Irene Ng Phek Hoong
Singapore
“Mdm Speaker, elder abuse may be more common than is recognised, particularly amongst seniors with dementia or other cognitive impairments. Does the Minister agree that the barriers to recognising and reporting elder abuse should be addressed? One of them is the lack of a clear definition of elder abuse.”
“I am heartened by the Minister's reply. In my duties as a Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) Member for Defence, I have interacted with many women officers, including commanders in combat units, and they hold their own in a male-dominated workforce.”
“Madam, my condolences again to the families and friends of those who lost their lives at the Sabah Earthquake. I thank the Minister for his reply and we support the Ministry's approach to outdoor adventure learning and its continuance.”
“Thank you, Madam. It is heartening to see how readily Singapore responded to the disaster in Nepal. I would like to ask the Second Minister: now that the disaster relief phase is coming to an end, how would Singapore contribute to the long-term reconstruction phase that follows?”
“This will help to sustain the practice and tradition and increase appreciation of their artistry within the community and beyond. We should also conserve the unique tools of traditional art forms, such as the last remaining dragon kiln in Singapore, and protect it as part of our heritage.”
“I would like to ask about the stress levels on the students. I welcome the Ministry of Education's (MOE) shift to go beyond grades. But, on the ground, Page: 123 the reality is that there is increasing pressure on the students to chase good grades, given the very competitive system and also the high expectations of parents.”
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“It is fruitless to explain to them how wonderful the pudding is and all the complicated ingredients in it, whether in four languages or six dialects – but then, when it comes to the crunch, the people at the frontline do not show them the pudding, much less invite them to eat it. Also, let us make it easier for them to digest it. Some of the schemes, like MediShield Life, appear complicated to the average person. The name itself – MediShield Life – is hard to pronounce, especially for our low-educated elderly. Why not simplify it? It does not take much to rename it "MediLife", a three-syllable word like MediSave and MediFund. It will also make it easier for us to Page: 36 explain to our pioneers who, to be honest, really do not care much for the details. They just want to be assured that they can afford medical treatment when they need it. We can say in simple terms, as I am sure many of us have on the ground, "Auntie, do not worry about paying for your medical bills, have MediSave. Government will top up MediSave for you every year – for life – $200 to $800 a year. The older you are, the more you will get. Also do not worry about big hospital bills, have MediLife. This is your insurance for life. Even if you have a heart problem or other health problems, do not worry, you will be covered. Oh, Aunty, you are 82 already? Do not worry. The Government will pay your premiums for you. And do not worry about going to specialist outpatient clinics or polyclinics – you get a big discount – extra 50%. No money still and still cannot afford to pay your medical bills? Do not worry, have MediFund. If you still worry, please come and see me!" I think this is the message that Members have been going around on the ground to explain in very simple terms.”
“This BBC report, among others, is now repeating it to a worldwide audience. It is unfortunate, not only because it gives an unfair picture of Singapore to the world but also because it may mislead our own people. Such misinformation, if not corrected, can breed and intensify resentment between the haves and the have-nots, and also against the Government, and unfairly. This brings me to a related point – on service delivery. While the Government has strengthened and widened its social welfare net, it is imperative that it improves on its one-stop social service centres like our CDCs and the training of the staff manning them. By going to one centre in their neighbourhood, citizens should have most of their needs met – finding a job, financial assistance, helping education and skills development, and accessing help schemes offered by various VWOs – and all delivered with empathy. Frontline staff in polyclinics and hospitals should also be trained to help citizens who find it hard to pay their medical bills upfront. We must ensure that no one falls through the cracks. This includes those who do not qualify for public assistance but are facing genuine financial difficulties in paying their medical bills. Some residents at my Meet-the-People Session (MPS) report that they were given the impression at hospitals that they will not get the necessary check-ups, operation or medication if they cannot afford to pay for these. We must fix this. We value self-reliance, but illness should not lead to despair, destitution or bankruptcy. The human element at these points of contact is crucial – as no matter how we explain all the subsidies and schemes available, no matter how many dialogues we have on the ground, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.”
“These have provided a strong foundation for us to improve life opportunities for all, continue to strengthen Singapore's competitive edge in the world, and to position Singapore for the future. I would like to make three points. The first is on communication, service delivery and empathy. The second is on the need to focus on preventive healthcare and to provide incentives for that, and the third is to prepare our younger generation to face an uncertain future. Madam, first, communication. There have been various media reports about the vulnerable groups not being aware of the various financial assistance schemes available. Because of their lack of knowledge, they suffer and struggle alone, and become more anxious than they need to be. Their ignorance has damaging effects on three levels – first, on the individuals themselves and their families; second, on the cohesiveness of the community; and, third, on the reputation of this Government. For example, I read a recent BBC report headlined "How do Singapore's poor families get by" and that report featured an interview with a jobless single mother with six young children living in a rental flat. According to the report, she receives about S$600 a month in Government aid and money from a boyfriend. But she said she could not afford medicine. To quote her; "No one can afford to get sick in this house because our finances are too tight." Now, why would she say that "no one can afford to get sick"? Was it because she did not know that she can get assistance for her medical bills? Was it because she knew about them, but found it difficult to access them? Or was it Page: 35 because the saying "no one can afford to get sick in Singapore" has been repeated so often that some people think it must be true?”
“Mdm Speaker, this Budget is a special and significant one. It seeks to honour our past, even as it provides for the present and prepares for the future. It is values-driven. What stands out for me in this Budget is the emphasis to build a fair and equitable society, and to give special recognition to our Pioneer Generation. It is through such economic and social policies that we give effect to our values and principles, and reveal the character of our society. The generous subsidies and top-ups in this Budget for social support, especially for our elderly and the vulnerable groups, signal a pivotal shift in policy. Another notable shift is to extend the subsidy net to the middle income group, including those who live in HDB executive flats. If we include the Pioneer Generation Package, even those who live in landed properties benefit. This is a Page: 34 first for them. These shifts are tectonic when compared to the Budgets of Singapore's earlier years. Against a turbulent backdrop of uncertainty and instability in Singapore's history, the focus at that time was on building up Singapore's capabilities and saving for the future. That required difficult decisions to be made which came with the inevitable pain and sacrifice. Because of bold town planning, which required land to be acquired and people resettled into HDB flats, we have now a world-class city and public housing programme. Because of the far-sighted focus on industrialisation and economic growth, which required our people to be re-skilled, we enjoy a high standard of living today. And because of a frugal fiscal policy, which avoided the pitfalls of the welfare state, we have accumulated healthy reserves.”
“Madam, I welcome the Government's strong stand on this matter. There have been some who said that the episode is being drummed up at this time because of elections in Indonesia, with politicians finding it to their favour to gain popularity through nationalistic sentiments. Can I ask the Minister whether he agrees with this point of view and whether Singapore should stand firm against being used as a convenient election tool just to satisfy domestic gains? Page: 15 My second question has to do with the abang-adik relationship that seems to be recurrent in the relationship between Indonesia and Singapore. Can I ask the Minister whether he agrees that the KRI Usman Harun episode is yet another reminder of the mindset of Indonesia towards Singapore, seeing itself as the big brother in this abang-adik relationship, rather than one where neighbouring states are viewed as equal sovereign entities where sensitivity is a two-way street?”
“And this will contribute to a reduction of cost for the client, in this case the Town Council and, ultimately, also the residents. Then, Singaporeans can justifiably take pride in being part of a clean city, because they help to keep it clean, rather than a cleaned city, as the Minister mentioned, which is maintained by an army of underpaid workers. In conclusion, this Bill is a critical move to raise the wages of resident cleaners to enable them to secure a decent pay rise and feel a little more valued, a little more respected, a little more self-sufficient. If this model succeeds, there will be more low-wage people with more money in their pockets and with a better future to look forward to. We realise that such a development may be strongly resisted by certain vested interests. However, the alternative is to continue living with a large group of working poor and growing inequality, which will threaten to erode our social cohesion and the relevance of our social compact. On that note, I support the Bill. 4.54 pm”
“I will never do this again", or will they curse and swear at those who have identified, nabbed and fined them? I would ask for more emphasis on the Corrective Work Orders (CWOs), which will help to bring home the point that this is an anti-social behaviour, it is irresponsible and, at the same time, give them a sense of how it feels like to pick up after residents. And I would especially ask the Minister to consider forcing litterbugs to do CWOs in their own neighbourboods, for those who litter in their neighbourhood. Be a cleaner for a day in their own block. This would raise public awareness of the working conditions of a cleaner, as well as respect for the job. Ultimately, what would improve the working conditions of cleaners would be if there would be less litter. There is an unfortunate attitude among some who think that because they pay the Service & Conservancy Charges (S&CC), they can litter at all hours of the day and there will be a cleaner to pick up after them. And if the cleaners do not pick up fast enough, it is the cleaners' fault. Their dogs can urinate in the lift or staircase landing; they can leave rubbish all around the bins but not in the bins; they can chuck their bulky items – cupboards, mattresses – all over the Page: 73 place, anywhere, because they pay for the cleaners to remove all these. Madam, we must correct this attitude firmly. It is important to register the point that the cleaners are not servants. They are professionals deserving of consideration and respect. If there is less rubbish left at the corridors and staircase landings, less urine and dog poo in lifts and corridors, fewer soiled pads and less leftover food thrown from windows, this will save a lot of time for the cleaner.”
“A related point is the pay of foreign cleaners. From an equity point of view, foreign workers should also enjoy a wage increase, which should go into their pockets and not siphoned off as Government levies. It should not be added as Page: 72 extra cost to the business, which already pays a $600 levy for a foreign cleaner. The higher salaries should be taken off the foreign workers' levies. Presently, foreign cleaners are already paid lower than local cleaners, although foreign cleaners generally work longer hours and do a greater share of the dirtier and heavier work. As a matter of principle, we should pay according to the value of the job. Last year, in Tampines Changkat, my constituency, we held a Model Cleaner Award competition. We invited residents to vote for the top five cleaners, one from each RC Zone. It is our way of recognising the good cleaners in the estate. And all five cleaners that the residents voted for were foreign workers. The residents recognise their hard work. So, why then should a foreign worker who cleans the blocks as diligently as a Singaporean worker, or, as is often the case, more diligently, continue to be paid $800 a month while a Singaporean would be paid $1,200 a month under the Progressive Wage Model? Let the foreign worker also enjoy a fair wage. This will help to build a more stable and harmonious labour environment, given Singapore's high reliance on foreign workers in such sectors and also a more decent and fair society. My final point is on the increased penalties for littering. I welcome this. I am not so sure, however, if the response of litterbugs to big fines is one of remorse and shame or one of anger at the Government for fining them. Will they go, "Oh dear, I am so sorry that I was caught littering.”
“This is not unique to Singapore. Even in Europe, they found that productivity increases in the cleaning sector are particularly difficult to achieve at the bottom of the earnings scale, compared to jobs in the manufacturing sector where productivity gains are easier and faster to achieve. To compound the problem in Singapore, most of our resident cleaners are older and low-educated. They take this job because they cannot find a better one. Their options are severely restricted. It is a tough job. For example, a typical Town Council cleaner would have to clean two to three blocks a day on top of spot cleaning. They work from 7.00 am to 4.00 pm, sometimes later. To increase productivity, he would have to cover more blocks, or do the same blocks faster. Certainly, using machines would help. But the way the corridors of HDB blocks are designed, with scupper drains, the cleaner would typically still have to use a broom to sweep every floor. For block washing, the cleaner would use a high-pressure machine jet. But this requires strength and energy. This would usually be assigned to younger foreign workers, as our older local workers find this difficult to handle. If it is required by fiat that they must show higher productivity for getting a wage rise, I fear that our older workers will get the short end of the stick. We need to assure our older workers that even as this Bill takes effect, they will have a place in our workforce with decent and fair wages. I would urge the Ministry to ensure that employers do not exploit workers by increasing their workload or working hours to justify the wage increase. It should also track the wage levels closely, to monitor if they are stuck at the lowest level or if there is, indeed, progression over the years.”
“Indeed, one of the Government's major concerns of introducing minimum wages of any sort, be it sector-specific or industry-wide, has been that it would lead to a job loss, and this is a serious concern. But with the right labour measures and business incentives, and the support of Singaporeans, we can mitigate against this for this sector. There is now a tight labour market for local cleaners. Businesses need not suffer the cost inflation alone – they can draw from the various funding schemes provided by the Government and also pass some of the cost on to their customers. Madam, it is important to prepare for the various scenarios. I would like to ask the Minister for an analysis of the impact on jobs, cleaning contracts and the steps that would be taken to mitigate the impact on those affected. This leads me to my second point. It is important to ensure that, as this Bill pushes through the reforms, the group which we intend to help – the low-wage workers – will, indeed, see fairer wages, better working conditions and a higher quality of life. I hear the constant mantra that wage increases should be linked to productivity. In general, that is correct. But in this case, for this sector, I would Page: 71 argue that this productivity link should not be over-emphasised. The way I see it, we have been undervaluing and underpaying our cleaners for far too long. We are now moving decisively, through these provisions of this Bill, to put this right, to correct an injustice, to hit the reset button, as the Minister said. So, let us pay them according to the job worth. Education and training are important, and so is increasing productivity in the longer term. But, in the short term, we should accept that the scope for increased productivity in this sector is limited.”
“Indeed, this is the approach that the Progressive Wage Model seems to be taking. The Tripartite Committee recommends $1,000 as the entry-level basic wage for cleaning jobs in offices and commercial buildings, as well as the F&B sector; and $1,200 in the conservancy sector. One may ask: why $1,200 for conservancy cleaners, and not $1,300 or $1,400, for instance? It is useful to have a more systematic and objective criteria to set the wage floor, to provide wage security and fairness for the workers, and to provide predictability and transparency for the businesses. Page: 70 For this, I would like to propose that the wage floor be set with reference to objective criteria, such as a minimum living level and inflation rate. There should be automatic annual increases linked to changes in the cost of living, with regular reviews to the wage levels. As it appears now, the mechanism seems to depend entirely on collective bargaining by the Tripartite Committee and the ability of the members to reach a consensus. Madam, we have cause to take pride in our tripartite model but, for the purpose of law, it would be prudent to provide for contingencies. What if the negotiations were to be drawn out or to break down? Will the Commissioner for Labour intervene? In Germany, which implements industry-specific minimum wage, it has encountered such pitfalls. Renegotiations on a sector's minimum wages are renewed regularly. But when renegotiation fails, several months may elapse, during which no minimum is in effect. Employers have sometimes seized the opportunity to hire employees at wages that are 30% below the minimum amount. This is what happened, for instance, in late 2009 in the industrial cleaning business. It is a delicate balance to set wages at the right level.”
“At the same time, the heavy reliance on foreign workers, which are cheap with no bargaining rights, has depressed wages. These trends have combined to erode the wages, working conditions and potential collective power of resident cleaners. The Government has been tackling these issues. It has tightened the supply of foreign workers in the cleaning sector and increased their levies. The new mandatory licensing scheme is another critical step to counter that dynamic. The challenge is how to move in a managed and effective way from the current framework to a far more equitable arrangement. This Bill provides a useful model not only for this sector, but also for other sectors which suffer chronically from low wages, such as the security and landscaping sectors. To ensure that it provides a successful and effective model, we need to take a hard look at possible pitfalls and to scrutinise the details of the mechanism. Madam, I would like to make three points. First, to succeed, the model must be relatively easy to implement and enforce. The principles are clear: a legislated wage floor and wage grid will be set, specific to this sector, decided by a tripartite committee which will negotiate the wages. What is not so clear are the workings of the mechanism and the objective criteria used for setting wages. It should be recognised that wage negotiations for low-wage workers for this sector all these years have not yielded significant increases. Unions in certain low-paid industries are constantly under pressure to keep wages low in an attempt to protect jobs in a competitive global economy. At their best, they work with companies to improve productivity and profitability so that they can afford to pay it.”
“Madam, I welcome the Bill as it puts in place a new framework to lift the low wages of cleaners and to transform the standards of this sector. It signifies a shift in the Government's mindset towards setting a sector-specific minimum wage or wage floor, something that I and a few Members have asked the Government to consider for sometime. I commend the Government on its readiness to take this targeted approach for the cleaning sector with its preponderance of low-wage workers. This is a critical and urgent move, given how rapidly the income gap is widening and how the valiant efforts all these years to lift their wages in various ways have proven to be slow and less than satisfactory. About 70,000 workers clean our HDB estates, offices, buildings, hawker centres and streets. About two-thirds, or 51,000, of them are resident cleaners. Yet, despite all that they do to provide us a high quality of life in this clean and green city, to keep our economy running, and to give us a competitive edge in the world, they are paid among the lowest wages in Singapore, with their median monthly wage being $815. They are working hard and playing by the rules, and they deserve a chance to build a better life for themselves and their families. That is why this legislation is so important. Their wages have remained largely stagnant for many years and, in some cases, have also declined. This is due mainly to the market trends that are out of their control. The rapid rise in outsourcing and the growth in the number of cleaning companies have resulted in increasing competitiveness of Page: 69 subcontracting, with contracts going to the lowest bidder. There are now more than 900 cleaning companies.”
“A very short clarification. One, I want to make clear that I do not believe that Singapore systematically mistreats its foreign workers. Nowhere in my questions did I state that. I did not say it is the key factor in causing the riots. But I did raise the question of whether the COI should consider it as a factor because it has been raised on the ground as a possible factor. Even if it is not a factor, COI could very well dismiss it after investigations that it is not a factor. But it does not mean that we should rule it out entirely for Page: 76 the COI to consider. My second point is that I take exception to being accused of indulging in speculation. I am a Member of Parliament reflecting issues on the ground and the concerns on the ground and hoping that the Minister will assure me that these are factors that would be taken into account by the COI.”
“Mdm Speaker, can I just clarify on the earlier points on my position?”
“Can I ask the Acting Minister for Manpower whether he could look seriously into reviewing the numbers of foreign construction workers and how to manage them in a way that is effective?”
“Simplistic explanations and I agree with the Acting Minister for Manpower that the report by The New York Times is quite Page: 72 damaging to Singapore as there is no evidence that the riot was caused by mistreatment of foreign workers. Can I ask the Acting Minister for Manpower, instead of dismissing it based on the knowledge that the Ministry has, to consider engaging the NGOs which has been putting out this line, to engage them on the issue and to try and address some of their concerns, which has been ongoing for some time, even if the Minister believes that this is not the reason for the riots? Finally, can I ask the Acting Minister whether he agrees that 300,000 foreign construction workers in Singapore are, indeed, a huge number and it is inevitable that labour issues will arise because of the sheer numbers. Three hundred thousand is more than Tampines GRC which has only 180,000 residents, and it needs five Members to look after it.”
“And in this regard, I would like to express my concerns about the new regulations to regulate the movement of persons that Minister has mentioned about, with the new powers. Can I ask the Minister whether it is important to also guard against aggressive measures attempting to restrict every aspect of life upon migrant workers, including their leisure? And to also guard against subjecting them to what they may consider as Police intimidation and harassment, just because they are foreign workers and of low status, they may feel that they are being targeted unfairly? And such a perception, true or not, may build up resentment and frustration at the unfairness of it. So, can I ask the Minister for the assurance that we will guard against over-reacting in situations even as we take bold, necessary short-term measures to soothe public fears? For the Acting Minister for Manpower, I agree with him that it is important not to draw —”
“Madam, I have two questions for the Deputy Prime Minister and two questions for the Acting Minister for Manpower. Madam, we want to make sure that there is no recurrence of the riot and we need to take all steps to prevent a recurrence. Can I ask the Minister whether he agrees that there is probably a range of factors involved and it is important for the COI to examine in detail all the possible factors in its analysis and to be Page: 71 as open and transparent as possible in its final report? Can I ask the Minister to give an assurance so that the public can be confident that the COI will examine all possible factors? For example, how much of the riot was fuelled by alcohol and adrenalin, much like some of the soccer riots that you see in the UK caused by hooligans who are high on alcohol? How much of it is due to their cultural map which they bring with them from their home countries, which informs the perception of how they behave towards uniform groups like the Police? Were there aggravating factors to do with festering grievances that may be related to their employment issues or social exclusion? All these factors are important and need to be looked at. I hope to hear an assurance from the Minister on this. The second issue has to do with a debate that is now going on in society about the rights of our migrant workers. Some Singaporeans want to integrate them into our society within a broader social justice agenda, while some want to see more restrictions on foreign workers to keep them as separated as possible from Singaporeans, away from HDB blocks. Can I ask for the Minister's views on this?”
“Madam, as the Minister pointed out, the bulk of the beds are taken up by elderly patients. Can I ask the Minister to have a laser light focus on the healthcare for the elderly and the entire ecosystem that supports them because many families tell me that they do not want their elderly parents to be discharged because they cannot have the care for them at home? Can I ask the Minister to look at the nursing home situation, into day-care for the elderly, into step-down care for the elderly, so that there is a support system for them, so that they can be discharged with peace of mind and also with subsidies that can support them?”
“The Breakfast Network claims that the registration forms are too onerous. I wonder whether the Minister Page: 32 would consider simplifying the forms while upholding the principle of not accepting foreign funding.”
“Madam, I welcome Senior Parliamentary Secretary's assurance that Pulau Ubin will be kept rustic for as long as possible, and also welcome the apology for the anxiety caused by the notice. I would like to ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary, in the first place, how can such a notice go out, phrased in such a way that gave the wrong impression that it would be an eviction notice and that mentions an adventure park to be developed when it is not so? Is there a process and a system in place to vet important notices that go out to residents, especially those which are potentially sensitive and distressing? And, also to do it in the various languages that they would understand; and also to echo the point that the Nominated Member made about explaining it to residents so as to allay their fears. My second question relates to preserving Pulau Ubin as a place for local culture heritage as well as its natural heritage. Can I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether there are plans to recognise Pulau Ubin for the special place it holds in Singapore? As you know, the cityscape is always changing with construction and reconstruction. Many Singaporeans go to Pulau Page: 58 Ubin for a simpler way of life and to also enjoy the FEW rustic corners left in Singapore.”
“Mdm Speaker, the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources said that the root cause of the haze problem was commercial. If that is the case, would the Minister agree that Singapore needs to be bolder in its efforts to place commercial pressure on the errant plantation companies? What Singaporeans can do as consumers and investors is to boycott products that come from these companies responsible for the transboundary haze and to demand for products that come from sustainable sources. Can I ask the Minister when can he provide information on the companies responsible for the haze so that we can take such actions as consumers and investors, and if he could provide the information obtained not only from Indonesia but perhaps also by NGOs on the ground? Page: 40”
“Mdm Speaker, we have been suffering from the haze scourge caused by Indonesia every year since 1997. We understand that it would take time to solve the complex problems, but it has been about 16 years. While I understand that we need to take a constructive approach, can I ask the Minister whether it is expected for us to just put up with the toxic air year after year and just depend on the graces of Indonesia? Madam, it is not only just the five million in Singapore who have been suffering from the haze, but also the tens of millions in Malaysia, in Thailand and, particularly, in Indonesia. This has become a regional problem. Can I ask the Minister whether an effective regional solution is in sight? Can I ask the Minister whether ASEAN and the concerned countries have worked out an assistance programme that is acceptable to Indonesia and a fixed timeline for the implementation of specific steps to tackle the problem at hand and to prevent a recurrence rather than to rely on mitigating factors on the ground?”
“Mdm Speaker, there is evidence that motorists are becoming more impatient on roads. Cars would butt into the pedestrian crossings at turnings and drive across even when pedestrians are using the crossing. I have three supplementary questions. I would like to ask the Second Minister if he would consider changing traffic rules so that all vehicles come to a stop behind the stop line at the junction with the traffic light red for vehicles, whenever it is green for pedestrians, and that motorists not be allowed to turn around the bend until the red man at the pedestrian crossing appears. This may lose a few seconds for the motorists, but may save the lives of pedestrians and cyclists using the crossings. Second, I would like to ask the Second Minister if he could mount a road safety campaign dedicated to pedestrian and cyclist safety, and educating motorists to look out for them at crossings. And finally, would the Second Minister consider imposing stricter penalties on motorists who hit and kill pedestrians at crossings?”
“Madam, I would like to applaud the Minister for the initiatives announced to further our quest to become a global arts city. But like many, I was disappointed and dismayed over the decision to call off the Singapore Arts Festival this year. I take heart in the Minister's assurance that future editions would come back even stronger. Can I ask the Minister, given that much depends on the vision of the Festival Director, whether the Minister can give an update of the hunt for the autonomous Festival Director in tandem with the decision to convert the Festival into an independent company? Secondly, can I ask the Minister whether at this pivotal point, he would consider renaming the Singapore Arts Festival into the "Singapore International Arts Festival", to clearly signal the intent to be a showcase for world-class performances of high merit?”
“How does the Community Engagement Masterplan advance artistic excellence within the community and reach out to new audiences. Madam, a key aim of the arts is to communicate perceptions about the human condition that cannot be communicated in any other way. In his column, Kishore Mahbubani mulled over how surveys suggest that Singapore is an unhappy society. He wondered what forces have generated this unhappiness with the status quo. He added, "Normally it is the poets and novelists, the playwrights and artists who explain a society's soul to its people. Yet we all know that the great Singaporean novel has not been written." Indeed, we are still waiting for the great Singapore novel. How have we been investing in our writers to ensure that they have the space, time and resources to produce this elusive tome? Madam, the Renaissance City plan, launched in 2000, offered a vision not only of a global arts city but also of a Renaissance Singaporean – described as one who has "an adventurous spirit, an inquiring and creative mind and a strong passion for life." I appeal to the Minister to set our sights high – only then will our quest to become a global arts city bring about a deeper transformation in our society and in our people. A Secure Future for the Performing Arts”
“I recently went to the Saint Magnus International Festival on the island of Orkney in Scotland. It is a prestigious arts festival renowned for its unique blend of world-class performance and community participation. The entire island was alive with the arts. Music, drama and poetry filled a variety of spaces – from homely pubs to holy cathedrals and the highland hotels. It was a sensual and sublime experience. It is hard to describe the unfettered sense of joy as you give in to the magic of the moment and to the glory of perfection. The experience, which lifted me from the dreary confines of my busy mind, reminded me yet again of the transformative power of art. It is such personal experiences that give me the conviction about the value of the arts, and about the contribution that they make to the quality of life of the country and of its people. In this regard, I welcome the initiatives to nurture our artists with a new grants framework, and to inspire our people with the Community Engagement Plan. Will MCCY be raising its support for artists and arts groups, and to what extent? How will the new framework be linked up to deliver artistic excellence and that will culminate in national and world-class events. Madam, Singapore has big ambitions to become a global arts city. Our cultural scene has become more vibrant, with more events, arts groups and cultural facilities. But how are we faring in terms of arts excellence and funding when benchmarked to other leading art cities such as London, New York, Edinburgh and Hong Kong? Page: 30 To achieve international standing, not only do our artists need to be exposed to world-class work but our audiences as well. To provide a high standard of community arts, we need to engage professional artists in the community.”
“It is important to teach our children to respect and value diversity, as well as the contributions of all workers, be it doctors, social workers or cleaners, regardless of how much they may be paid. The values of service, inclusion and respect build a foundation for children to grow into caring, open and responsible citizens. These values are increasingly important as our society becomes more complex and globalised. Can the Minister give an update of MOE's plans and programmes for values-learning and character-building, and how it will better equip our Page: 94 teachers, and engage parents for active support?”
“I welcome the bold changes made by the Minister to provide a holistic values-driven education. Indeed, the importance of teaching values to students emerged as the top issues in my dialogues with residents on Our Singapore Conversation platforms. One resident related this anecdote. A top student was asked what she wanted to be after she grew up. She answered, "I want to be a doctor." She was then asked, "Why a doctor?" She replied, "To make a lot of money." My resident lamented that if this top student had the right values, she would have replied, "To heal the sick, to help the poor." I am not sure if we can teach our students such selfless values of service in school, given the materialistic and consumerist culture which surrounds them, but we must try. In fact, we should redouble our efforts to inculcate the right values from a young age to counter the culture of entitlement and class consciousness. Indeed, a key mission of our education system must be to educate individuals to take responsibility for shaping a better community, a better country, even a better world. While academic results are important, we must also place emphasis upon service and resolving community problems and thinking about global problems. If taught in an impactful way, such attitudes will last a lifetime. To be effective, we need educators who teach out of conviction. Their skills and knowledge matters, but the most important is conviction. We need parents to support this, to reinforce these values at home. Better still, to set the example. Closely related to service is respect. It entails a sense of fair treatment, decency, and beyond the realm of individual civility, also a respect for the history, language, and culture of the people represented in the classroom.”
“Just like the Finns, who reformed their education system to ensure access and opportunity for every student. In Finland, its students do the least number of class hours per week in the developed world, yet get the best results in the long term. They sit no mandatory exams until the age of 17 to19. They do not go for tuition after school. This egalitarian approach that they take means that all classes contain a mixture of ability level pupils, with most classes containing two or more teachers who focus on those needing additional support. I would like to ask the Minister for his assessment whether such a system could work in Singapore. Class Size in Schools”
“Madam, my constituency runs a reading programme for children aged four to eight from lower income families and I read to them sometimes. It troubles me that they lack the literacy skills and the socio-emotional abilities expected of their age. Studies have shown that ability gaps between the advantaged and disadvantaged open up early in the lives of children. Given the trend of a widening income gap, there is an increasing opportunity gap which needs urgent attention. To ensure that no one is left behind, it is crucial to strengthen our outreach to disadvantaged families and to strengthen their support system. We should Page: 83 direct our greatest effort at their formative years. In this regard, I welcome the initiatives to build more student care centres and for MOE to pilot several Government-run kindergartens in schools. I urge the Minister to site these student care centres and kindergartens in neighbourhood schools with a higher proportion of disadvantaged children. There should also be a more systematic effort to rotate the best teachers in the system to neighbourhood schools in poorer estates so that students of all backgrounds would have access to them. Looking at how the education system has evolved in Singapore, I sometimes cannot help but wonder if we should hit the reset button. The tuition syndrome, for one, needs to be fixed. Many parents blame this syndrome on schools – their children complain that they cannot understand what is being taught in school. Should we not be concerned with this? Are our teachers conducting their classes with the assumption that children should and would go to tuition to learn what they were taught in school and, if so, is this healthy? We should go back to basics.”
“I am asking the Parliamentary Secretary to please review the signage that he has just told us about in Parliament. The second clarification is on the wider point about cycling policies. Other than piloting some initiatives in some towns and giving some cycling lanes here and there, can I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether there is a vision for cycling that we can look forward to? Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Madam, I again thank Ms Irene Ng for her question. In fact, we have looked at the suggestion that she has raised. Interestingly, while there are diverse needs, there are also diverse views. We hear her suggestion but when we asked other people, they had different views and they seem to accept it. What I suggest is that perhaps this is a trial period. We will continue with it and we see how the cyclists respond to it. If there is a need for us to change it after the trial period, then we will do so. Secondly, the clarification was about vision. There is a clear vision of what we are doing for cyclists. It is not only from now where I started, even when I was a backbencher, I saw how Minister of State Teo Ser Luck was pushing it, the way he tried to promote the National Cycling Plan, I think I was very touched by it. Today, we are just continuing this journey. As I have shared earlier, many countries take 40 or 50 years to be where they are today. I think we are moving Page: 71 in the right direction and we certainly have a vision.”
“Madam, I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his efforts to push cycling policy forward. I am quite happy to hear the news Page: 70 that LTA is now experimenting with a dismount bike sign at zebra crossings. This is actually a long standing request from our cycling wardens who go around to identify problem areas in the neighbourhood. We have also given feedback to LTA when they showed us their recommendation of how they want to implement it, that it will not be effective because the way they drew it is on the zebra crossing, without any words to signal to cyclists that they should dismount before they go on to the zebra crossing. The signs are on the zebra crossings; by the time the cyclist sees the sign on the road, they are half way cycling across the zebra crossing. I have already given the feedback to LTA to please consider having the sign sign-posted before cyclists reach the zebra crossing, with the sign "Bike Dismount" and the same signage used on that signpost so that cyclists would have been alerted to that before they reach the zebra crossing and they would dismount, and not only see the sign when they are cycling across the zebra crossing.”
“The policy framework should include a cycling infrastructure which is integrated seamlessly with the transport system, including cycle-rail integration, cycle lanes and secure bike parking, as well as bold measures to increase road safety for cyclists, as have been mentioned by several Members before me. Most important is to shape a culture, an attitude, which accepts that cycling is a mode of transport, where cyclists are respected and not treated as a nuisance. And where requests to improve cycling conditions and safety are not treated as trivial. Madam, we need a transformative policy change in our approach to cycling of the kind we see in major cities, such as Paris, London and New York. We need strong leadership to drive the policies forward. Page: 36”
“So far, however, my experience with this has been mixed at best. I make these Page: 35 comments more in sorrow than in anger. One example: we noticed that busy junctions can be dangerous for both cyclists and pedestrians, as they come into conflict while trying to beat the "green man". I asked LTA to please draw a line to separate cyclists from pedestrians at these crossings. This will create a separate bike crossing, and make it safer for both pedestrians and cyclists to cross the road. I took photos of such bike crossings in other cities, such as Paris and London, and passed them to LTA. This was met with resistance over a long period. I had to bring the matter up to higher levels before one was finally piloted at a busy junction in 2010. It proved successful. Residents found it increased their safety and, since then, two more have been added and we hope there will be more. Now I am in a battle with LTA to introduce a directional arrow on cycling lanes to guide cyclists to keep left so that they would not come into conflict with each other. I have seen it in many major cycling cities in the world and I have made this request to LTA about two years ago. And we are still discussing. Madam, it is obviously good news that we have got a Parliamentary Secretary who says he is keen to promote cycling, but we need to make sure his enthusiasm is shared across the Government, and in the bureaucracy of the Transport Ministry. For that, we need a coherent policy framework and a vision for cycling. Without this, we will continue to have a piecemeal and ad hoc approach.”
“Madam, I have been a champion for cycling since I became a Member of Parliament in 2001, and the experience has been not unlike a mountain-bike ride; ups and downs over rough terrain. There are challenging obstacles which test your will power and determination. But unlike a mountain-bike ride, the experience cannot be said to be enjoyable. However, the going has gotten better in recent years. A major breakthrough was when Tampines was named Singapore's first cycling town in 2010, and after a draining battle with bureaucracy. I must say that this breakthrough was possible only with the strong support of my fellow Tampines Members, especially our Minister-in-charge at the time, Mr Mah Bow Tan, and Mr Teo Ser Luck who was then in Transport. I should also thank the Cabinet Members, in particular, the then Minister-Mentor Mr Lee Kuan Yew, who recognised cycling as a sustainable form of transport. Progress since then has been a series of stops and starts. We are grateful for the 1.2-kilometre cycling lane in Tampines that LTA built in 2010. But 1.2 kilometres do not get one very far. LTA has promised to build another 5.7 kilometres by 2011, and after several postponements and also some appeals from me, this stretch will now be completed by this year. I suppose better late than never. But is this the right approach to investing in cycling? If we are serious about promoting cycling as a mode of transport, we need long-term, sustained and a consistent investment and a strategy. Only with a steady and dependable stream of cycling funding can we be able to develop the expertise and initiatives needed to move cycling forward. The authorities should welcome citizen-led initiatives. By showing a greater willingness to try them out, we foster a sense of ownership of the town.”
“Sir, the Minister did not address my question earlier on the importance of fostering teamwork in military culture and specifically the incident regarding NSman Ee Chun Sheng who was left behind. Page: 187 He broke contact with his team and he died of cardiac failure. Can I ask the Minister and the Senior Minister of State what is MINDEF's position on this issue of being left behind by teammates and whether any action has been taken against them?”
“A follow-up question, Mr Chairman. I wonder whether the Minister would consider setting up a NS memorial to recognise the sacrifices of our sons to NS and also to recognise the efforts that they have put in over the years since NS has been set up. A central part of memorial can be to pay tribute to those who have died while in service. It could be training-related deaths or could be from operational duties. But there is no shame for us to acknowledge that there have been deaths in NS. It is a fact for militaries all over the world, whether they are conscription or whether they are regular standing army, that military training involves danger. And that is why we pay special tribute to our NSmen. Having a national memorial could also help to give some closure to the bereaved families of those who have lost their sons.”
“Can the Minister give an update on MINDEF's efforts to strengthen training and operational safety, and to improve the medical support system for our NSmen? Page: 172 Healthcare for Servicemen”
“Sir, as we put our NSmen through rigorous and realistic training, we must do our utmost to prevent training deaths which could be avoided with stricter medical screening and a more robust safety system. In recent news reports, we read of two incidents; one which sadly ended in tragedy, another where tragedy was averted by prompt action. In the latter, we are heartened by the bravery and quick thinking of safety officer S Kamalasivam when a recruit bungled a live grenade throw. He told the recruit what to do, pulled him down, and shielded him from the blast. Luckily, they escaped with only slight injuries. However, it should not be left to the safety officer to ensure that such accidents do not happen again. Are the safety procedures for live grenade exercises effective enough and are the dummy grenades used during practice a realistic enough tool for teaching one how to handle a live grenade? In another incident, NSman Ee Chun Sheng was lagging behind in a navigation exercise and left to his fate by his teammates in 2011. He was found breathless after he "broke contact" with his team. He died of cardiac failure. Could his death have been avoided by tighter medical screening and by better support from his teammates and medical care? Was any action taken against his teammates for leaving him behind? The military has a macho self-image, and sometimes, the recruits' efforts to live up to that image can mean being harsh on the weaker ones or acting tough. Sir, these two incidents highlight the need for a greater focus on encouraging a safety culture through leader and individual responsibility and accountability, as well as teamwork.”
“Madam, listening to Senior Parliamentary Secretary Sam Tan talking about the unreasonable requests of some Singaporeans, such as the illegal sexual services procured and asking MFA to intercede on behalf of his foreign girlfriend, reminds me of the saying that the twist to the words "Foreign Affairs" may be taken too seriously by some Singaporeans. MFA has done a great job of providing our Singaporeans with consular services. But can I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary given the increasing demands, whether there is sufficient funding to our Missions and also to improve its programmes. As the Minister has mentioned, diplomacy involves human contact and personal relations and engagement on the ground. Do we invest enough in programmes for our Missions to carry out, to build relations Page: 36 and to build goodwill, and at the same time to project a softer face of Singapore to the world, especially through cultural programming?”
“Thank you, Madam. In my speech I spoke about the challenges facing ASEAN and urged Singapore to play a more proactive role in getting ASEAN back on track. Can I ask the Minister, how he sees Singapore's role in improving relations in ASEAN and guiding ASEAN through this turbulent and uncertain time, even if it is leading from behind? Does MFA have any specific ideas on how we can drive ASEAN in the right direction towards a more cohesive and strong and autonomous ASEAN?”
“Can the Minister update us of these efforts and how we are expanding to emerging markets, such as the Middle East and Latin America? Singapore is a small country, but we can punch above our weight in the international field with pragmatic diplomacy and delicate skill. Developments in ASEAN Assoc Prof Fatimah Lateef (Marine Parade): Madam, the South China Sea issue has been through rounds of discussions, with various parties stating their views on the matter. Cambodia, ASEAN's Chair, has earlier announced the consensus will not be internationalised on this maritime dispute. However, with the latest move by the Philippines to take China to international arbitration, are there any new developments or updates from the ASEAN front? What happened to an earlier suggestion to discuss the issue at the ASEAN-China framework? Do we still think that we will have the intended outcome with a Code of Conduct arrived at?”
“Singapore should play a more pro-active role in influencing the course of regional affairs, especially in helping to get ASEAN back on track. Allowing events to take their own unguided course would mean running major risks. One of our top priorities should be to explore how Singapore, together with other like-minded countries, can play a positive role in bringing together the US and China to focus on areas of common interest, and that will contribute towards a more stable strategic relationship. Such collaborative engagement would contribute to the peace and security of this region, not least by avoiding dangerous military competition and confrontation between these two powers in the years ahead. With the changing US-China dynamics, it is imperative for Singapore to deepen its relations with the US and China at the various levels, and over a much broader base. To the greatest extent possible, Singapore's relationship with these two powers needs to be insulated from the ups and downs of the US-China relationship. Page: 14 At the same time, we should strengthen our bilateral relations with ASEAN countries, and invest in win-win projects that cement our relationship. In this regard, I welcome the Iskandar project with Malaysia. We need to also step up our assistance to developing countries and extend our soft power. An important platform is the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP). Can the Minister give an update of bilateral relations with ASEAN countries and an assessment of the SCP? Given the uncertainties ahead, we should diversify our economic and security interests. Singapore has been at the forefront of moves to encourage greater economic integration in Asia and Australasia, and to promote global free trade.”
“Madam, the changing strategic environment creates new challenges as well as opportunities for Singapore's foreign policy. While Singapore is a small state, its record has shown that, with visionary thinking, skilful diplomacy and courage, it can have significant influence on regional and global affairs, through cooperation with other countries or groupings, such as ASEAN. The relationship between the US and China will decisively shape the 21st century world. A major concern is how the US-China rivalry will change regional dynamics and whether ASEAN will be united and retain a central role in the regional security architecture. In the past, ASEAN members might have had their differences and disagreements with each other, but they maintained solidarity and consensus Page: 13 on key issues, building up its international credibility over the years. However, this reputation was damaged last year when it failed to agree on a joint communique at its ministerial meeting. The after-effects are still being felt. On the face of it, it reflects the inability of the Cambodian Chair and some ASEAN members to settle differences over the mention of the South China Sea dispute. But there are deeper forces at work. 12.15 pm There is little doubt that Cambodia was under pressure from China to toe its line. ASEAN solidarity has been breached with China leveraging on its economic and strategic clout – it is Cambodia's largest investor and a generous aid donor. If such pressure continues to be exerted and spreads to other ASEAN countries also beholden to China's largesse, there is a danger that ASEAN may not hold. Madam, a key goal of Singapore's foreign policy is to build a strong, cohesive and autonomous ASEAN.”
“I also hope that the Government will strongly consider a matching grant for NSAs so that those that take the effort to raise funds will see their efforts doubly rewarded with matching grants from the Government, like what we are doing for arts and culture. It is also one of my greatest wishes that the redevelopment of Toa Payoh Sports Hub be given early consideration, as our players are very short of space for training sessions and programmes. At this juncture, I would like to renew my call for more support for our male athletes in national service so as to realise their full sporting potential. Surely, all of us would like to see Joseph Schooling winning Olympic medals or the sons of Fandi Ahmad becoming world-class footballers. On a more personal request, I would also like to see better and more sporting facilities in Yishun to cater to the growing population. I am excited about the concept of bringing sports facilities to Singapore's doorstep. May I know when will we have the town sports and recreation centres at Yishun Town? In conclusion, overall, this is a good Budget that benefits many Singaporeans. But it can be even better if there is proper roadmap, more buy-in from all stakeholders so that we are all moving in the same direction with one heart and one mind, 一心一意. Mdm Speaker, I support the Budget. 12.52 pm”
“I hope to see the prices of new BTO flats, not just steady but going south if possible, so that potential flat buyers, especially young couples, do not have to worry about shouldering decades of debts. With regard to the restriction on private car loans, there has been plenty of unhappiness from the ground, from existing car owners to second-hand car dealers. Recently, I received a very long email from a resident of mine. He told me that he has been in the second-hand car business for 17 years. He started off as a salesman immediately after ROD and he worked his way up and he is currently the CEO of his company. He has 235 cars in hand and 50 staff with him, and he is crying out for help. He told me that he is going to sell his house but he worries that he cannot save his business. As I read his email, my heart really beats with him. Again, the change is so drastic and immediate that some second-hand car dealers like my resident will have to fold up their businesses. Is this cut so critical and so market- sensitive that Government cannot give any advance notice? Last but not least, I wish to touch on the topic of sports. I must declare my interest as the President of Singapore Table Tennis Association (STTA). I am Page: 23 glad to note that the Government will be increasing investments in sports programmes in the next five years by 30%. I hope to see that this additional funding will translate to additional funding to deserving National Sports Associations (NSAs). For example, in STTA, we started PCF programme in 2009 and now we are having this programme in 31 constituencies, but we are limited by the funding that we have. With more funding, I hope to push out to more constituencies, perhaps to all the 87 constituencies.”
“Given that the Government is ramping up infrastructures and building more HDB flats, how can the industry cope when almost half of the workers are gone? I see the Deputy Prime Minister shaking his head. That means that there is not going to be so much cut, I hope so. Page: 22 I am worried that this drastic cut in workers will translate into poorer workmanship, higher construction costs or delays. Worse still, contractors may fold up and projects left in limbo. Certainly, we do not want to see another Rivervale Plaza incident. To enhance productivity in the construction sector, it is important to have a proper roadmap. BCA, MND, MOM and the construction industry could work together on a productivity roadmap, further aided by universities and research units working on the relevant technologies, methodologies and ways and means of increasing productivity and the time frame. In fact, such roadmap should be developed industry by industry. It should not be one size fits all and at the stroke of a pen, all scrambled! It is a very poisonous pen, indeed. Moving on to costs of living, high property prices have been causing plenty of grief. For residential properties, it is directly or indirectly causing a myriad of social problems including late marriages, late child-rearing and general insecurity and discontentment. For businesses, high property prices mean high rental costs and a large dent in the pocket for SMEs. I had brought up in this House before, asking the Minister to look into making new BTO flats affordable amidst inflation. I am glad that the Minister has delinked the price of new BTO flats from resale flats price.”
“Here again, I urge for more outreach to engage these companies to get innovative and qualify for PIC. Besides technology, companies also need guidance on improving management practices and company practices. The way a company takes care of its employees is also crucial. After all, motivated and grateful workers are more productive than disgruntled ones. I have witnessed some employers oppressing workers with low wages and long working hours in an attempt to save costs and drive up productivity or, in fact, drive up profitability. Like the Chinese saying goes, 想要马儿跑, 得给马儿吃草 if you want the horse to go faster, you must feed it adequately. We need to show them the importance of employee welfare. A motivated and grateful employee will in turn contribute to higher productivity. At this juncture, I would like to urge the Government to consider extending PIC beyond 2015. Based on feedback from SMEs who know how to make use of PIC, they feel that we should extend beyond 2015. I agree that cutting manpower, especially foreign manpower, is the right move in the push for higher productivity and to reduce reliance on foreign workers. However, I am concerned that the pace of productivity increase may not match the cut in foreign workers. Workers and supervisors take time to learn and adopt new technology. In fact, during this transition period, productivity will dip before it picks up and we should give them more help rather than keep cutting. Take, for example, the construction sector. It was announced in 2010 that MYE will be cut by 40%. So, in 2011, there was a 15% cut and, last year, which was supposed to be a 10% cut, but it was a 15% cut. This July, there will be another 15% cut. So, in total, there will be 45% cut.”