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.]”
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“Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That the Standing Orders Committee appointed under paragraph 4(a) of the Standing Order No 100 do consider and report on such amendments to the Standing Orders of Parliament which the Committee may deem necessary." Madam, the Government is initiating a review of the Standing Orders for two purposes. First, to make consequential amendments to the Standing Orders arising from the constitutional amendments principally in relation to the Elected Presidency Scheme that were passed by this House last November. Second, to take the opportunity to do a more general review, to ensure that this House continues to have an efficient set of procedures to support its work. Members can make written submissions to the Standing Orders Committee if they have any amendments to propose. The submissions should be sent to the Clerk by Friday, 17 March 2017. Madam, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That the Standing Orders Committee appointed under paragraph 4(a) of the Standing Order No 100 do consider and report on such amendments to the Standing Orders of Parliament which the Committee may deem necessary." (proc text)]”
“As at 31 December 2016, there were almost 1.2 million ActiveSG members. The budget for ActiveSG, including the operating budget for facilities, such as sports stadia and swimming pools, was about $60 million. The complimentary $100 ActiveSG credits given to new members are intended to encourage members to kickstart an active lifestyle and for them to experience the various sports facilities and programmes. Thus far, almost three quarters of members have utilised their credits. The ActiveSG credits amounted to about $10 million in revenue forgone per year. Sport Singapore (SportSG) announced in November 2015 that the validity of the credits will be extended for another year, so long as the member uses them at least once in the last 12 months. More than 630,000 members benefited from the extension. About 150,000 members had their credits lapsed on 31 December 2016 despite email reminders.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn." [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] Coordinating LED Night Illumination in our National Infrastructure 7.20 pm”
“Mdm 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 Chan Chun Sing's speech?”
“We launched Our Singapore Fund in August to partner and support more Singaporeans who wish to embark on ground-up initiatives that will bring people together as a community and help build the Singaporean identity. We are also launching Singapore Cares as a national movement to rally Singaporeans to strengthen the kampung spirit and help others in need. The way we work as a Government is changing. We will continue to find different ways to understand citizen needs and to partner them. SGfuture is a step in our ongoing journey to make it possible for every Singaporean to co-create our future together as we journey towards SG100.”
“Close to 50,000 Singaporeans from all walks of life participated in over 600 dialogue sessions as part of Our Singapore Conversation (OSC) in 2012. It was a rich dialogue among Singaporeans, and not just between the Government and Singaporeans, aimed at defining our shared future together. This national engagement helped crystallise the core aspirations of Singaporeans. First, opportunities to lead fulfilling lives, to realise one's potential. Second, coming together to build a better Singapore. Third, assurance that our basic needs can be met, that we do not have to face life's uncertainties alone. Fourth, closer community ties, a cohesive society and a warmer kampung spirit. Finally, trust between the Government and people, and trust among Singaporeans. These aspirations have served to shape our policy directions. For example, in the past few years we made significant moves to keep housing affordable, introduced the Pioneer Generation Package, MediShield Life, reviewed our Primary School Leaving Examination system and introduced Skills Future. Another important outcome from OSC has been in how we see the importance of on-going public engagements. OSC helped us learn more about how we can better communicate and engage with Singaporeans, and also the importance of creating space for the community to take ownership in shaping our shared future. Building on the momentum of OSC as well as the many ground-up efforts to celebrate SG50, we launched the SGfuture engagement series in November last year as a platform to encourage more Singaporeans to go a step further by taking action to realise their aspirations and ideas for the future.”
“The National Games complements existing competitions organised by the National Sports Associations, both adding to a stronger pipeline of sporting talents. For the young aspiring athletes, we have pathways for them through the Singapore Sports Institute, Singapore Sports School and National Youth Sports Institute, as part of our comprehensive High Performance Sports System to build a strong core of national athletes. The Singapore Sports Institute provides comprehensive support to athletes of varying potential and development needs, through financial grants, training and coaching, sports medicine to personal development. Athletes assessed to have the potential to excel at the highest level are supported on spexScholarships which allow them to focus on training fulltime to develop to their fullest potential. The Singapore Sports School allows young athletes to combine quality education with an excellent sports programme. The National Youth Sports Institute (NYSI) was launched in 2016 to provide support to youth athletes from both the mainstream schools as well as the Sports School. NYSI works closely with partners to enhance the youth sports eco-system in the areas of talent identification and development, youth coaching, sports science and athlete life management. The work of the Singapore Sports Institute, Sports School and NYSI complements the important role played by our National Sports Associations and sports clubs in developing interest and grooming competitive athletes in their respective sports. Going forward, the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth will continue to work with partners and stakeholders to enhance our High Performance Sports System.”
“The Olympics and Paralympics in Rio last year were watershed events for Singapore sports. We won our first ever Olympic Gold Medal and added two Gold and one Bronze medals at the Paralympics a month later. Singaporeans from all walks of life celebrated the hard work, determination and achievements of our Team Singapore athletes, who have inspired all of us not only to pursue sports with passion, but to strive to achieve our goals. The Government has put in place a comprehensive framework to develop young sporting talents, from building a broad base of active youths, to strengthening our talent development pipelines that will nurture young aspiring athletes. To encourage Singaporeans to adopt an active lifestyle, we launched ActiveSG in 2014. It has since garnered 1.2 million members, of whom almost 200,000 are between seven and 18 years old. ActiveSG launched the Football, Basketball and Tennis Academies, as well as the Athletics Club last year, to provide affordable and structured programmes for youths to do sports beyond Physical Education and Co-Curricular Activities. About 6,000 youths have benefited from these programmes. Another 150,000 from more than 300 schools have participated in the ongoing Sports Education Programme and School Holiday Sports Programmes each year. Through these programmes, we aim to build a stronger base from which talents could be scouted. Last year, SportSG also organised the inaugural GetActive! Singapore. This inaugural national week of sports saw more than half a million Singaporeans participating, including 40,000 students from over 70 schools. GetActive! Singapore also incorporated the third edition of the Singapore National Games, which saw more than 10,000 participants competing across 21 sports.”
“Mdm 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) for a shorter period of Question Time?”
“Mdm 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.”
“Mdm 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 Prime Minister's speech."”
“Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn." [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] Preventing the Scourge of Online Gambling in Singapore”
“Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That the debate be now adjourned." [(proc text) Resolved, "That the debate be now adjourned." (proc text)]”
“Mdm 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 Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean's speech.”
“Mdm Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to move a Motion to allow the duration of Question Time to be one and a half hours from its commencement.”
“Mdm Speaker, I understand that a Message from the President addressed to Parliament is to be read to the House. As the Message is on a matter which the House will be considering at the Second Reading of the Constitution (Amendment) Bill, I seek the House's agreement for the Message to be read at the time when the Constitution (Amendment) Bill is to be taken. Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That, under Standing Order 10(2), the Message from the President conveying his views on the Constitutional Amendments be taken at the commencement of the Second Reading of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill." [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That, under Standing Order 10(2), the Message from the President conveying his views on the Constitutional Amendments be taken at the commencement of the Second Reading of the Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bill." – [Ms Grace Fu Hai Yien] (proc text)]”
“Mdm Speaker, if we can just give the athletes a few minutes to move out of the Chamber.”
“Madam, I think the speakers before us have made a unanimous message of congratulating the achievements of our Team Singapore Paralympians. So, I would like to move the Motion. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That this House congratulates the Team Singapore Paralympians on their achievements at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games." (proc text)] [(proc text) Thereupon, hon Members stood to their feet and applauded. (proc text)]”
“" Our Paralympians have certainly become our nation's sporting heroes, and I believe they will continue to inspire many more Singaporeans in time to come. Pin Xiu said after her win that, "Nothing is impossible as long as you set your mind to it. It might not be the goal that you will eventually hope to get but, along the way, through the process, you will learn many things about yourself [and about] other things that will [help you]. It's better than not having tried at all." Indeed, we are proud of our Paralympians' achievements, but we are even prouder of the fact that they have taken the plunge, sacrificed so much, and done so with such courage and tenacity. They are not constrained by their limitations but are instead driven towards what is possible. Thank you for your excellent performance. Thank you for your inspiration. Thank you all to our Team Singapore athletes. Congratulations once more. [Applause.] Mdm Speaker, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“I would like to commend Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, former President of SDSC and former Chairman of SNPC, for her tireless contribution over the years in developing disability sports in Singapore and for nurturing a strong contingent of para-athletes who have done us proud at several major Games leading up to the Rio Paralympics. I would also like to acknowledge Mr Ho Cheng Kwee, Chef-de-Mission of our Paralympic contingent, for his leadership and commitment in ensuring the athletes' well-being at the Games. Special recognition and thanks must also go to the team at the Singapore Sports Institute, who work tirelessly to provide our athletes with the best system of support. This includes access to sports medicine, sports science and physiotherapy services, so that our Paralympians can train and compete with peace of mind and in the best possible conditions. It was heartening to also see the outpouring of pride and appreciation from Singaporeans from all walks of life. We saw a large crowd at Changi Airport cheering and welcoming our Paralympians as they touched down from Rio. We saw even more lining the streets during the celebratory parade. Among them was nine-year-old Teo Choon Khang, who has been taking swimming lessons since he was three, even though he has cerebral palsy. After watching his idol Theresa Goh clinch the bronze medal, he is now filled with hope that, one day, he, too, can swim in the Paralympics. Mdm Lim Sook Wei, her husband and her 10-year-old son Hugh Lee, who has autism, travelled all the way from Jurong to Sengkang to meet Pin Xiu. Mdm Lim said, "We are so glad to meet her, and my heart is still pumping. We hope that our son is inspired [by Pin Xiu's achievements] and learns that nothing is impossible.”
“Last, but not least, we have our Swimmers. Theresa Goh is one of our most experienced Paralympians. This is her fourth Paralympics. After more than a decade of sweat and tears, months spent training and competing overseas, and hour after hour spent in the pool, she finally won her first Paralympic medal. It was a long and hard journey, but I think she would agree that it was all worth it. To us all, Theresa is a symbol of commitment, resolve and dedication. Her good friend and team-mate, Yip Pin Xiu, achieved the extraordinary feat of clinching two Gold medals. She even broke the world record in the Women's 100-metre S2 Final. These were unforgettable moments as the Singapore flag was hoisted and Majulah Singapura was played in the Olympic Aquatics Stadium in Rio. Pin Xiu now has three Paralympic Golds, making her the most decorated Team Singapore athlete at the Olympics and Paralympics. Despite her achievements, she is always humble, grounded and appreciative of the support from her friends and family. To all our aspiring athletes, Theresa and Pin Xiu are perfect role models. To Singaporeans, they represent the sporting heroes that we all look up to. My warmest congratulations to all the athletes again! [Applause.] Our Paralympians' achievements would not be possible without the "Team behind the Team". I would like to extend my deepest appreciation to the caregivers, coaches, family and friends of our Paralympians, as well as officials from the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) and SNPC.”
“At 39 years young and a Paralympic Games debutant, Norsilawati Sa'at is an inspiration to us all. She has shown us that age is certainly not a barrier to sports and excellence. Despite taking a break from wheelchair racing in 2011 and returning only last year, Sila made tremendous progress to qualify for the Paralympics. Besides her pet event, the 100-metre T52, she was also extended an invitation to participate in the Women's 400-metre T52 Finals so that the race could proceed with the minimum of five competitors. She graciously accepted the invitation, gave it her all, and finished with a personal best time. Our long-jumper, Suhairi Suhani, is the baby of the team at just 19 years old. Known by those around him to be a model athlete, Suhairi never complained and only wanted to learn and keep improving. With his discipline and positive attitude, he achieved a personal best in the Men's Long Jump T20 Final in his Paralympics debut. After winning a gold medal at the China Open Athletics Championships earlier this year, Diroy Noordin made his Paralympics debut in the Men's Javelin and Shot Put events. I am certain that Diroy will continue to inspire other persons with disabilities to believe in themselves and pursue their dreams. We look forward to stronger performances from Suhairi and Diroy at future events. Our Sailors, Jovin Tan and Yap Qian Yin, had to contend with not just the world-class competitors, but harsh weather and rough seas. After a commendable showing in the earlier races, our sailors, unfortunately, had to be withdrawn for safety reasons towards the end of the competition although they steadfastly wanted to soldier on. I would like to commend them for their determination and fighting spirit, for trying as hard as they did and not giving up.”
“They were in impressive form at the Games and beat the teams from Greece and Portugal, the gold and silver medallists respectively, from the 2012 Paralympic Games. While Nurul and Sze Ning were disappointed they could not bring back a Paralympic medal this time, I believe that they will grow stronger from this experience and do better in future. Nur Syahidah Alim was a double gold medallist at the ASEAN Para Games and became our first archer ever to compete at the Paralympics. In the lead-up to the Paralympics, Syahidah trained six hours per day, six times a week. Her result in the Women's Individual Compound event was testament to her hard work and determination. Her round of 16 match pitted her against an athlete ranked fourth in the Ranking Round. Despite some problems with her stool which affected her stability, she held her nerves and went on to beat her opponent. She also put up a tremendous fight in the quarter-final match. Facing the eventual bronze medallist in unpredictable wind conditions, she lost the match by just two points, that is, 135 versus 137. She displayed great sportsmanship, always having a smile on her face and was a crowd favourite. The Equestrian team of Laurentia Tan, Maximillian Tan and Gemma Rose Foo had to contend with serious injury setbacks in the months leading up to the Paralympics. Laurentia injured her spine, Maximillian hurt his hip joint, while Gemma ruptured a spleen. But that did not deter our riders, who continued to train hard, sometimes in pain, to represent Singapore in Rio. Their courage, determination and fighting spirit certainly filled us all with pride. They showed us the importance of perseverance in the things we are passionate about, and that a positive attitude is often the best medicine for unexpected setbacks.”
“Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That this House congratulates the Team Singapore Paralympians on their achievements at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games." I would like to acknowledge the presence of our Team Singapore Paralympians, as well as former Chairman of the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) Dr Teo-Koh Sock Miang, who are here with us in the Chamber today. The House is gathered here to acknowledge the achievements of Team Singapore at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. Our Paralympians, with their incredible feats in Rio, have uplifted the nation. Adding to an already impressive haul of one Gold, two Silvers and three Bronzes from past Games, our Paralympians brought home another two Gold and one Bronze medals. This year, we had 13 athletes qualifying and representing Singapore across six sports and 21 events, almost double the contingent of eight athletes at the 2012 Paralympic Games. My heartiest congratulations to all of you. [Applause.] Beyond medals, each Paralympian has shown us what it means to be a champion – to be counted among the world's best and fly our flag high at the world's biggest stage for para sports. These 13 extraordinary athletes have shown us that with hard work and sacrifice, we can realise our dreams. Their achievements also exemplify how a nation as small as ours can punch above its weight. I am honoured to have witnessed some of their amazing and inspiring performances in Rio. Mdm Speaker, allow me to speak about our talented Paralympians. Let me start with our Boccia athletes, Nurulasyiqah Taha and Toh Sze Ning, who put in a formidable performance and finished fourth in the BC3 Mixed Pairs event.”
“Mdm Speaker, our paralympians are here and present in the Chamber and I wish to seek the House's agreement to have the Motion on Paralympic Achievements be taken now before Question Time. Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That, under Standing Order 10(2), the Motion on Paralympic Achievements be taken as the first item of business at this day's Sitting." [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That, under Standing Order 10(2), the Motion on Paralympic Achievements be taken as the first item of business at this day's Sitting." – [Ms Grace Fu] (proc text)]”
“The income and expenditure for the organisation of the 28th Southeast Asian Games have been included in the Annual Financial Statements of the Sport Singapore Annual Reports over Financial Years 2013, 2014 and 2015. These have been independently audited and made public. The net cost was $60.4 million below the budgeted $324.5 million announced in January 2015.”
“This issue has been raised before and the Government has explained its position publicly. It is right and fitting that when Singaporeans who have made major contributions to the country pass away, they are honoured and mourned by the nation. The decision of how to honour the person, including whether to hold a State Funeral, is made by the Government of the day after consulting the family. The appropriate way to do so will vary with each individual. It is not feasible to set a formula as to who should receive a State Funeral, simply based on the person’s rank or appointment held. When Mr Ong Teng Cheong passed away in 2002, the then Cabinet arranged a State-Assisted funeral for Mr Ong after consulting with his family. This included the following the state flag was flown at half-mast on all Government buildings on 11 February 2002; the SAF and Police provided the Coffin Bearer party; vigil guards were deployed as a mark of respect; there was an escort band for the funeral march; the SAF helped to organise the family wake and crematorium service and the Police assisted in crowd and traffic control.”
“Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn." [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] Preserving our Heritage, Culture and History – Conserving Dakota Crescent 5.29 pm”
“I believe I have devoted quite a significant part of my answer to that question. As far as the Government is concerned, our primary focus is to help our athletes who are driven, motivated and courageous to have the same opportunities to step on that podium, and that support system does not discriminate between able-bodied and disabled athletes. As I have mentioned, the stipend, the allowance, they get from us is exactly the same. It is equal. And the kind of support ‒ in terms of sports science, sports medicine, physiotherapists, psychologists, counsellors ‒ it is all the same. So, our focus is to help as many athletes as possible in their journey onto the podium. And what is after the podium is for every one of us to put in our share to stand behind them and to cheer them on. Page: 25”
“Assoc Prof Daniel Goh Pei Siong: Minister, just one more simple question. Does the Government believe that the Paralympians should be equally rewarded?”
“So, it is important for companies to also step forward to look at the values that our athletes have displayed ‒ values that are very much treasured by companies these days – teamwork, resilience, confidence. These are really good values that will serve the companies well. So, I hope that companies will be encouraged to follow the practice of Deloitte and other companies that have come on board our spexBusiness Network. The spexBusiness Network is one of the schemes where MCCY, through SportSG, encourages corporates to step forward with internship and employment opportunities, and we recognise them. Annually, we will have an opportunity to thank them formally. We also welcome companies which are prepared to offer their services to some of these Institutes of Public Character (IPCs) or National Sports Associations (NSAs). Many of the NSAs are also in need of professional services that can help them raise their level of management. And, as you know, in the last Budget, we have improved our incentive schemes for corporations, either through donations or through contributions of their services, to claim deductions for their taxes as well. To answer Mr Alex Yam's specific questions about carding athletes and whether our para-athletes are carded, the answer is yes. I believe we have about 120 para-athletes who are carded at the moment and many of our Paralympians have been on full support from Spex schemes for several years. Take our boccia team, for example. Nurul has gone through two cycles, supported by us, and Sze Ning as well for the latest cycle in Rio. But, of course, I must admit that the full-time Spex Scholarships were put in place from 2013 onwards. So, it is something that we have done since 2013.”
“Mdm Speaker, I thank Mr Alex Yam for the supplementary questions. Indeed, Yip Pin Xiu will be getting $400,000 in terms of monetary award. SNPC has stated before the Games, that there will be an award of $200,000 per medal and, because Pin Xiu has gotten two medals, so, it will be $400,000. The scheme by SNOC, on the other hand, is different. They have a $1 million cap, regardless of the number of gold medals. So, Joseph Schooling will be receiving $1 million for his medal. As far as sponsors are concerned, yes, Tote Board and Singapore Pools are the two main sponsors at this point in time. But if you look back at the history of these two awards, actually the two organisations have been working with several donors in the past and, for various reasons, the Page: 24 donors have been coming in and out of the schemes. But at this juncture, with the very tremendous achievements that our athletes have put in, both at the Rio 2016 Summer Olympics and the Paralympics, we would really like to encourage the corporates to step up again to support our athletes. So, it started off as a scheme that had multiple sponsors, all like-minded and wanting to give our athletes an encouragement and a push. So, I would urge corporates to step up again. It is, indeed, requiring a whole-of-Singapore approach. The athletes whom we speak to are actually looking at internships and employment where companies can allow them to make a living and, at the same time, accommodate their training and competition schedule. They are also looking at accumulating experience that will serve them well as they retire from their sporting career.”
“As I have said earlier on, these two awards are handled by two of these NGOs separately. These two NGOs will have their own agenda and timeline, and I am sure they will take this review quite seriously. But, more importantly is that they need to have conversations with the donors and supporters because both organisations may have different needs and objectives. I think it is best to leave them to look at their overall plan. SNPC has just had a new President elected. I am sure he has to find his feet and get on with his work.”
“With your indulgence, the three Questions together.”
“The Government is fully behind our athletes and we encourage corporates and the public to also lend their support, so that we can best cheer them on together as One Team Singapore. Page: 23”
“Assoc Prof Daniel Goh asked whether the Government should provide para-athletes with the same level of infrastructural, funding and training support as able-bodied athletes. The fact is that we already do. I wish to highlight three points here. First, we value all our Team Singapore athletes tremendously. They inspire us as a nation, not just with their sporting achievements, but through their hard work, determination, perseverance, fighting spirit and commitment to excel. These are values that the nation should embrace and the Government is committed to nurturing our Team Singapore athletes, of all abilities, to reach their full potential. Second, we do not discriminate between able-bodied athletes and para-athletes. The amounts of monthly payments under the spexScholarship scheme for able-bodied athletes and para-athletes are the same. The "team behind the team" of sports medicine and sports science specialists, psychologists and trainers under SportSG supporting these two groups of athletes is the same. Third, the support provided to Team Singapore athletes is customised according to the requirements of the sport and the differing needs of the individual athlete. Sports like equestrian, rowing or shooting may require more funding to support the transport of equipment for overseas competitions, like horses, boats and rifles. Some para-athletes may need to be accompanied by a caregiver constantly. In preparation for Rio 2016, we provided more funding for our Paralympians than their Olympic counterparts in some cases. When Team Singapore athletes of all abilities go into the sporting arena, flying our flag high, they need our full support.”
“To enable this, SportSG has the SpexBusiness Network. As part of the scheme, for example, Deloitte provides quality opportunities to our national athletes, both able-bodied and those with disabilities. I encourage corporates and well-wishers to complement the roles that the Government plays in building up a sustainable eco-system of support for all our Team Singapore athletes. On the Government's part, our main role is to provide opportunities for all Singaporeans to pursue their sporting aspirations and achieve their full potential. Hence, our focus has been on providing a sustained, structured and comprehensive support system to help our Team Singapore athletes for podium positions at major games. Instead of focusing on post-podium rewards, we believe our role is to support our athletes upfront in their journey to the podium. We want more of them to get to the podium and bring pride to the nation. We support them through providing scholarships that pay them reasonably well to train full-time. We fund the National Sports Associations (NSAs) and Singapore Sports Institute so that the athletes can be guided by experienced professional coaches, physiotherapists and sports scientists, as they constantly challenge themselves to do better, swim faster, sail faster. Our High Performance Sports system currently supports 1,653 carded athletes across 45 sports at the cost of $60 million annually. And we have been expanding the scale of our programme at a sustainable pace over the last few years. SportSG would not be able to help as many aspiring athletes pursue their dreams if it had to divert resources to fund post-competition award schemes.”
“On the Government's part, Yip Pin Xiu was inducted into the Sports Hall of Fame in 2015, standing alongside legends like Tan Howe Liang and Fandi Ahmad. In 2008, she was honoured with one of the nation's highest accolades, the Meritorious Service Medal, in recognition of her first Gold medal at the Beijing Paralympics. Similarly, Joseph Schooling will be honoured with the Meritorious Service Medal for his first Olympic Gold medal at Rio. I agree with the Member that our para-athletes demonstrate tremendous resilience and strength of spirit and that we have much to learn from them. Sport Singapore (SportSG) has been profiling their journeys on social media and other platforms. Mediacorp has also broadcasted documentaries on Yip Pin Xiu and Theresa Goh recently in this regard. We will continue to share their inspiring stories with the public. Next month, I hope Members will join me in Parliament when I move a Motion to congratulate our Paralympians for their excellent performance in Rio and celebrate their achievements. To put the issue in perspective, what can make a difference to our national athletes – whether Olympian or Paralympian – is the combined assistance they receive from family, the community, corporates, the public and the Government. When all stakeholders work towards a common objective, we provide a strong and sustainable eco-system of support for them to pursue their sporting aspirations. Both Joseph and Pin Xiu have shown us the importance of family support. Corporates can certainly make a difference, too. Instead of just a one-off cash prize, athletes would also welcome good career opportunities that can accommodate their sporting commitments Page: 22 and provide greater security and dignity when they retire from their sporting career.”
“The Athletes' Achievement Award (AAA) is managed by the Singapore National Paralympic Council (SNPC) and funded by sponsors. The scheme was initiated by the Singapore Disability Sports Council in 2002 to recognise the achievements of Team Singapore medallists at Major Games, such as the Paralympics, Asian Para Games, Commonwealth Games and the ASEAN Para Games. The Singapore National Olympic Council (SNOC) offers the Multi-Million Dollar Award Programme (MAP) for athletes who have medalled at Major Games, such as the Olympics, Asian Games and South East Asian Games, since 1991. SNPC and SNOC are NGOs. The AAA and MAP are decided, respectively and separately, by SNPC, SNOC and their sponsors. This is in line with the general convention that monetary rewards for competitions in sports are largely funded by private means through sponsorships, donations and product endorsements. There have been calls by members of the public to improve the rewards given to our athletes who have medalled, specifically Yip Pin Xiu for two Gold medals and Theresa Goh for one Bronze in the recent Rio 2016 Paralympics. I encourage SNOC and SNPC to review the schemes with their sponsors and for more corporations to step forward to support SNOC and SNPC on the awards. As Member Mr Alex Yam has suggested, beyond monetary rewards, there are other meaningful ways in which Singapore society can support and recognise the efforts of our Paralympians. Some woke up early to tune in to "live" broadcasts to cheer on our own Team Singapore Paralympians in Rio. When the athletes returned, Singaporeans turned out in force to welcome them at the airport and to cheer them on during the Celebration Parade.”
“Mdm Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members 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 Questions for Oral Answer to be taken till 4.00 pm today?”
“Indeed, there is a matrix, and the matrix actually tracks the progress of athletes through time and also established milestones. In the case of Schooling, I think whether he medalled with a gold, silver or bronze, he would have gotten a deferment. So, indeed, there is an established matrix and information will be given to the athletes at an appropriate time. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Resolved, "That Parliament do now adjourn." (proc text)] Adjourned accordingly at 7.35 pm.”
“We hope that with the support of all stakeholders, we can develop a healthy ecosystem and inspire Singaporeans to Live Better Through Sport.”
“We have been working closely with our NSAs to propose NS deferment for those athletes who require a continuous development pathway and who have consistently demonstrated their sporting potential. MINDEF has granted exceptional sportsmen long-term deferment from NS, on the basis of them meeting sporting goals and agreed performances. And MINDEF has announced that Schooling's deferment has been extended to 2020. Besides long-term deferment, there are other opportunities for servicemen to train while fulfilling their full-time NS commitments, such as through the Singapore Armed Forces or Home Team Sportsmen Scheme. Our sporting vision goes beyond the success of a select few. We want Singaporeans to enjoy sports regularly, regardless of sporting ability. Apart from health benefits, sports also engender social cohesion. The numbers are encouraging. Our sports participation rate is about 55%, up from 44% in 2011. ActiveSG, our national sports movement, has about 1.1 million members. This year, we also launched Get Active! Singapore, a week-long sporting bash to celebrate National Day as One Team Singapore. Sir, 2016 has been a wonderful year for sports in Singapore. Our athletes have made their mark on the world stage and inspired Singaporeans back home. Nevertheless, the journey towards fulfilling our sporting vision is a marathon, not a sprint. While the Government will continue to support our athletes, we must not forget the work it takes to groom a Team Singapore athlete – years of training by the committed athlete, supported by a dedicated team of coaches and sports specialists. And at the heart of it all is the special role of family and friends in providing a secure and encouraging environment for our athletes.”
“As in many other countries, our broadcasters can harness the marketing potential of the programme through advertising revenue, subscriptions and sponsorships. I would like to urge businesses and foundations in Singapore and Singaporeans in general to step forward to support the broadcasts. It would be unwise to take the position that we should have "live" telecasts regardless of cost, and for the Government to underwrite any amount demanded by rights owners. This would be a poor position to take, particularly while the rights are being negotiated. Success in high performance sports is borne from the partnership with many stakeholders and not just the Government alone. Our NSAs and sports clubs play important roles in developing interest in and providing broad-based support for sports. They are also instrumental in developing and grooming competitive athletes at all levels. Corporates constitute another important set of stakeholders. Corporate sponsorships have made many local sports events possible, such as the OUE Singapore Open for badminton, Mission Foods Nations Cup for netball. Many of our athletes have benefited from the exposure and the opportunity to compete with the best in the field. In time to come, we hope Corporate Singapore can play an even bigger role in the HPS system by directly sponsoring our NSAs or athletes. Businesses can also provide employment opportunities to our athletes. Our spexBusiness network has 33 businesses offering opportunities to our athletes. More than 80 athletes have benefited from this programme. As career after sports weigh on the minds of athletes and their families, we call on more companies to join us in supporting our athletes. We note that NS is a concern for some of our athletes.”
“He received support, such as training equipment, overseas training camps and competitions, and coaching needs. His University of Texas scholarship imposes conditions on the level of external support he can receive. The system is reaping benefits. In bowling, for example, Singapore has produced several world champions, such as Shayna Ng, Joey Yeo and New Hui Fen. At this year's Olympics, we witnessed breakthrough performances by Quah Zheng Wen and Saiyidah Aisyah in swimming and rowing respectively. And who can forget Joseph Schooling's and Yip Pin Xiu's record-breaking swims at the Olympics and Paralympics? All our Team Singapore athletes have done us tremendously proud. I agree with Er Dr Lee that the "live" TV broadcast enabled Singaporeans to come together to rally behind our athletes. Loud cheers erupted throughout the island, in Housing and Development Board (HDB) estates, schools, offices, and other mass gatherings – when Singaporeans dropped whatever they were doing on the morning of 13 August to watch Joseph Schooling's triumphant swim. Moments like these bind us as one united people and bring us tremendous national pride. The Government is certainly supportive of "live" coverage of our Team Singapore athletes and does provide funding support to Mediacorp. However, we are also mindful of the escalating fees for broadcasting such events. You may have read from the media that Mediacorp paid about US$2.5 million for broadcast rights to the 2012 London Olympics and was quoted almost three times that for the Rio Olympics. It is, therefore, a sound and rational approach to leave the negotiation of broadcast rights to Mediacorp and the pay TV operators.”
“In 2013, we introduced our latest iteration of the High-Performance Sports (HPS) system. The system offers comprehensive support from financial grants, training and coaching, sports medicine to personal development. We will spend a total of S$60 million over five years. And if we include funding and support given to NSAs and all Team Singapore athletes, we would be investing close to S$90 million per year. Our HPS system is still evolving, and we will continue to improve this as we go along. The system supports athletes of varying potential and development needs. There are currently over 1,500 carded athletes, including our para-athletes, covering over 40 sports. Through Sport Singapore's (SportSG) carding system, athletes are identified based on their actual achievements and assessed potential. Support programmes are then customised for the individual needs of the athletes to help them achieve their goals. This targeted, systematic and disciplined process ensures that our resources are optimised in our pursuit of sporting excellence. We also introduced the spexScholarship scheme in 2013 to enable our elite athletes with the potential to excel at the highest level to focus on training full-time. There are 69 spexScholars at present; 14 of them qualified for the Olympics and seven for the Paralympics. Team Singapore athletes have also benefited from the Race to Rio programme since March this year, which provided enhanced support for those seeking to qualify for the Games, and full-time training for those who had qualified. For example, Joseph Schooling had received various spexGrants, and sports science and medicine support, prior to his being awarded the spexScholarship in 2013.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, indeed, sport has tremendous power to inspire and galvanise us as a nation. Joseph Schooling's win at the Rio Olympics has inspired the entire nation. It showed that a small country like Singapore can dream big and make the dream a reality if we put our hearts and minds to it. We in MCCY are committed to supporting our athletes in achieving their sporting aspirations. Our sports excellence programme starts with identifying and developing a pipeline of young athletes. The Singapore Sports School, into its 13th year, offers a unique pathway for young athletes by combining quality education with an excellent sports programme to develop student athletes that can represent Singapore. The Sports School offers disciplined and systematic sports training with quality coaching, complemented by support in nutrition, physical and mental development. A special effort is taken to integrate a rigorous academic programme with the training and competition required for athlete development. The contribution of the Sports School is clear. Our Sports School students and alumni shone brightly at the SEA Games last year and we are so proud of them. They contributed a total of 32 gold medals at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, nearly 40% of Singapore's total haul of 84. At the same time, we know that there are many high-performing youth athletes in our mainstream schools. To further strengthen the youth sports excellence ecosystem, a new National Youth Sports Institute (NYSI) was set up this year to provide specialised support to our youth athletes nationwide. NYSI works closely with partners in the areas of talent identification and development, youth coaching, sports science and athlete life management.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That Parliament do now adjourn." [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] Getting Singapore to be a Sporting Nation”
“Mdm Speaker, may I seek your consent and the general assent of Members present to now move a Business Motion to revise Question Time. Currently, Standing Order 22(1) states that Question Time is one and a half hours from the commencement of a Sitting. But in view of the time that was taken for the Tribute speeches just now, I wish to seek the House's consent to allow the duration of Question Time to be one and a half hours from its commencement.”
“In the final words of his memoirs, Mr Nathan had this to say: "Ultimately, in all the decisions I was called upon to make, my conscience was my compass". May all of us be similarly guided by our conscience as we honour his memory and strive for a Singapore that is worthy of his extraordinary service to this nation.”