Loh Meng See
Singapore
“Sir, on Infocomm 21 plan, this has been implemented for some years now. I would like to ask the Minister to give us an update on the expenditure and the benefits that have been derived from those investments. Recently, the CEO of IDA announced the Government's plan to widen the scope of the network and introduce better technologies.”
“Sir, I am happy that the Government is allocating new funds for the Library 2010 project. I just want to ask what can the public expect from this additional $118 million that has been provided for.”
“Sir, on the HDB shops, my request is for the Ministry to consider granting the exit package to the rental shops, if their business is not viable and there is an over-capacity.”
“We have heard what Dr Lily Neo and Dr Chong mention about the geriatrics and the need for home nursing care. Many do not have CPF accounts to enjoy the Medisave top-ups.”
“We have been down this road before. Let us not falter, but let us persevere and build up ourselves with the right values, virtues and beliefs to galvanise our people forward. We need to remind ourselves that there is no free lunch.”
“Sir, media competition among local newspapers and TV stations is bearing fruits as consumers are getting better quality products and services. I am pleased to also note the progress of Singapore Press Holdings and Lianhe Zaobao in making inroads into China and also Channel NewsAsia gaining greater viewership in regional countries.”
The complete record
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“Sir, on the HDB shops, my request is for the Ministry to consider granting the exit package to the rental shops, if their business is not viable and there is an over-capacity. With the economic growth as it is today and, yet, if our HDB shops are not able to make ends meet, I shudder to think how long they can stand under those circumstances. I would like to ask the Ministry to favourably consider those locations where there is an over-capacity, the shops are not doing well and the sitting tenants want to opt out, that they be given the opportunity to do so. Because with the shrinking capacity, it will help the remaining shops to have a better fighting chance; otherwise, the pie is being shared by a much larger group of shops. That is the state of affairs in the HDB housing estates, and I hope the Ministry will consider this.”
“Sir, with regard to the Arts School, I think this addition will make the education system in Singapore to be wholesome. The Sports School was recently opened for operation and there were important lessons that could be drawn from the management of the Sports School. I wonder whether there are similarities and what are the differences that we can envisage in the running of the two different schools. I am mindful, as what Prof. Chin has mentioned, that the students may be quite different. But one common factor would be the role of the parents because it is important to get the support of the parents, especially in this area on developing the art talent of our students. Like him - Prof. Chin who spoke before me - I am interested to know whether we will be inculcating the right values in these students because the output is really dependent on the beliefs and the value systems that we impart to the students, and the creativity and the outcome of it is very much dependent on what is taught and the values of the curriculum, the teachers and the students themselves. The other thing I would be interested to find out is the kind of fees we are going to charge. Is it very much the same like the ordinary school system, or is it going to be more, and how much more? How distinctive do we expect it to be from the students gaining the experience from the Arts School from that of the normal school system?”
“Sir, I am happy that the Government is allocating new funds for the Library 2010 project. I just want to ask what can the public expect from this additional $118 million that has been provided for. I am also happy that in the area of knowledge and reference information materials, authenticity and trust is a virtue because we get a lot of information all over. But I am not very sure how accurate some are. I see that from the reference in the Budget book that this is the focus of the Reference Section of the Library. I just want to know whether the Reference Section is intended mainly for the scholars or they are also for the general public to use. Sir, there is no other person who can personify the love for books than the late Mr S Rajaratnam. I wonder whether the Government can consider naming the National Library to S Rajaratnam Library. New National Library”
“Sir, on Infocomm 21 plan, this has been implemented for some years now. I would like to ask the Minister to give us an update on the expenditure and the benefits that have been derived from those investments. Recently, the CEO of IDA announced the Government's plan to widen the scope of the network and introduce better technologies. In fact, if I recall, we have slackened in some ways and the choice of technology becomes very important to Singapore and we cannot make mistakes about it. I just want to be reassured by the Minister that whatever we do, the choice of technology and the network that we put in place, there are mitigations that they will not go wrong. Most importantly, Sir, it is the perspective of the users because ultimately, it is the users that matter, whether it is in business, in schools or even the ordinary citizens. I think more could be done to encourage Singaporeans to use it. Infocomm is important for a small country like Singapore because with infocomm, the world is our oyster. IT Governance”
“Sir, on the subject of foreign workers, I wish to ask the Ministry of Home Affairs to exercise restraint in the issue of liquor licence to provision shop outlets operating 24 hours and even coffeeshops in housing estates. I would also like to ask MHA to provide a channel for the grassroots organisations and the community to be able to raise objections to the issue of liquor licence in the housing estates. Sir, in my constituency in the Beach Road area, the problem has worsened with foreign workers congregating there, and residents are very unhappy because of their excessive drinking, getting into fights, making lots of noise and disturbing the peace. They also urinate and litter, posing health concerns to our people. And what is developing is that the locals are also taking up to the drinking habit, especially with the cheap liquor available. Two years ago, we were able to persuade the Liquor Licensing Board to stop the renewal of the liquor licence but they have since revived it and allowed it to continue. I believe the social cost far outweighs the liberal attitude that we adopt in making alcohol, especially the cheap ones, available. The young and the locals are beginning to get hooked in the drinking habit. Sir, we will not want to have a situation whereby alcohol is purchased and people are drinking in the streets, five-foot-ways and common areas. In fact, this is something that is not the desired situation that we want. People can enjoy their drinks in the privacy of their homes and in places that are not in common areas. And I think this is a trend that we want to stop.”
“Let us keep this Singapore spirit alive and burning and be the light of the world. 3.53 pm”
“6 billion have been committed for the Progress Package and this has resulted in a Budget deficit of $2.9 billion, made up of 1.4% of GDP in the immediate year's Budget. We are told that this amount is being funded by the special transfers from budget surpluses of the earlier years of this Government. There is public concern as to whether this will set the precedent and create an expectation in the minds of our people when such handouts are clearly not sustainable. The question is: is this the beginning of the practice that before the end of its term, the Government will square off its account and declare their share in dividends to Singaporeans? This concern for raising unnecessary expectation among Singaporeans for regular cash handouts could be spelt out clearly as a matter of principle that it only applies to those in need and not to feed the wants of our people or those who can fend for themselves. The Government has clearly stated that we want Singapore to be an inclusive society. There is a place for everyone, including the poor, orphaned, widowed, disabled and the needy. The stronger and able among us should help the weaker members of our society. We want to preserve the dignity, esteem and self-worth of every Singaporean. Therefore, the Government's help should only be confined to the small proportion of the less able and weaker members of our society who are in need of help. Finally, Sir, the PAP Government has constantly demonstrated their ability to think of novel ways to encourage and spur our people on. I hope whatever the Government does, the outcome is the uplifting of the spirits of our people and not just to meet their material needs. It is the human spirit that has helped Singapore be what she is today.”
“With the real GDP growth of 6.4% and, at the same time, having a labour productivity rate of 1.9% for 2005, this is certainly not a bright picture. Hopefully, this is a passing phase and when our young entrants to the employment market gain more experience and are better deployed to the right sectors of the economic, we can bring output and productivity up, instead of slackening labour productivity, as is currently the case. Sir, it is to our interest to see wage levels go up because of higher productivity. I note that GST revenue has gone up significantly from a stable $2.1 billion in the three years from Financial Year 2000 to 2002 and jumped up to $3.5 billion in Financial Year 2004. With the ease of air travel, we run the risk of leakages from our people making more purchases from overseas where travellers are given tax refunds. I am, therefore, pleased that the Government is holding the current GST at 5% as any further increase could cause changes in buying habits which may not be helpful to our local businesses, especially those selling premium quality items of high value. I am very happy with the Progress Package that the Prime Minister and Finance Minister announced in the Budget Statement. They have been thoughtfully considered and the refinements over the past years' practices in sharing the fruits of our economic growth with Singaporeans. It is only right that help be extended to those in need - the elderly who have retired and no longer employable, the low income groups who are able and should be encouraged to work and be diligent in what they do. We should not also forget the NSmen who have served our nation with distinction and the young who are our hopes for the future. Sir, a sizeable sum of $2.”
“Even as we want to keep our Government lean and to the areas that the Government does best, I sense from the ground that decisions are made purely from the financial cost perspective instead of from the economic value propositions, especially as it affects the livelihood and well-being of individual citizens. Moreover, the Government, ministries and agencies seem very much driven by revenue and the avoidance of expenditure. Some essential amenities are not provided for, in some cases for years. Sir, the case in point is the need for covered shelter for the short narrow bridge over Sungei Rochor, linking the Lavender MRT station to Crawford Estate in North Bridge Road, which is my constituency. Some hundreds of people use this facility every day, yet no shelter is built. There are a number of overhead bridges which are not as well-used but are provided with shelters. Sometimes one wonders about the consistency in Government decisions in public infrastructure. It gives the impression that we are run by different governments instead of one government with different ministries and agencies. Next, our labour market was given an added boost with more than 110,000 jobs created in 2005. The unemployment rate has fallen to 2.3%, the lowest in the last five years. What concerns me is the low productive rate of 1.9% against the rate of 4% to almost 7% in the preceding years from 2002 to 2004. The labour productivity rate was usually closer to the GDP growth. The question I would like to ask is: are we absorbing our manpower in the employment of lower productive work or are our businesses not generating enough economic value-added for every employment dollar cost or are some predominant unproductive sectors pulling the overall labour productivity rate down?”
“It would have been an imprudent course of action taken against the backdrop of volatility in economic cycles. We must learn from the lessons of the last economic downturn and try not to over-stimulate the economy and lead to problems down the road. I believe that another year of 4%-6% of economic growth is going to cause serious talent shortages, leading to artificial increases in remuneration packages. We have a sizeable group of professionals who were trained in the skill sets of the old economy. They are not catching up fast enough in developing the competencies required for the new economy. These people are likely to fall behind even as those who are well-equipped now would have it good. I find it a real pity that many professionals in their 50s with the education and experience behind them are not being tapped as widely as they should in contributing to the different sectors of our economy. I, therefore, welcome the strenuous effort put in by the Government to increase the effective retirement age of the average Singaporean worker. The Government ministries and statutory boards can take the lead in appointing older staff to appropriate jobs in the public and people sectors. The society can benefit from the years of accumulated experience in building up their domain of knowledge. Sir, my fear is the tendency to focus on technical skills and not enough on the knowledge, expertise, relationships and networks built over the years for the middle-level professionals and executives. That is why our valuable human resources are wasted and not deployed for fruitful work.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the motion. This year's Budget presented by the Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance is quite unique and extraordinary. I do not think that any other government in the world would have done the same. It can only come from a PAP Government that is close to the ground and understands the people's needs - a Government that is investing in the long-term. We understand fully the maxim, we reap what we sow. If we cast our minds back five years ago in 2001, the situation was very bleak indeed. There was hopelessness and despair and the feeling of despondency was widespread. Many Singaporeans wondered whether we were seeing the end of high growth and the beginning of decline of the Singapore economy. Singapore was thought to have lost its comparative advantage against the emerging low-cost economies. The loss of jobs and lack of employment opportunities were mostly keenly felt by Singaporeans, even amongst the middle-level professionals. Many businesses were barely above water because of the high cost of operations. Sir, the dramatic turnaround of our economy in the last two years has been amazing. It showed that we are on the right path. The drastic and painful measures that we had to take in restructuring our economy have worked marvellously. There is now renewed confidence and our people optimistic of opportunities abound if we were to remain steadfast and stay the course. I am pleased, therefore, that the Prime Minister and Finance Minister did not try to stimulate the economy even further for this would have led to the over-heating of the economy, resulting in manpower shortages and an artificial inflation in cost of operations.”
“I would like to know, if the cost for these measures to deal with the crime and social problems is an exponential increase, the Government has formulated any contingency and back-up plan to deal with this possibility. Further, can the Government assure Singaporeans that the Government will stand firm on the restriction of Singaporeans to enter the casinos? After some years, if the operators tell the Government that they cannot make ends meet, and request the Government for liberalisation and relaxation of rules to allow more Singaporeans to go into the casinos so as to maintain the integrated resorts, will the Government succumb to such a request from the integrated resorts' operators? Can the Government assure us that it will not compromise on its stand? Finally, I would like to reiterate that I do not support the construction and development of the integrated resorts with casinos. If the Government introduces casinos into Singapore, then Singapore will and must pay a price for it. This reminds me of a classic phrase in the movie "Infernal Affairs II", which is: "Chu lai hun de, zong you yi tian shi yao huan de." I hope the price that Singapore has to pay for the economic gains and development that would be gained from the integrated resorts with casinos will not be too high. I hope our younger generation, our children, our grandchildren will not, in the next 20-30 years, pay this kind of "debt" incurred by the Government. I do not wish to see the Government being accused of leaving behind a heavy load of social debts for our future generations of Singaporeans.”
“We can be sure that Singapore will have to pay a price but we cannot be sure whether the so-called "huge" economic benefits will outweigh the social cost that we have to pay. At the moment, all these economic gains are mere theoretical speculation. Hence, Singaporeans want to know whether the Government has any contingency and back-up plans to deal with unforeseen consequences. At a lunch that SM Goh hosted for the NMPs, I spoke to SM Goh on the question of building a casino. I told him that as we take the first step, we should have already thought of the 10th step. He agreed with me. As such, I hope that the Government would share with the people the contingency and back-up plans. For example: (1) If the number of people addicted to gambling is many times more than what the Government has predicted, what is the Government's back-up and contingency plans? (2) If the crime rate is increased many times more than predicted by the Government, what will be the Government's back-up and contingency plans for that? (3) If the gambling ethos cause such adverse impact on our young people that many do not continue to pursue their education or career, and try to make a quick buck from working at the casinos, what kind of a contingency plan do we have? This is already a hot potato in Macau. (4) At the same function, I also raised the point that we have to deal with the social cost arising from the opening of the casino. We agreed that we need to look into the incremental cost involved. Yesterday, SM Goh said that the social cost will not be too high. I am very worried, as I am a pessimistic person.”
“I have said before that some people are commenting why Singapore is always pushing to be the "first" in the world in everything we do - Number One airport, Number One sea port, Number One medical centre in Asia, etc. Do we really believe that Singapore is a superman, and we could excel in everything we do? Even before building the integrated resorts, we are already claiming that they are going to be world-class. Are we too optimistic and over confident in ourselves? Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, I am a worrier, I am not so optimistic. The Government has considered and would implement a series of measures, such as the MCYS would set up all kinds of councils to prevent Singaporeans from going into the casino, and the Ministry of Home Affairs has also various measures to reduce or minimise crimes arising from gambling. All these measures would be set up as a safety net. However, all these measures and safety net are purely theoretical, that is, they are just on paper. Whether these measures will prove to be effective or not, nobody knows! Based on various reports, the Government speculated on how the social problems and crime rate will increase if the integrated resort with a casino is built. However, these speculations are just purely theoretical. The ill effects of casinos are like an octopus with all the 10 tentacles reaching out to every node and corner of the society. At this moment, we do not really know the actual and full extent of the negative impact the casino would bring about. One thing is certain: the casino will definitely bring with it negative impact on our society. However, we cannot be certain that the integrated resorts will really create 35,000 new jobs. This is just a theoretical speculation.”
“With the escalating cost of living, besides working on a few jobs to pay for the living expenses, the people in the poor and the lower-income group can only put their hope on gambling. The poorer they are, the more they would want to gamble, with the hope of changing their destiny. Whenever they buy a 4-D or Toto ticket or play at a gambling table, they are buying a dream - a dream to clear up their housing loans, a dream to provide for their children's university tuition fees, a dream to give their parents a better life. Every time when the 4-D or the Toto result is out, thousands of dreams were shattered. During my younger days (I was born after 1965, which was different from the generation of MM Lee, but I do know what is "chap ji kee". I also know what is "four-colour cards", the "si sek bai"), I have seen and experienced for myself the damage done by gambling of this nature. When I was small, I always wondered why we had to have porridge with soy sauce vegetables for our meals and I really could not understand the causes of this. Those people who have not experienced or seen such gambling would not be able to understand that feeling. They could say very lightly, "The people are free to choose whether to frequent the casino or not, nobody is forcing them to go to the casino!�? I would not say that. With the casino just a few minutes' drive away, the poor and the lower-income group of people would want to go and try their luck there with the hope of winning some money from the gambling tables. The Ministers said that the Government is confident that we could build world-class integrated resorts with casinos and, at the same time, keep the social cost and crime rate at a minimum. Are we being too optimistic?”
“It will bring about a whole lot of social problems, such as broken families, increased number of suicides and many children may have to stop their study, etc. In last month's Budget debate, the Minister for National Development introduced regulations to prevent people from cashing in by reselling their HDB flats, so as to ensure that they have enough money for their old age. Does the Minister know that in many of these cases, these people have cashed in to pay for their mounting gambling debts? These social problems will increase manifold. In the debate over the past few days, we all agree that such problems will increase. In the past three days, some Ministers and MPs have talked about their own gambling experience, and they said that they could exercise restraint or choose not to place any bets at the casino. Some MPs have also said that with the development of the integrated resorts with casinos, Singaporeans can choose not to enter the casinos as nobody forces them to enter the casinos to gamble. As mentioned earlier by an MP, if you lead a horse to a river and the horse does not wish to drink the water from the river, you cannot force it to drink the water from this river. However, it is easier said than done. For people who have lived a comfortable life and have strong will power, they can exercise self-control. However, for those people who may have slightly weaker will power, they may not be able to resist the temptation of going into the casino and become addicted to gambling. Why is this so? This is because for the poor and the lower-income group of people, this is a dream-seeking world.”
“Many house buyers would have experienced this - the house they receive at the end of the day is not what the one they saw in the drawings and design models. Therefore, we have to be alert and vigilant. Remember, if we enter this realm, we are at the mercy of expert gamblers. On our side are politicians and civil servants who are, I think and hope, novices in this game. Sir, I rest my case. Assoc. Prof. Ong Soh Khim (Nominated Member) (In Mandarin): Mr Deputy Speaker, thank you for allowing me to join in the debate on the proposal for the establishment of integrated resorts with casinos. The Government announced on 18th April 2005 that it will develop two integrated resorts with casinos. In the past three days of the Parliament debate, many Ministers and MPs have raised many points. I have declared that I do not support the building of casinos in Singapore during the debate on the Presidential Address. Now, I would like to declare that I do not support the proposal for the development of two integrated resorts with casinos in Singapore. I have a few points to raise here for discussion. In the debate on the Presidential Address, I mentioned that the setting up of a casino will be a source of all evils and this will be very bad to our social ethos. Where gamblers gather, there will be prostitutes, illegal moneylenders and drug traffickers. Incidents of drug-trafficking, kidnapping, vices and other forms of crime will be doubled, tripled or even quadrupled. In the past three days of the Parliament debate, many of the Ministers and MPs agree with this point. As analysed and agreed by the media, the arch crime is the setting up of a casino.”
“Over time, our people's guard will go down, slowly but surely. We can explain and rationalise our actions, we get into a mode of denial. Gambling and other vices become the norm in our society. Slowly, warm water turns to hot water, then to boiling water. It is a matter of degree, but it is also the difference between life and death. This surely cannot be. Our young should be taught good moral ethical values. Gambling is like smoking, something not to be tried in the first place. Therefore, -->I urge the Government to have a Code of Conduct for Ministers and MPs, civil servants and even directors of listed companies to be barred from gambling in the casino. Other associations, like the teachers' unions, can also make voluntary pledges. We require good records to be kept on the patronage of the casinos and we have a law that considers unexplained wealth to be ill-gotten gains. It is not just gambling that we should be concerned about, but the related effects of corruption, money laundering and organised crimes that come with it. We must protect and safeguard the integrity and reputation of Singapore's financial centre status. I would like to see the rules on casinos to be legislated rather than merely regulated. No flexibility should be given to the Government of the day to decide. I am confident of the present Government to manage and run the system, but as a safeguard for future generations, appropriate legislation should be instituted so that we can delay the ill-effects of gambling and other vices breeding its ugly head on our society. As we are proceeding to the next step of Requesting for Proposals, I would like the Government to have the ability to walk away and say "no" if there is a huge discrepancy between the concepts and the proposals submitted.”
“The Swiss possess the maturity, strong cultural and social values that we Singaporeans lack. We have read the document written by Mr Chia Teck Leng on the casino escapades. He feels that we ought to go ahead with the casino. I am not so sure how much weight we want to place on the opinions of a man who has been imprisoned because of his addiction to gambling. Unfortunately, we do not have a chance to hear the feeling of his wife and two teenage sons. If we were to hear their side of the story, we would have a different perspective of the untold harm that has been caused. My real concern is that we will not know whether we have made the right or wrong decision until perhaps 10 to 20 years later. By that time, the situation in Singapore would have deteriorated beyond recognition. I cannot understand the argument put forward that, as gambling is already in existence, the harm is incremental in nature. Do we not know that two wrongs do not make a right? The damage and harm to society could be compounding and cumulative in nature and rising exponentially. With the proliferation of vices, we will be like frogs in hot water, and we do not know that we will be boiled to death. The Government has made the decision. I will respect it. But I will discourage Singaporeans to contribute their expected one-third share to the casino income and, instead, contribute the money to charity to help the needy and disadvantaged. When political leaders share their stories of "little" gambling experiences in this House, unwittingly and subtly we are telling the young that it is all right to try and play 4-D and jackpot machines and have some fun. That, to me, is the thin end of the wedge, the beginning of disaster. It is exactly what I am afraid of.”
“Would it not hollow out the other businesses in Singapore if one-third of the casino income is to come from Singaporeans? After 40 years of independence, we must adjust our thinking from being fixated with the idea that economic prosperity is all that matters. There is a very high cost that accompanies with the single-minded pursuit of wealth and prosperity. We are already a developed economy enjoying a higher average per capita income. To have an annual economic growth of an average of 3-6% is not insignificant. We need the cultural ballast and strong national values and social graces to provide the balance in the way we live. The world wants us to seek instant gratification and temporary pleasures, but if our people are too stressed out and not having the happiness, peace and joy in their hearts, then it counts for nothing. What our people need is healthy relationships with their family, neighbours and the community. Instead, we see dysfunctional families and quarrelling neighbours. In the lexicon of Thomas Friedman, we are forsaking our olive tree by trading it for a newer and bigger model of Lexus. Personally, I am all for economic growth and prosperity. But I am not so sure whether, if we keep on going the way we are, our communities will not fall apart. Switzerland and the Nordic countries I hear earlier, have been held as excellent examples of how the Swiss work, live and play. I like some of what they do. We should follow the Swiss in keeping the Sabbath in not washing the cars and mowing the grass on Sundays, not flushing the toilets in the night as it could disturb the neighbours, buy and support locally-made goods even if they are more expensive than foreign goods. For every issue that affects the whole community, they hold a referendum to decide.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, Sir, this year we will be celebrating Singapore's 40th year of independence. The Government has on Monday, 18th April, announced its momentous decision to develop two integrated resorts with casinos at Marina Bayfront and Sentosa. I have listened carefully to the Prime Minister and Ministers who have spoken on the subject. Indeed, I can sense the ambivalence they held and the moral dilemma they faced in arriving at this very difficult decision. I respect their decision, as I have been taught to submit to those in authority who have been empowered and who will be held accountable for the decisions they made. We will render to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's. But I wish they had decided differently, as I disagree strongly in having a casino in Singapore. As I reflect on the matter, the question that plays in my mind is: why are we faced with such a Hobson's choice today? Minister Mentor has said that "the cost of not doing it is even greater". We have been told that not to proceed with the development is worse than proceeding with it. We have been asked to pay the perceived minimal cost in human suffering to enjoy the larger economic benefit. My view is that, after three and four generations, the costs will outweigh the benefits, and many of us here today will not be around to see the consequences, but our children and grandchildren will be. Is this the way to measure policy outcomes? Have we fully explored all alternatives before we ask only casino operators to put the proposals? Are we sure that we want to put our destiny in tourism and a not insignificant part of our economy in the hands of two foreign casino operators? Are we sure that the novelty of integrated resorts would not wear out? Are they fully recession-proof?”
“But more can be done to ensure the integrity of the system and make very secure that private and confidential information contained in any system is not easily accessed by others and by determined hackers. In recent years, there was near-stagnation in global IT spending, but Singapore was able to grow in this highly competitive ICT sector. The outlook seems bright, considering the rise in global IT spending by companies and governments. The purchase of personal computers by companies and individuals is expected to increase. This augurs well for the players in this sector. I am pleased to read the report of Economic Intelligence Unit (EIU) that Singapore is the world's fourth most attractive outsourcing location and ranked first based on the number of offshoring projects relative to population. With this, we are successful in keeping jobs in Singapore. It shows that we could still be very competitive even though we are a high cost location. It is the total value that businesses look for and not just on cost alone. It is important that we build a critical mass in this area so that we can enjoy further economies of scale. I wish to ask the Minister: (1) Are there ample growth opportunities in the ICT sector in Singapore? What is being done to capture a larger share of the ICT market, both in Singapore and in the region? (2) What is the Government doing to connect homes and increase the level of Internet usage and web applications among Singaporeans? (3) Do we have enough IT professionals to support the ICT sector and what more could be done to provide training and learning opportunities for Singaporeans who want to deepen their knowledge in IT to maximise the features and power of the personal computers?”
“Challenges in the ICT Sector Sir, the next subject is on the challenges in the ICT sector. Since the article, entitled "Does IT Matter" appeared in the Harvard Business Review, it started the intense debate in the press and journals on the value of IT investment and the benefits derived from the never-ending heavy IT investment that could be more hype than real. We have seen the waves of IT innovation from the years of development in phases over the years and, recently, the focus has been on the adoption and use of IT applications and the infrastructure to support them. Instead of installing them on their own, the option of outsourcing IT infrastructure is becoming more common using the "utility" model to buy IT services. Indeed, corporations have become increasingly vigilant and attentive to ensuring that there is a business case for IT investment and track the performance to ensure that the purported benefits are realised. The consumers in Singapore, however, have been more carefree in their spending on mobile phones and portable devices. We have now a phenomenal penetration rate of 97% on mobile phones in Singapore. We recently saw the highly successful nation-wide 3G network roll-out which I believe surpassed the expectation of the three mobile operators. IT security risk and invasion of privacy are still areas of concern to Singaporeans. The press report of the weakness of the Social Development Unit (SDU) portal does not help in giving confidence to the users. Those who have given personal information feel exposed when breaches take place. This was explained as an isolated incident.”
“I just wonder how much of these interactive features will be replicated in attracting more people to our libraries and use the facilities. As we encourage more Singaporeans to learn, to listen and to speak but not read Chinese and Malay languages, the National Library needs to adapt to this requirement and to provide for more audio facilities for those who choose to listen rather than to read. Will these be accommodated in the library facilities? Singapore will be celebrating its 40th year of independence this year. We have over the years, books written by Singaporean authors and biographies featuring Singaporeans on their work and their lives. We need to celebrate the contributions of these Singaporeans towards nation-building through the books written. We should also be interested in foreign books written about Singapore and understand the perspective of others have of us. I hope the National Library can over time build up a collection of these precious resources, whether books and other materials, so that subsequent generations of Singaporeans can appreciate the contributions of Singaporeans, past and present, and the development of Singapore as a nation. I wish to ask the Minister the following questions: What are the plans for the new National Library building which will be completed sometime this year? How will this library contribute to our lifelong learning strategy and help our citizens to prepare for the challenges of the rapid changes and transformations taking place in the world around us? Will the role of the regional libraries change in the process? What new activities and materials can the public expect in the new library? Can we look towards having the National Library being connected to the top libraries of the world?”
“Sir, first, on the subject of the National Library. Singapore aspires to be the centre of learning in the region. We are also interested to develop the education sector. We see a growing number of universities and learning institutions, both local and overseas branches, being set up here. These give our students more choices in the variety of courses and in attracting foreign students from the region and beyond. The National Library can play the pivotal role in enhancing the spirit of learning in Singapore. It is a significant symbol in our nation's drive for knowledge and learning. The new National Library building due for completion this year will give a further boost in encouraging Singaporeans to cultivate the interest and passion for learning and reading widely. We have read from press reports of survivors in the recent tsunami disaster on how their lives were saved because of the geographical knowledge and survival instincts. Our educational system is increasingly focusing on the core curriculum and the National Library can augment the learning as an important and useful information and resource centre. We wish to encourage students and the public to explore and learn new fields to broaden their minds, living and working in the globalised world. The National Library is able to give access to our people the wealth of knowledge built over the years. Sir, there is a new trend towards "reality TV" programmes, like the Survivors, Amazing Race and the Apprentice. These are new trends in TV programming, using ordinary people behaving in different situations, and this mode has attracted world-wide audiences. Sir, interactivity is a new method of attracting interest.”
“I read with interest the kind of arrangements laid out and activities in store for this National Museum and perhaps the Minister can elaborate for us what we can expect. In time, we will have quite a number of museums with exhibition facilities in Singapore. The other notable ones are the Singapore Art Museum, Asian Civilisations Museum and others. We will need to have a lot more visitors to make the investment in these museums worthwhile. I would like to know what are the innovative ways that the Ministry can bring in the crowds and traffic to the cultural venues. I would like to ask the Minister to share with us their plans for the art gallery at the former Supreme Court Building and City Hall and how this would tie in with the other major museums and the exhibits displayed. How can we develop a distinctive Singaporean and the values and aspirations we share as a nation and have them portrayed in our cultural facilities? In promoting cultural diplomacy, as Prof. Chin has alluded to, the Singapore Season in London and the other exchanges with other countries, how can we involve more Singaporeans so that they can benefit in broadening their horizon and perspective in the field of the arts and translate them to better appreciation of the arts and enhancing their quality of life?”
“Sir, after two years of operation, the Esplanade is creating more than a symbolic impact on our local art scene. We have now a cultural icon in Singapore, acknowledged by the international art community as a world-class venue comparable to the best in the world. Many world-class performers and companies have been attracted to perform here to the joy and pleasures of the audiences. Singaporeans showed that they have discerning taste and will pay the price to watch highly acclaimed performances. I must add that even HDB heartlanders have not been ruled out. And I read with interest that a number of them are attending the concerts and the shows in the Esplanade. Sir, we have had a very good start for the Esplanade and we need to keep up the momentum, building on its early success. We showed that in the case of the Esplanade, the scale, design and accessibility are the basic ingredients creating its success. The challenge remains in having to fully occupy the capacity and filling the seats in both the Theatre and the Concert Hall. I think it is also time for us to consider an equivalent icon for the visual arts as much as the Esplanade is the icon for the performing arts. I therefore wish to commend the Ministry for persuading the Government to allow the Supreme Court Building and the City Hall to be converted into a world- class art gallery. I think for the Government to allocate these precious monuments for the art gallery is exemplary. In November last year, Minister Lee Boon Yang laid the foundation stone for the redeveloped National Museum of Singapore and this will be due for completion some time in 2006.”
“We have heard what Dr Lily Neo and Dr Chong mention about the geriatrics and the need for home nursing care. Many do not have CPF accounts to enjoy the Medisave top-ups. Is it possible for the Government to pool the Medisave top-up for this group of elderly Singaporeans without CPF accounts and grant them waiver on the hospitalisation bills in the lower hospital wards? This will help keep the dignity of the elderly in the final lap of their lives. In conclusion, Sir, I must say that this has been a good Budget for all Singaporeans. I hope that our economy will continue to do well to spread the good cheer, and Singaporeans would feel proud that we belong to a great nation and a worthy member among the community of nations.”
“Many organisations today are questioning how much of the IT expenditure has really brought in the value and benefit that they said it would. Indeed, it could be a bottomless pit which very few people have the knowledge and understanding to handle them. We read about the Ministry of Manpower's initiative in outsourcing its IT operation to an external vendor. How many other initiatives are in the pipeline for other Ministries in pursuing outsourcing to stretch the precious budget dollars? We have now learnt that after public consultation, the Ministry of Finance will not be proceeding with the current year basis of assessment for income tax. It did not want to impose the administrative burden and compliance on the businesses and individuals. This is commendable. We have a case here with clearly obvious advantages but dropped because of implementation concerns. Indeed, the Government must be allowed to make decisions based on objective and well-informed assessment in the long term interest of our people. However, we must also be mindful not to repeat the mistakes of the past when rational policies were implemented which became unpopular and, because of public outcry, had to be withdrawn and the stigma remains. Finally, Sir, Singaporeans are living longer. It is common nowadays to see Singaporeans living long lives into their 80s. Many of them have exhausted their savings, if they had any to start with. The children of the aged have also retired and they could hardly look after themselves. It would be difficult to depend on the grandchildren to support these aged. I wonder if the Government could favourably consider this special group of Singaporeans who are 80 years old and above and needing medical attention and long-term nursing care.”
“Moreover, the HDB and the Singapore Land Authority work at cross purposes that aggravate the situation. In my constituency, I have a HDB coffeeshop owner at Block 31, Kelantan Lane who bought his coffeeshop for more than $1 million. Later, another food court leased from SLA was opened. I feel very sorry for this coffeeshop owner for the sad financial state that he is in, having taken a substantial loan from the bank to buy the coffeeshop from HDB. How could he have ever imagined that the former Jalan Besar Neighbourhood Police Post would be converted into a food court competing next door to him? The Government, as the landlord, in wanting to maximise the use of public assets should not cause undue hardship to a small businessman. In facing the intense competition from overseas, companies have taken active steps to increase productivity and cut cost to stay lean and competitive. It is laudable that the Government has committed to do likewise and is able to reduce its expenditure by 5% in two years for all Ministries, with the exemption given to MINDEF. It is indeed a progressive Government that is able to adopt the best practices normally associated with the private sector. Sir, the Government has been an active promoter in the use of IT and millions of dollars have been spent over the years on IT infrastructure and applications. I am not sure whether the Government has taken a close look at how its IT expenditure has brought the value envisaged by the numerous projects in the different Government Ministries. I wonder whether it is a standard practice for a Government Ministry to conduct a post-mortem after the implementation of a major IT project to validate that the project objectives have been realised.”
“Sir, I have a vested interest here because, if there is improvement, my constituents in Beach Road and Rowell Court would be most happy to see the number of foreign workers congregating in the housing estates reduced over time. Sir, I am also concerned with the number of cases of malpractices in the companies listed in the Singapore Stock Exchange. While I agree that the Government can promote enterprises by adopting a risk management approach to regulation, the frequency of occurrence in the malpractice cases is putting our investors at grave risk and can adversely affect the reputation of Singapore as an international financial centre. I would like to find out what is being done to put a stop to these financial scandals whose regularity suggests something endemic in the culture and a less-than-ethical approach to doing business in Singapore. Next, the businesses of the HDB shops have deteriorated over the years - and there is little chance of things improving, other than for the few HDB estates which are well-supported because of their good location, shop mix and local demand of residents. The HDB shops will face even greater challenges when the operations of the low-cost carriers get into full swing, with greater frequency and more regional destinations, and the shopping habits of Singaporeans would change even further. It is best that early action is taken to do whatever we can to help retain the piece of the retail pie for the HDB shops that remain to survive and make a decent living. From what I see, the over-capacity is actually not beneficial to the HDB residents because they do not get value from the goods and services offered by their neighbourhood HDB retail outlets.”
“With the economic growth of 3-5% this year, we would not see much improvement in employment, if we do not take drastic action to help more Singaporeans get work. I, therefore, welcome the top-up of another $500 million to the Lifelong Learning Fund and allowing a larger annual sum of $80 million to be used to retrain and help job seekers with work. It would be a major accomplishment, if we are able to assist 15,000 Singaporean job seekers in the next two years to find work through new skills training and job redesign efforts. Sir, it is timely that we reviewed the foreign worker policies. In the years of high economic growth and a tight labour market situation, we could not help but to bring in large numbers of foreign workers. During this time, when many Singaporeans cannot find work, it is difficult to see why we should continue to have such large numbers of foreign workers, leading Singaporeans to perceive that the foreigners are taking away work from Singaporeans. The issue is not about "reserving jobs" for Singaporeans but helping the market to function better in the use of manpower resources in our country. I, therefore, support the move to put a cap on the current foreign worker dependency ceiling and charging a higher levy for the additional foreign worker at the rate of $500 per month. This is a nudge in the right direction. We want companies to innovate and look for higher value-added work that can use the foreign workers productively. The question in most employers' minds would be whether the Government is signalling that, in the not-too-distant future, the price-based mechanism would be used to allocate the limited pool of foreign workers that could be employed to work in Singapore.”
“Sir, I wish to thank the Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Mr Lee Hsien Loong for the thoughtful and well carved out Budget this year. He has demonstrated once again his acute sense of where the needs are and the areas that require our attention in meeting the challenges ahead. Last year's economic growth of 8.4% was remarkable, considering the period of poor performance in the previous three years, ie, 2001 to 2003. We experienced the worst economic recession in 2001 with the negative growth of minus 1.9%. We managed to recover in 2002 with the growth of 2.2%, and struggled to keep the economy afloat at 1.1% in 2003. Through these years, we have been through the terrorist attacks on the New York World Trade Centre Twin Towers on 11th September 2001, Bali bombing on 12th October 2002, Iraq War and SARS in 2003, and the tsunami tragedy in December 2004. The Government and the people of Singapore had responded well, took the bitter pill of restructuring our economy and achieved a healthy growth last year. Whilst the economic forecast of a growth of between 3% and 5% for 2005 is reasonably good, we cannot take things for granted. We need to continue to work hard and be prepared, in case things turn out unexpectedly. Economic cycles in the globalised world can change very quickly and dramatically. We have still to contend with high oil prices, volatile foreign exchange rates, the threat of terrorism, the avian flu epidemic, and we do not know what else would turn up next to torpedo our economic plans. What is very disconcerting is the slow return to the good old days of high employment rates. Even with the high economic growth of 8.4%, our unemployment rate, though we see a slight improvement, remains at around 4%.”
“We have been down this road before. Let us not falter, but let us persevere and build up ourselves with the right values, virtues and beliefs to galvanise our people forward. We need to remind ourselves that there is no free lunch. Hard work, diligence and discipline that have brought us this far, the same will be required for us in the future.”
“Are we saying that we have changed from the past that we are now prepared to compromise? Are we prepared to give up the values that we held dear in the past because of economic benefits? Singapore has, in the past, forgone revenue from cigarette advertising because smoking is bad for the health and well-being of Singaporeans, even though there are still many smokers in Singapore today. Does it mean that we should now change our policy to allow cigarette advertising? Definitely not! The infamous 'Bugis Street' was the tourism icon of Singapore until the mid-1980s. The Government took the opportunity when building the MRT to do away with the bad image associated with transvestites. The site now is Bugis Junction, one of the most popular places for Singaporeans and tourists alike. The decision to remove the stigma of 'Bugis Street' was before the discovery of HIV and AIDS. We have done right and well. So, why do we bring in something now to spoil the clean image of Singapore? Let us be steadfast and not succumb to the seductive arguments of rationalisation of economic benefits of the project. There was an interesting article in the Fortune magazine of 15th November last year. The article is entitled, "Money and Morals at GE". We know that General Electric is one of the world's most admired companies. To stay at the top, four things need to be done right - "execution, growth, great people and virtue." The last is most illuminating. The point was made that "trying to apply cost-benefit analysis to ethical decision can be tricky." Once we are distracted, confused and compromising, we would have lost our soul and tend to become weak, soft and yielding to objects that bring our downfall and the consequence and distress we are not prepared to bear.”
“We see seemingly 'educated' individuals quarrelling with neighbours, inconsiderate driving habits on the roads, not helping to clear the tables after we finish the meal at hawker centres and food courts, the high-handedness with which we treat the domestic helpers, the cold reception given to foreign employees, especially the blue-collar workers and our fellow citizens at the lower strata of our society. I hope Singaporeans have, by now, after going through crisis after crisis, learnt that the loss of loved ones is more painful and greater than all the material possessions. In death, we are all equal. We will be remembered for the person we were and what we did, not the houses we owned or the cars we drove. It is indeed heartening to read reports of young scholarship holders who were modest about their academic achievements. They know that the more talents and abilities they have been endowed with, the more they are expected to serve others. How a society takes care of the needy, disadvantaged, speaks of the society itself. I am therefore pleased with the emphasis given to the special education for students with learning difficulties and helping the disabled to be self-reliant and coping with independent living. There is also the movement to give those with previous convictions a second chance to start life afresh with a new beginning. We are giving the right and proper attention to the healthcare and well-being of our elderly. The Government has recently taken the bold decision to institute pre-marital HIV screening and to ban the Snowball Party. For me, this is the moral high ground, and rightly so. But the most recent announcement to allow casino operations as part of an integrated resort is causing confusion to many Singaporeans.”
“In many ways, the experience of going through the recent period of economic restructuring, redundancies and retrenchments, competition from low-cost producing countries, relocation of factories and outsourcing have hit Singaporeans very hard, but provided valuable lessons that help keep us on our toes, learning and relearning, innovating and seeking out new opportunities and making adjustments to financial commitments and living expenses. Prime Minister Lee has asked Singaporeans to see Singapore as a land of opportunity, to imbibe our city with the special X factor - entrepreneurial, dynamic and cosmopolitan, and make our small island into a great nation with a big heart. Sir, we cannot be a great nation if we are a nation without a soul. We must have love, compassion, hospitality, service and respect for each other as our hallmark. They should be part of our distinctive national culture, individual psyche and natural selves. These are indeed qualities of gracious living expected of a developed society. We want to emulate the Swiss in their high standard of living. My colleagues, working and living in Switzerland, told me that the Swiss take their Sabbath and rest day seriously. Residents are not allowed to wash their cars and mow their grass on Sunday, a day intended for rest and recreation. We are making good progress with the pro-family initiatives including, as we are told, adjusting the dates of parliamentary sittings to allow for family leave. It is, however, troubling to note that even when we make good economic progress, we still lack the culture and grace befitting of an advanced economy.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise in support of the motion standing in the name of Mr Gan Kim Yong. The President has outlined the seven priorities of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's Government. I would submit that these have to do with the indomitable human spirit and the soul of our nation. We reap what we sow. It is our duty to nurture and develop our young who are the hope of our future as a nation. We need to impart to them knowledge and right values. We hope that they will grow up and be mature enough to be able to independently handle life's many challenges and to overcome great odds. The older generation of Singaporeans lacked formal schooling, but they were educated through the hard knocks of life. Growing up during the period of the Second World War, the Japanese occupation, British colony, merger and separation from Malaysia, and starting up as an independent Singapore were circumstances that made that generation of young Singaporeans grow up quickly to fend for themselves. Indeed, for a period in the 1990s, the Government was concerned whether the young Singaporeans who lived in very comfortable and prosperous conditions of high economic growth, full employment and high standards of living would become soft. Would they be able to cope with a crisis when it happens? The Asian financial crisis in 1997, the advent and speed of Internet and communication access and globalisation have since changed a complacent world. Singaporeans, both young and old, were confronted with situations that they had not encountered before.”
“Sir, the Censorship Review Committee has done excellent work. In the recent review of the CRC, they have supported the opening up of society at a measured pace, based on our own standards. This includes adopting a more liberal attitude towards plays, movies and television programmes. Sir, it is essential for us to preserve the high moral standards and public decency in Singapore. Our national shared values which include the sanctity of the family unit, moral integrity, social and religious harmony should not be compromised in any way. I wish to urge the Government not to relax and give latitude in these important areas that form the social fabric of our society. Perhaps the Minister can tell us exactly what is the balance that the Government is trying to strike in this area.”
“Sir, media competition among local newspapers and TV stations is bearing fruits as consumers are getting better quality products and services. I am pleased to also note the progress of Singapore Press Holdings and Lianhe Zaobao in making inroads into China and also Channel NewsAsia gaining greater viewership in regional countries. I note with interest the setting aside of the $100 million Media 21 fund to support media development programmes. I would like to ask the Minister how does the creation of the media hub called Fusionpolis in One North fit into the plans? What other efforts and resources are required to bring about the outcomes envisaged by Media 21 strategies? Do we have sufficient media talent in Singapore or would we be depending on foreign media professionals to grow in this area? TV”
“Sir, we know the importance of design. We have seen the examples of Swatch watches, Apple Computers and Nokia mobile phones, and good designs actually command premium pricing. The challenge for us is how do we create and develop distinctive Singapore designs. I would like to ask the Minister what steps are taken to form the integrated design cluster and develop Singapore into the International Design Hub.”
“Sir, I want to push the subject on the feasibility in setting up the Arts School at the secondary level. Sir, even in the Internet age, our basic needs for human relationships and appreciation of aesthetics and beauty remain. Also in the growing services sector, there are ample career opportunities for talent in the arts and creativity industries. Research revealed that individuals tend to achieve high levels of creativity from around the age when they are in polytechnic and colleges. So we need to provide a strong foundation for these young to blossom in later years. Sir, I want to ask some questions. Will parents and children be able to commit to an Arts School education at a tender age? This could be made easier if this is part of a rounded secondary education. Second, can the enrolment be sustained year after year? I think this is possible if we observe the demand for enrolment in NAFA and LaSalle-SIA College, and also to cater to different talents and different kinds of intelligence of our children. Of course, there is always this constant tussle between and across the board education against developing a small pool of talent in depth. But I think they can both co-exist. Sir, I believe that it is a matter of time that we will have an Arts School. And I wish to submit that it is better to have it now rather than later. 12.15 pm Arts School”
“We, in Singapore, want to ensure that our children are secure, growing up in a loving environment. They can then face their future with confidence because they are well prepared and equipped, ready to face the challenges of the world, ensuring the continued survival, progress and development of Singapore.”
“Though the Government can help make it easy with financial incentives and provide conditions conducive to the building up of spousal relationships, people still need to be guided as to how they should spend their money, time and choice of pursuits. Unfortunately, our people have been chasing academic and material success at the expense of love and joy in building relationships, to having children, nurturing and developing them. We need to develop a positive attitude as a society towards spousal, parent-child and interpersonal relations. Healthy relationships require skills and knowledge to nurture, develop and sustain. It is best when it is inherent and become natural within us. Here, all those who are in leadership positions have to set a good example for the young to follow. We all know that procreation is a normal natural human instinct. Unfortunately, we are seeing the phenomenon of unnatural same-sex relationships happening. This will become an added challenge. But the Government must be forthright and state clearly our stand on spousal relationship and protect the sanctity of the family unit. We need to cultivate and strengthen family relationships and to value and treasure them. Just consider the type of activities Singaporeans participate in and the amount of time individuals spend on them. Do they contribute to building spousal and family relationships? I hope the Government, employers and community organisations can take stock and organise more programmes of activities that promote boy-girl, man-woman and family relationships. At least, whatever marriages and the number of births we already have do not become casualties of the adverse tide that is plaguing society today. Many developed countries have lost their fundamental values on families.”
“These Normal (Academic) students will be better equipped to face the future with hope, serving as disciplined, motivated and skilful workers, and able to lead independent lives and raising strong families of their own. The Government is bracing itself to operate with leaner budgets and Ministries, other than MINDEF, have been told to cut their expenditure budget by 2% each year. I hope the less privileged in our community will continue to receive their fair share of public funding. As it is, the higher income groups are already enjoying favourable tax treatment, but the lower income groups still have to bear the brunt of GST for their consumption of goods and services for basic essentials. This year's Budget also highlighted the need to build the next generation of Singaporeans. Without people, there is no country and nation to speak about. It would be useful for us to pause and ask ourselves what has led to the sad state of affairs that has resulted in the serious decline in the birth rate in Singapore. I am afraid that, in the past, we were too caught up with quality and lost sight of the need to ensure that quantity was not affected in the process. We might have presumed that if the better educated were catered to, we are able to bring the number of births up. It is apparent that even the not so highly educated do not contribute their fair share of number of births. In formulating the new fertility-friendly policies, I hope the Government will address the root cause of the problem and find the sustainable solutions over the long term. Child bearing and bringing up children are personal choices and affected largely by individual circumstances.”
“In this year's Budget Statement, the Finance Minister announced that the Ministry of Education is reviewing the limit set for Government subsidy in university education, and this is a fundamental change in Government expenditure to the different levels of education. The undergraduates would, in time, have to bear a larger share of the cost of university education. I can appreciate that university education is becoming more common as more and more young Singaporeans are receiving university education. We have also seen that many parents are willing and prepared to incur substantial expenditure in sending their children for overseas university studies and incurring a tidy sum of money. There is also an increasing number who enrol in private institutions conducting undergraduate degree courses for overseas universities as full fee paying students. It is therefore timely to review the current level of subsidy in university education with the additional cost to be borne by the students. After all, these students are the main beneficiaries of the university education with the prospect of better paying jobs when they graduate. By putting a cap on university education subsidy, I hope the Government would be more generous and transfer the funds to our neighbourhood secondary schools. The neighbhourhood secondary schools still constitute a substantial proportion of our school population. More teaching and support resources are needed to help the large number of Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) secondary school students. Many of them are disadvantaged by family circumstances. The value and returns in investing in these students would bear fruit and bring positive outcome in the long run.”
“This category of elderly feels helpless. I am concerned that with means testing, we may unwittingly deny this marginal group whose circumstances are really in need of Government help. I hope the agency handling means testing would be sympathetic to the needs of the elderly Singaporeans who could not obtain support from their children. Certainly, we do not wish the very young from the lower income group with grandparents to support to suffer in the process. The children require nurturing and attention as they have a long future ahead of them. When the Government revised the CPF savings rate, it was stated that CPF was not intended to be all-encompassing but cover the vast majority of our working population. This would mean that there would always be a small proportion of working adults with little or no CPF savings set aside for their old age. If that is the principle adopted, we have acknowledged that there will always be a segment of Singaporeans requiring public assistance and subsidy. I wish to ask how stringent is means testing to be, and would it impose additional financial burden and hardship to the poorer segment of our population. I wish to commend the Ministry of Health for encouraging the use of day surgeries and community hospitals thereby reaping substantial savings in the healthcare cost of Singaporeans. We must continue to find innovative ways to minimise the use of costly infrastructure and expensive medical technology. We should intensify our efforts to provide home nursing care for the non-ambulant cases and greater use of Neighbourhood Day Care Centres for rehabilitation to reduce healthcare cost.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I rise to support the Budget presented by the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lee Hsien Loong. Sir, this year's Budget has the conspicuous absence of rental rebates and S&C subsidies to HDB households. Instead, there is the top-up of $104 million into the Medisave accounts of older Singaporeans and injecting another $100 million into the Medifund. I am pleased with this shift in emphasis away from dishing out wholesale subsidies to our people. Our population is aging fast. A lot more medical and healthcare resources are required to meet the growing needs of the elderly. With Government budget getting tighter each year, we need to find better ways to optimise the limited public funds to the areas of greater need. I therefore welcome the approach to target public subsidies at the segment of the population who needs most help. Sir, for some time, the Government had been reluctant to use means testing to determine those Singaporeans who are deserving of public subsidy in healthcare cost. Means testing was ruled out because we were told that the system is cumbersome and not cost effective to administer. It is out of necessity that we now have to use means testing to prioritise the most deserving cases for larger healthcare subsidy. There are many elderly citizens living in my Kampong Glam constituency. For those who are aged single and poor, help is easily available. There is, however, a sizable number of elderly residents who have little or no CPF savings but find difficulty in getting Government subsidy. Though these elderly citizens have grown up children, their children who earn barely enough to support their own young families could not at the same time contribute to their aged parents' financial needs.”
“Sir, from the statistics that were given, there is no clarity in the grades of jobs, in other words, the executives, professionals and the blue-collar rank-and-file jobs. We see that in recent years, more and more of the executives and professionals have been retrenched or have been displaced, and they belong mainly to the services sector. I am pleased to see that the actual number of foreign content has dropped in recent years. But may I ask the Minister what are the chances of this group of executives and professionals being able to get into the workforce again because this is really a very visible and conspicuous group of people.”
“Just a quick question. I just want to have some sense of the scale we are talking about. Arising from all these, how many new commuters are there for the North East Line and how many people are we talking about that are affected, and how many buses, on an overall basis, have been withdrawn from our roads?”