laws to govern the on-demand world. The on-demand universe is very much a "lean forward" as opposed to a "lean back" experience, where much of the responsibility and choice lie solely with the consumer. The response of MDA was a measured one in that it not only allowed Netflix to offer the programmes that were most sought after, but also created a level playing field with the rest of the pay television market by instituting the same age check firewalls that it already has for R21 content on our pay platforms like Starhub and Singtel MIO. This is the new normal. More platforms like Netflix will be hitting our shores before we know it. The likes of Amazon have already launched in many markets across the globe. IMDA will be faced with these imminent launches and similar pragmatic approaches would be needed.”
“Deputy Speaker, Sir, firstly, let me declare my interests as a Board Member of MDA. I also run the Asian business of a multinational media company, FremantleMedia. Sir, I speak in support of the Info-Communications Media Development of Singapore Bill and its related amendments as we live in a converged world and standalone charters governing linear and digital environments are no longer relevant. This Bill and related amendments will be crucial in the evolution of our media landscape and our collective Smart Nation ambitions. It is also an opportune time to relook and enhance the functions and powers of IMDA to better suit the converged media landscape of today and the future and review the areas where we are found wanting. Sir, in light of this, I would like to make a few suggestions and observations which I hope the Ministry will take into consideration when finetuning the details of the Bill. Page: 123 Firstly, as a regulator, IMDA will have to contend with a plethora of new media entities, some existing but many that are still on drawing boards and others that do not yet exist. This will require IMDA to have the capability to react and regulate with increased speed and efficiency. Let me illustrate this point with a recent example which I feel should be a benchmark of sorts when approaching similar scenarios. In January this year, global online content giant Netflix launched in Singapore. As an aspiring Smart Nation and arguably one of the world's most connected cities, it was important to attract online leaders like Netflix, not just to launch their service here, but also to set up their Asian base on our shores. With Netflix, the biggest issue facing regulators all across Asia has been the issue of censorship.”
“Are these boys still together as a team or have they given up on their passions to pursue what would be considered "normal careers" in Singapore? But there are children who yearn to pursue a professional career in a sport that they are very good in. How should we support them? Is there a way the Singapore community, from parents, grandparents, teachers and opinion leaders, can be moved to a point where we see a career footballer or golfer with as much societal value and respect as you would an airline pilot or an architect? There is nothing wrong with kids pursuing their passion for sports. We should let them live their dreams and support them to the fullest. Society should not stigmatise a child who wants to pursue a sports career, regardless of whether the child ultimately makes it or not. When children are passionate about their dreams, are willing to be disciplined, hardworking and focused to achieve their goals, they are already displaying qualities that any parent should be proud of. On the flipside, we should avoid over-coaching children to the point where they lose the love for sports. Sports should be about passion, fun and joy! So, what happens when your child says he wants to be a professional footballer? Well, after the initial alarm, periods of insomnia, and long heart-to-heart conversations, we told our son that he has our fullest support. To build a strong sporting spirit, and a sporting nation, parents and society at large need to learn how to be good sports, too. Supporting National Athletes”
“Sir, today, Singapore has world-class sporting facilities, such as the $1.3 billion Sports Hub, as well as many programmes to groom sporting talent: the Sports School; the Direct Schools Admission programme; the Singapore High Performance Sports System; Sports Excellence Scholarships; and the list goes on. Given all of this support, it seems like a wonderful time to pursue a sporting career. But is it really? While facilities and Government support are in abundance, have Singaporean attitudes towards sports really changed over the years? Do parents see a sporting career as a viable, respectable career goal? Are Singaporean parents going to be "sporting" about their child choosing football, swimming or table tennis over medicine, law and banking? This is a very real scenario that parents face today, a logical next step in a nation that has invested billions of dollars in world-class facilities and programmes. I think that more can and needs to be done to address the way people, particularly parents, think about sports. I know of parents who send their children for intensive coaching to get them into elite schools through the Direct School Admission (DSA) programme, and how these children end up hating the sport they gained direct admission for, as it is not their passion but they are forced into it. How many of these children admitted into DSA schools actually continue to pursue the sport beyond school/junior college/polytechnic. Likewise, at the Sports School, what has become of all the fantastic young talents unearthed during the 2010 Youth Olympic Games? I remember how the whole country came together to cheer on the boys in the national under-16 football team and how we were all mesmerised by their sheer passion and talent.”
“Mdm Chair, my question is directed to the Minister of State. With regard to PSB content, with 40% being actually farmed out by Mediacorp to independent production companies, would the Ministry think about actually making the contract as well as the projects and the amounts public so that there is more transparency between the independent production community and the platforms? The second question is: given what is happening in Iskandar and the rise of Pinewood Studios, how are we trying to encourage companies within the Mediapolis to step up and fare better with the competition?”
“In summary, Mdm Chair, challenges notwithstanding, I laud and support the Government's efforts and provisions in the Budget that will help the media sector transform itself for future challenges.”
“For example, a young, quirky Singaporean producer I met recently was matched with a mentor from the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC). While this could conceptually result in something interesting, a lot could also be lost in translation between genres and generations. She would have been better suited for a mentor from a younger skewing channel, perhaps like Channel 4. Mdm Chair, the Government has also invested millions into industry development schemes as well as infrastructure. Mediapolis@one-north is Singapore's first digital media hub, where emerging media technologies, content, services and applications are being developed, produced, financed and distributed to the world. It is not yet complete, but is already facing rising competition from our neighbours and beyond. A major part of this ecosystem is Infinite Studios which houses Singapore's largest sound stages. But, today, Iskandar in Johor has overtaken much of the production and post-production services in the region. The jewel in that crown is Pinewood Studios. It has world-class facilities designed for major productions. The most important attraction of Iskandar, however, is the financial incentive. Spend RM5 million in production expense and you immediately get a 30% rebate! And this has effectively meant that Singapore has become the No 2 port of call in this sector. Mdm Chair, what we need are viable solutions. Mediapolis in Singapore boasts world-class facilities as well. More effort should be made in raising the profile of Mediapolis and celebrating its advantages and successes. Perhaps, local companies could also be incentivised to use the facilities more regularly. In the last few years, I have also noticed that Singapore has a more muted presence in international conventions —”
“It will also create more goodwill and trust between the broadcasters and the production community. Can we survive just on local audiences? I think not, Mdm Chair. Just five years ago, South Korean platforms used to buy most of the available American and overseas content, be it drama or lifestyle shows. Today, South Korean companies invest almost totally in local, original content, mainly drama and K-pop, that have become highly popular at home and, increasingly, around the world. At a global television market in Cannes, France, last week, the South Koreans were trying to sell distributors, such as myself, content and formats for distribution in the American and European markets. It is a reversal and, indeed, a transformation of the industry. Convergence has resulted in greater variety and, with it, greater expectations of high-quality content. We must, as an industry, become better at mentoring our homegrown talent, particularly in the areas of production and commissioning. We must also become better at facilitating the transition of our SME production companies from local set-ups to international players. In recent years, we are seeing fewer and fewer Singaporean production companies venturing beyond our shores. The Media Development Authority (MDA) was one of the pioneer Government agencies in the region that embarked on industry development initiatives. Today, homegrown outfits, like The Moving Visuals Company and Beach House Pictures, are regional and global players, doing work for broadcasters like Discovery and National Geographic. More can be done to encourage the spirit of adventure among our local SMEs. Mentorship programmes too can be tweaked to better match experienced international mentors with local talent.”
“Viewing patterns on local TV have stabilised, with Suria, Vasantham and Channel NewsAsia growing their viewership. Programmes like "Wild City" and "Food Empire", just to name two, on Channel NewsAsia, are getting rave reviews here and overseas. The increase in funding and the use of specialised foreign expertise have resulted in strong local TV productions. "Tanglin", a daily drama series on Channel 5, is my personal favourite. Beyond the steady TV ratings, the online viewership has been very extremely encouraging. Average weekly views on Toggle are about 135,000 and reached 194,000 in the last week of March. So far, since the launch of "Tanglin" in June 2015, 5.5 million people have watched the show on Toggle. I urge Members to watch "Tanglin". Its local stories, multiracial cast, fresh talent and good production values make the stories very watchable. So, kudos to Mediacorp, well done! Mediacorp today outsources 40% of PSB-funded projects to production houses; there are about 80 to 90 SMEs in this sector. Cable broadcaster StarHub has also recently joined the fray and is also commissioning projects to independent production companies as a result of the contestable funding initiative. These funds are absolutely crucial to the survival and growth of our independent production community and will be a lifeline in a period of slowing economic growth. Feedback from the production community has been for more transparency with regard to budgets and quotas. Perhaps the Government could consider making public the projects that are commissioned under the PSB framework, from Mediacorp as well as from the independent production companies, including details like durations and production budgets. This will create greater transparency in the marketplace.”
“But it is still far too common for us in the media industry to see companies flying in individuals from overseas to take on lead roles in big projects and initiatives, when these positions could have been filled by capable, homegrown talent. I strongly urge the Government to consider further fine-tuning its approach to the accessibility of Singapore jobs to talent from overseas. Where local and highly capable talent already exist in that particular sector, then Singaporeans should be given first priority. We must encourage a talent ecosystem where local and international companies which prioritise Singaporean talent see the benefits of being our partners for growth, and transform, over time, into commercial pillars for the local community. While the Government must take the lead in setting this tone, those in positions of leadership and influence must themselves make a conscious effort to mentor homegrown executives. Singaporeans are not just highly efficient in functional roles. Singaporeans today can be truly exceptional in leadership and management roles. For if we do not make hiring our own people a priority in Singapore-funded projects, then who will? 1.00 pm Mdm Chair, I run the Asian business for a multinational corporation (MNC), and I am very proud to say that my entire team is Singaporean. It can be done. It must be done. Mdm Chair, I also had the privilege of serving on the Convergence Review Committee in 2012. A key recommendation by the committee then was to strengthen and enhance local vibrancy of original content. The Government has increased the quantum of Public Service Broadcast (PSB) funding and, in 2015, announced $250 million a year in funding from financial year (FY) 2015 to FY2019 to be disbursed. The impact is beginning to show.”
“Thank you, Mdm Chair, for allowing me the privilege to speak in this Committee of Supply (COS) Debate. Let me declare my interest as a Board Member of the Media Development Authority (MDA). Much has been said by the Members of this House about readying our economy and people for the future and about encouraging a spirit of partnership, care and resilience. I would like to add to the debate as a media practitioner and one who has spent his entire career in the media industry. They centre on the themes of "partnership" and "transformation". The single most important issue facing the media sector today in Singapore and the world, is convergence. Convergence is the merging of media like print, television, radio with the Internet and with portable and interactive technology, and this has transformed the way information is created, distributed and consumed globally. This throws up many opportunities as well as challenges for Singapore. The 2016 Budget, in my opinion, addresses many of the issues brought on by convergence and I am heartened by the Government's foresight and support. But areas of concern remain. Many of us know that countries, such as China and India, are spearheading the growth of the infocomm sector globally, both in technology and talent. They bring new technologies to market faster, and many talented individuals from overseas are now in Singapore running and working in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as large companies. This is not a bad thing, as we can, indeed learn, and improve by working with top talent. The Government has done much to manage this sensitive area while ensuring a global business-friendly ecosystem.”