Low Yen Ling
Singapore
“I want to thank Member Cai Yinzhou for the clarification. As far as his historic district is concerned, I want to assure him that the new Place-making Project Office that comes under the Inter-agency Task Force does indeed not only serve Kampong Gelam, Little India, but also Chinatown.”
“A "we first" society needs an active citizenry working together to realise it. When corporates, community groups, and individuals come together, we will be able to create a harmonious, united and progressive home and society that belong to us.”
“I want to thank Member Mr Andre Low. In my earlier speech, I have also responded very succinctly. I want to assure him, as well as Mr Melvin Yong, I think you touch on very similar issues, and you probably heard from the political office holders speaking at the Ministry of Home Affairs COS about their tough stance against scams.”
“Finally, Government agencies, not just MTI, EDB and Enterprise Singapore, under the leadership of Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, will continue to create a pro-business, pro-people environment, building a business environment based on integrity.”
“— family business, as well as the other one on TACs. On family businesses, I want to assure him that earlier on, when we mentioned that we raised the support level for SMEs and non-SMEs and indeed, many of our multi-generational family businesses are in that category.”
“And since the Member asked, price obviously is an important indicator. Another example is if CCS observes the behaviour of the organisations and if we pick up signals that they are coordinating the behaviour to raise prices, to reduce quality, to reduce output, to reduce innovation, CCS will step in.”
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“Madam, I want to thank Ms Sun Xueling for her supplementary question. The review is an ongoing process and I shared the four considerations earlier. I want to assure Ms Sun that many of the courses are highly subsidised by the Government to ensure affordability. Members will recall that, in a recent update as at end-2016, 12 months after we introduced the $500 SkillsFuture Credit, 126,000 Singaporeans, that means 5% of Singaporeans, have already used their credits to take up courses. We are now focused on outreach, which is why SSG is currently planning a major outreach exercise called SkillsFuture Engage where SSG will work very closely with the five Community Development Councils to help Singaporeans navigate the training landscape, the SkillsFuture credit directory and so on. There are more than 50 areas. We want to better understand what is the area of training that is suited for their learning and development, with a view to strengthening Singaporeans' ownership of their lifelong learning journey.”
“I want to thank Ms Sun for her supplementary question. I want to assure her and Members that many of the courses are already highly subsidised by the Government to ensure that education and training courses are affordable and accessible. The $500 Credit can be used, on top of the course fee subsidies provided by the Government.”
“As I had mentioned earlier, courses under the WSQ framework are pegged to industry needs and standards. SSG does not do this in isolation. SSG involves industry representatives who identify the skill needs in the respective sector and validate the skill standards.”
“Madam, I want to thank Ms Sun Xueling for her supplementary question. I want to reassure her and Members that when approving SkillsFuture Credit courses, we take into careful consideration whether it is skills-based and relevant to industry needs. The Member cited some courses. Madam, allow me to list out the top 10 areas of training in February 2017 by number of claims. The first was information and communications; second, food and beverages, third, language skills; fourth, service excellence; fifth, security and investigation; sixth, personal development; seventh, productivity and innovation; eighth, advertising, sales and marketing; ninth, leadership and people management; tenth, business management. There are more than 50 areas of training and we will stop at the top 10. Sharing the list is to assure Members that when we select these courses, together in partnership with the supporting public agencies, we look closely at whether it is skills-based and whether it is relevant to industry. That being said, earlier, I mentioned that SkillsFuture Credit courses also serve to empower Singaporeans in their lifelong learning journey and holistic development. Singaporeans are able to opt for approved courses that are not directly related to their vocations or careers. But they are perhaps learning it as they are planning to move into adjacent growth areas or they are learning it because they would like to whet their appetite before they start up their own bakery shop, for example. I want to assure Ms Sun Xueling and Members that as part of the evaluation process, we look at industry relevance, and SkillsFuture Credit eligible courses also undergo an industry validation process.”
“While we are strengthening the enforcement system, we are also very mindful to minimise the impact that could be caused to the majority of the users who are responsible users of the SkillsFuture system. We hope all Singaporeans will respect this privilege and use it for the right purpose and use it in a responsible way to support their learning journey.”
“I thank Mr Zainal Sapari for the supplementary question. Allow me to quickly recap the objectives of SkillsFuture Credit. The aim really is to empower Singaporeans aged 25 and above to leverage the SkillsFuture Credit to reskill or upgrade their skills. It is in this spirit that the SkillsFuture Credit course directory and the claim processes were designed to be simple, inclusive as well as user-friendly. It is regrettable that some individuals have abused this system and submitted false claims. We have zero tolerance for abusers who misuse this privilege. We have sent out letters of demand to these individuals and given them time to repay the monies. SSG is closely tracking the recovery of these monies. Legal actions will be taken against those who do not return the monies. I want to reassure Mr Zainal Sapari and Members in the House that we will leave no stone unturned as we take considered measures to review all processes to ensure a very robust system to detect abuses and making of false claims. Even as we speak, several measures have been put in place by SSG. Allow me to cite a few. For example, SSG is intensifying its scope and frequency of checks and audits on training providers as well as individual claims. For instance, training providers and individuals who are being audited are required to submit necessary documents, such as attendance list, course enrolment or proof of payment. In addition, a process review committee comprising the SSG board members has been set up. This committee will conduct an in-depth review of all the policies and procedures relating to the processing of all training-related claims and disbursements to training providers, employers as well as individuals. This committee will review and identify how this can be further strengthened.”
“Besides that, my residents living in private estates in Mandai Road and Sembawang area have been telling me that Khatib is "so near and yet so far". There is no direct bus to go to Khatib. They have to travel north and come back south again, and then go to Khatib. A good public transport service should also cater to the residents living in private estates as well. I also ask for covered linkways from the back gates of the condominiums to the nearest bus stop to improve accessibility, so that they, too, can enjoy taking public transport. I have put up requests for two condominiums, The Estuary and Forest Hill, and I hope this Budget will have good news for my residents. In fact, previously, it was offered to The Estuary but, at that time, they did not take it up because LTA had one caveat: they must build a covered linkway from the nearest block to their back gate, then LTA will continue from the back gate to the bus stop. So, this round, they agreed to do that but LTA's side has still not approved it. Lastly, a sheltered linkway along Yishun Avenue 2 to the Yishun Sports Complex would also bring plenty of cheer to the residents on a rainy day. Mdm Chairman, Yishun is a beautiful place with nice nature parks and the soon-to-be-added Hot Spring Park. We have friendly and helpful people. It will be a perfect place to call home if our Transport Minister can have his magic touch to our bus services.”
“In addition to addressing these commuting blues, we hope the authorities can look ahead to provide good bus connectivity for Bukit Gombak residents to get to their new and upcoming Community Club at Hillview Avenue. Currently, the location is under-served in terms of access to the MRT stations of Hillview, Bukit Gombak and Beauty World. We estimate about half of residents in the constituency do not have public transport connections to the Community Club, which is scheduled to open later this year. The Community Club will be a central node of many activities. Among its many new features are a childcare centre, culinary school and rooftop garden. Hence, easy access by public transport is vital for Bukit Gombak residents to access these amenities and for community bonding. Will LTA and MOT help to improve connectivity to MRT stations and access to the new Community Club in Bukit Gombak? This will certainly encourage more residents to join in the movement for Singapore to become car-lite and green. Bus Services Er Dr Lee Bee Wah (Nee Soon): Our Minister has been talking about a car-lite society, and I am all for it. To be car-lite, we need to further improve our public transport. We need to make bus journeys, especially in the morning and evening peak hours, more pleasant. But for many Nee Soon South residents, this is not the case. The worst bus services in Nee Soon South are bus Nos 860 and 811 which pick up residents from new BTOs, like Acacia Breeze, Palm Breeze, Oleander Breeze, Angsana Breeze and Saraca Breeze, to Khatib MRT and Yishun MRT stations respectively. It is common to hear residents feedback that they must miss three or four buses before they can board as they are often over-packed − not so much of a "breeze" at all.”
“It is connecting the areas between Bukit Panjang, Hillview Avenue and Hume Avenue. We are grateful for City Direct bus number 653 that has made it easier for Hillview and Hume residents to get to and from the CBD area at peak hours. Many residents have told me that because of the convenience and comfortable ride on bus number 653, they now leave their cars at home on weekdays. These improvements are moving us nearer the vision of a green and car-lite Singapore. With new train lines and more public buses, more Singapore residents are taking public transport to work. According to the last General Household Survey in 2015, 59% of residents aged 15 years and above took the MRT and/or public bus to work or school. This is a rise of 4% from the year 2010. We certainly want to encourage such commuter behaviour. However, we still face some bus connectivity challenges in Bukit Gombak. For instance, to get to Hillview MRT station, our Hume residents need to backtrack in their bus routes, and buses are always packed during peak hours. Those going to the city via the Beauty World MRT station are often subject to a long wait because most buses plying Upper Bukit Timah Road are full by the time they reach Bukit Gombak. Many residents report waiting 15 minutes or even more before boarding a bus. In addition, the new bus 973 can only stop 200 metres ahead of Hillview MRT Station instead of the bus stop just outside the Hillview MRT station, because of the bus route. I want to reaffirm my thanks and gratitude to the LTA team for working hand-in-hand with us. There has been much progress but in terms of offering a good "first-and-last-mile" experience, we do still have room for improvement.”
“The masterplan will create an attractive residential and community oasis. With eight distinctively themed stretches along its 24 kilometres, the Rail Corridor will attract nature lovers, history buffs, cyclists, runners, families and even tourists who wish to experience Singapore's history in a new way. The Rail Corridor is the legacy of the Singapore-Malaya rail link that started in 1903. In its vicinity is the gallery "Surviving the Japanese Occupation: War and its Legacies". The confluence of rich history, greenery and recreational opportunities makes it a unique experience and attraction that can enhance tourism and boost Singaporeans' appreciation of our historical and green heritage. However, without train connectivity for easy access by the masses, these treasures that I talked about may remain the enjoyment of those with vehicles, limiting its potential and pull for the rest of Singapore. May we know if MOT will support the development of the Rail Corridor as well as the anticipated rise of human and motor traffic to the area with an MRT station in Hume? In addition, how will LTA and MOT help Hillview and Hume residents gain greater satisfaction in public transport, especially in train connectivity? With easy access via a Hume MRT station, we hope all of Singapore will get to appreciate what the area has to offer. This is certainly a move that will be welcomed by all residents in Hume and Hillview. Bus Connectivity Mdm Chairman, in recent years, LTA and MOT have worked closely with my community leaders and I to improve the commuting experience and public transport connections for Bukit Gombak residents. We would like to thank and commend them for their efforts. We appreciate the recent addition of bus number 973 last month.”
“Mdm Chairman, according to LTA, rail ridership in Singapore grew by 4.6% to above 3 million in 2015, which is more than double 10 years ago. In the same year, MRT trips climbed 4.2% to 2.9 million, and LRT trips grew by almost 11%. Bus passenger trips were also up by 3.7% to 3.9 million. This uptake in public transport has come on the back of the Government's efforts to improve connectivity, with the addition of the Downtown Line, as well as more buses and trains. This has been no easy feat. I would like to thank and commend LTA and MOT for their hard work and perseverance. Their efforts have paid off, as indicated by the latest annual Public Transport Customer Satisfaction Survey, where commuters' satisfaction in public transport scored 96.4% for 2016, hitting a nine-year high. While more Singaporeans are enjoying better public transport options and higher commuter satisfaction, some 5,600 residents living in the Hume area are still being held back by low train and bus connectivity. Despite the presence of the Downtown Line's Hillview station, these Hume residents are caught in a long 2.6 km unserved span between Hillview and Beauty World MRT stations. This stretch is more than double the average 1.1 km distance found between most MRT stations. So, Hume residents have little choice but to make their way to Hillview or Beauty World MRT stations via a detour and crowded buses. I sincerely appeal to MOT and LTA to review the merits of opening Hume MRT station. The Hillview and Hume resident population is set to increase further with the addition of more condominium projects to the current 20 over condominiums present in that belt. 12.00 pm Furthermore, the upcoming Rail Corridor development will certainly bring greater human and motor traffic to the area.”
“Or do the authorities foresee the potential traffic to the Rail Corridor and its attractiveness, and so act in tandem to boost Singaporeans' enjoyment of our rich heritage and also enhance the tourist experience with good and easy access to the Corridor? Does MND regard the site as having potential for further developments? May I know if MND will consider releasing new sites around Hume for Government land sales (GLS)? The potential movement of people to the Rail Corridor is immense. Under the Rail Corridor development, there is a 16-hectare site in Choa Chu Kang within the stretch of former Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) railway line that will be a test-bed for a future housing concept with 3,000 units. With its unique proposition as a residential and community oasis as well as promising tourist spot, we hope MND will give serious consideration to the surrounding developments of the Rail Corridor so as to enhance the area's liveability and attractiveness, making Singapore an endearing home and also a distinctive global city. Sembawang Hot Spring”
“Chairman, the plan to develop the Rail Corridor is a welcome one. Several groups of Singaporeans are looking forward to the potential upside the 24-kilometre (km) master plan will bring, from nature and recreation to tourism and history. For nature lovers, it is a much-awaited oasis and urban respite and a chance to learn about Singapore's biodiversity. In terms of recreation, the Rail Corridor will offer attractive choices − cycling paths, running tracks, rock-climbing, cafes and even an outdoor cinema. For history lovers, the Rail Corridor will restore to the area its historical significance and promote greater appreciation of the Singapore-Malaya rail link that started in 1903. Also in the vicinity is the gallery: "Surviving the Japanese Occupation: War and its Legacies". The confluence of rich history, greenery and recreational opportunities in the Rail Corridor makes it a unique experience and attraction that can enhance tourism. The Rail Corridor could very well become Singapore's iconic equivalent to New York City's High Line, which is an old railway transformed into one of the most innovative and inviting green public spaces in Manhattan. The High Line is now a favourite spot for New Yorkers and tourists alike. To reap the same success as the High Line, access and transport to the area is vital. Residents in Hume, who live in the backyard of the Rail Corridor, are keen to know the status of developments of this upcoming iconic attraction. For instance, will the anticipated rise in human traffic to the area be a key factor for the building of an MRT station in Hume?”
“Speaking of parents, many of our parents have themselves gone through a bilingual education and are well-equipped to help their children to learn Chinese. Parents should take advantage of this strength by speaking to their children in Chinese, listening to Chinese songs, reading Chinese literature or watching Chinese programmes on television together with their children. With perseverance, results will definitely be seen. Our MTLs are cultural assets that Singaporeans should treasure. They are the foundation supporting our creative innovations and helping us connect to the rest of the world. We will need to master more languages to achieve the CFE's recommendations to internationalise our economy. Through our bilingual education policies, we are strongly placed to strengthen our grasp of regional languages and to use these as the driver for innovation and internationalisation. I believe that through the combined efforts and partnership of MOE, schools, parents, community partners and the media, we will be able to nurture a well-rounded generation steeped in culture and anchored on sound values and wisdom, as well as having the creativity and global mindset to handle the challenges of the future.”
“I agree with what Ms Tin Pei Ling has said. Our MTLs are not only rich in literary and cultural value but are also useful and constantly evolving living languages. Today's students are "digital natives" and we need to engage them in ways that are familiar and interesting to them. Only then can they discover the beauty of the language and an innate desire to learn more about it. We are working closely with the Committee to Promote Chinese Language Learning, the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism, other community partners and our media friends, to create this vibrant language ecosystem for students to love the language. Learning our MTLs must start from young, so that the child is used to expressing their thoughts and experiences in their MTLs. To facilitate this, we have introduced new programmes, such as our experiential learning activity, the "Wow Wild Learn" Programme for preschoolers, so that they may find joy in learning their MTLs. Secondly, we will build on students' areas of interests to further expose them to learning Chinese, such as the Xinyao competition Xing Kong Xia. There will be new elements to the competition this year, which includes Xinyao workshops, using Xinyao songs, such as the Singapore Pie, to expound on our Singapore story and our local cultural heritage. We will also be working closely with the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre to help our students better appreciate our local Chinese culture. Thirdly, we will better leverage digital technology as a key resource and avenue for outreach. Our iMTL interactive platform and Xuele online portal are tools that parents can use to engage their children in learning Chinese in a fun way.”
“To address Mr Chen Show Mao and Mr Henry Kwek's questions, a significant number, close to 1,000 Secondary 1 students, take up regional languages as a third language yearly. So, 1,000 students for every cohort. There are more opportunities at the tertiary level. We will certainly promote more interest in this area, especially in Malay, Tamil and Chinese. I thank Ms Tin Pei Ling for understanding and also underlining the importance of our Mother Tongue Languages (MTLs). We will certainly continue to work with our community partners to make MTLs come alive for students. To this end, last Monday, the new bilingual children's TV programme, "Junction Tree" debuted on OKTO TV. Produced in partnership with the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism, the show fosters deeper appreciation of the three MTLs by showcasing their use and relevance in daily life. Our children can catch the show on air every afternoon, and parents, if you can catch the re-telecast with your kids, please watch it with your young children as well. The Tamil Language Learning and Promotion Committee is also spearheading a new programme, "Tamilodu Inaivom!" What does this mean? It means "Let's Connect with Tamil!" Through drama and cultural activities, it will show families how Tamil is fun and easy to use at home. Our new primary school curriculum makes the MTLs come alive by reflecting the rich cultures and languages in everyday settings which our children can relate to. Lessons often reflect the cultural festivals and national events that they experience in the real world. So, they are motivated to relate about what they have learnt. Mdm Chairman, allow me to conclude in Mandarin. 2.00 pm (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Bilingualism is a foundational aspect of our education system.”
“Industry partners like companies, trade and business associations are crucial links between students' interests and careers. Last September, I visited the ECG Fair that you see on the slide here, held at Nanyang Polytechnic and attended by more than 3,600 Secondary 3 students. It was at this fair where industry representatives showcased their work. Their sharing enabled the Secondary 3 students to better understand and appreciate the industries and what it takes to be part of it. Like what Minister Ng Chee Meng and Minister Ong Ye Kung mentioned earlier in their speeches, parents play a vital role in their children's aspirations and career planning. We hope they can become actively involved as coaches and guides along their children's journey. This booklet is designed for parents and it is called, "Journeying with Our Children, Achieving Their Aspirations". It is quite a thin book. I encourage parents and students to read it not just once but many times, and they will have very different takeaways because it allows students to reflect on what are their strengths, interests and talents and use these to make an informed decision about their education pathways and also career choices. The booklet itself, as well as the Parent Engagement Sessions, are some of the ways that MOE partners parents to help them better understand their children's interests, talents, strengths and passions. These parenting skills can also improve their parent-child relationship and mutual understanding and, through it, set a solid foundation for life. Mdm Chairman, language skills are another key asset that will put our students in good stead for life.”
“Mdm Chairman, MOE wants to sustain and strengthen an environment where students discover their interests and are guided in their choice of studies and career for a fulfilling learning journey. This journey of discovery starts in their schooling years, because when our students understand their abilities, strengths and their interests as well as the options available and what it takes, then our students can make better decisions about their education pathways, vocations and career choices. Let me briefly share about Gracella's experience. From young, she has been interested in plants but did not view it as a career option. However, at secondary school, she discovered opportunities in the landscaping industry during an education and career guidance (ECG) talk with an ECG counsellor. Armed with new passion and direction, she is now enrolled in the Nitec course for Landscaping Services, happily learning what she loves. To better support students like Gracella, our ECG arm will help them G-R-O-W towards their career path. Let me explain: "G" stands for "Grasp where their interests lie"; "R" refers to "Recognise their abilities"; "O" is to "Observe how their interests link to future education and career pathways"; and "W" is "Weigh the options for informed decisions". MOE facilitates this growth by weaving ECG into the curriculum and equipping ECG counsellors with updated information on education and industry opportunities. Mdm Chairman, can I have your permission to display one slide, please?”
“In conclusion, even as our economy and industries transform to meet the challenges that change brings, what remains unchanged is the constant effort of the Government to ensure that our people and our companies are equipped, enabled and given the opportunities to expand the horizon, that we can stay agile, astute and relevant. However, the Government cannot do this alone. We need the industries and unions to work hand in hand with us, as we support our companies and people on this journey of lifelong learning, training and development to stay ahead for the future.”
“(In English): The Ministers, Senior Minister of State and Minister of State have touched on the needs for companies to look for opportunities beyond our shores. I agree with Dr Tan Wu Meng and Ms Sun Xueling that apart from deep industry skills, our people need to have a global mindset to grasp emerging opportunities. To nurture this global outlook, the Government is increasing the opportunities for Singaporeans to gain overseas exposure at different stages of their careers. For working adults, the SkillsFuture Study Award for International Business will enable them to acquire skillsets that are needed to navigate the complexities of overseas markets. For our youths, we have the SkillsFuture Young Talent Programme (YTP) that offers overseas internships and work study programmes. We are pleased to report that as at end of 2016, over 500 students have benefited from the YTP international experience. Exposure is but one aspect of expanded horizons that we are all trying to cultivate. I agree with Ms Sun that the ability to speak the native languages of emerging and growing markets is a definite asset. The knowledge of our mother tongue languages has proven to be very useful in building our business and cultural relations in Asia and the neighbouring markets. For those wishing to brush up on mother tongue languages or pick up new ones like Thai, Vietnamese, Japanese or Korean, SkillsFuture has various language courses to choose from and these can be paid for with the SkillsFuture Credit.”
“Through this programme, promising individuals gain exposure to key overseas market and critical business functions. Mr Chairman, please allow me to continue in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] MTI recognises that some SMEs may need assistance to build up their HR and talent development capabilities. In this area, we encourage SMEs to tap on the SkillsFuture SME Mentors Programme. SME Mentors can work with you to establish structured learning and development (L&D) systems. These systems can help improve the efficacy of your staff training, as well as uplift your capabilities to offer work-learn and internship places to young local talent. Miss Cheryl Chan spoke about how micro-enterprises may face difficulty in training their employees due to limited resources. SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG) has been working with Post-Secondary Education Institutions (PSEIs) and training providers to deliver flexible and bite-sized training for working adults so that it is easier for them to undergo training. For instance, the Singapore Institute of Retail Studies (SIRS) provides bite-sized training that can be structured around business trading hours and conducted at the workplace. SIRS also delivers e-commerce courses and programmes for micro-enterprises. I agree with Miss Chan that senior PMEs have a wealth of experience and we should tap on them as we build capabilities in our people and companies. Today, we have 116 SkillsFuture SME mentors with extensive experience in various industries. Senior PMEs with strong industry knowledge and people management skills could help our companies develop HR capabilities. For PMEs with this aspiration, I encourage you to participate as a SkillsFuture SME Mentor.”
“Suresh is now a Cell Leader in charge of planning production flows to meet his team's weekly targets. So, we can see from Suresh's example that when we identify common or complementary skillsets within a cluster of industries, we can help our people, our Singaporeans, to take advantage of adjacent employment opportunities. Thirdly, we will build up a pipeline of local talent to access growth opportunities overseas. Mr Supaat also asked how we can help our local businesses tap on infrastructure-related opportunities in Asia. The Minister for Industry has announced how we will improve companies' access to private cross-border project financing. These initiatives will be complemented by the launch of a new Professional Conversion Programme for Global-Ready Infrastructure Talent (GRIT). We target to place and train 300 individuals over the next five years to develop a pipeline of talent in infrastructure project development. These candidates will receive on-the-job training for up to 18 months and they will gain relevant exposure to regional infrastructure projects. The programme will subsidise a part of the participant's salary. More details will be made known in the next quarter of this year. Besides equipping our workforce, we will continue to enable companies to actively develop their workers' capabilities and skills. This will, in turn, better support their business objectives, be it to improve productivity, go digital or expand overseas. Companies have several avenues to tap on. The Government's SkillsFuture Leadership Development Initiative (LDI) offers support to companies that institutionalise programmes to build up leadership capability of Singaporeans, to develop our local bench strength and groom the next generation of Singaporean business leaders.”
“Mr Chairman, the Ministers for Trade and Industry have spoken about the political developments, economic trends and technological changes that will have an impact on our economy. Singaporeans are naturally concerned about jobs and whether their skills will continue to be relevant. We would like to assure Singaporeans that we will do our utmost to empower every Singaporean with the capabilities to make a good living. We will equip our people with skills, enable companies to develop their employees and expand our people's horizons to access opportunities. I agree with Mr Saktiandi Supaat that continuous education should be purposeful. With the ITMs, the Government will collaborate with industry partners, TACs as well as unions to prepare our companies and people for the challenges and opportunities of each of the 23 industries. Possible career pathways and occupations are being charted out even as industries and jobs transform. Singaporeans have a diversity of initiatives under SkillsFuture to stay equipped and relevant. Let me now share how this integrated approach will prepare our people to access new opportunities. Firstly, we will identify the key industry trends and gear up Singaporeans with the relevant skillsets. Secondly, we will identify the kind of skills that are relevant within a cluster of industries as this improves skills portability. For example, Mr Suresh Dakshnamoorthy started his career in a marine and offshore company providing quality control of electrical equipment. Six years ago, he made a career switch to Thales, an aerospace company. Although Suresh was unfamiliar with the aviation industry, Thales recognised his skills in electrical inspection as well as his familiarity with quality control tools.”
“Even the US, which spends more on its military than the next few countries combined, has been a target of large-scale cyberattacks and influence campaigns. Experts argued that the conflict between countries will increasingly be fought in the grey zone between war and peace, where military forces may not be even involved. This means that ordinary citizens could be on the front line of hybrid attacks against Singapore. We have all heard from Minister Ng Eng Hen earlier. He spoke about how some countries even see mounting hybrid warfare as legitimate. So, in light of all these recent developments, can MINDEF provide its assessment on how hybrid threats have continued to evolve and how we are strengthening total defence to deal with these threats?”
“Madam Chair, last year, Senior Minister of State Dr Maliki Osman spoke about the importance of total defence in countering hybrid threats. He said that, and I quote, "While Singaporeans are confident that our home and our way of life are safeguarded by an advanced and highly trained SAF, we must know that our security agencies cannot do the job on their own." Last year, I spoke with great concern of the threat to Singapore posed by ISIS and by terrorism more generally during the COS debate in 2016. In the past 12 months, it appears that the news headlines have become even more troubling. Recent developments have also shed light on a variety of other non-traditional threats to our security. For example, countless cyberattacks around the globe have had serious real-world outcomes. Countries or groups have hacked political parties and institutions with the intent of influencing political outcomes. Cyberattackers have also proven their ability to hack into bank accounts by the thousands and to steal unsuspecting victims of hard-earned money. We have also learnt of cyber breaches closer to home where personal information has been stolen. Some cyberattacks can be attributed to criminals and mischief makers but the fact that there are people out there with the skills to hurt us through attacks in cyberspace should worry us. Put in the wrong hands, cyberattackers can be trained and employed to wage bigger conflicts against Singapore as a whole. At the same time, we have learnt how countries and groups with malicious intent can use influence campaigns to divide and damage communities as well. It is clear that a military solution alone cannot address the wide-ranging security challenges that Singaporeans faced.”
“Can MINDEF elaborate on how it remains prudent whilst still ensuring that SAF has the resources it needs to keep Singapore safe and secure?”
“Mdm Chair, in November last year, Prime Minister Lee spoke of slower economic growth as being the new normal. Indeed, we are going through an economic transition. Trade has been slowing and our local workforce growth is nearing its limits. As the Finance Minister noted in the Budget Statement, many developed economies going through the same transition have seen their annual gross domestic product growth decelerate to 1% or lower. Against the backdrop of this new normal and, given the growing requirements in areas, such as healthcare and infrastructure, it seems that the current fiscal climate is one of prudence. The Finance Minister noted that with our spending needs increasing, the Government must continue to spend judiciously, emphasise value-for-money and drive innovation in delivery. Every Ministry has a part to play in ensuring prudent spending in order to better prepare for the future. However, we observe that in the area of defence and security, regional countries' defence spending is at its highest ever. Asia has spent more on its defence than Europe in absolute dollars since 2012. We also observe that the countries in our region will continue to increase the defence spending at even faster rates than the rest of the world in the years ahead. In fact, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, from 2014 to 2015 alone, there was a 5.4% increase in military expenditure in Asia and Oceania, which far surpasses the 1% increase in defence spending globally. Our security environment is increasingly complex and unpredictable. I recognise that MINDEF must still invest in the necessary resources to ensure that SAF is able to defend Singapore and Singaporeans against different threats to our security.”
“I want to thank the Member Mr Lim Biow Chuan for a very good question. Indeed, knowing how to manage risks is a very important part of entrepreneurship and innovation. Under the YES! programmes, there are various platforms where students will be given some understanding of entrepreneurship and innovation, developing the ability to be enterprising, resourceful and innovate and persevere under difficult circumstances, and also the ability to recognise opportunities and how to manage risks, and even to cut loss and manage the resources – bearing in mind that we live in a resource-constrainted world.”
“Suffice to say that based on the last eight years of experience, SPRINGSingapore will certainly continue to work with MOE, schools and also the PSEIs to nurture an enterprising spirit and entrepreneurial mindset in our youth and ensure that those whose interest in entrepreneurship has been sparked will continue to have various pathways to nurture that interest. Even for students who may not have an immediate interest after school to go into venture creation, the mere fact that an enterprising spirit and entrepreneurial mindset have been nurtured will stand them in a very good stead in the future.”
“I want to thank the Member for the supplementary questions. Earlier on, I took efforts to explain and update the numbers. In MOE and MTI, we are heartened by the healthy take-up of the YES! Programme since it was launched in 2008: 64 Primary schools, and that would be 35% of Primary schools; 79 Secondary schools, and that would be slightly more than half of Secondary schools; and six ITE, Polytechnics, which means four out of five Polytechnics, are already on board, bearing in mind they also have their own respective Elective Modules or Advance Elective Modules. Two out of three ITE campuses involved. The NTU survey that was done has shown that because of the exposure to entrepreneurship through the YES! Programme, it has allowed them, through hands-on entrepreneurship-related learning opportunities to spark the interest of entrepreneurship in our students. This is important to nurture their interest at the early stage, so that, for those who are interested to further their interest, we can then complement the YES! Schools programme with other programmes like CCAs, as I have mentioned, or the Elective Models on entrepreneurship, and even invite some of these youths to join the Youth Chapter of ACE. We are heartened that there are many examples of how schools have embarked on working out prototypes, participating in various competitions like the National Youth Business Challenges and so on. We are heartened by the healthy take-up. Also, I want to explain, looking at the number of YES! schools, that one data point may not be a true reflection of the schools' interest in entrepreneurship because we complement it with the various advanced Applied Learning Programme (ALP), Elective Models and CCAs.”
“I want to thank Mr Low for the supplementary question. In the case of St Hilda's Primary School, the cut-off mark was unusually high, as the school sought to ensure a high level of ability in the students who wanted to take HCL. We acknowledge St Hilda's Primary School's good intentions in making sure that the students who want to take HCL are well-suited and are also ready to take on the subject because it also entails extra curriculum time and a heavier study load for the child. With feedback and guidance from MOE, the school has very quickly reviewed its criteria and will be opening another HCL class to cater to the growing desire for HCL. MOE is very glad that the school is taking positive steps very swiftly to enlarge its pool of HCL students. The broader point is that it really reflects the school's commitment in terms of the teaching and learning of the Mother Tongue language, not just Chinese language but all three Mother Tongue languages. This is why, other than the MOE curriculum, we also have the three Mother Tongue languages promotion committees to supplement the efforts on the ground. 3.00 pm”
“This differentiated approach is very important because it allows the school to customise the level of support for the child's learning. When the learning is pitched at their level and ability, the students can learn the Mother Tongue language to as high a level as they can, and are also given adequate opportunities and support. This is important so that we can help to nurture the children's learning of the Mother Tongue and sustain their interest in this language, even beyond school.”
“I want to thank the Member for the supplementary questions. First off, let me give some context to Higher Chinese language (HCL). The HCL curriculum was developed at the lower primary levels to support the needs of our Special Assistance Plan (SAP) primary schools, of which we have 15 currently. They admit students who are inclined towards learning Chinese at a higher level. Since the HCL curriculum is available, some other non-SAP primary schools have also offered it to students with stronger aptitude and interest in the language. Allow me to reiterate that the two key criteria are strong interest and keen ability in taking up HCL. We all know learning language is not just for conversing or writing. It is also culturally-driven. So, it is important that the student has a strong affinity and interest in that subject, so that we can nurture the joy of learning in the children and sustain their interest in the HCL even after they leave school. To this end, we are heartened by the enthusiasm that parents and students have shown for the HCL. We want to assure the Member and the House that our schools are deeply committed to the teaching and learning of Higher Mother Tongue languages. We do so because it is not just mastering a higher level of Chinese, but also deepening bilingualism, which is an integral part of our national identity and cultural heritage. Another point that I would like to reassure the Member and the House is that our schools strive to cater to students of different learning capabilities and also home languages, depending on whether they speak English or Mandarin at home. Students are able to take their Mother Tongue at the level which best suits their ability. The Member may ask why is that important.”
“The MOE team works closely with the MSF team to support the Student Care Officers (SCOs) working in the SCC to provide care for the students after-school hours. And we also work with them to provide professional development support. To this end, in August 2015, MOE signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the four self-help groups − the Chinese Development Assistance Council, the Council on Education for Muslim Children, the Singapore Indian Development Association and the Eurasian Association. Under the MOU, the four self-help groups have set up a joint venture company in November 2015 and they aim to set up 30 SCCs that would be owned by the self-help groups, which are also considered VWOs. So, they will set up 30 SCCs by the year 2020. The self-help groups are happy to report to MOE that to date, January 2017, they have already hit 50% of their target. They already have SCCs in 15 schools to provide care for students who most need this. MOE, together with the self-help groups as well as the other operators, is also looking at how to facilitate sharing of best practices for the SCOs. To the Member's second question on special needs, based on the feedback from parents, they see a lot of benefits of having their children stay in an SCC in a school-based environment because it is within the school premises and this is where the principal or what we call the Allied Educator (AED) will be able to bridge the communications with the SCO with regard to the learning needs or learning difficulties of certain students in the SCCs and provide relevant support to them. The support being given is not just support from the MOE side but also the relevant disability division in MSF.”
“Certainly, the school will be happy to work with the operators to provide them more classrooms so that they can extend capacity, but it is not just the hardware; the software is also important. We want to make sure that as we expand capacity, we are also not compromising the quality of care given to our students. I want to assure Mr Liang that the two Ministries will continue to work closely to monitor the capacity as well as the demand for SCC places across school-based centres as well as community-based centres. This is especially so for children who lack such a home environment after-school for various reasons. We do that because we know that with after-school support, from schools and the community, more parents would be able to work with peace of mind knowing that their kids receive good care after school. And to this end, we will be happy to work with Mr Liang to look at the needs of his constituency so that families and also students receive quality after-school care.”
“I want to thank the Member, Mr Liang, for his supplementary questions and also sharing the observation and feedback from the residents. We certainly agree that after-school care is a crucial period for influence and care where values and children's learning can be reinforced after school hours. It is certainly MOE's priority to ensure that a nurturing environment is availed to the students who most need after-school care, where they can grow and flourish after school. We appreciate the observation that is shared with us, arising from residents' feedback. Maybe allow me to share some numbers. Out of 147 SCCs in the primary schools now, 45% of the SCCs are operated by VWOs. So, 45% of the 147 centres are operated by VWOs and the remaining 55% of the centres are operated by private sector commercial operators. I wish to assure Mr Liang and the House that the current rate of expansion meets demand. We also recognise that demand may vary from school to school and from area to area. We work very closely with the school principals who will know and would have a good pulse check on the demand for SCC places in the school arising from meetings with parents and parents' feedback. In places of higher demand, MOE works closely with the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF) as well as our SCC operators, be it the VWOs or the private sector operators, to increase capacity where were can. I have shared two ways where we can increase capacity: one, opening up an SCC in each of the remaining primary schools – and that will be another 43 more – to cover the total number of 190 primary schools by the year 2020. Another way we can inject capacity is to increase capacity in existing centres.”
“I want to thank Er Dr Lee Bee Wah for the suggestion and please allow SSG to look at the case in point. The Member cited a few areas which seem to be professional qualifications required, for example, by engineers. This is an area where we can work with the Institution of Engineers Singapore (IES). SSG is happy to sync up with IES or even other domain experts to understand what are the peculiar learning needs of the professionals, managers and executives (PMEs) in the sector. Please allow me to reiterate that the SkillsFuture movement is really not just about SkillsFuture Credit. We have a slew of SkillsFuture initiatives, even benefiting, targeting and focusing on the needs of the PMEs and also C-level executives. One example is the SkillsFuture Leadership Development Initiative. We would encourage Members to help to also heighten awareness of the various SkillsFuture initiatives amongst residents.”
“SSG is currently working with various Government agencies like the Economic Development Board and SPRING Singapore to identify and scope out the study awards with a view to developing a Page: 25 strong Singaporean Core for the sector. I would encourage the Member to file a separate PQ so that we can provide him with more information for the study awards.”
“I want to thank Mr Dennis Tan for his two supplementary questions. I want to reiterate, if Mr Tan comes across any specific training programme that is currently not conducted in Singapore, not in the 17,000 SkillsFuture Credit course directory, but deemed as industry-relevant, we welcome him to highlight it to us, to SSG, for consideration and evaluation. I want to again assure the Member that the diversity of courses reflected in the 17,000 SkillsFuture Credit course directory includes almost 2,000 online courses: that means about 12%. The bulk of these online courses are delivered by overseas providers. So, we are open-minded, we are taking a very inclusive approach to make available courses across more than 50 areas of training for eligible Singaporeans. We continue to welcome feedback and suggestions from Members on relevant overseas courses for SkillsFuture Credit, bearing in mind the need for quality assurance and also periodic reviews on the relevance of the course. It does not mean that once you put it in the directory, it is always there. We have to review the relevance, effectiveness, level of demand. The Member can be assured that we will continue to review the directory for relevance, quality, level of demand, and we will also continue to validate the training providers, the training organisations' internal standards, to ensure standards of quality and integrity of assessment. The Parliamentary Question (PQ) is related to SkillsFuture Credits, but the second supplementary question is related to SkillsFuture study awards. The amount is capped at $5,000.”
“So, we want to assure the Member that SSG, WSG will continue to work very closely with our tertiary institutions to really help our young Singaporeans gain the relevant experience in training, whether in school or workplace, through the various SkillsFuture programmes.”
“I want to thank Dr Tan for his supplementary question. I want to assure Dr Tan and all the Members that Singaporeans under 30 have access to avenues like the PSEA I mentioned, or even when they are in the tertiary institutions, the Opportunity Fund, to help them pursue extra-curricular courses. If they are using PSEA balances to pursue the courses, it includes around 2,000 of the WSQ courses and the bulk of these WSQ courses are also listed in the SkillsFuture Credit course directory. So, indeed, we want to ensure that from the PSEA-supported courses, moving to the SkillsFuture Credit course directory, it is a bit more seamless. Having said that, I would like to take the opportunity to reiterate that the SkillsFuture movement is really not just about SkillsFuture Credit. Because the Member asked about Singaporeans younger than 25 years old, it gave us the opportunity to talk about the PSEA. While SkillsFuture Credit caters for Singaporeans 25 years old and above, our young Singaporeans have access to many learning opportunities via a wide spectrum of SkillsFuture initiatives. SkillsFuture Singapore (SSG), Workforce Singapore (WSG) work very closely with our tertiary institutions to scope out initiatives like enhanced internships and even the SkillsFuture Young Talent Programme where young Singaporeans can be involved in overseas immersion programmes. After graduation from polytechnics and ITEs, our young Singaporeans can then move on to the SkillsFuture Earn and Learn Programme where they can study and work at the same time.”
“SSG, if they establish that, indeed, there is misuse, we will recover the disbursed monies from the training organisation that has abused the SkillsFuture Credit and we will also withdraw SSG funding support, as well as delisting them from the SkillsFuture Credit directory. Any Singaporean, if it is established that because of the misuse of the SkillsFuture Credit they are cheated of the credit, we will look at reinstating their SkillsFuture credit. So, in addition to all these rigorous processes to check and deter against any fraud, we will also alert and educate the general public to be wary of such activities. In the last few months, we have put out a few advisories to advise members of the public what to look out for and we encourage members of the public if they suspect any fraudulent behaviour or activity, to please alert SSG and we will certainly take actions accordingly.”
“I thank the Member for his questions. I want to assure the Member that as far as the criteria for training organisations which want to provide courses supported by SkillsFuture Credit, we have a very rigorous process to implement such a monitoring system. As we look at these nine cases, as I mentioned earlier, due to ongoing investigations, we are not at liberty to go into the details of these nine cases. But suffice to say, as I have mentioned earlier, that the nine training organisations have been suspended with immediate effect once we know that there is a possible misuse of SkillsFuture Credit. At the same time, their claim submissions have been withheld. So, we will let the investigation process proceed and, other than that, we are also looking at how such learnings from these cases would help us to strengthen our enforcement measures and also strengthen our criteria as far as SkillsFuture Credit is concerned. Allow me, again, to reassure all Members that SSG maintains a very hard stance against any individual or organisation which is attempting to defraud the Government of the Government's funding. We would not hesitate to take tough actions against such individuals or organisations, especially if they are also trying to defraud elderly citizens who may not really understand the criteria and the use of the credit. In fact, misusing the SkillsFuture Credit may result in criminal penalties. For instance, under section 58 of the SkillsFuture Singapore Act, any person who provides false or misleading information to SSG when claiming the SkillsFuture Credit is liable to a fine of up to S$10,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. Besides just the criminal penalties, the Member asked whether they can be listed on the SkillsFuture Credit directory and so on.”
“We must continue to uphold the highest standard so that Singapore can continue to be an attractive place for leisure, shopping, work, travel and personal development. I support this Bill.”
“In an era where information is widely available, a few errant businesses cheating consumers for short-term gains will not only cause losses for the consumers but also sully the reputation of the entire retail and service industry. CPFTA is to send a strong message to these black sheep that they must not cheat consumers and damage the reputation of the retail and service industry. As the saying goes, "If you hurt others, you will end up hurting yourself". A small number of errant businesses is enough to ruin Singapore's reputation as a shopping paradise, and the consequence can be dire. Besides protecting consumers' interest, CPFTA can also penalise those errant businesses to safeguard the reputation of the retail and service industry. This is very important and beneficial to the development of our retail and service industry. Everyone has a role to play by staying alert to those errant businesses. We can adopt a three-pronged approach, that is, consumers, the industry and the Government. First, consumers must be alert. They should not easily believe those promotions that sound too good to be true and avoid falling into a trap. Second, the industry should put more effort into training or set up professional accreditation bodies to increase the service awareness and standard of the retailers. Third, on the part of the Government, we pass legislation, such as CPFTA, to further ensure that we provide a level playing field for all businesses to compete fairly, so that customers can buy with peace of mind the products they like and the service they need. We all have a role to play to uphold trust in society. I hope that retailers, industry leaders and consumers can all treat CPFTA seriously and understand the meaning and spirit behind it.”
“We encourage more businesses to take part in these schemes as it not only demonstrates their fair trading practices, it also sets them apart from their competitors. The voluntary CaseTrust accreditation scheme requires participating businesses to have good service practices, and for certain schemes, involve prepayment protection. Currently, over 800 businesses are CaseTrust-accredited. Beyond that businesses may go further by volunteering to provide prepayment protection if they collect advance payments from consumers. They may do so by purchasing business insurance, which is already available for spa wellness, fitness and renovation sectors. We will continue to encourage consumers to patronise accredited businesses that provide protection for prepayments. By doing so, consumers also send a signal that practices are welcome, and more businesses will come onboard to be accredited. By enhancing the CPFTA we are strengthening the measures that may be taken against errant retailers to give greater protection to consumers. Even as such steps are in place, we need the cooperation of the consumer to be armed with the right information, to stay alert against errant sellers or service providers and be aware of their rights so as to make informed purchasing decisions. As the saying goes, prevention is better than cure. An informed, alert, and aware consumer is the best defence. Mr Deputy Speaker, please allow me to say a few words in Mandarin. (In Mandarin): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.] Deputy Speaker, Parliamentary colleagues, we all know that the fundamental of doing business is trust. Only when you are honest and trustworthy can your business last.”
“He checked out different retailers to compare the prices of the model he was interested in and he also noted the warranty terms and period before finally deciding on his purchase. This practice, he told me, has resulted in him being a happier consumer, who is more satisfied with his current buy than the previous camera purchases a few years back. For Mr Choo, being more aware as a consumer paid off. I am, therefore, strongly of the view that even as we strengthen the CPFTA, our efforts on the consumer education front must also continue. When consumers are knowledgeable, alert and aware they can make better and informed purchasing decisions. To this end, CASE plays a key role in championing consumer education and raising consumer awareness. MTI has worked with CASE on broad-based initiatives and targeted efforts to reach more vulnerable consumer segments, for example the elderly, based on their specific concerns. With effect from this month, CASE will also work with the five Community Development Councils (CDCs) over the next three years to roll out consumer education talks and reach out to heartlanders. The talks will teach consumers what they should look out for when making purchases, especially for products and services that have attracted high volume of complaints, like for the consumers to read and understand the terms of conditions of the deal before entering into a transaction. I urge CASE to explore new channels to educate consumers and build consumer awareness, especially in areas where we are seeing more issues faced by consumers. There are signposts to guide consumers in their purchases. For example, accreditation schemes for businesses like CaseTrust ensures fair trading practices and greater protection for consumers.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I rise in support of the Bill. The retail industry in Singapore is large and highly variegated. It comprises more than 16,000 firms, from micro-enterprises and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to international fashion houses and large department stores, offering consumers access to a wide range of goods and services. This diversity enhances the attractiveness of Singapore to locals and visitors alike as a place to live, work and play. Given its impact on our economy and reputation, it is essential that our retail industry engages in sound business practices. An effective and responsive consumer protection framework helps to provide this check and balance. So, I fully support the amendments to the Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) (Amendment) (CPFTA) Bill tabled today. They are timely changes to strengthen our consumer protection framework by increasing the measures which may be taken against the few egregious players to maintain a high level of trust in our retail sector. The Minister of State for Trade and Industry has explained that it is important for consumers to know their rights and be alert to what unfair trading practices are, to be in a good position to make sound purchasing decisions. Indeed, this principle of "caveat emptor", or "let the buyer beware" must continue as the key plank of our consumer protection framework. To be able to make an informed purchasing decision, consumers need to know their rights as consumers and know what to look out for, including questions to ask the retailer before making a purchase. I was very happy to hear from my resident, Mr Choo Ming Yong, 69 years old. He is an avid photographer who recently bought a camera worth about $3,000.”
“I want to thank the Member for that important question which really brings us back to the big picture. I want to assure all Members that MOE's utmost priority is nurturing Singaporean talent, our own students and the majority of scholarships awarded at the undergraduate level go to Singapore Citizens. International scholarships, as the Member has mentioned, serve to add diversity and intellectual life on campus, providing opportunities for Singaporean students to develop cross-cultural skills exposure, global awareness and also augment our key industries when they graduate and enter the workforce. And if we look around the world, across the various developed countries, the top universities award scholarships for this purpose. Why? To benefit their own local cohort; and in our case, to benefit the Singaporean cohort of students with a cross-cultural diversity and exposure. On the second question, many of these scholars, like I have mentioned, a great majority, have gone on to fulfil their bond obligations and they have gone on to make valuable contributions to their universities, to Singapore and the region. In addition to that, they have also helped in a way to promote a better understanding of ASEAN countries and our region amongst our youths. This is important because it builds up Singapore's connections and friendships with these countries around us, strengthening mutual goodwill and relations.”
“I have updated the House on the various measures that we have taken in the last few years to ensure that we can monitor and track our scholars' abilities to fulfil their bond obligations. We hope to have the Members' understanding that, as you can imagine, this is not just an effort that is within MOE but also coordinating with the universities and also with MOM and ICA. To compile all the data requires a very tight tracking system for it to be very robust. We know that the great majority have, over the last 10 years, served their bonds based on the many calls and surveys that we have done, but for a small minority who cannot be contacted or choose to remain uncontactable, it is not easy to ascertain if they have served their bonds. But this is a system, like I have mentioned, that is improving and we can now ascertain that in the last three years, the default rate is 1%. I have highlighted the various measures that we have taken to address the defaulters and we will continue to build on these efforts.”