Heng Swee Keat
Singapore
“In a world heading towards greater contest and fragmentation, amid rapid advances in science, technology and innovation, Singaporeans can play a valuable part as bridge-builders and connectors, and Singapore can be a trusted and neutral Global-Asia node of technology, innovation and enterprise.”
“The National Quantum Office has identified specific goals under the National Quantum Strategy (NQS), with resources and efforts directed towards specific quantum areas and technologies accordingly.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I would like to thank Member Ms Denise Phua for her comments because her comments reminded me of the tagline that I always said when I was in MOE – that you can learn from anyone, anytime, anywhere. In fact, peer learning is a very important aspect of that learning.”
“But I have laid out the strong basis for my optimism that a small and open economy like Singapore can continue to thrive and secure our next bound of growth. By serving as a trusted node and connector, we can create value by facilitating connections and building new linkages in today's fractured global landscape.”
“Secondly, one other very important thing the Member must bear in mind is that AI is a very rapidly developing field and it is something which our researchers are working hard on, to look at the different techniques of AI – it is not just GenAI, but the whole range of different AI systems that are being used – and how that can be used in c…”
“Assoc Prof Jamus Lim, you do not need an invitation. You are free to provide your suggestion. After all, are you not from WP? And by the way, let me make it clear that I have heard MPs on both aisles speaking about workers, and we have a very strong presence of our union MPs here and they will be speaking even more on this.”
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“In 1965, we raced to teach "123s" and "ABCs" to our young, and to create factory jobs to soak up unemployment for a young population. Today, over 95% of our students progress beyond secondary school. Our challenge now is to take education beyond schools, to lifelong learning, and to grow the economy to create quality jobs. In 1965, we were fighting childhood mortality with mass immunisation and distributing milk to under-nourished children. Today, the problem has flipped. Our challenge is to find new ways to care for our elderly, to manage chronic diseases and to tackle childhood obesity. In 1965, we were faced with Konfrontasi and the Vietnam War, and were at risk of social discord stemming from a legacy of racial conflict and pro-communism. Today, we have to guard ourselves against a more complex and diverse array of threats, from conventional threats to terrorism and cyber warfare. Mr Lim Kim San's words 50 years ago resonate to this day. We face a new world that brings its own freedoms and responsibilities, its own challenges. Our mission remains unchanged – it is to find the ways to create opportunities for Singaporeans to grow and defend our home and our people. Taking inspiration from our Pioneers, we must plan ahead, stay united, be creative and build our future together. This is the context in which President Tony Tan set out five key aims for this term of Government: (a) renewing our economy; (b) fostering a more caring society; (c) transforming our urban landscape; (d) keeping Singapore safe and secure; (e) engaging and partnering Singaporeans in nation-building. To achieve these goals, we must grow our economy and invest collectively for the long term – in our people, our home, our security.”
“Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That Parliament approves the financial policy of the Government for the financial year 1 April 2016 to 31 March 2017." Last year, we celebrated all that we achieved together in our first 50 years. This year, we start our journey for the next 50 years. Our first 50 years tell an extraordinary story of diverse people overcoming great odds together. Our Pioneers had no textbook for success. Every move – whether it was a Government policy, a company's investment or a household's family decision – was uncharted. Through sheer grit, our Pioneers braved the odds, brought up families and built a home and a nation. On 13 December 1965, Mr Lim Kim San presented the first Budget of the independent Republic of Singapore. This was the world on that day. The major concerns then were: Konfrontasi, the Communist threat and the Vietnam War. Few in the world paid attention to little Singapore. Against this backdrop, our Pioneers debated how to make a living, by making our place in this region and in the world. In that first Budget, Mr Lim said: "Whilst Independence has… given us greater freedom of action… we also acquire new responsibilities and new dimensions are added to our problems." Our Pioneers took on these new responsibilities and new dimensions seriously. Our founding Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, made the rousing call that we must never fear; one day, we would be a modern metropolis. Singaporeans rallied to that call. Year by year, we made progress and successive generations built on what was achieved. So, we had much to celebrate in SG50. Today, we are in a much better position than our Pioneers. But we also face new responsibilities, new challenges.”
“The Wage Credit Scheme (WCS) was introduced in Budget 2013, as part of a Transition Support Package, to help businesses cope with rising wage costs in a tight labour market, so that they can free up resources to invest in productivity and share the productivity gains with employees. Under this scheme, the Government co-funds 40% of wage increases for Singaporean employees earning gross monthly wages of $4,000 and below, over the period 2013 to 2015. To provide more time for firms to restructure, the WCS was extended in 2015 for another two years from 2016 to 2017. This was in recognition that some businesses may require more time to adjust to rising business and wage costs. The support level was reduced to 20% to avoid Government support becoming a crutch even as we extended help to ease the transition within a tight labour market. In the past few years, we have also stepped up targeted support for restructuring, through enhancements to schemes, such as the Capability Development Grant and the Partnership for Capability Transformation. We will continue to monitor business conditions closely and calibrate our support for businesses, taking into account both short-term cost concerns and the need to sustain the impetus for restructuring.”
“Government agencies may outsource certain functions because (a) it is more efficient to do so to reap economies of scale, and/or (b) the private sector has the professional expertise and resources to better perform the functions. This approach allows Government agencies to focus on its key priority of public service delivery and tap into private sector expertise, experiences and resources, when needed. For instance, Government agencies requiring infocomm technology services may either be supported by the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA), or have a core in-house IT unit augmented by the private sector to develop and maintain more specialised IT systems. When outsourcing, agencies will typically procure services through an open tender. The award decision will be based on quality factors, such as the tenderer’s track record, innovative solutions and technical competencies, in addition to the price competitiveness of the bid. While it is not a Government practice to scrutinise the salary terms of their outsourced suppliers, the suppliers are expected to comply with the existing labour laws. For sectors such as cleaning, security and landscape services, the Government has committed to buying only from providers that pay their workers according to the Progressive Wage Model.”
“To date, MOH has reached out to over 32,000 Singaporeans through more than 100 broad-based dialogues, roadshows and community events, including individualised financial counselling sessions. MOH will continue its public education efforts on MSHL to all Singaporeans.”
“The PGA Programme was created in August 2014. PGAs, who are volunteers, carry out personalised outreach to Pioneers and their caregivers to explain the benefits of the Pioneer Generation Package (PGP). Since July 2015, PGAs have also been engaging Pioneers and their families to share with them details on MediShield Life (MSHL) and related support measures, such as MSHL PG subsidies and Medisave top-ups. As at end February 2016, 3,000 PGAs have successfully visited 240,000 Pioneers (or about six in 10 Pioneers) and their caregivers in their homes. The PGA Programme has made significant progress since its launch, given that this form of outreach is very resource-intensive and personalised. Our PGAs will continue to try and reach out to the remaining Pioneers to explain the benefits of both PGP and MSHL. The PGA Programme complements our other mass communication efforts, including print advertorials, TV interstitials and videos. These collective efforts have helped to raise awareness of the PGP and MSHL amongst Pioneers and their caregivers and provided them assurance that their healthcare costs would be affordable to their families. Based on MCI's survey conducted in August 2015, 96% of Pioneers were aware of the PGP and 87% felt assured that their healthcare costs would be significantly more affordable. Pioneers, who are aged 67 and above this year, make up about 65% of Singaporeans aged 60 and above1. While the PGA Programme is focused on Pioneers, MOH has been reaching out to all Singaporeans on MSHL through mass media publicity efforts and extensive engagement and outreach sessions with community partners, such as the People's Association and grassroots organisations.”
“Third, companies should alert ACRA if there are any suspected wrongdoings or misrepresentations by third parties. Where companies become a victim, they should make a Police report.”
“The Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (ACRA) is the only statutory body responsible for the registration of companies and businesses in Singapore. ACRA does not condone any attempt to use its name or a name resembling that of ACRA's to deceive or cause confusion to the public. ACRA will not hesitate to investigate suspected breaches and prosecute offenders. Under the ACRA Act, an offender will face a maximum penalty of $10,000 and six-month imprisonment, as well as a further fine of up to $250 per day for a continuing offence after conviction. While non-government organisations can collect information from companies through private agreements, there are safeguards against such organisations trying to pass themselves off as Government entities. Letters from Government agencies, such as ACRA, have distinct letterheads, with their names and logos. Companies and other business entities are also required to state their name and registration number in all business correspondences. Those who breach this requirement are liable for a maximum fine of $1,000. In the past four years, ACRA has investigated 10 business entities for failing to properly state their name and/or registration number. In addition to having these safeguards in place, companies should exercise vigilance when dealing with any unsolicited letter or email from third parties. First, companies should check the identity of the third party or check with ACRA before engaging third parties. Companies can make use of the free business entity search function on ACRA's website to verify the identity of the third party. Second, companies should peruse carefully all the terms and conditions set out by the third party before entering into any form of agreement.”
“It is a Singapore where we are confident that we can each be at our best and are caring enough to support and cheer one another on to each be at our best. This is a Singapore where every Singaporean can reach our dreams. This is our "what for". Many good ideas were raised in this Chamber over the past few days. Now, all of us, together, need to put words into action, turn our aspirations into reality. As representatives elected by the people, we share a collective responsibility to bring Singaporeans together, listen with humility and find the best solutions for Singapore. As we start towards SG100, as we weather the challenges ahead and forge our future together, I encourage every Member of this House: always ask, "So what?", and always remember, "What for." Mdm Speaker, I support the Motion. [Applause.] 4.54 pm”
“We can create value for the world, and for ourselves, if we rely on our people, remain outward looking and possess the guts and gumption that our Pioneers had, to adapt and turn constraints into strengths. To share value, we must preserve our sense of togetherness, see value in every individual and help them flourish. We believe that individuals thrive when others thrive too, when our community is harmonious. We are a society that moves forward together, because we believe we are part of something larger than ourselves. When we look at the sum of all that has brought us to where we are today, the changes and challenges we face today and our hopes for our shared future, this is the "so what", we must keep creating value for the world and for ourselves. And we must share the value we create in a fair and inclusive way. Which brings me to "what for?" I learnt to ask and to answer, "so what?" from Mr Lee. But I also learnt the "what for?" from him. Mr Lee was always focused on outcomes and purpose. What are we doing all this for? The "so what" changes all the time. With every new circumstance, every new challenge, we need to examine anew, so what does this mean? So, what do we do? But the "what for" is evergreen, be it 1965, 2015 or 2065. The "what for" is this: to build a Singapore where every Singaporean can reach our dreams. A Singapore where every Singaporean can reach our dreams is a Singapore where our people are fully aware of, but are not one bit afraid of, our challenges. It is a Singapore where our people can reach high in our lives no matter what background we come from and where our people can hold our heads high no matter where in the world we go. It is a Singapore where our people never fear, never give up, never leave anyone behind.”
“We also need to continue to keep an international outlook, have the ability to bridge cultural differences and seek new business opportunities. In this way, we can better attract talents and pool resources together to become a global innovation centre, continually create new value and more opportunities for Singaporeans. Even as we create value, we must also think deeply about how to share value amongst Singaporeans. This is not just about wealth re-distribution. We must be people-centric and foster the conditions for Singaporeans to pursue their dreams. Education is the best gift that we can give to each child. This is because we can bring out their potential through education. Every child, regardless of family background, should have a chance to succeed. At the same time, we must share value in a fair and inclusive way if we want to move forward together. Last year, I attended "Youth Celebrate!". Seeing how children from different backgrounds worked hard and performed together, I was very much moved. In 50 years, these children would only be in their 50s or 60s. This reminds us that SG100 is not so far away. What we do now will determine whether our children will have opportunities to showcase their talents and realise their dreams, just as we now have. We owe the success we enjoy today to the hard work and sacrifice of our Pioneers who continually sought to create value. It is now our responsibility to continue this mission, to create value together, share value with every Singaporean and build a better future that belongs to us all. (In English): I believe Singapore can succeed in our journey to SG100.”
“This will give the social service sector a big boost and support good work that cannot be measured in dollars. I support Ms Denise Phua's call on Government to work closely together with VWOs, because together, we can achieve more than what each of us alone can accomplish. These are the foundations of a society where people care for and lift one another up. There is a richness in our relationships, reflected in the way we lead our daily lives, as peers and equals, regardless of class, status, age, race, or religion. The quality of these relationships cannot be measured by metrics like GDP. Mdm Speaker, please allow me to speak a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mdm Speaker, Members have debated about the good politics and good policies we need over the past few days in Parliament. Ultimately, why must we make these changes? Our objective is very clear: to keep Singapore prosperous and stable, and improve the lives of succeeding generations of Singaporeans. In order to achieve our objective, we must create value together, shape our future together and share value amongst Singaporeans. Throughout our history, we have found new ways to create value to the world and for ourselves in different areas. Singapore is now at a critical juncture. Our development has taken off; it is difficult to draw from the experience of other countries. We face many uncertainties, both internally and externally. Therefore, we must constantly innovate and adapt our political, economic and social systems. In order to create value successfully in the future, we need to go beyond the development of hardware. More importantly, we need Singaporeans who are innovative.”
“" A team of about 500 swimmers from all schools were seeking to break the record for the most number of laps swum in one hour. It was the students' gift to the nation. When I met the swimmers, they were so fired up. Among them is Lim Kah Yi, a Secondary 3 student from Pathlight School. Kah Yi's mother told us how happy she was that he took part in this event, to be part of the team. Our students swam to a new record of 7,505 laps within one hour, almost double the old record set by adults. The swimmers included novices and experienced ones, from young ones in Primary 2 to tertiary students, and Kah Yi. This, to me, symbolises how we are moving forward as a country. We move forward together and everyone has a place. Some may swim more laps and some fewer; some faster and some slower. But we do it together. We set a record together. Every person's contribution counts. Everyone is valued. However many opportunities we create, there will still be people who are vulnerable, who need a helping hand. This is where the community plays such a critical role. It is most encouraging that many acts of giving are underway. Acts of kindness big and small. When we were planning SG50, we sought to rally Singaporeans to share. I am delighted that over 200,000 volunteers came onboard our SG50 Care and Share movement. Mr Philip Tan, who chairs the SG50 Care and Share movement, regularly updates me on the progress of the fund raising effort. Each email he sends me speaks of his passion and joy in helping others. I am happy to say that with Government's matching grant, Community Chest and the 240 VWOs under the movement expect to raise more than half a billion dollars by March this year. More than half a billion.”
“SkillsFuture is another important step in this direction. Unfortunately, Mr Low made a convoluted link between SkillsFuture and politics. And Mr Low claimed that all our schools emphasised too much on cohesion. I was quite surprised that in a world where there are so many forces that can fragment a society, Mr Low thinks we could place too much emphasis on cohesion and that our education system does not appreciate the importance of diversity, differences and even dissent. Mr Low is mistaken both in facts and in his reasoning. Valuing cohesion does not come at the expense of critical and creative thinking. So, let us be very clear-headed when we make education policies. Education policies must be made with serious intent, and not superficially, and certainly not for political purposes. Having worked with our educators, I have every confidence that we have a strong team of professionals with the experience and insights to educate our students well and prepare them well for the future. In fact, we must continue to value the unity and cohesion of our people so that our students learn from young to share the value of what we have created. And, in fact, sharing the value of what we have created makes us more cohesive and enables us to go on to create more. So, we must continue to make Character and Citizenship Education meaningful, as Mr Christopher de Souza stressed in moving this Motion and to empower our young to make a difference to others. Sharing the value of what we have created, building an inclusive society, goes beyond policies. It is what each of us does, day-in, day-out. Members have shared many heart-warming stories; let me share one more. In July last year, we had "Youth Celebrate!”
“" Indeed, the best gift we can give to each child for the SG100 journey is the gift of education. This is what we have been doing since Independence. We must continue to share the value of education with all, so that every Singaporean, regardless of family background or starting point, is empowered to build a better life. We are continuing to make significant changes in our schools, so that our students can learn through multiple pathways, in multiple domains, to achieve multiple peaks of excellence. Applied learning, inquiry-based learning and the emphasis on empathy will sharpen the innovative instincts of our students, as they connect learning to real world needs. One very significant innovation that we are embarking on is SkillsFuture, which will enable our people, regardless of age, regardless of professions, to continue learning all their life. The other significant area of work is in healthcare. The Pioneer Generation Package takes care of our pioneers, while MediShield Life provides for risk-pooling. The next major area in healthcare would be preventive and primary care, as set out in the MOH Addendum. And all these come on top of the commitment to enable Singaporeans to own a home. Education, healthcare, housing are major ways that the Government is sharing the value of what we have created together. All three share one quality, one very important quality, that these are of value throughout one's life. Education to enable us to realise our potential and healthcare to keep us active and vigorous, in our lifetime; and housing to build our life and family. Yesterday, Mr Low Thia Khiang said that for Singapore to shine, we must enable Singaporeans to shine. This, in fact, is what we have been doing all these years, and I am glad Mr Low agrees with this direction.”
“Will the next 50 years be better than the last 50 that we had? And how do we make sure they will be the best years of their lives? How do we give them the best chance of success? What kind of society do we want them to grow up in? A Singapore that is of value to the world must be of even deeper value and meaning to Singaporeans. I hope to see a Singapore that brings out the best in every Singaporean, and enables each of us to fulfil our potential and aspirations, and to lead a life of opportunities and purpose. It should be a society of opportunities for all, a society that is fair and inclusive. Many societies, in wanting to be inclusive, start with redistributing wealth. Election becomes an auction. There is a Chinese saying, “坐食山崩”. Even if you have a pile of grain as large as a mountain, if you sit there and eat, it will run out one day. In Singapore, we start with fostering the conditions for all of us to create opportunities for ourselves. While it is easy and tempting, to redistribute what we have today, it is much harder to think of how we can create opportunities, not only for today, but for the future, and for future generations. But this is critical if we want Singapore to succeed, beyond SG50 and even beyond SG100. I recently met a professor who explained to me why his family and his relatives were all highly successful, through education. His parents were refugees who had to flee their homeland, losing all their possessions. No matter how little they had, they always made sure that they invested in his education and his siblings' education. And he told me, "Whatever the tumultuous changes outside, however you may be dispossessed, what matters most is what is in your head. No one can take that away from you. It stays with you for life.”
“We are a people who care to innovate and innovate to care better. We still have a long journey ahead, but I am confident that we will deepen our innovative instincts, that we will continue to see, in every constraint and every challenge, the possibility of solutions and opportunities, and we have the confidence and can-do spirit to figure things out. In our early days, we were a trading emporium. We then became a First World oasis in this region. Let us strive to be an innovation lab for the world, where the best ideas from around the world for the world can be realised. Let us catch the next wave. This is a subject that the Committee on our Future Economy will study in detail. But so what? So what if we create value? Is that all we hope for? Is value creation alone all that we mean, when we think of the success of Singapore and Singaporeans? It cannot be. It cannot be just that. Innovation, prosperity, progress, growth. These achieve their true value when they are shared. If we want to move forward together, we must share value, in a fair and inclusive way. That is how we bring out the best in one another, and help each of us to continue growing. Value created is measurable. Value shared is immeasurable. I have been struck by how SG100 has entered our vocabulary. A week in politics is a long time, as they say in the West. For so many Members in this House to mention SG100 is really remarkable. When I first mentioned SG100 to my residents, their initial reaction was: it is so far away! But I pointed out: our SG50 babies will be 50 years old in SG100; a Primary 1 student will be 57; a Secondary 4 student will be 66; a young adult who starts work at 25 will only be 75. And the parents saw that SG100 is about our children's future.”
“Last week, we saw the first-ever Southeast Asia Venture Capital Summit. There is a great deal of energy around how Singapore can serve as a base for good ideas from around the world and how we can deploy good ideas from Science, Tech, Engineering and Math (STEM) domains, especially in Asia, to uplift lives. Third, there is no limit to our imagination. We may not realise this, but we are a people with a habit of innovation and a habit of applying innovation in every aspect of our life. Just earlier this week, the Prime Minister spoke at length on the innovations in our political institutions over the years and the changes that the Prime Minister is proposing will serve Singapore well in the long run. Our social policy innovations in CPF, HDB, healthcare, social safety nets and the Pioneer Generation Package are studied by people around the world. In fact, some academics have said that our social policy innovations are most remarkable. So, no choice but to innovate. No lack of support to innovate. No limit to our imagination to innovate. We have these three conditions. Of course we can be a place where good ideas for the world can be realised. We also see innovation in many areas of life. One inspiring example which I learnt recently is our Chinatown library. It is a public library with no staff. It is manned entirely by a team of volunteers! Everyday Singaporeans who care about our libraries enough to make a difference. The readers return the books to the right shelves. Best of all, of all libraries in Singapore, it has one of the highest user satisfaction rates. It just shows how a simple idea of reshaping the relationship with library visitors not only saves manpower, but enhances their experiences. Singaporeans have the attributes for innovation.”
“If we can be a place to help solve a fraction of the world's challenges, we will create value, we will have our place in the world. I am optimistic that we can be a place where good ideas for the world can be realised. Why am I optimistic? There are several reasons. First, no choice. It is a question of necessity. We have to solve many of our own pressing challenges. We did not have enough water? We created the water technology to overcome this. We are ageing? We will find a way to make that a source of new life in our society. It is most striking that so many Members this week, when speaking on ageing, viewed it not as a problem, but as an opportunity. Dr Chia Shi-Lu said, "80 is the new 60 and 60 the new 40". We want Singapore to be a place where we can age with opportunity, dignity and vitality. This will drive us to be innovative. Last year, the National Innovation Challenge on Ageing crowdsourced solutions in areas like better home-care, increasing healthy lifespans and creating ageless workplaces. We got over 100 good proposals and these have been evaluated and the good ideas will be put into action. In fact, we have heard many good ideas in this House just over the last few days. The second reason I am optimistic? We have no lack of support. We have been investing in R&D, in knowledge creation, in connecting with the world. Just two weeks ago, I hosted 21 Nobel Laureates and eminent technologists from all over the world. Imagine 21 Nobel Laureates and the Millennium Prize winners, the Technology Prize winners, all congregating in Singapore. Why? They were inspired by what we are doing and they want to come here to inspire our young people in Singapore and the region so that they can go out and make an impact.”
“Each time, we have been able to catch the wave, we have asked, "So, what does this coming wave mean?" And, each time, we unlock how we can be of value. We have been resourceful and resilient. A new wave is coming. Some are calling it the Fourth Industrial Revolution. It will bring disruptive changes in connectivity and extreme automation. It will transform lives. Already, we are facing an explosion of data and information. Global digital data usage is doubling every two years. By 2020, the size of the digital universe will increase 50-fold from 2010. This is like each household in the world having around 300 iPhones! Each household in the world. We are more and more connected: humans to humans, machines to machines and humans to machines. A more connected world can be a more dangerous world, as the recent well-orchestrated terrorist attacks show. Terrorists are using social media to radicalise and recruit new members. But a more connected world is also a world of new possibilities. Alibaba and Amazon are more valued by some investors than Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart has a more extensive physical infrastructure, has a longer history, but the e-commerce giants are better connected and more nimble. So, what does this mean for Singapore and Singaporeans? We may be at the beginning of a major structural transformation. Disruptions are coming much faster. To succeed, we must remain at the forefront, not just of having new ideas but, more importantly, to have the capacity to turn ideas into useful products, services and business models. We must create value, by being a place where good ideas for the world can be realised; where people can come together to create value, to make an impact.”
“So, what must we do to ensure the success of Singapore and Singaporeans? And I would like to suggest, the "so what" is this. First, we need to continue creating value for the world and for ourselves, if we are to make a living and survive. We can continue to do this by staying open, innovative and adaptive to change. Second, the value that we create, we must share, in a way that lets us continue to be our best. We must create value for the world and ourselves, so as to achieve a society based on justice and equality. This is how we can enable every Singaporean to reach our dreams. Singapore will have a place in the world, if we are of value to the world. Throughout our history, that was what we did, by being of use to the world. For hundreds of years, we were a key node on the Maritime Silk Route. We served as an emporium. We welcomed traders from all over the world. Just outside these Chambers, on the Singapore River, traders exchanged a wealth of not only goods, but also ideas, cultures, friendship. Our streets remember that trading emporium history today in name: Arab Street, Armenian Street, Muscat Street. Our spirit retains that same trading emporium history in our openness to the world. In the last 50 years since Independence, we have found new ways to be of value to the world. During the wave of globalisation in the 1960s and 1970s, we welcomed MNCs, and differentiated ourselves as a first-world oasis in a third-world region. In the 1980s and 1990s, as the region grew, we regionalised and grew an external wing. In the 2000s, as the knowledge revolution took off, we made the shift to a knowledge-intensive economy. The global economy goes through waves of changes. It has been one wave after another.”
“Mdm Speaker, Members have spoken about the policies and the politics we need for a better Singapore. I appreciate the thoughtful points raised and congratulate the new Members on their maiden speeches. I encourage all Members, new and old, to continue to speak from the heart, as Mdm Speaker has advised, and I would add, with heart, on the things that matter to Singaporeans. Members have spoken about the "whys", the "whats" and the "hows" of our way forward. The "why" is the world has changed and we ourselves have changed in the last 50 years. The "what" is the kind of good policies and good politics that we need to navigate this changed world. And the "how" is the way, throughout the changes to come, we remain as one dynamic, cohesive, caring people. Today, I wish to speak about the "so what" and "what for". Let me share a memory to explain why. This is the first Parliament without our founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Throughout this week, his words have come up repeatedly in Members' speeches. In this time, one word of Mr Lee kept sounding in my head. You could say that was his favourite word. And the word was "So"? When I worked for Mr Lee; this is now more than 15 years ago. He liked to ask, "So?" Say, I would report some facts to him. He would say, "So?" I would talk about the implications of those facts and he would say again, "So?" And it would go on like that until we got to, "So, what does this mean for Singapore and Singaporeans? So, what must we do differently to ensure the success of Singapore and Singaporeans?" All that, in one word: "So?" Members spoke about profound changes taking place around us: in the global economy, in security, in society. And I asked myself, so what? So, what does this mean for Singapore and Singaporeans?”
“The individual investments of GIC and Temasek are the responsibility of their respective management teams, while the Government monitors the performance of their overall portfolio. GIC and Temasek operate on a purely commercial basis in order to maximise long-term risk-adjusted returns and the individual investment decisions are fully independent of any Government interference or influence. This is an important governance principle that we seek to maintain. The investment activities of GIC and Temasek are oriented towards generating long-term returns on a sustainable basis. Investing in companies with environmentally unsustainable practices could negatively impact the commercial value of the investments over the long term. Temasek has stated3 that it fully supports zero-burning policies for land clearance and would urge palm oil companies and plantation owners to do the same. GIC has also informed the Government that the palm oil companies in Indonesia that GIC invests in have confirmed that they observe zero-burning policies for their plantations. GIC's investment teams engage actively with the companies' management and highlight that such responsible actions are important for maintaining the long-term value of the companies.”
“Finally, we are introducing greater flexibilities in the way the public sector procures goods and services, so that, in addition to ensuring careful spending, we also support and encourage vendors Page: 32 to adopt more productive and innovative solutions. Page: 33”
“For stronger communities, we will support Singaporeans to volunteer and contribute to causes meaningful to them, through improved matching with volunteer opportunities and providing volunteer training. In addition, we will ensure affordable access to community infrastructure to be inclusive, to promote social mixing and to strengthen social cohesion. We will enhance Singapore's living environment and support economic vibrancy through continued investments in greenery, housing and public transport. We are improving bus services and expanding our rail network. While we do this, we will also make better use of our existing transportation infrastructure through the development of regional growth clusters that bring jobs closer to homes. The public sector will itself need to transform to be ready for the future and digital technologies will be an important means to do so. To improve the delivery of services to Singaporeans, we will provide better and more integrated services digitally, including through mobile platforms. For Singaporeans who may be less familiar with technology, we will continue to provide digital assistance and access so that every Singaporean can benefit. Within Government, we will also leverage technology to drive efficiencies and use data analytics to improve operations and support policy-making. As part of our efforts to co-create solutions with citizens, we will increase opportunities for collaboration with the public through various platforms. We will share more data so that the private sector and the public can help create innovative applications to meet economic and social needs.”
“These are critical partnerships to chart out the future skills and jobs of the economy. We must provide opportunities for all Singaporeans to do well and realise their potential throughout life. We will invest more to provide every child with access to quality pre-school to ensure a good start in life. In the schooling years, we will continue to build multiple pathways to success. We are also doing more to help our seniors stay healthy, lead active lives and contribute their skills and expertise. Many of our seniors will be our baby boomers, who are now in their 50s and 60s and they will be at the forefront of successful ageing. We will continue to build on our healthcare and retirement adequacy systems. We have introduced the Pioneer Generation Package, implemented MediShield Life and raised healthcare subsidies for lower- to middle-income Singaporeans. There will be more opportunities for seniors to learn, volunteer and take part in activities within their neighbourhoods. We have also made significant changes to our CPF system to help CPF members accumulate more CPF savings, for example, by providing additional extra interest on lower balances of older members. The Silver Support Scheme will provide an income supplement for the bottom 20%-30% of elderly Singaporeans. Singaporeans will also be given more choices and flexibility in their retirement planning through the CPF system. A cohesive and inclusive society is anchored on personal responsibility, strong families and communities. For families, we will enhance care support to help Singaporeans balance their aspirations in work and family life.”
“In this next phase of development, our focus will be on partnering firms to acquire deep capabilities to innovate and succeed in overseas markets. We will align Government support with these goals to ensure that innovative, growth-oriented businesses can access this support more easily and effectively. Where appropriate, we will form partnerships with Trade Associations and Chambers, develop new industry platforms, like the National Trade Infrastructure, and capitalise on private sector financing and expertise to help firms to grow and transform through better use of technology and new business models. To make it easier to do business in Singapore, we will review existing regulations to reduce compliance burden and costs, particularly for small companies, as well as further leverage infocomm technology to deliver improved services to businesses. On the international front, we will continue to advance Singapore's economic interests through active participation in major regional and global financial fora, such as ASEAN, APEC and G20. We will also partner actively with international organisations like the IMF and World Bank to ensure international financial stability and sustainable economic development. In addition, we will maintain our competitiveness in attracting and retaining substantive business activities here. For our firms to create value, we need people with deep skills and passion for their work and the capacity to innovate. Through SkillsFuture, we will invest in our people to maximise their potential. We will collaborate with unions, employers and training providers to develop a high quality, integrated system of education and training that responds to the evolving needs of our Page: 31 businesses and the economy.”
“MOF supports Singapore's growth towards a value-creating economy, a thriving city and an inclusive society anchored on shared values. We aim to sustain this through sound public finance policies and management and an effective and efficient Government that seeks to innovate and deliver value for money. Today, Singapore is in a position of strength and able to make substantial investments to meet our economic and social needs. This is because we have always emphasised prudent spending and built reliable, broad-based revenue sources. We have also invested our reserves prudently and spent the investment returns in sustainable ways. Global economic weakness, coupled with a more mature economy, will mean slower growth. In this environment, we must continue to focus on spending within our means. Even as expenditures on transport infrastructure, healthcare and housing increase, we must emphasise value-for-money in every programme and maintain the approach of targeting subsidies towards those most in need. In a future with tighter constraints in land and manpower, we must strive to be more productive and innovative to deliver better outcomes. Over the longer term, we should build up Government revenues to meet the higher spending needs of an ageing population. We must do so in a way that keeps the economy vibrant and the tax system progressive. To transform from a value-adding into a value-creating economy, our firms must shift from competing on cost or adding incremental value, to creating new, innovative and differentiated products and services. MOF will support the development of a conducive environment for businesses to restructure, innovate and internationalise.”
“Over the years, a range of provisions targeted at language and literacy support, including dyslexia remediation, have been made available to students in mainstream and Government-funded Special Education (SPED) schools. The MOE-Aided Dyslexia Association of Singapore Literacy Programme is one example and this Programme is specifically designed to meet the needs of mainstream school students with no other special educational needs. The financial assistance scheme for this Programme is thus provided only to eligible mainstream school students. SPED schools have various programmes in place to provide customised literacy support for their students. For example, since 2011, MOE has worked closely with all SPED schools to implement the Direct Instruction (DI) Reading and Oral Language Programme to help students gain a stronger foundation in literacy. Another example is Pathlight School's Literacy Remediation Programme (LRP) for their students with Autism Spectrum Disorder who are diagnosed with dyslexia or who are observed by their teachers to have reading challenges. Such customised literacy support programmes are offered at no additional cost to parents and are supported by the Government's per capita funding for SPED schools, which is substantially higher than that for mainstream schools as it takes into account the higher resourcing needs of SPED schools. Moving forward, MOE will continue to work closely with SPED schools to support students who require customised literacy support. Page: 87”
“Mdm Speaker, I hope that Mr Low Thia Khiang has not contradicted himself – corporate governance has nothing to do with whether they are appointed by the Minister. I hope I did not get you wrong, that corporate governance does not depend on whether the members are appointed by the Minister. Now, if that is the case, then, surely it does not matter whether they are appointed by the President, by the same Page: 81 logic. 5.00 pm”
“Mdm Speaker, I object to Mr Low saying that we are using the name change in order to change the composition of the Board. That is not our intention. Let me state categorically that that is not our intention. I have also drawn Members' attention to the fact that there are also some other very important changes like, for example, financial provisions and why we included clauses on financial provisions. We think that Statutory Boards that receive public funds should be held accountable, should appoint auditors, should submit audit information on time. So, those are part and parcel of the changes to update the governance of the Board and it is important that, in this governance, we continue to improve. The fact that the Board of ISEAS is appointed by the President was something that was set up back in 1968 and, as I have said, if you look at most of the other Statutory Boards, for the vast majority of them, the appointment is made by the Minister. And as I have said – this must be my third, fourth or fifth time of saying that to your Members – that in MOE, all the Statutory Boards under the Ministry are appointed by the Minister. So, there is nothing untoward about it. There is nothing whatsoever that is untoward about it. The more you speak, the more I feel that the Workers' Party has not been very sincere in its objection and you have not been very sincere in saying that you support the Bill. You cannot say that on the one hand, I support this to honour Encik Yusof Ishak and, on the other hand, you say, "Oh, I take objection to this." I tried very hard to explain what this is all about.”
“Mr Low, I hope that in this House we conduct our debates frankly, openly and honourably, that if the Workers' Party is sincere about supporting this Bill, then support it. Please do not throw a red herring. I have explained at great length why all the other Statutory Boards − in fact, most of the other Statutory Boards − have Board members who are appointed by the Minister. I have explained that all the Statutory Boards under MOE, the members are appointed by the Minister. Has it detracted them from their performance? Has it changed their character? Not at all. In fact, it has made them effective. Would Mr Low say that our institutions, under the Ministry, are not effective because our Boards did not have 25-30 members? I do not think you will come to such a conclusion, would you, Mr Low? So, I do really, really hope that Mr Low does not try and push this away. I have also announced earlier on that it is the intention of the Government that the clauses come into effect on 12 August 2015, a month from now, on the 105th anniversary of Encik Yusof Ishak's birth and in this very special SG50 year. I think it will be the honourable thing to do and a very fitting way to honour Encik Yusof Ishak. I am confident that many Singaporeans and, indeed, many Members of this House would endorse such a decision, and I hope that the Workers' Party acts honourably and sincerely and supports this wholeheartedly and not throw up red herrings. It will be very disappointing, Mr Low.”
“I hope, again, that Mr Muhamad Faisal Manap has listened carefully to what I have said for the last hour or so. I tried to explain as carefully as I can why these changes are important. In fact, I started by saying that the primary aim of this amendment is to rename the Institute in honour of Encik Yusof Ishak. At the same time, we really need to also update provisions. Updating of provisions in legislation is an ongoing effort and I believe that every Member of this House will recognise that we always have to keep up with changes and to make sure that even when things are running well, we continue to improve and do better. Would the Member not agree that we should continue to do better? I have also explained that I have gone through the Boards. I have served on the Boards of these various institutes. One personal experience I can tell you is what constitutes a good Board. Perhaps, Members of the Workers' Party would like to share their experience on some of these Boards and if they can convince me that a big Board works effectively. Our experience has been that it needs a certain optimal size. Given the nature of the operations of ISEAS, we need an optimal Board size and we need to recognise that ISEAS has, over the many years, built up its relationship with many think-tanks, research centres, stakeholders in Singapore and so on and so forth. So, do not throw a red herring and then talk about this. What we are trying to do is also to improve governance so that we can take ISEAS even further.”
“Mr Low, I am so surprised and disappointed with what you have just said, given your many years in politics. I spent so much time in my speech talking about why ISEAS has been an important institute in Singapore over the years, why it will continue to play a major role in the years forward, that our understanding within Singapore as well as with our partners in the region is critical to our success in the future. Do we want ISEAS to succeed? Absolutely! So, why would I, as a Minister, make an amendment to the change in order to make ISEAS less effective? I hope that Mr Low does not start imagining things when there is none and that is not good for governance.”
“Ms Lim says that ISEAS is not just any Statutory Board, it is a multi-stakeholder institute. I think, perhaps, Ms Lim underestimates the amount of work that many Statutory Boards undertake to engage their stakeholders. Every Ministry, every Statutory Board, has multiple stakeholders. Every institute in our Universities, every Polytechnic, ITE and so on, also has multiple stakeholders. Therefore, in that regard, ISEAS is no different from all the other Statutory Boards. Does the Institute of South Asian Studies not have multiple stakeholders? Does the East Asian Institute not have multiple stakeholders? Does the Institute of Strategic Studies not have multiple stakeholders? They all do. So, I hope that Ms Lim would not throw up a red herring. And, finally, Ms Lim mentioned that if clause 6 is removed, she will support it. I really, really hope that she supports the renaming sincerely, wholeheartedly, like all the other Members who have spoken, that she does not throw up a red herring as a way of not supporting the Bill. It is Ms Lim's decision. It is the decision of her party, but please do not throw up a red herring. Be sincere, be wholehearted in honouring Encik Yusof Ishak. That is all I ask of Ms Lim.”
“Mdm Speaker, let me take each of these questions in turn. First, as an update. As I have said earlier on, I hope Ms Lim has heard me carefully. I said that much has changed in the last 50 years. And I think in whatever we do, we need to update provisions in the law to keep up with the changes. I explained at length how, over the years, ISEAS had built up a very wide and deep network of relationships. What was done in the past where we needed various segments to support ISEAS' work, we now have many, many institutions and many, many groups who are in support of ISEAS' work. Second, she mentioned that Prof Tan Tai Yong had mentioned how well ISEAS has been doing. And, indeed, I fully agree with Prof Tan Tai Yong that ISEAS has been doing well. But I hope that Ms Lim believes in this principle that having done something well, we can always do it better. We can always do it better. And what we are trying to do is to streamline the Board so that the Board can be more effective in discharging its duty. Does Ms Lim not agree that we should always look for improvements in everything we do, whether we are running Town Councils or whether we are running the Government? Third, in terms of the sole appointment authority, she asked about why it then becomes a sole appointer. In fact, as I have said, MOE takes appointments of our Statutory Boards' Board members seriously. If not for that, we would not have so many people serving on our Board and contributing in so many different ways. And not just in MOE. In many of our Page: 77 Statutory Boards, as I have said, the Minister appoints the members of the Boards to the Statutory Boards. And great care is exercised in appointing members to the Board so that we have broad and appropriate representation.”
“On the contrary, if we approach these differences with goodwill, tolerance and healthy curiosity, this rich variety will ultimately turn out to be our salvation. It is this tolerance for variety, among other things, which today makes Singapore the dynamic and progressive city it is." Naming a highly-regarded institution like ISEAS after Encik Yusof Ishak, is our way of thanking and honouring Encik Yusof for his service to Singapore, of committing ourselves anew to the principles of harmony and unity that he held dear and of presenting to the world that we are proud of the legacy he had left us. To have had Encik Yusof as our Yang di-Pertuan Negara and the first President of Singapore is a cause of gratitude, pride and inspiration. We hope that Singapore and ISEAS will continue to take Encik Yusof's convictions forward. May his name continue to call to remembrance his life's work and his vision for Singapore. It is my honour to bring this Bill before the House. I invite all Members not only to support this Bill, but to support it sincerely and to commit to living up to the principles and values of Encik Yusof Ishak.”
“If you look at it in totality, this is a very important provision to improve corporate governance and to update the changes that have taken place over the years. And it is to take us forward, it is to make sure that ISEAS can take the next leap forward as we associate Encik Yusof's name with this important institute. I hope that Ms Lim does not see shadows when there are none. Page: 75 And I hope that Ms Lim is not throwing out a red herring. It would not be very sincere to, on the one hand, say the Workers' Party supports this Bill but also that the Workers' Party will vote against it if you have this clause. I fully understand Senior Parliamentary Secretary Hawazi's feeling that this is not the time for politicking. This is a very important piece of change to honour President Encik Yusof. So, let me continue. Mdm Speaker, as we celebrate SG50 and remember Singapore's achievements and progress over the past 50 years, we commemorate those who have led the way. We must honour our early Pioneers, their spirit, ruggedness and unwavering commitment to forging a future for Singapore. More importantly, we must endeavour to stay on the good path that they have set as we journey forward together. Unfortunate episodes of strife and unrest are rife around the world – it is all the more important for Singapore to navigate our way forward with care. We need to hold on to the spirit of togetherness forged by our forefathers and the conviction that each of us plays a part in nation-building. Let us continue to build bridges with our neighbours, at the personal and national levels. In Encik Yusof's words: "We in Singapore should not fall into the tragic error of viewing the variety of language, religion, culture and race as a stumbling block to progress and prosperity.”
“I can assure you that if you are diligent in looking at how corporate governance works, there is almost a global consensus that Boards that are too big do not function effectively because the responsibilities get diluted and you may not necessarily get the right decision-makers. So, I find it curious that Ms Lim would focus on this particular clause when there are also some other important clauses. Clauses 9 to 11 put in financial provisions on ISEAS. The financial provisions relate to the appointment of auditors and to the submission of financial statements. I hope that Ms Lim would agree with me that the proper audit of accounts and the timely submission of audited information are important. They are important aspects of accountability. In fact, ISEAS has been very diligent over the years, that despite the fact that these provisions were not there, they had been very diligent in observing these practices. I think it is a good thing for us to institute them into the Act. Let me also inform Ms Lim that in our Statutory Boards – in fact, in most of our Statutory Boards in general – Members of the Boards are appointed by the Minister, partly for this very important reason that Statutory Boards draw resources from the Government and it is important that there be proper accountability. I do not think that Ms Lim will disagree with me on that accountability, I hope. In MOE, in fact, members of the Boards of our Statutory Boards, including our Polytechnics, ITE and so on, are appointed by the Minister. Has this in any way detracted from their ability to do good work? Not at all. On the contrary, we take great care – we take great care – in selecting the right people for the Board. We take corporate governance seriously, Ms Lim.”
“Mdm Speaker, I thank Mr Lim Biow Chuan, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, Prof Tan Tai Yong, Dr Intan Mokhtar and Mr Hawazi Daipi for their very sincere and full-hearted support of the Bill. Their support stands testament to the significance of Encik Yusof's role in Singapore's success story. Let me address the issues raised by Ms Sylvia Lim. Ms Lim was concerned about one clause about the appointment of the Board. Now, let me take you back in history. ISEAS, as the first research institute of its kind established in Singapore back in 1968, had various appointment authorities so that there was adequate representation from a range of interest groups and a range of people who could contribute. Almost 50 years have passed, Ms Lim, and much has changed in those 50 years. For one, ISEAS, as I have said in my speech, established its network of relationships, established its scholarship and has a very wide network of people, experts, professionals, policymakers, of key decision-makers, both in Singapore and the region. So, ISEAS is now in a very different position than when it was first set up way back in 1968. And this was not by chance. This was by very conscious effort and hard work over these many years. And I hope that Ms Lim gives Page: 74 recognition to the effort that generations of researchers in ISEAS have given. Second, Board size matters. Too big a Board does not function effectively. In fact, perhaps, I should indicate that when I was in MOE, as well as MTI and in MAS, I had, on various occasions, served on the Board of ISEAS, the East Asian Institute and the Institute of South Asian Studies. At the MAS, I was overseeing a major piece of work on the review of corporate governance of our companies and banks.”
“(In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] "It is our intention to establish a more just and equal society. In it, all loyal citizens regardless of race, culture and religion are assured of a place. With equal opportunities in every sphere of life, they can develop their personalities to the fullest, which also means that they can give their best to society. I am confident that all our citizens from all walks of life will on this day reaffirm and rededicate Page: 57 themselves to build a free, strong and united multiracial society." (In English): Let me share this in English: "It is our intention to establish a more just and equal society. In it, all loyal citizens regardless of race, culture and religion are assured of a place. With equal opportunities in every sphere of life, they can develop their personalities to the fullest, which also means that they can give of their best to society. I am confident that all our citizens from all walks of life will on this day re-affirm and re-dedicate themselves to the building of a free, strong, united and multiracial society." With Encik Yusof's words, Mdm Speaker, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)] 3.42 pm”
“Today, regional and geo-political realities are even more complex. The strategic framework in Asia is evolving and Southeast Page: 56 Asian countries are accelerating and deepening their integration. Understanding Singapore's place in the economic, cultural and political context of the region remains crucial to our continued relevance. As we celebrate Singapore's 50th birthday and honour the outstanding men and women who have shaped our nation and wrought our successes, it is fitting and timely to pay tribute to Encik Yusof through the renaming of ISEAS in his honour. The ISEAS (Amendment) Bill provides for this renaming. It also provides for amendments to update the ISEAS Act. Let me now highlight the key clauses in this Bill. Clauses 2 to 5 and clauses 12 to 14 effect the renaming of the Institute as the "ISEAS−Yusof Ishak Institute", by amending the ISEAS Act and other legislation to reflect the new name. These clauses will come into effect on 12 August 2015, the 105th anniversary of Encik Yusof's birth. Clauses 6 to 11 seek to update the ISEAS Act and will come into effect on 1 November 2015. Clause 6 streamlines the composition of the ISEAS Board from 22 to 15 members and updates appointment authorities for the Board. Clause 7 accordingly reduces the quorum for the Board to five members, in line with the smaller size of the Board. Clause 8 removes section 7 relating to the Secretary of the Board, as it is no longer relevant. Clauses 9 to 11 update financial provisions. Clause 11 also inserts new sections to protect relevant ISEAS personnel from harassment and personal liability in the performance of their duties. In closing, I would like to share Encik Yusof's exhortation to a young Singapore during our national celebrations, 50 years ago. Mdm Speaker, in Malay.”
“Mr Lee described Encik Yusof as a man who stood for our multiracial policies and believed in policies to modernise our society. We are very fortunate that Encik Yusof was Singapore's Head of State at our founding moment. That he embodied our sovereignty assured our Pioneer Generation of Malays that they have a place in Singapore – he assured all races that this would be home for all. This would not be a Chinese nation or a Malay nation or an Indian nation; this would be a Singaporean Singapore, as our Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew had declared. President Yusof was the living personification of that promise. And he dedicated himself to fulfilling that promise, to the benefit of us all today. Because our Pioneer Generation of Chinese, Malays, Indians and Eurasians decided to make common cause with one another, we were able to remain a multiracial nation. Encik Yusof was a steadfast guide for Singapore throughout our early years. Our early leaders had to navigate numerous pressing issues, such as labour unrest, communal discord and the urgent need to grow our economy and create jobs. They were keenly aware that solutions to these needed to be buttressed by knowledge of regional developments. ISEAS, established a mere three years after our Independence, has helped to deepen our understanding of our politically-volatile region. It has also strengthened ties amongst regional scholars and built up a body of knowledge on developments in Southeast Asia. Our success today has been built by pioneering leaders, such as Encik Yusof, and institutions, such as ISEAS, that have helped to inform our leaders' policy decisions. The foundation for a strong nation is as true today as in the past − peace and stability based on mutual understanding, within Singapore and beyond.”
“Mdm Speaker, here I would like to share a few words from Encik Yusof, in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Racial unity is very important for us. The future of our Republic depends on the solidarity and cooperation among all races − sharing the same aspirations and objectives to make Singapore a successful and prosperous country. Page: 55 (In English): These words reflect Encik Yusof's firm belief that racial unity is a crucial tenet to Singapore's success and encapsulate Encik Yusof's key message to Singaporeans during our early years of Independence. Singapore did not always enjoy the peace and prosperity that we do now. Our Independence came suddenly. Our early years were fraught with bouts of unrest, driven by both internal and external forces. Encik Yusof, as our first President, played a key role to help restore trust and confidence amongst Singaporeans during this time that saw events that shook the nation, such as the 1964 racial riots. One of the foundational principles is that our people are our greatest strength. We must understand, respect and value each person, regardless of race or religion. Encik Yusof lived out this principle throughout his tenure as President. His tireless visits to each constituency and his countless outreaches to various racial and religious groups to share his vision and message are testament to this. In his obituary speech to Encik Yusof Ishak, our Founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew described Encik Yusof as "a deeply religious man, but who did not allow his religion to hinder his relationship with non-Muslims, whether they were Christians, Hindus, Buddhists, Confucians or atheists".”
“Mdm Speaker, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time.". The Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS) (Amendment) Bill seeks primarily to effect the renaming of ISEAS as the "ISEAS−Yusof Ishak Institute", as announced by the Prime Minister at the 2014 National Day Rally. ISEAS was established by the Government in 1968, to fill a vital need for a deeper understanding of the region. At that time, decolonisation was just ending. The newly independent countries of Southeast Asia knew that regional integration was critical for survival and, on our part, Singapore had to find a place in a region that was beginning to find its way forward, away from colonial rule. Since then, ISEAS has grown to be a reputable research centre and think-tank dedicated to the study of socio-political, security and economic developments in Southeast Asia and its wider geostrategic and economic environment. ISEAS continues to play an important regional role in nurturing scholarship and capacity-building, providing insights on key issues and events. ISEAS' efforts in developing a network of relationships help deepen understanding among policymakers and scholars within the region and beyond. We are proud to have ISEAS bear Encik Yusof Ishak's name. Encik Yusof was one of Singapore's pioneering leaders as the Yang di-Pertuan Negara and the first President of Singapore. His contributions, along with those of early Malay Pioneers, such as Mr Othman Wok, were critical to the success of our then-fledgling nation-state and continue to be a source of pride for our Malay community and our nation today. His convictions and life's work resonate strongly with ISEAS' foundational tenets and it is befitting that his name will be borne by ISEAS.”
“The annual number of scholarships awarded to international students at the undergraduate level has come down in recent years. Since 2012, about 900 such scholarships are awarded each year. The scholarships include school fees, and typically include accommodation and some allowances. The annual cost per scholarship is about $25,000 on average. Page: 178”
“In the same year, CPE also implemented a "Student Advisories" section within its website to publish cautionary announcements and information that prospective students should take note of Page: 177 before choosing an institution. CPE continues to work on enhancing its consumer education efforts to help prospective students and parents to make more informed choices.”
“The Private Education Act ("the Act") was enacted in 2009 with the primary aim of protecting the interests of students, by setting basic standards in corporate and academic governance, strengthening student fee protection measures, and requiring private education institutions (PEIs) to disclose key information on courses and teachers. Any PEI that has been found to have contravened the requirements of the Act can have its registration period shortened, suspended or cancelled. Since 2009, CPE has received a total of 526 complete applications for renewal of registration, of which eight were rejected. Separately, four PEIs have had their registrations cancelled because of regulatory contraventions. Details of regulatory actions that are taken against PEIs have been published on CPE’s website since 2011, and further enhancements have been made recently. Details of enforcement action taken are now published directly under the PEI’s profile page on CPE’s website, in addition to the separate section on enforcement actions. Former names of PEIs are also published along with their current names, so that the public will be able to find information pertaining to the track record of a PEI even if it has changed its company name. Besides taking regulatory action, CPE engages students and parents through consumer education and student support initiatives. As part of its outreach efforts, CPE participates in fairs and talks targeted at students from local post-secondary education institutions. In 2013, it collaborated with the Ministry of Education (MOE)'s Career Guidance Branch to incorporate links to student guides developed by CPE on the Education and Career Guidance online portal, such as the "Guide for Choosing a Private Education Institution".”
“Since 2012, about 68% of international students on undergraduate scholarships have graduated with second upper class honours or better. This is comparable to the performance of Singaporean scholarship holders studying at the local universities. It is also higher than the overall percentage of students graduating with second upper class honours or better, which is about 38%. Mr Yee asked how these figures compare with that of PSC scholars. There is no good basis for comparing as the number of PSC scholars is extremely small and they undertake their studies in a variety of top-tier universities, both local and overseas. The basic grade that the international scholars have to meet in order to maintain their scholarships is a cumulative Grade Point Average of 3.5 out of 5 for NUS, NTU and SUTD, and 3.4 out of four for SMU. This is commensurate with what is required of Singaporean scholarship holders studying at these universities. These criteria strike a careful balance between encouraging students to achieve certain standards in academic work, while giving them the time and space to learn deeply and widely through a variety of activities”
“In 2014, around 3,650 international students in the 2014 matriculation cohort in the polytechnics and autonomous universities received the tuition grant. Upon graduation, international students work in Singapore to supplement our labour force. Faculty-level employment information for international students is not readily available. However, on average, eight in ten international students who received tuition grant in our polytechnics and autonomous universities are either working in Singapore after graduation, or have been granted approval by MOE to defer their service obligation to pursue further studies. For the remaining international students, some are in the midst of seeking deferment approval and some are still seeking employment. For those who face difficulty in finding employment and need guidance, they can approach the career centre or alumni office in the institutions for career guidance. The career office or alumni office provides guidance to their students and graduates on career preparation and job search, job opportunities advertised through the institutions, and other related employment resources. This service is available to all students and graduates from the respective institutions. International students who have received the tuition grant and are seeking employment in Singapore after graduation can apply for a one-year Long-Term Visit Pass with the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority.”