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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“Copenhagen has doubled its spending on biking infrastructure over three years, and Denmark has also increased spending on bike lanes on roads. Just this January, the UK government announced that it will invest 140 million pounds over the next three years to boost cycling nationally. The new funds will allow half a million school children to take up cycling training, built 250 "safe Links to School", connecting around 500 more schools to the National Cycle Network, and create 10 Cycling Demonstration Towns in England. In Chicago, its Mayor cycles to work, setting the example for the city, which released an ambitious new bike plan to make all of Chicago's streets safe and convenient for cycling. The Chicago Transit Authority's network of buses and trains also accommodates bicycles. In Singapore, the debate has come down to whether cyclists should share footpaths with pedestrians. But this masks the real issue, ie, whether cyclists have a place in our transport system on our roads. The fact is that our roads remain very dangerous for cyclists. About 541 cyclists or pillion riders were killed or injured last year, ie, an increase of 43.8% from 2005. Many of us can cite experiences of inconsiderate and reckless cyclists, so can I. But we can also cite experiences of inconsiderate pedestrians who dash dangerously across roads or inconsiderate motorists who do not give way to buses. But it does not mean that we then ban all pedestrians from crossing roads, or ban motorists from roads. We improve on our infrastructure, eg, build more bus lanes, more pedestrian crossings, we mount public education programmes and step up on enforcement. The same thoughtful and imaginative approach should apply to cyclists.”
“Sir, I would like to declare that I am the Patron of the Singapore Amateur Cycling Association. More people are cycling for transport and for leisure. This is to be encouraged. Cycling ensures a healthier population, reduces pollution and provides for a more affordable and sustainable transport system. It also provides a cheaper and convenient travel option for residents to reach key nodes within their neighbourhood, such as the markets and schools. LTA is the leading land transport policy agency, but there is a sense that it has been reluctant to provide leadership in developing bike-friendly infrastructure and policies, or to take bicycles seriously in general. Its moves towards facilitating the use of bicycles have been tentative and piecemeal at best. The LTA should put in place a more coherent and integrated policy towards bicycles as part of the urban transport system, instead of ad-hoc measures and trials. I would urge the LTA to commission a study to examine how busy and congested cities, such as Chicago and Paris, integrate bicycles seamlessly into their transport system. While LTA recognises that cycling is a transport option, it does not seem to have a clear stand on it. Does it encourage the use of bicycles or does it merely tolerate it? Can the Minister state clearly his position? It will make a significant difference in policy as well as on public attitudes towards cyclists. For instance, Norway aims to raise bicycle traffic to at least 8% of all travel by 2015, double its current level, while Sweden hopes to move from 12% to 16% by 2010. Paris has put thousands of low-cost rental bikes throughout the city to cut traffic and reduce pollution.”
“Sir, I agree with the Minister that there is a very tight tension now, but the balance should tilt towards Singaporeans. As mentioned by some of the Members earlier, our older workers, especially the low skilled, find that it is very hard to compete against foreign workers, who work longer hours at cheaper rates. Even at my MPS recently, there was a man in his late 60s wanting a job as a coffeeshop assistant, but he found that the job went to a China worker who is willing to work 12 hours for $900, whereas he was hoping to work seven hours for $1,200, which is what he needed to support his family. Can I ask the Minister: what assurance can he give to Singaporeans, especially the older ones, who feel that it is an uphill battle, an almost impossible task, to compete with foreign workers who are cheaper. On the flip side, can I ask the Minister to also guard against the exploitation of foreign workers, because we see many of them exhausted, sleeping at corridors, and they work long hours at cheap rates? Can I ask the Minister to also take care that, because of the exploitation of foreign workers, our own workers cannot compete with them?”
“Can I ask the Minister whether, going forward, the Ministry can take a lighter touch on such issues? The Minister said that it would not set a precedent and it is an exceptional case. I take assurance from that. But can the Minister also assure there are groups out there, that the Ministry will take a lighter touch and it will assess each case on a case-by-case basis and will not clamp down just because foreigners are involved? Because it has been noted before that if it is a positive piece, then it is okay. But if it is a negative piece, then it is not okay.”
“Sir, the SMS mentioned about graciousness and politeness. There has been some concern among Singaporeans that this seems to have been going downhill. There are always a lot of rush at MRT stations, seats are not given up for the elderly and pregnant women. Can I ask SMS what is the progress of the Small Kindness Movement because it has been very quiet and whether we are still mounting, not campaigns but promotions, in education programmes to ensure that our citizens continue to be a more gracious society? 2.15 pm”
“Beyond the two subjects which we should stay off-limits, ie, race and religion, why should we fear foreign talents working with our arts groups to produce something that may touch on life and politics in Singapore? To be honest, I was not too exercised about the Complaints Choir incident because: (1) I do not understand what we need to learn from two Finns on how to complain. We are very good at that already; and (2) I do not see what is so creative about singing complaints that Singaporeans are already mouthing to themselves every day, ie, karaoke. But I thought that MICA's decision to clamp down on the foreigners in this group jarred like a chalk screeching across the board. The notion of a creative city, as opposed to a karaoke city, implies a level of openness that might potentially be unsettling to some. We should be ready for that and be more relaxed if we are serious about our quest to be a global arts city. Another event we should prepare for is the 2010 Youth Olympic Games. We should treat this major event not only as a sporting event but also as a major cultural festival with effects lasting long after the Games are gone. I would urge MICA to start planning for this and to involve our creative and cultural sector. We should use this opportunity to regenerate the cultural life of our cityscape, reposition Singapore and project ourselves a truly Renaissance City – A New City Reborn.”
“Sir, cities need stories of cultural narratives about themselves, to both anchor and drive identity as well as to galvanise residents. A city which describes itself as we do, as a global city of opportunity with its economic undertones fosters different behavioural patterns in citizens than a city that projects itself as a city of culture, a creative city or a city of ideas. Adelaide, which started the Festival of Ideas in 1999, explicitly conceives of itself as a thinking city. It invites thinkers from all over the world to assist South Australia to build on its climate of creativity. The ideas festival has since been copied by other cities, such as Bristol and Aspen. We have the Renaissance City plan. But my sense is that we do not see or project ourselves as a renaissance city as such. "Renaissance" is French for rebirth. It implies a flowering of ideas, an openness to novel and even strange ones. It implies a period in which artistic, social, scientific and political thought turn in new directions. If we are serious about becoming a Renaissance City, we should take a more relaxed approach to some of our old policies which may be too cautious for this great task before us. The incident involving the Complaints Choir highlights the historical mindset against foreigners that seems out of place in our arts scene today. Collaborations between different arts groups from different parts of the world are part of the creative process in this globalised world. With the better educated and more cosmopolitan population, should we not allow our citizens to listen to different views, wherever they come from, and make their own judgment?”
“Sir, I applaud MICA for its bold step to turn Singapore into a globalised city through its Renaissance City plan. Amidst the flurry of the infrastructure built and the tickets sold, I would like to pause and ask: Are we a creative city or a karaoke city? A creative city is marked by innovation, ideas and an authentic cultural vibrancy. A karaoke city is one which excels at stylish imitation, taking a well-sung song and putting its own rendition on it. The Integrated Resorts, the Singapore Flyer and the F1 race, these add to our buzz, but I would argue they do little to project Singapore as a creative city. They may be good ideas, but they are not ours. We have the Arts Festival, the Biennale and many arts events. But we should take stock. How have we invested in creating something unique which builds on our strong traditions and heritage and which will leave a cultural legacy not only for Singapore but for the rest of the world? How are we tapping our indigenous cultural capital to recreate our city to turn public spaces into aesthetic experiences that move our spirit? How generously and actively do we commission artistic and musical works to Singaporeans, take risks with them and pioneer their work in Singapore and other parts of the world? We need to devote more funds to our Singapore arts groups. The budget for our National Arts Council seems puny, compared to that of the arts councils in major cultural cities. This year, I see that it receives 2.6% more over last year's budget. This will hardly keep up with inflation. What progress has been made to inculcate an appreciation of our heritage and to strengthen the Singapore heartbeat to the creation and sharing of Singapore stories, be it film, theatre, dance, music, literature or the visual arts?”
“We give generous housing subsidies to help lower-income people to buy a flat but we should recognise that, sometimes, circumstances change, eg, the couple get divorced, they lose their jobs, they have to sell their flat, and then what? I recognise that HDB has done a great job of providing roofs over the heads of most Singaporeans. We do not have the homeless slumming on the streets, as in other cities, such as London, Paris and New York. But this is sometimes not because all is well here but because vagrants are diligently picked up and sent to welfare homes. There is a lot of difference between living in welfare homes and in a rental flat. You have your self-respect and your space and freedom. I would urge the Minister to look more closely into how we can liberalise the rental sector with subsidised flats so that Singaporeans have more access to them, including HDB subsidised rental flats.”
“Can the HDB be more flexible towards low-income divorcees with children, to allow them to rent a flat within three months after the sale of their matrimonial flat until they find their feet? If I may give an example of what happens when they are left to fend for themselves. One divorcee who came to see me was aged 51, earns about $1,500 as an airport trainee. She has two children. After she was told that she had to vacate her matrimonial flat by a certain date, she came to see me to find a place to stay. I wrote to the HDB for a housing loan to buy a three-room flat as no bank would give her one. HDB replied that, at her age, it will be unwise for her to buy a flat. And since she has enjoyed two housing subsidies, she is not eligible for a rental flat. As a result of that, she had to rent two rooms in two separate flats at $1,000 a month for herself and her two children. That leaves her precious little for her daily needs. Why should we reduce her to a welfare case? HDB has to adjust and be relevant to the changing social trends or else we will see a rising number of single-parent households separated with the mother renting a room in one flat and her children in another flat, and living in poverty. I would also like to call for a review of the policy towards rental flats. This Government takes pride in full home ownership. But this appears to be unrealistic and difficult to sustain, given the widening income gap and the changing social trends. Presently, HDB sets aside about 5% of its total housing stock to rental flats. Is this sufficient? Should we review our policy towards full home ownership? From the cases coming to us, it is clear that, for an increasing number, owning a flat is an albatross around their necks, rather than a life buoy.”
“The number of divorces has been rising every year. I see an increasing number of women, either undergoing divorce or divorced, who are desperate for a place to stay after their matrimonial flat is sold. They cannot afford to buy another flat. The most heart-rending cases involve low-income divorced women with several children under their custody. They cannot wait eight to nine months for a rental flat from the HDB and so they are forced to look for rented rooms in the open market. They cannot afford to rent an entire flat in the open market. Many landlords will not rent out rooms to them together with their children, so they have to split up - the mother in one rented room in one flat, and the children in another rented room in another flat. The family is kept apart. How is this pro-family? Imagine the insecurity felt by the children - the father had left them, now they have to be separated from their mother. There was one divorcee who managed to find a room to rent together with her two children but then came crying to me after a few months because the landlord wanted to raise the rent and asked them to move out by the following month. For many recently-divorced women, especially those who had been abused by their husbands, it is a traumatic stage in their lives. Some are housewives or have low-paid jobs and it will take them some time to find a stable job. They find it hard to be strong for themselves, their children and to make ends meet. Some have no other family members to help them. When they appeal to the HDB for a rental flat, they get the usual replies. They have to wait for eight to nine months, or they are permanently debarred from a rental flat because they have sold their matrimonial flat and have, in the process, enjoyed two housing subsidies.”
“I would urge the Minister to make it easier for those above 62 to monetise their flats by downgrading to a small 3- or 2-room flat by relaxing the rules for the elderly and building more smaller flats and elderly studios for them to downgrade to. At the same time, this would also make available more larger flats for younger families to upgrade to. The Minister has previously explained the general philosophy for subsidies which is to encourage family formation and personal responsibility. But the Government has been reluctant to allow the elderly to live off the profit from the subsidised flat by downgrading, fearing that they might be taking more than two bites of the cherry. There is one bite for those starting a family, another bite for upgraders. But those who need to downgrade get no bite, but instead will get bitten. Why not the HDB consider giving a small bite for those above 62 to downgrade? Give a financial incentive for the elderly to downgrade to a smaller flat, the way HDB gives financial incentives for young families to upgrade to a larger flat. Yes, a one-off downgrading subsidy for the elderly. I am not saying for all downgraders, just for the elderly. This is to help provide for their retirement needs, especially as many are living longer. HDB can spread out their housing subsidies over the cost of the lifetime of different groups: one, when you get married; one, when you upgrade and one, when you want to downgrade, instead of stacking it up at the beginning. The Minister knows that not all are able to find work, especially the lower educated women.”
“Sir, for the elderly, HDB flat is their only asset. An increasing number in 4- and 5-room flats, especially those who struggle to service their HDB loans, want to sell their flats so that they do not have to depend on the Government for handouts or on others for their daily needs and medical care. Many are retired or working on odd jobs and they tell us they cannot rely on their adult children who themselves are facing economic problems. I have seen an increasing number of them at my MPS. Some elderly couples live in 4- and 5-room flats and now no longer need to live in such large flats because their adult children have moved out. They are asset rich but cash poor. But they have come across all sorts of obstacles if they want to downgrade to cash out. For one, they cannot get a second concessionary HDB loan. The irony is that they can only get a second HDB concessionary loan if they upgrade it to a bigger flat that they do not need and do not want. Instead of making it easier for them to downgrade and live within their means, HDB would rather send them letters of demand with threat to repossess their flat but without giving them any realistic housing options. Older residents tell me that banks will not give them housing loans because of their age. HDB will also not give them a housing loan if they have taken two previously and they cannot rent a flat from the HDB because of the 30-month debarment period. If they make any profit from the sale, even if most of the profit will go into paying off their own debts, the HDB will disqualify them from the rental queue. If they rent a room or flat in the open market, it will mean even more money out of their pocket as rentals are rising, adding to their financial burden and troubled minds, rather than easing it.”
“Sir, I would like to ask about ASEAN integration because the Minister has not addressed my point about how it benefits the ordinary man-in-the-street. In Singapore, the EU Commissioner has even had a roadshow in schools to explain how EU benefits the Europeans and the world at large. I wonder whether we have done enough in ASEAN to educate Singaporeans and the people in the region how ASEAN integration is to their benefit. Because when I go around the region and talk to some MPs, the fear is that ASEAN integration may mean more jobs lost, less space to grow, when, in fact, it is the converse. I wonder whether the Minister has any plans to reach out to the public in a greater way to explain the benefits of ASEAN.”
“Sir, I would like to ask about the Growth Triangle. The Minister mentioned that it is time to revive it. Can I ask the Minister how does he see the conditions have changed to make sure that this time it is a good try. From my understanding, previously, it had not taken off because the Indonesia-Malaysia leg is a weaker leg in the triangle. And for a long time, the parties had regarded each other as rivals rather than as partners. Can I ask the Minister whether he thinks that if the Growth Triangle is revived, it means that the three countries are in a better position to leverage on each other's strengths, and to have the attitude of going forward as partners? As the Minister mentioned, we now have links with other parts of the world; the Middle East is working with us, growing with us and open to Singapore. Can I ask the Minister whether he thinks that such an attitude prevails in this region? And, if not, how can we help the attitude be such that Singapore is seen as a partner and not a rival? Another question is on the ASEAN Charter. The Minister said that after the ASEAN Charter is ratified, ASEAN is in a better position to hold Myanmar to account. Can I ask the Minister what he means by that? Does it mean still issuing strong statements and then standing helplessly by, as the statements are ignored? Or does it mean that there is something that ASEAN can do, a certain consensus that can be formed within the ASEAN members to perhaps take more punitive measures towards Myanmar? Is that door open?”
“Can I also ask the Minister how he expects the proposed ASEAN human rights body to work and to bring tangible benefits to the lives of the people in this region? Does Singapore also intend to set up a human rights commission as part of the process? To build a sense of solidarity and identity, ASEAN should also reach out to the public to explain why ASEAN integration is a good thing and how it will improve their lives. Can I ask the Minister to explain how it will benefit the ordinary Singaporean? Does it mean ease of travel, ability to turn to an ASEAN Embassy when abroad and so on? I would like to ask the Minister for an assessment and to tell us about the way forward. ASEAN Charter”
“Sir, to become a rules-based organisation, ASEAN must share a common understanding of what is good behaviour and what is bad towards the grouping as a whole as well as towards its own citizens. The ASEAN Charter has established some common ground rules, resolving to be an institution governed by the rule of law, respecting human rights and democracy, and promoting good governance. ASEAN should demonstrate solidarity in not only ratifying the Charter, but in its readiness to help each other to achieve the ideals spelt out in the Charter and to hold each other up to it. Sir, good governance in ASEAN countries can improve the prospects of growth in this region and help its neighbours to also prosper. This is because good governance can be a competitive advantage. In this globalised world, where the contagion effect is real, businessmen want transparency, rule of law, political stability and an effective government able to respond to changes rapidly. As we work towards achieving the ASEAN Economic Committee by 2015, we should hence give more weight to the building of stronger governing practices in ASEAN. Sir, at this stage, with Myanmar and its appalling human rights record and poor governance, it is hard to see how ASEAN can remain a credible grouping if its common ground rules and ideals are blatantly flouted by a member with little signs of real progress. After the Charter is ratified, will members be prepared to take measures against those who continuously flout its principles and rules? Or will it yet be another consultative mechanism without any teeth? What does it mean then to become a rules-based organisation?”
“Sir, the Minister of State said that the unfilial children are a minority. But at our MPS, we see that there is an increasing number of parents who come forward to seek help to pay for their medical bills and day-care centres because their children are not willing to support them. Can I ask the Minister of State whether she sees an increasing trend of children not willing to support their parents even though they could afford to do so and what programmes can the Ministry put in place to encourage family responsibility towards parents and to promote filial piety?”
“Sir, can I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary to review the curriculum and also update us on the role models that are being used? Because, presently, our teenagers look to the western pop stars, like Britney Spears, to set the standard in terms of how well to behave. Can I ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether they can look at role models that we can promote in Singapore, so that they would not be under peer pressure to conform to what they see as the latest hip trend?”
“Sir, can I ask the Minister whether there has been a spillover in the problem to neighbourhood centres, because taxis are now preferring to go into the city because of the surcharge and they are avoiding far flung areas like the old Choa Chu Kang Road or areas in Tampines which are harder to get to? Can I ask the Minister to monitor this?”
“While Myanmar may assert that its problem is a domestic affair, may I ask the Minister whether he agrees that it is not an entirely domestic issue as it has great bearing on us and its effectiveness as a grouping. In fact, countries like EU, US and some countries like Canada, have indicated that it will affect their relations with ASEAN. Given this situation, can I ask the Minister, from the last ASEAN Summit, does the Minister sense that Myanmar has a sense of responsibility towards ASEAN as a member? And if it does not show any responsibility towards ASEAN as a member, should not ASEAN then take seriously the possibility of taking stronger actions against Myanmar?”
“Several ASEAN members, including Philippines and some quarters of Indonesia, have indicated that they will stall the signing of the ASEAN Charter until Myanmar resolves its problem. Can I ask the Minister how confident he is that the ASEAN Charter can be ratified by the one-year timeframe?”
“Sir, we are all for re-employment for older workers. But I am arguing that, given the surveys done, it shows that older workers find it easier to get employment. Is it quite irrelevant for us to keep harping on cutting CPF for the older workers as a tool for them to get employed, especially with schemes like the Advantage Scheme and the flexible wage system coming in?”
“Does it not show that the CPF cut for workers aged 50 and above, especially for the higher skilled, is not a key factor in keeping them employed in good times?”
“Sir, given that we have a tight labour market with wages going up quite rapidly, is it not a good idea to divert some of the wage rise into CPF savings by restoring some of the cuts for those above 50 especially? Besides helping our workers to save for their retirement, will this not also help to dampen inflation rate trends? Can I also ask the Senior Parliamentary Secretary whether he is aware of a recent survey which found that middle aged and older workers in the past two years had found it easier to find jobs because of the stronger employment market? For instance, in September 2006, 74% of retrenched degree holders aged 50 and above found re-employment in six months, up from 64% in September 2005. Does it not show that the CPF cut for workers aged 50 and above, especially for the higher skilled, is not a key factor in keeping them employed?”
“Sir, Myanmar seems to be in a state of denial and is quite impervious to moral censure or economic sanctions. Given that Myanmar has rebuffed ASEAN's approach of constructive engagement for over 10 years, how confident can the Minister be that we can wield any moral influence over Myanmar? And given that we expect Myanmar to sign the ASEAN Charter, would it not tarnish our image and credibility as a grouping? Should we not ask Myanmar to stay home until they can shape up and come to Singapore to sign the ASEAN Charter?”
“In the long run, the collective good or benefits would far outweigh the initial outlay of resources to be spent to establish such a unit. Mr Speaker, Sir, it is important that we, as responsible Singaporeans, try to maintain the cohesion of our society. When communities of people who have lived in peace and harmony are destroyed, we are paying a very high price because it takes decades for such living organisms as communities to be formed. On the one hand, we have the Community Development Councils (or CDCs) who aim to build strong communities through programmes to bond people and, on the other hand, we watch the fast disruption of communities without really valid reasons. And I also echo Ms Irene Ng's comments on the green aspect of destroying buildings below 10 years old. While there is no reason to stop people to sell their old homes and to buy new ones, when it is done in deals that affect large numbers of families, and from recent statistics provided by the Minister, at least 3,700 families were involved in these residential units since 2005, the State has to make sure that the process is fair and good for the people, and not just a profitable venture for a selected few. It is my hope that the Deputy Prime Minister will give due consideration to these suggestions. 2.39 pm”
“I think that the words "as soon as practicable" in the sixth line leave much to the imagination. There should be at least some sense of urgency when a person finds out that there is some conflict of interest in his role as a member of the collective sale committee. And I feel that, to reflect such an urgency, an added phrase like "within 48 hours" or 72 hours is important so that the importance of the section is upheld. In addition, there is no mention of the consequences for the person who does not disclose his or her conflict of interest. I would like to suggest that the violator of the conflict of interest policy be liable to legal action. Such a strong statement in the Bill would act as an effective deterrent. My third suggestion is that a code of best practices needs to be drawn up and circulated perhaps in hard copy at relevant public organisations like libraries as well as softcopy on the Ministry's website, and I believe my earlier hon. colleagues have also made some mention to such a code. A code like this would state the best practices to be followed by the lawyers, developers and even sale committee. This could serve to guide the Singaporean public in this matter of collective sale agreements. My last suggestion is that the Ministry or STB set up a special small unit to look into the complaints of stakeholders of an en bloc negotiation in order to troubleshoot. Conflicts could be averted. Gullible home owners could be made more aware of their rights, for example, those who are in the elderly category, and misunderstandings could be cleared through such a unit. Sometimes, a minor intervention at the early stages could prevent problems from escalating.”
“Let us first look at the scenario of condo raiders - I will spell it "condo", just for clarification - a term coined by Ms Alison Taylor in a letter to the Forum page of the Straits Times on 16th August. Condo raiders are short-term investors who buy one or more units in a private condominium and, within a couple of weeks, start agitating for en bloc sale or CSA. They campaign for CSA and often succeed in getting into the collective sale committee. Such persons are very savvy and familiar with the proceedings of conducting a sale. So they have the confidence to persuade home owners to go with the deal. Many of the subsidiary proprietors are not familiar with the legal processes. So they are tricked into signing the agreement. Condo raiders have made handsome profits in their en bloc deals and I believe even the new amendments will not be sufficient to stop them in their raids. In view of this, I have my first suggestion. A minimum period of residence should be stipulated as a criterion for being elected into the collective sale committee. In my opinion, the minimum period should be two years. Currently, there is no criterion of such a nature in the new amendments. Setting such a criterion would be an obstacle for these condo raiders in the form of protection or safeguard for the authentic home owners. I hope the Minister will seriously consider this proposal. Mr Speaker, my second suggestion relates to the section on disclosure of interest in the Third Schedule of the Bill, on page 32. While the section drives home an important point on the need for disclosure of any interest that could be in conflict with the role and duties of an elected member of the collective sale committee, it does leave some room for thought.”
“In the case of the en bloc or CSA, it is basically greed on the part of some subsidiary proprietors and fly-by-night investors as well as hunger on the part of developers that is driving the whole movement in Singapore. It is true that property prices had been low in the past 10 years or so, and this en bloc fever has helped to hasten the increase in property prices. But at what cost? Is it a case of economic gain but social disruption? I have noted cases where older persons who have a strong emotional attachment to their homes have been heart-broken when they have had to succumb to the majority's vote to go for the en bloc sale. I could not agree more with my colleague, Ms Ellen Lee, who spoke in detail about the effects of the en bloc sales on elders. Additionally, the whole communities that have been built over decades when the neighbours know one another very well and have been a source of companionship and support are literally destroyed overnight. And in a few botched-up deals, such as Horizon Towers and Gillman Heights, the acrimony, hostility and anger that have followed are unparalleled. On top of this, many families are stuck in a financial squeeze due to the unforeseen trail of events, and this squeeze could run into millions. Unethical conduct on the part of one or more of the parties concerned has also become the talk of the town. Looking at the high social costs, the clear legal and procedural controls over the whole process in the amendments are welcomed by Singaporeans. It is hoped that unwitting home owners and unscrupulous dealers will be equally warned of the consequences. However, I have four suggestions to improve the process further and ensure that implementation of the changes will be fair and helpful for Singaporeans.”
“But I would say that to many Singaporeans, especially older Singaporeans, what they want is a home, with some sense of stability and security, a place where they can sink their roots and build meaningful memories that can last a lifetime. But the en bloc phenomenon pays little respect to such sentiments. I think, if allowed to be carried to extremes, the en bloc trend can be unhealthy and can indeed set back our dreams of making Singapore a place where you feel you can belong. I would urge the Minister to monitor the pace and practice of en bloc sales and make sure that it does not put social cohesion at risk of the swing of the wrecking ball. 3.29 pm Assoc. Prof. Kalyani K Mehta (Nominated Member): Thank you, Mr Speaker, for allowing me to speak today on the Land Titles (Strata) (Amendment) Bill. The long-awaited amendments to the Land Titles (Strata) Act were announced last month following the public consultation exercise and focus group discussions which they called us as well as members of the public. Following the First Reading in Parliament, there have been many comments made through the media - some positive, some negative. Before I move on to address these, I would like to make some comments on the social consequences of the en bloc fever, as we now call it, in Singapore over the last couple of years. If social communities have to be swept away in the prospect of progress and a cleaner, healthier environment for the people of a nation, such as when the kampongs were eradicated in Singapore, it is a phenomenon that the majority of the population would accept.”
“In some projects, they have been found to be overly aggressive in their bid to get signatures. I have also heard of marketing agents who collude with developers to secure en bloc packages at the expense of the sellers' interest. For example, as we know, in one development, Horizon Towers, I understand that the marketing agent told the residents that he will not charge any commission for his services. But what he did was to work with the developers to take a commission from the buyer's side. I checked with the industry and found that it is not an isolated practice for marketing agents to have quiet collusion with the developers behind the scenes. In this sense, I ask for more transparency to ensure that whatever collusions or whatever arrangements have been made with the buyers be made clear to the residents. The proposals to enhance the transparency of the sale process are therefore welcomed. But can I ask the Minister if such seemingly underhanded practices - such as collusion between the marketing agents and developers at the expense of owners - can be cause for a collective sale to be called off? Finally, overarching the entire en bloc plot is the aesthetic and green dimension. W e should review the present provision that allows the estates below 10 years to go en bloc. Ten years sound very young. These buildings are not considered old and are structurally sound and some are even aesthetic, reflecting the latest architectural style. It is also not environmentally friendly to tear down perfectly sound structures only to build something almost similar, only more expensive and more densely packed. Sir, I am not sure how the en bloc plot would end.”
“It is true that the amendments, in general, will mean extra legal costs will be incurred, and this may be a concern for some outside the House. But it should, hopefully, protect the less literate and less street-savvy residents who need clear and simple explanations to make an informed decision, assuming that lawyers will do their best to make things clear to residents and not more opaque. Sir, I support all these measures. But can I ask the Minister, what if the lawyer appointed - and this is not hypothetical, it is human - after going through the 300th resident, and some estate can be very big, even with 500 residents, and the lawyer after going through each owner signing a sale agreement, and the 501st resident comes along, the lawyer, being very tired, summarised things and did not explain things clearly to the resident? Can the resident then lodge a report against the lawyer for not doing his job properly, and the lawyer being hauled up for sanctioning? Can these be grounds for the resident to claim that he has been misrepresented when he signed the agreement? Many people reckon that the real winners from these amendments - the superstars in the en bloc plot as it were - will be the lawyers, because they will be earning much higher legal fees because of the many requirements. I think it is important to highlight that it will not be easy money. Underlying the en bloc plot are sinister undertones of occasional collusion, particularly between marketing agents and potential buyers. It is important to place greater scrutiny on the role of marketing agents, to impose greater discipline on their code of behaviour. Marketing agents can get quite a lucrative success commission for getting an en bloc sale through.”
“As a result, many have been scrambling to see how they could get out of the deal, signed when property prices were lower, and are angry at their sale committees, marketing agents and lawyers for not getting them the latest best price. Residents then begin to question if the sale committee, marketing agents and lawyers are representing their best interests to get the highest possible price or selling them out for a quick buck. The proposals in this Bill go some way in addressing such grievances. They include requiring the sale committee, and its members, to be elected at a general meeting. The proposed Bill also ensures that the residents are kept informed and involved in appointing lawyers and marketing consultants at general meetings. The requirement for a formal valuation at the close of tender will also give residents a better sense of the value of their property, which it must be highlighted, can be either up or down. The proposal to have a lawyer present to explain the legal terms and liabilities is also prudent, so that residents know what is it they are signing up for, and not just sign buta. But as hon. Member Alvin Yeo pointed out, the liabilities for residents need to be spelt out more clearly. We learn through the Horizon Towers' case that the majority owners can be sued for breach of contract. But some of the minority owners are a bit jittery now because they have heard that they can be also sued for inducing breach of contract by encouraging some majority owners to jump camp. Can I ask the Minister to clarify the liabilities faced by majority owners as well as minority owners who tried to get out of the collective sale agreement?”
“It can also help address the genuine concern of residents who enjoy living in the same area and have built up strong community ties over the years, and also help assuage the worries of residents about being able to afford another flat elsewhere. The en bloc plot has a second element, which is that of coercion. There have been allegations of harassment and intimidation on the part of some sale committees or marketing agents. The reports can be quite serious. I have heard of one case where a resident received an anonymous call threatening the life of his daughter if he did not consent to the sale. Some complained that they signed the collective sale agreement under duress or false representation. The Minister mentioned, in his answer to my oral question at the last sitting, that any owner who at any time feels that he is being harassed or intimidated to consent to an en bloc sale may lodge a Police report. Can I ask him how many such reports have been received each year, and what is the most serious received to date? And has any been received against marketing agents and, if so, does he discern a pattern? Also, what actions, if any, have been taken by the Police with regard to reports on harassment specifically related to en bloc sales? It would be useful to highlight these cases so that all are put on notice that such practices are an offence and, hopefully, more civil and restrained behaviour will be the norm in future en bloc sales projects. Third, are the twists and turns of the property market, and sub-plots leading to blind alleys. Sir, we know that one reason for the unhappiness of those affected by en bloc is that en bloc prices which appeared fair some months ago, now suddenly looked paltry.”
“Their worries include buying a replacement flat that will allow them the same ease and quality of life. But, given the high property prices, they have to either downgrade to a HDB flat or move to a smaller, more crammed private flat. The pain is more acutely felt by those who have retired or are retiring soon. They are unable to obtain bank financing and have to draw on their hard-earned savings. The legal costs to pursue one's case to the bitter end have also been a point of stress for many. I know that many people have been made millionaires through en bloc sales. It can be a good get-rich scheme for many, better than striking lottery. We know of "serial en blockers" - people who buy properties that are expected to go en bloc just to reap the profits of a collective sale and then move on to the next one. I have heard of one person who was involved in 66 en bloc sales, and made a total of about $200 million from his buying and selling spree. But such windfall is at quite considerable cost to others - social, emotional and personal cost. Sir, if I may compare the spirit of en bloc with that of HDB SERS (the Selective Estate Redevelopment Scheme). SERS has tried to preserve the strong community ties by assuring residents affected of another flat in the new site, so that they can choose to live with old neighbours again or pick flats elsewhere. Why not apply this guideline to private en bloc as well? Can the Minister look into adding a provision that developers should offer a replacement unit in the same estate to residents as an option at an affordable price? This way, economic considerations can be balanced with social ones.”
“First of all, I welcome the proposed changes in the Bill to make the entire en bloc process more transparent and fair. Indeed, one positive thing about this debate is that Singaporeans should be made more aware of the rules of the game when it comes to en bloc sales. Sir, if I may say so, the en bloc story has turned out to be a tangled tale of greed, fear, love and betrayal, with poignant twists and turns, as some people become rich and elated, and others homeless and somewhat depressed. There is skulduggery and the occasional violence reported. Eric Khoo and Royston Tan need not look very far for their next film plot. If I may deal with each facet of the plot in turn: First, the human dimension of greed, fear, love and betrayal. The en bloc trend seems to bring out the worst in some people, turning neighbours against one another, especially during a property boom. Although it is not openly said, the general feeling is that greed - and also fear - has turned many reasonable neighbours into angry enemies. Family members also turn on one another. I know of at least one case where a middle-aged couple divorced as a result of the en bloc sale of their estate. It also breaks apart a community as they are not likely to live together nearby in the same constituency after their estate goes en bloc. The strong community ties built over the years are all but torn apart, especially for residents in privatised HUDC estates who have bonded from their HDB days. Tampines Court, which is in my constituency, is one of the casualties. The en bloc fever has driven up property prices to dizzy heights, adding to the pressures. Many residents involved in en bloc sales are stressed by the entire process, especially those who object to the sale.”
“However, it is a complex issue and it will take some time to work out the multi-faceted solutions and implement them, such as better child care support and flexible work arrangements. In the meantime, women need greater help to top up their CPF savings to prepare for a secure retirement. In conclusion, Singaporeans want to be able to look forward not only to a secure retirement but a good life. Some mutter that this Government wants them to work till they die, or that they would not be able to enjoy their hard-earned money until they are decrepit. Sir, we should recognise that the CPF is, in the end, the people's money. Hence, I would urge the Government to consult the people widely before making drastic changes on its use and to give them flexible options to choose from. All of us know people have very unpredictable lives. We know people who have worked very hard in stressful jobs and die suddenly of a heart attack in their 50s or 60s, or of cancer or other illnesses. Every time that happens, we pause and think: we may be the next one, so let us live each day as if it were the last. Sir, we have to balance these legitimate human sentiments with the practical need to make sure that there is enough put aside if half of us did live past 85. Let us look at this issue not so much as retirement planning, something for the unpredictable end stage of life, but as life planning, something to help us live a good and productive life, with peace of mind. 2.15 pm”
“Sir, in a recent dialogue with 200 women grassroots leaders, chaired by the Minister of State, Mrs Lim Hwee Hua, one of them argued that husbands should contribute a small percentage of their CPF to their non-working wife's CPF account. She suggested making this compulsory. In another session with union leaders recently, a unionist, and this time, a man, also suggested the same thing. The unionist felt strongly that men should be compelled to top up the CPF of their housewives regularly as the women have sacrificed their jobs to take care of the family. I hesitate to argue for compulsory CPF contributions from husbands to wives. I am not sure if it will lead to a drop in marriage rates or a rise in divorce rates. But I would ask for the Government to provide some incentive for husbands to buy an annuity plan for their wives with low CPF balances. Perhaps, a co-payment scheme. I must make it clear - not for all wives, as we know many women are doing quite well for themselves in the workforce, but for those wives whose CPF balances fall below a certain threshold. I hope the committee set up by the Minister will look into this seriously. Of course, the best option is to get women back to work. The employment rate of women in Singapore lags far behind developed countries. It must be pointed out, however, that countries with the highest employment rate for women - Sweden, Denmark and Norway - are welfare states with generous support to mothers. The lower employment rate in Singapore is particularly stark for women aged between 55 and 64 years. Only 36% of them are employed, compared to 71% for the men. I know this issue is being examined by a tripartite committee, chaired by Halimah Yacob, and I am involved as a member.”
“The female per capita CPF balance is less than half of that of the males at the age of 60 and above. Yet, out of that lower balance, they have to pay higher premiums for the proposed longevity insurance because they live longer. The key reasons for the CPF disparity are the loss of income incurred when the women leave their jobs to raise their family, as well as their generally low educational levels. Sir, this should not be viewed as a gender issue. It is an economic and a social issue because of the way our society and reward system are structured. It is also biological and not quite within the power of women to change. Presently, the life expectancy for men is 78. For women, it is 82. Chances are that there will be more women than men living past 85 and more will be widows. In the year , there were 106,000 widows in Singapore compared to only 82,000 in 1980, and the numbers will only rise. Yet, the women have lower CPF balances than men to sustain them through their longer life. Sir, it is fine to preach the message of self-reliance, but women need more help to get there. Their problem becomes more acute in later life. This is because their husbands tend to be older, they will spend most of their time and savings on their husband's medical condition, resulting in their own savings being depleted. I have seen in my MPS an increasing number of older women coming for financial assistance, after their husbands have passed away. How to help them save up for their own old age, without eroding the husbands' sense of responsibility towards their wives?”
“We have re-created and redesigned jobs so that Singaporeans can do them, and the NTUC has worked very hard to make sure that many jobs are re-created, especially for older workers. But we still see employers preferring foreign workers over citizens for these jobs. We need to take bolder measures to make sure that employers will give these jobs to older Singaporeans who need the jobs and not take what is now the easier route and employ foreign workers. One way is to review the foreign worker dependency ratios in certain industries which have undergone job re-creation and to peg that to the number of older Singaporeans hired. Another way is to open up more part-time work options for Singaporeans. Many workers above 62 and women with responsibilities tell us they would prefer part-time work. But employers find this a tedious arrangement, compared to hiring foreign workers who will work for them for as many hours as they want, on as many shifts as they want, and at a lower cost to boot. As an incentive to hire Singaporean part-timers, why not consider giving employers a foreign worker levy relief for companies which employ Singaporean part-timers in place of using up their quotas of foreign workers? This will open up more employment opportunities for both mature workers as well as women. The third policy which may have contributed to lower CPF savings for some groups is the pro-family policy which encourages women to have more children. I fully support this policy, but we must recognise that there are certain trade-offs and, for women, one of the trade-offs is often lower CPF savings. This is because, in Singapore, women still play the primary role in caring for their children and elderly family members. The CPF disparity between men and women is stark.”
“Even today, it is not uncommon to see residents in their late 50s or early 60s coming to the meet-the-people sessions to ask for help for their children's education needs. I had one case recently. He was almost 60 and wanted help to withdraw money from his Retirement Account for his son's diploma course. As usual, the CPF Board said no. But what could he do, he asked. He could not find a job or a job that pays well enough for him to see through his children's education. This leads me to the second policy that I would like to see refined, and that is the foreign workers policy. I applaud the Government for its ability to create so many jobs in Singapore. The Minister for Manpower mentioned that in the first six months of this year, 140,000 jobs were created. This is outstanding and not something that many governments can deliver. But how to make sure that most of these jobs go to Singaporeans, especially our older workers, and not to foreign workers? Some employers still prefer to hire foreigners over Singaporeans for various reasons. They include lower wages as well as the long hours that foreign workers can put in compared to Singaporeans with homes to return to. For instance, last year, they enjoyed a bumper crop of 173,000 jobs with about half going to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. The rest went to foreigners. If we remove the PRs from the equation, the percentage of jobs going to Singaporeans will fall to less than half. Let me make clear that I am not against the foreign workers policy which has allowed the economy to grow beyond the limits of our own indigenous workforce and to enlarge our economic pie. But we must make sure that as many jobs as possible go to Singaporeans, especially our older workers.”
“This will allow workers to accumulate more CPF up to the age of 62. I realise that the Workfare Income Supplement will help to top up the CPF savings of workers. But this applies only to the lower income, those earning below $1,500 a month. Many in the middle class, especially in the sandwich generation, have their CPF savings tied up in housing. The CPF cut at the early age of 50 has in fact compromised their ability to save for a secure retirement. Another reason we should defer the date of the CPF cut from 50 to 62 is because Singaporeans are marrying later and having children later. Sir, in 2006, grooms with primary or no education were the oldest. The median ages at first marriage were 40 years for non-Muslims and 33 years for Muslims. The same trend can be seen with the brides. What this means is that by the time these late-marrying men are in their 50s or early 60s, their children are probably just entering tertiary education. They have to work longer to support the education of their children. But then this is the exact same group which might find it harder to get a job in the new economy. They will have to compete against low-cost foreign workers. For the low-skilled late brides, it means that if they drop out of the workforce to raise their young children, as many do today, by the time they can rejoin the workforce, say, 10 years later, they would have to join the burgeoning brigade of low-skilled older people looking for jobs in a rapidly changing economy. The same situation will face those who divorce their first spouse and remarry and start a second family later in life. As we know, there is an increasing trend of divorces and remarriages.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the mission of CPF, as stated on its website, is "To enable Singaporeans to save for a secure retirement." We know that some groups do face a very real prospect of insecure retirement and that dire situation cannot be placed entirely at their door. Some Government policies, although introduced with the best of intentions, may have also contributed to this situation. If I may, I would like to highlight three policies and discuss some possible measures to mitigate the effects on the vulnerable groups. First, the policy to cut the CPF contribution rate as soon as a worker touches 50. When a worker reaches 50, the employer's CPF contribution is cut by 4%. When he reaches 55, the employer's CPF contribution is cut another 3%. At age 60, employer's CPF contribution is cut another 2.5%. And this is not including the cut in salary, which can be as high as 10% and, in some cases, even more. The upshot is that while workers are urged to work longer to save for their retirement, the proportion they are able to save is in fact eroded by dint of this CPF cut from the age of 50. We know that the lower employer's CPF contribution rate for older workers is meant to improve their wage competitiveness to make them more employable. But a better way to do this is to move decisively away from the seniority-based wage system towards one that pays workers according to the value of the job and performance, and not to cut the CPF contributions of older workers, especially from the employers' portion. As workers live longer, they need more CPF contributions, not less. Now that we want workers to work beyond 62, we should review the policy to cut the CPF contribution at the age of 50. We should defer the cut to age 62 when they are re-employed on one-year contracts.”
“Sir, I understand that the image of the security industry needs to be upgraded but I hope that in the process, we will not discriminate against older workers who are fit and able, and are motivated to do the job. Can I ask the Minister if the Ministry will also educate security agencies on the value of training such workers and to work with relevant agencies, such as NTUC and WDA, to upgrade their skills to license them so that they have prospects in this industry? Another point I would like to make finally is to urge the Ministry to work with security agencies to see how they can pool their resources together, work on economies of scale, rather than work as different individual agencies with different competing interests and get stuck at a certain level of professionalism. If we can lift the entire industry up through education and enforcement as well as through grants, I think we will give better prospects to our workers for a job as security guards. 3.44 pm”
“Sir, I am the advisor to the Union of Security Employees (USE) and I would like to just raise two points. Sir, I welcome the Bill as it is another significant move to upgrade the private security industry. Properly licensed with proper training and a better professional image, the salaries of security officers should also increase. Security officers who are members of the USE have seen their pay go up as their jobs get recreated and their skills upgraded and certified. On average, they now earn $1,300 to $1,500 per month, depending on assignments, compared to about $800 to $1,000 a few years ago. But not all security officers have enjoyed this improvement in wages and career prospects. Nationally, the medium gross wages of private security guards have fallen from $1,403 a month in 2001 to $1,257 last year, according to the report on wages in Singapore which was recently released. Sir, some security agencies are still cutting corners and not paying their security officers decent wages or CPF. Other than professional criteria, can I ask the Minister if the Ministry will also look into upgrading security officers and also on their compliance in paying CPF to the security officers? My second point is to urge the Ministry to also focus on education of security agencies and not only on enforcement. We know that many low-skilled workers, especially older ones, as has been pointed out by my hon. colleague, Dr Teo Ho Pin, they have switched to working as security guards after they have been retrenched and some of them cannot find another job in the market. There is a worry that some will lose their jobs as a result of this Bill. As long as they are fit and able, they should be given the opportunity to be trained and licensed without compromising on professional standards.”
“Sir, as the Minister has noted, there have been various reports of intimidation in the past by sales committee. Can I ask the Minister whether there are any provisions now or in the new Bill to ensure that the owners can oust the sales committee if the sales committee had been found to be either negligent, under-handed or unfair in its dealings, as well as not representing the interests of the owners but more of the buyers? The second question is with regard to pending cases, such as Tampines Court which started the en bloc process at the end of 2002, before the property boom. The STB has yet to approve the sale, and the sale and purchase agreement will expire on 24th September, renewable by four months. I believe minority owners are opposing the sale and have filed their objections to STB. Can I ask the Minister, pending the review, how will these owners be affected by the changes that will be coming?”
“I would like to ask the Parliamentary Secretary, for flat buyers who go for bank loans but then find that they cannot service them, can HDB allow them to switch to HDB concessionary loans? Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman: Sir, HDB cannot do that. It is not wise for HDB to do that. HDB cannot be the one to take over all the loans that are not well serviced by the banks. The most important lesson for flat buyers is to make sure that they understand the commitment that they have made with the banks. They are aware as to what are the obligations they have when they take on the bank loans. Like I mentioned in my earlier reply, the banks have got their own financial assistance measures. They should go back to the banks and try to get assistance from the banks. As far as possible, HDB will try to help those who are really in financial difficulties. Sometimes, we assist them. We waive the minimum occupation period for them to sell their flat to resolve some of their issues. But at the end of the day, it is not wise for HDB to take over loans that are not well serviced by the banks.”
“Sir, the Indonesian media has been reporting the specifics of what the Indonesian side has been thinking on the issue, including the specific areas of disagreement. Can I ask the Minister to please enlighten us on this way forward that has been proposed to Singapore because it is puzzling when we say that we do not want to make any substantive changes when the Indonesian does, and we say that there is a solution put forward? Can the Minister please enlighten us?”
“Thank you, Minister, for the comprehensive reply. When the agreements were signed in Bali, it was hoped that it would bode better relations between Indonesia and Singapore but, given the opposition from the legislators in Indonesia, even the governors from Riau and the Riau Islands, and various allegations made, I wonder whether the Minister can give us an assessment of whether these two agreements would indeed spell better relations or give us new areas of dispute and friction. Can I also ask the Minister whether he thinks there is political will at various levels to move forward on this and to make sure that at the end of the day both sides will have a balance of benefits?”