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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“There are heightened tensions between established resident communities and new arrivals, and distrust between the rich and the poor, manifesting in rallies, riots and violence. Almost daily, we see alarming images of looting, burning vehicles and buildings, and people attacking each other on television and social media. Social harmony did not happen by chance. It is the result of careful stewardship, addressing root causes of problems as soon as they surface, building mutual respect and reaching the national consensus to agree to engage in difficult conversations, even over sensitive topics. Yet in today's digital age, we face new threats, from misinformation, polarisation and imported ideologies that can erode trust and amplify division. How can we build unity in diversity? Inter-faith platforms like the Inter-Racial and Religious Confidence Circles (IRCCs) must be re-energised for a new generation. Many of our youths that I met have good questions and think about such issues very seriously. Let us support engagements for deeper, ongoing conversations about faith, tradition and coexistence, especially among our youths. Civic education in schools should place greater emphasis on empathetic understanding of different faiths and worldviews. We must move beyond mere tolerance, to deepen our mutual understanding, appreciation and respect. Strong communities are not built by governments alone. They exist when neighbours look out for one another, when residents take ownership of shared spaces and when there is deep trust among people, in our institutions and in our leadership. We must also support faith and community leaders who work quietly to build bridges. Our bridge-builders must be seen, supported and safeguarded against threats.”
“I urge the Government to consider enhanced caregiver leave, more accessible respite services and financial assistance tailored to caregiver households. Our seniors are not a burden; they are a blessing. Let us honour their contributions not just in words but through concrete policies that uphold their well-being as well as that of their loved ones. We have to double down on our efforts to support families holistically, so that they can remain strong and resilient in the face of change. For families under duress, our social care workers need to be empowered to coordinate with partners, such as mental and physical healthcare professionals, financial counsellors, schools, eldercare centres and so on. Sir, poverty in Singapore may be less visible, but we still have families struggling even for basic provisions, including food. Families living in rental flats, often headed by single parents or elderly caregivers, face daily struggles. For children in these households, we must do more to ensure their well-being and that they can access healthcare, nutritious food and be able to focus on their education. We must intervene early and effectively. Programmes like KidSTART are commendable and we need to go further in scaling them up, with holistic support for families – not just for children, but also for parents. Empower them with good parenting skills, stable employment, access to mentoring and even overcoming addictions, such as to vaping, alcohol and even drugs. Sir, we have watched with horror how divisive many countries overseas have become, splintering along racial and religious lines, and increasingly along the lines of immigration and social economic backgrounds.”
“They need to be equipped with more support and resources in order to achieve better outcomes for their clients. Much research worldwide over the last two decades have resulted in new findings in this field and we can tap on these to provide constant professional upgrading so that they can be even more effective. In addition, we should elevate and accord better recognition of and compensation for their work. Due to the nature of their jobs, burnout and attrition rates are high. Their heart work is hard work. We have to do more to better retain our existing talent pool of social workers, while attracting new blood to boost our ability to care for our people. Foreign workers do help to fill many of the gaps, but let us not end up as a country that relies too heavily on others to take care of our very own. Singapore is rapidly ageing. Our silver tide is here. We must accelerate efforts to strengthen community-based eldercare, expanding Active Ageing Centres, daycare facilities and home-based support services. These not only enable our seniors to age-in-place, with dignity and autonomy, but also reduce pressure on families. Caregiving, often performed by middle-aged adults juggling work and family, must also be better supported. Caregivers want to be able to care for their families, but they also have their own dreams and aspirations. All too often, I have met residents who have had to sacrifice their careers to look after their loved ones. Indeed, they have chosen to do so out of love, and we need to celebrate that and provide them with better support. The toll that they experience goes beyond the physical and it is quite common that their mental well-being is also at risk.”
“Sometimes, the solutions can be deceptively simple and I would like to call upon us all, the people, private and public sectors, to be daring to raise practical and smart solutions, and our policy-makers to listen to good ideas from our people. This is how we stay united as a nation, by caring and looking out for one another. It is worth reminding ourselves that we are only as strong as our weakest link and the tides of change must not leave anyone behind. I am assured and heartened by the commitments made by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) in its Addendum to the President's address. I support the suite of enhanced and new measures to help our families cope during this challenging period. I support the enhanced employment support and opportunities for lifelong education for lower-income families and persons with disabilities (PwDs). Reviews and updates of ComCare assistance and payouts, and Family Services are timely. I welcome the introduction of a new Domestic Violence Act and the commencement of the Mental Capacity Act review, just to name a few. Our social and healthcare workers play an essential and critical role in ensuring that appropriate help and care is provided in a timely manner. This was best demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic, but now that we have moved on from that crisis, it does not mean that we forget their roles and contributions. In fact, I would like to urge the Government to consider dedicating more resources to our social care sector, in view of the needs arising from our rapidly ageing population, as our population pyramid starts to invert amid shrinking family sizes and changing social norms. Our social care workers are professionals and they must be treated as such.”
“Mr Speaker, I rise in support of the Motion of Thanks to the President for his Address and the measures in the Addenda announced by the various Ministries to take Singapore forward in an increasingly uncertain and turbulent world with a changing world order. I am heartened by how our people and the Government have been working hand in hand to overcome the numerous waves of challenges pounding our shores. They emanate from continents far from our island – economic upheavals, armed conflicts, technology changes – yet, they have significant impact on our everyday lives. On the one hand, I am confident of our ability to catch some of these waves to survive and thrive. On the other hand, let us never forget the need to protect the vulnerable amongst us and prevent these powerful waves from sweeping them under. I am cognisant of the immense responsibility that my residents and fellow Singaporeans have entrusted me with. I applaud the great progress that we have made so far together to address some of the issues faced by our vulnerable groups. But our work is far from done and that is why I continue to champion change that will benefit Singaporeans and my residents and keep our country going in this new reality. MPs play an important role to help the Government to continue to review the effectiveness of our policies on the ground. Where necessary, we must be willing to recalibrate and make improvements to narrow the gaps and plug any loophole. Let us never forget that spirit of sensible policy-making and pragmatic government administration that has been a hallmark of Singapore's success.”
“I have got two supplementary questions for the Minister. For cases of cyberbullying, what is the status of the Ministry's work with relevant authorities and online platforms to take action on cyberbullying incidents or content? And my second question, do these include quick-response channels that will allow the rapid take down of bullying content posted online?”
“Thank you, Chairman. I have two clarifications for the Minister of State. The first: I am very happy to hear about ICCS and the involvement of our youth. How is MCCY working with more youth to be more involved in local interfaith activities? That is the first clarification. Second clarification: you mentioned the AfA for integration of foreign professionals and also refreshing of our INCs. What would this refresh entail, and when can we get more details of this?”
“Madam, racial and religious harmony in Singapore did not occur by chance. It is the result of hard work and conscious effort by our founding fathers, who sought to forge unity among disparate communities. Subsequent generations have taken over the mantle, implementing policies that have gradually strengthened our social cohesion and built mutual trust over time. [Mr Speaker in the Chair] A 2023 Pew Research Study reported that Singaporeans of all faiths are broadly tolerant and accepting of followers of different religions, with 56% agreeing that diversity makes our nation a better place to live in. Harnessing strength from diversity has become core to our national identity. The IPS-OnePeople.sg Indicators of Racial and Religious Harmony 2024 showed that about two-thirds of respondents had high or very high levels of racial and religious harmony. Seventy-one percent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that it is a good thing for Singapore to be made up of people from different racial groups. The International Conference on Cohesive Societies (ICCS) has established itself as a significant platform for dialogue since its inception in 2019, having engaged more than 2,200 participants from over 52 countries. Recent initiatives, such as Interreligious Youth with Pope Francis, held during the historic State Visit by the Pope, successfully brought together more than 600 participants from over 50 schools and organisations. As we approach ICCS 2025, we stand at a crucial juncture in our nation's journey of fostering multicultural understanding. Would the Minister elaborate on how ICCS 2025, with its theme: Cohesive Societies, Resilient Futures, will facilitate a deeper understanding of multiculturalism and interfaith harmony? Foreigners in Singapore”
“Thanks again, Chairman. I have got two clarifications for Minister Lee. On the scanning technology that the Leader of Opposition also asked about, that would be piloted in 70 units, can I make a request to have my Henderson Crescent flats be part of the pilot, if it is not already in the list? The second clarification, our seniors' needs are becoming more diverse. The Minister has briefly touched on how the Government intends to support our seniors' housing and retirement needs beyond these measures that were shared. Can the Minister elaborate on other efforts by the Government to meet our seniors' evolving housing needs?”
“Thank you, Chairman. I have two clarifications for Minister. The first is on the —”
“Thank you, Speaker. I have two supplementary questions for the Minister of State. I would like to ask, first whether the red-light cameras have been effective in improving the enforcement of speeding offences since 1 April 2024. Second, what are the state of progress and future plans for the island wide roll-out of using red-light cameras to detect speeding offences, if the red light cameras are effective? Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. Indeed, TP's use of the red-light cameras with the speeding enforcement function has been effective in deterring speeding. If Members can remember, at the initial part, there was an initial increase in speeding violations at red light camera locations where the speed enforcement function was activated. But we saw a gradual decrease over time. So, we are pleased that people are more cognisant of the fact that they need to be careful, they need to make sure that they practise road safety habits and so forth. So, with this in mind, we will also continue to activate the speed enforcement function on more red-light cameras in 2025 and at the same time, we will also do more enforcement work on the ground.”
“The broken windows theory states that visible signs of disorder will lead to more disorder as it gives the appearance that no one cares and no one is in charge, which can lead a neighbourhood to deteriorate very quickly. For those who suffer from mental health problems, sympathy for them does not mean that we disregard their or their neighbours' safety, health and well-being indefinitely. Hence, hoarders with mental health issues should be required to accept professional assessment and treatment. For recalcitrant hoarders, MND may wish to consider introducing legislation to empower the authorities to relocate them. This may serve as a strong deterrent and warning to some hoarders. Action Against Pigeon Feeders”
“First, install gantries for registration, limit the number of visitors and require payment of fees to support the operations and cleaning of the sky gardens. Registration will help to make visitors more conscious of how they behave. This method has been working well at another popular HDB rooftop terrace at the Pinnacle@Duxton. Non-residents need to register and pay a $6 fee to access the 50th storey rooftop via a turnstile gantry. Visitor numbers are limited to 200 per day. Second, install more CCTVs to monitor visitors and their activities. Together with the registration, the video evidence will aid the relevant Government agencies for enforcement of illegal activities, whether it is for littering, vaping or public indecency. Hoarding – Multi-agency Efforts The increasing number of hoarders in our residential estates are posing greater safety and health risks to our community. The hazards and deadly consequences of hoarding were brought to the fore by the Hougang flat fire, which killed a family of three hoarders in January. The authorities are concerned that the problem of hoarding will worsen with our ageing population and had set up the New Environment Action Team (NEAT). While I am heartened by this initiative, I urge MND to consider additional stricter measures concurrently. Timely resolution of hoarding issues is important because: first, of the ever-present risks; and second, the lack of progress sends a signal that hoarders can do what they please without consequences. This leads to many helpless neighbours suffering for years. Frustrated neighbours may lose faith in their community and the Government, and this is not at all helpful to building unity and neighbourly relations.”
“Chairman, three years ago, I filed an Adjournment Motion on building harmonious communities through responsible use of common spaces in public housing estates. I shared about how residents of Skyville@Dawson had to put up with the disturbances and nuisance caused by inconsiderate visitors to the sky gardens at their HDB blocks. Unfortunately, these problems have not gone away. The troubles my residents face continue to be year-round but are worse during the weekends, eve of festive seasons and public holidays. Here are the top five complaints from my residents. 6.30 pm First, noise disturbances at the sky garden. Groups of people regularly gather at the sky garden, making excessive noise late into the night, smoking and drinking. They show no regard for the people residing right next to the gardens. Second, public urination at staircase landings. Visitors have been urinating next to the staircase landing doors, with the pungent stench pervading all the surrounding homes. This is highly unhygienic and unacceptable. Third, smoking in stairwells. Individuals frequently smoke in the stairwells. Fourth, littering. There is an increasing amount of litter and rubbish at the sky gardens and staircase landings. Fifth, obscene activities. Evidence of obscene activities are littered around. Residents and I are aware that the gardens are public spaces. As I had highlighted before, public access is not a licence to abuse the usage of public spaces or behave inconsiderately and irresponsibly. Over the last few years, we have worked with HDB, Town Council, Residents' Committees, the National Environment Agency (NEA) and the Police to solve these problems. But disamenities still persist. Hence, I appeal to MND to reconsider some of our previous suggestions.”
“Resident A has difficulty getting the cooperation of the upper floor unit to repair the ceiling leak. The mould on the ceiling smells. Her cabinets are damaged from rotting. The family is helpless under the leaking water and has to breathe in harmful mould spores every day. Resident B and her husband managed to get repairs done for their kitchen ceiling leak under the HDB Goodwill Repair Assistance (GRA) scheme. The GRA helped them to pay for their share of 25% of the repair cost. Their relief did not last long. The leaking problem resurfaced just nine months later in January this year. Resident C, an elderly stroke patient who lives alone, suffers from a double whammy. Water leaks into his unit from the flat above and his unit is leaking into the unit below. He will have to bear double, the co-sharing repair costs, which are a heavy financial burden on him. PA grassroots had offered him financial assistance for repairs, but he did not take them up for personal reasons. Such repairs are especially financially challenging for elderly residents without family support. Many residents in Henderson Crescent have expressed to me their desire for the Selective En bloc Redevelopment Scheme (SERS). If there are no plans for SERS, can the Ministry review the criteria for Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme (VERS) on a case-by-case basis, depending on the particular condition of the blocks? Not all buildings will age uniformly. Would the Ministry share an update on its plans for ageing estates and review the Home Improvement Programme (HIP), SERS and VERS?”
“Chairman, my residents and I welcome the inclusion of private estates in the enhanced Estate Upgrading Programme (EUP) to help our elderly living in these communities age in place. They are looking forward to the senior-friendly features, such as barrier-free access, rest points, therapeutic gardens and active health fitness trails. I understand the targeted and systematic approach taken by MND to launch: first, the new EUP for Silver Estates, where there is a higher concentration of seniors; followed by the EUP for Regular Estates later. However, there are currently different types of repairs and upgrades which may need to be done more urgently, regardless of the private estates' locations. These are the ones which pose safety and health concerns, such as lighting in certain areas, potholes and drain covers. These are to reduce tripping hazards and potential breeding grounds for mosquitoes, for example. How will MND ensure that repair and upgrading works in private estates are carried out expeditiously in view of safety and health concerns for residents? Rejuvenating Our Estates An increasing number of our HDB blocks are crossing the over 50-year mark. We need to rejuvenate our older estates so that they remain good homes for our people. For ageing blocks with widespread, common and recurring problems, I appeal to HDB to consider a review of its approach to such issues. Instead of ad hoc repairs, would HDB consider a holistic strategy to provide a sustainable, longer-term solution to deal with the systemic deterioration of affected HDB blocks? Two years ago in March, I shared in this House the numerous building problems plaguing my residents at Henderson Crescent estate. Many residents have to deal with water leakages, mould infestation and spalling concrete.”
“Chairman, Singaporeans are increasingly interested in foreign policy, particularly as global developments become more complex and interconnected. The ease of obtaining news and exchanging views and opinions online has led to more Singaporeans reading and discussing international current affairs and the role and position of our foreign policy. Would the Ministry share what it is doing to build and deepen Singaporeans' understanding of the key tenets of our foreign policy, including important considerations and constraints, in layman terms which are easier to comprehend? How is MFA adapting its engagement strategies to increase understanding of Singapore's foreign policy fundamentals? How would the Ministry highlight to our citizens that good foreign policy contributes to the well-being of Singapore and Singaporeans and secure domestic support for our foreign policy decisions?”
“Chairman, President Tharman recently made a State Visit to India, affirming the warm and longstanding relations between our two countries, as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations. Singapore and India enjoy strong bilateral economic relations and cooperation in many sectors. India is set to be one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. President Tharman and President Murmu discussed cooperation in areas such as semiconductors, industrial park development, as well as the green and digital economies. Would the Minister share his assessment of Singapore's relations with India, how we will strengthen our people-to-people ties, and what we are doing to deepen our economic ties with India, especially in areas such as the green and digital economies?”
“Mdm Chair, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Malaysian Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim co-chaired the 11th Annual Malaysia-Singapore Leaders' Retreat in January 2025. It is one of our numerous bilateral events to strengthen our ties. It is heartening to note that our countries are committed to deepening our cooperation across more areas which will benefit citizens of both nations, including connectivity, trade, investment, culture, education, digitalisation and sustainability. Would the Ministry provide an update on the current state of Singapore-Malaysia relations and what are some of the key initiatives to further enhance bilateral cooperation, especially as both sides commemorate the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations this year?”
“Chairman, mental health is as important as our physical health. The need for the maintenance and enhancement of mental health with any needed diagnosis and treatments is still in the process of gaining wider recognition amongst our people. Nonetheless, we have been making strides as a nation in terms of advancing mental health care awareness and access. What was once surrounded by stigma and kept in the shadows has in recent times been acknowledged as important as physical health. This change was perpetuated by the global pandemic over the past few years, which forced many of us to confront the mental strain of isolation, uncertainty and stress. In the context of the military, soldiers are trained to be resilient, strong and disciplined. We usually think of the military as a sector where strength is defined by physical power, endurance, or the ability to push through pain, but mental toughness is just as critical as physical strength. We now understand that mental health challenges, stress, anxiety, or the pressure of adapting to new environments are a natural part of life and can affect anyone regardless of their background, age or rank, particularly for many of our young men who enlist at the age of 18, the stress of gruelling physical training, the mental load from adjusting to military life, and the emotional struggles of being away from their loved ones and the comforts of home can be overwhelming for them. To this end, I would like to ask MINDEF for an update on efforts to ensure that all our soldiers have adequate mental health support. In particular, how can we better facilitate our Singaporean sons transition to NS and set them up for a successful training stint? Psychologically Resilient Soldiers”
“While this is very encouraging, there are private estates in my Henderson Dawson Division that will also require works to be done as the population in our estates continue to age rapidly as well. Therefore, I hope that the Government can consider extending senior-friendly works to all private estates around Singapore as well. For HDB estates, I would also like to shine the spotlight on HDB flats nearing or above 40 years, which would require more extensive estate upgrading or maintenance works. Could the Government consider offering the Voluntary Early Redevelopment Scheme on an accelerated timeline for these flats, or additional support to help ensure that the infrastructure of these flats remain liveable for our residents? The Government needs to continue looking after the needs of our sandwiched group, given that their very specific financial circumstances are addressed with targeted, meaningful solutions. These proposed initiatives are designed to provide both immediate and long-term relief, ensuring that no family is left behind as the cost of living continues to rise. By introducing comprehensive caregiver relief, enhancing transportation subsidies and improving their living environment, we can create a Singapore where our sandwiched families are empowered to thrive, rather than being left behind due to the pressures of daily life. Sir, I would like to conclude with my support for the Budget.”
“I look forward to the early extension of Medisave funds to cover a greater variety of caregiving-related costs, such as private home and nursing care providers, respite care and other home care costs, like adult diapers and other related items. (In English): Second, the transportation needs of middle-income families. The cost of private transportation in Singapore is relatively high and families with young children are worried about the safety of their kids on public transportation. While there are already subsidies for low-income groups, middle-income families face challenges in covering daily transport costs in a safe and sustainable manner. We have also seen how school bus fares have increased the past few years, and school bus operators continue to struggle with manpower and cost pressures as well. I would therefore like to propose a targeted transportation subsidy scheme for middle-income families, especially to partly subsidise school bus fares. Third, a comfortable living environment for all. Over the years, there have been steps taken to improve the support given to residents living in private estates. However, we must also recognise that the property tax hikes have also affected some of these residents, especially the retirees who are living in their own homes and did not rent them out. I hope that there will be continued and frequent reviews of our property tax regime to ensure that it remains equitable and sustainable, especially for groups that do not necessarily have the cash resources to afford taxes in the long run. There are 32 private estates in Singapore who will have new or improved facilities, such as new recreational spaces, wheelchair-accessible ramps and estate markers in the next five years under the Estate Upgrading Programme.”
“However, there are instances where the elderly are not staying with their children and grandchildren, and yet the working children are still providing for their elderly parents. Since we have a staggered approach for subsidies by per capita household income, can we also continue to provide some level of support for those earning per capita household income above $4,800? Otherwise, can we ensure that parents or grandparents who are dependents but have a different residential address be included in the computation of per capita household income for such subsidies? The MediSave top-ups for large families are very much welcome. I hope that the Government can also consider additional MediSave top-ups for large families not simply because they have more children, but also if they have elderly dependents. Since October last year, MediSave funds could already be used for home medical and nursing providers supported by the Ministry of Health (MOH). I look forward to the early extension of MediSave funds to cover a greater variety of caregiving-related costs such as private home and nursing care providers, respite care and other home care costs like adult diapers and other related items. Mr Speaker, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] The Medisave top-ups for large families are very much welcomed. I hope that we can also consider additional Medisave top-ups for large families, not simply because they have more children, but also if they have elderly dependents. Since October last year, Medisave funds could already be used for home medical and nursing providers supported by MOH.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, as we round out this term of Government, I have taken stock of the support provided to Singaporeans over the years, with a longer-term holistic view on various schemes and programmes. In my speech on last year’s Budget, I had appealed for more support for the sandwich generation, whom I referred to as the group that is providing for the care and expenses of children and elderly parents, while having to plan and prepare for their own retirement needs. I am heartened to note that in the year since then, and in this year’s Budget, we have seen additional support for large families, and subsidies and grants for the caring of our elderly. We celebrate the amount of support given, but we must recognise that some of our families continue to be under significant financial strain as they navigate higher costs of living and a challenging job market globally. While assistance has been provided, much more remains to be done and I hope that our Government can continue to focus on addressing this issue in this current term and successive terms of Government. Today, I would like to propose several specific and actionable recommendations that have yet to be fully implemented to ease the financial and non-financial burdens on the sandwiched group. First, caregiver support beyond tax reliefs. Currently, we have tax reliefs in place for those who support their parents at home and I am fully supportive of the enhanced Home Caregiving Grant which provides direct cash support of up to $600 per month. I also see that we have increased subsidies for residential long-term care services as well as home and community long-term care services. The maximum household income per capita has also been raised to $4,800.”
“Thank you, Mr Speaker. I have one supplementary question for the Minister. May I know if there are plans to issue any industry guidelines to support firms operating in Singapore to comply with export controls and international sanctions?”
“We have to realise that building Singapore into a conducive place for families is not just about baby bonuses and, while monetary support is important and must continue, we also need to look into resolving pain points and challenges that may deter people from taking the next step in becoming parents. Mr Speaker, Sir, for the future stability of our nation, it is critical for us to have a strong and substantial young Singaporean Core today. Short-term sacrifices and investments would be necessary to achieve our long-term goal of building stronger Singaporean families. I support the Motion.”
“] While paternity leave has been extended in recent years, some fathers may still feel the pressure to return to work quickly or fear professional consequences or judgement from others if they take full advantage of the leave. Employers should offer more flexible options for working fathers, such as part-time work, work-from-home or extended paternity leave, without stigma. I believe that the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests that was rolled out recently on 1 December 2024 will come in very useful in this regard. (In English): It takes a village to raise a child, especially when both parents are working. Most families will have in place arrangements for the care of their children while the parents are at work, tapping on grandparents, domestic helpers and childcare centres. We are lucky to have such options, but I also know of childcare centres who have had to impose penalty fees on parents who are late in picking up their children. While we may not be ready to explore the option of night nurseries, like in Sweden, shall we have in place policies to support the staffing needs of childcare centres so that they can accommodate parents who are late? How about setting industry guidelines for the extension of time as a service option, rather than being imposed as a penalty fee? For families with older children, including those in primary school and secondary school, they face a different set of challenges and worries, especially when it comes to education-related stress. MOE has been taking the initiative to redefine success beyond merely achieving high scores and, instead, tilt towards cultivating skills for lifelong learning and adaptability. But this will take time and mindset shifts do not take place overnight.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I stand in support of this Motion because our Government has been putting in much work to support our Singaporean families. However, there is still more to be done. Hence, I would like to take this chance to share my ideas with the House. I would like to focus my speech on the caregiving needs of families, on parenthood and how precious resources can be best allocated to achieve better outcomes for our families. In my interactions with my residents in Henderson-Dawson, I am very heartened to see that the fathers are very much involved in their fatherhood journey and prioritised spending quality time with their children. I hope to see clearer and sustained acknowledgment from our Government departments, community organisations and the media of the crucial role that fathers play in the development and the well-being of children. Research has shown that their involvement can lead to better emotional, social, behavioural and cognitive outcomes for children. Highlighting these benefits through public campaigns and community events can help raise awareness about the positive impact of active fatherhood. While paternity leave has been expanded in recent years, some fathers may still feel the pressure to return to work quickly or fear professional consequences or judgement from others if they take full advantage of the leave. Employers should offer more flexible options for working fathers, such as part-time work, work-from-home or extended paternity leave, without stigma. I believe that the Tripartite Guidelines on Flexible Work Arrangement Requests that was rolled out recently will come in very useful in this regard. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“We need to be aware that being overly sensitive or in today's parlance, too "woke" without the proper context or understanding, can also cause problems for our society. We need to remain vigilant and be on guard against attempts to weaken or harm our hard-earned unity among different racial groups. These Bills are timely and will help to set the safety parameters for respectful interactions and build greater understanding. I support the Bill.”
“Now that we are 60 years into our nation-building journey, language is thankfully no longer something that divides Singaporeans, with high English literacy rates and perhaps Singlish being something that unite Singaporeans. As we look to the future, it is my wish that we may one day be able to look beyond race or religion as well. That said, we will still need to be aware and be alert for the other ways which malicious actors, whether foreign or local, can try to carve out fault-lines within our community. This could include the exploitation of differences in socio-economic levels across our society, as well as attempts to fan xenophobic sentiments. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] As we look into the future, it is my wish that we may one day be able to look beyond race or religion as well. That said, we will still need to be aware and be on the alert for the other ways which malicious actors, whether foreign or local, can try to carve out fault-lines within our community. This could include the exploitation of differences in socio-economic levels across our society as well as attempts to fan xenophobic sentiments. (In English): We should also be cognisant that we ourselves do not overly focus on and draw our own fault lines unnecessarily and cause alarm. For example, I had paid attention to the Board Diversity Index that is developed by the Singapore Institute of Directors because of the useful insights that we can draw about the diversity efforts amongst our corporations here. The latest 2025 Board Diversity Index reported that the percentage of boards which have at least one-third of directors from a non-majority culture fell.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the Maintenance of Racial Harmony and Constitution of the Republic of Singapore (Amendment) Bills. These are important and crucial updates to our current legislation to uphold racial harmony in an increasingly polarised global environment. This will support law enforcement and enhance clarity for the public. However, having two separate pieces of legislation for racial and religious harmony may prove to be confusing for the general public as well as for organisations. The lines may also get blurred in situations where racial and religious differences could be mixed up, blended together or misunderstood. Even as we endeavour to promote racial and religious harmony, we must be mindful of how we can better integrate foreigners, from foreign employees to PRs and new citizens. For those of us who grow up in Singapore, attend local schools and have the benefit of years of national education, you can say that it is almost in our DNA to understand the absolute importance and duty that we all have to maintain racial and religious harmony. How about those who have joined us as adults? How can we help them to reach a higher level of understanding about cultural nuances and mutual respect, and be able to integrate and assimilate into Singapore society? Could we re-look at how we can build and improve on the educational and learning journeys for new citizens, and also extend to those who are joining as PRs? Our national pledge continues to remind Singaporeans of the need to remain united "regardless of race, language or religion".”
“Thank you, Speaker. I have one supplementary question for the Minister of State. I would like to ask why ICA suspended the eCOA's service only on 11 January 2025. Could ICA not have acted sooner?”
“Thank you, Speaker. I have one supplementary question. In view of the recent reports of scam victims themselves who become involved in carrying out the scams, what would be the sentencing considerations, and if it can be made clear that such victims would not face any leniency under the law?”
“Why do we need a motorist to have committed such offences at least twice, while continuing to drive irresponsibly, before we consider him or her a repeat offender? This is not the behaviour of an average motorist at all. I am concerned that most will perceive that the Ministry is becoming lenient on such offenders. While giving second chances is important, we have to weigh against the deaths and serious injuries arising from the behaviour of such irresponsible motorists. I urge the Ministry to reconsider this amendment. Finally, I wish to conclude, with my support, for the enhancement of powers for our regulators to enforce against errant motorists, including the streamlining of the commencement date of the disqualification periods and to close up various loopholes involving suspensions. I support the Bill.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I agree in principle with the need for our road traffic legislation to maintain a balance between deterrence and proportionality. I also strongly support the provision of enhanced powers to our Traffic Police to enforce our regulations against errant motorists. It is understandable that the authorities want to adjust penalties to be more proportionate to particular offences. They are concerned about over-penalising motorists who commit traffic infractions which result in relatively less harm. However, the removal of the mandatory minimum sentences and disqualification periods in the cases of careless or dangerous driving offences causing death or grievous hurt does not seem to be sending the correct message of deterrence. This reduction is too lenient, even for first-time offenders. We have to remember that in these cases, lives had been, or could have been endangered, or lost, and the offenders did exhibit dangerous or careless driving behaviour in causing the accidents. The penalties need to be severe enough to act effectively as a meaningful deterrence. As it is today, as many drivers observe on our roads, there are quite a number of motorists speeding, tailgating or driving carelessly. We cannot afford to reduce the penalties further to send the wrong message to such motorists. Another amendment that I hope to obtain more clarification on is the proposal for a motorist to be considered as a repeat offender only if he had sped in excess of 40 km/h of the road's speed limit, or the vehicle's speed limit, at least twice within the last five years. Let us consider our demerit points system today, where exceeding the speed limit by more than 40 km/h would cost the motorist 12 demerit points and will be prosecuted in court.”
“This will give much needed teeth to the CDMF.”
“What are the measures that can address similar problems faced by private estate dwellers, particularly for severe or egregious cases where the outcomes of mediation or CDRT are difficult to be enforced? On the costs framework and consequences for non-attendance at mediation, ideally, neighbours should come together to discuss how to resolve their disputes, whether it is noise, second-hand smoke, littering, hoarding or cluttering. However, this is not possible for some cases, due to uncooperative residents or some underlying issues, including mental health problems. For those in financial difficulties, monetary penalties in terms of a costs framework may be unaffordable for them. On the other hand, a complainant wishing to resolve the matter may not be able to afford pursuing it to the CDRT stage. For such situations, could measures be put in place to support greater intervention by agencies or empower grassroots leaders to help push for mediation to take place? Madam, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] For those in financial difficulties, monetary penalties in terms of a cost framework may be unaffordable for them. On the other hand, a complainant wishing to resolve the matter may not be able to afford pursuing it to the CDRT stage. For such situations, could measures be put in place to support greater intervention by agencies or empower grassroots leaders to help push for mediation to take place. (In English): In conclusion, I support this Bill, as the effective resolution of community disputes will require all parties to play their part, and this will hopefully lead to a more gracious and considerate society in Singapore. The Bill also lends weight to the mediation process by introducing mandatory mediation.”
“Mdm Deputy Speaker, I would like to express my appreciation to the Ministry staff, grassroots leaders, volunteers and residents who contribute much effort and time to provide feedback and suggestions to enhance this piece of legislation. Requests for disputes resolution has been in greater demand, especially for noise disturbances and encroachment in common areas. I have some questions for the Ministers. One of the key enhancements to the CDRT is to empower it to issue a MTO to a person believed to be suffering from a mental health condition leading to acts of nuisance. This person will need to undergo a mandatory assessment and/or treatment. This seems to be done only as a last resort, available at one of the stages within the processes of the CDRT. I am concerned that it may be costly and burdensome for a resident or household to pursue such proceedings at the CDRT. For cases where the underlying issue could be mental health-related, access to mental health support at the mediation stage may lead to a more expedient and effective resolution. Hence, I would like to ask if the mediator can be empowered to make recommendations or referrals to mental health resources, if parties agree to explore mental health support at the mediation stage? If so, can the Government then consider providing such mental health resources at no cost for the initial consultation? Next, for cases occurring in HDB estates, HDB has the option to consider the compulsory acquisition of flats in the event of severe recalcitrant cases, where all other measures have failed. However, this recourse is not available in private estates.”
“I am heartened that the Government has confirmed that it will be open to new proposals if the concerns are addressed. Finally, my last question. Would there be other businesses, which are organised as co-operatives, institutions of public charter or critical infrastructure operators, such as telecommunications companies, water desalination plants or oil refineries, which may require similar legislative amendments in order to prevent something similar from taking place?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of this Bill, in view of the information shared with the House on Monday. The Income-Allianz deal is one which has drawn a high level of public interest. The majority of Singaporean households have insurance policies with NTUC Income or Income Insurance. Due to the nature and the valuation of this deal, one would expect close coordination among the relevant authorities, such as MCCY and MAS, at all stages during the process of evaluation. I hope that the whole-of-Government way of doing things will continue to be a mainstay and strength of the Singapore Civil Service. I had raised this issue in Parliament two days ago and we had since have more clarity on how the MAS team had been assessing the deal on prudential grounds. I appreciate that MAS shared information, which they assessed to be relevant to MCCY. It is comforting to know that we continue to have good officers in MAS and even the Civil Service, who are alert and can pick out issues beyond their scope. However, could this information not have been shared earlier with the House when the topic was heavily debated in Parliament back in August? This is a high-profile, cross-border deal. While I fully support the amendments in the interests of the public, would we be setting a precedent where investors need to factor in potentially unexpected changes to regulations? On one hand, I am heartened that our Government is open to feedback even as it strives to balance different priorities and competing demands. On the other hand, we must uphold Singapore's reputation as an open, transparent and rules-based city which is pro-business and welcomes foreign investments.”
“Thank you, Speaker. I have a supplementary question for the Senior Minister of State. Can the Ministry consider introducing industry-specific best practices and training to be rolled out, in collaboration with industry associations and unions, in preparing companies to implement workplace safety measures for adverse weather conditions?”
“Candidates who have been misrepresented by such content can, in return, make a declaration to attest to the veracity of his/her claim. May I ask how will the Ministry ensure that the department and personnel in-charge of handling such feedback and requests are adequately resourced and well-trained and if more sophisticated technological tools will be deployed to keep up with the workload? New AI content can be generated very quickly with little expense. How will the teams handle situations where there could be an influx, with some maliciously designed to overwhelm the system? Mr Speaker, Sir, the integrity of our election environment, system and process depends on our capability to counter rapidly evolving threats and interferences. We must remain vigilant and be prepared to counter and deal with perpetrators severely, to neutralise their attacks and serve as a deterrent effect. In addition to effective legislation and enforcement, I urge the Ministry to invest in preventive measures as well, such as identifying, training and empowering new talents in this field in our Ministries and agencies, and adopting advanced technological tools to combat misinformation in elections.”
“While I understand the Ministry's intention to maintain the balance between the freedom of expression in private and potential misrepresentation of what a candidate did or said, this is a loophole which may be exploited. Those with ill intent may exploit this gap in order to ensure that their fake content reaches the widest audiences possible to impact the electoral results. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Besides the social media platforms which are under the purview of this Act, we should also consider closing the gaps in terms of messaging apps. Messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, are widely used by Singaporeans as key sources of information and news. While I understand the Ministry's intention to maintain the balance between the freedom of expression in private and potential misrepresentation of what a candidate did or said, this is a loophole which may be exploited. Those with ill intent may exploit this gap in order to ensure that their fake content reaches the widest audience possible to impact the electoral results. (In English): The practicality of enforcement actions may be a factor for consideration, but perhaps the Ministry would consider sending a clear signal that such content is banned and that forwarding them is an offence. It is stated that the Returning Officer can issue corrective directions to individuals who publish such content, social media services and Internet Access Service Providers, to take down offending content or to disable access by Singapore users to such content during the election period. The Bill will allow candidates to make a request to the Returning Officer to review content that may breach the prohibition and issue corrective directions.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I support this Bill because it is a much-needed step in the right direction, given the pace of developments in GenAI technologies. The proposed changes will help to ensure that our elections will be conducted in a fair and transparent manner. However, I would like to ask the Minister why do the new measures only apply to digitally generated or manipulated content depicting political candidates? Would the Ministry consider expanding the scope of content to include indirect representations and depictions? Candidates in an election would be the most vulnerable to direct and malicious acts of misinformation. However, they are just as susceptible to indirect attacks. Perpetrators can be creative with their methods and try to find ways around existing legislation. For example, they could exploit ways to cast doubt on or misrepresent a candidate and what the candidate stands for, without mentioning or depicting the candidates themselves. Would such a potential scenario be covered by any of the existing or proposed pieces of legislation? Other jurisdictions have similar laws in place, including South Korea. Before its legislative elections in April this year, they implemented a 90-day ban on AI-generated deepfake content of a political nature. Would the Ministry consider doing the same as well? Next, I would like to ask why forwarding via messaging apps is not included in the proposals. Besides social media platforms, which are under the purview of this Act, we should also consider closing the gap in terms of messaging apps. Messaging apps, such as WhatsApp and Telegram, are widely used by Singaporeans as key sources of information and news.”
“My clarifications are for MAS. MAS knew about the capital extraction plan by around mid-July. I would like to seek a few clarifications with MAS. First, what was MAS' assessment of this plan? Second, was MCCY aware? Third, why did MAS not share more information about the capital extraction with MCCY earlier?”
“For platform workers who may at some point decide to move on from being a platform worker and find a more stable employment, the Government may wish to consider providing more support for platform workers to attend trainings, with some form of allowance or income support. Such support should be a permanent feature and not ad hoc. Last month, the Government announced the new SkillsFuture Jobseeker Support Scheme, which will provide up to $6,000 over six months to those who have made involuntarily unemployed. May I seek clarification from the Senior Minister of State if platform workers can qualify for this scheme? In conclusion, the Bill is a step in the right direction to provide more protection for this group of workers and I wish to state my strong support for the Bill.”
“As these riders grow older or reach other milestones in life, how can we ensure their income goes up in tandem with inflation and/or be able to meet the expenditure needs for major life events? Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] There is a limit on how many orders or trips one can do a day. This is due to supply and demand factors, road conditions and physical limits. As these riders grow older or reach other milestones in their life, how can we ensure their income goes up in tandem with inflation and/or able to meet the expenditure needs for major life events? (In English): Presently, food delivery and ride hailing companies have tiered systems for benefits. Payment incentives are provided for a number of rides at each tier. Those in the higher tier also have priority in booking shifts and getting orders. These incentives are not fixed and companies can always drop these incentives at their own discretion. There is no protection in terms of their stability of income. What more can we do to ensure that their incomes do not fall even if they are working just as hard? How do we ensure that their incomes rise over the years to keep up with inflation? At the same time, how can we balance this with keeping with the cost of such services affordable to the majority of our consumers? Finally, we want to help platform workers transition to careers in other fields if they so desire. It is important that they can have career mobility and employability. How do we ensure the career mobility of our platform workers?”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the introduction of this Bill is timely and I welcome the augmented support for platform workers to ensure that they have sufficient financial compensation in the event of work injuries, receive CPF contributions on par with employees and are protected with representation by worker associations. First, about the injuries incurred in the course of work. I appeal to the Ministry to extend this protection beyond physical injuries. Just like employees in the services industries, including the healthcare and security sectors, our platform workers require protection against verbal threats and psychological abuses. This Bill does not address this prevalent issue but it is not uncommon to hear stories about platform workers being verbally abused for being delayed due to weather or traffic conditions. Private hire vehicle drivers get berated for various reasons by passengers. This can affect them emotionally or worse, financially, as they may be given bad reviews even though they are not at fault or for situations beyond their control. We may need to look into provisions for platform workers to be protected from threats, abuse and unfair reviews given by unreasonable customers. I am most assured that platform workers will receive matching CPF contributions based on the amounts they earn, whether they work for a single or multiple platforms. This will help them move towards better housing and retirement adequacy. However, I am still very much concerned about their income progression and the stresses they face due to the volatility and unpredictable nature of their earnings, which are dependent on seasonal demand. There is a limit to how many orders or trips one can do a day, due to supply and demand factors, road conditions and physical human limits.”
“Thank you, Speaker, and thank you to the Minister for his comprehensive reply. I have got three supplementary questions. First, I wish to ask if information will be put out to the population here so that people can be encouraged to quickly seek medical attention immediately if they exhibit symptoms of mpox, so that it can be quickly picked up by our general practitioners (GPs) and medical professionals. On that related note, will the Minister consider a community monitoring and surveillance programme or strategy to detect any cases in the population if the situation becomes serious? Finally, have there been any cases that when undetected or were still under incubation upon entry into Singapore?”
“The Government, food suppliers and shops, voluntary welfare organisations and volunteers need to work together to develop efficient and safe logistics supply chains to effectively channel these food donations to charities and beneficiaries. (In English): In some countries, such as Spain, businesses could face fines of up to €60,000 if they fail to reduce the amount of food they throw away. This Bill does not propose such a punitive measure, but waiving the liability alone may not be enough to move some suppliers and sellers to donate. Perhaps a tax incentive would be helpful and I hope that the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) and the Ministry of Finance can consider this suggestion. The Bill excludes situations of gross negligence, given the requirement that the food donors will still need to comply with all prevailing laws on food safety and food hygiene. May I ask if MSE can share more details of how it will enforce applicable regulations for donated food and whether there will be differences in how checks will be conducted? I am happy to note that this Bill will provide liability protection for donors as well as the intermediaries, such as food banks and other charitable organisations, distributing the donated food. The Bill is also well-crafted in spelling out the responsibilities and duties of each party at every stage of the donation process, while ensuring food safety and hygiene, protecting the recipients. Hence, I would like to conclude with my support for the Bill.”