Masagos Zulkifli B M M
Singapore
“Coordination between Early Intervention (EI) centres, families and preschools is important for the continuity of support for children with developmental needs.”
“The Taxi Subsidy Scheme supports persons with disabilities (PwDs) who are unable to take public transport, by providing means-tested subsidies to offset the cost of taxi travel to school, work and employment-related training supported by SG Enable.”
“The Skills and Salary Guidelines published by the National Council of Social Service (NCSS) guides social service agencies (SSAs) to pay their employees fair and competitive remuneration and maintain the sector's attractiveness. The Guidelines are adjusted so that salaries remain competitive with comparable roles in competing markets.”
“Staff turnover rates vary across social service agencies (SSAs). An individual's decision to leave an organisation is influenced by a myriad of factors, of which pay is only one.”
“Beyond the requirement of a structured daily programme, community-based SCFA administrators have the flexibility to offer programmes and additional enrichment activities that meet the needs of their students. MSF does not track staff salaries and turnover of SCCs in general nor those that administer SCFA.”
“Male preschool educators comprised about 1% of the early childhood workforce in each of the last five years. The Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) has not issued guidelines pertaining to the rules set by preschool centres specific to the conduct of male preschool educators.”
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“Under SDA, if the trade effluent discharged into the public sewers contains dangerous or hazardous substances, a fine of up to $50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both can be imposed on first-time offenders. For repeat offenders, the maximum fine will be doubled to $100,000. The maximum penalties are further increased to $200,000 or to a jail term not exceeding two years should the illegal discharge cause injury or death to any person or disrupt the water reclamation processes. Similarly, under EPMA, any person who discharges any toxic or hazardous substance into inland water so as to be likely to cause pollution of the environment would be liable to a fine of up to $50,000 or to imprisonment for a term up to 12 months or to both. EPMA also provides for heavier penalties for repeat offenders. Both PUB and NEA also have the powers to require an offender to immediately cease any process or work that produces toxic, dangerous or hazardous substance or trade effluent that contains such substances. The offender may also be ordered by the Court to restore the public sewerage system to its original condition, or ordered by NEA to remove and clean up the toxic substance from the drain or land. We take a serious view of keeping the watercourses and sewers free from pollution and will not hesitate to take enforcement action. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of our regulatory regimes in safeguarding our water resources and review the penalties, if necessary.”
“My Ministry takes any pollution of our water resources very seriously as it directly affects the environment as well as the quality of our water sources. Two-thirds of Singapore are water catchment areas and raw water collected there is meant to be treated into potable water. Meanwhile, the used water collected in our public sewerage system is largely treated and reclaimed for NEWater. To safeguard our water resources and the environment, both the Public Utilities Board (PUB) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) require Written Approvals or Written Permissions to be obtained prior to the discharge of trade effluent into public sewerage systems, or into watercourses and onto land, respectively. As part of the Written Approvals or Written Permissions, companies must comply with the relevant provisions under the Sewerage and Drainage Act (SDA) or Environment Protection and Management Act (EPMA) and their respective regulations when they discharge their trade effluent. These include the requirement to install pre-treatment facilities, to provide sampling test points as well as to comply strictly with the discharge limits for specified substances. Under SDA and EPMA, where trade effluent is discharged into the public sewers without a Written Approval or into drains or land without a Written Permission, the offender could be fined up to $20,000 with a further fine not exceeding $1,000 per day if the offence continues after conviction. Similar penalties apply if the discharge is not in accordance with the conditions of the Written Approval or Permission.”
“The cooperation and support from residents and local stakeholders were crucial in ensuring the success of Phase 1 study. Residents and local stakeholders are encouraged to continue supporting NEA in Phase 2 field study. Residents are also encouraged to continue carrying out mosquito control procedures and the five-step Mozzie Wipeout.”
“The National Environment Agency (NEA) is evaluating the use of male Wolbachia-carrying Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (Wolbachia-Aedes) to further suppress the Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in the community. Phase 1 field study was conducted at three selected sites at Braddell Heights, Tampines West and Nee Soon East from October 2016 to December 2017. The study had met its objectives and demonstrated that the released male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes had successfully competed with urban male mosquitoes and mated with some female mosquitoes. The releases led to 50% suppression of the urban Aedes aegypti mosquito population at the study sites. The field study surfaced two challenges posed by Singapore’s high-density and high-rise landscape. First, NEA discovered that mosquitoes moved from surrounding areas into the study sites, thus reducing the impact of Wolbachia-Aedes in the sites. Second, NEA found higher Aedes aegypti mosquito densities at high floors of some blocks, as insufficient numbers of male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes had reached those floors. To address the high-density and high-rise challenges, NEA is carrying out Phase 2 field study from April 2018 to January 2019. Phase 2 field study will improve the release methodologies to distribute the male Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitoes to where they are needed. NEA will release Wolbachia-Aedes mosquitos at the same Phase 1 study sites at Tampines West and Nee Soon East and their extended areas. Phase 2 field study is an important and necessary step for NEA to refine the release methodologies and address the unique challenges faced due to our urban landscape, in preparation for the subsequent suppression trial. NEA will continue to engage residents and stakeholders.”
“Public Waste Collectors (PWCs) are required to return recycling bins to their designated locations after collection. The National Environment Agency (NEA) conducts spot checks to ensure that recycling bins are at their designated locations. From the second half of 2018, starting with the public waste collection contract for the Pasir Ris-Bedok sector, NEA will introduce a new requirement for PWCs to mark the locations of the recycling bins on the floor. Members of the public who find recycling bins outside the demarcated area should inform NEA, which will then conduct investigations and penalise the respective PWC if they are found liable for the breach. NEA is also conducting a trial using side-loader trucks which have mechanised arms that will empty recycling bins to load recyclables in the truck. As part of this trial, the existing blue recycling bins will be replaced with new bins which are larger and more difficult to move. This will reduce the likelihood of unauthorised movement of the bins. We will continue to monitor the effectiveness of these measures, before deciding if further measures, such as geo-fencing, are necessary.”
“The National Recycling Programme (NRP) was launched in 2001 to complement the efforts of the informal recycling sector. Since then, the National Environment Agency (NEA) has enhanced the NRP to make it more convenient for residents to recycle. For example, from 2011, one blue recycling bin is provided for every Housing and Development Board (HDB) block, an increase from one for every five blocks. These efforts have contributed to an increase in the recyclables collected under NRP, from 25,300 tonnes in 2011 to 44,400 tonnes in 2017. A survey conducted in 2015/2016 also showed that among residents who recycle, nine in 10 use the NRP blue bins. While we have made progress on this front, we can do more to make recycling a part of daily living for all Singaporeans. Our recycling rates have not caught up with our increased consumption and purchasing habits, with Singapore’s domestic recycling rate hovering at around 20% since 2012. We encourage Singaporeans to recycle more and make sustainable living choices so as to lower our carbon footprint. The Government will continue to facilitate recycling. For example, all new HDB developments will provide dual chutes for refuse and recyclables, to make it more convenient for residents to recycle. From 1 April 2018, new non-landed private residential developments taller than four storeys are similarly required to be equipped with dual chutes. We will also require existing condominiums to provide one recycling bin per block from 1 August 2018. Everyone must also play their part to segregate their waste and utilise the recycling facilities provided. More importantly, let us all be gracious and not waste the efforts of our fellow Singaporeans by contaminating recycling bins with food or liquid waste.”
“With the aim to ensure that Singapore remains a home for all, not just for the rich and successful. A Singapore where nobody is left behind and a Singapore which continues to provide opportunities for everyone to realise his dreams. [Applause.] 5.28 pm”
“This spirit of giving, in turn, will encourage us to have the responsibility to develop the community on the basis of the gotong-royong spirit. This was also my message to a group of tertiary students recently at Berita Harian, that is, when they eventually become successful, they should give back and engage the community. At the very least, they can inspire others to succeed as well. This is in line with what I said earlier, whereby, if meritocracy only manages to make us successful, it is an imperfect system because it does not inculcate the desire to give back to society. In line with the coming month of Ramadan, let us renew our pledge to give blessings to all. With that, we can achieve an objective in life that is consistent with the message from Ramli’s song earlier, that is, “to have a life of eternal peace”. Mr Deputy Speaker, our President calls on us to keep Singapore an exceptional nation. Our collaboration will enhance the standing of the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore, from a model minority community into an exceptional minority community just like the Gurkha community whose members are known for their courage in the battlefield and are an exceptional Nepalese minority community. Let us build an exceptional Singaporean Malay/Muslim community in the Southeast Asian Archipelago. (In English): Let me conclude. We are at a key juncture in our nation’s journey. In this journey, we will preserve our place in the world; Singapore must remain exceptional. And we must do so with the Singapore brand of meritocracy, one that is not merely a way to allocate resources but to do so also fairly and effectively. The Singapore brand of meritocracy must remain the means to build a good society, not just one to build a richer society.”
“I think that we have sufficient programmes produced by M3 institutions and their affiliates to assist the community and help it progress, including programmes by the Government. Therefore, we would like M3 to develop and strengthen the respective networks in order to become an effective "last mile": MUIS with our mosques, madrasahs and religious leaders; MENDAKI with its Malay/Muslim affiliate bodies; and MESRA with the professionals and the general public. Moving forward, all their institutions and networks must exist as one ecosystem whereby the three institutions are not only innovative when crafting community programmes, but also help one another by delivering the other institution’s programme as well as Government programmes through their networks, wherever it can be beneficial. If we can overcome the attitude of "Not Invented Here", or not supporting others’ initiatives and guarding our own turf, or worry that our influence will be affected, our community can make more discernable progress. We must make use of our community’s full potential. We are already admired by visitors to Singapore as a model minority community that succeeded because we have been strengthened by Singapore’s system of meritocracy. It will be unfortunate if we only create a community that is prosperous only in terms of wealth. Let us listen to the lyrics of a song by Malay rock legend Ramli Sarip titled “I Seek Eternal Peace” from his album, Sadaqa. I will not sing it of course. His lyrics are: “I do not seek abundant wealth To live like a rich man I do not seek millions of dollars To live lavishly I do not seek friends To live a life of indulgence” Our prosperity should also make our community feel so grateful that they are moved to have the spirit of giving.”
“The following story illustrates this example very clearly. Mdm S is a resident in my constituency. Her family faced difficulties when her husband was detained for drug offences. They have just sold their house. The rules state that she is not allowed to rent a home. She cannot purchase a new house because the CPF amount is in her husband’s account. When grassroots volunteers knew about her situation, we hastened to get help for her. Clearly, there are many available programmes to help her. The main one is getting the attention of the Social Service Office (SSO) and HDB. The Family Service Centre of the Singapore Buddhist Lodge Vision also provided counselling as she began to have depression. They referred her to opportunities to undergo training and, with this support, she started work even though she never had a job before this. Mdm S and her children were also helped by the Muslimin Trust Fund Association (MTFA), the Harun Ghani Education Fund and MENDAKI’s Weekend Tuition Scheme. As she was very determined to be self-reliant, there were times when she was willing to do several jobs. Her life journey was full of challenges, but her family stayed together. Her husband has been released and returned to their family. Her husband now works as a driver and they have moved to a 3-room flat. The most wonderful thing was that her three children are now studying in Polytechnics. Because volunteers managed to get in touch with Mdm S early and society quickly supported her and accompanied her in her difficult journey, her family was able to rise up again. Mr Deputy Speaker, this shows the importance of last-mile service delivery. That is why it should be developed and strengthened.”
“Firstly, we will continue to strengthen MUIS, MENDAKI and MESRA – or the power of M3 – with the best manpower and standards. These three institutions are highly valuable assets to the community and the cornerstone of the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore. Although M3 comprises different institutions – MUIS as a statutory body, MENDAKI as a self-help group and MESRA as a part of the People’s Association – our system of meritocracy enables us to strengthen M3 with the best officers. Meritocracy also ensures that renewal can be done if some parts are less than outstanding. In addition, professionals at M3 should be able to and know how to have synergy and solidarity when working with one another. M3 has to drive efforts with the same aim and direction towards achieving progress for the Malay/Muslim community. Second, since the effort to drive M3 to overcome the community’s challenges is a heavy one, we, the officeholder MPs – that is, myself, Senior Minister of State Dr Mohamad Maliki, Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim and Senior Parliamentary Secretary Amrin Amin – will work together as one united team. I will ask them to lead various initiatives and mobilise other partners. As the first step, I am appointing Minister of State Zaqy Mohamad as the Vice-Chairman of MENDAKI. We will work with the same alignment. As the African proverb goes, we realise that if we wish to run fast, then run alone. But if we wish to run far, let us run together. Third, M3 will further strengthen their respective networks. There are many innovative programmes being done by the organisations within M3. However, one weakness that should be addressed is the issue of last-mile service delivery.”
“Firstly, for Malay grassroots volunteers to strive to build a wider and deeper relationship with various segments of the Malay community. Soon, MESRA will have a community focus at Wisma Geylang Serai (WGS) under the leadership of Senior Minister of State Dr Mohamad Maliki which will be sustained for the benefit of the community. The other MESRA advisors – Senior Parliamentary Secretary Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, Senior Parliamentary Secretary Amrin Amin and Ms Rahayu Mahzam – have already started several innovative pilot programmes that involve professionals in new fields like health, legal and education. This clearly proved to be attractive to new segments of our community. We will increase such programmes and implement them in more residential areas as well as at the MESRA Centre in WGS. Second, we will strengthen the ranks of good calibre leadership in MESRA. I am grateful that several professionals who are outstanding in their respective fields have answered our call to work together to help our community continue its progress. With this, I am heartened to announce the establishment of the People’s Association Advisory Council of MESRA comprising seven advisors, MESRA’s highest Exco and those professional members. We will work together to involve more professionals in order to give better service and contributions to the community in MESRA’s activities. This is the best outcome of meritocracy in the Malay/Muslim community, whereby our outstanding professionals who have succeeded return to give back to the community. Mr Deputy Speaker, looking ahead, three main thrusts will be emphasised in our continuing effort to strengthen our community.”
“This is because dysfunctional families would not just prevent our children from reaching their potential, but they will also be more likely to be involved in crime and drug abuse. Since economic disruption can make a university degree to become invaluable or a particular skill to become unwanted in the blink of an eye, MENDAKI has also been busy thinking of ways for our community to live a culture of lifelong learning quickly and ready for change in terms of skills enhancement for the new economy, as well as grab opportunities that will come. The third problem is the impact of extremism from foreign religious influences. It is not limited to just terrorism, because extreme behaviour have started to have links to exclusive behaviour, which can cause the Muslim community to isolate itself from the wider society. To a certain extent, it has already impeded the pace of integration between communities. In facing those challenges, MESRA can also play an important role to ensure that our community remains in the mainstream. MESRA can play a proactive role so that our community has many opportunities to interact with all races in our daily lives and not just in school or at work. This was how Singapore developed an integrated and harmonious society that interacts well with each other despite having different religions and cultures. At the same time, all of us know that the rights and responsibilities of our fellow citizens are not different at all. This is what makes us a cohesive society. Therefore, MESRA must extend its reach so that it does not just focus on the language and cultural segment of the community. I would like MESRA to be further strengthened in order to achieve two major objectives.”
“We will strive to ensure that our local religious teachers are equally competent and as good as foreign religious preachers who may appear more glamorous. This is because the religious message must be effective and relevant to life in Singapore and should not merely be appealing to the listener. Therefore, we must ensure that the Asatizah Recognition Scheme (ARS) continue to strengthen and be led by the Mufti’s Office and supported by our religious teachers, to accredit religious teachers so that teachings are conducted in line with Singapore’s way of life and context, without compromising basic Islamic values. The second challenge is the economic disruptions that have become more frequent. The world is facing many uncertainties economically, socially and politically. These happen near and far. Challenges arise with the expansion of the economies of Asia and our region. Our current position as well as regional countries have changed and we are being challenged to the extent that they have morphed into our closest competitors. New technological disruptions will be more competitive and impactful, whether they come in the form of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics or the digital economy. Our population is ageing further. Jobs disappear quickly and yesterday’s skills are not needed tomorrow. On this aspect, MENDAKI can play an important role by tweaking its programmes. For students, MENDAKI will continue to ensure that they possess basic education and strengthen those with potential, as early as preschool. Therefore, MENDAKI will also collaborate with Government agencies and other Malay/Muslim bodies to focus on factors that cause our children’s education to be interrupted, especially when their families’ lives are disrupted.”
“This is an increase from over 7% of the total population in 1980 to more than 32% in 2015. The household income of Malays also increased six fold within 35 years, from 1980 to 2015. Perhaps, there are those who always criticise these achievements because it is seen to be lagging behind other communities. But I feel pride instead because our achievements today are proof that we can succeed by making an effort and not by submitting ourselves to fate or being dependent on assistance. This is even more so when we look at the potential of the current cohort. We are the products of the system of meritocracy that does not side with any particular race or social status. Therefore, to those who succeed and gained everyone’s confidence, our achievements are genuine. In fact, the expertise of the Malays are recognised everywhere we work, because our passports are viewed the same way, it is as red as all others and as valuable. Mr Deputy Speaker, we cannot afford to just be proud of today’s achievements and rest on our laurels. This is because there are three external factors that challenge us and we must overcome. Otherwise, these factors will impede our community’s progress in the future. Firstly, the external elements that attempt to transform and influence how we lead our religious lives here. To a certain extent, these elements have managed to erode our religious and cultural values as Malay/Muslims in this Archipelago as well as our Malay heritage that we should be proud of. These elements can also divide our community and even members of our families. Here, the role of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (MUIS) in supporting the socio-religious life of local Muslims and interaction with Singapore’s multi-religious society, is an important one.”
“] Mr Deputy Speaker, please allow me to put on record our highest appreciation to Dr Yaacob Ibrahim for his outstanding contributions as the Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs for 16 years. We have truly benefited from his leadership during his tenure. Mr Deputy Speaker, meritocracy has done much to shape the identity of the Malay/Muslim community in Singapore. Although our community has retained our religious beliefs and safeguarded the social values and graces of the Malays, it is meritocracy that gave us unique characteristics. The main impact of meritocracy is that we have shifted from a feudal society that emphasises rank, titles and wealth that can be inherited, into a community that values someone in terms of educational achievement and career. We have become a community that builds hopes and dreams for the future because it opens the possibility of a better life. We do not simply submit to fate. After 50 years of Independence, Singapore’s brand of meritocracy has resulted in achievements that our community can be proud of. The evidence is this: in 1980, only 2.3% of Malay residents attained post-secondary education and above. However, this figure increased steadily to almost 40% of Malay residents in 2015. This is the total figure comprising both the young and old. If we look at today’s cohort, only 1% of Malay children do not complete 10 years of schooling and 94% of them attained post-Secondary education. At the University level, we have seen more Malays achieving First Class Honours each year. This is something to be proud of. They are our community’s latest assets and will become the stepping stone towards ensuring our future remains bright. In the job market, we see more Malays in administration, managerial, professional and technical (PMET) jobs.”
“As Deputy Prime Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam once put it, "multiple peaks of excellence". And if I may add, "many chances of success". Second, our policies must enable self-reliance by supporting and encouraging work. We must provide all Singaporeans with the opportunity to work and do well for themselves and their families, regardless of where they are within our system of meritocracy at that point of time. This empowers individuals and families and strengthens dignity and purpose. But the Government cannot stop there. It has already recognised that the workforce must be ready for future opportunities, as their current skills could become redundant. We are investing in SkillsFuture to support the lifelong development of skills and knowledge, and ITMs to enable our workforce to seize opportunities in the future economy, a future that, as former Minister Lim Swee Say observed, will see workers transit "from one job in one career" to "many jobs in many careers". This will also ensure that our meritocracy does not become a static snapshot, but a dynamic one where everyone has the opportunity to reap success throughout his life journey. This recognises that potential is not just realised in school and provides the opportunity for late bloomers to realise new dreams at different stages of their lives. Ultimately, it is trust between citizens and institutions that will strengthen the Singapore brand of meritocracy. To kindle this virtuous cycle, the Government must deliver on our policies and continue to actively and openly engage, except in matters that are sensitive, involving issues of security or commerce. Mr Deputy Speaker, allow me to continue in Malay. (In Malay): [Please refer to Vernacular Speech.”
“Indeed, we are one of the few cities in the world where parents have no qualms putting their children through pre-schools and Primary and Secondary schools where they live. That is part of our brand of meritocracy. Investing in quality education is our way of ensuring a fair and good start to our children's journey, whatever their background. While some have the means to go overseas for studies, every Singaporean has the chance to receive a quality education at home. Everyone knows that their degrees and diplomas from our local institutions carry with them a world-class reputation. Mr Deputy Speaker, my work at Singtel and in Public Service has taken me across the world. In every city, there are areas where the rich and successful live, with schools where only the wealthy and connected can afford to send their children to. And then, there are the areas which visitors are advised to avoid, typically where the low-income or new immigrants gather. Even when rich and poor neighbourhoods exist side by side, their inhabitants never cross paths. I am not talking of developing nations but of rich and wealthy ones. That is a failure of meritocracy that we have avoided and must never allow to take shape in our future. Let me move on to the third ingredient. The Singapore brand of meritocracy must ensure that nobody is left behind. How can Government policies achieve this? First, Government policies have to act as enablers, as ladders and bridges, to provide a fair chance for everyone to move up in society, not only across families of jobs, but also over time. The Government must, therefore, not allow meritocracy to reward narrowly, but instead broaden and make alternative routes available.”
“Our most basic rental housing must, therefore, continue to provide tenants with a decent home. That is also why as the Government shapes our future urban landscape, it must distribute rental housing across the island and mix public and private housing more deliberately. This will ensure that the most needy among us, who have not done well yet in our meritocracy, are not deprived of access to good quality public facilities. The successful and yet-to-be successful will live equally far or near to new nodes of economic activity in Jurong and Punggol, to hawker centres, eldercare facilities and schools. Every Singaporean must play our role – resist the "not in my backyard" tendency to shove critical but undesirable facilities like funeral parlours behind rental blocks. Another quality common space is schools. We must continue to provide the best teachers and educational resources to our heartland schools and maintain our motto of "Every School a Good School". Members may smirk at the mention of this motto. But it is a serious matter to remind ourselves to be thankful that we do not have a bifurcation where the elites send their children to expensive, private schools and the rest to poorly resourced ones. In fact, many of our best students in national examinations come from our heartland schools. Our education policies must enable every Singaporean to pursue their aspirations and realise their potential, regardless of their family background, including those with special needs. Since Independence, our policies have attempted to equalise the opportunities for each generation, even as we know that we can never equalise outcomes.”
“We are fortunate to have good people who decided on a Public Service career, rather than more lucrative fields, because the Public Service offers them greater meaning. And society has been the better for it because the best of our Civil Service know, as President Bush Senior put it, and I quote, "There is but one just use of power, and it is to serve people". Whether the outcome of meritocracy is the accumulation of wealth or authority, it will only function morally when those who are rewarded find ways to benefit others and help others succeed too. This is how we can narrow our social distance, even as we improve the Gini coefficient. It is, as Bernanke puts it, "The only way for even a putative meritocracy to hope to pass ethical muster, to be considered fair, is if those who are the luckiest in all of those respects also have the greatest responsibility to work hard, to contribute to the betterment of the world and to share their luck with others." Mr Deputy Speaker, let me now talk about common spaces and experiences as one feature of Singapore's brand of meritocracy. No other country or city shares common spaces like Singapore. We live together in shared neighbourhoods, eat at the same hawker centres, exercise in the same parks and waterways, and bring our children to the same libraries to read. This is special. We must preserve this to ensure that every Singaporean has a stake in and a shared ownership of Singapore. We do this so that there are places and spaces where our community can come together, regardless of race, language or religion, to enable daily interactions in as many ways as possible. But these common spaces are even more meaningful because they guarantee common access to quality public facilities and infrastructure for all.”
“This was even after he had retired from active volunteering to take a deserved break. This spirit also lives on in Mr Mohamed Abdul Jaleel, who recently launched the S M Jaleel Foundation. And in the philanthropic families of the late Dr Lee Kong Chian and Syed Omar Aljunied. We, too, are successful in our own ways. Share our time, talents and treasures with those in need. As employers, uplift wages of our employees. As colleagues, support those with care-giving responsibilities. Everybody can join the SG Cares movement to play a part and give back. Be kind to our fellow Singaporeans in their daily lives. The question is: will the new generation in Singapore, some of whom will become very wealthy in record time in new areas, such as tech, have the same spirit of giving as our Pioneers? And will the children of our new well-heeled, who have access to the best education in the world, still give time to help uplift the rest of us? What is clear, though, is that only when the successful give back will society accept, rather than envy, their success. And that is because success that benefits others is success which we all can be grateful for. This is how meritocracy can be moral and not just a method of allocating resources: when the successful demonstrate a sense of duty to society, when the successful share the fruits of success with others, instead of hoarding the gains for themselves. This is, indeed, why our Public Service model succeeds. Our most capable are awarded with prestigious scholarships – no small sums from public coffers – to pursue their education at the best universities all over the world. Because they dedicate their best to Public Service, everyone in society benefits.”
“I quote from an address entitled "The Ten Suggestions" at Princeton University in 2013 by then-US Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke: "A meritocracy is a system in which the people who are the luckiest in their health and genetic endowment; luckiest in terms of family support, encouragement and probably income; luckiest in their educational and career opportunities; and luckiest in so many other ways difficult to enumerate – these are the folks who reap the largest rewards." It is tempting for those who have succeeded to attribute their success solely to their own capabilities and efforts. There is even a term in psychology for this: "attribution bias". However, if we are successful, we should realise how lucky we are and not forget the support society has given us: a good education, a safe and secure environment and the mental and emotional support. Remember to give back. In our meritocratic society, we must ensure that the spirit of giving back is most apparent in the successful. This starts at home. I read in a Dads-for-Life article where Mr Gerard Ee related how his father, the late Dr Ee Peng Liang and Singapore's father of charity, "transmitted good values through word and action". The Ee family lived in a lower income neighbourhood at Geylang Lorong 13, and Senior Ee organised annual toy-giveaways at his home for children in the neighbourhood. Junior Ee and his brothers were in charge of packing the toys. And while this happened 50 years ago, Gerard still remembers how the children so looked forward to receiving the toys. Gerard continues his father's spirit of giving back. He served as Chairman of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) from 2005 to 2012, having responded to a call to help NKF get back on its feet.”
“Over time, the marginalised will lose trust in institutions and others in the community. At the root of it is this: it does get harder for them to succeed and, eventually, it becomes impossible. Slowly and quietly, society will break up from within. When that happens, we will not be able to overcome together to face challenges that call for national unity. Indeed, we have seen worrying consequences of rising social inequality overseas. "Drain the swamp" was a key slogan in the last US election. As Americans found social mobility hindered, the American Dream – to be middle-income, to own a home and to raise a family – was no longer within grasp for some. It consequently saw the US retreat from free trade in a bid to revive the American Dream, an economic nuclear option which does not address the domestic causes of the problem. Some in Europe are turning towards extreme right-wing parties amidst anxieties over immigration, at a time when the struggling masses feel the squeeze for resources and space and their lack of progress. Asian countries have not been spared either. The same could easily happen in Singapore. That is why we must grow a Singapore brand of meritocracy. We must balance our economic and social policies. We cannot drive our economic policies on fierce pursuit of economic gains; but neither can we design our social policies with bleeding hearts. Singapore's brand of meritocracy is characterised by three ingredients: first, the successful giving back to society; second, common spaces and experiences for all Singaporeans; and third, support from the Government. Mr Deputy Speaker, meritocracy can only be moral when those who take the most from the system also put back the most.”
“Deputy Speaker, Sir, thank you for the opportunity to participate in the debate. I support the Motion. We are living in exciting times in a region full of challenges. I am confident that Singapore will be able to handle these challenges, harness these opportunities and thrive. Or as the President has put it, Singapore will remain exceptional. In the same way, we became exceptional at dealing with our water challenges through perserverance and innovation, even creating new jobs and exporting solutions abroad. As we forge ahead, we must hold on to the sound principles that have guided us in our journey thus far. One of these is meritocracy which, I believe, is important for us to revisit once in a while. In fact, it would not be wrong to say this was one of the values upon which Independent Singapore was founded, powerful ideal which Mr Lee Kuan Yew and our Pioneer leaders believed in. What is meritocracy? At its core, meritocracy is a principle of allocation. Allocation of resources, allocation of opportunities and allocation of rewards. A society founded on meritocracy makes these allocations based on capabilities and efforts, not on race, not on gender, not on your family connections. When working properly, it is the fairest allocation system imaginable. But meritocracy is not a perfect system and does not always work properly, especially when it is a narrow and brittle one; one which only focuses on outcome or engenders ruthless competition, at the expense of cooperation; or one where those who have more at the starting line monopolise success over generations. Over time, this will increase inequality and polarise society into the "haves" and "have-nots" – distinct groups living different lives in different worlds.”
“Beyond providing affordable and good food, our hawker centres are important community spaces that bring together people from all walks of life and help to strengthen the bonds of our multiracial society. In 2015, we announced that we would build 20 new hawker centres by 2027. Since then, seven new modern hawker centres have opened. Our Hawker Centre 3.0 initiatives are aimed at ensuring the viability, vitality and continuity of the hawker trade. We are extending productivity initiatives, such as the automated tray return systems and centralised dishwashing services, to more hawker centres. We will continue to invest in developing and enhancing our hawker centres to ensure that future generations continue to enjoy our unique and vibrant hawker culture. Our Pioneers have laid a solid foundation and left us this wonderful City in a Garden. We will work together to build on their precious legacy, and leave our children with a smart, green and liveable home.”
“As part of the Environmental Services Industry Transformation Map to ensure a vibrant, sustainable and professional cleaning and waste management industry, we are embracing the use of automation, robotics and data analytics to enhance productivity in the industry. Besides new public housing estates, the pneumatic waste conveyance systems are being implemented in new private residential developments with at least 500 dwelling units. Increasingly, we will use technology to remotely manage waste collection, and robotics to sort recyclables at materials recovery facilities. The use of autonomous cleaning equipment will free workers to focus on higher value work. The future of delivering environmental services will provide an exciting array of green jobs for our people. As we strive to build a liveable and sustainable Singapore, we will continue to integrate and transform our blue and green spaces. Through the Active, Beautiful, Clean (ABC) Waters programme, we will continue to turn concrete drains, canals and reservoirs into vibrant and beautiful rivers, streams and lakes. Over the next few years, ABC Waters projects at locations, such as the Jurong Lake and Sungei Whampoa, will be completed. While the Government will continue to strengthen our regulatory regime to safeguard our environment and public health, creating a liveable and endearing home ultimately depends on everyone taking ownership of our environment. Through the Sustainable Singapore movement, we will continue to rally Singaporeans, the larger community and industry partners to realise this shared vision. Our hawker centres are an important hub for social interaction and an integral part of our daily life and national identity.”
“The upcoming Tuas Water Reclamation Plant and the Integrated Waste Management Facility, the first in the world, will be our signature innovation platform to reap synergies from the water-energy-waste nexus. Effluent water from wastewater treatment will be used for cooling waste incineration equipment; food waste will be co-digested with used water sludge to enhance biogas production to increase the overall plant thermal efficiency. Integrating the facilities will reduce carbon emissions by more than 200,000 tonnes annually. We are stepping up research and development and improving resource efficiency. For instance, the Waste-to-Energy Research Facility, the first of its kind in Singapore, will enable the transition of emerging technologies, such as turning waste and biomass into synthetic gas, from research into demonstration and test-bedding projects. To enhance energy efficiency in water treatment, we are leading research in technologies, such as anaerobic membrane bioreactors for used water treatment, and electro-deionisation and biomimicry for desalinated water. To expand the use of solar energy, we are tapping reservoir surface space and piloting a floating solar system at Tengeh Reservoir. To better serve the public, we are leveraging smart technologies, such as sensors and other digital technologies. As part of our Smart Water Grid, we have set up 320 sensor stations island-wide to monitor 5,500 kilometres of water distribution pipe network real-time. We are conducting trials on the Automated Meter Reading system to provide timely water consumption data to help households save water. We will provide opportunities for technology collaboration and adaptation across the environmental services industry.”
“We will also deepen our local research capabilities on climate science and weather through the Centre for Climate Research Singapore. Using resources efficiently is critical to reducing emissions, limiting pollution and strengthening Singapore’s economic resilience. We will strive to become a Zero Waste nation and extract greater value from waste as a resource, so as to achieve our vision of a circular economy. Just as we have closed the water loop by recycling water endlessly, we should similarly strive towards closing the waste loop. The Government will take the lead by developing infrastructure and frameworks, such as the Extended Producer Responsibility framework to enhance recycling and manage electrical and electronic waste. We are implementing mandatory reporting of packaging data and packaging waste reduction plans by 2021 and supporting the wider use of onsite food waste digesters at commercial premises and hawker centres. We are working towards the reuse of incineration bottom ash to extend the lifespan of Semakau Landfill. At the same time, we need to kindle in Singaporeans a national consciousness towards the environment, where everyone takes individual and collective responsibility and plays a part through practising sustainable consumption and recycling at home. As our population and economy grow, the demands on our infrastructure will increase, even as our manpower and resource constraints tighten. We must transform our environmental services industry and workforce through technology and innovation to support our move towards greater carbon and resource efficiency.”
“Since Independence, we have pursued our vision of a liveable and sustainable Singapore, balancing environmental protection and economic growth. Today, we enjoy a clean environment, flowing taps and vibrant green and blue spaces. The Ministry of the Environment and Water Resources (MEWR) will build on the legacy of our Pioneers and stay true to their spirit of innovation, as we tackle the effects of climate change and current environmental challenges. Climate change is a global concern. As a low-lying island state, Singapore is especially vulnerable to its impact. We will continue to advocate for and contribute to global climate action. We will undertake our Voluntary National Review of the Sustainable Development Goals at the United Nations in July 2018. To rally the region, we will organise the Special Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Ministerial Meeting on Climate Action (SAMCA) and Expanded SAMCA (E-SAMCA) in July 2018. The 2016 Climate Action Plan sets out our adaptation measures to build Singapore’s resilience to climate change, and our mitigation measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in every sector. The carbon tax, which takes effect from 2019, will provide an economy-wide price signal to spur emissions reduction. In this Year of Climate Action and beyond, we will encourage and support businesses and communities to reduce our carbon footprint and promote sustainable living and working. We will continue to invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as enhancing stormwater management systems and diversifying our water supply with more desalination and NEWater plants. In tandem, we are pursuing better management of our water demand.”
“Thank you. [(proc text) Question put, and agreed to. (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill accordingly read a Second time and committed to a Committee of the whole House. (proc text)] [(proc text) The House immediately resolved itself into a Committee on the Bill. – [Mr Masagos Zulkifli B M M.] (proc text)] [(proc text) Bill considered in Committee; reported without amendment; read a Third time and passed. (proc text)]”
“Our climate scientists are also plugged into relevant global scientific forums that develop climate change projections. Our adaptation measures are reviewed whenever there are new findings. Lastly, Asst Prof Mahdev Mohan also asked about our position in the development of the Paris Rulebook, given the positions taken by the EU and China. As one would expect in a multilateral framework, negotiations are complex. Publicised positions may be transitional and do not reflect the landing points. Singapore participates actively in these negotiations to get countries to focus on a fair and consistent implementation of their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), what they commit to reduce and mitigate GHG emissions. At the end of the day, for the Paris Agreement to work, all countries must meet their commitments that they have committed to. We will continue to participate actively to this end. Indeed, Singapore’s active involvement in previous rounds had been impactful. Singapore was the advocate for the very concept of the NDC and worked with other like-minded countries to get it adopted by UNFCCC under the Paris Agreement. We must continue to be active and impactful because climate change is an existential issue for Singapore. Mr Deputy Speaker, let me conclude. The carbon tax has been deliberated carefully and extensively within the Government. We have also made a concerted effort to consult and engage the industry. The Bill is an important step forward, not only in encouraging industry to do their part for the climate, but also in readying our economy and strengthening our competitiveness as the world transitions to a low-carbon economy. Companies ignore these realities at their peril. Therefore, I call on Members of the House to give their support to this Bill.”
“The Energy Market Authority (EMA) and Singapore Power launched the Energy Storage System testbed in 2016 to better understand the feasibility of deploying grid-level energy storage technologies locally. Last October, EMA also awarded a S$6.2 million research grant to develop our solar forecasting capabilities. I assure Mr Louis Ng that the Government will continue to support and invest in such R&D efforts. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked about the impact on the refining sector in Singapore. In my interactions with our refinery companies, I have been impressed by their bold and transformational moves. Since 2000, ExxonMobil has spent about US$8 billion to develop low-carbon technologies and are a global leader in carbon capture and storage technology. In Singapore, I officiated the opening of their third co-generation plant which improved the refinery’s EE by 4% to 5% and reduces their carbon emissions by 265,000 tonnes. Similarly, Shell has been reaching into the next energy frontier with renewables and hydrogen. They intend to increase their spending in their new energies business arm to about US$1 billion to US$2 billion per year until 2020. These oil giants are showing us the way by taking destiny in their own hands and transforming earlier, rather than later, to stay competitive and maintain their lead in the low-carbon global economy. Mr Leon Perera asked whether we regularly measure our climate change resilience. We do. To ensure that Singapore is well-prepared for climate change, we have set up an interagency Resilience Working Group (RWG) that is responsible for studying and monitoring Singapore’s vulnerabilities to the effects of climate change, such as sea level rise, and developing appropriate response measures.”
“Beyond financial support, the Government will also grow the wider industrial EE ecosystem in Singapore to develop greater expertise in the energy services sector. Initiatives include engaging Institutes of Higher Learning (IHLs) to train and upskill energy services professionals, and working with professional bodies, such as the Institution of Engineers Singapore to develop Chartered Engineer certification for EE professionals. At the same time, NEA officers have been and will continue to engage the companies to help them to identify areas for EE improvements. Besides driving EE improvement, the carbon tax will help spur investment in and take-up of low-carbon solutions. Ms Thanaletchimi asked if the Government can provide incentives for companies to adopt renewable energy sources. The Government’s policy is to ensure that energy, regardless of source of generation, is correctly priced to fully reflect the cost of generation and let the market work out the equilibrium. Instead of providing subsidies, what we have done is to invest in the R&D of renewable, clean energy technologies. We set up the Solar Energy Research Institute of Singapore (SERIS) in 2008 to conduct R&D on solar technologies. One of its projects is a collaboration with the Renewable Energy Corporation (REC) Group to develop high-performance solar cells, which I understand, is among the world’s highest-performing solar cells. We are also studying the deployment of solar panels beyond our rooftops onto our water bodies. In 2016, the Public Utilities Board (PUB) launched the largest testbed at Tengeh Reservoir. Addressing intermittency issues and ensuring grid stability are important as we increase solar deployment.”
“This will reduce their emissions significantly by more than 400,000 tonnes, when completed in 2019. Another role model is Chevron Oronite Pte Ltd which has consistently achieved EE improvement rates above the industry average. To improve EE, it installed a boiler system to recover waste heat from its thermal-oxidiser for steam generation. It also installed a mechanical vapour recompression system to lower the energy use of its new manufacturing unit. These projects have resulted in energy savings of S$1.8 million and carbon abatement of 4,800 tonnes each year. Members have asked what the Government is doing to support companies in this transition to a low-carbon future. The Government is prepared to spend more than the estimated S$1 billion in carbon tax revenue that will be collected in the first five years, on worthwhile carbon abatement projects. Existing EE incentive schemes, such as PG (EE) and E2F will be enhanced. Enhanced support will also be extended to SMEs to encourage them to improve their EE, including basic measures, such as upgrading to more efficient lighting. More support will go to projects that achieve greater emissions abatement, beyond basic enhancements. Mr Leon Perera has asked whether part of the revenue from the carbon tax will be used to provide loans to companies. EDB has been piloting an EE Financing Programme whereby companies that are not able to afford the upfront costs of EE projects can apply for loans through a third-party financier. The potential benefits of such a programme are that industrial facilities will not have to pay for the upfront costs of these projects but can still enjoy part of the energy savings. Part of the risk is transferred to the third-party financier.”
“As Members have highlighted, a key reason for the carbon tax is to encourage our companies to transform and ready themselves for the low-carbon economy. To achieve this, I agree with Er Dr Lee Bee Wah that we must be more ambitious and bolder in improving EE. Many developed countries are achieving an EE improvement rate of 1% to 2% per year. We must do just as well. The industrial sector, which accounts for about 60% of Singapore’s GHG emissions, has been a key focus of our efforts. Last year, we amended the ECA to enhance the frameworks and tools to support companies’ EE improvement. One new requirement is for new industrial facilities and major expansion projects to undergo reviews at the design phase to identify and incorporate EE opportunities at the start of the project, thereby avoiding more expensive retrofitting and operational disruption later on. This year, we are moving the CP Bill to provide the added motivation – the motor fuel if you like – to spur companies to actively pursue emissions reduction. The Government has been providing support to continue to improve EE and many have forged ahead. Let me just share two stories. Globalfoundries, a semiconductor company, has been innovating and investing in new technologies to improve EE and reduce emissions. For example, it redesigned the combustion chamber in its thermal abatement units and reduced its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) consumption by 31%. This resulted in annual cost savings of about S$260,000 and an annual carbon abatement of about 640 tonnes. With further support from the Government, Globalfoundries is working to replace a process chamber cleaning gas that has high global warming potential with one that has no global warming potential.”
“I would like to clarify that we already track and publish the improvements in energy consumption per dollar GDP from 2005 levels in the Budget Book. We also regularly report our emissions to the UNFCCC and will continue to do so. And these are all publicly available. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah and Mr Henry Kwek spoke about the impact of the carbon tax on households. This is expected to be small, at about 1% of total electricity and gas expenses, on average. As the Minister for Finance announced at Budget 2018, eligible HDB households will receive additional U-Save rebates of S$20 per year, from 2019 to 2021. On average, the additional U-Save rebates will cover the expected increase in electricity and gas expenses arising from the carbon tax. This will help HDB households to adjust to the carbon tax, as they reduce their utilities consumption over time. We will assess the impact of the carbon tax at a later stage and review the need to extend these rebates. More importantly, we want to encourage energy-saving habits among households on a sustained basis. We are working with the community on a Lamp Replacement Programme to assist 1- and 2-room HDB households to replace their lamps with more energy-efficient Light Emitting Diode (LED) ones. NEA will also be organising an Energy Savings Challenge this year to raise awareness on energy conservation. I would also like to assure Ms Thanaletchimi and Ms Rahayu Mahzam that Government agencies will work closely with the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) and the Competition Commission of Singapore (CCS) to monitor the market for unfair pricing and coordinated price hikes which are anti-competitive. CASE will look into feedback of any alleged profiteering.”
“It is a complex endeavour, as Ms Rahayu Mahzam has pointed out, and we are still studying the feasibility. We will need to build up key capabilities both in the Government and companies. We, therefore, decided to introduce the Fixed-Price Credit-Based (FPCB) system as this will put in place the key building blocks should we decide to link our market to other jurisdictions in the longer term. We will continue to monitor international developments and consult companies. Mr Louis Ng asked about the FPCB mechanism. Companies can buy credits from NEA at a fixed price throughout the year but must surrender credits equivalent to their preceding year's tax liability by 30 September. There is no expiry date on the credits in this initial phase. Nevertheless, companies have told us that they are likely to buy the required credits only after they receive the notice of tax assessment, so as not to tie up their liquidity. Hence, the scenario whereby companies operate their plants in a less efficient manner in order to, as Mr Louis Ng has stated, "use up unused credits", is highly unlikely. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah and Mr Leon Perera also asked if the Government will share the data from the emissions reports, and Ms Thanaletchimi asked about the measures we have to ensure data security. As the emissions reports contain commercially-sensitive information, they will not be shared publicly. We have strict provisions in the Bill to ensure the confidentiality and security of the data reported. That said, I note that the Members are concerned about tracking the effectiveness of our policies in lowering our energy consumption and efficiency, and emissions.”
“Our review will take into account international climate change developments, our progress towards our climate pledge and our economic competitiveness. As highlighted by Mr Henry Kwek and Ms Rahayu Mahzam, we are mindful of the need to manage compliance costs, which was also a key feedback from companies. We have done the following. Firstly, we have built on existing MRV requirements that we have set out in the ECA which companies are already familiar with. These requirements take reference from international standards like the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) and GHG Protocols, which are used by many companies for corporate sustainability reporting. This approach streamlines requirements and aligns with international practices. Second, we have identified a list of excluded emissions so that companies need not incur disproportionately high costs to measure and report these small emissions sources. Third, NEA is actively growing the pool of third-party verifiers in Singapore to ensure that companies can access competitive offerings. NEA has been organising briefings to familiarise companies with the new MRV requirements and carbon tax obligations and will continue to help companies build up their capability. The detailed MRV requirements will be made publicly available. Ms Rahayu Mahzam also asked if there is a plan to move towards an emissions trading scheme (ETS) in the future. For a small domestic market like Singapore, a carbon tax could achieve the same objective as an ETS in a simpler way. It provides greater price certainty and stability. Nonetheless, we recognise that there may be benefits in linking our market with other jurisdictions in the longer term.”
“It works in tandem with the comprehensive mitigation measures that we have developed to reduce emissions and meet our obligations under the Paris Agreement. This package has been carefully designed, taking into consideration our international competitiveness as well as our pledge, and will be reviewed regularly. Our initial carbon tax level of S$5 per tonne cannot be directly compared with that of other jurisdictions. While they may have higher headline carbon prices, they often give significant exemptions to particular sectors and companies. These effectively pay a lower carbon price than the published rate. Rather than imposing differing tax levels on different sectors and companies, we have opted for a simple and transparent carbon tax with no exemptions. This maintains a fair and consistent price signal to incentivise emissions reduction across the entire economy. I also want to assure the House that we are mindful of our international competitiveness when introducing this tax, given that we are an export-oriented economy, as highlighted by Mr Henry Kwek and Ms K Thanaletchimi. Together with MTI, the Economic Development Board (EDB) and NCCS, my Ministry and NEA have consulted companies extensively over the past year on the design of our carbon tax framework. Whilst companies understood the need to price carbon, they asked for a transition period to adjust to the impact of the tax. This is why we are starting with S$5 per tonne for the first five years; companies will have time to adjust, for example, by upgrading to more energy-efficient equipment. In response to Mr Gan Thiam Poh, the Minister for Finance has said that we will, in fact, review the carbon tax rate by 2023. We intend to increase the level to S$10 to S$15 per tonne of GHG emissions by 2030.”
“Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to thank Members for their support and comments on the CP Bill. Last week, The Business Times published an article entitled "A powerful, effective strategy to combat climate change" which featured the views of top executives of companies and professional associations on the carbon tax. I was heartened by their strong support for the carbon tax. Many executives recognised that pursuing environmental sustainability and economic growth are not a matter of tradeoffs, but a strategy to stay competitive; they can do good and do well at the same time. Mr Paul Henaghan, Vice President from Dell DMC, noted, and I quote, "Industries need to look beyond the perceived economic loss from taxation and recognise that it ultimately contributes to the long-term prosperity of companies". Mr Damien Dhellemmes, Country President of Schneider Electric Singapore, said and I quote, "Going green can, in fact, lead to greater economic growth in the longer term. We strongly believe that sustainability is the end game of any company in today's world". This is why we are introducing the carbon tax. As our companies are nudged towards more carbon-efficient and greener practices, they will strengthen their competitive edge and thrive in a low-carbon global future. Let me first address Members' questions on the carbon tax framework. Er Dr Lee Bee Wah asked whether our proposed carbon tax rate of S$5 per tonne of GHG emissions will affect our ability to meet our goals. I would like to assure the House that the carbon tax rate of S$5 per tonne of GHG emissions was decided on very carefully, taking into account both economic competitiveness and environmental considerations. To Asst Prof Madhev Mohan's query, the carbon tax should not be viewed in isolation.”
“Hence, the Bill allows the Minister to delegate the appeal to a Panel that must comprise at least one person with the requisite technical expertise. Mr Speaker, to conclude, the carbon tax is a key part of our measures to achieve Singapore's climate pledge and enhance the competitiveness of our companies and economy. It will provide a price signal to incentivise energy and carbon efficiency improvement across the economy and encourage investment in clean, sustainable solutions. It is a significant step to bring us closer to a liveable and sustainable Singapore, where thriving businesses have low carbon footprints and where climate action is a way of life for all. Through this transformation, our companies will be able to remain internationally competitive and capture opportunities in the low-carbon economy of the future. Sir, I beg to move. [(proc text) Question proposed. (proc text)]”
“It includes GHGs emitted from fire extinguishers, and HFC and PFC emissions from air-conditioning equipment used for non-manufacturing purposes, such as in office buildings. The list also includes GHG emissions that, in line with international GHG reporting protocols, are not counted towards a company's emissions, such as the carbon dioxide emissions from biofuels. Furthermore, we will exclude emissions arising from the use of petrol, diesel and compressed natural gas (CNG). As highlighted by the Finance Minister in his recent Budget Statement, excise duties have been levied on these fuels, which already encourage reduction of their use and, therefore, reduce GHG emissions and, hence, no additional carbon tax will be levied. Although the excluded emissions are not taxed, registered persons will still be required to measure and report most of this data, using simpler methods to estimate such emissions. This data will enable us to track whether these emissions have grown over time and review the list of excluded emissions, if necessary. Let me now touch on penalties and appeal mechanisms. Given that we are imposing a tax on GHG emissions, for parity, the penalties on taxable facilities relating to reporting and tax payment have been pegged to the equivalent penalties for fraud and tax evasion in the Income Tax Act. The Bill also provides an avenue for a registered person to appeal to the Minister against NEA's decision pertaining to the deregistration of taxable facilities, approval of verified emissions reports or monitoring plans, or tax assessments and refunds. These disputes may involve highly technical and specialised industrial processes.”
“This means registered persons will pay the carbon tax by surrendering carbon credits equivalent to their carbon tax liability. These carbon credits can only be bought from NEA at a fixed price. We have designed our carbon tax this way to give us the flexibility to introduce international credits or link to other emissions trading systems, if and when there are opportunities to do so. However, in the initial phase, international credits or offsets will not be allowed as we want our companies to focus on reducing their emissions. That said, we recognise that companies welcome the potential use of international credits. We are monitoring the global discussions on the use of and accounting of international credits and will continue to study this issue. First and Second Schedule – coverage of GHG emissions. The carbon tax will be levied on the direct emissions of six types of GHGs, namely, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs) and sulphur hexafluoride. These are the six gases that Singapore is required to report under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. To reduce compliance costs, there will be a list of GHG emissions that are excluded from the carbon tax, similar to the practice in other CP jurisdictions. The list comprises small sources of emissions which have a disproportionately high cost to measure and report compared to the amount of carbon tax collected. These sources of emissions are typically from ancillary processes and are insignificant compared to a facility's total GHG emissions. The list of excluded emissions is specified in Part 2 of the Second Schedule.”
“Nevertheless, we still want to encourage smaller emitters to monitor and reduce their emissions. Hence, the second category called "reportable facilities", that is, those that emit at least 2,000 tonnes but less than 25,000 tonnes, must have their GHG emissions measured and reported, but will not be taxed. Part 4 – MRV. A robust MRV regime forms the foundation of an effective CP scheme. For reportable facilities, the measurement and reporting requirements will be similar to their existing ECA reporting practices, whereas taxable facilities will adhere to a more stringent set of MRV requirements. Emissions reports for taxable facilities must be submitted annually based on a monitoring plan. The monitoring plan sets out data management practices to ensure that GHG emissions data is measured and reported accurately and robustly. The registered person having operational control of a taxable facility will also be required to engage a qualified independent third party, accredited by NEA, to verify the emissions reports. This provides an independent review of the measurements and reporting of a facility's GHG emissions, akin to a company engaging an external auditor to audit its financial statements. Part 5 – tax and mechanism. The details of the carbon tax can be found in Part 5 of the Bill. As announced by the Finance Minister in the 2018 Budget, the carbon tax rate will start at S$5 per tonne of GHG emissions, which the Government intends to raise to between S$10 to S$15 by 2030. The initial rate of S$5 per tonne has been specified in the Third Schedule and can only be amended by an Act of Parliament. Our carbon tax will be applied uniformly without exemptions. It will take the form of a fixed-price credits-based mechanism.”
“The Bill allows for business activities that are carried out at two or more parcels of land separated from one another to be treated as carried out at a single site in certain instances, including if the activities are under the operational control of the same person and are carried out in an integrated manner and clear dependencies between the activities. Other jurisdictions have similar practices, where separate installations with technical connections or in physical contact, can form a single facility. This was also requested by the industry. We hope that this exception will encourage companies to consider the synergies across plants in order to reap greater emissions reduction and improve resource efficiency. It will also lower compliance cost as only one emissions report needs to be submitted for a single business facility spanning multiple premises. The Bill imposes obligations in relation to two types of facilities – taxable facilities and reportable facilities. Taxable facilities are those that emit 25,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (tCO2e) and above of GHG emissions annually. This threshold does not include the GHG emissions listed in Part 2 of the Second Schedule which I will elaborate on later. These facilities will have to undertake more rigorous measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) processes and will have a carbon tax imposed on their GHG emissions. Together, the facilities that cross this threshold account for about 80% of Singapore's GHG emissions. We took reference from key jurisdictions, such as the EU and South Korea, in deciding on the threshold level of 25,000 tonnes. We aim to strike a balance between maximising our emissions coverage while managing the compliance cost for smaller emitters.”
“We also took reference from the requirements and associated penalties in relevant domestic legislation, including the ECA, as well as the Income Tax Act and the Goods and Services Tax Act. We have also transferred all the GHG emissions reporting requirements from the ECA to the CP Bill. Through many rounds of consultations with potentially affected companies, NGOs and the general public since early 2017, we have received constructive and useful feedback to refine the Bill. I would like to thank everyone who participated. Mr Speaker, allow me to go through the key components of the Bill which are contained in Parts 3 to 5. Part 3 – coverage and definition of facility. Part 3 of the Bill identifies the persons and business facilities that must be registered under the Bill. Facilities from the manufacturing, power generation, water supply and waste management sectors will be covered. We have made refinements to how the ECA defines a "business facility" to provide greater clarity to companies and to align our definition with international practices. A business facility is a single site where a business activity that involves the emission of GHG and forms a single undertaking or enterprise is carried out. The "person", which can be a company or other legal person, having operational control over the facility must be registered under the Bill, and will be responsible for fulfilling the obligations under the Bill. A "business activity" can be an activity or a series of activities.”
“However, we still have some way to go, as leading jurisdictions, such as Belgium and the Netherlands, achieve annual improvement rates of 1% to 2%. The carbon tax will incentivise companies to improve energy and carbon efficiency, while giving them the flexibility to take action where it makes business sense. My Ministry held a consultation session recently with industry and non-government organisation (NGO) participants. Many participants agreed on the need for climate action and supported pricing carbon. This is consistent with the views expressed by business leaders worldwide. For example, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of ExxonMobil, Darren Woods, blogged that, "A uniform price of carbon applied consistently across the economy is a sensible approach to emissions reduction. This would promote greater energy efficiency and the use of today’s lower carbon options, avoid further burdening the economy, and also provide incentives for markets to develop additional low-carbon energy solutions for the future". Since the Finance Minister announced the carbon tax at Budget 2017, we have been consulting stakeholders closely on implementation. To manage compliance costs for companies, the Bill builds on the existing requirements in the Energy Conservation Act (ECA). Similar to ECA, the Carbon Pricing Act will be administered by the National Environment Agency (NEA). Keeping in mind companies' compliance costs and our international competitiveness, we studied the laws in other carbon pricing jurisdictions, such as the European Union (EU), California and South Korea, to ensure that our requirements are appropriately calibrated and aligned to international practices.”
“Put together, it will enable Singapore to meet our commitments under the Paris Agreement. But climate change also presents new opportunities for our companies. The World Bank estimates that climate-smart investments amounting to US$23 trillion will be needed to meet the Paris commitments, that means, US$23 trillion in demand for clean energy, low-emissions transport and sustainable urban solutions. Investors are moving in this direction. Under the Climate Action 100+ Initiative, 256 investors managing US$28 trillion in assets have committed to work with companies to reduce emissions. Companies that adopt greener technologies and climate-friendly practices will find it easier to operate and thrive. China has already made a strategic choice and stated its ambition to transform its economic development and shift towards a low-carbon economy. Globally, many companies are following suit. To maintain our competitive edge, Singapore companies must also transform. Consumers all over the world will soon demand products and services that use the smallest carbon footprint. We must move early. The Government will help. The Minister for Finance has clearly stated that we are prepared to spend more than what we collect in carbon taxes over the next five years to help our companies, including small and medium enterprises (SMEs), improve their carbon efficiency and shift to the low-carbon economy. Our companies reported an energy efficiency (EE) improvement rate of 0.4% in 2014 and 0.6% in 2015. I am happy that our EE improvement rates continue to rise and, for 2016, we have achieved an EE improvement rate of 0.8%. This means reduced carbon emissions from industry.”
“Mr Speaker, Sir, I beg to move, "That the Bill be now read a Second time." The Carbon Pricing (CP) Bill seeks to impose a carbon tax on certain greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) of business facilities, measured from 2019 onwards. The Bill also imposes obligations concerning the reporting of GHG emissions of business facilities, in place of the obligations currently in the Energy Conservation Act. I have spoken in this House about how climate change poses existential challenges for Singapore. We are already experiencing its impacts – changing weather patterns, more intense rainfall and rising sea levels. Singapore is thus an active advocate and contributor to global climate action, as this is the only way to preserve a habitable planet for our children. This is also why we are rallying Singaporeans in this Year of Climate Action. Since launching in January, about 50,000 individuals, organisations and educational institutions have taken the Climate Action pledge. Our Climate Action video has been viewed more than a quarter million times. We are encouraged by the passion and activism of our fellow Singaporeans and businesses doing their part for climate action. Our 2016 Climate Action Plan outlines the climate adaptation measures we are taking to build Singapore’s resilience to climate change, as well as the climate mitigation measures to reduce GHG emissions in every sector through driving energy efficiency, robust transport policies around what we call "car-lite" policies for a "car-lite Singapore" and waste management policies aiming for a "Zero Waste Nation". The carbon tax is thus an integral part of this suite of mitigation measures to nudge our industries towards a low carbon footprint.”
“The National Environment Agency (NEA) currently does not monitor the number of plastic bags used in Singapore. Based on NEA’s waste characterisation study, it is estimated that plastic bags constitute a fifth of the plastic waste disposed of by weight. This trend has remained fairly constant, with the weight of the plastic waste disposed of in 2015, 2016 and 2017 estimated to be 766,800, 762,700 and 763,400 tonnes respectively. Under the mandatory reporting framework for packaging waste, which will be implemented by 2021, businesses will be required to report the type and amount of packaging they put on the market and their packaging waste reduction plans. The number of single-use plastic bags used may be included under the framework. NEA will start industry consultations on the framework this year. We will also continue to support initiatives by the private sector and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and step up engagement with stakeholders to reduce the excessive use of plastic bags. For example, NEA will work with retailers to explore initiatives such as training cashiers to ask customers at payment counters if plastic bags are needed, and putting up visual cues in stores to serve as reminders.”