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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“It is of paramount importance that we manage our exposure risks with best practices and technologies available. Yet, the precautionary screening measures we have at our airports, ferry terminals and other checkpoints seem minimal and easy to get around. For example, medication can lower body temperatures and thus render infrared cameras less effective. Another major challenge is that carriers may not be aware of their illnesses nor have symptoms. I would like to ask if the Minister could elaborate on the measures to boost the detection of infectious diseases at our entry points. For example, will we be tapping on new devices and technologies, such as big data and artificial intelligence? I understand that there is a German research project, HyFly, underway to prevent airports from being gateways for infection. One of the tools being developed will detect respiratory diseases using ion mobility spectrometry. Do we have any such local research initiatives? Another key amendment is the legislative requirement for mobile and transport operators and persons in charge of premises to disseminate health advisories as part of prevention of disease transmission. May I ask if the Ministry will have the discretion to direct the mode and format of communication? How much control will the Ministry have over the channels and platforms used, such as the printed materials, television, radio, the Internet and social media? There should be some form of monitoring to ensure the integrity and quality of the health advisory delivery. The information should be provided in our four official languages and even some foreign languages, wherever possible. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I fully support the proposed amendments to improve on how we deal with infectious diseases, including better surveillance and control of such diseases, and measures to prevent their introduction into our island. One of the proposals is the discretion to turn back unvaccinated travellers. Currently, we would have to, first, offer this group vaccination, surveillance or isolation before turning them away if they refuse. In the event of a sudden influx of visitors from places with ongoing outbreaks, the new legislative framework would help to reduce the risk of exposure to our people and avert the problem of capacity. Hence, I fully agree with the Ministry’s recommendation. I would like to seek clarifications regarding proof of vaccination from such visitors. Are the vaccination certificates presented when they arrive in Singapore or at the point of embarkation? I think it is a safer arrangement for us to have pre-emptive arrangements with foreign ports to require travellers present proof before they depart for Singapore. This would enable us to screen out potential disease carriers and prevent their contact with other travellers coming here and our immigration staff. This is much better than allowing them to make the journey here and, subsequently, turning them away. My second question is that if the vaccination certificates were presented before they board the transport vehicles, do our officers check and verify these documents again when they arrive in Singapore? Travel, particularly air travel, continues to grow rapidly around the world. This means that a potentially dangerous pathogen could spread globally within days. Singapore is a busy aviation hub. Changi Airport has about 60 million passengers passing through it each year.”
“I have one supplementary question. I note that regular checks are conducted on outlets. What I would like to know is whether surprise checks are also conducted in addition to such regular checks because, for regular checks, probably the operators would know when NEA might be coming. I am not sure, but if there are no surprise checks being conducted, I hope that this can be done.”
“I would like to suggest that the Ministry put more effort into public education campaigns, including outreach programmes and road shows, to clarify the protection and entitlements of employees, particularly those working in sectors and positions which pay lower wages. Whether it is overtime pay, timely payment of wages, salary deductions, medical leave or dispute resolution, the Ministry must make a concerted effort to reach out to and educate temporary, contract and daily-rated employees about their rights in these areas. (In English): With greater awareness and more detailed knowledge, these workers will be able to negotiate for fairer terms of employment and seek support from the Ministry in the event of non-compliance by their employers. Sir, I conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, it is heartening to see the additional protection and benefits for more of our employees and workers. The EA, and I quote from the MOM website, "does not make any distinction between a temporary employee, contract employee, daily-rated employee or employee on tenured employment". Hence, the stipulated minimum terms and conditions of employment applies to all. Employees working less than 35 hours a week should be made aware of the protection for them under regulations for part-time employees. My concern stems from the rise of the gig economy, where flexi-time, temporary jobs are increasing exponentially, with more companies hiring freelancers and independent individual contractors. Based on some of the feedback I had received, there are pockets of workers who are not very sure of their employment rights and entitlements in such hiring arrangements. As a result, they are at risk of exploitative practices. I would like to suggest that the Ministry put more effort into public education campaigns, including outreach programmes and road shows, to clarify the protection and entitlements of employees, particularly those working in sectors and positions which pay lower wages. Whether it is overtime pay, timely payment of wages, salary deductions, medical leave or dispute resolution, the Ministry must make a concerted effort to reach out to and educate temporary, contract and daily-rated employees about their rights in these areas. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin) [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Based on some of the feedback I had received, there are pockets of workers who are not very sure of their employment rights and entitlements in such hiring arrangements. As a result, they are at risk of exploitative practices.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this Bill will give our officers the powers to respond to a wider range of incidents. The explicit legal powers currently granted to our SCDF officers are limited to firefighting operations, Civil Defence operations during a state of emergency or state of Civil Defence emergency. However, our officers also assist in rescues involving EMSes and other life-and-death situations, such as worksite and traffic accidents. Hence, it is only right that they are protected from legal liability when they are part of such hazardous operations. I am concerned about the caveat that requires officers to "act in good faith and with reasonable care" in the course of their duties. This is a reasonable expectation but somewhat vague. In the event of a tragedy, how do we determine what constitutes "good faith" and "reasonable care"? Is there a list of guidelines or best practices? In an emergency where chaos reigns, officers may have to make split-second judgement calls under very tremendous stress and heavy constraints. What measures are available to protect these officers if something goes wrong and family members of victims decide to pursue further action? Is there a neutral panel or body which all parties can turn to for additional information, guidance and mediation? I request for elucidation as I think that more clarity is necessary for all parties concerned to get on the same page, and to empower our officers to carry out their duties with greater confidence. Sir, I conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“The reason for these queries is to obtain a clearer picture of the manpower profile in the cleaning industry. How would an employer or contracting company determine productivity when assessing a resident and foreign cleaner doing the same job? Would the training be the same for an elderly and a much younger cleaner? How would a trainer deal with language issues in the process of communicating, considering that many elderly cleaners are more proficient in their mother tongue and dialects? Would the ability to read and understand instructions and labels, usually in English, have an impact on the future work of our cleaners? Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Next, I urge the Government to take a more proactive role to engage our elderly cleaners and understand their concerns. From the dialogues with them, please use the feedback to improve training programmes, customising them if necessary. Such interactions also provide opportunities for our Government agencies to encourage them to embrace skills upgrading, so that psychological barriers will be lowered and they will be more receptive to training and new ways of doing their jobs. (In English) Finally, I also appeal to the Ministry to ensure that our cleaners do not continue to be disadvantaged by the subcontracting culture in the cleaning sector. Such common practices may depress the wages of our cleaners and fail to recognise their experience and higher skillsets as clients go through a merry-go-round of cleaning contracting companies. Sir, I support the Bill.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I strongly support the amendment to implement the PWM Bonus under NEA's licensing regime for cleaning businesses. The annual bonus for Singaporean and PR cleaners is greatly welcomed. We can certainly see the changes brought about by technological advances and automation in the cleaning sector, as in many other sectors. These new machineries and systems will make our cleaners' work less demanding physically. Our cleaners will have to learn new skills to operate these systems and such specific skillsets are expected to lead to higher productivity and wages. My concern is for our resident cleaners who are elderly. While they would certainly like to be more productive and earn higher wages, due to their age, they are understandably worried about their abilities to absorb new information and training. Many candidly shared with me that they feel intimidated and fearful, especially those who had little formal education. They lack the confidence to undergo upgrading of their skills. If we examine the statistics, we can see that more and more of our elderly are staying in the workforce. Between 2013 and 2017, the number of employed residents aged 62 and above rose by 38%, from 166,800 to 230,500. In the same period, those aged 67 and above jumped by 64%, from 61,700 to 100,900. Of the employed residents aged 67 and over in 2017, 80% held secondary and lower qualifications, and 52% were employed as production and transport operators, cleaners and labourers. Hence, specifically, I would like to ask the Senior Minister of State, in 2017, how many resident cleaners we have in Singapore; how many of the resident cleaners are aged 62 and above, and 67 and above; how many foreign cleaners we have; and what the average age of a foreign cleaner is.”
“A network of small, independent electricity grids also offers an alternative in the event of cyberterrorism targeting the national grid. In the US, the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation confirmed earlier this year that state-sponsored hackers had infiltrated the electricity grid. A leading cybersecurity firm had also cautioned about cybercriminals posing a threat to utility operators. Hackers had caused an equipment shutdown at a Saudi Arabian oil and gas plant and a smelter in a German steel mill to overload and destroy itself. Next, I would like to request that EMA draws up guidelines to guide staff on how to disseminate information and updates to the public in the event of outages. During the recent blackout, hotlines were inundated and some people were unable to get their calls through. Good communication is important in reducing anxiety and panic among members of the public who have no idea how long the outage would last. Finally, may I ask the Ministry how are the rates of the regulated tariffs decided upon? It is not easy for consumers to decide which electricity retailers to choose from. The Open Electricity Market is a very new concept for most Singaporeans and many of my elderly residents may get quite confused. They cannot understand how a retailer can sell electricity at a more competitive price than the wholesale market. Would MTI be able to provide them advisory services as this would be very useful for the senior citizens to make an informed choice? Sir, I would like to conclude with my support for the Bill. 4.11 pm”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, there has never been a time when our world is more dependent on electricity as our world is today, and it will become even more so in the future when we become a Smart Nation. The massive power outage we experienced earlier this month is a reminder of how we should not take electricity for granted and how critical it is to secure and protect our power supply and transmission connections. The Bill will empower EMA to direct the expansion of the electricity transmission network to ensure the security and reliability of supply when necessary, including for emergency situations like this. However, the recent blackout highlighted how centralised our operations are and the associated vulnerabilities. I urge the Ministry to consider expediting the setting up of independent sources of electricity island-wide to provide backup power for critical installations, such as water pumps, elevators, traffic and street lights. In the event of a prolonged outage, these power sources will ameliorate hardships and reduce accidents. I am aware that EMA is looking into the potential of micro-grids. These are small electricity networks which are usually connected to a centralised national grid but that can also operate independently. So far, these are only being tested at the Singapore Institute of Technology and Pulau Ubin. Would MTI and EMA make it a priority to extend these testbeds to more areas and institutions? In different parts of the world, the building of micro-grids is gaining momentum as governments realise their potential in adding to energy security. They can be found in Amsterdam in The Netherlands, California and New York in the United States (US), Higashi Matsushima in Japan, just to name a few.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. I have two supplementary questions. First, would the Ministry consider putting in place a process encouraging doctors to print out a copy of the prescription for the patient after examination and going through with him the medicines and dosages? That is the first question. The second one, could this same printout be given to the patient so that the dispenser can countercheck against the labels and instructions on the medicines?”
“I have a proposal that I hope the Minister can consider. We should forbid the spread of cigarette smoke in residential areas. Anyone who wants to smoke in their homes must ensure that their cigarette smoke does not escape from their apartments and flats to pollute the environment outside their homes. In other words, windows and doors should be closed when smoking. Smokers may consider installing an air filter in their rooms. They should not be standing near the windows, doors or corridors to smoke. If smoke is detected outside of the flat, the resident should then be considered to have violated the law. As a first step, neighbours should try to persuade the neighbours who are smoking to smoke in a more considerate way, either by talking to them directly or through relevant agencies. If it does not work, then they may ask the enforcement officers to step in. Another suggestion is to set up a smoking room in a coffee shop near a walkway that is not frequently used. Residents complain that on the way to the Mass Rapid Transit station, shops or clinic, they have to hold their breath when passing by coffee shops. Setting up smoking rooms in these coffee shops is a win-win solution, allowing smokers and non-smokers to co-exist in harmony. Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I would like to conclude with my support for the Bill.”
“Deputy Speaker, Sir, I have long been concerned about the dangerous effects of smoking and thus strongly support the amendments to the Bill which I hope will help to reduce the prevalence of smoking. Tobacco is a slow and silent killer with an extensive reach. Its fumes blight all who inhale, including unwilling victims through second-hand smoke. Its menace lingers in a vicinity long after the smoker has left, through third-hand smoke which clings to surfaces, posing a health hazard to anyone exposed to it. One of the key amendments in the Bill will allow the Government to designate NSZs. I hope, in future, we can go even further by turning our entire island into a smoke-free zone where smokers could only smoke in designated smoking areas. Clean, unpolluted air is a precious resource which is everyone’s right. Naturally, I also support the move to provide stronger regulatory powers to our enforcement officers to conduct thorough investigations without hindrance, such as the powers of entry and permits to take photographs and videos as part of their inspections. Smoking is addictive and harmful. Yet, despite awareness about smoking’s impact on health, a significant number of Singaporeans and residents cannot get rid of their nicotine addiction. Their smoking habit caused much discomfort to those around them. Many residents complain to me about neighbours who smoke. Smoke spreads out of the smokers’ windows and pollutes neighbouring homes and the public corridors. Smoking in stairwells and elevators are also a problem. In coffee shops, the fumes from the smokers who sit in the outdoor area blow into the indoor dining area. Some smokers also litter. The cigarette butts are not only dirty and unsanitary, they pose a fire hazard.”
“Many of them are young people and ride very fast. The situation is very bad, even the stall owners complained to me. If someone tries to dissuade them, some riders will become fierce in their reaction. For them, it is a given that pedestrians should always give way to them. Unfortunately, our pedestrians no longer feel safe in sharing walkways. The old folks tell me that when they walk, they always feel very nervous, and they take every step with great apprehension. Some older people also asked me why the Government is promoting the use of PMDs. Is this not going against our healthy lifestyle movement? I ask the Government to re-examine the role of PMDs, taking into account national health care and future disease burdens. (In English): Sir, I would like to propose that we strengthen enforcement on the ground substantially. The lack of enforcement relative to the number of PMD users is a weak link and must be addressed. Repeat offenders must be banned from using such devices and we must have effective ways of ensuring that they comply with such bans. To ensure that we do not penalise the good riders, we can consider installing microchips with Global Positioning System (GPS) in PMDs so that we have a way of tracking the usage of such devices. I am very pleased that the Bill will make it compulsory for all e-scooters to be registered and higher fire safety standards will be introduced for motorised PMDs. There have been regular incidents involving e-scooters and many of my residents are very worried that, one day, a neighbour’s PMD will lead to fires which will engulf their homes. Sir, safety is paramount for our residents. While I urge for even more stringent measures to regulate PMDs, I appreciate the measures taken in the Bill which are steps in the right direction.”
“One has to be perpetually on the lookout and “look-over”, that is, look over your shoulder if you do not want to be knocked down. My seniors tell me that they feel tense when they go on walks. They feel even more tense when they bring their grandchildren out. They are aware that their eyesight and hearing are no longer as good and their reactions are slower. They worry about their ability to protect the young ones in the prams and keep active toddlers out of the way of cyclists and e-scooter riders who can appear very suddenly. Some senior citizens ask me why the Government is promoting the use of PMDs. Should we not be walking more? Allowing the proliferation of PMDs seems to go against our current drive to promote a healthy lifestyle. Many of us will remember the National Steps Challenge, which encourages the average Singaporean to walk 10,000 steps a day. Even for non-PMD users, reaching 5,000 steps is already quite difficult to achieve. For PMD users, the number of steps would definitely be far lower. I ask the Government to reconsider our stand on the use of PMDs in the context of national health and the potential disease burden. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): PMDs are becoming more common. In the past two years, the accidents caused by the black sheep amongst them have caused many people to be seriously injured and even unconscious, making many of us feel very angry and upset. In my constituency, many senior citizens complained to me that they were almost knocked down by PMDs. These riders are ubiquitous, in the corridors and void decks of HDB flats, department stores, food courts and even community centres and subway stations. In the hawker centres in my area, there are often PMD riders going through and around.”
“Mr Speaker, the increasing use of PMDs, especially among the younger crowd, has been both a boon and a bane. For the users, the devices reduce walking effort and time significantly, but the black sheep amongst them have caused injury to pedestrians, many of which go unreported. I note with alarm the rapid increase in the number of reported accidents involving PMDs, bicycles or e-bikes on public paths from 19 cases in 2015, to 42 in 2016, and 128 in 2017. Hence, the amendments are timely. They will allow LTA to outsource enforcement to boost the team of officers and ensure compliance with AMA. We will need more enforcement officers in order to have sufficient deterrent effect against errant PMD users and cyclists. So far, the enforcement has been a bit of a hit-and-miss. It is not easy to catch errant ones as there are so many users and they are everywhere, even riding their devices along common corridors and void decks of our HDB blocks, shopping malls, hawker centres and even community centres and MRT stations. In my constituency, we have many elderly residents who have been complaining to me about all the near-misses they have experienced. Near the Bukit Merah View Market and Food Centre, there is a short cut to access a housing estate and many PMD users zip around and through the food centre. The situation is so bad that even the stallholders complain to me. When the e-scooter users are advised not to use them in the market, some of them become aggressive. There is a palpable sense of entitlement and, to them, pedestrians are obstacles which should move out of the way at the sound of their bells, if they bother to ring them. It is unfortunate that residents no longer feel safe on shared paths. Gone are the days of leisurely walks on park connectors.”
“I urge the Bureau to prioritise cybersecurity management and cyberhygiene as part of safety management efforts. (In English): I now refer to section 22, Responses to reports of, or containing, safety recommendations. After TSIB has made a recommendation, the party to whom a recommendation is made must give a written response to the Director within a prescribed time after the report was published. The penalty for failure to comply without a reasonable excuse is a fine not exceeding $10,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding six months or both. Sir, I feel the $10,000 fine should be reviewed because safety involves lives. The penalty should be more punitive and set at a minimum of $50,000. This Bill is a representation of the Government’s determination to shore up safety lapses and provide a safer transport system worthy of a regional and international transport hub. It also brings with it potential for greater interest and development in safety and risk management, which could lead to more careers in a meaningful industry that saves lives. Sir, I support the Bill.”
“Eventually, the US attorney did not pursue criminal charges against the operator as the incident was determined to be not deliberate as the operator had simply “lost control” of the device. This brings to mind some grave concerns. Indeed, most accidents are not deliberate, so who will be held responsible if damages, casualties, or even fatalities stem from a drone accident? In July 2014, a drone had narrowly missed colliding with an Airbus A320 as it was taking off from London's Heathrow airport. In Singapore, we have been fortunate to have had no serious accidents involving drones. With technology enthusiasts touting the potential of the use of drones in all sorts of important situations, from delivering parcels to security patrols, it is high time we also looked into safety and incident management for drones. Are there plans for more incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly in the area of data science? I would foresee TSIB working closely with our Defence Science Technology Agency (DSTA), using technology to develop accident prevention devices that can be used by our transport operators. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] On the other hand, in light of the sophistication and frequency of cyberattacks on databases of the Government and public services, we must ensure that security of our data systems is in top form and frequently reviewed. Errors in or deliberate tampering of data can lead to inaccurate information, causing disruption and inconveniences to transport commuters. In the worst scenario, fatal accidents may occur. I would foresee that terrorists could hire hackers to tamper with public transport systems to cause mass accidents.”
“If so, how many people will be affected by this transfer? Next, with a new set up and a new grouping of people in place, how long will it take before TSIB becomes effectively operational? Are we seeking any ad hoc appointments of experts from overseas to help put us on a strong foundation? Will staff who are earmarked for jobs in the Statutory Board be sent abroad for training? Also, how many investigations are currently ongoing, being conducted by other Government agencies, which will be transferred to the TSIB umbrella? There would even be opportunities for TSIB to collaborate with our Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) to work on fire safety matters, as I see it. I note in the Bill, it is stated that TSIB may be called upon to render assistance to foreign countries. I would like to ask how the Ministry intends to grow the expertise and services of the Board and how much resources would go into foreign assistance? I note that "consultants" are referred to in the Bill. I believe this means TSIB recognises that it would have to draw on external expertise to augment its investigation teams. And on the subject of expertise, it would be ideal if, further down the road, TSIB could set up its own training centre to develop local talents who would be well-versed in dealing with local and even transport occurrences in foreign context. Accidents involving drones are a growing concern. In recent years, international media has captured a number of high-profile drone accidents. Amongst them, one of the most serious accidents involved a drone operator who crashed a quadcopter into the grounds of the White House, triggering a security lockdown.”
“Deputy Speaker, Sir, we pride ourselves as a busy regional and international aviation and maritime hub. On top of that, our railways see a huge volume of traffic on a daily basis. While fortunately, accidents involving aircraft, marine craft and railway are not a frequent occurrence in Singapore, the probability of incidences is certainly on the higher side, given the volume of traffic we handle. To keep this probability low, besides having in place adequate safety measures, it is crucial to ensure all incidences are duly reported. In doing so, the key is not to lay blame on anyone, but to empower the relevant authorities and personnel to learn from shortcomings and resolve them, so we may prevent them in future. Thus, I am pleased to note the significance on incident management and reporting in the Bill. When it comes to transport, there is plenty at stake. In less severe cases, there is some damage and/or loss of property. In serious accidents, human lives are at stake. So, TSIB certainly has heavy responsibilities. Prevention should remain the focus when it comes to dealing with accidents. It is not just about looking into how an accident had happened and what could have been done to prevent it. Rather, the prevention work that is in place to lower the probability of an accident happening at all is imperative. Can the Minister explain how will TSIB be staffed with sufficient professionals with the necessary skills to collate information, analyse and study the patterns of near-misses and anticipate weak links so that preventative measures can be drawn up and implemented? Will the initial staff strength be drawn by transferring some manpower from the Civil Aviation Authority, Maritime and Port Authority, Public Utilities Board and so on?”
“I thank the Ministers for their Statements. Since the cyberattack, a few of my elderly residents came to see me and told me that they worry that their medication records will be altered. How can we help our people, especially our elderly residents, to better understand our cybersecurity matters and even measures that will be taken?”
“One crucial factor to consider is that some people would have purchased private insurance policies for disabilities, and they would be concerned about whether they would be paying unnecessarily for overlapping coverage. Especially for those on a tight budget and can only afford one policy, would it be wise to give up their existing policy in light of CareShield? Would CareShield be adequate to address potential needs? If the Government could work with private insurers, as with the case of IPs, integrating a CareShield component into relevant insurance policies and allowing MediSave payments for that component, I think it will be a welcome move. For those who can afford to pay for an enhanced component, this would also spur insurance providers to improve their plans and provide better coverage. The Government could moderate integrated policy premiums so that they remain reasonably priced. In conclusion, Sir, CareShield Life is a scheme that empowers Singaporeans, regardless of their economic situation, to maintain financial independence without being a burden to loved ones. Nevertheless, it is human nature to be sceptical of matters that one does not fully understand. I urge the Government to step up on outreach programmes to help as many Singaporeans as possible to benefit from this scheme.”
“] Meanwhile, older Singaporeans are expected to pay a base premium and a catch-up component on top of their yearly premiums. While this is reasonable, I fear that they will be turned off by the idea of having to pay more at an age when job stability is a concern, and this is the very group that is most vulnerable and susceptible to disabilities. We need to start a comprehensive public education campaign to convince Singaporeans about the necessity of CareShield Life. The Government has shared detailed plans on incentives, procedures and premiums for taking up or switching to CareShield Life. However, the general consensus is that, on top of MediSave, MediShield Life and Integrated Shield Plans (IPs), it is all too complex even for the average literate Singaporean. Imagine how confused the older, less educated people, who would stand to benefit most from such policies, would be. The Government must provide resources for people to turn to for advice and guidance. Preferably, these education campaigns should involve counsellors who can offer advice on the importance and responsibility of preparing for retirement. There should be qualified professionals who can provide a free one-on-one consultation session to explain and compare the various Government insurance policies. (In English): With regard to platforms for the education campaign, we have to bear in mind that people these days have little time for the newspapers. They prefer to rely on social media, and simply just skim through the headlines. The Government must reach out to all age groups, both young and old, using appropriate platforms without trivialising the subject matter.”
“I note that a Panel is consulted with regard to adjustment of premiums. Understandably, actuaries who work with the insurance profession will be consulted for their expertise. I would request that social workers, healthcare workers, VWOs and people who work with the disadvantaged be invited to join the Panel to share their observations and opinions. Healthcare professionals could offer precious input on health matters, such as the average remaining lifespan and needs of a severely disabled person. For policyholders who cannot afford to pay premiums even after premium subsidies, I am glad to note that they can apply for assistance from the Additional Premium Support scheme. While CareShield Life will be mandatory for those who will be aged between 30 and 40 in 2020, encouraging those who do not fall into this group to sign up for it will be a big challenge. I note that younger ElderShield 400 policyholders aged 41 to 50 in 2020 will be auto-enrolled into CareShield Life, and they may opt out and have their premiums returned within two years of auto-enrolment should they wish to. The Government is also offering participation incentives spread over 10 years to entice existing cohorts to opt into CareShield Life. Despite these incentives, the calculations are complex at a glance and, if money is a concern, some people may think it is simply more cost-saving to stay on ElderShield or for those who had opted out of Eldershield, not to sign up at all. As mentioned earlier, I hope the Government will consider my recommendation of offering additional incentives to ElderShield 300 and ElderShield 400 policyholders to get onboard CareShield Life. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“The opposite is the truth. For one, severe disabilities can happen to anyone at any age. All it takes is one freak accident or serious illness. Secondly, in order for premiums to be affordable, they have to be spread out over a longer period of time. It would be crucial to note that premiums only have to be paid for until one has reached the age of 67, after which, the insured will continue to receive lifelong coverage. This is a factor that is lacking in many private insurance schemes, and this is why there is a need for CareShield Life to shore up and fill up the gaps. It is good practice to start taking ownership of one's health from a young age. And to reward those who do so, I wish to recommend offering incentives on top of what will be given, such as a discount on premiums for the following year, for those under ElderShield 300 and ElderShield 400, who had not made prior claims. This will encourage them to opt into it. It also reinforces the notion of taking responsibility for good health. In cases where patients recover from their disabilities, there must be proper communication and follow-up with them on their health and financial status to ensure a smooth transition. This process must be handled with sensitivity and with compassion, as the claimants adjust from the position of receiving monthly CareShield payouts, to the state of the termination of payouts. Furthermore, in order to remain covered under CareShield for the future, these recovered policyholders have to resume premium payments. The healthcare institution where he receives rehabilitation would have the relevant records, and their cooperation is essential so that CPF Board receives the necessary updates without inconveniencing the policyholder.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity to speak on this Motion. First of all, I would like to record my sincere appreciation to ESRC for the immense hard work. Thank you. The elderly and vulnerable are groups of Singaporeans whom I hold close to my heart. And CareShield Life is, in my opinion, a scheme that is crucial for their well-being. As Singaporeans live longer lives, this also means the increased probability of having a severe disability that requires long-term care. And with more Singaporeans having few or no children, it would also be unrealistic to completely rely on the younger generation to pick up the tab. When I go on my walkabouts and during my Meet-the-People sessions, it is a common sight to see wheelchair-bound residents going about with a caregiver, often, an FDW, in tow. These senior citizens are the more fortunate ones. The less well-off are home-bound, constantly being cooped up, which hampers one's well-being. To continue having a quality of life even with severe disability, it is important to have adequate funds to tap on in old age. CareShield Life will ensure that with a largely affordable annual premium per year, policyholders will have an income for their daily and care needs even when they are unable to work. I am pleased to note that the Committee has made a change to the nomenclature for ElderShield, which I had advocated many times previously. The new name CareShield more accurately reflects the core of the scheme, which is to become a key pillar of Singapore's social safety net, giving care to all Singaporeans regardless of their age and background. Some young people are indignant about having to start as early as 30 years old. There has even been talk that this is a ploy to get the young to pay for the old.”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for her reply. I have a supplementary question. I was wondering whether there is a ratio on the number of factory staff to be trained as firefighters, versus the size of a factory floor area. I am asking this because having trained fire safety staff will ensure that there are sufficient first responders who can be equipped or who are equipped to react to a fire outbreak quickly.”
“However, it becomes a cause for concern when either party uses it as an excuse to drag out the case. I would like to know the normal timeframe and number of mediation sessions required to settle the claims. Will there be penalties for deliberately uncooperative parties? Sir, overall, these amendments are good, and should they be implemented, I hope the Ministry will generate greater awareness of them. Sir, I support the Bill.”
“May I also ask the Ministry to consider setting up a hotline to make the process more inclusive, such as for those who are visually impaired, illiterate and can only speak their mother tongue or dialect? Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] In addition, concerned family members have shared with me about how their elderly family members would get pressured into buying things. This particularly applies to hire purchase items whereby they are usually misled by the low upfront cost, only to regret when they realise later that the full payable amount is, in fact, much higher. Even when prices are stated clearly, the elderly sometimes fail to notice the small print or they simply get confused by all the different numbers. A badgering sales assistant only complicates matters. I hope a two-week cooling off period, like that for insurance products, can be implemented and enforced by the Government. (In English): This reminds me of the controversial goodie bag sales which sees victims, many who are senior citizens living in the heartlands, forking out $100 for various household items that they did not need. While not illegal, the perpetrators clearly use tricky marketing tactics. While it may not be possible to apply such a warranty to all products, it could have a deterrent effect on those who take advantage of the vulnerable. I note the Bill gives more power to the Tribunals to resolve conflicts. The Tribunals will adopt a judge-led approach during Tribunal proceedings or the parties to attend mediation and costs awarded against parties where appropriate. Mediation, as a primary resolution, is good as it relieves all parties of the time, trouble and resources from escalating the case to the State Courts.”
“This amendment is good because, in the case of hire purchase, it usually runs beyond a year. In the case of a dispute in a tenancy agreement, most of these are for more than a year, with the option for both parties to mutually extend by another year. Now, in a tenancy agreement, details are clearly spelt out and the document is signed by both parties, with a witness, and stamp duty paid. In this instance, apart from the landlord seeking vacant possession and any damage to the property, can he also claim for stamp duty paid if the tenant did not fulfil his full tenancy? How is the landlord to establish the value of the property damaged? Not many people keep invoices unless there is a warranty attached to it. What would be the proof required? The implementation of these enhancements is insufficient when vulnerable groups, such as the elderly, lack awareness and fail to claim their rights. They also do not have the necessary tools to utilise this avenue. I am concerned for the elderly who are less educated and who may not know what avenues are available for them to seek redress. This is more so since last year when filing for small claims will have to be done online via the State Courts' CJTS. Even the submission of documents and monitoring of case developments are to be done online. May I ask if the Ministry has done any study to assess whether it is easy for the elderly to use the platform? Has any outreach programme been conducted to generate awareness among this group of people? With more elderly living alone and having no children to depend on, how and where can they obtain assistance and guidance from the State Courts with regard to the process?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am pleased that the prescribed limits for Tribunals are being revised upwards. The new default limit of $20,000 is timely and appropriate. In situations where there is mutual consent by both parties, the default will be raised from $20,000 to $30,000. Prices of goods have gone up and raising the limits would reflect the current market condition. Nonetheless, Sir, I feel that a higher default limit of $50,000, in the absence of mutual consent, be set. This is because in many home renovations, for example, the bill often runs much higher. So, the claimant should be allowed to seek redress to at least get back some compensation, if not all of it. Also, with more people taking up freelance and contract work in the gig economy, we can expect disputes from time to time which may well be beyond the prescribed limit. For high-value purchases like interior design packages, high-end sound systems, the increase in claims limit is welcome relief, but it should be pegged higher as Singaporeans are proud home owners and they would spend a lot to furnish their homes. I would also like to raise this question. Often, when we buy, say, a leather settee, the material of the leather may not be clearly described in the invoice. How then could the claimant establish his case before the Tribunal against the respondent if he finds the settee supplied is deficient? How detailed should the description be in the invoice? In current practice, most invoices merely state the model number and a generic description of the furniture. I note that disputes from hire purchase, which has been a popular mode of transaction, will be addressed. The limitation period for disputes to be brought to the Tribunal is also raised from one year to two years.”
“There are many cases where because of the pull between filial piety and financial affordability, the relationship between husband and wife becomes strained, or relations between brothers and sisters become strained. Accusations and finger-pointing create quarrels and you see a family divided. And worse, the vulnerable adult is abused because the family is unable to find a solution to care for him/her. I hope that in cases where MSF has to intervene, it will weigh the family's circumstances so that the action taken will not result in the breaking up of family ties. I know it is heart-wrenching for the family. No one wants to "abandon" their loved ones. Lastly, although this Bill is targeted at vulnerable adults, similar problems can be observed in children with health problems requiring extensive care, as well as their parents, caregivers and neighbours. Similar intervention and help should also be extended to such families. Sir, I support the Bill.”
“Mr S lives with his spouse, and the family puts in effort to get him treatment and to take his medication. The spouse does her best to make sure Mr S takes his medicine regularly and the VWOs assist when she cannot. However, it is not working out and she has sort of given up. Meantime, the neighbours suffer along with the family. Thankfully, the neighbours are understanding and compassionate. Still, there is a need to find a solution. However, a lot would depend on what resources there are available to the family. Hospitals would not keep an individual in the ward unless there is a medical need to do so. Caregiving homes and hospice care may be out of reach for some and some fall through the cracks as they do not meet the per capita income for Government help but are unable to afford on their income level. Here is where the family members need help. It is a real dilemma for them. The family members must work, yet the distressed person needs their care and attention. I would like to propose that MSF set up a platform where a family/caregiver who needs help can turn to for assistance or guidance. The ComCare hotline is very visible to residents. I propose that this hotline extends its scope to help families to point them to the right organisation. It would help to lighten their load to know who and where they can get help to meet their needs. An intervention by a Government agency can save the distressed individual from being relegated from being a loved one to becoming a burden to the family. Once they are seen as a burden, then that is where the person becomes vulnerable to abuses of all kinds.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of this Bill. Having encountered vulnerable adults and their families in my Henderson Dawson Division, I feel this Bill is very timely. There are more people who live longer lives but not always able to care for themselves for one reason or another and becomes vulnerable adults. I am pleased to note that the Bill aims to provide a safe environment for whistleblowers to report abuse and suspected abuse to the authorities. One common reason the neighbours and even relatives and co-workers do not lodge reports is because they are afraid that they will be identified. So, confidentiality is important. But this will pose a challenge under certain circumstances if the authorities decide to take the abuser to Court where evidence from witnesses are required. One solution would be for the Court to allow voice evidence recorded by Police as admissible in Court, without disclosing the names/addresses. Or it could be a video recording, but the face of the witness be blurred out to protect the identity of the witness. What is most crucial is that the evidence deduced from the whistleblower, and evidence thrown up in the Police investigations, such as the injuries sustained by the victim, are the critical factors in the case in convicting the accused person(s). Second, abuse and neglect often occur when the caregivers are at wit's end. We all would know how difficult it is to handle individuals when they suffer from mental distress. The person may refuse to eat, bathe, take medication, may throw tantrums, create a ruckus and disturb his or her neighbours. Let me share an example from my Henderson Dawson Division. On some days, as early as 5.00 am, my resident – let us call him Mr S – gets up and yells vulgarities very loudly.”
“This, I feel, can help our people forge an even stronger Singaporean identity. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.]: Mr Speaker, another area where we can strengthen our identity is to help educate our people on the many things that our leaders are doing in the field of foreign policy. We need to explain in simple terms the areas that our Government is doing in foreign affairs which are often not understood by the man-in-the-street. For example, how decisions at ASEAN summits impact our lives. Or how our participation in international treaties and agreements, such as FTAs or the Paris Agreement on Climate Change impacts on our lives. How important is it to be chosen as host to the Trump-Kim Jong-un Summit? In this information age, I would like to propose to MFA to set up a portal and provide bite-size information on our foreign policies where our people can look up on our stand and understand why certain decisions are made and why certain comments are made. This can deepen our understanding of our foreign policies and our man-in-the-street can be ambassadors of our foreign policies, too. This, I feel, can help our people forge an even stronger Singaporean identity. (In English) Mr Speaker, Sir, our fourth generation (4G) leaders are very well-versed on the powers of effective and timely communication in this information age. However, the need to garner the views of non-government organisations (NGOs), voluntary welfare organisations (VWOs) and volunteer groups in the community is very important. This is so that everyone has a sense of participation and involvement in all that we are doing. It also helps in getting the buy-in from the ground. I look forward to our new leaders working with all Singaporeans to take us to the next level.”
“At 69, she is healthy, experienced and very committed. She sees her work with PCF as a second career. She will be very happy if she can be offered a career path, so that she can develop herself. I believe the Government can offer retirees like Mdm Maureen Tan a second career and develop a career path for them. In doing so, we give our seniors a sense of belonging and participation in the new chapters of the Singapore story. Fourth point: foreign policy. Another area where we can strengthen our identity is to help educate our people on the many things that our leaders are doing in the field of foreign policy. We need to explain in simple terms the areas that our Government is doing in foreign affairs which are often not understood by the man-in-the-street. For example, how decisions at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summits impact our lives or, how our participation in international treaties and agreements, such as free trade agreements (FTAs) or the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, impacts on our lives; how important it is to be chosen as host to the Trump-Kim Jong-un Summit. The current Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) website offers information but on very few subjects and it is more event-based. The ASEAN page gives some exposure to the grouping, but it is still very limited to the history and the deliberations and events. In this information age, I would like to propose to MFA to set up a portal and provide bite-size information on our foreign policies where our people can look up on the Government's stand and understand why certain decisions are made and why certain comments are made. This can deepen our understanding of our foreign policies, and our man-in-the-street can be our ambassadors of our foreign policies, too.”
“Instead of solely depending on the Government to help, the community is involved. In addition, we provide a platform for our beneficiaries to volunteer, as this gives them a sense of pride and dignity where they are also contributing to the community. Third point. Speaking of pride and dignity, the Government can do well to offer our seniors career opportunities, especially the female workforce. It is an area where we can tap on our readily available workforce. There is a growing pool of retirees whom we should look to rely on as a good source to meet our skilled manpower needs. Many of our retirees are healthy, well-educated, well-informed and with good work ethos. Can they not have a second career opportunity to pursue their dreams? I had shared this anecdote in the Budget Debate. But a good story is one that deserves to be retold. One of my residents, Mdm Maureen Tan, aged 69, living in Strathmore Avenue used to work as a personal assistant in a bank. At the same time, she had always cared for her grandchildren and even helped to babysit her neighbours’ children whenever she had the time. After her retirement, she became a full-time caregiver to her two grandchildren. Her neighbours knew she doted on children and would occasionally ask her to babysit for them when they had errands to run. Last year, Maureen approached the Henderson Dawson PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots Childcare Centre and volunteered her services. As the teachers saw she had so much love for the children, the centre offered her a job. She now interacts with the children, keeps them comfortable and showers them with all her tender love and care. Maureen has been working in the Henderson Dawson PCF Centre since February 2017 and enjoying every day of it.”
“At such events and at subsequent events, we meet one another, get to know one another better, share our common interests and forge deep bonds. Because of this relationship, we share joys and, should a crisis arise, you and I, our actions and reactions, our response to the call for help, would be more robust. This is the Singapore Spirit. My second point. Another platform that we can promote and forge a common identity is through volunteerism. I urge everyone, whether you are in school, a youth, a working adult or a retiree, we can all make our contributions. There is a role for everyone. The energy and the commitment you bring will no doubt improve many lives. We derive deep satisfaction through meaningful interactions, build up our circle of friends, join in the various activities and build up a sense of belonging to the community. People who volunteer together, play together and participate in activities together will build interpersonal relationships, trust and attachment to one another. Our Government has done much to invest in the physical infrastructure for our community. As a community, we can do even more to benefit our people in building and strengthening heartware. We can provide the emotional support to bring our people together. In my Henderson Dawson division, I have a regular coordinating meeting with all the Government agencies, community partners, business groups and volunteer groups where we share information about who, what and how we are helping residents in need. This helps us to address gaps, duplication, so that limited resources can be spread to more beneficiaries and holistic help can be provided and urgent cases attended to quickly. Thus, instead of each organisation working in silos, we work together.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to thank the President for her speech which outlined the direction that the 4G leaders would be taking our country. My speech will focus on forging a strong national identity through four key areas. First, virtual world to real world; second, volunteerism/community involvement; third, sense of belonging; fourth, foreign policy. We are today moving into an era where many things we see and do are unthinkable just a decade ago. We are in the age of disruptive technology. People can sit at home and let their fingers do the walking and talking. It can create social isolation. But we can turn these technological tools to our advantage. We often talk about the disappearing kampung spirit. In fact, this kampung spirit has moved to the virtual world. They take a different form, that is all. There are so many kampungs in our Whatsapp and Facebook chat groups. Some chats have groups with as many as 50 to 60 people, or as few as 10 or less. These private app chats are today’s mini kampungs where people communicate, share opinions, comments, news, videos and so on. Data from Statista, the Statistics Portal, showed, as of the third quarter of 2017, the most popular social network was WhatsApp with a 73% penetration rate. In 2016, Singapore had 3.3 million social network users. This figure is projected to grow to 3.6 million social media users in 2021. So, I would call this the era of GenApps, a time when what is unthinkable today can be tomorrow’s reality. But to forge a strong Singapore identity, groups in the virtual world should move to the real world. To all chat groups, I make this call to not just stay in the virtual world. Please come forward and join our community when we celebrate our National Day and other festive celebrations.”
“I hope LTA would consider tightening this rule further by imposing a fine on the errant users if they are caught riding using someone else’s identity, while under a ban. Mr Speaker, I support the Bill.”
“These parking zones should preferably be covered so that when it rains, the bicycle seats would not be soaked. Next, I ask that bicycle parking zones be made available in the industrial estates as some of the workers are frequent bicycle users. It is good that LTA is working with bicycle-sharing operators to educate bicycle users and develop educational materials on proper bicycle etiquette. The ugly truth is that some users simply disregard proper etiquette. I fully support penalising such users. Sir, in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Another solution to encourage users to park appropriately would be to create more parking options in places where there is a high volume of usage. As bus interchanges, MRT stations and HDB and private housing estates are common destination stops, more purpose-built metal bicycle racks and parking areas could be built as official geo-tagged parking zones. These parking zones should preferably be covered so that when it rains the bicycle seats would not be soaked. Next, I ask that bicycle parking zones be made available in the industrial estates as some of the workers are frequent bicycle users. It is good that LTA is working with bicycle-sharing operators to educate bicycle users and develop educational materials on proper bicycle etiquette. The ugly truth is that some users simply disregard proper etiquette. I fully support penalising such users. (In English): The Bill has a provision whereby LTA can ask operators to collectively ban errant users who failed to park responsibly, for a period of time. LTA's aim is to ensure that recalcitrant users will not be able to use any device-sharing services.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, the arrival of dockless bike-sharing services is both a blessing and a bane to many cities, from the United States (US) to the United Kingdom (UK), Australia to China. Singapore is not spared. Some users seemed to be gripped by a reckless penchant for destruction. Instead of parking, they are dumping the bicycles and creating junkyards within the city, parks and housing estates. I would like to raise a few concerns. Under the proposed amendments, LTA will be introducing a licensing regime, limiting operator’s maximum fleet size and implementing a QR code-enabled geofencing solution. Will the operators have to rent the parking zones from LTA and, if so, will the cost be passed on to the users? I would like to point out that concerns have been raised over the vulnerability of the QR code parking method, which can be tampered if it is static QR. For example, if someone takes a photo of a static QR code at a geo-tagged location, it can be reused at a different location, thus defeating the purpose. QR codes can also be vandalised, rendering them useless. I hope the Minister can share more details about the QR code technology that LTA is planning to implement in making space for these bicycle operators. I hope LTA would not do so at the expense of the parking space currently allotted to those who own their own bicycles. Many of these are now located near MRT stations, and I hope these will stay put. Another solution to encourage users to park appropriately would be to create more parking options in places where there is a high volume of usage. As bus interchanges, MRT stations and HDB and private housing estates are common destination stops, more purpose-built metal bicycle racks and parking areas could be built as official geo-tagged parking zones.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. May I know what is the uptake rate for this service and will there be more publicity for such services because it really will help assure the family that there is care for them?”
“What measures will be taken to ensure that victims are not disadvantaged by being made to give a statement on video in such situations? Lastly, I note that the expansion of the community-based sentencing regime will mean that a greater number of offenders will be given access to rehabilitative opportunities. This amendment is to be welcomed as it is a continued recognition of the fact that not all offences are best addressed through the traditional sentences of imprisonment and fines. Some offences may be committed in a moment of indiscretion and, thereafter, the offender may demonstrate a strong willingness and ability to be rehabilitated within the community setting. There are some offenders who commit offences because they are unwell mentally. Medical intervention, rather than punishment, should be the focus in such cases. MTOs address the root of the offending behaviour by ensuring that such individuals receive treatment. The expansion of MTOs as a sentencing option for more offenders and offences is thus a welcome change. I would like to ask which offences, punishable with up to seven years' imprisonment, will MTOs be applicable on? What is the criteria for determining the prescribed list for such offences? The Ministry had said that community-based sentences have been frequently imposed and have been successful in achieving their objectives. Can the Minister share the take-up rate? Sir, I support the Bill. 2.09 pm”
“There was at least one occasion in Singapore where defence counsel had told the victim that he was going to ask her more insulting questions during her cross-examination. This was right after she had informed him that she felt very offended when he had asked her to stand to assess how attractive she was. In this case, the presiding judge had harsh words for the counsel. May I ask what recourse a victim has, if she felt that the counsel had ridiculed her to the point of disparaging her reputation during a Court hearing? Or would the presiding judge be consciously on the look-out for lawyers who pursue an irrelevant and salacious line of questioning? If I may emphasise, it is important for the investigators to be fully conversant with procedures and protocols when taking DNA samples and other evidence. We have read of a number of cases where scientific evidence could not be tendered or were rejected because the lab tests could not be done or could not give any conclusive result because of certain lapses. From media reports, I recall this has happened in a few cases. I hope that investigators follow the procedures very closely when collecting evidence. The use of video-recorded statements in lieu of oral testimony is good because this will mean that victims will not be required to retell their horrific experience during their examination-in-chief. With pre-recorded evidence, the time that a victim will have to spend in Court testifying will also be cut down. May I ask whether a victim can be given a choice of whether to give a statement via video or in writing? There may be situations where the victim is very uncomfortable with giving a statement on video or is unable to recount the alleged incident accurately because he or she is traumatised.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, one of the biggest challenges in getting victims of sexual and child abuse crimes to make a report is the humiliation that they may be subjected to in a Court of law. This is more so in an Asian society where a woman would be very embarrassed to relive the trauma that she had undergone. Worse still is the fact that they could be cross-examined and asked questions which are very personal in nature and be dragged into a sort of exchange with another unknown person, namely the defence lawyer. While I may not be legally trained, I know the defence in cross-examining a victim is trying his best to establish his client’s innocence, but, sometimes, these questions can be so cutting that they become more than an examination of facts relevant to the case. The amendments strike a proper balance between two objectives: the objective of ensuring that an accused person is given the opportunity to confront his or her accuser, and the objective of protecting victims from uncontrolled, unnecessary and humiliating questions. The possibility of having to put up with the humiliating and sometimes cruel scrutiny from the lawyers is a common reason why sexual assault victims do not report the crime. In the US, there was a case involving a student from Stanford who was accused of committing various sexual offences against an intoxicated victim. The victim was asked many unnecessary questions. She was asked about her appearance, whether she drank alcohol and whether she had a history of cheating on her boyfriend. In her victim impact statement, she recalled how badly the offence affected her and her ordeal of testifying in Court.”
“I thank the Minister for his reply. Can I request LTA to work with the Traffic Police to take enforcement action against speeding vehicles with very noisy exhaust engines and they rev their engines when they speed? Because this causes great disturbances to our residents, very often giving them rude shocks and this happens very often along Alexandra Road, an area where I serve. May I request LTA to install a camera along this stretch of road?”
“I would like to ask whether the Ministry is working with not only Government bodies but also tapping on private organisations to broaden the outreach to encourage people, including seniors and those with disabilities, to take up sports to enhance their mental and physical fitness. Making Active Living a Way of Life We have been investing in various sports infrastructure across the country, from soccer fields, basketball courts to swimming complexes and track and field complexes. Some of these have been built for many years and I feel that there should be a review of some of the facilities to have them upgraded, or to introduce new facilities which are more popular than they were previously. Delta Sports Complex in my constituency is one such facility that needs upgrading. My Henderson-Dawson residents would be very happy and excited if Delta Sports Complex can be upgraded. Second, we certainly see many more people exercising in the parks, at the fitness stations, at sports complexes, at gyms, taking part in various organised runs and marathons, and so on. There are also fitness parks for the seniors but their participation can still be greatly improved. What plans are there to get more people to lead an active lifestyle, especially since we launched a "War against Diabetes"? What is MCCY doing to encourage sports and exercise as part of a healthy lifestyle? Sports Facilities Masterplan”
“Chairman, sports bring much benefits, such as helping to build self-confidence and creating a good sense of time management. These are important traits that are beneficial to the young, especially our youths at-risk. I have a youth, Abdul Thaslim Hajanajubudeen, who used to live in Henderson-Dawson constituency where SportCares helped turn his life around. Five years ago, he used to hang around at the void deck at Henderson playing street soccer, sometimes causing disturbances to his fellow neighbours. A tutor who provides free tuition and motivational talks in Henderson’s drop-in centre, We Love Learning (WeLL) Centre, encouraged Abdul Thaslim to join SportCares after seeing that he had great potential in athletics. Abdul Thaslim did, and the rest is history. He won his school’s cross-country race three years in a row and was made one of five running ambassadors for the Standard Chartered Marathon Singapore 2014. All the motivational talks he attended at WeLL Centre and training under SportCares taught him strong values of teamwork, discipline, determination and perseverance. I am very proud to share that Abdul Thaslim, now 20, is in the second year of Higher National ITE Certificate (Nitec) in Mechanical Engineering at ITE College West and is currently mentoring our Henderson youths at the WeLL Centre. He wants to turn his passion for sports into a career in the sports industry. He is determined to gain direct admission to a Sports Management diploma course at a polytechnic. I am sure he can do it and we, at the WeLL Centre, all wish him well. All these ties in with our desire to help our people live a better quality of life.”
“Clarifications for Senior Minister of State Khor. The number of persons with dementia is increasing and the Senior Minister of State shared a lot of details on the services and support available for them. But I would like to know what about their caregivers? What are the support and services available for them? My second clarification: may I also know what MOH is doing in enhancing palliative care services? 7.00 pm”