Kok Heng Leun
Singapore
“When we talk about earning trust, it is not just about sitting there and say, "Hey, show me you can be trusted". It means one needs to reach out to connect in order to express trust.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. I have some supplementary questions. I ask this question in light of all the interest in history debate, and I have heard from historians that they would like to have more access. So, are there actually barriers for researchers to access this information?”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, before I speak, I would like to say this on behalf of all my Nominated Member of Parliament (NMP) colleagues. We were talking about it. We would also like to express our thanks to the House, to the Government and to all our fellow Parliamentarians for your patience, for your generosity.”
“I thank the Minister for the Report. My condolences to the family. I have one clarification and one question. The first clarification is the part about the conducting officer asking them if they had seven hours of rest. The troop apparently did not respond to that. Did the COI talk about why they did not respond to that?”
“Okay. Teachers have a job to fulfil to the best of their capabilities and that is true. But they are human, too. So, do not treat teachers like you are a customer, that they are salespersons at your beck and call.”
“I thank the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the answer. Mine is a follow-up to the question. Is there a desirable student-to-teacher ratio that the Ministry is trying to achieve?”
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“What are we going to do to inculcate fairer and more progressive views in young men and not just in young women? We often hear of "traditional values" being passed down from one generation to the next. These "values", however, are often rooted in patriarchal constructs. And despite most family units now being dual-income ones, there remains an inequality of roles in housekeeping and caregiving, which women are expected to take charge of. In Singapore, because many families engage foreign female domestic help, men are further excused from doing household chores or tending to their children or elderly parents. There is also an unwillingness to let go of these "traditional values" because they are "how things are meant to be", or they are "natural". They are how things have always been, as dictated by religious and cultural beliefs. It is in the "nature" of men to be breadwinners and head of households, and of women to bear and raise children. I work in Drama Box Ltd, a theatre company, and I am the only man in this company. The rest, all seven of them, are very capable women. At this moment, all the seven women are in Rotterdam, as the company has been invited to participate in the International Community Arts Festival, showcasing our work. Leading the team is a woman, Associate Artistic Director Koh Hui Ling and then, at the same time, she brought along her young toddler, three-year-old Eunice, with her. And the rest of the team would be there to help her to take care of Eunice whenever she is busy. And then, I wonder how many of us men here, who travel a lot, would bring our toddlers along? There is, of course, no biological or behavioural science that can back up the assumption of gender stereotypes.”
“In that same year, YouGov released a report that saw Singapore ranking 12th in gender equality amongst 24 countries − behind China and Hong Kong. In the last two general elections, female candidates for Parliament faced sexist scrutiny. An example to demonstrate the pervasiveness of this bias is this: a newspaper introducing several candidates on the same day, described three men in its headlines as "banking executive, engineer and professor", while a woman entrepreneur became "mother of two". Being a mother is undeniably very important and deserves recognition. Yet, putting women in the same frame implies that women only belong at home and are defined only by their family. Now, some may say that these choices of words are merely turns of phrases by the media. But words are never merely words. Our language reflects our socio-cultural mores, attitudes and relationships. How we describe women has a direct impact on how gender relations are socially constructed. When we resort to terminology about gender stereotypes, we entrench these same stereotypes into society; in short, we normalise them. The media play a crucial part in promoting positive gender roles and eradicating gender stereotypes. We should not assume that gender stereotypes will automatically go away over time. One survey from AWARE spoke to over 1,300 respondents. Of those aged 18-29, 66% of men believed that men should be heads of households, compared to only 43% of women in that age group. Similarly, 58% of men in this age group believed that women should take care of household chores and caregiving, compared to only 38% of women. It seems that young women have much more equitable views than young men.”
“Thank you, Mdm Speaker. I stand in full support for this Motion put up by Ms Tin Pei Ling and the other Members of the House. There has been much ongoing debate about women's rights all over the world and through the decades. Women have been held back from full and equal participation in their societies because of narrow definitions of gender roles that have not evolved with the times. Even today, the global movement for women's rights and gender equality continues the struggle to make progress. In Singapore, we have, indeed, made some progress. We can be proud of our own notable women politicians, such as Chan Choy Siong, an activist for women's rights who was key to the creation of the Women's Charter, and Dr Kanwaljit Soin, the first female NMP. Today, young girls − just like young boys − must attend school, because of our longstanding commitment to compulsory education. Today, women take up 45.8% of our total labour force, based on MOM's report in 2016. Clearly, their importance as economic contributors of this country cannot be under-estimated. Because of these achievements, there are people who believe that gender equality is no longer an issue here. Yale Prof Deborah Rhodes described this as the "no-problem problem", that is, the erroneous perception that the problem of women's rights has been solved because there is evidence of growing opportunities for women. The fact is, women continue to be constrained by discriminatory attitudes and practices, preventing them from participating in public life as full equals. In 2015, the World Economic Forum predicted that it would take 117 years for women to completely fill the gender gap. Let that figure sink in − 117 years.”
“I am sorry but just one last point to reiterate. Minister, I think a lot of civil societies also want to build their trust with the Government. I think it goes a long way for both sides to work together. And with regard to this Bill, I hope that, if there were actually more consultations in the process, that would actually clarify a lot of things.”
“Thank you. I thank the Minister for the clarifications again. Yes, I am actually very happy that the Pink Dot has been able to get all the support locally. And I also want to reiterate, which is one of our fellow Members' points, that it is important that Singaporeans organise it and we have our say. But I think here the concern is with regard to how the Commissioner is going to make the decision. Members have actually suggested would they have an independent committee to help them?”
“I thank the Minister for responding to my speech. First, I want to make a clarification that in my speech, my concern was about what if local NGOs would sometimes, because of capacity-building purpose, need foreign participation, in terms of foreign speakers in their public assembly. I think that is my main concern. I share the Minister's position that we should not have foreign entities organising such events here. On that point, I will agree with the Minister. So, I think my question here is that, as long as there is enough clarification so that civil society can feel that they can still continue with what they are doing, I think that would be really very good. I just want to check with the Minister, in a particular case whereby, for example, an NGO, which already has a staff member who is a foreigner and he is working full-time with the NGO and they happen to be organising a particular event, would that actually be a problem under this new amendment?”
“Yet, without transparency in the decision-making process, the public has little option but to resort to speculation and conjecture. Instead of building our citizens' trust in the Police Force, the Bill could potentially cause an erosion of public confidence, which is something we do not want to see happen. Given that the proposed amendments are problematic on numerous levels, as well as the potential of undermining public confidence and trust in the impartiality of our Police Force, I believe that a closer scrutiny of the Bill is required.”
“When we feel more involved and invested in the future of our nation, then we can truly say Singapore has a genuine active citizenry. Another clarification I would like to seek pertains to the Commissioner's decision-making process. The provision in POA is such that the Commissioner is given the power to decide what he or she deems to be political, in other words, have "political ends". This is a very different power from that of deciding whether an event will potentially create public unrest. Yet, is the Commissioner the best judge of what is political and what is not? Of course, there is no dispute on the Commissioner's institutional expertise on what constitutes public disorder. This is why the position is invested with the power to decide on that for the POA. However, the role of our Police Force should be that of law enforcers, not interpreters of political intentions. In giving the Commissioner this new responsibility, are we giving our Police Force the right to make political decisions? Would this not lead to questions about its impartiality? I, for one, would not want public confidence in our Police Force to be eroded or its integrity questioned. Even if the Commissioner is, indeed, impartial, with this new responsibility, he or she may have to make seemingly subjective decisions that favour certain groups and displease others. It would be hard to avoid accusations of political non-partisanship once the Commissioner has to make such difficult decisions outside of his or her institutional competence. Furthermore, under POA, there is no requirement for the Commissioner to provide any detailed reasons for the rejection of a permit application. This means that the Commissioner's decision would effectively be free from public scrutiny.”
“Would there be an avenue for repeal? If the answer is that it can be challenged in Court, then it would definitely be a big deterrent for NGOs because of the cost involved. During the Budget Debate, I have spoken at length about how a strong civil society and an active citizenry build our national resilience. We are facing difficult and uncertain times ahead and, clearly, we do not have all the answers to the problems we face. In such times, it benefits us to collaborate with and learn from international experts. Will the proposed amendments to POA restrict our access to foreign expertise and knowledge, given its prohibition of foreign involvement? Our universities and Government agencies have always tapped on foreign resources. Our burgeoning civil society has much to learn as well from foreign experience and wisdom, so that it can grow more robust and address societal problems more effectively. Our nation as a whole has benefited greatly from an exchange of views with people from outside Singapore. Would such engagements now be in danger of ceasing, should the Commissioner, on his or her own discretion, deem them to be infringing the POA? I do not believe I am alone in saying that the new amendments have the potential to incite more fear and create more barriers for civil society to engage with foreign experts. It is encouraging that the Government wants to cultivate active citizenry. But we should also not inhibit concerned individuals or civil society from initiating engagement. Bottom up is not always a bad thing. Top down also sometimes need to take a break. It is time for the Government to trust its people. Let Singaporeans strive to find solutions for important issues without Government interference.”
“Or how about a public lecture, organised by a local NGO, with a foreign expert speaking on healthy policy, proposing recommendations for Singapore to boost Singapore's birth rate? That would also be covered under this very broad definition. I think the House can agree with me when I say these examples should certainly not fall afoul of POA. After all, they are beneficial for our nation, never mind that they deal with policy matters. Furthermore, they should not cause any public disorder or safety issues. But the issue at hand is this: we cannot categorically claim such events have "a political end", nor can we say otherwise. The amendment should then be clarified, to ensure such events are free from unnecessary scrutiny. If the proposed amendment is to deter foreigners from leading or participating in political events that threaten public order or safety, then is it repetitious? Because we have already dealt with such things adequately through clause 7(2) of POA. If we say that the proposed amendment is to restrict the direct influence of foreign corporations on domestic politics, then such instances can be dealt with through measures, such as disclosure rules, which will not limit spaces for political discourse. Therefore, the Bill, with its very broad definition of "political ends", seems to indicate that any event involving a foreign element advocating for some form of political change, whether good or bad, can be rejected by the Commissioner. Therefore, my question would be: how would the Commissioner decide to refuse the application of a particular public assembly? Should it be assessed based on its propensity to cause public disorder and not just merely on determining if it has "political ends"? What if there are contestations on the Commissioner's decision?”
“True active citizenry must also include Singaporeans initiating self-directed efforts in response to problems in our immediate surroundings. Also, political discourse should not be seen as something scary and dangerous, or something that only articulates itself as complaining. If people are afraid to participate openly in political discussions, they will not evolve into discerning citizens. To date, I still have audience coming to me about my production and say: "Don't talk about such things. Hey, why are you making these criticisms, will you get questioned? Don't do drama about politics, if not, you will get into trouble." How can all of us assure the public that there is nothing to fear? Ironically, the amended POA might even further deter Singaporeans from good, solid political engagement and discussion. It is in this light that I would like to examine and discuss this Bill. Under clause 4 of the proposed amendment, the Commissioner has the power to refuse a permit for public assembly or public procession, if he or she has reasonable ground for believing that the activity may be, I quote, "directed towards a political end and be organised by, or involve the participation of, any of the following persons: an entity that is not a Singapore entity; and an individual who is not a citizen of Singapore." The term "political end" has a very broad definition, as mentioned by the Minister just now. For instance, a public panel discussion on animal abuse, featuring Singaporeans and foreign experts, can be considered as "directed towards a political end". After all, the recommendations of such a panel may well include proposals for legislative changes.”
“Thank you, Mdm Speaker, for giving me this opportunity to share my views on the Public Order (Amendment) Bill. Since coming into force in 2009, and subsequently with amendments made as recently as 2015, the Public Order Act (POA) has achieved its objectives to ensure order and safety in public spaces well. As such, any proposed amendment should address specific gaps in public safety which have arisen. It should also offer clear terms for the execution of the Act. Yet, in my opinion, there are various aspects of the proposed amendments which require further clarification in terms of their intent. I believe the amendments will have an adverse impact on our efforts to encourage active citizenry. Our Government has made positive steps, particularly in recent years, to encourage citizens in policymaking. This strategy should be encouraged. Citizens should be politically aware and not politically naive. Political discussion is important to let us understand why decisions are being made, how it affects others and, importantly, allow us to articulate the kind of governance we want. When our citizens' trust and confidence in the political system grow, they will feel invested in the country's development and strategic direction. Of course, while we encourage political discourse and active citizenry, we would also agree that there must be terms of engagement that ensure civility, non-violence and public order. Hence, I see the POA as an Act that assures meaningful engagement. Thus, any policy change that deters citizens from becoming actively engaged will be counter-productive to our vision. We know that there has been more and more active engagement through social media, but meaningful engagement done face to face is equally important.”
“I thank the Minister for the clarification. I think the Association understood that the SRHZ would be removed. What the Minister has spoken seems to show that such micro economy is actually a livelihood for some other people who have since joined. So, I think they are really looking for an alternative site which can be managed in such a way that all the disamenities that the Minister was talking about can be mitigated. I would urge the Ministry to consider engaging with them so that we can look at such possibilities, especially since such outdoor markets, as the Minister said, we have been losing them and this is probably the last one. Having one would actually be good for our cultural landscape.”
“I thank the Minister for the detailed answers. May I know which agencies will be coordinating all this assistance to those who are not part of the original permit holders because, at the moment, I understand that no one has actually approached them? Secondly, I also understand that the Association for the Recycling of Second Hand Goods had wanted to engage in a dialogue with the National Environment Agency (NEA) on alternative sites. However, there is no such dialogue at this moment. May I know why there is no such dialogue, and would NEA or the Ministry consider having conversations with them?”
“In response to the golden foil, because that is actually a public space. How we negotiate public space really needs a lot of more discussions. I would like to take that further with the Minister. So, that is one clarification. Secondly, which I forgot just now, which I want to ask again was the issue on cultural leadership. I do not think I got quite the answer about why Rosa Daniel took up three roles at the same time. Mind you, again, I said I have no issues with her being in that role, but it is just that one person to take up three roles, are there no other choices that we have?”
“Okay. I hope maybe NAC and MCCY can look into that matter. The third thing is the Culture Academy which I think it is really very good. Would this academy create panels as well as discussion possibilities to deal with very difficult, critical discourse issues related to art? Because if it is attended by a lot of Government officials, that would be very good to start conversations from that point. Lastly, which is about the staircase, the golden foil staircase. I want to clarify that this artist has made considerations on the material to be used so that it was not slippery at all. However, I think what happened here is that we really probably need to relook at policies, especially dealing with public spaces, especially when such intervention happens. I think this is a very good case for us to look at such issues. If you all need, you can come to me and I can bring you on a tour.”
“I would like to thank the Minister and the Parliamentary Secretary for answering a lot of my questions. And I was reminded to say that I also agree that both MCCY and NAC have, over this one year, helped me a lot in terms of bridging a lot of discussions. I have four to five clarifications. First is good news about the arts education and bringing the students to galleries and performances. I just want to know that through this process, besides disseminating information and knowledge about the art, would there be an interface that allows students to have creative responses to the experience that they had? I think that is the most important part of that art experience. That interface requires a lot of thought and good people to work on it. How would the Ministry be working on that? The second thing is the Stamford Arts Centre issue. To be honest, during that time, when the tenants were asked to move in a very hurried way, there was quite a lot of unhappiness amongst the group. I heard from them during the process. I think it is not easy for an arts group to move from place to place and that created quite a lot of displacement because there were not very clear plans on how they could move to other places.”
“Both the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Director of the Singapore Arts Museum left last year. But to date, no replacements have been announced. The National Arts Council, after a significant period without its CEO, recently had a new appointee in Ms Rosa Daniel, who is concurrently the CEO of the National Heritage Board (NHB) and Deputy Secretary of MCCY. I have no doubt of Ms Rosa's credentials which put her in good stead for the job, but her multiple posts beg the question as to how she will manage all of them, given the time and energy they require. Is there a lack of potential candidates for such leadership roles? If so, how are we developing new leaders for the future? Arts institutions need to have artistic leadership at the forefront and should not be driven by just administrative or financial objectives. As such, I look forward to hearing from MCCY on how it will work with the community to cultivate such leaders, either for future positions at the helm or contributing actively on directorial boards. I would emphasise that only if these leaders − and I would also include all leaders of other sectors, as well as Government Ministries − embrace arts and culture as essential to our being, then Singapore will move closer to being a liveable and resilient city for a dignified and humanistic being. Building Identity through Heritage”
“So, how can these silent heroes and heroines be recognised? One of the visions of ACSR is to increase community involvement in art-making, and two very recent cases made me think more deeply about this. I am sure everyone by now is aware of the Golden Foil Stair at Jalan Rajah, created by La Salle College of the Arts student, Priyageetha. I saw her this morning. Some residents have safety concerns about it, but others, including myself, think it is a brilliant piece of art. The Town Council has weighed in to say the installation is unauthorised. In another case, a unique installation of dolls at a void deck, created by a Mr Or, was asked to be dismantled. Yet, this installation had injected life into that void deck. In both cases, these installations are in public spaces and they are clear examples of ground-up community art. Arts in the community is often spontaneous and interventionist, as it should be. It serves as a response to the place and people around it and engages and enlivens the community in a positive manner. Should our policies not adjust so as to allow more community engagement and participation in the arts? Should all agencies and the public not learn how to converse about how to share public space and not mute these ground-up creativity? Also, should our definition of "community" be inclusive of foreigners in our midst − our migrant workers and domestic helpers − who share our common spaces and actively contribute to our country? I hope MCCY will consider offering more support to marginalised groups and events, such as the Migrant Workers Poetry Competition and Dibashram, which offers cultural activities to the Bangladeshi community. Lastly, on cultural leadership. We have seen some major shifts in leadership at a few of our largest arts organisations.”
“In 2016, various arts groups at Stamford Arts Centre had to vacate their premises and be resettled, with the centre supposedly being earmarked to be developed as a Traditional Arts Centre. But a year on, we have not heard progress on this matter. I would like to ask: why was there a rush to vacate the previous tenants then? Why has the plan for the Traditional Arts Centre not been implemented yet? So, what is the plan? Decisions on our cultural assets involve multiple Government agencies and we need to reinforce interagency dialogue and collaboration. The missteps of Ellison Building and Surviving Syonan Gallery again highlight the importance of good engagement. I also urge MCCY and the Government to put cultural impact assessments as an important process in forming any major national policy. Our accomplished artists are recognised nationally yearly through the Young Artists Awards and the Cultural Medallion Awards. Last year, upon being conferred the Cultural Medallion, 86-year-old Mdm Nona Aishah said, "It should have happened 10 years ago. I am too old to receive this now." She is right. We could have given her the award earlier for her dedication and craft all these years. At 86 years old, how would this trophy and grant help her to continue her "artistic pursuits?" How many other older artists have we not heard about, let alone given recognition to? There are also other arts workers who have been toiling behind the scenes quietly for decades. This include TK Sabapathy, art historian and critic, and Tay Tong, producer of TheatreWorks. Yet, because they are not practising artists, even if many within the arts community may find them deserving of the Cultural Medallion, they cannot be considered under the current scheme.”
“Arts open up society and shape society, just like we cannot ignore Da Vinci and how we talk about the Renaissance. How, therefore, do we help Singaporeans to value arts and culture? One of the clearest ways to do this is through arts education. We need to go beyond simply making students sit through assembly shows or music classes. How can we empower our educators to help students see in new refreshing ways and connect arts to life? We need consistency and rigour in our pedagogical approach to move beyond mere presentation of art and towards seeing art in the everyday. We are not asking all students to be artists. But we can find the artists in them. At the same time, we need to educate our students on the arts and cultural icons in Singapore. In schools, you often see replicas of paintings by Van Gogh and Monet. But where are our works by Liu Kang, Georgette Chen and Chen Wen Hsi? If our younger generation cannot access narratives of local artists easily, how can they develop national pride in our arts? Every child in every school should be familiar with Leong Yoon Pin, Tang Da Wu, Isa Kamari and the list goes on and on. 4.45 pm This leads me to the importance of documentation. I hope MCCY can look into national centres that archive the rich history and development of the arts as part of our cultural and social fabric. The history of art must include the critical discourse that is generated from artwork. To improve critical discourse, we need to boost research and encourage more critical writing and documentation. This need to document the arts is especially crucial for our traditional artforms, which we are running against time and need to find new ways to innovate whilst preserving their craft. This leads me to my next query.”
“It is by grappling with difficult issues that we discover the depth of human thoughts and emotions, understand differences, learn to empathise and celebrate diversity. Last year, there had been examples of such bold works resulting in controversy but, unfortunately, stopping short of critical dialogue, like Five Easy Pieces at last year's Singapore International Festival of the Arts (SIFA), and Undressing Room and Naked Ladies at the M1 Singapore Fringe Festival. The loudest, brashest and most obstinate voices, unfortunately, silenced any possibility of critical discourse. Precious opportunities for mutual understanding and mediation were lost. Instead, most of the time, the artists come across as depraved or immoral, with little avenue to express their positions except in their artwork, which may have been banned or censored or which would have only reached out to a small minority of the population. In addition, how do we deal with sections of the public that promote hate under the guise of moral beliefs? If an artwork is deemed "objectionable" by one out of 99 people, should that artwork be removed, censored or banned? I look forward to the day when a representative from the Government will say to an outraged member of the public who wants an artwork banned: if you are offended, do not watch, but there are people who want to watch. My point is, we must inculcate in society an appreciation for the value of critical discourse. We must encourage our people to want to talk about the arts and culture and, to do so, we must understand the value of arts and culture. Of course, some may say, how do we value arts and culture when we are still concerned about costs of living? But both are not mutually exclusive. Valuing the arts means appreciating its intrinsic values.”
“Mdm Chairman, it has been five years since the Report of the Arts and Culture Strategic Review (ACSR) was released and it is, therefore, timely for us to review. So, I would like to request that MCCY provide a report on the progress to date, as well as any hurdles faced in the process. Next, I would like to offer my take on some concerns on the ground, collated after consultations, and explore strategies for the road ahead. Our arts and cultural landscape reflect our diversity as a nation. There is always something that caters to everyone − traditional to experimental, entertaining works to thought-provoking ones. It is this very diversity that makes the Singapore arts and cultural landscape so exciting and full of vitality which we must strive to encourage. This is why I feel the need to emphasise the importance of experimental, avant-garde art. These are artworks by creators who think out of the box. They represent adventure, exploration and offer new ways of seeing, ahead of their time. Thus, this spirit is not specific to the arts. We see and celebrate this as well in entrepreneurs, researchers and scientists. Just like other front-runners, such artworks always meet with hesitation, if not suspicion and derision, by the general public. Yes, it is common for people to resist the unfamiliar. However, it is the unconventional who bring new knowledge, understanding and change. As a city state that wants to be at the forefront of innovation, we must embrace artists who have the boldness and imagination to dream extraordinary dreams. Exploratory works are meant to be contentious, meant to generate critical discourse.”
“I thank the Minister and Parliamentary Secretary. I just want to say that meaning and policies do affect the way people perceive things. And so, here, I hope you also would agree that the word "illegitimate" is actually quite negative. When you were saying that if we do away with the "illegitimate" issues on tax relief and inheritance issue, that would have a far-reaching impact. I would like to know what that far-reaching impact would be. We must be able to justify this impact or else these kids are going to bear this stigma for the rest of their lives. So, we need to see how we justify that. A second question. I just want to seek a clarification on whether those families consisting of one foreign spouse, would you still consider them as part of a family nucleus so that they can then purchase and rent HDB flats. Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim: It has to be how our society has evolved. So, as I have said earlier, it is something that we have to consider carefully. It is not an overnight issue. We hear the different groups of people and we want to make sure that we journey on this together with our society. About the question on foreign spouses, as I have said, even though policies may not allow as such but, more importantly, if you know of anyone facing such an issue, ask them to see their Members of Parliament and we will see how we can facilitate that.”
“But is it really true that people will cultivate aspirations and norms based on these challenging technicalities? The only real effect these policies have is to disadvantage some families by making their affairs more burdensome to manage and also stigmatise the children. Can we do away with the use of "illegitimacy" in inheritance and tax reliefs? Ground experiences from VWOs working with single parents show that housing policies are hard to understand and that there is a lack of coordination between Ministries and Departments to provide support for families in transition who are usually in a stressful situation. Dealing with complicated policies or having to navigate the system adds to the stress. Could the Ministries consider setting up a central agency for such families? It could function as a one-stop shop where, for example, divorced parents can go to for assistance on legal matters, advice on housing options, post-divorce and child welfare-related services. In a classroom, the students were once asked to make images of an ideal family. A group of male students formed this image: two guys sitting in front; two guys standing behind. So, the classmates asked, "Who played the mother?" Refusing to be seen as playing a female character, the male student said, "We are all males!" Some asked, "How come ideal family got no mother?" Then a student spoke up, "Why can this not be an ideal family? Father, uncle, two brothers." It was a very strong plea by this student, for whatever reason, this image meant a lot to her. And, so, I urge our policies not to bring further harm and hurt to these families. Update on Mental Capacity Act”
“We often say that the family is the "bedrock of society". In our ideal conception, family is where people are cared and provided for, protected and loved. There are many people who do these things every day − for their spouse, their partner, their children, their parents. Yet, in the eyes of our laws and Government policies, they do not fit into the conventional and official definition of family. These are single parents, unwed mothers, foreign wives, cohabiting same-sex couples, and the list goes on. Because they do not qualify as family, access to basic necessities, like housing, is a real problem. Single parents and children shuttle from one temporary home to another, live in overcrowded units and not having personal space to study and play are undesirable to a child's development. Not belonging to a heterosexual, nuclear family is not a personal failing − relationships fail, partners die, some are just not that into the opposite gender. I urge the Government to make inclusive policies for family. Fellow Members have spoken about lowering the income cap for rental housing and I repeat the same call. I also urge the Government to allow unwed mothers and families consisting of one foreign spouse to form a family nucleus for the purposes of purchase and rental of HDB units. Numerous policies continue to disadvantage unmarried mothers and their children, who are being classified as "illegitimate". These children will not inherit from their father's estate if the father dies without a will. They can inherit from their mother only if she has no other children from within a marriage. There are also tax reliefs that are available only to married mothers. The Government has said that the distinctions are there to promote "strong marriages" and the norms of family.”
“I think the Minister of State has not addressed my concern about it being a whole of political as well as the political learning process, especially knowing how the legislative process is being done. As someone who actually comes into this Parliament fresh and new, I realised that it was a lot of things for me to learn in this process. I think it should start young. So, that is why watching it through the whole process will be very important.”
“It is about the Parliamentary "live" streaming. I support some of the Members who are asking for this streaming. It is not just about watching the archival. I think it is the whole process of how this Parliamentary debate is being done. This is very important in our political education, especially for the people. That is why I would like to advocate for it to be done. Secondly, it is about the local content. I wonder whether the Government would actually consider multilingual productions, especially for the narrative kind of productions. What we have now is, a lot of time, what we see on TV, especially narrative stories, it looks as if they appear in a very weird world whereby the Chinese gather together and talk about their own stories, and Malay content. I think we need to have multilingual content so that we are used to serving different languages, so that it does not become a kind of a myth that we live in, whereby we all live in our own different language worlds. Thirdly, I just want to ask the Minister of State if he can share with us the survey that was done where he said that the people are more satisfied with the content in the newspapers. When he said they were more satisfied, what does it mean? What is the comparative study that we are talking about, as in "more satisfied"? Lastly, I just want to know, in terms of the reading habits, whether we are reading more literature − I am talking about narratives like prose, poems and novels − or are we reading more of those do-it-yourself (DIY) toolkits kind of books?”
“I would like to clarify with Minister of State Teo that there is, indeed, a policy change to give migrant workers an option to change employer when their employments are terminated prematurely or due to valid complaints like salary or excessive work hours, and that this option is not dependent on the discretionary consideration of MOM.”
“Even when bosses do not pay salaries for months, he may feel unable to protest too much or lodge complaints. This is where the second factor comes into play. Work Permit holders cannot seek alternative employment in Singapore without first being repatriated. But if a worker lodges a complaint against his non-paying employer and loses his job, he will be sent home. Then, if he wants another job, he has to pay an agent thousands of dollars again. MOM has said "Change of Employer" permission were granted to 2,200 workers in the last three years. But this is only a fraction of the salary complaints workers have raised which, at 4,500 per year, would be 13,500 over the last three years. In any case, no worker contemplating lodging a complaint over salary non-payment will feel secure by relying on mere assurance of discretionary considerations. In view of this, I would urge the Ministry to review the policy requiring workers to be repatriated once an employer terminates the job. I also urge the Ministry to look at ways to eliminate recruitment costs to workers. I understand the South Korean government has, since 2004, begun operating a system that caps costs to workers to well under US$2,000, for contracts of up to five years. It may be a model worth looking at. Giro Payment for Domestic Workers”
“First, I want to thank the Minister for the stories that resonate with us. Madam, let me recount a forum theatre performance that I did in an outdoor space. It was created and performed by migrant workers. The protagonist, a migrant worker, knelt in front of his supervisor pleading not to be sent home because of a small injury. In forum theatre, the audience would come up to enact solutions. A member of the audience, who is also a migrant worker, wanted to offer his. He came up. Then he knelt down and pleaded for forgiveness, which was the same as what happened in the original play. Then, this migrant worker told his own story, the same story, and then he broke down on stage. Foreign workers experience displacement that comes with high risk of life derailment. They come here to provide for their families and in the course of it, they also contribute to Singapore. Many achieved their aims of a better life, but for no small numbers, things turned out badly. The derailment they suffer is quite often very severe because of two reasons. 1.45 pm First, the sunk cost of getting a job here. A foreign construction worker looking for his first job in Singapore typically pays about S$15,000 as recruitment costs, a result of recruitment channels placed in the hands of the few who go out to maximise profits. When basic salaries are around $600 a month, no workers can expect to save enough during the 12 months' duration of a typical Work Permit to recover this sum. He desperately hopes that the Work Permit will be renewed for a few years. Since he must avoid doing anything to jeopardise his job or displease his boss, the power relationship is severely distorted against the worker.”
“The introduction of a carbon tax is an important move towards climate change resilience. Minister Heng has stated that revenue from carbon tax will help to fund measures by industries to reduce emissions. Does this mean that the revenue will be ring-fenced and channelled back to these purposes? If that is so, what are the following measures? The Province of British Columbia has used its carbon tax revenue to reduce its income and corporate tax, and they now have the lowest personal income tax in Canada. Would we also consider doing likewise, which was also advocated by Al Gore who said, "Tax what we burn, not what we earn". Economists have argued this could improve overall efficiency of the economy. Naomi Klein, in her book "This Changes Everything", writes about how we are stuck in a capitalistic mode of consumption. It is a systemic problem, and Singapore needs a cultural shift to change our behaviour and habits of consumption. Ground-up initiatives can make this kind of cultural shift and there are many such successful initiatives around the world. We have examples like Singapore Really Really Free Market (SRRFM) where goods and services are shared for free, part of a movement to counteract capitalism and reduce consumption. Could the revenue be used to support these movements, have their voices amplified, and to create a culture of sustainable consumption and production that goes far beyond a carbon tax? Laozi said: "生而不忧，为而不恃", which means we must be mindful we are not master of nature and master of all resources. So, let us be gentler to Mother Nature.”
“In an era where there is increased polarisation sparked off by religion, politics and class, our leaders have ever more important roles as beacons of reason and mediation. To be resilient is to never allow communities to splinter into us versus them ideologies but, rather, to make people see that there is a "u" in "us". We are in this together. As our nation moves forward with the proposals by CFE, let us remember to become positive forces of change, to find new ways of seeing and listening, and to always be resilient and compassionate to those who fall through the cracks of the system. If we are to become a community of hope in these difficult times, we cannot merely focus on straightforward success stories but must engage with those who feel most sidelined and marginalised, so that we can become more robust and resilient together, and never alone. In Pig Earth, part of the trilogy written by the late John Berger, about peasants trying to survive under capitalism, there is a scene of an old peasant training a mouth organ in his mountain while he was trying to save an old cow. And John Berger wrote, "All music is about survival, addressed to survivors." Hence, by extension, all arts are about surviving, addressed to survivors. And with that, I support the Budget.”
“Less group think, less judgement. Beyond our own communities, we must also build on inter-community resilience, so that we do not become insular and self-serving. We live in an interconnected world and we, therefore, need to look out for others because their circumstances will have an effect on us. To develop inter-community resilience, we must create platforms for active engagement among communities that allow for good, honest and deep dialogues. The arts are one such platform that not only entertains but also educates. It presents scenarios within safe spaces for the public, making us aware of narratives that are often concealed in our midst, and inspiring us to be the change we want to see in society. Similarly, in building inter-community resilience, we need to build such safe spaces where rules of engagement are adhered to, to ensure that our dialogues remain respectful yet robust, critical yet compassionate, passionate yet measured and non-violent. It cannot be stressed enough that leadership plays an important role in motivating and inspiring citizens to take greater responsibility for our shared growth, instead of just focusing on individual success stories. This means being politically motivated to gain a better distribution of wealth and success. It cannot be achieved merely through business-oriented measures or short-term handouts. Rather, in developing long-term strategies to reduce the income gap, our leaders can reignite self-belief, meaningfulness and dignity in the people. Likewise, an enlightened leadership must respect the differences that exist within our society, not tolerating, not co-existing, but embracing and celebrating diversity and plurality of views, lifestyles and people.”
“I urge you to read her award-winning work "Butterfly Dream", which can be found on the Internet. At home, we have witnessed the lyrical poetry of our migrant workers in Singapore, who have given us an unflinching glimpse into their lives here. Take Bikas Nath from Bangladesh, a poet and shipyard worker who won first prize at the 2016 Migrant Workers Poetry Competition. He shared that when he is lonely, I quote, "the pen and paper are my friends. So, when I have the time, I try to write down my feelings." And now, I quote from his award-winning poem, "Why Migrant?": "I long to run back to the warm embrace of my homeland Among loved ones Laugh over a steaming cup of homemade tea to the sound of the impatient strumming of a guitar somewhere Wearing my blue uniform I want to lose myself Back into my childhood Like a stubborn child on a rainy monsoon day Hiding under the safety of taro leaves in the swamp." The arts offer a world of imagination and, in that, the seed of hope. In art making, an individual encounters the power of art to heal, repair and bring hope in difficult times. Aside from individual resilience, we need to build on community resilience. By that, I mean a community that comes together to listen to differences, mediate and recognise that each differing point of view deserves respect and understanding. This resilient community will never neglect the individual voice within the sea of voices. Again, the arts compel us to be engaged through active listening and collaboration, which are essential building blocks that inform creation. Active listening allows us to develop empathy and to experience views beyond our comfort zone and echo chambers. I, therefore, urge the House that we continue to listen and give with respect. More communication, more openness.”
“I have attended a number of forums last year and there was always this call for artists to respond to these trying times. In the Salzburg Global Seminar, policymakers, thinkers, non-government organisations (NGOs) and representatives from C40 Cities and so on, made the call for arts to be the active change agent and in building resilience. In Weimar, a conference on sharing and exchange, political scientists, economists, philosophers stressed the importance of collaboration and intercultural exchanges. In Malta, NGOs, chief executive officers of Arts Councils around the world made the call for resilience and more arts to heal, repair and imagine. As an arts practitioner, I can attest to the fact that the arts can develop resilience because it opens up our critical thinking processes, be it as a spectator or audience, participant or creator. To give an example: Mr Ong, an audience member of my community forum theatre play, once shared, and I quote, "I used to be a very impatient person. But after watching your forum theatre play, when I get into a disagreement with my spouse, I will remember you, Heng Leun. I remember you conducting a forum theatre play and, when a crisis happens, you will say, "Stop! Take a moment to think, to reflect." So, now, if I am going to quarrel with my staff, I stop. I think and I reflect. It makes me less impatient and, of course, with that, there are fewer arguments and more discussions." For creators, the arts is a means for articulating difficulties otherwise left unvoiced and seething beneath the surface. Take, for instance, my friend from Uganda, Beatrice Lamwaka, who wrote stories that helped her heal from her pain and trauma of living through arduous times.”
“What is crucial here is a culture of creative and critical thinking. Such a culture cannot be manifested overnight through new state funding schemes. There is no better time than now to scrutinise our current education system, incorporate opportunities for creative and critical thinking within it, develop our next generation and generations to come. The Government can create scaffolds and support structures for innovation, but the root source of innovation lies in the people. We often talk about software or heartware, as opposed to hardware. Software is not just about skills, but it is about human interactions. How lacking are we these days in the art of conversations? We have reduced our exchanges to monosyllables: "Can", "Want", "K". I am not talking about language. I am talking about connecting. How do employers and employees connect? How do strangers converse? How do we settle a public disagreement in a multiracial and multi-religious society? How do we manage the increasing moral panic? How do we not see ourselves as helpless individuals, alienated or a powerless observer to surrounding injustice? How do we see ourselves as active change agents for our society and the world? This leads me to my next point on resilience. To manage change and displacement, we, as a society, must become stronger. We must develop the art of resilience. In trying times, resilience in individuals is key in helping us to repulse fear, resist and reject the injustice and oppressive status quo. Resilience embraces difficult yet transformative change. It takes courage and conviction; it encourages objective and critical thinking. At the same time, it enables empathy, compassion and a greater sense of hope.”
“The late British sociologist, Peter Townsend, once said, "It may be worth reflecting, if indeed a little sadly, that possibly the ultimate test of the quality of a free, democratic and prosperous society is to be found in the standards of freedom, democracy and prosperity enjoyed by its weakest members." I and many others believe this to be true. And in difficult times, we must be even more attentive to those amongst us who fall through the cracks. As such, I wish to hear more from the Minister on how the real wages of the middle income and lower income can be raised. And this brings me to the next point. While CFE focused on economic strategies, it is essential that a study on the cultural impact of these economic strategies be made. Every economic structural change affects individuals, family, society, politics, infrastructure, economy, environment, the tangible and intangible heritage, and the arts, in other words, the culture of our society and the city state as a whole. We must take a proactive approach to anticipate the impact of these structural changes, rather than react to them when they arise. To give an example: technological advancement has progressed so rapidly beyond our imaginations that we, as humans, are trying to grasp hold of the changes and manage them well without falling behind. Another example will be the impact of the expansionary immigration policy of the 1990s to early 2000s, which could be mitigated if we had done a cultural impact study earlier. Studies of cultural impact of economic strategies will, therefore, put us in good stead to manage changes and their effects on society. I would like now to unpack a term I have heard numerous times in the House since our Debate began, "deep skills". But what is "deep skills" without deep thinking?”
“It is thus the responsibility of those who are privileged to speak up for those who are not − those who do not earn as much, those who are not as educated, those who are sidelined by our system. In a society that celebrates achievement and progress, no one wants to be seen as a failure. Failure results in alienation. People who feel alienated, who feel helpless, become angry. We see the outcomes of such unhappiness on social media, often resulting in an echo chamber effect, reinforcing collective discontentment. The frustration that stems from material, emotional and psychological insecurity creates a further polarisation of society. We begin to fear the other. This pervasive sense of threat is dangerous. It not only prevents us from being empathetic and compassionate, but encourages selfishness, which can even make violence and brutality justifiable in extreme situations. This Government is aware of these concerns and addresses them through pro-business policies and enhancing the safety net. In the immediate term, pro-business policies retain and create jobs, but it might not ensure a trickle-down effect on the economy to individuals. Standards of living may still stagnate. But the Government's extended social safety net will help. But with no substantial increase in income, the reliance on social support may be protracted. Self-esteem is directly related to self-reliance. Rather than hoping the safety net is wide enough to catch them, people would generally prefer to lead a self-sustainable, dignified life, earning a respectable wage that ensures their independence.”
“Migrant workers who have come to Singapore to make a living despite their personal sense of dislocation; single parents and their children who do not enjoy the same benefits of other traditional family units and who struggle to make ends meet; workers who feel that their jobs are at risk because technological advancements and artificial intelligence might make their roles obsolete and losing their sense of place at home, in the society and with themselves. Displacements come with change. In physics, displacement maps out the relative change of the position of an object, moving from one point to another. But it does not reflect the total distance travelled and the time taken to reach there, which is just like real life. For some, it is a straight line, quick and fast. But for others, it is a path with a lot of derailments, ups and downs, and some of them may not even reach there. Naturally, we want the change that we experience to be good, that it brings us forward and upwards, in a straight line − in other words, positive displacement. But most of the time, negative displacement within our society is real and undeniable. With the widening income gap, the lower- to middle-income groups constantly feel the squeeze as they try to keep up with change. At the same time, their lack of resources has resulted in derailment. When they are reminded to catch up or be left behind, it sounds as if the problem is that of a personal failing in their lack of trying, rather than a systemic one. Change favours the privileged. Privilege comes in all different forms. All of us here are privileged because we have the power to effect change. Or so I would like to believe. You can be privileged in terms of wealth or education, or even as a race.”
“Another participant shared about the unbearable lightness of existence − the result of her experience of war and bloodshed. Our American friends said they feared waking up to another executive order that would bring the US closer to isolation. Yet, within the same country, we heard about another crisis, this time from a Native American, through songs and rituals, demonstrated the solidarity of her relatives in their bid to halt the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline at Standing Rock Indian Reservation. There were also stories about other urgent global issues, from climate change to social and income inequality. So many issues, so many crises and so many stories of upheavals, which resulted in a huge sense of loss and displacement. As I listened to all these sharing, I realised that back in sunny Singapore, although we are cushioned from the immediacy of these crises, we cannot deny that they will undoubtedly impact us. For many Singaporeans, myself included, the Rohingya crisis seems far away when, in actual fact, it is really close − refugees in Johor needing help and support. A community that is hurt and injured is a world that is not at peace. Let us also not be complacent and imagine that such upheavals are too far away or will never happen to us. For now, while we may not experience such gut-wrenching upheavals, we have our own issues of displacement.”
“Mdm Speaker, I would like to first thank the Minister for Finance and the various Ministries for preparing this Budget for 2017. I recall my experience last year, the first time I stood before the House to speak and about the Budget. That time, I had noted that culture was not mentioned much in the speech, but this year, I am thankful and happy that the arts and culture are mentioned, although in only one small paragraph. But it is good news about a boost for the Cultural Matching Fund. So, for the next few minutes, before maybe we go for our break, I would make arts and culture my subject: upheavals, displacements and the art of resilience. We are all acutely aware that we live in a complex world today. We have been forewarned that the times ahead will be difficult. There will be displacements to our seemingly orderly lives. Last month, I attended a seminar organised by the Salzburg Global Seminar. This organisation was set up 70 years ago after World War II, gathering thinkers, practitioners and policymakers to consider world issues, articulate problems and propose broad strategies to deal with these problems. For the 2017 iteration that I went to, 40 fellows from various part of the world participated in the seminar, which was held in a beautiful palace, the Schloss Leopoldskron. I cannot speak German, but this palace is famous because it is the location site for one of the beloved musical films, "The Sound of Music". During the seminar, while overlooking the idyllic lake, we shared and listened to stories and experiences that were at times harrowing, heart-breaking and deeply disturbing. One fellow from Uganda shared that her brother was abducted by rebels, and how her family had to keep silent, despite knowing that he would become a child soldier.”
“Yes, because I am still not convinced by the arguments for —”
“Sorry, I have a point to make. Can I just ask if I can just voice a point that I actually —”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State. I just want to clarify. So, yes, if the family members do ask for the opportunity for physical contact, the Singapore Prison Service would consider. So, they could put up an application or ask for it. Secondly, I would also like to say that it is that period of knowing when the sentence would come, that one week is actually quite a stressful and traumatic period. So, this is the period that we need to give them a bit more time and space to handle the process.”
“I thank the Senior Minister of State for the reply. The reason for asking for a longer notice period is to give the families sufficient time to make the necessary preparations, as well as for the grief process. At the moment, they will be informed on Monday, and usually Tuesdays to Thursdays are when the extended visits are allowed. So, I am asking whether it could be extended a bit more so that they would have more time to deal with that process. The second supplementary question is that I understand that some death row inmates' family members would be grateful for just one opportunity to be able to have that physical contact. In fact, the Government has made an exception once to permit one death row inmate's mother's physical contact, to hold the hands of her son. So, would the Ministry consider granting this possibility during the last visits, if the family members and the death row inmates so desire?”
“Also, under clause 26 of the Bill, the Authority may give an order to any proprietor or occupier of any land requiring them to install, erect or relocate way-finding signs at the proprietor or occupier's own costs. I think this was also reflected by our colleague Dr Teo Ho Pin. Similarly, under clause 27, such proprietor or occupier has a duty to maintain such way-finding signs at their own cost. I am puzzled as to why the cost of doing so is not borne by the Authority when such signs are for the benefit of the public at large. The final point that I seek some clarification on is as to what constitutes an act that "obstructs the use of public path". Given that it is a criminal offence, clarity on what conduct constitutes obstructions would be necessary so that users are aware of what they are and avoid acting in a manner that would run afoul of the law.”
“I have a few points of clarifications before I end. First of all, I see some practical difficulties with clauses 23(1) of the Bill, which imposes a series of duties on the driver of the vehicle to comply with as far as circumstances permit, in the event that an accident occurs. As we all know, when an accident occurs, it might cause the involved party to be in a state of panic and shock such that he or she might not be able to react or properly respond to what has just occurred. It is not clear from the Bill whether such drivers in such state of shock should face prosecution under this clause should he or she not comply with the series of duties provided under this clause. Further, clause 23(1)(b) provides that the driver must, as far as circumstances permit, immediately render such assistance as he or she can. I am worried that there might be situations where the driver's assistance puts the injured party in a worse situation or further exacerbates his or her injuries. For the safety of those involved in the event of an accident, I hope that the Ministry can reconsider the necessity of this clause. Second, under clause 6 of the Bill, a public path may be declared over any private land that is subject to an access agreement in favour of the Authority for the purposes of this Bill. Can the Senior Minister of State clarify what liabilities and responsibilities would such owners owe to involved parties when an accident occurs after such private land have been declared as a public path? Who would be responsible for maintaining such private land that has been declared as a public path thereafter?”
“Mdm Speaker, in a reply by the Senior Minister of State for Transport Josephine Teo to a Parliamentary Question on Measures to Promote Safe Sharing of Paths, I quote, "pedestrians in Singapore who are injured in an accident can obtain compensation by initiating civil lawsuits or through private settlements. If the offender is prosecuted and convicted in criminal Court, the Court will consider if compensation to the victim should be paid." With respect, it is cold comfort and unfair to the victim to have to spend considerable amounts to be compensated for his or her medical bills and have to wait for a significant period before he or she can obtain such compensation. Similarly, there are disputes that might be better resolved out-of-court. I note that this Bill does not contemplate alternative forms of dispute resolution, but I hope that the Ministry might look into providing a cost-efficient mode of dispute resolution, such as through mandated mediation or third-party negotiations for dispute arising out of the use of shared paths. Similarly, I hope that the Ministry can look into making insurance for personal devices more affordable so that more users can sign up for such insurance. I take the point which the Senior Minister of State has made about it being too onerous to make it mandatory for users of PMDs or cyclists to purchase insurance. However, having such insurance not only protects the user but the third party who has been injured by the act of the user as such parties may receive compensation from the insurer of the user. It would reduce the need for victims to go to Court to obtain compensation. I would advocate that a culture of mediating dispute arising from the use of shared paths will be better than depending on the Courts.”
“Mdm Speaker, a segregated path would not only mitigate the risk of such accidents from occurring but also serve as a signal to pedestrians and cyclists that should they utilise paths not meant for their travelling purpose, they bear the risk of an accident occurring. Moreover, such segregated pathways might be able to accommodate higher volumes of users and, as such, it is a more efficient use of space than non-segregated shared paths. The Government has signalled its intention to move towards a car-lite society, with an ongoing effort to transform Ang Mo Kio into a model town for walking and cycling. So, this Bill is a good opportunity for us to rethink our urban and estate planning and redesign our existing paths so that we can achieve a culture shift in our mobility choice with the assurance of safety and transport efficacy. Just one last point on the issue of design. I hope that the Ministry is looking at reinforcing existing pathways to ensure that the surfaces of such pathways would better cushion against the impact of a fall. I also hope that the Minister can shed some light on what is being done to enhance existing pedestrian, foot and shared paths to ensure the path is safe for all users, as well as how the Government ensures the regular maintenance, proper illumination and repair works of these paths. I now turn to the issue of conflict management. Conflicts are but a natural consequence of human interaction. Mdm Speaker, I must imagine that when so many different users moving at vastly different speeds are sharing the same spaces, disputes, especially arising from accidents, are bound to occur. What I am concerned about is how we seek to resolve such disputes that arise from the shared use of these paths which affect people from all walks of life.”