Laurence Wee Yoke Thong
Singapore
“Recommendation two: may I also urge the Minister, perhaps to commission a study on the cost of raising a child with special needs in Singapore, if this has not been done before or done much earlier because the cost of living was lower? This study will be of immense value when formulating policies to help these parents financially.”
“In this way, we are, first, enabling our parents; and, two, empowering them to be their own advocate for their children's well-being at the end of the day.”
“Caring for a person with dementia can be very stressful and, in most instances, a long-drawn affair. More resources need to be channelled towards supporting valuable research, translating the findings into better and effective methods in addressing this worrying trend. More should be done in this direction.”
“I note that all these may not be within the scope of this Bill this afternoon. In conclusion, Sir, this Bill will provide older workers with an opportunity to prolong their work years in a meaningful way, ensuring them to be financially independent whilst preparing for their retirement so as to age gracefully.”
“I would like to thank the Minister for the update. I would also like to commend the Ministry for upgrading the salaries of social workers. With regard to the provision of satellite FSCs, many in the disabled and low-income groups will find that there is a need for the satellite FSCs.”
“We see a trend of abandonment of parents by children through referrals to family service centres (FSCs)by organisations such as CDCs, HDB, Town Councils and grassroots, among others. At Care Corner, two FSCs, namely Admiralty and Queenstown, we see a total of 14 cases for a 10-month period – 1st April 2009 to 31st January 2010.”
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“Mr Chairman, would the Government reconsider the issue of waiver of the maid levy put up by me in this House at last year's Budget debate? The main consideration then for not approving the matter, besides the subsidies and support given by the Government to help families to manage their elderly at home, was the presence of a large number of foreign domestic workers, more than 100,000, and the need to manage that number. That number has decreased, I presume, in line with the current policy. Sir, there is both the financial and physical stress for family caregivers when they employ maids to take care of their aged parents. Besides the employment expenses, medical fee, agency fee, return flight fee, etc, there are added expenses for the upkeep in the home as well as medical fee of the aged. Also, there is physical stress involved in the hands-on training and close supervision to prevent elder abuse by the maid. Doing away with the levy of $170 will provide great relief to the family caregivers financially as well as a boost to their flagging morale. Employing a maid now is not a bed of roses.”
“Recommendation two: may I also urge the Minister, perhaps to commission a study on the cost of raising a child with special needs in Singapore, if this has not been done before or done much earlier because the cost of living was lower? This study will be of immense value when formulating policies to help these parents financially. In conclusion, may I reiterate that families of children with special needs require more special attention and relief. Social workers”
“This will ensure that teachers who undergo such courses are motivated to give their commitment and dedication to serve the children with special needs in pre-school education through further training. If such accreditation is considered, it would be of immense help to those cohorts of teachers undergoing training. Thus, it will not only increase morale, but also help to ensure and maintain service quality in the long term. We can do more to promote early intervention for children with special needs and these trained pre-school teachers are in fact the frontline people who can make the difference. Child development credit Mr Chairman, Sir, families with children with special needs will invariably incur greater expenses. This is especially so in the area of providing therapy and other rehabilitative measures to increase their children's potential with their residual abilities for better functioning. Generally, all concerned parents will go, if they can afford it, for any therapy that will hold promise of greater recovery or healing. Most parents will do anything for their children's progress. However, therapy, rehabilitation and other speciality medical care are just a few of the extra costs that parents face when raising children with special needs. Thus, the families of the disabled require more special attention and relief. Recommendation one: may I suggest to the Minister to consider a higher quantum of Child Development Credit, as it will go a long way in helping the families to cope with the higher cost of taking care of a child with special needs?”
“At this point, I thank the Minister and his team for the good progress over the past five years, and for rolling out many initiatives for the poor, needy and the disabled. First, I declare my interest as my organisation, Presbyterian Community Services, is running the integrated childcare programme in six of our childcare centres with 10 places in each centre. The waiting list for integrated childcare programme centres may not be an issue now. However, it would be good to constantly monitor the trend, so that no eligible child will be denied a place in integrated pre-school education. Training of integrated childcare programme teachers Mr Chairman, Sir, teachers working with children with special needs need to equip themselves with proper knowledge, skills and competency to help each child reach his/her fullest potential. Teachers in integrated childcare programme centres have to attend 152 hours of training in order to be awarded the certificate in teaching pre-schoolers with special needs in integrated childcare centre (CICP) conducted by the Rainbow Centre at Margaret Drive, which is appointed by MCYS as its training coordinator. Currently, only the NIE Diploma in Special Education and Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Advanced Diploma in Early Childhood Intervention (Special Education) are being recognised. Could more be done for the CICP's certificate course in terms of greater recognition? Perhaps, it can be considered as a form of foundation module, in view of its existing specialised training content. This could serve as a bridge or stepping stone for trainees without their pre-requisite to further their upgrading in NIE or Ngee Ann Polytechnic. May I urge the Minister to consider granting recognition of such courses?”
“In this way, we are, first, enabling our parents; and, two, empowering them to be their own advocate for their children's well-being at the end of the day. In conclusion, however, may I place on record the good work and progress of our national healthcare system in addressing the numerous issues and challenges as it strives to make Singapore a hub of excellence for a world-class healthcare system. Traditional Chinese Medicine”
“Madam, I thank the Minister for informing the House of the new improvements to our already excellent healthcare system. Madam, it is natural for parents to be very anxious and concerned when their young are not developing normally. Their fears, most times, are unfounded, hopefully, but sometimes they become a reality. One example, a mother whose child, now 22 months old, was later diagnosed with a Global Developmentally Delayed (GDD) syndrome. When she first brought her son for medical attention, the paediatrician, after examination, reassured her then that her son's condition is temporary and the child will soon outgrow the system. However, as the days went by, her instincts and suspicions became stronger since, as a reference point, she based her son's behaviour vis-a-vis the older brother – a typical child. Remember the saying "parents are the children's first teachers". After seeking proper assessment and diagnosis by the psychologist, her fears were confirmed. Point number one: may I suggest to the Minister that medical personnel in contact with parents should pay careful attention to what the clientele are saying. Though they may be laypersons, the service should be friendly-centric as far as possible. I think this is more of an enforcement issue rather than policy as I see it. Point number two: to help parents make informed decisions, frontline medical personnel should be more aware of the different types of services available so as to provide timely, appropriate advice to parents. Otherwise, they have to do their own homework, going around asking for information or going to the Internet to search, especially now with the current situation of intake of more foreign doctors in our healthcare service system.”
“I thank the Minister very much for the comprehensive work, especially the Council for Third Age, and also highlighting the baby-boomers. I was thinking beyond the baby-boomers. What is the Minister's perspective on setting up a Council for the Fourth Age?”
“Sir, the gist of my topic is that informal caregivers should be given an allowance in view of our rapidly ageing population. The informal caregiver is another group for the Prime Minister's consideration. As we are aware, with the serious declining fertility rate below replacement level, there is concern that family caregivers will be on the decline. Indeed, it is already bleak, so to speak. This problem will also be compounded by younger family members leaving our shores for employment opportunities or to settle down elsewhere. To address this concern while there is still time or a window of opportunity, may I ask the Government to come up with a financial scheme to provide incentives for informal caregivers, especially from the community, to care for the elderly in the neighbourhood. Sir, while I acknowledge that the incentives can be in kind as a form of recognition or appreciation, however, monetary incentive is very much preferred. This scheme, together with a comprehensive caregiving training, can be packaged so that it can attract and sustain the informal caregivers on a long-term basis. May I further suggest, as I had done in my speech on the Budget yesterday, that this allowance be credited into their respective CPF accounts? This will benefit them in their old age and supplement their own precious CPF savings. Sir, we need to recognise that caregiving is indeed a complex issue and the most organised and committed individual will find caregiving a most daunting challenge. Now, let us do more for this group of heroes and heroines in our midst.”
“Caring for a person with dementia can be very stressful and, in most instances, a long-drawn affair. More resources need to be channelled towards supporting valuable research, translating the findings into better and effective methods in addressing this worrying trend. More should be done in this direction. Madam, finally, in conclusion, the majority of seniors I feel will be happy with this Budget, especially with the Growth Dividends they are going to receive while acknowledging that the Government cannot cover all grounds with one Budget. Madam, with this forward-looking Budget, with a long-term perspective, we are well positioned to meet the needs of this ageing population and provide the best care for our seniors. Once again, I support this Budget. ADJOURNMENT OF DEBATE”
“Four, extension of Community Silver Trust to informal long-term care sector. Still on caregivers, Madam, I am aware that there are also Singaporeans who may still choose to care for their elderly/disabled family members themselves. These caregivers forgo their own careers or opt for lower paying jobs for flexible work arrangements in order to care for their elderly/disabled family members. May I recommend that the Finance Minister consider extending the Community Silver Trust to the informal long-term care sector as well. This leads to point five on a different matter: on the recognition of frontline community workers, those at the ground providing direct service to the community. Greater recognition of all frontline community-based services workers besides the social workers per se will facilitate and promote a multi-disciplinary approach in meeting community needs as well as meeting the professional development and retention of professionals which are so essential for the sector. An example I know of concerns an elderly man and his wife attending a community-based activity centre in the East. He faced tremendous amounts of stress caring for his wife who has schizophrenia. The wife did not receive regular follow-up because he was not able to afford the transport costs to IMH, leading to incidences of relapse of her condition. Eventually, the caregiver himself developed depression and suicidal tendencies. Fortunately, with the timely intervention of the staff at the centre, a tragedy was prevented and the couple is now receiving the assistance they need. And that brings me to my final point, addressing a rising tide – dementia. Incidence of dementia will increase with an ageing population.”
“Caregiving will always be a prime issue in an ageing population. In view of its complexities and scope, a multi-pronged approach is necessary among stakeholders. It is time that I urge the Government to set up a registry of caregivers. This will provide an invaluable source of data on the profile of the caregivers at large, and even more, what their needs and concerns are, their expectations of services and the extent of support which they need. I am sure these needs will surely multiply given an ageing population. If it is structure-based, policies and strategies can be better mounted to provide the necessary support. The present scenario of caregiving in Singapore, I believe, is largely fragmented or uncoordinated. But this can be improved and developed further with the set-up of the registry. Three, allowance for caregivers scheme. The set-up of the registry will have a significant impact with wide-ranging effects. With the registry, it will provide the support to our caregivers. For instance, the Government may consider, amongst other things, granting financial assistance such as an allowance for caregivers. This allowance can perhaps be credited into their CPF accounts. These credits into caregivers' CPF accounts will eventually benefit them in their old age, thereby reducing the need for State's assistance in the long term. Madam, we should do what we can to encourage and strengthen the informal long-term care sector now. Strengthening the informal long-term care sector will also be in line with Government's policy to rely less on foreign workers. Otherwise, with the ageing population issue, we can be overwhelmed in the long run if we are not prepared. There is only this window of opportunity and we have to do it now.”
“Thank you, Mdm Deputy Speaker, for the chance to participate in the debate. Madam, I rise in support of the Budget Statement 2011 delivered by the hon. Finance Minister. In contrast with budgets around the world, ours is an exceptional Budget for an exceptional year 2011 with the reassurance that the Government will continue to ensure an inclusive society for everyone, including the lower income and, may I add, ensuring that the elderly can share in Singapore's progress. More importantly, I note the Budget Statement's conclusion on the importance to preserve and strengthen the things that Singaporeans value most: family, aspirations for a better life and sense of community. These are very broad and timeless values we all treasure so that together – family, community, and the Government – we can make it for a better tomorrow for Singapore. My take for Budget 2011's considerations focuses on the elderly and are as follows: One, empowerment of seniors. Madam Deputy Speaker, with the ageing population, there is increasing need to engage and empower the elderly themselves to take the lead in initiating plans and activities affecting their well-being and interest. In this way, they can not only better address their own needs and aspirations but, at the same time, be their own voice and advocate provision of greater opportunities for seniors' involvement in matters pertaining to their well-being. For example, encouraging retired seniors to helm or work in the aged care sector to enable them to have their own voice and be advocates so as to provide an opportunity for their inclusiveness and for them to contribute to the society. At the end of the day, I assume they would know better as to what they want for themselves. Two, holistic approach to caregiving.”
“Thank you to the Senior Parliamentary Secretary for the reply. Older people find it very hard to climb the overhead bridges. Is there any way to make them more accessible or any breakthrough solution to this problem?”
“I note that all these may not be within the scope of this Bill this afternoon. In conclusion, Sir, this Bill will provide older workers with an opportunity to prolong their work years in a meaningful way, ensuring them to be financially independent whilst preparing for their retirement so as to age gracefully. I have every confidence that this Bill will be successfully implemented if the principles of care, fairness and objectivity are observed in handling individual cases that come within the purview of this Bill. Sir, I rise fully supporting the Bill. 4.38 pm”
“Sir, there are many advantages for prolonging the employment of older persons, not just the monetary factor and ensuring sustainability of income for as long as possible, but more importantly I see it as dignifying the lives of the elderly, providing the self-esteem factor and giving meaning to their life’s purposes. May I urge employers to see the positive qualities of older workers and not to perceive them as slow, inefficient and unproductive. Some even said that once they reach the magic age of 50, we have some kind of arthritic condition or physical mobility that will hamper their work. So it is not true. In this respect, it is heartening to note that among others, NUH and PUB won the global award this year for promoting the employment and retention of older workers. With this timely push to work a little longer, perhaps Government could also consider, at an opportune time, to do away with the mandatory retirement age altogether. This is to better address some of the current issues facing seniors, for example, the alleged discrimination against older people with regard to their credit worthiness. There is also the larger problem of those without proper financial planning and CPF savings as their only source of income which may not see them through their impending retirement years. Sir, at this juncture, may I suggest that we should have a national body to represent the future retiree on a wider platform to meet their self-actualisation needs among other things. It will be a relevant body to address and care for the diversity of needs of the older persons to enable them to participate effectively in their daily living. This organisation will be largely run by the people for the people-kind of thing.”
“This is what I call "positive ageing". Nevertheless, older workers who are given the opportunity to continue in gainful employment should, if they choose to, be given the option to opt for a slower pace and also lower one’s remuneration expectation, so that they can enjoy working at their pace and do the things that they want to do without disruption to their work life. Sir, many older people have many positive qualities, including being quite resilient in the face of adversity. This is often due to coping strategies from past experience in behaviour. They can be an important source of mentoring and encouragement to younger people in the workforce. On a lighter vein, retirement means different things to different people. I refer to a news-cutting sometime ago by a popular Hong Kong singer and actress, and I am not naming her, and I quote: "The meaning of retirement is putting on weight and being able to eat my fill." Sir, there will always be a group of people out there who are not ready to stop work suddenly, come mandatory retirement age. For some, it is not the money factor, but a feeling of loss of status, loneliness and social isolation. For this group who want to work longer, the best thing about this Bill is that it will enable them to do so. Sir, there are also many others who may not be in favour of prolonging one’s work years. I quote one writer on the Straits Times' Forum 31st July: "Are Singaporeans working all their life and not enjoying the rest they require to savour their life’s toil? There is a time for everything, and they should not pressure citizens about losing out if they do not continue working." There is nothing wrong with that perspective. However, this should not be a problem at all, given the flexibility of the rule.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, this Bill is very timely and commendable. This Bill seeks to facilitate older employees to work longer and their intention in re-employment. In today’s world, people are living longer. As the Minister has just said, and according to demographic trends, it is no longer confined only to the developed countries but also the less developed countries. In the context of working beyond one’s retirement age, two important issues must naturally be considered among others from the worker perspective: first, the older person’s physical and psychological well-being; and second, their ability to continue to be well integrated in the family, community and overall society. Age is no longer an important determinant in the work setting if one continues to be productive and competent. Nonetheless, there should be no compromise with regard to the quality of work or services rendered. To be fair, it should fall within the reasonable expectations of one’s supervisor or employer. And where the older worker’s expertise, experience and knowledge are being valued by his or her company, it is indeed a win-win situation. One example I recall is that of a long-serving Eurasian waiter, past his 70s, working in an established hotel in the Orchard Road area. He knew most of the faces of regular customers, and would exchange niceties and ensure that their orders were delivered on time. With his positive attitude and personality, he will be a good service model for our younger people. I had the opportunity of asking him about his retirement plans. He said that he would continue working for as long as the boss wanted him to, and health permitting. For him and for many of us too, work gave him a purpose and meaning to his life.”
“Otherwise, it would be a sad day for the family institution, the fabric of any society with its support network being the first line of defence. It is hoped that for deserving cases with poor outcome of financial assistance, other sources of support from the community are made available to them. This, I presume, is outside the scope of this Bill. As we are aware, Singapore’s population is growing older rapidly over the years and considered second to Japan in Asia. Taking the definition of old age as 65 years and over, the old-age dependency ratio is expected to rise, from the current 12 per 100 working persons to about 30 in 2030. This issue will require serious consideration in time if there is no change in trend. Government has in recent times taken pro-active steps to address the challenges of an ageing population, including work-life issues, such as a maturing workforce, prolongation of retirement and employment, changing/upgrading skills and training and, more importantly, the sustainability of one’s income beyond working life. In conclusion, it is hoped that the MPA amendments would not necessarily mean the opening of flood-gates of appeals from parents, but a timely reminder that we need to redefine our own retirement goals in the light of a longer life expectancy and the need to prepare oneself so that we can have the means, and of course the health, to enjoy and even celebrate our golden years. With that, I rise in support of the Bill. Mr Speaker: Order. I propose to take the break now. I suspend the Sitting and will take the Chair again at 4.00 pm. Sitting accordingly suspended at 3.36 pm until 4.00 pm. Sitting resumed at 4.00 pm [Mr Speaker in the Chair] MAINTENANCE OF PARENTS (AMENDMENT) BILL Debate resumed.”
“Mr Speaker, this proposed relook into the Maintenance of Parents Act takes place a good 15 years after the Act was first enacted in Parliament in 1995, that is a year after the Bill was mooted by then NMP Prof. Walter Woon. It is widely accepted in an Asian society, also a Confucianistic one, that it is the moral obligation and duty of children to provide for their parents. Hence, there is this legislation provided for to help ensure that children with financial means fulfil their obligations and do not abandon their parents. Having said that, unless necessary, very few parents would want to take the initiative of bringing their children to Court. The proceedings will not only be time consuming, it will also be a hassle and traumatic for them. Besides, the anger, hurt and ill will generated through this recourse will be like a wedge, as it were, separating and hurting fragile family ties and unity if ever there is one. Instead, some may be of the view that it would be best left to the relevant authorities to bring errant children to Court. I commend the proposed Bill, among other things, for the enhanced role of the Commissioner for the Maintenance of Parents. It is an important empowerment so that the timely intervention at an early stage of the mediation process of cases can be resolved with compulsory reconciliation outcome of the parties concerned. However, failing which, these cases go through the Tribunal phase. One would note that there is a conspicuous absence of deterrent measures introduced in the Bill. It cannot be so as it would contravene the very spirit of the Act. Moreover, filial piety or honouring one's parents cannot be legislated, not now or ever.”
“Thank you, Minister, for your very encouraging report on the active ageing scene. I will ask one question only and that is: is the Government prepared to promote greater filial piety as filial piety is connected to active ageing?”
“I would like to thank the Minister for the update. I would also like to commend the Ministry for upgrading the salaries of social workers. With regard to the provision of satellite FSCs, many in the disabled and low-income groups will find that there is a need for the satellite FSCs. What will the Ministry be looking at in terms of policy formulation in strengthening the linkages between the main FSCs and the satellite FSCs, just like the LRT and the MRT station systems? What are the crucial areas the Ministry will be looking at?”
“We see a trend of abandonment of parents by children through referrals to family service centres (FSCs)by organisations such as CDCs, HDB, Town Councils and grassroots, among others. At Care Corner, two FSCs, namely Admiralty and Queenstown, we see a total of 14 cases for a 10-month period – 1st April 2009 to 31st January 2010. Of the 14, they are most males, in their early 50s to early 60s. These cases, I believe, are only the tip of the iceberg as most parents do not want to blow matters up regarding parental neglect for fear of losing face. And they walk to a FSC as a last resort, and not to a police station. In one case, the daughter-in-law abused the mother and chased her out of the home. In another three cases, the children chased their own parents out. Madam, I would like to ask the Prime Minister whether there are any provisions in the Budget to provide support for this group and may I suggest that more outreach be done to these elderly. Long-term care for the elderly”
“Thank you, Minister, for the comprehensive and heartening response to the ageing scene, where we supplement family support as a first line with community support. Sir, the supplementary question is, will the Government consider, at the opportune time, to give this group of community caregivers some kind of an allowance as incentive and recognition for their efforts?”
“Thank you for the Senior Minister of State's reply. We are now healthier and living longer. A number of older persons face loneliness which cut across all income groups. Retirement villages offer a great opportunity for them to interact. Sir, there is no supplementary question. MOBILISATION OF COMMUNITY RESOURCES FOR FRAIL ELDERLY (Enlistment of relatives and neighbours) 4. Mr Laurence Wee Yoke Thong asked the Prime Minister whether the Govern ment will consider enlisting relatives and neighbours in the mobilisation of community resources to care for the frail elderly.”
“I would like to urge the community to relook at their perspective to home ownership so that together with their skills and expertise that they are going to build in this era of the New Economy, they are able to develop a sound bank of wealth of knowledge, skills as well as assets for themselves and the future generation of Singapore. Let us work together to bring our society and communities towards building future generations of excellence. Mr Speaker, Sir, allow me to wrap up my speech in English. *Cols. 2813-2816. (In English): Sir, although the Budget has received criticism for being "unexciting", "too broad", "not targeted enough" and "does not concern me", I would think that this Budget is about pushing us to surge forward out of the recession, to be more competitive with a stronger, more productive workforce and to achieve a higher level of excellence for all Singaporeans. Our best bet is to bring all Singaporeans on board this journey to transform our economy and enhance our quality of life together as One Nation. On that note, I support the Budget.”
“This can be done, in the words of the Finance Minister, "whether by growing skills on the job, entrepreneurship, academic and professional training, scientific discovery or creative flair". We need to improve ourselves by enhancing our expertise, achieving mastery of our jobs and be the best that we can be. With this attitude, our real income will likely increase over time and we are likely to be able to grow our wealth of knowledge, skills and assets together. Nevertheless, we should find ways to safekeep and develop this wealth of knowledge, skills and assets for our next generation so that they can achieve another level of excellence. We can then achieve generations after generations of communities of excellence. One pitfall which I observe is the inability of some Singaporeans to perceive wealth building from a long term perspective. For example, during my engagements with my residents, I observe that those who are facing problems with their housing mortgage are likely those who have bought and sold their property frequently in the property market. While housing is a form of real estate investment, the owners will be inclined to increase their investment. However, I see it as a short term perspective among the residents that I met, and this can be a dangerous game particularly to those who do not have enough buffer to withstand the impact of financial stress that they face. The financial stress from a failed housing investment may distract one from the quest building the capacity skills, knowledge and capabilities.”
“] Towards generations of communities striving for excellence – Sir, we should reach out and encourage all Singaporeans and businesses to tap on the incentives that the Budget offers. Through my engagements with Singaporeans, I observed few segments of our society still grappling with the effects of globalisation. As Singapore progresses and the pace of growth intensifies, more would be left behind if they do not upgrade and level up their performance. As such, we need a more generational approach to build our society and communities together. We should never stagnate like the proverb "kais pagi makan pagi; kais petang makan petang" (living hand to mouth) attitude. I am happy to note of the increasing Singaporean Malays who, through their own spirit of determination and drive, have become successful entrepreneurs. One is Hajjah Roziah Adon, the owner of Nur Indah Nasi Ayam Penyet at Bedok Corner who imbues this spirit of innovation and enterprise. Despite the hard work put into her business, Hajjah Roziah still upgrades herself by attending culinary classes to ensure that her Nasi Ayam Penyet is always of the best quality and she is on top of the competition. Hajjah Roziah has worked hard to build up her mastery of culinary skills. This has been done by her since long ago. To improve her business, she takes feedback from customers seriously such as offering chicken rice and white rice knowing well that the former was popular amongst Singaporeans, especially her Chinese customers. In Indonesia, the dish always goes with white rice only. It is this spirit of determination and the willingness to upgrade that has made her a successful entrepreneur. In the era of the New Economy, Singaporeans will have many routes to success.”
“Sir, the vision and initiatives set in the Budget will only become reality if the will of the people is strong. Therefore, the call is for employers to tango with the Government in this journey towards ensuring Singapore's growth in the 21st century. Employers must demonstrate the political will to grasp the opportunities presented by the Government to upgrade their processes and introduce productivity tools. For companies that have the will but not the capabilities, I urge SPRING Singapore to render support by providing closer guidance especially to smaller SMEs. The new innovation and productivity drive will help businesses and the local workers to raise their productivity levels. Companies should engage especially the lower skilled workers to encourage them to adopt new ways of working, change their mindset and embrace change. They should fully explore the potential of readily available incentives to improve income schemes for low-wage workers such as the Workfare Income Supplement (WIS) and Workfare Training Scheme (WTS). Most importantly, Singaporeans need to be adaptive. Each Singaporean should aspire towards higher standards of education and tap on the opportunities available and respond positively to the incentives that the Government has offered. The Budget is not only transforming the workers but is also developing frameworks through innovation to bringing companies to meet the challenges of the 21st century economy so the call is really for everyone to respond towards realising this objective. Mr Speaker, Sir, allow me to continue my speech in Malay. (In Malay ): [For vernacular speech, please refer to Appendix A*.”
“Another group whom I have met are those who appeared fearful and do not understand how the new economy will affect their lives. I was at a Skills Upgrading Seminar recently, and I saw many faces of uncertainty among Singaporeans in the lower skilled group. While I admire their strong passion in seeking ways to upgrade themselves, I feel that we need to reassure this group of Singaporeans that they are part of our plan. The third group perceives the Budget as not relevant to their lives. I call this a "Budget disconnect" phenomenon. After the Budget speech, I received an SMS from a grassroots leader, among others, which read, "No cash Ang Bao from Tharman … Good for businesses". Many Singaporeans who perceive themselves to be out of the core business operations feel that the Budget does not concern them. I have also met few other Singaporeans who were invited to dialogues related to the Budget mentioning to me that the Budget does not touch their lives and only affects businesses in Singapore. These Singaporeans even shared with me that they should not be the target group to be invited to these dialogue sessions. We should instead target the businessmen. Sir, I am very concerned about this "Budget disconnect" phenomenon that I have observed among Singaporeans. The Budget lays the framework for a transformation to a new paradigm shift towards the New Economy that would inadvertently bring Singapore to a higher level of excellence. All Singaporeans should feel and be involved in this transformation process as Team Singapore. I would like the Minister to develop a holistic and multi-pronged approach in reaching out to Singaporeans in our effort to transform our economy.”
“For example, companies with a global chain of command and production may claim tax incentives for innovation in Singapore and transfer the technology that was developed elsewhere. How can we detect this? Similarly, how can we also prevent such companies from transferring research and development cost to a Singapore subsidiary company to claim innovation tax incentives on the pretext that innovation projects are ongoing in Singapore? The second issue is the need to address the "Budget disconnect" phenomenon and the will of the employers and workers. Sir, no Budget would be successful if the people are disconnected from it. We would also need to work on the will of the people, as the Budget proposal would involve a significant transformation to the way we work and affect our lives. After the announcement of the Budget, I have met many Singaporeans who shared mixed reactions on the issues being raised. Among the many groups of people, there are three groups that I would like to highlight here. The first group comprises businesses and workers, such as those in the manufacturing and construction industries. They are very pleased with the Budget and are very well connected to the issues being raised. In the words of one of my grassroots leader, Ms Eileen Teo, who works with Tiong Seng Contractors Pte Ltd, I quote, "My boss has been waiting for such an initiative since 2005". These stakeholders are keenly preparing to take advantage of the improved Continuing Education and Training (CET) system, Productivity and Innovation Credit and the National Productivity Fund. We need to capitalise on this high note and make this group one of the movers in our quest towards a paradigm shift.”
“They are, firstly, effective implementation; secondly, the need to address the "Budget disconnect" phenomenon and the will of the employers and workers; and, thirdly, in my Malay speech, I will urge the community to achieve generations striving for excellence. First, "effective implementation". Mr Speaker, Sir, the Government's master plan has been laid out targeted at upgrading productivity, skills and promoting innovation. To ensure smooth implementation, the Government must ensure that support is adequately given especially to SMEs that may not have the capabilities to do so. The devil will be in the details as to how the implementation would be in the spirit of the proposals. The message to companies has been clear that if they do not restructure and increase productivity, they may not fit into the overall transformation plan and become irrelevant. Nevertheless, we should still be cautious because if companies, especially the large ones, are not able to restructure effectively, thousands of jobs may be lost and the impact to the economy would be catastrophic. As such, it would require both the Government and the business owners to calibrate this shift carefully in tandem with the companies potential and capabilities to ensure a smooth implementation towards the new paradigm. Mr Speaker, Sir, we should also consider potential abuses to the system. As a result of globalisation, economic boundaries have been blurred by the advancement of information technology such as the internet. Information today may be transferred and fluidly moved across boundaries without transparent checks. The incentives offered to companies to innovate and carry the label "Made in Singapore" may be abused.”
“On this note, I fully support a very considerate Budget 2010. 2.26 pm Assoc. Prof. Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (Marine Parade): Mr Speaker, Sir, thank you for allowing me to join the debate. Before I begin my speech, I would like to comment on one issue raised by the hon. Member, Ms Sylvia Lim. I feel that it is unreasonable and inaccurate to assume that permanent residents (PRs) and foreigners have caused the increase in prices of real estate in Singapore, particularly in the housing market. If one looks at the modelling process of real estate prices and values, one will find that there are many factors that affect price movements. Thus, coming from the real estate discipline, I feel that pinpointing a single factor that causes the prices of our real estate to increase is premature, unreasonable and, thus, inaccurate. Sir, the Budget 2010 which embraces productivity, skills upgrading and innovation encapsulates Singapore's forward looking and planning principle of governance. This would lay the framework for a transformation to a new paradigm shift towards the New Economy that would inadvertently bring Singapore to a higher level of excellence. Most importantly, I am pleased to note that if we achieve our objectives, this shift will lead to an increase in the income of Singaporeans and enhance their lives. Mr Speaker, Sir, nevertheless, a Budget is still a Budget. It would be ineffective if its implementation processes are not cascaded well to meet the needs of the sectors and individuals who would benefit from it. I would like to touch on three areas for consideration that would matter when cascading the Budget to people on the ground.”
“Now that we have established the Council for Third Age, it should work with all relevant organisations to do more to help keep older persons employable; keep older persons active and healthy; maintain their independence, and age in place, by providing more facilities and space. Sir, I was told that older people find our malls so crowded. There is not even a place to sit. They like space and peace. Last but not least, for the frail needing greater care to live in dignity and respect. As I see it, fulfilling these responsibilities is like taking a journey with Government taking the lead, and no one else. It had done so commendably and more could be done by all parties concerned, including the individual, family and the community level for the desired outcomes to a better quality of life for older people and they should be done with empathy. Sir, there will be gaps unfolding as we move forward within the next few decades. There will be gaps in care giving, affordable healthcare, housing for elderly and transportation among others. It does not mean we have not been progressing well, since various Ministries and stakeholders have indeed done their best in their jobs. I know of a Minister saying that we cannot do everything all at once. The challenges that face us in the coming years are complex, requiring individual, family, community and the nation to do their parts in solving the problems of an ageing population and make Singapore a "Society for All Ages". Finally, tiny red dot that we are, but achieving excellence as a regional hub for finance, education, healthcare and technology, we should also strive to be a nation known for its empathy and compassion. By making Singapore a caring nation, we can indeed grow old graciously and happily.”
“With this immense demographic shift, we can anticipate wide ranging social-economic implications for the country, and some of these are: the number of institutionalised and non-institutionalised elderly with chronic illnesses or dementia will swell; the need for long-term care will grow dramatically; chronic diseases are likely to be major causes of deaths; increased need for health/elderly care to be given by formal and informal caregivers; increased expenditure on infrastructure catering to the needs of elderly; family structures will be transformed and existing models of support will change. In our quest to attract foreign talent to boost our productivity, the recommendation of the Economic Strategies Committee to make Singapore a distinctive global city and endearing home should extend to include a more conducive elder-friendly environment. Our very own older people will consider Singapore their ultimate home, not just our foreign talents. We hope our foreign talents will take root, start families and retire in Singapore. Similarly, we hope to reverse the trend of those who have gone from our shores to seek their fortune elsewhere, so that they will return to roost for their golden years, because there is simply no place like home. This will be a good success story for the continued growth and stability of our nation. Sir, moving forward to a better tomorrow for the well being of older people, I would like to highlight some suggestions: greater coordination between policy makers and community partners to promote the dignity and welfare of older people; establish first world cutting-edge Research on Ageing; one-stop Ministry to focus on Elderly Affairs.”
“The Report on the Ageing Population by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports in 2006 cited that the number of residents aged 65 years and older will multiply three-fold, from 300,000 to about 900,000 by 2030. By then, one in five Singaporeans will be over the age of 65. In the recently released July 2009 publication, "An Ageing World, 2008" by the US Census Bureau, it was reported that during the period 2008-2040, the projected increase in the population of those aged 65 years and above in the 52 countries covered in the study, ranges from 18% to 316%. Singapore emerged top for this rapid growth rate, followed by Colombia (276%), India (274%) and Malaysia (269%). Sir, at the International Conference, I spoke to a very senior civil servant. At that time, there was the Asian Games table tennis match. We almost smelled the Bronze medal but I told her that we won a Gold medal. She said, "For what?" I said, "For an ageing population." We would not want that kind of medal. Against this background, on the matter of provision of increased tax relief, the enhancement of parent and dependant relief will be especially beneficial to the sandwich generation who have to support both their ageing parents as well as growing children. Also, I believe the topping up of the Medisave Accounts of older Singaporeans, Medifund and the new Eldercare Fund is a welcome news for all. However, I note that the top up of Medisave for those age 70 and above is insufficient, considering that most of them would have depleted most of their Medisave money by then.”
“On enhancing land productivity, I would like to reiterate the need to set aside land with longer lease for retirement villages to provide more residential options for older people. (This was also pointed out by the President of Active Retirees Association in the Straits Times Forum page, on 23rd February 2010, "Include an Ageing Population".) In a world of ever increasing divide among people, be it income, education, housing, and even digital and technological savvies, the divide between the young and the elderly in a rapidly ageing population should not be so pronounced as to cause fragmentation in our society. No one should be marginalised but all should be included in the mainstream of society, staying engaged with the community as far as possible. Sir, I have to concede that there will always be a core group of older people requiring more care and attention than the rest. Here, social support services play a significant role and funding support must grow correspondingly, especially increasing the manpower resource in social services. Here, I would also like to draw attention to the fact that labour intensive institutions like Community Hospitals and Nursing Homes will be much affected by the foreign maid levy issue as most of the nurses and aids are foreigners. The ground feedback is that our locals do not want to work in such an institution. At present, many countries in Asia are experiencing rapid population ageing, and Singapore is no exception. By 2030, we will witness an unprecedented age shift in our population, often referred to as the Silver Tsunami. Our life expectancy has been increasing to about 80 years today.”
“Let me first thank you, Mr Speaker, Sir, and the House for this opportunity to speak in my first ever Budget debate. My speech is entitled "Towards a Society for All Ages" with emphasis that we want Singapore to be an inclusive society in line with our nation's aspiration and vision. I commend the Government's Budget Statement by hon. Finance Minister on its key goal to grow productivity through three significant approaches. I would like to confine my speech to the one including all Singaporeans in growth by continuing to build a society where everyone has the best opportunity to reach further and stretch his or her potential and enjoy a better quality of life. Older people are important to society. They are the repository of knowledge and experience. They also constitute an important part of the family fabric, which is the foundation pillars of any society. Older persons, regardless of race or religion, are to be viewed not as a burden but an asset to society and their well-being, aspirations and needs are just as important as the younger ones in our nation. At the national level, one of the main initiatives in raising productivity is in building a first-rate Continuing Education and Training system. I hope the Government will pay special attention to help older workers, especially those nearing retirement, tap on this opportunity to upgrade their skills so that they can remain employable. I believe that this has been addressed in varying stages of implementation. Sir, I would also like to suggest that perhaps the Government award further tax incentives for companies that are focused and successful in boosting the productivity and employability of older workers.”
“Sir, I have two supplementary questions. As families get smaller, the burden falls on one or two children to look after their frail elderly parents. This cohort of children or generation may also fall into what is known as sandwich generation caring for their young as well. Getting a maid for the frail elderly is better than placing them in a nursing home if health or medical conditions permit. Older people prefer to continue living with their families and in familiar surroundings. Thus, by waiving the levy on the maids looking after frail elderly for families with less than $5,000 household income, more families can afford to even look after grandparents and give them a better quality of life in their twilight years and, more importantly, to help them age gracefully. Sir, my supplementary question, notwithstanding the reply, is whether the Government would consider the matter again at an opportune time in the future. Also, can the waiver of maid levy be extended to parents of handicapped children as well?”