Joan Pereira
Singapore
“We need to constantly monitor technological developments, assess their military potential and anticipate how adversaries might use them against us.”
“Third, scenario‑based exercises on sensitive issues, such as foreign conflicts involving race or religion, so that leaders can facilitate difficult conversations without letting emotions tear our social fabric.”
“How are we strengthening sustained capacity-building platforms – talent exchanges, not just in education and work but in the sports and arts as well; institutional partnerships and governance collaboration – so that we build enduring networks of trust, not one-off engagements?”
“Thank you, Speaker, and the Senior Minister of State. I seek two clarifications from the Senior Minister of State on border health measures that have been stepped up in view of the disease outbreaks overseas.”
“Thank you, Speaker and I thank the Minister. I have two clarifications for the Minister. I understand that there is a lot of support in kind in collaborating with our cross border counterparts to tackle fire hotspots, as the Minister mentioned. But how about some financial assistance for countries, if they require it?”
“Thank you, Speaker and Senior Minister of State. I have two clarifications for the Senior Minister of State. First, could the Ministry provide additional grants and support, including on a longer-term basis, for smaller drinks producers to help defray the costs of complying with the scheme?”
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“Chairman, the Government hospitals and clinics are one of the best sources for reliable and impartial information on healthcare. Will the Ministry review its handouts and information sheets for the elderly and their caregivers, using big fonts and graphics, where possible, on how to better manage their varied health conditions? Can the information be printed in different languages to explain, for example, what type of exercises and diets are best suited for a diabetic patient, or what food or vegetables are good for lowering cholesterol levels? This can empower our elderly and their caregivers with very helpful information and help them better manage their health and their lifestyle, so that they can live a good quality life for as long as possible.”
“Chairman, one of the challenges facing the Ministry is that of getting sufficient healthcare workers, both frontline and backroom. This is especially so with the adding on of more healthcare facilities and the rising demands on our medical services. With tight manpower against high demand, it will mean longer queues and much inconvenience for the patients. The Ministry has succeeded in getting some retired nurses to come back. This is very good. Can I ask if the Minister would draw on the pool of retirees in Singapore and offer them a career path in the healthcare sector so that it is a mutually beneficial exercise? (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Apart from welcoming retired nurses to come back to work, we can also encourage retirees or mid-career switchers to join the nursing industry. Some women quit their job in order to look after the children or the elderly in the family. After their children have grown up, they may want to come back to the workforce. We should encourage these women to join the nursing industry. If these mid-career switchers and retirees can undergo relevant nursing training, they will be able to help to alleviate the manpower shortage issue in the healthcare sector. Allied Heath Force – Recognition and Role”
“Chairman, with an increase in our ageing population, more seniors will be facing mental health issues. They may suffer from depression, memory loss and dementia. This poses a challenge not only to the seniors but also to their caregivers and family members. Their mental illness can result in their being isolated from the society. We are already seeing cases of our elderly living alone, perhaps because the spouses have passed on, and gradually they go into depression and some would be gripped by dementia. Some have no relatives or friends to care for them. They become dependent on social workers and the community volunteers to give them the support in their twilight years. We need to prepare ourselves for more of such cases, as improved medical care is seeing people living longer lives. How is the Ministry making mental health services more accessible to support these seniors with such conditions? Also, how can their caregivers and their family members be better supported?”
“Chairman, in 2016, AMAP had recommended rules and a code of conduct for cyclists and PMD users. Since then, usage of active mobility devices has taken off and we have seen an increasing incidence of accidents involving PMDs and pedestrians. Will AMAP be reviewing its earlier recommendations in order to tighten the approach towards active mobility device usage? If so, when will the review be completed? Apart from rules and code of conduct, will AMAP also be reviewing the insurance and compensation framework for active mobility device usage? One possibility is to mandate the purchase of third-party liability insurance similar to that for all motor vehicles in order to compensate injured pedestrians in case of an accident. Another possibility is to set up a fund similar to that set up by the Motor Insurers Bureau for accident victims who are not protected by third-party insurance. Bicycles and PMDs”
“Chairman, besides the community at large, families also play a very important role in supporting our NSmen. At the individual level, families are the primary source of moral, emotional and social support for our NSmen. Strong families will be able to pick up signs of emotional or psychological stress in our NSmen and seek assistance before such pressure escalates. At the national level, families sustain NS as a national institution as they continue to encourage successive generations of Singaporean sons to undergo the rite of passage that is NS. Thus, families are an important group of people that we can engage to ensure the well-being of our NSmen and NS as an institution. Thus far, ACCORD has partnered the Singapore Council of Women's Organisations (SCWO), the Women's Integration Network of the People's Association and the Young Women's Leadership connection to engage the mothers, wives and girlfriends of our NSmen through information sharing sessions. ACCORD has also collaborated with the Families for Life Council to engage NSmen and their families, and Families for Life events, such as the Families for Life NS 50 Picnic, held at the Singapore Discovery Centre in August 2017. Looking ahead, how can the Ministry step up its engagement of families so that they are better able to support our NSmen in their NS journey?”
“Mr Chairman, since its introduction in 1967, NS has remained the cornerstone of Singapore's defence, providing the security and stability which underpin our shared prosperity. To date, more than a million have served NS and NS has become deeply entrenched as a national institution. Going forward, it is important that this institution continues to enjoy the strong support of every Singaporean in every household and in every community. Over the past four years, the family and community council within the Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD) had developed initiatives to strengthen community support for total defence and NS. Some of these initiatives include (a) the engagement of new citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) to understand the need for defence and support the NS institution; and (b) the partnership with the Singapore Armed Forces Reservists Association (SAFRA) and the People's Association (PA) to encourage retailers to offer discounts to NSmen in recognition of their service to the nation. We can do more. Military service is tough and the sacrifices are real for our NSmen who spent time away from their careers and loved ones in defence of our nation. What else can MINDEF and ACCORD do to educate the public on the sacrifices of our NSmen and galvanise community support for these men serving our country? Advisory Council on Community Relations in Defence (ACCORD)”
“Singapore benefited from technical assistance provided by other countries and international organisations in our early post-Independence years. We are now in a good position to help others by sharing our development experience. I understand that our main conduit of assistance has been through the Singapore Cooperation Programme (SCP), and we have worked with various partners to deliver training programmes for developing countries. How has SCP supported our engagement of other countries? Overseas Singaporeans”
“Mr Chairman, given our fundamental realities as a small country and an open economy dependent on global trade, Singapore is exposed to the headwinds of global developments. This has been compounded by technological innovation. We all know technology bridges physical distance. When we watch videos or read accounts of events that take place far from Singapore, it does not matter that they may be happening thousands of miles away. They have an effect on us intellectually, as well as emotionally, and shape our views on how Singapore should conduct itself on the international stage. At the same time, social media has led to a greater proliferation and contestation of narratives in the marketplace of ideas, with fake news being a growing and very real threat. Given these developments, it has become even more important for the Government to communicate clearly to Singaporeans to foster greater awareness and understanding of the foreign policy stance that Singapore takes. What are the key principles that Singaporeans should know on Singapore's foreign policy? As a multi-ethnic and religious country, how concerned should Singaporeans be that foreign policy issues may be dragged into the domestic discourse? Singapore is ASEAN Chair this year. Could the Ministry share with the man-in-the-street what it means for Singapore to be ASEAN Chair? What are its significance and impact on us as a nation? Technical Cooperation Mr Chairman, as a country whose only resource is its people, Singapore believes that human resource (HR) development is vital for economic and social progress. We take this very seriously. Last year, the World Economic Forum ranked Singapore top in Asia for developing human capital. Globally, we were ranked 11th out of 130 countries.”
“We can play out the scenario of a major fire catastrophe, sudden cardiac arrest or choking incident. After watching the show, I believe what is learnt in a fun and audio-visual way is likely to stay in the mind. The lessons learnt will enhance and contribute to our Total Defence strategy. I wrap up on a very hopeful note. I am pleased that my request last year for a continuum of service for the elderly will now be a reality with the move of senior-related social support services from MSF to the Ministry of Health (MOH) from April to streamline care for the elderly. I had also recently asked for a review of the nomenclature for ElderShield in my Motion on Support for Senior Citizens speech at the last Parliament Sitting, and I am hopeful that this, too, could be done following their review. Therefore, I hope my suggestions for a second career for retirees, the Silver Computer Scheme and the very engaging and interactive TV platform to engage our citizens will be given consideration. One is never too old to dream another dream and make that come true. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I support the Budget.”
“They do not need a desktop with a big gigabyte or a high-speed broadband, but just a simple screen, keyboard, mouse for them to also be “on-the-go”. At the CC or library, there are silver Internet hotspots, but the operating hours may not suit their time schedule. Plus, mobility may be an issue for some. Seniors need their own time and space to tinker and learn at their own pace and in the comfort of their own homes. I fully empathise with this group. In helping them to get into the Digital Age, it would also help to bring them closer to the younger generation. This may be their children or grandchildren. They can talk to them about some basics of the Internet of Things. The key is that the seniors would not be alienated. In fact, getting them on board would help them better engage and participate in the various Government initiatives. For example, they can gain access to health information and be empowered to care for themselves or their spouse. On this important topic of communication, I would like to suggest that one way to get the public engaged is to have interactive questions put forth to them, just as it is done in the National Geographic programme “Do or Die” episodes on cable TV. In this show, they will pose a set of three questions for viewers to think what would be the correct answer. For example, real-life freak accidents are shown with morbid three-dimentional (3D) graphics. There are episodes which even captured real phone calls, so you can hear what fear and anxiety sound like. Then, the viewer is given a choice of three possible options, two of which result in death or serious injury. One initiative I have in mind for “Do or Die” show is for our SG Secure.”
“Our elderly, the generation of Baby Boomers born in the 1940s to 1950s and, among them, a good number belong to the group who missed formal education, were working in manual work and are somewhat struggling to understand and keep up with the new digital age. It is a vicious cycle where because they were doing harsh manual work, it took a toll on their health. Because they were not earning much, they do not have the luxury to afford many things and they lead a spartan life. Some do not have good family support and have to fend for themselves. In my Henderson-Dawson ward, many of them I meet enjoy walking around the neighbourhood parks, chatting with neighbours at the void decks or markets and the coffee shops or visiting the community centres (CCs) and senior activity centres (SACs) to socialise and enjoy the liveable city. And that is good. But more can be done for them in our Smart Nation journey. All the talk about the Digital Age, the Information Age frightens some of them. These residents are just spectators in the high-speed world of information, connectivity through smartphones, smart TV, iPads, chat apps, quick response (QR) codes, e-banking. Our CCs and SACs have been running computer classes and given many of them hands-on opportunity to touch and navigate through the “www”. But, without a chance to keep using their new-found skills, they will soon forget what they have learnt. Therefore, I would like to ask the Government to consider allocating financial resources to look into how we can install some form of IT or computer system for the elderly in our rental units, just like the installation of fire alarms in these homes.”
“Her neighbours knew she doted on children and would occasionally ask her to babysit for them when they had errands to run. Morin has always obliged as she loves children very much. Last year, Morin approached the Henderson-Dawson PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Childcare Centre at her block to volunteer her services. As the teachers saw a gem in her who had so much love for the children, the centre offered her a job and she readily took up the offer. She now interacts with the children, plays with them, keeps them comfortable, and gives them all the love and tender care, like how she cared for her grandchildren when they were young. She also assists in the overall maintenance and hygiene of the centre, including sanitising the play equipment and kitchen utensils. Morin has been working in the Henderson-Dawson PCF Childcare Centre since February 2017, and is enjoying every day of it. At 69 today, she is healthy, experienced and committed. She sees her work with PCF as a second career. She will be very happy if she can be offered a career path, so that she can develop herself. So, I hope the Government offers retirees, like Mdm Morin Tan, a second career and develop a career path for them, just like any young applicant. If they are prepared to take the flight to a new beginning, then let us offer them the conversion training and be the wind beneath their wings. I now turn to the subject of "Building a liveable city and a smart nation. Thus far, we have done well. We have done much to make our home a truly liveable city, from having a strong economy, building good infrastructure ranging from affordable housing, healthcare and education institutions to a host of other amenities.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I thank our Finance Minister for his vision and boldness to take the necessary steps to ensure that our generation and the generations after us will continue to grow and benefit from the prudence and pragmatic approach taken in drawing up Budget 2018. I also note that the Minister and his Ministry are putting in a lot of effort in communicating his ideas and the rationale in his decisions through various channels to engage our people. As we grow our economy and meet the challenges ahead, there will be demand for more skilled manpower. I see a growing pool of retirees, whom we should look to, to rely on, as a good source to meet our skilled manpower needs. Many of our retirees are healthy, well-educated, well-informed and with good work ethos. I would like to suggest that we consider giving these retirees a second career if they wish to return to the workforce. For example, an accountant may have a passion to teach preschoolers, or an engineer, a passion in the nursing profession. With more childcare and healthcare facilities being built, we definitely need extra manpower. For some of our retirees, it is not always about the money. Rather, it is about doing the things that they have always wanted to do and are prepared to be retrained to take on this new career. Let me share this experience of one of my residents, Mdm Morin Tan, aged 69, living in Strathmore Avenue. Mdm Tan used to work as a personal assistant to the regional head of the credit risk department in a bank and had always cared for her grandchildren and babysit her neighbours' children whenever she had the time. After her retirement, she became a full-time caregiver to her two grandchildren.”
“I thank the Minister of State. I have one supplementary question. Will MOM consider making it mandatory for our employers to buy special insurance policies for their delivery men to cover third-party risks so that the victims can make claims should there be an accident?”
“I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for the reply. I have one supplementary question. May I know how often reviews are carried out at protected areas to ensure they are secured and adequately guarded against intrusions, especially in this day and age when drones are becoming increasingly an accessible equipment.”
“I thank the Parliamentary Secretary for his reply. I have one supplementary question. May I know what is the Ministry's progress in getting more Singaporeans aware of EP and picking up of cardiopulmonary resuscitation skills and so on?”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. I have one supplementary question. Increasingly, we are beginning to see more of such products being sold online. How does the Ministry of Health monitor the online sales of such health supplements?”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the reply. I have one supplementary question. May I know how much information or the sudden death situation is shared with the teachers? I ask this because unless the teachers have sufficient information, they will be less equipped to support our children, our youths in overcoming the trauma.”
“Thanks to the efforts of our elders, we reap the fruits of their labour. Let us work together to provide them with the best care they deserve in their golden years. I conclude with my support for the Motion, Sir.”
“However, with smaller family sizes and more double-income households, it is inevitable that, increasingly, families will have to entrust the important responsibility of caregiving to professionals. We have no alternative but to continue work on boosting the capability and capacity of our professional caregiving sector. MOH is tapping on retired nurses, who can be re-engaged on a casual basis. Building up this network of retired medical professionals will complement what our healthcare community can offer. I would like to ask MOH what is the proportion of retired nurses involved in this initiative. We should also explore how services at our eldercare centres can be augmented to include short-term accommodation for seniors whose caregivers are temporarily unavailable due illness, work or travel overseas. I appeal again to the Government to legislate eldercare leave and bereavement leave. This would be very much appreciated for family emergencies involving the elderly. Lastly, I want to touch on physical accessibility for all seniors. Barrier-free access has mostly been achieved in our heartlands and I really would like to see the same in the designs of our HDB flats. They should be "flats-for-life" – accessible to the elderly which, incidentally, would also be accessible for the disabled and families with young children. Floors should be levelled, switches and sockets repositioned, doors, bathrooms and toilets should be widened to enable wheelchair movements. For our public transport, I hope directional signs and notices have bigger fonts against high contrast backgrounds to make them easier to read. In conclusion, most of us here will enjoy the fortune of living longer and healthier years than any of our preceding generations.”
“In addition to recruiting and attracting seniors, we should also design programmes such that our younger generation can be involved. This will promote intergenerational bonding. The Ministry of Education (MOE) and PA can continue to assist by facilitating the arrangements between schools and senior groups. I hope that MOH will consider implementing Community Network for Seniors to all constituencies. It is useful and helpful because it brings together Pioneer Generation ambassadors to coordinate various support services for senior citizens. It also provides an opportunity for seniors to volunteer, with 40% of the ambassadors aged 60 and above. Volunteers can play a big role to engage the socially isolated elderly. In reaching out to them, they not only bring light and warmth to them, but they also assist beleaguered families and relieve caregivers. Due to the increasing number of those ageing and those who will be isolated when they become less mobile, it is not feasible to just depend on trained personnel. The community must be involved to complement the reach of social workers and medical health workers. Initiatives that organise neighbours, volunteers and activists to be befrienders and to reach out to the socially isolated seniors are beneficial to our elderly. When we visit them regularly, we keep them engaged and tend to their emotional well-being. We are also more likely to find out about their issues early and deal with their healthcare and emotional concerns early. Such initiatives strengthen neighbourliness, as we actively look out for one another. Senior caregiving. There are already initiatives to provide more support to caregivers.”
“The font sizes are big. Users can choose the language of communication. And very importantly, these big installations can be trusted because they have been set up by banks. On the other hand, transactions on smartphones or online are unsettling to our seniors because they are not quite sure if their monies are flowing to the right accounts or parties. Frequent news about scams online also make them very nervous. We have to address all our seniors’ concerns through holistic measures, customised education and familiarisation programmes. Volunteerism. More of our seniors should be encouraged to volunteer as part of active ageing. This is an activity which allows the elderly to stay engaged in the community and derive a sense of satisfaction from giving back and, in turn, enable the community to tap upon their wisdom and years of rich experience. Research has also shown that the elderly who have meaningful relationships and are engaged in their communities are happier and healthier. Volunteering gives them a deep sense of purpose. However, getting our seniors to volunteer on a sustainable basis may not be easy. To attract them beyond one-off projects and come out of their comfort zones on a sustainable basis requires greater logistical planning and financial support from the community. Hence, I would like to propose time banking to draw more elderly to our community volunteering programmes. For example, every hour of volunteering clocked by participating seniors can be deposited, accumulated and exchanged for free or discounted PA courses. It can be extended later to include other parties, including individuals, through platforms which allow bartering of services.”
“There are many like her in my constituency in Henderson-Dawson still going very strong. It is good to see them progress, too. Such seniors should be lauded for their care towards others, and the Government should work out a scheme to help them advance in their passions and careers. I am happy that the re-employment age had been raised. I hope that, eventually, age will no longer be a consideration and we focus on an employee’s capability. The digital gap. Many seniors had told me that they feel left behind in our environment of rapid digitalisation. They are especially uncomfortable with the initiatives to go cashless. Even in e-banking, they expressed reservations. Many are so used to the passbook to monitor their debit and credit that the electronic bank statement, to them, is a problem. Communications via applications, such as WhatsApp and emails, going online to obtain information and perform transactions, are not easily grasped by a significant portion of our seniors. Part of the reason is the language gap. Many of our seniors are not literate or fluent in English. If there are applications and websites in mother tongues, such as Chinese and Malay, I believe it would help tremendously. There are physiological problems when they use smartphones. The font sizes are small and it is not easy for elderly persons to read the small text and to scroll up and down. Navigating the various icons to get to what they want is a challenge. Many complained that the touchscreens do not respond well to their drier fingertips, and pain in their finger joints is another problem. Twenty years ago, there were some resistance to automated teller machines (ATMs). However, adaptations went relatively smoothly. This was because these machines pose fewer physical challenges.”
“The mental health of our seniors is another area of concern. The number of people living with dementia here is expected to double by 2030 and the prevalence of dementia is about 10% among seniors aged 60 and above. We will have to raise public awareness and social acceptance of seniors with mental health issues to enable early detection and treatment. I look forward to seeing the number of dementia-friendly communities like Yishun and MacPherson increase. We can look at how to allow seniors with dementia to age in place as it can reduce the stress on them. Medical bills are one of the top concerns of the elderly. I urge MOH to include a wider range of mental illnesses for subsidised treatment in our polyclinics and public hospitals. I hope the Government could consider more CHAS benefits for the lower-income groups. (In English): Back in English, Sir. I support the recommendations by the ElderShield Review Committee. However, the name of the scheme "ElderShield" seems incompatible. This is essentially a disability insurance scheme. I would like to suggest the Government consider updating its name to reflect the intended benefits and coverage more effectively. Work and employment. If our seniors desire, they can and should continue to work. We should not always think that our elderly cannot catch up. While there will be individuals who experience greater challenges, we must also see them as progressive and willing to embrace lifelong learning. There are many shining examples in every sector and industry. With the latter mindset, we will realise that our seniors are people who can still contribute to our economy and make their mark in society. For example, there was an 81-year-old nurse who was featured in the Straits Times last year.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this topic is very close to my heart. With our rapidly ageing population and longer life expectancies, it is important that we strive to help our seniors live a good quality of life for as long as possible. These should be years in good mental, physical and emotional health during which they will be free to work productively and outside their interests. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] We all want good health. Our Government has been encouraging Singaporeans to lead healthy lifestyles to build up a strong foundation for their senior years. We help Singaporeans monitor their health through very affordable health screenings. The Enhanced Screen for Life programme is $5 or less for eligible Singaporeans above 40. It is free for the Pioneer Generation. I would like to ask MOH how many seniors have gone for screening under this programme so far. How can we encourage more to go for screening and follow-up if found to have some unfavourable results? Good health translates to a better quality of life. The seniors who are in good health will be able to do pretty much everything that they used to when they were younger, to walk, eat, travel, socialise and take part in various activities. But we can do more. We should have a public education about the appropriate exercises and diets best suited for the seniors. To do this, we need differentiated platforms to engage them effectively. Can we introduce programmes targeting common illnesses among the elderly? For example, for diabetic patients, what exercises are best for them? How can these exercises help to lower blood sugar and weight? These exercises can be illustrated on a chart and distributed to them so that they can do the exercises at home.”
“Although the licensing scheme for plumbers was announced last April, some of these freelancers may not be aware that only PUB LPs licensed under this revised scheme will be allowed to install, fix and maintain plumbing systems for water service and sanitary works. There are only three months left. How many have obtained their qualification? For those who have yet to undergo or still undergoing the course, would they be allowed to continue with their livelihood in the interim period? And, if they are unable to complete the course due to learning difficulties, can the duration be extended? Next, as some of these plumbers may not be proficient in English, could the courses be conducted in other languages as well? The cost of the Builder Certificate Course is significantly subsidised under the mid-career enhanced subsidy. Nevertheless, it still comes up to over $600, a sum which is hefty to the low-income and needy. This course is required by plumbers without acceptable plumbing qualifications and many elderly freelance plumbers will likely fall into this group. Will assistance be available to those who have difficulties affording it? (In English): I hope that those affected by this upgrade will see this as an opportunity to pick up new skills and formalise their knowledge. Ultimately, it would help open opportunities and equip them with modern plumbing skills. The Builder Certificate course will be a worthy investment. Given that there are so many new flats, the demand for their services would certainly increase. Ultimately, consumers, too, will benefit from having a larger pool of professionals who provide quality plumbing services to tap on.”
“Currently, the PUB website gives the following: licence number, name, block unit number, street name, postal code, business telephone and business hours. But what is helpful is to also indicate their areas of specialisation. Plumbing as a vocation and means to make a living was fairly popular in post-war Singapore such that, by 1956, SPS was founded to represent the interests of this industry. Many self-employed plumbers picked up and refined their plumbing skills through gaining experience on the job. Today, many of them are senior citizens but continue to be very active in the industry. Their job serves as their livelihood in their twilight years. My concern is that in our bid to upgrade industry standards, these plumbers, who are senior citizens, may inadvertently be deprived of their jobs if they have difficulties learning all the required skills to get certified. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I note that registration and invitations for the courses are all being done by email. My concern is that this can be a challenge for this group of elderly plumbers, many of whom may not be Internet-savvy. They may also not be aware of the procedures to get licensed or even the need to be licensed. Can I ask if the Ministry has any measures to help those SPS-registered plumbers who are not Internet savvy? In addition, what about those who are not registered with SPS and what will be done to reach out to them to get the necessary qualifications? On this note, I would like to ask if the Ministry has a target to have a minimum number of licensed plumbers as a ratio to the number of flats in Singapore.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Bill. It addresses one of the dilemmas for home owners who are in need of the services of a professional plumber. The Bill, while it imposes on the plumbers to be properly trained and updated on their skillsets, needs to address one important area that would greatly help the thousands of households who would be looking for professional licensed plumbers. There are a few ways home owners would commonly go about to get a plumber. One is recommendation from friends or relatives. The other is to look up the listing via the web, including the PUB website, and the third is to turn to the Town Council or management corporation strata title (MCST) for assistance. Many licensed plumbers would tell you they can do everything. But by the time they get to your house, you know they are simply trouble-shooting the problem. I will share an example. Assuming you want a plumber who can handle a water-hammer issue in your home. You will realise that many of them may not be trained in this area of work. So, while I commend the Bill for spelling out the licensing requirements of the licensed water and sanitary plumbers, I hope the PUB can do more by giving them certification in specialised areas. Get our plumbers to specialise in areas like tackling water hammer, regulating water pressure, water tank pumps and so on, so that, besides the general training, they can each add value by having a specialisation. It is good that licensed plumbers be proficient in both water service and sanitary plumbing works. It offers added convenience for consumers, who may otherwise have to engage multiple service providers. I hope PUB can give more information on its website.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. I have one supplementary question. On the ground, many people are still walking or cycling and smoking, affecting those behind them. Will the Ministry consider holding a campaign to educate our smokers to be more gracious in public by exercising care to keep second-hand smoke from blowing towards others?”
“The cybersecurity sector is evolving rapidly and we must be careful not to compromise Internet and system hygiene in our enthusiasm to support developments and innovations in this area. While interconnectivity provides greater efficiency and productivity, in a way, we have also become more vulnerable and greater care must be taken across all networks. I conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“On the other hand, vendors, some of which are SMEs, may find it difficult to cope with added costs, for example, third-party costs, should they be bound by contractual cybersecurity obligations. Although reporting is compulsory, vendors, especially small ones, may not want to report as that means taking staff away from work to attend to investigations. Small companies are most vulnerable and their vulnerability may impact the CIIs which engaged them due to the sharing of data. I would like to suggest that the Ministry assist such small companies upstream by providing a pool of trained personnel to look at how their systems can be strengthened. We have to be absolutely thorough to ensure that our systems are not being compromised through such weak links. I now move on to the point on licensing of individual cybersecurity professionals. Due to concerns that this will pose practical difficulties for global cybersecurity service providers since they deploy employees from different parts of the world to deliver urgent services at short notice, CSA has decided to work with industry and professional association partners to establish voluntary accreditation regimes instead. But I am worried that, without licensing, we may be exposing ourselves to greater risks in the future. How do we minimise such exposures and ensure accountability and traceability? Similarly, for personnel responsible for cybersecurity, especially senior staff, do we have checks in place to ensure that we recruit suitable persons to make sure that they are of good character with adequate proper training and who upgrade their knowledge continuously?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Cybersecurity Bill is an important one. It will enhance the oversight and protection of cybersecurity for our CII sectors. I am heartened to note that we are building up our cybersecurity capabilities on a solid foundation and that the Government has been investing in developing a robust system. Last year, we ranked third globally in terms of cybersecurity spend as a percentage of gross domestic product (GDP) with 0.22%, behind Israel (0.35%) and the UK (0.26%). However, we can do better to raise our cybersecurity standard. Just last month, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) reported IT control problems in our public sector due to "agencies not complying with the controls put in place". I agree with the Committee’s assessment that these lapses, which cut across agencies, are significant in view of the IT security threats today. PAC noted that the Ministry of Finance (MOF) has taken steps to deal with this problem on a whole-of-Government level, including the establishment of an interagency work group. At least one of the lapses originated from an IT vendor, which had been warned. CSA had clarified in its report on the public consultation on the draft Cybersecurity Bill that "computer systems in the supply chain supporting the operation of a CII will not be designated as CII". However, CSA noted that CII owners have the option to impose cybersecurity requirements contractually on their vendors. On one hand, I am concerned that this option may result in vulnerabilities. If CII owners choose not to impose cybersecurity requirements on their vendors, how robust will our systems be? Even if they do, will there be checks or audits to ensure our cybersecurity requirements are being met by the engaged vendors?”
“During such crises and power struggles, the operations of the organisation suffers and, expectedly, when things become public, donations will drop. These organisations serve important functions, benefiting many people through the disbursement of rations, healthcare, free meals, bursaries, milk powder, money and so on. We should have a framework and the resources to help charities experiencing temporary problems to at least continue some of their basic operations so that the people receiving help will not experience any disruptions. There should be time limits imposed on when certain impasse must be resolved, beyond which the Government is allowed to step in. For better governance, the roles and responsibilities of office bearers or key personnel should be clearly defined so that there are curbs and limits on potential abuses. Lastly, I request for greater control over phishing appeals for donations on websites which can be accessed from Singapore. Technology, such as data analytics and tools to detect how long a user's eye dwells upon certain areas of a website, is being used to help websites push certain advertisements, including donation appeals, to social media users. What measures does the Government have to reduce the abuse of such technologies which may prey on the goodwill of Singaporeans? I conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“The code of practice for crowdfunding platforms, which will be launched soon, will require such websites to verify the information provided by potential recipients. Very recently, a homeless man in the United Kingdom was hailed as a hero in the aftermath of the Manchester suicide bomb attack and well-wishers raised £52,000 for him on a popular crowdfunding website. It was later revealed that he was a thief who stole from the victims, and the full amount of donations were to be refunded to the donors. If these websites were to be able to verify the information, the above may not have happened. We should consider making the central databases at MSF and Community Development Councils (CDCs) available to approved and qualified personnel at registered charities. We need better coordination, exchange and sharing of information between both Government and non-Government help entities. However, what about such sites, especially if they are based overseas? In addition, we should implement stricter criteria for the use of names and photos in connection with fundraising. There should be clearer regulations for how identities and photos can be used in appeals and publicity materials. It is common to see charities using photographs of celebrities or even politicians to boost support for their work. However, support for a particular event cannot be implied as support for fundraising efforts of a charity. Next, to strengthen the governance of our charities and fundraisers, the Commissioner of Charities should be provided with more powers to assist with the running of a charity in distress, particularly when key personnel have been suspended or removed, or when they are in the midst of internal tussles.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, the amendments to raise the requirements for accountability and transparency for charities is timely. No one will dispute the need to disqualify persons with convictions for offences involving fraud and deception. However, I hope the Ministry would take a firmer stance on what I would call "soft deceptions", that is, efforts to paint misleading pictures of persons or families in distress by charities or social organisations so as to attract more funding. More often than not, whatever information that is not shared in these appeals are actually the vital information. Very one-sided stories about the potential recipients are painted. Potential donors are given the impression that Government agencies and existing help groups are not reaching out to assist such families, which may not be the case. This should not be taken lightly for a few reasons. First, given the limited amount of resources available, such practices end up diverting the necessary funds and resources from truly needy parties. Second, deliberately or not, they cast doubt on the work and integrity of our Government help agencies and have the potential to undermine them. When people do not have faith in our national help network, they will hesitate to approach them for help. This is clearly undesirable, as any delay could push families in distress into disastrous predicaments. Social service organisations are an important and integral part of our help system but they must be on the same page as the Government agencies doing similar work. We must require and enable them to perform the necessary background checks on those they desire to assist.”
“I hope the Ministry would consider placing a heavier onus on logistics companies to prevent their services from being used to deliver these noxious products. This is in view of the fact that most of our e-cigarettes have been delivered via Internet orders. I would like to conclude with my support for the Bill. 3.36 pm”
“Third-hand smoke refers to the residual nicotine and chemicals which accumulate on surfaces and resist normal cleaning. This is what clings to the hair, your clothes and any surface in the vicinity long after the smoking activity itself has stopped. Research has found that third-hand smoke poses a potential health hazard to anyone exposed to them, especially our young children. It is imperative that we drastically reduce the availability of these toxic products. And, I would like to ask the Ministry how many licensed retailers there are presently and if we can aim to reduce these outlets, in phases, if necessary, say, by about 5% every year. With the proliferation of social media, the general public has become more image conscious, especially the youths. I would like to suggest more targeted public education by tapping on this trend. As smoking is so damaging to health, smokers generally end up looking much older than their years. So, by the time a smoker reaches the age of 40, he or she would probably look 10 years older. We can use this awful impact on smokers' visages to encourage smokers to quit. In addition, I urge the Ministry to work more closely with our Primary and Secondary schools to educate our young on the harmful effects of smoking. More can certainly be done to inform our children about the evils of cigarettes. Would the Ministry share with us what are the current measures and educational campaigns in our schools and how effective they have been? In addition, we should look into ways we can educate older family members and friends of our young about not sharing their cigarettes with impressionable teenagers. Finally, I want to say that I am very glad that the purchase, use and possession of e-cigarettes will be banned.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I am heartened that the Ministry has taken this step to increase the minimum legal age (MLA) for smoking from 18 to 21. I think it would have been better, however, that we increase it as soon as possible, instead of incrementally over three years. While I understand the logic for this decision, which is to provide time for smokers to adjust, I feel that it is even more important and more urgent to prevent any youth from getting started on smoking in the first place. The risk of addiction by those under 21 necessitates fast and firm implementation to reduce any exposure. Furthermore, increasing the MLA year by year over the next three years will cause confusion. It is not easy for the man-in-the-street to keep track of the schedule and, even worse, this arrangement may tempt certain youths who are exempted to try their first smoke earlier, since they enjoy the so-called unique chance to be among the last batch of those who get to smoke legally below the age of 21. Hence, I appeal to the Minister to seriously consider removing the gradual phasing and raise the legal age in one swift stroke. Next, I am concerned by the wide availability of cigarettes. One can purchase them anywhere: 24-hour stores, supermarkets, mom-and-pop shops. It is really so easy to lay one's hands on a packet. Despite their fairly high costs, we still have a pretty high number of smokers − roughly about 13% of Singaporean residents smoke. Given the tremendous harm smoking and second- and third-hand smoke do to our people, I think it is completely justifiable to reduce the number of stores which are licensed to sell cigarettes. I would like to reiterate what I had said here during the COS debates about third-hand smoke.”
“In fact, recently, I have received feedback from our younger generation about including women in NS, albeit in different roles. A few girls even expressed that women could contribute more significantly to NS, whether in similar combat roles, logistics, resource management, administrative support, IT, medical, amongst others. I am heartened by the enthusiasm of our young women and impressed by their awareness of the various scopes of different roles necessary for the defence of our country. Let us continue to explore how women can contribute even more to increase their roles in Singapore’s defence. The report also suggested that MINDEF and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) work together to help our NSmen keep fit and ready for their Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT). This also ties in with our national effort to boost the health and fitness of all Singaporeans. As a community, we should support our NSmen in this endeavour, and let us all keep fit together, young and old, children and the elderly. An active, healthy and fit community is also an important component of national defence. Let us reaffirm our commitment to our national defence and pledge our full support for our NSmen to work together for Singapore's defence and security. We may be a small nation but we are a force to be reckoned with. We will not back down from intimidation or threats and we can give as good as it gets. Our will and determination to protect our home will be the most powerful shield against any threat. Every single one of us – men, women and children – will stand our ground and fight to the last to defend Singapore, our home.”
“Going forward, NS will evolve even further due to technological advances. Information technology (IT) and artificial intelligence (AI) will change how NS will be managed. Intelligent warfare will require new skillsets. We must prepare to keep up with these advancements. The report by CSNS has many recommendations for the future of NS. I am delighted to support more recognition and benefits for NSmen, particularly life and personal accident insurance coverage for our servicemen. It is important to ensure the highest level of safety even as they undergo realistic training. However, insurance is necessary so that in the event of incidents, families need not go to Court to claim, which will help to reduce hardship and additional emotional trauma. I would like to take this opportunity to urge MINDEF to continue to put in more effort and checks to step up safety during training. Every injury and life lost is one less fighting force for Singapore. With such a small fighting force due to our small population and low fertility rates, we cannot afford to be careless or suffer from any oversight. Utmost care must be exercised at every level even as we strive for realistic training. Our men and their families must have peace of mind so that they can put their best into their training. There should be multiple channels for feedback from our NSmen to report on blind spots, negligence and abuses, as well as ideas and suggestions for improvement and greater efficiency. Another excellent recommendation is the establishment of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Volunteer Corps which proposes to include women, first generation Permanent Residents (PRs) and new citizens.”
“Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I am speaking in my capacity as a Member of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Defence and from the perspective of a mother, daughter, wife and maybe future mother-in-law. This is a special year as we mark 50 years of NS. I would like to put on record my express gratitude to our NSmen and state my appreciation for the sacrifices of their families which have kept Singapore safe. Tributes have come from many sectors and I think it is important for us here in Parliament to dedicate a few moments to pay a special tribute to all our NSmen, past and present, for their sacrifices to protect our only home. Changi Airport has joined in the NS50 tributes, too, with a 5.5-metre NS statue at Terminal 3. This life-sized infantry soldier stands proudly against the Singapore flag and had been inspired by the NS Landmark at the BMT Centre in Pulau Tekong. We live in challenging times and have to be constantly on our guard to defend Singapore against potential external threats and terrorists. Pick up any newspaper now on any given day and you will see the escalating terrorist threats faced by cities all over the world. More than ever, we need our NSmen to be well-trained and on the alert to ensure our security and survival. NS has evolved tremendously over the last few decades and has become the pride of Singapore. NS is also an important rite of passage and integral part of Singapore life. It is heartening for me to hear from so many parents their support for NS and how proud they are of their family members who have learnt and benefited from the discipline and rigour of NS training. They marvel at how their sons mature and become so fit during NS. Their increased confidence, mental and physical toughness bode very well for our future.”
“Another thorny issue is that there are more and more illegal massage groups operating in residential areas. Both HDB and the private estates are facing the same challenge. Recently, the Police have successfully raided illegal massage parlours and brothels. The operators, hence, turn to HDB flats and the private condominiums to continue with their illegal activities. I would like to know how the Minister is going to tackle this trend. Sir, in English. (In English): The heart of the problem is really vice and related illegal activities. I am in favour of the heavier penalties which are overdue. Measures, such as closing unlicensed premises during criminal proceedings and penalising landlords who knowingly continue to lease their properties, are well and good. My concern is: how do we deal with the operators who move into residential areas? I have been receiving complaints from a number of my residents who had complained to me about this recurring problem in their estates. Many of such workers enter Singapore as visitors. How do we nab the illegal workers who may not have gone for the necessary health checks? The proposed penalties are on the establishments but not so much on the illegal workers who are high-risk carriers of sexually transmitted diseases. I do realise that to remain a dynamic and vibrant city, we have to maintain open borders. However, we must also devise strategies to deter and keep out undesirable visitors. I look forward to hearing the deterrent measures the Ministry has in place. I conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Mr Deputy Speaker, it is necessary to increase the penalty for illegal massage establishment operators. According to reports from MHA, the number of unlicensed massage establishments increased by 40% from 2013 to 2016, and most of them were involved in vice activities. The current penalty of less than $1,000 is, indeed, too low. Although the penalty will be increased to a maximum fine of $10,000 or imprisonment of two years or both, with fines for repeat offenders increasing to $20,000 or imprisonment of five years or both, I still think the penalty is not enough to deter the illegal operators, as their profits far exceed the fines. Hence, I suggest that besides the penalties, the amount of fines be commensurate with the size and duration of the operation, meaning that with more staff and customers involved and longer period of operation, the fines should increase in tandem. I also urge the Minister to disallow those operators to register any beauty or wellness businesses, and forbid foreigners who have been proven to be involved in vice activities to enter Singapore. We must strengthen our control and supervision because these beauty or wellness establishments can easily be converted into places for illegal activities. They are often involved in various criminal activities and become the centre for spreading venereal diseases and other diseases, threatening our social security and national health. There are many shops providing beauty and wellness services and the Police cannot conduct frequent checks on all of them. Strict registration rules can help weed out suspicious operators from the beauty and wellness industries and it is a preventive and deterrent measure.”
“I thank the Second Minister for her reply. Would the Ministry consider instituting maintenance checks as well as battery replacement or repairs for the alarms, especially for rental flats and our studio apartments, given that our elderly may not always know how to check and it may be dangerous for them to do the maintenance check or replace batteries?”
“Last, I would like to request that hospitals be considered for the list of selected protected areas. Hospitals are a very important part of our infrastructure, along with other more obvious facilities, such as our airports, ports, checkpoints and military installations. They provide an essential service and experience high human traffic daily, which make them potential targets for terrorists. In the event of a terror attack, the provision of medical care could be severely disrupted. Furthermore, medical personnel and equipment are very difficult to replace. Therefore, I hope that our hospitals will be accorded greater protection. I would like to conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Infrastructure Protection Bill is necessary in view of the rising terrorism threat to Singapore. According to the Singapore Terrorism Threat Assessment Report, we are facing the highest level of threat in recent years. Under this Bill, the Government will be able to require selected new and existing buildings to put in place features to strengthen their security. Naturally, owners and occupiers designated as the responsible authorities of protected places are concerned with higher costs associated with such designs, installations and measures. These may include special materials for protection against blast effects, vehicle barriers, CCTV and security guards. MHA has given the assurance that it will continue to rely on engagement with such facilities' owners or occupiers before turning to legislation for enforcement. However, while the penalties for non-compliance have been listed clearly in the Bill, information about Government funding and resource support for identified facilities is lacking. The owners and occupiers of protected places will want more clarity about the burden and apportionment of costs for enhanced security. I would like to ask if the Ministry will be issuing guidelines on how it will work with businesses to manage such costs. Next, another equally important component for infrastructure protection is the personnel involved. Besides the security staff, non-security personnel at these facilities should also be trained in how to act to reduce risks and respond in the event of emergencies. All staff should be trained with regular drills, and processes must be in place to ensure that the necessary steps and compliance measures are adhered to.”
“I would like to request that for issues concerning safety, security, hygiene and barrier-free-access, such owners be empowered to turn to an external Government agency. Some owners had to take their councils to Court, as we had seen for parents wishing to install safety grilles in their balconies. This process is expensive and laborious. As a result, many residents are deterred from making perfectly reasonable requests. We should empower such residents, particularly the vulnerable elderly, by ensuring that such appeal processes be accessible and inexpensive. Finally, I would like to voice my support for the amendment which will provide for electronic service of notices in the Bill. This will allow MAs and MCSTs to communicate with all owners and residents expediently, more efficiently and cost effectively. Residents should also be encouraged to submit their feedback, complaints and suggestions likewise. It is in line with our national objective to build a Smart Nation, to tap upon opportunities offered by digital technologies and keep Singapore a leading city. I would like to conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I support and would like to congratulate the Ministry for a well thought-through Bill which encompasses the most important updates required for private estate management. I would like to raise a few issues. First, the Bill seeks to prohibit a council member from holding the office of Treasurer concurrently with the offices of Chairperson or Secretary. I hope the Ministry will take a step further and restrict the maximum number of consecutive terms to two terms any of these three positions which a council member can hold. A council member should not be the Chairperson for more than two terms but he may run for the offices of Treasurer or Secretary during his third term as council member. Hopefully, such a regulatory requirement would encourage all owners to step forward and participate more actively in the management of their estate. A common complaint is that it is difficult to find volunteers to serve in the MC. However, it is only fair that all the owners of a development do their part and take turns to be council members. They can also encourage their neighbours to join the council as part of a concerted effort to renew the talent pool. Such an arrangement will also minimise the problem of a few owners dominating the management agenda for the estate. Second, I had received feedback from some condominium residents in my constituency about how certain council members would bulldoze certain decisions through meetings and gain approval for maintenance projects which benefit themselves and their allies. As MC decisions are usually based on the needs of the majority, small groups with real needs, such as the handicapped and the elderly, may have a hard time gaining approval for certain installations in their estates.”
“Madam, many points have been raised. I have two questions for the Ministerial Committee. I would like to ask Deputy Prime Minister if the Government would seek the views of residents in the Oxley Road area as part of its deliberations and when this could take place. I seek this clarification as I have met and spoken to my residents who live in the Oxley Road area. Many of them have lived there for decades. Given that Deputy Prime Minister Teo has said in his Ministerial Statement that the Committee is only coming up with "drawer plans", how would such plans affect the residents there going forward, whilst and during the period that Dr Lee Wei Ling continues to reside in the house? In that same vein, could the Ministerial Committee disclose and provide updates publicly on the options considered and its implications? The residents of Oxley Road would be directly impacted and thus this concern is raised. 2.07 pm”
“This is clearly undesirable due to numerous externalities, such as petty crimes, organised crimes, homicides and so forth. Weeding out illicit entertainment venues will have a significant impact on reducing the cases of human trafficking. PE venues also include Internet cafes, which can be located within or near housing estates. Again, many of the patrons of such outlets are from the younger age groups. Given the proximity of these cafes to residences, extra care must be exercised to keep illicit activities out of our neighbourhoods. I believe that the Ministry's proposal to suspend an outlet's licence as soon as a licensee or anyone involved in the operations is charged will be quite effective in putting a stop to the illegal activities at its venue. I would also like to laud the amendment to allow officers to break into suspected premises by force if necessary. This is one of the few ways to expedite the progress of investigations. We should provide our Police Officers more support and leeway to perform their duties and nip criminal activities in the bud. With these amendments, I am very confident that Singapore will be in a better position to offer a dynamic night scene while reducing the sleaze and damaging effects of associated crimes. Madam, I support the Bill.”