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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“For example, will it be possible to indicate elderly- and disabled-friendly lockers which are positioned at the appropriate height levels so that recipients can choose to have their parcels sent to such lockers? I realise that many elderly may not know how to use these parcel lockers to retrieve their delivered parcels. Thus, it is important that a step-by-step guide in large fonts be placed at the parcel locker station area which is very visible and at eye level so that they can read the guide while unlocking the lockers. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Most parcels are ordered through online transactions. How will vendors protect the customers’ data from internet threats? Have there been any incidents of parcel locker systems being damaged or stolen from? Due to our rapidly ageing population, we must ensure that we consider the needs of the elderly from the design stage, such as installing usage instruction guides in big fonts near the parcel lockers. (In English): Sir, I conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the decision to install a nationwide network of parcel lockers is expected to be widely welcomed. Such lockers offer an additional mode of delivery to busy Singaporeans and residents who prefer to pick up their items in their own time and not have to wait for their deliveries at designated places as they may be on the move. In order to increase the accessibility of these lockers, MRT stations and community centres have been selected as two of the main locations where lockers will be installed. This will indeed provide much convenience. As these are places where traffic is high, my concern is that hazardous materials which might cause harm and danger to commuters could be deposited there. How does IMDA ensure that no hazardous materials will be sent via the Network? Would the Ministry share with us the security process undertaken by the vendors? Next, the bulk of these deliveries are transacted online. How do the vendors protect its customers' data from cyber threats, for example, hacking of their databases? Also, how can the vendors ensure the security of the deliveries, so that the items can reach the intended recipients? Had there been incidents where the locker systems were breached and thieves were able to make off with any parcels? Finally, I would like to ask if the design of these lockers will be user-friendly for the elderly? With our rapidly ageing population, it is important to ensure that from the design stage, consideration of the needs of senior citizens is taken into account so that they can benefit from the set-up of these parcel lockers.”
“Thank you, Speaker. I have a supplementary question. A few elderly residents told me they felt pain in their legs and their knees the day after vaccination. One even showed me a rash at the vaccination area. So, they worry and they wonder if it was caused by the vaccination or would it go away or they needed to seek treatment. So, I would like to propose if MOH would consider having a hotline manned by a multilingual team who can speak the mother tongue and dialects. It would be helpful to assure them.”
“I earnestly hope that we will be able to continue the momentum and sustain this spirit of mutual care, trust and understanding. Even as we are helping the needy, we are simultaneously building bonds across religious, racial and cultural boundaries, and learning more about ourselves and our Singapore identity. A student volunteer shared how he would never look at a packet of food the same way again after helping to distribute packets of meals to some needy families. Coming from a very comfortable background, it was hard for him to visualise food insecurity in our bustling city. His experience as a volunteer had been an eye opener and strengthened his resolve to be more involved in the community. How is MCCY encouraging more individuals from all walks of life, including youths, as well as corporates, to step forward, volunteer and contribute to make a positive impact? I would like to suggest that the Ministry facilitate regular meetups for volunteers of cause-based programmes to share their experiences, challenges, pains, high points, hopes and more. Each one of us has a different takeaway from our volunteering experiences. Such sharing and interactive sessions will be helpful for bonding and motivating one another to stay involved and keep going. Otherwise, some of them may feel alone along the volunteering journey and drop off. On the other hand, if they enjoy the volunteering journey, they will encourage their family members, friends and relatives to join them. Sharing is also helpful if boredom or inertia sets in as fellow volunteers can give advice about different ways of contributing or even make a change to another cause. Forging Ahead Together”
“I commend MCCY for its work to build up religious tolerance among our people and look forward to hearing its new initiatives. I propose MCCY facilitating regular sharing sessions among our different faiths which is key to building trust and understanding. Similarly, we need to put in effort to encourage Singaporeans to do their part to build racial harmony. The more we interact with members of different racial communities, the better we can understand one another and learn that in fact, we have so much more in common than differences. What is exciting for me is that there is much wisdom we can gather from those who are different from us. Would MCCY share the projects and initiatives it has in store to further enhance our racial harmony? Encouraging More to Step Forward One of the silver linings from the COVID-19 pandemic is how it ignited the spirit of “gotong royong” in our society. There are various interpretations and translations for this phrase, including “active citizenry”, “cooperation in a community” and “mutual aid”. My favorite is “carrying burdens together” because gotong means "carrying a burden using one's shoulder" and royong means "together" or "communally". Carrying burdens together implies a willingness to help another lighten his load. It means stepping forward to volunteer and lend a helping hand. During this crisis, many individuals, businesses and community groups have indeed stepped up. They voluntarily contributed time, energy and money to organise their own ground-up initiatives to assist those in need. This outpouring of selflessness brought strangers and the community together in a common cause. I am heartened and inspired by the efforts of our people to work together for the benefit of our community.”
“Chairman, the disruption to our economy from the pandemic has had different impact on various segments of our country. COVID-19 has inflicted disproportionate hardship upon those who are less well-off and pushed those at the margins into further difficulties. To make matters worse, rampant misinformation on the internet and social media platforms is adding to the turbulence. Our world is under many stresses and these have the potential to deepen societal divisions, especially those along religious and racial fault lines. There is much work to be done to narrow the gaps. We need to foster a cohesive and caring society in order to recover and forge ahead as one nation. Would MCCY share its strategies on how it will work with Singaporeans to close ranks and become a more united and resilient people? How will the Government ensure that in our fight against the pandemic and consequent chaos, no one is left behind? One of my greatest concerns is the state of racial and religious harmony in Singapore. It is threatened by radicalisation of troubled individuals and groups. The most recent case was that of a 16-year-old student of Protestant faith who plotted to attack two mosques and kill Muslim worshippers here. A few churches in my constituency reached out to the Masjid Jamek Queenstown, also in my division, for a sharing and meal together as an expression of solidarity, to deepen the ties between both faiths and condemned the incident. Strengthening religious harmony is an on-going work in progress. We are one of the most religiously diverse countries in the world. Mutual respect and tolerance are qualities that we must all conscientiously nurture and practice, and teach our young.”
“Chairman, as the early years of people’s lives have such a big impact on their lifelong health, cognitive and psychological conditions, great care should be taken to nurture and develop our children. The Government has committed significant amounts of resources to improve the accessibility, affordability and quality of all our pre-schools. However, a child’s development is also heavily dependent on the home environment. For disadvantaged children, the Government has implemented various initiatives to support their families and enable them to give their children a good start in life. With holistic assistance measures and more conducive home surroundings, these children will stand a better chance in our competitive economic and social environment. I am heartened that under the KidSTART programme, the development of children from vulnerable families will be monitored and nurtured from the day they were born. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA), which leads this programme, provides support for child development and coordinate the social services for the needy families. Can MSF share the progress of this programme and its expansion plans? How many more regions will KidSTART expand to and how many more children are expected to be covered? Will the Ministry also provide an update on the status of the "Growing Together with KidSTART" initiative? What has been the feedback from the beneficiaries so far? ECDA partners the Social Service Offices, Family Service Centres and hospitals to support this group of underprivileged children. Will ECDA consider partnerships with suitable community organisations in the proximity of the children’s homes and with the private sector to widen the scope of programmes which can benefit not just the children but also their families?”
“Hence, I would like to suggest that we locate mini-SSOs in areas where rental blocks are sited as most of the residents who need help reside in our HDB rental blocks. The mini-SSOs can pull in the necessary resources from the neighbourhood or nearby precincts to help the varied needs of these vulnerable families and provide them with holistic assistance. Help can be more targeted as they cater to these few rental blocks in this particular precinct. Finally, how is the Ministry leveraging on technology and IT systems to increase efficiency and productivity in social service delivery?”
“Chairman, the COVID-19 pandemic has brought to the fore the important role of our social service delivery. I would like to take this opportunity to put on record my heartfelt appreciation for the staff at our Social Service Office (SSOs) and partner Social Service Agencies (SSAs) and the volunteers and donors who contribute their time and money. I would like to ask a few questions about the Ministry's plans to strengthen the delivery of social services by the SSOs and SSAs. In order for our social service delivery to reach the needy, we must increase public awareness and boost our detection mechanism. Awareness is the beginning of the delivery process. Awareness of where and how to get help will draw those who need it. On the other hand, there are people who need help but do not or are unable to seek assistance for various reasons. If the SSOs or the communities are aware of them, we will be able to reach out to them. I would like to ask if the Ministry would share an update on its measures to strengthen its capabilities on these two fronts. 6.00 pm Next, many disadvantaged families and individuals have a range of needs which require intervention by different community agencies. However, not all their needs are always presented to the officers and volunteers. How will the SSOs and SSAs improve on their abilities to detect such issues to ensure that their cases receive holistic help? When encountered with complex cases, how do the various teams of professional staff and volunteers coordinate their work? What procedures are in place to minimize duplications and blind spots? Another point I wish to make is making it easier for the applicants to access help.”
“How else is the Ministry supporting Singaporeans working and doing business there, especially in this COVID-19 environment? Strengthening ASEAN”
“Chairman, Indonesia is one of our closest neighbours and our relations have been underpinned by family ties between the people of both nations, cultural exchanges, interdependence and substantive collaboration across multiple domains. Singaporeans and Indonesians travel between both countries frequently, to visit relatives and friends, for leisure, for study, work and business. Our ties run deep and go back a very long way. The on-going COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in travel restrictions and caused much hardship for people on both sides. It is much harder now to do everything, whether it is seeing loved ones or continuing cross-border business projects. How have we maintained or deepened this relationship during this challenging period? What are some of the initiatives and projects to keep our relations strong? Next, I would like to ask the Minister for an update about Singapore companies in Sub-Saharan Africa. Would the Minister provide an update on how our companies are tapping this growing market and which sectors they are developing? While it is less familiar to most Singaporeans, it is an emerging market with great potential. Due to its young population, Sub-Saharan Africa is growing quickly and presents many opportunities which will do us well to seize them. I understand that Singapore is one of the larger investors in Africa among Southeast Asian countries. As of 2019, there were more than 60 Singapore companies operating there. They covered a wide range of sectors, including agribusiness, manufacturing, logistics and digital services. How has our trade with them been progressing and would the Minister share some details about our investment figures and market share?”
“Chairman, a capable and combat-fit SAF is the ultimate guarantor of Singapore's security and the physical fitness of our national servicemen is of utmost importance to the SAF's operational readiness. The SAF has many long-standing policies aimed at encouraging physical fitness amongst our National Servicemen, such as requiring NSmen to pass IPPT annually and allowing NSFs to serve a shorter term of NS if they attain a high standard of physical fitness prior to enlistment. At the Committee of Supply debate last year, Senior Minister of State for Defence Mr Heng Chee How announced the PREP4NS initiative to help pre-enlistees be more physically prepared before entering NS. How effective has the PREP4NS initiative been in helping pre-enlistees become more physically fit? During this pandemic, the capacity of many MINDEF and civilian training facilities have been reduced due to safe distancing measures. What measures does MINDEF have in place to ensure that training venues, equipment and slots are accessible and available to our servicemen to keep fit and in shape? The quality of food also has an impact on fitness. Food insecurity may affect some servicemen in the lower income groups during this pandemic. Does MINDEF provide any form of assistance to our servicemen to ensure that they have access to nutritious meals to stay healthy and fit? Healthcare issues affecting our servicemen must be dealt with urgently and thoroughly as every manpower resource is precious. Would the Ministry share an update on the healthcare measures and assistance schemes it has to keep our troops combat-fit? What else is MINDEF/SAF doing to better support and motivate our servicemen in maintaining their physical fitness? Enhancement to the NS Processes”
“Chairman, in our nation’s fight against COVID-19, MINDEF and SAF personnel have answered the call of duty and taken up critical roles both at the frontline and behind the scenes. While combating the challenges of the on-going pandemic is at the forefront of our minds, we are also keenly aware that security threats do not abate during this period. Enlistment, training and operations must go on in the "new normal", in order to maintain a high level of operational readiness that is critical to safeguard Singapore’s peace and security. Our servicemen and women have traditionally lived, trained and operated in close proximity. The training in the SAF is physically demanding, which could lead to the transmission of droplets. Besides the risk of transmission in camps, other risks are in confined spaces and they include tanks, aircraft and seacraft. As our servicemen and women continue to discharge their core mission to defend our home, what are the precautionary measures that have been implemented to keep them safe from COVID-19, and how effective have these measures been? What about our servicemen and women presently in facilities overseas? What kind of protection has been put in place for them? Are there sufficient vaccines and access to the best quality of healthcare for our service personnel abroad? In addition to preventive measures, would the Ministry also share the measures which will kick in when a serviceman or woman is suspected of having the infection? How would SAF prevent such situations from escalating? NS Training Amidst COVID-19”
“Thank you, Speaker. I thank the Minister of State for the reply. I have two supplementary questions. First is, may I know how many speed cameras are installed across Singapore? Second, on the recent Tanjong Pagar accident, I understand there have been numerous feedback and complaints with regard to speeding in the area. May I know what enforcement TP or MHA has carried out in response to the complaints and feedback? Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: Sir, I thank the Member for the supplementary questions. There are 41 fixed and mobile speed cameras deployed across Singapore. In addition, we have one average speed camera system which is deployed at Tanah Merah Coast Road. That is for question one. For question two, indeed, TP has received feedback of speeding along Tanjong Pagar Road, but the numbers are not high. While it is not known to be a speeding-prone area, TP conducts frequent patrols and road blocks in the vicinity to deter and detect drink driving and speeding.”
“They will support persons with mental health issues and also to help maintain care-givers' own mental health. We need to raise the level of general knowledge and expertise in this field among our people. (In English): Sir, I support the Budget.”
“Second, the Government needs to continue monitoring the quality of care services. SOPs must be adhered to. Regular inspections and enforcement are necessary to uphold standards. Such measures are already in place but vigilance is necessary to maintain confidence and trust in the system, so that care-givers can have peace of mind. Third, we must provide career counselling, guidance and training for care-givers who would like to start or return to work, including part-time and flexi-work. In addition to self actualisation, work is important to one's sense of dignity and identity. Earned incomes contribute to household finances and retirement adequacies, and improve the quality of life for their families. Last, I hope MOH will train and upgrade more mental healthcare professionals to support persons with mental wellbeing issues as well as to help maintain the care-givers' own mental health. Like physical health, there are ways and strategies to keep our emotional, psychological and mental states in good condition. We need to raise the level of general knowledge and expertise in this field among our people. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Our country has many care facilities and services which can lighten the heavy responsibility of care-giving. We can raise public awareness of such services through the media, health institutions and grassroots organisations. The Government must ensure that the quality of services are good, so that care-givers can have peace of mind. We must also provide career counselling, guidance and training for care-givers who would like to return to work. Lastly, I hope the Ministry of Health will train and upgrade more mental health professionals.”
“The Government will raise the proportion of Government-supported pre-school places to 80% in four years' time. Fee caps will be lowered too. Elder and Respite Care. Similarly, a range of affordable and quality elder and respite care services will be made more accessible to lighten the financial and physical burden of caring for our elderly. For the elderly who are more frail and have less family support, there will be more places in residential care facilities, such as nursing homes, to provide them with the appropriate long-term care. Care for the Disabled. I am heartened that the National Council of Social Service and SG Enable will form a Singapore Together Alliances for Action (AfA) to look into bolstering support for care-givers of persons with disabilities. Support for care-givers of those with mental health conditions. For care-givers of those with mental health conditions, they need better access to information and guidance with care navigation. With our rapidly ageing population, we will also encounter more age-related mental health cases. I urge MOH to make more provisions to assist care-givers of this vulnerable group. With all these support services in place, what more can be done? First, we need to raise public awareness about the availability of all these services. This can be done through public messaging through free-to-air TV channels and radio, social media platforms, and contact points such as clinics, hospitals, community centres, Residents' Committees and Neighbourhood Committees. I have come across care-givers who are very worried about costs. We must encourage them to start exploring these options and work through the financials with the relevant Government agencies.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the past year had been difficult. But fortunately, with the availability of the vaccines, we are beginning to see some light at the end of the tunnel. The signs of recovery are here and we will be, as Deputy Prime Minister Heng had said, "Emerging Stronger Together". All of us contribute through our different roles in society. Today, I would like to speak for the care-givers amongst us, particularly the women who form the majority of care-givers in Singapore. How we can provide more support to our care-givers? Care-givers are not homogeneous. Some take on the role to provide more customised care for their loved ones. Others accept the task due to particular circumstances. Their needs are very complex, which also depend on whom they need to care for – children, elderly, differently-abled, or a combination. Care may be multi-faceted and their time requirements may not be neatly parceled out. As my resident who is a care-giver told me, "I am the housekeeper, cook, babysitter, nurse, accountant, concierge, courier and driver, and many many more." This work is onerous due to the wide range of responsibilities and the need to be constantly available, often on standby 24/7. Overwork and burnout are common amongst care-givers. Through the years, as we go through the feedback, the word "respite" has surfaced over and over again. Our care-givers simply need a break. I am proud to note that as a community, we are constantly improving in how we support our care-givers so that they can have their breaks, or even find the time to pursue interests and careers. Childcare. For care-givers looking after children, affordable, accessible and good quality childcare services are increasingly available.”
“There should be a one-stop venue where people can make appointments to be guided and advised. Can we seek the support of the SG Digital Ambassadors to help in this initiative and also draw upon the community to assist? In addition, would cybersecurity measures be introduced to protect the LPA databases, guard against hacking and fraudulent submissions? Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I would like to ask if there are plans to continue to accept hard copies of LPAs, even after digitalising LPAs. This will be helpful for those who struggle with digitalisation, especially the elderly and underprivileged. It is also important to provide training and guidance for people who intend to make their LPAs online. Training should be very personal and one-to-one, so that they can ask questions and feel assured. There should be a one-stop venue where people can make appointments to be guided and advised. In addition, would cybersecurity measures be introduced to protect the LPA databases, guard against hacking and fraudulent submissions? Can we seek the support of SG Digital Ambassadors to help in this initiative and also draw upon the community to assist? (In English): Sir, I support the Bill.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the Electronic Transactions Act (ETA) has facilitated electronic commerce and filing of documents by providing legal certainty for many, though not all, categories of digital transactions and electronic records. With the amendments, trade documents will be included. This will enable digital documentation with international ports, leading to shorter processing time, reduced costs and hopefully, lowered risks of fraud. These changes will have a significant impact on shipping and global trade. As a maritime and trading hub, we will definitely benefit from the resultant efficiency and productivity gains. At this point, I seek the Minister's assurance that we have the digital infrastructural support and cyber expertise to ensure that the cyber fraud risks are minimised. Would he elaborate upon the measures we have in place to protect the integrity of such digital documents? Next, the other area not covered under the ETA is the creation, performance or enforcement of an indenture, declaration of trust or power of attorney. This amendment Bill seeks to introduce changes to bring the power of attorney into its scope when the relevant legislative framework and administrative structure are ready, paving the way for the Lasting Power of Attorney (LPA) to be digitalised. I would like to ask if there are plans to continue to accept hard copies of LPAs, even after digitalising LPAs. This will be helpful for those who struggle with digitalisation, especially the elderly and underprivileged. It is also important to provide training and guidance for people who intend to make their LPAs online. Training should be very personal and one-to-one, so that they can ask questions and feel assured.”
“Thank you, Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State. Many of the elderly are still very unsure if they should take the vaccination. However, after I have explained to them that the doctor present will speak to them and understand their medical condition and advise them accordingly, they felt a little bit more assured. But then they also asked another question: "I cannot remember the type of medication I take. So, what happens if I do not give an accurate picture of my condition?" So, I told them: "Don't worry. If you give your IC number, the doctors will be able to advise you accordingly". Then they felt a little bit more assured. Can I ask if this item can be placed in the communication material so that at least the elderly, on their part, they read it and they can understand?”
“Is there a guide being drawn up to help enforcement officers identify and keep a lookout for items that could be suspicious as they would be used to assemble illegal items? Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] We have to be especially wary of digital printers being used to make guns, weapons and explosives that could be assembled in installments and shipped here, without anyone knowing their purpose. A concern I have is how the Singapore Police Force is going to spot and identify gun or weapon parts which can be imported into Singapore in hard-to-detect bits and pieces, deceptively mis-labelled as something else. These could be shipped in different batches and assembled here. Will the Minister share how we can counter this threat? Is there a guide being drawn up to help enforcement officers identify and keep a look-out for items that could be suspicious as they would be used to assemble illegal items? (In English): Lastly, I would like to ask for more details and updates about how the Ministry intends to control and regulate 3D printers to prevent their misuse, while keeping a balanced approach so as not to stifle innovation for other engineering purposes. Sir, I support the Bill.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I welcome this Bill, which has introduced important amendments to cover new areas of risks and to enhance the enforcement powers of our Police force. Twenty-twenty had been a particularly difficult year for all. In addition to the COVID-19 health crisis, many parts of the world also experienced political turmoil and upheavals in their streets. Situations escalate quickly in territories where guns, explosives and weapons are accessible. Hence, I strongly support measures to tighten control over guns, explosives and weapons which pose higher risks as well as increasing the maximum fines for unlicensed activities fivefold to $50,000 for persons and $100,000 for entities. What has stood out for me in this Bill is the criminalisation of the unauthorised possession of digital blueprints for the manufacture of guns or major gun parts. This is necessary with the rapid advancement of 3D printing technology, which has been improving by leaps and bounds. It is frightening and sobering to see how the Internet has enabled the world to connect and share all good and bad. Information and videos on how to make and assemble many items are shared freely or for a fee on the web. We have to be especially wary of digital printers being used to make guns, weapons and explosives that could be assembled in installments and shipped here without anyone knowing their purpose. A concern I have is how the Singapore Police Force is going to spot and identify gun or weapon parts which can imported into Singapore in hard-to-detect bits and pieces, deceptively mislabeled as something else. These could be shipped in different batches and assembled here. Would the Minister share how we can counter this threat?”
“Thank you, Speaker. I thank the Senior Minister of State for his reply. In addition to the physical side effects that many of these patients might have suffered, some of them might suffer panic attacks, anxiety attacks. So, would Khoo Teck Puat Hospital be able to support medical costs relating to mental health?”
“I thank the Minister for the reply. I have one supplementary question. The Minister mentioned about elderly commuters. I would like to find out how SMRT took care of our elderly and wheelchair-bound commuters when the trains broke down. How did they evacuate these vulnerable commuters, especially from trains that were stuck above ground?”
“(In English): I welcome more stringent controls over spam and telemarketing through related amendments to the Spam Control Act or SCA. The SCA will be updated to protect users from unsolicited messages, particularly bulk commercial texts sent to instant messaging accounts, such as WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. The most common messages make offers of loans, gambling and betting. My question is how the Ministry would deal with perpetrators from overseas. How can they be caught and what recourse do our people have, besides blocking these numbers as and when they attack? Would the Ministry be able to explore cross-jurisdictional cooperation with countries where these overseas numbers have originated from, so that there is a possibility of either bringing these syndicates to justice or at least to shut them down? Finally, I urge PDPC to check and conduct selective audits to ensure that all companies that collect consumers’ personal data have a tight regime in protecting the data collected. If there are gaps, would PDPC consider providing more resources and experts at a reasonable or low cost to help and guide these companies, since prevention is always better than cure? Sir, I would like to conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“Of course, any individual acting in a personal or domestic basis will not be caught by these obligations, as such a case is already excluded from the Act. In addition, the Bill specified that PDPC must be notified within 72 hours and affected persons, without undue delay. This in effect means that there is no timeframe set for notifying individuals. I feel that there should be a clear deadline so that individuals can do the needful to protect themselves. Time is of the essence. The longer it takes to inform them, the greater the potential damage, and the PDPA is not simply a notification regime, but is also an Act that protects individuals and their data. Individuals may also need to take their own steps to change, mask or protect their data, including those on other platforms, especially if the leaks involve their digital identities, which are increasingly interlinked. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In addition, the Bill specified that PDPC must be notified within 72 hours, and affected persons, without undue delay. This in effect, means that there is no timeframe set for notifying individuals. I feel that there should be a clear deadline so that individuals can do the needful to protect themselves. Time is of the essence. The longer it takes to inform them, the greater the potential damage, and the PDPA is not simply a notification regime, but is also an Act that protects individuals and their data. Individuals may also need to take their own steps to change, mask or protect their data, including those on other platforms, especially if the leaks involve their digital identities, which are increasingly interlinked.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to the acceleration of digitalisation in almost every aspect of our lives. Hence, it has become even more important for us to ensure that our data protection legislation is keeping pace with advances in information technology. Recent data breaches, which affected 1.1 million Redmart and 2.8 million Eatigo accounts, highlight once again the dangers lurking in the shadows of Internet space and the importance of cybersecurity and remedial procedures. I understand that users were informed quite quickly and were thus able to take measures to protect themselves, such as changing their passwords. Different organisations have very different attitudes towards data protection. Therefore, I am very glad that the Bill’s amendments will make it compulsory for all organisations to notify the Personal Data Protection Commission or PDPC and affected individuals of data breaches. This will compel all companies to step up controls or risk heavy financial penalties. However, I note that notifications are only required where there are significant number of people affected, which had previously been proposed at 500 or more, and where there could be significant harm for affected individuals, such as compromised NRIC and credit card numbers. I would therefore like to ask the Minister why notifications to PDPC need be made only when the breaches involve a prescribed number of people? I feel that as long as an individual is affected, PDPC should be informed. I note that the current online reporting form for data breaches is already quite a simple one-page form that takes about eight to 10 minutes to fill up, and hence reporting should not be too onerous for organisations.”
“I thank the Minister for her reply. I have two supplementary questions. First, could MOM supplement the SGUnited jobs initiative with more manned hotlines, where jobseekers can dial in for career advice and job-matching? This would be very helpful for our workers. Second, again to help our older low-income workers, it would be helpful if the Ministry makes provision for career coaches to be conversant in the mother tongue languages and even dialects, if this is not already done.”
“We have to keep a careful balance so that we do not feel overwhelmed while trying to maintain our economic competitiveness. Sir, I would like to conclude with my support for the Ministerial Statement.”
“It is important for them to know that they are not alone and to realise that they do not need to walk this journey alone. Next, I would like to express my concern and slight alarm over the increasing discomfort in some parts of our society towards the idea of a cosmopolitan Singapore. We have to be very vigilant and take proactive steps to ensure that this will not worsen as it may lead to fault lines widening in our society. I am worried that part of this problem may be along racial lines, which may cause discomfort among members of our minority groups. I think that the acknowledgement of this problem is important in order for us to start the process in managing this issue. National education for our young and public education for the rest of us will continue to be essential. All of us must understand that a Singapore that closes its doors to the outside world is bad for all of us. I am keenly aware that some of these questions and comments arose because there is an impression that foreigners are here competing with Singaporeans for jobs. We need to strike a balance between meeting our economic needs and maintaining our social fabric. If we were to keep our goal of being an open, global and regional hub, we need to accept the presence of international firms and foreigners living and working with us in our society. But I wish to call upon the Government to be more selective and ensure that only foreigners with specialised skills or experience that are less commonly found in our local workforce are brought into Singapore so that our citizens will feel more secure and can be convinced that the foreigners are here to add value and not compete for their jobs and other resources.”
“I appeal to the Government to consider extending the $3,000 Baby Support Grant to all Singaporean babies born in 2020 so that we can better support our young families in these very trying times. I hope babies born to single mothers can also be included to help reduce stress for the mother in an already very challenging situation. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I have received a lot of feedback from parents whose babies were born after the onset of the pandemic this year, but before 1 October 2020. I understand that all policies must have a specific start date. But I also understand how difficult it has been for parents who were expecting or who just gave birth during or after the circuit breaker period. They shared with me how they had trouble getting a confinement nanny, grappled with the challenge of obtaining supplies when shops were closed and how they fretted over getting necessities for their newborns. Many couples also could not have their parents visit and help out due to safety measures during the circuit breaker period. I appeal to the Government to consider extending the $3,000 Baby Support Grant to all Singaporean babies born in 2020 so that we can better support our young families in these trying times. I hope babies born to single mothers can be included too to help reduce stress for the mother in an already challenging situation. (In English): For vulnerable families, they need more support and guidance during this very difficult time. Will the Government be channeling more resources into counselling services for them? How about setting up mutual support networks, supported by experienced professionals and other community partners, where they can learn helpful tips from one another and provide mutual encouragement?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, today, I would like to speak on helping those who have fallen through the cracks and the issue of a harmonious society. During this difficult time, I would like to appeal for more help for the sandwiched class, especially our young families. The young parents are just starting out in their new careers and new family lives when this crisis struck. I have spoken to many young families in my constituency and I share their worries. I hope the Government will consider providing higher subsidies for their children’s medical and insurance expenses, including some support for expenditure for the third child onwards. Next, I welcome the one-off $3,000 Baby Support Grant or BSG, for newborns. This will be in addition to the current Baby Bonus cash gift of up to $10,000. The BSG is intended to help parents of Singaporean children born between 1 October 2020 and 30 September 2022 to defray the cost of raising a child amid the pandemic, and hopefully, to also encourage couples not to delay parenthood. However, I have received a lot of feedback from parents whose babies were born after the onset of the pandemic this year but before 1 October 2020. I understand that all policies have to have a specific start date. But I also understand how difficult it has been for parents who were expecting or who just gave birth during or after the circuit breaker period. They shared with me how they had trouble getting a confinement nanny, grappled with the challenge of obtaining supplies when shops were closed and how they fretted over getting necessities for their newborns. Many couples also could not have their parents visit and help out due to safety measures during the circuit breaker period.”
“Is there a more sustainable way to clean and sanitise which can minimise the discharge of chemicals into our environment? Sir, I look forward to the Minister’s response and would like to conclude with my support for the Bill. 5.00 pm”
“All toilets should be upgraded progressively, starting with the older and more poorly designed toilets. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Many of our public toilets in coffee shops and hawker centres are often wet. Sometimes, the wet floors and sink counters are due to leaky taps, shallow sinks and high water pressure. More often than not, the slippery floors are so because of poor user habits. Wet toilets are both a physical hazard and environmental public health hazard. I would like to suggest that the Ministry specify toilet design requirements to ensure that toilets are easier to maintain and kept dry. This set of specifications will also ensure that toilets that are being upgraded or built will be up to the ES standards. Examples of useful features include better drainage, better ventilation to minimise foul odours and speed up evaporation, hand-dryers that are right next to the sinks, and hands-free sensor taps and toilet flushes. With an ageing population, fall prevention should be a priority. Therefore, the floors of all public toilets should use non-slip materials or coatings. All toilets should be upgraded progressively, starting with the older and more poorly designed toilets. (In English): Coffee shop and hawker centre operators should tap on the recently launched Toilet Improvement Programme to make the necessary upgrades to their toilets and for proper maintenance. For individuals, public education on the correct toilet etiquette would be useful to keep our toilets clean and dry. On the subject of sustainability, I am worried about the impact of higher cleaning standards on our environment. For example, more gloves and chemicals would be used.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, the introduction of the Environmental Public Health (Amendment) Bill comes during a critical time. We are in the midst of a global crisis, unprecedented in its scale and impact. The pandemic is also a wake-up call, highlighting the importance of things that we have all taken for granted, such as environmental hygiene and public health. This Bill mandates environmental sanitation (ES) standards for the cleaning and disinfection of high-risk premises. This means that cleaning costs will go up. Most of us are aware that Singapore is clean because of the hard work of our many cleaners. However, if we all do our part and play a more active role to keep our public environment clean, our collective efforts can help keep costs down. The high-risk areas listed in the Bill include toilets and other high-touch areas. Many of our public toilets in coffee shops and hawker centres are often very wet. Sometimes, the wet floors and sink counters are due to leaky taps, shallow sinks and high water pressure or poor user habits. Wet toilets are both a physical hazard and environmental public health hazard. I would like to suggest that the Ministry specify toilet design requirements to ensure that toilets are easier to maintain and kept dry. This set of specifications will also ensure that toilets that are being upgraded or built will be up to the ES standards. Useful features include better drainage, better ventilation to minimise foul odours and to speed up evaporation, hand-dryers that are right next to the sinks, and hands-free sensor taps and toilet flushes. With an ageing population, fall prevention should be a priority. Therefore, the floors of all public toilets should use non-slip materials or coatings.”
“Let us put our trust in one another and fight this good fight together. We are not alone. Together we stand and we shall emerge from this crisis stronger than before. I conclude with my support for the Motion of Thanks to the President for her Address.”
“We need more family counsellors during this critical period to share with them how to avail themselves of help and take care of themselves and their families. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Finally, I would like to appeal for more social assistance including family counselling for our sandwiched class, many of whom are middle-aged with young children and elderly parents to support. They are under a lot of stress under these difficult times and may not be aware of our myriad of assistance programmes. For families in crisis, it does not take much to derail them. We need a stronger and more holistic social support networks to assist them at the first signs of distress and quickly prevent their situation from worsening. In addition to greater publicity and more satellite career centres in our heartlands, I hope the Ministry of Manpower can work with the Ministry of Social and Family Development to be alerted in the event of any job termination. We could proactively send materials to employees and families affected or contact them, checking if they need help to tide them over difficult periods. Knowing that assistance policies are in place to ensure that their children's and elderly's basic needs, such as food, housing, healthcare, education and transport, are taken care of will lift a load off their minds, allowing them to focus on their next step – training and trying new jobs. We need more family counsellors during this critical period to share with them how to avail themselves of help and take care of themselves and their families. (In English): Sir, in conclusion, we face a daunting task ahead of us but I have faith that we can overcome this crisis. We are a resilient and determined people who are not afraid to work hard.”
“As the global economy is undergoing extensive transformation due to the COVID-19 crisis and the trade tensions, this is also a good opportunity for us to take a deeper look at how our economy and jobs are transforming, and to make the process a beneficial one for employers and Singaporean employees. Though it is important for us to remain an open society, we should also keep an eye on the statistics to ensure that we are on track to reach our goal of building a strong Singaporean Core within our desired time frame. I would also like to appeal for more social assistance, including family counselling, for our sandwiched class, many of whom are middle-aged with young children and elderly parents to support. They are under a lot of stress under these difficult times and may not be aware of our myriad of assistance programmes in place. For families in crisis, it does not take much to derail them. We need stronger and more holistic social support networks to catch them at the first signs of distress and quickly put a stop to prevent them from sliding further. In addition to greater publicity and a bigger presence in our heartlands, I hope MOM can work with MSF to be alerted in the event of any job termination. We could proactively send materials to employees and families affected or contact them, checking if they need help to tide them over difficult periods. Knowing that processes are in place to ensure that their children’s and elderly’s basic needs, such as food, housing, healthcare, education and transport, are taken care of will lift a load off their minds, allowing them to focus on the next step – training and trying new jobs.”
“Just as it is the Government's responsibility to look out for Singaporeans, it is no surprise that companies focus on their own organisations' priorities, such as profitability or their own national interests if they are foreign entities. In other cases, the hiring biases could be due to the inherent cultures and working environments within the organisations, which may make it more favourable for foreign employees to land jobs and thrive. I urge MOM to do more to rein in errant employers. It is important to nurture Singaporeans by giving them the opportunities, exposure and experience provided by these coveted jobs. While I appreciate and support the higher qualifying salaries for Employment Passes, more can be done as I feel the measure is not enough. We need to step up oversight of the hiring processes, the actual hires and the types of roles that are going to locals and foreigners. We should also fortify our reporting hotlines to make it easier for employees and whistleblowers to make reports and complaints, and provide more resources to our investigative teams. Investigation teams should take every report seriously. Next, I would like to request that going forward, MOM and MTI adopt a consultative process to work more closely together with employers to find out what difficulties they have faced in hiring the right local citizen talents for the jobs and to work through these issues in a constructive manner. While higher qualifying salaries, penalties and levies can be effective, these are blunt tools that may end up driving up costs for companies.”
“The Progressive Wage Model or PWM has lifted wages for workers in limited sectors. We should escalate the implementation of PWM for more jobs and in addition, raise their wage levels. We should continue to professionalise the training, upgrading, licensing and organisation of our local workmen and tradesmen. They are an important part of our local economy and they provide essential services to our population. We should provide options for them to access certification exams in languages that they are comfortable with, or even allow for verbal rather than written assessments, or even practical tests, given the nature of their work. The same goes for skills upgrading and training, where we should continue to encourage them to learn new skills and go digital, but in a format that is accessible to them. If they can offer additional new services or reach new customers through digital platforms, this will ensure their livelihoods and the survival of their trades. At the other extreme, there are jobs desired by Singapore Citizens, such as Professional, Managers, Executives and Technicians or PMET positions, but seem to be taken by a significant number of foreigners, giving rise to complaints that our citizens have been discriminated against. I applaud the efforts to increase the level of government scrutiny to ensure fair hiring practices by both local and foreign firms. Last month, one of my residents, a PMET, shared with me, in tears, that she was retrenched, a plight which she accepted, in view of the economic crisis. However, she later found out that her job was given to a foreigner, who performed all the same tasks that she used to do in her company. We must do more to prevent employers from abusing our system.”
“We need to recruit and train more career coaches because they are needed not only during this crisis but also in the future, as job cycles become shorter, even as people live longer and work well into their 60s or 70s. For Singapore to remain competitive and relevant in the world market, we have to support Singaporeans as they may have to change jobs every decade in the new, fast-evolving economic environment. Our countrymen should never be alone in their search for work and opportunities, regardless of economic cycles. The Government should always have their back, while working in close partnership with employers and investors for a win-win outcome. For the last few years, as a nation, we have been working to strengthen the Singaporean Core in our workforce, in every sector and at every level. It is not only to protect Singaporean’s labour rights and privileges but also to ensure that our citizens have key competencies and knowledge necessary for national sustainability, independence and security. As this crisis has highlighted, we should strive to be as self-reliant as possible, even in the face of our limited resources. For certain jobs and sectors, we have not been able to grow our local core because the jobs and sectors are not attractive to Singaporeans and we have to depend heavily on foreigners. Jobs that immediately come to mind are construction workers and sanitation workers. We should intensify our efforts and review how these jobs can be redesigned and done differently, supplemented with technology or incorporate new work processes to make them more attractive. Second, as a nation, we must be prepared to pay more for services or goods made by fellow citizens, so that they will receive better wages, as the President has pointed out in her Address.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, it has been a few months since the COVID-19 virus turned our world upside down. So much has changed and the way ahead is full of uincertainties. The slew of assistance measures by the Government have blunted the full force of this health, economic and social crisis. However, the storm is not over yet but signs of fatigue may be gradually setting in or have already set in. I hope that we can all remain vigilant and push back against the weariness and complacency. The invisible enemy does not rest. At the same time, let us harness our inner reserves of strength and courage for the transformation we need to survive and thrive in the aftermath. The biggest worry most Singaporeans have now is jobs. I am heartened by the efforts of the various Government agencies and volunteers to reach out to jobseekers. In addition to those fresh out of school and tertiary institutions, there are many middle aged career jobseekers, who have the dual responsibilities of providing for elderly family members and young children. Mid-career applicants may have to consider new roles, even in different sectors. They may have to go for training and learn new skills. It can be a challenging and intimidating process, especially if the required skill sets are very different. The Ministry has deployed career coaches to advise and guide them. We need more of these certified career coaches to support and journey with them, with more hand-holding if necessary, to encourage them to take the big leap into the unknown. From deciding which sectors to explore to drafting resumes – having a trained and well-informed counselor by your side can really make the difference between failure and success.”
“The crisis will not last forever, in three to five years, the economy will pick up and the couples can make up for the difference later. This will also be timely as they progress in their careers, earn more and become able to afford higher mortgage payments. I also wish to appeal for higher subsidies for pregnancy check-ups, deliveries and childhood vaccinations to make procreation even more affordable. Would MND also consider building bigger HDB flats in the future? Not only do bigger units allow families to continue living together and help to look after each other, they will also take into account that more citizens will be working and studying online from home. This will be become a permanent trend. More and more people will need a home office and increasingly, home-based learning will be part of all students’ schedule, whether during emergencies, or, regularly utilised to ensure that the system is working and that the students and teachers stay familiar with the online learning platforms. Such a change in working and learning patterns means that there is a need and demand for a bit more space, with internal dividers, for all members of a family to do their jobs and studying sustainably, without disturbing one another. Let us support our young adults who are standing at the entrance of independence and parenthood. Encourage them to proceed to the next lap with those they love. The pandemic will pass. And throughout the way, we will help everyone to tide through these tough times together. 11.59 am”
“However, for some young people, the jobs they had been preparing for may have all but disappeared and some are even at a loss about whether they should consider switching industries.Thus, the Government, together with industry and the Institutes of Higher Learning, should work even more closely together to help them navigate the job market in this challenging environment. We must be mindful of the impact of this crisis on them for years to come and have the appropriate strategy to help them to ensure that they will not become a lost or traumatised generation. For a number of them, they are entering the adult world with “empty hands”, as their parents and family members may also face job losses or business difficulties. My concern is that as our economy recovers in the future, this cohort’s experience and their subsequent actions would have consequences for us as a nation. Even with the use of technology and solemnisations via video link, relationships and marriages may be delayed. They may delay having children, have fewer children or none at all. In delaying procreation, the chances of having healthy children are reduced. Our family units form the foundation of our society. Matching up young single Singaporeans may hardly be a priority now but I hope the Government will be mindful of this issue as it has wide ranging implications, including our economy’s competitiveness and national security. As for those who have decided to take the leap, we can do more to support these new young families. There are attractive grants in place for HDB flat purchases. Nonetheless, I would like to ask the government to help them with the repayment of their HDB loans. Please consider accepting even lower deposits and smaller repayments monthly. This need not be permanent.”
“In early May, Deputy Prime Minister Heng had said that, I quote, “there should be no lost generation in Singapore… we are sailing into uncharted waters, surveying the new landscape, exploring new growth and opportunities, preparing to seize them when the storm passes..." I would like to speak a little about the young adults who will be joining or who had just joined our workforce. This is a world that seems so familiar and yet so different from the one they had grown up expecting to enter. This generation had grown up hearing from their elders about how fortunate they have been, growing up enjoying the many benefits of a prosperous nation as compared to Singapore’s founding years. And now suddenly, within the space of a few months, the world has changed. It is so much harder for them to get jobs. The malls are closed. They cannot hang out with friends. Suddenly, we also have an entire generation of Romeos and Juliets, forbidden from meeting each other. As this group is young, we may not be as worried as we may be for older Singaporeans. They will also receive support under the Fortitude Budget’s SGUnited Traineeship which aims to provide 21,000 traineeships for local first-time jobseekers, and there is additional support from the Hiring Incentive scheme which has been expanded to cover workers of all ages. Certainly, some of the 40,000 jobs to be created in the public and private sectors by the SGUnited Jobs initiative will be offered to this young cohort too. However, being young and with less experience, they may face obstacles searching for jobs in a very tight labour market. I am glad to note that MOM will take active steps to assist those who need advice and career counselling in applying for jobs and being matched with training programmes and jobs.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the $33 billion Fortitude Budget. This is an unprecedented Budget but it is necessary as this is one of the worst crises to hit us in our nation’s history. Many of my residents in Henderson-Dawson have shared with me how they and their companies have been directly assisted by the various assistance schemes and programmes announced as parts of the Unity, Resilience and Solidarity Budgets. Many are also acutely aware that we are drawing on our reserves and have expressed their worries about drawing down on our nation’s savings, especially since we do not know how long this crisis will last. It is a delicate balance between the needs of our present and our future, and the Government has had to make some very tough decisions for the good of everyone in Singapore under these trying circumstances. The central focus of the Fortitude Budget is jobs. I am glad to see that the various age groups of our society will continue to receive assistance. From young graduates to middle aged employees, and to older workers, all will receive help with jobseeking, job-matching and training. We are especially concerned for the sandwiched workers – those who are supporting both children and elderly parents. I urge them to take up the various assistance schemes applicable to them and come forward to request for help if they are unsure of what to do. It is important that even as we focus on taking care of our immediate needs, we must also be mindful of our external environment and keep an eye on what is ahead of us.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State. I have one supplementary question. As we reopen our SACs in due time, I would like to ask MOH if it would provide training and training resources to all our VWOs to help them train their staff, provide them with the necessary resources so that they can observe good and better hygiene habits as we really need to protect our elderly and the staff looking after them, especially when the SACs open.”
“This is because at these locations, there are always children running around and the elderly people walking nearby to use the exercise equipment, and accidents easily happen. In my constituency, there are a few playgrounds with little houses and children love playing hide-and-seek there. When the kids suddenly run out of the small houses and dash onto the adjacent paths, they could be knocked down by the bicycles or PMDs. This is very dangerous. As for the elderly, their reflexes may be slower and if there are riders approaching, they may not be able to move away in time. (In English): Second, it is essential for the Ministry to tailor its communications strategies and methods to different groups of users about where they can and cannot ride to prevent disputes and misunderstandings. It is important to explain the different aspects clearly and carefully so that all users know how to share the usage of paths responsibly. The public education programme should be continuous so that every cohort of riders and pedestrians is taught and reminded of the necessary etiquette on pathways. This is how we can maintain a safe environment for active mobility in Singapore. Sir, I would like to conclude and look forward to the Ministry's response.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I support both Bills. Both Bills certainly address the safety aspect. The Bills will ensure that motorised personal mobility devices (PMDs) and power-assisted bicycles (PABs) meet the pre-set specifications to minimise fire risks and lower risks of accidents on pathways. I am glad that it is more clearly stated now which mobility devices are permitted on which paths, thus retaining connectivity for non-motorised PMDs and cyclists while limiting the motorised vehicles to certain paths. However, I have two points to make. First, I urge the Ministry to consider requiring cyclists and non-motorised PMD users to dismount and push their devices when they approach areas with fitness equipment, hardcourts or playgrounds as there are children running around and the elderly using the fitness equipment. Most usually dismount or even avoid these areas, but for those who do not, it would be dangerous. I will share an example. There are a few playgrounds in my constituency in Henderson Dawson where there are little house-like structures that children love to play in. Why? Because the children love to play hide-and-seek there with one another. However, it is dangerous when a child suddenly runs out of this "home", and onto the path of a rider. As for elderly, their reflexes might be slower, and if there is an oncoming rider, they may not be able to move out of its path in time. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] I suggest that the Minister should consider setting up regulations requiring cyclists and riders of non-motorised PMDs to dismount and push their vehicles when they are near playgrounds, exercise corners and any venues where people gather.”