Intan Azura Mokhtar
Singapore
“Chairman, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Minister or Minister of State Zaqy, what are the plans for MENDAKI's Tuition Scheme to ensure that our children are ready for a more dynamic environment and also to seize opportunities to excel in various areas apart from academic excellence?”
“For instance, they can work a few days a week in the office and a few days from home so that they can still work full-time, fulfill their work obligations but can reduce commuting time and yet have the opportunity to meet with colleagues and interact with them face-to-face in the office for that much needed social interaction.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the answers. It is heartening to know that the numbers have dropped over the years, from 2009 to 2019, over a period of 10 years. However, 2,800 is still quite a large number every year for enforcement acts to catch recalcitrants.”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the answer. So, 19,000 diabetes cases each year. Does the Ministry of Health (MOH) have the numbers as to what are the causes of the diabetes cases, whether it is through direct sugar intake or is it through other foods, such as high starch content?”
“Mr Speaker, the first question I have is for the Minister for Health. Do we have enough healthcare workers and professionals to help manage patient cases in NCID and the hospitals in this period of heightened healthcare alert seeing to the increased demand and work stresses on them?”
“It is related to schools. Are there any specific or additional measures in schools, particularly for preschoolers and primary school children who may not always be aware or practise proper personal hygiene as we try to educate Singaporeans in this?”
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“How many marriages have had to be postponed and were there appeals for some of these marriages to be solemnised as soon as possible? Three, Muslim marriages are also religious rites and, traditionally, this has involved many aspects and significant individuals in the bride and groom's life, such as requiring the Kadi or Naib Kadi, the marrying couple, the Wali and required witnesses to gather. How will these temporary measures account for the religious aspects of a marriage? Will virtual marriages be regarded as religiously married for Muslims? Four, for Muslim marriages that require the involvement of many more individuals, again, the Kadi or Naib Kadi, the Wali and the required witnesses, how do we ensure that all of them can be virtually present with the required technological tools and Internet connection, for instance? Are there plans to provide the Kadi or Naib Kadi and required witnesses centrally from the Syariah Court, for example, to ensure that they are equipped with the required technological tools and Internet connection in order for the Muslim marriage to be solemnised virtually? I look forward to the response from the Minister on my questions above. Notwithstanding that, I support the Bill.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The current COVID-19 situation has disrupted our lives on many fronts – work, school, businesses, our social lives and significant life events, be it birthdays, funerals or weddings. With the current circuit breaker measures in place, I understand that quite a number of marriage registrations and solemnisations have had to be postponed. However, we cannot delay marriages indefinitely. Hence, to allow Singaporeans to get married safely during this period, this Bill will allow marriage solemnisation and registrations for both civil marriages under the Women's Charter, and Muslim marriages under the Administration of Muslim Law Act, to be conducted virtually, while the COVID-19 circuit breaker and control measures are in place. Currently, the verification of documents, making of statutory declarations and solemnisation of the marriage have to be done in person. With the provisions made in this Bill, the above can be done virtually and through online means. While I support the flexibility accorded for marriages to take place during this period of restrictions in movement and interactions, I do have several concerns and clarifications that I hope can be addressed. One, for civil marriages, will our Licensed Solemnisers be provided with some form of training to help them carry out their duties through virtual or online means? This training could be in the form of online courses and videos that they ought to undergo and complete prior to solemnising a civil marriage through virtual means henceforth. Two, to what extent have the current circuit breaker measures in place disrupted marriage plans, both civil marriages and Muslim marriages?”
“Not wealth. Not intelligence. Certainly, not status. We have to feel for one another if we are going to survive with dignity." That is all from me. Thank you, Mr Speaker.”
“I hope that in doing this Adjournment Motion, I am able to, in some small measure, highlight the challenges faced by, and the resilience and dignity of, our HBBs in taking charge of their lives and livelihoods, without expecting handouts or financial help from others. Their resilience and dignity to support themselves and their families ought to be celebrated, and they should not be admonished when they give feedback or ask for a level playing field to carry on their businesses. I hope that in doing this Adjournment Motion and speaking for our HBBs, we are able to demonstrate empathy, understanding and leadership in finding ways to reconcile our differences and arrive at inclusive solutions for our HBBs, while still complying with the restrictions that need to be in place, in the interest of public health and safety. More importantly, going forward, what are the lessons we can learn from this current episode that will help us manage, navigate and lead in future crises, where we listen and understand first, not have knee-jerk reactions, and co-create solutions in an inclusive manner? Here, I would like to thank President Halimah Yacob and Minister Lawrence Wong for showing empathy and understanding of the hardship and challenges that HBBs face. It is the kind of leadership that people need in times of difficulty. I would like to end with two quotes. First, by Barack Obama, and I quote, "I believe a stronger sense of empathy would tilt the balance of our current politics in favour of those people who are struggling in this society. After all, if they are like us, then their struggles are our own. If we fail to help, we diminish ourselves. And another by Audrey Hepburn, and I quote, "Nothing is more important than empathy for another human being's suffering. Not a career.”
“She supports her husband who lost his job as a driver because of diabetes and heart condition, and their son is studying in Primary school. Mdm N also takes care of her mother-in-law who has poor health and is unemployed. I have ordered Nutella Tarts and brownies on several occasions from Mdm N. They are so yummy. I have also offered to give her some extra cash to help her with her expenses. Although grateful, she declined my help. She said she can still earn a living through her own toil and sweat. That is how determined Mdm N is. She does not simply hope for handouts and she wants to earn her own income to pay for her family's expenses and living. Our HBB owners are not asking for exemptions from the current restrictions or regulations. They are just asking for an equal opportunity to continue their businesses, just like retailers who are allowed to use third-party delivery services, for instance. To me, this is reasonable request. I shall not repeat the suggestions that I mentioned earlier. I hope the authorities can consider these suggestions seriously. Once again, I would like to emphasise that none of these suggestions are asking for any exemptions from the restrictions or regulations that must be implemented for the sake of public health and safety. (In English): In conclusion, Mr Speaker, I wish to reiterate that our HBBs are not asking for special treatment or waivers of current CB measures in place. All they are asking for is equal treatment, clarity and consistency and an opportunity to carry on their businesses, while still observing restrictions that are in place. And all they are asking for is some empathy and understanding of their situation, and leadership in arriving at inclusive solutions.”
“However, this would also mean increased costs for those who run the central kitchens. Would the Government consider co-funding the cost of running these central kitchens for a defined period of time to allow the retail and home-based businesses involved some time to get back on their feet? The suggestions above are in no way asking for special waivers of current CB measures. All along, HBBs have not asked for special treatment, exceptions or waivers of any of the current CB measures. All they ask, is for an equal opportunity to continue their business like other retail establishments whilst still observing restricted measures in place; as well as clarity and consistency in applying any restrictions that are in place. I think this is a fair request. At this juncture, Mr Speaker, please allow me to speak in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I am particularly concerned about the fate of home-based businesses (HBBs) because I myself grew up as a child whose mother had a home-based business. At one time, my mother sold pineapple tarts, peanut cookies and lapis cakes to supplement our family’s living expenses, and the additional income from the sale of her cookies really came in handy when my late father lost his job temporarily. My mother, who comes from our Merdeka generation, was an independent person who always displayed perseverance. Just like the rest of our Merdeka generation, our HBBs also displayed an unwavering spirit. This spirit must be encouraged because it is the same spirit that propelled us to develop Singapore after we achieved independence. This is also the spirit emulated by our HBB owners like Mdm N. Mdm N is a housewife who sells cookies and kueh from home.”
“Here, I wish to put forth a few suggestions for the Government to consider implementing, should restricted measures still need to be in place. One, I understand the authorities will allow HBBs to engage the services of third-party delivery companies, much like how Food and Beverage (F&B) establishments are already doing to deliver their food and drinks. Hence, contactless collection and delivery can be arranged and carried out. This was what the HBBs were asking for when the ban was introduced. Going forward, the third-party delivery companies can even be assigned ones for HBBs to use, so that there is close monitoring of who the delivery personnel are. This will facilitate contact tracing efforts, if required. Two, those HBBs who are already under HDB's Small-scale Business Scheme will continue to adhere to current food hygiene rules, if they are doing baking or cooking businesses. If, and only if, there is any worry or concern about their health during this COVID-19 circuit breaker period, these HBB owners can be asked to log their temperature checks and health declaration daily. This can be done through a mobile application that can be easily set up. This will give assurance to consumers and the authorities that the HBBs are generally in good health and do not pose any COVID-19 related risks. Three, some F&B establishments are offering the use of their central kitchens to HBBs who may be keen to do so. In this way, hygiene, health and temperature checks, and centralised and monitored deliveries, can all be done more easily. This is a good initiative but we also recognise that not all HBBs can work in central kitchens or work away from home. But at least, this can be an option for some HBBs to continue operations during the period of restricted measures.”
“Ms Tan has been selling cakes, brownies and cookies full-time since graduating from University last year. Ms Tan had to go through a couple of eye surgeries, which would have disrupted a more permanent form of employment. With her passion in baking, she decided to be a home baker so that she can hone her craft and have that dignity of being able to support herself through her passion and talent. The dignified tenacity and resilience of home bakers and home business owners such as Mdm N, Ms Sery and Ms Tan, they are admirable. They embody self-reliance. They do not want to be a burden to society and they want to strike out on their own, on the path they all know well. Just like when we had to become self-reliant when we gained independence as a nation. Our HBB owners, they embody our nation's DNA. I understand that from 12 May, HBBs will be allowed to resume operations, with some restrictions. May I seek clarity on and details of these restrictions from 12 May 2020? In addition, may I ask why introduce the blanket ban on 25 April in the first place, which was then back-pedalled on 2 May, when the announcement to ease restrictions was made – a matter of only one week? Did HBBs pose a serious COVID-19 related risk in the first place that required a blanket ban? The blanket ban imposed severe disruptions and inconveniences to many HBBs. As I mentioned earlier, orders have had to be cancelled or put on hold, refunds have had to be made, and to some extent, raw ingredients already purchased have had to be discarded. For the HBBs that were affected, they did not just suffer a loss of income, they also saw their own hard-earned savings put to waste. Why make them go through that?”
“Home baking or cooking, or selling their crafts or other items from home is their only source of income, without which, they will be unable to put food on the table or pay for daily expenses. Like Mdm N. Mdm N is the sole breadwinner of her family of four. Her husband lost his job as a driver because of his diabetes and heart condition. Her mother-in-law, who lives with her, is advanced in age, of poor health and unemployed. Her son is in Primary school. Mdm N has to take care of them and find ways to earn an income. So, she bakes from home and sells them. Her Nutella tarts and brownies are to die for. I have ordered from her and there was once when I offered to give some extra cash to help the family. She declined. Her sense of dignity in wanting to earn through her own toil and sweat and creativity, is admirable. She does not want handouts and she takes pride that she is able to put food on the table and pay for her family's expenses through her own hard work and creativity. She is dignified and empowered, knowing that the best help is in her hands. Take also the example of Ms Sery, who is a home baker and single mother of five school-going children. She sells beautiful cakes with frosting through Violet Frost. She bakes from home so that she is able to earn an income to support her children and at the same time be at home to take care of her 10-year-old son who has spina bifida. Some may lament and say that she should work as there are childcare or after-school care arrangements for her children. But Ms Sery is so good at baking and decorating cakes, and like Mdm N, she is dignified and empowered, knowing she is able to use her creativity to put food on the table, and be there for her children as well. Yet another home-based business owner is Ms Adeline Tan.”
“I know of individuals doing HBBs who steadfastly observed the CB measures as they went about delivering their orders, or when they engaged third-party delivery companies to deliver their orders. However, the recent move to ban all deliveries by HBBs has cut off this income stream, and for some, the only source of income, for their families. For these HBBs, their choices are very limited, and they are the ones we worry about. They need time to make adjustments, especially where their income is concerned. For many of the HBBs, orders have had to be cancelled or put on hold, refunds have had to be made, and to some extent, raw ingredients already purchased have had to be discarded. For the affected HBBs, they did not just suffer a loss of income, they also saw their own hard-earned savings put to waste. It is not an easy life for HBBs. I know because I grew up as the daughter of a home baker. My mother used to sell pineapple tarts, peanut cookies and lapis cakes when I was growing up. She used to get only two or three hours of sleep so that she could fulfil her orders, which were aplenty during festive seasons. This was on top of her day job as a typist. I used to help her. I helped to put the little floral dough on top of the pineapple filling of the tarts and the little peanut pieces on the cookies, and I was the one to help her butter the baking sheets onto the baking tins. It was hard work. But it helped to supplement our family income especially when my late father lost his job for a period of time. But then again, I was probably one of the lucky ones. My mother still had a day job and some income, and the home baking was to supplement what she earned. For some among us, it is not quite the case.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker, for this opportunity to speak on this Adjournment Motion on providing support for home-based businesses during the current COVID-19 circuit breaker period. Here, I would like to state for the record, deep appreciation for the work done by our Multi-Ministry task force and our frontline workers. Their dedication, courage and sacrifices in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak is admirable and will always be held in gratitude by all of us. The COVID-19 outbreak has disrupted our lives on many levels. Our personal freedom has been curtailed and our livelihoods have suffered a beating. Some of us have had to change the way we work – whether it is working from home, doing flexi-work, working in split teams, or working extended shifts on the frontlines. A vast majority of Singaporeans understand the need for these changes and restrictions. We understand that in order to reduce and eventually eradicate the COVID-19 infections, we need to restrict movement and interactions as much as possible, even though these restrictions will impact livelihoods. Definitely. Lives over livelihoods. No one will challenge that. For some of us, we are not sure if work will still be there for us or if we are able to continue to provide for our families – when we go on sick leave, when we are asked to go on no-pay leave or worse, when we are retrenched or lose our only source of income. For those among us who are retrenched or have had their source of income cut off, home-based businesses (HBBs) such as baking or cooking, or selling crafts or other items from home, allow them to earn a living despite the current COVID-19 circuit breaker (CB) measures in place.”
“At the same time, the launch of the SG United Jobs initiative, which will provide about 10,000 public sector job openings, will present opportunities to those who are looking for permanent employment. I hope that our community can make use of this time and available opportunities to enhance their skills, knowledge and experience, and plan their career wisely. There is a Malay idiom that advises one to “do any job that is available first until something better comes along”. (In English) Mr Deputy Speaker, the COVID-19 outbreak has changed many things and thwarted many plans that we had. In response, the Government has pulled out the stops and introduced extensive and generous assistance packages, schemes and initiatives to help Singaporeans. These will certainly help alleviate the hardships and challenges we face. But individually, we also need to start leveraging on opportunities to upgrade our skills and expertise, continue learning and re-learning, and look for opportunities so that we remain relevant. The COVID-19 outbreak has changed many things, but it is also an opportunity for us to make some much-needed changes ourselves. In the words of Thomas Carlyle, "Permanence, perseverance and persistence in spite of all obstacles, discouragements and impossibilities: It is this that, in all things, distinguishes the strong from the weak", and I am confident we will emerge from this crisis even stronger as a nation. I support the Resilience and Solidarity Budgets. 7.34 pm”
“However, what about late payment charges for other fees, such as telco and utilities, where consumption is likely to increase as more Singaporeans work from home? Can they also be waived for residents for a period of six months or so? In addition, I have residents who have written in to ask for a redirection of childcare or student care fees during the "circuit-breaker" period until 4 May 2020. Can the childcare or student care fees already paid during this period be redirected to pay for the later months when childcare or student care services are in full operations again? At this juncture, Mr Deputy Speaker, please allow me to speak in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The COVID-19 outbreak has transformed our lives. Most of us did not expect the advent of this pandemic and the resulting changes. It has impacted our income, jobs and businesses within a very short period of time. Many were also unprepared to deal with the challenges that came along with it. Among the challenges that must be addressed are related to financial issues and having enough savings to tide over this difficult economic times, especially for those who are self-employed or working freelance. Among the initiatives and support schemes under the new Resilience Budget is the Training Support Scheme for the self-employed. Although the Government is currently providing financial support to the self-employed, the opportunity to undergo training must also be highlighted. I hope that the self-employed or freelancers can make use of this opportunity to upgrade their skills and gain relevant knowledge and experience, which will help to improve their chance of getting permanent jobs in the future.”
“I am reassured that the Government is looking to help job-seekers, in particular, first-time job-seekers just entering the job market. It is a very challenging time to be looking for employment, especially when you do not have sufficient work experience. Even among my students in the University, some have shared their difficulty in securing a more permanent employment because of the current economic uncertainty. Those particularly affected are in the hospitality and tourism as well as design sectors. While the SG United Traineeship programme will be able to provide our young people with opportunities to gain invaluable work experience, to enhance their employability and eventually land a relatively secure job, our students do question whether the few years they spent in a specific programme preparing for a job in an industry which is not able to provide employment for them has been a futile effort. I hope that under the SG United Traineeship programme, recent University, Polytechnic and ITE graduates who are looking to gain employment in an industry that is different from the one they have been trained in, will be given recognition for their academic training and qualification as well as related work experience, and can be accorded some form of recognition for these when they are granted employment in a different sector thereafter. Three, fee and loan payment. The freezing of all Government fees and charges for one year until 31 March 2021 is a much welcomed move. It helps to ease the financial burden for new graduates who are facing difficulty in securing employment during this period. The suspension of late payment charges on HDB mortgage arrears will help many Singaporean households better manage their tight finances during this period.”
“While the current SIRS scheme is useful, we should never rule out the possibility of other possible crises from happening in the future and which may put one's income-earning potential at risk once more, which is particularly more likely for SEPs. Hence, my concern is what happens after the nine months. Will our SEPs be able to find a more permanent form of employment that will provide them with a more stable income in future? How can we encourage greater participation in the SEP Training Support Scheme and other employment assistance schemes, such as Career Trial or Attach-and-Train? Can a more targeted employment assistance be rendered to SEPs to help them secure a more permanent and stable form of employment for the future? My other concern is regarding businesses that are severely affected because of the COVID-19 outbreak. While business owners can leverage on the Jobs Support Scheme to retain their current employees until October this year, what will happen thereafter? It will be very difficult for business owners to recoup losses incurred during this period, and they may decide to scale down their operations considerably and cut costs eventually. One of the ways in which they may decide to scale down their operations and cut costs, would be to let go of permanent hires and outsource work to freelancers or those doing gig work. This may lead to a growth of the gig economy, which may be acceptable during healthy economic growth. But during periods of crises, such as now, we will once again have income insecurity among the freelancers and those doing gig work. What more can we do to help them have better income security despite periods of crises? Two, on employment opportunities for job-seekers and school leavers.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to speak in this debate on our Resilience and now Solidarity Budget, which is a much-needed and generous assistance package for many Singaporeans during this challenging time. I wish to express gratitude for the hard work put in by Prime Minister Lee, Deputy Prime Minister Heng, the Inter-Ministerial COVID-19 task force and our civil and public servants who have worked tirelessly to manage the COVID-19 situation and put in place the necessary support and assistance for Singaporeans during this difficult period. I am heartened and moved by the extent of assistance provided in the Resilience Budget and now the Solidarity Budget – for employees, employers, business owners, the self-employed, job-seekers, the unemployed, and low-income and middle income families, among other specific segments of our society. As the various assistance schemes and initiatives are being rolled out, Singaporeans will need to stay resilient and innovative in keeping their heads above water as the challenges imposed by the COVID-19 outbreak will continue to plague us for many more months ahead. In my speech, I wish to speak on three matters which residents have raised with me. One, plight of the self-employed and future of the gig economy; two, employment opportunities for job-seekers and school leavers; and three, fees and loans payment. First, on the plight of the self-employed and future of the gig economy. The Self-Employed Person Income Relief Scheme (SIRS) is very generous in helping Self Employed Persons (SEPs) over a period of nine months. This will certainly help SEPs during this difficult period.”
“Chairman, in Malay, please. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Minister or Minister of State Zaqy, what are the plans for MENDAKI's Tuition Scheme to ensure that our children are ready for a more dynamic environment and also to seize opportunities to excel in various areas apart from academic excellence?”
“In Malay, please, Chairman. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In recent years, there have been many changes to the education system and landscape in Singapore. Some of the changes include an increased number of places for Direct School Admission (DSA), Subject-Based Banding (SBB) in lieu of streaming, the removal of mid-year and year-end examinations for Primary 1 and 2 students, changes to the Primary School Leaving Examinations grade banding, and work readiness initiatives in post-secondary institutions. Prior to this, most of MENDAKI's programmes and initiatives often focus on academic excellence and this has resulted in an increase in post-secondary passes, scholarship holders and white collar workers in our community. Now, with a shift towards providing education with multiple pathways to success that is not solely based on academic excellence, as well as collaborations with the industries to ensure work readiness and lifelong learning, MENDAKI's programmes, initiatives and approach must also transform so as to remain relevant. In light of these changes to our education system and landscape as well as schools, what are MENDAKI's plans and progress in reviewing its education programs so as to be in line with these changes that were made to our education system and schools, to ensure that relevant and useful support is given to our community? I would also like to ask the Minister for an update on whether MENDAKI has plans to venture into the pre-school sector as well, and whether Mendaki will implement initiatives or programs for this sector, in light of the rapid changes to the pre-school sector in recent years.”
“Thank you, Chairman. I seek your kind indulgence for four clarifications. First, I support the National Digital Literacy programme but, as I mentioned in my speech, Minister, I hope that MOE will consider including information literacy as well because it is not sufficient for students to just learn to develop skills and knowledge to make use of digital tools and platforms but also understand how to navigate the massive amounts of information available that traverses all these various digital tools and platforms. That is one. Second, for the SkillsFuture for educators, I understand that MOE will be working with NIE as well as private training providers, external training providers, for both in-service and pre-service courses, and which may also include online learning modules. Will this be fully funded by MOE or will teachers have to tap on the SkillsFuture Credit, for example? Third, I have not spoken it in this Committee of Supply but I have spoken about this before. It is good that we are strengthening the support for students with SEN in our schools. Are there plans to recruit more AED(LBS) because at the moment, there are only one or two AED(LBS) to cater to 80% of our students with special educational needs. My son is one of them. I hope that there will be a lot more AED(LBS) because it will certainly help our students with special education needs in the mainstream schools. And, last, the expansion of the intake places for Work Study programmes. I must declare that I am from SIT as a faculty member. SIT was the first to start the Work-Study programmes. With the expansion, is it that there will be ramping up of programmes within SIT or will it be ruled out to all the AUs?”
“Chairman, since the introduction of SkillsFuture in 2015, there have been numerous initiatives and programmes launched to ensure Singaporeans have access to a whole spectrum of training and learning opportunities. While there are SkillsFuture schemes meant for working adults to ensure their continued employability, such as P-Max Place-and-Train and the Professional Conversion Programmes (PCP), there are also Train-and-Place SkillsFuture initiatives targeted at students to prepare them for the workforce, such as the Work-Study Diploma or Degree programmes. The recent Budget announcement by Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat gave us a sneak into the Next Bound of SkillsFuture. Among the specific initiatives under the Next Bound of SkillsFuture are the increased capacity of SkillsFuture Work-Study programmes; partnership with Queen Bee companies to better support training of potential and current hires; and the deepening of workplace learning capabilities, including the expansion of the National Centre of Excellence for Workplace Learning (NACE) to two more Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs). Hence, I would like to find out more about the plans on how the SkillsFuture Work-Study programmes will be expanded; what are some Queen Bee companies that SkillsFuture Singapore will partner with; which two IHLs will be appointed to house the new NACEs; and what are the plans in expanding opportunities for workplace learning? Will there be plans to recognise training courses or certifications to allow them to be stackable components or modules leading to accredited or recognised qualifications that can lead to career promotions or better employment opportunities? I look forward to hearing these details from the Ministry. SkillsFuture Movement”
“NLB has extensive experience in the area of digital and information literacy and has recently set up a Digital and Information Literacy Community of Practice (DIL-CoP), which brings together academics, practitioners and experts in the area of digital and information literacy to share experience, theory and practice in strengthening policies, research, strategies and initiatives in the area. Here, I must declare my interest as Special Adviser to the DIL-CoP. Two, in order to facilitate the learning of digital and information literacy, the access to and use of information and communication technologies, have to be in place. As such, students need to have ready access to and use of technological devices such as laptops, tablets, and smart phones – all with internet access and wireless fidelity capabilities. How will MOE ensure that our students can have their own technological devices and ready Internet access, particularly for students who come from less privileged backgrounds? What support and provision will be made available? I look forward to hearing the details of how digital and information literacy will be implemented in our schools. 6.45 pm Digital Literacy in Schools”
“Chairman, in helping our citizens navigate their way through numerous online falsehoods and fake news, we have to start our public education campaign upstream and begin with our school students. In last year's Committee of Supply (COS) debates, it was announced that the Government would establish the "Our Singapore Fund for Digital Readiness", which aims to support community initiatives that promote digital readiness. Beyond community initiatives, we also need to equip our school students with digital literacy, as well as information literacy. Digital and information literacy is the ability to use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create and communicate information, requiring both cognitive and technical skills. This combined set of literacies is crucial in this current age, as our students should not only know how to use new information and communication technologies but, more importantly, know how to source for, evaluate and use information that is disseminated and accessed, regardless of the medium in which it exists. Hence, as MOE reviews the school curricula and syllabi in order to incorporate teaching and learning activities for digital readiness, I would like to propose two areas for consideration. One, digital and information literacy should be part of our school syllabi, taught and learnt within a specific subject or as part of a school project. Digital and information literacy essentially involves applied skills and knowledge. Hence, they cannot be taught in silo and has to be contextualised. I would further propose that MOE work closely with the National Library Board which has, for several years, implemented its S.U.R.E. programme, which stands for Source, Understand, Research, Evaluate.”
“For instance, when we are ill, it is important to maintain good personal hygiene and exercise social responsibility by minimising going out in public, not sneezing or coughing without due care and maintaining social distancing with others. In addition, our personal and community values shape our social responsibility. For instance, self-centredness and a lack of empathy for others mean we only think of ourselves and make us less "others-centric". While it is understandable for each of us to want to protect our personal interests and needs, we can still do so and yet look out for others, show our care for them and extend help where needed. Third, we know that values are more often caught rather than taught. Parents' values, beliefs and behaviours will most certainly shape how their children treat others and how they behave towards others. Hence, parental involvement in the teaching and learning of CCE would enhance its value. I know that schools are already doing this. Other than involving parents in some learning activities to be done at home with their children, parents who have been actively involved in serving the community, doing volunteer work or actively contributing to society can be invited to share their experience and work with a class of students in school. These parents serve as significant adults who can positively influence and shape the mindsets of our young students, which can be important for students who may not always have the best role models at home. I look forward to hearing the details of how MOE intends to review and enhance the teaching of CCE in our schools. CCE”
“Chairman, Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) is an integral part of our education system, complementing our academic subjects with a more value-centric and action-based approach to understanding ourselves and the community and society we live in. MOE has made significant and impactful changes to the way we deliver CCE to our students, with the last review done in 2014. Hence, it is timely that MOE reviews the CCE syllabus. As MOE does so, I would like to offer three suggestions for consideration. First, issues related to mental health and wellness should be incorporated in the CCE syllabus even at the Primary school level. Our young students need to be provided with a safe space to discuss issues that may have an impact on their mental health and wellness, such as coping with loss or death in the family, appropriate and inappropriate relationships, bullying among friends, social discrimination or domestic violence. These are difficult issues and I would not expect all our school teachers to be professionally equipped to address them or help students manage these issues well. Hence, it would be useful to have social workers and trained school counsellors work closely with our school teachers to help young students who may be facing these issues. Second, in the midst of the current COVID-19 outbreak, it is important to incorporate lessons on personal hygiene as well as personal and community values that shape social responsibility. Such lessons serve as important reminders to our young students about how our personal hygiene practices can have significant and far-reaching impact on the community we live in and on society at large.”
“For instance, they can work a few days a week in the office and a few days from home so that they can still work full-time, fulfill their work obligations but can reduce commuting time and yet have the opportunity to meet with colleagues and interact with them face-to-face in the office for that much needed social interaction. For individuals with family commitments and obligations, flexi-work can accord them some much needed time to fulfill these commitments and obligations while they work from home or work remotely, while still ensuring work is done and key performance indicators (KPIs) are met. I hope the Ministry will continue to provide the needed support and provisions for flexi-work to continue to be implemented by employers. Job Design for an Engaged Local Workforce”
“Flexi-work provisions, arrangement and support have been extensively rolled out during this COVID-19 outbreak period. Employees are placed on rotating teams, or being asked to work remotely or from home, while face-to-face meetings are replaced by e-meetings or e-consultations. Even with some initial inconveniences, we are able to work remotely, flexibly and still fulfill our daily work responsibilities, or even meet our daily business targets, with some creative provisions and solutions in place. I have spoken about the need to support flexi-work for employees for some time. With the current COVID-19 situation, we are somewhat forced to carry out flexi-work provisions and arrangements. I hope flexi-work can be a common feature of our employment landscape and eco-system even after COVID-19. Just as we trust our workers and staff to work remotely or on a flexible work arrangement during this period, we must continue to trust them to give the same amount of commitment, time and effort when the worst is over. Flexi-work is not just for times of crisis or difficulty. Flexi-work is also to allow for personal obligations and commitments to be fulfilled, and to cater to different work arrangements and work needs. For persons with disabilities or special needs, flexi-work arrangements can provide for better employment opportunities for them to work from home or to gradually adjust to their work environments and work commitments at a pace they are comfortable with.”
“How many employers and organisations have agreed to make such a provision for their lower wage or outsourced workers? How is MOM helping employers and organisations make this provision? 3.45 pm Right to Flexible Work Arrangement and Mental Health Insurance”
“Will there be a similar Place-and-Train scheme for PWDs with special needs to help them ease into their new job and place of work and learn on-the-job? I am sure sectors, such as food services, retail and tourism, are always in need of employees and these are sectors where PWDs with special needs can do well in, provided they are given the opportunity and are coached to perform their job functions well. Finally, how else can employers be nudged into actively hiring PWDs with special needs and valuing them for the skills and abilities that they have, rather than perceiving them as simply being unable to perform job tasks or, worse still, seeing them as a liability? Rest Areas for Workers My second cut, Chairman, on rest areas for workers. In last year's COS, I brought up the need to provide decent working conditions, such as the provision of proper rest areas for lower wage and outsourced workers, such as cleaners, security officers, F&B service staff and despatch riders. I had also expressed that while some people may feel that requiring proper rest areas is a trivial request, it is not so. When you work the most part of the day on your feet, you do look forward to having a proper place to sit and rest and experience some sense of well-being while at work. And this rest area should not be at staircases or rubbish dump areas. I had requested for MOM to make proper rest areas for lower wage and outsourced workers mandatory. These rest areas should be well-ventilated, well-lit and have proper tables and seats for the workers to have their meals and to rest. Other than rest areas, there must be proper lockers where personal belongings can be stored safely while they work. I would like to ask MOM for updates in this.”
“As I have said before in this House, being gainfully employed and being able to be remunerated for doing meaningful work, like other typical hires, is a start in helping PWDs or special needs live independently like many others and it accords sufficient opportunities for them to develop that much-needed sense of identity, self-esteem and self-dignity. The Government has introduced schemes, such as the Special Employment Credit (SEC), Workfare Training Scheme (WTS) and the Open Door Programme (ODP) to help PWDs with special needs to be employed. However, how many employers actually have, in their hiring policies and practices, affirmative action to employ PWDs with special needs? How many employers have leveraged on these schemes to actively hire persons with disabilities or special needs? And how many PWDs with special needs are in active or open employment? I am also concerned that the Special Employment Credit will cease after 2020. Will there be a new Employment Credit scheme to help employers employ PWDs with special needs? Or can the Special Employment Credit be extended to employers to continue employing PWDs with special needs? In addition, for the SkillsFuture Credit (SFC) of $500 per Singaporean aged 25 years old and above, can an exception be made to allow PWDs with special needs make use of the SFC from age 18 years old when they are in DACs and where they can pick up SkillsFuture training courses while there? I laud the Adapt and Grow and Place-and-Train initiatives available for older workers and for students to upgrade and transition into the world of work across sectors, such as hotel, retail, food services, tourism and air transport.”
“The National Council of Social Services (NCSS) published its "Quality of Life Study on Persons with Disabilities" in 2016. The study involved close to 1,000 respondents with disabilities. The study incorporated a face-to-face survey which sought to identify the needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs) across six domains of Quality of Life. Among the findings established was that PWDs who were not engaged in a main daily activity, particularly employment, experienced lower quality of life, with more than half of the respondents who were not gainfully employed indicating so. In contrast, those in employment reported a higher level of independence, with a difference of 10%-16% between those who are employed and those who are unemployed. However, what was more disconcerting is that those who are in open employment, that is, employed just like typical hires, tended to feel discriminated against, with a difference of 4%-8% between those in open employment and those in sheltered employment or working in Day Activity Centres (DACs). NCSS carried out another study with 1,400 Singaporeans and PRs on attitudes towards PWDs. Among the many findings established in the study, one that stood out was that attitudes towards PWDs were least favourable in the domain of employment. Deeper probing suggests that the public often perceives a person's disability as the inability to perform one's job. In particular, it was found that people in general feel or behave even less positively towards individuals with autism or intellectual disabilities. Information on both studies can be found in this publication by NCSS.”
“Hence, I urge employers and companies to carry on with their FWAs that we already have in place now during the current COVID-19 public health situation so that our society, communities and workplaces can be a lot more inclusive, especially for those who are less privileged or who face more challenges in life. To conclude, Mr Deputy Speaker, I reiterate my support for the various provisions, as well as the employment and employability assistance measures provided for in this year's Budget. While there are still areas in which the necessary provisions and assistance can be even further enhanced, the Government is cognisant of the various needs of the different segments of our society and has done much to ensure there is some help for everyone. Beyond the dollars and cents the Government will be spending on helping the different segments of our society, including for employers, we have to continue to work together to make our society, communities and workplaces better, stronger and more inclusive. Let us continue to build our "democracy of deeds". This is what SG Together is all about. If I may end with a quote by Winston Churchill: "We make a living by what we get; We make a life by what we give." Notwithstanding the suggestions I have for future provisions and assistance by the Government, I support this year's Budget.”
“However, with every challenge comes an opportunity for us to learn and initiate and embrace change. Flexi-work provisions, arrangement and support have been extensively rolled out during this period. We find that even with some initial inconveniences, we are able to work remotely, flexibly and still fulfil our daily work or meet our daily business targets, with some creative provisions and solutions, to ensure business and work continuity. Flexi-work is not too difficult to implement after all. Necessity is truly the mother of all inventions. I hope that once we are able to ride out the current COVID-19 public health situation, we will remember the lessons we have learnt during this period and we will continue to implement flexi-work with the support of employers and companies. Just as we trust our workers and staff to work remotely or on a flexible work arrangement during this period, we must continue to trust them to give the same amount of commitment and effort when the worst is over. In addition, as I have mentioned in my Budget speech last year, FWAs can provide for better employment opportunities for persons with disabilities or special needs to work from home or to gradually adjust to their work environments and work commitments at a pace they are comfortable with. Being gainfully employed and being able to be remunerated for doing meaningful work is a start in helping persons with disabilities or special needs live independently like many others and it accords sufficient opportunities to develop that much-needed self-belief and self-dignity.”
“Employer contribution and support are still substantially required and not many employers are willing to go that extra mile to invest in persons with disabilities or special needs. Other than employer support, persons with disabilities or special needs seem to earn relatively lower salaries than typical hires. While there is insufficient data to confirm this, the anecdotal evidence is already quite disturbing. Do we expect persons with disabilities or special needs to be able to fend for themselves with much less disposable income? Do we expect them to be dependent on others for the rest of their lives? Can we not accord them greater recognition, as well as remuneration, for their abilities and talents out of the goodness of our hearts as fellow human beings and not just depend on numbers reflecting positive returns on investments? While there have been improvements made to making our society and workplaces more inclusive towards persons with disabilities or special needs, there is still a long way to go in ensuring they can be financially independent, recognised for their abilities and talents and not be judged for being atypical and that they can very much be a part of our community, society, schools and workplaces as every one else. I will speak more on providing the necessary employment support for persons with disabilities or special needs in the MOM COS debate. Let me now move to the last segment of my speech on flexi-work provisions and support. The current COVID-19 public health situation has been a very challenging one. Our daily work routines are drastically changed and remote interactions and communication have replaced physical interactions or face-to-face communication.”
“(In English): I also laud the Senior Worker Early Adopter Grant and the Part-time Re-employment Grant that will help companies and employers review their hiring policies to help older workers stay employed. I look forward to the details of these two initiatives during MOM's Committee of Supply debate. While numerous provisions, schemes, grants and initiatives have been introduced, implemented and led by the Government and Government agencies, employers need to also do their part to facilitate the training, continued employment and contributions of older workers in Singapore. For a start, the jobs that older workers do have to be meaningful and cannot simply be menial work that younger Singaporeans shun. Taking on the role of mentors, trainers, coaches or supervisors would be more meaningful for older workers who have a wealth of experience to draw from and impart to younger workers. Employers need to explore ways to redesign jobs for older workers so that they can continue to contribute and draw from their experience, skills and knowledge meaningfully. Let me move on to the next segment of my speech on support for persons with disabilities or special needs. Persons with disabilities or special needs have always found it more challenging than most of us to be gainfully employed, stay employed and have opportunities for career progression. For some of them, finding employment is a seemingly insurmountable hurdle. Not many employers are willing to employ persons with disabilities or special needs even though there are Government-funded employment grants to facilitate this, such as the Special Employment Credit, Workfare Training Scheme and the Open Door Programme.”
“Both initiatives will help older Singaporeans remain employable and provide opportunities for them to continue to learn and upskill. At this juncture, Mr Deputy Speaker, please allow me to speak in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] A part of this year's Budget is for the allocation and assistance to Singaporean senior workers as well as mature workers in Singapore. I welcome such allocation and support for workers. Therefore, I hope that our senior workers and mature workers will seize the opportunity to enhance their skills and continue training in their respective jobs and careers. Certainly, the journey and the effort towards upskilling and continuous training are not easy. It takes time, it requires determination and hard work, it requires more expenditure and it also involves personal sacrifice. However, this sacrifice will result in a wealth of benefits and opportunities that will be enjoyed in the future – the chance for job promotion, job opportunities or higher pay, as well as growing our self-worth. As the saying goes, "You have to undergo hardship and difficulties before you can enjoy the fruits of your labour". And let us not give up too easily if things get tough when undergoing upskilling and continuous training. As the saying goes, “In for a penny, in for a pound”. At the same time, we must also acknowledge that the times are changing rapidly and we cannot ignore the impact of disruptive technologies, as well as economic transformations that have and will change the way we work or do business. Therefore, we must be ready to ride through this inevitable change. Mr Deputy Speaker, I will continue in English.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for this opportunity to speak on Budget 2020. This year's Budget is, indeed, generous, particularly with the Stabilisation and Support Package, which helps to mitigate current economic challenges, partly fueled by the COVID-19 public health situation. Employment and employability support measures are needed as jobs become more challenging to be created or retained. Hence, any form of support for both employers and employees to continue to hire and be hired, is very much welcomed. For my speech on the Budget, I wish to speak on employment-related matters and will focus on three aspects: one, support for older workers to continue working; two, support for persons with disabilities or special needs to be employed and be financially independent; and three, flexi-work provisions and support. First, on support for older workers to continue working. As Singaporeans live longer and the proportion of older Singaporeans increase relative to younger residents, we have to make provisions and review our policies to ensure that older Singaporeans can continue to stay actively employed and engaged in our society. The Government has done well in this and there are many initiatives, programmes and policies that have been revised and implemented to cater to this. Hence, I am heartened by the The Next Bound of SkillsFuture announced in this year's Budget, which will help provide Singaporeans with opportunities to develop to their fullest potential throughout life and not only when they are young. I laud the SkillsFuture Mid-Career Support Package and the SkillsFuture Credit Top-up for Singaporeans in their 40s and 50s, which, essentially, means they get a total of $1,000 per person.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the answers. It is heartening to know that the numbers have dropped over the years, from 2009 to 2019, over a period of 10 years. However, 2,800 is still quite a large number every year for enforcement acts to catch recalcitrants. So, I am just wondering whether awareness of this regulation is included in our Highway Code before drivers actually get the licence to drive vehicles. Because, I am sure, for most of us here, we would sometimes come across stationary vehicles or parked vehicles and the engines are left idling. For me, I have gone up to the person myself and told him, "You should turn off your engine while the vehicle is stationary". Beyond that, how can public education efforts be stepped up so that the numbers can be further reduced and that the awareness is there? That is not just about protecting people's health but it is also being kinder to the environment.”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the answer. So, 19,000 diabetes cases each year. Does the Ministry of Health (MOH) have the numbers as to what are the causes of the diabetes cases, whether it is through direct sugar intake or is it through other foods, such as high starch content? The second supplementary question is: I know that the details will be announced later on at the MOH Committee of Supply debate. But are there plans to extend the mandatory label for the SSBs to non ready-to-drink beverages, for example, bubble tea drinks, coffees and teas, or even syrup-based beverages that are served at buffets or eateries? The third supplementary question is whether there are plans to implement this more extensively to all mainstream schools and even our institutes of higher learning (IHLs) in the canteens and cafes.”
“It is related to schools. Are there any specific or additional measures in schools, particularly for preschoolers and primary school children who may not always be aware or practise proper personal hygiene as we try to educate Singaporeans in this? And will there be a postponement or review of overseas school tours or trips seeing that there are other similar virus outbreaks beyond the 2019 novel coronavirus, for example, the avian flu or H5N1 virus outbreak in Hunan, China as well as in Chhattisgarh, India?”
“Mr Speaker, the first question I have is for the Minister for Health. Do we have enough healthcare workers and professionals to help manage patient cases in NCID and the hospitals in this period of heightened healthcare alert seeing to the increased demand and work stresses on them? And for our own healthcare workers and professionals, do they have sufficient rest and enough social and emotional support for their own well-being? The third question is: are we able to activate volunteer healthcare workers to pitch in if and when the need arises? Mr Speaker, I have another two questions meant for the Minister for Education, but I am not sure whether it should be addressed to Minister Lawrence Wong.”
“Are there ways in which the Minister can exercise his power to obtain further information about the donor? Third, the appointment of a “competent authority”. What are the qualities expected of this “competent authority” that provides advice to the Minister on matters pertaining to ROs? To what extent does the Minister seek the counsel of this “competent authority” on matters pertaining to ROs? Will this “competent authority” be someone from PCRH? Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to reiterate the need for a cohesive and strong multi-religious and multiracial Singapore society where our diversity strengthens our social fabric rather than weaken it. Both our diversity and social cohesion are equally precious and important to us, and it is imperative that both are upheld and protected. I am confident the amendments in this Bill will help to further strengthen our social cohesion, provide greater protection to our religious and racial harmony, and ensure public peace and order in our society. Notwithstanding the clarifications I seek, I support this Bill.”
“(In English): As mentioned earlier, Mr Deputy Speaker, there are some areas of the Bill in which I seek clarifications. First, I support the need for immediate, pre-emptive and decisive actions to be taken to maintain racial and religious tolerance and harmony, and to remove threats to public peace and public order. Hence, I support the amendment to allow the Minister to “make an RO against any religious group for the purposes specified in subsection (2A) if the Minister is of the opinion that it is necessary or expedient” to do so. However, can the Minister give the assurance that: (a) the expanded powers conferred on the Minister are justified and grounded on relevant intelligence gathered and established facts; and (b) that no particular religious or racial groups would feel that they are being unfairly targeted? Second, the definition of “anonymous donation”. I understand the need for a “Know-Your-Donor” (KYD) process to be carried out, but the way in which “anonymous donation” is defined in the Bill may bring about potential disputes and loopholes. For instance, there may be a donor who is known to a person or persons in a religious organisation, but who decides to give an “anonymous donation” by dropping in a sum of money to a donation box of the organisation, and where the act and purpose of the donation has been made known to the organisation. In this case, in terms of audit and accounting, the donor is anonymous. But in reality, the donor is known to someone in the organisation and the act and purpose of the donation is also known. In this case, how can the proper KYD be carried out? How will the donation be returned to the donor? Will interactions and communication between the donor and known person or persons in the organisation be more closely scrutinised?”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker, for the opportunity to speak on this Bill. The maintenance of religious harmony, the upkeep of and the elimination of any threat to public peace and public order, are paramount to Singapore. We must do all we can to preserve the religious harmony that is critical for the survivability of Singapore. I fully support the amendments in this Bill which are aimed at maintaining this harmony. There are some areas of the Bill to which I seek clarification. Before I seek my clarifications, please allow me to speak in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] We all fundamentally agree that it is important for Singapore to maintain racial harmony. This peaceful and harmonious environment is created by establishing trust among the different races and religions that was imbued since Independence by many of our community leaders, including our accredited asatizahs, as well as our other community leaders. However, the racial harmony that we enjoy can become fragile and easily destroyed if we are not careful and vigilant in maintaining the strong bonds that exist among us. We must recognise and admit that there are certain groups that want to unravel or destroy the bonds of trust among the different races and religions in Singapore. Religious beliefs and ethnicity are matters that are close to the hearts of Singaporeans. As Singaporeans, we can practise our own religions peacefully and undisturbed by anyone. This situation did not exist by chance and must be looked after judiciously and wisely. Hence, I welcome MHA’s move to propose amendments to this Act in order to further strengthen the laws that safeguard racial and religious harmony in Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, I thank the Minister for the detailed explanation of what happened in YNC. I have two supplementary questions. One is, with this incident, what does it mean for the future of YNC? Will the Ministry sort of exercise greater scrutiny on YNC over the programmes it carries out or the lecturers or academics that it engages? And two, can we still continue to have a liberal arts education here in Singapore, bearing in mind our local context?”
“Even so, we should acknowledge that various initiatives have been implemented by the Government to overcome the community’s challenges or issues, such as the establishment of M3 which involves the combination of efforts, manpower and also funds from the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS), the Council on Education for Muslim Children (MENDAKI) and the People’s Association Malay Activity Executive Committees Council (MESRA), which comprise grassroots organisations and efforts by volunteers. M3 was established to specifically help families within our Malay/Muslim community and this also involves a collaboration with MSF. This is a good initiative that has an encouraging and positive effect in strengthening our families, enhancing our skills and job opportunities, improving access to quality and affordable education, as well as rolling out initiatives that focus on our children’s well-being. We must continue to support the Government’s objectives and initiatives like M3. (In English): Mr Deputy Speaker, the care of children and young persons who are removed from the care of their biological parents or from their foster parents, will always be a sensitive and emotive matter. And where emotions run high, rationality and judgement may be clouded. I do not envy the work of MSF in dealing with such sensitivities and I hope the amendments to CYPA will strengthen the provisions to be made, and for fairness and objectivity to prevail in ensuring the best interest of each child or young person in question. Notwithstanding the clarifications I have sought earlier, I support this Bill.”
“I am somewhat concerned with the provision to allow the person-in-charge of any home for children and young persons, or any other authorised persons in that home, to use a mechanical restraint on a person detained in the home, called a detainee, in order to prevent the detainee from escaping from custody, or to prevent the detainee from inflicting any bodily injury on themselves or on others. What forms of "mechanical restraints" are allowed to be used? To what extent are these mechanical restraints used? And what if the mechanical restraints used inflict even more injury on the detainee than that it was first meant to prevent in the first place? Hence, while I understand the need for restraints for violent or hostile behaviour, how does the Ministry decide, on a balance of probabilities and outcomes, when and what forms of mechanical restraints are to be used? At this juncture, Mr Deputy Speaker, please allow me to speak in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The challenges and issues faced by our community should not be taken lightly or are easily resolved. Various factors can give rise to certain challenges or issues that affect a family, and its solutions can also include various factors and types of assistance. There is still room to further strengthen these solutions.”
“These relevant professionals could be medical psychiatrists, clinical or child psychologists, school counsellors and educational professionals, among others. I would also propose that this Committee consider for each foster case that is being contested or disputed, to interview the foster parents, the child or young person in question and biological parents to better understand their motivation for wanting a particular outcome pertaining to the foster case, even while they consider the report and recommendations made by MSF. Eventually, these different inputs of important information can be put up as recommendations to the Court dealing with the particular foster case if need be. Likewise, I would propose that where an order is made by a Youth Court, this Committee on Fostering is able to make recommendations to the Director-General of Social Welfare in deciding on any category 1, 2 or 3 matters relating to the child or young person, including the identification of a fit person to which the care of the child or young person is assigned. Here, I would like to state my support for childcare leave, extended childcare leave and unpaid infant care leave to be extended to foster parents who have opened up their hearts and homes to these vulnerable children and young persons in need of love and care. Our foster parents also need the parental-related leave to care for their foster children. One aspect of this Bill that I would like to seek clarifications on is clause 48 with the introduction of section 68A.”
“They also claimed that the boy did not want to return to his biological mother who had recently been released from prison. Again, as expected, Mr S and his wife blamed MSF and claimed MSF had acted unfairly and did not consider the best interests of the child. In both instances, I can fully understand the feelings of the foster parents. They had given their time, care and love towards the child they had fostered and cared for over several years. And, inevitably, a strong emotional bond would have been formed between the foster parents and the child over those years. To let go of the child once their foster care is no longer needed is not an easy thing to do. At the same time, I must state my support for the work that MSF does. As a Ministry, it has to look at each and every foster care case with objectivity and fairness, and in the best interest of the child in question. It is unfortunate that when a foster care case does not turn out the way that the foster parents or even biological parents expect, it is somehow expedient to blame MSF and the MSF officers working on the case for it. This is very unfortunate and unfair, indeed. Hence, I feel that the insertion of clause 23 in the Bill to include a new Part IIA on Fostering will be useful in delineating the rules and provisions for fostering, particularly in setting up a Committee on Fostering made up of individuals appointed by the Minister who may be able to provide inputs and opinions from a seemingly more neutral and balanced perspective. If possible, I would propose that the Minister include relevant professionals who would be able to provide significant inputs on the well-being of the child.”
“I believe this will help provide a more objective and fairer platform for the review of foster care to be provided to young persons who have to be removed from the care of their biological parents or even foster parents. Within the last one year, I have had two families living within my constituency who came to seek help regarding their foster care arrangements. One of them, a couple with grandchildren, had been foster parents to a young girl since she was only a few weeks old. The gentleman of this couple who are foster parents – let us call him Mr C – had alleged that the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) had acted in a biased and unfair manner towards him and his wife, and had, what he claimed, listened to and sided unfairly with the girl's biological father. As a result, the girl was taken away from their foster care to be reunited with her biological father. As expected, Mr C was furious. He claimed that MSF had taken decisions on the matter "with no regard to the child's well-being". I had asked MSF to review the appeal made by Mr C to return the girl to his and his wife’s foster care. MSF had reviewed the case extensively and I learnt that it was Mr C's wife who had decided to discontinue care as a foster parent to the child in the first place. Another couple, Mr S and his wife, have been foster parents with MSF for about nine years. They have cared for three children since then, with two of them still living in their care. A third child, the youngest of the three, was under their care for about six years, until he was removed from their care recently. Mr S and his wife were distraught and claimed that MSF had taken the boy from their care with little notice and without considering their inputs and views on the matter.”
“I am a parent, too, and I do understand the expectations some parents have on their children, in wanting them to realise their full potential and do well in school and later on in life. But we should not condone authoritarian or even authoritative parenting that revolves around scoldings or punishments or persistent nagging or acts of degradation, which are, essentially, abuse towards the child. As a parent, love should always be the basis of our care and discipline towards our children. We can certainly discipline our children and be firm with them in order to instil good values. But this should be done on the basis of love and care, and not on the basis of hate or wanting to inflict fear or pain. Some children do suffer as a result of their parents' style of parenting. Some suffer in silence while some start to develop a facade of indifference, while some of these emotionally or physically abused children would, in turn, inflict pain on others who are in a position more vulnerable than they are, such as a younger sibling or a classmate or schoolmate. Hence, I support the amendments to section 4 to expand and set out the circumstances in which a child or young person may be regarded as being subject to emotional or psychological abuse and would need care or protection beyond that which can be given by their biological parents or legal guardians. With these amendments, I hope more protection and the necessary care can be extended to the children or young persons who have otherwise been subjected to abuse or harm by those who should have been protecting them. Next, I would like to speak on the fostering of young persons. I am supportive of the formation of the Committee on Fostering.”