Grace Fu Hai Yien
Singapore
“The Government takes a multi-pronged approach to address the disamenities from second-hand tobacco smoke. The National Environment Agency (NEA) works with Government agencies, Town Councils and community leaders to promote considerate behaviour and strengthen social norms.”
“The Government recently announced land-use changes in Lim Chu Kang to optimise our scarce land to meet our growing and evolving needs. We are at the initial planning stage and agencies are still working out the detailed development proposals.”
“Public Waste Collectors and Town Councils have trialled the collection and treatment of segregated food waste from households. However, participation rates are poor despite regular engagement and reminders.”
“The quality of incense offerings and the practice of burning incense are not regulated by law. Instead, the National Environment Agency (NEA) works with stakeholders, such as Town Councils, agencies and religious organisations, to encourage responsible burning of joss paper and incense.”
“The National Environment Agency (NEA) monitors public cleaning contractors through regular physical audits and remote monitoring, complemented by video analytics. NEA also regularly assesses the cleaning quality and outcomes of public cleaning contractors.”
“This question has been addressed in the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment’s combined answer to Question Nos 15 to 18 on the Order Paper for 7 July 2026. [Please refer to "National Recycling Rates, Plans and Targets", Official Report, 7 July 2026, Vol 96, Issue 32, Oral Answers to Questions section.]”
The complete record
Every one of 2,293 lines we hold for Grace Fu Hai Yien, in date order, each linked to its source. Free to read, in full, without an account. Page 29 of 46.
“By engaging one another face-to-face, and working side-by-side, we can ensure that Singapore society continues to stand strong and united.”
“Nevertheless, we remain vigilant as social mobility is slowing globally and mitigating the effects of social inequality never ends. Education and training are central pillars in the Government's effort to build a society of opportunities for all Singaporeans throughout their lives. The SkillsFuture movement and programmes like KidSTART are key in maintaining social mobility. The work of social cohesion is not something that the Government does or can achieve alone. Businesses, community organisations and individual Singaporeans have a part to play. Initiatives like Uplifting Pupils in Life and Inspiring Families Taskforce (UPLIFT) work with community partners to strengthen support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Our youths have been running ground-up projects to support disadvantaged groups. The SGCares movement and Our Singapore Fund promote whole-of-society activism by supporting ordinary Singaporeans with different ideas and talents to contribute to the common good. Similarly, to promote local-foreign understanding, the National Integration Council works with partners to carry out a wide variety of integration programmes. With the support of the People's Association and its grassroots network, the National Integration Council (NIC) also runs the Singapore Citizenship Journey and mobilises Integration and Naturalisation Champions to help induct new citizens into our society by helping them internalise our shared heritage, values and norms. Through the Community Integration Fund (CIF), the NIC supports ground-up projects that foster positive interactions and mutual understanding between locals and foreigners through community service, sports and cultural activities.”
“Since Independence, we have built a cohesive, fair and just society together. Diversity is a major feature of Singapore society, but we do not let our differences divide us. We have been proactive in our approach to social integration, especially in Singapore's multiracial, multi-religious context. Our housing policy on ethnic integration and our national education system are examples of how we bring people together, regardless of their backgrounds, in public housing estates and schools. Our parks, libraries, hawker centres, sports facilities and museums are important common spaces open to all, so that Singaporeans from different walks of life mingle easily together. This is how we built a strong unifying Singapore identity, despite having the diversity that comes from being an immigrant nation. More recent immigrants to Singapore might differ from earlier immigrants in terms of education, skills or countries of origin. But by continuing to be open and inclusive, we can sustain the social harmony we enjoy today. By and large, Singaporeans value this approach. A recent Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) study showed that almost 90% of respondents felt they could learn a lot from foreign cultures and appreciated people of different nationalities living in the same neighbourhood. A previous IPS study also found that Singaporeans generally had diverse social ties across age, race and nationality in their personal social networks. However, social cohesion and harmony are not something we should take for granted. Potential fault lines arising from class and social inequality are a concern worldwide. In Singapore, our efforts to create jobs, raise incomes across the board, and lift up the least well-off in society have worked well for the vast majority of Singaporeans.”
“Given the scale of the Singapore Marathon and our ambition for it to be amongst the World Marathon Majors, we recognise that the logistics will pose inconvenience to stakeholders and members of the public in the initial years, and we will keep aiming to improve how future editions are organised. But we hope that with the support of Singaporeans and by working closely with partners, we can build up the SCSM into an event that all Singaporeans can be proud of and look forward to.”
“A joint operations committee involving the organisers and various Government agencies, such as the Land Transport Authority (LTA) and the Traffic Police, was set up to develop and implement traffic plans and minimise inconvenience to the public. A detailed traffic impact study was conducted, and plans took into careful account accessibility for essential services, such as hospitals and fire stations. Additional traffic measures were put in place in view of major concurrent events, such as the U2 Concert at the Singapore Sports Hub and the Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay. SportSG also coordinated with the Singapore Tourism Board to engage affected businesses and stakeholders since the start of 2019, where road closure information was shared early with over 150 affected stakeholders to help with their own preparations. In the weeks leading up to the race, the event organiser ramped up road closure announcements on mainstream and social media platforms. It also beefed up call centre operations to address public queries on the road closures. On the event day, 500 Auxiliary Police Officers were deployed at critical road junctions to redirect motorists and advise on alternative routes. Emergency services were facilitated throughout regardless of the road closures. Roads were progressively opened as the race proceeded, in as safe a manner as possible. MCCY takes the public feedback seriously. We will work with the event organiser and relevant agencies to study these points, including suggestions to de-conflict the SCSM with other major events, and the need to enhance public communications on the road closures.”
“The Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon (SCSM) is the most anticipated race on Singapore's running calendar, and last year marked SCSM's 18th edition. In order to create more conducive running conditions and a better race experience for participants, as well as bring more spectators out into the streets to enjoy the race, SCSM was organised as an evening race for the first time on Saturday, 30 November 2019. There was a marked increase in the number of participants and spectators, with nearly 30,000 participants running in the marathon and half-marathon events, and more than 70,000 supporters cheering on the runners at the designated spectator zones and along the route. The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and SportSG supported this event as an opportunity to enhance the significance of the event for Singapore from a social, sporting and economic perspective. We aspire to showcase Singapore's vibrancy and character to the world through SCSM as a World Marathon Majors event, alongside the iconic marathons held in Berlin, Boston, Chicago, London, New York and Tokyo. In Singapore, our runners participate in SCSM to celebrate their resilience and purpose. There is a growing number championing worthwhile causes, such as those helping to raise awareness and funds for people with Parkinson's and the disadvantaged in society. We would like to embrace a spirit of care, inclusion and resilience in our society by encouraging more Singaporeans to be a part of this year-end event. From the onset, SportSG and the organisers Ironman Asia recognised that the evening timing would be a complex and major undertaking and took the preparations seriously. Preparations for SCSM 2019 began shortly after the conclusion of the 2018 event.”
“Deputy Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move that Question Time at this day's Sitting be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No 22(1) so as to enable Question for Oral Answer Number 12 to be completed.”
“Mr Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move that the proceedings on the item under discussion be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No 48(8) to remove the time limit in respect of the Deputy Prime Minister's speech?”
“The Sports School has consistently done better than national average in terms of the percentage of students who passed five or more subjects at the GCE "O" level examinations and better than the global average in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme score.”
“Mr Speaker, the Singapore Sports School is a specialised independent school under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) which offers students with sporting talent an avenue to reach their sporting potential whilst developing them holistically and preparing them for life. To this end, the school provides a strong academic and sport development programme that meets the needs of its students, develops their character and enables them to excel in their sport. The Sports School is measured by a set of 14 sporting, academic and student well-being targets. These targets include the percentage of student-athletes selected to represent Singapore in international open competitions annually and the percentage of the school's graduating cohort eligible to advance to higher education. In 2016, the school did not meet three of the 14 targets. In 2017, the school did not meet one of the 14 targets. And in 2018, the school met all 14 targets. In the 2017 Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, 104 athletes and alumni from the Sports School made up 19% of the 560-strong Team Singapore contingent and contributed to 31% of the medals that marked our nation’s best-ever away SEA Games performance. For the upcoming 2019 SEA Games in the Philippines starting 30 November, 101 athletes from the Sports School have, to date, been selected to compete across 21 sports. MCCY, Sport Singapore and the Ministry of Education do not track the originating schools of all Team Singapore athletes and neither is this a requirement by the Singapore National Olympic Council.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn." [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] Enhancing the Role of the Tripartite Alliance for Fair and Progressive Employment Practices (TAFEP) to Tackle Workplace and Job Discrimination 6.46 pm”
“What the Ministry could do is to play a role as convenor, to provide a safe space for staff from our AUs to share their practices in liberal education and to send a message that liberal education is not a luxury for the elite but is, in fact, a foundation for lifelong learning and citizenship that as many as possible should receive. Beyond education, I believe that Singaporeans in general will gain much if they adopt the liberal values of open mindedness tempered by critical inquiry to deal with the complexities of a changing world. I do not mean that people should adopt so-called "Western" liberal social or political attitudes, although I draw no adverse inferences there. Rather, we must accept, as a society and as individuals, that there is a right to question ideas, beliefs and policies, and to have one's own ideas and actions be questioned, critically but respectfully. If we can recognise the importance of these values for Singapore in an uncertain future, we will see that a liberal education, far from corrupting the youths, provides a source of strength for the future.”
“Sir, if we agree that elements of a liberal education are worthwhile, then the question becomes why more Singaporean youths are not exposed to these principles. There are, of course, tradeoffs. Courses in the liberal education tradition are faculty-intensive and highly demanding. But a narrow focus on costs blinds us to the possibilities of a liberal education. Our democracy is at risk if the electorate is unable to critically assess facts, policies and ideas, leading to the politics of fear and misinformation. This is a citizenship skills gap that a liberal education addresses. A well-designed liberal education will allow weaker students to develop their critical reading, writing and speaking skills in a safe space. Today, almost all our autonomous university (AU) programmes have included Core Curriculum components that do expose students to critical reading, writing and thinking. But the most comprehensive components of a liberal education are still reserved for the elite. For example, the National University of Singapore (NUS) University Scholars Programme and YNC, aim to push the intellectual boundaries of their students, and so they are highly selective to ensure rigour and quality. Sir, I understand the practical difficulties with expanding liberal education further. But if we believe that a liberal education has benefits for active citizenship, then we should make offerings available to more students. This cannot be forced. Each academic programme must decide.”
“As for academics, I welcome the Minister’s statement that activism is compatible with the role of the academic, provided those roles are appropriately separated. As Max Weber noted, the academic has a duty to discover the truth and to force society to confront those truths. But the pursuit of truth is different from acting on it, especially in the classroom. This is not because activism is wrong, but because the student should be tested on their ability to discern the truth and not on whether their values align with those of the instructor. My academic colleagues who have been called activists, such as Assoc Prof Teo You Yenn, understand this principle well. They have distinguished themselves both with their scholarship and with their activism. Sir, there are many legitimate but controversial topics of study – political dissent, religion, inequality, social injustice. If we are put to the test by public opinion, we must have the courage to choose to open minds rather than to close them. Rather than back down, we must pursue their inquiry with the highest standards of scholarship and teaching. What concerns me is that it will become difficult for Singaporean academics to examine and teach contentious topics because the standards must always be exacting, perfect, lest one is accused of subversion, flawed scholarship or activist motivations. If we ask for unrealistic perfection in our critical academics, our scholars will be biased towards the safe and the status quo. This is a hidden danger that threatens us all. It encourages a sloppiness of thinking, a belief that it is safer to regurgitate received wisdom than to seek new answers. This will be bad for our youths and bad for Singapore.”
“Our hon Member, Mr Mohamed Irshad, founded Roses of Peace as a student, as an inter-faith youth movement to counter religious hatred with love and kindness. Mr Lim Jingzhou, a Yale-NUS student, co-founded the Cassia Resettlement Team, a youth-led collective which supports resettled elderly and vulnerable residents through house visits and building community networks. Many other student activists toil unseen. We should critically question the false dichotomy separating the activist from the volunteer, where we often treat the former with suspicion while showering the latter with praise. Both are the result of putting values into action. The concern remains that who teaches and what is taught in the classroom can shape our youths for good or for ill. This morning, the Minister for Education explained that we must account for personal character, behaviour and ideology when assessing potential educators. Reasonable people will agree there are some ideologies so hostile or behaviours so reprehensible that we must protect the youths by preventing exposure. But in making such judgements, we must guard against unnecessarily narrowing minds in the guise of protecting them. The story of Socrates reminds us that what is politically convenient – to university administrators, to the public, or to the Government – is not always what is truthful or right. In the case of Mr Alfian, although we may agree he is not the ideal academic instructor of political dissent, I would hope that we judge his award-winning poems and plays still worthy of study as Singapore literature; that his skills as a playwright and artistic mentor can still benefit our youths.”
“I do not want to single Mr Goh out. His concerns are shared by many Singaporeans who are concerned about the principles and objectives of a liberal education, and the risk of such an education being subverted for non-academic ends. At the risk of simplifying, what is really being questioned is whether our students are being enlightened by their education or corrupted by it. Sir, these concerns are not new. From time to time, nations must hang a philosopher to encourage the others. Socrates, the founder of Western philosophy, was put to death for corrupting the youths of Athens. What is profoundly uncomfortable to many of us is the possibility that students will be taught something that is untrue; if not untrue, then, even worse, an inconvenient truth; and that once equipped with these ideas, they will be incited to put their ideals in action. But in fact, a liberal education aims to do nothing of the kind. Like other philosophies of education, a liberal education simply aims to cultivate a good human being and citizen. What is distinctive is that a liberal education holds the student responsible for their own intellectual development. A good liberal education teaches the student that the truth is something to be discovered rather than something imparted by a wise sage; that no writing, statement or deed, should pass without critical questioning; that, as Socrates said, "the unexamined life is not worth living". If, as a result of education, the student discovers that some social injustice exists and develops a conviction that they have a responsibility to set it right, then that is a consequence, but not the aim, of a liberal education. What are examples of such student activism?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn." [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] A Liberal Education and Corruption of the YouthS of Singapore 7.05 pm Assoc Prof Walter Theseira (Nominated Member): Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in the past few months, the youths have shaken the world. The "School Strike for Climate" movement led by 16-year-old, Greta Thunberg, has inspired millions of students worldwide to push their governments to take action. In Singapore, on 21 September, the Singapore Climate Rally gathered more than 1,700 participants, most of them youths, to Hong Lim Park. They peacefully called for Singapore to restructure our society and economy to prevent climate change. But at the same time, Hong Kong is burning. Youth-led mass protests, while at first peaceful, have since degenerated into lawlessness and violence. The potential and energy of the youths are clear. The only question is to what end that potential will be turned into. In September, Yale-NUS College (YNC) cancelled a Learning Across Boundaries programme titled "Dialogue and Dissent in Singapore". The programme was organised by Singapore playwright Mr Alfian Sa'at. The reasons for cancellation have been addressed during Question Time today. What I am concerned with are the conclusions that some have drawn from the episode. Mr Goh Choon Kang, a former Member of Parliament, wrote in Lianhe Zaobao on 18 September to critique the YNC programme. His article was titled “Singapore does not need a "colour revolution." His concern is that the programme would expose students to Singaporean political dissidents, whom he argues are a subversive or improper political influence. He is concerned that impressionable students may be incited to destabilise Singapore.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move, "That the proceedings on the item under discussion be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order No 48(8) to remove the time limit in respect of Minister K Shanmugam's speech."”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I welcome and support the Bill.”
“For instance, IBM has a Cultural Adaptability Programme to enhance the level of awareness and appreciation on different beliefs and practices among their employees through structured workshops and resources. These have helped strengthen understanding among its employees and enhanced the contributions of the diverse teams. More companies should, similarly, pay attention to building race and religious competency. Mr Speaker, at Independence, our society started out with tolerance and accommodation among communities. We grew to appreciate what we have in common and how our differences make us richer, not poorer. Today, we harness our diversity as our strength, and we are a society with genuine friendships built on goodwill, trust and confidence in what it means to be Singaporean. During my recent house visits, a Chinese resident, who is a Christian, shared with me how her Muslim neighbour would help watch after her young child whenever she has to fetch another from school and her Hindu neighbour on the other side would share food with her from time to time. And their children would often be found in one another’s homes. The resident brought this to my attention because she truly appreciated the kindness and generosity of her neighbours. But above all, she knows that this relationship transcending differences in race and religion is not to be taken for granted. Such trusting and warm relationships among neighbours of different faiths can be found all around Singapore. It is the beauty of Singapore and Singaporeans. We must continue to uphold our values and keep working hard to preserve social harmony. We must ensure that this is in the DNA of every Singaporean, so that we remain as one united people regardless of language, race and religion.”
“Several community groups have facilitated candid and open dialogues on race and religion. For instance, The WhiteHatters organised a series of conversations called Ask Me Anything (AMA) where participants of diverse faiths engage religious leaders to clarify their understanding of their religions. In June, the organisers brought together the Christian, Jewish and Muslim representatives to discuss the Abrahamic faiths. In September, OnePeople.sg collaborated with Channel NewsAsia and Roses of Peace, a non-governmental organisation, to conduct dialogue sessions on race relations. The Inter-Religious Organisation (IRO), in conjunction with its 70th anniversary, held a Harmony of Faiths exhibition that showcased efforts in promoting interfaith understanding throughout its years. The sight of 10 religious leaders representing different faiths, conducting prayers side-by-side, simultaneously and jointly, would be familiar to Singaporeans who have been to, for instance, Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Officer Cadet Course commissioning parades, the World War II commemorative ceremonies, or watched their pre-race blessing of the Formula One races. We want to tap on the collective wisdom and ideas of Singaporeans and encourage the community to leverage the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth's (MCCY’s) Harmony Fund to continue developing innovative projects that promote racial and religious harmony. Beyond programmes, more Singaporeans are also expressing interest and respect for diversity in our daily lives. In the workplace, management plays an important role in creating a conducive work environment for a diverse workforce.”
“Grassroots organisations help to resolve local issues and bridge communities through dialogue and engagement. When faced with the communal riots in 1964, we established goodwill committees comprising racially diverse community leaders to calm the situation. This was the foundation for the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs) which was formalised in 2002 to foster community bonding at the local level. Today, IRCC members help resolve local issues that may arise from time to time, work on projects jointly, such as emergency preparedness, and help one another. During this year’s Hari Raya Haji, a Buddhist organisation helped to manage traffic for a neighbouring mosque so that its prayer service could run smoothly. This idea arose during an IRCC meeting and was carried out by IRCC members. We support efforts by religious and community leaders to promote racial and religious harmony. An Inter-Religious Harmony Circle (IRHC) comprising religious leaders and Government representatives, developed and launched the Declaration on Religious Harmony in 2003. This Declaration is still recited at interfaith events. In June 2019, our religious leaders launched the Commitment to Safeguard Religious Harmony that affirms the shared values to safeguard our religious harmony and the norms of social interaction across religions to foster a cohesive society. The Government helped facilitate multiple engagement sessions with a wide group of religious leaders. More than 300 religious organisations have since affirmed the Commitment. Dozens of secular community organisations, companies, social service agencies and educational institutions have also expressed support for this. Ground-up efforts to promote racial and religious harmony are rising.”
“This was emphasised 30 years ago, in the original 1989 White Paper on Maintenance of Religious Harmony. I quote, “So long as all Singaporeans understand that they have to live and let live, and show respect and tolerance for other faiths, harmony should prevail”. Underlying this is a shared commitment to build a home together. It is a home built on the ideal of a multiracial and multi-religious society where everyone has the freedom to choose and practise his or her religion, provided the same freedom is afforded to others. When Singapore became independent, our founding fathers made a deliberate choice to build our nation based on such a multiracial, multi-religious society, as an expression of what Singapore stands for. It was a novel idea at the time when most newly-independent countries opted to entrench a dominant race, language and religion, because it was the easier and primordial path. It is done out of a tribal instinct to protect its identity and ensure its existence. Multiculturalism, of sharing the societal space with all races, on the other hand, has become an integral part of our Singapore identity. All of us want a society where all Singaporeans, regardless of background, feel that they are equal members of the same community. The social compact will allow us to broaden our common space, even as our society becomes more diverse. We, the Government, are committed to working with Singaporeans, at all levels, to safeguard racial and religious harmony. We have remained steadfast in this approach since our beginnings. The People’s Association was set up in 1960, with promoting social cohesion and connecting people from all walks of life as one of its main objectives.”
“This is the case whenever we discuss religious radicalisation activities, or when we discuss results of studies on race and religion in Singapore. It was the same when we debated the introduction of the Reserved Presidential Election. It was also the same when we debated the ban of the Swedish black metal band Watain from performing in Singapore, because the band advocated violence against a religion. It demonstrated the desire of our people for a cohesive society that will deal with such emotive issues publicly, transparently and calmly. Although we are here to debate on the Bill, laws alone do not bring about the cohesive society that I have described. Legislative solutions cannot address the many challenges that we face. For instance, although we can implement policies, such as the Ethnic Integration Policy, we cannot legislate neighbours to interact with others of different faiths. Our schools cannot dictate that classmates must eat and play together. The same applies to our workplaces. At a more fundamental level, we cannot legislate to remove irrational fears and stereotypes, nor to accept that a set of different beliefs can coexist with ours. In other words, legislation, though important, is not sufficient. Our social harmony has been built painstakingly over time. It is through individual actions and efforts in our everyday lives to engage one another. We offer help to one another, do business together, and attend one another’s life events, such as weddings and funerals. This approach has served us well and survey results show both interracial and inter-religious trust is high and rising. This requires continued effort and we, as Singaporeans, must all do our part.”
“Mr Speaker, I support the Bill. Since coming into effect in 1992, MRHA has been a critical complement to Singapore’s work on strengthening religious harmony. It protects our religious freedom, by making clear the boundaries of our mutual engagements. Since then, the world around us has evolved and changed. The world is at far more risk of polarising forces that divide rather than unite people. It is timely that we amend the Act to ensure that it continues to serve its original intent, today. Globalisation has increased our connectedness with foreign cultures and communities; social media has transformed how we communicate; hate speech and violence in the name of personal beliefs and faiths are on the rise. We are facing heightening polarisation of views. Singapore is not immune to these trends, and they threaten the religious harmony that we have spent decades carefully tending. We need new responses to new challenges. The Government is not alone in holding this view. I chair the National Steering Committee on Racial and Religious Harmony, whose members comprise apex leaders from the major faith and ethnic groups. These respected leaders, and many more in Singapore, have expressed similar concerns when we discuss issues of race and religion. They understand the importance and urgency of dealing with the risks unequivocally and they have expressed strong support for the proposed amendments. We have built a strong foundation for social cohesion in Singapore, which we must vigorously safeguard. We have proven that our communities can come together to discuss sensitive issues of race and religion seriously, candidly but respectfully, with the common goal of making Singapore a better home for everyone.”
“The Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth welcomes our Team Singapore athletes and sports associations to strive for excellence and supports them in realising their goals. We look forward to hearing from the Football Association of Singapore on their plan to achieving their stated goal, and how the football fraternity, community and the Government can support them in their efforts.”
“We can do much more to grow employee volunteerism and will focus on improving the existing scheme and making its administrative processes more seamless and convenient for both businesses and IPCs. We thank Ms Anthea Ong for her suggestion for BIPS to include assets, and will also take it into consideration as we review our strategies to encourage corporate giving.”
“We share Ms Anthea Ong's desire to see more companies take up the Business and Institution of a Public Character Partnership Scheme (BIPS) which was introduced by the Government to encourage more employee volunteerism. BIPS offer businesses a 250% tax deduction on basic wages and related expenses incurred when their employees volunteer or provide services to Institutions of Public Character (IPCs). To better understand their feedback, we organised a Focus Group Discussion together with the Ministry of Finance and the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre (NVPC) last year with businesses and IPCs on BIPS. We found two main areas for improvement: firstly, awareness among both businesses and IPCs about BIPS; and secondly, the administrative ease of the scheme. We will do more to raise awareness of BIPS. NVPC will actively promote the scheme to businesses, such as through their corporate giving guide and Company of Good Fellowship programme. We will also share about BIPS with the IPCs through the Commissioner of Charities’ platforms and outreach events. We are working to refine the administrative processes for tax claims, both for businesses and IPCs. Today, businesses claim tax deduction based on the pro-rated wages of individual employees who had volunteered. We will provide an alternative for businesses which prefer to claim based on fixed manhour rates. We expect this to take effect from Year of Assessment 2020. Regarding Ms Anthea Ong's suggestion for BIPS to include assets, the scheme currently allows businesses to claim tax deductions for other qualifying expenditures, such as rental of spaces, if they are incurred as part of the volunteering activity.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn." [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] Taking Busking to the Next Level 7.06 pm”
“This is the first major PPP that the Government has done and, obviously, we can all learn from the process. But it will not do justice if I were to just explain or give these learning points out of memory, because this is a very substantive and serious matter. So, if the Member is interested, he may raise a separate Parliamentary Question. The issue on CEO, like the Member, we too, are very concerned about the continuity in management and also the quality of management. This is an area where we have regular discussions with the company and the shareholders as well. I would like to say that the acting CEO is the Chairman. So, the Chairman has taken it upon himself to be relocated and to take on the CEO role. But continuity and high quality of management are areas of constant discussions between the Government and the company.”
“Under the Sports Hub public-private partnership (PPP) arrangement, SportsHub Pte Ltd (SHPL) is contracted to design, build, finance and operate the Sports Hub. In recent years, it has hosted sports events, such as the Season of Athletics, Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) Singapore Rugby Sevens, and FINA Swimming World Cup. Last month, over 100,000 fans attended the third edition of the International Champion's Cup at the National Stadium. However, like many Singaporeans, we have high expectations of the Sports Hub. There is room for improvement to make the Sports Hub the vibrant, integrated sports and lifestyle destination we envisioned. Sport Singapore (SportSG) has been in regular communication with SHPL's senior management to monitor the performance of the operator, as well as to ensure that Singapore's goals and objectives of the project are met.”
“Let me explain again. It is not a penalty; it is actually waivers and also for variation orders, which are to be expected for a project that is that massive, that involves two monuments and an extension connecting the two. I would broadly explain that this $13 million probably has two main audit findings from AGO. The first are specific items of claims amongst quantity agreements and so on. This part of the work is still being finalised and, in order not to compromise our position, I would not say how it would go one way or another. Another part of these findings relates to the systems of approval of the variation orders. This part, NGS has fully adopted the recommendations of AGO, and MCCY would work with them to see that these are implemented. Having said all that, we are going through a final audit and we have not completed the audit. But based on my understanding at this point in time and having gone through the AGO reports extensively and several times with NGS, we are satisfied that the claims or the variation orders have good basis and there is no reason for us to believe that there is any need for major recoveries.”
“Mr Speaker, please allow me to state that as the Auditor-General's Office (AGO) is an independent Organ of State, I am here to represent the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth (MCCY) and not AGO in this reply. MCCY has reviewed AGO's findings and is satisfied that there was no fraud involved in the National Gallery of Singapore's (NGS') waivers of contractual provisions. MCCY provided funding for this project to be directly managed by NGS so as to achieve greater efficiency and savings from aligning the design and construction to its operational requirements. NGS duly executed all contracts under its purview to deliver the project on time and below budget. The $13 million was not overpayment, but primarily waivers of penalties for additional time taken by the contractor to complete construction works. During the course of the project, NGS addressed all findings from MCCY's progressive audits. MCCY's fifth and final audit has since resumed after being suspended due to the AGO audit. Arising from the AGO audit and MCCY's final audit, MCCY will work with NGS to enhance their financial processes and procurement policies.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn." [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] Achieving Arts Excellence in Singapore 6.25 pm”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, may I seek your consent to move that the debate be now adjourned.”
“Mr Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move, "That the proceedings on the item under discussion be exempted from the provisions of Standing Order 48(8) to remove the time limit in respect of Minister Shanmugam's speeches."”
“The initiatives under the National Youth Council and Youth Corps are not limited to students. So, actually, they reach out to a broad spectrum of youths, including young working adults. The impact of each of these initiatives will be measured against the key performance indicators of the project, depending on the objectives set out in the project proposal.”
“Through these efforts, we complement the Ministry of Health's wider initiatives to improve mental well-being, as part of the recommendations under the NurtureSG Action Plan and Community Mental Health Masterplan. These initiatives include strengthening peer support efforts within schools and the institutes of higher learning, equip them with peer-helping skills, strategies, and resources to look out for peers in distress.”
“Mr Speaker, 3,600 youths responded to the online poll of Youth Conversations. The topic of mental health received over 2,100 votes, making it the ninth among the top topics of interest, ranging from social inequality to marriage and parenthood. A face-to-face Youth Conversation was subsequently organised in partnership with the Health Promotion Board (HPB), bringing students, volunteers, and mental health professionals together to discuss what more we can do as a society. Following the session, youths’ insights and ideas were shared with various Government agencies, including HPB, the Agency for Integrated Care and the National Council for Social Services. Youths themselves also stepped up to take action. For example, some of the participants formed a panel of resource persons for HPB to provide feedback on their programmes and share insights about mental health issues among youths. In addition, two participants came together to start a project called the School of Ability and Recovery (SOAR) Initiative to foster mental wellness and reduce stigma through education. Youth Corps Singapore recently started a mental health cluster which will facilitate youth leaders in galvanising like-minded volunteers to do more in this area. Through the National Youth Fund and Young ChangeMakers Grant, we funded projects led by youths and Youth Sector Organisations, such as the Singapore Mental Health Film Festival by Breathe Movement, held in February this year, which aimed to increase awareness about the complexity of mental illnesses through a series of films and panel discussions.”
“The Busking Scheme was introduced in 1997 to support the Government's efforts to enhance Singapore's vibrancy and provide opportunities for Singaporeans to enjoy the arts in everyday spaces from our city centre to our neighbourhoods. Over the past five years, the National Arts Council (NAC) has received an average of around 300 busking applications each year for a Letter of Endorsement. To accommodate greater interest in the Busking Scheme, the capacity of the quarterly auditions has been gradually increased. About 80% of the 600 slots available were utilised last year, and around one in two applicants were successful in obtaining a Letter of Endorsement. In their audition, buskers are assessed by a panel of three arts professionals on their: (a) competency and skill in performance; (b) engagement with the audience; (c) expressiveness and confidence; and (d) innovation and originality. If they are successful, they will be allocated a number of busking sites so that there is a good spread of buskers across different locations in Singapore and prevents overcrowding in certain spots which may cause disamenities, such as loud noise and threat to safety. Over 90% of buskers are allocated at least one of their preferred locations. Currently, there are a total of around 300 buskers who have been given approval to busk at over 80 locations.”
“Our community organisations must continue their efforts to maintain our social harmony. In Singapore, while each community has its space, we must also expand the common space so that Singaporeans can live, work and play together with a spirit of inclusiveness and mutual respect. Through participation in shared activities and the building of shared experiences, people will understand and trust one another better. This contributes to strengthening our national identity. Our Constitution and laws protect the interests of different communities, including the prohibition of hate speech and behaviour that incite violence. However, building social cohesion and a shared national identity cannot be achieved through legislation alone. Our goal is to move from simply preventing discrimination, towards a people united in hearts and minds. This is the process of moving from tolerance, accommodation and celebrating our diversity to mutual trust. It requires constant effort from both the Government and the people. Singapore's long-term peace and stability require Singaporeans to reach out and listen to one another, communicate and build mutual trust, one encounter at a time. Singapore is a home for all of us, bound by friendship and a common destiny. Let us uphold the principle of safeguarding cultural and religious diversity, march towards the goal of a united nation, regardless of race, language and religion, and write a unique, exciting chapter of our Singapore Story.”
“For instance, we are expanding the SG Cares Community Networks to better connect volunteers and other resources to areas of need. To conclude, Singapore's social cohesion and harmony are fundamental to our survival, prosperity and identity. But more than that, it is a testament to how we have succeeded in making our diversity a strength. Our diversity is not a challenge or a weakness. Because of our different cultures, beliefs and practices, each of us is able to bring something special and make a unique contribution to the Singapore story. We have woven a beautiful tapestry from many different coloured strands and it is what defines us as Singaporeans – a key to our identity. We have no illusions that our social harmony is fragile and precious, and we must strive constantly to protect and strengthen it. Ultimately, defeating hateful ignorance and building a cohesive society depend on all Singaporeans, not just the Government, but every one of us. Each and every one of us can and must contribute to building a more united Singapore, by reaching out, listening to one another, and building trust, one encounter at a time. Our nation will then always be a home for all Singaporeans, bound by friendship and a common destiny. Mr Speaker, allow me to finish my speech in Mandarin, please. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Singapore's racial and religious harmony is fundamental to our survival and key to our economic prosperity. Mutual respect and tolerance among the various races and religions are already embedded in our national consciousness. Although there have been no racial conflicts in the past 50 years, the global rise of populism and religious extremism has allowed race and religion to be exploited to divide societies.”
“Our vibrant and diverse arts scene also helps promote understanding across communities, through works that reflect our multicultural identity, as well as works that introduce us to foreign cultures. Many arts productions, through their exploration of humanity and societal issues, also remind us of our universal commonalities while recognising our differences. Whether you enjoy performances at the Esplanade’s Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts, or appreciating art works at the National Gallery Singapore, the arts are a powerful platform to unify people of different backgrounds. We should continue to celebrate one another’s festivals. Those organised by the People's Association (PA) and IRCCs provide opportunities for people of diverse backgrounds to come together and appreciate our different music, dances and much more. Third, we need to continuously build and nurture strong bonds with one another. I am glad to note there are survey results showing that more people are having friends of different races. We need to keep at it. Sport is an activity that brings people from all walks of life together. We will strive to provide children and youth with more opportunities to play with one another from a young age, through the ActiveSG Clubs and Academies. We have also expanded participation in Outward Bound Singapore (OBS). Students from different schools and different backgrounds will have common experiences, and bond by facing challenges together. We hope that through these experiences, people will form meaningful friendships with one another, regardless of race, language or religion. At the same time, we will continue to encourage a more caring and giving community. We will provide more platforms for collaboration, volunteerism and giving.”
“We will be holding the International Conference on Cohesive Societies in June this year, where we will bring together policymakers, community and religious leaders and academics from Singapore, the region and the wider world to share experiences, discuss ideas and promote collaboration. Our religious and community leaders continue to spend much time and attention reaching out regularly to one another to build mutual trust and understanding. This is not only through regular conversations, but also through informal activities, such as the annual Harmony Games organised by members of the National Steering Committee on Racial and Religious Harmony. Our religious and community leaders have also showed solidarity in trying times. For instance, after the Lou Engle incident last year, the Christian and Muslim community came together and showed how our strong inter-religious bonds would not be weakened by insensitive remarks. Second, we must continue to appreciate how our different cultures and religions make Singapore richer and more vibrant. Our museums and heritage institutions foster deeper understanding of our diverse cultural heritage anchored on our shared history. We express our national pride in the rich diversity of our hawker culture in our ongoing United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) bid. Indeed, life would be worse off if our hawker centres all sold food of one single race, or if we could not sit together with friends of other races to eat our meals. Fortunately, we can have food from all races all at one hawker centre catering to different dietary requirements, and together with our friends and neighbours of different races and religions.”
“For instance, Ask Me Anything (AMA) is a community-led series of conversations where different religious leaders take turns to clarify common misconceptions about their beliefs and practices, as well as engage on sensitive issues. AMA is one of the initiatives under the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth's (MCCY's) Broadening Religious and Racial Interaction through Dialogue and General Education (BRIDGE), which provides safe spaces for such honest and open dialogues to take place. Over 200 people turned up at one recent session on Catholicism in December 2018 to learn more from members of the Catholic Archdiocese. I participated in one of the facilitated break-out groups and witnessed how questions that seemed sensitive could be asked and discussed extensively but calmly in a supportive environment, allowing participants to clarify their doubts, get a better understanding about one another without imposing beliefs on one another, and developing trust through deeper understanding. Beyond religious issues, MCCY’s Youth Conversations have allowed more than 8,000 youths to come together and share perspectives on issues of national importance, such as social divides, vulnerable communities and environmental sustainability. In 2019, a panel will be formed to further engage youths. The aim is to articulate a youth vision for Singapore in 2025 and an SG Youth Action Plan, which will cover areas ranging from jobs and employment to mental health. We will continue to support and expand these platforms and spaces where our citizens can engage one another candidly, discuss their perspectives and, if necessary, agree to disagree respectfully. We will also continue to learn from experiences and best practices internationally about promoting and preserving social harmony.”
“But such a right cannot be an unfettered one. For a small country like Singapore, how we exercise this right should also consider the impact on our fellow Singaporeans. We live side by side with others of different races and religions, and in close proximity. Thus, every Singaporean has to be accommodating and practise give and take. This means giving up a bit of one’s own space and comfort for others, but, in return, we can expect others to do the same for us. In Singapore, our Constitution, laws and policies have been the traditional backstop against hate speech and incitement to violence. The Minister for Home Affairs has touched extensively on the rationale of our policies. But can we assume the absence of offensive speech or communal violence in our society means there is social harmony and cohesion? Mr Lee Kuan Yew once said, "No amount of troops would be able to stop the trouble if there was real hatred between the different communities. The decisive factor would be dependent upon the goodwill between neighbours". Indeed, forging a united people needs more than just the absence of denigration and discrimination and more than law enforcement. For while law enforcement can arguably remove hatred, it cannot fill the void with respect and empathy. A strong cohesive society starts from tolerance and, over time, moves to accommodation. From accommodation, we progress to an appreciation of commonalities and differences. Finally, friendships built on goodwill, trust and confidence in one another will form and must form. It is a process that requires continued effort. To this end, we have been expanding opportunities for Singaporeans to grow a deeper understanding of one another through honest dialogues, across a range of topics.”
“Mr Speaker, Singapore's approach to achieving and preserving social harmony is informed by both history and societal context. In the early 1820s, when our immigrant forefathers first arrived in Singapore, they naturally formed enclaves based on where they came from or the language they spoke. The enclaves were further entrenched by our colonial rulers who divided Singapore into ethnic residential areas. The years leading up to our Independence in 1965 were fraught with many challenges that threatened to tear our society apart. The social bonds formed amongst the people were fragile; the slightest provocation or tension could incite violent conflict. Our students today are still taught about the painful lessons of the Maria Hertogh riots in 1950 and the 1964 Race Riots. We managed to overcome those challenges. We nurtured a sense of community and belief in a common destiny, by choosing to build a nation based on justice and equality for all, a nation where you and I are co-equals as citizens. As the late Mr Lee Kuan Yew said, "Everybody will have his place: equal; language, culture, religion". [Deputy Speaker (Mr Lim Biow Chuan) in the Chair] The strong community relations we enjoy today arose neither by accident nor by the laws of nature. We strove to enable every community to have its own space to practise its culture and customs. At the same time, we sought to maximise our common space so that Singaporeans can live, work and play side by side in mutual respect, sharing common experiences and growing a sense of shared identity. We have a nuanced approach towards racial and religious relations. Every Singaporean has the right and freedom to practise beliefs of choice, to enjoy pastimes of choice, and to appreciate arts and culture of choice.”
“To address inequality, no fewer than four Ministries have come together to ensure that we deliver practical solutions to help low-income families in Singapore. To help businesses navigate the digital future, Minister Iswaran shared how MCI and the economic agencies are working together to raise the digital capabilities of our small and medium enterprises. These follow from initiatives like the Industry Transformation Maps, where Government agencies partner one another to drive enterprise growth, support worker training, and address regulatory matters. In a complex world, combining our expertise, assets and strengths is the best way to overcome challenges. And our Public Service has the will and ability to do this. Mr Speaker, on this note of confidence, I would like to conclude the Budget Debate by thanking all Members for coming together to weave our strategies to build a stronger fabric for a united Singapore. To use the words of Prof Lim Sun Sun, this has been a forum where we are unafraid of asking tough questions of one another. Our Nominated Members of Parliament (NMPs) who debuted this year deserve special mention. I thank them for speaking on a wide range of topics from mental health, volunteerism, retirement adequacy, sports, to the value of the arts and culture. They have researched, studied and presented their case with robustness. Their contributions have enriched the debate. On behalf of the House, I would also like to thank you, Mr Speaker, and your deputies for your stewardship. We are also grateful to the Parliament Secretariat and all those who have helped behind the scenes, including the interpreters, for providing their steadfast support. Thank you, Mr Speaker. [Applause.] 4.06 pm”
“We were also reminded that we must maintain fiscal prudence so that we do not burden our future generations with our decisions today, and that we must find the next water story in waste and food and be responsible towards our environment, even as the effects of climate change will be felt in decades to come. That we are thinking far into the future, planning for the future and acting for the future now is the hallmark of Singapore. How do we know if the long-term plans we make are going in the right direction? The answer lies in the third theme that has run through this debate. By giving space for civic participation and partnerships in our policies and implementation of plans, we can forge effective solutions, leverage one another’s expertise and strengths, and do good by all Singaporeans. Several Ministries are conducting public consultations so that the Government and the people can co-develop effective solutions. Through the Tripartite Workgroup on Older Workers, the Government gathered feedback from workers, employers, union leaders and other stakeholders to inform policies to support older workers. MCCY worked with other public agencies to conduct Youth Conversations, where over 8,000 youths came forward to share their perspectives on topics ranging from mental health to social inequality. The Ministry of Social and Family Development, MCCY and MOH are building an extensive network of community support and volunteers to care for the elderly and uplift low-income families. To ground our work in designing housing and facilities for assisted living, the Ministry of National Development and MOH will be consulting senior citizens and healthcare providers. Ministries are also working more closely with one another.”
“Ms Denise Phua, Assoc Prof Daniel Goh, Mr Chong Kee Hiong and Dr Intan Mokhtar reminded us that our workforce needs to be an inclusive one, as those with special needs and those advanced in their years also have much to offer, and ought to be treated with dignity. Miss Cheryl Chan and Prof Lim Sun Sun talked about improving the working environment for women. Putting Singaporeans at the centre of what we do extends also to the social sector. MOH shared plans to improve access to affordable healthcare, and to give every Singaporean outpatient medical subsidy through the Community Health Assist Scheme (CHAS). My Ministry has made it its focus to ensure that Singaporeans from all walks of life can engage in sports and enjoy the arts. The Ministry of Education (MOE) talked about what it will do to ensure that every Singaporean has a strong foundation in education, starting from preschool. Mr Ang Wei Neng, Mr Charles Chong and Mr Louis Ng urged a re-examination of our approach to educating Singaporeans. And so, with Singaporeans at the core of our policy considerations, we did not shy away from making major changes like removing streaming in secondary schools. Second, Members agreed that while we work on the present, we must keep an eye on the future. There are key challenges that lie ahead. Mr Pritam Singh pointed out that we must leverage technology to ensure that critical functions, like national security, are not affected by our shrinking population. The Ministry of Trade and Industry and MCI spoke about how we must focus on innovation and creativity and help our businesses digitalise to ensure our competitiveness in the future economy and that the purpose of future-proofing our economy is so that our workers will seize the new opportunities that the future will bring.”